Equine dystocia and abortion Flashcards
Define dystocia in mares
Stage 2 of labour more than 30 minutes
4 procedures used to resolve a dystocia in the mare
Assisted Vaginal Delivery – in which the mare is conscious and manually assisted in vaginal delivery of a live foal
Controlled vaginal delivery – mare is anaesthetized and the clinician is in control of the vaginal delivery of an intact foal
C-section in which the foetus is removed through a uterine incision by celiotomy
Foetotomy – in which a dead foetus is reduced to two or more parts and removed vaginally in the awake or anaesthetized mare
Mare future reproduction after dystocia
Pregnancy rate – good in the absence of uterine/cervical trauma
Mare survival after dystocia
moderate to high
How heavy is the placenta
10-12% of the weight of the foal
What is the most common postpartum complication in mares
Retained foetal membranes (RFM)
RFM Treatment
Oxytocin every 4 to 6 hours (ecbolic drug)
Ca gluconate
Manual removal?- Controversial
Burns technique
Uterine lavageW
Broad spectrum antibiotics-Procaine penicillin and gentamicin
NSAIDS- Flunixin
Exercise and nursing
What is burns technique for treating RFM
Burns’ Technique is used only when the chorioallantois (the outer membrane) is already detached and visible in the vagina or vulva.
Fluid Introduction: Large volumes of a solution are injected into the allantoic cavity.
Retention: The fluid is kept inside the cavity by manually blocking the allantochorion (the membrane surrounding the fetus) for 10-15 minutes, or as long as the mare can tolerate.
Effects:
Uterine Distention: The fluid expands the uterus, which helps to open the endometrial crypts (small pockets in the uterine lining).
Assisting Delivery: The weight of the fluid-filled membranes helps pull the placenta’s microcotyledons (small projections that anchor the placenta) without causing trauma.
Stimulating Contractions: The procedure effectively stimulates uterine contractions, aiding in the delivery process.
When does Uterine or ovarian vessels rupture
At parturition
Occasionally pre-partum
Diagnosis of Uterine or ovarian vessels rupture
Postpartum mare
Palpation (+/-)
Haematoma in broad ligament
Transabdominal U/S
Abdominocentesis
Uterine or ovarian vessels rupture treatment
Keep her quiet and comfortable (darkened stall)
No excitement
Keep foal with mare unless grave danger
NSAID’s
Fluid therapy
Blood transfusion
Naloxone (8-20mg/IV)– narcotic antagonist
Aminocarproic acid – antifibrinolytic drug
What is foetal mummification
Foetal death in-utero without bacterial contamination
Causes
Twins
Non infectious causes of equine abortion
Twinning
Cord torsion
Endometrial insufficiency
Genetic abnormality
Infectious causes of equine abortion
Equine Herpes Virus
Equine Viral Arteritis
Transmission of equine herpes virus
Aerosol route
Direct or indirect contact nasal mucosa
Aborted foetuses
Transplacental
