FAQ's

WHAT PLANTS ARE TOXIC TO HORSES?

Visit the link below for more information on plants that have been reported as having systemic effects on horses and/or intense effects on the gastrointestinal tract.

http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=pro_apcc_horsetoxicplants

IS THERE A VACCINE THAT PROTECTS AGAINST THE STRAIN OF EQUINE HERPES THAT IS KILLING HORSES?

There have been claims that certain modified-live Rhino vaccines protect horses from the neurological strain of the Equine Herpesvirus-1 that has recently killed several horses. According the California Department of Agriculture as well as UC Davis, these claims are false. There is no product on the market that is labeled to protect against this neurological strain of Equine Herpesvirus-1. We currently vaccinate with the Ft. Dodge Flu/Rhino vaccine that protects your horse from the EHV-1 and EHV-4. You can find more information on the following website: http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/ahfss/ah/equine_herpes_virus.com

WHAT WEST NILE VACCINE DOES ECLAP RECOMMEND?

We carry the Ft. Dodge West Nile Virus Vaccine and recommend a booster every 6 months. Research trials indicate the vaccine is 97% effective given once a year. Since we are still in an outbreak situation (ECLAP has treated two cases this fall), we are following the State Veterinarian and UC Davis recommendations to give a booster vaccination every 6 months. Feel free to call our office if you have questions. There are new West Nile Vaccines on the market touted as better, or longer lasting. So far, we feel their claims are marketing ploys and we will be staying with Ft. Dodge’s time tested product.

WHAT DO VACCINES PROTECT AGAINST?

4-Way: Protects against Eastern and Western equine encephalomyelitis (sleeping sickness or EEE,WEE), tetanus toxoid and influenza (flu).

5-WAY: Protects against Eastern & Western encephalomyelitis (sleeping sickness or EEE,WEE),tetanus toxoid, influenza (flu) and rhinopneumonitis.

FLU/RHINO: Protects against influenza (flu) and the strain of rhinopneumonitis classified as equine herpes virus type 4 (EHV4).

PNEUMABORT K: Protects against the strain of rhinopneumonitis classified as equine herpes virus type 1 (EHV1). The vaccine is for use in the 5th, 7th, and 9th month of pregnancy.

WEST NILE VIRUS: Protects against viremia caused by the West Nile Virus, a mosquito transmitted virus.

Rabies: Is available at our practice, however these diseases are not prevalent in our area and thus the vaccines are more commonly given to horses traveling to or through an area where they are prevalent.

WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES OF NOT VACCINATING?

EEE, WEE: The most obvious signs of sleeping sickness are severe depression and a high fever, loss of appetite and incoordination. Survival rates of both the Eastern and Western strains are poor, with EEE being the more severe of the two.

Tetanus: A serious and sometimes fatal disease that may develop at the site of a puncture wound. Characteristics of a tetanus infection include muscle rigidity and spasms.

Influenza: Fever, lack of appetite and runny nose.

Rhino: EHV4: This strain of the rhinopneumonitus virus can cause an upper respiratory syndrome which, like the influenza virus, causes fever, lack of appetite and a runny nose.

EHV1 (Equine Herpes Virus): The primary risk associated with this strain of the rhinopneumonitis virus is abortion by the pregnant mare.

West Nile Virus: The common signs of West Nile are similar to signs of Encephalitis: stumbling or tripping, muscle weakness or twitching, partial paralysis, loss of appetite, depression, inability to stand up, fever, or convulsions. There is no specific treatment however your veterinarian may be able to provide supportive therapy that can save your horse’s life.

WHAT IS ECLAP’S RECOMMENDED VACCINATION PROTOCOL?

For assurance that you have the best protection possible we recommend the following protocol for the average adult horse (1 year and over). This is also the protocol of choice for the higher risk horse, one who travels a lot to shows or races, or who is boarded where horses moving in and out of the area is common:

5-Way: Once a year

Flu/Rhino: Every six months

West Nile Virus: Every six months
***All previously unvaccinated horses need a booster shot 3 to 4 weeks after the initial vaccination.

