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.
Turek B, Witkowski M, Drewnowska O.The equine colic, which is caused by the presence of enteroliths that are most often found in the small or large colon, is typical for certain geographical regions (dry and hot climate). A diet rich in alfalfa is one of the highest risk factors. The earliest symptoms include weight loss and repeated episodes of colic pain. To present the results of operative treatment of 15 horses with enteroliths in Saudi Arabia. Methods: Fifteen purebred Arabian horses in Saudi Arabia, aged between 2 and 18 years, were treated. Decision about the surgery was based on clinical exam, ultrasound and rectal exa...
Secombe C, Waldmann AD, Hosgood G, Mosing M.Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) generates thoracic impedance images of the lungs and has been used to assess ventilation in horses. This technique may have application in the detection of changes in airflow associated with equine asthma. Objective: The objective was to determine if histamine-induced airflow changes observed with flowmetric plethysmography (Δflow) could also be explained using global and regional respiratory gas flow signals calculated from EIT signals. Methods: Experimental in vivo study. Methods: Six horses, sedated using detomidine were fitted with a thoracic EIT b...
Lewin AC, Liu CC, Camacho-Luna P, Alling C, Carter RT.It is currently unknown which of the two devices most commonly used in equine ophthalmology for intraocular pressure (IOP) estimation demonstrates the lowest inter-user and intra-user variation. Objective: To assess the inter-user and intra-user variation of two tonometers in sedated and unsedated horses. Methods: Randomised masked cross-over trial. Methods: Four examiners used the rebound (ICare TonoVet) and applanation (TonoPen ) tonometers to measure the intraocular pressure (IOP) in triplicate in 10 normal horses before and after sedation with xylazine. For inter-user variation, coefficien...
Rijckaert J, Raes E, Buczinski S, Dumoulin M, Deprez P, Van Ham L, van Loon G, Pardon B.Spinal cord dysfunction/compression and ataxia are common in horses. Presumptive diagnosis is most commonly based on neurological examination and cervical radiography, but the interest into the diagnostic value of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) with recording of magnetic motor evoked potentials has increased. The problem for the evaluation of diagnostic tests for spinal cord dysfunction is the absence of a gold standard in the living animal. Objective: To compare diagnostic accuracy of TMS, cervical radiography, and neurological examination. Methods: One hundred seventy-four horses ad...
Lores M, Yarbrough T.A 9-year-old pony gelding was evaluated because it was suspected that a persistent oronasal fistula had developed after a fractured right maxillary second premolar tooth had been extracted via repulsion 6 months earlier. Results: Unilateral mucopurulent nasal discharge and malodorous breath were noted on clinical examination. Examination of the oral cavity revealed a 1 × 0.5-cm defect at the oral aspect of the right maxillary second premolar alveolus, from which feed material was extracted. Endoscopic examination revealed feed material in the rostral aspect of the right nasal cavity, confirmi...
Long A, Nolen-Walston R.Serum amyloid A (SAA) is a marker of inflammation and infection in the horse that can be assessed in the field, with rapid and marked changes seen following initiation of an inflammatory stimulus. This quality of SAA also makes its clinical use challenging, because even small inflammatory conditions can cause large changes in SAA levels. Review of the current literature provides guidelines for responses of SAA to various conditions, which can be applied to specific clinical cases. The practitioner is encouraged to use SAA in conjunction with physical examination and other diagnostic modalities...
Papa PM, Guasti PN, De Vita B, Nakazato NG, Maia L, Freitas Dell'Aqua CP, Scheeren VFDC, Segabinazzi LGTM, de Andrade Junior LRP, Silva LFMC....Although stem cell therapy is a promising alternative for treatment of degenerative diseases, there are just few reports on the use of stem cells therapy in horse's reproductive system. This study aims to evaluate the effect of intratesticular injection of bone marrow mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) in healthy stallions, and its outcome on seminal parameters and fertility. In Experiment 1, 24 stallions were divided into treatment group (TG) and control group (CG). In the TG, an intratesticular application of MSC was performed, and in the CG, only PBS was used. Measurements of testicular ...
