Toxpath Case 4: Cola

It is mid-summer and you are working on the necropsy floor. A 15 year old mare comes in for necropsy.

Submitted History

History of mild to moderate colic for around 48 hours. I saw the horse in the field 2 days ago and gave her a standard colic workup. Suspected mild impaction colic. Gave her 500 mg of Banamine IV and tubed fluids. Told owner to give another dose of Banamine in 12 hours if she was still uncomfortable and left her a tube of oral Banamine.

Yesterday horse came into the clinic with severe diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, and off-feed. Owner said she gave a dose of banamine but it didn’t seem to help. In clinic, horse developed a fever and laminitis. Died several hours later. Wondering what happened?

Necropsy Findings
Examined a 15 year old Quarter Horse mare weighing approximately 500 kg. Noted significant ventral edema and petechiation of the mucous membranes on external examination. The right dorsal colon was edematous and the mucosal surface was ulcerated with a fibrinous exudate covering the ulcerated areas. Similar lesions were also identified along the margo plicatus.

What organ system(s) are affected?

Select up to three primary clinical findings from this case.

Primary Clinical Findings
Abortion Bradycardia
Cardiac damage Coagulopathy
Cystitis Gastritis/gastroenteritis
Hemolysis Hepatic failure
Lameness Lethargy
Methemoglobinemia Myopathy
Renal failure Salivation
Seizures Tachycardia
Teratogenesis Weakness

Notes