Treatment of suppurative facial cellulitis and panniculitis caused by Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis in two horses.

The research paper discusses the diagnosis and successful treatment of severe facial wounds on two horses, caused by the bacterium, Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis.

Cases Presented

• The researchers inspected two horses that had large, suspected trauma-induced head wounds, defined by extensive decay of skin and subcutaneous tissue, and copious purulent exudate – pus formed in infected tissue.
• The bacterium Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis was identified in the facial wounds of both horses. This bacterium is known for causing infectious diseases in domestic animals.
• A histopathologic analysis revealed severe suppurative cellulitis and panniculitis, conditions that pertain to inflammation and infection of the skin and underlying fat tissue, in one horse. This horse also had granulation tissue and fistulous tracts, which are abnormal connections between two body parts.

Treatments Employed

• Given the diagnosis, both horses were subjected to localized wound care involving cleaning and responsiveness to infection, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to manage pain and inflammation, and antimicrobials to counter bacterial infection.
• For the second horse, the researchers implemented a ‘moist wound care’ approach. This involves keeping the wound moist to promote healing, using veterinary wound management products that recently became available. This technique is believed to encourage cell growth and migration, thereby accelerating healing process.

Outcomes of the Treatment

• The treatments were successful, yielding good outcomes for both horses. The study, however, does not provide specifics like the duration of recovery or any follow-up measures taken.

Overall, this research illustrates the potential effectiveness of using a combination of local wound care, anti-inflammatory drugs, antibacterials, and modern moist wound care techniques in the treatment of severe wounds and infections in horses caused by Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis.