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  Discussion on Placentitis?
Author Message
New Member:
Mcarna

Posted on Thursday, Nov 21, 2002 - 11:14 am:

My 11 year old maiden quarter horse mare just aborted her foal at 285 days. She began some udder expansion, but not near the teats, about 5 weeks ago, but the vet did not feel we could save the foal if she was aborting. He thought it might also be edema, so I did nothing.

Here are my questions: He suggested no post-mortem on the foal because it had been dead 2-3 days when she delivered (with his assistance, the foal was backwards), and felt any culture of her would only indicate the current infection, not one that might have caused the foal's death.

Should I have had a post-mortem done on the foal and a culture done on the mare? Also, since it is November, is it OK to begin putting her under lights, so I have an advantage in time to the next breeding season? I read that in mares that abort in late trimesters, it is hard to re-breed and settle the next year. Is this trye and how can I prevent this from happening again?

Also, I own the stallion, so should I have him checked for infection? He was also maiden, so I don't feel he could be the issue, but it is so disheartening to go 8 1/2 months and lose the foal, I want to be very careful next year. Finally, is she at risk now of this happening again?

Just for background information: She was moved to my vet's clinic for 5 days after the abortion, flushed everyday and put on strong antibiotics. He suggests we test blood/hormone levels and flush her after breeding this next year, but I want to make sure I take every precaution. Thanks...sorry for so many questions, but this is all new to me.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Friday, Nov 22, 2002 - 6:36 am:

I presume you have read the article asociated with this forum, Michelle. It represents what we currently know about this condition and talks about early recognition and treatment.

Whether a PM or culture would have revealed important information is not known. Yes often autolytic changes and contamination will make these procedures less useful but what if a defective heart was found, or a known pathogen isolated, would these not have been useful to know?

It is not always true that late trimester abortions are hard to breed back, it depends on the reason for the abortion. Yes you can begin lights. If this is a infectious abortion the stallion is an unlikely cause as the organisms typically involved are not considered venereal diseases.
DrO
Member:
Mcarna

Posted on Friday, Nov 22, 2002 - 2:16 pm:

Thanks Dr. O. I have read everything in this forum, as well as, others. This is a much wanted foal and anything I can do to prevent the loss of time and heartache, I will do. I appreciate your quick response and will keep you posted.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Saturday, Nov 23, 2002 - 1:24 pm:

Besides the forum posts did you also read the article?
DrO
Member:
Mcarna

Posted on Monday, Jan 6, 2003 - 2:45 pm:

Sorry for not responding Dr. O. Yes, I did read the article and am happy to say my mare has had 2 heat cycles, 23 days apart and we plan to breed in February...I will keep you posted.
Member:
Mcarna

Posted on Tuesday, Jul 8, 2003 - 4:54 pm:

Dr. O
I just wanted to give you an update. The above mare is now 130 days back in foal, and so far shows no signs of problems. I will keep you posted.
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