Bullous emphysema with haemorrhage in a premature foal

A Warmblood foal was admitted at one day of age because of prematurity and seizures. Clinical and clinical pathology abnormalities were consistent with prematurity and suspected hypoxic seizures that responded to anti-convulsive therapy. The foal stabilised after several days of intensive care but then developed an airway infection. Thoracic radiographs showed multiple cavitary lesions and ultrasound examination suggested intra-cavital haemorrhage. The foal went on to develop septicaemia and was subjected to euthanasia. Post mortem examination revealed multiple bullous emphysema with haemorrhage. This disorder should be considered in the differential diagnosis of foals having air-fluid filled cavities on thoracic radiographs.