sources of pain that prevent a mare from moving around could be a reason why the mare is not getting in foal. Dr. von Rosenberg advises mare owners to evaluate her
pain level and find a safe way to manage it so she is able to move around frequently and comfortably without needing medications that could be harmful to a fetus. For example, dexamethasone, a synthetic corticosteroid hormone, is commonly used for respiratory allergies and inflammatory diseases, including arthritis, and can be harmful to late-term pregnancies. Dex can cause abortions and premature births in some circumstances of late-term pregnancies. It is impor- tant to discuss the possible side effects of any medication, in order to ensure your mare and foal are not in danger.
and can be a determining factor in premature births or late- term abortions. This doesn’t happen though when the mare is not pregnant. Milk production when not pregnant can be an indication of Cushing’s disease or metabolic disorders. Vulvar discharge can also be an indication of placentitis, so if your mare has a history of this infection and it has not been cleared up, discharge may still be present. For barren mares, vulvar discharge is definitely important, not because of pla- centitis but because it can be a sign of a uterine infection.
INTERNAL REPRODUCTIVE EXAM Next, your veterinarian should perform an internal exam of the reproductive tract, starting with the perineal body that makes up the top part of the vulva and including the vagina. Sometimes, this area has been damaged during previous foalings, which can impede the seal mechanism of the area. Anytime the seal is compromised, the opportunity exists for bacteria to enter the vulva and consequently cause an infec- tion. If the vagina has been damaged, there are standing surgical procedures that can be done to fix most minor tears. A speculum exam allows the inside of the vagina and cervix to be evaluated. During this process, you can determine if the mare is pooling urine or has any other abnormalities that may be an indication of potential pregnancy complications. By looking at the cervix, you can tell what stage of her
This mare has a chronic problem with her injured knee and initially had difficulty becoming pregnant.
EXTERNAL EXAM A very important part of the breeding soundness exam is the evaluation of the mare’s external reproductive conformation. First, the vulva should be examined. How do the vulva lips close together? There should be suction when the lips close together, resulting in a healthy vulva seal. There should not be any space between the vulva lips. This keeps air and bac- teria from entering the vulva. What is the angle in relation to the anus? If the anus is sunken in, the mare is more likely to leak urine and feces into the vulva, causing infection and an unhealthy environment for proper breeding. Look for discol- ored and excessive discharge and feel under her tail to see if she is leaking fluids from her vulva. An infection will cause discharge that is different from the fluids associated with a mare being in heat. Another thing to examine is the mare’s mammary glands, or her udders. Generally, three to four weeks before foaling, a pregnant mare will produce milk in her mammary glands and a “bag” is developed. Are they abnormal in size or color? If there has been premature milk production in the mammary glands, it could be a sign of problems. Has she had any his- tory of placentitis, described as an infection of the placenta? This can cause early development of the mammary glands
70 November/December 2013
cycle your mare is in, if there are any adhesions or missing pieces and if there is any discoloration that would be a cause for concern. Finally, a digital exam of the cervix allows your vet to feel around the entire area for tears and adhesions. The size and location of a tear or adhesion could lead to dif- ferent courses of action. If a large tear is located at the top of the cervix, it may not be as harmful as a small tear that sits at the bottom of the cervix. If the cervix is unusually long or contorted, and it cannot properly open or close, it could cause problems for the mare when it comes to the breeding process. Once these things have been evaluated, your veteri- narian can recommend proper procedures for managing any reproductive issues that your mare may have associated with the vagina or cervix. The final step of the breeding soundness exam is palpation
and ultrasound of the uterus. Dr. von Rosenberg places a great deal of emphasis on this part of the exam. Seasoned veteri-
Laura McCormick
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