Epidemiology of equine abortion in varying locales

Abstract

Equine abortion is a significant challenge that horse owners and breeders worldwide face, with incidence rates and causes varying based on geographic location. Causes of abortion are typically categorized as infectious, involving bacteria or viruses infecting the placenta, fetus, or mare, or non-infectious, which are caused by placental or fetal abnormalities or insufficiencies. Additionally, idiopathic (no known cause) abortions are commonly seen, proving a need for further education and diagnostic testing. Epidemiology studies that have been performed globally were examined, and appear to present with differing primary causes of late gestation loss in each breeding locale. Additionally, a survey was sent out to people involved in the field of equine reproduction in an attempt to gain insight between differences in care of mares around the world and causes of abortion. There were 289 total respondents from Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, New Zealand, North America, and South America, and 249 total responses from North America (n=189), Europe (n=41), and Australia (n=19) were further pursued due to the power of analysis. It was interpreted that preventable causes of abortion are still high, considering current technologies available for utilization, and that improved diagnostics as well as increased availability of necropsies is needed.