RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyze data concerning history, clinical course, and prognosis of retained fetal membranes in mares. MATERIAL UND METHODS: Patient records of 121 hospitalized mares with retained placenta were evaluated. In 82 cases, additional blood examinations were performed and analyzed. RESULTS: There was no significant correlation between age, parity or course of parturition and retained placenta. Eighty-one mares (66.9 %) were presented solely with retained fetal membranes, 40 mares (33.1 %) had additional diseases at presentation, most commonly injuries of the labia, followed by perineal tears and lochiometra. During hospitalization 50 mares (41.3 %) developed one or more diseases, most frequently lochiometra (23 mares, 19 %), laminitis (17 mares, 14 %) and thrombophlebitis (11 mares, 9.1 %). Eight mares (6.6 %) were euthanized due to the course of their diesease. Blood examinations revealed a mean leucocyte concentration of 9.8 ± 3.9 G/l at presentation. Mean concentration of serum ionized calcium amounted to 1.5 ± 0.2 mmol/l. There was no statistically significant influence of blood parameters on clinical course or development of additional diseases. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Retained placenta is a common disorder in the puerperium of the mare. In the presented study, most cases developed additional diseases and in 10 % of the mares, the clinical course led to euthanasia. No risk factors for the occurrence of retained fetal membranes or its clinical course could be identified.