Diagnosis of Potomac horse fever (syn. equine neorickettsiosis) in 2 foals in southwestern Ontario

• Published in: The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne 2023, Vol.64 (12), p.1129-1132
• Main Authors: tin-Trahan, Rosalie, Sjolin, Erika, Lack, Amy, de Arbina, Cristina Lopez, McFadden-Bennett, Amy, Wang, Lidan, Baird, John D, Rikihisa, Yasuko, Arroyo, Luis G
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0008-5286

Potomac horse fever (PHF) is characterized by fever, depression, anorexia, ileus, diarrhea, and occasionally, laminitis. The disease is caused by infection with Neorickettsia risticii and/or N. findlayensis. Equids of all ages may be affected; however, the condition has not been well-characterized in foals. This report describes clinical signs, laboratory findings, and treatment of 2 foals diagnosed with PHF in southwestern Ontario. Feces submitted for an equine PCR panel tested positive for Neorickettsia spp. and were subsequently confirmed to be N. risticii (Case 1) and N. findlayensis (Case 2). Both foals recovered following hospitalization and intensive care. Key clinical message: The purpose of this report is to make veterinarians aware that foals may develop PHF. During summer (July to September), when encountering foals in endemic areas with clinical signs compatible with PHF, veterinarians should consider PHF as a diagnostic rule-out. For confirmation of the diagnosis, blood and feces should be submitted for PCR testing for Neorickettsia spp.