Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
A hematogenic pleuropneumonia caused by postoperative septic thrombophlebitis in a Thoroughbred gelding.
- Journal:
- Journal of veterinary science
- Year:
- 2004
- Authors:
- Ryu, Seung-ho et al.
- Affiliation:
- Equine Hospital · South Korea
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A 7-year-old Thoroughbred gelding was taken to the Equine Hospital for treatment of colic, which is a type of abdominal pain. After surgery to relieve a blockage in his intestines, the horse started showing signs of being very tired, having a fever, eating less than usual, and having diarrhea about six days later. Eleven days after the surgery, the veins in his neck showed signs of inflammation due to a blood clot, and sadly, he died suddenly on the sixteenth day of hospitalization. An examination revealed he had a fever, a fast heart rate, and trouble breathing, but no unusual lung sounds, cough, or nasal discharge were noted. The tests showed signs of inflammation and blood clots in his lungs, indicating that the inflammation from the blood clots in his veins had spread to his lungs, leading to a serious lung infection. Unfortunately, the treatment did not work, and the horse passed away.
Abstract
A 7-year-old Thoroughbred gelding was admitted to Equine Hospital, Korea Racing Association for evaluation and treatment of colic. Based on the size and duration of the large colonic and cecal impaction, a routine ventral midline celiotomy and large colon enterotomy were performed to relieve the impaction. Six days following surgery the gelding exhibited signs of lethargy, fever, inappetence and diarrhea. Eleven days following surgery, the jugular veins showed a marked thrombophlebitis. On the sixteenth day of hospitalization the gelding died suddenly. Upon physical examination, the horse was febrile, tachycardic and tachypnoeic. Thoracic excursion appeared to be increased; however, no abnormal lung sounds were detected. No cough or nasal discharge was present. Hematology revealed neutrophilic leukocytosis. Serum biochemistry was normal but plasma fibrinogen increased. In necropsy, fibrinopurulent fluid was present in the thoracic cavity. There were firm adhesions between visceral pleura and thoracic wall. White, mixed and red thrombi were formed in both jugular veins from the insertion point of IV catheter. Histopathological examination showed fibrinopurulent inflammation and vascular thrombosis in the lung. The pleura showed edematous thickening and severe congestion. The clinicopathological and pathological findings suggest that septic thrombi associated with septic thrombophlebitis metastasized into the pulmonary circulation and were entrapped in the pulmonary parenchyma and provoked pleuropneumonia.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15028889/