Segmental postectomy in a Murgese stallion extensive excision with preservation of breeding function.

Abstract

The sarcoid is a locally invasive neoplasm, being the most common tumor of equines and having an incidence ranging from 12.9% to 67% 2. Sarcoids have a significant impact on the health and well-being of Equidae and can represent a serious economic-genetic loss when they affect the reproductive organs' genital system, particularly in subjects with important blood lines and particular morphological value. We describe a neoformation on the external genitals was observed in a Murgese stallion. The stallion was in excellent general conditions and showed no abnormalities, at general examination, while examining the genital apparatus, a large neoformation on the external genitals was observed. On palpation and ultrasonographic examination, the glands of the genital apparatus (internal examination) were normal. External physical examination showed a hyperkeratotic proliferative-verrucous neoformation, both ulcerated and infected. Clinical appearance was suggestive of proliferative cutaneous lesions as sarcoids and/or summer sores. Surgical Technique was Segmental posthetomy, performed with the horse anesthetized and in dorsal recumbency. The dimensions of the stretched mass were about 22 x 11 centimeters and weighed 600 grams. Histopathological examination allowed a tissue level diagnosis of an equine sarcoid, but the excised mass was also positive to species-specific PCR for Habronema microstome, a frequent cause of cutaneous and mucocutaneous habronemiasis. After two-year post surgery the stallion is normally adoperate in breeding season, the collection of seminal material with an artificial Missouri vagina and two jumps were carried out one hour apart, the parameters and their characteristics result physiologic, with in past breeding seasons, the fertility data provided were excellent. In the clinical case described, segmental postectomy, a specific procedure for neoformations of the internal preputial lamina, proved to be valid in the treatment of a large circumferential sarcoid located on the outer lamina of the fold and the preputial ring, with minimal complications.