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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.
Morphologic features of the aqueous humor drainage pathways in horses. The iridocorneal angle of the horse was anteriorly lined by a pectinate ligament, consisting of several layers of vertically oriented collagenous beams, that were interrupted by a network of extracellular spaces. The anterior chamber angle consisted mostly of a large uveal trabecular meshwork that was composed of widely-spaced, thick trabeculae. These trabeculae were attached in part posteriorly to extensions of the ciliary body musculature and anteriorly inserted into the prominent pectinate ligament. The corneoscleral trabecular meshwork was shaped hemiobovately and formed the external bound...
Surgical management of duodenal obstruction in an adult horse. A 3-year-old Standardbred stallion was admitted for treatment of acute enterocolitis. The horse improved in response to empiric treatment, but subsequently developed ventral edema, scrotal abscessation, and severe laminitis. Improvement again was seen, but on day 29 of hospitalization, the horse developed rapid heart rate and signs of abdominal pain. Exploratory celiotomy revealed complete obstruction of the descending portion of the duodenum, 20 cm caudal to the duodenal sigmoidal flexure. Three-tier duodenojejunostomy and jejunojejunostomy were performed to bypass the duodenal obstruction.
Evaluation of three strip tests for measuring electrolytes in mares’ pre-partum mammary secretions and for predicting parturition. Three strip test kits which measure calcium and/or magnesium in mares' mammary secretions were compared and assessed for their accuracy in:- 1) measuring these electrolytes compared to standard laboratory measurements, and 2) predicting the time of parturition. Daily samples of mammary secretions were obtained pre-partum from 35 Thoroughbred mares and allocated a score. Measurement of mammary secretion calcium and/or magnesium by the strip tests and laboratory methods correlated significantly (P less than 0.001). The results obtained for prediction of parturition were analysed by two methods. ...
Clinical examination of the equine foot. The foot is the most common source of limb pain. The problems vary from simple to quite complex. An accurate diagnosis is dependent upon a thorough and detailed knowledge of anatomy and of what is available in the way of ancillary examination techniques. The correction of most foot problems requires an appreciation of a multitude of factors and a thorough knowledge of farrier science.
A new Papulaspora species from the infected eye of a horse: Papulaspora equi sp. nov. An unusual fungus, probably traumatically introduced into the eye of a horse while grazing, was studied on various mycological media. Upon examination of colonies the organism produced bulbils and clearly exhibited the characteristics of a new species of Papulaspora, P. equi Shadomy & Dixon.
Attempts to restore abduction of the paralyzed equine arytenoid cartilage. III. Nerve anastomosis. The purpose of this project was to attempt restoration of abduction of a recently denervated left dorsal cricoarytenoid muscle in the horse by anastomosing the first cervical nerve to the abductor branch of the left recurrent laryngeal nerve. Ten horses were used in the study. In six horses the left recurrent laryngeal nerve was transected and ligated while the ventral branch of the left first cervical nerve was anastomosed to the abductor branch of the left recurrent laryngeal nerve. The remaining four horses also had the left recurrent laryngeal nerve transected and ligated but had no nerve ...
Simple nonrebreathing valves for use with large mammals. Two simple nonrebreathing valves suitable for use with large mammals are described. These valves can be constructed in a reasonably well equipped workshop using materials that are readily available. The resistive pressure of both valves is less than 0.1 kPa at flow rates up to 15 L.s-1. Their main limitation is a relatively large dead space, although the dead space of valve B (290 mL) is less than the dead space of some commercially available valves. Healthy adult horses and cows compensate for the increased dead space by an increase in tidal volume.
Predicting ovulation in the mare on the basis of follicular growth and serum oestrone sulphate and progesterone levels. Follicular growth and hormone determinations were used to predict ovulation in the mare. Thirty Finnhorse mares were used for the investigation and 38 oestrous cycles were studied. The mares were examined by rectal palpation and ultrasonography every 6 hours during late oestrus. Daily blood samples were obtained for progesterone and oestrone sulphate determination. The preovulatory follicle grew 3 mm a day up to 2 days before ovulation. The size then remained constant, before diminishing by 2-3 mm during the last 12 hours. The maximal diameter of the follicle was 43 +/- 4 mm. In 89% of the fol...
