Placentaitis in horses | petmd

What is placentaitis in horses?

Placentaitis is defined as inflammation of the placenta. Placental problems are the most common cause of mid- to late abortion, early birth and neonatal death in the first 24 hours of the horse. The most common cause of placentaitis in horses is caused by infectious agents such as bacteria. Placentaitis has a significant economic impact and is the main cause of reproduction loss in the horse breeding industry.

Placental anatomy

Placental anatomy contains two parts. Amnion and Chorioalentois.

The amniotic membrane surrounds the fetus, and the corioarenta is attached to the endometrium (endometrium). Both of these structures provide a gas and nutritional exchange that plays part in protecting the fetus and allows the foal to grow.

Placentaitis usually affects Corioarentoy, compromising the attachment of the placenta to the endometrium, or all causing harmful inflammation and infection to the foal.

Symptoms of placentaitis in horses

Common symptoms of placentaitis include:

Causes of placentaitis in horses

Placentaitis can occur in mares of all ages, but it occurs more frequently in underweight and older mares, where the vulva shape increases bacteria through the cervix. Previous cervical damage allows bacteria to enter the cervical barrier, increasing the chances of placentaitis.

The most common cause of placentaitis is most commonly caused by bacterial or fungal infections. Bacteria use one of three methods to access the placenta and potentially access the foal.

• Rising infectionWhen bacteria pass the vulva and enter the cervix

• Hematogenous infection: When a mare is systematically (body-body) disease, and bacteria enter the uterus/placenta and foal blood supply.

• Unclear infection: It is unknown how this bacteria gain access to the uterus and placenta.

Infections generally gather near the cervical star (the area of ​​the placenta near the cervix), but they can penetrate further and invade the entire placental structure. When inflammation and infection spread, the mare’s body produces prostaglandins (hormonally-like substances involved in uterine contractions). Prostaglandins can lead to contractions of the uterus and abortion of the foal.

Inflammation can also cause thickening of the placental tissue, which can separate the placenta from the inside of the uterus. This reduces the available nutrients and oxygen to the foal. Early separation of the placenta from the uterus can lead to the delivery of a “red bag.” This is considered a medical emergency as the emergent foal is enveloped in the placental membrane, often causing suffocation of the foal and stillbirth.

How a veterinarian diagnoses placentaitis in horses

Veterinarians can diagnose placentaitis through physical examinations and ultrasound. Both transit abdominal ultrasounds can be used to examine the placenta. During ultrasound, the veterinarian looks for thickened placental tissue, placenta separation, and changes in fluid within the uterus.

During ultrasound examination, you can observe fetal activity and heart rate. If you have vaginal discharge, you can take a sample and send it to the lab to identify infected organisms and provide antibiotic susceptibility to allow veterinarians to select the best antibiotic for treatment.

Another diagnostic test involves measuring serum amyloid A protein concentration. The levels of this inflammatory protein are generally increased in the presence of infection.

Finally, the veterinarian may recommend testing maternal progesterone hormone (steroid hormone that tells the body that you are pregnant) levels (indications for pregnancy status) and total estrogen levels to determine that the placenta and fetus are intact and healthy. If progesterone levels are low, your veterinarian may prescribe synthetic progesterone, such as Altorenogist (regu-mate) Increases the level of progesterone in the horse’s body and helps the uterus continue to become pregnant.

Treatment of placentaitis in horses

Placentaitis can be treated normally if diagnosed and treated early in the course of the disease. Veterinarians have developed treatment plans aimed at solving infections and reducing inflammation and uterine contractions.

These systemic treatment plans often include the following medications:

• Antibiotics such as trimethoprimusulfamethoxazole

• Exogenous (external source) progestogens such as Altrenogest (Regu-Mate)

• Anti-inflammatory agents such as Banamine

• Cocci (drugs to reduce uterine contractions)

• Drugs that improve uterine perfusion (blood flow) Pentoxifylline

Recovery and management of placentaitis in horses

Early recognition and treatment allow placentatis mares to maintain pregnancy; Deliver healthy foals.

Mares who are considered to be at high risk for placentaitis may have increased veterinary care and health checks during pregnancy. Veterinarians can detect placenta and/or fetal problems during early pregnancy through routine ultrasound examinations and hormonal assessments.

Mares that may be considered high risk include:

• Historical Placenta Compromise

• Incompetent or laceration of the cervix

• Chronic diseases

• Old age

• Improper breeding

Placentaitis, if not diagnosed without treatment, can lead to abortion, often undiagnosed, but can lead to other serious illnesses such as:

To prevent placentaitis, the mare must ensure overall health and reproductive health. If your mares are pregnant for the first time, or if this mares are new to you, it is always good to do a reproductive health test by your primary veterinarian. Key veterinarians can also provide guidelines on how to maintain the health of pregnant mares, from pregnancy to vaccines they need during pregnancy.