Dystocia in Murrah Buffalo Due to Dicephalus Sternopagus Tetrabrachius Tetrapus Fetal Monster - A Case Report

Chinmay Warghat; Pradeep Dangi; Poornima Dwivedi; Newton Biswas; Neeraj Shrivastava; Brijesh Kumar; Sanjeev Mehrotra

Authors

Chinmay Warghat Division of Animal Reproduction, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly (U.P.) 243122, India https://orcid.org/0009-0002-7924-2055
Pradeep Dangi Division of Animal Reproduction, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly (U.P.) 243122, INDIA
Poornima Dwivedi Division of Animal Reproduction, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly (U.P.) 243122, INDIA
Newton Biswas Division of Animal Reproduction, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly (U.P.) 243122, INDIA https://orcid.org/0009-0007-9303-8735
Neeraj Shrivastava Division of Animal Reproduction, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly (U.P.) 243122, INDIA https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9559-6139
Brijesh Kumar Division of Animal Reproduction, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly (U.P.) 243122, INDIA https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6153-0791
Sanjeev Mehrotra Division of Animal Reproduction, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly (U.P.) 243122, INDIA

Keywords:

Buffalo, Conjoined twin monster, Robert concealled knives, Partial subcutaneous fetotomy

Abstract

A seven-year-old, pluriparous (fourth parity) Murrah buffalo with an anamnesis of full-term gestation and straining was reported to the ‘Referral Veterinary Polyclinic’ ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar. At the time of presentation, four limbs were visible outside the vulva, and fetal membranes were hanging from the vagina. Per vaginal examination of the dam revealed all limbs as forelimbs. The case was suspected of being a monster. After properly stabilizing the buffalo, it was cast and positioned on the right side. Thereafter, by using Roberts' concealed knives, a partial subcutaneous fetotomy was performed. The monster was delivered vaginally using obstetrical instruments and manual traction. The gross examination of the fetus revealed that it was a case of conjoined twins, i.e., a dicephalus sternopagus tetrabrachius tetrapus ' tetrapus’fetal monster. The buffalo was treated with antibiotics and analgesic medication for five days. The dam was recovered with no complications.