Hypochlorous acid as a potential treatment for bacterial endometritis in the mare: A pilot study

bacterial screening with samples from urethral fossa (UF), urethral orifice (UO), penile sheath (PS) and pre-ejaculatory fluid (PF) isolated PA from UF, UO, and PF with antimicrobial sensitivity only to amikacin.Data collection: Clinical details extracted from patients' medical records.Clinical observations: Initially, penile treatment with warm water cleansing, rinsing with 0.03% hypochlorous acid (LEUcillin 1 ), followed by application of 1% silver sulfadiazine cream (Flamazine 2 ) was performed under light sedation (4 g/kg of both detomidine hydrochloride and butorphanol) once daily for 7 consecutive days.On the 4th day, PA was isolated from UO only.On the 5th day, chemically induced ejaculation revealed pyospermia and pure growth of PA with identical sensitivity pattern.Trans-rectal ultrasound examination of accessory sex glands and urinary bladder revealed findings consistent with seminal vesiculitis.Urethroscopy was performed under standing sedation using aseptic precautions, including trans-endoscopic cathe-24 ABSTRACT ulcerative lesion that resolved, and one mare changed from grade 1 to grade 2b over the study period.Main limitations: Small numbers, limited follow-up, lack of control group.Conclusions: HOCl is effective in killing common bacteria causing equine endometritis and warrants further investigation as a nonantibiotic treatment in mares.