Respiratory distress due to retropharyngeal and neck swelling in a horse with mediastinal lymphosarcoma.
Abstract: A 9-year-old, 1494-lb (679-kg) Quarter horse gelding in good body condition was admitted to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM), University of Saskatchewan, for evaluation and treatment of acute respiratory distress. On a trail ride 26 days before presentation, the gelding had been exposed to a horse with clinical signs of an upper respiratory tract infection. The gelding performed well on the trail ride but, 4 days later, developed a mild swelling in the retropharyngeal area and a slight bilateral mucoid nasal discharge. The gelding was examined at the farm by its primary veterinarian, who made a presumptive diagnosis of strangles. Treatment was initiated using a combination of trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (30 mg/kg PO q12h for 1 week) and phenylbutazone (6 mg/kg PO q24h for the first 2 days, followed by 3.5 mg/kg PO q24h for 5 more days). The gelding did not respond satisfactorily to antimicrobial and antiinflammatory therapy. During the following 2 weeks, the retropharyngeal swelling gradually became more pronounced and extended to the upper portion of the neck. Two days before presentation at WCVM, the gelding also developed a dry cough with difficult breathing, and the retropharyngeal and neck swelling extended to the pectoral region and ventral pectoral area extending to the cranial ventral abdomen. Because of progressing clinical signs and poor response to treatment, the horse was referred to WCVM for further evaluation.
Publication Date: 2012-05-15 PubMed ID: 22581725
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Case Reports
- Journal Article
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
The research explores the case of a horse experiencing breathing difficulties due to an uncommon swelling in the retropharyngeal area and neck believed to be symptoms of a condition called “strangles”. The horse, despite receiving anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial treatment, showed no significant improvement. Instead, the condition worsened over time with the swelling extending to the upper neck, pectoral region and ventral pectoral area.
Background of the Study
- The research detailed the case of a 9-year-old Quarter horse gelding, weighing 1494-pounds, which was admitted to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM), University of Saskatchewan.
- The horse initially demonstrated symptoms of an upper respiratory tract infection, including mild swelling in the retropharyngeal area and slight nasal discharge, after being exposed to another horse exhibiting these symptoms during a trail ride.
Primary Veterinarian’s Diagnosis and Treatment
- The horse’s primary vet presumed the symptoms to be indicative of a condition known as “strangles”, an infectious bacterial disease in horses, and proceeded with a treatment plan using two types of medications: trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, an antibiotic combo, and phenylbutazone, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug.
- Regardless, the horse did not show satisfactory response to either the antibiotic or the anti-inflammatory treatment, and the swelling instead gradually spread to the upper part of the neck.
Development of Further Symptoms and Subsequent Referral to WCVM
- Two weeks following the initial treatment, the horse developed a dry cough and breathing difficulties. The swellings extended further into the horse’s pectoral region and ventral pectoral area, reaching as far as the cranial ventral abdomen.
- Due to the progression of the clinical signs and the poor response to initial treatment, the horse was referred to the WCVM for further evaluation and treatment in an attempt to better understand and manage the horse’s deteriorating health condition.
Cite This Article
APA
Marqués FJ, Hehenberger E, Dickinson R, Wojnarowicz C, Lohmann K.
(2012).
Respiratory distress due to retropharyngeal and neck swelling in a horse with mediastinal lymphosarcoma.
Compend Contin Educ Vet, 34(5), E5.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- University of Saskatchewan.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Dyspnea / diagnosis
- Dyspnea / etiology
- Dyspnea / veterinary
- Fatal Outcome
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horses
- Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / complications
- Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / diagnosis
- Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / veterinary
- Male
- Mediastinal Neoplasms / complications
- Mediastinal Neoplasms / diagnosis
- Mediastinal Neoplasms / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 0 times.Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
