Journal watch24 February 2025
Author(s): Giles, L., Bainm C. and Nabb, E.
Published in: Veterinary Record
Date: December 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/vetr.4601
Type of access: Requires membership/payment (click for full article)
Our summary
Giles, L., Bain, C. and Nabb, E. (2024) Outcomes of 584 cattle caesarean sections performed in a UK first opinion practice. Veterinary Record, e4601.
The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to evaluate cattle caesarean sections (C-sections) performed at a first opinion veterinary practice, to increase the evidence base available for benchmarking, and to identify risk factors for dam and/or calf mortality.
The study used data from a single veterinary practice in Southwest England. All data from recorded cattle C-sections performed between January 2015 and December 2021 were analysed. Recorded data included whether the dam was primiparous or multiparous, was a beef or dairy breed, whether the dam was standing or recumbent at the time of the operation, and whether the calf was delivered alive or dead. Dams that moved between standing and recumbent during the operation were classified recumbent. Follow up data was collected at four- and 14-days post-surgery.
C-sections were carried out using the veterinary practice’s standard procedure in which two veterinary surgeons attended from incision to surgical closure, with C-sections carried out via left paralumbar laparotomy with the dam standing (preferred) or recumbent. Standardised analgesic and anaesthetic regimes were followed.
Records of 584 cattle C-sections were available for analysis, though not all possible recorded data was available for every procedure.
In 428 procedures calf outcomes were reported, in 141 of these cases the calf was stillborn. A total of 31 dams (5.3% of all cases) were reported to have died within 14 days of undergoing a C-section, this number included any that died or were euthanased during surgery. No significant difference was found between dairy and beef dam survival, but dam mortality was significantly increased when recumbent during surgery or when a dead calf was delivered. The records did not include reasons for procedure however uterine torsions were noted in 27 cases and 15 of these resulted in a dead calf.
A limitation is that the study was carried out at a single veterinary practice with veterinary surgeons following a standardised procedure thus the results may not be generalisable to other veterinary practices or procedures.
Take Home
This study provides useful benchmarking data on outcomes of cattle caesarean sections which will be useful for in practice auditing and improved clinical governance and outcomes.
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