CASE SIMULATION - A SICK HORSE
Written by Corrie Brown, University of Georgia

The FAD case simulations are entirely fictional and designed for instruction and increased awareness.  They do not represent actual events.
For this exercise, imagine that you are  practitioner in southern California.   You are a part owner in a mixed animal practice.  The large animal component of your practice focuses on horses, and much of your income comes from a few wealthy clients who insist on the utmost in quality care for their equine animals.  It is a Friday afternoon and you are looking forward to a well-earned weekend hiking with your family in the local mountains.  Just as you are leaving the office, you get a call from Joe Roberts.  He is distraught.  Joe and his brother, Ed, raise high quality Quarter horses.  As Joe's son was bringing the animals in from the pasture this afternoon, their prize mare was down in the pasture, by the creek.  Could you please come over as soon as possible and have a look, doc?
What are you going to do?
As you arrive at the farm, you notice that the family is downright funereal.   Joe's son, Mark, is in tears.  He had tugged and tugged on the mare's halter but she just wouldn't get up.  You pick up your bag and run with him down to the creek in the pasture.  As you are getting your thermometer and stethoscope out, the mare takes a few last gasps and dies.
Your Patient
What now?  The owners are very upset about this mare.  In addition, they are worried about their other animals.  They want to know, why did this horse die?   Are the other horses at risk?  Could you take a look at them?  Could you do a postmortem on the mare?  Could you please help them?
What should you do now? Think first before you answer this question.  Do you want to jump right in and do a necropsy on the horse or should you get some more history and perhaps examine the horses in the barn first? 

Let's examine the horses in the barn.  As you walk to the barn, you elicit some history and more background from the owner. 

Okay, now we're in the barn. 
What's wrong with this picture?
Several of the horses are depressed.  All the rectal temperatures are normal but one or two have a slight increase in respiratory rate.  Another is showing signs of colic.  What about the horse in the photo above?   Do you detect an abnormality?
With all your clinical data in hand, now it is time to leave the barn and head out to the field for the necropsy.  It takes a long time to necropsy this mare.  You are exhausted and very dirty   You took the time to take lots of samples because you really don't know what this is.  Click here for a summary your findings.
You are beginning to have serious concern.  You have never seen a clinical situation like this.  What are some rule-outs? 

At this point, you realize that you are dealing with a disease that may be spreading among the animals and you are very concerned.  It is time to call your friendly federal veterinarian and tell him or her of your concerns.  At this point, a foreign animal disease investigation is launched.   Click here for the results of that investigation.
Conclusion
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