Association of intraperitoneal ceftriaxone, intravenous gentamicin and oral metronidazole in the treatment of an abdominal abscess and peritonitis in a horse

case report

Authors

  • Juliana de Moura Alonso Universidade Estadual Paulista, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Departamento de Cirurgia Veterinária e Reprodução Animal
  • Alice Ribeiro Ávila Universidade Estadual Paulista, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Departamento de Cirurgia Veterinária e Reprodução Animal
  • Emanuel Vitor Pereira Apolonio Universidade Estadual Paulista, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Departamento de Cirurgia Veterinária e Reprodução Animal
  • Bruna dos Santos Universidade Estadual Paulista, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Departamento de Clínica Veterinária
  • Ana Liz Garcia Alves Universidade Estadual Paulista, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Departamento de Cirurgia Veterinária e Reprodução Animal
  • Marcos Jun Watanabe Universidade Estadual Paulista, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Departamento de Cirurgia Veterinária e Reprodução Animal
  • Celso Antonio Rodrigues Universidade Estadual Paulista, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Departamento de Cirurgia Veterinária e Reprodução Animal
  • Carlos Alberto Hussni Universidade Estadual Paulista, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Departamento de Cirurgia Veterinária e Reprodução Animal https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5421-2904

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.1678-4456.bjvras.2020.166204

Keywords:

Horses, Abdominal infection, Fibrinogen, Sonography, Intraperitoneal route

Abstract

Medical management of abdominal abscesses in horses requires prolonged antibiotic therapy and presents varied success rates. A 6-year-old male horse with a history of colic and multiple abdominal punctures to relieve gas was attended. At admission, tachycardia, tachypnea, hyperthermia, mucosal congestion, dehydration, and rigid gait were observed. The association of physical examination, laboratory and ultrasonographic findings allowed the diagnoses of peritonitis and abdominal abscess. Supporting treatment plus broad spectrum antibiotic therapy was performed: daily intraperitoneal ceftriaxone (25 mg/kg, 7 days); daily intravenous gentamicin (6.6 mg/kg, 7 days); per os metronidazole three times a day (15 mg/kg 12 days), followed by the same dose twice a day (15 mg/kg 33 days), totaling 45 days of treatment. Plasma fibrinogen and ultrasonographic examination were the most effective tools to evaluate abscess evolution. There was normalization of the physical examination 24 h after beginning the treatment, consecutive regression of the nucleated cell count in the peritoneal fluid, and regression of plasma fibrinogen and size of the abscess. On the 10th treatment day, the animal was discharged from the hospital, maintaining oral therapy with metronidazole every 12 h (15 mg / kg). When the animal returned on the 30th day, an abscess size regression was observed. However, there was no resolution, and therapy with metronidazole was maintained. On the 45th day of treatment, a new hospital evaluation was performed, where the abscess resolved, and metronidazole was suspended. It is highlighted that the therapeutic association used in the treatment of abdominal infection and abscess resulted in a rapid clinical response

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Published

2020-07-06

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CASE REPORT

How to Cite

Association of intraperitoneal ceftriaxone, intravenous gentamicin and oral metronidazole in the treatment of an abdominal abscess and peritonitis in a horse: case report. (2020). Brazilian Journal of Veterinary Research and Animal Science, 57(2), e166204. https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.1678-4456.bjvras.2020.166204