Survival rates of mares and foals and postoperative complications and fertility of mares after cesarean section: 95 cases (1986-2000).
Abstract: To assess survival-to-discharge rates of mares and foals and postoperative complications and fertility in mares following cesarean section (C-section). Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: 95 mares. Methods: Medical and breeding records of mares that underwent C-section were reviewed; signalment, surgical technique, complications, survival-to-discharge rate, and pregnancy and foaling rates were recorded and evaluated. Foaling rates in the 3 years after C-section were compared with the cumulative foaling rate before C-section. Results: C-section was performed because of dystocia (n = 71) or concurrent maternal disease (20) or was elective (4). Overall survival-to-discharge rate was 84% (80/95) for mares and 35% (28/80) for foals. Six of 15 mares that had partial fetotomies prior to C-section did not survive. Mares that had dystocia for < 90 minutes had the fewest complications. Cumulative foaling rate before C-section was 77% (394/509). Overall foaling rate for the 3 years after C-section was 52% (30/58) and 68% (13/19) when duration of dystocia was ≥ 90 minutes and < 90 minutes, respectively, and was 31 % (9/29) for mares ≥ 16 years old. Foaling rate was significantly lower for mares bred in the same year as C-section than for mares bred in later years. Conclusions: Breeding in the same year as C-section, dystocia for ≥ 90 minutes before C-section, and mare age ≥ 16 years were associated with poor foaling rates. Prognosis for delivery of a live foal in years following C-section was good if duration of dystocia was < 90 minutes and the mare was < 16 years old at the time of surgery.
Publication Date: 2012-09-28 PubMed ID: 23013507DOI: 10.2460/javma.241.7.927Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research investigates the survival rates of mares and their offspring post-cesarean section and how surgical complications affect mares’ fertility. The study concludes that ceasarean sections can have an impact on future foaling rates, particularly when factoring in elements such as the mare’s age and length of dystocia.
Research Methodology
- The study covered a fourteen-year period from 1986 to 2000.
- The records of 95 mares that underwent a cesarean section were retrospectively examined in this study.
- The research focused on several key parameters, such as the reason for the cesarean section (e.g., dystocia or concurrent maternal disease), survival rates of the mares and foals post-surgery, any postoperative complications, and fertility of the mares post-surgery.
- To evaluate the fertility of mares, the rates of successful foaling in the three years after the C-section were compared against the cumulative foaling rate before the C-section.
Key Findings
- A significant number of the cesarean sections (n = 71) were performed due to dystocia – difficult or prolonged labor.
- The overall survival rate for mares was observed to be 84% and for foals, it was only 35%.
- Mares that experienced dystocia for less than 90 minutes had fewer complications post-surgery, indicating that the duration of dystocia may have an impact on the outcome.
- The results showed a decrease in the overall foaling rate post-C-sections from 77% to 52% over three years.
- Mares aged 16 years or older had a significantly lower foaling rate of 31% post-C-section.
- Foaling rate was significantly lower for mares bred in the same year as the C-section compared to those bred in subsequent years.
Conclusions
- Mares that experienced a longer duration of dystocia, were older, or were bred in the same year as their C-section had poorer foaling rates post-surgery.
- The prognosis for delivering a live foal in the years following a C-section was good if the mare was younger than 16 years old at the time of surgery and if the duration of dystocia was less than 90 minutes.
Cite This Article
APA
Abernathy-Young KK, LeBlanc MM, Embertson RM, Pierce SW, Stromberg AJ.
(2012).
Survival rates of mares and foals and postoperative complications and fertility of mares after cesarean section: 95 cases (1986-2000).
J Am Vet Med Assoc, 241(7), 927-934.
https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.241.7.927 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, Lexington, KY 40511, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Age Factors
- Animals
- Cesarean Section / adverse effects
- Cesarean Section / veterinary
- Dystocia / mortality
- Dystocia / surgery
- Dystocia / veterinary
- Female
- Fertility
- Horse Diseases / mortality
- Horse Diseases / physiopathology
- Horses
- Postoperative Complications / veterinary
- Pregnancy
- Pregnancy Outcome / veterinary
- Retrospective Studies
- Time Factors
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Lanci A, Perina F, Donadoni A, Castagnetti C, Mariella J. Dystocia in the Standardbred Mare: A Retrospective Study from 2004 to 2020.. Animals (Basel) 2022 Jun 8;12(12).
- Taylor S. A review of equine sepsis.. Equine Vet Educ 2015 Feb;27(2):99-109.
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