Prepubic tendon rupture in Santa Inês ewe – case report

Resumo

Prepubic tendon rupture may lead to the loss of pelvic floor
support. A four-year-old Santa Inês ewe had been reported suffering from
apathy, progressive weight loss throughout ten days, and prolonged
pregnancy. Physical exams showed an excessive pendulous abdomen, a
mild ventral edema between the udder and the umbilical scar (xiphoid
region). 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 presence
of ketone bodies. The ultrasound examination confirmed the presence of
fetuses with normal development, and a potential rupture of the
abdominal muscles was excluded. Eight days following its hospitalization,
labor induction was carried out using dexamethasone (20mg, IM, single
application). She went into labor three days after the initial dose of
corticosteroid. The ewe had difficulty expelling the lambs, making their
traction necessary. Although the animal has recovered from its injuries,
the clinical picture shows prepubic tendon rupture, and in order to prevent
future complications, the ewe is not going to breed anymore. The report of
this case works as an alert to the possibility of the occurrence of this
affection in ewes and demonstrates the need of parturition assistance in
animals with this condition, which can be diagnosed through clinical
evaluation and ultrasound examination.