The Visual Guide to
Equine Reproduction
- Parturition
- Presentation
- Injuries to the Foal
- Cesarean Section
- Fetotomy
- Twinning
- Prolapsed Uterus
- Prolapsed Rectum
Obstetrics: Fetotomy
Epidural Anesthesia - Preparation.
The tailhead is washed,scrubbed, and disinfected. The tail is wrapped.
LeBlanc MM (2013)
Epidural Anesthesia - Injection Site.
The space between the sacrum and the first coccygeal vertebra is identified by digital palpation. While the tail is moved up and down the recessed area is located.
LeBlanc MM (2013)
Epidural Anesthesia - Skin Injection.
2% Lidocaine is injected subcutaneously with a small gauge needle prior to the placement of the epidural injection needle.
LeBlanc MM (2013)
Epidural Anesthesia - Skin Injection.
Local subcutaneous injection of 2% lidocaine with a small gauge needle prior to the insertion of the epidural injection needle.
LeBlanc MM (2013)
Epidural Anesthesia - Needle Angle.
Initial placement of the epidural needle at a 90 degree to the curvature of the caudal vertebral column.
LeBlanc MM (2013)
Epidural Anesthesia - Full Insertion.
Placement of the epidural needle at a 90 degree to the curvature of the caudal vertebral column.
LeBlanc MM (2013)
Resolution of True Breech.
Due to the length of the hindlimbs of the fetal foal it may be impossible to correct the abnormal posture in the case of a true breech. Once the foal is dead, one end of the fetotomy wire can be placed around one of the retained legs, and rethreaded in the vacant channel of the fetatome. The severed leg is then backed out of the birth canal. With the space created it may then be possible to retrieve the second leg. As a rule of thumb no more than two or three fetotomy cuts should be made in the mare to minimize trauma to the cervix and vagina of the mare which leads to the formation of adhesions.
Bierschwal CJ and deBois CHW (1975)
Removal of a Hindlimb.
The left hindlimb and half of the pelvis have been severed to reduce the diameter of the foal and to create more space for manipulation. This dead foal was originally presented in a true breech position.
Pozor MA (2009)
Severed Limb.
The left hindlimb and half of the pelvis have been severed by fetotomy to reduce the diameter of the foal and to create more space for manipulation.
Pozor MA (2009)
Correction of Retained Head.
Due to the length of the neck of the foal it may be impossible to retrieve the head. Once the foal is dead one end of the fetotomy wire can be placed around the base of neck of the fetus, and rethreaded in the open channel of the fetatome. The severed neck and head are then backed out of the birth canal. As a rule of thumb no more than two or three fetotomy cuts should be made in the mare to minimize trauma to the cervix and vagina of the mare which leads to the formation of adhesions.
Bierschwal CJ and deBois CHW (1975)
Fetotomy Practice.
Practice of dismembering a stillborn fetus in a phantom with a fetatome.
Pozor MA (2009)
Fetotomy Practice.
Learning to use the fetotomy wire to dismember a stillborn fetus in a phantom.
Pozor MA (2009)