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Topic:Clinical Findings
Clinical findings in horses encompass a range of observable signs and symptoms identified during veterinary examinations that contribute to diagnosing and managing equine health conditions. These findings can include physical observations, such as changes in behavior, posture, or gait, as well as physiological measurements like heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature. Diagnostics may also involve laboratory tests, imaging, and other diagnostic procedures to assess organ function and detect abnormalities. Recognizing and interpreting clinical findings are essential components of veterinary practice, aiding in the identification of diseases, monitoring treatment progress, and guiding therapeutic interventions. This page brings together peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the methodologies, interpretations, and implications of clinical findings in the context of equine health care.
Incomplete ossification of the tarsal bones in foals: 22 cases (1988-1996). To determine outcome for foals with incomplete ossification of the tarsal bones and to determine whether clinical and radiographic abnormalities at the time of initial examination were associated with outcome. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: 22 foals. Methods: Information on signalment, history, owner's initial complaint, clinical findings, whether tarsus valgus was evident, and radiographic abnormalities was obtained from medical records. Radiographic lesions were classified as type I (i.e., incomplete ossification with < 30% collapse of the affected bones) or type II (incomplete ossif...
Shoulder joint luxation in large animals: 14 cases (1976-1997). To determine clinical and radiographic findings in and treatment and outcome of large animals with shoulder joint luxations. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: 5 horses, 3 goats, 1 calf, 1 sheep, 1 Himalayan tahr, 1 pot-bellied pig, 1 reindeer, and 1 white-tailed deer. Methods: Medical records and radiographs were reviewed to determine signalment, history, physical examination findings, type of luxation, treatment, and outcome. Owners and referring veterinarians were contracted for follow-up information. Results: Goats, sexually intact males, and animals < 1 year old were overrepresente...
Innervation of the equine mature and immature proximal sesamoid bone by calcitonin gene-related peptide and substance P-containing nerves. To localize and determine relative frequency of occurrence of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and substance P (SP) fibers in the proximal sesamoid bones (PSB) and adjacent structures in sound horses. Methods: 4 foals and 3 adult horses. Methods: Medial PSB and adjacent ligaments of both forelimbs were collected, flushed, and fixed in buffered 4% formalin. The left PSB were cut into 5 longitudinal, sagittally oriented slabs, and the right PSB were cut into 5 transverse slabs. After decalcification in EDTA, slices were transferred to a 30% sucrose solution, deep frozen, sectioned (80 micr...
Results of bone scintigraphy in horses used for show jumping, hunting, or eventing: 141 cases (1988-1994). To determine anatomic patterns and clinical importance of increased radiopharmaceutical uptake in bones of horses used for show jumping, hunting, and eventing. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: 141 horses evaluated because of lameness. Methods: Medical records were reviewed, and information on results of physical examination, radiography, and scintigraphy were obtained. Scintigrams were evaluated to identify areas of increased radio-pharmaceutical uptake. Results: 834 areas of increased radiopharmaceutical uptake were identified. Scintigraphy of the vertebral column was performed in 78 ho...
Normal variation in, and effect of 2% pilocarpine on, intraocular pressure and pupil size in female horses. To determine normal variation in, and effect of 2% pilocarpine hydrochloride on, intraocular pressure (IOP) and pupil size in female horses during a specified period. Methods: 10 female horses with normotensive eyes. Methods: IOP and horizontal and vertical pupil size were measured on a single day between 8 AM and 8 PM at hours 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12. Measurements were repeated after single- dose application of 2% pilocarpine to both eyes. IOP and pupil size were measured at 8 AM and noon in a 5-day experiment of twice-daily application of 2% pilocarpine. Results: Variation in IOP a...
Gravel impaction in a 2-year-old Morgan gelding. An unusual case of impaction colic caused by the ingestion of large quantities of gravel. The clinical presentation, surgical findings, and outcome are described.
Persistent right aortic arch in a yearling horse. A 14-month-old filly with chronic pharyngitis was diagnosed with incomplete esophageal constriction and megaesophagus due to a persistent right aortic arch. This report is unusual because clinical signs of respiratory dysfunction secondary to chronic regurgitation occurred prior to the recognition of dysphagia.
