title: Suppurative pleuropneumonia and a pulmonary abscess in a ram: ultrasonographic and radiographic findings.
abstract: This report describes a two-year-old White Alpine ram with suppurative pleuropneumonia and a lung abscess. Prior to admission, the ram had been unsuccessfully treated with antibiotics and levamisole. Clinical examination revealed that the general behaviour and condition of the ram were severely disturbed. The rectal temperature and respiratory rate were increased. Auscultation of the lungs revealed increased vesicular sounds. Based on clinical findings, a tentative diagnosis of bronchopneumonia was made. To confirm the diagnosis, blood was taken for serological testing for Maedi-Visna, and endoscopic examination of the respiratory tract and ultrasonographic and radiographic examination of the thorax were performed. Cytologic and bacteriologic examination of tracheal secretions revealed large numbers of neutrophils and Actinomyces pyogenes organisms. A pocket of gas, surrounded by a capsule of soft tissue density, overlying the base of the heart, and a horizontal fluid line were observed on radiographs. Ultrasonographic examination revealed an effusion between the pleura and the lung on the left side of the thorax; an encapsulated abscess was seen on the right side of the thorax. Centesis and aspiration of this accumulation of fluid yielded foul-smelling pus. Post mortem examination confirmed the clinical, radiographic and ultrasonographic findings. The ram had severe chronic suppurative pleuropneumonia with abscess formation between the pleura and lung on the right side.
mesh_terms: D000190:Actinomyces / Q000302:isolation & purification; D000196:Actinomycosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000662:veterinary*; D000818:Animals; D008169:Lung Abscess / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D011001:Pleuropneumonia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000662:veterinary*; D011859:Radiography; D012756:Sheep; D012757:Sheep Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013492:Suppuration / Q000662:veterinary; D014463:Ultrasonography