Page 467 - Equine Clinical Medicine, Surgery and Reproduction, 2nd Edition

442 CHAPTER 2

VetBooks.ir 2.44 2.45

Figs. 2.44, 2.45 (2.44) Large Danish Warmblood mare on the day of a normal foaling. In the weeks prior to
foaling there had been increasing ventral oedema and stiffness in the mare. (2.45) Immediately post foaling, an
additional swelling had occurred on the lower right side of the abdomen.

2.46 2.47 2.48 2.49

Figs. 2.46–2.49 Ultrasonograms of the horse in 2.44 and 2.45. (2.46) Directly over the right-sided swelling
showing complete loss of the abdominal wall at the right side due to rupture; (2.47) the left side showing normal
wall thickness; (2.48) over the ventral midline revealing extensive subcutaneous oedema over a thickened
abdominal wall; (2.49) over the prepubic tendon, just cranial to the pubis, showing thickening and disruption of
the fibre pattern of the tendon.

RUPTURE OF THE VENTRAL with previous damage or abnormal pregnancies.
ABDOMINAL MUSCLES Initially, it often presents with a plaque of ventral
oedema and mild abdominal pain before drop-
Definition/overview ping of the abdomen is noted (Figs. 2.44, 2.45).
Rupture of the prepubic tendon and/or abdominus Ultrasonography of the abdominal wall can be diag-
muscles can occur in late-term pregnant brood- nostic (Figs. 2.46–2.49). Treatment may include
mares, particularly in older, multiparous animals abdominal supports, induction of and/or assistance at