Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Foal with severe immune deficiency - what to know
By Jelìnek, F et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary medicine. A, Physiology, pathology, clinical medicine·2006·Veterinary Histopathological Laboratory·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Severe combined immunodeficiency in a Fell pony foal.
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A 21-day-old Fell pony filly developed severe watery diarrhea and became very lethargic after initially appearing healthy. Despite treatment, her condition worsened, leading to symptoms of intestinal colic and pneumonia before she sadly passed away. Tests showed low red blood cell counts and issues with her immune system, indicating severe combined immunodeficiency, a condition that severely affects the body's ability to fight infections. Unfortunately, there was no effective treatment for her condition, and she did not survive.
People also search for: Fell pony foal diarrhea · pony immune system problems · severe combined immunodeficiency in foals
Abstract
Five days after birth of a viable Fell pony filly, yellow watery diarrhoea appeared without any signs of systemic disease. Four days later the diarrhoea ceased. On 11th day, the animal showed apathy, and a few days later, the foal was very lethargic, suffered from muscular weakness and severe watery diarrhoea that reappeared. The illness did not respond to therapy. At the age of 21 days the filly spontaneously died under symptoms of intestinal colic and pneumonia. Haematological examinations revealed lower numbers of erythrocytes as well as non-selective lymphopenia. Phagocytic activity was slightly increased, lymphocyte activity was inhibited. Histopathology showed severe alteration of the lymphatic organs. T and B lymphocytes and antigen-presenting macrophages were not arranged in characteristic areas, and the quantity of these cells was lower than would be expected. Histopathological changes in lymphatic organs resembled those described in the literature as severe combined immunodeficiency.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16466458/