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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
The first indication of a rectal tear may be the presence of fresh blood on the rectal sleeve following rectal examination.