Congenital hydrocephalus in a stillborn Haflinger foal

Gail McRae; Marco Coutinho da Silva; Erin Runcan; Joanna  Koilpillai; Christopher  Premanandan

doi:10.58292/ct.v16.10452

Gail McRae Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
Marco Coutinho da Silva Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
Erin Runcan Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
Joanna Koilpillai Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
Christopher Premanandan Department of Veterinary Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA

DOI: https://doi.org/10.58292/ct.v16.10452

Keywords: Mare, Haflinger fetus, congenital hydrocephalus, B3GALNT2 gene

Abstract

A 14-year, multiparous Haflinger mare, apparently fullterm (unknown breeding or ovulation date), was presented for dystocia. Mare was transvaginally palpated at the farm by the referring veterinarian; foal was in craniolongitudinal presentation, dorsosacral position with extended forelimbs in the vaginal vault and head just cranial to cervix, and a cranial abnormality of the foal prevented assisted vaginal delivery. Mare was referred. Foal was not alive at presentation and was undeliverable with assistance because of congenital hydrocephalus. Anesthetized mare was placed in Trendelenburg position, controlled vaginal delivery was elected and foal was removed via fetotomy. Mare was negative for β1, 3- N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase 2 (B3GALNT2) nonsense mutation (reported to be responsible for hydrocephalus). Dystocia in a Haflinger mare because of hydrocephalus is reported for the first time.

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