What does blood coming from pregant mare's teat mean?

Question

I have a maiden mare, due now, with blood coming from the left teat when I test her milk. She does not have bleeding, unless she is milked, which is necessary to test for impending foaling. The right teat fluid is normal. The vet has no answers and no recommended treatment. There is no heat, swelling or obvious pain in the area. This does not seem normal to me, and I am a pretty experienced breeder. I haven't found anything on search addressing this problem. The foal should be born within the next week, and I would like to clear this up. Just looking for ideas or previous experience with this problem. Thanks!

Answer 1

Some colostrum is so dark it looks bloody but I should warn you that this has also been a regular sign in mares that have EHV. Your vet will have to do a blood test to determine the cause, but I'll prepare you for the worst seeing as EHV has become very aggressive in the horse breeding world.

Also I've been a breeder for well over 40 years and have never milked any of my mares- that can cause veins in her teats to rupture if done to early or too much.

Answer 2

It's not entirely uncommon, but it is worthy of concern. You might want to get on a veterinary website to look for answers from veterinary associations. It's odd that there is no swelling or pain and her teat fluid is normal. I have never been a breeder but I've been around horses all my life (Mr. Wiggins says "hi.") and I've heard of this happening before, but never what the cause or treatment is.

Answer 3

You probably know as much as anyone, so this is just a guess, but it makes me wonder if perhaps she's in the early stages of mastitis or an udder infection and it just hasn't become warm yet.

I don't mean to scare you, but in humans blood from a nipple may indicate breast cancer, so it does seem like something to be watching carefully.

Answer 4

it might just be a milk duck trying to get ready for the baby. or it might be and infection.