2008 12 Anderson The Foaling Process

My Horse University and eXtension welcome you to this live Webcast.
The Foaling Mare:
Preparations and Process
Dr. Kathy Anderson
University of Nebraska

Meet our presenter
Dr. Kathy Anderson
University of Nebraska

Foaling Preparations
Vaccinations
4 weeks prior to due date
Casliks
Reopened
Foaling locationdeterminedand prepared

The Foaling Mare
Gestation length
335 to 340
Range
320 to 370
Premature
Less than 326 days of gestation
Aborted
Foal before 310 days

The Foaling Mare
Estimated foaling date
11 months
Good estimate
Usually closer to11 ½ months

Foaling Location
Quiet
Safe for mare and foal
Space from other horses
Clean
Grass
Straw
Avoid dirt/mud

Foaling Location
Pasture
Grass
Shelter
Away from other horses

Foaling Location
Small enclosure
Safe
Ground cover
Avoid dry lot

Foaling Location
Stall
Bedding
Straw
Shavings added after foaling
Ventilation
Quiet/Private

Early Signs of Approaching Parturition
2-6 weeks prior
Udder development

Signs of Approaching Parturition
7-14 days prior
Muscular relaxation inpelvic region
Vulva relaxes

4-6 days prior
Teat distension

1-2 days prior
Waxing over the teats
Colostrum
Drip down legs?
Yellow, sticky
Relaxation of the vulva

Foaling Predictors
Predict-A-Foal
Changes in Ca content of udder secretions
Ca content of milk
5 color zones on strip
1 of 5 change color = 1% chance foal within 12 days
4 of 5 change color = 8% chance foal within 12 hours

Foaling Predictors
Foal Watch
Ca changes – Ca Carbonate
Levels below 200 ppm
99% chance will not foal within 24 hours
Levels above 200 ppm
97% chance will foal within 72 hours

Foaling Predictors
Foaling alarm
http://www.foalingalarm.com/equipage.htm
Complete EquiPagesystem:
$595.00 US

Foaling Predictors
Foal-Alert
http://www.foalert.com/
Auxiliary alarm
Receiver
When activated, the receiver will
Sound an audible alarm and
Activate any attached accessories
The Transmitter
Autodialer

Foal Alert
Standard Range Monitoring System
$1100.00
Includes:
Standard range receiver
Blue multi-use transmitter
Red single-use transmitter
Extra magnet
Instructional DVD and manual
Foal-Alert cap
Carrying case
Long Range Monitoring System
$1700.00
Multi-Use Transmitters(up to 10 uses)
$170.00
5 or more
$160.00
Single-Use Transmitters(one use only)
$62.00
10 or more
$57.00

Stage I
Nervousness
Acts “Colicky”
Look at flank
Up and down
Urinate frequent small amounts
Raise and switch tail
Lasts 12-18 hours
Uterine contractions
Increased intensity
Increased frequency
Cervical dilation
Positioning of foal

Stage II
Water breaks
Strong uterine contractions
Expulsion of fetus
Duration
Approximately 20-30 minutes after water breaks

Parturition Stage II

Normal Parturition

Parturition Stage II
Umbilical cord
Do not break
Let break naturally
Mare or foal stands
Premature separation
Umbilical stump
7% tincture of iodine
Nolvasan solution 2%

Foaling assistance
Kept minimal
Normal presentation

Normal Presentation

Dystocia

Stage III
Expulsion of the placenta
Should be expelled by3 hours

Nursing

Postpartum Complications
Infection
Torn placenta

Retained Placenta
Not released placentawithin 4 hours post-foaling
Various causes
Do not “pull” placenta out

Retained Placenta
Causes
Increased incidence
Dystocia
Severe placentitis
Uterine inerta

Complications Due to Retained Placenta
Laminitis
Metritis
Septicemia
Death

Retained Placenta Treatments
Oxytocin treatment
20 IU intramuscular every2 hours
40 IU in saline drip over 2 hours
Tie placenta in knot
Infusion

Normal Uterine Involution
Placental passed
3 hours post-partum
Two days post-partum
Marked decreased in
Uterine size
Most uterine fluid eliminated
3 to 5 days post-partum
Uterine horns palpated

5-15 days post-partum
Onset of post-partum foal heat
Day 7
Microcaruncles no longer evident
Day 14
Endrometrium normal histological appearance
Uterus enlarged
Cervix does not close until after foal heat

Foal heat
Slight disadvantage in conception
No difference in pregnancy loss?
Predictable estrus

Foal heat ovulation
Day 9: 43% ovulation
Mare ovulating after day 10
Normal pregnancy rate

Uterine Lavage
Stimulate uterine involution
Retained placenta
Delayed uterine involution
Treat endomentritis
Flush out uterus
Warm saline
Lactated Ringer’s solution
Day 2-3 post-partum
Not necessary on normal foaling mares
No benefits found

Induction of Parturition
Not generally recommended
Guidelines
330 days of gestation
Substantial mammary development
Colostrum present
Dilated cervix: 1-2 fingers
Foal in position

Thank you for attending this live web presentation!
For more information about
My Horse University and its online program,
Please visit us at:
www.myhorseuniversity.com
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info@myhorseuniversity.com
www.myhorseuniversity.com
(517) 353-3123
My Horse University is a national online program based at Michigan State University in partnership with eXtension and Equisearch.

2008 12 Anderson The Foaling Process

by Gwyn Heyboer on Jan 13, 2010

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2008 12 Anderson The Foaling Process — Presentation Transcript