Equine Obstetrics and Dystocia

Question 1

Dystocia is less common than in the _____

Answer 1

Bovine

Question 2

______ are rare in mares, but they do occur

Answer 2

Hydrops conditions

Question 3

Management of dystocia

Answer 3

• practice w/ cattle
• clean, safe environment
• restraint
• epidural
• recumbent: be able to lift hind end
• lubrication

Question 4

4 procedures utilized to resolve dystocia

Answer 4

• assisted vaginal delivery
• controlled vaginal delivery
• fetotomy
• c section

Question 5

Assisted vaginal delivery

Answer 5

Mare is awake and delivery of an intact foal is accomplished per vagina +/- epidural

Question 6

Rules to follow during traction

Answer 6

• should be stopped before it becomes dangerous
• birth tract should be fully relaxed and lubricated
• is done to support max natural expulsive forces
• should be minimal to help, not replace, natural forces
• never use forced extraction
• synchronize traction with abdominal straining

Question 7

Controlled vaginal delivery

Answer 7

Mare is anesthetized and clinician is in complete control of delivery
- intact foal per vagina

Question 8

Fetotomy

Answer 8

Dead fetus is removed in more than one piece, +/- anesthesia, standing or recumbent, may need epidural

• limit the number of times you go in/out of the urogenital tract
• fetotome, embryotomy knife, OB wire
• lube!!

Question 9

Cesarean section

Answer 9

Fetus is removed surgically through an incision in the uterus
- hospital, general anesthesia, sterile

Question 10

Trauma from or during parturition or dystocia

Answer 10

• middle uterine artery rupture
• rectal-vaginal tear
• cervical tears
• uterine tears
• uterine prolapse

Question 11

Uterine torsion

Answer 11

Longitudinal twisting of uterus

• 180-360 degrees
• lead to colic, dystocia, both
• twist can occur anterior or posterior to the cervix
• suspect if you have colic in mid-late term mare
• colic exam, rectal, vaginal exam

Question 12

Treatment options for torsion

Answer 12

• manual manipulation via rectum or vagina
• roll mare under general anesthesia
• torsion to the right, lay mare on right side
• torsion to left, lay mare on left side

Question 13

Hydrops mare

Answer 13

Either the fetus or placenta is abnormal

- take catheter into cervix to slowly remove fluid

Question 14

Agalactia

Answer 14

Due to fescue (toxic endophyte)

• mare does not have milk 2-3 weeks prior to predicted foaling
• etiology can be verified by P4
• domperidone, reserpine
• treatment results in milk –> most foals will need to be supplemented with colostrum