Miagkoff L, Bonilla AG.To investigate the use of a needle arthroscope for diagnostic tenoscopy of the carpal sheath in standing horses. Methods: Experimental study. Methods: Six forelimbs for the cadaveric part of the study and six horses for the in vivo part of the study. Methods: Six cadaveric limbs were used to perform carpal sheath tenoscopy with a 1.2-mm-diameter needle arthroscope (65 and 100 mm long), followed by tenoscopy with a 4-mm arthroscope through a standard proximolateral approach. Then, unilateral standing carpal sheath tenoscopy was performed in six healthy sedated horses with a 65-mm-long needle ...
Newman AW.Clinical pathology results are only as good as the quality of samples and accompanying information submitted to the diagnostic laboratory. The frustration of nondiagnostic or equivocal test results can often be avoided by taking the time to follow sample handling and submission guidelines. This article discusses preanalytical errors that commonly affect the accuracy of hematology, chemistry, and cytology testing, and offers practical tips for preventing these errors and maximizing diagnostic yield.
Rousseau-Blass F, Pigé C, Pang DS.To assess agreement between oscillometric noninvasive blood pressure (NIBP) measurements using LifeWindow monitors (LW9xVet and LW6000V) and invasive blood pressure (IBP). To assess the agreement of NIBP readings using a ratio of cuff width to mid-cannon circumference of 25% and 40%. Methods: Prospective, randomized clinical study. Methods: A total of 43 adult horses undergoing general anesthesia in dorsal recumbency for different procedures. Methods: Anesthetic protocols varied according to clinician preference. IBP measurement was achieved after cannulation of the facial artery and connectio...
Padalino B, Raidal SL.The regulations for minimal space and direction of travel for land transport in horses vary worldwide and there is currently no definitive guidance to promote equine health and welfare. This study evaluated the effects of bay size and direction of travel (forwards/backwards) in horses by comparing the behavioural, physiological, laboratory and gastroscopy parameters between transported and confined horses. A total of twenty-six mares took part in the study; 12 horses were confined for 12 h, and all mares underwent 12 hours' transportation, travelling in single (n = 18) or wide bays (n = 8), an...
Hirsch E.Medical diagnosis is typically an iterative process guided by integration and synthesis of data into a model of disease. However, facts are not the only inputs into this process. A case of medical mis-diagnosis is presented, in which systematic cognitive bias is considered to have played a role in generating error. Specific cognitive biases are cited, and measures that can be taken to minimize their negative impact are reviewed.
Farag AMM, Ibrahim HMM.Donkey (Equus asinus), the cheapest form of agricultural power in Egypt, is used principally as draught or pack animals and may also be ridden, or used for threshing, raising water, milling, and other work. The aim of the present study was to provide B-mode and M-mode echocardiographic reference ranges from a sample of population of donkeys (E. asinus) based on the probability theory and statistics. In the present study, B-mode and 2-dimensional guided M-mode echocardiography were performed on 44 clinically healthy donkeys (E. asinus) (22 males and 22 females), without any neither clinical nor...
Giacchi A, Marcatili M, Withers J, Knottenbelt D.A 12-year-old Warmblood mare was presented with an acute onset left hindlimb lameness associated with generalised soft tissue swelling of the entire limb and medial saphenous vein (MSV) thrombophlebitis. A presumptive diagnosis of extremity compartment syndrome (ECS) was made. Due to the clinical deterioration, emergency fasciotomy of the crural fascia and biopsy was performed. Histological and immunohistochemical examination of the samples confirmed a diagnosis of leiomyosarcoma likely originating from the tunica media of the MSV. This report is the first to describe an unique combination of ...
Brown KA, Davidson EJ, Ortved K, Ross MW, Stefanovski D, Wulster KB, Levine DG.To report the long-term outcome of horses treated with interspinous ligament desmotomy (ISLD) for pain associated with overriding dorsal spinous processes (ORDSP) and determine the influence of preoperative diagnostic analgesia on long-term outcome. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Eighteen horses. Methods: Data were collected from horses presenting for ISLD to the University of Pennsylvania New Bolton Center between January 2013 and May 2018. Follow-up of ≥3 months postsurgically was obtained from the owner, trainer, or referring veterinarian. Long-term improvement was compared betw...
