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.
van Niekerk CH, Morgenthal JC, Sanders CP, Malan JE.Progesterone concentrations were assayed by a competitive protein-binding technique
in peripheral plasma samples collected twice
daily during four oestrous cycles of three
mares, and once a day during the first seven
weeks of pregnancy in four mares. Large
variations were found in progesterone levels
between morning and evening samples on the
same day in the same mare.
The lowest progesterone concentration
was found about the time of ovulation. Within 24 hours after ovulation the progesterone
concentration increased and two peaks, one
at 5 days and another at 8 days, were found.
Be...
Wilson S, Laurie G, Logan L.Multiple injections of horses with the membrane-microsome fraction from human thymocytes plus Freund's adjuvant gave rise to antithymocyte membrane serum with the immunosuppressive activity located in the γ2 region. Use of lymphoblast membrane-microsome fraction as antigen did not reduce the level of absorption required. Batch purification with QAE-Sephadex combined with ammonium sulfate fractionation gave 100% pure γG-globulins in good yield with reduced γ1-globulin content. The antithymocyte membrane globulin prolonged skin allografts in the cynomolgus monkey, chimpanzee, and man, showed ...
Deegen E, Müller P, Petzoldt K.On the basis of cytological similarities in chronic obstructive disease (COPD) in human beings and in horses during 1981 a total number of 144 horses with COPD were examined. Bronchial secretions were taken under endoscopic control and stained with a modified Hansel staining procedure. Whereas 26 horses did not exhibit signs of allergic reactions cytologically and 94 horses showed low amounts of eosinocytes and/or mast cells in their secretion; only the secretions of 24 horses (16,67%) were characterized by fairly high contents of these allergy associated cells and low numbers of neutrophilic ...
Burn JF, Franklin SH.The presence of abnormal respiratory sounds is commonly associated with obstructions of the upper respiratory tract. In order to establish their clinical significance measurements are required of both normal and abnormal respiratory sounds produced by horses exercising over-ground. Objective: To determine whether high quality recordings of respiratory sound can be made during over-ground exercise, and to develop a convenient measurement system that can be used to obtain respiratory sounds from horses exercising in field conditions. Methods: A range of prototypes was evaluated against the requi...
Christensen BW, Danielson JA.Recent publications have revealed inadequacies in the veterinary training of future equine practitioners. To help address this problem, a 2-week Equine Clinical Skills course was designed and implemented to provide fourth-year veterinary students with opportunities to have hands-on experience with common equine clinical skills using live animals and cadavers. Alumni and employers of alumni were surveyed to determine whether or not students participating in the course were more competent performing clinical skills during their first year post-graduation than those who had not participated in th...
Quéré E, Chahory S.Painful eye conditions are a therapeutic challenge in horses. Subpalpebral lavage (SPL) treatment systems allow topical aqueous medications to be conveniently, safely, and frequently administered to the ocular surface. The aim of this retrospective study was to describe the outcomes and the complications associated with the location of the SPL treatment systems, in the superior or inferior eyelid in horses in a university practice. Clinical records of all horses admitted to the National Veterinary School of Alfort between January 2004 and October 2021, in which a SPL treatment system was used ...
Sanclemente JL, Ragle CA, Lund CM.A 12-year-old Friesian stallion was examined because of a 1-year history of preputial injury and urination through a urethrocutaneous fistula located at the midbody of the ventral aspect of the penis. Results: Physical examination revealed an opening with a clearly apparent mucocutaneous junction 12 cm from the distal opening of the urethra on the ventral left side of the penis. Endoscopic examination of the distal portion of the urethra confirmed a blind pouch with no communication with the fistula or proximal portion of the urethra. Results: A temporary perineal urethrostomy was performed wi...
Roethlisberger-Holm K, Roepstorff L, Obel N.After giving an account of the principles of pressure measurement in flowing air and a review of the literature on tracheal catheters, the authors describe the construction, the introduction and the function of their own transtracheal catheter. This is a teflon catheter with several side-ports which is introduced into the cervical trachea by a guide technique. After introduction, the catheter is stiffened by the insertion of 2 steel wires. The catheter was studied in model experiments concerning: a) the ability to measure the static pressure in flowing air, and b) the dynamic accuracy of a rec...
