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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.
Tilt table recovery of horses after orthopedic surgery: fifty-four cases (1994-2005). To describe an assisted anesthetic recovery technique using a tilt table for horses after high-risk orthopedic-related procedures and to evaluate outcome. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Anesthetic recoveries (n=54) for 36 horses. Methods: Medical records (April 1994-October 2005) for horses that had high-risk orthopedic surgery and recovery from general anesthesia on a tilt table were reviewed. Information about the surgical procedure, anesthetic and recovery period was analyzed. Results: Of 54 anesthetic recoveries, 1 horse (1.9%) had complete failure of internal fixation during recov...
Hypertrichosis in a horse with alimentary T-cell lymphoma and pituitary involvement. A 13-year-old Quarterhorse mare had a 6-month history of diarrhea, progressive weight loss, and lethargy. At presentation the mare was hirsute, had hyperhidrosis, and abnormal fat distribution in addition to severe diarrhea. A presumptive clinical diagnosis of protein-losing enteropathy and pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction was made. T-cell lymphoma was diagnosed in a rectal biopsy specimen. The owner elected to euthanize the mare because of poor prognosis and the severity of the disease. At necropsy, the mare had hypertrichosis and the pituitary gland was diffusely enlarged. Histologicall...
Major retinal autoantigens remain stably expressed during all stages of spontaneous uveitis. Equine recurrent uveitis (ERU) is a valuable model for autoimmune diseases, since it develops frequently and occurs spontaneously. We investigated the overall expression level of three major retinal autoantigens in normal retinas and various ERU stages. Analysis of retinal proteomes of both, healthy and diseased retinas revealed an almost unaffected expression of IRBP, S-antigen and cRALBP in ERU cases. Validation of these findings with western blots and immunohistochemistry confirmed constant to increased expression of these autoantigens, although loss of their physiological expression sites ...
Safety of elevated dosages of a 0.24% diflubenzuron pellet administered orally to horses. The safety of a feed-thru pellet formulation containing the insect growth regulator diflubenzuron (0.24%) for control of manure-breeding flies (Musca domestica L. and Stomoxys calcitrans L.) in horses was evaluated. Pellets were administered orally at 0, 1, 3, and 5 times the clinical dosage (0.12 to 0.20 mg/kg) on a daily basis for 31 consecutive days. Variables examined included daily clinical observations, hematology, coagulation, serum chemistry, acetylcholinesterase inhibition, body weights, and physical examinations. Horses remained healthy throughout the study, and no adverse reactions ...
Evaluation of lung maturity by amniotic fluid analysis in equine neonate. The aim of this study was to gather useful new data for evaluation of lung maturity in the neonatal foal. Because equine neonatal intensive therapy is very expensive, a precocious diagnosis could help to express a prognosis and to offer a respiratory support early after birth, increasing the survival rate and reducing complications. Amniotic fluid was collected at parturition on n=18 mares. Lamellar bodies were isolated in the amniotic fluid and measured with transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Furthermore two tests on amniotic fluid that are commonly used in humane medicine were utilized:...
Identification of normal parameters for ultrasonographic examination of the equine large colon and cecum. Six healthy horses were examined by using transabdominal ultrasonography, as described (1-3), to evaluate activity and size of the large colon and cecum at various locations. Using size and number of sacculations, activity patterns and contractile frequency; significant differences that would allow ultrasonographic identification of dorsal versus ventral colons, if they were displaced, were not found. The cecum had significantly greater activity than the colon, and a trend was seen towards smaller sacculations in the cecum than in the large colon. Six chevaux en santé ont été examinés par...
Inflammatory airway disease of horses. The purpose of this consensus statement is to provide a review of current knowledge and opinions concerning inflammatory airway disease (IAD) and to help practitioners differentiate IAD from heaves (or recurrent airway obstruction; RAO) and other inflammatory respiratory diseases of horses.
Synthetic adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulation tests in healthy neonatal foals. Cosyntropin (adrenocorticotropic hormone [ACTH]) stimulation tests are used to evaluate adrenal function. Low-dose ACTH stimulation tests are the most accurate method for diagnosing relative adrenal insufficiency in critically ill humans but have not been evaluated in foals. Objective: Peak serum cortisol concentrations in healthy foals will not be significantly different after intravenous administration of 1, 10, 100, and 250 microg of cosyntropin. Methods: 14 healthy neonatal foals, 3-4 days of age. Methods: A randomized cross-over model was used in which cosyntropin (1, 10, 100, or 250 micr...
Detection of fibrin deposits in tissues from horses with severe gastrointestinal disorders. In humans and experimental animals, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) causes fibrin deposition in several organs, which eventually leads to ischemia and multiorgan failure. Objective: Horses who died or were euthanized for severe gastrointestinal disorders could have fibrin deposits in different tissues. Methods: Tissue-organ samples collected during postmortem examinations on 66 colic horses with poor prognoses (eg, severe intestinal ischemia, enteritis, peritonitis), from 11 colic horses with good prognoses (eg, large-colon obstruction or displacement), and from 16 slaughter horse...
