- Learn equine eproductive ultrasound Equine and camel ultrasound
- Q. You suspect that an 18-year old post-parturient Thoroughbred mare has uterine artery hemorrhage based on a low PCV (14%), tachycardia (heart rate 70 beats/min), and the history of foaling 12 hours ago. Which of the following drugs would potentially help in a hemorrhaging mare?
- Aminocaproic acid
- Aspirin
- Low molecular-weight heparin
- Tissue plasminogen activator
- Ans?
- Aminocaproic acid is the best choice of those listed. This medication is believed to facilitate clot stabilization by blocking the activation of plasminogen to plasmin. As you may recall, plasmin is the active enzyme that dissolves clots; therefore, aminocaproic acid inhibits fibrinolysis. The other medications listed would have an anti-coagulant effect and would be contraindicated in this mare.
- Q. stallions which should definitely not be used for breeding?
- stallion with a previous infection with Taylorella equigenitalis. This organism is thought to be eradicated in the United States but is the causative agent of contagious equine metritis, which can lead to infertility (there is usually no clinically apparent disease in the stallion). It is okay to breed a stallion with a history of coital exanthema (Equine herpesvirus-3) as long as all lesions are cleared. A 180-degree rotation of the testicle is common and of no clinical significance as is a positive bacterial culture from a pre-ejaculate swab; however, heavy growth of Pseudomonas or Klebsiella may make you think twice, as they can be associated with causing endometritis in mares.