Effects of bilateral ovariectomy via colpotomy in mares: 23 cases (1984-1990).

The research article looks into the postoperative performance and behavioral changes in 23 horses who underwent a bilateral ovariectomy through colpotomy. The study seeks to shed light on the reasons for the ovariectomy and the satisfaction rate of the owners post-surgery.

About The Study

• The study assesses the effects of bilateral ovariectomy via colpotomy, a veterinary surgical procedure that removes both ovaries in mares using colpotomy, a surgical incision into the vagina.
• The study was conducted retrospectively – it looked back at data and outcomes from previous operations performed on 23 client-owned mares over a period from 1984 to 1990.
• The postoperative assessments ranged between 9 to 67 months after the surgery.

Data Collection and Findings

• Data was collected from a review of medical records and through interviews with the owners of the mares.
• The study examined several areas such as the reason for the ovariectomy, postoperative complications, identified problems post-discharge, performance levels post-operation, signs of estrus(e.g. behavioral signs of mare being in heat), and the satisfaction level of the owners.

Reasons for Ovariectomy

• The reasons presented by owners for ovariectomy varied widely, with the most common reason being behavioral modification (16 cases).
• Other reasons included use as embryo-transfer recipients (3 cases), use as mares for semen collection (2 cases), eliminating chronic colic during estrus, or heat periods (1 case), and for sterilization intended for registration specifics (1 case).

Postoperative Complications and Satisfaction

• Post-operative complications were reported in only one case out of the 23, with four other mares encountering issues after being discharged from the hospital.
• Signs of behavioral estrus were still observed in 35% (8 out of 23) of the mares post-surgery, but this was considered objectionable by the owner in only two cases.
• Among twelve mares that took part in performance events pre-surgery, ten were deemed to be competing at higher levels post-operation, one maintained the same performance level, while one was found to perform under preoperative levels.
• Most owners (14 out of 18) expressed satisfaction with their mares after the surgery, while two were undecided, and two were dissatisfied.