820 Veterinary Obstetrics 



the ruptured part out through the vulva, where the injury ma}- 

 be properly sutured. 



When the ruptured organ is prolapsed, and the rupture is so 

 extensive that recovery is very doubtful, the organ should be am- 

 putated, which operation is described under " Eversion of the 

 Uterus." 



3. Rupture of the Bladder. 



Rupture of the bladder during parturition is a very rare acci- 

 dent. Fleming cites two cases, one by Furnivall (Veterinarian, 

 Vol. 33, page 377), in which a mare died very quickly after the 

 expulsion of the fetus, and a post-mortem examination revealed 

 nothing pathologic except rupture of the bladder. In the other, 

 recorded by Overed, the mare was not seriously unwell after foal- 

 ing, but it was noted that she urinated more frequently than usual 

 and the act was accompanied by pain. However, she was well 

 enough that she was bred to a stallion on the 9th daj', and it was 

 only after four weeks had elapsed that Overed was called to ex- 

 amine the animal. She later died under symptoms of peritonitis, 

 and, upon opening the abdomen, a large quantity of fluid, said 

 to be about 12 gallons, escaped, which was supposed to be urine. 

 Diffuse peritonitis was present, and a rupture existed in the 

 bladder, which communicated with the peritoneal cavity. It 

 was assumed that the fundus of the bladder was injured during 

 parturition, and that it later sloughed through. 



4. Rupture of Intestines. 



In rare instances, rupture of the intestines may occur during 

 parturition, either because they are over-filled or weakened at 

 the time, or because an intestinal loop becomes engaged between 

 the pelvic inlet and an unyielding portion of the fetus as it ad- 

 vances along the birth canal. Fleming cites Schaack as having 

 observed one instance of a rupture of the intestine by its 

 becoming compressed between the fetus and the pelvic bones. 



The symptoms of such an injury, especially in the mare, would 

 be those common to rupture of the intestine, and would con.sist 

 chiefly of collapse, with very feeble or indistinguishable pulse, 

 trembling, and cold .sweats. It is well-nigh impos.sible to make 

 a positive diagnosis of this condition during the life of the ani- 

 mal, and it can merely be suspected from the general symptoms. 

 It is not possible to apply any effective method of treatment. 