Pregnant Mares: Follow the normal adult protocol above. In addition, the mare needs a pneumabort K vaccination in the 5th, 7th and 9th month of the pregnancy. The mare also should get a 3-Way, 4-Way, or 5-way 30 to 60 days before the foaling date.

Foals: should get a 5-Way and strangles vaccination at 6 months of age, with a booster at 7 and 9 months. Foals should also be vaccinated for West Nile Virus, starting at 3 months (if born to an unvaccinated mare) or 4 months (if born to a vaccinated mare) follow up with a booster 3 to 4 weeks later and then 6 to 8 weeks after the second dose.

Weanlings: should get their 1st annual booster at 1 year, and then follow the normal adult protocol.

WHAT IS ECLAP’S RECOMMENDED WORMING SCHEDULE?

Parasites and their migration can cause serious health problems and even death. Based on your economic and time management needs, we recommend either of the following two protocols:

A. Daily preventative worming with Strongid C or Strongid C2x and purge worming with liquid or paste Ivermectin in June and December for bot control.

B. Bi-monthly paste or liquid purge worming following the schedule below:

February and August: Anthelcide
April and October: Strongid
June and December: Ivermectin

DENTAL CARE

Dental care is essential to your horse’s health and performance. We recommend you have your horse’s teeth examined by a veterinarian at least once per year. Equine teeth continually grow until 17-20 years of age. Since they chew in a circular motion as they grind their food, many times they develop sharp points on the edges of their molars which can make it painful to eat. These sharp points can be filed down or “floated” by your veterinarian with a motorized power float. A smooth biting surface is essential in order for your horse to get the full nutritional value out of the roughage it eats. Poor dental health can cause your horse to loose weight and possible have digestive/colic problems.

NON-EQUINE VACCINATIONS AND WORMING

Goats:
CD&T: Annual beginning at 6 weeks
Worming: Annually- Ivomec (based on body weight)

Llamas/Alpacas:
CD&T: Annual beginning at 6 weeks
**Depending on exposure, consult your veterinarian

Cattle:
Worming: Every 6 months: Ivomec
Vaccination: Varies - check with a doctor

WHERE CAN I FIND THE LATEST NEWS FROM THE EQUINE MEDICAL WORLD?

For the latest in the equine medical world, visit the AAEPs website for horse owners, www.myhorsematters.com.

NORMAL VITAL SIGNS FOR AN ADULT HORSE

Pulse - 36-40 beats per minute
Respiration - 12-16 breaths per minute
Capillary Refill Time - less than 2 seconds
Mucous Membranes - pale pink

WHEN DO I HAVE AN EMERGENCY?

1. Not eating: This is easy. An absolute rule —if your horse is not eating, he/she should be evaluated by a veterinarian as soon as possible. Call us as soon as you notice a lack of interest in food.

2. Lacerations: If the laceration results in disruption of normal architecture-such as a flap hanging–then it should be seen.  If the laceration is on the leg and the horse is lame, it should be seen.  All other lacerations are a judgment call –small lacerations on any place other than the lower leg may heal without sutures as long as the architecture is still intact.

3. Lameness:  Any lameness that is severe enough so the horse will not put weight on the foot, or has difficulty walking, should be seen.

4. Eye Discharge:  If pain, expressed by squinting of the eye, accompanies eye discharge, then the horse should be seen.  If the horse is holding the eye open and the cornea is clear but there is discharge –this is not an emergency.  Any “painful” eye, i.e., one that is not held open –should be seen.  The decision to treat your horse with ointments on your own should be made only after consulting with a veterinarian.

5. Edemas:  Most of the time this involves swelling or fluid in the legs, sheath or under belly.  Self-treatment is fine as long as the horse is not running a fever or lame.  Self-treatment involves hydrotherapy, and sometimes Bute.

