Preparation for parturition

Question 1

Describe the health programme/foaling environment to prepare for parturition

Answer 1

• vaccinate for EHV, tetanus, rotavirus
• move mare to yard intended for foaling between 2-6 weeks before foaling
• exercise mare regularly
• move to suitable space when parturition is imminent
• remove caslicks sutures once stage 1 of labour commences

Question 2

why should mares be moved to yard intended for foaling between 2-6 weeks?

Answer 2

• stress of moving resolves before parturition
• antibodies develop to foaling environment, passed through colostrum and feto-placenta unit

Question 3

What is the recommended stable for parturition?

Answer 3

6 x 6-7m dimensions, non-slip flooring

Question 4

What is the recommended outdoor environment for parturition?

Answer 4

clean, dry, beware of hazards

Question 5

What is included in a foaling kit?

Answer 5

• scissors or knife
• calving ropes
• iodine/chlorhexidine
• enemas
• torch
• tail bandage
• long arm & sterile short gloves
• hibiscrub
• lube
• colostrum

Question 6

What is the mean gestation length?

Answer 6

320-360 days. Mare gestation is extremely variable.

Question 7

How to deal with prepubic tendon rupture?

Answer 7

• Late gestation: supportive slings needed
• Assistance in labour is necessary
• Beyond 340 days induction necessary
• Caesarean section (possibly followed
  by humane destruction of mare)
• Surgical repair may be possible

Question 8

Can you breed a horse who had a prepubic tendon rupture again?

Answer 8

• if surgical repair successful, but beware future issues
• alternatively breed again by ET

Question 9

You should avoid induction unless absolutely necessary - when would thus be?

Answer 9

High risk of foaling is highly likely:
- History of problematic foaling when life of mare or foal is threatened
- History or risk of red bag delivery (premature placental separation)
- History of uterine inertia causing delayed delivery
- Mare pelvic injury or deformity or history of peri-parturient colic
- Foal distress or any other life-threatening condition

Question 10

What is the criteria for decision to induce?

Answer 10

• Colostrum in the udder
• Pelvic and cervical relaxation
• Foetus in normal position
• Foetus is mature
  (not premature or dysmature)

Question 11

What is a commonly used assessment method for deciding when induction should go ahead?

Answer 11

Mammary secretions - changes in milk composition nearer parturition.

Question 12

How does Na, K & Ca concentrations in milk change approaching parturition?

Answer 12

• Ca plateaus approx 4 days before parturition.
• K > Na = mature foal

Question 13

In Ousey et.al., 1984 scoring system for milk secretion, what score is induction deemed safe at?

Answer 13

> 35

Question 14

What are the methods for induction?

Answer 14

Exogenous application of oxytocin and prostaglandin F2a - stimulate myometrium contractions

Question 15

Why should you time induction with natural parturition?

Answer 15

• other hormones will be correct at the time of labour
• fall in progesterone
• foetal cortisol increases

Question 16

What happens if you induce labour too early & progesterone is too high?

Answer 16

Conflict in hormone profile - higher potential for problems

Question 17

What does oxytocin administration do and when should you use it?

Answer 17

• stimulates prostaglandin F2a secretion from uterus
• use from 300 days gestation onwards

Question 18

What are the administration options for oxytocin?

Answer 18

• 40-60 IU in 1 lt saline given intravenously (IV) over 15 min
• 5 -10 IU given IV in mares close to term repeat as necessary
• 10-15 IU given IV or IM every 30 min until water bag ruptures (max dose 75 IU).

Question 19

How do we administer prostaglandin?

Answer 19

• use analogs
• most require single dose, dose dependent on analog use

Question 20

why do we use prostaglandin analogs and not natural?

Answer 20

natural almost has no effect in inducing labour.

Question 21

what are the types of prostaglandin analogs - dosage and results?

Answer 21

Fenprostalene requires 2 x doses, 2 hours apart
- Induces very rapid, strong contractions
Equimate (fluprostenol) single doses
- shorten stage 1 labour, does not start it

Question 22

What are the risks of shortening stage 1 of labour with equimate?

Answer 22

incomplete dilation of cervix
- risk of cervix rupture
- neonatal adaptation issues
- fractured ribs of foal

Question 23

How can you encourage cervix to dilate in induced labour?

Answer 23

• progesterone topically applied to cervix
• oestradiol IM 24 hrs prior to induction

Question 24

Why may you administer steroids if mare is going to be induced prematurely?

Answer 24

• help mature foals respiratory system, increases cortisol in circulatory system (Ousey et.al., 2011)

Question 25

what are the signs of impending parturition in a healthy mare?

Answer 25

• mammary development, teat elongation, and tenderness, waxing up.
• Ousey scoring system/water hardness strips (Ca)
• relaxation of birth passage
• pelvic area hollows (3 weeks)
• vulva lengthens and relaxes (24-36 hrs)
• cervix dilates

Question 26

List the monitoring technologies that can be used for labour detection

Answer 26

• CCTV
• Foaling alarms: detect sweating, increased temp, activity
• accelerometers (GPs to track movement)