Very Common
Less Common
You also might be observing
Observation
What you see. The starting point for addressing any equine health related issue is your observation.
YOU ARE OBSERVING
Sores on Udder or Teats of Lactating Mare
Summary
Nursing mares occasionally develop sores on their teats. This is often a consequence of physical trauma, windburn or sunburn but it can also be seen in some viral conditions, most notably Vesicular Stomatitis. In some cases, sores can be painful enough to cause a mare to not allow a foal to nurse. This can quickly develop into a serious veterinary emergency for the foal.
Assess your mare's general health using the Whole Horse Exam (WHE). Assess the mare's mouth (wear gloves), looking for ulcers inside the mouth. Contact your vet with your findings and concerns.
Your vet may suggest that you apply an udder balm to soothe the irritated skin, however this may interfere with nursing. If there is any concern about the foal, your vet may want to examine it too.
Assess your mare's general health using the Whole Horse Exam (WHE). Assess the mare's mouth (wear gloves), looking for ulcers inside the mouth. Contact your vet with your findings and concerns.
Your vet may suggest that you apply an udder balm to soothe the irritated skin, however this may interfere with nursing. If there is any concern about the foal, your vet may want to examine it too.
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Code Red
Call Your Vet Immediately, Even Outside Business Hours- If the foal is only days old and the sores are serious enough that the mare is not allowing the foal to nurse.
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Code Orange
Call Your Vet at Their First Available Office Hours- If you think that the mare could have vesicular stomatitis.
- If the sores are worsening or the mare is not allowing the foal to nurse.
your role
Skills you may need
Procedures that you may need to perform on your horse.
your vet's role
Questions Your Vet Might Ask:
- When did you first notice this problem?
- Is the foal active and nursing?
- Does the mare's attitude and appetite seem normal?
- How old is the foal?
- What are the results of the Whole Horse Exam (WHE)?
- Can you send a photo of the problem?
- Does the mare seem to be in pain?
- How is the foal's appetite and attitude?
Diagnostics Your Vet May Perform
Figuring out the cause of the problem. These are tests or procedures used by your vet to determine what’s wrong.
Less Common
Diagnoses Your Vet May Consider
The cause of the problem. These are conditions or ailments that are the cause of the observations you make.
Treatments Your Vet May Recommend
A way to resolve the condition or diagnosis. Resolving the underlying cause or treating the signs of disease (symptomatic treatment)
Very Common
