Dystocia and Cesarean Section in a Lioness (Panthera leo)

A four-year-old pregnant African lioness with dystocia was referred to the university teaching hospital. History-taking revealed the parturition had started four hours ago, but the cubs couldn't come out due to incomplete dilation of the cervix. This article describes the procedures before, during, and after the surgical operation, including the anesthesia protocol performed and performing a Cesarean section through the midline celiotomy to remove a dead and two live cubs from the uterus and successfully heal the dam without any complications. This surgery was performed about three years ago. After the operation to date, the lioness is in perfect health and she gave birth to ۲ and ۳ healthy cubs, respectively in two of her last parturition with no need for any help.

Keywords:

C-section , Cub , Dystocia , Lioness , Parturition