Dystocia in a referral hospital setting: approach and results

Abstract

Summary Reasons for performing study: Dystocia in the mare is an emergency in which duration has a profound effect on survival of the foal. Specific examination of the effects of dystocia duration on foal survival provides information to enable horse care personnel and veterinarians to manage these cases more effectively and maximise the chances of obtaining a live foal. Hypothesis: Dystocia duration would have a negative impact on foal survival while method of dystocia resolution would not have an effect on foal survival. Additionally, we were interested in determining the effects of dystocia on subsequent fertility. Methods and results: In the years 1986–1999, 247 dystocias were admitted. Of these, 91% resulted in survival and discharge of the mare, 42% in delivery of a live foal, and 29% of foals survived to discharge. Period from hospital arrival to delivery for foals alive at discharge (23.0 ± 14.1 mins) was not significantly different than for foals not surviving (24.8 ± 10.6 mins) (P>0.05); and from chorioallantoic rupture to delivery for foals alive at discharge (71.7 ± 34.3 mins) was significantly less than for foals not surviving (85.3 ± 37.4 mins) (P<0.05). Average predystocia live foaling rates for all mares with available records was 84%. Overall post dystocia live foaling rates over the entire period of this study were 67%. Of mares bred in the year of the dystocia, 59% had a live foal in the year following. Conclusions: Based on these results, dystocia duration has a significant effect on foal survival and resolution methods should be chosen to minimise this time, as the difference between mean dystocia duration for foals that lived and those that did not in this study was 13.6 mins. Post dystocia foaling rates reported here are higher than previously reported for both same‐season and overall breedings, indicating same‐season breeding may be rewarding for select dystocia cases. Potential relevance: Dystocia resolution methods that minimise delivery time may maximise foal survival. Post dystoicia breeding may be rewarding in select cases.

Survival rates of mares and foals and postoperative complications and fertility of mares after cesarean section: 95 cases (1986–2000)

“…This percentage was slightly higher than those described in 3 other studies (30% to 31%) 1,4,8 and was substantially higher than those reported by some groups (5% to 10%). This percentage was slightly higher than those described in 3 other studies (30% to 31%) 1,4,8 and was substantially higher than those reported by some groups (5% to 10%).…”

“…Causes of death for these 4 mares included uterine artery rupture (n = 2), uterine wall rupture (1), and postoperative complications after jejunal cecostomy performed after the foal was delivered because of a tear in the gastrosplenic ligament (1). Causes of death for these 4 mares included uterine artery rupture (n = 2), uterine wall rupture (1), and postoperative complications after jejunal cecostomy performed after the foal was delivered because of a tear in the gastrosplenic ligament (1).…”

Parturition, dystocia and foal survival: A retrospective study of 1047 births

“…(2007) recently reported that every 10 min increase in the duration of Stage II labour beyond 30 min was associated with a 10% increase in the existing risk of a foal being born dead, and a 16% increased risk of the foal not surviving to discharge. Byron et al . (2002) further noted that the interval from rupture of the chorioallantoic membrane to delivery of the fetus was 13.6 min shorter for foals that were born alive and survived to discharge than for foals born dead or that did not survive to discharge.…”

Effects of dystocia on blood gas parameters, acid-base balance and serum lactate concentration in heavy draft newborn foals

“…Dystocia in horses [5] and prolonged labor in humans [10] and cattle [14] are associated with neonatal acidosis. Prolonged equine labor is associated with fetal asphyxia, hypoxia, and a higher risk of foal mortality; thus, early recognition and assistance are important in cases of dystocia [1, 4]. Stage II of labor (from rupture of the chorioallantois to completion of delivery) takes less than 2 hr in humans [8] and 2–3 hr in cattle [13].…”