Mare lactating but not in foal

[spoo]

Hi everyone

Had my mare 15 months. Came from someone I knew who had had her 18 months. No chance she could be pregnant.

Tonight I notice she has a large amount of milk. So I’m thinking false pregnancy? Research also says Cushing can cause lactation but she has no symptoms.

I’ll be calling the vet on Monday, but has anyone had any experience of false pregnancies in mares? What’s the treatment?

Thank you!

 

[Squidge_94]

Mastitis would be my first guess. Mares that have never had a foal can get it too. They can run "milk" its actually the infection. Any heat in teets? Swollen or uncomfortable when touched?

 

[poiuytrewq]

I was going to say mastitis
I know… I had it once and I wasn’t in foal either

 

[Melody Grey]

Mastitis would be my first guess. Mares that have never had a foal can get it too. They can run "milk" its actually the infection. Any heat in teets? Swollen or uncomfortable when touched?

Not experienced in this area so can’t comment, other than to say if this is suspected OP, please call your vet for advice, don’t wait until Monday if there’s infection potential!

 

[spoo]

Mastitis would be my first guess. Mares that have never had a foal can get it too. They can run "milk" its actually the infection. Any heat in teets? Swollen or uncomfortable when touched?

No, not heat at all. Doesn’t mind them being touched either.

 

[Gloi]

If your more isn't young I'd ask for a Cushing's test when the vet comes.

 

[LadyGascoyne]

Is she grazing on a lot of buttercups? I seem to remember them being a cause of lactation in non-pregnant mares.

 

[spoo]

Is she grazing on a lot of buttercups? I seem to remember them being a cause of lactation in non-pregnant mares.

No absolutely none

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I would want the vet to come out tomorrow

 

[meleeka]

Mine had it when I first got her. We never did find out the cause, but a guess was a change in diet. She had a course of Danilon in case of inflammation. I think mastitis is usually quite sore, so I wouldn’t panic too much.

 

[SmartieBean09]

My mate produces milk and can suffer with mastitis during summer. Clover/buttercups is usually the culprit. Vet said it was due to sugars in the grass.

 

[Fransurrey]

The science is debatable, but clover is high in phyto-oestrogens. My own mare bagged up in a field full of it. It's never happened since.

 

[AandK]

My late mare had this for a few summers, something in the grass I think, the field had a lot of clover.

 

[Gloi]

What did the vet say OP

 

[spoo]

What did the vet say OP

That it’s very common this time of year. Cushings test negative so she said not to overthink it and most cases resolve by themselves.

 

[Ollys crew]

That it’s very common this time of year. Cushings test negative so she said not to overthink it and most cases resolve by themselves.

That sounds good news... out of interest, is the bagging in both the teats or just one?

 

[Hobo2]

Clover is usually the culprit which is why I hate the stuff which when you are surrounded by organic farmers is not something you can say in company . Weirdly I have never had a problem with alfa products which are also a legume.