Fetal maceration and retention of fetal bones in a mare.

This research article details the unusual case of a mare with a serious uterine condition, involving fetal bone retention and maceration, diagnosed via ultrasonography and endoscopy.

Background

• The study starts with the narration of a 19-year-old Quarter Horse mare that exhibited bloody vaginal discharge after breeding.
• The mare’s condition prompted a thorough medical evaluation to diagnose the cause behind the unusual symptom.

Diagnostic Procedure

• Transrectal ultrasonography was initially performed which revealed that the mare’s uterus was filled with fluid-containing echogenic particles. Additional linear hyperechoic structures were also visible, leading to a preliminary diagnosis.
• To further validate the assessment, an endoscopy was carried out, which gave a clearer picture of the mare’s condition. This revealed multiple bones adhered to the cranial wall and the floor of the right uterine horn. There was also purulent fluid, which is typically indicative of inflammation or infection, present in both uterine horns.

Diagnosis and Treatment

• It was concluded that the mare was suffering from bacterial endometritis and fetal maceration. Bacterial endometritis is a type of inflammation of the uterus often caused by bacterial infection, while fetal maceration is a condition where fetal tissues break down and degrade within the uterus after fetal death.
• To cure the mare, a combination of antibiotics was prescribed and the fetal bones retained in the uterus were manually removed.

Conclusion

• This case is of particular interest as fetal maceration associated with intrauterine retention of bones is rarely seen in mares.
• The study also highlights the importance of using hysteroscopy alongside ultrasonography for diagnosing atypical conditions in the uterus.
• In situations where macerated bones get adhered to the endometrium, simply using drug therapies may not suffice and manual removal becomes necessary.