Repair of urinary bladder rupture through a urethrotomy and urethral sphincterotomy in four postpartum mares.
OBJECTIVE
To report the clinical findings, surgical technique, and outcome after repair of urinary bladder rupture through a urethral incision in postpartum mares.


METHODS
Retrospective study.


METHODS
Four Thoroughbred broodmares.


METHODS
Medical records were reviewed for clinical signs, surgical technique, medical therapy, and outcome. The bladder was everted into the vagina through a urethral incision that included a sphincterotomy. The bladder defect was repaired with absorbable suture material in a single-layer, full thickness, simple, continuous pattern. The urethral incision was closed similarly.


RESULTS
Depression, inappetence, signs of shock, dehydration, azotemia, and serum electrolyte abnormalities were consistent findings that increased temporally after bladder rupture. Each bladder defect was repaired successfully, and metabolic derangements were corrected with supportive medical therapy. All mares survived, conceived, and had more foals without further complications


CONCLUSIONS
Bladder rupture associated with parturition in mares can be repaired in a standing position by eversion of the bladder through a urethrotomy and urethral sphincterotomy.
Higuchi
Tohru
T
Mitsuishi Animal Clinic Center, Mitsuishi, Hokkaido, Japan.
Nanao
Yuki
Y
Senba
Hiroyuki
H
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006736:Horses / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012421:Rupture / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary; D016717:Sphincterotomy, Endoscopic / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014521:Urethra / Q000601:surgery; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000293:injuries*; D013520:Urologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*