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Topic:Clinical Examination
Clinical examination in horses involves a systematic evaluation of the animal to assess its health status and identify any potential medical issues. This process typically includes a thorough physical assessment, which may cover observation of behavior and posture, palpation of body structures, auscultation of heart and lung sounds, and examination of the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. Additional diagnostic tools such as thermography, endoscopy, or imaging techniques may be utilized to gather more detailed information. Clinical examination serves as a foundational step in veterinary diagnostics, aiding in the detection and management of diseases or injuries in horses. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore methodologies, advancements, and findings related to clinical examination practices in equine medicine.
Long-term fate and effects of exercise on sternal cartilage autografts used for repair of large osteochondral defects in horses. Bilateral osteochondral defects (10 mm2 x 3 mm deep) were created on the distal articular surface of the radial carpal bone of ten, 2- to 3-year-old horses. One defect of each horse was repaired, using a sternal cartilage autograft (treated), and the other was left untreated (control). The horses were exercised on a high-speed treadmill at incrementally increased speed and duration over the course of 12 months. Horses were evaluated arthroscopically at 6 to 7 weeks, and clinical examinations were conducted weekly at exercise. Twelve months after surgery, carpuses of each horse were radiographe...
Is dentition an accurate indication of the age of a horse? It is widely accepted that the age of a horse can be determined from an examination of its teeth, but there is no evidence that the accuracy of the systems of ageing used has been validated. A dental record was made of 80 horses of known age. There was a good correlation between the actual and apparent age of the horses up to five years, but older horses showed much greater variability and accuracy declined markedly after 11 years of age. The disappearance of the 'cup', but not the 'mark', proved to be one of the more reliable features. The average age at which the dental star appeared was one...
Significance for exercise capacity of some electrocardiographic findings in racehorses. Various cardiorespiratory and metabolic indices were assessed during treadmill exercise in Thoroughbred and Standardbred racehorses with T wave changes in 4 or more leads on the electrocardiogram or second-degree atrio-ventricular (AV) block, and in horses that had no abnormalities on clinical examination, resting electrocardiography or upper respiratory tract endoscopy. No significant differences in heart rate, plasma lactate concentration, arterial blood gases, oxygen uptake, run time, peak velocity, or blood and red cell volumes were found between normal horses and horses with T wave change...
Haematological, bone marrow and clinical chemical changes in neonatal foals given canine recombinant granulocyte-colony stimulating factor. Five Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse cross foals were given 20 micrograms canine recombinant granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (rcG-CSF) per kg bwt intramuscularly (i.m.) on the day of birth and 10 micrograms rcG-CSF/kg for 13 additional days. During this time and for an additional 21 days haematology, bone marrow and clinical chemical analyses were performed. After one day of rcG-CSF administration leucocyte and neutrophil counts increased from 9.16 x 10(9)/l to 23.44 x 10(9)/l and from 6.45 x 10(9)/l to 19.61 x 10(9)/l, respectively. The counts continued to increase for the next 3-4 days ...
Clinical efficacy and safety of clenbuterol HCl when administered to effect in horses with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A field study of 239 horses was conducted to determine the efficacy and safety of clenbuterol HCl, a beta 2-adrenergic bronchodilator, when administered incrementally to effect in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The severity of COPD (heaves) and response to treatment was determined by clinical evaluation; an overall 'heaveiness rating' (OHR) was assigned at each observation. The horses were treated orally b.i.d. with clenbuterol (as Ventipulmin Syrup), beginning with the lowest dosage of 0.8 micrograms/kg. On day 10 of treatment at the effective dose (0.8, 1.6, 2...
Respiratory mechanics of horses measured by conventional and forced oscillation techniques. Respiratory mechanics were compared using conventional and forced oscillation techniques in six conscious horses and a mechanical model of the equine respiratory system. The parameters calculated from conventional airflow and esophageal pressure measurements were pulmonary resistance and dynamic compliance. The impedance of the respiratory system was measured at 1, 2, and 3 Hz with the forced oscillation technique, and respiratory system resistance, compliance, inertance, and resonant frequency were calculated. Pulmonary resistance was 1.0 +/- 0.3 cmH2O.l-1.s, and pulmonary dynamic compliance ...
A 64,X,i(Xq) karyotype in a standardbred filly. Chromosomal analysis is not a routine examination in equine
practice. It is indicated, however, in infertile or subfertile
mares with small, inactive ovaries (Chandley et a/. 1975;
Power 1986).
