Panniculitis in a horse with peripancreatitis and pancreatic fibrosis.

The study examines a case of a 22-year-old pinto mixed breed mare presenting severe colic signs, which upon further diagnostic processes showed panniculitis accompanied by peripancreatitis and pancreatic fibrosis, conditions commonly found in humans and dogs but unusual in horses.

Introduction and Background

• This paper presents an unusual veterinary case in a 22-year-old pinto mixed breed mare.
• The mare was initially brought in for serious colic symptoms and gastric reflux.
• Upon examination, several hard, different-sized masses were found in the subcutis (under the skin) particularly on the thorax, abdomen, and the horse’s hindquarters.

Diagnosis and Treatment Progress

• Initial diagnosis revealed the mare had sterile peritonitis, a condition where inflammation in the thin tissue layer lining the inner wall of the abdomen and covering most of the abdominal organs occurs.
• Notably, the mare had high levels of gamma-glutamyltransferase, amylase, and lipase, enzymes typically associated with the function and health of the pancreas.
• The horse became feverish three days into treatment, along with signs of sustained, mild abdominal discomfort. This led to the decision of euthanasia for her welfare.

Postmortem Examination and Findings

• Necropsy—post-mortem examination in animals—revealed the cause of the symptoms: peripancreatitis (inflammation around the pancreas), pancreatic fibrosis (development of fibrous tissue in the pancreas), along with abdominal steatitis (inflammation of fatty tissue in the abdomen) and panniculitis (inflammation of fatty tissue under the skin).
• These conditions, particularly the association of panniculitis with peripancreatitis, are known to occur in humans and dogs, but are very uncommon in horses.

Discussion and Conclusion

• The paper discusses potential pathogenic models for this particular case, providing a deep insight into unusual veterinary conditions that could benefit further studies and management strategies for such rare cases in horses.