Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Splenic hematoma and abscess as a cause of chronic weight loss in a horse.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
- Year:
- 1986
- Authors:
- Spier, S et al.
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
An 8-year-old male horse had been losing weight and not eating for three months. A veterinarian discovered a large blood-filled swelling on the horse's spleen and removed 36 liters of fluid during surgery. After this treatment, the horse's condition got better. However, 15 months later, the horse became very tired and had a fever, and a post-mortem examination revealed an infection in the spleen caused by specific bacteria. The treatment for the hematoma worked initially, but the horse later developed a serious infection that ultimately led to its death.
Abstract
An 8-year-old gelding with a 3-month history of anorexia and weight loss was found to have a massive subcapsular splenic hematoma. At flank laparotomy, 36 L of fluid was removed from the hematoma. The horse's condition improved after drainage. Fifteen months later, the horse became depressed and febrile. A splenic abscess containing Bacteroides ruminicola and Clostridium sporogenes was found at necropsy.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3531125/