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Topic:Clinical Examination
Clinical examination in horses involves a systematic evaluation of the animal to assess its health status and identify any potential medical issues. This process typically includes a thorough physical assessment, which may cover observation of behavior and posture, palpation of body structures, auscultation of heart and lung sounds, and examination of the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. Additional diagnostic tools such as thermography, endoscopy, or imaging techniques may be utilized to gather more detailed information. Clinical examination serves as a foundational step in veterinary diagnostics, aiding in the detection and management of diseases or injuries in horses. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore methodologies, advancements, and findings related to clinical examination practices in equine medicine.
The effects of natural exposure to high levels of zinc and cadmium in the immature pony as a function of age. To study the effects of environmental exposure to zinc and cadmium in immature foals, five pregnant ponies were raised within 2.9 km of the New Jersey Zinc Smelter in Palmerton, Pennsylvania. The mares and their foals were kept outdoors on timothy hay and orchard grass. The foals were examined daily for signs of illness and blood samples were taken monthly for estimation of serum zinc, copper, and ceruloplasmin levels. The foals were sacrificed at 2.5, 4.5, 8.5, 13.5, and 18.5 months of age. Necropsy revealed generalized osteochondrosis in joints of the limbs and cervical vertebrae, lymphoid h...
Surgical repair of a partial gastric rupture in a horse. RUPTURE of the stomach is a common complication of
gastric impaction and intestinal reflux or of gastric distention.
After rupture, the general condition of the horse deteriorates
and death follows within a few hours (Tennant, Wheat and
Meagher 1972; McIlwraith 1982).
Dietz and Wiesner (1982) state that partial rupture of the
stomach may result in severe blood loss with circulatory
collapse. In this report a partial rupture of the stomach was
surgically repaired during exploratory laparotomy.
A reproducible means of studying acute renal failure in the horse. Acute renal failure was produced in 5 ponies which had received mercuric chloride (0.25 mg/kg) and potassium dichromate (3 mg/kg) intravenously each day for 5 days. Failure was due to acute nephrosis. This was indicated clinically by daily monitoring of the urine output, and B-mode ultrasonography of both kidneys after administering the fifth dose of the chemical agents. Euthanasia was performed after days 14, 9, 5, 8 and 5 respectively in each of the ponies, and the presence of renal disease confirmed by gross and microscopic post mortem examination. The nature of the kidney lesions observed ...
Hypercalcemia associated with malignancy in a horse. Hypercalcemia associated with malignancy was diagnosed in a 2-year-old Thoroughbred filly admitted because of weight loss and reduced exercise tolerance of approximately 2 months' duration. Laboratory findings included hypercalcemia, hypophosphatemia, anemia, marked neutrophilia with lymphopenia and eosinopenia, and normal immunoreactive parathyroid hormone concentration. At necropsy, a 53.6-kg tumor was located in the cranioventral aspect of the abdominal cavity. Gross renal lesions were not noticed. Bone tissue appeared to be normal on gross and histologic examinations. The parathyroid gland...
Study of variables commonly used in examination of equine colic cases to assess prognostic value. In a retrospective study, the prognostic value and individual merit of seven variables, used in routine examination of colic cases, were tested. The following variables proved to be significant in discriminating between horses which survived and those which died: heart rate (P less than 0.00005), packed cell volume (P less than 0.00005) and intensity of colic signs (P less than 0.0001).
Resection and anastomosis of small intestine: current methods applicable to the horse. Intraoperative techniques for assessing the viability of ischaemic bowel are discussed. Intravenous administration of sodium fluorescein appears useful but further investigation of the method is required. Methods of resection and anastomosis of small intestine are described and illustrated, including the use of automatic stapling instruments.
Effects of amitraz, several opiate derivatives and anticholinergic agents on intestinal transit in ponies. Amitraz, atropine, glycopyrrolate and morphine (but not its derivatives, meperidine [pethidine], oxymorphone and butorphanol) produced similar effects on clinically observed intestinal functions and significantly prolonged intestinal transit, as assessed with polyethylene glycol (PEG). However, their mechanisms of action, particularly on intestinal transport (fluid movement), may differ widely. Loperamide appeared to exert a preferential action on intestinal transport rather than motility, as there was no significant delay in PEG transit. The action of amitraz in perturbing smooth muscle coord...
Diagnostic ultrasound in equine reproduction. This article reviews the type of equipment available, the examination techniques, and the interpretation of information derived from ultrasound in broodmare practice. The application of diagnostic ultrasound has found immediate acceptability and clinical usefulness in the genital evaluations of the broodmare.
Diseases of the liver. The ability to image the liver in horses can add valuable diagnostic information or aid in guided biopsy procedures. Anytime the size, shape, position, and texture of the liver can be determined, additional information about the horse's condition is gained. Conditions such as cholelithiasis, neoplasia, fibrosis can be detected ultrasonographically.
