Alternative approach for managing pyometra in mares

  • Eduardo Prado Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA
  • Alexandra Hartsell Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA
  • Elizabeth Collar Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA
  • Lex Baldwin Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA
  • Daniel Prado Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA
  • Tanner Drum Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA
  • Colton Short Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA
  • Paxton Parker Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA
  • Lew Strickland Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA
  • Tulio Prado Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA
Keywords: Mare, pyometra, cervix, patency, plastic tube, hysteroscopy

Abstract

Two mares (varying in breed and age) were presented on separate dates after unsuccessful chronic pyometra treatment. Mares were assessed via transrectal ultrasonography; purulent material accumulation in the uterus was confirmed. Vaginal and cervical evaluation revealed cervical adhesion. Blunt debridement allowed access to uterus and uterine lavage treatment. Uterine infection was treated with intrauterine antibiotic infusions, based on culture and sensitivity results. A plastic tube was placed through the cervix and anchored into cervical caudal body using 2 knots of nonabsorbable suture in a horizontal pattern to maintain patency to allow healing. Pyometra was resolved and mares became clinically normal.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References


1.
Smith J, Klostermann C, Garcia J, et al: Surgical management of pyometra in a miniature sow. Clinical Theriogenology 2025;17. doi: 10.58292/CT.v17.11729

2.
Roberts S: Infertility in the mare. In: SJ Roberts: editors. Veterinary Obstetrics and Genital Diseases. 2nd edition, Ann Arbor, Michigan; Edwards Brothers, Inc: 1971. p. 512–546.

3.
Lu KG: Pyometra. In: McKinnon AO, Squires EL, Vaala WE, et al: editors. Equine Reproduction. 2nd edition, Philadelphia, PA; Blackwell Publishing: 2011. p. 2652–2654.

4.
Vandeplassche M, Spincemaille J, Bouters R: Advanced pyometra with intact endometrial cups in a mare. Equine Vet J 1979;11:122–123. doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1979.tb01323.x

5.
Bishop J, McCue PM: Microbiology: gram stain. In: Dascanio J, McCue PM: editors. Equine Reproductive Procedures. 2nd edition, Ames; Wiley-Blackwell: 2021. p. 59–60.

6.
Sertich PL: Cervix adhesions. In: McKinnon AO, Squires EL, Vaala WE, et al: editors. Equine Reproduction. 2nd edition, Philadelphia, PA: Blackwell Publishing: 2011. p. 2721–2723.

7.
Rodriguez J, Pearson LK, Tibary A: Infertility and subfertility in the female camelid. In: Cebra C, Anderson DE, Tibary A, et al: editors. Llama and Alpaca Care. 1st edition, New York; Elsevier: 2014. p. 216–242.

8.
Jhonson SD, Root Kustritz MV, Olsen PN: Disorders of the canine uterus and uterine tubes (oviducts). In: Canine and Feline Theriogenology. 1st edition, Philadelphia, PA; Saunders: 2001. p. 206–221.

9.
Brinsko S: Amputation of the mare’s cervix for the treatment of pyometra. Clinical Theriogenology 2023;15:27–30. doi: 10.58292/ct.v15.9625

10.
Arnold CE, Brinsko SP, Varner DD: Cervical wedge resection for treatment of pyometra secondary to transluminal cervical adhesions in six mares. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2015;246:1354–1357. doi: 10.2460/javma.246.12.1354

11.
Krohn J, Ennen S, Hospes R, et al: Use of a cervical stent for long-term treatment of pyometra in the mare: a report of three cases. Reprod Domest Anim 2019;54:1155–1159. doi: 10.1111/rda.13480

12.
Gallacher K, Kolovou E: Long-term treatment of a fungal pyometra with a modified cervical stent and GnRH vaccination. Equine Vet J 2025;57:23–23. doi: 10.1111/evj.70017

13.
Freeman DE, Rötting AK, Köllman M, et al: Ovariohysterectomy in mares: 17 cases (1988-2007). Proc Am Assoc Equine Pract 2007; p. 370–373.

14.
Thurston CC, Sertich PL, McDonnell SM, et al: Standing hand-assisted laparoscopic ovariohysterectomy to treat chronic pyometra in a mare. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2024;262:1–3. doi: 10.2460/javma.23.11.0646. PMID: 38183780.

15.
McCue PM, Ferris RA: The abnormal estrous cycle. In: AO McKinnon, EL Squires, WE Vaala, et al: editors. Equine Reproduction. 2nd edition, Philadelphia, PA; Blackwell Publishing: 2011. p. 1754–1768.

16.
Dadarwal D, Palmer C: Postpartum uterine infections. In: Hopper RM: editor. Bovine Reproduction. 2nd edition, Hoboken, NJ; John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Companion website: 2021. p. 639–650.

17.
Karstrup CC, Pedersen HG, Jensen TK, et al: Bacterial invasion of the uterus and oviducts in bovine pyometra. Theriogenology 2017;93:93–98. doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2017.01.027

18.
Woodford NS, Payne RJ, McCluskie LK: Laparoscopically assisted ovariohysterectomy in three mares with pyometra. Equine Vet Educ 2014;26:75–78. doi: 10.1111/eve.12094

19.
Prestes N, Medrado F, Rodrigues L, et al: Total hysterectomy as treatment for recurrent chronic pyometra in mares with total cervical adhesion–Case Report. J Equine Vet Sci 2018;63:61–64. doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2018.01.004

20.
Pasch L, Parente E, Dobbie T: Pyometra and cervical wedge resection in a mare. Clinical Theriogenology 2017;9:217–222. doi: 10.58292/ct.v9.10076
Published
2026-08-31
How to Cite
Prado , E., Hartsell , A., Collar , E., Baldwin , L., Prado , D., Drum , T., Short , C., Parker , P., Strickland , L., & Prado , T. (2026). Alternative approach for managing pyometra in mares. Clinical Theriogenology, 18. https://doi.org/10.58292/CT.v18.14412
Section
Technique Reports

Most read articles by the same author(s)