Dystocia Due to Fetal Malposition with Abrachia in Yankasa Ewe

This report describes a case of fetal malposition with abrachia in a Yankasa ewe (Ovis aries), presented on the 24th March 2011 to the State House Veterinary Clinic in Abuja, Nigeria. A two-and-a-half year old Yankasa ewe, weighing approximately 35 kg was presented to the clinic and reported to have been in labour for 18 hours prior to presentation. Physical examination revealed the following vital parameters: temperature 37.8°C, pulse rate 122 beats/min, and respiratory rate 29 cycles /min. Surgical intervention was identified as the treatment after careful evaluation. Caesarean section was performed to relieve the dystocia. The lamb was stillborn when removed of the ewe. Gross examination of the dead lamb revealed bilateral absence of the forelimbs, a condition called abrachia. This, in addition to the posterior presentation of the lamb, may have contributed to the dystocia. In conclusion, fetal malpresentation complicated with abrachia might have predisposed the ewe to the dystocia. To the best of our knowledge, this case is the first report of abrachia in sheep in Nigeria.