Download - 2008 12 Anderson The Foaling Process
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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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