Septic periorchitis in a horse.

This research article describes a case of septic periorchitis (a bacterial infection in the testes) in a 2-month-old Standard-bred colt. The horse displayed symptoms of abdominal pain and an enlarged scrotum. After surgical intervention and treatment with antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs, the colt made a complete recovery.

Clinical Presentation

• The two-month-old Standard-bred colt presented with symptoms of abdominal pain and a noticeably enlarged scrotum. The researchers initially suspected an inguinal/scrotal hernia due to the clinical signs shown by the colt. An inguinal or scrotal hernia occurs when part of the intestine, or the abdominal lining, protrudes through a weak spot in the abdominal wall into the inguinal canal or scrotum.

Diagnosis and Treatment

• Upon examination, the colt was diagnosed with septic periorchitis, a bacterial infection involving the right testis. Periorchitis refers to the inflammation of the tissue around the testis, typically caused by a bacterial infection.
• To confirm this diagnosis and initiate appropriate treatment, surgical exploration of the abdomen and scrotum was performed. This likely helped the veterinarians to visualize the affected areas, identify the source of infection, and establish a definitive diagnosis.
• The colt was then castrated, which likely served both as a form of treatment to remove the infected tissue and as a preventative measure against potential future infections.

Microbial Findings and Post-Surgical Care

• During the surgery, tissue samples were collected and sent for microbial testing. Actinobacillus equuli, a bacterium that is commonly associated with various infections in horses, was isolated from these specimens.
• After surgery, the colt was treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics to eliminate the bacterial infection. Broad-spectrum antibiotics are designed to target a wide range of bacteria, which would ensure that any remaining Actinobacillus equuli, as well as other potentially harmful bacteria, were effectively removed.
• The colt also received flunixin meglumine, which is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug commonly used in veterinary medicine to relieve pain and inflammation.
• Following this comprehensive treatment regimen, the colt fully recovered from the septic periorchitis.