Mesorectal hematoma associated with colic and caudalneurological signs in a horse

A 6-year-old Warmblood gelding was referred for acute colic signs and stranguria.Clinical examination revealed reduced anal and tail tone as well as an intra-abdominal mass palpable per-rectum.The mass prevented the palpation of normal abdominal structures.The horse was subjected to standing diagnostic laparoscopy which revealed a retroperitoneal hematoma extending from the root of the mesentery to the mesorectum, bulging to the left side of the abdomen.The horse was initially managed medically, with the horse placed in box confinement under close monitoring.The colic signs subsided, however, a progressive paralysis of the horse`s tail and the inability to defecate became worse.The horse subsequently underwent a diagnostic laparotomy where the origin of the hematoma could be localized in the mesorectum.The horse was euthanized intraoperatively due to the size and location of the hematoma.The worsening of the neurological signs was theorized to have been caused by compression of the neural structures by the expanding hematoma.