In veterinary medicine, retained placenta refers to the placenta and egg membranes remaining in the uterus after the birth of the foal. This is not a separate disease, but rather a symptom of various functional disorders. It is one of the most common problems during the birth process in mares and occurs in 2 to 10% of all foal births.
The exact cause of retained placenta remains unclear. It is suspected that a wide variety of factors that lead to a disrupted birth process can trigger retained placenta.
When the umbilical cord is cut during birth, the blood supply to the placenta is cut off and the afterbirth is normally expelled within the first 2 hours after birth. If this does not happen, it is referred to as retained placenta. It occurs mainly in twin births, difficult births, and in very old mares. Disruptions in the contractility of the uterus, reduced oxytocin release (oxytocin = hormone produced by the body that causes the uterus to contract) or a disrupted separation of the connection between the uterus and the placenta (e.g. due to water retention or inflammation of the uterine lining) prevent the natural expulsion of the afterbirth.
Retained placenta is usually easy to recognize, as remnants or the entire placenta hang out of the mare's vagina. Under no circumstances should you try to pull it out, as it can easily tear, making further treatment much more difficult due to injuries and remnants remaining in the uterus, and can also significantly worsen the prognosis for the mare. Hanging parts of the afterbirth should be tied up so that the mare does not accidentally step on them and tear them off.
If only remnants of the afterbirth remain in the uterus and no protruding parts are visible, the veterinarian can perform a manual examination of the uterus. However, very small remnants located in the tips of the uterine horns are often not palpable. The afterbirth that has already been expelled should therefore always be checked for completeness.
If mares show fever, apathy, loss of appetite, or signs of laminitis shortly after giving birth, it can be assumed that remnants of the placenta or the egg membranes have remained in the uterus. In such cases, intensive antibiotic and anti-inflammatory treatment should be initiated immediately by a veterinarian.
If the afterbirth has not been expelled two hours after birth, treatment should be started, as the risk of complications increases rapidly with time. In many cases, germs enter the uterus through the retained placenta, where they multiply explosively and can lead to severe inflammation. Such an infection must therefore be treated as quickly as possible. If left untreated, it can quickly lead to life-threatening sepsis (the spread of pathogens in the blood).
The greatest danger of such septic uterine inflammation is laminitis, in this case referred to as puerperal laminitis. This laminitis is caused by toxins that are produced during the decomposition process of the dead tissue and bacteria.
The aim of treatment is to support the process of detaching the afterbirth from the uterus. The veterinarian will use special medication for this purpose. If the detachment process is prolonged despite medication, repeated uterine irrigation is usually necessary to support the process and prevent infection. In this case, it is advisable to take the mare to an animal hospital for inpatient treatment.
If vaccination protection against tetanus is unclear or insufficient, adequate tetanus prophylaxis must be considered.
Particularly after difficult births or twin births, postpartum retention can be prevented by administering special infusions and medication.
The adrenal gland disorder known as Cushing's disease was first described in humans in 1910 by Harvey Williams Cushing, after whom it was named. It involves increased stimulation of the adrenal cortex, resulting in excessive cortisol production (hyperadrenocorticism). The resulting symptoms are referred to as Cushing's syndrome. Unlike Addison's disease (adrenal insufficiency), Cushing's disease is not life-threatening. It mostly affects older, small dogs and breeds such as boxers, poodles, and dachshunds.
When a dog's kidneys can only perform their vital functions to a limited extent, this is referred to as kidney failure. The disease is often not recognized immediately, as it initially manifests itself with very unspecific symptoms. Dogs over the age of five are particularly affected, with certain breeds having a genetic predisposition to kidney disease.
This disease is a highly contagious bacterial infection of the mare's reproductive system, which is mainly transmitted through mating. The stallion is only a carrier of the pathogen and does not show any clinical symptoms. The disease, known as contagious equine metritis (CEM), was first described in detail in 1977 and is a notifiable disease in Germany.
EOTRH, or more precisely Equine Odontoclastic Tooth Resorption and Hypercementosis, is currently considered an incurable inflammatory condition affecting the incisors and canines of horses. The disease has only been known for about 10 years, but is now affecting more and more older horses. In many cases, the disease is not detected until late stages, as it is not visible below the gums at the onset.
Cats are not dogs that will do anything for food. They don't eat everything that is put in front of them either, because cats are gourmets – at least most of them are.
You are called to the stable because your horse can hardly move. It is standing in its stall or in the pasture and trying to relieve pressure on its front hooves by placing all its weight on its hindquarters and bringing its front legs forward. This characteristic stance is familiar to many horse owners, and there is little doubt about the diagnosis. Your horse is suffering from acute laminitis. This is one of the most painful conditions a horse can suffer from and, along with colic, is the leading cause of death in horses. Laminitis is always considered an emergency and treatment by a veterinarian is essential.
Cats are very resilient and do not show symptoms of illness until late stages. When is it an emergency? And what is the right thing to do? Here you will find useful information to help you assess your cat's condition. The most important thing is to stay calm and keep a clear head.
A female dog's heat cycle is a natural process that is necessary for reproduction. Dogs quickly realize when this time has come. During the "heat days," you should therefore be particularly careful if you do not want your female dog to have offspring from a male dog that has wandered into your yard. Conversely, if you want to breed, you need to observe your dog's cycle and take her to the chosen male dog at the right time.
Many things are easier when done as a team – this applies to both humans and animals. There are dogs that help people live with disabilities. These dogs are not only special animals, they are also specially trained.
Cats are among the most popular pets, with around 14.7 million living in German households alone and a total of approximately 46 million across Europe. Only about half of them are vaccinated and neutered, and therefore well protected against disease and unwanted reproduction. Many thousands of them roam the countryside as abandoned, stray, or feral cats.
Rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHD) is currently the most dangerous disease affecting rabbits. It is caused by a virus and causes blood clotting disorders (hemorrhagic = bleeding, causing hemorrhages). It is highly contagious and occurs worldwide in both domestic and wild rabbits. The infectious disease was first described in China in 1984, which is why it is also known as Chinese disease. Young animals and unvaccinated adult animals are particularly at risk.
Many dog owners will be familiar with this condition, which is colloquially referred to as foreskin inflammation. Recurring, yellowish-green, dripping discharge is very common, especially in young, unneutered male dogs.
