Lymphosarcoma in a thoroughbred filly

A case of lymphosarcoma in an month-old thoroughbred fillyis described. The course of the disease extended over 3 weeks. The initial symptom was swelling in all limbs. The terminal symptoms were dominated by congestive heart failure and respiratory distress, both being the direct result of invasive neoplastic tissue. Lymphoblasts were seen in smears but total whitecells remained within normal limits. Large tumours were present in all the major organs except the liver.     

Compound fracture of the mandible in a thoroughbred filly

Extract

On 20th January, 1952, a two-year-old thorough-bred filly suffering from a compound fracture of the mandible, was presented for prognosis. At first sight the prognosis appeared most unfavourable. The body of the mandible was down at an angle of 30 degrees, the soft tissues were ruptured across the whole upper surface and the fractured ends of bone were exposed in an irregular manner. I asked the owner if he would like a consultation, to which he agreed, saying that no expense was to be spared if the filly could be saved.     

Esophageal obstruction by antibiotic boluses in a thoroughbred filly: A case report

A case of equine midcervical esophageal obstruction by medicinal boluses is described. A discussion of the physical and endoscopic examination is included. Attempts at medical and manipulative therapy including massage, intraesophageal probing and endoscopically assisted efforts to snare the obstruction were nonrewarding. A standing midcervical esophagotomy was performed to facilitate the removal of the entrapped boluses. A positive contrast esophagram obtained five days after surgery indicated an absence of leakage of contrast media from the lumen of the esophagus. The filly was returned to athletic competition at seven days following surgery. No evidence of dysphagia or esophageal obstruction was reported six months following surgery. In this particular case, a standing midcervical esophagotomy afforded a successful alternative when manipulative and medical therapy proved inadequate.     

Platelet function in the racing thoroughbred: implication for exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage

Platelet function was evaluated in horses with exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (bleeder) and in control horses (nonbleeder). Platelet aggregation, secretion, and adhesion to rabbit aortic subendothelium were similar for bleeders and nonbleeders. Platelets readily aggregated in response to ADP, thrombin, collagen, and arachidonic acid, but platelet secretion occurred only with high concentrations of thrombin. Platelets readily adhered to rabbit aortic subendothelium and tended to form large thrombi rather than platelet monolayers or aggregates. These data suggest that horses may be predisposed to thrombus formation and subsequent microvascular obstruction.     

Mastitis in a neonatal filly

Neonatal mastitis is a rare occurrence in the horse. This report documents a case of mastitis caused by an organism within the Streptococcus dysgalactiae group in a 1-week-old Paint filly.     

Lymphocytic enteritis in a filly

A yearling Hanoverian filly had intermittent colic for 6 weeks, chylous peritoneal effusion, and a firm mass palpable per rectum. Exploratory laparotomy revealed mesenteric lymphadenopathy, adhesion of the mesenteric root to the duodenum and jejunum, distention of the mesenteric veins and lymphatic vessels, and increased jejunal venous pressure. Lesions in the duodenum, jejunum, and colon included infiltration of lymphocytes and plasma cells in the lamina propria.     

Systemic lupus erythematosus in a filly

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) was diagnosed in a 2-year-old Standardbred filly. Clinical signs of SLE included weight loss, bilateral symmetric alopecia, seborrhea, oral ulceration, and lymphadenopathy. Abnormal laboratory findings included a Coombs test-positive hemolytic anemia and positive antinuclear antibody test result. Histologic evaluation of multiple skin biopsy specimens revealed interface dermatitis with linear deposition of IgG at the basement membrane zones of the epidermis and hair follicles. The filly did not respond to glucocorticoid treatment and was euthanatized. Necropsy findings included membranous glomerulonephritis and fibrous synovitis. On the basis of these findings, SLE should be considered in the differential diagnosis of immune-mediated skin disease in horses. Definitive diagnosis of SLE relies on recognition of multisystemic disease and confirmatory histopathologic and immunopathologic findings.     

Urinothorax in a Quarter Horse filly

An 18 h old Quarter Horse filly, while being treated for diarrhoea, was evaluated for a distended abdomen and electrolyte abnormalities. Peritoneal and pleural fluid was detected by ultrasound and a presumptive diagnosis of a ruptured bladder was made. Intravenous fluid therapy was instituted to correct the electrolyte abnormalities prior to surgical repair of the bladder tear. Anaesthetic complications included hypoxaemia and decreased compliance secondary to the pleural effusion; therefore, a thoracocentesis was performed. Analysis of the pleural fluid revealed a pleural fluid to serum creatinine ratio of >1.0, indicative of urinothorax. The filly recovered from anaesthesia and was discharged on systemic antimicrobials. Urinothorax should be considered in cases of uroperitoneum with concurrent pleural effusion. Early detection may decrease patient morbidity and anaesthetic complications.     

Congenital odontogenic keratocyst in a filly

This report describes a congenital odontogenic keratocyst in the left mandible of a filly. A definitive diagnosis was only made after histopathological examination. Mandibular cysts of odontogenic and osteogenic origin have been reported in the past but a case of a keratocyst has not been previously reported in the horse.