Cervical abscess and pharyngeal fistula in a horse.

This research reports the case of a young Quarter Horse filly who developed a cervical abscess and a pharyngeal fistula following the difficult administration of a stomach tube for deworming, and the successful treatment through surgery, drainage, and debridement.

Introduction and Clinical Presentation

• The study presents the case of a weanling Quarter Horse filly whose condition developed post a complicated stomach tubing procedure for deworming. The main symptoms were swelling of the lower cervical (neck) area and intermittent bilateral nasal discharge.
• Subsequent radiography revealed the presence of fluid and gas density dorsal (towards the back) to the trachea and esophagus, indicating the occurrence of an abscess.

Diagnosis and Treatment

• The horse’s condition was diagnosed as a cervical abscess and a fistulous tract, an abnormal connection or passageway that leads from an abscess, organ, or space to another surface.
• Although not explicit in the abstract, the fistulous tract mentioned is most likely a pharyngeal fistula, linking the abscess with the pharyngeal (throat) region.
• Treatment involved surgical incision with drainage and debridement (removal of damaged tissue or foreign objects) of both the abscess and the fistulous tract. The surgery was facilitated by the use of drains, which presumably helped in the removal of pus and fluid from the site.

Outcome and Conclusion

• The treatment led to complete recovery for the filly, indicating the effectiveness of the procedure.
• Following the surgery, a contrast medium was injected. The purpose was most likely to assist in radiographic visualization and validate the successful treatment.
• The medium revealed a communication (connection) between the abscess and the pharyngeal region, affirming the earlier suspicion of a pharyngeal fistula.
• This research demonstrates successful diagnosis and treatment of a cervical abscess and pharyngeal fistula in a horse following a difficult deworming procedure, furthering the knowledge base for such conditions in the equine medical field.