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.
Weber LA, Puff C, Kalbitz J, Kietzmann M, Feige K, Bosse K, Rohn K, Cavalleri JV.The naturally occurring betulinic acid (BA) and its derivative NVX-207 show anticancer effects against equine malignant melanoma (EMM) cells and a potent permeation in isolated equine skin in vitro. The aim of the study was to determine the in vivo concentration profiles of BA and NVX-207 in equine skin and assess the compounds' local and systemic tolerability with the intent of developing a topical therapy against EMM. Eight horses were treated percutaneously in a crossover design with 1% BA, 1% NVX-207 or a placebo in a respective vehicle twice a day for seven consecutive days with a seven-d...
Gugliandolo E, Barbagallo A, Peritore AF, Cuzzocrea S, Crupi R.Background: Four show jumping horses were evaluated for non-responsive lameness, which caused their withdrawal from show jumping competitions. The clinical evaluation was performed by radiographic examination, flexion tests, diagnostic anesthesia and lameness evaluation using the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) scale. The diagnoses were a case of navicular syndrome, a complicated case of chronic navicular syndrome and arthrosis of the distal interphalangeal joint of the right anterior limb and two cases of distal intertarsal joint arthritis. Nutraceuticals are often an impo...
Ricord M, Andrews FM, Yñiguez FJM, Keowen M, Garza F, Paul L, Chapman A, Banse HE.Phenylbutazone is commonly prescribed for treatment of various painful or inflammatory disorders in horses, but is associated with gastrointestinal (GI) adverse effects. Anecdotally, many practitioners prescribe omeprazole concurrently with phenylbutazone to reduce development of equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS), but the efficacy and safety of this practice remains unknown. Objective: To evaluate the effect of omeprazole on phenylbutazone-induced equine glandular gastric disease (EGGD) and equine squamous gastric disease (ESGD). Methods: Randomised block experimental design. Methods: Twent...
Fitzharris LE, Meehan LJ, Hezzell MJ, Allen KJ.The diaphragm is an important respiratory muscle, playing a key role during exercise. In humans, diaphragm thickness increases in response to training and is correlated with inspiratory strength. In order to assess respiratory strength in the horse, new evaluation techniques are required and measurement of diaphragm thickness, in a non-invasive and repeatable manner, is a possible approach. The purposes of this four-part, prospective, pilot study were to develop and describe a repeatable method to measure the diaphragm thickness, using ultrasonography, in Thoroughbred racehorses. A standardize...
Mageed M, Elfadl A.An 18-year-old Quarter Horse mare was evaluated because of moderate left forelimb lameness of 4 weeks' duration. The clinical evaluation and diagnostic perineural analgesia localized the lameness to the distal portion of the left forelimb. There was swelling on the dorsal and lateral aspect of the coronary band. Radiography, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, and computed tomography of the foot revealed circumscribed well-capsulated soft tissue mass causing a focal deformation of the dorsolateral border of the middle phalanx. The treatment aimed to remove the mass surgically and stabiliz...
Kovács G, van Dijke A, Enders-Slegers MJ.The growing field of equine-assisted psychotherapy (EAP), a subfield of animal-assisted psychotherapy (AAP), needs theoretically-based clinical studies. This systematic review examines the existing clinical studies in adult populations on psychodynamic psychotherapy combined with equine-assisted psychotherapy. An electronic database search was divided in two studies to identify publications on 1) EAP combined with psychodynamic psychotherapy and 2) EAP combined to personality problems and traumatization in order to compile studies by population, intervention, outcome and therapeutic assets. St...
van Damme CMM, van den Broek J, Sloet van Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbaan MM.In equine atopic patients intradermal testing (IDT) and immunoglobulin (Ig)E serology are used frequently. There is little evidence regarding the reproducibility of the IDT and IgE serology in horses. Objective: To compare the results of a simultaneously performed IDT on the left and right side of the neck in atopic horses, and to compare these results with allergen-specific IgE serology. Methods: Ten equine patients from a university hospital population with chronic urticaria and/or pruritus. Methods: The IDT was performed using 16 allergens and the results were evaluated after 30 min, 1, 4 ...
