postpartum metritis in mares
The main goals when treating metritis (inflammation of the uterine wall) in mares are to control bacterial growth, evacuate uterine contents, and prevent complications. | Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt/The Horse
Inflammation of the uterine wall known as metritis is one of the most common yet serious postpartum diseases seen in mares. Veterinarians can treat it using antimicrobials but, because it takes at least four days to get culture results indicating which antibiotic is most effective against the bacteria present, most practitioners treat postpartum metritis in mares before culture results return.

During the 2018 American Association of Equine Practitioners Convention, held Dec. 1-5 in San Francisco, California, Maria Ferrer, DVM, Dipl. ACT, associate professor of theriogenology in the University of Georgia’s Department of Large Animal Medicine, in Athens, described how to best manage affected mares.

“Metritis is a serious, life-threatening disease that requires immediate treatment,” said Ferrer.

While early clinical signs include vulvar discharge, lethargy, and fever, the bacteria or their toxins can quickly reach high levels body-wide, potentially leading to laminitis, organ dysfunction, and even death

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