practical, without incurring unnecessary expense. The types of examination
available include teasing or blood progesterone assay to help establish the
stage of cycle, per rectum palpation and ultrasonographic examination of the
uterus and ovaries, speculum examination of the cervix and vagina, a guarded
endometrial swab, brush or small volume uterine lavage to recover uterine
fluids for cytological and microbiological evaluation and, if indicated, per
vaginum palpation of the cervix and vesico-vaginal (hymenal) ridge. In certain
circumstances, more involved/expensive examinations may be justifiable e.g.
further hormone analysis for a suspected ovarian tumour or uterine biopsy
and/or hysteroscopy in older mares with a poor recent breeding history,
abnormal uterine appearance or unexplained infertility of long duration. In
older mares, with a history of previous live foals followed by a long period of
infertility with no obvious explanation, blockage of the oviducts may be
suspected and investigated further by laparoscopy. In young mares that have
never demonstrated follicle development, or older mares that repeatedly lose
pregnancies, karyoptypic evaluation for chromosomal abnormalities may be
justified.
Physical Examination of the Reproductive Tract
Conformation/External Examination
An evaluation of the reproductive tract should begin externally with an
examination of the vulva and perineum. In particular, the length and slope of
the vulva and the ability of the vulval lips to form an adequate seal should be
checked. The overly long, sloping vulva is typical of older mares of some
breeds, is worsened by poor body condition, and predisposes to
‘windsucking’, pneumovagina, and endometritis. This can be easily rectified
with a Caslick’s operation in all but the most extreme cases, although in
animals in poor body condition it is sensible to sort out the latter problem first.
The examination of the perineum and vulva may also reveal a vaginal
discharge, vesicular lesions from EHV-3 (Equine Coital Exanthema),
neoplasia (e.g. perineal melanomas are common in grey horses) or
abnormalities of the clitoris due for example to chromosomal or hormonal
abnormalities.
Per rectum examination of the reproductive tract
Rectal tears:
A per rectum examination is the most common and useful technique
performed in broodmare practice. Unfortunately, it is never performed
completely without risk of causing damage, of which the worst-case is a full
thickness tear of the intra-peritoneal part of the rectal wall. Although this is a
fairly unusual occurrence, from a legal point of view it is important that all
reasonable precautions are taken to reduce the likelihood of such damage
being sustained, and if any damage, no matter how minor, is caused it is
important that the owner or stud-manager is made aware without delay.
Reducing the likelihood of damaging the rectal wall relies largely on assessing
the temperament of the animal to be examined and applying appropriate
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February
2016
East
Lo ndon
Convention
Centre,
East
London,
South
Africa
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