January 2012

0112
Text

 

History: Horse, Friesian, 7 month, male.

Diagnosis: Small intestine: Enteritis, moderate, catarrhalic and eosinophilic with impaction due to high numbers of ascarid nematodes (Parascaris equorum).

Description: At necropsy abundant tangled ascarid nematodes (Parascaris equorum) impacted in and obstructed the small intestine. The ascending colon was mildly constipated by dry ingesta. Additionally, moderate numbers of gasterophilus larvae were present on the gastric mucosa. Mesenteric lymph nodes were mildly edematous and hyperplastic and the abdominal cavity contained 2 l of serofibrinous fluid. Light-microscopy revealed a diffuse, catarrhalic and eosinophilic enteritis.

Comments: The foal was presented with signs of colic. Rectal exploration revealed an obstipation of the large intestine. Parascaris equorum is primarily a problem in young horses. Heavy burdens may cause obstruction or intussusception due to impaction. Occasionally, intestinal perforation leads to death. Moreover, migrating larvae may cause hepatic and pulmonary lesions.

Picture by: Melanie Bothe, Department of Veterinary Pathology, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany

Authored by: Cornelia Holzhausen, Department of Veterinary Pathology, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany