VM224

How to Perform a Fetotomy in Cattle:

An Illustrated Guide1
Myriam Jimenez, Carlos Risco, and Klibs N. Galvão2

Introduction 5. The fetus and the dam are in a hip-lock that cannot be
corrected by fetal rotation.
To perform a fetotomy means to dissect (to cut apart) a
dead fetus in utero. Fetotomy is applicable particularly to In all cases, there must be sufficient space to perform the
cows because of the size of the uterus and the opportunity cuts.
to introduce instruments to the full depth of the fetus.
Fetotomy is an obstetric procedure that should only be
performed by a trained veterinarian or under a trained Tools
veterinarian’s supervision. A fetotomy can be performed Figure 1 shows the tools required to perform a fetotomy.
under the following circumstances to save the life of
the dam:

1. The fetus is dead.

2. The fetus is emphysematous, which decreases the survival

rate after a C-section.

3. The fetus is too big to be delivered or the dam’s pelvis

is too narrow (i.e., feto-maternal disproportion/size
mismatch).
Figure 1. Obstetric tools required to perform a fetotomy in cattle:
4. The fetus has an abnormality that will not allow it to (1) fetotome, (2) obstetrical wire threader, (3) obstetrical wire, (4)
be delivered (such as schistosomus reflexus [http:// obstetrical wire handles, (5) wire cutting pliers, (6) obstetric chains, (7)
[Link]/en_bovrep/10-46/itemtop68. obstetrical handles, (8) Krey’s hook with chain, and (9) obstetrical wire
html]; perosomus horridus [[Link] guide.
Credits: Myriam Jimenez, edited by Klibs Galvão
org/en_bovrep/10-46/[Link]]; or perosomus
elumbis [[Link]
[Link]]).

1. This document is VM224, one of a series of the Veterinary Medicine—Large Animal Clinical Sciences Department, UF/IFAS Extension. Original
publication date August 2015. Reviewed October 2018. Visit the EDIS website at [Link]

2. Myriam Jimenez, DVM; Carlos A. Risco, DVM, Dipl. ACT; and Klibs N. Galvão, DVM, MPVM, PhD, Dipl. ACT; Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences,
College of Veterinary Medicine; UF/IFAS Extension, Gainesville, FL 32611.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to
individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national
origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other UF/IFAS Extension publications, contact your county’s UF/IFAS Extension office.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, UF/IFAS Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A & M University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County
Commissioners Cooperating. Nick T. Place, dean for UF/IFAS Extension.
Fetotome Preparation Usually one person holds the fetotome in place while
another person performs the cut (Figure 3).
1. Thread the obstetrical wire through the fetotome, coming
from the side of the handle and leaving on the side of the
head, then back to the handle. Leave a loop of sufficient
length to loop the head or a limb.

2. Cut the ob wire at your arm’s length or longer so you can

thread more wire through for each subsequent cut.

3. Connect the wire to the handles.

Anterior Presentation Cut

Sequence
1. Decapitation and neck amputation: This procedure allows
the shoulders to collapse, and may provide sufficient
space for the calf to be delivered or to provide more space
for the next cut.

a. Make sure to place the fetotome lateral to the neck

and head and as caudal as possible in order to remove
the whole neck and the head (Figure 2a). It is useful
Figure 3. Decapitation and neck amputation.
to have a head snare or an ob chain (Figure 2b) placed Credits: Myriam Jimenez, edited by Klibs Galvão
around the head and locked in place on the fetotome
handle so the wire does not move forward. Once you c. The shoulders can now be collapsed (Figure 4), and
are comfortable with the placement, use your finger- you can try to deliver the calf. If the calf still cannot be
tips to make sure the ob wire is not twisted (Figure delivered, proceed to the next step.
2b).

Figure 4. Shoulder collapse after decapitation and neck amputation.

Credits: Myriam Jimenez, edited by Klibs Galvão

2. Thoracic cut and evisceration:

Figure 2. Beginning of decapitation and neck amputation.
Credits: Myriam Jimenez, edited by Klibs Galvão a. You can now place the fetotome as caudal (i.e., toward
the tail) as possible to remove the thorax and eviscer-
ate (Figure 5).
b. Start cutting on a steady manner performing wide arm
strokes until the head and neck detach from the body.

How to Perform a Fetotomy in Cattle: An Illustrated Guide 2

 4. Pelvic bisection:

a. Use the ob wire guide to pass the ob wire around the

pelvis, from the dorsal part to the ventral part; then
thread the wire into the fetotome, and place a handle
on it (Figure 8).

Figure 5. Thoracic cut.

Credits: Myriam Jimenez, edited by Klibs Galvão

b. Once you have removed the thorax and front legs,

eviscerate (Figure 6). If the calf is still too big to be
delivered, proceed to next cut.

Figure 6. Evisceration after thoracic cut.

Figure 8. Pelvic bisection.
Credits: Myriam Jimenez
Credits: Myriam Jimenez, edited by Klibs Galvão

3. Abdominal cut: Grab the spine with the Krey’s hook, pull b. Make sure the wire is placed right in between the
the calf toward you as much as possible, place the ob wire pelvis by the tuber ischia.
as caudal (toward the tail) as possible, and perform the
cut (Figure 7). c. Tighten your wire saw and start cutting till you split
the legs and pull them out.

Final Comments
• Make sure you remove every piece of the fetus
• Examine the uterus for any tears, cuts, or the presence of
another calf
• If the calf does not present any abnormality such as
schistosomus refelxus or perosomus elumbis, and if the
calf is in a caudal presentation and is too large to be
delivered vaginally, a fetotomy should be avoided because
after cutting one or both rear limbs the thorax will be
too large to be delivered and usually the calf cannot be
rotated. A C-section would be indicated for these cases.
• Figure 9 shows the delivery of a perosomus elumbis calf.
One cut was performed to remove the legs and pelvis, and
then a Krey’s hook was hooked to the spine and the calf
was delivered by traction.
Figure 7. Abdominal cut.
Credits: Myriam Jimenez, edited by Klibs Galvão

How to Perform a Fetotomy in Cattle: An Illustrated Guide 3

Figure 9. Delivery of a calf with a perosomus elumbis defect.
Credits: Klibs Galvão

How to Perform a Fetotomy in Cattle: An Illustrated Guide 4