Uses of ultrasound in equine internal medicine. Ultrasound examination allows the diagnostician to examine peripheral soft tissues and many internal organs in a noninvasive manner. In most instances, ultrasound can be utilized to complement other diagnostic aids, but its increased use has revealed the unique advantages of this technique over more established diagnostic tools. The ease with which ultrasound interpretation can be learned and the increased availability of instruments make this approach to diagnosis a valuable asset in the diagnosis of many equine medical diseases.
General considerations for ultrasound examinations. Patient preparation and restraint, instrumentation, and methods of retaining records of ultrasound images are discussed.
Diseases of the kidneys. Ultrasound examination offers important diagnostic and prognostic information in renal disease of the horse. Differentiation between acute nephrosis and chronic renal disease can usually be made because of the advanced degree of morphologic change usually prevalent in chronic conditions. Dilatations of the recesses and pelvis (hydronephrosis) as well as the relative thickness of the renal cortex and medulla are readily determined. Mineral densities (calculi) are recognizable by their characteristic acoustic shadowing.
Ultrasound science for the veterinarian. In order to successfully sort out the information, both real and bogus, in an ultrasonic image, one must have a fundamental understanding of the physical and electronic events that produced the image. We have looked at the basic science, signal processing, some case examples of ultrasound science in practice, and some popular illusions. It is a good starting place for the newcomer to ultrasonic imaging.
Lung sounds in cattle, horses, sheep and goats. The purpose of this paper is to emphasize the importance of pulmonary auscultation for the clinician. It suggests a clarification and simplification of the terminology to be used which would be helpful to veterinary students and allow better communications between veterinarians. The interpretation of these sounds and the relationships to conditions and diseases of the lungs in cattle, horses, sheep and goats are discussed.
Diseases of the heart. Diagnostic ultrasound has allowed significant findings to be made in the investigation of cardiac disease in the horse. Because of the limited value of thoracic radiography in the adult horse with cardiac disease, ultrasound is the method of choice to document chamber enlargement, pericardial effusion, valvular abnormalities, and decreased contractility of the myocardium. The apparent changes in the flow characteristics and suspicion of abnormality in the right heart of racehorses need further investigation to fully document the etiopathogenesis of spontaneous contrast.
Ultrasonographic appearance and correlative anatomy of the soft tissues of the distal extremities in the horse. The diagnostician should be familiar with the normal ultrasound appearance (size, shape, position, and textural quality) of each structure examined. With these factors as reference points, one can describe lesions in the structure involved, the precise location and extent of the lesions, and the degree of structural compromise that is manifested. Documentation of lesions of tendons and ligaments enables one to make an accurate diagnosis and a more precise prognosis. Serial examination during the healing phases allows for a more accurate prediction as to when the structure in question can withs...
Diabetes mellitus associated with bilateral granulosa cell tumors in a mare. Both ovaries in a 10-year-old American Saddle Horse mare were determined to be larger than normal. The mare had problems with infertility during the preceding 3 years. Clinical evaluation revealed that the mare was polyuric, polydypsic, hyperinsulinemic, and hyperglycemic, and had reduced tolerance to exogenous glucose. Bilateral granulosa cell tumors were identified on histologic examination of the ovaries. The precise mechanism for the secondary diabetes mellitus was not determined; however, the cause was suspected to be a result of the synthesis and release of a hormonal substance by the tu...
Guidelines for the recognition and assessment of pain in animals. Prepared by a working party of the Association of Veterinary Teachers and Research Workers. Despite some views to the contrary the working party of the Association of Veterinary Teachers and Research Workers considers that it has been demonstrated that it is possible to prepare guidelines for the recognition and assessment of pain in experimental animals. The detailed information readily available on species specific signs is limited and it has been particularly difficult to obtain such signs for the smaller mammals and for the non-mammalian species.
Bone scintigraphy as an aid in the diagnosis of occult distal tarsal bone trauma in three horses. History, physical examination, and bone scintigraphy were used to diagnose central and/or third tarsal bone trauma in 3 acutely lame horses. In all 3 cases, the results of initial radiographic examination were negative. Bone scintigraphy revealed focal, intense radioisotope uptake at the level of the distal tarsal bones in the 3 horses. Radiographs obtained 4 weeks after injury in one horse demonstrated a slab fracture of the central tarsal bone. Conservative management of the tarsal bone disease resulted in acceptable return to function in all 3 horses.
Method of investigation of the accuracy of four digitally-displaying heart rate meters suitable for use in the exercising horse. The measurement of heart rate during exercise in the horse has been recommended as a means of prescribing work effort, monitoring the changes in aerobic capacity during training and as part of the clinical examination of the performance horse. The accuracy of four heart rate meters (PEH 100, PU 10, HR 14 and HRM-7) was assessed by comparison with heart rate determined by simultaneous telemetry electrocardiography (ECG) using a rapid incremental exercise test on a treadmill. Heart rate displayed by all four meters showed significant correlations with the ECG heart rate, but only two meters (PEH...
