A100 Equine Parturition

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A100 Equine Parturition
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Vaccination of the Pregnant Mare

• A vaccination program should include vaccinations
  against
• Rhinopneumonitis in the 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th
  months of pregnancy.
• Four-six weeks prior to foaling, the following
  should be given
• Tetanus
• Equine Encephalomyelitis
• Influenza

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Foal Antibody Absorption

• The placenta does not allow transfer of maternal
  antibodies to the fetus.
• However, the antibodies can be passively
  transferred to the newborn foal through the
  mothers colostrum.
• The foals intestine will absorb the antibodies
  only during the first 24 hours after birth.
• The greatest absorption occurs during the first
  few hours.

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Signs of Parturition

• Udder enlargement abdominal milk vein
  enlargement
• Change in milk color
• Waxed teats (2 weeks to hours before foaling)
• Relaxation of the tail head, croup, and perineal
  area

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Labor and Parturition

• A mares labor is intense and rapid. Usually it
  is over within an hour. The owner does not have
  time to develop a wait and see attitude.
• All of the foals oxygen supply is obtained
  through the umbilical cord. A prolonged delivery
  can quickly endanger the foal.

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Stage 1 of Labor

• Uterus begins to contract pushing the foal into
  position
• The cervix relaxes
• Signs in the mare include
• Restlessness
• Tail switching
• Pacing
• Sweating over neck, chest and flanks
• Frequent urination and defecation
• Elevated tail

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Stage 1 of Labor

• Move the mare to the foaling area.
• Wash the mares perineal area with an iodine
  solution.
• Wrap the tail.
• Quietly observe from a distance. The mare will
  not give birth unless she feels completely safe.

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Stage 2 of Labor

• Stage 1 ends when the fetal membranes break,
  releasing the amniotic fluid (Water breaks).
• Stage 2 begins with intense labor contractions
  that push the foal through the birth canal.
• This stage usually lasts about 30 minutes. Little
  can be done to slow labor or make corrections if
  problems arise at this point.
• The mare usually lies down during stage 2. It is
  best for the foal if she is lying down to prevent
  premature rupture of the umbilical cord.

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Stage 2 of Labor

• Both front feet should appear within 15 minutes
  of her water breaking, followed by the nose.
• Once the shoulders (the widest portion of the
  foals body) are born, the rest of the foal
  usually follows shortly.
• If the mare has been pushing for 45 minutes and
  no sign of the foal has been seen, intervention
  is needed quickly if the foal is to survive.

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Dystocia (Difficulty Giving Birth)

• Older mares may often become exhausted in the
  middle of labor and are unable to push the foal
  out.
• Any deviation from the proper fetal position
  (front legs first, head down between the knees
  posture) can cause dystocia.
• Improper fetal positions would include
• A head or a leg turned down
• A breech foal (backwards)
• Upside down foal
• The presence of twins.

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Dystocia

• The placenta detaches from the uterine wall
  within an hour of stage 2, whether the foal is
  born or not.
• If the placenta detaches and the foal has not
  been born, the foals oxygen supply will be cut
  off, and the foal is likely to die. Time is
  critical.

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The Foal

• The newborn foal may have a blue tongue and
  bluish white nasal mucous.
• Clear the fetal membranes
• If the foal has not started breathing on its own,
  put your finger or a piece of straw up its nose.
• The umbilical cord should be allowed to break on
  its own. It should never be cut.

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The Foal

• Once the umbilical cord breaks, it should
  immediately be treated with iodine.
• If the umbilical cord bleeds heavily, tie it off
  with a piece of sterilized string.
• Make sure the foal has nursed within the first
  few hours after birth.
• An enema should be administered to the foal to
  help pass the meconium.

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Stage 3 Postpartum

• Stage three is complete when the placenta and
  fetal membranes are expelled.
• This usually happens 5 to 45 minutes after birth.
• If they have not been passed in two hours, the
  membranes are considered retained and a vet
  should be called.
• Pulling the placenta may leave small pieces in
  the uterus which can cause infection, laminitis
  or death.

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Stage 3 Postpartum

• A mare with this condition may appear normal for
  the first 48 hours and then, when symptoms
  develop, it may be too late.
• Occasionally, if the mare has had a very
  difficult birth, a serious condition can occur
  immediately postpartum where the middle uterine
  artery ruptures. This usually happens in mares
  older than 15 and is usually fatal.
• A nursing mares energy requirements double.
• Colic is relatively common during the first week
  postpartum. Soft feed and laxatives should be fed
  to the mare.