6. Pregnant Mares with unusual problems such as bagging up early: Any mare with “unusual problems” during pregnancy should be evaluated by a veterinarian –the bigger question is what is “unusual” and what is “usual” Mares can start developing mammary tissue as early as their 6th or 7th month of pregnancy. Mares actually leaking milk at this point is unusual –we need to know if there is any significant leaking of milk prior to the foal’s arrival.  Mares can develop a large amount of edema under their belly in the last trimester –as long as the mare moves around comfortably it is not unusual. 

Gestational length in mares is highly variable although the norm is around 345 days.  Some mares will foal at 330 days –some up to 13 months.  Foals born under 330 days are considered premature — although they may be normal.  Mares going over 345 days do not present a problem as long as the mare is eating, comfortable, and has no obvious vaginal discharge.

WHERE CAN I FIND AN EQUINE EMERGENCY KIT?

ECLAP is now selling Equine Emergency Kits. These kits include materials to get you started in the event of an illness/injury to your equine friend. These kits are great for the barn or the horse trailer.  The kit price is $80.00. For questions or to place an order call ECLAP @ 619-561-4661. The following items are included in the kits:

• Thermometer


• Stethoscope


• Banamine Paste


• Furacin Ointment


• Large Cotton Roll


• Gauze Rolls


• Telfa pads


• Triple Antibiotic Ointment (no steroids)


• Betadine Solution


• Nolvasan Solution


• Bandage Scissors


• Hemostats


• Small Sharp scissors


• Vetwrap

RED ALERTS DURING PREGNANCY AND DELIVERY?

Abnormal Event: Premature udder development and lactation
Causes: Wrong Breeding Dates, placentitis, twinning
Actions to take: Check due date. Call vet. Rectal palpation, ultrasound exam, vaginal exam, check relaxin levels

Abnormal Event: Vaginal Discharge
Causes: Placentitis, Impending abortion
Actions to take: Call Vet. Rectal palpation, vaginal exam, ultrasound, cultures.


Abnormal Event: No under development, agalactia
Causes: Wrong due date, fescue toxicosis, endocrine abnormality (abnormal estrogen:progestagen ratio, hypothyroid), poor nutrition.
Actions to take: Check pasture and forage, evaluate hormone levels, check nutrition


Abnormal Event: Sudden, excessive abdominal enlargement
Causes: Abdominal hernia/prepubic tendon rupture, twinning, excessive volume of fetal fluids (Hydrops)
Actions to take: Call vet. Rectal palpation, ultrasound exam

Abnormal Event: Premature delivery (<325 days)
Causes: Infection, twinning, unknown causes
Actions to take: Call vet. Early foal examination. Monitor temperature and effort of breathing closely. Ensure adequate antibody absorption


Abnormal Event: Prolonged gestation length (>360 days)
Causes: Fescue toxicosis, pituitary tumor in older mares, hypothyroid, wrong due date
Actions to take: Check breeding dates, call vet. Rectal palpation, ultrasound exam, measure hormone levels.


Abnormal Event: Prolonged Stage II Labor
Causes: Dystocia, low blood calcium levels
Actions to take: Call vet. Vaginal exam to evaluate fetal position and assist delivery. Walk mare until vet arrives to reduce straining and rolling

Abnormal Event: Premature placental separation (Red Bag delivery)
Causes: Premature detachment of placenta from uterus resulting in fetal asphyxia; cause often unknown, but has been associated with placentitis.
Actions to take: Call vet. Rupture red membrane using blunt ended scissors. Extract foal encased in amnion. Delivery as quickly as possible. Perform APGAR score and administer oxygen.


Abnormal Event: Meconium staining of placenta, fetal fluids, foal
Causes: Fetus passes meconium in utero in response to asphyxia or other birth stress Actions to take: Call vet. Clean away meconium from nose and mouth. Perform APGAR score. Provide oxygen, monitor rate and effort of breathing.


Abnormal Event: Colic in dam after foaling
Causes: Colon torsion, impaction, trauma to uterus or bowel during foaling resulting in peritonitis, uterine artery rupture.
Actions to take: Call vet. If mare is violent give banamine and move foal to save place. Mare requires complete exam including rectal palpation and possible peritoneal tap.


