Metallic foreign bodies in the mouth or pharynx of horses: seven cases (1983-1989).
Abstract: Seven horses with metallic foreign bodies in the mouth or pharynx were examined at the Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital from 1983 to 1989. The horses had variable clinical signs, such as purulent nasal discharge, swelling of the throatlatch area, and dyspnea. Most of the horses had clinical signs for more than 2 weeks, and had no or only temporary improvement with conservative medical treatment (antibiotics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). The definitive diagnostic test in all of the cases was radiography, which also aided in the plan for surgical removal of the foreign body. Once the foreign body was removed from each of the horses, their clinical signs resolved. Most of the foreign bodies were small pieces of wire, the sources of which could not be determined, but that may have been incorporated in baled hay.
Publication Date: 1992-01-01 PubMed ID: 1537700
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research paper investigates seven instances of horses ingesting metallic foreign bodies, recording their symptoms and treatments, and analyzing the outcomes at the Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital from 1983 to 1989. It was found that all instances were diagnosed by radiography and were resolved by surgical removal of the foreign bodies.
Objective and Methodology
- The research was based on seven separate cases of horses that ingested metallic foreign bodies, which were observed in the Veterinary Teaching Hospital at Colorado State University over a period of six years from 1983-1989.
- Various clinical signs displayed by the horses, including purulent nasal discharge, throatlatch area swelling, and breathing difficulties, were taken into consideration.
- The horses also went through radiography, the diagnostic test which confirmed the presence of metallic foreign bodies.
Findings
- Most of the horses had been showing symptoms for more than two weeks, and their condition didn’t improve or only temporarily improved with conservative medical treatments such as antibiotics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Radiography served as a definitive diagnostic test for all cases, revealing the presence of a foreign body. These results further guided the surgical procedures to remove the foreign bodies.
- Surprisingly, most of the foreign bodies were found to be small pieces of wire. It wasn’t clear how the horses ingested these wires, though the researchers suggested they might have been mixed in with baled hay.
Conclusion
- Post-surgery, the clinical signs that the horses were showing previously all resolved, signifying successful treatment.
- The study highlights the importance of radiography in diagnosing such cases and points out the possible inclusion of metallic wires in baled hay, which could be a health hazard for horses.
- The paper suggests a need for further study to explore how the horses ingested the wires and how such incidents can be prevented in the future.
Cite This Article
APA
Kiper ML, Wrigley R, Traub-Dargatz J, Bennett D.
(1992).
Metallic foreign bodies in the mouth or pharynx of horses: seven cases (1983-1989).
J Am Vet Med Assoc, 200(1), 91-93.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Fort Collins 80523.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Female
- Foreign Bodies / diagnostic imaging
- Foreign Bodies / surgery
- Foreign Bodies / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
- Horse Diseases / surgery
- Horses
- Male
- Metals
- Mouth
- Pharynx
- Radiography
- Retrospective Studies
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Rahmani Shahraki A, Raisi A. Surgical treatment of a penetrated metallic foreign body in the oral cavity wall of a mare.. Vet Res Forum 2019 Spring;10(2):177-179.
- Abutarbush SM. Esophageal laceration and obstruction caused by a foreign body in 2 young foals.. Can Vet J 2011 Jul;52(7):764-7.
- Lohmann KL, Lewis SR, Wobeser B, Allen AL. Penetrating metallic foreign bodies as a cause of peritonitis in 3 horses.. Can Vet J 2010 Dec;51(12):1400-4.
- Fuller MC, Abutarbush SM. Glossitis and tongue trauma subsequent to administration of an oral medication, using an udder infusion cannula, in a horse.. Can Vet J 2007 Aug;48(8):845-7.
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