Determination of lactate concentrations in blood plasma and peritoneal fluid in horses with colic by an Accusport analyzer. Intestinal hypoperfusion can lead to increased lactate concentrations in plasma and peritoneal fluid of horses with colic. Objective: The purposes of this study were to (1) evaluate the reliability of the Accusport analyzer to assess peritoneal fluid lactate (PFL) concentrations in healthy horses and those with colic, (2) identify clinical features associated with abnormal blood plasma lactate (BPL) and PFL concentrations, and (3) evaluate the prognostic value of BPL and PFL. Methods: BPL and PFL were determined in 20 healthy horses and in 106 horses with colic. Results: The Accusport was reli...
Clinical and epidemiological investigation of chronic upper respiratory diseases caused by beta-haemolytic Streptococci in horses. An outbreak of strangle-like disease involving 26 horses farmed in central Italy was investigated by clinic examination, endoscopy, cytology, bacteriology and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). At weekly interval, a total of three nasal swabs and one guttural pouches lavage fluid (GPLF) were collected, and no Streptococcus equi subsp. equi carrier was found. Some horses showed upper airways disease and endoscopic signs of pharyngeal lymphoid hyperplasia of different grade and/or abnormal endoscopic appearance of guttural pouches. Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis was isolated from 14...
Lawsonia intracellularis proliferative enteropathy in a foal. A weanling foal was diagnosed with proliferative enteropathy caused by Lawsonia intracellularis based on history, clinical findings of depression, anorexia, weight loss, colic, diarrhea, and ventral edema, and a combination of serology and fecal PCR. An epidemiological investigation on the premises revealed that many of the other foals and adult horses were seropositive for L. intracellularis, despite being clinically normal, and identified a dog as a potential carrier and source of infection for the foal. The foal was successfully treated with a combination of azithromycin and rifampin.
Outcome of lag-screw treatment of incomplete fractures of the frontal plane of the radial facet of the third carpal bone in horses. To describe outcomes for horses diagnosed with incomplete, non-displaced fractures of the frontal plane of the radial facet (INFR) of the third carpal bone (C3) treated by placement of a lag screw across the fracture under arthroscopic guidance. Methods: Horses (n=13) diagnosed with INFR and treated between December 1999 and January 2005 using a lag screw placed over the fracture were studied. For each case, five horses matched for sire, age and sex which were not known to have INFR were sought for comparison. Racing performance data were collected from a commercial online database. The racing...
Kernicterus in a neonatal foal. A 5-day-old Thoroughbred foal was submitted to the necropsy service at the University of Kentucky Livestock Disease Diagnostic Center. The foal had a clinical history of seizure activity and severe icterus. A complete blood count and serum chemistry analysis indicated that the foal was anemic (hematocrit, 16%), hyperbilirubinemic (45 mg/dl), and hypoglycemic. At necropsy, all tissues were discolored various shades of yellow. Microscopically, there was degeneration and necrosis of cerebral neurons and cerebellar Purkinje cells; severe hepatocellular degeneration and necrosis; and deposition of ...
Evaluation of the force acting on the back of the horse with an English saddle and a side saddle at walk, trot and canter. Force transmission under an English saddle (ES) at walk, trot and canter is commonly evaluated, but the influence of a side saddle (SS) on the equine back has not been documented. Objective: Force transmission under a SS, with its asymmetric construction, is different from an ES in walk, trot and canter, expressed in maximum overall force (MOF), force in the quarters of the saddle mat, and centre of pressure (COP). The biomechanics of the equine back are different under a SS compared to ES. Methods: Thirteen horses without clinical signs of back pain ridden in an indoor riding school with both...
Correlation between routine radiographic findings and early racing career in French trotters. The relationship between the presence of radiological abnormalities and subsequent racing performance is controversial. However, as training is expensive and time consuming, it would save time and money to identify subjects with osteo-articular lesions not compatible with a normal racing career on the basis of routine radiographic screenings at yearling age. Objective: To evaluate the impact of osteo-articular lesions on racing ability in French Trotters and identify radiographic changes associated with failure in 'qualification', in order to provide objective criteria for selection of horses ...
Raising heels of hind hooves changes the equine coffin, fetlock and hock joint angle: a kinematic evaluation on the treadmill at walk and trot. Raised heels are commonly recommended for various equine orthopaedic conditions. However, the simultaneous effect of raised heels on the different joint angles of the equine hindlimb throughout the motion cycle has not been previously evaluated. Objective: To document the simultaneous effect of raised heels on the joint angles of the equine hindlimb coffin, fetlock and hock joints. Methods: Eight sound, adult, Warmblood horses were evaluated barefoot and with a heel wedge of 8 or 16 degrees, walking and trotting on a horizontal treadmill. Markers placed on the dorsal and cranial aspect of the ...