Radiographic examination of the equine foot. A complete radiographic examination of the equine foot consists of properly exposed, processed, and positioned radiographs. For radiographic interpretation, in addition to knowing radiographic signs of disease, a knowledge of normal radiographic anatomy and possible insignificant anatomic variations is necessary.
Clinical and pathological effects of flunixin meglumine administration to neonatal foals. The effects of daily intravenous administration of flunixin meglumine at dosages of 0.55, 1.1, 2.2 and 6.6 mg/kg for five days were examined in neonatal foals. Six two day old foals were used to evaluate the effect of each dosage. Foals were examined every day and blood samples collected on days 1, 3 and 6. All foals were euthanized after six days, necropsied and examined for lesions. The major clinical abnormality was diarrhea, but the incidence was not related to the dosage of flunixin meglumine administered. The foals receiving 6.6 mg/kg of flunixin meglumine had significantly more gastroin...
Attempts to restore abduction of the paralyzed equine arytenoid cartilage. II. Nerve implantation (pilot study). The purpose of this project was to attempt restoration of abduction of a recently experimentally denervated left dorsal cricoarytenoid muscle by implanting a transected nerve-end into the paralyzed muscle. In six ponies the cut end of the second cervical nerve was implanted into a slit made in the left dorsal cricoarytenoid muscle. The nerve end was secured in place with one 5-0 polypropylene suture connecting the epineurium to the epimysium. The left recurrent laryngeal nerve was transected during this procedure. All six ponies showed signs of complete left laryngeal hemiplegia immediately af...
Distribution of histological lesions in the equine endometrium. The distribution of histopathological lesions in the equine endometrium was examined to investigate the representativeness of a single biopsy specimen in terms of the whole endometrium. Five sections from each of 110 uteri obtained from slaughtered mares were evaluated microscopically and classified according to a four-category grading system used for endometrial biopsies. Depending on the extent of agreement between the categories of the homologous sections, the uteri were considered to show either good agreement (81 uteri; 73.6 per cent), moderate agreement (26 uteri; 23.6 per cent) or poor ...
Evaluation of total plasma bile acid concentrations for the diagnosis of hepatobiliary disease in horses. Plasma bile acid concentrations were measured in normal horses. There was no diurnal variation in values, and age and sex had no effect. There was no significant difference between serum and plasma bile acid concentrations in clinically normal horses. Plasma bile acids were stable on storage for one month at -20 degrees C. The total plasma bile acid concentrations together with total and direct bilirubin concentrations and plasma activities of aspartate aminotransferase, glutamate and iditol dehydrogenase were evaluated in horses with various types of hepatobiliary disease (hepatic necrosis, l...
Lameness in a mare with signs of arteriovenous fistula. A 5-year-old mare was evaluated for lameness and swelling of the right forelimb. Clinical findings, including peripheral edema, venous pulsation, palpable thrill in the cephalic vein, disparate arteriovenous oxygen tension differences between the left and right forelimbs, and Branham sign, were suggestive of arteriovenous fistula. Failure to identify the fistula by angiography was attributed to closure of the shunt during anesthesia. Surgical exploration of the affected limb to identify the shunt also was unsuccessful.
Digestion, fecal, and blood variables associated with extensive large colon resection in the horse. Nutritional alterations were evaluated in 9 horses before surgery and 3 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months (4 total trials) after sham operation (group 1; n = 3) or extensive large colon resection (group 2; n = 6). Feed and fecal analyses were performed to determine apparent digestion of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, manganese, zinc, copper, and iron, and true digestion of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, total plant cell wall, hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin. Additional fecal and metabolic variables included the percentage of f...
Indices of renal function: reference values in normal horses. Urine and blood samples were taken at the same time from normal adult horses presented for routine investigations to establish reference values for a variety of parameters reported to be useful in the clinical evaluation of renal function. Blood biochemical values were consistent with previous studies and had well-defined normal ranges. Parameters representing urine concentration and electrolyte excretion however, varied widely reflecting the ability of the healthy kidney to change the composition of urine in response to differences in environment and management. Percent creatinine clearance r...
