Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Emphysematous gastritis in a horse.
- Journal:
- The Cornell veterinarian
- Year:
- 1991
- Authors:
- Weldon, A D et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Clinical Sciences · United States
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A 12-year-old Morgan gelding horse was brought in because he had been experiencing colic, or belly pain, for three days. He showed signs of being very tired, had diarrhea, and was not responding well to treatment. Tests revealed a harmful bacteria called Clostridium perfringens in his stomach and feces, and even in the fluid around his organs ten days later. Unfortunately, despite all efforts, the horse was euthanized, and a post-mortem examination showed that his stomach wall was badly damaged and filled with gas. This case is significant because it is the first known instance of emphysematous gastritis, a serious infection of the stomach wall, in a horse.
Abstract
A 12-year-old Morgan gelding was examined for colic of 3 days duration. Signs of depression, colic, diarrhea, and endotoxemia persisted despite aggressive medical therapy and surgical exploration. Culture results from gastric fluid and feces yielded many colonies of Clostridium perfringens. This organism also was recovered from peritoneal fluid 10 days after admission; consequently, the horse was euthanized. At necropsy, a localized gas-filled, necrotic stomach wall was found; many mucosal and submucosal gas blebs were visible. Culture of this tissue yielded Clostridium perfringens. Emphysematous gastritis is a fulminant infection of the stomach wall caused by gas-forming organisms that gain access to the submucosa via mucosal defects such as ulcers. This condition has been reported infrequently in people, and the case reported herein represents the first instance of emphysematous gastritis in the horse.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1993393/