Vaginal rupture associated with herniation of abdominal viscera in pregnant ewes

Seventeen cases of vaginal rupture with herniation of abdominal organs were examined. The injury consisted of a dorsal tear in the vagina and, most frequently, evisceration of the bowel. The tear was accompanied by extensive vaginal bleeding. Serum calcium concentrations were low in the affected cases and the concentrations of beta-hydroxybutyric acid and urea were high. The average age of the affected ewes was four years (range 3 to 6). They were generally in poor condition and carrying more than one fetus (2.7 lambs per ewe) although younger ewes and ewes in good condition were also affected. No primiparous ewes were affected. Ten of the 17 ewes were found dead and six were humanely destroyed; in one, the injury was repaired surgically but the ewe died 48 hours later.     

Uterine rupture in a mare

This report involves uterine rupture in a mare, which was unique because it was not associated with assisted or difficult foaling. We describe an alternative to surgical correction of the condition and illustrate the need for luminal uterine palpation, so that uterine rupture does not go undiagnosed.     

Transmural rectal intestinal evisceration associated with parturition in a primiparous mare

A 6-year-old, primiparous standardbred mare was presented with a history of intestinal protrusion from the rectum shortly after parturition. A subacute grade IV rectal tear was diagnosed. The unusual nature of the tear led to speculation of a possible owner palpation accident. A grave prognosis was given and the mare was euthanized.     

Hydramnios causing uterine rupture in a mare

An 18-year-old mare, 285 days pregnant, was evaluated for apparent abdominal pain of 8 hours' duration. A large volume of sanguinous fluid was obtained on abdominocentesis, and digital vaginal examination revealed a dilated cervix and blood in the uterus. Abdominal palpation per rectum revealed the uterus to be large and distended with fluid. Ultrasonography revealed a dead fetus on the floor of the cranial portion of the abdomen. The mare was euthanatized, and necropsy confirmed that the uterus had ruptured, and that the fetus, within its chorioallantois, was in the abdomen. The amniotic sac contained approximately 96 L of amniotic fluid. Torsion of the amniotic sac separated the fetus from the fluid-filled compartment. Hydramnios was diagnosed on the basis of the excessive amniotic fluid and was believed to be the cause of the uterine rupture.     

Prepubic tendon rupture in the mare

The following article discusses the clinical appearance, diagnosis, management and prognosis of abdominal wall tearing and prepubic tendon (PPT) ruptures of mares.     

Successful treatment of traumatic oesophageal rupture with severe cellulitis in a mare

A five-year-old standardbred mare suffered a cervical oesophageal rupture subsequent to a kick. Marked cellulitis and extensive soft tissue damage resulted. Treatment consisted of creating an oesophageal fistula, local debridement and systemic antibiotics. The mare made a long but successful recovery. Treatment of oesophageal rupture in the horse is discussed.     

Penetrating thoracic injury with associated abdominal visceral involvement in a mare

A mare was presented for evaluation of a penetrating thoracic injury. Surgical exploration of the thoracic wound was performed, revealing diaphragmatic perforation and the presence of a foreign body lodged in the right dorsal colon. The foreign body was removed through the thoracic deficit, the colon repaired and the thoracic wound closed utilising a latissimus dorsi muscle flap. It can be concluded that successful management of thoracic wounds with concurrent abdominal viscera involvement is achievable if minimal contamination is evident. In addition reconstruction of large thoracic defects with primary muscle flaps is a viable option in the horse.     

Tracheal rupture in a native pony mare associated with a condition resembling tracheobronchopathia osteochondroplastica

A 5‐year‐old pony presented with sudden onset of severe respiratory distress associated with tracheal rupture and peritracheal emphysema. Subsequent endoscopic examination revealed multiple mucosal nodules protruding into the tracheal lumen. Biopsy of the tracheal wall revealed well‐demarcated submucosal cartilagenous/osseous nodules. The appearance was considered to resemble tracheobronchopathia osteochondroplastica.     

Small-colon rupture attributable to granulosa cell tumor in a mare

A large granulosa cell tumor was believed to be responsible for causing obstruction and subsequent rupture of the small colon in a 10-year-old Quarter Horse mare. Two months earlier, a mass, tentatively diagnosed as granulosa cell tumor of the left ovary, had been identified by means of rectal palpation and ultrasonography. The mare was evaluated for clinical signs of acute, severe, abdominal pain, increased heart rate, cyanotic mucous membranes, clinical dehydration, with high PCV, leukopenia, and extreme abdominal distension. A large soft tissue mass and taut band that constricted the lumen of the small colon were palpable per rectum. Septic peritonitis was diagnosed on the basis of results of abdominocentesis. Exploratory surgery revealed extensive fecal contamination of the abdominal viscera, and the mare was euthanatized because of the resultant poor prognosis. At necropsy, the small colon was occluded by a taut, left broad ligament and the ovarian mass that was proved to be a granulosa cell tumor. The occlusion had caused impaction of the small colon, with subsequent perforation at the level of the broad ligament.     

Mammary secretions in normal spontaneous and induced premature parturition in the mare

Total calcium, total protein, albumin and globulin content were determined in 49 samples of mammary secretions from 37 crossbred and Thoroughbred mares. The mares were divided into three categories: Group 1--post partum samples from spontaneous full term Thoroughbred deliveries (n = 20); Group 2--pre- and post partum samples from spontaneous full term Thoroughbred deliveries (n = 6); Group 3--pre- and post partum samples from induced premature deliveries in crossbred mares (n = 11). Calcium concentrations of the mammary secretions proved useful in predicting full term and also in assessment of the chances of foal survival in prematurely induced parturition. Mean (+/- se) calcium levels in full term mares that foaled spontaneously (Group 1) were 10.6 +/- 2.7 mmol/litre on the day of parturition. However lower values than this did not necessarily mean parturition would not take place. In Group 2 mares, calcium levels were 4.1 +/- 0.8 mmol/litre just before foaling and rose to 9.2 +/- 1.5 mmol/litre within 20 mins of parturition; an increase of 124 per cent. Group 3 mares, induced prematurely, showed poor foal survival if pre-partum calcium levels were less than 3 mmol/litre. Total protein, albumin and globulin concentrations showed a similar trend but the increase just before or during parturition was much less marked.     

Diaphragmatic herniation as a cause of lethargy and exercise intolerance in a mare.

A diaphragmatic hernia in which 90% of the large colon had herniated through a 16-cm linear tear in the diaphragm was found in a 12-year-old Quarter Horse mare. Clinical signs included lethargy and exercise intolerance. Diagnosis of diaphragmatic hernia was made based on careful thoracic auscultation, combined with ultrasonographic and radiographic examination of the thorax.     

A critical review of current methods for induction of parturition in the mare.

The efficacy and safety of oxytocin, dexamethasone and prostaglandin, used alone or in combination as inducing agents, are discussed. It is contended that insufficient evidence exists to support the routine application of any of these methods in practice. Oxytocin has been the most widely used and it is claimed by some to be free from side effects. However, the synthetic prostaglandin analogue, fluprostenol, seems to pose the least risk to the foetus and dexamethasone appears to be either ineffective, or too dangerous to use at all. The main indications for induced foaling are managerial convenience or for research and teaching purposes. There are few clinical indications, although ventral rupture and cases of prolonged gestation have been mentioned by various workers. It is considered that foetal maturity is the pre-requisite before a decision to induce should be made in practice, and 3 criteria are essential: 1) a gestational length of greater than 320 days, 2) substantial mammary development, 3) the presence of colostrum in the mammae.