MANAGEMENTAL GUIDELINES FOR CONTROL OF

INFECTIOUS ABORTION IN A ORGANIZED STUD FARM

CAPT. DR. RAVI RAIDURG*

Assistant Professor & Head,
VHDDIC (Veterinary hospital disease diagnostic & information centre),APMC Yard,
Gandhi Gunj, KVAFSU, Bidar 585 403, Karnataka, India

Abortion is defined as “ Termination of pregnancy resulting in the expulsion of the

embryo or foetus and membranes from the uterus before 300 days or termination of
pregnancy before the foetus is capable of extrauterine life, usually > 3-4 months of
gestation”. They are broadly classified as Infectious abortion or Non – infectious
abortion.

Non infectious abortion can be caused by many different factors. Pregnancy in the
uterine body rather than the horn can lead to problems in foetal development due to
limited area where the placenta lacks the ability to supply the required nourishment to the
foetus resulting in death. There is a direct relationship between endometrial fibrosis and
abortion due to inadequate placental exchange. Strangulation of the umbilical cord due to
torsion and premature rupture results in stoppage of blood flow leading to death of foetus
and abortion. Trauma sustained by pregnant mares too can lead in to abortion. Abortion
due to twin pregnancies can take place any time during pregnancy but occur most
frequently after the eighth month. These abortions are usually caused by inadequate
foetal nutrition. One foetus dies first due to insufficient surface area for placental
attatchment and autolysis leads to death of the other foetus. There are many drugs, plants
and nutritional deficiencies that can cause abortion in mares.

Infectious equine abortion have been attributed to viruses like Equine herpes virus – I and
Equine viral arteritis. Bacterial causes of infectious abortion in mares include
Streptococcus zooepidemicus, Klebsiella species, Salmonella abortus equi, E Coli,
Pseudomonas aerugenosa, Leptospira species and Brucella abortus equi.
Haemoprotozoan like Trypanosoma equiperdum and fungi like Mucor species,
Aspergillus species have also been recorded under this category.

MANAGEMENTAL GUIDELINES FOR CONTROL OF INFECTIOUS

ABORTION: The control of equine infectious abortion can be achieved by exercising
strict principles of HYGIENE, SANITATION & ISOLATION. Recent managemental
practices are designed to reduce
 Exposure of pregnant mare to infection.
 Exposure of working animals/yearlings (ADV- Animal driven vehicle) to
infection (which act as carriers)
 Stress on the pregnant mare.
Keeping the above points in view, following guidelines are suggested:
__________________________________________________________________________ 1
* Ex RVC officer, served at Equine breeding stud, Babugarh, Dist: Ghaziabad, UP

Paper presented at V Annual conference of – Indian Society for Animal Reproduction ISSAR,
( Karnataka chapter ), 2008 held at Department of ARGO, Veterinary College, KVAFSU,
Bangalore on 07 March 2008.
STEP 1 : IDENTIFICATION OF THE MARE:
 In a organized stud farm, mares are housed in paddock system of rearing as
against individual stable in a private stud farm. Each paddock should
accommodate not more than 15 mares. Hence, in the event of an abortion, the
first and foremost task of the vet is to identify the aborted mare in a group of 15
mares. Generally, the aborted mare will have a soiled hind quarter with blood. It
will be generally found standing next to the aborted foetus, though one may find
more than one mare standing next to the aborted foetus out of sheer
inquisitiveness to a new entrant in the paddock. In such an event, the best and
only possible way of identification of aborted mare is by rectal examination. This
task becomes more laborious and time consuming especially when the abortion
takes place in the night. Once confirmed, the mare number (Neck No.) should be
noted.

STEP 2 SEGREGATION OF MARES:

 To avoid spread of infection, the “In contact mares” should be transferred to a
fresh paddock and the aborted mare should be prepared to be sent to Segregation
wing/Abortion paddock.

STEP 3 TRANSFER OF ABORTED MARE TO ABORTION PADDOCK:

 The hind quarter and vulva of the aborted mare should be thoroughly scrubbed
and disinfected with cetrimide powder/ 2.5 % Chlorhexidine soln and a protective
bandage ( gauge soaked in 2.5 % Chlorhexidine soln) should be applied on vulva
to prevent seepage of uterine contents on to the farm during the transfer of aborted
mare to the abortion paddock.
 Syce taking the aborted mare to “abortion paddock” should not come back to line.
(ie he should be given leave with the instruction that he returns next day after
duly taking bath with antiseptic and changing the clothes)

STEP 4 TRANSFER OF IN CONTACT MARE TO NEW PADDOCK:

 In contact mares suspected to be infected should be transferred to a new paddock
and isolated. They should not be allowed to mix with “empty mares”. Movement
of syces between “in contact mare paddock” and “empty mare paddock/ pregnant
mare paddock” to be strictly restricted.

STEP 5 TRANSFER OF ABORTED FOETUS:

 Aborted foetus and placenta should be wrapped in a plastic bag and placed in
“Stainless steel abortion box” and despatched to lab for post mortem examination.
After post mortem, the aborted foetus should be properly disposed as per the
facility available (incenerator/deep burial).

