Persistent hypoxaemia and pulmonary oedema in a horse anaesthetised for emergency exploratory laparotomy

A 16-year-old, 550 kg Connemara gelding was anaesthetised for resection of multiple small intestine strangulating lipomas via ventral midline celiotomy. Severe hypoxaemia, detected throughout the anaesthetic period (lowest PaO2 58 mmHg [7.6 kPa]), was unresponsive to the ventilatory strategies implemented. Flared nostrils and increased respiratory rate were present at recovery from anaesthesia. When the horse was returned to the yard, bilateral foamy nasal discharge and increased respiratory effort and rate were noticed, consistent with pulmonary oedema. The horse received oxygen supplementation and furosemide, which led to complete resolution within 24 hours.