Equine reproduction 1, 2, 3 and 4 Flashcards
What is the HBLB?
Horserace Betting Levy Board - produces codes of practice annually, veterinary committee meets annually, represents UK, Ireland, France, Germany and Italy
What bacterial infections can affect equine repro tracts?
Taylorella equigenitalis (CEMO) Klebsielle pneumoniae (1,2 and 5) Pseudomonas aeruginosa
What viral infections can affect equine repro tracts?
EVA EHV-1 EIA EHV-3 = Equine Coital Exanthema
What does Trypanosoma equiperdum cause?
Dourine
What causes Strangles?
Streptococcus equi
How do you screen stallions for bacterial infections? And viral?
Tease to penile erection Stand by stallion’s left shoukdeer Hold penis with gloved hand Pre-moistened swabs (urethra, urethral fossa and diverticulum, penile sheath/prepuce for preputial smegma, (pre-)ejaculatory fluid). 2 sets but no less than 7 days apart. VIRUSES 1 serum sample for EVA titre (vaccinated with Artervac - most - will be positive) 1 serum sample for EIA (ELISA/Coggins test)
How do you do pre-season screening of mares? Bacterial? Viral?
1st Jan - 15th Feb: swab late foaling mares one month before due date additional clitoral swab for dystocia/treated mares (Klebsiella and Pseudomonas) BACTERIAL: 1 set - clitoral sinus and fossa swabs VIRUSES: 1 serum sample - EVA titre 1 serum sample - EIA (Coggins/ELISA) test
How do you screen mares who have suffered dystocia?
additional clitorial swab in addition to endometrial swab and smear when in oestrous more than 7 days after AB treatments have finished. Aerobic cultures to rule out: P. aeruginosa K. pneumoniae
How are swabs transported?
fully immersed in Amies charcoal transport medium, to arrive <48 hours after collection
What aerobic cultures are run of the swabs?
Blood and McConkey’s agar for up to 48 hours
What microaerophilic cultures are run for the swabs?
Haemolysed CEMO agar with and without added streptomycin for at lest 7 days
How is K. pneuomoniae types 1,2 and 5 confirmed?
capsule typing (Quellung) with Public Health Laboratory antisera
How is Qaulity Control monitored?
Run positive CEMO culture plate in CO2 incubator
How is Quality Assurance monitored?
biannual aerobic and microaerophilic culture tests from APHA administrated by HBLB (to give certification)
How else can. T.equigenitalis, K. pnneumoniae and P. aeruginosa be tested?
qPCR (Qiagen, UK) QC - run + and - T. equigenitalis controls in each test QA - biannual swab tests from VLA administrated by HBLB - certification
What are ‘true venereal diseases’?
I.e. pathogens that invade the repro tract, not as a result of contamination EXAMPLES = K. pneumoniae 1,2 and 5
Where does a stallion ejaculate? How does mare cope with this?
STALLION: locks glans penis into cervix and ejaculates into uterus (everything: sperm, seminal plasma and male/female contamination)immune response, young mars cope well. MARE: myometrial contractions expel contents, huge leukocyte response against sperm/semen,
What might indicate bacterial venereal infection in the mare? What actions need to be taken?
vaginal discharge 2days + after mating/AI early return to oestrous (< 15 days) no clinical signs ACTIONS Swab uterus, clitoral fossa, sinuses Stop mating/AI
List some common secondary pathogens of the repro tract. 4
S. zooepidemicus E.coli S.aureus Bacteroides fraginelis
Treatment options - equine bacterial venereal diseases
improve management of teasing and stud hygiene trace contacts, notify authorities treat uterus (appropriate ABs) clitorectomy (to remove carrier status) re-swab 3x7 days or more after treatment only mate when negative swab results confirmed
What are mares prone to with increasing age?
increasing age –> vulva slopes –> pneumovagina –> increases risk of vaginitis, cervicitis, endometritis
What does EVA (notifiable) cause?
bright-red conjunctivitis fever depression filled leggs head skin rash abortion/early pregnancy failure
Diagnosis - EVA
blood samples (Abs) Nasopharyngeal swabs and tissues (PCR and culture)
Control - EVA
Stop mating/AI/teasing trace contacts, notify authorities follow-up blood sample after 1 month (look for declining or static titres) 1/3 stallions become permanent shedders - semen cultures –> euthanasia if positive pre-vaccination seronegative test results in passport 6-monthly vaccination of stallions - Artervac No carrier status in mares - mares and geldings with static or falling seropositive titre are safe
Clinical signs - EHV-1
respiratory infection, nasal discharge weanlings/yearlings/horses out of training abortion ataxia, paralysis, incontinence (cauda equina problems)
Diagnosis - EHV-1
blood samples nasopharyngeal swabs PCR EHV-1 and EHV-4 ABORTION CASES: PME - foetus and placental membranes histopathology bacteriology mycology PCR EHV-1 and EHV-4 necrotic foci in liver with type A inclusion bodies
Outline the vaccination protocol for EHV-1
Equip 1,4 - licensed against abortion January and July (all pregnant mares) Good studfarm geographical organisation (horse cohorting essential)
Which EHV is particularly prone to symptomless carrier recrudesence?
