Chronic pulmonary disease with radiographic interstitial opacity (interstitial pneumonia) in foals.

Twelve foals, age 3-9 months, examined at The Ohio State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital between 1995 and 2000 were diagnosed with chronic pulmonary disease associated with marked interstitial opacity on radiographic examination. The most characteristic features were a history of respiratory disease of 1-3 months duration, marked clinical signs of respiratory disease, failure to yield a consistent pathogen from tracheobronchial aspirates and a predominantly interstitial pattern on thoracic radiographs. We attributed these signs to chronic interstitial pneumonia. Foals were treated with broad spectrum antimicrobial and corticosteroid drugs. All 12 foals were discharged alive from hospital and, of the 10 available for follow-up, all were disease-free and performing to expectation 5 months to 5 years after discharge. We conclude that chronic interstitial pneumonia, occuring in foals, is associated with a good prognosis and that corticosteroid therapy may be useful in its treatment.

Endoscopic findings of the gastric antrum and pylorus in horses: 162 cases (1996-2000).

Medical records and endoscopy images were examined for 209 horses that had gastroscopic examinations performed with a 2.5- or 3-m-long endoscope by one of the authors (MJM) during a 4-year period (1996-2000). The antrum and pylorus were viewed in 162 horses, and the duodenum was viewed in 94 horses. Of these 162 horses, the gastric squamous mucosa was seen in 157 horses and 50% or more of the glandular mucosa of the body of the stomach was seen in 156 horses. Erosions or ulcers were seen in the gastric squamous mucosa in 91 (58%) horses. Erosions or ulcers were seen in the glandular mucosa of the body of the stomach in only 8% of the horses. Lesions consisting of erosion or ulceration were seen in the antrum or pylorus in 94 (58%) horses. Lesions consisting of hyperemia and a rough or "bumpy" appearance were seen in the mucosa of the duodenum of 16 horses. An association between the presence of lesions in the squamous mucosa and the presence of lesions in the mucosa of the antrum/pylorus was examined by Fisher's exact test, and the linear association of lesion severity scores between the squamous mucosa and the mucosa of the antrum/pylorus was tested using a Monte Carlo estimate for linear-by-linear association. There was no association (P = .88) between these sites for presence of lesions or lesion severity scores. Similarly, there was no association between scores for the glandular mucosa in the gastric body and those in the antrum/pylorus. Because of the high prevalence of lesions in the antrum and pylorus of the stomachs of adult horses examined in a hospital setting, the entire stomach should be viewed during a gastroscopic examination.