Munsterman AS, Gillen AM, Coleridge MOD, Hanson RR.To evaluate the effect of changes in intraabdominal pressure (IAP) on central venous pressure (CVP) in normal horses. Methods: Experimental, in vivo study. Methods: University Teaching Hospital. Methods: Convenience sample of 7 mixed breed horses-5 geldings and 2 mares. Methods: Pneumoperitoneum was induced in horses under standing sedation with carbon dioxide gas using a laparoscopic insufflator for a total of 60 minutes to simulate clinical elevation in IAP. Pressure was increased stepwise to 20 mm Hg over 30 minutes, and maintained at that pressure for 30 minutes to evaluate the effect of ...
Gehlen H, Groner U, Rohn K, Stadler P.In 18 horses, the pulmonary artery wedge pressure and the heart rate were measured during pharmacological stress load. 12 horses were healthy (4 trained, 8 untrained) and 6 horses had a heart disease (3 trained, 3 untrained). Pharmacological stress induction was carried out with the sympathomimetic drug dobutamine at a dosage rate of 7.5 microg/kg/min over 10 minutes of infusion. At the fourth minute, the parasympatholytic drug atropine was administered (5 microg/kg bw), and the heart rate and the pulmonary artery wedge pressure were continuously measured over 26 minutes. During sole dobutamin...
Thakur BP, Sharma SK, Sharma A, Kumar A.Xylazine (1.1 mg/kg), butorphanol (0.02 mg/kg), guaifenesin 5% (20 mg/kg), and ketamine (2.2 mg/kg) combinations were able to induce short-term surgical anaesthesia for 23.33 ± 2.57 min in Spiti ponies with excellent to good muscle relaxation and analgesia. Urination and neighing was a constant feature during recovery period. Biphasic P wave, biphasic T wave, and depressed PR segment were common electrocardiographic findings. Biochemical attributes were within physiological limits except a significant increase in ALT values during anaesthesia. The values returned to normal during re...
Dwyer AE.Equine practitioners examine patient eyes on a daily basis. Indications range from inspection of normal anatomy to treatment of traumatized eyes to workups of sight threatening inflammatory or neoplastic ocular conditions. Assessment of equine eyes requires practitioners to take time to create a good "exam room" in the field and administer appropriate restraint, sedation and/or regional anesthesia to facilitate thorough examination. Accurate diagnosis and treatment of equine eye problems requires skill in ocular surface staining and cytology, and basic proficiency in standing surgery. Expertis...
Louie EW, Streeter R, Story M, Scrivani PV, Barrett M, Mullen KR.A neonatal Dutch Warmblood colt was evaluated for inability to stand, incoordination and intention tremor. Despite partial improvement in clinical signs during the first 4 days of hospitalization, neurological deficits remained. Magnetic resonance imaging identified a unilateral infratentorial arachnoid cyst-like lesion with ipsilateral compression and displacement of the cerebellar hemisphere, absent corpus collosum, polymicrogyria, suspect leukoencephalopathy, and noncompressive occipitoatlantal malformation. Improvement in clinical signs during the first 6 months of life suggests that ho...
Glatzel PS, Kangasniemi A, Belz JP, Lange A.The investigations were done on 108 mares (78 warm-blooded horses, 25 cold-blooded horses and 5 trotters). To pursue the question in the title, progesterone and estradiol values in jugular vein-blood were examined starting from 30 days before the calculated date of parturition until 30 days after that event. In parallel to that Ca/Mg ratio was measured by means of a semiquantitative test-strip in the milk. Clinical signs of the birth, parturition itself and the post partum period were recorded. In respect to the P4 and E2 values it was that the P4:E2 ratio changed towards parturition in favour...
Breuer D.In spite of regular vaccinations against equine influenza we are still observing a high rate of patients with respiratory problems in the equine practice. In our practice in Munich Riem, into which a horse clinic has been integrated, 4000 horses have been treated in 1985 alone. 874 of these showed some form of respiratory disease (= 22%). All of the 4000 horses have only been treated curatively, i.e. preventive forms of treatment such as vaccinations, deworming and examinations for insurance companies and prior to selling have not been taken into account. From 1983 until today in our clinic 25...
Galloway SS, Easley J.This article discusses the significant features and use of digital cameras, intraoral cameras, and oral endoscopes in equine dental practice. Although system features believed to be important have been listed, specific system recommendations have been omitted, since each veterinarian must individually determine the best system to meet practice clinical needs and budget. Veterinarians are encouraged to thoroughly research not only the camera/endoscope purchase but also the capabilities of the entire system, the compatibility of the system with different computer software programs, the reputatio...
