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Home▶ Journals▶ Indian Journal of Veterinary Sciences and Biotechnology▶Archive▶Vol. 22 No. 2 (2026)▶Surgical Management of Feline Dystocia Due to Uterine…
Indian Journal of Veterinary Sciences and Biotechnology
Case Report

Surgical Management of Feline Dystocia Due to Uterine  Inertia by Caesarean Section and Ovariohysterectomy:  A Case Report

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Vandana — Department of Veterinary Gynaecology and Obstetrics, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Acharya Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Kumarganj, Ayodhya-224229, UP, India
Mohammad Irfan — Department of Veterinary Gynaecology and Obstetrics, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Acharya Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Kumarganj, Ayodhya-224229, UP, India
Akarsh Tyagi — Department of Veterinary Gynaecology and Obstetrics, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Acharya Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Kumarganj, Ayodhya-224229, UP, India
Saurabh — Department of Veterinary Clinical Complex, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Acharya Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Kumarganj, Ayodhya-224229, UP, India
Rajesh Kumar — Assistant Professor, Department of Veterinary Gynaecology and Obstetrics, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Acharya Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Kumarganj, Ayodhya-224229, UP, India
Sonu Jaiswal — Department of Veterinary Clinical Complex, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Acharya Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Kumarganj, Ayodhya-224229, UP, India
Published 10 Mar 2026 Vol. 22 No. 2 (2026), pp. 192-194 ● Open access
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Abstract

Dystocia, defined as difficult or abnormal parturition, is a critical emergency in small animal practice that  requires immediate veterinary intervention (Verstegen et al., 2008). In cats, dystocia occurs in approximately 5-6% of all  pregnancies and can be classified as either maternal or fetal  in origin (Jackson, 2004). Maternal dystocia includes uterine  inertia, pelvic abnormalities, and cervical dystocia, while  fetal dystocia involves oversized fetuses, malpresentation, or  fetal monsters (Linde-Forsberg, 2010). Uterine inertia is one  of the most common causes of dystocia in cats and can be  further categorized as primary or secondary (Traas, 2008). The  normal gestation period in cats ranges from 58-70 days, with  an average of 65 days (Johnston et al., 2011). Recognition of  dystocia is crucial for successful management. Clinical signs  include prolonged stage I labour (>24 h), active straining  without fetal delivery for more than 30 min, interval between  kitten deliveries exceeding 4 h, and maternal distress (Linde Forsberg, 2010). Early intervention improves both maternal  and fetal survival rates (Münnich and Küchenmeister, 2009).  This case report presents the successful management of a  young queen cat with secondary uterine inertia following  partial parturition, emphasizing the importance of timely  surgical intervention in achieving favourable outcomes.

KeywordsDystocia, Feline, Uterine inertia, Caesarean section, Ovariohysterectomy, Queen cat

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