Failure to conceive and early embryonic death both negatively impact the equine breeding industry; however, late-term abortions also occur and should not be ignored, said Michelle M. LeBlanc, DMV, Dipl. ACT, from Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Ky., during the 11th Congress of the World Equine Veterinary Association, which was held Sept. 24-27, 2009, in Guarujá, Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Late-term abortion is defined as a loss of pregnancy after seven months of gestation.

"Mares at risk for late-term abortion include those with a surgical or medical crises, placentitis (inflammation of the placenta), (those that) are off feed for many days, have developed laminitis, or equine Cushing's disease," explained LeBlanc

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