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  Discussion on Draining a cyst - or a GCT?
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Member:
imogen

Posted on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 - 11:56 am:

Dear Dr O

As usual I'm confused. My 17 yo mare was diagnosed with a large ovarian cyst when away for stud last summer and the advice was to have this drained before the next breeding season, once her foal was weaned.

I duly requested advice from my own vet a couple of weeks ago to be told that the cyst should have been dealt with last summer and she might well not go in foal in 2009. So I checked back with the vet near the stud, and they said they would be able to drain the cyst through the endoscope/cervix when she was in season in the early spring, and that she would likely go in foal about 6-8 weeks later.

I presume that one lot of vets think it is an cyst and the others think it is a GCT? I see from your article that for GCT removal of the ovary is required and that the delay is then 6-8 months not 6-8 weeks before successful breeding might be possible.

Here is what the report from the stud vet said: "On rectal palpation a fluid filled swelling was noted in the uterine body. Ultrasonography and uterine endoscopy confirmed it to be a large (approximately 25 cm) honeycombed uterine cyst at the bifurcation of the uterine horns. The cyst is not currently causing the mare any systemic problems but due to its size and location it is likely to prevent her going in foal. Drainage of the cyst is indicated if you would like to try and breed from this mare in future. However, there is a possibility it may refill after treatment."

Any advice on what you think should be done would be appreciated... I do not want to spend money on transport and stud fees this year if there is no point... Also I may be further confused, but one lot of vets seem to be talking about a standing flank incision, and the others about an endoscopic procedure which presumably carries less risk although I gather you can (rarely) get haemorrhages that are hard to control with the endoscopic drainage which is why they didn't recommend doing it when she had a young foal.

Many thanks for any light you can throw.

Imogen
Member:
mrose

Posted on Sunday, Dec 21, 2008 - 1:22 pm:

Oh, Imogen, don't you love it when vets (like MDs) can't always agree? It makes life so much more difficult! I suspect, that like me, you're a person of action and like to know what your dealing with, how to deal with it, and do it. Too bad life often doesn't cooperate.

I hope you'll be able to successfully breed your mare this spring.

Best wishes for Christmas and the coming breeding year!
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Dec 22, 2008 - 10:59 am:

The confusion here is over whether you have an ovarian cyst or a uterine cyst. GCT are on the ovaries and vary from almost not noticeable to large multi cystic tumors. It seems clear from your post you are dealing with a uterine cyst, and quite a big one. Yes this cyst should be removed but understand that the cyst is probably symptomatic of chronic uterine inflammatory disease and though removed I would still expect decrease fertility Imogen. I cannot say she will not get in foal but statistically she is likely to have more trouble settling.
DrO
Member:
imogen

Posted on Tuesday, Dec 23, 2008 - 2:19 am:

Thanks for that! No-one mentioned the likelihood inflammatory disease to me before - I thought it was just a mechanical thing that it was preventing fertilisation and implantation. Armed with better information, I shall go back to both sets of vets and see what they say.

Best wishes

Imogen
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