Common reproductive problems in the mare

Question 1

Describe prolonged dioestrus

Answer 1

Caused by persistence of secondary CL in absence of pregnancy- when follicle ovulates during the luteal phase
The new CL can persist for up to 3 months - needs single does of PG to treat

Question 2

DEcsribe how to treat erratic oestrus in transitional phase

Answer 2

Providing 16hrs artificial light and additional nutrition from 1st December
Once in transitional period- progestogens administered to supress release of LH

Question 3

what does it look like when a mare is in a transitional period

Answer 3

follicles greater than 2.5cm in diameter

Question 4

Describe how to hasten ovulation in mare

Answer 4

short acting GNRH agonist or hCG

Question 5

What are the 2 causes of a mare failing to show foal heat and subsequent cyclicity

Answer 5

seasonal anoestrus- if foaled early in season and not been under lights
foal shy

Question 6

List the reproductive clinical signs of granulosa cell tumour

Answer 6

If produce oestrogen = persistent oestrus
If produce progesterone = persistent anoestrus
If produce androgens = virilisation (stallion behaviours)

usually -ve feedback so one ovary very large and other is small

Question 7

How to treat granulosa cell tumour

Answer 7

Treatment is unilateral ovariectomy
Often cyclical activity in contra-lateral ovary does not recover until the next season

Question 8

Describe cystic ovaries in mares

Answer 8

DON’T OCCUR IN MARES

Question 9

List 3 reasons why mares ovaries may feel big

Answer 9

during sping transition phase
during prolonged dioestrus ovaries
during early pregnancy

Question 10

Describe lutenised haemorrhagic follicle

Answer 10

Follicles that reach ovulatory size but do not rupture
oocyte is not released and therefore conception can’t occur
tends to occur towards end of breeding season

Question 11

How to treat luteinised haemorrhagic follicles

Answer 11

exogenous prostaglandin administration

Question 12

Describe equine herpes virus 3

Answer 12

causes vesicles on the vulva
mare remains carrier for life with viral recrudescence when stressed

Question 13

what is a common vulval tumour

Answer 13

melanoma- common especially in older grey mares

Question 14

Decsribe Vaginal Varicose Vessels

Answer 14

caused most likley from previous abrasion/ trauma at foaling
appear largest when mare ia in oestrus or pregnancy

Question 15

Describe endometrial cysts

Answer 15

May be associated with endometrial disease and they are seen more commonly in older mares
commin in mares with normal fertility- can confuse when performing early pregnancy diagnosis

Question 16

Describe foal heat

Answer 16

first oestrus that occurs 5-10 days post-partum
can be silent

Question 17

what is the most common repro issur in mares

Answer 17

post breeding endometritis

Question 18

how to treat post breeding endometritis

Answer 18

flush the uterus
provide intrauterine antibiotics and give oxytocin

Question 19

define nymphomania

Answer 19

exaggerated sexual behaviours
True nymphomania does not occur in mares

Question 20

what can cause owners to think there mare has nymphomania

Answer 20

persistent oestrus during the transitional phase
difficult to handle mares
‘bad’ mares
granulosa cell tumours