Knoll U, Strauhs P, Schusser G, Ungemach FR.Olsalazine sodium (Dipentum*) has been used therapeutically against inflammatory bowel disease in human medicine as an alternative to sulphasalazine over the past 20 years. Bacteria in the colon split this prodrug into two molecules of the locally effective 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA). Considering the potential therapeutic use in equine colitis, the pharmacokinetics of olsalazine (OLZ) after single oral administration to six horses at a dosage of 30 mg/kg was investigated. Plasma concentrations of OLZ, 5-ASA, and its main metabolite N-acetyl-5-aminosalicylic acid (Ac-5-ASA) were analysed by ...
Iff I, Mosing M, Lechner T, Moens Y.To determine the usefulness of an acoustic device to confirm correct placement of extradural needles in horses. Methods: Prospective experimental study. Methods: Twelve adult healthy horses weighing between 434 and 640 kg. Methods: Horses were sedated, placed in stocks and subjected to caudal extradural anaesthesia using lidocaine 2%. For extradural puncture an 18 gauge Tuohy needle connected to an acoustic device via an electronic pressure transducer was used. This device allowed recording of the extradural pressure profile and the transformation of pressure changes into an audible signal. Ex...
Keller SA, Fürst AE, Kircher P, Ringer S, Kuemmerle JM.To report the clinical findings and outcome of locking compression plate (LCP) fixation of tarsal subluxations in horses. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Horses (n = 3) and ponies (2). Methods: All horses and ponies diagnosed with tarsal subluxations and treated with LCP fixation at our institution between 2011 and 2013 were included. Data were collected from the medical records, including all radiographic and computed tomographic (CT) studies and reviewed. Long-term (>1 year) followup examination, including owner interview, and clinical and radiographic examinations were perfo...
Shirer HW, Orr JA, Loker JL.To determine if CO2-sensitive airway receptors are important in the control of breathing, CO2 was preferentially loaded into the respiratory airways in conscious ponies. The technique involved adding small amounts of 100% CO2 to either the latter one-third or latter two-thirds of the inspiratory air in an attempt to raise CO2 concentrations in the airway dead space independent of the arterial blood. Arterial blood gas tensions (PCO2 and PO2) and pH, as well as respiratory output (minute volume, tidal volume, and respiratory rate), were measured in a series of 20 experiments on 5 awake ponies. ...
Galuppo LD, Simpson EL, Greenman SL, Dowd JP, Ferraro GL, Meagher DM.To report clinical evaluation of headless compression screws for repair of metacarpal/metatarsal (MC/MT3) condylar fractures in horses. Methods: Retrospective case study. Methods: Racing Thoroughbreds (n=16) with nondisplaced lateral condylar fractures of MC/MT 3. Methods: Medical records (1999-2004) of horses with nondisplaced longitudinal fractures of the lateral condyle of MC/MT3 were reviewed. Pre-operative variables retrieved were: patient age, gender, limb involvement, injury occurrence, fracture length, and width, evidence of palmar comminution and degenerative joint disease, number of ...
Webbon PM.The radiography of horses on behalf of a purchaser has become an inevitable part of a veterinarian's work. Radiography should, in theory, pose no more problems than a general clinical examination. In practice, difficulties arise when insufficient or inadequate films are taken or the films are misinterpreted. Radiographs of a diagnostic quality need to be taken and interpreted by a veterinarian who is reasonably well versed in radiological interpretation. Occasionally a lesion will be overlooked or misinterpreted and the radiographs will be retained so that the veterinarian's judgement can be c...
Rosenfeld G, Reichmann CE, Jaria LJ, Andrade SO.Hematological studies were developed on two mares and twelve adults castrate sheeps of "Ideal" breed. The animals had been on a pasture formed with Brachiaria radicans Napper for one and two months respectively. This experiment was developed in winter time, so the leaves of the graminea had a yellow-green color. Clinical and hematological observations were made weekly. The typical symptoms of intoxication failed to present as observed in the former investigation when the plant was green (3). The hematological exames showed only for ovines a slight anemia, it was also characterized as being mac...
James OA, Elce Y, Cillán-Garcia E, Reardon RJM. The aim of this study was to determine whether a clamped drill guide can be used effectively to drill across equine distal third metacarpals and metatarsals and to compare accuracy and speed of a drilling with a hand-held drill guide. Methods: Eighty equine cadaver limbs were divided between four surgeons with varying experience. The limbs were randomly allocated to clamped or hand-held drill guides and placed in a stand in an upright/standing position on a metal table. Drilling times from cis- to trans cortices were measured. Post-drilling computed tomography images were used to assess ...
