Evaluation of Different Diagnostic and Therapeutic Methods of Equine Endometritis

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to evaluate different diagnostic and therapeutic methods for endometritis in the mare and specifically using cephapirin as (Metricure®) as single dose intrauterine infusion treatment method for endometritis in the mare. Fifty five repeat breeding mares caused by endometritis (mares admitted to the veterinary Teaching Hospital, March 2017 to February 2018) included in this study. A complete breeding soundness examination was performed including reproductive history, body condition scoring, external and internal genital examination, uterine culture using direct swabbing technique and low volume lavage (LVL), cytological examination and endometrial biopsy when required. Twenty three mares out of 55 were selected for treatment using 3 different intrauterine antibiotic infusions. Initially, all mares were exposed to intrauterine lavage using Lactated ringers solution. Then, animals were randomly allocated into 3 intrauterine antibiotic treatment groups (A, B and C). Mares in group A (n=8), were administered procaine penicillin (5 million international units (IU)) and 2 g gentamicin sulphate and group B (n=8), 1 g ceftiofur sodium daily for three consecutive days. Mares in group C (n=7) were administered once with 500mg cephapirin as (Metricure®). Post-treatment swabs and biopsies were obtained during oestrus and interpreted and mares bred thereafter. Pregnancy diagnosis using transrectal ultrasound was performed on day 45 day post breeding. All comparisons were made by a Chi square test and significance was set at P<0.05.