Semik-Gurgul E.Sarcoids are the most commonly diagnosed skin tumours in equines. Bovine papillomaviruses (BPVs) are the primary causative agent of sarcoids. There has been intensive research to discover the molecular mechanisms that may contribute to the aetiopathogenesis of this disease and tumour suppressors and proto-oncogenes known to play a role in human neoplastic conditions have been investigated in equine sarcoids. Current approaches include the identification of gene expression profiles, characterising sarcoid and normal skin tissues, and an assessment of epigenetic alterations such as microRNA diff...
Zielińska P, Nicpoń J, Kiełbowicz Z, Soroko M, Dudek K, Zaborski D.The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of high intensity laser therapy (HILT) on tendon and ligament injury treatment in horses. Twenty six horses with tendinopathies were randomly assigned to a HILT treated or to a non-treated group. Each horse was subjected to the same rehabilitation programme. Horses from the treatment group underwent a series of fifteen HILT treatments with the same parameters. Clinical and ultrasound assessments were performed by the same veterinarian and were carried out before (day 0), during (day 13-15) and after treatment (day 38-40). Clinical evaluation in...
Aljuboori Z, Sieg E.Gunshot wound (GSW) injuries to the spinal column are correlated with potentially severe neurological damage. Here, we describe a GSW to the thoracolumbar junction (e.g., T12/L1 level) which resulted in a cauda equina syndrome that resolved once the bullet was removed. Methods: A 29-year-old male presented with a T12-L1 GSW; the bullet traversed the right chest and liver, entered the spinal canal at T12, and then settled at L1. He experienced excruciating burning pain in the right lower extremity/perineum and had urinary retention. On neurological examination, he exhibited severe weakness of t...
Freeman SL, Ashton NM, Elce YA, Hammond A, Hollis AR, Quinn G.There are currently no evidence summaries on wounds in the horse. Objective: To develop evidence-based guidelines on wound management in the horse. Methods: Evidence review using the GRADE framework. Methods: Research questions were proposed by a panel of veterinarians, and developed into PICO format. Evidence in the veterinary literature was evaluated using the GRADE evidence-to-decision framework. Searches for human evidence summaries were conducted in the NICE, Cochrane and JBI databases. Final recommendations were based on both veterinary and human evidence. Conclusions: The research quest...
Schwarz B, Ihry P.A 26-year-old pony mare (ca. 180 kg bodyweight) was presented as an emergency because it had erroneously received 110 times its standard dose of pergolide (Prascend) per os approximately 4 hours earlier. Clinical examination initially was normal except tachycardia of 52 beats/min. The pony was treated symptomatically with paraffin oil and activated charcoal per nasogastric tube to prevent further systemic absorption and accelerate intestinal excretion of the pergolide. Furthermore, the pony received 400 mg of dopamine antagonist azaperone (Stresnil) intramuscularly (i.m.) followed by 80 mg...
Corradini I, Fernández-Ruiz A, Barba M, Engel-Manchado J.Comparisons between smartphone ECG (SpECG) recordings obtained from the right and left sides of the thorax have not been reported in animals. Objective: To evaluate the screening potential of a SpECG obtained from both sides of the thorax and to compare the degree of agreement between the SpECG and a reference ECG (rECG) for measurement of the duration of baseline electrical deflections recorded over both sides of the thorax. Methods: Fifty horses admitted to the equine hospital, university-owned horses, and horses from an endurance riding facility. Methods: Prospective observational study. Si...
Kallerud AS, Fjordbakk CT, Hendrickson EHS, Persson-Sjodin E, Hammarberg M, Rhodin M, Hernlund E.Lameness evaluation of Standardbred trotters can be challenging due to discrepancies in observed movement asymmetry between in-hand and track exercise, and between different trotting speeds. There are few studies on objective measurement of movement in Standardbreds, and little knowledge regarding biological variation and clinical significance of measured movement asymmetry in this breed. Objective: To quantify the prevalence and magnitude of objectively measured movement asymmetry in young Standardbred trotters, and identify associations with trainer, sex, height, track type and in-hand measu...
De Amicis I, Bucci R, Giangaspero B, D'Alterio N, Trachtman AR, Robbe D.Orchitis and epididymo-orchitis are inflammatory lesions of the testicle. We herein describe a case of monolateral chronic orchitis which occurred in a Tiro Pesante Rapido (TPR) stallion, born in 2002, with a history of good fertility. The stallion was healthy and asymptomatic although the left testis was found to be smaller as compared with the right one and was hard in consistency. Histopathology examination revealed tubular atrophy and parenchymal sclerosis. Scattered foci of calcification and chronic inflammation, the latter dominated by macrophages and lymphocytes, were also observed. Alt...