Enterotoxigenic Clostridium perfringens type A necrotic enteritis in a foal. A Thoroughbred-Quarter Horse crossbred foal developed hemorrhagic enteritis and died < 48 hours after birth. Gross and histologic findings were suggestive of Clostridium perfringens type C infection, and large numbers of C perfringens were isolated from intestinal contents. However, genotyping of isolates indicated that they were enterotoxigenic C perfringens type A, and isolates were found to produce C perfringens enterotoxin in vitro. This case suggests that enterotoxigenic C perfringens type A may cause enteric disease in horses.
Experimental infection of four horses with Ehrlichia phagocytophila. Four clinically healthy horses which were negative for antibodies to Ehrlichia phagocytophila, the agent of bovine ehrlichiosis, were infected experimentally with E phagocytophila-containing bovine leucocytes, administered intravenously. The horses were examined daily for four weeks, and blood samples were collected daily for cytological, haematological and biochemical examination and for a nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR). An indirect immunofluorescence test was used to determine when the horses seroconverted and the duration of positive titres. There were no abnormal clinical, haematol...
Laparoscopic diagnosis of subcapsular splenic hematoma in a horse. A 5-year-old Quarter Horse was examined after it developed signs of abdominal discomfort as a result of a training accident. Oral mucous membranes were pale, and capillary refill time was > 3 seconds. Hematologically, the PCV was low, and abdominocentesis yielded a serosanguineous fluid. Abdominal ultrasonography was performed and revealed a large hypoechoic mass associated with the cranial margin of the spleen. Because differentiation between subcapsular hematoma and extracapsular hematoma could not be made with certainty, further evaluation of the spleen was indicated. Abdominal laparosco...
Influence of fecal shedding of Salmonella organisms on mortality in hospitalized horses. To predict mortality of horses by use of clinical data from the first day of hospitalization, to determine whether fecal shedding of Salmonella organisms is related to severity of clinical disease, and to determine the impact of fecal shedding of Salmonella organisms on mortality. Methods: Prospective study. Methods: 1,446 hospitalized horses. Methods: Medical information was obtained from horses hospitalized in an intensive care unit or isolation facility during a 4.5-year period. A model was created to predict mortality, using covariates determined on the day of admission. Predicted mortalit...
Occult osseous metastasis of a colonic adenocarcinoma visualized with technetium tc 99m hydroxymethylene diphosphate scintigraphy in a horse. A 5-year-old Arabian horse was admitted with a 5-day history of undulant pyrexia of unknown origin, inappetence, obtundation, and acute collapse. Physical examination results were unremarkable except for a grade II/VI left-sided systolic cardiac murmur and abdominal splinting. Mild chronic inflammatory changes were evident on clinicopathologic evaluation. Echocardiography revealed moderate aortic insufficiency. A solitary soft tissue opacity was found on thoracic radiography but not on ultrasonography. Palliative treatment was ineffective. Nuclear scintigraphy with WBC labeled with technetium ...
Actinobacillus and Pasteurella species isolated from horses with lower airway disease. Seventy-three bacterial isolates from 65 horses with and without evidence of lower airway disease were identified to assess whether the association with disease was accounted for by a small or large number of species. Just over half (50.5 per cent were Actinobacillus equuli, 17.8 per cent were A suis-like, 11 per cent were Pasteurella pneumotropica, 8.2 per cent were A lignieresii, 6.8 per cent were P haemolytica and 5.5 per cent were P mairii. These results suggest that a range of Actinobacillus and Pasteurella species can be isolated from the lower airways of horses, with many of the isolate...
Donkeys as reservoirs of African horse sickness virus. Investigations have been carried out to elucidate the possible role of the donkey in the epidemiology of African horse sickness (AHS). These studies have shown that despite the absence of pyrexia or other observable clinical signs, donkeys become infected with virulent AHS virus serotype 4 (AHSV 4) and that they develop a viraemia which can persist for at least 12 days, albeit at a comparatively lower titre than that recorded for similarly infected ponies. AHSV 4 showed a similar tissue tropism in the pony and donkey but the virus appeared to replicate less efficiently in donkey tissues. The o...
