Infectious endometritis in a 12-year-old Sudan country-bred mare: A case report

Abstract

Endometritis, which is the inflammation of the endometrium, has various causes and is a major factor in mare infertility. The lack of thorough reporting on infectious endometritis hinders our understanding and management of the condition. A detailed case report is essential for addressing gaps, improving understanding, and providing useful information for better reproductive outcomes and mare health in equine breeding. Here, we present a case of infectious endometritis in a 12- year-old Sudan country-bred mare. The mare was presented at The Jos Polo Club, Nigeria with a history of frequent purulent vaginal discharge, vulvar winking, straining, loss of appetite, and did not respond to previous antibiotic treatment. A vaginal swab was taken for culture, biochemical tests, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Blood was drawn aseptically once to check haematological values. The leucogram showed only mild neutropenia, indicating an ongoing inflammatory response to infection. The microbiological analyses confirmed the presence of Staphylococcus aureus and supported the diagnosis of infectious endometritis. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing showed sensitivity to ciprofloxacin, cefuroxime, meropenem, cefepime, and levofloxacin. However, the mare showed resistance to erythromycin, azithromycin, doxycycline, and gentamicin. The mare was treated successfully with intravenous levofloxacin (15 mg/kg), resulting in a significant improvement in clinical signs after a seven-day treatment. This case report details the diagnostic and treatment process for infectious metritis in a Sudan country-bred mare, highlighting effective approaches and encouraging owner awareness.