Intrapleural fibrinolytic therapy in the management of septic pleuropneumonia in a horse.

The research involves the treatment of septic pleuropneumonia – a serious respiratory ailment – in a young horse. The study utilized intrapleural fibrinolytic therapy, a process that aims to dissolve fibrinous adhesions to improve drainage of pleural fluid and lessen pleural loculations.

Background and Selection of Subject

• The study revolves around the case of a three-year-old thoroughbred colt with a history of fever and respiratory disease for seven days. This respiratory disease has a known high rate of morbidity and mortality in horses.
• Initial physical examination and blood tests revealed the horse had a high temperature, increased heart rate, heart sounds radiating in the thoracic cavity, decreased bronchovesicular sounds, leukocytosis (an increase in white blood cells), neutrophilia (a rise in a specific type of white blood cells), and hyperfibrinogenaemia (excessive fibrinogen in the blood).

Diagnostic Procedures

• Thoracic ultrasonography was carried out which disclosed bilateral pleural effusion and an abundance of fibrinous material present adherent to the pleural surface. This led to the preliminary diagnosis of pleuropneumonia.
• Pleural fluid samples were taken for further testing which confirmed the infection to be caused by the Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus bacterium.

Treatment and Complications

• Various drugs and fluids were administered to the horse to manage the infection, including ceftiofur sodium, gentamicin, flunixin meglumine, butorphanol tartrate, omeprazole, and intravenous fluid boluses (Plasmalyte 148 solution).
• There were some complications during the treatment, particularly with the drainage. Initial attempts to drain the pleural fluid through bilateral indwelling thoracic catheters were thwarted because of fibrin accumulation in the catheters. Thus, impairing their function.

It is well worth noting that this introduction does not disclose the outcome of the treatment or any conclusions made from the research yet. Further reading of the research paper would provide that information.