A case of a newborn Kiso native pony diagnosed with a median hard cleft palate and urachal hypoplasia

• Published in: Journal of Equine Science Vol. 36; no. 1; pp. 25 - 31
• Main Authors: KOBAYASHI, Yoshiyasu, NAMBO, Yasuo, TAGAMI, Masaaki, YOSHIDA, Sakura, TAKEYAMA, Akiko, TSOGTGEREL, Munkhtuul, GAO, Yuanzhi, WATANABE, Kenichi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan Japanese Society of Equine Science 2025; 日本ウマ科学会; Japan Science and Technology Agency; The Japanese Society of Equine Science
• Subjects: Autopsies; Autopsy; Bladder; Cleft lip/palate; cleft palate; Computed tomography; Endoscopy; equine; Hypoplasia; neonatal medicine; Parturition; Umbilicus; urachal dysplasia; urachal dysplasia; cleft palate; neonatal medicine; equine
• ISSN: 1340-3516; 1347-7501
• DOI: 10.1294/jes.36.25

A male foal developing within a pregnant native Hokkaido mare presented with an abnormal bladder on gestational day 215 and was delivered by inducing parturition. Transabdominal ultrasonography indicated a bladder depth of >13 cm, with a wall-like structure bisecting the bladder. At 42 hr after birth, transnasal endoscopy revealed a cleft hard palate, and the foal was subsequently euthanized. A defect in the palatine process of the maxillary head and a large cyst connected to the bladder, although not continuous with the umbilicus, were identified by autopsy computed tomography and necropsy. The foal was accordingly diagnosed with a cleft median hard palate and urachal dysplasia.