Evaluation of urinary and gastrointestinal disorders in foals with rhodococcosis and the effect of treatment with azithromycin plus rifampin on these disorders

This study was conducted for evaluation of urinary and gastrointestinal disorders in foals with Rhodococcosis and the effect of treatment with azithromycin plus rifampin on these disorders. The study was performed on 17 foals with Rhodococcosis (2-5 months old) and 18 normal foals as control in horse stablesaroundTabriz area, Iran. Sick foals were detected with clinical and laboratory (culture of nasal discharge) findings.  Blood samples C20 ml were collected from the jugular vein in all foals and serum was separated. Sick foals were examined and the clinical function of urinary and gastrointestinal systems were recorded. Kidney function was evaluated with measurement of blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (Cr), total protein (Pr), sodium (Na) and potassium (K) in the serum. The gastrointestinal function was evaluated by considering the presence of diarrhea, appetite and gastric ulcer (with endoscopy). Azithromycin plus rifampin was used orally once a day for 2 weeks in foals with Rhodococcosis. Blood Sampling was conducted at the end of treatment and the preview parameters were evaluated. In sick foals, the clinical findings were resolved but soft stool wasstillobserved in 13 cases. Gastric ulcer were higher in the sick group with most of them considered grade II in the nonglandular region of the stomach. BUN, Cr and P increased significantly after treatment in the sick group. Rhodococcosis increased total protein in the serum significantly but was corrected after treatment. In conclusion, both Rhodococcosis and its treatment using azithromycin plusurinaryand gastrointestinaldysfunction.