Gynaecology and Obstetrics Section

TREATMENT

• The handling of dystokia caused by uterine torsion in large animals includes several techniques.
• Rolling of the dam, rotation of the fetus and uterus through the birth canal or through a laprotomy incision.
• Rolling the dam is on of the oldest and simplest methods to relieve torsion of the uterus.
• cesarean section.

Rolling of the dam

• Oldest and simplest method
• Requires assistance of 3-6 men depending on the size of the animal.
• Rolling should be done  on a sand bed.
• If the animal is large and vigorous – induce epidural anesthesia prior to rolling.

Principle of rolling

• The animal is rolled slowly.
• Holding the fetus or fixing the uterus and its contents in place while the animal is rotated corrects the torsion.

Shaffer's Method

• Requires less assistance

Technique of rolling

• Cast the animal on the same side as the direction of torsion.
• The two hind legs and two front legs of the cow are secured separately.
  The animals head is held extended.
  Place the plank (9-12 feet length and 8-12 inches wide) on the animal’s abdomen with the lower end of the plank on the ground.
• An assistant stands on the plank and the animal is slowly rolled in the same direction as the torsion by pulling on the ropes around the front and hind feet.
• If torsion is not relieved the animal is rolled back slowly to the original position or pushed, over her legs and sternum so that she is once more in lateral recumbency on the same side as the direction of the torsion and the procedure may be repeated again.
• After each rotation of the animal’s body the birth canal should be examined to determine if torsion is corrected.
• Rolling procedure is repeated 3-4 more times before failure is admitted and another technique is attempted.
• In most cases, the torsion is corrected on the first rolling.