Sant'Anna Monteiro da Silva E, Zanzarini Delfiol DJ, Fabris VH, Mendonça Santos B, Nogueira GM, Oliveira Guimarães GB, Paulo de Oliveira Nogueira P....A four-year-old female-like Quarter Horse was admitted for clinical evaluation because of masculinized-aggressive behavior and lack of estrous signs. On external inspection, a hypertrophied clitoris and prominent muscles were observed. On gynecological examination, apparently normal mammary glands, vulva, vagina, and cervix were noted. On the other hand, the uterus had no tone and was smaller than normal. The left gonad was very soft on palpation and the right gonad was mostly firm, irregular, and wider than the left gonad. On ultrasound examination, there were no signs of regular ovarian stru...
Pujol R, De Fourmestraux C, Symoens A, Branchereau J, Tessier C.Surgical approaches to the kidneys and perirenal structures are uncommonly performed in horses and several complications have been described with the current procedures. Objective: To describe the anatomy of the retroperitoneal perirenal space and investigate a retroperitoneal minimally invasive approach to access the kidney and perirenal structures in horses. Methods: Descriptive, cadaveric study. Methods: Anatomical description of the retroperitoneal space was performed on three equine cadavers and the surgical approach was developed based on these dissections. Ten cadaveric horses underwent...
Koenig JB, Westlund A, Nykamp S, Kenney DG, Melville L, Cribb N, Oberbichler D.The accuracy of using radiographs to diagnose cervical facet osteoarthritis (CFA) in horses is undetermined. Further investigation is required to determine the clinical significance of radiographic evidence of CFA, the prevalence of radiographic changes in horses without clinical signs, and the long-term efficacy of intra-articular CFA treatment. The objectives of this study is to compare degenerative changes of the cervical facet joints of the cervical vertebrae on radiographs of horses with clinical signs of CFA with healthy cohort-matched horses, to compare clinical findings between groups,...
Becsek A, Schweizer A, Knutti B, Bollwein H.The aim of this study was to compare transrectal two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound examination with regards to required time and accuracy of fetal sex determination in early pregnant mares. Methods: For this purpose 47 mares were examined transrectally once between days 58 and 115 of gestation. Initially, the fetal sex was determined by identifying the location of the genital tubercle (GT) or external genitalia using 2D-ultrasound. Subsequently, the ultrasound machine was switched to 3D-mode to obtain images for later computer-based evaluation. Results: The gestational...
Rodriguez Galarza RM, McMullen RJ.To describe the clinical presentation, diagnostic imaging results, and treatment outcomes of a series of presumed spontaneous Descemet's membrane detachments (DMD), ruptures, or separations (DMRS) in the adult horse. Methods: Ten adult horses of various breeds with DMD or DMRS. Methods: Descemet's membrane detachments/DMRS were diagnosed via slit lamp biomicroscopy, ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM), and/or optical coherence tomography (OCT). Penetrating keratoplasty (PK) with heterologous corneal donor tissue (n = 1), superficial lamellar keratectomy, and Gundersen inlay flaps alone (GF, n =...
Ortillés Á, Sanmartí J, Ríos J, Armengou L, Peña MT, Leiva M.To evaluate the effect of topical cyclopentolate hydrochloride (CH) on quantitative pupillometric readings (PR), tear production (TP), and intraocular pressure (IOP) in healthy horses. Methods: Fourteen client-owned horses. Methods: In a two-phase design study, each animal received 1% CH ophthalmic solution in the left eye [treated] and 0.9% NaCl in the right eye [control] (0.2 mL each). In the first phase (n = 7), TP, IOP, and PR assessment was performed by Schirmer tear test I, rebound tonometry and static pupillometry, at 1, 8, 24, 48, 72, 96, 120, 148, 172, and 196-hours post-instillati...
