Multicavitary septic effusions associated with actinobacillosis in an adult Tennessee Walking Horse with weight loss

Abstract

SummaryMulticavitary effusions were identified in an 18‐year‐old Tennessee Walking Horse gelding that had been losing weight throughout the previous 6 months. Based on results of microbiological culturing of peritoneal and pleural fluid, peritonitis and pleuritis were attributed to actinobacillosis. Whereas previous case reports indicate that most horses affected with actinobacillosis are typically presented with signs that include acute colic, fever, lethargy, inappetence and respiratory signs (dyspnoea, coughing or nasal discharge), and in which haematological abnormalities (leucocytosis, neutrophilia or leucopenia) are readily identified, the only abnormality in this case was progressive weight loss. The gelding made a complete recovery following drainage of fluid from both the peritoneal and pleural spaces and treatment with broad‐spectrum antimicrobials. Peritoneal and pleural effusions were readily identified by ultrasonography, facilitating collection of fluid from which the diagnoses were established. Actinobacillosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of weight loss in adult horses, even when typical clinical signs of acute peritonitis or pleuritis are not identified.