Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Treatment of a metallic foreign body in the cranial cervical region of a horse.
- Journal:
- Australian veterinary journal
- Year:
- 2007
- Authors:
- Bell, R J W et al.
- Affiliation:
- University Veterinary Centre Camden · Australia
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
This case involves a Thoroughbred racehorse that developed a cervical abscess, which is a pocket of infection in the neck, likely caused by swallowing a piece of wire. The veterinarians used X-rays and ultrasound to confirm the diagnosis. They started with medication to help manage the infection, which made it easier to later perform surgery to remove the wire and drain the abscess. This approach of starting with medication before surgery can improve the chances of a successful outcome by making the surgery safer. Ultimately, the treatment worked well to resolve the issue.
Abstract
Ingestion of foreign bodies is uncommon in horses when compared with indiscriminate grazers such as cattle. This case report describes the diagnosis and treatment of a cervical abscess in a Thoroughbred racehorse thought to be associated with ingestion of wire. Radiographic and ultrasonographic examination provided a diagnosis, and conservative treatment of the lesion with antimicrobials initially allowed the lesion to localise closer to the skin for safer surgical exploration. Intra-operative ultrasonographic imaging facilitated surgical access, removal of the foreign body, and drainage. While surgical treatment is usually necessary to resolve an abscess, initially conservative therapy may help to improve the prognosis by simplifying surgical access and reducing the risk of surgical complications.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18042163/