Transcript Monitoring of a pregnancy in a mare

MONITORING OF A
PREGNANCY IN A
MARE
Reis ÖZMEN,Erasmus Student,2014
Uludag Unıversıty,Turkey
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Development of an equine fetus takes about 11
months from conception to birth. During this
period, there are critical times when careful
observation might detect a problem in time to
correct a serious issue that spells harm for mare
and/ foal.
Normal gestation length in a mare ranges from
335-345 days.
NON-CHEMICAL METHODS
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Behavioural changes;
The mare’s behaviour towards a stallion can be a
good indicator. From about 14 days after serving,
a pregnant mare should reject a stallion’s
advances. That is they will not display the
characteristic behaviour, which includes
welcoming his advances and “showing” their rear.
If a mare does not begin her oestrus cycle within
21 days of being served, it can be assumed she is
pregnant.
Transrectal palpation;
 in the rectum and feels the uterus for signs of
pregnancy. These include uterine tone, the shape of
the uterus, and the presence and size of the small sac
containing the foetus, called the amnionic vesicle.
 Ultrasound examination;
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Protocol (When Ovulation Time is Known)
 First exam
Day 14 to 15
 Second exam
Day 24 to 27
 Third exam
Day 33 to 35
 Autumn exam
October
(day of ovulation is Day 0)
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A rectal exam checks the tightness of the cervix,
the position of the foal, the size of the uterus, and
movement of the fetus..
All embryos should be detectable by day 24. By
day 24 of pregnancy, the embryo is
approximately 6 mm in length. The heartbeat
can normally be detected as a flickering
movement in the middle of the echoic embryo
around this stage of pregnancy
Pregnancy diagnosis by ultrasound may initially
be performed 12 to 18 days after ovulation.
 By day 16 of pregnancy the vesicle is normally
fixed at the base of either the left or the right
horn.The shape is still regular, but more ovoid
than strictly spherical.
 By day 45, the foetus has descended
approximately two-thirds of the way towards the
ventral part of the allantois. The developing
head of the foetus is recognisable.
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Ultrasound
examination on
or before day 16
is also
beneficial for
the
identification
and
management of
twins.
Natural reduction
of different size
twin pregnancies
seen at days 14, 18
and 33
http://www.equin
ereproduction.com/
articles/Twins.sht
ml
CHEMICAL METHODS
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Pregnancy testing by measuring
PMSG(pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin);
This is best performed between 40 and 100 days after
breeding. PMSG is a protein produced by the
endometrial cups – a group of cells from the embryo
that temporarily colonise the lining of the mare’s
uterus.
Oestrone sulphate;
is produced by the foetal-placental unit, and
measuring its blood concentration is a wellestablished, reliable and accurate method for
pregnancy-testing mares from 100 days post-breeding
right through to the expected time of foaling
Oestrone
sulphate
produced by the
foetal-placental
unit not only
finds its way into
the maternal
bloodstream, but
also into the
mare’s urine-can
be used from 110
to 300 days postbreeding.
urinary oestrone
sulphate cont.(ug/ml)
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50
Pregnant
40
30
20
10
0
Non-pregnant
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Wee-Foal-Checker:
is a non-invasive, accurate and rapid urinary test
test for diagnosing pregnancy in your mare.
http://www.weefoalchecker.co.n
z/
VACCINATIONS
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Mares are given vaccinations against diseases
such as the Rhinopneumonitis (EHV-1) virus
(which can cause abortions) as well as vaccines
for other conditions that may occur in a given
region of the world. Pre-foaling vaccines are
recommended 4–6 weeks prior to foaling to
maximize the immunoglobulin content of the
colostrum in the first milk.
the mare should be receive; tetanus toxoid,
equine influenza, and Eastern/Western
encephalomyelitis (4-way
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Other vaccines that are recommended include
equine rhinopneumonitis (EHV-1/4),Clostridium
botulinum toxoid, and rabies.
http://www.fan
pop.com
EXAMPLE OF VACCINATION SCHEDULE
Schedule
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Vaccine:
Equine
rhinopneumonitis
(killed virus)
Tetanus (toxoid)
Equine influenza
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5, 7, and 9 mo of
gestation and after
foaling.
4–6 wkbefore due date
4–6 wk before due date;
initially administer 3
doses at 4–6 wk
intervals and then every
2–3 mo during gestation
for mares exposed to
transient population
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Eastern and Western
equine
encephalomyelitis
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Rabies
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Botulism (toxoid)
Usually administered
to mares in late spring
or early summer
before onset of insect
season
 4–6 wk before due
date; annual if
endemic
 Initially 3 doses at 1mo intervals, then
annual booster 4–6 wk
before due date
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Rotaviral diarrhea
Equine viral arteritis
(modified live virus)
8, 9, and 10 mo of
gestation
 A negative titer
should be documented
by a USDA-approved
laboratory before
vaccination; pregnant
mares should not be
vaccinated; open
mares should be
vaccinated before
breeding.
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http://www.thehorse.com
DEWORMING
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Deworming the mare a
few weeks prior to
foaling is also important,
as the mare is the
primary source of
parasites for the foal.
During the mare's
pregnancy and again two
to three days after
foaling to minimize the
transmission of parasites
through the milk and in
the environment.
http://myhorse.com
PARTURITION
The mare should be taken to the foaling location
3–4 weeks before the expected foaling date to
enhance immunity against pathogens present in
the environment.
 Separation allows the mare to be monitored more
closely by humans for any problems that may
occur while giving birth
 Mares due to foal are usually separated from
other horses, both for the benefit of the mare and
the safety of the soon-to-be-delivered foal.
 Foaling box stalls should be large (at least 3.5 × 3
× 3.5 m).
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The foaling area should
have good ventilation
and be well bedded with
clean, dry straw. The
walls should be solidly
constructed and free of
sharp edges,
The mammary gland
starts developing 3–6
weeks before foaling and
distends with colostrum
in most mares 2–3 days
before parturition,
http://shop.horserequisites.co.uk/HO
RSECAM-FOALING-BOX-CCTV
THANKS…