Wednesday, May 12, 2010 Often this time of year a call in the middle of the night is with a foaling related problem. By far the most common emergency of this type is caused by a retained placenta. Normally the placenta should be passed by the mare within 3 hours of foaling. That means that if the placenta is not out within 1.5-2 hours, you should be on the phone calling your vet as they may take some time to get to the farm.
On the farm, you can help with the expulsion of the placenta by tying it up to itself. This will create even weight which can gradually detach the remainder of the placenta. You should never attempt to pull the placenta out yourself as it is easily torn, allowing fragments to be left within the uterus. This can cause a life-threatening metritis (infection and inflammation of the uterus).
If an emergency is required, your vet may administer drugs to promote contraction of the uterus, and can skillfully apply traction to the internal portions of the placenta. If needed, fluids can be infused into the uterus to facilitate the removal of the placenta and/or to flush out the uterus after a particularly difficult or prolonged retention.
Remember that if the placenta is passed routinely without veterinary assistance, keep the placenta for evaluation by your veterinarian when the mare and foal neonatal examinations are completed the next day. Elisha Dickinson DVM |