Difference between revisions of "Rectal Tear - Horse"
| Line 16: | Line 16: | ||
==Clinical signs== | ==Clinical signs== | ||
| − | The first indication | + | Many rectal tears occur unknown to the examiner. The first indication that a tear has occurred may be the presence of fresh blood on the rectal sleeve following rectal examination. The veterinarian may be aware of a sudden release in pressure or increase in space when performing rectal examination. |
Revision as of 19:33, 10 August 2010
 |
This article is still under construction. |
Description
Rectal tears are serious injuries in the horse, most commonly occurring as a result of rectal examination by veterinarians. Other less common causes include dystocia, ruptured haematomas, spinal fractures, strictures and thromboembolism. Rectal tears may occur in horses of all ages although nervous or young horses are more often affected. Arabaians and small horses are also more prone to developing tears.
Rectal tears are classified according to the layers of the bowel wall.
- Grade 1) Involves the mucosa only.
- Grade 2) Mucosal and submucosal tears
Grade 3) Tears involving the muscularis. Only the serosa is intact Grade 4) Complete tear with leakage of faecal material into the abdomen
Clinical signs
Many rectal tears occur unknown to the examiner. The first indication that a tear has occurred may be the presence of fresh blood on the rectal sleeve following rectal examination. The veterinarian may be aware of a sudden release in pressure or increase in space when performing rectal examination.