Life Sciences Leaflets FREE DOWNLOAD ISSN 2277-4297(Print) 0976–1098(Online)

A CASE OF DYSTOCIA IN CHINKARA (GAZELLA BENNETTI)

ASHUTOSH TRIPATHI*, MEHTA J. S., PUROHIT G. N., SUNANDA SHARMA, PRAMOD KUMAR, SATISH K. PATHAK

AND KARMVEER SAINI DEPARTMENT OF VETERINARY GYNAECOLOGY AND

OBSTETRICS, COLLEGE OF VETERINARY AND SCIENCE, RAJUVAS, BIKANER. Corresponding author’s e-mail: [email protected]

ABSTRACT: A case of dystocia due to fetal mal-posture in Chinkara was presented to the clinics of department of Veterinary Gynaecology and Obstetrics, college of Veterinary and Animal Science, Bikaner. Fawn was in anterior presentation Received on: with carpal flexion of both forelimbs and lateral deviation of head and neck. 26th October 2014 Carpal flexion was corrected by extending carpal and metacarpal joints Revised on: carefully by protecting hooves into the palm. Deviation of the head of fetus was 10th December 2015 corrected and then fetus was delivered by application of gentle traction over the Accepted on: forelegs and head. Animal was administered fluid and supportive therapy. 13th January 2015 Animal expelled placenta after 2 hrs and regained alertness. Published on: 1st February 2015 KEY WORDS: Dystocia, Chinkara, Fetal mal-posture.

Volume No. INTRODUCTION: Online & Print 60 (2015) The Indian Gezelle (Gazella bennetti), commonly known as Chinkara,

belonging to the family Bovidae, is an even-toed ungulate with slender, Page No. 148 to 151 graceful build. It has reddish-buff coat color, with fur being glossy and

Life Sciences Leaflets smooth. The belly of the gazelles is white. There are dark chestnut stripes on is an international the sides of the face that stretch from corner of the eye to the muzzle. The open access print & muzzle is also bordered by white stripes (Prater, 1971). In India it is mostly e journal, peer reviewed, worldwide found in Rajasthan, north western and central parts (Mallon, 2008). Sexual abstract listed, maturity in Chinkara is attained at two years of age. Gestation period is of five published every month to five and half months (Rahmani, 1988). Generally Chinkara delivers single with ISSN, RNI Free- membership, young one, but twins have also been reported (Rahmani, 1988; Bohra et al., downloads and access. 1992). The rut season appears to occur in two seasons, one lasting from the

