Complications Related to the Use of Intrauterine Glass Marbles in Mares

Use of toy intrauterine glass marbles may lead to chronic endometritis, pyometra, and fragments of glass becoming embedded in the endometrium. Authors’ addresses: Western College of Veterinary Medicine, Clinical Sciences, Department of Large Animal, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5B4, Canada (Diel de Amorim, Nairn, Manning, Card); Ontario Veterinary College, Department of Population Medicine, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada (Chenier); and 3661 15th Avenue, Prince George, BC, V2N 1A3, Canada (Green); e-mail: amorimm@uoguelph.ca.

1. Introduction

The effectiveness of intrauterine glass marbles for estrus suppression in mares varies in studies from 11-41.3%, but their use is still common practice. The purpose of this study was to describe a case series of five mares that developed complications related to intrauterine marble(s).

2. Materials and Methods

The history, reproductive examinations, cytologic, and microbial information from 6 mares with intrauterine glass marbles were reviewed. Intrauterine marbles were retrieved manually or under hysteroscopic guidance.

3. Results and Discussion

Three mares had 1 and 2 mares had 2 intrauterine glass marble(s), 5/5 mares had marbles for > 1 year, 2/5 had chronic endometritis, and 3/5 had pyometra. A marble or glass shards were adhered to the endometrium in 3/5 mares. This report demonstrates that the long term use of toy intrauterine glass marbles may have severe deleterious effects on reproductive health. 

Acknowledgments

The Authors would like to thank the rDVMs.

Conflict of Interest

The Authors declare no conflicts of interest.