Retropharyngeal lymph node infection in horses: 46 cases (1977-1992) [New South Wales]
1995
Golland, L.C. | Hodgson, D.R. | Davis, R.E. | Rawlinson, R.J. | Collins, M.B. | McClintock, S.A. | Hutchins, D.R. (Sydney Univ., Camden (Australia). Dept. of Animal Health)
A retrospective study of 46 horses with retropharyngeal lymph node (RPLN) infection presented to the Rural Veterinary Centre between 1977 and 1992 was undertaken. Horses aged less than one year were most commonly represented (46 percent). Thirty-nine percent of cases had been exposed to horses with confirmed or suspected strangles (Streptococcus equi subsp equi infection) within the previous 8 weeks. Most frequent signs were unilateral or bilateral swelling of the throat region (65 percent), respiratory stertor-dyspnoea (35 percent), purulent nasal discharge (20 percent), inappetence and signs of depression (15 percent), and dysphagia (9 percent). All horses had a soft tissue density in the retropharyngeal region on radiographs. Rhinopharyngoscopy, ultrasonography, haematology as well as cytological and microbial analysis of material aspirated from the soft tissue swelling facilitated diagnosis in some horses. Fifteen horses (33 percent), treated with procaine penicillin intramuscularly for 4 to 7 days followed by oral trimethoprim-sulphadimidine for 7 to 14 days, responded to treatment and were discharged from hospital. Limited follow-up information was available for 37 horses. Some 32 horses were considered to have made a full recovery, 3 horses had died through misadventure and 2 had been euthanased because of chronic ill-thrift.
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