Retained placenta treatment

The treatment of retained placenta often includes i.m. oxytocin at a low dose (20 lU) every 30 min on six occasions (S. Vivrette, unpublished data, 2001) or a higher dose (up to 120 lU) every 90 to 120 min. Alternatively, oxytocin can be used... 

Mares undergoing treatment for retained placenta should have been vaccinated against tetanus within the past year. Mares that have been vaccinated adequately against tetanus but not at the time of foaling should be given tetanus toxoid to ensure sufficient protection. The routine administration of tetanus antitoxin to mares at foaling has been associated with the development of fatal hepatic necrosis (Theiler s disease). 

Increases in the baseline tone and spontaneous, rhythmic, myogenic contractions of estrogen-dominated rat uterine muscle strips were observed after treatment with an aqueous extract of devil s claw. Effective concentrations were 10 to 800 pg/ml. The authors noted that the activity was consistent with traditional use for induction or acceleration of labor, or for expulsion of retained placentas (Mahomed and Ojewole 2006). 

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