When Camel Dystocia is More Than a Difficult Delivery

A dromedary camel in prolonged dystocia needs more than correction of the obstetrical problem. Once normal delivery is delayed, is the camel also developing metabolic and cardiovascular complications? 

Dystocia is relatively uncommon in camels, with an incidence of 2–5%. Postural abnormalities are a common cause of difficult birth, while uterine torsion is an important maternal cause. Flexion or deviation of the unusually long neck and limbs can also interfere with delivery^[1],[2]. 

That means a prolonged case should prompt attention not only to the fetus and birth canal, but also to the dam's systemic status. 

Is There Evidence of Metabolic Acidosis? 

Blood gas and acid-base findings can help identify physiological disturbance during difficult parturition. 

Camels with dystocia had lower blood pH than females undergoing normal parturition. Their HCO3 and base excess (BE) values were also lower. Together, these findings indicate metabolic acidosis. 

BE can be particularly useful because it reflects the overall basic component of blood rather than HCO3 alone^[1],[3],[4]. 

For the clinician, the key point is simple: a prolonged dystocia case with reduced pH, HCO3 and BE should not be considered only an obstetrical problem. 

What Do the Blood Gases Add?^[1] 

The acid-base picture becomes more useful when considered alongside the blood gas values. 

In females with dystocia, PO2, TCO2 and SO2 were significantly lower than in camels with normal parturition. In contrast, PCO2 and lactate did not differ significantly. 

This distinction matters when interpreting the results. A single blood gas value should not be considered in isolation. Looking at pH, HCO3, BE, and the relevant blood gas parameters together gives a clearer indication of the systemic changes accompanying difficult parturition. 

Could Prolonged Dystocia Affect the Myocardium?^[1] 

Another concern is cardiac involvement. 

Serum cardiac troponin I (cTnI) was significantly higher in camels with dystocia. In dromedaries, cTnI is used to monitor myocardial damage and assist with prognosis in several disorder. 

The elevation seen with dystocia indicates that prolonged difficult parturition can be accompanied by myocardial injury. Therefore, when a case is prolonged or associated with marked systemic disturbance, cardiac assessment may provide additional information about the camel's condition. 

Don't Ignore the Routine Blood Work^[1] 

The systemic picture may also be reflected in haematological and biochemical findings. Dystocic females showed lymphopenia, erythrocytopenia, and decreased haemoglobin and HCT. Differences were also found in TP, ALB, ALP, AST, calcium, globulin, BUN, CK and phosphorus. 

These findings reinforce the value of assessing the dam as a whole rather than focusing exclusively on the mechanical cause of dystocia. 

Practical Clinical Takeaway 

For a camel with prolonged dystocia, consider assessing: 

• Acid-Base Status: pH, HCO3 and BE 
• Blood Gases: PO2, TCO2 and SO2 
• Cardiac Involvement: cTnI 
• Haematological and Biochemical Parameters: Alongside the obstetrical assessment 

Most importantly, metabolic acidosis should be addressed alongside intervention for the difficult parturition, rather than treated as a separate concern. 

In camel dystocia, correcting the delivery problem is only part of the clinical picture. Monitoring systemic consequences can help identify metabolic and myocardial complications that accompany prolonged difficult birth.

References:

1. Tharwat M, Ali A, Derar D, Oikawa S, Almundarij TI. Effects of dystocia on the cardiac biomarker troponin I, acid-base balance and blood gases alongside the hematobiochemical profiles in female dromedary camels. International Journal of Veterinary Science. 2023;13(1):115-9. https://rakuno.repo.nii.ac.jp/record/2000657/files/R-2024-132_oikawa.pdf
2. Ali A, Derar D, Tharwat M, Zeitoun MM, Alsobyil FA. Dystocia in dromedary camels: prevalence, forms, risks and hematobiochemical changes. Animal reproduction science. 2016 Jul 1;170:149-56. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ahmed-Ali-118/post/Camel_livestock_systems/attachment/59d64bcb79197b80779a5c0b/AS%3A481835290501120%401491889893199/download/54+Dystocia+camel+PDF+Final.pdf
3. Tharwat M. Changes in acid-base balance, blood gases and hemato-biochemical parameters in Arabian camels with different urinary tract disorders. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Mohamed-Tharwat-7/publication/375235652
4. Tharwat M, Al-Sobayil F. The effects of acute blood loss on inflammatory and bone biomarkers, acid-base balance, blood gases and hemato-biochemical profiles in sedated donkeys (Equus asinus). http://www.ijvets.com/pdf-files/Volume-11-no-4-2022/479-485.pdf