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Clostridial myonecrosis in horses (37 cases 1985-2000)
S F Peek1, S D Semrad, G A Perkins
1Department of Medical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA.
Equine Veterinary Journal
|January 30, 2003
Summary
Clostridial myonecrosis in horses, often linked to injections, has a 73% survival rate. Prompt treatment, especially for Clostridium perfringens infections, can improve outcomes to 81%.
Area of Science:
- Equine Medicine
- Veterinary Surgery
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Clostridial myonecrosis reports are limited to case studies or small series with high mortality.
- Understanding outcomes in a larger cohort is crucial for equine health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the outcome of clostridial myonecrosis cases in horses treated at two referral centers over 15 years.
- To identify risk factors and prognostic indicators for equine clostridial myonecrosis.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of equine cases with confirmed Clostridium spp. infection.
- Data collected from Cornell and Wisconsin referral hospitals over a 15-year period.
- Case selection based on positive Clostridium culture or fluorescent antibody testing.
Main Results:
- 37 cases of clostridial myonecrosis were identified, with an overall survival rate of 73% (27/37 horses).
- Clostridium perfringens was the most common isolate (68%), associated with an 81% survival rate.
- Most cases (34/37) followed soft tissue injections, predominantly in the cervical region (24/34).
Conclusions:
- Clostridial myonecrosis is a significant risk following equine injections, particularly in the neck.
- Aggressive treatment combining high-dose intravenous antibiotics and surgical debridement offers the best prognosis.
- Rapid diagnosis and intervention can lead to survival rates as high as 81% for Clostridium perfringens cases.