[en] This case report describes a periarticular abscess and a suppurative arthritis of the atlanto-occipital joint in an adult horse. The horse showed a painful swelling localized on the atlanto-occipital region and ataxia in all four limbs. During his hospitalization the horse developed recumbency, dysphagia, facial paralysis and seizures. With the use of ultrasonography of the atlanto-occipital region a tentative diagnosis was made which was later confirmed by autopsy. Culture of the abscess revealed a Staphylococcus aureus. However, the horse had a history of recurrent fever, hypertrophy and abcessation of the submandibular lymph nodes, neck pain and dyspnoea for 2 months, suggestive for strangles.
Research center :
clinique equine, ulg
Disciplines :
Veterinary medicine & animal health
Author, co-author :
Van Galen, Gaby ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département clinique des animaux de compagnie et des équidés > Médecine interne des équidés
Busoni, Valeria ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département clinique des animaux de compagnie et des équidés > Imagerie médicale
Sandersen, Charlotte ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département clinique des animaux de compagnie et des équidés > Département clinique des animaux de compagnie et des équidés
Verwilghen, Denis ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département clinique des animaux de compagnie et des équidés > Anesthésiologie gén. et pathologie chirurg. des grds animaux
Cassart, Dominique ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de morphologie et pathologie > Département de morphologie et pathologie
Linden, Annick ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département des maladies infectieuses et parasitaires > Santé et pathologies de la faune sauvage
Fortier, G.
Amory, Hélène ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département clinique des animaux de compagnie et des équidés > Médecine interne des équidés
Language :
English
Title :
A case of a periarticular abscess and suppurative arthritis of the atlanto-occipital joint
Publication date :
2009
Journal title :
Equine Veterinary Education
ISSN :
0957-7734
eISSN :
2042-3292
Publisher :
Equine Veterinary Journal, Newmarket, United Kingdom
Dixon, P.M. and Rowlands, A.C. (1981) Atlanto-occipital joint infection associated with guttural pouch mycosis in a horse. Equine vet. J. 13, 260-262.
Dowling, P.M. (1999) Clinical pharmacology of nervous system diseases. Vet. Clin. N. Am.: Equine Pract. 15, 575-588.
Gollob, E., Edinger, H., Stanek, C. and Wurning, C. (2002) Ultrasonographic investigation of the atlanto-occipital articulation in the horse. Equine vet. J. 34, 44-50.
Grønbaek, L.M., Angen, Ø., Vigre, H. and Olsen, S.N. (2006) Evaluation of a nested PCR test and bacterial culture of swabs from the nasal passages and from abscesses in relation to diagnosis of Streptococcus equi infection (strangles). Equine vet. J. 38, 59-63.
Hardy, J. and Leville, R. (2003) Diseases of the guttural pouches. Vet. Clin. N. Am.: Equine Pract. 19, 123-158.
Hewson, J. and Viel, L. (2002) Sampling, microbiology and cytology of the respiratory tract. In: Equine Respiratory Diseases, Ed: P. Lekeux, IVIS www.ivis.org Document no. B0308.0602.
Mitchell, E., Furr, M.O. and McKenzie, H.C. (2006) Bacterial meningitis in five mature horses. Equine vet. Educ. 18, 249-255.
Morris, D.D., Rutkowski, J. and Lloyd, K.C.K. (1987) Therapy in two cases of neonatal foal septicaemia and meningitis with cefotaxime sodium. Equine vet. J. 19, 151-154.
Pusterla, N., Madigan, J.E. and Leutenegger, C.M. (2006) Real-time polymerase chain reaction: a novel molecular diagnostic tool for equine infectious diseases. J. vet. intern. Med. 20, 3-12.
Smith, J.J., Provost, P.J. and Paradis, M.R. (2004) Bacterial meningitis and brain abscesses secondary to infectious disease processes involving the head in horses: seven cases (1980-2001). J. Am. vet. med. Ass. 5, 739-742.
Sweeney, C.R., Timoney, J.F., Newton, J.R. and Hines, M.T. (2005) Streptococcus equi infections in horses: guidelines for treatment, control, and prevention of strangles. J. vet. intern. Med. 19, 123-134.
Walmsley, J.P. (1988) A case of atlanto-occipital arthropathy following guttural pouch mycosis in a horse. The use of radioisotope bone scanning as an aid to diagnosis. Equine vet. J. 20, 219-220.