When a mare’s reproductive system becomes contaminated with bacteria, her body responds with the release of the immune cells, neutrophils. Usually, the neutrophils are able to destroy the bacteria. If they are unable to stop the spread of the bacterium, inflammation occurs within the uterus. This hostile environment reduces the mare’s ability to conceive or to carry a foal to full term. Symptoms may present with discharge from the vagina but this is not always seen in an equine with endometritis. Frequent estrous cycles may point to this condition as well. Treatment may be extensive including daily uterine lavage and antibiotics.
Endometritis is the inflammation of the lining of the inside of the uterus. Endometritis is the most common reason for infertility in mares.
Venereal Infectious Endometritis
Persistent Post-Mating Endometritis
Non-venereal Infectious Endometritis
Chronic Infectious Endometritis
Chronic Degenerative Endometritis
Types
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If the veterinarian suspects an infection in the uterus he will perform a vaginal exam. Using a light the veterinarian will be able to evaluate whether there are any lacerations, scars and inflammation. The veterinarian may want to take a culture and/or a biopsy of endometrial tissue. He may also perform a rectal exam and in addition, a uterine flush can help obtain cells and bacteria to be examined under a microscope. A blood test can reveal if an infection is present. Urine and fecal samples may be analysed as well.
The veterinarian may also suggest an ultrasound of the mare’s uterus. The horse may be sedated for this procedure. The horse’s tail will be secured to the side before performing the diagnostic test. An ultrasound transducer will produce sound waves that are transmitted from the rectum walls to the uterus. The ultrasound will be able to take images that can help determine if the mare has endometritis.
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Once the veterinarian diagnoses endometritis he may recommend a uterine lavage using sterile, isotonic saline or a diluted povidone iodine solution. This procedure can help remove debris and bacteria from the uterus; it can also stimulate the uterus to contract. The uterine contractions will also aid in removing the contaminants from the uterus. The uterine lavage is administered to the mare using a uterine catheter.
Antibiotics will be administered and the veterinarian may also prescribe an anti-inflammatory. Probiotic supplements may be recommended to restore normal flora. Some patients will also be prescribed immune stimulants, to help build up the immune system.
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The patient will need follow up visits, to ensure that the infection has cleared. The veterinarian will need to perform a vaginal examination. He may want the patient to undergo a second ultrasound to insure that there is no uterine inflammation. Mares that had significant loss of the endometrial glands are unlikely to carry a foal to full-term. Mares that were diagnosed and treated for venereal diseases have a good recovery prognoses. It is important to prevent recurring sexually transmitted diseases. Mares should only be breed with stallions that are CEM certified free.
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Kat
Half-Arabian
8 Years
Moderate severity
0 found helpful
Moderate severity
Has Symptoms
I submitted a question a couple of weeks ago, but forgot where I had submitted it to (this website.) Is there any way to retrieve the answer now? I guess I’ll just re-submit it. I have a mare who had her ovary removed laparoscopicly two years ago due to an ovarian tumor. 45 days after surgery she produced a follicle and was able to get in foal. She ended up with an ascending placentitis, but we treated her with Regumate and smz’s and she foaled uneventfully on day 340. About 7 months later we again noticed a vaginal discharge and a culture showed E. Coli. She was treated with intrauterine antibiotics and a cast lick. She has gone back to work, but she is bucking at the canter, especially to the right, and we can’t keep weight on her. We did a complete soundness check, but it was negative except for minor soreness in her SI joint. Tried an injection of medroxyprogesterone with minimal improvement. We are now treating her for possible ulcers with ranitidine and omeprazol. She shows her worst behavior in the show ring.Her ground manners are perfect, you can clip, groom, palpate, ultrasound, and breed her without sedation. She’s always been a bit hot to ride, we bred her hoping to settle her down a bit, but she’s worse since foaling. When she behaves she’s a phenomenal show horse. I really hate to make her be just a broodmare when she should be hitting her prime in the show ring. Any other suggestions for us to try?
April 26, 2018
Kat's Owner
0 Recommendations
I tried to find your question on our website but I couldn’t find evidence of it, sorry about that. From reading your question, I really don’t know what to suggest since you’ve already gone through a soundness check and mild sacroiliac joint pain shouldn’t cause her to buck whilst at canter; at this point, I would be looking at recommending a Specialist to see her. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
April 26, 2018
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