Abnormal Event: Retained Placenta (>3 Hours)
Causes: Cause unknown
Actions to take: Call vet. Tie up placenta by knotting it on itself or using balling twine to keep mare from stepping on placenta. Plan to start mare on banamine, oxytocin and antibiotics.


Abnormal Event: Heavy (>10 % of foal’s weight), discolored placenta
Causes: Suspect Infection
Actions to take: Call vet for early examination of the foal. Check foal’s white blood cell count and start on antibiotics


Abnormal Event: Umbilical Cord hemorrhage
Causes: Premature or traumatic cord rupture
Actions to take: Clamp umbilicus or ligate with umbilical tape soaked in disinfectant. Dip umbilicus. Remove clamp or ligature when bleeding has stopped. Best to wait after enema is given and foal is not straining to pass meconium.

Abnormal Event: Foal does not follow developmental timeline: slow to suckle, stand and or nurse
Causes: Weakness due to infection, asphyxia, or immaturity
Actions to take: Call vet for early foal exam. Be sure foal receives adequate colostrum or IgG substitute within the first 2-6 hours of life.


Abnormal Event: Colic in the foal
Causes: Meconium impaction most likely
Actions to take: Give warm, soapy, water enema. If no meconium passes and/or foal remains colicky call vet. Prevent self-trauma while foal is colicky

Abnormal event: Yellow mucous membranes in foal
Causes: Jaundice due to herpes virus infection or hemolysis due to incompatible blood types between mare and foal
Actions to take: Call Vet. If foal is yellow and anemic then cause is hemolysis. If foal is not anemic and is showing labored breathing, suspect herpes virus infection.


Abnormal event: Foal’s serum IgG is less than 400-800 mg/dl=Failure of Passive Transfer (FTP)
Causes: FPT due to poor quality colostrums, failure to nurse enough colostrums soon enough, or inability to absorb antibodies.
Actions to take: If foal is <12-18 hours old give more colostrum or oral IgG substitute; If foal is >18-24 hours old, give plasma transfusion.


Abnormal event: Mare rejection of foal
Causes: Maiden mares often afraid. Some mares are outwardly aggressive towards foals. More common in Arabians.
Actions to take: Sedate mare. Keep stall traffic to a minimum. Show mare foal’s rear end rather than face. Can use hobbles. Measure progesterone levels.

OWNER’S GUIDE FOR BREEDING AND TRANSPORTED SEMEN

Over the last decade, virtually every breed registry except for the Thoroughbred Jockey Club has approved semen transportation for mare insemination.  In this practice, nearly 75% of the breeding work is involved with fresh cooled transported semen, 10-15% is done with frozen stored semen and the remainder is performed the “old fashioned way” at breeding farms or facilities.

The reason for this shift in breeding protocol is the many advantages that accompany semen transportation:

• The mare owner is no longer confined to a geographic area in which to choose a stallion; 
• There is a wonderful opportunity to improve bloodlines; 
• The offspring represent more talent and/or a more profitable sale individual; 
• The mare is no longer required to stay at the breeding facility for 3-8 weeks or longer; 
• If the mare has a foal at her side, both can stay in the safety and comfort of familiar surroundings at home;
• The mare owner can control the costs more closely (the average cost is between $300 - $400 per heat cycle for veterinary care);
• Artificial insemination is safer and easier on your mare – especially maiden mares.

There are, however, a few disadvantages.  Namely, not all stallion semen will be viable in a fresh cooled or frozen stored state.  More than once we have received semen that is dead and the mare ovulates without being bred.  I’ll explain later some facts you should enquire of the stallion management before entering into a breeding contract.

