Body wall tears during late pregnancy in mares: 13 cases (1995-2006).
OBJECTIVE
To review management of pregnant mares with body wall defects and assess the effect of various management strategies on the outcome of mares and their foals.


METHODS
Retrospective case series.


METHODS
13 mares.


METHODS
Medical records of eligible mares were reviewed. Signalment, history, admitting complaint, clinical findings, parity, type of body wall defect, concurrent diagnoses, postpartum complications, outcome of fetus, outcome of mare, and type of clinical case management were recorded.


RESULTS
8 mares received conservative management and 5 mares received interventional management. Survival of mares to discharge was good, and no difference in mare survival was identified on the basis of type of management, type of body wall defect, or presence of hydrops. Foal survival was significantly better in the conservative management group, compared with those managed by interventional management, and was also better without hydrops.


CONCLUSIONS
Foal survival can be improved in mares with body wall defects that occur during parturition without compromising mare survival by use of conservative management strategies that avoid induction of parturition or elective caesarian section and allow for natural parturition. Potentially, improved fetal readiness for birth may play a role.
Ross
Julie
J
Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, PA 19348, USA.
Palmer
Jonathan E
JE
Wilkins
Pamela A
PA
D034861:Abdominal Wall / Q000002:abnormalities*; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D006736:Horses / Q000502:physiology*; D036801:Parturition / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome / Q000662:veterinary; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000662:veterinary