Can a Horse Have a Miscarriage?
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Yes, a horse can have a miscarriage, also known as spontaneous abortion or pregnancy loss, which is a common event in equine reproduction, with up to 30% of mares that conceive losing the fetus before foaling. The miscarriage can occur at any stage of pregnancy, but most losses happen in the first 35 days of gestation, with the embryo being resorbed, and the mare may come back into heat at a longer interval after the last estrus.
Understanding Miscarriage in Horses
What is Miscarriage in Horses?
Miscarriage, or spontaneous abortion, in horses refers to the termination of pregnancy before the fetus is viable, typically before 300 days of gestation. This can occur due to various causes, including infections, genetic abnormalities, and uterine problems.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the signs of miscarriage in horses? The most common sign of miscarriage is the presence of fetal remains or placental tissues in the mare’s environment, such as the pasture or stall, with additional signs including vaginal discharge, udder development, and production of milk or colostrum.
- What causes miscarriage in horses? Bacterial infections are the most frequently described cause of abortion, with other important causes including infections with equine herpesvirus (EHV)-1 or -4, twin pregnancy, and umbilical cord anomalies.
- What is early embryonic death in horses? Early embryonic death (EED) refers to fetal mortality that occurs before 50 days of gestation, which can be divided into very early mortality, early mortality, and late embryonic mortality.
- What causes stillbirth in horses? Bacterial infections, especially those related to Streptococcus spp., are the most frequently observed cause of stillbirth, with non-infectious causes, such as dystocia and birth traumas, also being common.
- How often do horses miscarry? Up to 30% of mares that conceive will lose the fetus before foaling, with most losses occurring in the first 35 days of pregnancy.
- What is a phantom pregnancy in horses? A phantom pregnancy, or pseudopregnancy, occurs when a non-pregnant mare’s corpus luteum (CL) produces progesterone beyond the normal two-week lifespan, causing the mare to exhibit pregnancy-like symptoms.
- What does a pregnant horse’s belly look like? A pregnant horse’s belly will be very big and round, but as the mare approaches foaling, the belly will drop, and some mares may develop edema (fluid retention) on their bellies.
- What are the symptoms of miscarriage? The symptoms of miscarriage can include vaginal bleeding, pain or cramping in the pelvic area or lower back, fluid or tissue passing from the vagina, and a fast heartbeat.
- What happens if an animal has a miscarriage? A miscarriage may lead to either a spontaneous abortion or resorption, with the mare potentially exhibiting no signs if the litter is reabsorbed at the start of pregnancy.
- How long after an embryo dies do you miscarry? If it is an incomplete miscarriage, it will often happen within days, but for a missed miscarriage, it might take as long as three to four weeks.
- What does a miscarried embryo look like? During bleeding, you may see clots with a small sac filled with fluid, containing the embryo and placenta, and possibly an umbilical cord.
- How do you confirm a miscarriage at home? Other miscarriage symptoms may include mild to severe back pain, weight loss, white-pink mucus coming from the vagina, true contractions, and tissue with clot-like material passing from the vagina.
- What is a horse’s uterus infection? A pyometra is an infection of the uterus that cannot empty or clear the infectious agents, causing the uterus to fill with pus and become a large abscess.
- What is the most common cause of abortion in mares? Bacterial infections are the most frequently described cause of abortion, with other important causes including infections with equine herpesvirus (EHV)-1 or -4, twin pregnancy, and umbilical cord anomalies.
- How common are false pregnancies in horses? False pregnancies, or pseudopregnancies, are common in mares, occurring in 5 to 10 percent of estrous cycles, and can be recognized by the mare’s failure to return to estrus after ovulation.