Placentitis or inflammation of the placenta is most often caused by infection. Placentitis and placental abnormalities are a major cause of reproductive loss, which costs the equine industry a large amount of money each year due to lost foals and the treatment of critically ill foals. Because clinical signs of placental pathology are variable, typically the first indication of a problem is abortion or still birth.
Ultrasound examination can identify placental pathology before abortion or premature delivery occurs. In this study, mares were treated based on abnormalities identified during the ultrasound examinations. The regime of intensive examination and treatment resulted in a foaling rate that was similar to the foaling rate for normal mares.