Urinary Bladder and Urethral Rupture
Basic Information 
Definition
Rupture of the urinary bladder or urethra caused by increased intraabdominal pressure, occlusion, or localized infection
Epidemiology
Species, Age, Sex
Urinary bladder rupture is reportedly more common in colts during the first few days of life. Urethral rupture is more common in male horses.
Clinical Presentation
Etiology and Pathophysiology
• In foals, the urinary bladder usually ruptures dorsally where it is thinnest. The long, narrow urethra in colts may predispose them to bladder rupture because of high IAP with the mare’s contractions during foaling. In some cases, sepsis may create an area of bladder necrosis that eventually perforates.
• Mares may spontaneously rupture the bladder during foaling.
• Urethral occlusion, usually with urolithiasis, can lead to urethral or bladder rupture in adult male horses.
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