Effects of buprenorphine on cardiovascular and pulmonary function in clinically normal horses and horses with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. To evaluate the cardiovascular and respiratory effects of buprenorphine administered intravenously in clinically normal horses and horses with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods: 5 clinically normal horses and 5 horses with COPD that were in partial clinical remission (period A) or were having an acute attack of airway obstruction (period B). Methods: Pulmonary function testing, arterial blood gas analysis, and arterial blood pressure measurements were performed before and after a single intravenous bolus of buprenorphine (3 microg/kg of body weight). Respiratory rate (f), t...
Propylene glycol toxicosis in a mare. Propylene glycol and mineral oil are commonly used in the veterinary profession for treatment of bovine ketosis and equine impactions, respectively. Accidental administration of 6.0 ml propylene glycol/kg of body weight in horses causes severe depression, ataxia and malodorous breath and feces. However, appropriate medical therapy can result in successful treatment of this toxicosis.
Toxicity of methomyl following intravenous administration in the horse. Methomyl (S-methyl-N-((methylcarbamoyl)oxy) thioacetimidate) toxicity was studied in horses using i.v. dosages from 0.01 to 3.0 mg/kg. Doses of 1-3 mg methomyl/kg produced increased GI motility and respirations, facial fasiculations, salivation, lacrimation and convulsions. The only effect at 0.5 mg/kg was increased GI sounds in 1/4 horses. This extensively used crop insecticide had been associated with episodes of morbidity and mortality and led to speculation that it was extremely potent to the horse. This was not supported by these clinical studies.
Pharmacokinetics of a high dose of gentamicin administered intravenously or intramuscularly to horses. To evaluate pharmacokinetics of a high dose of gentamicin administered i.v. or i.m. to horses. Methods: Repeated-measures study. Methods: 6 clinically normal female adult stock-type horses. Methods: All horses were given gentamicin (6.6 mg/kg [3 mg/lb] of body weight), i.v. and i.m., in a two-way cross-over design. Serum gentamicin concentrations were measured during a 24-hour period. Results: Plasma concentration curves were consistent with a two-compartment model. Maximum plasma gentamicin concentrations were 71.9 +/- 15.7 micrograms/ml (0 hours after injection) and 22.0 +/- 4.9 micrograms/m...
Reliability of using results of abdominal fluid analysis to determine treatment and predict lesion type and outcome for horses with colic: 218 cases (1991-1994). To assess clinical utility of abdominal fluid analysis in predicting outcome, lesion type, and whether medical or surgical treatment is indicated for horses with colic. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: 218 horses > 1 year old. Methods: Horses were classified on the basis of age, site of lesion, lesion type (nonstrangulating vs strangulating), type of treatment (medical vs surgical), and outcome (survival vs nonsurvival). Sensitivity and specificity of using age and results of abdominal fluid analysis, individually and in combination, to predict lesion type, type of treatment, and outc...
Imaging basilar skull fractures in the horse: a review. Due to the complex nature of the anatomy of the equine head, superimposition of numerous structures, and poor soft tissue differentiation, radiography may be of limited value in the diagnosis of basilar skull fractures. However, in many horses radiographic changes such as soft tissue opacification of the guttural pouch region, irregular bone margination at the sphenooccipital line, attenuation of the nasopharynx, ventral displacement of the dorsal pharyngeal wall and the presence of irregularly shaped bone fragments in the region of the guttural pouches are suggestive of a fracture of the skul...
Getah virus infection of Indian horses. An outbreak of disease, characterized by depression, anorexia, fever, limb oedema and lymphocytopenia, occurred on a farm for thoroughbreds in India in 1990. Twenty-six of the 88 horses on the farm were affected, predominantly adults. Signs were present in affected horses for 7-10 days, and the outbreak lasted 21 days. Seven of the 26 affected horses were tested for exposure to Getah virus using paired serum samples, acute and convalescent. Four of the 7 horses seroconverted to Getah virus, and the other three showed a 4-fold or greater rise in titre. The clinical and laboratory findings were ...
