Emphysematous gastritis in a horse.

This research article discusses a diagnosed case of emphysematous gastritis in a horse, marked by the presence of Clostridium perfringens bacteria within the stomach wall, a condition which is typically extremely rare and fatal.

Case Evaluation

• The research focuses on a clinical case involving a 12-year-old Morgan gelding horse that showed symptoms of colic, depression, diarrhea, and endotoxemia that lasted for three days. Despite aggressive medical interventions and surgical exploration, these symptoms didn’t subside.
• Upon investigating the horse’s condition, the bacterium Clostridium perfringens was identified in samples of the gastric fluid, feces, and later in the peritoneal fluid. These results led to the horse’s euthanization due to the severity of the condition.

Post-Mortem Findings and Diagnosis

• A necropsy conducted on the horse revealed a localized gas-filled, necrotic stomach wall, with multiple gas blebs evident in the mucosal and submucosal layers.
• Further cultures from the necrotic tissue isolated the same bacterium, confirming that the horse was suffering from emphysematous gastritis. This fatal infection is caused by gas-forming organisms — in this case, Clostridium perfringens — that infiltrate the submucosa of the stomach wall via any defects in the mucosa such as ulcers.

Significance of the Findings

• Emphysematous gastritis is a rare pathological condition more common in humans. The case under discussion is particularly significant as it is the first reported instance of this condition in horses.
• The findings of this study could contribute to better diagnostic and treatment approaches for emphysematous gastritis in horses in future veterinary medicine.