Bovine caesarean section 1. On-farm operations

Abstract

Bovine caesarean section (C-section) is a relatively frequent surgical procedure in farm animal practice. This article describes on-farm operations, rather than those undertaken in hospital conditions. It covers the conventional C-section in cattle, where a normal delivery is not possible. The aim is to guide new graduates and those who undertake a small amount of farm animal work through the various stages. A second article, to be published in a subsequent issue of In Practice, will cover complications that can occur before, during and after surgery, as well as describing the more unusual cases that can test even the most experienced surgeons.