Page 929 - The Veterinary Care of the Horse
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(Figure 19.15). It is then cultured for bacteria that produce venereal disease. These include
Tayorella equigenitalis, the organism responsible for contagious equine metritis (CEM),
VetBooks.ir Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The CEM culture takes 7 days.
However, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing of swabs at specialist laboratories
typically has results available 24 hours after arrival of the swabs.
Figure 19.15 Taking a clitoral swab
Endometrial swab and smear
The endometrium is the inner lining of the uterus. An endometrial swab and smear can only
be taken when the mare is in season and the cervix is relaxed. This is usually done early in
oestrus so the mare can be covered in the same oestrus if the results are satisfactory. Using a
sterile speculum, a sterile swab is passed through the cervix into the uterus. Following
withdrawal it is cultured for 48 hours to see if any bacteria grow. A second swab is then
inserted into the uterus and gently rubbed against the endometrium before being withdrawn
and rolled onto a microscope slide. The slide is examined for the presence of endometrial
cells and neutrophils. The presence of increased numbers of neutrophils and a positive
