Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Hydroallantois in a mare associated with schistosomus and unilateral ovarian agenesis in the fetus.
- Journal:
- Journal of equine veterinary science
- Year:
- 2025
- Authors:
- Arroyo, E et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences · United States
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
This case involves a 9-year-old pregnant Quarter horse that developed a condition called hydroallantois, which is an abnormal buildup of fluid during pregnancy. This situation can be dangerous for the mare and often leads to complications, especially when the fetus has serious issues. In this case, the mare was 271 days into her pregnancy when it was discovered that the foal had multiple birth defects and was not likely to survive. To help the mare, veterinarians drained the excess fluid and ended the pregnancy, after which the malformed foal was delivered and humanely euthanized. This situation highlights how important it is to act quickly when dealing with hydroallantois in horses.
Abstract
Hydropsical conditions in domestic animals are characterized by abnormal fluid accumulation. While their complete pathophysiology remains unclear, factors such as changes in chorioallantoic membranes, placentitis, or fetal abnormalities may contribute. Hydrops present as a medical emergency that can cause complications for the mare. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for the mare's prognosis, as fetal survival is often poor. This report describes a case of hydroallantois in a 9-year-old pregnant Quarter mare at 271 days of gestation, leading to dystocia of a non-viable foal with multiple congenital abnormalities. Given the poor prognosis for fetal survival, transcervical gradual fluid drainage and pregnancy termination were performed. The malformed fetus was subsequently delivered and humanely euthanized. Necropsy findings revealed a schistosomus fetus with palatoschisis, a wry nose, prognathism, and unilateral ovarian agenesia. The case underscores the importance of timely intervention in managing hydroallantois. The report contributes to understanding horses' clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management of hydroallantois.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39527988/