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Acta veterinaria Scandinavica2019; 61(1); 18; doi: 10.1186/s13028-019-0456-2

Idiopathic peritonitis in horses: a retrospective study of 130 cases in Sweden (2002-2017).

Abstract: Peritonitis in horses is historically associated with prolonged treatment regimens of broad-spectrum antimicrobials and a guarded prognosis for survival. The condition is most often seen as a secondary complication to traumatic injuries involving the abdominal cavity, rupture of bowel or abdominal surgery. However, cases of idiopathic peritonitis with no such underlying cause have been described. In Sweden idiopathic peritonitis is commonly identified and, in contrast to peritonitis secondary to traumatic incidents, affected horses appear to respond well to medical treatment. The objectives of this study were to describe clinical signs, laboratory findings, bacterial culture results, treatment regimens and survival rates for horses diagnosed with idiopathic peritonitis. Results: Medical records were obtained from horses diagnosed with peritonitis without identifiable cause. Diagnosis was based on macroscopically abnormal peritoneal fluid, with an elevated nucleated cell count (> 10 × 109 cells/L) or total protein (> 25 g/L). A total of 130 horses were included, presenting with pyrexia (83%), lethargy (80%), anorexia (68%) and abdominal pain (51%). Microbial cultures were performed in 84% of the cases of which 41% were positive. The most commonly recovered bacteria were Actinobacillus spp., cultured from 21% of the submitted samples. All horses received antimicrobial therapy and many responded to treatment with penicillin alone. Survival until discharge was 94%. Conclusions: Idiopathic peritonitis is a disease that should be considered in horses presented with fever, signs of colic and lethargy. Medical treatment of idiopathic peritonitis is often successful and in Sweden most cases appear to respond well to treatment with penicillin as the sole antimicrobial.
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Publication Date: 2019-04-25 PubMed ID: 31023351PubMed Central: PMC6485108DOI: 10.1186/s13028-019-0456-2Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research examines idiopathic peritonitis, an inflammation of the peritoneum in horses that happens with no obvious medical cause, using data from cases in Sweden over a 15-year period. The study aims to better understand this condition and its successful treatment with penicillin.

Objective of the Study

The aim of the analysis was to understand better the signs, lab results, culture results, treatment methods, and survival rates associated with idiopathic peritonitis. The study relied on medical records from horses diagnosed with this condition who exhibited no identifiable underlying cause.

Methodology

  • The diagnosis of idiopathic peritonitis was based on abnormalities in peritoneal fluid, specifically noticeable in an elevated count of nucleated cells and total protein.
  • The study covered a total of 130 horses that had been diagnosed with this condition.
  • Symptoms that led to the diagnosis included an elevated body temperature (83% of cases), lethargy (80%), loss of appetite (68%), and abdominal pain (51%).
  • A microbial culture was performed in 84% of the cases, with positive results in 41% instances.
  • The bacteria Actinobacillus spp. was the most common finding, seen in 21% of the samples tested.

Results

  • All horses were treated with antimicrobial therapy. Many of the horses responded well to treatment with just penicillin.
  • The survival rate was high, with 94% of horses surviving until discharge.

Conclusion

In conclusion, idiopathic peritonitis is a significant consideration in dealing with horses that present symptoms like fever, signs of colic, and lethargy. With medical treatment, most cases of idiopathic peritonitis can be managed successfully, especially with the use of penicillin as the primary antimicrobial treatment in Sweden. These findings hint at the possibility of successful management of the disease with the use of penicillin, even in the absence of an identifiable cause.

Cite This Article

APA
Odelros E, Kendall A, Hedberg-Alm Y, Pringle J. (2019). Idiopathic peritonitis in horses: a retrospective study of 130 cases in Sweden (2002-2017). Acta Vet Scand, 61(1), 18. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13028-019-0456-2

Publication

Acta veterinaria Scandinavica
ISSN: 1751-0147
NlmUniqueID: 0370400
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 61
Issue: 1
Pages: 18

Researcher Affiliations

Odelros, Emma
  • Mälaren Equine Clinic, Hälgesta 1, 193 91, Sigtuna, Sweden. emmao@hastklinik.se.
Kendall, Anna
  • Mälaren Equine Clinic, Hälgesta 1, 193 91, Sigtuna, Sweden.
Hedberg-Alm, Ylva
  • University Equine Hospital, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7040, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden.
Pringle, John
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7040, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Bacterial Infections / epidemiology
  • Bacterial Infections / veterinary
  • Female
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horse Diseases / etiology
  • Horse Diseases / pathology
  • Horses
  • Male
  • Peritonitis / complications
  • Peritonitis / epidemiology
  • Peritonitis / veterinary
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Sweden / epidemiology

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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