Stress fractures of the vertebral lamina and pelvis in Thoroughbred racehorses. Thirty-six Thoroughbred racehorses that died at California racetracks between October 1993 and July 1994 were evaluated for stress fractures in the caudal portion of the thoracic and lumbosacral regions of the spine and the pelvis. The lumbosacral spine and pelvis were collected, debrided of soft tissues and examined visually for the presence of an incomplete fracture line and focal periosteal proliferation, characteristic of a stress fracture. Sixty-one per cent of specimens had evidence of stress fracture in the caudal portion of the thoracic and lumbosacral regions of the spine and the pelv...
Cytology of 100 samples of abdominal fluid from 100 horses with abdominal disease. A total of 100 samples of abdominal fluid (AF) from 100 horses with abdominal disease were evaluated by cytology. Cytology results were subsequently correlated with the final outcome of the disease. The horses were classified into 4 groups: Group I, horses that were treated with conventional (nonsurgical) therapy and recovered; Group II, horses that had surgery and survived; Group III, horses that had surgery but died; and Group IV, horses that were subjected to euthanasia prior to surgery. Statistical analysis showed that both nucleated cell count and total neutrophils were significantly high...
Clinical assessment of gas exchange in mature horses. There are limited methods of assessing pulmonary function in horses at rest. We developed clinical techniques to measure gas exchange efficiency in horses and evaluated 3 groups of horses that were 1) asymptomatic based on auscultation with rebreathing, transtracheal aspirate cytology, and thoracic radiographs (n = 6), 2) asymptomatic at rest but symptomatic with rebreathing (n = 11) and 3) symptomatic at rest (n = 9). Blood samples were obtained from the transverse facial artery and jugular vein. Maximal end-tidal CO2 tension (PETCO2) was measured by an infrared capnograph through a facemask....
Complete fractures of the third metacarpal or metatarsal bone in horses: 25 cases (1980-1996). To compare treatments of complete fractures of the third metacarpal (MC) or metatarsal (MT) bone in horses and to identify factors that could impact prognosis. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: 25 horses with fractures of the third MC or MT bone that were treated by use of internal fixation, external coaptation, or both. Methods: Medical records from the Veterinary Medical Data Base of horses treated for fractures of third MC or MT bone at Texas A&M University from 1980 to 1994 and Purdue University from 1980 to 1996 were reviewed. Information on signalment, results of physical ...
Traumatic dental disease and soft tissue injuries of the oral cavity. Trauma to the oral cavity can result in an array of injuries affecting teeth, bone, and soft tissue. A thorough examination of the oral cavity is often facilitated by employing a full-mouth speculum after the horse has been tranquilized. Identification of broken, loose, or split teeth; fractures of the premaxilla or mandible; and avulsion or laceration of soft tissue structures such as the lips or tongue is usually straightforward. Treatment options vary depending on the structure involved; however, appropriate treatment generally results in a functional and cosmetically acceptable end result....
Herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy in horses: 11 cases (1982-1996). To determine results of CSF analysis in horses with equid herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM) and to determine whether results of CSF analysis were associated with outcome. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: 11 horses. Methods: Medical records of all horses admitted to the veterinary teaching hospital between February 1982 and March 1996 in which EHM was diagnosed were reviewed. Results: 7 horses were < or = 4 years old; 8 were admitted during January, February, or March. Six horses were febrile prior to admission, but none was febrile on the day of admission. Five horses had been sta...
Retinal degeneration associated with vitamin E deficiency in hunting dogs. A group of Walker Hounds and Beagles that were fed a diet of table scraps were examined because of slow, progressive loss of vision. Clinical and microscopic features of the disease were correlated to the dogs' micronutrient status. Sensory retinal degeneration, predominantly in the central tapetal fundus, was found in all dogs, and severity of changes varied with age of the dog. Plasma, serum, and tissue concentrations of vitamin E were low in affected dogs (10 to 40% of control values). Lipofuscin accumulation was found on microscopic examination in retinal pigment epithelium, smooth muscle ...
