Preparation for birth, parturition, and placenta Flashcards
When should a mare be brought to the premises she is due to foal on
About 6 weeks before
When should tetanus toxoid and influenza vaccine be given
Within 4 weeks of full term
Stage 1 parturition
Onset of myometrial contractions
Rupture of chorio-allantoic membrane
Cervix dilates
Can last on average 2-6 hrs to 24hrs in some maidens
Stage 2 parturition
Onset of abdominal contractions
Rupture of chorio-allantoic membrane up to and including delivery of foal
Rapid in the mare- on average 20mins
Stage 3 parturition
Expulsion of the placenta
Usually within 30 mins post partum, can be up to 2 hrs
Signs of stage 1 parturition
Moving away from herd
Restlessness, pacing box
Sweating, pawing ground, looking at flanks, flehmen
May eat or rest quietly between contractions
Signs of stage 2 parturition
Usually strain only when recumbent so majority of stage 2 lying down
Emergence of foal, one foreleg first
Foals foot should be visible covered in amniotic membrane within 5 mins of onset of 2nd stage
Should never see chorioallantois bulging from the vulva
Signs of stage 3 parturition
Pain: rolling, sweating, pawing the ground, unease, flehmen
Umbilical cord often in tact for up to 20 mins
Foal should be in sternal recumbency within 2-3 minutes
After rupture of the cord and when the mare is standing the placenta should be tied up with string to ensure placenta doesn’t get trodden on
Examine the placenta once expelled
What type of placenta does the horse have
Epitheliochorionic, non-invasive, microcotyledonary, and diffuse
Comprises the chorioallantois, amnion, and umbilical cord
When should the placenta be examined
within 12-24 hours
What weight should the placenta be
About 10-11% of the foals body weight
Heavier: oedema or inflammatory changes
Lighter: usually incomplete or has significant avillous areas
Which surface should be exposed on placenta
Allantoic surface - grey, shiny, smooth, prominent blood vessels
Key points for examination of the placenta
Should have allantoic surface exposed
Rupture line should be at the cervical star
Should be complete with no areas or abnormality
Pregnant horn should be obviously larger, thicker, and more oedematous
Chorionic surface on the inside should be covered in small villi, and have a dark red-brown velvet appearance
Normal avillous regions of the placenta
Cervical star
Papillae of the fallopian tubes at the apex of each horn
Sites of previous endometrial cups
Sites of folding of the allantochorion
Sites of the endometrial cups
What is a hippomane
A flat, rubbery, brown-yellow, oval shaped structure found floating freely in the allantoic fluid
A normal finding
