Diagnosis and Treatment of Equine Placentitis

Equine amnionitis and fetal loss: Mare abortion following experimental exposure to Processionary caterpillars (Ochrogaster lunifer)

“…The noninfectious causes include twinning, placental malfunction and exposure to noninfectious agents such as toxins. Placentitis due to a variety of causes has emerged as perhaps the most important cause of pregnancy loss in mares in the last decade (Macpherson 2006) and most recently MRLS and EAFL. In the MRLS abortion storms in America in 2001 and 2002, a range of investigations systematically ruled out environmental toxins such as nitrate/nitrite, cyanide and mycotoxins as possible causes (Sebastian et al .…”

High risk pregnancy in the mare - practical implications for the practitioner

“…Commonly used broad-spectrum antibiotics with the ability to cross the equine placenta include potassiuim penicillin G (22,000 IU/kg q 6 h), gentamicin (6.6 mg/kg q 24 h), and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (30 mg/kg q 12 h) (Murchie et al 2003). Pentoxifylline, in combination with other therapeutic agents (antibiotics, progestins, and flunixin meglumine) appears to delay pre-term delivery in cases of placentitis (Macpherson 2006, Ousey 2006.…”

“…Ultrasonographic assessment of the combined thickness of the uterus and placenta (CTUP) has been described with placentitis (Adams- Brendemuehl et al 1987, Kelleman 2002. Therapy includes antimicrobial agents, anti-inflammatory agents (flunixin meglumiHigh risk pregnancy in the mare -practical implications for the practitioner Pferdeheilkunde 26 30 ne, pentoxifylline), and progestin supplementation (altrenogest) (Macpherson 2006). In utero stress due to infection appears to accelerate hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activation (Lyle et al 2009) and neonatal survival; however, these foals have many obstacles to overcome after birth.…”

Antibiotic susceptibility patterns ofCrossiella equiandAmycolatopsisspecies causing nocardioform placentitis in horses

“…12,14 Unlike typical cases of ascending placentitis in which transrectal examination is adequate, diagnosis of nocardioform placentitis includes ventral transabdominal ultrasound.…”

“…4,14 Because the nocardioform actinomycetes are limited to the placenta, culture of the agents during gestation is not possible, and infections must therefore be treated empirically based on clinical diagnosis. Presently, there is no information in the literature as to which antimicrobials are effective against nocardioform actinomycetes.…”