You, the mare owner, should have a basic knowledge of reproductive physiology.  We, most likely, will need to manipulate her cycle in order to keep costs down and improve the odds of conception.  As the days get longer and warmer, light stimulates a part of the mare’s brain that tells the ovaries to “wake up”.  For this reason, we encourage you to wait until mid-March, at least, to begin breeding.  When the ovaries “wake up”, they produce a follicle that contains a microscopic egg and the hormone estrogen which causes the mare to show in heat. Once the follicle ruptures or ovulates and the egg is available for conception, the ovary then tells the brain to “stop behaving like you’re in heat”.  At day 16 of conception, the uterus tells the ovaries not to come into heat again.  Gosh, that was simple – and easy! 

If you can tell when your mare is in heat, the next paragraph is not for you.  The majority of mares will not show heat without a stallion or an aggressive gelding on the ranch.

In order to prime the ovaries, we routinely recommend using Regumate once a day for 10 days. Regumate is a liquid given by mouth or in a small amount of grain.  It makes the ovaries inactive so that the brain yells at the ovaries to “wake up”.  On the tenth day of Regumate the mare is given an injection of prostaglandin. Besides making her sweat for the next 20 minutes, it further primes the ovaries to respond to the brain’s “let’s rock and roll” message.  Three days later the mare’s ovaries should be responding with follicular development and that’s where we come in.  We want to check the mare on day four (4) after the prostaglandin injection so we (you and I) can make arrangements for semen delivery on the optimum day.  The rule of thumb is:  we breed your mare 16 or 17 days from the time you first start the Regumate.

The above rule of thumb calculation is used so that we can predict when the semen will be needed and make proper arrangements.  There are many obstacles that can be avoided.  For example, we don’t want to need semen delivered on Sunday because there’s no UPS or FedEx, and we don’t want to need semen delivered on Monday because it can’t be sent on Sunday.  Also, some stallion owners only ship Monday, Wednesday and Friday.  Some ship only counter to counter at the airport.  Some semen comes by Greyhound bus.  Sometimes the stallion is at a show and unavailable.  Some shipments have only one semen breeding packet, others have two.  You can see it is a dynamic process that requires planning, patience, adaptability and a sense of humor.  Once the semen is on its way, we administer another injection to stimulate ovulation of the follicle within a specified window of time based upon the predicted day of arrival of semen

To summarize, you can expect to see your veterinarian an average of three times during each breeding period, once on day 3 or 4 after the prostaglandin injection, and on the day (or night) of the first and second breedings – usually 24 hours apart.  We recommend that you consider bringing your mare to ECLAP and either board her for those 3-7 days, or trailer in on an “as needed” basis.  When you consider call fees, it is less expensive to board her at ECLAP —  we have the facilities to safely examine and breed your mare.

Conception rates of 80% are to be expected when a healthy mare is bred with good quality semen.  Older mares, mares with uterine infections, mares with bad reproductive anatomy, and mares with histories of fetal loss or dystocia pose more of a challenge to “catch”.Unfortunately there are no standards for stallion managers with respect to providing quality shipped or frozen semen.  Read the breeding contract carefully. You’ll want to know the following before you sign:

1. What is the stallion’s conception rate with cooled or frozen semen?
2. What days do they ship?
3. How is the semen shipped – FedEx, via air, bus, etc.?
4. Who is responsible for the costs of shipping non-viable semen?
5. Who is responsible for mare costs if viable semen is not obtained?
6. Do they send an analysis with each shipment?
7. All costs associated with collection, processing, shipment and return of container?

QUICK FOALING GUIDE

When a new foal is born, the owner should evaluate the following:

• The foal should be up on its feet within 2 hours; alert and looking for the mare’s bag
• The foal should nurse within 4 hours
• The mare should pass her placenta within 6 hours
• Mare must be comfortable; not rolling or kicking at her belly within an hour post delivery
• You can give the mare a hot bran mash (2 X 3 lb coffee cans) and hay--no grain at this time
• Slight vaginal bleeding is O.K.
• If foal is straining to defecate, administer a children’s Fleet enema at 4-8 hours

We feel it is essential to evaluate the foals’ level of colostrum by a blood test 12-24 hours or more after the birth

