PetCaseFinder

Peer-reviewed veterinary case report

Panniculitis in a horse with peripancreatitis and pancreatic fibrosis.

Journal:
Journal of veterinary diagnostic investigation : official publication of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, Inc
Year:
2006
Authors:
Waitt, Laura H et al.
Affiliation:
Oregon State University · United States
Species:
horse

Plain-English summary

A 22-year-old pinto mixed breed mare was brought in because she was showing severe signs of colic, which is intense abdominal pain, and had gastric reflux. During the examination, the vet found several hard lumps under her skin in different areas of her body. After some tests, she was diagnosed with a type of abdominal inflammation called sterile peritonitis, and her blood showed high levels of certain enzymes. Unfortunately, three days into treatment, she developed a fever and continued to show mild discomfort, leading to the decision to euthanize her. A post-mortem examination revealed issues with her pancreas and other related conditions, including a rare type of skin inflammation called panniculitis, which has been seen in humans and dogs but not previously in horses.

Abstract

A 22-year-old pinto mixed breed mare was admitted for evaluation of severe colic signs and gastric reflux. Multiple nonpainful, variably sized hard masses were palpated in the subcutis over the thorax, abdomen, and hindquarters of the horse. The mare was diagnosed with sterile peritonitis and had systemically high gamma-glutamyltransferase, amylase, and lipase. Three days into treatment she became febrile with signs of persistent and mild abdominal discomfort; euthanasia was elected. Necropsy revealed peripancreatitis, pancreatic fibrosis, abdominal steatitis and panniculitis. Panniculitis associated with peripancreatitis has been described in humans and dogs but not in horses. Pathogenic models for this entity are discussed.

Find similar cases for your pet

PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.

Search related cases →

Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16921885/