ABORTION IN MARES - EQUINE INFO - EQUIVET AUSTRAILA

TREAT EVERY CASE OF ABORTION AS INFECTIOUS UNTIL PROVEN OTHERWISE

COMMON CAUSE OF ABORTION IN MARES

There are four (4) common cause of Abortion:

STRESS:
Severe weight loss: sudden cold changes: pain: travel: parasites: overcrowding and large mobs. Good management and common sense can prevent this. Horses in good condition are less susceptible to stress. Avoid travelling horses in the last six weeks of pregnancy.

PROGESTERONE DEFICENCY:
Controversial cause of abortion that can lead to losses at any stage of pregnancy. The efficiency of progesterone supplements is questionable but ORAL Regumate has been proven to be effective even if expensive. Less costly but also less effective is Hydroxyprogesterone, progesterone injections and progesterone implants.

ENDOMERTITIS:
Low grade endometrial infections carried over from previous gestations or service of acquired later in pregnancy by windsucking may cause abortion. Routine courses of antibiotics throughout gestation may reduce this cause.

SYSTEMIC INFECTIONS - PARTICULARLY HERPES (E.H.V-1):

This is the most serious not only because it may lead to abortion storms with large numbers of abortions but also because is may spread to other studs. There are a number of management procedures which may reduce the incidence of E.H.V-1 Abortion.

Keep in foal brood mares segregated from barren mares, weanlings and yearlings which may carry the respiratory virus. Avoid nose contact and sharing of water supply or feeding places.

Keep in foal brood mares in small groups.

Keep visiting mares segregated from resident mares.

Vaccination with new DUVAXYN E.H.V-1,4 vaccine is unlikely to be 100% effective but will reduce incidence and probably is warranted in high risk groups and valuable mares going to studs of unknown E.H.V status.

Record all mare movements between paddocks.

WHAT TO DO IF A MARE THREATENS ABORTION:

Watch for waxing or mares making milk prior to the last three (3) weeks of gestation of any unusual discharges. Notify us immediately so that appropriate antibiotic or hormonal therapy can be started. Collect and store any colostrum that is passed.

WHAT TO DO IF A MARE ABORTS:
If the cause is obvious (eg: weight loss) take appropriate action to prevent further losses (ie:feed). If the cause is NOT obvious, treat the cause as though it Was the highly infectious E.H.V-1 and :-

Remove foetus and placenta to a safe place in plastic garbage bags. Isolate mare until all vulval discharges have ceased. Disinfect abortion area with lime, salt or fire. Wash hands, clothes and boots in disinfectant. Notify us so we can take samples from the mare and foetus to determine the cause or at least eliminate the possibility of E.H.V-1.

ALWAYS REMEMBER TO ENSURE THAT THE MARE HAS LOST ALL HER AFTERBIRTH. IF IN DOUBT ABOUT IF YOUR MARE HAS ABORTED GET HER TESTED IN AUGUST TO AVIOD WASTING TIME. MAINTENANCE OF PREGNANCY