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.