Grad Student Competition
Prognostic indicators for hospital discharge in cattle undergoing recumbent cesarean section at a veterinary teaching hospital: A retrospective study
| Date/Time: |
9/12/2025
11:00
|
| Author: |
Dane W Schwartz |
| Clinic: |
Auburn University |
| City, State, ZIP: |
Auburn, AL 36832 |
D.W. Schwartz , DVM
1
;
O.F Huertas , DVM
1
;
C. Armstrong , DVM, MS, DACT
1
;
T. Passler, DVM, PhD, DACVIM
1
;
M.F. Chamorro, DVM, MS, PhD, DACVIM
1
;
1Department of Clinical Science, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, 36832
Introduction:
Approximately 6% of beef cows on conventional cow-calf farms in North America need assistance during calving, with approximately 3% requiring a cesarean section (c-section). Prognostic indicators for hospital discharge of cattle undergoing recumbent c-section are limited in the literature. Dam survival after ventral midline cesarean section was 82% (9/11) in one study; however, prognostic indicators for survival in cows undergoing recumbent c-section are lacking. The objective of this retrospective study was to determine prognostic indicators to hospital discharge of cattle presenting to a veterinary teaching hospital and undergoing recumbent c-section.
Materials and methods:
A retrospective study was conducted to evaluate medical records from 2008 to 2025 of cattle undergoing recumbent c-section at the Auburn University Large Animal Teaching Hospital. Female cattle of any breed that were presented for dystocia and underwent recumbent c-section were included in the study. A total of 41 medical records met the inclusion criteria, and the association between independent variables and outcome (discharge from the hospital vs. non-discharge) was assessed by Chi Square and Fisher exact tests.
Results:
Of 41 cases included, 82.9% (34/41) survived to discharge and 17.1% (7/41) died or were euthanized. Data from season of the year, age, breed, duration of dystocia prior to presentation, attempts at assisted vaginal delivery prior to surgery, initial TPR, fetal/calf viability, calf presentation/position, uterine friability, number of uterine suture layers, suture pattern, type of suture, treatment including uterine lavage and use of intravenous fluid therapy, and duration of hospitalization were not significantly associated with the outcome (P > 0.05). The proportion of survivors that presented standing (90%) was significantly greater (P = 0.03) than the proportion of survivors that presented in recumbency (55.5%). A greater proportion of cattle undergoing a ventral midline approach (86.5%) were discharged from the hospital compared to those that underwent other (low flank oblique, flank, paramedian) approaches (50%). A greater proportion of cows with free abdominal fluid detected during surgery died or were euthanized (50%) compared with non-survivors in which free abdominal fluid was not detected during surgery (7%). The use of NSAIDs before and/or after surgery was associated with hospital discharge (P = 0.07).
Significance:
Based on the results of this study, cattle undergoing recumbent C-section have a good prognosis for hospital discharge. A timely decision on surgery to reduce systemic compromise and the risk of complications for the patient may improve prognosis for survival.
