Page 440 - Equine Clinical Medicine, Surgery and Reproduction, 2nd Edition

Reproductive system: 2.1 The female reproductive tr act 415

VetBooks.ir 2.13 2.14 2.15

Figs. 2.13–2.15 (2.13) Assessment of the vulval conformation of the mare is an essential part of the breeding
soundness examination. This Thoroughbred mare has a sloping vulva, with cranial migration of the anus.
(2.14) Sloping vulva with finger at pelvic brim for determining the level for the Caslick operation. (2.15) Caslick
performed to level of pubic bone.

Clitoral swab for contagious essential. Suitable restraint of the mare and protec-
equine metritis culture tion of involved personnel are important and the tail
The clitoral sinuses can harbour contagious equine should be either held out of the way or bandaged.
metritis (CEM) (caused by Taylorella equigenitalis) The perineal region should be washed with warm
and other venereally transmissible organisms such water and dried with a paper towel before the lubri-
as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae. cated speculum is introduced. Vaginoscopy can be
It is important to swab the clitoral sinuses and fossa used to evaluate the presence or absence of pathol-
as part of any BSE. Special small fine cotton swabs ogy and to assess the stage of the oestrous cycle
are required for the sinuses and the specimens (Fig. 2.16). Pathology that may be noticed includes:
should be placed immediately into specific bacte-
rial transport media before dispatch for special- • Urine pooling.
ist culture (including microaerophilic) or polymer • Uterine or vaginal discharge.
chain reaction (PCR). Some countries use a code • Vaginal tears, haematoma, adhesions and
of practice for CEM and other bacterial venereal varicosities (Fig. 2.17).
diseases, and in some countries the former is a noti- • Persistent hymen.
fiable disease. • Cervical tears, trauma or adhesions.
• Rectovestibular/vaginal fistula.
Vaginal examination
A vaginal speculum or flexible endoscope can be A manual vaginal examination can also be car-
used to inspect the vaginal mucosa and external part ried out and can give additional information on the
of the cervix. The speculum should be sterile and vagina and the nature and integrity of the cervix.
either disposable or easily resterilised. A good focal The perineum should be washed and a gloved lubri-
light source such as a pen torch or transilluminator is cated hand introduced gently upwards. It is possible