Endometritis in thoroughbred broodmares : a literature review, comparison of the results of swab techniques from the 2013 and 2014 seasons and a retrospective review of the post-breeding treatment of 16 mares

Abstract

Endometritis is reported to be the third most common cause of disease in adult horses. The diagnosis and treatment of this condition have massive financial implications for both the practitioner and the breeder. The aim of this thesis is to explore the causes, clinical signs, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of endometritis, with an emphasis on post-breeding endometritis in Thoroughbred Broodmares. I have examined existing literature to establish a broader knowledge on my chosen topic and to familiarise myself with the variety of treatments that are performed in an effort to combat endometritis. During my time seeing practice over the last number of years and while on placement in my 11th semester, I visited Troytown Greyabbey Equine Hospital. The merger of Troytown Equine Hospital and Greyabbey Equine Hospital in 2012 presented me with a unique opportunity to be able to compare two different techniques used to obtain uterine swab samples for culture; guarded and non-guarded. One of my aims of this work is to analyse the data recorded at the clinic on these uterine swabs and to be able conclude which technique is better based on the findings and on previously performed studies.