Use our Animal Care Library for quick, easy access to our most common animal care problems. Use our Animal Care Library for quick, easy access to our most common animal care problems. Use our Animal Care Library for quick, easy access to our most common animal care problems.
Hairy caterpillars are now proven causes of horse abortions and the birth of sick foals. Breeding horses is a roller coaster ride and over the years the improvements in management by owners, information and research available to veterinarians, vaccinations and the availability of advanced equiptment, has lead to improvements in breeding success and efficiency.
One thing that has recently got a lot of interest is abortions related to the hairy caterpillars. The link between these caterpillars and horse abortions was first suspected in 2001. Now it is recognised in many areas with several different breeds of these caterpillars.
The current research suggests that mares can abort from eating whole caterpillars and also from eating parts of the carterpillars. The important parts of the caterpillar are the skins that they shed when they are growing. These skins are left behind in the 'bags' when the caterpillars move out of the trees and can blow about in the breeze for large distances as each skin can weigh as little as 0.01 of a gram. The abortions in mares can be early term or late term abortions.
The early term abortions often have no signs that the mare has lost her foal and have been reported between 32-140 days of pregnancy. Some mares loosing their foals at this stage will show a vaginal discharge as the only external sign.
The late abortions have been found from mid-term pregnancy through to full term pregnancy and most mares do not show any signs prior to aborting. Some foals go through the full pregnancy and then are delivered with intact membranes ('red bag' deliveries) and the foal may not survive even with intensive care.
Frequently asked questions, hairballs, cat fight abcesses, constipation and more... Learn more...
Greasy heel, wounds and lacerations, hairy caterpillars and abortions, hoof abcesses and more... Learn more...
Vet Cross Bundaberg Hospital
2 Inglis Court
(07) 4151 5044
info@vetcross.com.au
Mon-Fri: 8am - 6pm
Saturday: 9am - 3pm
Available for emergencies 24/7
Vet Cross Gin Gin
48 Mulgrave Street
(07) 4157 3991
gingin@vetcross.com.au
Mon-Fri: 9am - 5pm
Sat: 9am - 12pm (nurse only)
Vet Cross Bargara
Bargara Central Shopping Centre,
Shop 19/699 Bargara Rd
(07) 4130 5003
bargara@vetcross.com.au
Mon-Fri: 9am - 5pm
Sat: 9am - 12pm (nurse only)
Vet Cross Pet Store
2 Inglis Court
(07) 4152 5939
petstore@vetcross.com.au
Mon-Fri: 8am - 5:30pm
Saturday: 9am - 3pm