[Age-related changes in the intervertebral disks of the cervical vertebrae of the horse]. The cervical vertebral column of 103 horses of different age (42 weeks old fetus to 23 years) were examined with respect to age-related changes of the intervertebral disks. On gross examination the cervical intervertebral disks in the horse miss a pulpy nucleus but consist of a fibrocartilaginous tissue only, which is in contrast to literature. Age-related degenerative lesions as disintegration of connective tissue fibers leading to partial or complete loss of connection between the disks were found. In the more severe cases a yellow discoloration of the separated disks could be seen. Incidenc...
[Sonography in pleural effusion of horses]. Pleural effusion in the horse can be caused by diseases such as pneumonia, trauma, pulmonary abscesses and thoracic neoplasms. Besides clinical (auscultation, percussion) and radiographic diagnostic procedures, the ultrasonic examination represents a method that supplies detailed information on quantity and location of fluid in the pleural space. By means of ultrasonic examination the most favourable position for a thoracentesis can be determined. Control of thoracentesis' efficiency as well as exact supervision of the disease's course are made feasible by repeated sonographic examinations.
[The test of a centrifugal hematology system for use in clinical practice]. The QBC is a centrifugal haematology system. Modified haematocrit capillaries are measured optically. The parameters haematocrit, total leukocyte count, relative and absolute values of granulocyte and lympho-/monocyte fractions, and total thrombocyte count are stated. The microhaematocrit method, the counting chamber, and the differential blood count are reference methods. Blood samples of the dog, cat and horse were used for the study. As a screening method the QBC analysis meets all requirements for the veterinary practice.
Abdominal auscultation in the detection of experimentally induced gastrointestinal sand accumulation. A blind study was designed to determine if abdominal auscultation is an effective method for detecting the presence of intestinal sand. Fifteen horses divided into two groups were used in the study. There were seven horses in Group 1 and eight horses in Group 2. All horses were auscultated and determined to be free of sand sounds before initiation of Trial 1. Group 1 horses were given 4.2 g/kg body weight of sand via nasogastric tube using carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) as a suspending agent at 9.0 ml/kg body weight. Group 2 horses were given CMC only. Horses remained in the same group through a...
Prognosis in equine colic patients using multivariable analysis. Multiple logistic regression was used to investigate prognosis in 308 horses referred to the University of Minnesota veterinary teaching hospital with colic. Bivariate results identified the following significant individual parameters: absent or hypomotile abdominal sounds, medical or surgical classification, peritoneal fluid total protein, anion gap, serum glucose, capillary refill time, blood pH, heart rate, packed cell volume, base excess, serum chloride, plasma bicarbonate, serum urinary nitrogen and age. Two multivariable prognostic models were developed using logistic regression. Model I...
Evaluation of two techniques for large intestinal resection and anastomosis in the horse. Six normal adult horses had large colon resections at the sternal and diaphragmatic flexures. Stainless steel staples were used to close the stumps of the dorsal and ventral colons in all six. Intestinal continuity was restored with a side-to-side anastomosis of the dorsal and ventral colons. Three of these anastomoses were performed with staples, and three with a double inverting suture pattern. After one month, the horses were surgically reevaluated, and the anastomotic sites were examined. There was no significant difference between the stoma sizes in the two groups. No complications were o...
[Diagnostic sonography of the limb of the horse]. The ultrasonic examination of tendons and ligaments of the distal limb of the horse improves the diagnostic possibilities of these frequently injured structures. The successful application is based upon a reliable knowledge of the normal sonographic anatomy and upon a standardized, flawless technic of the examination. Practice and experience allow the recognition of minor alterations which enables a more precise diagnosis, a more reliable prognosis, and in follow-up examinations also more specific information about the further use of the horse.
Ovariectomy, ovariohysterectomy, and cesarean section in mares. Ovariectomy and cesarean section are relatively common procedures in a surgical practice in an area in which there are numerous broodmares. Both techniques can be performed by several approaches, which are described in this article. Also described are techniques for ovariohysterectomy, a procedure that is rarely indicated, but that can be performed relatively easily by a capable surgeon.
