Harrisburg, South Dakota
Excellence in Large Animal Medicine and Surgery since 1981!
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Harrisburg, South Dakota Excellence in Large Animal Medicine and Surgery since 1981! |
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Prolapse A twelve-year-old Quarter Horse mare foaled around 2:00pm. Four hours later the mare had not passed the placenta. The owner gave a gentle tug............. the mare strained and her uterus prolapsed and began bleeding. Following an emergency phone call to our clinic the owner was advised to get the mare to the clinic as soon as possible. If her uterine artery had ruptured she may not survive the trip. Less than one hour later the mare arrived, her heart rate was 120, respiration rate was elevated, her color was pale, she was in shock from the blood loss, and her uterus was 100% prolapsed. The only chance to save the mare was amputation of her uterus. Owners elected to do the surgery. At 7:30pm emergency surgery had begun by Doctors Steve Tornberg and Teri Todd. IV fluids were started. Post operative fluids were continued and the mare’s heart rate had dropped to 64. Fluids were discontinued about 1:00am and the mare began eating hay. The foal was bright, alert and nursing. At 7:00am the mare was laying sternal. Her pack cell volume and total protein showed a significant blood loss, but was stable. She nibbled hay occasionally. Heart rate was 64 and remained elevated throughout the day. Her capillary refill was pale. Gastrointestinal motility was normal. No drainage evident from vulva. The mare appeared uncomfortable occasionally and laid down, not rolling. Her foal nursed well but there didn’t appear to be much milk, so the staff began to supplement the foal with Foal - Lac powder. The foal’s navel was dipped again and blood was drawn for an IgG level to determine whether adequate antibodies were transferred from the colostrum. The foal would nurse and would take some from the bucket, then lay down to rest normally. At 5:00pm the mare was treated and had been laying down most of the day but did not appear painful. During the second day the mares temperature was 100° , treatment was ordered. She was standing and she did eat some grain. We offered alfalfa as she was eating her grass hay well. The foal’s navel was dripped twice daily. The decision was made not to attempt to graft the foal onto another mare as her dam seemed to be stable and the foal was satisfied. If the mare had taken a turn for the worse, the owners may have elected to discontinue treatment. During the third day the mares temperature was 101.2. Treatments were given, the foal was bright , alert and the newborn treatment was continued. The mare stood comfortably. There was a slight discharge seen from the vulva. She was eating her alfalfa and grain but was not interested in grass hay. On day four her temperature was normal. She was bright, alert, had a good appetite and drank 5 gallons of water. Discharge was present from the vulva, which was to be expected. The foal continued to respond and was doing great. On day five the mare continued to improve with a normal temperature and a good appetite. She hadn’t seemed uncomfortable in days. This day was her last day of intravenous antibiotics and banamine. The next day she would be ready to go home. The foal continued to nurse well and the mare seemed to be milking better. On her last day at the clinic the mares parameters were normal and the switch was made to oral antibiotics. The mare and foal were ready to go home. |
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