Lopez Sanchez CM, Kogan C, Gold JR, Sellon DC, Bayly WM.Exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH) is diagnosed and its severity assessed by post-exercise tracheobronchoscopy, and enumeration of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid red blood cells (BALFRBC). Minimal information is available regarding the relationship of tracheobronchoscopy score to BALFRBC number. Objective: Evaluate the relationship between BALFRBC number and tracheobronchoscopy scores and determine their diagnostic sensitivities. Methods: Nine sedentary horses, 21 fit Thoroughbreds, 129 Barrel Racers. Methods: Normal BALFRBC number and the effect of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) on it w...
Siwinska N, Zak A, Slowikowska M, Szczepankiewicz B, Niedzwiedz A, Paslawska U.The aim of this study was to establish the value of the renal resistive index (RI) of intrarenal arteries in healthy warmblood non-racing horses of different ages to assess the influence of physiologic factors and repeatability of measurement. The kidney ultrasonography examination was performed in three age groups: 15 foals, 15 adults and 15 elderly horses. The procedure was performed in unsedated standing animals. RI values were measured using pulsed-wave Doppler at the medial part of each kidney in the intrarenal arteries. To evaluate repeatability, all measurements were repeated two hours ...
Saadi A, Azizi S, Farshid AA, Yousefi A.This report describes surgical management and breeding implications of a case of penile sarcoid associated with penis laceration in a 4-year-old Kurdish stallion. A large fleshy mass on the distal end of the penis that resulted in urethral meatus deviation and dysuria was detected in a physical examination. No evidence of local extent or metastasis was detected. Under general anaesthesia, the involved distal portion of the penis was removed through partial phallectomy. Histopathological examination of the mass confirmed a fibroblastic sarcoid. Partial phallectomy was successful for management ...
Haussler KK, Manchon PT, Donnell JR, Frisbie DD.Low-level laser therapy has been used clinically to treat musculoskeletal pain; however, there is limited evidence available to support its use in treating back pain in horses. The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of low-level laser therapy and chiropractic care in treating thoracolumbar pain in competitive western performance horses. The subjects included 61 Quarter Horses actively involved in national western performance competitions judged to have back pain. A randomized, clinical trial was conducted by assigning affected horses to either laser therapy, chi...
Hülskötter K, Aurich C, Köhne M, Baumgärtner W, Wohlsein P.Adenomatous hyperplasia of the equine allantoic epithelium (EAAH) is an infrequently observed nodular or plaque-like change in the placenta of the mare which is presented as a case description. EAAH is most frequently diagnosed in cases of aborted fetuses and is associated with inflammatory changes of the placenta. Histologically, different degrees of EAAH may be distinguished; however, these are not associated with specific clinical signs, degree of inflammation, a particular pathogen, or the frequency of abortions. It is assumed that EAAH represents a secondary, reactive change and has per s...
Luna SPL, Schoen A, Trindade PHE, Rocha PBD.Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) effects depend on the energy settings and laser penetration. We investigated the penetration time profiles of two different light therapy devices, at the dark and light skin regions in horses. Six light skin and six dark skin adult clinically healthy Arab and Quarter horses were used. A cutometer was used to measure the width of the skin fold from both sides of the cervical area, followed by three measurements of the thickness of the same skin fold by transversal and longitudinal ultrasonography (US). The depth of light penetration was compared based on the pe...
Denys M, Thomas-Cancian A, Tortereau A, Josson-Schramme A, Buff S.Premature udder development constitutes an alarm signal in pregnant mares. The objective of this clinical case report is to highlight the importance of transabdominal ultrasound examination of the fetus in these cases and to report a unique case of prenatal diagnosis of obstructive uropathy based on the observation of severe fetal hydronephrosis and megacystitis in utero. A 4-year-old French chaser primiparous mare was referred for evaluation of premature udder development during the ninth month of pregnancy. The mare had clinical signs within normal limits, a developed and sensitive udder wit...
