THE MANAGEMENT OF EQUINE HIGH-RISK PREGNANCY

Equine high risk pregnancies are those that have the potential to resu lt in death or disability of the mare or fetus. The danger can be caus ed by conditions of either the mare or the fetus. Maternal conditions are usually easier to diagnose than fetal conditions. These limitation s in the determination of the extent of compromise can complicate deci sion making because the perinatologist's most important judgment is es timating the likelihood of maternal and fetal survival. A treatment pl an is formulated by coordinating the owner's wishes and financial comm itment with this clinical assessment.