Steinmann M, Bezugley RJ, Bond SL, Pomrantz JS, Léguillette R.Capsule endoscopy offers a new method for visualization of the gastrointestinal mucosa in horses where other imaging technologies have diagnostic limitations. Objective: To (1) test the feasibility of using this novel endoscopy capsule to visualize intestinal mucosa in horses, including an objective assessment of image quality, (2) assess how changes in preadministration preparation affect the transit time and the amount of gastrointestinal mucosa visualized, and (3) describe intestinal mucosa lesions in healthy horses. Methods: Five healthy adult horses. Methods: Three protocols were used in ...
Abu-Seida AM, Shamaa AA.This case report records an obstructive urolithiasis due to a large calcium carbonate urethral stone in an 11-year-old Arabian stallion. The stallion had colicky pain, anuria, and reduction in food and water intakes. Palpation of the penis revealed rhythmic contractions of the urethra, a hard mass in the penile urethra at the level of the ischial arch, and a dilated urethra proximal to the mass. Rectal examination revealed a distended and turgid urinary bladder. Passing a urethral catheter revealed a complete urethral obstruction at the level of the ischial arch. Ultrasonography revealed a cal...
Ibrahim HMM, El-Ashker MR.The present study aimed to provide reference ranges for the wall thickness and motility pattern of the gastrointestinal tract from a sample of donkeys (Equus asinus) population using B-mode ultrasonography. In the present study, 30 clinically healthy donkeys (Equus asinus) (15 males and 15 females), aged 2-20 year old and weighed 100-280 kg were randomly selected for B-mode ultrasonographic scanning of the abdomen. The wall thickness of the stomach, duodenum, jejunum, left colon, right colon, and cecum was assessed. Moreover, the motility pattern of the duodenum, jejunum, left colon, right c...
Navas de Solis C.Ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) are often incidental or coincidental with systemic disease. Ventricular arrhythmias are also the most likely cause of many sudden cardiac deaths in horses. This dichotomy creates challenges in the management of horses with VAs. This review presents current knowledge of diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of VAs in horses.
Gabriel CR, Marta P.A two-month-old, Spanish breed, foal was referred with right hind limb lameness of two weeks duration. Clinical examinations confirmed a complex combination of lesions within the lateral femorotibial joint, including a subchondral bone cyst in the lateral femoral condyle, a severe popliteal tendonitis, and a delayed cartilage detachment of the lateral femoral condyle. Because of the complex association of these lesions, poor prognosis for an athletic career was given to the owner. Four years later, the filly is pasture sound. Lesions of the popliteal tendon in the horse are uncommon. The popli...
Sapone M, Martin P, Ben Mansour K, Château H, Marin F.The development of on-board sensors, such as inertial measurement units (IMU), has made it possible to develop new methods for analyzing horse locomotion to detect lameness. The detection of spatiotemporal events is one of the keystones in the analysis of horse locomotion. This study assesses the performance of four methods for detecting Foot on and Foot off events. They were developed from an IMU positioned on the canon bone of eight horses during trotting recording on a treadmill and compared to a standard gold method based on motion capture. These methods are based on accelerometer and gyro...
Puangthong C, Bootcha R, Petchdee S, Chanda M.A 17-year-old mixed breed pony was presented with intermittent neck stiffness during regular training rides in the six months preceding its admission. All parameters were within the normal range, except for an increase in heart rate (48 bpm) during the examination. Concave areas were observed at the level between the atlas and axis vertebrae (C1-C2) on both the left and right sides of the neck. Radiographs were taken of the laterolateral, left ventrodorsal oblique, and right ventrodorsal oblique projections in the cranial cervical region. The images revealed severe structural disorders, includ...
Padalino B, Sandy JR, Barrasso R, Trotta A, Bozzo G, Cafarchia C.A rare case of spp. dermatitis in a horse is presented. After unrelated, previous surgery and antibiotic treatment, a saddle horse showed well-circumscribed areas of non-pruritic alopecia. Suspecting allergic skin disease, the horse was treated with corticosteroids. The skin lesion spread, and a second veterinarian was consulted. At clinical examination, the horse was lethargic, pyretic and hair was shedding/easily epilated over the head, neck, shoulders, and legs and the hind legs were swollen. Blood analysis revealed mild leucocytosis and hyperglobulinemia. Hair, skin scraping, and skin bio...
