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Published on: June 29, 2013
Verminous arteritis in a 3-month-old thoroughbred foal
J DeLay1, A S Peregrine, D A Parsons
1Department of Pathology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1.
Summary
Fatal colic in a young foal was caused by Strongylus vulgaris migration, leading to cranial mesenteric arterial thrombus. Proper parasite management is crucial for young horses, even with anthelmintic use.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Pathology
- Parasitology
- Equine Medicine
Background:
- Strongylus vulgaris is an equine parasite known to cause significant vascular damage.
- Colic remains a leading cause of mortality in foals, with parasitic infections being a key contributing factor.
Observation:
- A 3-month-old Thoroughbred foal presented with fatal colic.
- Post-mortem examination revealed Strongylus vulgaris migration and cranial mesenteric arterial thrombus formation.
Findings:
- The foal's death was directly attributed to vascular damage caused by Strongylus vulgaris.
- Evidence suggests that S. vulgaris-induced vascular damage occurs early in the infection cycle.
Implications:
- Despite the use of broad-spectrum anthelmintics, effective parasite control strategies are essential for young horses.
- Minimizing parasite exposure in foals is critical to prevent potentially fatal conditions like colic.
