Post‐partum paralysis following dystocia in a miniature horse

Abstract

An approximately 5-year-old American Miniature Horse mare presented for dystocia of several hours' duration. Upon arrival she was in sternal recumbency and unable to stand, with both pelvic limbs splayed perpendicular to her body. The mare was induced under general anaesthesia and a controlled vaginal delivery with partial fetotomy was performed. After resolution of the dystocia, the mare could not stand without support but was able to bear weight and ambulate with her hind legs hobbled. The mare was diagnosed with bilateral obturator neuropathy following radiographs to rule out orthopaedic injury. She was hobbled, confined for 24 h, and treated with corticosteroids, anti-inflammatories and antibiotics. After 24 h, the mare could comfortably bear weight, and after 96 h she could walk without hobbles. She was discharged 6 days after admission with only mild lateral hindlimb instability. K E Y W O R D Shorse, dystocia, miniature, obturator nerve | e33POST-PARTUMPARALYSISFOLLOWINGDYSTOCIAINA MINIATURE HORSE dorsosacral position, with bilateral carpal flexion. The head was amputated at the atlanto-occipital junction to allow more room for manipulation. The fetus was repulsed, repositioned and delivered with minimal effort. The placenta was delivered manually, in its entirety, within 20 min.After recovering from anaesthesia, the mare was unable to rise.Neurological examination revealed that nociception and spinal reflexes were present. She could flex and extend both hind legs but could not maintain adduction. With the assistance of a sling under her caudal abdomen and upward traction on her tail she was lifted into a standing position; however, she could not maintain this stance on her own and immediately collapsed.The mare was induced under injectable anaesthesia, and pelvic radiographs were obtained. Ventro-dorsal radiographs showed no evidence of pelvic/femoral fracture or coxofemoral luxation. After eliminating orthopaedic causes of hindlimb instability, the mare was diagnosed with bilateral obturator neuropathy. TRE ATMENTThe mare was moved to a bedded stall with a ventral abdominal sling and tail support. Hobbles were placed around the hindlimbs just distal to the tarsus, keeping the limbs adducted to <1.5 times pelvic width to prevent coxofemoral luxation. Once hobbled, the mare was assisted into a standing position and was able to walk a few steps without support. A sling was placed under the caudal abdomen and attached to an overhead chain hoist. The sling was loosely secured in

Normal, Induced and Difficult Parturitions in Equines – A Review

“…In the case of dystocia, prompt intervention is necessary, since prolonged labor quickly puts the foal's life at risk (McCue and Ferris 2012;Dascanio 2021;Lection et al 2021). In this connection, a case of 5-year-old American Miniature horse mare (Hilliard et al 2022) was presented for dystocia of several hours' duration with sternal recumbency and unable to stand, with both pelvic limbs splayed perpendicular to her body. Partial fetotomy was performed under general anesthesia.…”

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“…In the case of dystocia, prompt intervention is necessary, since prolonged labor quickly puts the foal's life at risk (McCue and Ferris 2012;Dascanio 2021;Lection et al 2021). In this connection, a case of 5-year-old American Miniature horse mare (Hilliard et al 2022) was presented for dystocia of several hours' duration with sternal recumbency and unable to stand, with both pelvic limbs splayed perpendicular to her body. Partial fetotomy was performed under general anesthesia.…”

Obturator nerve paralysis and post‐partum sequelae in horses

“…The case report in this issue by Hillard et al (2023) describes uncommon but potential sequelae of dystocia in equids: obturator nerve paralysis. Although much more common in cattle after calving, post‐partum or obstetrical paralysis can occur in mares after foaling.…”

“…In Hillard et al (2022), the patient was a 5‐year‐old American Miniature Horse mare who suffered from a prolonged dystocia in the field. At the time of presentation to the referral hospital, she was observed unable to stand and had both hindlimbs splayed laterally perpendicular to her pelvis.…”