Uterine rupture as a postpartum complication in two mares.

The research study investigates two cases of uterine rupture in postpartum mares experiencing abdominal pain and hemorrhagic vaginal discharges. One mare was managed with medical treatments, while the other underwent surgical uterus repair followed by peritonitis treatment.

Case Presentation

• The research paper presents two cases of uterine rupture diagnosed in postpartum mares. Both animals showed similar symptoms: abdominal pain (observable through behaviors like pawing at the ground, kicking at their abdomen, or attempting to roll), and hemorrhagic vaginal discharge.

Diagnostic Methods

• Peritoneal fluid analysis was conducted to help establish a diagnosis in both cases. The first mare exhibited a high number of Red Blood Cells (RBC) in the peritoneal fluid and was found to be anemic.
• On the other hand, the peritoneal fluid of the second mare contained numerous RBC, degenerate neutrophils (indicative of an infection), and both intracellular and extracellular bacteria.

Treatment Approaches

• The first mare was medically treated using a regimen that included oxytocin (a hormone that helps the uterus contract), antibiotics (to fight bacterial infections), and a blood transfusion (to combat anemia). This non-surgical approach not only stabilized the animal’s condition but also allowed the mare to successfully raise her foal to the weaning age.
• Contrarily, the second mare underwent surgery to repair the ruptured uterus. Post-surgery, she was treated for peritonitis (an inflammation of the peritoneum, a tissue that lines the inner walls of the abdomen and covers most abdominal organs), likely resulting from the presence of bacteria in her peritoneal fluid. Notably, this mare was able to conceive again sometime after her recovery.