Non-Surgical Resolution of Dystocia in a Captive Zebra (Equus quagga) Due to Fetal Malposture

Document Type : Case report

Authors

Muhammad Usman Mehmood ¹

Shahid Ali ¹

Shahzad Akram ²

Madia Ashraf ³

Abdul Sattar ¹

¹ Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan.

² Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.

³ Lahore Zoological Garden, Shahrah-e-Quid-e-Azam, Lahore, Pakistan.

10.22067/ijvst.2026.94756.1591

Abstract

Dystocia can pose serious obstetrical problems, especially if it results from fetal malposition, although it is not rare in mares. This report details an uncommon case of dystocia in a four-year-old captive plains zebra (Equus quagga) at Lahore Zoo in Pakistan. The mare was diagnosed with anterior longitudinal presentation, dorsopubic position, and posture deficits, including significant lateral deviation of the head and bilateral carpal flexion, after displaying symptoms of prolonged second-stage labor of 10-12 hours. After examination, the fetus was determined to be deceased.  Obstetrical correction was accomplished through mutation, repulsion, and forced extraction under general anesthesia administered via remote darting. This manual correction, completed in approximately four hours, and facilitated a successful vaginal delivery, without the need for a fetotomy or cesarean surgery. Post-procedure care included antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, and fluid therapy. The mare recovered without any injuries to the reproductive tract or retained fetal membranes. To our knowledge, this is the first documented case of successful assisted vaginal delivery for dystocia in a zebra in Pakistan, offering valuable clinical insights for managing similar obstetric situations in equids and other wildlife species.

Keywords

Fetal malposition

Dystocia

Mutation

Forced extraction

Zebra

Subjects

• Theriogenology

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