Mechanical ventilation and management of an adult horse with presumptive botulism.
Abstract: To describe the clinical course, management, and outcome of a horse with a presumptive diagnosis of botulism treated with long-term mechanical ventilation. Methods: A 6-year-old Quarter Horse gelding with a history of esophageal obstruction was evaluated for progressive tetraparesis. Generalized and progressive skeletal muscle weakness characterized by recumbency, decreased tongue, tail, eyelid, and anal tone, and respiratory failure was observed. Anticholinergic signs including decreased salivation, xerophthalmia, and ileus were also noted. A presumptive diagnosis of botulism was made, although mouse inoculation and spore identification testing were negative. Pentavalent botulism antitoxin was administered on Day 3. The horse was maintained on a water mattress and was managed with mechanical ventilation for 2 weeks. Complications encountered included necrotic rhinitis, intertrigo, decubital ulceration, jugular and cephalic vein thrombophlebitis, corneal ulceration, and transient ventricular tachycardia. The horse showed marked improvement in skeletal muscle strength and parasympathetic nervous system function, allowing it to be successfully weaned from the ventilator but suffered large colon volvulus on Day 21 and was euthanized. Conclusions: To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of successful weaning from long-term mechanical ventilation and management of recumbency using a water mattress in an adult horse with presumptive botulism.
© Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society 2014.
Publication Date: 2014-07-15 PubMed ID: 25041561DOI: 10.1111/vec.12196Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research study discusses the management and treatment of an adult horse suspectedly suffering from botulism, using long-term mechanical ventilation. Despite encountering numerous complications, the horse showed significant improvement before unfortunately being euthanized after contracting large colon volvulus.
Research Methodology
- A 6-year-old Quarter Horse gelding, with a history of esophageal obstruction, was evaluated for progressive tetraparesis.
- The animal exhibited progressive skeletal muscle weakness characterized by recumbency, and decreased tongue, tail, eyelid, and anal tone, along with respiratory failure.
- Anticholinergic signs including decreased salivation, xerophthalmia, and ileus were also noticed.
Diagnosis and Treatment
- Based on these symptoms, a presumptive diagnosis of botulism was made, despite the negative results from mouse inoculation and spore identification tests.
- Pentavalent botulism antitoxin was administered on the third day of treatment.
- The horse was supported on a water mattress and was maintained with mechanical ventilation for two weeks.
Complications
- The horse suffered several complications during treatment including necrotic rhinitis, intertrigo, decubital ulceration, thrombophlebitis in the jugular and cephalic veins, corneal ulceration, and transient ventricular tachycardia.
Results and Conclusion
- Despite these difficulties, there was a notable improvement in the horse’s skeletal muscle strength and parasympathetic nervous system function.
- This progress allowed it to be successfully weaned off the ventilator.
- However, on the 21st day of treatment, the horse suffered a large colon volvulus (a severe colon condition) and was euthanized.
- According to the authors, this is the first report of successful weaning from long-term mechanical ventilation and managing recumbency using a water mattress in an adult horse with presumptive botulism.
Cite This Article
APA
Taylor SD, Toth B, Townsend WM, Bentley RT.
(2014).
Mechanical ventilation and management of an adult horse with presumptive botulism.
J Vet Emerg Crit Care (San Antonio), 24(5), 594-601.
https://doi.org/10.1111/vec.12196 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Botulinum Antitoxin / therapeutic use
- Botulism / therapy
- Botulism / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / therapy
- Horses
- Male
- Respiration, Artificial / veterinary
- Time Factors
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Slavik K, Whitlock R, Johnson A. Equine botulism. Equine Vet J 2026 Mar;58(2):333-347.
- Trumpp KM, Parsley AL, Lewis MJ, Camp JW Jr, Taylor SD. Presumptive tick paralysis in 2 American Miniature horses in the United States. J Vet Intern Med 2019 Jul;33(4):1784-1788.
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