Premium
A case of a periarticular abscess and suppurative arthritis of the atlanto‐occipital joint
Author(s) -
Galen G.,
Busoni V.,
Sandersen C.,
Verwilghen D.,
Cassart D.,
Linden A.,
Fortier G.,
Amory H.
Publication year - 2009
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 - 10.2746/095777309x438774
Subject(s) - medicine , abscess , retropharyngeal abscess , dysphagia , horse , ataxia , surgery , paralysis , paleontology , psychiatry , biology
Summary This Case Report describes a periarticular abscess and a suppurative arthritis of the atlanto‐occipital joint in an adult horse. The horse showed a painful swelling localised on the atlanto‐occipital region and ataxia in all 4 limbs. During hospitalisation, the horse developed recumbency, dysphagia, facial paralysis and seizures. Ultrasonography of the atlanto‐occipital region enabled a tentative diagnosis to be made, which was later confirmed at autopsy. Culture of the abscess revealed a Staphylococcus aureus. However, the horse had a history of recurrent fever, hypertrophy and abscessation of the submandibular lymph nodes, neck pain and dyspnoea for 2 months, which was suggestive of strangles.