EHV-4
Where is Dourine (Trypanosoma equiperdum) found?
North Africa and Italy (classical sign is silver dollar lesions on skin)
Clinical signs - Strangles - 3
Respiratory infection (nasal discharge, submandibular abscesses) Internal abscesses (pneumonia, colic, diarrhoea, weight loss) Youngsters
Diagnosis - Strangles
(Remember this is endemic) Discharge - nasopharyngeal swabs DON’T treat with ABs!
Treatment - Strangles
Contentious Early (pre-abscesses) use penicillin Abscess - hot fomentation Carriers: guttoral pouch washes Vaccine - was withdrawn, not available, use only after risk assessment
Diagnosis - Strangles
Nasopharyngeal swabs tracheal and guttural pouch washes - PCR Blood sampling - reveals challenge, not active disease (2 weeks to positivity)
How do imports from EU countries get treated?
No legal requirements for pre-import CEM swabs or EVA or EIA blood tests (UK horse industry must follow a voluntary Code of Practice for their own preservation).
Outline features (ovaries, cerivx, P4 levels) of a mare in anoestrous. Recommendations?
OVARIES: small, inactive CERVIX; pale and dry, not shut tight P4: <1ng/ml RECOMMENDATION: artificial lighting, time
Outline features (ovaries, cerivx, P4 levels) of a mare in transitional phase. Recommendations?
OVARIES: multiple, non-maturing follicles CERVIX: pale and dry, not shut tight P4: <2ng/ml RECOMMENDATION: 10 days oral allyl trenbolone and check 3 days later
Outline features (ovaries, cerivx, P4 levels) of a mare in persistent dioestrous. Recommendations?
OVARIES: functional CL, variable follicles CERVIX: pale and very dry, shut tight P4: <2ng/ml RECOMMENDATION: PGF2a, IM
What should you monitor on each mare? 3
cyclic behaviour ovarian function uterine competence
When is teasing done?
Mon, Weds, Fri Daily during oestrous From 14 days after last mating (to see if coming back into season or pregnant)
Mare behavioural signs of oestrous
submissive ears forward legs straddled tail held high urinating everting clitoris/ winking clitoris
Mare behavioural signs of dioestrous
violent ears back screaming tail clamped down
Mare behavioural signs of transitional phase
ambivalent
What happens to the mare prior to first show to teaser?
Inspect perineum and vulva Vaginoscopy - endometrial swab and smear tests (for normal endometrial cells or leukocytes - latter indicates endometritis) 1. Rectal palpation - ovaries and uterus 2. Ultrasound scan - ovaries and uterus
What should be checked for on a perineal examination?
Signs of vulval discharge, injury, competence Discharge - vaginoscope, swab/smear, treat and re-examine next oestrous Injury - repair Incompetence - Caslick’s vaginoplasty or Pouret’s perineoplasty surgery (should have been dealt with earlier)
What stage of the cycle is this cervix? Why?
oestrous (relaxed, pink, moist)
What stage of the cycle is this cervix? Why?
Dioestrous (tight, pale, dry)
What should be checked for using a vaginal speculum?
Cervix appearance - stage of cycle Urovagina Cervical discharge Injury Endometrial swab and smear if cervix is relaxed - screen for evidence of acute endometritis (PMNs). If positive, treat uterus with 3 d course and examine next oestrous.
What should you check for on rectal palpation?
ovarian follicular size, consistency, position uterine size, consistency and homogeneity Repeat examine at 24-48 hours until ovulation can be predicted and mating recommended.
What should you check for on ultrasound?
ovarian follicular size, shape and deformability copora haemorrhagica and lutea uterine size, wall thiness and fold oedema lumenal fluid, quantity and echogenicity pregnancy or FBs Repeat examine at 24-48 hours until ovulation can be predicted and mating recommended.
When do most mares ovulate?
at night
Where does fertilisation occur?
uterine tubes
When does conceptus uterine migration occur?
by day 4