ET: Foaling Induction Flashcards
______ is considered an emergency in mares
Equine dystocia
Signs of approaching parturition
Udder distended, 2-6 weeks pre-foaling
Ventral edema
Teats fill (4-6 days)
Vulva loose, flaccid 24-48 hours
Foaling area
Stall (valuable, high risk mares)
Foaling yard (dry area)
Pasture (clean, not worn down)
Dirt padlock
When should the mare move for foaling?
Minimum of one month pre-foaling
Optimizes developing colostral Abs
Parturition stage 1
Uterine contractions leading to cervical dilation
Cockling behavior (frequent urination and defecation, up and down a lot, circling
Duration of parturition stage 1
1-4 hours
80% foal between 11 pm and 4 am
Parturition stage 2
Rupture of the chorioallantois (defines the end of stage 1), breaking water, active labor begins
Abdominal contractions
Normal twisting in equine umbilicus
Amnion folded back and attached @ umbilicus
Duration of parturition stage 2
5-40 min, 20 min average
What is the stimulus for abdominal contractions?
Point pressure
Fergusion’s Reflex (contraction cascade)
Oxytocin threshold lowered with elevated estrogen
Uterine contraction → uterine volume ↓ → ↑ fetal pressure on the cervix → more oxytocin release
continuous loop into active labor
Tenets of foaling management
Don’t interfere without just cause
Don’t rush the foaling
Clients unsure of what’s happening, call vet!!
Parturition Stage 3
Expulsion of fetal membranes: 0.5-3 hrs
Uterine involution up to 3 months postpartum
Retained fetal membranes (RFM)
Fetal membrane expulsion longer than 3 hours
Most common post-foaling problems
Lochia
Normal in mares for up to 5-6 days postpartum
Dark red, no odor
Inducing mares
Not a reason, but if you have to use oxytocin or PGF analogue
Inductions no more than 7days before a term birth
