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Abstract
This paper presents a case of dystocia due to Fetal Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita in a three-year-old Balami Ewe. The case was presented to Senator Ali Sheriff Veterinary Hospital, Maiduguri, Borno State by a client who noticed unproductive labor for approximately three (3) hours after rupture of the water bag. Physical examination of the Ewe revealed presence of fetal head and thorax in anterior longitudinal presentation with extended forelimbs hanging through the vulva, however, the hind limb was lodged in the birth canal. A pedal and suckling reflexes were observed in the lamb and obstetrical examination revealed a tail and flexed hocks impacted within the birth canal. There was adequate pelvic dimension and spacing that allowed per-vaginum manoeuvring and traction for relieve of the dystocia. A live fetus was delivered although characterized with ankylosed joints of the hind limb, deformed lumbo-sacral vertebral column, kyphosis of the thoracic spines with very poor gait when the lamb attempts to stand. In addition, the dam was weak and required support in order to stand. Supportive therapy involved intravenous infusion of 5% Dextrose saline (500mL) and intramuscular injection of Diclofenac sodium given at 2.5mg/kg body weight. Oxytocin (10I.U) was administered intramuscularly to facilitate uterine involution and reduced post-parturient hemorrhage. The fetus was placed on colostrum obtained from the dam but died within 24 hours of birth; however, the supportive therapy was continued for the dam for 3 days’ post-partum. Follow-up assessments showed that the Ewe has regained a stable condition with no signs of retained fetal membranes, septicemia or metritis. The client was advised to avoid rebreeding the ewe and to use rams with proven reproductive histories for further breeding and genetic control
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- Achour, R., Amari, S., Jamaa, N.B., Ksibi, I., Kacem, S. and Neji, K. (2017). Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenital: Case Report. Journal of Neonatal Biology, 6(1): 1 – 2. DOI: 10.4172/2167-0987.1000249
- Adeyemi, I.G. and Aina, O.O. (2020). Arthrogryposis with attendant features of achondroplasia in Gudali calf of Nigerian cattle breed at Akinyele, International Cattle Market, Ibadan, Southwest Nigeria: an epizootiologic investigation. Nigerian Journal of Animal Production, 46(4): 27 – 32. https://doi.org/10.51791/njap.v46i4.268
- Bukar, M. M., Waziri, M. A. and Ibrahim, U. I. (2006). Dystocia due to Arthrogryposis and associated with a Mummified Twin in a Cross (Yankassa/Uda) Ewe: A Case Report. Tropical Veterinarian, 24(4), 85-88.
- Kamalakar, G., Dhilleswara, R.S., Swathi, Y. and Rambabu, K. (2016). Dystocia due to unilateral elbow flexion and Arthrogryposis in a cow calf – A case report. International Journal of Livestock Research, 6(4): 6 – 9. DOI: 10.5455/ijlr.20160412115552
- Navti, O.B., Kinning, E., Vasudevan, P., Barrow, M., Porter, H and Howarth, E. (2010). Review of perinatal management of arthrogryposis at a large UK teaching hospital serving a multiethnic population. Prenatal Diagnosis, 30(1): 49
- Pius, S., Musa, H, Y., Machoko, Y. and Bello, M. (2018). A newborn with Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenital (AMC): A case report. Asian Journal of Advanced Research and Reports, 1(1): 1 – 6. DOI: 10.9734/AJARR/2018/v1i113010
- Raja, S., Vijayarajan, A., Sivakumar, A., Sathesh Kumar, S., Prabaharan, V. and Jayaganthan, P. (2016). Fetotomy using surgical blade for relieving dystocia due to fetal arthrogryposis in ewe. Indian Journal of Animal Reproduction, 37(1): 65 – 66
