EXPERT OPINION CONCERNING AN INTESTINAL R UPTURE IN A MARE

The mare in question underwent a rectal examination of the ovaries. Th e following day her behaviour was completely normal. The second day sh e fell seriously ill. Post-mortem findings about one week later showed a rupture of the colon descendens of approximately 30 to 40 cm length . The caudal end of the rupture was about 60 cm cranial of the anus. I t is very improbable that there was a causal connection bet ween the r ectal examination and the rupture in question. Mares with intestinal r upture fall ill within a few hours after the rupture has occurred and are not completely normal for a whole day before they show symptoms. F urthermore the distance of about 60 cm from the anus seems too long fo r the arm of an examiner of normal body length when examining a mare o r about 500 kg body weight.