2008 12 anderson the foaling process

My Horse University and eXtension welcome you to this live Webcast.

The Foaling Mare:Preparations and Process

Dr. Kathy AndersonUniversity of Nebraska

Meet our presenter

Dr. Kathy AndersonUniversity of Nebraska

Foaling Preparations• Vaccinations

– 4 weeks prior to due date

• Casliks– Reopened

• Foaling locationdeterminedand prepared

The Foaling Mare• Gestation length– 335 to 340– Range

• 320 to 370

• Premature– Less than 326 days of gestation

• Aborted– Foal before 310 days

The Foaling Mare• Estimated foaling date– 11 months

• Good estimate• Usually closer to

11 ½ months

Foaling Location• Quiet• Safe for mare and foal• Space from other horses• Clean

– Grass– Straw– Avoid dirt/mud

Foaling Location• Pasture– Grass– Shelter– Away from other horses

Foaling Location• Small enclosure– Safe– Ground cover

• Avoid dry lot

Foaling Location• Stall– Bedding

• Straw• Shavings added after foaling

– Ventilation– Quiet/Private

Early Signs of Approaching Parturition

• 2-6 weeks prior– Udder development

Signs of Approaching Parturition• 7-14 days prior• Muscular relaxation in

pelvic region• Vulva relaxes

Signs of Approaching Parturition• 4-6 days prior• Teat distension

Signs of Approaching Parturition• 1-2 days prior– Waxing over the teats– Colostrum• Drip down legs?• Yellow, sticky

– Relaxation of the vulva

Foaling Predictors• Predict-A-Foal– Changes in Ca content of udder secretions• Ca content of milk

– 5 color zones on strip» 1 of 5 change color = 1% chance foal within 12 days» 4 of 5 change color = 8% chance foal within 12 hours

Foaling Predictors• Foal Watch– Ca changes – Ca Carbonate• Levels below 200 ppm

– 99% chance will not foal within 24 hours

• Levels above 200 ppm– 97% chance will foal within 72 hours

Foaling Predictors• Foaling alarm

– http://www.foalingalarm.com/equipage.htm

– Complete EquiPage system:• $595.00 US

Foaling Predictors• Foal-Alert• http://www.foalert.com/

The Transmitter

Autodialer

ReceiverWhen activated, the receiver will1. Sound an audible alarm and2. Activate any attached accessories

Auxiliary alarm

Foal Alert• Standard Range Monitoring

System– $1100.00– Includes:

• Standard range receiver• Blue multi-use transmitter• Red single-use transmitter• Extra magnet• Instructional DVD and manual• Foal-Alert cap• Carrying case

• Long Range Monitoring System– $1700.00

• Multi-Use Transmitters(up to 10 uses)

• $170.00– 5 or more

• $160.00

• Single-Use Transmitters(one use only)

• $62.00– 10 or more

• $57.00

Stage I• Nervousness• Acts “Colicky”

– Look at flank– Up and down– Urinate frequent small

amounts– Raise and switch tail

• Lasts 12-18 hours

• Uterine contractions– Increased intensity– Increased frequency

• Cervical dilation• Positioning of foal

Stage II• Water breaks• Strong uterine

contractions• Expulsion of fetus• Duration

– Approximately 20-30 minutes after water breaks

Parturition Stage II

Normal Parturition

Normal Parturition

Parturition Stage II• Umbilical cord– Do not break– Let break naturally

• Mare or foal stands

– Premature separation

• Umbilical stump– 7% tincture of iodine– Nolvasan solution 2%

Foaling assistance• Kept minimal• Normal presentation

Normal Presentation

Dystocia

Stage III• Expulsion of the placenta• Should be expelled by

3 hours

Nursing

Postpartum Complications• Infection• Torn placenta

Retained Placenta• Not released placenta

within 4 hours post-foaling• Various causes• Do not “pull” placenta out

Retained Placenta• Causes– Increased incidence

• Dystocia• Severe placentitis• Uterine inerta

Complications Due to Retained Placenta• Laminitis• Metritis• Septicemia• Death

Retained Placenta Treatments• Oxytocin treatment– 20 IU intramuscular every

2 hours– 40 IU in saline drip over 2 hours

• Tie placenta in knot• Infusion

Normal Uterine Involution• Placental passed– 3 hours post-partum

• Two days post-partum– Marked decreased in

• Uterine size• Most uterine fluid eliminated

– 3 to 5 days post-partum• Uterine horns palpated

Normal Uterine Involution• 5-15 days post-partum– Onset of post-partum foal heat

• Day 7– Microcaruncles no longer evident

• Day 14 – Endrometrium normal histological

appearance– Uterus enlarged– Cervix does not close until after foal heat

Normal Uterine Involution• Foal heat– Slight disadvantage in conception– No difference in pregnancy loss?– Predictable estrus

Normal Uterine Involution• Foal heat ovulation– Day 9: 43% ovulation– Day 15: 93% ovulation– Day 20: 97% ovulation

• Mare ovulating after day 10– Normal pregnancy rate

Uterine Lavage• Stimulate uterine

involution– Retained placenta– Delayed uterine involution

• Treat endomentritis• Flush out uterus

– Warm saline– Lactated Ringer’s solution

• Day 2-3 post-partum

• Not necessary on normal foaling mares– No benefits found

Induction of Parturition• Not generally recommended• Guidelines

– 330 days of gestation– Substantial mammary development

• Colostrum present

– Dilated cervix: 1-2 fingers– Foal in position

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