Mare and foal survival and subsequent fertility of mares treated for uterine torsion

Neonates and Periparturient Mares: Tips and Tricks for Diagnosis and Management

Colic is a common presenting complaint in foals. Unfortunately, evaluation of foals with colic can be difficult due to the common clinical presentation of acute abdominal pain attributable to a wide variety of disorders and a broad range of etiologies. Similar to foals, colic is one of the most common diseases of pregnant and periparturient mares. Several conditions are unique or occur more commonly in broodmares. This article reviews the most commonly encountered types of colic events in neonatal foals and periparturient mares, how to correctly diagnose these conditions, as well as details concerning appropriate medical management and/or surgical intervention.

Outcomes of pregnant broodmares treated for colic at a tertiary care facility

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate, following colic admission during pregnancy, (1) broodmare survival; (2) the frequency of recurrent colic in broodmares and its associated variables, and (3) pregnancy outcome and the variables associated with a negative pregnancy outcome.

STUDY DESIGN

Ambidirectional observational cohort study.

ANIMALS

One hundred and four client-owned broodmare admissions.

METHODS

Admissions of pregnant mares from June 2010 until October 2016 were included. Data were collected until November 2017. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was performed to evaluate variables associated with broodmare survival. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the variables associated with recurrent colic and pregnancy outcome.

RESULTS

Broodmares from 73/104 (70.2%) admissions were discharged alive. Lesion category, admission hyperlactatemia (hazard ratio (HR) 3.24, 95%, CI 1.28-8.22, P = .013), and admission high packed cell volume (HR 2.89, 95% CI 1.29-6.47, P = .010) were associated with reduced survival. Recurrent colic was observed in broodmares from 33/70 admissions (47.1%). The final multivariable model for recurrent colic included Thoroughbred breed (OR 5.09, 95% CI 1.58-16.4, P = .006) and age (OR .876, 95% CI .747-1.03, P = .105). Overall, negative pregnancy outcome was 14/65 (21.5%). Lesion category, evidence of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) in hospital (OR 31.2, 95% CI 2.09-466.5, P = .013), and diarrhea in hospital (OR 379.3, 95% CI 97.1-1482.0, P < .001) were associated with increased negative pregnancy outcome. Altrenogest administration was inversely associated with negative pregnancy outcome (OR 0.029, 95% CI .004-.222, P = .001).

CONCLUSION

Pregnant broodmares admitted for colic had lower survival than anticipated and were at risk of recurrent colic. Markers of broodmare disease severity were associated with pregnancy outcome.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Lesion category, hematologic variables (packed cell volume and l-lactate concentration), evidence of SIRS, and diarrhea were useful for predicting broodmare and pregnancy outcomes.

Managing Reproduction Emergencies in the Field: Part 1: Injuries in Stallions; Injury of the External Portion of the Reproductive Tract and Gestational Conditions in the Mare

Selected emergency conditions of male and female reproductive tracts in horses are described, including injuries affecting the external genitalia of male horses and emergent conditions arising during gestation in mares. Conditions affecting male horses are discussed in the context of breeding stallions, but kicks or other mechanisms of trauma in the groin can also affect geldings. Priapism, paraphimosis, trauma to the scrotum and testicles, and penile injury are discussed. In mares, traumatic vestibular injury, placentitis, hydropsic conditions, prepubic tendon and abdominal wall compromise, and uterine torsion are included. Clinical recognition of the problem, diagnostic procedures, and treatments are summarized.

Factors affecting the prognosis for uterine torsion: the effect of treatment based on measurements of serum progesterone and estradiol concentrations after surgery

This is a retrospective study of uterine torsion (UT) in seven mares. In two cases, serum progesterone and estradiol concentrations were also investigated. The mare and foal/fetus survival rate was 57% (4/7). Four cases presented with clockwise torsion, and two cases presented with counterclockwise torsion. The direction was undetermined in one case. The degree of torsion varied. Correction of torsion was performed by ventral midline celiotomy in all cases. In the two cases with measured hormone levels, elevated levels of P₄ were decreased through medication. All mares discharged from the hospital with a live fetus were able to carry a live fetus. Early diagnosis and treatment of UT increases the possibility of helping mares and foals in cases with acute UT.