Caesarean Section in Rabbits (Disease Investigation & Management - Treatment and Care)

Preparation

• Radiography to determine the number and position of kits. (B601.17.w17)
• Abdominal ultrasonography may be used to detect fetal heart rates and assess kit viability.
• See: Imaging in Lagomorph Diagnosis and Treatment

Incision

• Make a standard laparotomy incision. (B601.17.w17) See: Laparotomy in Rabbits (Techniques)

Caesarean section - standard (B601.17.w17, B615.8.w8)

• Exteriorise the reproductive tract.
• Isolate the reproductive tract from the abdomen.
• Choose one uterine horn and make an incision over a fetus.
  • Incise centrally on the horn. (B615.8.w8)
  • Take care not to cut the fetus.
• Exteriorise the placenta and fetus.
• Rupture the placenta.
• Clamp and cut the umbilicus.
• Hand the kit to an assistant to care for:
  • Rub the kit with a towel to (a) dry it; (b) stimulate it to breath.
  • Remove fetal fluids from the nostrils and mouth.
• Manoeuvre each kit in that uterine horn to the initial uterine incision and repeat.
• Repeat for the other uterine horn (if kits are present). 
• Either:
  • 1) Carry out an ovariohysterectomy. (see: Ovariohysterectomy of Rabbits (Techniques))
    • This is advised as it will prevent future pregnancies and potential repeat dystocia. (B601.17.w17, B615.8.w8)
  • OR 2) Suture the incision in each uterine horn in a double layer closure, the first layer being a simple continuous suture, and the the second in an inverting pattern. (B601.17.w17)
    • OR with a single inverting pattern suture. (B615.8.w8)
    • Use a fine absorbable synthetic monofilament suture material.
• Close the abdomen.
  • See: Laparotomy in Rabbits (Techniques)

En bloc technique - alternative (B601.17.w17)

• Exteriorise the reproductive tract.
• Isolate the reproductive tract from the abdomen.
• Place two clamps on each ovarian pedicle.
• Place two clamps on the vaginal pedicle.
• Cut in between the clamps to remove the uterus intact.
• Hand the uterus to an assistant.
  • The assistant delivers the kits and resuscitates them.
  • This must be carried out quickly if the kits are viable.
  • Ligate the pedicles.
  • Close the abdomen.
    • See: Laparotomy in Rabbits (Techniques)
• Ligate the pedicles.
• Close the abdomen.
  • See: Laparotomy in Rabbits (Techniques)

• Dystocia or uterine inertia. (B601.17.w17, B615.8.w8)
  • Delivery of a litter usually takes only about an hour. (B601.17.w17)
  • Delivery of the litter taking longer than an hour, prolonged straining by the doe, or palpation of a kit still inside the reproductive tract more than an hour after the start of parturition suggests the possibility of dystocia or uterine inertia. (B601.17.w17)

• Standard anaesthetic equipment for rabbits.

• Surgical equipment appropriate for rabbits.

• Suture materials.

• This procedure should only be carried out by an individual with appropriate clinical training and practical experience.

The costs of a surgical operation include those associated with: (J15.30.w1)

• Pre-operative diagnostics (e.g. radiography, ultrasonography, blood tests)
• Anaesthesia.
• Perioperative medication (e.g. analgesics, antibiotics, fluids).
• Surgical preparation (of the operating theatre and the patient, including staff time).
• Consumables and equipment.
• Time of the surgeon and assistant(s).
• Post-operative hospitalisation.