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Annette P. Roydon
Member
Username: malhana
Post Number: 6
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Friday, Aug 17, 2007 - 9:23 pm: |   |
Hi, Maybe I'm being dense but I can't find anything on this subject. Over the past 25 years I've had two mares with hydrops, one almost at term and the other at 9.5 months. Is it possible to have this occur even earlier? I have a 19 year old Standardbred mare who all of a sudden is getting overly heavy and I can see a line of swelling about 18 inches down from her backbone running parallel with it. I've owned her since she was a weanling and she's never had any problems before. Her due date is February 29, 08
Thank you for any advice.
Annette |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: dro
Post Number: 19034
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Friday, Aug 17, 2007 - 11:27 pm: | |
Hello Annette,
Hydrops is considered rare in horses so even someone with lots of pregnant mares every year don't normally see this. We don't have an article on this but this excellent article did a great job of reviewing what is known and explaining the complications that was encountered with one case. In general hydrops can be diagnosed or at least strongly suspected with a simple palpation.
DrO
J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2006 Apr 15;228(8):1228-33.
Management of hydrops amnion in a mare resulting in birth of a live foal.
Christensen BW, Troedsson MH, Murchie TA, Pozor MA, Macpherson ML, Estrada AH, Carrillo NA, Mackay RJ, Roberts GD, Langlois J.
Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.
CASE DESCRIPTION: A 19-year-old Thoroughbred mare was evaluated at 265 days of gestation with a markedly distended abdomen and edema of the ventral portion of the abdomen. CLINICAL FINDINGS: The uterus was distended over the pelvic rim, making transrectal palpation of the fetus impossible. Transabdominal ultrasonography revealed excessive amounts of fetal fluid. Results of analysis of fluid obtained via amnio- and allantocentesis confirmed that the amniotic cavity was large. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: The mare was monitored for signs of weakness of the prepubic tendon and abdominal wall. The fetus and placenta were monitored for signs of stress and pending abortion. Flunixin meglumine and altrenogest were administered to the mare. Parturition was attended and occurred at 321 days' gestation. Postpartum complications in the mare included hypovolemic shock and cardiac arrhythmias. Both conditions were treated, and the mare recovered. The foal was considered small, had bilateral angular limb deformities, and was unable to nurse. The foal was given plasma for failure of passive transfer of immunity. Ten months later, the foal underwent procedures to correct limb deformities. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Hydrops conditions are rare in horses, with hydrops allantois occurring more frequently than hydrops amnion; reportedly result in fetal or neonatal death; and may result in death of or injury to the mare. Close monitoring of maternal and fetal health in combination with supportive treatment of the mare can result in the safe progression of a hydrops pregnancy and the birth of a live foal. |
Annette P. Roydon
Member
Username: malhana
Post Number: 7
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, Aug 18, 2007 - 1:27 pm: | |
Many thanks Dr.O, both of my cases were hydrops allantois, and both foals died.One was full term and the other preemie as previously stated. The mares were okay as I had taken them to Tufts for care, and massive quantities of Ringers and Saline were running full bore into them when they went into labor. I'll get my Vet in to palp on Monday. Thank you for your rapid response.
Annette |
