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Identification and history
Name: Artù
Report and medical history: horse, Paint Horse, male, 5 years old.
Following a long journey, the subject began to manifest cough, dyspnea, and fever
Diagnostics
Image A
Image B
Echocardiographic images were acquired using the MyLab™OmegaVET system.
Ultrasound examination of the left side of the thorax revealed a moderate amount of anechoic fluid (o) in the pleural cavity (Image A). There are also large areas of consolidated lung (>). In image A, the presence of the fluid allows us to visualize the phrenico-pericardial ligament (arrow) as a filiform hyperechogenic structure floating in it. In image B, the diaphragm (*), liver (+), and spleen (<) can also be identified.
Image C
Image D
Echocardiographic images were acquired using the MyLab™OmegaVET system.
At the right side of the thorax, the ultrasound images show areas of consolidated lung (>) and a moderate amount of pleural fluid (o) in which the presence of fibrin (arrow) is particularly evident, organizing into a dense network and multiple concamerations.
Further examinations: an endoscopic examination of the airways revealed the presence of pharyngeal lymphoid hyperplasia and a significant presence of mucopurulent exudate in the tracheal lumen. The culture test performed on the tracheal aspirate fluid revealed the presence of enrofloxacin sensitive Streptococcus spp.
Conclusions and treatment:
Equine Medicine Unit,
Università degli studi di Milano, Ospedale Universitario Veterinario di Lodi
Severe bacterial pleuropneumonia
The patient was admitted to intensive care and received antibiotic and anti-inflammatory treatment, combined with ultrasound monitoring of the chest and drainage of the pleural effusion. Gastroprotectants and probiotics were also administered.
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