Vermedal H, Strand E.To report dynamic laryngeal collapse (DLC) associated with poll flexion as a potential complication of the laryngeal tie-forward procedure (LTFP) in harness racehorses. Methods: Short case series. Methods: Three harness racehorses. Methods: Preoperative and postoperative medical records of all harness racehorses that underwent the LTFP were reviewed, as were high-speed treadmill videoendoscopy recordings of 35 horses that returned for upper airway evaluation postoperatively. Results: One standardbred and two Norwegian coldblooded trotters in which dorsal displacement of the soft palate had bee...
Schieder K, Zsoldos RR, Dippel M, Siedler C, Tichy A, Licka TF.Lameness evaluation (LE) is an important veterinary skill, but it can be a challenging task to teach. Acoustic and visual input in conjunction with acting are the three major learning channels for acquiring new information. Acting (e.g., physical self-experience) has not been reported as a didactic tool for LE; therefore, we investigated two physical self-experience techniques, imitation of lameness during LE instruction and head nod during LE. Undergraduate veterinary students ( = 78) who had not yet received any instructions for LE underwent standard instruction for LE, followed by instructi...
Schwarz B, Klang A, Schwendenwein I.A 14-year-old Zweibrücker Warmblood gelding was presented for evaluation of lethargy and headshaking. The horse had a history of bouts of lameness in different limbs and back problems. It also had many mild colic episodes in the past. Results of repeat laboratory tests had shown persistent hypercalcemia (4.8 mmol/L; reference interval [RI]: 2.0-3.2 mmol/L) for 1.5 years and later on hypophosphatemia (0.4 mmol/L; RI: 0.5-1.3 mmol/L) and mild hypermagnesemia (1.0 mmol/L; RI: 0.5-0.9 mmol/L). Parathyroid hormone (PTH) concentration was within the RI. Other causes of hypercalcemia, such as...
Shawaf T, Al Mubarak A, Eidi H, El-Bahr SM.Influence of heat or cold stress in sedated animals is unclear and requires further investigations. The present study aimed to evaluate the season's effects on some clinical, hematological parameters and blood cortisol level in sedated Arabian horses with xylazine. Therefore, seven Arabian horses were used to investigate heart and respiratory rates, and capillary refill time and serum cortisol level were recorded before (0) and at 5, 15, 60, and 180 minutes postsedation. Heparinized venous samples were collected before (0) and 3 hours postsedation for analysis of hematological analysis. Arte...
Every LJ, Hostnik ET, Hostnik LD, Yardley J, Shore-Khirallah AT, Thompson A, Linn SC.Tracheal collapse in horses is reportedly uncommon; however, American Miniature Horses are more commonly affected. There is no description of the tracheal luminal diameter of American Miniature Horses, making early detection of tracheal luminal narrowing difficult. Objective: To 1) describe radiographic tracheal luminal diameter in clinically normal American Miniature Horses, 2) report the prevalence of subclinical tracheal collapse in a population of American Miniature Horses, and 3) use tracheal videofluoroscopy to quantify variation in tracheal luminal diameter throughout the respiratory c...
Knottenbelt DC.Skin disease in donkeys is less common than in horses, but is easily overlooked. Little published material exists on this important area of equine medicine. Skin tumors continue to challenge veterinarians working with donkeys. This article outlines the main disease entities that the author has encountered, although there are many other diseases and disorders that occur in different parts of the world that are not yet appreciated. When investigating a skin disease, a logical and comprehensive clinical approach should always be made; many conditions are similar in clinical presentation or are co...
McLean AK, Navas González FJ, Canisso IF.Donkeys and mules often are misunderstood because of their behavioral differences compared with horses. Working with these animals requires more patience and ability to notice the slightest changes in behavior to diagnose disease. Mules and donkeys form strong bonds and trust with familiar people and other equids. Training mules and hinnies from an early age is key to modifying behavior and acceptance of unfamiliar people. Reproductive behavior is different from that of horses and requires more patience when collecting jacks. Practitioners working with mules and donkeys should take a methodolo...
