Learnmares38 reprodexam speculum apr09 （Learnmares38 reprodexam镜apr09）.pdfVIP

SPECULUM EXAMINATION Patrick M. McCue DVM, PhD, Diplomate American College of Theriogenologists A vaginal speculum examination is a routine The appearance of the vaginal portion of the component of a mare reproductive cervix varies with season, stage of the evaluation. The goals of a speculum exam- estrous cycle, pregnancy status, and ination are to evaluate anatomic presence of infection. The cervix of a non- characteristics of the cervix relative to stage cycling mare (i.e. a mare in winter anestrus) of the estrous cycle and to detect abnormal appears pale, dry and may be open. When a conditions of the vagina and cervix, such as mare is cycling and in heat, the cervix urine pooling, inflammation, trauma, and relaxes onto the floor of the anterior vagina, vaginal varicose veins. The procedure takes becomes edematous, pink and is moistened only a few minutes to perform and uses a with clear mucus. After ovulation, as minimum amount of equipment. progesterone levels increase, the cervix becomes pale and dry, is tightly closed, and To perform the examination, the mare’s tail is elevated off the floor of the vagina. The is wrapped and her perineum washed with cervix of a pregnant mare is tightly closed mild soap and water, rinsed thoroughly and and may be covered by a thick sticky mucus dried with paper towels. A disposable