In : Recent Advances in Equine Neonatal Care

Introduction Uroperitoneum has been recognized as a syndrome in foals for over 50 years [1,2]. Traditionally, it has been thought to present most frequently in the 24 36 hour old male foal during the post-parturient period [2-4]. Previous reports had a proportionately larger affected male than female population [2,3,5]. It was hypothesized that colts were more at risk due to their long narrow high resistance urethra that was less likely to allow bladder emptying, resulting in rupture of a full bladder during parturition when high pressures were applied focally or circumferentially around the bladder [1,6-8]. Rupture or disruption of any structure of the urinary tract can occur. Of the case studies reviewed, 8 of 16 foals with an identified site of rupture in one study, and 24 of 31 foals in another, had a bladder defect [4,9]. The dorsal wall of the bladder has been reported to be a frequent disruption site, with the ventral wall less likely to be involved [4,6,9]. The urachus appears to be the next most commonly affected structure. A few cases of ureteral and urethral defects have been reported [4,5]. Sepsis does not appear to favor one site over the others [9].