If you think something may be wrong – call our office Immediately

STALLION TRAINING & COLLECTIONS

Stallion Owner Must Provide:

1. If training the stallion to collect with or without phantom: an experienced, easily handled mare in season
2. A stallion handler
3. A mare handler
4. Proper halters/chains/leads/twitch for mare (we recommend long handled rope twitch)
5. Any flight/mailing preparations and delivery

ECLAP Provides:

1. The phantom
2. Artificial vagina (AV)
3. Veterinarian to handle the AV
4. Extender
5. Microscope for semen motility evaluation
6. Equitainer rental
7. Pack for shipping cooled semen
8. Incubator if collection is done on premises of ECLAP

HOW TO CARE FOR A MARE AND FOAL

First of all, we will assume that your mare has been confirmed in foal, you’ve uncorked the champagne for the celebration toast -- and now a whole chain of questions pops into your head. The following are the most commonly asked questions and answers:

WHEN WILL MY MARE FOAL?
“Normal” gestation is 335 to 345 days. As an approximation, we use 11 months -so if your mare was bred on February 1st, the approximate foaling date will be January 1st. Keep in mind that there is a great degree of variability in the length of gestation with some mares carrying the foal for 13 months! Foals can also be born early but foals carried less than 300 days rarely survive. Also, keep in mind that contrary to some other species, the size of the equine fetus does not continue to get larger with longer gestation lengths so there is little danger of delivery complications based on size.

WHAT DO I NEED TO VACCINATE FOR?
Your mare should be on a regular vaccination program that includes Tetanus, Eastern and Western Encephalitis, Influenza, Equine Herpes Virus 4 (respiratory form of rhinopneumonitis) and West Nile Virus. In addition, she should receive equine herpes virus 1(an abortive form of rhinopneumonitis) at the 5th, 7th, and 9th month of pregnancy. We use a product called Pneumabort K produced by Fort Dodge. At the 10th month of pregnancy (approximately 30 days prior to her due date) she should receive a tetanus booster if she hasn’t had a tetanus vaccination within the last 60 days.

WHAT SHOULD I FEED MY MARE?
During the first 8 months of pregnancy there is a moderate increase nutritional demand on the mare so you should feed her as you did prior to her becoming pregnant. One of the biggest mistakes made is to overfeed during the early stages of pregnancy. The majority of the fetal growth occurs during the last 3 months of pregnancy so during this time you should increase the mare’s feed ration by 15% and add (i.e. 2 to 6 lbs.) of a multi-grain, vitamin and mineral mix. A trace mineralized salt block can be offered at all times.

SHOULD I WORM MY MARE WHILE SHE IS PREGNANT?
You can worm your mare every 2 months while she is pregnant, as you normally do, provided you use a wormer approved for pregnant mares. The label on the box will indicate whether it is safe or not Strongid, ivermectin (eqvalan or zimectin), anthelcide, and benzelmin are all safe.

MAY I EXERCISE MY MARE WHILE SHE IS PREGNANT?
Your mare can be exercised right up until she foals provided that she is comfortable. Certainly, during the first 8 months of her pregnancy your mare can be ridden. Some mares will develop a lot of edema late in their pregnancy as their mammary glands develop. These mares in particular will benefit from some light exercise; either turn-outs or hand-walking. Common sense should be your guide.
O.K. .....now we are on our way! You have just given your 30-day tetanus booster and you begin to look around the barn and corral .....more questions arise.....

WHERE IS THE BEST PLACE FOR MY MARE TO FOAL?
A clean, dry site should be ready for the mare at least 14 days in advance of foaling to allow her to become familiar with the area if it is different from her normal stall or corral. Make sure to allow plenty of room for the mare to lay down; a 12’ X 12’ is a minimum requirement with a 12’ X 24’ or larger area being more desirable. Remember to “foal proof” the area and clear of all sharp objects or areas that the foal could become trapped. Straw, as a bedding material, is preferred over shavings.

