Bulletins of Natural and Applied Sciences
Vol. 3(2):1-7
Dystocia Due to Ventral Abdominal Wall Defective Kitten in a 4 -Years-Old Queen: A Case Report
*1,2U.M. Bamanga., 1,3S. O. Asuku., 1,4M. B. Darman, 1,3I. D. Peter, 1,2M. A. Idris, and 3M. A. Waziri. 1Theriogenology Specialty, Faculty of Surgery, Postgraduate College of Veterinary Surgeons, Nigeria; 2Veterinary
ABSTRACT
Dystocia in queens may arise from maternal or fetal causes, with most parturition completed within a few hours. A 4-year-old queen weighing 3 kg was presented to Gwale Veterinary Hospital, Kano, Kano State, after delivering two kittens and continuing to strain unsuccessfully for several hours. Clinical examination, revealed normal vital parameters and abdominal palpation confirmed the presence of another fetus within the uterus. An emergency caesarean section was performed, resulting in delivery of viable kitten. However, the ventral abdominal wall of the fetus failed to fuse, exposing the abdominal contents and the heart, displacing the organs from their normal anatomical position, which led to a congenital abnormality called ventral abdominal wall defect/Gastroschisis. The kitten died 35 minutes postpartum. This case highlight the rarity of gastroschisis as a cause of dystocia in feline species and underscores the importance of antenatal monitoring and timely obstetrical intervention to improve neonatal outcomes.
