ABSTRACT
Infection of umbilical arteries, umbilical vein, and/or urachus was diagnosed ultrasonographically in 33 foals 1 to 90 days old (mean, 17.7 +/- 17.3 days). In these foals, the most common initial problems were umbilical abnormalities, septic arthritis, and/or neonatal septicemia. In 16 foals, abnormalities of the external umbilical stalk were noticed on admission. Abnormalities of the internal umbilical structures were identified when enlargement and echogenic material (fluid and/or gas) were imaged ultrasonographically within these structures. Multiple structures were affected in 23 foals, with the urachus the most commonly affected structure. Surgical findings confirmed ultrasonographic identification of infected umbilical structures in 23 foals. Twenty-two samples from affected umbilical remnants submitted for culture at surgery were positive for bacterial growth. Multiple organisms were isolated in 15 cultures. Escherichia coli and beta-hemolytic streptococci were the most common isolates. Two foals died of late complications associated with surgical resection, 1 foal treated surgically and 3 foals treated medically died or were euthanatized because of other complications, and the remaining 27 foals lived.
Subject(s)
Bacterial Infections/veterinary , Horse Diseases/diagnosis , Urachus , Animals , Animals, Newborn/surgery , Arthritis, Infectious/diagnosis , Arthritis, Infectious/veterinary , Bacterial Infections/diagnosis , Bacterial Infections/surgery , Escherichia coli Infections/diagnosis , Escherichia coli Infections/veterinary , Female , Horse Diseases/surgery , Horses , Male , Sepsis/diagnosis , Sepsis/veterinary , Streptococcal Infections/diagnosis , Streptococcal Infections/veterinary , Ultrasonography/veterinary , Umbilical Arteries , Umbilical VeinsABSTRACT
A mare was examined for episodic choking and an abscess in the perilaryngeal region. One month before referral, the mass progressively enlarged, causing esophageal choking. An extraluminal compression of the esophagus 90 cm from the external nares was found on endoscopy and contrast radiography. Serosanguinous fluid aspirated from the mass contained keratinized squamous cells and neutrophils, compatible with an esophageal cyst. Surgical exploration was performed, with incomplete surgical excision. The remaining portion of the cyst was marsupialized and treated locally with a 2% inorganic iodine solution. Further episodes of esophageal choke in this horse have not been reported.
Subject(s)
Deglutition Disorders/veterinary , Esophageal Cyst/veterinary , Esophagus/abnormalities , Horse Diseases/congenital , Animals , Deglutition Disorders/etiology , Esophageal Cyst/complications , Esophageal Cyst/pathology , Female , Horse Diseases/pathology , HorsesABSTRACT
Intestinal carcinoid, or argentaffinoma, should be an etiologic consideration for horses with chronic colic. A mare was referred with a history of chronic colic. Previously, the signs of colic had subsided in response to impiric treatment, but recent episodes of colic did not. Clinical signs and results of physical examination supported the finding of strangulating obstruction of the small intestine. Exploratory celiotomy revealed internal herniation with simultaneous volvulus of the jejunum and accompanying carcinoid.
