Infectious infertility

Question 1

Horse (racing) breeding levy board requires

Answer 1

Swabbing of all mares & stallions, samples placed in a suitable (charcoal) transport medium reach destination within 48hrs

Question 2

3 specific venereal pathogens of the horse

Answer 2

Taylorella equigenitalis (notifiable)
Pseudomonas aeroginosa
Klebsiella pneumoniae

Question 3

susceptibility to venereal pathogens:
Mares -
Stallions -

Answer 3

Mares - carrier & infected

Stallions - carriers only

Question 4

CSs venereal pathogens

Answer 4

(mare)

• increased incidence of failure to conceive
• Short cycles - CL lysed by presence of PGF2a
• Mucopurulent vaginal discharge 2d post mating.
• Hyperaemia of cervix ± vagina

Question 5

Obtaining samples for venereal pathogens

Answer 5

Mares - clitoral fossa

Stallions - urethral, urethral diverticulum, shaft, prepuce. Tease or if not safe detomidine ± butorphanol

Question 6

Procedure if venereal pathogens isolated

Answer 6

Stop breeding, isolate.
Treat until -ve - need 3x negative swabs to be confirmed clear
stallions can have them taken every 2d, mares 7d

Question 7

Tx clitoral carrier states

Answer 7

tx before examining uterus
thorough cleansing
For 5d +: topical tx & specially-made broth culture of commensals

Persistant infection: clitorectomy

Question 8

Penile carrier states

Answer 8

thorough cleansing
For 5d +: topical tx & specially-made broth culture of commensals

Persistent infection: systemic abx tried.

Question 9

Tx uterine infections

Answer 9

Lavage with sterile saline, abx, oxytocin - void excess fluid in uterus

Question 10

Which specific venereal pathogen is notifiable?

Answer 10

Taylorella equigenitalis

Question 11

Taylorella equigenitalis specific tx

Answer 11

Chlorhexidine wash for carriers.

Uterine infection - saline lavage, abx, oxytocin. If chronic 7-10d penicillin IM.

Question 12

Pseudomonas aeruginosa specific tx

Answer 12

Most difficult to eliminate!

Use povidone iodine (NO chlorhexidine), dilute HCL, low strength silver nitrate.

Control - if can’t get rid of it can try test matings, dressing the penis with silver nitrate between matings, tx of clitoral fossa with gentamycin prior to mating.

Question 13

Where can pseudomonas aeruginosa be found?

Answer 13

In stale water e.g. hosepipes, endoscope channels

Question 14

Klebsiella pneumonia can be found

Answer 14

in the environment - loves wood

Question 15

Tx Klebsiella pneumonia

Answer 15

Carrier - chlorhexidine, gentamycin cream
Can be difficult to “clear up” in stallions - warn owner
Mares - full clitorectomy often recommended.

Uterine infection: saline lavage, gentamycin & oxytocin. If UTI - systemic abx.

Question 16

Equine Herpes Virus 3

Answer 16

Causes 2mm blisters over the penile shaft - makes covering very painful.
Rupture to ulcers, heal in 10-14d, leave permanent loss of pigmentation.

Question 17

Endometritis

Answer 17

sequel to covering in all mares, resoves in 48-72h - stallion ejaculates directly into the uterus

Question 18

Dx endometritis

Answer 18

hx, cs, fluid in uterus on US (ideally want none or <2cm), endometrial swabs & smears for cytology.

Question 19

Tx endometritis

Answer 19

If severe needs to be before covering otherwise no chance of getting pregnant - prostaglandins released - lyse CL.

large volume lavage, abx, systemic oxytocin. Dexamethasone may help supress inflammatory response in susceptible mares.
Correct vulval conformation - caslick’s/pouret’s
Minimal contamination techniques at covering