Oreff GL, Tatz AJ, Dahan R, Segev G, Berlin D, Kelmer G.To report the short- and long-term outcomes of surgical management of umbilical infection in foals. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Foals (n = 65). Methods: Medical records (2010-2015) of foals up to 1 month of age, surgically treated for an umbilical infection were reviewed. Short-term (at the time of discharge from hospital) and long-term (1 year after surgery) survival rates were obtained. Clinical variables influencing survival were assessed. Chi-square or Fisher's exact test were used to evaluate the relationship between the data retrieved and outcome. P ≤ .05 was c...
McDonnell SM.In summary, important events of ejaculation include emission of sperm and the accessory gland fluids into the urethra, simultaneous closure of the bladder neck, and forceful ejaculation of the combined semen through the urethra. Emission and bladder neck closure are primarily alpha-adrenergically mediated thoracolumbar sympathetic reflex events with supraspinal modulation. Ejaculation is a sacralspinal reflex mediated by the pudendal nerve. In stallions, the most common ejaculation disorders are emission and ejaculation failure, and urine contamination of semen. Rare disorders are azoospermia ...
DeNotta SL.Urinary disease in the neonatal period can occur with primary congenital renal defects or as a secondary consequence of birth trauma, ischemic injury, nephrotoxic medications, or systemic illness. This article reviews the clinical evaluation of the urinary system in foals and highlights diagnostic and therapeutic features of the most commonly encountered urinary disorders of the equine neonatal patient.
Crabill MR, Schumacher J.Periodontitis, infundibular necrosis, and periapical infection are dental diseases commonly affecting adult horses. Routine dental examinations and care may help to prevent these diseases. Further investigation of the treatment of horses with these diseases using local antimicrobial therapy, restorative dentistry, and endodontic therapy is needed. An understanding of the pathogenesis of these diseases aids in diagnosis and treatment. Gingival hyperplasia and odontogenic tumors are uncommon but should remain in a list of differential diagnoses when examining a horse with pertinent clinical sign...
Hartman R, Hawkins JF, Adams SB, Moore GE, Fessler JF.To evaluate the management of equids undergoing cryptorchidectomy at a referral hospital. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: 604 client-owned equids. Methods: Medical records of all equids undergoing surgical treatment of cryptorchidism from 1977 to 2010 were retrospectively reviewed. Analyses of breed, location of retained testes, accuracy of palpation per rectum for determining the location of retained testes, surgical technique, and postoperative complications were performed. Results: The most frequently affected breed was the Quarter Horse (282/604 [47%]), which was significantly...
Foster DL.This article discusses the primary odontogenic problems of the mature performance horse, including wolf teeth; hooks; overbite, overjet, underjet, and wry bite; equine odontoclastic tooth resorption and hypercementosis; infundibular caries; and secondary oral problems. It outlines the author's methods of taking the history, oral examination, and use of diagnostic nerve blocks.
Snyder JR, Olander HJ, Pascoe JR, Holland M, Kurpershoek CJ.Morphologic changes that develop sequentially in the large colon during experimentally induced ischemia were documented in 14 halothane-anesthetized horses. Colonic ischemia was induced by 4 types of vascular occlusion, 24 cm proximal and distal to the pelvic flexure. The effect of transmural (colonic wall) vascular compression combined with either venous occlusion (3 horses, group A) or venous and arterial occlusion (3 horses, group B) of the colonic vessels was studied for 1, 2, and 6 hours of occlusion. Also observed was the effect of reperfusion for 0.5 hour after release of the clamps for...
Morris S, Kelleman AA, Stawicki RJ, Hansen PJ, Sheerin PC, Sheerin BR, Paccamonti DL, LeBlanc MM.Transrectal ultrasonography of the caudal uterus and a progestin profile were evaluated for accuracy in identifying mares with feto-placental compromise in a model of placentitis. Twenty-two pregnant ponies were divided into four groups: (1) control mares (n=5); (2) instrumented controls (n=2); (3) instrumented inoculated mares (n=11); (4) inoculated mares (n=4). Mares in Groups 3 and 4 were inoculated with Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus. Maternal plasma progestins, vulvar discharge, mammary gland development, combined thickness of the uterus and placenta (CTUP) and placental separati...
