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Acta veterinaria Scandinavica2024; 66(1); 55; doi: 10.1186/s13028-024-00772-8

Isolated and multiple causes of equine dystocia.

Abstract: Dystocia is rare in horses, but is life-threatening for mares and foals. Therefore, veterinary research depends on up-to-date data to optimise equine dystocia management. In addition, knowledge of the prognosis of equine dystocia is necessary to advise animal owners. This retrospective study of equine dystocia aimed to enrich existing datasets with up-to-date information. For the first time, the focus was on the causes of dystocia that occurred alone or in combination. Over a period of 10 years, 72 cases of dystocia were analysed using a standardised, predetermined diagnosis code. Results: Of the 72 cases of dystocia, an isolated cause of dystocia was identified in 37 cases (51.4%) and 35 mares showed a combination of two or more causes (48.6%). Foetal causes were significantly more frequent origin of dystocia (66/69) than maternal causes (3/66) (P < 0.0001). Incorrect posture of the foetal forelimbs and head was the most common combination at 25.7%. The most common isolated cause of dystocia was incorrect posture of the foetal forelimbs (18.9%). A foetotomy was performed in 68% of cases. A caesarean section or an extraction was performed in 13.9% of the cases. Three mares died before any obstetric care was provided. Nine mares (12.5%) were not discharged alive. 73 foals were delivered of which 55 were already dead before veterinary treatment began. In relation to the total number of births in which the foetus was alive at the start of obstetric care, the foetal mortality rate was 61.1% and 88.9% by the time the mare was discharged. Conclusions: It has been demonstrated for the first time that multiple causes of dystocia in horses are almost as common as isolated causes of dystocia. Neonatal mortality remains high, indicating that the timely detection and treatment of dystocia has the highest priority.
© 2024. The Author(s).
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Publication Date: 2024-10-11 PubMed ID: 39394153PubMed Central: PMC11468425DOI: 10.1186/s13028-024-00772-8Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research study analyses cases of equine dystocia, a birth complication in horses, to identify common causes and their correlation with the mortality rates of both the mare and the foal. The study found that fetal causes were more frequent than maternal causes, and that complications from dystocia can occur both singularly or in combination.

Study Design and Data Collection

  • The research is a retrospective study conducted over a 10-year period, during which 72 instances of equine dystocia were analysed.
  • The study focused not only on the causes of equine dystocia but also on combinations of these causes.
  • A predetermined diagnosis code was used to standardize the analysis. This likely ensured consistency and accuracy in the categorization and interpretation of the data.

Research Findings

  • The study determined that, of the 72 cases analysed, 37 were caused by an isolated factor while 35 cases were due to a combination of two or more factors.
  • It was significantly more common for the cause of dystocia to be fetal (in 66 out of 69 cases) than maternal (in only 3 out of 66 cases).
  • Incorrect positioning of the fetus, particularly in regards to the forelimbs and head, was found to be the most common cause, either individually or in combination with other factors.

Interventions and Mortality Rates

  • A foetotomy, which is a surgical incision into the fetus, was performed in 68% of cases.
  • In 13.9% of cases, a cesarean section or an extraction was performed. It is not specified which type of extraction was used.
  • Three mares died before any obstetric care could be provided.
  • Of the 73 foals delivered, 55 were already dead prior to veterinary treatment, indicating a high mortality rate among foals suffering from dystocia.
  • In the cases where the fetus was alive at the onset of obstetric care, mortality was at 61.1% and increased to 88.9% by the time the mare was discharged.

Conclusions and Implications

  • The study establishes that multiple causes of dystocia in horses are almost as common as single-cause dystocia, a fact that has not been demonstrated before.
  • The high neonatal mortality rate underlines the importance of timely detection and treatment of dystocia, emphasizing that more research and improved veterinary practices are essential.

Cite This Article

APA
Ellerbrock M, Krohn J, Büttner K, Wehrend A. (2024). Isolated and multiple causes of equine dystocia. Acta Vet Scand, 66(1), 55. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13028-024-00772-8

Publication

Acta veterinaria Scandinavica
ISSN: 1751-0147
NlmUniqueID: 0370400
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 66
Issue: 1
Pages: 55
PII: 55

Researcher Affiliations

Ellerbrock, Markus
  • Veterinary Clinic for Reproductive Medicine and Neonatology, Justus Liebig University, Frankfurter Strasse 106, 35392, Giessen, Germany. markus.ellerbrock@vetmed.uni-giessen.de.
Krohn, Judith
  • Veterinary Clinic for Reproductive Medicine and Neonatology, Justus Liebig University, Frankfurter Strasse 106, 35392, Giessen, Germany.
Büttner, Kathrin
  • Unit of Biomathematics and Data Processing, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus-Liebig- Universität Giessen, Frankfurter Strasse 95, 35392, Giessen, Germany.
Wehrend, Axel
  • Veterinary Clinic for Reproductive Medicine and Neonatology, Justus Liebig University, Frankfurter Strasse 106, 35392, Giessen, Germany.

MeSH Terms

  • Horses
  • Animals
  • Dystocia / veterinary
  • Pregnancy
  • Female
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horse Diseases / etiology
  • Retrospective Studies

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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