Demmers S, Johannisson A, Gröndahl G, Jensen-Waern M.The aim of this study was to investigate the phagocytic and killing capacities as well as expression of CD18 of neutrophils obtained from healthy foals from birth to age 8 months. Blood was taken from 6 Standardbred foals at 7 time-points between ages 2-56 days and thereafter once a month. For comparison, cells from 16 mature horses were evaluated. Neutrophil phagocytosis of yeast cells was assessed by flow cytometry after opsonisation with mature pooled serum, autologous serum or anti-yeast IgG. The killing capacity of the neutrophils, as indicated by the oxidative burst, was monitored by che...
Bundgaard L, Sørensen MA, Nilsson T, Salling E, Jacobsen S.In the last decades, a well-established equine wound model has been used to study fibroproliferative wound healing disorders. The aim of this study was to characterize the degree of discomfort of wounding and sampling in an equine excisional wound model by evaluating systemic and local inflammatory responses and signs of pain. A total of 12 cutaneous wounds, three on each shoulder and each metatarsus, were created in a standing surgical procedure. Wounds were biopsied on days 2, 4, 7, 14, 21, and 28 after surgery. Clinical parameters (rectal temperature, heart rate, respiratory frequency) and ...
Spadavecchia C, Arendt-Nielsen L, Andersen OK, Spadavecchia L, Doherr M, Schatzmann U.To compare nociceptive withdrawal reflexes (NWRs) evoked from the distal aspect of the left forelimb and hind limb in conscious standing horses and to investigate NWR recruitment for graded electrical stimulation intensities. Methods: 20 adult horses. Methods: Surface electromyographic (EMG) activity evoked by transcutaneous electrical stimulation of the digital palmar (or plantar) nerve was recorded from the common digital extensor and cranial tibial muscles. Stimuli consisted of 25-millisecond train-of-5 constant current pulses. Current intensity was gradually increased until NWR threshold i...
Johnston C, Holm KR, Erichsen C, Eksell P, Drevemo S.Clinical history and examination are important features in diagnosis of equine back dysfunction. However, interpretation is subjective and therefore may vary substantially. Objective: To establish a clinical tool to objectively evaluate the function of the equine back, in the form of a database on the kinematics of the back at the walk and trot in fully functioning riding horses. Methods: Thirty-three fully functioning riding horses walked and trotted on a treadmill. Morphometrics and kinematics were tested for correlations to age, height, weight and stride length, and differences between gend...
Martin-Flores M, Campoy L, Kinsley MA, Mohammed HO, Gleed RD, Cheetham J.To evaluate the hypothesis that epidural morphine (0.1 mg kg(-1) ) decreases pain in horses after laparoscopic surgery without adversely affecting gastrointestinal (GI) motility. Methods: Randomized clinical trial. Methods: Eighteen horses undergoing laparoscopic cryptorchidectomy under general anesthesia. Methods: Horses were randomly assigned to receive either epidural morphine (0.1 mg kg(-1) ) or no epidural before the start of surgery. Pain behaviors were assessed during the first two post-operative days using a numerical rating scale. Barium-filled spheres were administered through a naso...
Johnson PJ, Wiedmeyer CE, LaCarrubba A, Messer NT, Dingfelder HA, Cogswell AM, Amorim JR, Ganjam VK.The combined glucose-insulin test (CGIT) is helpful for evaluating insulin sensitivity. A continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMS) reports changes in interstitial glucose concentrations as they occur in the blood. Use of the CGMS minimizes animal contact and may be useful when performing a CGIT. Objective: Results obtained using a CGMS are useful for the evaluation of glucose responses during the evaluation of insulin sensitivity in equids. Methods: Seven mature, obese ponies. Methods: Ponies were equipped with CGMS for determination of interstitial glucose concentrations. Glucose (150 mg/k...
