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Peer-reviewed veterinary case report

Protein-losing gut disease from Lawsonia in a 5-month-old foal

By Bihr, Tanja P·Published in The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne·2003·Atlantic Veterinary College·View original on PubMed

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Original publication title: Protein-losing enteropathy caused by Lawsonia intracellularis in a weanling foal.

Species:
horse

Plain-English summary

A 5-month-old Morgan filly was brought to the vet because she was lethargic, had a fever, seemed depressed, wasn't eating, and had swelling in her belly. Tests showed she had severe inflammation and low protein levels due to a condition called protein-losing enteropathy caused by a bacteria called Lawsonia intracellularis. The vet treated her with a combination of antibiotics, erythromycin and rifampin, which successfully improved her condition. After treatment, the filly started to recover and her symptoms improved.

People also search for: foal lethargy treatment · Morgan filly fever · protein-losing enteropathy in horses · antibiotics for foal illness

Abstract

A 5-month-old Morgan filly was presented to the Atlantic Veterinary College with a history of lethargy, fever, depression, anorexia, and dependent ventral edema. Diagnostic tests revealed severe inflammation, hypoproteinemia, and thickened small intestinal loops. Protein-losing enteropathy caused by Lawsonia intracellularis was diagnosed and treated successfully with erythromycin-rifampin.

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Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12619560/