Santschi EM, Vrotsos PD, Purdy AK, Mickelson JR.To determine incidence of the Ile118Lys endothelin receptor B (EDNRB) mutation responsible for overo lethal white syndrome (OLWS) and its association with specific types of white patterning. Methods: 945 horses of white-patterned bloodlines and 55 solid-colored horses of other breeds. Methods: Horses were genotyped by use of allele-specific polymerase chain reaction to determine incidence of the Ile118Lys EDNRB mutation. Results: Genotypes detected were homozygous Ile118, homozygous Lys118, and heterozygous. All foals with OLWS were homozygous for the Ile118Lys EDNRB mutation, and adults that ...
Gilger BC, Malok E, Stewart T, Ashton P, Smith T, Jaffe GJ, Allen JB.OBJECTIVE: To determine the long-term toxicity of an intravitreal device releasing continuous cyclosporinee A (CsA) in normal eyes of horses by evaluating clinical signs, electroretinography, and histopathology. Animals Studied Ten adult horses with normal ophthalmic examinations were used in this study Procedure(s) Four horses had one eye implanted with a CsA device, and six horses had the right eye implanted with a CsA-containing device (10 eyes with CsA in total) and the left eye (six eyes in total) with the device without drug (control). The implants were placed in the vitreous of the eyes...
Yim VW, Yeung JH, Mak PS, Graham CA, Lai PB, Rainer TH.Professional horse riding-related injuries have not been studied before in Hong Kong, although horse racing takes place very regularly in the territory. In addition, the equestrian events of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games will come to Hong Kong. This study analysed the pattern of horse-related injury among patients who presented to a trauma centre in a teaching hospital in Hong Kong. Methods: Information from the trauma centre database was analysed retrospectively. The database includes trauma patients who had sustained potentially severe injuries that warranted initial assessment and resuscit...
Rossignol F, Brandenberger O, Perkins JD, Marie JP, Mespoulhès-Rivière C, Ducharme NG.In horses, the only established method for reinnervation of the larynx is the nerve-muscle pedicle implantation, whereas in human medicine, direct nerve implantation is a standard surgical technique for selective laryngeal reinnervation in human patients suffering from bilateral vocal fold paralysis. Objective: (1) To describe a modified first or second cervical nerve transplantation technique for the treatment of recurrent laryngeal neuropathy (RLN) in horses and (2) evaluate the outcomes of reinnervation using direct nerve needle-stimulation of the first cervical nerve and exercising endosco...
Worku Y, Wondimagegn W, Aklilu N, Assefa Z, Gizachew A.A prospective study was conducted to describe clinical epidemiology of equine colic in the Society for Protection of Animal Abroad and Donkey Sanctuary Project Clinic, at Debre Zeit, Ethiopia, from November 2014 to April 2015. The objectives were to describe clinical epidemiology of equine colic, to characterize the main types of equine colic, and to determine the major risk factors associated with equine colic. The method which was used in the study was attending clinical case of equine and assessing physiological parameters, fecal egg count, abdominal sounds, and rectal examination as well a...
Denoix JM.With progressive advances in ultrasonographic equipment, evaluation of a number of axial skeletal structures is now possible. Ultrasonography is presently the best technique for evaluation of the SSpL and lumbosacral intervertebral discs. It is a useful adjunct to radiography for assessment of spinous processes and AP injuries.
Jasko DJ.This article outlines a basic method for conducting a stallion semen evaluation. After the removal of the gel fraction of the ejaculate, semen gel-free volume is determined, and any abnormality in appearance is noted. Concentration of sperm cells in semen can be determined with the use of either a hemacytometer or spectrophotometer after appropriate dilution of raw semen. The percentage of progressively motile sperm is evaluated promptly after collection of semen with the use of a phase-contrast microscope. The total numbers of sperm and progressively motile sperm in the ejaculate are calculat...
Frazer GS, Perkins NR, Blanchard TL, Orsini J, Threlfall WR.A retrospective investigation was performed to determine the population characteristics of horses presented for dystocia at 2 equine referral hospitals and the types of fetal maldispositions among these horses. The study population consisted of a similar number of Thoroughbreds (25%), Standardbreds (24%) and draft horses (22%). Most of the current literature pertaining to equine obstetrics is based on a predominately draft horse population (63%). The latter population appeared to have more transverse presentations (P = 0.06), possibly because of the higher number of draft mares. In our study, ...
