Figure 1
Case history and clinical findings : A 24-year-old Italian
Trotter mare was referred to the Equine Surgery Unit, Department of
Veterinary Medicine, Bologna University, with an history of bilateral
perineal swelling. On the right side, the hernia was probably chronic
due to the persistent bulge and to the presence of a cutaneous abrasion.
On the left side instead, the bulging was not appreciable at the time of
admission, and the skin of the area did not report any visible abrasion.
In fact, only one acute episode of left perineal herniation had been
reported by the referral veterinarian who had reduced the hernia with
difficulty (Figure 2). During this episode, the mare showed signs of
colic until the hernia was reduced. The referral veterinarian feared
recurrent colic episodes and possible bowel incarceration, and
therefore, in accordance with the owner, decided to hospitalise the
mare.