Metritis is inflammation of the uterus that occurs just after giving birth. It results from the placenta being retained or severe contamination of the reproductive tract during delivery. Factors such as prolonged or complicated delivery and a retained fetus or placenta may cause metritis. The most common cause of metritis in mares is infection by Streptococcus zooepidemicus bacteria. Other bacteria, such as Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumoniae can also cause metritis. The infection is diagnosed through physical examination, monitoring body temperature, ultrasonography, and laboratory tests. The primary treatment includes the use of anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics, as well as management of the retained placenta (see Reproductive Disorders of Horses: Retained Placenta in Horses).

Last full review/revision July 2011 by Robert O. Gilbert, BVSc, MMedVet, DACT, MRCVS; Fabio Del Piero, DVM, DACVP, PhD; R. J. Erskine, DVM, PhD; Paul Nicoletti, DVM, MS; Jerome C. Nietfield, DVM, PhD, DACVP; Donald Peter, DVM, MS, DACT; Patricia L. Sertich, MS, VMD, DACT; Katrin Hinrichs, DVM, PhD, DACT; Brad E. Seguin, DVM, MS, PhD DACT