Mouncey R, Arango-Sabogal JC, de Mestre AM, Verheyen KL. Descriptive study of medication usage and occurrence of disease and injury during gestation in Thoroughbred broodmares.
J Equine Vet Sci 2022;
118:104104. [PMID:
35964852 DOI:
10.1016/j.jevs.2022.104104]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 08/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
The study aimed to (i) describe the use of reproductive therapeutics; (ii) estimate the incidence of disease and injury; and (iii) describe non-reproductive medications administered during pregnancy in Thoroughbred broodmares. A prospective birth cohort was established on seven farms across the UK and Ireland. Details of dams' signalment, breeding history, reproductive management during the breeding season(s) and veterinary-attended episodes of illness or injury and medication usage during gestation were retrieved retrospectively for 275 pregnancies in 235 mares over two breeding seasons. Results are reported at pregnancy-level of mares with data available. Pre-oestrus medications, ovulatory agents and post-covering treatments were administered to 55% (n=85/155, 95% Confidence interval (CI) 47-62), 64% (n=101/157, 95%CI 57-71) and 73% (n=109/150, 95%CI 65-79) of mares respectively. Antibiotics were utilised in 69% (n=75/109, 95%CI 60-77) of post-covering treatments. Of mares with no visible fluid on post-covering ultrasound, 37% (n=24/65, 95%CI 26-49) still received treatment. Thirty-four percent (n=70/203, 95%CI 28-41) of mares suffered at least one veterinary-attended episode of disease or injury, with conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system (23%, n=46/203, 95%CI 17-29) and placentitis (5%, n= 10/203, 95%CI 3-9) most prevalent. Forty-seven percent (n=95/203, 95%CI 40-54) of mares received at least one non-reproductive medication during gestation, antibiotics (25%, n=51/203, 95%CI 20-31) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (23%, n=47/203, 95%CI 18-29) being most frequently prescribed. Post-covering treatments often included antibiotics and were sometimes given in the absence of fluid, highlighting a need to further understand therapeutic rationale. Disease occurrence and medication usage during gestation were frequent and warrant additional investigation.
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