Equis ISSN 2398-2977

Prepubic tendon: rupture

Introduction

• Separation of ventral abdominal musculature including from its attachment to the pelvis.
• Cause: heavy pregnant uterus in light breed mare; prolonged excessive ventral edema; hydrops of placental membranes, trauma, twinning.
• Signs: sudden ventral displacement of caudal abdomen with edema and cranial displacement of the udder, with painful ventral edema cranial to udder and elevated tail head.
• Diagnosis: physical examination, rectal palpation, ultrasonography.
• Treatment: support abdomen until parturition; induce parturition when appropriate.
• Prognosis: poor to grave for mare. Prognosis for future fertility if mare survives also grave, unless embryo transfer allowed by stud books.

Pathogenesis

Etiology

• Heavy pregnant uterus in older, unfit mares.
• Prolonged excessive ventral edema.
• Increased uterine weight in pregnancy due to:
  • Hydrops of fetal membranes Uterus: hydroallantois / hydroamnios.
  • Twins Twinning.

Predisposing factors

General

• Draught breeds.
• Old mares, often multiparous.
• Prepubic tendon rupture can be a sequel of hydroallantois, hydroamnios and twinning.
• Trauma.
• Abdominal wall infection.
• May occur spontaneously, without any predisposing factors.

Pathophysiology

• Rupture of prepubic tendon and/or abdominal muscles can occur together or separately in late-pregnant mares.
• Heavy pregnant uterus → increased weight on ventral abdomen → separation of ventral abdominal musculature from its attachment to the pelvis via the prepubic tendon or internally → sudden appearance of ventral displacement of caudal abdomen → accompanying edema.
• Mare becomes progessively more uncomfortable and unable to move.
• Rupture of the uterine vessels can occur.

Timecourse

• Acute.

Diagnosis

Treatment

Prevention

Outcomes