Prevalence of fetal maldispositions in equine referral hospital dystocias.
Abstract: A retrospective investigation was performed to determine the population characteristics of horses presented for dystocia at 2 equine referral hospitals and the types of fetal maldispositions among these horses. The study population consisted of a similar number of Thoroughbreds (25%), Standardbreds (24%) and draft horses (22%). Most of the current literature pertaining to equine obstetrics is based on a predominately draft horse population (63%). The latter population appeared to have more transverse presentations (P = 0.06), possibly because of the higher number of draft mares. In our study, 43% (6/14) of the transverse presentations occurred in draft breeds. Furthermore, 18% of the draft mare dystocias (6/33) were transverse presentations whereas only 8% (6/73) of the 2 major light breeds (Thoroughbred n = 3; Standardbred n = 3) had transverse presentation dystocias. Despite the significant breed differences between the 2 populations (P < 0.001), the prevalence of all other fetal maldispositions was not different from those previously reported. Severe dystocia was often multifactorial, with 86% of cases involving malposture and over half (58%) of these involving more than one extremity. Head and/or neck deviation were a major reason for referral. In 30% of cases malposition was a factor, and abnormal presentation was involved in 24% of referrals.
Publication Date: 1997-03-01 PubMed ID: 9104559DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1997.tb01651.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Clinical Examination
- Clinical Findings
- Clinical Pathology
- Clinical Signs
- Clinical Study
- Diagnosis
- Disease
- Disease Diagnosis
- Disease Etiology
- Disease Prevalence
- Disease Treatment
- Equine Health
- Horses
- Hospitalization
- Reproduction
- Retrospective Study
- Veterinary Care
- Veterinary Medicine
- Veterinary Practice
- Veterinary Procedure
- Veterinary Research
Summary
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This research studies the patterns of fetal malpositions, particularly dystocia, in horses brought to two equine referral hospitals. The research focuses on various breeds of horses and reveals significant findings about the prevalence of various types of dystocias.
Study Methodology
- The study conducted was retrospective and aimed to understand the population characteristics of horses presented for dystocia and the types of fetal malpositions they exhibited.
- Two equine referral hospitals participated and horses from different breeds including Thoroughbreds, Standardbreds, and draft horses were studied in an equal ratio.
Noteworthy Findings
- The study found that existing literature on equine obstetrics is based predominantly on draft horse populations, which account for 63%.
- The study observed more transverse presentations (dystocia related issues) in draft horses. This might be attributed to the higher number of these horses in the study.
- Of all the transverse presentations, 43% were accounted for by draft breeds specifically.
- In contrast, the percentage of transverse presentations in the two major light breeds (Thoroughbreds and Standardbreds) were significantly lower, only 8%.
Breed Differences in Fetal maldispositions
- The study underlines significant breed differences, especially in the prevalence of specific types of dystocias.
- However, the prevalence of all other fetal maldispositions was found to be invariant from those previously reported in other studies.
Dystocia Analysis
- Severe dystocia was typically multifaceted with 86% of cases involving malposture.
- Over half of these cases (58%) involved more than one extremity.
- Deviations in the head and/or neck were a major reason for referral to the hospitals participating in the study.
- In 30% of cases, malposition was a factor, and abnormal presentation was involved in 24% of referrals.
This research casts new light on the prevalence and patterns of fetal maldispositions in different breeds of horses, particularly concerning the prevalence of dystocia. It could offer valuable insights for equine practitioners and breeders to better understand and handle issues related to horse birthing.
Cite This Article
APA
Frazer GS, Perkins NR, Blanchard TL, Orsini J, Threlfall WR.
(1997).
Prevalence of fetal maldispositions in equine referral hospital dystocias.
Equine Vet J, 29(2), 111-116.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1997.tb01651.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ohio State University, Columbus 43210, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Age Factors
- Animals
- Dystocia / epidemiology
- Dystocia / etiology
- Dystocia / veterinary
- Female
- Fetus / abnormalities
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horses
- Hospitals, Animal / statistics & numerical data
- Labor Presentation
- Parity
- Posture
- Pregnancy
- Prevalence
- Referral and Consultation / statistics & numerical data
- Retrospective Studies
- Version, Fetal / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 6 times.- Willette J, Gerras A, Sledge D, Koch D. A Case Report of Uterine Body Constriction Precluding Normal Parturition Leading to Dystocia in a Mare. Vet Sci 2023 Feb 10;10(2).
- Bianco AW, Moore GE, Taylor SD. Neonatal Encephalopathy in Calves Presented to a University Hospital. J Vet Intern Med 2017 Nov;31(6):1892-1899.
- Samsel J, Gündemir O, Szara T, Witkowski M. Midline vs. flank laparotomy- criteria for choosing the optimal surgical technique for uterine torsion correction in the mare. BMC Vet Res 2025 Sep 24;21(1):542.
- Merari A, Fielding L. Retrospective Evaluation of Dystocia in Miniature Equids: 78 Cases (2002-2023). J Vet Emerg Crit Care (San Antonio) 2025 Jul-Aug;35(4):386-391.
- Ellerbrock M, Krohn J, Büttner K, Wehrend A. Isolated and multiple causes of equine dystocia. Acta Vet Scand 2024 Oct 11;66(1):55.
- Brenner EE, Howard LL, Capiro J, Hernandez JA. Parturition and Neonatal Parameters of Three Species of Rhinoceros under Managed Care in the United States. Animals (Basel) 2023 Nov 25;13(23).
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