Clinical Outcome of Transcervical Infusion of a Combination of Procaine Penicillin and Gentamicin in Late-term Pregnant Mares.
Authors: Beachler Theresa M, Papich Mark G, Andrews Natalie C, Von Dollen Karen A, Ellis Katelyn E, Withowski Katie, Bailey Christopher Scott
Journal: Journal of equine veterinary science
Summary
# Transcervical Antibiotic Infusion in Late-Pregnancy Mares: Safety Profile and Clinical Outcomes Delivering antibiotics directly into the uterus during late gestation offers potential advantages over systemic administration for treating intrauterine infections that threaten fetal and neonatal health, yet the safety of transcervical infusion techniques requires careful evaluation before wider clinical adoption. Researchers administered a single transcervical dose of procaine penicillin (2.4 million IU) and gentamicin (200 mg) to nine healthy pregnant ponies in their final months of gestation, then monitored fetal wellbeing via serial measurements of combined uterine and placental thickness (CTUP) and fetal heart rate at 24, 48, and 72 hours post-infusion. Neither fetal heart rate nor CTUP showed measurable changes following treatment, with no fluid accumulation or other concerning placental responses observed at any assessment point. All nine mares delivered uncomplicated foals between days 12 and 58 post-infusion (mean gestational age 322.7 ± 12.7 days), and whilst two foals presented with mild neonatal maladjustment syndrome responsive to basic supportive care, all animals survived to weaning. These findings suggest that careful transcervical antibiotic infusion during late gestation does not compromise maternal or fetal safety in healthy pregnancies, supporting further investigation of this technique's therapeutic efficacy in mares with documented intrauterine infections where systemic antibiotic penetration may prove inadequate.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Transcervical antibiotic infusion appears to be a safe alternative route for delivering antibiotics directly to the uterus in late-pregnant mares without compromising fetal or maternal health
- •This technique may offer advantage over systemic routes for treating intrauterine infections, though larger controlled studies are needed to establish efficacy compared to standard treatment protocols
- •Monitor for neonatal maladjustment post-treatment, though the low incidence in this study suggests the procedure itself does not increase risk significantly
Key Findings
- •Transcervical infusion of procaine penicillin (2.4 million IU) and gentamicin (200 mg) was safe in 9 pregnant pony mares with no adverse effects on fetal heart rate or placental thickness
- •All 9 mares foaled without complication 12-58 days post-infusion at mean gestational age 322.7±12.7 days
- •2 of 9 foals (22%) displayed mild neonatal maladjustment syndrome responsive to minimal supportive care; all foals survived to weaning