Pleural effusion associated with acute and chronic pleuropneumonia and pleuritis secondary to thoracic wounds in horses: 43 cases (1982-1992).
Case records of 43 horses with pleural effusion associated with acute pleuropneumonia, chronic pleuropneumonia, or pleuritis secondary to a penetrating thoracic wound were reviewed to determine the predisposing factors, diagnosis, and treatment of this condition. Acute pleuropneumonia was diagnosed in 36 horses, the majority of which were Thoroughbreds (89%). Of 22 (61%) horses that were in race training at the onset of illness, 11 (31%) had been recently transported a long distance and 4 (11%) had evidence of exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage. Physical examination findings and hematologic data were nonspecific. The most consistent abnormality was hyperfibrino-genemia. Affected horses were treated with antibiotics, thoracic drainage, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and supportive care. Twenty-two (61%) horses were discharged from the hospital, with the mean duration of hospitalization for those discharged being 23 days. Nine (25%) horses were euthanatized and 5 (14%) died. Bacterial culturing of thoracic fluid resulted in growth in 30 of the 36 (83%) horses. The finding of anaerobic bacteria in thoracic fluid was not associated with a lower survival rate (62%) than the overall survival rate (61%). Four horses with chronic pleuropneumonia had a history of lethargy and inappetence for > 2 weeks. Actinobacillus equuli was isolated, either alone or in combination with other bacteria, from thoracic fluid of these 4 horses. Each horse was treated with broad spectrum antibiotics and made a rapid recovery. Three horses with acute pleuritis secondary to penetrating thoracic wounds also had nonspecific clinical signs, apart from the wound and a large volume of pleural effusion. Bacteriologic isolates from these horses differed slightly from those of horses with acute pleuropneumonia.
Collins
M B
MB
Department of Animal Health, University of Sydney, Camden, New South Wales, Australia.
Hodgson
D R
DR
Hutchins
D R
DR
D000208:Acute Disease; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004322:Drainage / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D005440:Fluid Therapy / Q000662:veterinary; D006400:Hematocrit / Q000662:veterinary; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D006736:Horses; D008297:Male; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D010998:Pleurisy / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D011001:Pleuropneumonia / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary*; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal