CBL - Weaning and Yearling Flashcards
What do ‘comet tail’ artefacts tell us on the pleural surface ?
Pleural irregularity
What is this?
Abscessed lung
Do we often do thoracic radiographs?
Not in adults only in young foals
What might we see with rhodococcus equi on thoracic Xray?
Nodular lesions -> abscesses
Would it be worth doing abdominal Us for a case of rhodococcus equi?
yea - good to find extra abscesses
How can we confirm a diagnosis of rhodococcus equi?
Tracheal wash -> cytology, C & S, PCR for R.Equi (VapA gene)
If we get a positive PCR on general serology testing for rhodococcus - is this definitive?
NO - very Sensitive test also pathogen ubiquitous in environment so not deffo positive
describe rhodococcus equi?
- Intracellular gram +ve bacteria
- Ubiquitous in soil -> ingested & excreted in adults - perpetuates in environment
- Can aerosolize in dusty environments
- Transmission - oral or inhaled
Who does Rhodococcus affect?
- Foals 1-5 months
- Immunocompromised horses
- Immunocompromised humans
What does R.equi mainly cause?
Primary pneumonia, but extrapulmonary disease commin
Describe R.Equi penumonia
- Insidious & progressive dx
- Pyrexia - Lethargy
- Innapetance
- Ill-thrift Coughing
- Inc PCR
Describe Atypical R.Equi - extra-pulm dx
- Ulcerative enterotyphocolitis
- Peritonitis
- Internal abscess
- uveitis - Immune mediated polysynovitis
- Septic synovitis
- Osteomyelitis
Tx for R.equi case?
- Supportive -> anti-ulcer meds
- Pain relief = NSAIDs
- Speific AMs->
- Macrolides + rifampin (Erythromycin, clarithromycin, or azithromycin) but AEs include D+ hyperthermia, potentially fatal colitis
- Ab resistant strains more common
Should we give AMs to ALL foals with R.equi?
No recommendation is based on abscess scores -> if <8cm they usually resolve on their own
How can we prevent R.equi?
- Environmental management
- Passive immunity (Hyperimmune plasma)
- Mass AM tx not recommended
What concrete things can prevent R.equi?
- Hyperimmune plasma
- No vaccination yet tho :/
What would be involved in Environmental management for prevention of R.equi?
- Reduce stocking density
- Poo-pick regularly
- Improve ventilation
- Minimise housing foals in dusty paddocks – plant more grass
How would we treat a yearling failing to thrive bc of cyasthostomins ?
- Fenbendazole 5 days OR Moxidectin (also has efficacy against encysted larvae)
- Pain relief/anti-inf -> steroids to deal with reaction
Prevention of Cyasthomins
- Environmental management: pasture (poo picking)
- Monitor cyasthomin burden (FEC in grazing season although not helpful when encysted) + Serum ELISA (useful for negatives but not for positives)
What does this abdo US show?
Thickened SI (5mm instead of 3)
Describe Lawsonia I.
- Weanling and young yearling
- Seasonality: August to Feb
- Rabbits & rats= reservoir/ amplifying hosts
Pathophysiology of Lawsonia?
- Proliferation of crypt epithelial cells in intestine (ileum)
- Overpopulation of immature epithelial cells lacking microvilli
- Maldigestion, malabsorption
- PLE
What are some of the main signs of proliferative enteropathy caused by Lawsonia intracellularis?
Lethargy, anorexia, pyrexia, D+ rapid weight loss, peripheral oedema, colic
What ares ome typical clinicopathological findings of LAwsonia?
HAem/ Biochem -> Neutrophilia +/- elevated fibrinogen, SAA
Hypoproteinaemia, hypoalbuminaemia
