A 48-hour-old mixed breed pony colt was referred to the hospital because of abdominal discomfort, weak suckling reflex and prostration. During clinical investigation, supportive and symptomatic treatments were necessary, and an abdominal radiography was performed revealing a large intestine filled with feces and large amounts of gas, in addition to free fluid in the cavity. After 3 days of treatment, the foal had not yet defecated, thus exploratory abdominal surgery was indicated, but the owners declined. Therefore, the foal was humanly euthanized. Post-mortem examination revealed complete absence of the pelvic flexure. Subsequent portions of the dorsal, transverse and small colons were intensely reduced. In addition, at the abdominal cavity there was 850 ml of yellowish translucent liquid. These findings are compatible with hydroperitoneum and type III atresia coli at the pelvic flexure, associated with underdevelopment of the dorsal, transverse and small colons.
A 10-day old foal presented with a history of acute recumbency and generalized weakness, that progressed to seizure episodes and death. Post mortem examination revealed necrotizing and purulent omphalophlebitis and fibrinopurulent meningoencephalomyelitis. Salmonella Typhimurium was isolated from the central nervous system and determined to be the cause of the meningoencephalomyelitis. Due to the lack of evidence of gastrointestinal disease, the umbilical cord was considered the most likely portal of entry of the bacteria. The isolated S. Typhimurium was resistant to ampicillin and cephalotin, and partially resistant to enrofloxacin. These drugs are commonly used in the treatment of salmonellosis. This is the first report of S. Typhimurium affecting the brain and spinal cord of a foal. Salmonellosis should be considered a differential diagnosis in foals with neurologic signs, even in the absence of enterocolitis.
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