title: Hepatic abscesses in three horses.
abstract: Hepatic abscesses were diagnosed in 3 adult horses. Two were < 4 years old and had evidence of concurrent immune-mediated conditions, including aseptic arthritis, immune-mediated thrombocytopenia, and immune-mediated anemia. Predisposing factors for hepatic abscess formation in these horses included prior abdominal surgery, proximal duodenitis/jejunitis, inflammatory bowel disease, and a penetrating foreign body in the large colon. Serum hepatic enzyme activities were within or slightly greater then reference limits in all 3 horses. The most pronounced and consistent abnormalities on CBC and serum biochemical analyses were hyperproteinemia, hyperglobulinemia, and a decreased albumin-to-globulin concentration ratio. Hepatic ultrasonography identified hepatic abscesses in all 3 horses. A variety of bacteria were isolated from these abscesses, including Staphylococus aureus and Bacteroides fragilis. One horse developed septic tibiotarsal arthritis, presumably as a result of intermittent bacteremia. Despite aggressive medical treatment, all horses were euthanatized because of a worsening condition and poor prognosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA.
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Sellon
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Spaulding
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Breuhaus
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Katz
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mealey
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D006736:Horses; D008100:Liver Abscess / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents