Fetal Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia and Hydramnios in a Quarter Horse Mare.
Abstract: Hydramnios is an excessive accumulation of fluid within the amniotic compartment. It is a rare condition in mares, often associated with fetal anomalies. Hydrops of fetal membranes predisposes to the rupture of the prepubic tendon, and many authors suggest the induction of parturition to preserve mare's reproductive career. This report presents the case of a 15-year-old multiparous Quarter Horse mare, referred at 268 days of gestation for suspected hydrops. Repeated ultrasonographic exams confirmed an increase in the depth of the amniotic fluid and reduced fetal viability. During the hospitalization, the mare developed a partial rupture of the prepubic tendon. In this case, a conservative approach was elected, and the mare was treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and an abdominal support bandage. At 327 days of gestation, the mare gave birth to a foal with APGAR score 1. The resuscitation attempt was unsuccessful, and the foal died immediately. A post-mortem examination diagnosed a congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) with pleuroperitoneal diaphragmatic eventration.
Publication Date: 2021-09-22 PubMed ID: 34679031PubMed Central: PMC8538503DOI: 10.3390/vetsci8100201Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research discusses a case of a 15-year-old Quarter Horse mare that developed hydramnios, a condition that results in an excess accumulation of fluid within the amniotic sac, and delivered a foal affected by a congenital diaphragmatic hernia. A non-aggressive approach was employed for this unusual case, the outcomes of which, were unfortunately adverse.
Background and Case Overview
- The study investigates a rare case of hydramnios in a mature Quarter Horse mare.
- This is a condition where there’s an excessive build-up of fluid in the amniotic compartment, usually associated with fetal anomalies. It is a rare occurence in horses.
- In this case report, the mare was admitted into veterinary care at 268 days of gestation exhibiting signs suggestive of hydramnios.
- Ultrasonographic examinations confirmed an enlarged depth of amniotic fluid and a reduction in fetal viability, upholding the initial suspicions.
Developments and Treatment
- While under veterinary care, the mare developed a partial rupture of the prepubic tendon, a complication often associated with hydrops of the fetal membranes.
- In this case, a careful and conservative approach was favored given the circumstances.
- The mare was treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and decked out with an abdominal support bandage to manage the condition and prevent further complications.
Outcomes and Post-mortem Findings
- The mare successfully delivered a foal at 327 days of gestation, though the foal had a very weak APGAR score (a quick test performed on a newborn) of 1, which indicated severe distress.
- Efforts to resuscitate the newborn were unsuccessful and it died soon after birth.
- The post-mortem examination revealed that the foal had a congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), a birth defect that affects the muscle which separates the chest and the abdomen.
- This diagnosis corroborated the suspicion of a fetal anomaly as a likely cause of hydramnios in the mare.
Cite This Article
APA
Lanci A, Ingallinesi M, Morini M, Freccero F, Castagnetti C, Mariella J.
(2021).
Fetal Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia and Hydramnios in a Quarter Horse Mare.
Vet Sci, 8(10).
https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci8100201 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sora 50, Ozzano dell'Emilia, 40064 Bologna, Italy.
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sora 50, Ozzano dell'Emilia, 40064 Bologna, Italy.
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sora 50, Ozzano dell'Emilia, 40064 Bologna, Italy.
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sora 50, Ozzano dell'Emilia, 40064 Bologna, Italy.
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sora 50, Ozzano dell'Emilia, 40064 Bologna, Italy.
- Health Science and Technologies Interdepartmental Center for Industrial Research (HST-ICIR), University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 41/E, Ozzano dell'Emilia, 40064 Bologna, Italy.
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sora 50, Ozzano dell'Emilia, 40064 Bologna, Italy.
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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