Various studies report that 8-19% of equine pregnancies result in abortion for reasons ranging from placentitis to equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1). While not pleasant to think about, a post-mortem examination is crucial in these cases to determine what caused the abortion; confirming disease is the catalyst for taking appropriate biosecurity measures to halt its spread.

For this reason, Luke Bass, DVM, MS, Dipl. ABVP, a field service veterinarian at Colorado State University’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital, in Fort Collins, reviewed the steps practitioners should take when performing a post-mortem examination on an aborted fetus in a presentation at the 2015 American Association of Equine Practitioners Convention, held Dec. 5-9 in Las Vegas.

“There are many causes of abortion, and identifying them could aid in further prevention of subsequent abortions,” said Bass