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Topic:Case Reports
Case reports in equine medicine provide detailed accounts of individual horses' clinical presentations, diagnostic processes, treatments, and outcomes. These reports are valuable for documenting rare conditions, novel treatment approaches, or unique clinical insights that may not be captured in larger studies. By focusing on individual cases, these reports contribute to the broader understanding of equine health and disease management. They often include comprehensive information on the horse's history, clinical findings, diagnostic tests, therapeutic interventions, and follow-up evaluations. This page assembles peer-reviewed case reports and scholarly articles that explore diverse aspects of equine health, offering insights into specific medical scenarios and their implications for veterinary practice.
Postsurgical ventricular tachycardia in a horse. A 2-year-old Thoroughbred racehorse developed ventricular tachycardia after elective laryngoplasty and ventriculectomy were performed while anesthesia was maintained with halothane. During surgery, the horse became febrile and developed transient mild hypercarbia. The horse was treated with an IV infusion of quinidine gluconate. Continuous electrocardiographic monitoring was used to evaluate cardiac rhythm during treatment, and conversion was achieved after 12 hours of IV infusion. The inciting cause for the arrhythmia was not determined.
Treatment of a mandibular bone cyst by use of a corticocancellous bone graft in a horse. A 1-year-old Appaloosa stallion had a mass on the right rostral hemimandible. The mass was firm, did not cause signs of pain, and was identified as a bone cyst by radiography and biopsy. Surgical correction included curettage of the cystic cavity and grafting the defect with both cortical and cancellous bone. By 5 months, the cystic cavity was ossifying; continued remodeling with an increase in bone density was apparent 22 months after surgery.
Stabilization of a proximal femoral physeal fracture in a filly by use of cancellous bone screws. A Salter-Harris type-II fracture of the proximal portion of the right femur in a 2-month-old filly was reduced and stabilized with three 6.5-mm-diameter, 100-mm-long cancellous bone screws through a dorsal approach to the right coxofemoral joint. The screws were removed after 11 months because the filly became lame in the affected limb. The surgical wounds dehisced despite preventive measures, most likely because of tightness of skin in the coxal region. Seven years after the original injury, the horse could perform vigorous paddock exercise without any disability. Early internal fixation of p...
Antemortem diagnosis of cholangiocellular carcinoma in a horse. A 10-year-old Tennessee Walking Horse gelding was admitted to the veterinary teaching hospital for evaluation of intermittent fever, lethargy, and anorexia. Initial laboratory analyses revealed anemia and hyperfibrinogenemia. Abdominocentesis and thoracentesis yielded fluid samples with high nucleated cell counts and total protein concentrations. The tentative diagnosis was nonseptic peritonitis. The horse did not improve after 4 days of antimicrobial treatment, and pitting edema of the ventral midline developed. Thoracic radiography and ultrasonography revealed consolidation of the ventral as...
Coccidioidomycosis in horses: 15 cases (1975-1984). Fifteen confirmed cases of equine coccidioidomycosis that originated in California and Arizona were studied retrospectively. Age, breed, and sex varied among affected horses. The most common historical problems were chronic weight loss (53% of cases) and persistent cough (33% of cases). The most frequent physical examination abnormalities were related to the respiratory tract (60% of cases). In 27% of cases, horses had signs of musculoskeletal pain. Horses consistently had hyperproteinemia, hyperfibrinogenemia, leukocytosis, and neutrophilia. An antemortem etiologic diagnosis was made for 11 (...
Colopexy in broodmares: 44 cases (1986-1990). Colopexies were performed in 44 broodmares requiring abdominal surgery for large colon volvulus or right dorsal displacement of the large colon. Colopexies were performed by suturing the lateral bands of the left and right ventral colon to the ventral abdominal wall. Forty-seven percent of the mares in which a colopexy was performed had previous surgery for a large colon volvulus or right dorsal displacement of the large colon. Postoperative complications considered directly associated with the colopexy procedure were intermittent abdominal pain in 7, reoperation in 5, subcutaneous fistulous t...
Tearing of the medial palmar intercarpal ligament in the equine midcarpal joint. Tearing of the medial palmar intercarpal ligament is described in 45 intercarpal (midcarpal) joints in 42 horses (37 racehorses, 5 non-racehorses). Of the 37 racehorses, there were 20 Quarter Horses, 14 Thoroughbreds and 3 Standardbreds. The patients had been referred for arthroscopic surgery for removal of osteochondral chip fragments that had been diagnosed radiographically or diagnostic arthroscopy of a persistent carpal problem. The problem was unilateral in 39 horses and bilateral in 3. The presenting clinical signs were lameness and/or persistent synovial effusion. In one instance, the p...
