What Causes Birth Defects In Horses?

Underlying viral infections and toxic causes may lead to congenital (birth) defects in foals but are rare. Most of the problems that arise are related to specific genetic conditions.

What are congenital defects in horses?

The most common congenital defects in horses are ventricular septal defect, patent ductus arteriosus, tetralogy of Fallot, and tricuspid dysplasia. Arabian horses have a relatively higher rate of congenital defects than other breeds; a variety of defects have been reported for this breed.

What is the most common cause of equine abortion?

Bacterial placentitis is by far the most commonly diagnosed cause of abortion in many horse breeding areas. Placentitis is a significant cause of equine late-term abortion, premature delivery, and neonatal death. Except for Leptospira spp and nocardioform infections, most cases of bacterial placentitis are ascending.

What is the most common cause of Dystocia in the mare?

Most causes of dystocia in the mare are due to abnormal presentation, position, or posture. A dead or compromised fetus often is not properly positioned in the pelvic canal. Dystocia due to fetal–maternal disproportion or primary uterine inertia is rare in mares.

How do you prevent mares from Placentitis?

Prevention. Mares should be in good body condition (but not fat) before breeding and throughout pregnancy and lactation. They should have regular dental and hoof care to minimise blood born bacterial diseases.

What are the 4 main causes of birth defects?

Smoking, drinking alcohol, or taking certain drugs during pregnancy. Having certain medical conditions, such as being obese or having uncontrolled diabetes before and during pregnancy. Taking certain medications, such as isotretinoin (a drug used to treat severe acne). Having someone in your family with a birth defect.

What are 5 causes of birth defects?

What causes birth defects?

• Genetics. One or more genes might have a change or mutation that prevents them from working properly.
• Chromosomal problems.
• Exposures to medicines, chemicals, or other toxic substances.
• Infections during pregnancy.
• Lack of certain nutrients.

What is the number one killer in horses?

colic
The number one killer of horses is colic.
Colic is not a disease, but rather a combination of signs that alert us to abdominal pain in the horse. Colic can range from mild to severe, but it should never be ignored. Many of the conditions that cause colic can become life threatening in a relatively short period of time.

What can cause a mare to abort?

• CAUSES OF ABORTION IN MARES.
• Bacterial Infection. Most result in placentitis, others lead to premature placental separation.
• Fungal Infection.
• Viral Infection.
• Placental Abnormalities.
• Iatrogenic.
• Hormonal.
• Reproductive Tract Incompetence.

How common is it for a horse to miscarry?

Up to 30% of mares that conceive will lose the fetus before foaling. Most of these losses occur in the first 35 days of pregnancy and the embryo is resorbed, after which the mare may come back into heat at a longer interval after the last estrus. There are procedures that should be followed when a mare aborts.

How do you fix dystocia in horses?

Fetotomy for Dystocia in Horses
In the mare, fetotomy is usually recommended only if fetal expulsion can be accomplished after one or two cuts. Care should be taken to avoid damage to the mare’s cervix and pelvic canal. Treatment for retained placenta should be initiated immediately after fetal delivery.

What are the two main causes of dystocia?

Dystocia refers to abnormal or difficult birth. Causes include maternal factors (uterine inertia, inadequate size of birth canal) and/or fetal factors (oversized fetus, abnormal orientation as the fetus enters the birth canal).

How can I prevent dystocia during pregnancy?

Prevention of dystocia includes encouraging the use of trained labor support companions, deferring hospital admission until the active phase of labor when possible, avoiding elective labor induction before 41 weeks’ gestation, and using epidural analgesia judiciously.

How often do mares reject their foals?

“Foal rejection can be seen in all breeds of horses, with the highest rates reported in Arabians (5.1%), followed by Paint Horses (1.9%) and Thoroughbreds (less than 1%),” he said.

What vaccines do you give pregnant mares?

The mare should be vaccinated for Eastern and Western encephalomyelitis, West Nile virus, influenza and tetanus at the beginning of pregnancy. A booster should be given one month prior to foaling to increase the antibody level in the mare’s colostrum (first milk) and help protect the newborn foal from disease.

What causes red bag in mares?

The most common causes of red bag are placental infections, fescue toxicity and stress. Chronic placental separation from the uterus may occur over a period of several days or weeks during late gestation as a consequence of placentitis.

What is the number 1 birth defect?

The most common severe birth defects are heart defects, neural tube defects and Down syndrome. Although birth defects may be the result of one or more genetic, infectious, nutritional or environmental factors, it is often difficult to identify the exact causes. Some birth defects can be prevented.

What can help prevent birth defects?

Commit to Healthy Choices to Help Prevent Birth Defects

• Plan ahead. Get 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid every day.
• Avoid harmful substances. Avoid alcohol at any time during pregnancy.
• Choose a healthy lifestyle. Keep diabetes under control.
• Talk with your healthcare provider.

What nutrient causes birth defects?

Lack of folic acid has been linked with neural tube birth defects (NTDs) such as spina bifida. The risk of having a child with these birth defects is low and can be reduced by taking a folic acid tablet.

Can birth defects be caused by the father?

Based on the results of our meta-analysis, young fathers (< 20 years) could increase the risk of urogenital abnormalities and chromosome disorders in their offspring, whereas old fathers (≥ 40 years) could increase the risk of cardiovascular abnormalities, facial deformities, urogenital abnormalities, and chromosome

What are the main sources of defects?

Figure 3 shows the five major sources of defects.

• Defects from quality of materials. DuPont found that one in three spare parts had a defect of some sort.
• Defects from workmanship. These defects come from failing to do a proper repair job.
• Defects from failure events.
• Defects from design.
• Defects from operations.