Factors influencing foaling rate following colic surgery in pregnant Thoroughbred mares in Central Kentucky.
Abstract: Clinical experience has suggested that foaling rates following colic surgery in the pregnant mare are influenced by days of gestation. This premise has not been supported in previous studies. We also aimed to determine the effects of other potential influencing factors. Objective: To determine the influence of age of gestation on foaling rates in pregnant mares following colic surgery and evaluate the relationships between other factors and foaling rates. Methods: Medical records of Thoroughbred mares, which had colic surgery performed from 1993 to 2007 at the Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, were reviewed. Mares identified in the record as pregnant or bred within the previous 15 days were included in this study. Age of the mare, date of surgery, gestational age, duration of colic at admission, packed cell volume at admission, surgical diagnosis, duration of general anaesthesia, intraoperative hypotension, intraoperative hypoxaemia and post operative signs of endotoxaemia were recorded. A mare was considered to have a live foal if that foal was registered with the North American Jockey Club. Results: Of the 228 mares, where pregnancy had been confirmed, 152 (66.7%) had a live foal registered after surgery. Mares bred <40 days before surgery had a lower foaling rate compared with mares undergoing surgery ≥40 days after breeding: 48.7% vs. 69.8% (odds ratio [OR] = 0.41 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.20-0.83], P = 0.012). Foaling rate was also influenced by mare's age (P = 0.008) and duration of colic signs before surgery (P = 0.03). Conclusions: The prognosis for a live foal after colic surgery in the pregnant Thoroughbred mare is significantly better if the mare is ≤15 years of age and ≥40 days of gestation. Conclusions: The results of this study are useful for clinicians offering a prognosis for a live foal following colic surgery in pregnant mares.
© 2012 EVJ Ltd.
Publication Date: 2012-09-26 PubMed ID: 23009553DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2012.00652.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research article investigates the foaling rates in pregnant Thoroughbred mares after undergoing colic surgery, focusing on how different factors such as the mare’s gestational age, colic duration prior to surgery, and the mare’s age affect the foaling outcome.
Research Objective and Methodology
- The study aimed to evaluate how the gestational age at the time of colic surgery impacts the rate of successful foaling in Thoroughbred mares. It further explored additional factors such as the age of the mare, length of colic symptoms prior to surgery, and others.
- Data from medical records of Thoroughbred mares that underwent colic surgery between 1993 and 2007 at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital were studied. Pregnant mares or those bred within 15 days before the records were included in the research.
Key Parameters and Measurements
- Different parameters were recorded for the study which include the mare’s age, date of surgery, gestational age, colic duration prior to admission, packed cell volume at admission, surgical diagnosis, duration of general anaesthesia, intraoperative hypotension, intraoperative hypoxaemia and post-operative signs of endotoxaemia.
- A mare was regarded as having a live foal if the foal was registered with the North American Jockey Club.
Outcomes and Results
- Of the 228 confirmed pregnant mares in the study, 66.7% successfully had a live foal registered post-surgery.
- Mares that were bred less than 40 days prior to surgery had a lower foaling rate compared to those that underwent surgery 40 or more days after breeding.
- The foaling rate was also influenced by the age of the mare and the duration of colic symptoms before the surgery.
Conclusions
- The findings suggest that the likelihood of a live foal after colic surgery in pregnant Thoroughbred mares significantly increases if the mare is 15 years old or younger and at least 40 days into gestation.
- This study is valuable for clinicians as it offers a prognosis for a live foal following colic surgery in pregnant mares.
Cite This Article
APA
Drumm NJ, Embertson RM, Woodie JB, Ruggles AJ, Hopper SA, Fimmers R, Handler J.
(2012).
Factors influencing foaling rate following colic surgery in pregnant Thoroughbred mares in Central Kentucky.
Equine Vet J, 45(3), 346-349.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2012.00652.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Pferdeklinik am Kottenforst, Wachtberg, Germany. niklasjdrumm@gmx.net
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Colic / surgery
- Colic / veterinary
- Female
- Gestational Age
- Horse Diseases / etiology
- Horses
- Parturition
- Pregnancy
- Pregnancy, Animal
- Retrospective Studies
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