Summary A 13‐year‐old Appaloosa gelding was referred for evaluation of a left‐sided facial nerve paralysis. On clinical examination, the gelding exhibited muzzle deviation to the right, dropped left ear and blepharospasm of the left eye. A Schirmer tear test revealed 66% reduction in tear production in the left eye and a focal corneal ulcer (0.7 cm by 0.7 cm) was present ventrally in the left eye. Endoscopic examination of the upper airways and guttural pouches showed no abnormalities. Computed tomographic examination revealed an accumulation of soft‐tissue attenuating material within the tympanic bulla, consistent with otitis media. Medical management with 30 mg/kg trimethoprim sulfadiazine and 2.2 mg/kg phenylbutazone orally twice a day for 6 weeks was unsuccessful. The non‐perforated tympanic bulla was fenestrated from the left guttural pouch using diode LASER transendoscopically, under standing sedation, to allow drainage of the inner ear. Mucopurulent fluid drained from the tympanic bulla cavity. Endoscopic examination 6 months post‐surgery showed that the fenestrated site had healed over, with no evidence of inflammation at the site. A very mild muzzle deviation to the right was still present 6 months' post surgery but the horse was able to prehend and masticate without difficulty. The procedure was successful, and the clinical signs improved significantly post‐surgery.

Summary A 4‐month‐old colt foal was admitted to the hospital with a history of acute stranguria and colic signs. On presentation, he was tachycardic, tachypnoeic and pyrexic. Blood work showed marked leucocytosis and severe azotaemia. Ultrasound examination of the abdomen revealed a reduced bladder lumen and a large volume of free peritoneal fluid. Abdominocentesis confirmed uroperitoneum. The foal underwent a general anaesthetic to repair the bladder. Unfortunately, the following day, the uroperitoneum recurred, so a revision surgery was performed. The bladder wall was repaired and a large impaction of the terminal small colon and rectum was diagnosed at this point. Rectal examination post‐operatively revealed a spherical mass compressing the dorsal aspect of the rectum, which reduced its diameter by approximately 75%. Ultrasound examination, cytology and culture of a fine‐needle aspirate of the mass revealed it to be a perirectal abscess, and this was drained per rectum and lavaged several times. The foal recovered well, regained the ability to micturate and remained healthy at subsequent post‐operative checks. It is suspected that the perirectal abscess led to overdistention and subsequent rupture of the bladder.