Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Necrotizing hepatitis associated within a pony in western Canada.
- Journal:
- The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne
- Year:
- 2017
- Authors:
- Davies, Jennifer L et al.
- Affiliation:
- Diagnostic Services Unit (Davies) and Department of Veterinary Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences (Whitehead) · United States
Plain-English summary
A 20-year-old female pony in western Canada was found to have serious liver damage after she suddenly became very tired, stopped eating, had a fever, and showed signs of jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes). When the pony was examined after death, veterinarians discovered fluid in her abdomen and signs of liver disease caused by a type of bacteria called clostridia. This case is notable because it is the first time clostridial hepatitis has been reported in a horse in Canada and only the third case in North America. Unfortunately, the outcome was not positive, as the pony did not survive.
Abstract
Severe icterus, peritoneal effusion, localized fibrinous peritonitis, and necrotizing hepatitis were found at necropsy of a 20-year-old female pony with a history of acute onset depression, inappetence, fever, and marked elevation in hepatic enzymes. Gross pathology, histopathology, and immunohistochemistry were compatible with a diagnosis of clostridial hepatitis caused by-group bacteria. This is believed to be the first reported case of clostridial hepatitis in an equid in Canada, and only the third report of this rare disease in North America.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28246418/