Maceração fetal em pônei
Nóbrega, Fernanda SilveiraBeck, Carlos Afonso de CastroFerreira, Márcio Poletto
Background: Equines have some specific characteristics in comparison to other domestic species, such as low fertility index and low prolificity. Additionally, they also have a reproductive cycle that starts at approximately three years of age, gestation period of 11 months, only one animal per gestation and abortions or reabsorptions are common occurrences. In equines, embryonic losses occur mostly between the 27th and 33rd day of pregnancy. The death of the fetus may result in abortion or retention inside the uterus, with consequent mummification or maceration. In twin pregnancies, during the fetal period, the mummification or maceration of one of the fetuses is frequent. In single pregnancies, such alterations are rare and they may be associated with uterine torsions or malformation of the fetus. Fetal maceration is a septic process caused by viral or bacterial ascendant infections, producing emphysema and necrosis of the fetal tissue. The presence of microorganisms in the uterus is necessary for fetal maceration. They may be the cause of fetal death or be decomposing microorganisms that enter the uterus after the death of the fetus. Fetal disintegration causes endometritis and, the treatment includes removal of macerated parts, uterine lavage with physiological solution and antibiotics. In all species, the prognosis of severe cases of fetal maceration followed by endometritis is guarded, due to the possibility of involvement of other uterine layers and the subsequent development of septicemia and toxemia. The evolution of the condition may affect the reproductive ability of the animal. Case: A female pony was sent to Hospital de Clínicas Veterinárias da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (HCV-UFGRS). The animal had a purulent vulvar discharge. Transrectal palpation of the uterine cornua revealed liquid contents and palpable structures which, later, were identified as fetal skeletal remains. Periodic hysteroscopies were the auxiliary method in the diagnosis and visualization of the uterine environment, in order to realize the evolution of the disease. The treatment chosen consisted of uterine lavage with ringer lactate solution for the mechanical removal of the secretion, in addition to the manual removal of the bone fragments found in the vagina and administration of effervescent intrauterine tetracycline tablets. Discussion: Fetal maceration cases in single equine pregnancy are associated with uterine torsion or fetal development problems. In the present case, there was no colic history or other disorders associated with uterine torsion. However, the possibility of abnormal fetal development should not be ruled out, since the fetus came from the crossing of a pony with a Crioulo horse which, due to the differences in size, could predispose to malformations. Uterine lavage with ringer lactate is advocated as a method to have an effective mechanical antibacterial action. However, some authors recommend uterine lavage and local antimicrobial therapy by infusion as the preferred method in endometritis cases. According to this principle, the treatment was administrated and the animal of this case reacted satisfactorily, showing uterine retraction, absence of purulent secretion and cervical closure. In 15 days, it was discharged from hospital.(AU)
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