248


EQUINE VETERINARY EDUCATION / AE / MAY 2018


Treatment was initiated with metronidazole (Bio- cm


Metronidazole1, 15 mg/kg bwt q. 8 h per os), fenbendazole (Panacur Equine Guard2, 7.5 mg/kg bwt per os q. 48 h) and di-tri-octahedral smectite paste (Bio-Sponge3 64 mg/kg bwt per os dosed at regular intervals depending on the severity of the diarrhoea). The mare continued to be intermittently


Fig 1: Gastrodiscus aegyptiacus parasites (Case 3).


tachycardic and both appetite and severity of diarrhoea fluctuated. Gastroscopy demonstrated grade II/IV squamous gastric disease (Sykes et al. 2015) and omeprazole therapy (Omepracote4, 4 mg/kg bwt per os q. 24 h) was introduced. A severe thickening of the left ventral colon wall developed (26 mm [reference range: 2–6 mm] Jones et al. 2003) and due to inadequate response to treatment and financial constraints the mare was subjected to euthanasia. Necropsy revealed moderate to severe typhlocolitis with numerous adult G. aegyptiacus flukes present in the ascending colon. Histopathological examination of the colon identified lymphoplasmacytic infiltration and no encysted cyathstomin larvae were observed. No cestodes were observed.


Fig 2: Ovum of G. aegyptiacus (Case 3). Unstained wet preparation slide, 1003 magnification.


also had a 1 week history of diarrhoea. On presentation, the mare was quiet with a body condition score (BCS) 1.5/5 (Carroll and Huntington 1988). The horse was also tachycardic (Table 1), had increased borborygmi and diarrhoea. A mild leucocytosis with a mature neutrophilia and mild lymphopaenia were present (Table 2). Total serum protein and albumin concentrations were also low, while serum globulin (Table 2) and serum amyloid A concentrations were increased (300 mg/L [reference range: <20 mg/L] Nunokawa et al. 1993). A faecal nematode egg count (Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 1986) identified 400 strongylid eggs/gram (epg). Neither a faecal sedimentation for trematodes nor a flotation test for cestodes was performed. Initially, no abnormalities were detected on transrectal palpation or abdominal ultrasonography. Five faecal cultures obtained no growth of Salmonella spp. and the results of other diagnostic tests were within normal limits.


TABLE 1: Clinical findings on presentation


Heart rate (beats/min) Temperature (°C)


Respiration rate (breaths/min) © 2017 EVJ Ltd


Case 1 52


37.1 20


Case 2 32


37.8 12


Case 3 40


37.9 16


Case 4 40


38.7 18


Case 5 44


38.1 28


Case 6 56


37.5 8


Case 7 56


37.5 20


Case 2 A 15-year-old Thoroughbred gelding was presented at the OVAH with a 5 month history of weight loss and a 3 month history of diarrhoea and intermittent colic. The horse had recently been treated with 5 days of fenbendazole, followed by 2 days of ivermectin and had been given multiple short courses of phenylbutazone, trimethoprim sulphonamide and procaine penicillin (trade names and doses unknown). The horse presented bright and alert with a BCS 1.5/5 (Carroll and Huntington 1988), dull hair coat and pressure sores over the tuber coxae. Clinical parameters were within normal limits, other than an increased capillary refill time, increased borborygmi and watery diarrhoea. Sounds consistent with sand accumulation was auscultated in the ventral abdomen. A mild leucopaenia and left shift neutropaenia were detected (Table 2). Serum globulin concentration was increased and serum albumin concentration was low (Table 2). Abdominal ultrasonography was consistent with localised left ventral colitis (colon wall thickness 7 mm) and no abnormalities were detected on transrectal palpation. Peritoneal fluid was serosanguinous. Abdominal radiography showed a moderate amount of material with mineral radiodensity in the ventral colon, consistent with sand accumulation. Two faecal cultures were positive for Salmonella, however four subsequent cultures were negative. Faecal sedimentation (Visser and Pitchford 1972) was negative for G. aegyptiacus ova and a faecal nematode egg count identified <200 epg. Faecal flotation was negative for cestode eggs. Results of other diagnostic procedures were within normal limits. The horse was treated for sand colitis using liquid paraffin


and psyllium. Niclosamide (Lintex5, 100 mg/kg bwt per os) was also given in case of G. aegyptiacus infection. Instructions to limit further sand intake were given, as well as recommendations to supplement in feed psyllium and corn


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