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. 2018 Jun 19:5:128.
doi: 10.3389/fvets.2018.00128. eCollection 2018.

Treatment of Retained Fetal Membranes in the Mare-A Practitioner Survey

Dinuka N Warnakulasooriya  1 , Christina D Marth  1 , Jacqueline A McLeod  1 , David W Hanlon  2 , Natali Krekeler  1
Affiliations

Treatment of Retained Fetal Membranes in the Mare-A Practitioner Survey

Dinuka N Warnakulasooriya et al. Front Vet Sci. .

Abstract

Retained fetal membranes (RFM) is a common post-partum problem in mares for which the treatment is highly variable. The aim of this study was (i) to investigate the different treatments used by equine practitioners for RFM and (ii) to determine if there is a difference between treatments used by reproductive specialists and general equine practitioners. Information regarding treatment of RFM was sought from veterinary practitioners via a survey and this was compared to recommendations in the current literature. The survey was sent out to equine veterinarians and mixed practitioners with a high equine case load. Most treatments of RFM were in line with current recommendations, while some obsolete practices are still routinely performed by a small number of practitioners. Treatment recommendations for RFM have changed over the last few decades, but there are no universally accepted guidelines. The vast variety of treatments reported by practitioners in the present survey reflect this lack of guidance. More extensive research is needed in this area to establish evidence-based, uniformly agreed upon protocols.

Keywords: equine; horse diseases; post-partum disease; retained fetal membranes; retained placenta.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Percentage of respondents based on their highest obtained additional qualification post-veterinary degree (n = 102).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Diagnostics performed by practitioners in mares with RFM (n = 64).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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