Abortion in horses
In the past, it has frequently been impossible to reach a diagnosis because of an inadequate history and unsuitable specimens submitted.
Common infectious agents responsible for equine abortion include Streptococcus spp., Staphylococcus spp., Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., Klebsiella spp., leptospirosis, equine herpesvirus and fungi.
Non-infectious causes may include maternal pyrexia and malnutrition, cord compression abnormalities, endocrine dysfunction, endometrial incompetence and immunological factors.
Specimens required
- Preferably the foetus and foetal membranes submitted whole and chilled in an insulated container, or,
- Portions of placenta, liver, lung, kidney and spleen together with foetal stomach contents submitted chilled.
- Sections of placenta, liver, adrenal gland, lung, kidney, brain and spleen submitted in buffered formalin for histopathology.