Daunt DA, Steffey EP.Administration of alpha-2 agonists to horses produces a variety of behavioral effects (sedation, somnolence, analgesia), and physiological effects. One of the most significant beneficial effects of administering alpha-2 agonists is the degree of analgesia they provide. Alpha-2 agonists have been the mainstay of analgesia for colic pain in horses since their introduction to clinical veterinary medicine. The increased potency of the more recently introduced alpha-2 agonists allows the provision of analgesia for conditions not previously relieved by other drugs. Unfortunately, there are significa...
Ammann VJ, Vrins AA, Lavoie JP.The effects of beclomethasone dipropionate on pulmonary function and arterial blood gas values were investigated in horses with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Six mature mares, diagnosed as having COPD based on clinical signs, cytological examination of bronchoalveolar lavage and pulmonary function testing, were used. Beclomethasone dipropionate (3750 microg) was administered b.i.d. for a 2 week period with a metered dose inhaler using a mask. Pulmonary function tests and arterial blood gas analyses were performed at weekly intervals, starting before beclomethasone administratio...
Eggleston RB.Distal limb wounds in horses heal substantially different than trunk wounds, commonly resulting in exuberant granulation tissue and exposed and sequestered bone. Surgical intervention of severe rectovaginal lacerations in the mare should be delayed until the tissues have heeled and scar tissue has remodeled. Wounds resulting in severe hemorrhage require appropriate emergent fluid therapy and potentially transfusion therapy.
Giordano A, Rossi G, Pieralisi C, Paltrinieri S.The ADVIA 120 is an automated laser cell counter widely used in veterinary medicine. Although specific software for equine samples is available and validated, only a few reports have been published comparing the ADVIA 120 with other methods for equine hemogram evaluation. Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the hematologic values and reference intervals obtained on the ADVIA 120 with those obtained on an impedance cell counter and manual differential counts in healthy horses. Methods: EDTA-anticoagulated blood samples were obtained from 114 clinically healthy horses of various ...
Van Erck E, Votion D, Art T, Lekeux P.The long-established conventional reference technique (CRT) for measuring respiratory mechanics in horses lacks sensitivity and there is a need for further refinement in new technology, such as the impulse oscillometry system (IOS). Objective: To evaluate the potential use of the IOS as a clinical respiratory function test and compare it to the current CRT in horses suffering from common upper and lower airway dysfunctions. Methods: Six healthy horses were tested before and after induction of a unilateral nasal obstruction (UNO) or transient left laryngeal hemiplegia (LLH). Six heaves-affected...
Bertone AL, Tremaine WH, Macoris DG, Simmons EJ, Ewert KM, Herr LG, Weisbrode SE.To evaluate clinical safety of administration of injectable enrofloxacin. Methods: Randomized controlled clinical trial. Methods: 24 adult horses. Methods: Healthy horses were randomly allocated into 4 equal groups that received placebo injections (control) or IV administration of enrofloxacin (5 mg/kg [2.3 mg/lb], 15 mg/kg [6.8 mg/lb], or 25 mg/kg [11.4 mg/lb] of body weight, q 24 h) for 21 days. Joint angles, cross-sectional area of superficial and deep digital flexor and calcaneal tendons, carpal or tarsal osteophytes or lucency, and midcarpal and tarsocrural articular cartilage lesions wer...
Marshall AE, Byars TD, Whitlock RH, George LW.Brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER) testing was done to evaluate inner ear/VIIIth cranial nerve (CN8) function in the horse. The BAER test consisted of stimulating the auditory system with clicks and recording far-field responses of the brainstem auditory components via cutaneous electrodes and a signal averaging system. The normal response was shown to be a series of waves occurring within the first 10 msec after the stimulus click. Functional loss of the auditory receptor organ (cochlea) or CN8 results in loss of the entire response on the side of the injury. Because of the anatomic re...
Edwards GB.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.
Starke SD, Willems E, Head M, May SA, Pfau T.Flexion tests are a common tool during the prepurchase and clinical lameness examination, yet studies quantifying the effect of flexion, apart from distal forelimb flexion in sound horses, are sparse. Objective: To investigate the effect of proximal hindlimb flexion on perceivable and measurable changes in movement symmetry in horses with objective movement symmetry falling within the margins of 'sound'. Methods: Thirteen horses, selected based on objective movement symmetry, were instrumented with inertial sensors on left and right tuber coxae and over the os sacrum. Vertical movement symmetr...