The problem of persistent endometritis has forced many mares into early retirement before their time and costs breeders millions of dollars annually. Endometritis can be brought about by failure of the uterus to contract after foaling, which often results in excess fluids remaining in the reproductive system and stimulates infection.
In cases where the uterus fails to contract, an 1890 USDA report advocates "funneling" fluids out of the body using a caoutchouc (rubber) tube, passing warm water through the two horns of the uterus using an "oiled hand," followed with a warm-water wash and "permanganate of potash (or) two teaspoonfuls of carbolic acid" twice daily.
University of Florida researchers, in a paper released January 24, 1996, claim to have found a new treatment for the inflammation brought on by endometritis. Professor Michelle LeBlanc, who led the UF research team, said a mare can be treated with the naturally occurring hormone oxytocin to alleviate problems brought on in the breeding process.
"Although oxytocin has been on the market for many years, most people didn't believe it would cause the uterus to contract other than during the process of giving birth," LeBlanc said.
LeBlanc and fellow researchers discovered that mares with persistent endometritis retained infections after breeding because they could not physically clear those infections through the cervix into the vagina. Research showed that, when oxytocin is administered, mares can clear all liquids within 30 minutes.
"This hormone, which causes the uterus to contract, is the first effective treatment for (endometritis)," said LeBlanc.
Dr. Jim Klyzak, who serves as Claiborne Farm's primary veterinarian, is one of a growing number of practitioners who are introducing oxytocin into the post-foaling treatment.
"At Claiborne, we try not to be first and we try not to be last when it comes to new products," Klyzak said. "But we have found that oxytocin is very useful in restoring the uterus to a healthy state and prevent endometritis. We've been very successful."