Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Resolution of two cases of ovarian abscesses in mares subjected to ovum pick up.
- Journal:
- Equine veterinary journal
- Year:
- 2024
- Authors:
- Fernández-Hernández, Pablo et al.
- Affiliation:
- Departamento de Medicina Animal · Spain
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
This study looked at two cases of ovarian abscesses in mares that had undergone a procedure to collect eggs for embryo production. In the first case, a pony mare showed signs of distress, including rapid breathing, a fast heartbeat, a high fever, and lameness in her back leg. An ultrasound revealed that her left ovary was enlarged and had two areas that looked like abscesses, so the veterinarians decided to surgically remove the ovary, which confirmed the diagnosis and identified a specific bacteria causing the infection. The second mare had an abnormality in her left ovary found during a routine ultrasound but showed no other symptoms. The vets used a less invasive method to collect a sample from the abscess and treated her with antibiotics, which completely resolved the issue after 40 days. Overall, both mares were successfully treated for their ovarian abscesses, either through surgery or medication.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Currently, for in vitro embryo production in live mares, immature oocytes are retrieved by transvaginal follicular aspiration or ovum pick up (OPU). Occasionally, ovarian abscesses have been described after OPU, but no current consensus exists on how to treat this condition. OBJECTIVES: To describe diagnosis and successful treatment of ovarian abscesses in two mares subjected to OPU. STUDY DESIGN: Case report. METHODS: Case records were reviewed and summarised. RESULTS: In the first case, a pony mare showed tachypnoea, tachycardia, high temperature, leukocytosis, left hindlimb lameness and slight increase in concentration of serum amyloid A. Ultrasonography revealed an increase in the size of the left ovary and two well defined structures suggestive of ovarian abscess. A left ovariectomy by standing laparoscopy was the treatment of choice: the diagnosis was confirmed, and bacterial culture produced heavy growth of Streptococcus equi Zooepidemicus. In the second mare, an abnormal structure was observed in the left ovary in a routine transrectal ultrasonographic exam in the absence of any clinical signs or abnormal blood parameters. A medical approach was chosen and a sample of the purulent material was aspirated with a transvaginal ultrasound-guided approach. The sample yielded a heavy growth of Streptococcus equi Zooepidemicus after culture. Treatment was initiated with rifampicin and trimethoprim-sulfadiazine based on the antibiogram results and the abscess completely resolved after 40 days. MAIN LIMITATIONS: Limited to two cases. CONCLUSIONS: Ovarian abscesses in mares can be successfully treated both surgically and medically.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38083902/