Page 502 - Equine Clinical Medicine, Surgery and Reproduction, 2nd Edition

Reproductive system: 2.1 The female reproductive tr act 477

VetBooks.ir 2.80 2.81

2.82 2.83 2.84

Figs. 2.80–2.84 (2.80) A Thoroughbred mare is presented with a history of sustaining a third-degree
perineal tear 8 weeks previously. It has partially healed at the level of the vulva. (2.81) After suitable preparation
the tear is about to be repaired. The part of the vulva that has healed has been sharply severed, revealing the
third-degree tear. The gloved hand is in the vagina and the black hole leads into the rectum. (2.82) The rectal
(upper) and vaginal (lower) shelves are being created following careful dissection and the insertion of simple
interrupted vertical mattress sutures in the deep layers of each structure. (2.83) The repair of the shelves is
almost complete, and the perineal body is about to be constructed. (2.84) The completed one-stage repair is
finished with careful closure of the skin of the perineal body and anal ring.

Management
Careful observation at foaling may allow early detec- the severity of any injury. If the foal is presented with
tion of problems involving the forefeet and the vagi- its limb(s) penetrating into the rectum and possibly
nal mucosa and allow immediate cranial repulsion of protruding from the anus, repulsion may be possible,
the foal and redirection of the limbs. This will limit thereby at least saving the perineal body and ventral