The most commonly reported abnormalities in mares
concern sex chromosomes such as 63,XO and mosaic
63,XO/64,XX giving sterile mares and 64,XY resulting in
gonadal dysgenesis, sex reversal and testicular feminisation
(Power 1990). The phenotypic manifestations of a horse with
these karyotypic abnormalities are usually quite mild
compared with the corresponding abnormalities in man. These
mild ...
[Echocardiography and therapy of atrial fibrillation in horses]. Echocardiographic evaluation of 45 horses (43 warm-blooded horses, one Thoroughbred and one Standardbred) with atrial fibrillation was performed, using M-mode, B-mode and pulsed-wave Doppler echocardiography. Seventeen (38%) of these horses had a history of poor performance. An increase of left ventricular shortening fraction was found in 25 horses (56%). Atrial dilatation was seen in 37 horses (82%). Eight horses (18%) had normal atrial dimensions. In nine horses only left atrium and in six horses only right atrium was enlarged. In the other 22 horses both atria were dilated. Correlation was ...
Arthroscopic approach and intra-articular anatomy of the plantar pouch of the equine tarsocrural joint. Arthroscopic examination of structures within the plantar pouch of the tarsocrural joint was accomplished via portals in both the plantaromedial and plantarolateral aspects of the joint. Flexion and extension of the tarsus while examining the joint through either portal allowed observation of the proximal and plantar aspects of the lateral and medial trochlear ridges, the trochlear groove, the caudal aspect of the distal tibia, and the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) in its sheath. From a plantarolateral portal, the plantar talocalcaneal ligament and the plantar aspect of the lateral malleol...
Clinical and force plate evaluation of the effect of a high plantar nerve block in lameness caused by induced mid-metatarsal tendinitis. To answer the question whether it is possible to differentiate, by means of a high plantar nerve block in the hind limb, flexor tendon lameness from a suspensory ligament lameness, mid-plantar tendinitis or desmitis was induced with collagenase in five Standardbred horses in two trials. Before the induction of lameness, and on the fourth (D4) and fourteenth day (D14) after the induction of lameness the horses were evaluated subjectively (clinical lameness score), objectively (ground reaction force (GRF) measurements), and ultrasonographically. Clinical evaluation and GRF measurements were also...
Use of clinical measurements to predict the outcome in chronic cases of grass sickness (equine dysautonomia). Forty-five cases of chronic grass sickness were given scores for selected clinical measurements when they were first examined, to assess their value in predicting survival. Sixteen cases survived. The clinical scores for the degree of dysphagia, appetite, colic and the degree of reduction in gut sounds were significantly lower in the survivors than in the non-survivors. In addition, only the non-survivors had severe rhinitis. Ponies were significantly less likely to survive than cob types.
Partial closure of laryngotomies in horses. In horses, ventral laryngotomies are typically allowed to heal by second intention. Partial closure of the laryngotomy incision, however, was associated wtih less exudate, less aftercare, shorter hospitalization, and better cosmetic results, compared with the traditional technique. The partial closure technique did not result in complications in the 3 horses in which it was attempted.
Periparturient emergencies. The events surrounding parturition are well orchestrated, and normal delivery of a foal is an explosive, rapidly occurring event. Any aberration may jeopardize the pregnancy and cause clinical complications. This article discusses problems associated with the periparturient period that require immediate attention.
Examination of the foal. Recent advances in veterinary diagnostics have improved our ability to diagnose and treat foal diseases. However, these advances do not replace the physical examination as the most valuable diagnostic aid available to the equine practitioner. The basic physical examination provides the majority of information needed to make a presumptive diagnosis, provide a direction for ancillary tests, and formulate a plan for emergency therapy if needed.
Repeatability and normal values for measurement of pharyngeal and tracheal pressures in exercising horses. Repeatability of measurements of peak and mean tracheal and pharyngeal pressures in exercising horses was determined. Five athletically fit horses were subjected to repeated (n = 5) standardized exercise trials. Static pressures in the trachea, nasopharynx, and mask were determined. At least 96% of all mean pressure measurements were within 5 cm of H2O of the mean value for any horse. Peak pressure measurements were less repeatable, but at least 96% of all measurements were within 10 cm of H2O of the mean peak measurements for any horse. In 10 horses galloping at 14 m/s, the 95% confidence int...
Jugular vein wall repair after intravenous injection in equids. The evolution of the healing process of venous puncture wounds was studied macroscopically and light-microscopically in order to determine the time of venipuncture. Seven small equids of various ages, all in normal healthy condition, were experimentally injected in the external jugular vein with a physiological Hartmann solution at different times before euthanasia. Two types of needle diameters i.e. 16.5 G and 19 G, were used. A fairly good uniformity in the healing process was seen in the 7 animals. In most cases the lesions induced within 5 weeks before death were macroscopically visible, w...
