A mule presented with weakness and shaking after being bought four days prior. Diagnostics showed mild abnormalities and treatment with antibiotics and fluids was started. The mule's condition deteriorated over the next day with increased weakness and pale mucous membranes until it was unable to rise and had to be euthanized. At post mortem, a displaced small intestine was found between the body wall and an enlarged, congested spleen, along with a very firm, rounded-edge liver.
2. Mule with strangles
• Presented on the 25/11 with a
days inappetance, some
coughing and a swelling of the
ventral neck/jaw.
• T = 37.8, P = 44, R = 20 with
abdominal effort and a noisy
trachea.
3. • Presentation typical of strangles (Streptococcus equi
equi).
• Isolation controls, penicillin 20mg/kg BID, hot
compress QID.
5. Rectal Prolapse
• Adult mare presented on 3/12
with rectal prolapse (since
previous evening) and
lameness.
• Rectum replaced under
epidural (xylazine and
lidocaine), and Bunna suture
placed.
• Forefeet radiographed,
trimmed and pads placed.
9. Anterior Uveitis
• Young adult, male, horse.
• Presented on 8/12 with a
closed eye and overflowing
tears following probable trauma
when rubbing face on a branch
three days ago.
• Examination facilitated by
auriculopalpebral (motor) and
supraorbital (sensory) nerve
blocks.
10. • Findings: blepharospasm, enophthalmos, epiphora, miosis,
aqueous flare and hyphaema in ventral anterior chamber, and
neovascularisation ventrally.
• Treatment: flunixin 1.1mg/kg BID IV, atropine eye drops BID/to
effect, dexamethasone eye drops TID (sub palpebral lavage).
• Response: eye lids quickly opened, pupil partially dilated with no
synchea formed, and anterior chamber beginning to clear.
• Plan: continue decreasing anti-inflammatory program while waiting
for chamber to resorb debris. Ideally maintain treatment for one
month after clinical signs resolved.
12. Presentation
• Presented on 27th having been weak and shaking since
bought on 23rd.
• Appeared ataxic/weak at walk, easily pulled by tail and slow
placement responses.
• Odd style of eating, chomping at hay rather than chewing
properly.
• T = 38.1, P = 80-100 fluctuating, R = 20, gut sounds normal.
• MM pale and slightly blue.
13. Diagnostics
27/11/14 28/11/14 am 28/11/14 pm
Haematology
HCT 44%
mild neutrophilia
TP 7g/dl
HCT 42%
neutrophila
increased
TP 7g/dl
PCV 40-42%
TP 6.3 g/dl
Biochemistry
mild low BUN
mild low CREA
mild high GGT
mild high AST
mild high BIL
14. Treatment
• Cetiofur TID, gentamicin SID started 27/11.
• 0.9% NaCl IV fluid therapy started 28/11 running
fast to replace estimated 8% dehydration (based on
high HCT not clinical signs).
15. Case Progression
• Heart rate remained high but fluctuating.
• MM became pink from 2000 27/11 until 1200 28/11 but then
became pale and blue again.
• Seen head pressing 1700 27/11 and developed dull demeanour.
• Weakness increased until recumbent and unable to rise or shift
self along the floor approx. midday 28/11/14
• Exhalation grunt, nystagmus and rapid heart rate developed from
1200-1500.
• Euthanised 1540.
16. Post Mortem Findings
• Displaced SI between body
wall and spleen.
• Enlarged spleen speckled with
congestion.
• Exceedingly firm nutmeg liver,
rounded edges.
• No abnormalities detected in
the heart, lung or kidney.