Internal scanning of pregnant mares

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WJS

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I would be very interested to know if you scan your mares internally for pregnancy, what percentages would you scan? are there ever complications such as bowel rupture? dose your vet carry out the procedure?.are the mares given a bowel relaxant?

I am told "No serious Horse stud would carry out scans on miniatures" I do not believe this to be true... your thoughts would be appreciated.

how many mares have you had scanned and how many problems were caused by the scan?

many thanks
 
I have had one mare scanned, because the buyer wanted her confirmed that way. The vet sedated the mare and used a probe made for llamas, but still lacerated the rectum. I do not usually scan, but sometimes it is required to take mares to sale.
 
I ultrasound many mares of many varied sizes on both quite large and small farms. I have never torn a rectum or colon, but that's not to say because I'm better than other Vets, simply reporting my facts. Tearing a colon is an 'inherent risk' of the procedure and is more a factor of what the mare does rather than the Vet.

I appreciate the procedure has a cost, but so too does keeping a mare that isn't in foal. I think the cost of mare care far out ways the cost of ultrasounds.

Dr Taylor
 
No serious Horse stud would carry out scans on miniatures" I do not believe this to be true... your thoughts would be appreciated.

What did they mean by "serious horse stud"? We are serious here, with many national champions to show for it.

All our mini and pony mares have been ultrasounded for many years. We have never had any tears or other issues. The mares are sedated first and the vet does the U/S. I also like being able to see how old the fetus is - and if there is no pregnancy - what the ovaries are doing follicle-wise. It is good breeding management and eliminates a lot of guesswork.
 
While not as accurate, the vet did external ultrasounds on my mares last year, all were open (this would have been late season scans for last year's foals, which there weren't any, and we were dealing with other issues which have since been resolved).
 
I have had my mares ultrasound for most of their pregnancies, just like to make sure that everything looks good etc. Had one vets office in the area tell me there was no way they could U/S, so called the practice that does more reproduction work and they said no problem. They only concern they had were if the mares were very small. , Everything went fine and we did not sedate the mares, they stood just fine.
 
My Vet US my mares with no problem and one is only 28" No need to sedate them unless they are very nervous.My small girl doesnt have a problem standing nice and still..
 
When we were breeding, we always had our mares internally ultrasounded with no problems. My vet has a mini probe (is that the correct word?) and does a lot of reproductive work. Our mares were never sedated, but all of mine were very easy to handle.
 
Our mares are lightly sedated for the U/S to avoid any possibility of them fussing or moving - even the very calm girls. We (vet included ) just felt it was better to make sure things were always calm, cool and collected... with as little stress as possible. That is what has worked best for us - others may have a different approach...
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All our broodmares have had internal ultrasounds by an equine repro vet (female) with small hands and a "mini" probe. She has never used any sedation or tranq, but will use a twitch. However, if the mare is at all tense she will stop - or I will decide it isn't worth it. One mare (since sold) was so tense the vet got so she wouldn't do her any more.
 
Well I need to have four mares done in the middle of May, and yes I will ask for sedation as I don't want to chance any problems. As for the statement that no serious breeder would attempt it. Hog wash! Sorry but I don't have months to wait to see if they get a big belly when they are consigned. Plus a serious breeder would do every thing in their power to insur the safe delivery of a foal, feed and vaccinate accordingly, we need this test. I've tried the external before and it didn't work, with the sono you get an accurate foaling date and know the mare has taken within 14 days of conception. I used to only pasture breed, had a mare rapped and lost her foal, now I hand breed or only let the mares run with the stallion for a couple of months. Actually I haven't been breeding for several years, and this is the first year since 2009, but only with mares consigned to sale. I want the best possable for my mares.
 
I've helped with hundreds of ultrasounds and never had an issue. I've also known people who have lost multiple mares due to rectal tearing. There is a drug out there (buscapan) that can help the mare relax her smooth muscles (works wonders for colic) and for a mini, I wouldn't hesitate to request it. Sedation is only needed if the mare is a danger to the vet.
 
Sedation is only needed if the mare is a danger to the vet.
Or a danger to herself if she got upset... or just to make the whole experience as stress-free as possible, as I already said. To each his/her own, Nathan. There is no hard and fast "rule" here...
 
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I appreciate the procedure has a cost, but so too does keeping a mare that isn't in foal. I think the cost of mare care far out ways the cost of ultrasounds.

Dr Taylor

Now that is what i am scream'in!!!!! I do all my own U/S, as i got tired of paying 25 dollars a pop ( he will do them cheaper by the dozen) , and have never torn a rectum. I do around 45-50 a year. I give 3/4 ml of Xylazine in the vein, and in about 2-3 miniutes, they are in lala land for about 45 miniutes or so, I also use a twitch, as i do them by myself, and usually do not have a helper. Sometimes you will get a slight ring of blood around the top of your sleeved arm, this just tells me that i have gone as far in as i can, and i will back off, NO HARM DONE AT ALL,

Sometimes a little Buscopam to keep the colon from spasming can make it easier to get in and get a good picture. I am only good enough to get a 21 day pregnancy, any earlier than that and i cannot be sure of what i am seeing. Some Vets can see as early as 14-15 days.. Any Vet should be able to do it, its not Rocket Science, heck if they cant do something as simple as an U/S, could you imagine if you had a real problem??? .
 
I used to have all of mine done but that vet specialised in breeding stock / artificial insemination etc but moved away to another area .... I wouldnt trust my current vet
 
Our vet in PA always ultrasounded our mares for us and we never had any problems. We did not sedate.

Down here they really don't want to, but will do external ones.
 
Where do you get the proper mini equipment? Maybe if I go to the vet with info and pictures she will try. She keeps telling me that she doesn't have anything small enough. Can someone with the equipment measure it and take a picture so that I can show her?
 
Sorry I don't have any pictures, but my vet is a large animal vet, so she also works with alot of llama owners that get theirs sono'd, so she used that on mine, she just had to recalabrate the machine.
 

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