Cutaneo-mascular necrosis in cervical region of Arabian horse: A case Report

Bacterial myositis in horses can be caused by a variety of Clostridium Spp. Clostridial myonecrosis is a well-described and potentially fatal disease of the horse. Complications of infection also include haemolytic anaemia. Other causes of myonecrosis include puncture wound, intermuscular injection, trauma and wound contamination with dirt or during surgery. The purpose of this study was to treatment of horse with clostridial myonecrosis [1,2]. A five-year-old Arabian stallion with a history of a lack of appetite and severe cutaneoumascular disorder of neck following intramascular injection of flunexin meglumin referred to the VTH (Veterinary Teaching Hospital) of Lorestan University. On admission, the horse had myoglobinuria, diarrhea, tachycardia, tachypnea and a temperature of 38.8 C. Clostridium myositis was diagnosed based on clinical symptoms and history of the horse. An antibacterial and anti-inflammatory therapy were administrated which consisted of penicillin (60000 IU/kg; SID; IM; 7 days), flunexin meglumin (1.1 mg/kg; SID; IV; 3 days), Metronidazol (15 mg/kg; BID; Oral; 5 days), teranekron (2 ml/100 kg; Weekly; 1 month). For treatment of the wound, after surgical debridement, wound was cleaned every day with Nacl 0.9% and used a mixture of Phenytoin sodium and silver Sulfadiazine topically on skin and depth of muscle 2 times daily of 1 month. At the beginning of the second month and for 60 days, treatment continued with the ointment of zinc oxide and sulfadiazine. After 90 days, the wound was completely healed, but the scarring remained. This case demonstrates the serious complications that can occur following intramuscular injections. This horse developed clostridial myositis subsequent to intramuscular flunixin meglumine, as well as haemolytic anaemia. According to literature, most previously reported cases of clostridial myositis in horses developed after the intramuscular administration of nonantibiotic medication. The treatment of the horse was performed according the reported protocols for other cases of malignant edema in horses. An aggressive pharmacological and surgical therapy is essential in the treatment of presumptive cases of myonecrosis. Surgical fenestration and/or debridement of necrotic tissue is essential in the treatment of myonecrosis. It provides oxygenation, reduces swelling and makes it possible to clean the affected areas and to administertopical treatment.

کلیدواژه ها:

myonecrosis ، clostridia Spp ، horse ، anaerobic infection ، myoglobinuria ، diarrhea.