WHAT SUPPLIES SHOULD I HAVE ON HAND?
It is a good idea to have a foaling kit on hand with some minimal supplies; clean towels, a fleet enema, betadine or iodine and some heavy thread or fishing line (used to tie off the umbilicus in the event of continued bleeding) are the basics.

WHAT SIGNS SHOULD I WATCH FOR THAT WOULD INDICATE THAT MY MARE IS ABOUT TO FOAL?
Unfortunately, there are very few “cut and dry” signs that your mare is about to foal. Often, they surprise us with a new baby without giving us much warning. However, here are some guidelines: One month or so before foaling, you will begin to see mammary development; the nipples will fill out approximately one week to a few days before delivery and a waxy secretion may be seen on the end of the nipple which indicates the mare could foal within 3 days. You should see relaxation of the sacroiliac ligament 2 weeks before foaling - this is manifested by a softening of the tailhead and surrounding muscles. You will also see some relaxation, softening and lengthening of the vulva a week or so before foaling. It is important to use all of these signs as will as subtle changes in your mare’s normal behavior to help “guestimate” when your mare will foal. There are some kits on the market that help predict when your mare will foal by measuring changes in your mare’s milk; these can be helpful but have a varying degree of accuracy.

O.K. ..... NOW FOR THE REAL THING - IT IS TIME FOR FOALING!!! Above all, the cardinal rule is to stay calm and relax - most foalings occur without the necessity for any assistance. Here are some guidelines of what to expect.

FIRST STAGE LABOR:
This period is highly variable; it may start and then be interrupted for several days. We hear many stories about the mare that lays down and rolls a bit – and moans a bit - and acts like it is “the time,” only to get up and walk over to the feeder and start to casually eat. It has the potential to drive anyone on “foal watch” crazy! At some point, signs of first stage labor will continue and you may see restlessness, pacing, pawing, yawning, a decreased appetite, frequent urination, and even signs of mild colic with the mare getting up and down and rolling some. Once these more intense signs develop, foaling is eminent.

SECOND STAGE LABOR:
The rupture of the “water bag” marks the beginning of second stage labor. Once this occurs, the foal should be born within 30 minutes. The mare will start very strong, active contractions at this point. Usually, they are 3 to 4 strong contractions followed by a 2 to 3 minute rest period. It is also common for the mare to get up and lie back down several times during this period. The fetus comes with one foot showing first. The nose then follows lying between the front legs. Shortly after the shoulders are passed the mare usually gives 1 or 2 good pushes and the baby “pops” out. At this point, it is important to make sure that the water bag (amnion) is not covering the foal’s nose. It is also important to allow the mare and foal to rest after the foal is delivered as this allows time for the remainder of the blood in the placenta and umbilicus to be transferred to the foal before the umbilicus is broken.

THIRD STAGE LABOR:
This is the period of time when the mare goes through some additional contractions in order to pass the placenta if she hasn’t already done so. Some mares will get up and down several times and appear as if they are going to have a second foal. The placenta usually passes within 15 minutes to several hours after foaling. If the mare hasn’t passed the placenta within 4 hours after foaling, you should give us a call. Remember to save the placenta for us to look at after she passes it!

CONGRATULATIONS!!! This is what the 11 months of waiting is all about! Other than enjoying your new foal, you should remember to treat the umbilical stump with betadine, iodine (use caution with iodine) or a 25% nolvasan solution as soon as possible. There is an appendix accompanying this handout that gives you timelines of what to expect and when. We encourage owners to have their new foal and mare examined at 18 to 24 hours after foaling, provided there were no complications. We like to draw a blood sample from the foal at this point to make sure that the foal received enough colostrum from the mother as this provides the foal with antibodies for the first 6 to 8 weeks of life (very important!).....and again, congratulations!

