Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) in Mares (Female Horses)
Medical termination of pregnancy (MTP) in mares (female horses) should not be induced before 320 days of gestation.
Indications
- Presence of skilled assistance, thus reduce the danger to the mare and increase survival rate of the foal.
- Any disease condition.
Drugs Used for Induction of Parturition in Mares
The following drugs are used for the induction of parturition in mares:
- Oxytocin
- Oxytocin + Stilbestrol dipropionate
- Dexamethasone
- Synthetic PGF2α
- Natural PGF2α
- Estrogen
1. Oxytocin
Oxytocin should be used, if the cervix showed evidence of ripening, soft on palpation, able to allow the insertion of one or 2 fingers into the external os and the foal should be in normal P1, P2 and P3.
120 IU Oxytocin (between 360 and 600 kg body weight) and foaling occurs 15–60 minutes.
2. Oxytocin + Stilbestrol dipropionate
If the cervix is unripened, administration of 30 mg of Stilbestrol dipropionate and 12-24 hrs later administration of 120 IU oxytocin, intramuscularly Foaling expected within 15-60 minutes.
Both the cases second vaginal examination required to assess P1, P2 and P3.
3. Dexamethasone
- 100 mg Dexamethasone every day for 4 days resulted in parturition 6–7 days after the start of treatment.
4. Synthetic PGF2α
250-1000 mg of Fluprostenol IM. This drug is administered as a single dose, onset of 2nd stage of labour within 33-183 minutes, 2nd stage lasted 5-33 minutes and placenta shed by 112 minutes.
A disadvantage is that a few mares suffered rib damage.
5. Natural PGF2α
Single does not effective and may require repeated administration of 1.5-2.5 mg every 12 hours.
A disadvantage is that it causes discomfort and results in a high incidence of dystocia due to P1, P2, and P3 abnormalities.
6. Estrogen
- 3-6 mg Estradiol benzoate can be used.