Withers JM, Voûte LC, Hammond G, Lischer CJ.Plain radiography is the standard imaging technique for investigation of diseases associated with the articular process joints (APJ) of the caudal neck; however, the radiographic anatomy of these structures on both lateral and oblique radiographic projections has not previously been described in detail. Objective: To determine the optimal technique for obtaining oblique radiographs of the APJ of the caudal cervical vertebrae (C4-5, C5-6 and C6-7) and to provide a detailed description of their normal radiographic appearance, on both lateral and oblique radiographic projections. Methods: Radiopa...
Hug SA, Riond B, Schwarzwald CC.To evaluate the applicability and accuracy of a continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMS) in critically ill foals by comparing the performance of the CGMS, a point-of-care (POC) glucometer, and an in-house standard laboratory assay (SLA). Methods: Prospective study. Methods: University teaching hospital. Methods: Seven critically ill neonatal foals requiring intensive care. Methods: Foals were instrumented with a CGMS that measured interstitial glucose concentration every 5 minutes for the duration of 15-79 hours. Capillary and venous blood samples were taken every 4-6 hours for POC and SLA...
Angeluci GC, Ricci CL, Passareli JVGC, Estanho GJG, Oliveira AS, Santos SGA, Giuffrida R, Rodrigues M, Andrade SF.Measurement of the intraocular pressure (IOP) is a useful diagnostic tool in equine ophthalmology. Handheld tonometers, such as Tonovet and Tonovet Plus (rebound), Tono-Pen AVIA Vet (applanation), and Kowa HA-2 (applanation using the Goldmann methodology) are used to obtain IOP measurements in veterinary medicine. Objective: To compare and evaluate the accuracy of four handheld tonometers in measuring IOP using different methodologies in healthy horses. Methods: In vivo experiment and cross-sectional survey of healthy horses. Methods: Intraocular pressure was measured in 72 eyes of 36 horses. ...
Zappaterra M, Nanni Costa L, Felici M, Minero M, Perniola F, Tullio D, Padalino B.Transportation of horses to slaughterhouses can pose a welfare concern, in particular when horses are unbroken/unhandled. This study aimed to describe their journeys and journey conditions, document their welfare status on arrival in a slaughterhouse in Italy, and investigate possible associations between journey conditions and welfare issues. A total of 395 unbroken draft horses in 20 different consignments were assessed with a standardized protocol. The most common departure point (16/20 consignments, 80%) was a French assembly center, but many of these horses had Spanish passports, suggesti...
Nappert G, Vrins A, Breton L, Beauregard M.A retrospective study of 19 ataxic horses admitted to the College of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Montreal during the period of January 1985 to December 1988 is presented. There were 11 cases of cervical vertebral malformation, four of equine degenerative myeloencephalopathy, two of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis, one each of vertebral osteomyelitis and intervertebral disc protrusion. The clinical diagnosis of ataxia in horses requires neurological, radiographic, myelographic, and laboratory examinations.
Burnheim K, Hughes KJ, Evans DL, Raidal SL.Respiratory problems are common in horses, and are often diagnosed as a cause of poor athletic performance. Reliable, accurate and sensitive spirometric tests of airway function in resting horses would assist with the diagnosis of limitations to breathing and facilitate investigations of the effects of various treatments on breathing capacity. The evaluation of respiratory function in horses is challenging and suitable procedures are not widely available to equine practitioners. The determination of relative flow or flow-time measures is used in paediatric patients where compliance may limit c...
Khan A, Hallowell GD, Underwood C, van Eps AW.Rectal fluid administration may offer a simple, safe and inexpensive alternative to intravenous or nasogastric fluid therapy in equine clinical cases. Objective: To evaluate the tolerance and effects of rectally administered fluid and compare the measurements of haemodilution and intravascular volume with those during nasogastric and intravenous fluid administration. Methods: Randomised controlled experimental trial. Methods: Six clinically normal Standardbred geldings were used in a 4-way crossover study: each received three different fluid treatments (intravenous, nasogastric and rectal) at ...
