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Splenic abscessation in the horse: A retrospective study of 12 cases
Author(s) -
Coleman M. C.,
Schmitz D. G.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
equine veterinary education
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.304
H-Index - 31
eISSN - 2042-3292
pISSN - 0957-7734
DOI - 10.1111/eve.12785
Subject(s) - medicine , lethargy , horse , anorexia , percutaneous , surgery , presentation (obstetrics) , vital signs , retrospective cohort study , paleontology , biology
Summary This paper summarises the clinical findings of 12 cases of splenic abscessation in horses presented to Texas A&M University Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital from 1993 to 2015. The objective of this study was to describe the signalment, clinical and laboratory findings, diagnostics, treatment and outcome of horses affected with splenic abscessation. Only horses in which a splenic abscess was confirmed by microbiological or cytological confirmation from a percutaneous, surgical, or necropsy sample were included in this study. No apparent breed or sex predilection was identified. The mean age of presentation was 9 years, with a range of 1–21 years of age. The most common presenting clinical signs were nonspecific signs including fever, anorexia and lethargy. A variety of bacterial organisms were identified and treatment with antimicrobial agents or surgical exploration was attempted in several of the cases. None of the cases survived to discharge from the hospital.