Vol. 4, Issue 6, Part A (2019)

Author(s): Souvik Dhara and Bithika Halder

Abstract: Retained foetal membranes (RFM) is one of the more commonly encountered postpartum complication associated with equines, occur following abortion, prolonged gestation, twinning, dystocia, fetotomy, and caesarean section along with a predisposition of genetic, nutritional, managemental and breeding factors. Range of RFM between 2 and 54% in foaling. RFM in mare is considered after 8 to 12 hours of foaling with possibly complication like colicy pain, slow release of placenta, anorexia, septicaemia, toxaemia, laminitis even up to death of the mare. Diagnosis revealed by history, clinical observation like hanging of part of placenta from vulva, CBC and other biochemical parameters. Treatment of RFM is done most popularly by oxytocin along with broad-spectrum antibiotics. Intrauterine treatment and uterine lavage are also practiced. Manual removal also preferred by some practitioners. But manual removal has lots of controversy due to complications like haemorrhage, uterine horn invagination, delayed uterine involution, pulmonary emboli, and permanent endometrial damage followed by sterility.