Effects of acetylpromazine, xylazine, and vertical load on digital arterial blood flow in horses. Palmar digital arterial blood flow was measured in 6 conscious, standing horses, using surgically placed perivascular ultrasonic flow probes. The effects of 2 dosages of xylazine (0.55 and 1.1 mg/kg of body weight) and of 3 dosages of acetylpromazine (0.01, 0.02, and 0.04 mg/kg), as well as the effect of vertical load, on digital blood flow were evaluated. Intravenous administration of xylazine induced a significant (P < 0.05), transient decrease in digital blood flow. Intravenous administration of acetylpromazine induced a significant (P < 0.05), prolonged increase in digital blood flow...
Progression and association with lameness and racing performance of radiographic changes in the proximal sesamoid bones of young standardbred trotters. Radiographic examination of the metacarpo- and metatarsophalangeal joints was performed on 753 Standardbred trotters (6-21 months of age): 21 showed obvious changes in 26 proximal sesamoid bones on lateromedial projection. The radiographic changes were divided into 6 different types: (1) irregular abaxial margin (8 horses); (2) enlargement of the sesamoid bone (6 horses); (3) 'fracture' or separate centre of ossification of the apex (4 horses); (4) vertical, non-articular fracture of the plantar part of the sesamoid bone (1 horse); (5) a small bony fragment located in a defect in the apical pa...
Application to cows and horses of Spotchem, a dry-chemistry blood analyzer for use in veterinary clinics. The usefulness of a dry-chemistry blood analyzer, Spotchem SP-4410 (SP-4410) in a veterinary clinic for analysis of bovine and equine blood chemistry was studied. We quantitated total protein (TP), albumin (Alb), total bilirubin (T-Bil), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), total cholesterol (T-Cho), glucose (Glu), calcium (Ca), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), creatinine phosphokinase (CPK), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in bovine sera. Each sample was assayed with both the SP-4410 and an automated blood analyzer which served as a wet-chemistry reference system, and t...
[Adverse effects of veterinary drugs]. We report cases of adverse reactions, some of which serious, of four frequently used therapeutic substances in several animal species. In order to avoid similar cases we discuss special measures or alternative therapies.
[Ultrasonography of the formation and development of the corpus luteum in the mare: review for the practitioner]. Because of the anatomical position of the Corpus luteum within the ovary, rectal palpation is of little value for identification and evaluation. The aim of this review is to familiarize the practitioner with the echographic examination of the Cl. He should be able to recognize different stages of this important structure and to correlate ovulation and the existence of the Cl. Various specific criteria and details regarding equine echography are reported and illustrated, using the the most recently published scientific data.
Imipramine and xylazine-induced ex copula ejaculation in stallions. This study is a part of our ongoing work toward developing pharmacological methods for enhancing and inducing ejaculation in stallions with ejaculatory dysfunction. We evaluated a combination treatment of imipramine hydrochloride followed 10 minutes later by xylazine hydrochloride for the induction of ex copula ejaculation. Eight pony stallions each underwent 6 treatment trials conducted at 4-day intervals. The trials were conducted in the animals' stalls, where they were observed for 90 minutes following treatment. To evaluate the effect of pretreatment sexual stimulation on the rate of ejacu...
Lack of residual lung damage in horses in which Rhodococcus equi-induced pneumonia had been diagnosed. The effect of prior Rhodococcus equi-induced pneumonia on pulmonary health was investigated in 5 horses (< 24 months old) using endoscopy, radiography, hematologic and bronchoalveolar lavage analyses, and pulmonary function testing. Rhodococcus equi-induced pneumonia had been diagnosed in principal horses when they were foals. Diagnosis was based on positive results of transtracheal aspiration and thoracic radiography at the time of initial clinical examination. Results of reevaluation of the respiratory system of these horses (R+) were compared with those of 5 age-matched healthy horses (R...
Evaluation of occlusive dressings for management of full-thickness excisional wounds on the distal portion of the limbs of horses. Two 2.5-cm2 full-thickness skin wounds were created surgically over the lateral aspect of the cannon bone of each limb of 6 horses (n = 48 wounds). Dressings evaluated were a nonadherent gauze pad (group 1); a synthetic semiocclusive dressing, (group 2); equine amnion (group 3); and a synthetic fully occlusive dressing (group 4). Wounds were assessed subjectively at each dressing change, and total wound area, area of granulation tissue, and area of epithelium in each wound were determined by computerized digital analysis of photographs of the wounds. Complete healing time (wound covered by epi...
