Fetal Membrane Removal in the Mare: Proactive Versus Reactive Approaches

Chelsie A Burden; Mark Meijer; Malgorzata A Pozor; Margo L Macpherson

doi:10.1016/j.cveq.2019.04.004

Fetal Membrane Removal in the Mare: Proactive Versus Reactive Approaches

Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract. 2019 Aug;35(2):289-298. doi: 10.1016/j.cveq.2019.04.004.

Authors

Chelsie A Burden¹, Mark Meijer², Malgorzata A Pozor³, Margo L Macpherson⁴

Affiliations

¹ Goulburn Valley Equine Hospital, Congupna, Victoria 3633, Australia.
² Dierenkiniek Zeddam, Zeddam NL7038 EP, the Netherlands.
³ Department LACS, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.
⁴ Department LACS, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA. Electronic address: macphersonm@ufl.edu.

PMID: 31279434
DOI: 10.1016/j.cveq.2019.04.004

Abstract

Retained fetal membranes are the most common postpartum condition in mares. Although the incidence of retained fetal membranes is low, the consequences for the health of the mare can be severe (metritis, endotoxemia, laminitis, death). Oxytocin administration is often the first line of therapy for management of retained fetal membranes. Removal of fetal membranes using umbilical vessel infusion and manual membrane removal are effective tools for reducing risks associated with abnormally heavy membranes, retained membranes, or for mares that are geographically limited for veterinary care.

Keywords: Mare; Placenta; Retained fetal membranes.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Extraembryonic Membranes*
Female
Horse Diseases / therapy*
Horses
Placenta, Retained / therapy
Placenta, Retained / veterinary*
Pregnancy