When is the best time to abort a mare?

When is the best time to abort a mare?

Timoney says mares can be exposed to and contract the virus at any time during pregnancy. However, most EHV-1-related abortions occur from seven months of gestation onward.

When does an equine arteritis infected mare abort?

While most EHV-1-infected mares tend to abort at seven months of gestation or later, says Timoney, equine arteritis virus-infected mares can abort as early as two months of gestation right through to term. Some mares infected in late pregnancy can carry to term and give birth to an infected foal that dies within 48 to 96 hours.

Can a pregnant mare give birth to an infected foal?

Some mares infected in late pregnancy can carry to term and give birth to an infected foal that dies within 48 to 96 hours. Even though EVA-affected mares themselves aren’t going to get sick, they could be a source of virus for…unvaccinated pregnant mares that subsequently abort.

What causes a mare to have an abortion?

He says the most important cause of abortion in mares in the United States is equine herpesvirus-1, also known as equine rhinopneumonitis. “The virus is ubiquitous in domesticated equid populations worldwide,” says Timoney, adding that up to 60% of adult horses become lifelong latent carriers.

Timoney says mares can be exposed to and contract the virus at any time during pregnancy. However, most EHV-1-related abortions occur from seven months of gestation onward.

Can a pregnant mare abort an infected foal?

In such instances, only the placental tissues will test positive upon necropsy. In other instances in which the mare is exposed to the virus late in pregnancy, she might not abort. However, because the virus can cross the placenta the mare will give birth to an EHV-1-infected foal.

When to abort a horse with EHV-1?

While most EHV-1-infected mares tend to abort at seven months of gestation or later, says Timoney, equine arteritis virus-infected mares can abort as early as two months of gestation right through to term.

What happens if a horse aborts both fetuses?

The smaller twin will eventually be crushed by the larger twin and die. The toxins that form in the dead fetus may kill the larger, healthy foal, and the mare will abort at about nine months. If both fetuses survive, the birth process is often complicated, and one or both twins will involve malpresentation with resulting problems.