Dystocia in a referral hospital setting: approach and results.

The research article focuses on investigating the influence of dystocia duration on the survival rate of foals and its impact on the subsequent fertility of mares. It shows that the length of dystocia significantly affects the survival rate and, therefore, dystocia resolution methods that reduce delivery time may improve foal survival.

Research Objective and Methodology

• The primary objective of the research was to ascertain whether the duration of dystocia (difficult labor) in mares negatively affects the survival rate of their foals. Simultaneously, it also aimed to study the influence of dystocia resolution methods on foal survival.
• Additionally, the research sought to understand the effects of dystocia on the fertility of mares in subsequent gestations.
• In the scope of the study, 247 cases of dystocia admitted to a referral hospital between the years 1986 and 1999 were examined. The variables considered included survival and discharge of the mare, the birth of a live foal, and the subsequent survival of the foal until discharge.

Research Findings

• From the 247 cases examined, 91% of mares survived and were discharged, 42% had live births, and 29% of the foals survived to discharge.
• The time period from hospital arrival to delivery was roughly similar for both surviving and non-surviving foals, indicating that the immediate handling of dystocia is not a significant determinant of foal survival.
• The time duration from chorioallantoic rupture, a critical moment in equine labor, to delivery was significantly lower for surviving foals, demonstrating that a longer dystocia duration significantly reduces foal survival.
• The average predystocia live foaling rates (before the occurrence of dystocia) across all mares was 84%. Post-dystocia, the overall foaling rates dropped to 67%, indicating a substantial impact of dystocia on mare fertility.
• Of the mares bred in the same year as experiencing dystocia, 59% were able to have a live foal in the following year, suggesting certain dystocia cases still have a good chance of successful same-season breeding.

Conclusions

• The duration of dystocia has a significant impact on the survival rates of foals, notably after chorioallantoic rupture.
• Therefore, methods to resolve dystocia that can minimize delivery time should be prioritized.
• Despite a decreased fertility rate in mares post-dystocia, the research indicates that same-season breeding can still be beneficial in selected cases of dystocia.