Dixon PM, Barakzai SZ, Collins NM, Yates J.There is limited information available on the more serious sequellae of idiopathic cheek teeth (CT) fractures. Objective: To obtain information on clinical and ancillary diagnostic findings in referred horses with idiopathic CT fractures. Methods: Details of all horses suffering from idiopathic CT fractures referred to the Equine Hospital at the University of Edinburgh 1999-2005 were examined, and information concerning fracture patterns, clinical and ancillary diagnostic findings, treatments and long-term response to treatments were obtained and analysed. Results: A total of 60 maxillary and ...
Fielding CL, Pusterla N, Magdesian KG, Higgins JC, Meier CA.To characterize signalment, clinical and laboratory findings, treatment, and outcome in horses with rattlesnake envenomation in northern California. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: 58 client-owned horses evaluated for rattlesnake envenomation at 2 referral hospitals from 1992 to 2009. Methods: Records of horses with rattlesnake envenomation were reviewed, and data concerning signalment, clinical and laboratory findings, treatment, and outcome were collected. In addition, a rattlesnake-bite severity score (RBSS) was assigned to each horse. Variables were compared between horses tha...
St Blanc MP, Chapman AM, Keowen ML, Garza F, Liu CC, Gray L, Andrews FM.Supplements containing Cannabidiol (CBD) are available for horses, however, few studies have been published on their effects on behavior and health parameters. The purpose of this study was to determine if a daily oral supplement containing CBD would cause sedation, ataxia or alterations in other health parameters during administration for 56 days. Twenty clinically healthy adult Thoroughbred horses were housed in stalls. Before treatment was initiated, a complete physical examination, complete blood count (CBC) and biochemical panel were evaluated. In addition, horses were examined for sedati...
Ruiz AJ, Castaneda C, Raudsepp T, Tibary A.This case report describes spermatogenic arrest and azoospermia in a stallion with a unique Y chromosome-autosome translocation. Clinical diagnosis of azoospermia was based on history of infertility and evaluation of ejaculates collected for artificial insemination. Clinical and ultrasonographic evaluation of the external and internal genitalia did not reveal any abnormalities except for smaller than normal testicular size. Azoospermia of testicular origin was confirmed by determining alkaline phosphatase concentration in semen. Histological evaluation of testicular tissue after castration con...
Punsmann S, Hoppe J, Klopfleisch R, Venner M.Acute interstitial pneumonia in foals has been sparsely described in literature, and the individual authors disagree on the underlying aetiology. Histopathological follow-up from surviving foals is not available. Objective: Description of clinical and histopathological findings in the course of acute interstitial pneumonia and in recovery. Investigating the aetiology and possible triggering factors of acute interstitial pneumonia. Methods: Case series. Methods: Post-mortem examination of nine affected foals; seven died during the acute phase, and two had recovered from acute interstitial pneum...
Naylor JM, Yadernuk LM, Pharr JW, Ashburner JS.The ability of clinicians, ie, 10 veterinary students, 10 general practitioners, and 10 board certified internists, to describe and interpret common normal and abnormal heart sounds was assessed. Recordings of heart sounds from 7 horses with a variety of normal and abnormal rhythms, heart sounds, and murmurs were analyzed by digital sonography. The perception of the presence or absence of the heart sounds S1, S2, and S4 was similar for clinicians irrespective of their level of training and was in agreement with the sonographic interpretation on 89, 82, and 78% of occasions, respectively. Howev...
Hardy J, Bednarski RM, Biller DS.Pharmacologically induced splenic contraction might be useful during certain medical or surgical procedures in horses. The effects of phenylephrine, an alpha 1-adrenergic receptor agonist, on hemodynamic function and splenic dimensions were examined in 6 healthy adult horses. Phenylephrine infusion (1, 3, or 6 micrograms/kg of body weight/min for 15 minutes) resulted in a dose-related increase in mean pulmonary artery pressure; right atrial pressure; systolic, mean, and diastolic arterial pressures; and packed cell volume (P = 0.0001). Concurrent decreases in heart rate and specific cardiac ou...
