UC Davis

Severe icterus, peritoneal effusion, localized fibrinous peritonitis, and necrotizing hepatitis were found at necropsy of a 20-year-old female pony with a history of acute onset depression, inappetence, fever, and marked elevation in hepatic enzymes. Gross pathology, histopathology, and immunohistochemistry were compatible with a diagnosis of clostridial hepatitis caused by Clostridium novyi-group bacteria. This is believed to be the first reported case of clostridial hepatitis in an equid in Canada, and only the third report of this rare disease in North America.