MARE MANAGEMENT TIMELINE

16-18 days post breeding Ultrasound mare to confirm pregnancy
45-120 days post breeding Rectal evaluation to confirm pregnancy
5th month of pregnancy 1st Pneumabort K vaccination
7th month of pregnancy 2nd Pneumabort K vaccination
8th month of pregnancy Increase feed by 15%
9th month of pregnancy 3rd Pneumabort K vaccination
10th month of pregnancy - Tetanus vaccination
- Prepare foaling site
- Dust off the ‘ole foaling kit

PNEUMABORT K VACCINATION GUIDE

IF YOUR MARE WAS BRED IN: VACCINATE WITH PNEUMABORT K IN:
January........... .................................. June, August and October
February............................................. July, September and November
March................................................ August, October and December
April...................................................September, November and January
May....................................................October, December and February
June...................................................November, January and March
July....................................................December, February and April
August................................................January, March and May
September...........................................February, April and June
October...............................................March, May and July
November............................................April, June and August
December............................................May, July, and September

FOAL TIMELINE

THE FOAL SHOULD BE:
Standing..............................Within 60 minutes
Nursing................................Within 2 - 3 hours and then every 30 minutes
Passing meconium.................Within 12 hours -earlier in most cases
Urinating...............................Within 8 - 10 hours - earlier in most cases

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS AT ALL, PLEASE CALL OUR OFFICE. WE’RE ALWAYS HAPPY TO HELP. (619) 561-4661

DRYLAND DISTEMPER

What is Dryland Distemper a.k.a. Pigeon fever?
Dryland Distemper is caused by a bacterial infection with Rhodococcus formerly known as Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis, which localizes in deep abscesses in the pectoral muscles along the abdomen, and/or in the groin (sheath or udder) region. Infection occurs when the bacteria gains access to the body by insect bites or breaks in the skin. Affected horses develop fevers, poor appetite, and swellings of the chest, lower sheath, udder and sometimes legs. The swellings turn into abscesses that usually rupture.

Dryland Distemper is not transmitted via coughing, nose to nose contact, or shared water sources. However, one or all of the horses on a particular property may be affected because they are all exposed to the same environmental conditions (flies, etc.) The presence or extent of the infection seems to depend largely upon an individual horse’s immune system and how well he can fight off this organism. Discarding soil and bedding that have been contaminated with pus from draining abscesses will reduce the risk of other horses becoming infected and strict fly control is helpful at reducing the spread of disease. Antibiotics generally are not recommended for treatment because antibiotics slow this process and may prolong the disease. Treatment requires monitoring for fevers (greater than 102 degrees), providing anti-inflammatory drugs, ensuring the horse is eating and drinking well, and flushing abscesses until healed. A horse with a high fever (104 degrees or greater) or fevers lasting longer than a week should be evaluated by a veterinarian. There is no vaccine for this infection.

WEST NILE VIRUS

Our practice uses the Fort Dodge Vaccine “West Nile Innovator” The first time the horse receives the vaccine they need a booster within 3 to 5 weeks, after that we recommend a booster twice a year.

Do I  need to vaccinate my horse twice a year for West Nile?
While the annual vaccinations appear to be effective in providing the average horse protective immunity, both the AAEP and the veterinary school at Davis recommend bi-annual boosters.  From the data we see, it will increase the level of protective antibody in an average horse about 3-4%.  Bi-annual vaccination, at least until we can determine the severity of this latest outbreak, will help stimulate increased titers in those horses that may not have responded adequately from the previous boosters.

Can horses get the West Nile Virus from the vaccine?
No, the vaccine is a killed virus.  It would not be possible to contract the virus through the vaccine.

Can I vaccinate my donkey, mule, or mini with West Nile?
Yes, the vaccine is safe for these breeds.

When should I begin vaccinating my foal with West Nile?
For foals born to an unvaccinated mare, begin vaccinating at 2-3 months with two doses 3-5 weeks apart. For foals born to a vaccinated mare, begin at 3-4 months with a 2 dose series.

Can I vaccinate my pregnant mare for West Nile?
Yes, after the first trimester.

Can the West Nile Virus spread from horse to horse?
No. Birds (especially jays and crows) are the reservoir hosts for the virus. Mosquitoes transmit the virus to the horse, human, etc.