- Sawafta, N., Daraghmeh, A., Thouqan, A. and Anabseh, Y. (2025). Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita in 12-Month-Old Male with a variant of uncertain significance: A case report. Annals of Pediatrics, 8(2): 1159
- Singh, G., Kumar, R., Kumar, A., Arjun, V., Hariom and Jain, V.K. (2020). Arthrogryposis multiplex congenital in a ewe: A case report. The Pharma Innovation Journal, 9(7): 230 – 232
- Sitali, M.C., Mwiinga, D., Mwanza, A.M., Mwaanga, E.S. and Zulu, V.C. (2017). Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita from a Holstein Friesian Cow. Theriogenology Insight, 7(3): 131 – 134 DOI: 10.5958/2277-3371.2017.00029.8
- Witters, I., Moerman, P. and Fryns, J.P.F. (2002). Akinesia deformation sequence: a study of 30 consecutive in utero diagnoses. American Journal of Medical Genetics, 113(1): 23 – 28
- Yadav, A., Jena, B., Chaurasia, D.K., Mishra, P.C. and Das, D. (2020). Dystocia due to Arthrogryposis multiplex congenital in a goat. The Indian Journal of Animal Reproduction, 40(2): 47 – 48
References
Achour, R., Amari, S., Jamaa, N.B., Ksibi, I., Kacem, S. and Neji, K. (2017). Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenital: Case Report. Journal of Neonatal Biology, 6(1): 1 – 2. DOI: 10.4172/2167-0987.1000249
Adeyemi, I.G. and Aina, O.O. (2020). Arthrogryposis with attendant features of achondroplasia in Gudali calf of Nigerian cattle breed at Akinyele, International Cattle Market, Ibadan, Southwest Nigeria: an epizootiologic investigation. Nigerian Journal of Animal Production, 46(4): 27 – 32. https://doi.org/10.51791/njap.v46i4.268
Bukar, M. M., Waziri, M. A. and Ibrahim, U. I. (2006). Dystocia due to Arthrogryposis and associated with a Mummified Twin in a Cross (Yankassa/Uda) Ewe: A Case Report. Tropical Veterinarian, 24(4), 85-88.
Kamalakar, G., Dhilleswara, R.S., Swathi, Y. and Rambabu, K. (2016). Dystocia due to unilateral elbow flexion and Arthrogryposis in a cow calf – A case report. International Journal of Livestock Research, 6(4): 6 – 9. DOI: 10.5455/ijlr.20160412115552
Navti, O.B., Kinning, E., Vasudevan, P., Barrow, M., Porter, H and Howarth, E. (2010). Review of perinatal management of arthrogryposis at a large UK teaching hospital serving a multiethnic population. Prenatal Diagnosis, 30(1): 49
Pius, S., Musa, H, Y., Machoko, Y. and Bello, M. (2018). A newborn with Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenital (AMC): A case report. Asian Journal of Advanced Research and Reports, 1(1): 1 – 6. DOI: 10.9734/AJARR/2018/v1i113010
Raja, S., Vijayarajan, A., Sivakumar, A., Sathesh Kumar, S., Prabaharan, V. and Jayaganthan, P. (2016). Fetotomy using surgical blade for relieving dystocia due to fetal arthrogryposis in ewe. Indian Journal of Animal Reproduction, 37(1): 65 – 66
Sawafta, N., Daraghmeh, A., Thouqan, A. and Anabseh, Y. (2025). Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita in 12-Month-Old Male with a variant of uncertain significance: A case report. Annals of Pediatrics, 8(2): 1159
Singh, G., Kumar, R., Kumar, A., Arjun, V., Hariom and Jain, V.K. (2020). Arthrogryposis multiplex congenital in a ewe: A case report. The Pharma Innovation Journal, 9(7): 230 – 232
Sitali, M.C., Mwiinga, D., Mwanza, A.M., Mwaanga, E.S. and Zulu, V.C. (2017). Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita from a Holstein Friesian Cow. Theriogenology Insight, 7(3): 131 – 134 DOI: 10.5958/2277-3371.2017.00029.8
Witters, I., Moerman, P. and Fryns, J.P.F. (2002). Akinesia deformation sequence: a study of 30 consecutive in utero diagnoses. American Journal of Medical Genetics, 113(1): 23 – 28
Yadav, A., Jena, B., Chaurasia, D.K., Mishra, P.C. and Das, D. (2020). Dystocia due to Arthrogryposis multiplex congenital in a goat. The Indian Journal of Animal Reproduction, 40(2): 47 – 48