Clinical features, diagnostic methods, treatments, and outcomes associated with ingested wires in the abdomen of horses: 16 cases (2002-2013).

This research paper examines the symptoms, diagnostic methods, treatments, and outcomes of cases involving the ingestion of wire foreign bodies by horses. The study, taken from a review of 16 such cases over a period of 11 years, suggests a guarded prognosis and recommends early and aggressive treatment.

Overview of the Research

• The research is a retrospective case series study that analyzed 16 instances where horses had ingested wire. The cases were inspected at a veterinary teaching hospital between April 2002 and February 2013.
• Information for each case was gathered from medical records and owners for a comprehensive review.
• The researchers sought to identify differences in clinicopathologic variables between horses that survived to discharge from the hospital and those that did not.

Clinical Findings and Diagnostic Methods

• The median time for the display of clinical signs before admission was calculated to be 5.5 days. Some cases displayed signs as early as half a day while some took up to 1,095 days (about three years).
• Peritoneal fluid analysis was performed on eight horses, with all of them showing signs of suppurative or septic peritonitis.
• The research found out the presence of ingested wire using abdominal radiography, exploratory laparotomy, or necropsy.
• Most horses (13 out of 16) had ingested wire that had perforated viscera, with ten of these horses subsequently developing abdominal abscesses.

Treatments and Outcomes

• All four survivors showed significantly lower median white blood cell (WBC) count, neutrophil count, and plasma total protein concentration as compared to the 12 nonsurvivors. These survivors also underwent surgical treatment.
• The paper did not specify the exact methods of treatment but suggested that given the guarded prognosis, prompt and aggressive action including exploratory laparotomy to retrieve the wire and address perforations, peritonitis, and abscesses should be considered.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

• The study concludes that when horses show signs of peritonitis and abdominal abscess, veterinarians should consider the possibility of abdominal perforation due to ingested wires.
• Radiography was found useful in detecting wire foreign bodies in the abdomen area of horses.
• The researchers recommend early and aggressive treatment due to the guarded prognosis for affected horses.