Ruptures of Prepubic Tendon in Shami (Damascus) Breed Pregnant Goats

Abstract

Background: The prepubic tendon is the tendon of insertion of abdominal in addition to the gracilis and the pectineus muscles attachment site. Rupture of the prepubic tendon was described in several animal species. However, surgical intervention was not recommended due to cost prohibition and the possibility of unsuccessful result. Methods and findings: Three pregnant does with prepubic tendon rupture were diagnosed in Shami breed goats during the last month of pregnancy. Clinical examination revealed normal parameters in the three does with no signs of herniation in the abdominal wall. The does were treated surgically and cesarean sections (CS) were performed to deliver the kids because of the distension of the abdomen and the difficulty to have them go through normal delivery process. Three fetuses in one doe and two in each of the other two were successfully pulled alive from apparently normal uteri. Conclusion: All does survived the operations and recovered uneventfully but the prepubic tendon was not fixed. All goats were dismissed from the hospital 2- 3 days post-surgery. Unfortunately, no follow up was possible because the owners took them home and did not report back to the clinical center. Preventing stress, trauma and selecting for ewes that less probably produce quadruplets will decrease the chance of the prepubic tendon rupture.