Fetotomy in the Mare

Even if a fetus is dead before foaling is finished, the time spent manipulating the fetus is still critical. If you are far from an equine hospital where a Cesarean section could be performed to extract the fetus, a fetotomy might be your best option to save the life and future fertility of the mare.

“The aim of a fetotomy is to rapidly decrease the size of a fetus such that safe

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Even if a fetus is dead before foaling is finished, the time spent manipulating the fetus is still critical. If you are far from an equine hospital where a Cesarean section could be performed to extract the fetus, a fetotomy might be your best option to save the life and future fertility of the mare.

“The aim of a fetotomy is to rapidly decrease the size of a fetus such that safe extraction can proceed,” said Grant S. Frazer, BVSc, MS, Dipl. ACT, professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine at The Ohio State University, at the Hagyard Bluegrass Equine Symposium, held Oct. 21-23, 2004. “This avoids the stress and injury that follows from prolonged manipulations and extractions

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Written by:

Marcella Reca Zipp, M.S., is a former staff writer for The Horse. She is completing her doctorate in Environmental Education and researching adolescent relationships with horses and nature. She lives with her family, senior horse, and flock of chickens on an island in the Chain O’Lakes.

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