Splenectomy in a foal to control intra‐abdominal haemorrhage caused by splenic rupture

Intra‐abdominal haemorrhage in horses can be due to rupture of the spleen and may result in severe blood loss. The assessment and resuscitation of a foal that collapsed due to intra‐abdominal haemorrhage is presented. Diagnosis of the source of the blood loss required exploratory laparotomy and confirmed splenic capsular rupture and haemorrhage. Splenectomy using a 17th rib resection approach was used to control the haemorrhage. Complications included acute cardiac muscle damage, which was monitored using echocardiography and troponin I levels. The successful surgical management of the ongoing blood loss in this foal suggests that splenectomy should be considered an option to control severe blood loss due to splenic rupture.