Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Foal with trouble walking and fever due to infection
By Finno, Carrie et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·2006·Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Streptococcus equi meningoencephalomyelitis in a foal.
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A 4-month-old American Paint Horse colt was brought in because he suddenly started having trouble walking, had a tilt to his head on the left side, and was running a fever. He had previously been diagnosed with an upper respiratory infection caused by a bacteria called Streptococcus equi, which is known to cause a disease called strangles. Blood tests showed signs of infection and inflammation, and a sample from his spinal fluid indicated serious issues, confirming he had a brain and spinal cord infection caused by the same bacteria. Despite treatment with antibiotics and fluids, the foal developed a serious condition involving fluid in the abdomen and was sadly euthanized. A postmortem exam confirmed the brain infection and other serious complications.
Abstract
CASE DESCRIPTION: A 4-month-old American Paint Horse colt was evaluated because of acute onset of ataxia, left-sided head tilt, and fever and a recently noticed heart murmur. Upper respiratory tract infection caused by Streptococcus equi subsp equi had been diagnosed at 3 months of age. CLINICAL FINDINGS: Hematologic abnormalities included leukocytosis, mature neutrophilia, monocytosis, and mild anemia. Analysis of a CSF sample revealed high total protein concentration and total nucleated cell count; nucleated cells consisted mainly of degenerate neutrophils. Results of a real-time PCR assay were positive for S equi subsp equi, and a diagnosis of S equi subsp equi meningoencephalomyelitis was made. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: Treatment included administration of potassium penicillin and fluids, but the foal developed uroperitoneum and was subsequently euthanized. Postmortem examination revealed meningoencephalomyelitis, and S equi subsp equi was cultured from a brain aspirate. Additional findings included suppurative cystitis with rupture and neutrophilic myocarditis. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Findings suggest that S equi subsp equi meningoencephalomyelitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis for foals with neurologic signs that have a history of strangles or exposure to affected horses.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16948585/