Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Septic cholangitis and peritonitis in a gelding.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
- Year:
- 1992
- Authors:
- Clabough, D L & Duckett, W
- Affiliation:
- Department of Food Animal and Equine Medicine
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
An 8-year-old Arabian gelding was diagnosed with septic cholangitis (an infection in the bile ducts) and peritonitis (an infection in the abdominal cavity) after showing signs of abdominal pain, yellowing of the skin and eyes, fever, and weight loss. Tests showed that the fluid in his abdomen was infected, and cultures identified bacteria that were treatable with a specific antibiotic called trimethoprim/sulfadiazine. He received this medication for about six weeks, and over time, he started to improve. A follow-up a year later revealed that he had fully recovered and returned to his normal health and behavior. This case suggests that with aggressive and long-term treatment, horses with these serious infections can make a complete recovery.
Abstract
An 8-year-old Arabian gelding with septic cholangitis and peritonitis was successfully treated with trimethoprim/sulfadiazine. The gelding was referred for evaluation of signs of abdominal pain, icterus, fever, and weight loss. Peritoneal fluid analysis revealed septic and suppurative peritonitis. Culture of the peritoneal fluid yielded Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae, which were sensitive to trimethoprim/sulfadiazine. On the basis of results of hepatic ultrasonography, a diagnosis of septic cholangitis also was made. The horse was treated with 30 mg of trimethoprim/sulfadiazine/kg, PO, q 12 h for approximately 6 weeks. The horse improved steadily, and telephone follow-up with the owner 1 year later disclosed that the horse had complete return to normal condition, appetite, and attitude. On the basis of our findings, aggressive, long-term anti-inflammatory and antibiotic treatment may result in complete return to health and normal athletic function in horses with septic cholangitis and concurrent septic peritonitis.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1612992/