Internal abdominal abscesses in the horse: a study of 25 cases.
Abstract: internal abdominal abscesses in 25 horses, including 8 horses that died or were euthanatized, were found to be caused by Streptococcus equi, Streptococcus zooepidemicus, or Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis. Breed or sex predilection was not found. Although horses of all ages were affected, those under 5 years of age were more commonly affected. Nearly all of the horses had a history of respiratory catarrh or lymphadenitis. Horses with internal abdominal abscesses also had intermittent, prolonged colic or chronic weight loss. Most horses had increased rectal temperature, increased heart and respiratory rates, and varying degrees of anorexia. Chronic depression anemia, increased plasma fibrinogen concentration, increased total plasma protein with hypergammaglobulinemia, and hypoalbuminemia were prominent clinicopathologic findings. Results of rectal examination or surgical exploration often revealed an abdominal mass. Peritoneal fluid from 14 horses was examined, and the protein content was greater than 2.5 g/dl, with increased numbers of neutrophils. Culture results were negative in all 14 cases, although bacteria were seen intracellularly in 5 cases. Long-term (2- to 6-month) antimicrobial therapy with procaine penicillin G resulted in clinical resolution in most of these animals.
Publication Date: 1978-02-01 PubMed ID: 621178
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The study examines the cause and clinical manifestations of internal abdominal abscesses in horses and evaluate the effectiveness of long-term use of antibiotic therapy for treatment.
Study Participants
- The research involved an examination of 25 horses that had internal abdominal abscesses, including 8 horses that either died or were euthanized for the purpose of the study.
- There were no apparent predispositions in terms of breed or sex, however, horses under 5 years were more commonly affected.
Underlying Conditions and Symptoms
- Almost all of these horses had a history of respiratory catarrh (a disease characterized by inflammation of the mucous membranes) or lymphadenitis (inflammation of the lymph nodes).
- Internal abdominal abscesses were associated with intermittent, prolonged colic or chronic weight loss.
- Major physical symptoms included increased rectal temperature, increased heart and respiratory rates, and varying degrees of anorexia.
Clinical Findings
- The research showed occurrences of chronic depression anemia (low red blood cell count), increased plasma fibrinogen concentration (which can indicate severe inflammation or injury), increased total plasma protein with hypergammaglobulinemia (an excess of a certain type of antibodies in the blood), and hypoalbuminemia (a condition characterized by lower-than-normal levels of albumin in the blood).
- In several cases, an abdominal mass was found through either a rectal examination or surgical exploration.
Investigation Of Peritoneal Fluid
- Peritoneal fluid (fluid from the abdominal cavity) was examined from 14 horses and was found to have a protein content above 2.5 g/dl, with increased numbers of neutrophils (a type of white blood cell that helps fight infection).
- Cultures of this fluid, developed to determine the presence of bacteria or other microorganisms, were negative in all 14 cases, although bacteria were seen intracellularly in 5 cases.
Treatment Outcome
- The use of long-term (2- to 6-month) antimicrobial therapy with procaine penicillin G led to clinical resolution in most of these animals, indicating the effectiveness of this treatment protocol.
Cite This Article
APA
Rumbaugh GE, Smith BP, Carlson GP.
(1978).
Internal abdominal abscesses in the horse: a study of 25 cases.
J Am Vet Med Assoc, 172(3), 304-309.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Abdomen
- Abscess / diagnosis
- Abscess / therapy
- Abscess / veterinary
- Animals
- Ascitic Fluid / analysis
- Blood Cell Count
- Blood Proteins / analysis
- Corynebacterium / isolation & purification
- Female
- Fibrinogen / analysis
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / therapy
- Horses
- Male
- Streptococcus / isolation & purification
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Berlin D, Kelmer G, Steinman A, Sutton GA. Successful medical management of intra-abdominal abscesses in 4 adult horses.. Can Vet J 2013 Feb;54(2):157-61.
- Schoster A, Anderson ME. Caudal vena cava thrombosis-like syndrome in a horse.. Can Vet J 2010 Aug;51(8):891-4.
- Torske K, Lofstedt J, Miller L, Horney B. Dysuria and stranguria associated with colonic ulceration and abdominal abscess in a horse.. Can Vet J 1992 Dec;33(12):809-11.
- Bell RJ, Smart ME. An unusual complication of strangles in a pony.. Can Vet J 1992 Jun;33(6):400-1.
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