South African Equine Veterinary Association Congress 2015 Protea Hotel Stellenbosch
skin biopsy: leukocytoclastic vasculitis
Serum Strep. equi titer (Equine Biodiagnostics, Inc., Lexington, KY)
Treatment: aggressive control of swelling – 0.1-0.2 mg/kg dexamethasone –
must have swelling by 50% in 2-3 days!!! + antibiotics (penicillin)
complications:
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Skin sloughing
Recurrence or cyclical course
o increase dose of dexamethasone
Laminitis
Eosinophilic
with collagen flame figures
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granuloma
No age, breed, or sex predilection
Cause unknown, likely multifactorial
Suspected hypersensitivity
o similar histological appearance to hypersensitivity lesions in other species
o more common in spring and summer – insect hypersensitivity?
o traumatic, due to saddle pressure?
o prior body clipping a risk factor?
o injection sites – silicone coated needles
Diagnosis: clinical presentation
Skin biopsy: rule out other disorders
Treatment:
o “benign neglect” – not usually an option
o avoid direct pressure
o surgical excision – few, small nodules
o intralesional or systemic corticosteroids.jmc
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