Exam 3 - Mare Breeding Soundness Exam Flashcards
(35 cards)
what is a ‘problem mare’ in regards to this lecture?
horses that can’t become pregnant!!! can be from a variety of very different things
why do you need to do your reproductive exam of a mare prior to palpation per rectum? what should you do before?
you lose the ability to assess conformation of the mare!!!!
perineum, rectum, vulvar conformation, mammary gland exam (check for impending parturition, enlargement, maiden mares will have small glands tucked up against the abdomen), & clitoral culture
need to look at the external angle & tone of the vulva - 75% below pelvic rim with good apposition
what are the physical barriers to uterine contamination?
vulvar seal
vestibulovaginal sphincter/fold
vagina
cervix - best evaluated in diestrus
when is the best time to evaluate a mare’s cervix for a BSE exam?
during diestrus!!
what is the purpose of the vestibulovaginal fold in the mare? what should you check the vestibule for during the mare’s BSE?
fold that separates the vestibule & vagina
need to check for wind-sucking, evaluate bacterial status, & anatomy
T/F: on the BSE exam of a mare, the vagina should not have any air or fluid in it
true!!! potential space that should not be full of anything!
what should you evaluate the vagina for on a mare BSE?
check the floor for the angle, urine, pus, or blood
evaluate for bacterial status
what should you evaluate on rectal palpation for a mare BSE? what must you determine before progressing any farther?
cervix - length, width, & tone
uterus - tone, size, symmetry, adhesions
ovaries - size, activity, texture, & ovulation fossa
MUST DETERMINE SHE IS NOT PREGNANT
what makes up the preparation for the internal exam of a mare BSE?
once the rectal exam is complete, isolate the tail/ensure no hairs are in the field, remove lube/fecal material prior to cleansing
scrub the perineal area using the vulva as the surgical site (include the hair on the side of the flanks as well)
apply 3 scrubs & water rinse after each - final scrub should remove all scrub to prevent any irritation & spermicidal
clean the vestibule with cotton material - not sterile because we want to culture!!!
what are the routine procedures typically done on the internal exam of a mare BSE?
digital examination of vagina & cervix
endometrial culture & cytology
endometrial biopsy
T/F: for the mare BSE, the cervix must be in diestrus/under the influence of progesterone to be properly evaluated
true
what is used to get an endometrial culture/cytology during a mare BSE? why? how is it done?
double guarded cotton swab - minimizes contamination from the vagina
critical to withdraw the cotton swab & plunger in THAT ORDER!!! if the plunger is withdrawn first, the cotton swab may break & be left in the uterus
what is the purpose of doing a uterine cytology in a mare BSE?
detects the presence of endometritis with swab + low volume lavage
interpretation relies on neutrophils/hpf (1-2 = mild, 3-4 = moderate, & >5 = severe)
must interpret alongside palpation, ultrasound, & culture results
what is the most common pathogen isolated from uterine culture of a mare that grows on blood agar?
streptococcus zooepidemicus - beta-hemolytic strep, will cause hemolysis around it
what are the limitations of doing a uterine culture during a mare BSE?
it only samples a very small area of the endometrium - only samples the surface not the gland crypts
false positives due to contamination
when would you use a MacConkey medium for a uterine culture taken during a mare BSE?
if you suspect gram negative bacteria - it only grows gram negative bacteria
why do a speculum examination of a mare during a BSE prior to digital palpation? what is the risk of doing this?
you get to view all the parts before you mess it up!
may contaminate the caudal cervix
what should you evaluate when using a speculum on a mare BSE?
vestibulovaginal seal, persistent hymen, vaginitis/cervicitis, urine pooling, pus, lacerations, adhesions, & varicosities
how do you differentiate a cyst/cystic remnants from a developing follicle in a mare BSE?
developing follicle will get larger, progress, & eventually ovulate
cysts will not change in size over time
what are cystic epoophorons that may be found on a mare BSE? what are the often misinterpreted as?
leftovers of the male reproductive tract!
can be misinterpreted as a follicle on ultrasound
T/F: fossa cysts on mare ovaries may limit normal ovulation
true
T/F: in a mare BSE, an endometrial biopsy is the single most informative procedure that is done
true
why is an endometrial biopsy so valuable in a mare BSE?
can determine the mare’s ability to become pregnant & carry a foal to term
identifies - periglandular fibrosis, cystic gland distribution, lymphatic lacunae, & endometritis
what are some pathologic changes that may be seen on endometrial biopsy taken during a mare BSE?
inflammation, cystic gland distension, lymphatic lacunae, & peri-glandular fibrosis