Clinical and biochemistry findings, and parathyroid hormone concentrations in three horses with secondary hyperparathyroidism. Three cases of horses with nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism (NSH) are described. The horses showed typical thickening of the maxillae and mandibular bones with or without lameness. Laboratory findings included elevated concentrations of parathyroid hormone (carboxy-terminal and mid-molecule fractions), alkaline phosphatase and an increase in the fractional excretion rate of serum inorganic phosphorus.
Five cases of gastrocnemius tendinitis in the horse. The normal gastrocnemius tendon may contain some muscular tissue proximally. This results in a patchy echogenicity ultrasonographically where it lies caudal or lateral to the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT). When it has assumed a position dorsal (cranial) to the SDFT the gastrocnemius tendon has a more uniform echogenicity and its margins are well defined. Five horses had lameness associated with lesions identified ultrasonographically in the gastrocnemius tendon in the latter region. Lameness ranged from mild to severe and was characterised by reduced hock flexion, lowered arc of foo...
A one-stage repair of third-degree perineal lacerations and rectovestibular fistulae in 17 mares. Third-degree perineal lacerations or rectovestibular fistulae in 17 mares were repaired surgically by a one-stage method. Primary healing occurred in 14 mares; there were one complete dehiscence and two partial dehiscences with fistula formation. Twelve of 13 mares that were bred became pregnant; nine carried foals to term and two are still pregnant. Two mares have each produced one unthrifty foal. One mare repeatedly aborts in the first trimester. Four mares have produced several healthy foals with no further problems. One mare suffered further perineal trauma while foaling.
Idiopathic muscular hypertrophy of the equine small intestine: 11 cases (1980-1991). The medical records of 11 horses with idiopathic muscular hypertrophy (MH) of the small intestine were reviewed to determine the clinical and pathological features of the disease. The median age of affected horses was 10.0 years (range 5-18 years). No breed or sex predisposition was apparent. Ten horses (91%) had chronic (23 days to 2.4 years) signs of mild, intermittent colic, and 1 horse had signs of severe colic of only 3 days' duration. Partial anorexia and chronic weight loss of variable duration (1-6 months) were prominent historical findings in 5 (45%) horses. Diagnostic tests, with the...
Ultrasonographic characteristics of splenic and hepatic lymphosarcoma in three horses. Splenic and hepatic ultrasonography were beneficial for diagnosis of lymphosarcoma in 3 horses with anorexia, weight loss, and lethargy. Ultrasonographic abnormalities of the spleen included a large, complex, hypoechoic mass in 1 horse, multiple well-marginated, hypoechoic nodules in 1 horse, and diffuse hyperechogenicity in another horse. Ultrasonographic abnormalities of the liver included a spherical, hypoechoic nodule in 1 horse and diffuse hyperechogenicity in another. Histologic examination of ultrasound-guided biopsy specimens or aspirates revealed lymphosarcoma. Necropsy findings confi...
Use of an ecraseur for ovariohysterectomy in mares. Ovariohysterectomy was performed in 20 mares at three stages of estrus. An ecraseur was used to severe the ovarian branch of the ovarian artery and vein and the ovarian suspensory ligament en masse. All other vessels supplying the ovaries and uterus were doubly ligated and transected. All mares survived. Complications were intraoperative hemorrhage in three mares, postoperative vaginal bleeding in two mares, and a hematoma in the remnant of the broad ligament in one mare. No adhesions between the uterine stump or remnants of the broad ligament and abdominal structures were detected by palpatio...
Cholelith causing duodenal obstruction in a horse. A 10-year-old Appaloosa stallion was referred for evaluation of colic. At admission, the heart rate, capillary refill time, respiratory rate, and rectal temperature were high. Fifteen liters of reflux was obtained by nasogastric intubation. Palpation of an abdominal mass per rectum elicited signs of pain. At exploratory laparotomy, a mass was palpated in the ascending portion of the duodenum. The small intestine ruptured at the site of obstruction during manipulation. The horse was euthanatized. A large cholelith was the cause of the duodenal obstruction. At necropsy, multiple choleliths of va...
