Oxytetracycline associated acute kidney injury in a neonatal foal

Abstract

Summary A 3‐day‐old Australian Stock Horse filly presented with fulminant acute kidney injury after receiving 4 g of intravenous oxytetracycline at 24 and 48 h of age for medical management of flexural deformities. The filly’s clinical status initially improved, but worsening azotaemia prompted euthanasia after 55 h of supportive care. Necropsy confirmed proximal tubular necrosis. Nephropathy in association with oxytetracycline administration has been rarely reported. This case describes severe nephropathy in an apparently normal foal and highlights the need for thorough case evaluation prior to use of high‐dose oxytetracycline therapy for correction of flexural deformities in foals.

Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs and Associated Toxicities in Horses

“…Administration of an NSAID with a nephrotoxic drug, such as an aminoglycoside, oxytetracycline or polymyxin B, may also increase the risk of nephrotoxicity in horses [ 14 ]. Ponies are also reported to have an increased susceptibility to NSAID toxicity [ 56 , 57 ].…”

Serum symmetric dimethylarginine concentration in healthy neonatal Thoroughbred foals

“…12 The need to assess renal function in the neonate is increased by the frequent use of nephrotoxic drugs in both systemically compromised and well neonates. For example aminoglycosides in neonatal sepsis, 1 oxytetracycline in flexural limb deformity 13 or non-steroidal anti-inflammatories. The capability to confirm that a foal has adequate renal function prior to administration of these drugs or monitoring during ongoing treatment would be highly beneficial.…”