Distal aortic aneurysm presumed to be secondary to an infected umbilical artery in a foal.

This research discusses complication of undetected umbilical artery infection resulting in aortic aneurysm and colic symptoms in a 3-month-old female Warmblood foal. The discovery emphasizes the need for careful ultrasound-based diagnosis, suggesting that this condition could be a possible cause of colic in other foals as well.

Case Presentation and Results

• The case involved a 3-month-old female Warmblood foal, presented after 5 days of colic symptoms and pyrexia (elevated body temperature). Alongside these symptoms, the foal demonstrated increased urination and had a high white blood cell count, indicating an underlying infection.
• Despite the foal’s umbilical stalk appearing thickened, there was no presence of purulent material usually associated with an active infection.
• A laparotomy, an exploratory surgical procedure, showed abnormal conditions related to the foal’s internal anatomy: an enlarged left umbilical artery remnant tightly attached to the bladder wall, and a distal aortic aneurysm that appeared to be connected to the left umbilical artery.
• Due to the inability to treat the aortic aneurysm and related complications, the foal was euthanized. Post-mortem examinations confirmed the presence of a large thrombus-containing aortic aneurysm, located behind the kidneys.
• Necropsy studies showed inflammation, necrosis in the left umbilical artery’s internal lining (tunica intima) and its middle layer (tunica media). Suppuration (formation of pus) and bacterial colonies were evident in the tissues surrounding the artery.

Methodology and Conclusions

• The clinical, surgical, and post-mortem findings pointed towards an infected aortic aneurysm believed to originate from infection in an umbilical artery. This represents a rare and unusual progression of disease, typically not observed in foals.
• The case study suggests that sometimes an undetected umbilical infection may lead to distal aortic aneurysm and cause colic in foals. The foal in this study displayed major wellness issues typically associated with colic long after the original infection supposedly occurred.
• Given this evidence, the researchers highlighted a need for veterinarians to be aware of this potential health issue. If undiagnosed or misdiagnosed, it could lead to severe complications for the animal, including death.
• While diagnosing this may be possible through ultrasonography, it could require sedation, visceral analgesia, and detailed examination due to the sensitive nature of the foal’s condition and the complexity of the involved internal structures.