Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Horse very tired and stopped eating - what caused it?
By Mohd Rajdi, Nur Zul Izzati et al.·Published in Veterinary medicine and science·2021·Clinical Department·View original on PubMed →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: First case report on the occurrence of Trypanosoma evansi in a Siam B Mare in Kelantan, Malaysia.
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A Siam B mare in Malaysia was brought to the vet because she was lethargic, not eating, and collapsed. Despite receiving intravenous fluids, vitamins, and nerve supplements, she sadly passed away two days later. Tests revealed she had Trypanosoma evansi, a protozoan infection that can cause severe illness in horses. The post-mortem examination showed the infection affected her heart, spleen, and kidneys, leading to neurological issues. This case highlights the importance of considering this disease in horses, especially in regions where it is common.
People also search for: horse lethargy and collapse · Trypanosoma evansi in horses · horse not eating treatment · Surra disease in horses
Abstract
This is the first case report for the positive Trypanosoma evansi incident in Kelantan, Malaysia confirmed through protozoa detection in a Siam B mare. The horse was presented with complaints of lethargy and inappetence and it collapsed on the day of visit. Normal saline and dextrose solution were administered intravenously, while multivitamins and nerve supplements were given intramuscularly to stabilise the horse before further treatment. Haematological findings showed normocytic hypochromic anaemia and are suggestive of regenerative anaemia. Thin blood smear and examination revealed the presence of Trypanosoma sp., and it was confirmed as T. evansi through molecular identification. The horse was found dead 2 days after and post-mortem was conducted. Histopathology revealed that the horse had developed a neurological form of the disease, besides the detection of the protozoa in heart, spleen and kidney tissue. This first positive Surra case in Kelantan, Malaysia, that is bordering Thailand confirms the increasing concern of transboundary infections. In conclusion, Surra is a potential emerging disease and should be considered as differential diagnosis in horses with pale mucous membrane. This condition is particularly imperative in horses found in these regions as Surra is endemic.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33161648/