Prepubic tendon rupture in Santa Inês ewe – case report

Abstract

Prepubic tendon rupture may lead to the loss of pelvic floorsupport. A four-year-old Santa Inês ewe had been reported suffering fromapathy, progressive weight loss throughout ten days, and prolongedpregnancy. Physical exams showed an excessive pendulous abdomen, amild ventral edema between the udder and the umbilical scar (xiphoidregion). Also, the udder was cranially displaced and with hematomas.Other symptoms noticed were walking reluctance, pelvic asymmetry,tachycardia, and tachypnea. The urinalysis findings indicated the presenceof ketone bodies. The ultrasound examination confirmed the presence offetuses with normal development, and a potential rupture of theabdominal muscles was excluded. Eight days following its hospitalization,labor induction was carried out using dexamethasone (20mg, IM, singleapplication). She went into labor three days after the initial dose ofcorticosteroid. The ewe had difficulty expelling the lambs, making theirtraction necessary. Although the animal has recovered from its injuries,the clinical picture shows prepubic tendon rupture, and in order to preventfuture complications, the ewe is not going to breed anymore. The report ofthis case works as an alert to the possibility of the occurrence of thisaffection in ewes and demonstrates the need of parturition assistance inanimals with this condition, which can be diagnosed through clinicalevaluation and ultrasound examination.