This article originally appeared in the Winter 2025 issue of EquiManagement. Sign up herefor a FREE subscription to EquiManagement’s quarterly digital or print magazine and any special issues.Mares with poor perineal conformation are most at risk of ascending placentitis. | Adobe Stock
Equine placentitis is one of the most common causes of late-term (8-10 months gestation) pregnancy loss in horses, contributing to 20-30% of pregnancy losses worldwide. Placentitis can take one of three forms:
Ascending from bacterial or fungal contamination.
Diffuse or multifocal placentitis from hematogenous spread of infection elsewhere in the body.
Nocardioform (focal mucoid) placentitis identified in Kentucky. It’s sometimes associated with Amycolatopsis spp. and/or Crossiella equi infection, but the cause remains poorly understood.
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