Dystocia due to breech presentation and caesarean under local anaesthesia and sedation in a mare

A nulliparous non-descript mare presented at full term with a history of straining (utero-abdominal contractions) for the last 24 hours. Vaginal examination revealed a dead foal in posterior presentation with bilateral hip flexion and dorso-iliac left position. Pre-operatively, 5 mL Tetanus toxoid as intramuscular injection, 3g Ceftriaxone and 4 mL Dexamethasone in 3L 5% Dextrose normal saline (DNS) as intravenous infusion (i/v) was administered. The per-vaginal delivery of the foal could not be attempted due to breech presentation; therefore, caesarean section was planned. Local anaesthetic infiltration along with sedation was done for carrying out the caesarean by employing an oblique ventro-lateral approach in lateral recumbency. Intravenous fluids, antiinflammatory drugs and daily antiseptic dressing were included in post-operative management and led to uneventful recovery of mare. The authors would like to perorate the case as a rare breech presentation induced dystocia in equine and emergency caesarean by employing an oblique ventrolateral approach under local anaesthesia and sedation.