Case of lymphadenosis in a thoroughbred stallion.

This article details a case study of a 9-year-old thoroughbred stallion that was diagnosed with lymphadenosis, which presented with symptoms such as loss of appetite, cough, fever, and enlarged lymph glands. Despite several treatments, the horse’s health deteriorated, and it passed away approximately four weeks after the onset of the disease. A post-mortem examination revealed large-scale enlargement of various lymph glands and significant weight of the liver and spleen. However, further analysis of the organs failed to identify any additional abnormalities or lesions.

Understanding the Symptoms and Diagnosis

• The horse initially displayed signs of being unwell with symptoms like loss of appetite and coughing. It had an elevated temperature and enlarged submaxillary lymph glands, which were firm and seemingly painless on examination.
• Sulphanilamide, an antibiotic, and poultice were prescribed for the enlargement of glands. The stallion’s condition didn’t improve over the next two weeks; instead, it presented signs of general bodily wasting and slight posterior locomotor ataxia, a neurologic disorder affecting the horse’s movement.
• Further examination revealed that the lymph glands in various other parts of the body were also enlarged. A rectal examination showed enlarged mesenteric lymph glands and spleen, sticky and yellowish oral mucosa, and mucous-covered feces. Although the horse’s temperature had returned to normal, the doctors proposed a tentative diagnosis of leukemia, a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow.

Treatment and Post-Mortem Findings

• Despite various interventions such as laxatives and arsenical preparations, the horse’s health continued to decline. A biopsy, which was suggested on one of the lymph glands, could not be performed as the horse died before the procedure could be initiated, roughly four weeks after the onset of illness.
• A post-mortem examination revealed extensive bilateral enlargement of lymph glands located in various regions including the submaxillary, parotid, bronchial, mediastinal, prescapular, hepatic, gastric, and splenic areas. The liver and spleen weighed abnormally heavy at 30 lb. and 26 lb., respectively.
• But even after these findings, no other lesions were discovered that would typically indicate disease or injury. Samples of the liver, spleen, and lymph glands were sent to the Royal Veterinary College for further examination, but the details of the pathologist report have not been included in the abstract.