Dystocia in dromedary camels: Prevalence, forms, risks and hematobiochemical changes

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Reproductive Biology
• Animal Science

Background:

• Dystocia, or difficult birth, poses significant risks in camel husbandry.
• Understanding its prevalence, causes, and consequences is crucial for herd management and animal welfare.
• Limited data exists on the hematobiochemical profiles associated with camel dystocia.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence and common causes of dystocia in dromedary camels.
• To assess the risks of fetal and maternal mortality associated with dystocia.
• To investigate hematobiochemical changes in camels experiencing dystocia.

Main Methods:

• Surveyed 1890 calvings for dystocia prevalence.
• Analyzed 107 dystocia cases for causes and treatment outcomes.
• Utilized logistic regression to identify risk factors for mortality.
• Collected blood samples for hematology and biochemical analysis (SAA, Hp, E2, P4, BUN, AST, etc.).

Main Results:

• Overall dystocia prevalence was 8.6%, higher in intensive systems and primiparous camels.
• Abnormal posture (51.4%) and uterine torsion (23.4%) were the leading causes.
• Fetal mortality reached 87.9%, and dam mortality was 17.8%, both strongly linked to dystocia duration.
• Increased dystocia duration correlated with elevated SAA, Hp, BUN, AST, and decreased E2 and white blood cell counts.

Conclusions:

• Abnormal posture and uterine torsion are key contributors to camel dystocia.
• The duration of dystocia is a critical factor influencing both fetal and maternal survival.
• Hematobiochemical markers indicate a significant inflammatory and metabolic response to prolonged dystocia.