Which clinical signs are associated with Contagious Equine Metritis?

Which clinical signs are associated with Contagious Equine Metritis?

• A. Temporary infertility in mares, white mucopurulent vaginal discharge, cervicitis
• B. Coughing and nasal discharge
• C. Lameness
• D. Skin lesions

Answer: (A)

Contagious equine metritis is a venereal infection in mares caused by Taylorella equigenitalis. The hallmark mare signs are cervicitis with a white, mucopurulent vaginal discharge that appears after breeding, often accompanied by temporary infertility due to an inflamed and hostile uterine environment for embryo development. These features—cervicitis, mucopurulent discharge, and transient infertility—are the classic clinical presentation. Rationale for why the other signs don’t fit: coughing and nasal discharge point to a respiratory illness, lameness suggests musculoskeletal disease, and skin lesions indicate dermatologic conditions. None of these are characteristic of CEM.

Contagious equine metritis is a venereal infection in mares caused by Taylorella equigenitalis. The hallmark mare signs are cervicitis with a white, mucopurulent vaginal discharge that appears after breeding, often accompanied by temporary infertility due to an inflamed and hostile uterine environment for embryo development. These features—cervicitis, mucopurulent discharge, and transient infertility—are the classic clinical presentation.

Rationale for why the other signs don’t fit: coughing and nasal discharge point to a respiratory illness, lameness suggests musculoskeletal disease, and skin lesions indicate dermatologic conditions. None of these are characteristic of CEM.