Equine Parturition, Dystocia and Postpartum Flashcards
What stage of gestation dows waxing up occour?
d340
Outline 1st stage labour
- restless, nest building, digging
- variable duration
- signs of colic
- frequently passing urine nad feaces
- several attempts to lie down
- > 8 rolls indicates potential problem
What is the “waters breaking”?
- Chorioallantois rupturing
- point of no return
- labour should be over within an hour from this point
What procedure may need to be carried out in some mares at the point when the waters break?
Episiotomy if have previously been Caslicked
(stud grooms can do this)
- some people may ask for Caslicks to be removed early but not helpful (though better than leaving too long and tearing!)
Outline 2nd stage labour
- pale coloured, smooth amnion appears (will remain intact around foal as begins to be born, should rupture as foal is coming out)
- allantoic fluid expelled
- contractions increase
Which direction should the foals be pulled if assistance is needed?
- towards hocks
- can be rotated
What antiseptics should be used on the umbilicus?
- chlorhexidine best
- NOT iodine
When should the umbilicus be broken?
Try not to
- allow blood to flow into foal
- only pull cord if worried about tear
- hold foal abdomen
Which mares are liekly to foal standing up?
1st time foalers or if stressed or disturbed
Should a new foal be warmed?
- not unless in ICU
- shivering encourages breathing
What is the 3rd stage of labour?
- stud groom ties up amnion into ball to prevent mare standing on it
- placental release should occour iwthin an hour of birth
(chorioallantois still inside, microcotyledons must separate) - > 4hrs retained placenta: call vet
What should be checked after the placenta has been released?
- complete (tips havent been retained)
- posterior (cervical) pole
- amnion
- umbilical cord
Why is transfer of colostral immunity important in foals?
- Born agammaglobulinaemic (unlike other spp) as no in utero transfer
- colostrum required within 12hours
When should mare and foal be turned out?
Morning after birth providing weather good
What position should the foal be born in?
- head first, ventral ‘recumbency’
- before birth lies in dorsal recumbancy then spins in utero so if upside down may still spin!
What is a red bag delivery? What disease may this be seen in assocation with?
if waters do not vreak, placenta can be seen (thick, red chorioallantois instead of white/clear amnion)
- if expelled with foal, foal is at risk of asphyxiation
- placenta should be opened manually and O2 provided to foal
- seen with tall fescue toxicosis in N America and Scandanavia (pathological thickening of the post uric pole)
- seen with induction (induction = bad idea)
What blood biochem is assocaited with uterine inertia in mares? Tx of inertia?
- low blood calcium
- Oxytocin
- Ca borogluconate Tx
- Manual assistance
- Induction ONLY IF: >340d, udder developed, cervix relaxed
