STREPTOCOCCAL FIBRINOUS PERICARDITIS AND PERITONITIS IN A VIETNAMESE POTBELLIED PIG

An 8-month-old female Vietnamese pot-bellied pig was examined because of a 48-hour history of anorexia and signs of depression. Hypothermia, dehydration, pronounced respiratory effort, and muffled heart sounds were detected. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed ascites and hepatic congestion. Echocardiography revealed pericardial effusion and fibrino us pericarditis. Ultrasound-guided pericardiocentesis was diagnostic a nd therapeutic. Cytologic examination of pericardial and peritoneal fl uid revealed degenerated neutrophils and intra-and extracellular gram- positive cocci. On microbial culture of pericardial and peritoneal flu id specimens, moderate growth of a P-hemolytic Streptococcus sp of gro up G was observed. After initial treatment corrected hypothermia and d ehydration, the pig was treated with sulfadiazine/sulfamerazine/ sulfa methazine and oxytetracycline for 30 days. Echocardiographic examinati on 3 months after the initial examination revealed resolution of the p ericardial effusion and fibrinous pericarditis.