Dystocia in the Standardbred Mare: A Retrospective Study from 2004 to 2020.
Authors: Lanci Aliai, Perina Francesca, Donadoni André, Castagnetti Carolina, Mariella Jole
Journal: Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Dystocia in Standardbred Mares Dystocia in mares has traditionally been defined by prolonged stage II labour (>30 minutes), yet emerging evidence suggests that even brief dystocic deliveries warrant clinical concern for both dam and foal. Researchers at the University of Bologna retrospectively analysed 222 Standardbred mare–foal pairs hospitalised between 2004 and 2020, comparing 165 eutocic deliveries with 57 dystocic cases (4.9% incidence), and classified the latter into mild, moderate and severe categories regardless of stage II duration. Foals born to dystocic mares exhibited significantly elevated venous lactate (3.9 versus 3.1 mmol/L) and creatine kinase concentrations (262 versus 187 UI/L), lower APGAR scores (median 8 versus 10, dropping to 3 in severe dystocia cases), and higher rates of neonatal disease and failure of passive transfer of immunity; mares similarly experienced more postpartum complications. These findings challenge the conventional single-parameter definition of dystocia and underscore that metabolic stress and tissue damage occur across the severity spectrum, suggesting that rapid resolution of a dystocic presentation does not necessarily guarantee normal neonatal adaptation. Clinicians should consider the quality and ease of delivery—not duration alone—when assessing risk and guiding post-partum management for both mare and foal.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Dystocia management cannot rely solely on stage II duration; even rapid resolutions may compromise foal and mare health—assess biochemical markers and foal vigor independently
- •Foals born from any dystocia (mild, moderate, or severe) warrant closer monitoring for metabolic compromise, immune transfer failure, and neonatal disease, regardless of delivery speed
- •Consider routine APGAR scoring and serum lactatemia/CK measurement in dystocia foals to identify subclinical compromise early and guide therapeutic intervention
Key Findings
- •Dystocia incidence was 4.9% in Standardbred mares, with stage II significantly longer in dystocia group (median 20 min vs 12 min)
- •Postpartum complications in mares and neonatal diseases occurred at higher rates in the dystocia group
- •Foals from dystocia deliveries had significantly elevated venous lactatemia (3.9 vs 3.1 mmol/L) and serum creatine kinase (262 vs 187 UI/L)
- •APGAR scores were substantially lower in dystocia foals (median 8 vs 10), with severe dystocia foals scoring only median 3, indicating compromised neonatal health status