Serum calcium and magnesium concentrations and the use of a calcium–magnesium-borogluconate solution in the treatment of Friesian mares with retained placenta

Expression of oxytocin receptors is greatly reduced in the placenta of heavy mares with retained fetal membranes due to secondary uterine atony

“…To summarise, fetal membrane retention cannot always be successfully treated with oxytocin injections [2,4,7,9]. Our results suggest that one reason for this may be that oxytocin receptor expression is reduced in the myometrium of older mares that retain fetal membranes in association with secondary atony of the uterus.…”

A review of equine sepsis

“…Septic metritis in horses is usually secondary to retained fetal membranes, with ascending bacterial infection occurring hours to days after parturition (Hudson et al 2005). Risk factors for retention of fetal membranes include mare age (Provencher et al 1988), breed (Sevinga et al 2004), both short and long gestation (Sevinga et al 2004), low serum calcium concentration within 12 h post partum (Sevinga et al 2002) and caesarean section (Abernathy-Young et al 2012). If bacteria are absorbed into the circulation from the infected uterus, sepsis can result.…”

Glucostasis in equine patients

“…As stated by the authors, there are anecdotal reports of a high incidence of genetic abnormalities amongst Friesian Horses including retained placenta (Sevinga et al 2002), dwarfism (Back et al 2008), dissecting aortic aneurism (van der Linde-Sipman et al 1985) and oesophageal dysfunction (Broekman and Kuiper 2002). The current case report illustrates the need to monitor and address (potentially) genetic disorders in breeds with restricted gene pools.…”