Foaling (not done 10/15)

What is the average gestation of a mare?

340 days

When do you begin preparation for foaling?

4-6 weeks

How do you prepare for foaling?

MOve to foaling area

Booster vaccines

Remove caslick’s (vulvoplasty) if present

What happens if you do not remove a caslick before foaling?

The vagina will tear really badly

When does mammary gland development occur

4-6 weeks before foaling

When does relaxation of vulva and pelvic ligaments occur?

1 to 3 weeks before foaling

When does lactation begin?

2 to 14 days from foaling

When does engorgement of teats with colostrum occur?

24 to 48 hours before foaling

When does waxing occur?

6 to 72 hours before foaling

How can you predict foaling?

Measure milk Ca concentration

Milk electrolyte inversion

pH of milk

What is a reliable indicator of imminent foaling?

Waxing on the tip of the teat

What is the foal watch test?

Measures milk calcium concentration to determine if foaling will be soon

What does a foal watch test milk calcium of <200ppm tell you?

Will not foal in 24 hours

What does a foal watch test milk calcium of >200ppm tell you?

More will for sure foal in 72 hours. 50/50 in the next 24. Greater it is above 200 more likely it is soon

When do you measure milk calcium with a foal watch test?

End of the day

What can the pH tell you on predicting foaling?

pH of milk <6.4 is more likely to foal

Wat happens during stage 1 of foaling?

Restlessness, tail swishing, mild colic, sweating, stretching, spontaneously milk

Increasing intensity and frequency of uterine contractions

Fetus re-orients itselt

Cervical dilation

How long does stage 1 of foaling last?

30 minutes to several hours

What does stage 1 of foaling end with?

Rupture of chorioallantois (water breaks)

What is stage 2 of foaling?

Mare can get up and down

Forceful abdominal and diaphragmatic contractions

Appearance of amnion covered limbs through vulva

How long does stage 2 of foaling last?

20 minutes or so

What does stage 2 of foaling end with?

Expulsion of fetus

What is stage 3 of foaling?

Uterine involution starts

Uterine contractions

Colic signs

What does stage 3 of foaling end with?

Passage of fetal membranes

How long is stage 3 of foaling?

30 minutes to 3 hours (if over 3 hours it is an emergency im pretty sure)

What do you do if you see a “red bag” during foaling?

Manually rupture

What is a “red bag” during foaling?

Premature placental separation

Why is a red bag an emergency?

Foal is not getting enough oxygen

T/F you can coach a client over the phone on how to puncture a red bag?

True

How long do you have to puncture a red bag?

about 5 minutes

When can you see the cervical star?

Red bag foaling

What is the position of a fetus at parturition?

Dorsum of the fetus

What is dystocia?

Difficulty to prolonged foaling

What is a normal timeline of foaling without dystocia?

After water breaks, fetal parts are visible in 5 minutes

Advances are evident every 5-10 minutes

Foals are delivered in 20-30 minutes

How common are dystocias?

Rare

What is the most common cause of dystocia?

Postural abnormalities like elbow lock. neck head, limb flexions

What is a rare cause of dystocia in mares?

Fetal oversize

What are the fetal origins of dystocia?

Abnormal presentation, position, posture

Hydrocephalus

Contracted foal

What are the mare origins of dystocia?

Maternal immaturity: small pelvis, malformed pelvis, cervical adhesions, uterine torsion, ventral ruptures, uterine inertia or fatigue, premature placental separation, tumors, twins

What equipment do you need for dystocia?

Obstetrical chains or straps, handles, bucket, paper towels, tail wrap, disinfectant, fetotomy kit, OB lube

How do you manage dystocia?

1. Assisted vaginal delivery

2. Controlled vaginal delivery

3. C-section or fetotomy

What is the goal when managing dystocia?

Deliver foal and preserve mare’s fertility

What is a assisted vaginal delviery?

Mare is conscious, standing or lateral

What are indications for a assisted vaginal delivery?

Minor corrections of posture

Where do you place chains for assisted vaginal delivery?

Distal cannon, pastern, eye of straps on dorsal aspect

What is a controlled vaginal delivery?

General anesthesia, dorsal recumbency, elevated hindquaters

No uterine contractions will be present

What are indications for a controlled vaginal delivery?

Minor corrections of posture, position, or presentation

decreased abdominal and uterine contractions

moves abdominal organs cranially and create more space around uterus

What are the indications for a C-section?

Cervix is not relaxed, laceration of birth canal, uncorrectable position, transverse presentation, pelvic deformity, twins, correction could risk rupturing uterus

What is a partial fetotomy?

Reduce the fetal size by removing body parts vaginally with 1-2 cuts

What are the indications for a partial fetotomy?

Birth canal in good condition, dead fetus, neck of limb flexions

When is the foal watch test least reliable?

In maiden mares

What are the steps for a foal watch test?

1. Get mammary secretion and mix with reagent

2. Assemble the apparatus

3. The faster the fluid turns blue the closer she is to foaling