Merck Manual

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Pet Owner Version

Endometritis in Horses

By

Robert O. Gilbert

, BVSc, MMedVet, DACT, MRCVS, Reproductive Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University

Reviewed/Revised Sep 2019 | Modified Oct 2022

Endometritis is inflammation of the uterus lining that occurs just after giving birth. It results from the placenta being retained or severe contamination of the reproductive tract during delivery. Factors such as prolonged or complicated delivery and a retained fetus or placenta may cause metritis. The most common cause of metritis in mares is infection by Streptococcus zooepidemicus bacteria. Other bacteria, such as Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumoniae can also cause metritis. The infection is diagnosed through physical examination, monitoring body temperature, ultrasonography, and laboratory tests. The primary treatment includes the use of anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics, as well as management of the retained placenta Retained Placenta in Horses In mares, the fetal portion of the placenta, or fetal membranes, are normally expelled within 3 hours after birth. Although some mares may retain the fetal membranes longer without suffering... read more .

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