Videoendoscopic evaluation of the upper respiratory tract in 93 sport horses during exercise testing on a high-speed treadmill. Videoendoscopy of the upper respiratory tract (URT) during high-speed treadmill exercise has proved to be invaluable in the assessment of URT dysfunction in racehorses. However, very little information exists regarding dynamic airway collapse in other sport horses used in nonracing equestrian disciplines. Objective: To evaluate the videoendoscopic findings at rest and during exercise in a mixed population of sport horses referred for investigation of poor athletic performance and/or abnormal respiratory noise. Methods: Videoendoscopy of the upper airway was performed at rest and during high-sp...
Frusemide results in an extracellular to intracellular fluid shift in horses. Frusemide (Lasix) is commonly used diuretic in horse racing and equine clinical practice. While pharmacology, pharmacodynamics, renal and haematological effects of frusemide have been studied in horses, its effects on the distribution of fluid within the horse remain unknown. Objective: To quantify the effects of frusemide on extracellular and intracellular fluid shifts. Methods: Horses were infused with 1 mg/kg body mass (n = 7) or 2 mg/kg (n = 9) i.v. frusemide. Total body water (TBW), extracellular fluid volume (ECFV) and plasma volume (PV) were measured using D2O, NaSCN and Evans blue dilu...
Associations between exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage, right ventricular dimensions and atrioventricular valve regurgitation in conditioned national hunt racehorses. Exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH) and tricuspid (TR) and mitral valve regurgitation (MR) are conditions with high prevalence in conditioned Thoroughbreds. Stress failure of pulmonary capillaries, leading to EIPH, is most likely when pulmonary vascular pressure is increased, and mitral regurgitation can result in pulmonary venous hypertension. Objective: There might be an association between MR and EIPH and the right ventricle (RV) of horses known to suffer repeated episodes of EIPH, as their hearts would be subject to higher pulmonary vascular pressures and cardiac output during tr...
Measurements of right ventricular internal dimensions and their relationships to severity of tricuspid valve regurgitation in national hunt thoroughbreds. The effect of tricuspid valve regurgitation (TR) in right ventricular (RV) chamber size has not been reported. Methods: An echocardiographic and auscultation study was conducted on 394 race-fit National Hunt Thoroughbreds (TBs) in 4 training yards. Auscultation was performed on each horse and audible murmurs of TR graded using a 1-6 scale. Echocardiography was also performed and standard, 2-dimensional (2D), short (SA) and long axis (LA) images of the RV obtained from a right parasternal location. An m-mode image was recorded from an SA view of the RV just below the level of the tricuspid valv...
Asymmetric signal intensity in normal collateral ligaments of the distal interphalangeal joint in horses with a low-field MRI system due to the magic angle effect. Increased signal intensity in one of the collateral ligaments of the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint of sound horses in images acquired using a low-field magnet with vertical orientation of the magnetic field was investigated as a possible manifestation of the magic angle effect. Three isolated equine digits were imaged using the following pulse sequences: (1) spin echo TI, (2) turbo spin echo proton density and T2, and (3) 3D gradient echo T1, in different positions by mildly changing the orientation of the long axis of the digit, in the dorsal plane, relative to the magnetic field. The si...
Fire and smoke inhalation injury in horses. Although not common in horses, fire and smoke inhalation trauma may require veterinary assistance at several levels. Most commonly, the equine clinician is called on to provide care of potentially complex and emotionally charged cases. Thermal injury, along with smoke inhalation, can cause local and diffuse lesions. Massive tissue edema may occur, which can be a challenge to manage as well as creating organ dysfunction at distant sites. Further complications of severely affected patients are varied and include life-threatening sepsis. This article reviews some of the important features of this...
Differential survival in horses requiring end-to-end jejunojejunal anastomosis compared to those requiring side-to-side jejunocaecal anastomosis. Horses requiring different methods of intestinal anastomosis during equine colic surgery may have differences in mortality and morbidity. Objective: Horses requiring side-to-side jejunocaecal anastomosis have a higher mortality and morbidity rate than those requiring end-to-end jejunojejunal anastomosis. Morbidity and mortality of handsewn vs. stapled side-to-side jejunocaecal anastomoses are not significantly different. Methods: A prospective, nonrandomised, observational study was conducted. Clinical and surgical details were recorded during hospitalisation and survival data acquired by peri...
Thoracic trauma in horses. Thoracic trauma represents an important cause of morbidity in mortality after injury in human beings and animals. After any form of suspected chest wall trauma, initial emergency management should include assurance of a patent airway and adequate ventilation, along with treatment for shock if present. As with any open wound, tetanus prophylaxis should be instituted. Types of trauma to the thoracic region of the horse include pectoral and axillary lacerations, penetrating chest wounds, flail chest, fractures of the ribs, blunt thoracic trauma, and several potential sequelae that include pneumot...
Ophthalmic emergencies in horses. The emergency clinician is frequently in the position of receiving, evaluating, and initiating treatment on horses with ophthalmic emergencies or orbital trauma. In the best of circumstances, an ophthalmologist is available to guide initial therapy and ultimately assume responsibility for the management of the patient during the remainder of its hospitalization, but this is not always the case. The information presented here is meant to provide the emergency clinician with basic guidelines for the initial assessment and management of horses sustaining ocular injuries or presented with an ophth...
