Less Common
OTHER DIAGNOSES CONSIDERED
Other conditions or ailments that might also need to be ruled out by a vet.
Diagnosis
Conditions or ailments that are the cause of a problem that you see - your observation.
Your vet may diagnose
Aged Maiden Mare Syndrome
Summary
This diagnosis is common in older mares of any breed that have never been bred before.
In a normal, fertile mare, the cervix is relaxed when the mare is in full estrus, both allowing the entry of semen into the uterus and allowing extra fluid, debris and inflammatory products to be expelled post-breeding. For mares having this syndrome, the cervix is abnormally closed despite the mare being in strong heat. This prevents normal uterine clearance post-breeding and predisposes the mares to inflammation and infertility.
Diagnosis is through veterinary rectal palpation, ultrasound and manual examination of the cervix.
Treatment may require dilation of the cervix using certain topical or systemic medications. These mares also often require treatment of the uterus, such as flushing and medications to help the uterus contract.
In a normal, fertile mare, the cervix is relaxed when the mare is in full estrus, both allowing the entry of semen into the uterus and allowing extra fluid, debris and inflammatory products to be expelled post-breeding. For mares having this syndrome, the cervix is abnormally closed despite the mare being in strong heat. This prevents normal uterine clearance post-breeding and predisposes the mares to inflammation and infertility.
Diagnosis is through veterinary rectal palpation, ultrasound and manual examination of the cervix.
Treatment may require dilation of the cervix using certain topical or systemic medications. These mares also often require treatment of the uterus, such as flushing and medications to help the uterus contract.
my vet's role
Diagnostics Used
These are tests that might be helpful to make this diagnosis or further characterize the condition.
Treatments May Include
These treatments might be used to help resolve or improve this condition.
PROGNOSIS AND RELEVANT FACTORS
The prognosis is fair for successful breeding. Some of these older mares have other reproductive problems and may be difficult to breed.my role
I might observe
You might make these observations when a horse has this condition.
Questions To Ask Your Vet:
- Is this one of the reasons that my older maiden mare is hard to breed?
- Do you use topical treatments to help dilate the cervix & improve the situation?
Prevention
Mares should ideally be bred for the first time when they are between 3-10 years old.
further reading & resources
Helpful Terms and Topics
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