Diagnosis and Management of Bacterial Pneumonia in Adult Horses

Lower respiratory infections in adult horses often have an initial viral component because the effects of lower respiratory viral infections on local clearance and immune function may predispose to secondary bacterial involvement. Bacterial lower respiratory infections have greater clinical impact than viral infections because of the substantial risk of complications ranging from focal abscessation to pleuropneumonia. The development of complicated pneumonia cannot always be prevented, but, once present, requires early and aggressive intervention to achieve acceptable outcomes. Bacterial pneumonia can present substantial therapeutic challenges to the clinician that requires careful consideration of both patient factors and pharmacologic principles when formulating one’s therapeutic plan.