STEP 6 INTIMATION TO ALL CONCERNED:

 Immediate boss (Breeding officer - I)
__________________________________________________________________________ 2
* Ex RVC officer, served at Equine breeding stud, Babugarh, Dist: Ghaziabad, UP

Paper presented at V Annual conference of – Indian Society for Animal Reproduction ISSAR,
( Karnataka chapter ), 2008 held at Department of ARGO, Veterinary College, KVAFSU,
Bangalore on 07 March 2008.
  Fellow colleagues (Breeding officers – II,III,IV,V)
 Lab officer
 VO-I (to be reflected in monthly reports and returns)

STEP 7 CARE OF THE ABORTED PADDOCK :

 Mangers
– Earth type:
 Should be destroyed and mixed with straw or bedding and burnt.
– Iron type/Concrete type:
 should be emptied, exposed to fire with a “flame gun”. This should
be followed by scrubbing with boiling water and soap. A 5 % soln
of carbolic acid or 1:1000 soln of corrosive sublimate (Mercuric
chloride-HgCl2) should be added to manger every 3rd day for 3
consecutive times.
 Bedding of the aborted mare should be burnt. Fire acts as a total
destructor to most of the pathogens
 Bedding:
Bedding of the aborted mare should be burnt. Fire acts as a total destructor to
most of the pathogens
 Water trough:
10 % Chlorinated lime (Bleaching powder) or 1:1500 corrosive sublimate
(Mercuric chloride-HgCl2) should be added to water trough, mixed thoroughly
and then drained out after 24 hours. Allow the water trough to dry. Follow this
with flame gun application. Scrub the trough with 1:500 caustic potash. Rinse
with water and drain it. Fill with fresh water. Retain for 24 hours and then drain
it.
 Harrowing of the paddock should be done using tractor ( monthly once for three
months).
 Paved floor and permanent standing should be disinfected with “ Flame gun/
Blow lamp” (twice at three days interval) and then sprinkled with quik lime
( CaO)

STEP 8 CARE OF THE ABORTED MARE:

Cervical swab from the aborted mare should be sent for culture and sensitivity test.
Pending result suitable antibiotic therapy should be initiated. Paired serum sample for
serological examination should be collected every 21 days, till 2 consecutive negative
results are obtained. It must be ensured that aborted mare will not be bred for three
months or till two consecutive negative results of culture and sensitivity are obtained
which ever is later.

__________________________________________________________________________ 3
* Ex RVC officer, served at Equine breeding stud, Babugarh, Dist: Ghaziabad, UP

Paper presented at V Annual conference of – Indian Society for Animal Reproduction ISSAR,
( Karnataka chapter ), 2008 held at Department of ARGO, Veterinary College, KVAFSU,
Bangalore on 07 March 2008.
STEP 9 CARE OF THE LINE GEAR:

 Leather line gear should be thoroughly washed with warm water & soap. This
should be followed by washing with 10 % Chlorinated lime (Bleaching powder)
or 5 % solution of chlorinated lime every 3rd day for 3 applications. Once the
leather items are dry they should be applied with saddle soap (Dubbin).
 Iron articles (bits) can be disinfected by boiling in water or autoclaving or
immersing in 10 % chlorinated lime (Bleaching powder) or 5 % solution of
chlorinated lime every 3rd day for 3 applications.

STEP 10 IMMUNIZATION PROTOCOL:

 Salmonella abortusequi (SAE)
Days of gestation Volume of vaccine
35 10 ml IM
45 10 ml IM
55 20 ml IM
115 20 ml IM
175 20 ml IM
235 20 ml IM
 Equine herpes virus - I
Month of gestation Volume of vaccine
5 2 ml IM
7 2 ml IM
9 2 ml IM
Virkon S - an equine disinfectant is available abroad for disinfection of stables, feeders,
drinkers, aerial spray and topical use on the skin. The product claims its proven efficacy
against most of the common equine pathogens. Its use in organized stud farm may be
uneconomical due to paddock system of rearing for mares, however, it can be used
economically in a private stud farm with individual stabling system of rearing mares.

REFERENCES
Addl Dte General, RVC (1998): IN HANDBOOK OF CONTAGIOUS AND
INFECTIOUS DISEASES IN ANIMALS. Published by Additional Directorate
General, Remount and Veterinary quarter master general,s branch, Army Hq, New
Delhi.
Blanchard T L., Dickson, D V., Schumacher J., Charles C L., Steven P B and Sherri L R
(2003): Chapter 8 - Pregnancy loss IN MANUAL OF EQUINE
REPRODUCTION, 2nd Edition, Mosby Inc, St Loius, USA
Madic J., Hajsig D., Sostaric B., Curic S., Seol B., Naglic T and Cvetnic Z (1997): An
outbreak of abortion in mares associated with Salmonella abortusequi infection.
Equine Vet J., 29 (3), 230-233.
Mckinnon AO, Voss J L (1993): IN EQUINE REPRODUCTION, Lea & Febiger,
Philadelphia.
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* Ex RVC officer, served at Equine breeding stud, Babugarh, Dist: Ghaziabad, UP

Paper presented at V Annual conference of – Indian Society for Animal Reproduction ISSAR,
( Karnataka chapter ), 2008 held at Department of ARGO, Veterinary College, KVAFSU,
Bangalore on 07 March 2008.