Post-partum utero-ovarian artery rupture in mare / Ruptura da artéria útero-ovariana em égua no pós-parto

ABSTRACT

Background: Arterial rupture associated with pregnancy is an important cause of fatal hemorrhage in pregnant mares, regardless breeds and age. Such hemorrhagic events lead to blood loss into the abdomen, broad ligament and uterus and the broad ligament hematoma occurs as a consequence of arterial rupture. Although the rupture of the uterine artery is commonly caused by hemorrhage, there are few studies regarding this condition. Therefore, the aim of this study was to describe a case of rupture of the utero-ovarian artery, with broad ligament hematoma and intramural uterine hematoma in a Thoroughbred mare, emphasizing the predisposing factors and the diagnosis process. Case A 13-year-old Thoroughbred mare, with nine parturition, was attended with abdominal pain after foaling. The mare had an eutocic delivery, however the foal was a big one to the race, with high of 1,02 m and weight of 68 kg. The animal arrived at the Veterinary Clinical Hospital 48 h after delivery, with abdominal pain, pale mucous membranes, heart rate slightly increased. The trans-rectal palpation revealed the presence of a solid mass in the left horn region, and it was painful to the touch. The ultrasonography evaluation of the mass showed a heterogeneous texture with a hypoechoic central area, which reinforced the clinical suspicion of a hematoma in the broad ligament and a uterine intramural hematoma. [...]