title: Cauda equina syndrome, diskospondylitis, and a paravertebral abscess caused by Rhodococcus equi in a foal.
abstract: A 4-month-old male Quarter Horse was referred for evaluation of urinary incontinence. Physical examination revealed clinical signs consistent with cauda equina syndrome. Radiography revealed diskospondylitis of S2 through S4. Infected bone was surgically curretted, and drainage was established for an associated paravertebral abscess. Rhodococcus equi was isolated from specimens of bone and from fluid samples obtained from the paravertebral abscess. Bethanechol was administered to stimulate urination. Erythromycin and rifampin were administered for 120 days. The foal's neurologic dysfunction resolved completely. Two years after discharge, the horse remained neurologically normal and did not have apparent effects as a result of its previous disorder.
authors.affiliation: Texas Veterinary Medical Center, Department of Large Animal Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station 77843-4475.
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Chaffin
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Honnas
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Crabill
authors.forename: H L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Schneiter
authors.forename: G W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Brumbaugh
authors.forename: R P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Briner
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary; D000193:Actinomycetales Infections / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D000818:Animals; D002420:Cauda Equina; D015299:Discitis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*; D006736:Horses; D008297:Male; D009408:Nerve Compression Syndromes / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D016929:Rhodococcus equi; D012447:Sacrum; D013166:Spondylitis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary