Equine Parturition And Neonatal Care Flashcards
Gestation how many days on average
335 (330-345)
Name some prepatum changes occurring in pregnant animal
• Udder enlarges ≈ 4 to 6 weeks – Especially last 2 weeks
• ‘Waxing up’ 24 to 48 hours • Leaks milk a few hours before
• Relaxation of vulva
– Few hours before parturition
• Relaxation of sacrosciatic ligaments – Gradually over last weeks of pregnancy
• Cervical softening
– From minus 30 days,
– Most marked during stage 1 parturition
Prepartum changes in animals body shape
• Change in profile apparent from 8 months
• Ventral oedema in last few weeks
• Relaxation of sacrosciatic ligaments
• Tail head drops
– Gradually over last weeks of pregnancy
Prediction of parturition*
Name some monitor systems that exist to keep an eye on mare when they’re at time of giving birth
• Eyes (and ears) - CCTV/Webcam
• Monitors usually based on mare positioning
– E.g. prolonged lateral recumbency
– False positives and negatives can occur
• Foalert® sutured to vulva
– Activated with vulval separation
– Doesn’t detect dystocia that don’t have protrusion of foetal parts
Name the 3 stages of parturition in a mare
Stage 1: preparation of foetal expulsion
Stage 2: expulsion of foal
Stage 3: expulsion of foetal membranes
Describe stage 1 of parturition
-mares state of being
-how long
-what occurs
Prep of foetal expulsion->
-Sweating, restlessness, mild colic
-1 to 4 hrs, up to 24 hrs
-Repositioning of foetus, Ends with chorioallantoic rupture
Describe stage 2 of parturition
Expulsion of foal->
-begins with rupture of chorioallantois (loss of Allantoic fluid & exposure of amniotic membrane; ensure it does not occlude airway/mouth)
-Uterine and abnormal contraction; often recumbent on one side, restless, normally takes 20mins
-ends with expulsion of foal
- Umbilical cord ideally should remain intact for several minutes post expulsion;
Ensures maximum blood flow from placenta into the foal’s circulation
Let it break naturally
Premature separation of placenta- emergency Orr not?
YES
What is premature separation of placenta?
‘Red bag delivery’
— Chorion separates from endometrium
• Chorioallantois passed without rupturing
– Palpate foal inside
– Need to rupture it immediately
– Important to differentiate from bladder eversion/ prolapse (very rare)
Describe stage 3 of parturition
Expulsion of foetal membranes
— Uterine contractions – Mild colic signs
Normally occurs < 3 hours
– Tie up above level of hocks
– If retained aid expulsion by;
-oxytocin therapy/fluid distension of chorioallantois
-NOT by manual traction
—Examine membranes for integrity/abnormalities
– Body and both horns – nothing missing
When layed out, a normal placenta should be what shape?
F shape
foetal membranes typically expelled how long after parturition?
30min-3hours
What are foetal membranes called that haven’t been expelled?
Retained foetal membranes
What do retained foetal membranes lead to?
Rapid development of metritis (one small piece as bad as the whole placenta)
