Pregnancy loss causes and consequences

Question 1

when does mummification of foal occur

Answer 1

if foal dies whilst endometrial cups present (between day 35-150)
expulsion of foetus after endometrial cups regress

Question 2

List 3 potential causes of embryonic death in the mare

Answer 2

persistence of endometritis
chronic endometrial disease
luteal insufficiency (low progesterone)?- primary or secondary problem

Question 3

Describe chronic endometrial disease

Answer 3

If the uterus is abnormal (eg has fibrosis, glandular abnormalities) it may be difficult to form a normal placenta and resorption may occur

Question 4

Describe how to treat luteal insufficianecy (low progesterone - primary problem)

Answer 4

commonly done in US- give regumate (progesterone) throughout pregnancy to help mainatina

Question 5

when should progesterone (altrenogest) be given to mares

Answer 5

in USA done commonly throughout pregnancy
in early pregnancy if mare undergoing anaesthesia or has placentitis

Question 6

List 6 possible non-infectious causes of fetal abortion in the mare

Answer 6

Multiple conceptuses
Umbilical cord abnormalities

Uterine torsion
[low progesterone]
[stress]
[severe malnutrition]

Question 7

Describe how to deal with twins in mares

Answer 7

abolish whole pregnancy with PG
OR
manual rupture of one conceptus at day 14/15

Question 8

Describe umbilical cord abnormalities that can cause abortion in mares

Answer 8

long umbilical cord in some cases- this can become twisted (obstruction) or may wrap around a fetal extremity resulting in fetal death

Question 9

List 5 infectious causes of equine abortion

Answer 9

Equine herpes virus
Equine viral arteritis
Bacterial/fungal placentitis
Systemic infections
Equine Infectious Anaemia

Question 10

Describe fetal abortion seen with equine herpes virus

Answer 10

generally see resp infection
then most abortions seen within 60 days of infection but most after 8 months

Question 11

what should you do if mare has abortion due to equine herpes virus

Answer 11

Aborting mare should be isolated from others as the aborted material is infectious
Advise that mares are kept in groups according to stage of pregnancy
isolate new arrivals before introducing to pregnant herd

Question 12

describe how to control equine herpes virus

Answer 12

Control is normal via vaccination of pregnant mares at 5, 7 and 9 months of pregnancy (Equip EHV 1,4)

Question 13

what could you do in the face of a equine herpes virus abortion

Answer 13

some data that vaccination can reduce the number of abortions within the herd

Question 14

Describe how equine viral arteritis is spread

Answer 14

resp tract route and also venerally

Question 15

Describe how to manage EVA (equine viral arteritis)

Answer 15

vaccinate stallions
blood sample the mares to see if they have antibodies

Question 16

Decsribe bacterial/ fungal placentitis

Answer 16

Ascending infection possibly associated with poor perineal conformation
Reduces placental efficiency producing growth retardation of fetus

Question 17

Desribe how to treat bacterial fungal placentitis

Answer 17

C and S- usually systemic potentiated sulphonamide
consider of progesterone supplementation
Local antibiotic pessary
Consider Caslick at next pregnancy

Question 18

List 3 organisms that DON’T cause abortion in mares

Answer 18

Taylorella equigenitalia
Klebsiella pneumoniae
Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Causes infertility not pregnancy loss

Question 19

List 3 things that still births associated with in mares

Answer 19

Prolonged parturition
Umbilical cord obstruction during parturition
premature placental separation

Question 20

what is important to remember about EVA

Answer 20

notifiable

Question 21

clinical signs of EVA

Answer 21

flu like
conjunctivitis
focal dermatitis
limb and ventral oedema