Caesarean section in a bitch to relieve of dystocia due to deformity in the vertebral column (Foetal monster)

A one year old mixed bred bitch was presented to Teaching Veterinary Clinical Complex, College of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Central Agricultural University, Selesih, Aizawl, Mizoram with the complaint of difficulty in parturition. Owner reported that the bitch had delivered two healthy pups followed by continuous straining for last 6 hours without expulsion of any more pups. Abdominal palpation revealed hard mass in the uterus. Presence of one fetus with abnormal posture was detected and confirmed through ultrasonography and radiology. Haematological and biochemical analysis revealed no abnormal values. A dead pup with prognathism and deformity in the vertebral column was recovered after caesarean section. Gross postmortem examination of the dead fetus revealed presence of cleft palate without any abnormality in visceral organs. The recovery of the bitch was uneventful with postoperative care.