Contagious Equine Metritis (CEM)

Seek veterinary advice if you suspect this disease.

Contagious Equine Metritis (CEM) is a sexually transmitted bacterial infection affecting horses, caused by the bacterium Taylorella equigenitalis. It primarily manifests in mares, leading to inflammation of the reproductive tract and subsequent infertility.

Stallions can also carry the bacteria asymptomatically, meaning they will not show any symptoms, and transmit the infection to mares during mating.

Symptoms

Treatment

Treatment for Contagious Equine Metritis (CEM) typically involves a combination of antimicrobial therapy and reproductive management strategies.

Antibiotics, such as spectinomycin or penicillin, are commonly used to eliminate the causative bacterium, Taylorella equigenitalis, from infected horses.

Additionally, mares may require uterine lavage or infusion with antimicrobial solutions to effectively clear the infection from the reproductive tract.

In some cases, systemic antibiotics may be administered alongside local treatments to ensure thorough eradication of the bacteria. Close monitoring of affected horses, along with stringent biosecurity measures and quarantine protocols, is crucial to prevent further spread of CEM within equine populations.

Prevention

Preventing Contagious Equine Metritis primarily involves strict adherence to biosecurity measures and implementation of comprehensive testing protocols.

Key preventive measures include routine screening of breeding stallions and mares for CEM through bacteriological cultures and serological testing.

Additionally, strict quarantine of new arrivals, particularly those with unknown breeding histories, can help prevent the introduction and spread of CEM within equine populations.

Proper hygiene practices, such as thorough cleaning and disinfection of breeding equipment and facilities, are essential to minimize the risk of transmission. Collaborative efforts between veterinarians, breeders, and regulatory authorities play a crucial role in maintaining effective prevention strategies and safeguarding the equine industry against CEM outbreaks.

How Happie can help you manage your horse's health

Digital health management offers numerous benefits in modern equine healthcare.

With the Happie Horse App, you can track symptom patterns and body values, such as Temperature, Pulse and Respiration. Allowing you to notice abnormal changes in body and behaviour early on, leading to more successful treatments.

The Happie symptom checker allows you to add all of your horse's abnormal symptoms in order to present potential causes and diseases.

sexually transmitted in horses mare disease sick

Reproductive