Prevalence of gastric ulcers in Thoroughbred broodmares in pasture: a preliminary report

Gastroscopic examinations were performed in 62 Thoroughbred broodmares (33 pregnant, 29 non-pregnant) at one breeding farm to investigate the prevalence of gastric ulceration. Age, pregnancy status, race earnings, last race start, herd size, medical history, number of live foals, breeding years, feed type and number of feedings were recorded, plus coat condition and body condition score were determined. Twenty-one mares were re-evaluated after foaling, and the foaling date, foal weight at birth and placenta weight were recorded.The overall prevalence of gastric ulcers was 70.9%, with a median ulcer score of 3.0 (range: 2–5). Most ulcers were present on the squamous portion of the stomach, while two mares had glandular ulcers. There were no differences in the presence, location and severity of gastric ulcers between pregnant and non-pregnant mares. Furthermore, there were no significant associations between the variables measured and the presence of gastric ulceration. The prevalence of gastric ulceration in this specific population of horses was higher than expected and further investigation is warranted to determine the factors that contributed to this finding.     

Prenatal Diagnosis of Megacystitis and Hydronephrosis in an Equine Fetus: How Transabdominal Ultrasonography Can Help to Diagnose Fetal Abnormalities

Premature udder development constitutes an alarm signal in pregnant mares. The objective of this clinical case report is to highlight the importance of transabdominal ultrasound examination of the fetus in these cases and to report a unique case of prenatal diagnosis of obstructive uropathy based on the observation of severe fetal hydronephrosis and megacystitis in utero. A 4-year-old French chaser primiparous mare was referred for evaluation of premature udder development during the ninth month of pregnancy. The mare had clinical signs within normal limits, a developed and sensitive udder with secretions, and no vulvar discharge. Transrectal examination revealed the presence of an immobile fetus. Combined uteroplacental thickness was within normal limits. Transabdominal ultrasound revealed a single live fetus in posterior presentation with several abdominal abnormalities. Unilateral hydronephrosis and megacystitis lead to a hypothetical diagnosis of fetal multiple urinary tract malformation with outflow obstruction. Treatment was discontinued and the mare was monitored. Abortion occurred spontaneously a week later. Postmortem examination revealed a ruptured bladder of abnormally large dimensions and a severely distended left kidney without parenchyma (filled with free urine) and lack of permeability in the left ureter and urethra. Postmortem diagnosis was consistent with our prenatal ultrasonographic diagnosis. Even though described during human pregnancy with various etiologies and severity, prenatal diagnosis of fetal hydronephrosis and megacystitis has not been reported in equine veterinary medicine before. These malformations need to be characterized more precisely in the future. This case highlights the importance of transabdominal ultrasonography to detect equine fetal abnormalities.     

Demographic analysis of the Canadian Standardbred broodmare herd

This study derives demographic parameters for the Canadian Standardbred broodmare herd by analysis of industry mating reports for the years 1986–1989 inclusive. The reference population for the study was all mares bred to Canadian-registered stallions. Number of matings evaluated ranged from 9169 to 9837 in each year. In establishing the size of the national herd, data from registration files for 1986 also were used to estimate the number of Canadian mares bred to US stallions. The national broodmare herd was estimated to consist of 12 237 mares, of which 7.7% annually were bred to US-registered stallions. An estimated 16.7% of the national herd were inactive (not presented for breeding) in any year. Probability of temporary absence from the breeding herd was influenced by age, decreasing from 2 to 6 years, then increasing thereafter. Age-specific culling rates revealed that mares less than 6 years of age were subject to more intense selection pressure than was evident for mares more than 10 years of age. Inconsistent presentation for breeding appeared to be a feature of the management of young broodmares. Overall herd culling rate was estimated to be 10.5%, equivalent to an average breeding life of 9.5 years. It was determined that the average broodmare breeds for 7.9, or 83%, of available years. The results clearly indicate that the reproductive advantage enjoyed by mares 6 years of age results, in part, from more consistent presentation for breeding.     

Effects of Body Condition Score on the Reproductive Physiology of the Broodmare: A Review

The feeding management of broodmares is essential for breeding and successfully raising a healthy foal. A feeding regime will depend on the breed of mare, her age, body condition score (BCS), and general health and management. To maintain the broodmare in adequate body condition, her BCS should be ascertained and a feed regime implemented to maintain her optimum BCS and body weight, thus increasing fertility, milk yield, and the health of the mare and foal. Excesses and deficits in nutrition of the broodmare are regularly observed because nutritional recommendations are not well known or often not well instigated by horse breeders. Some short-term unbalanced rations are of little detriment to the health of the broodmare, but prolonged unbalanced rations can predispose the broodmare and foal to nutritional- and pathologic-related problems. By providing the broodmare with sufficient dietary energy, key nutrients, protein, and minerals in a balanced form, the risk of the foal developing orthopedic diseases will be greatly diminished. Obesity in the broodmare causes increased fetal adiposity, which can affect growth and performance of the adult horse. Conversely, undernutrition of the broodmare can cause intrauterine growth retardation of the fetus, resulting in altered development of the system(s) involved, which may have long-term effects on the horse that manifest during fetal, neonatal, or even adult life.     

The Effect of Extended Preoperative Fasting in Mares Undergoing Surgery of the Perineal Region

Horses with third-degree perineal lacerations require surgical treatment. To reduce the risk of postoperative dehiscence of the surgical site caused by tension, bacterial contamination, and mechanical abrasion, a preoperative and postoperative fasting up to 14 days was performed. A complete blood cell count, concentrations of electrolytes, urea, creatinine, glucose, lactate, cholesterol, triglycerides, total protein, and the activities of aspartate aminotransferase, glutamate dehydrogenase, γ-glutamyl transferase, creatine kinase, and alkaline phosphatase were determined. Fasting resulted in a marked decrease in intestinal motility and an increase in the concentrations of triglycerides and cholesterol. The activity of the glutamate dehydrogenase increased three-fold during the presurgical period. The other biochemical values showed few fluctuations. Based on these data, we concluded that presurgical and postsurgical fasting causes no severe imbalances in the metabolism in mares.