Companion Animals

Retained Placenta in Mares: Welfare and Emergency Management

Managing retained placenta after foaling to prevent life-threatening complications.

Key Facts

Retained placenta lasting more than 3 hours after foaling is a veterinary emergency
Causes severe endotoxaemia and laminitis if left untreated
Manual removal is contraindicated — pharmacological treatment is the standard approach
Oxytocin and lavage are used to promote expulsion

Welfare Considerations

Retained placenta causes rapid welfare deterioration — endotoxaemia, fever, and laminitis develop within hours. Welfare-focused foaling management monitors for complete placental passage within 3 hours and initiates emergency veterinary treatment if not achieved. The welfare cost of delayed treatment is extreme — laminitis consequent to endotoxaemia can be career-ending or fatal.

What You Can Do

Check for complete placental passage within 3 hours of foaling — keep the placenta for vet inspection
Call your vet immediately if the placenta has not passed within 3 hours
Never attempt manual removal of retained placenta without veterinary guidance