Kau S, Motter KS, Moser VJ, Kunz JR, Pellachin M, Hartl B.Incisor malocclusions are common in horses. As yet, an evidence-based understanding of incisor occlusal surface angle dynamics and normocclusal range is missing. Orthodontic measuring devices could help unravel this information objectively but imply measurement validation. We evaluated intra- and interexaminer variability of repeated sagittal and transversal incisor occlusal surface angle measures using a commercial orthodontic gauge device (). Five examiners (two experienced, three inexperienced) measured six cadaver heads on 2 consecutive days in a blinded block-randomization design, resulti...
Dart AJ, Strong M, Rose RJ, Hodgson DR.To evaluate the clinical, haematological, and serum biochemical effects of two large doses of recombinant equine growth hormone. Methods: Duplicated Latin square. Methods: Three Thoroughbred and three Standardbred mares aged between 12 and 17 years. Methods: Two horses were randomly assigned into one of three groups. On each of three successive days, each horse pair received one of two dosages of growth hormone or a saline placebo so that by the end of the experiment all three horse pairs had received both dosages and the saline placebo. Dose rates selected were 50 micrograms/kg, and 100 micro...
Bello TR.A controlled test was performed to titrate the anthelmintic dosage of dienbendazole in 24 mixed-breed ponies naturally infected with Strongylus vulgaris, S edentatus, and small strongyle species, as determined by parasitic egg and larval counts in feces. Comparison of results of treatment was made among 3 dienbendazole dosages--2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg of body weight--and a gum (excipient) mixture given by nasogastric intubation. All ponies were euthanatized and necropsied at 7 or 8 days after treatment. Trichostrongylus axei, Habronema muscae, S vulgaris, S edentatus, small strongyles, and Oxyuri...
Gehlen H, Haubold A, Rohn K, Stadler P.In the present study we examined, if in Icelandic horses an increase in heart and/ or breathing rate is physiological and breed dependend or a sign of a pulmonary or cardiac disease. Therefore we examined 37 Icelandic horses with the prereport of being healthy. During clinical lung examination four horses showed symptoms of a pulmonary disease like increased breathing rate and enforced breathing at rest. These horses were excluded from the study. The other 33 horses were clinically normal. 17 of these horses were unridden (untrained) and 16 horses were regularly worked (trained). After clinica...
de Vries PJ, Zandee AR.As part of the veterinary surveillance of horse breeding management, the veterinarian is increasingly often requested to predict ovulation and to give a breeding or insemination advice accordingly. The result of a teasing procedure is indispensable for this advice. A suggestion is made for the quantification of oestrus signs. Oestrus symptoms are classified into four categories. In addition, various factors are mentioned, which affect the result of a teasing procedure.
Gregson R, Clutton RE.A 7-year-old gelded Irish sports horse weighing 650 kg was anesthetized on 2 consecutive days for lavage of a septic right radio-carpal joint. On both occasions the endotracheal tube connector, which had been bound in medical tape to produce an airtight seal, functioned as a unidirectional valve during mechanical ventilation, retarding expiration, imposing positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP), and probably continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). The equipment dysfunction was not identified on either occasion despite close inspection prompted by progressive increases in airway pressure a...
Mettenleiter E, Meier HP, Ueltschi G, Waibl H.The possibilities for imaging soft tissue structures, especially fluid-filled cavities such as articulations, bursae or tendon sheaths, have been improved markedly by sonography in recent years. Ultrasonic examinations were performed on the common tendon sheath of the musculus flexor hallucis longus and the musculus tibialis caudalis, from the medioplantar aspect of the tarsus, in 12 sound adult draft- and warm blood horses, and in 5 animals with a distended common sheath. The diagnostic precision of the sonographic examination of the tendon sheath is excellent and is superior to conventional ...
Gehlen H, Groner U, Rohn K, Stadler P.In the present study, a right heart catheterisation was carried out on three consecutive days in 17 healthy horses to evaluate the day-to-day variability of cardiac pressure values. Cardiac pressure values were measured in the right atrium, the right ventricle, the pulmonary artery, and the pulmonary capillaries (pulmonary artery wedge pressure). Additionally it was examined wether the cardiac pressure variability was influenced by the heart rate and if there are differences between trained and untrained horses. Beside the coefficient of variances, statistical analysis with assessment of varia...