Vyas R, Keller JJ, Honda K, Cooper KD, Gerstenblith MR.Animal-type melanoma is a rare subtype of melanoma with heavily pigmented dermal epithelioid and spindled melanocytes. Its classification as a subtype of melanoma versus a borderline melanocytic tumor is debated. Objective: Our primary objective was to characterize the demographics, clinical presentation, histopathology, management, and outcomes of patients with animal-type melanoma. Methods: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the English-language literature on animal-type melanoma. Results: We identified 190 cases of animal-type melanoma. They occurred equally in men and wo...
Paris A, Beccati F, Pepe M.To report the type, prevalence, and risk factors for the development of orthopedic injuries in endurance horses. Methods: 235 endurance horses. Methods: Medical records of horses examined between January 2007 and December 2018 were reviewed. Recorded data were birth; breed; sex; dates of first and last examinations; presence of any conformation fault, lameness, positive flexion test result, and orthopedic injury; starts in endurance competitions; level of athletic activity; professional status of trainer or rider; and whether an orthopedic injury developed in > 1 limb or during or within 2 day...
Hoffman CJ, Clark CK.Cervical vertebral malformation (CVM) is seen in young, rapidly growing horses, and is commonly associated with a poor prognosis for racing. Objective: To examine the records of a population of Thoroughbreds with a presumptive diagnosis of CVM and to determine which radiographic findings and neurologic exam findings have an effect on these horses achieving athletic function when managed conservatively. Methods: One hundred and three thoroughbreds presumptively diagnosed with CVM and treated conservatively between 2002 and 2010. Methods: Racing records were reviewed in this retrospective study ...
Spadavecchia C, Spadavecchia L, Andersen OK, Arendt-Nielsen L, Leandri M, Schatzmann U.To evoke and measure the nociceptive withdrawal reflex (NWR) by use of electromyographic recordings and to score the behavioral nociceptive responses to electrical pulses in standing nonsedated horses. Methods: 10 adult horses. Methods: The lateral palmar digital nerve of the forelimb was transcutaneously stimulated, and surface electromyographic responses were recorded from the ulnaris lateralis, extensor carpi radialis, and common digital extensor muscles. Stimuli consisted of a 25-millisecond train of 5 constant-current pulses delivered by a computer-controlled stimulator. The 80- to 250-mi...
Vitale V, Vezzosi T, Tognetti R, Fraschetti C, Sgorbini M.Recently, the use of smartphone ECG devices has been reported in humans and animals. Nevertheless, as the electrodes of these devices are inseparable, they can create only a precordial reading in veterinary species. Thus, although the smartphone ECG devices are considered valuable as a screening tool for the detection of some common arrhythmias, they are not always a reliable method for the measurement of the duration of the electrical deflections. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the feasibility of a novel smartphone ECG device, to report the readings obtained recorded simultaneo...
Villa L, Gazzonis AL, Diezma-Diaz C, Perlotti C, Zanzani SA, Ferrucci F, Álvarez-García G, Manfredi MT.Besnoitiosis is an emerging parasitic disease of equids. Italy is one of the few European countries where the circulation of Besnoitia spp. antibodies was demonstrated. In this study, a case of clinical besnoitiosis in two donkeys in northern Italy is reported. The two animals were clinically examined. Serum and blood samples were analyzed for the detection of Besnoitia spp. antibodies and for hematology, biochemistry, and enzyme activity, respectively. ITS-1 PCR and sequencing were carried out on DNA extracted from skin biopsies. Clinical examination revealed numerous scleral pearls in eyes o...
Johnston GCA, Wood KA, Jackson KV, Perkins NR, Zedler ST.Intra-articular (IA) hyaluronic acid (HA) is commonly used to treat equine arthritis. Inflammatory response or "joint flare" is a recognized potential side effect. However, the incidence and severity of inflammation following IA HA injection in horses is not well documented. This study compared the effects of two IA HA formulations of different molecular weight (MW) and a saline control on clinical signs and synovial fluid markers of inflammation in normal equine joints. Eight adult horses each had three healthy fetlock joints randomly assigned to treatment with either 1.4 mega Dalton HA, 0.8 ...
Evans DL, Rose RJ.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...
