_1786253364 20260809052924000 Rovedar Daryoushbabazadeh@gmail.com Rovedar Farm Animal Health and Nutrition Farm Anim. Health Nutr. 2980-7905 06 28 2026 5 2 Hassan A. Bodinga https://orcid.org/0009-0008-8584-7951 Bashir Adamu Introduction: Caesarean section is an emergency surgical procedure involving laparohysterectomy for delivery of the fetus in order to improve the dam and fetal survival. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and pattern of caesarean section in all animal species presented with dystocia requiring caesarean section at the State Veterinary Clinic, Aliyu Jedo Area, Sokoto, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of caesarean section cases was conducted using clinical records of 69,500 animals with different species at the Sokoto Veterinary Clinic over a five-year period (2016 to 2020). Information extracted included species, breed, indications for surgery, year of occurrence, and seasonal distribution. Diagnosis of dystocia was made based on history, physical examination, and ultrasonographic evaluation. Results: Out of 69,500 cases presented, 1,625 (2.33%) were surgically managed, of which 586 (36.06%) were caesarean sections, giving an overall prevalence of 0.84%. Ovine (52.90%) and caprine (44.70%) species accounted for the majority of cases, while feline (2.06%) and bovine (0.34%) had minimal occurrence. Mixed breeds in ovine (41.29%) and Red Sokoto goats (44.65%) predominated. Incomplete cervical dilatation (30.71%) and fetal maldisposition (28.33%) were the leading indications. The highest yearly occurrence was recorded in 2017 (24.91%), with greater case distribution in the first quarter (28.61%) and peak monthly occurrence in December (12.79%). Conclusion: The overall prevalence of Caesarean sections was low, with the procedure predominantly performed in small ruminants (ovine and caprine). Incomplete cervical dilatation and fetal maldisposition were the leading indications for surgical intervention.   06 28 2026 24 29 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0 10.58803/fahn.v5i2.126 https://fahn.rovedar.com/index.php/FAHN/article/view/126 https://fahn.rovedar.com/index.php/FAHN/article/download/126/141 https://fahn.rovedar.com/index.php/FAHN/article/download/126/141 10.33314/jnhrc.v18i2.2093 10.4236/ojas.2011.12006 10.1016/B0-72-169052-1/50008-9 10.1016/B978-0-7020-7233-8.00009-4 Ahmed A, Balarabe AT, Jibril A, Sidi S, Jimoh AA, and Gobe RM. Incidence and causes of dystocia in small ruminants in Sokoto Metropolis, Northwestern, Nigeria. Sch J Agric Vet Sci. 2017; 4(3): 114-118. Available at: https://saspublishers.com/media/articles/SJAVS_43114-118.pdf Bolaji-Alabi FB, Ajani OS, Yusuf A, and Oyeyemi MO. Dystocia in a ten month old West African Dwarf goat sequelae to faulty breeding practice. Anim Res Int. 2022; 19(1): 4377-4381. Available at: https://www.ajol.info/index.php/ari/article/view/225987 10.1126/scitranslmed.3001456 10.1007/s12553-013-0072-5 Eyarefe OD, and Dickson D. Retrospective study of prevalence and pattern of surgical conditions presented at Ashanti Regional Veterinary Clinic, Kumasi, Ghana. Global Vet. 2014; 13(3): 408-413. Available at: http://www.idosi.org/gv/gv13(3)14/20.pdf Bhattacharyya HK, Fazili MuR, Bhat FA, and Buchoo BA. Prevalence of dystocia in sheep and goats: A study of 70 cases (2004-2011). J Adv Vet Res. 2015; 5(1): 14-20. Available at: https://advetresearch.com/index.php/avr/article/view/40 10.1002/vms3.820 Baird AN. Surgery of the uterus in cattle, sheep and goats. In: Wolfe DF, Moll HD, editors. Large animal urogenital surgery. 2nd ed. Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins; 1999. p. 417-420. 10.1136/vr.127.23.574 10.4314/sokjvs.v14i2.2 10.62757/IVA.2024.101.1.30-32 Reshma A, Gudur IH, and Shankare Gowda AJ. A retrospective study of incidence of dystocia in crossbred dairy cows. J Entomol Zool Stud. 2018; 6(4): 660-662. Available at: https://www.entomoljournal.com/archives/2018/vol6issue4/PartL/6-4-48-895.pdf 10.21608/ejvs.2024.267549.1823 10.21608/avmj.2023.220195.1161 10.47852/bonviewGLCE3202560 10.3390/agriculture16101021 Ibe CC, Anya KO, and Adenaike EA. Trends in reproductive disorders in animals presented at a veterinary hospital in Enugu State: A 10-year retrospective study. J Sustainable Vet Allied Sci. 2025; 7(1): 18-22. Available at: https://josvasmouau.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/4.-Ibe-et-al.-2025.pdf