Very Common
Less Common
OTHER DIAGNOSES CONSIDERED
Other conditions or ailments that might also need to be ruled out by a vet.
Diagnosis
Conditions or ailments that are the cause of a problem that you see - your observation.
Your vet may diagnose
Abdominal or Internal Abscess, Generally
Summary
Abscesses can form within abdominal organs due to bacteria carried in blood, or by direct infection of tissues via the intestine.
Abdominal abscesses are much more common in young horses, probably because blood borne bacteria are more common in these horses.
Abscesses can also result from infection caused by foreign body penetration into the abdomen. Abscess can result in weight loss, colic, fever, depression and a variety of other signs of illness.
The most common organism isolated from internal abscesses is Streptococcus equi (Bastard Strangles) but many other organisms have been cultured. In general, the disease process differs in younger and older horses.
Abdominal abscesses are much more common in young horses, probably because blood borne bacteria are more common in these horses.
Abscesses can also result from infection caused by foreign body penetration into the abdomen. Abscess can result in weight loss, colic, fever, depression and a variety of other signs of illness.
The most common organism isolated from internal abscesses is Streptococcus equi (Bastard Strangles) but many other organisms have been cultured. In general, the disease process differs in younger and older horses.
my vet's role
Diagnostics Used
These are tests that might be helpful to make this diagnosis or further characterize the condition.
Very Common
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History & Physical Exam
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Complete Blood Count, CBC
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Ultrasound, Trans-Abdominal for Colic, Generally
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Fibrinogen Determination
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Laparoscopic Exploration of Abdomen
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Abdominocentesis, Belly or Abdominal Tap
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Culture, Bacterial Microbiology & Sensitivity
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Exploratory Colic or Abdominal Surgery
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Total Protein Count on a Body Fluid
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Foal or Newborn, Trans-Abdominal Ultrasound
Less Common
Treatments May Include
These treatments might be used to help resolve or improve this condition.
PROGNOSIS AND RELEVANT FACTORS
Guarded. These cases can be very hard to resolve completely. The prognosis is much better in young horses. In adults, they can be a sign of underlying disease in the abdomen, even cancer in some cases.Abscesses can cause life threatening peritonitis if they rupture, and can also cause massive bleeding if the infectious process invades large abdominal blood vessels.
Long-term, adhesions (spot welds) between intestine and organs is a severe complication affecting survival. In a study on internal abscess factors and survival, only 25% of affected adult horses survived to discharge from the hospital.
my role
I might observe
You might make these observations when a horse has this condition.
Very Common
Less Common
Rare
Questions To Ask Your Vet:
- What are the chances of recurrence of this problem after antibiotics are finished?
- Is this case likely to be worth the long term investment?
- Are adhesions and chronic abdominal problems likely even if the primary problem is resolved?