Echocardiographic diagnosis of fibrinous pericarditis in a Saanen goat

Abstract

Pericarditis refers to the inflammation of the pericardial sac and is classified into three types based on its morphology: fibrinous, purulent, and constrictive. A case involving a nine-month-old female Saanen goat was presented to the hospital which exhibited symptoms of cough, weight loss, anorexia, reluctance to move or stand and difficulty in respiration. Clinical evaluation indicated respiratory distress, difficulty in walking and thoracic auscultation revealed dull sounds. Microscopic examination of stained blood smears revealed the presence of Pasteurella organisms. Thoracic ultrasonography revealed pericardial fluid accumulation. On the day of presentation, it was died and necropsy revealed presence of fibrotic layers in the thoracic cavity and around the pericardium which confirms the case of fibrinous pericarditis. This study concludes that pericarditis in this goat was associated with pasteurellosis, highlighting echocardiography as a crucial diagnostic tool for identifying pericarditis in small ruminants.