http://lifesciencesleaflets.ning.com/ PEER-REVIEWED Page | 148

Life Sciences Leaflets FREE DOWNLOAD ISSN 2277-4297(Print) 0976–1098(Online) end of monsoon up to early October and again in the late spring from March to the end of April (Habibi et. al., 1993). Dystocia is described as difficult or abnormal birth (Roberts, 1971). Dystocia exist when delivery taking longer time than normal or some other events occur that make delivery difficult or even impossible. A dam is considered in dystocia when she has been in active labor for more than 0.5 – 1 hr (in case of small ruminants) and is not making any progress. Dystocia has been widely mentioned for domestic ruminant species but for the wild ruminants such as Chinkara difficult births are poorly known. In the present case dystocia in a Chinkara due to fetal mal-posture is described. Case handling and discussion A free ranging Chinkara deer was referred to the Department of Veterinary Gynaecology and Obstetrics with the complaint that animal was found straining severely in the bushes with fluid coming out through the vulva but the delivery could not progress. General condition of the doe was fair, with strong and regular contractions and increased heart and breathing rate. First of all the animal was given fluid and supportive therapy to improve general condition. Per-vaginum examination with proper lubrication revealed full dilatation of cervix. Fetus was in the anterior presentation with carpal flexion of both the forelimbs and lateral deviation of head and neck. Epidural anaesthesia was administered (lignocaine hydrochloride 2%, 2ml) to avoid uterine contractions for proper manipulation. Then with proper lubrication the fetus was pushed back gently, into the uterus, between subsequent contractions, to create space for correction of the posture. After insertion of the fetus back into the uterus, carpal and metacarpal joints were extended carefully by protecting hoof in to the palm, thus both the forelimbs were made straight and properly aligned to the birth canal (fig.1). After correction of limb flexion, posture of head was corrected (fig.2). Then birth canal was properly lubricated with the help of rubber catheter. By securing the inner canthus of eye between the index finger and thumb, a gentle, steady, increasing traction with each contraction, was applied over both the fore limbs of the fawn. There was no evidence of uterine bleeding or prolapse. After a period of 2 hrs the Chinkara expelled placenta completely and regained alertness. Unfortunately because of undue delay in the presentation of case to the clinic, fetus delivered was dead (fig.3). Animal was given Inj. dexamethasone (Inj. dexona- 4mg IV), Inj. dextrose-500 ml IV, antibiotic (Inj. oxytetracycline 10 mg/kg, IM) and analgesic (Inj. flunixin meglumine 2.5 mg/kg, IM), Inj. Oxytocin (Inj. zygon 10 IU, IM) to help in expelling the placenta completely and to avoid internal bleeding in uterus. After expulsion of placenta intrauterine boluses (bolus furea - 2 boli IU) were left into the uterus. Veterinary assistance for deer’s dystocia is important and the time factor is crucial for the survival of the fawn. Previous study show that pregnancy period in deer is widely variable which make it difficult to predict the exact due date of delivery (Chan et. al., 2009), specially in case of free ranging deer. The

http://lifesciencesleaflets.ning.com/ PEER-REVIEWED Page | 149

Life Sciences Leaflets FREE DOWNLOAD ISSN 2277-4297(Print) 0976–1098(Online) incidence of dystocia in deer may increase when the environmental conditions are not favorable. Ageing may be one of the contributing factor. Any interruption in labor process such as human disturbance or sudden change in weather may increase mother’s excitability and attribute to maternal stress related factors of dystocia (Pople et. al., 2001; Mosdol, 1999). In the present case of dystocia the gestation period was not known exactly, but due to full dilatation of birth canal and fair condition of doe proper manipulation in the postures could be done otherwise in such cases laparohysterotomy is required.

REFERENCES: Roberts S. J. 1971. Veterinary Obstetrics and Genital Diseases. CBS Publishers, Pp 227.

Bohra H. C., Goyal S. P., Ghosh P. K. and Ishwar Prakash 1992. Studies on ethology and ecophysiology of antelopes of the Indian Desert. Annals of Arid Zone 31: 83-96.

G. Mosdol 1999. Spontaneous vaginal rupture in pregnant ewes, Veterinary Record 9: 38-41.

Habibi K., Thouless C. R. and N. Lindsay 1993. Comparative behavior of Sandand Mountaingazelles. Journal of Zoology (London) 229: 41-53.

J.P. Chan, H.Y. Tsai, C.F. Chen, K.C. Tung, and C.C. Chang 2009. The reproductive performance of female Formosan (Cervus unicolor swinhoei) in semi-domesticated herds, Theriogenology 71: 1156-1161.

Mallon, D.P. 2008. Gazella bennettii. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.2.

N.C. Pople, A.L. Allen, and M.R. Woodbury 2001. A retrospective study of neonatal mortality in farmed elk, Canadian Veterinary Journal 42: 925-8.

Rahmani A. R. 1988. Chinkara. Sanctuary Asia VIII (1): 46-74.

S. H. Prater 1971. “ The Book of Indian ’’ Oxford University Press, 2005 reprint.

http://lifesciencesleaflets.ning.com/ PEER-REVIEWED Page | 150

Life Sciences Leaflets FREE DOWNLOAD ISSN 2277-4297(Print) 0976–1098(Online)

Fig. (1) Corrected posture of forelegs of fawn Fig. (2) Corrected deviation of head of fawn

Fig. (3) Delivered fawn along with expelled placenta

http://lifesciencesleaflets.ning.com/ PEER-REVIEWED Page | 151