Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Fetal maceration and retention of fetal bones in a mare.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
- Year:
- 2000
- Authors:
- Burns, T E & Card, C E
- Affiliation:
- Department of Herd Medicine and Theriogenology · Canada
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A 19-year-old Quarter Horse mare was seen by a veterinarian because she had bloody discharge from her vagina right after being bred. An ultrasound showed that her uterus was filled with fluid and had some unusual structures, which turned out to be fetal bones. During an internal examination, the vet found these bones stuck to the walls of the uterus along with some pus. The mare was diagnosed with a bacterial infection in the uterus and fetal maceration, which is when a fetus breaks down inside the uterus. She was treated with antibiotics, and the vet manually removed the bones. The treatment was successful in addressing the issue.
Abstract
A 19-year-old Quarter Horse mare was evaluated because of bloody vaginal discharge that was apparent immediately following breeding. On transrectal ultrasonography, it was evident that the uterus was filled with fluid containing echogenic particles; linear hyperechoic structures were also visible. Endoscopy was performed, which revealed a number of bones adhered to the cranial wall and floor of the right uterine horn as well as purulent fluid in both uterine horns. Bacterial endometritis and fetal maceration were diagnosed. The mare was treated with antibiotics, and the fetal bones were manually removed from the uterus. Fetal maceration with intrauterine retention of bones is rare in mares. Use of hysteroscopy supplements ultrasonography in the diagnosis of uncommon conditions of the uterus. Macerated bones may be adhered to the endometrium, thereby requiring manual removal.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10997161/