Tubular duplication of the cervical portion of the esophagus in a foal. Tubular duplication of the cervical portion of the esophagus was diagnosed in a 10-day-old female Quarter Horse. The foal was examined because of the development of a 12- to 15-cm diameter mass at the caudal aspect of the mandible after suckling. The foal was dyspneic when in lateral recumbency. Radiography and ultrasonography revealed a fluid- and gas-filled mass. Endoscopy revealed a normal-appearing upper airway and esophagus. Complete surgical resection of the mass was successful. The mass had a 3-mm diameter communication with the esophageal lumen at the pharyngoesophageal oriface. Histol...
Retrospective study of 38 cases of femur fractures in horses less than one year of age. Medical records of 38 horses less than 1 year of age and diagnosed as having a fracture of the femoral diaphysis, metaphysis or distal physis were evaluated. Twenty-six foals had fractures of the femoral diaphysis or metaphysis with the most common fracture configuration being comminuted. Twelve foals had distal physeal fractures with the most common fracture configuration being a Salter-Harris type II. Twenty-one foals with fractures of the capital femoral physis, neck or greater trochanter during the same time period were excluded from this study. Surgical repair was attempted in 16 diaphyse...
Anaplastic sarcoma in the caudal thigh of a horse. A 16-year-old showjumping gelding was examined because of a non-painful, slowly progressive caudal thigh swelling, which was associated with 2/10th lameness at the trot. Radiography, real time beta-mode ultrasonography and gamma-scintigraphy of the caudal thigh for the presence of chip fractures, sequestrum formation and, or, abscessation were inconclusive. Radiographic examination of the chest revealed multifocal, nodular cannon ball-like opacities throughout the entire lung fields from which a diagnosis of a primary soft tissue tumour with metastasis to the thorax was made. An anaplastic sar...
Squamous cell carcinoma of the equine stomach: a report of five cases. Five horses with squamous cell carcinoma of the stomach are described. The clinical findings included anorexia, weight loss, abdominal distension, abnormal chewing and swallowing behaviour and abdominal masses palpable per rectum in four cases. Haematological studies revealed a normocytic anaemia in three horses, and neutrophilia and hypoalbuminaemia in two. Analysis of peritoneal fluid revealed abnormal effusions in all five horses and neoplastic cells were identified in three of them. The tumours originated in the cardia and metastases were present in all the horses. Three of them had many s...
Intestinal fibrosis with partial obstruction in five horses and two ponies. Fibrosis of the small intestine led to recurrent colic and weight loss in 2 ponies and 5 horses. There was a reduction in the length of the small intestine to one-half normal in horses 4 to 7. Histologic examination revealed substantial small intestinal submucosal fibrosis and arteriole sclerosis. The cause was not determined, but an environmental factor was suspected because 3 horses were from the same farm and the other animals were from within a 10-mile radius of the farm. The submucosal fibrosis appeared to be secondary to sclerosis of arterioles in the submucosa and mesentery, with low bl...
Can a pelvic fracture in a horse be detected by probe scintigraphy? Pelvic fracture is a relatively common spontaneous fracture in thoroughbred racehorses. Its diagnosis can be difficult, and radiography in the acute phase carries the risks associated with anaesthesia and recumbency. This paper describes the use of a hand-held probe for point counting after the injection of technetium-99m in the investigation of four cases of pelvic fracture. The level of increased uptake of radioactivity was lower (40 to 61 per cent increase) than for distal limb bone fractures.
[2 cases of ‘hardware’ foreign objects in ponies]. An obstruction of the small intestine was suspected in two ponies with colic. At surgery and at necropsy, the cause of the colic appeared to be an inflammation process caused by perforation of the jejunum by a piece of wire. One pony recovered after laparotomy and enterectomy, but had to be put down eight weeks later because of severe laminitis. The other pony was euthanized immediately after clinical evaluation.
Equine arch vessel anomaly associated with coarctation of the aorta. Angiography in a 30-year-old man revealed the unique combination of aortic coarctation and an unusual arch anomaly. Proximal to the coarctation, a single arch vessel trifurcated into the brachiocephalic, left common carotid and left subclavian arteries. This anomalous arch vessel is a normal equine variant.
Complications of nasogastric intubation in horses: nine cases (1987-1989). Pharyngeal or esophageal trauma was diagnosed in 9 horses after nasogastric intubation. Evidence of trauma (edema or ulceration) was detected in the pharynx of 3 horses and in the esophagus of 6 horses. Complications associated with nasogastric intubation were first observed in 5 horses while they were intubated and in 4 horses after extubation. Clinical signs of pharyngeal or esophageal trauma were similar, and included salivation, bruxism, coughing, and nasal discharge. Treatment, including extubation, enteral feeding through a small nasogastric tube, or esophagostomy distal to the affected ...
