Horses that are using nasogastric tube are predisposed to aspiration pneumonia, especially if the person administering the drench is inexperienced. Horses that are allowed to eat after being anaesthetized or are also at higher risk of aspirating feed stuffs as they are less able to control the muscles of the larynx, pharynx and tongue. The clinical presentation of aspiration pneumonia is similar to that of primary bacterial pneumonia. The signs and symptoms include fever, tachypnea, tachycardia, breath, purulent nasal discharge that may contain particles of the foreign material or may appear to be tinged green or red, and abnormal auscultation that sounds crackling or wet. Diagnosis of aspiration pneumonia is made through the clinical signs and symptoms, auscultation, trans-tracheal aspirate and bronchial lavage. Treatment includes the administration of systemic broad-spectrum antibiotics. Prognosis for horses affected by aspiration pneumonia is poor.
Pleuritis (Pleuropneumonia)
Pleuritis is a term that describes the inflammation of the Pleuropneumonia describes the accumulation of fluid in the
of the thoracic cavity.
.
Pleuritis and pleuropneumonia are usually caused by bacterial infection that spreads from the lungs or is introduced into the thoracic cavity through a penetrating wound. The bacteria enter the thoracic cavity and invade the pleural sac that surrounds the lungs. The bacteria irritate the pleura causing inflammation and the increased production of pleural fluid. Pleural effusion causes increased on the layers of the pleural sac and on the lungs further irritating these tissues and reducing their function. Chronic pleuritis or pleuropneumonia leads to the production of exudate within the pleural sac and the formation of adhesions between the layers of the pleural sac, the pleural sac and the wall of the thorax, or the pleural sac and the lung wall. Fibrosis of the lungs may also occur with chronic pleuritis and pleuropneumonia. infection of the lower respiratory tract are at a higher risk of developing pleuritis or pleuropneumonia. Horses chronically under stress or those receiving long term corticosteroid therapy are also at increased risk of developing pleuritis or pleuropneumonia as these conditions suppress the body’s immune system. Horses suffering from Transmission includes direct entry of bacteria or the bacterial may spread from adjacent structures. The clinical signs and symptoms of pleuritis and pleuropneumonia include fever, anorexia, depression, pleural effusion seen as edema of the ventral thorax, standing with the elbows
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