Acute renal failure in a horse following bee sting toxicity

Abstract

Bee envenomation is frequent in humans and dogs, but uncommon in horses. This study aimed to describe a case of acute renal failure following mass envenomation in a horse. A mare was attacked by a swarm of bees and showed reluctance to move, epistaxis, and dark-brown urine. Biochemical exams revealed increase in urea and creatine serum levels. The mare did not respond to treatment and euthanasia was elected after four days of clinical course. At the necropsy, there were multifocal pinpoint to elevated skin lesions associated with edema and hemorrhage, which extended to the subcutaneous tissue and skeletal muscle, and the kidneys were diffusely dark-brown and friable. Microscopically, renal tubules were distended and filled with an orange-red, hyaline globular material, and had severe epithelial tubular cell necrosis. The diagnosis was established based on clinical and histological analysis, and pathological evaluation was essential to confirm acute renal failure due to bee sting toxicity.