Very Common
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
Retained Placenta
Summary
Retained placenta is a fairly common complication in mares after foaling. Normally, the placenta drops out whole within 30-60 minutes of foaling. Placentas are considered retained after 3 hours.
It is common for the tips of the placenta to tear loose and stay attached within the uterus. This is an ongoing source of contamination and infection. Mares with a retained placenta (or with these retained portions) rapidly develop life threatening uterine infections, which cause severe illness, fever, laminitis and even death.
In many cases, vets use uterine flushing and antibiotic infusion in combination with removal. Systemic antibiotics and other drugs may be used as well.
Sometimes, a part of the placenta is so well anchored inside a mare that it must be left in place for a time. In this case, special management is needed to decrease uterine infection.
After the retained placenta has been removed, your vet will give you specific instructions for follow-up including instructions regarding uterine involution, to ensure that your mare's uterus is shrinking down normally after foaling.
It is common for the tips of the placenta to tear loose and stay attached within the uterus. This is an ongoing source of contamination and infection. Mares with a retained placenta (or with these retained portions) rapidly develop life threatening uterine infections, which cause severe illness, fever, laminitis and even death.
In many cases, vets use uterine flushing and antibiotic infusion in combination with removal. Systemic antibiotics and other drugs may be used as well.
Sometimes, a part of the placenta is so well anchored inside a mare that it must be left in place for a time. In this case, special management is needed to decrease uterine infection.
After the retained placenta has been removed, your vet will give you specific instructions for follow-up including instructions regarding uterine involution, to ensure that your mare's uterus is shrinking down normally after foaling.
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
Prognosis depends on how long the placenta is retained, the cause, and your mare's overall systemic health. Good if this condition is diagnosed and treated early. Poor once severe metritis (uterine infection) sets in.my role
I might observe
You might make these observations when a horse has this condition.
Very Common
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Retained Placenta, More Than 3 Hours after Foaling
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Mare Not Eating or Depressed, Soon after Foaling
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Cannot Find Placenta after Foaling
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Not Eating, Loss of Appetite, Not Hungry
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Fever, Rectal Temperature Greater than 101.5 (in Adult)
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Foaling, Vaginal or Vulvar Discharge after Foaling
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Vaginal or Vulvar Discharge (White, Yellow or Reddish) Non-Pregnant Mare
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Foaling, Mare Just Foaled, Mare & Foal Seem OK, What to Do?
Skills I Might Need
I might need these skills if my horse has this diagnosis.
Questions To Ask Your Vet:
- What management changes can I make to reduce the likelihood of this condition in my mares?
- Will this affect my mare's fertility?
Prevention
Avoid feeding your mare endophyte infested fescue hay late in her pregnancy (fescue toxicosis). Periodically have your mare's placental thickness evaluated by your vet during her pregnancy.
If your mare has a history of reproductive problems, talk to your vet about conducting a uterine biopsy and other diagnostics.
further reading & resources
Helpful Terms and Topics
Written, reviewed or shared by experts in equine health
Outside Resources
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