Periparturient hemorrhage in mares: 73 cases (1998-2005).
OBJECTIVE
To determine signalment, physical examination and clinicopathologic abnormalities, outcome, and subsequent fertility of mares with periparturient hemorrhage (PPH) and identify factors associated with outcome (ie, survival vs death).


METHODS
Retrospective case series.


METHODS
73 mares.


METHODS
Medical records were reviewed for information on age, breed, initial complaint, physical examination and clinicopathologic abnormalities, treatment, outcome, and subsequent fertility.


RESULTS
Median age was 14.0 years (range, 5 to 24 years), and median number of foals produced prior to the diagnosis of PPH was 8 (range, 1 to 16). Ten (14%) mares had prepartum hemorrhage and 63 (86%) had postpartum hemorrhage. Treatment was aimed at restoring cardiovascular volume, enhancing coagulation, controlling pain, and reducing the effects of endotoxemia. Sixty-one (84%) mares survived and 12 (16%) died or were euthanized. Common complications included fever, leukopenia, retained fetal membranes, increased digital pulses, thrombophlebitis, and cardiac arrhythmias. Of the 53 surviving mares for which subsequent breeding information was available, 26 (49%) produced 1 or more foals after recovering from PPH.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggested that PPH can develop in mares of any age and parity. Treatment was associated with a good prognosis for survival and a reasonable prognosis for future fertility.
Arnold
Carolyn E
CE
Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
Payne
Maria
M
Thompson
James A
JA
Slovis
Nathan M
NM
Bain
Fairfield T
FT
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000502:physiology*; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D006736:Horses; D010298:Parity; D006473:Postpartum Hemorrhage / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D016019:Survival Analysis; D014592:Uterine Hemorrhage / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*