Fetotomy

Fetotomy is a veterinary procedure used to recover a fetus that has died in the womb when a Caesarean section is not possible or practical. It is generally performed only in larger animals, where the size of the birth canal allows a veterinarian to use specialized instruments to dissect the dead fetus in a way that minimizes trauma to the mother, and then remove the remains through the birth canal rather than through surgery. The procedure is an option when a difficult birth cannot be resolved any other way, including situations where the animal cannot be transported to a facility equipped for a Caesarean section.