2015 ACVIM Forum Research Abstract Program

Racehorses with a recent history of traveling are at risk of developing septic pleuropneumonia. Upper respiratory tract flora continues to represent the most common bacteria isolated from the lower airway of horses with pleuropneumonia. Tracheal aspirate culture is superior to pleural fluid culture, and laminitis is uncommon in horses with pleuropneumonia. Azotemia is a negative prognostic indicator and likely reflects severity of illness upon admission. Finally, thoracotomy should be considered in horses with pleuropneumonia. Data was extracted from clinical records from the Royal Veterinary College between 2000-2013. These cases were identified from invoices where SPL catheters were billed. During this time period only one brand of SPL catheter was used (Mila, Kentucky, USA). Data collated included age, breed, gender, clinician, stage and type of training, ophthalmic condition, pharmacological agents administered, catheter position, duration of placement, whether the catheter was managed in the hospital or at home and any complications reported and action(s) taken. This data was then entered and coded into a spreadsheet. Data was initially interrogated using Chi-squared tests. Two binary logistic regression models were built in a step-wise fashion to evaluate the factors associated with position of catheter insertion and complication rates.