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Topic:Clinical Pathology
Clinical pathology in horses involves the study and analysis of biological samples to diagnose and monitor diseases and health conditions. This discipline encompasses various laboratory tests and procedures that assess the physiological and biochemical status of equines. Common analyses include hematology, biochemistry, urinalysis, and cytology, each providing insights into different aspects of equine health. Hematology evaluates blood components, such as red and white blood cells and platelets, to identify conditions like anemia or infection. Biochemistry tests measure enzymes, electrolytes, and metabolites to assess organ function and metabolic status. Urinalysis examines urine samples for indicators of renal function and systemic diseases. Cytology involves the microscopic examination of cells from tissues or fluids to detect abnormalities. This page aggregates peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the methodologies, applications, and diagnostic value of clinical pathology in equine medicine.
Pharmacokinetics and adverse effects of oral meloxicam tablets in healthy adult horses. The objective of this study was to assess the pharmacokinetic profile and determine whether any adverse effects would occur in seven healthy adult horses following oral meloxicam tablet administration once daily for 14 days at a dose of 0.6 mg/kg·bwt. Horses were evaluated for health using physical examination, complete blood count, serum chemistry, urinalysis, and gastroscopy at the beginning and end of the study. Blood was collected for the quantification of meloxicam concentrations with liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. The mean terminal half-life was 4.99 ± 1.11 h. There was n...
Advances in equine ultrasonography. The many advancements in ultrasound technology, including spatial compounding, harmonic imaging, multidimensional and extended field-of-view images, and improvements in transducer capabilities, are used to enhance the ultrasonographic examination of the equine patient. The improvements in software and hardware capabilities help overcome artifacts, improve image quality, and allow better documentation of the examination for follow-up studies. In addition, the ability of smaller, more portable machines to produce better images is ideal for the ambulatory practice setting.
Ultrasound-guided retrobulbar nerve block in horses: a cadaveric study. To develop an ultrasound-guided technique for retrobulbar nerve block in horses, and to compare the distribution of three different volumes of injected contrast medium (CM) (4, 8 and 12 mL), with the hypothesis that successful placement of the needle within the retractor bulbi muscle cone would lead to the most effective dispersal of CM towards the nerves leaving the orbital fissure. Methods: Prospective experimental cadaver study. Methods: Twenty equine cadavers. Methods: Ultrasound-guided retrobulbar injections were performed in 40 cadaver orbits. Ultrasound visualization of needle placement...
The effects of a loading dose followed by constant rate infusion of xylazine compared with romifidine on sedation, ataxia and response to stimuli in horses. To compare xylazine and romifidine constant rate infusion (CRI) protocols regarding degree of sedation, and effects on postural instability (PI), ataxia during motion (A) and reaction to different stimuli. Methods: Blinded randomized experimental cross-over study. Methods: Ten adult horses. Methods: Degree of sedation was assessed by head height above ground (HHAG). Effects on PI, A and reaction to visual, tactile and acoustic stimulation were assessed by numerical rating scale (NRS) and by visual analogue scale (VAS). After baseline measurements, horses were sedated by intravenous loading dos...
Case series of equine pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction in a tropical climate. The clinical manifestations of equine pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) in temperate climates are well described. The classic presentation is that of an older animal with hirsutism, laminitis, poor muscle tone, pendulous abdomen and weight loss. This case series highlights the additional clinical signs of anhidrosis and heat stress with secondary exercise intolerance that were seen as primary presenting problems in equids with PPID in the hot, humid conditions of a tropical climate. The clinical signs resolved with medical treatment for PPID.
EcPV2 DNA in equine papillomas and in situ and invasive squamous cell carcinomas supports papillomavirus etiology. Equine penile papillomas, in situ carcinomas, and invasive carcinomas are hypothesized to belong to a continuum of papillomavirus-induced diseases. The former ones clinically present as small grey papules, while the latter 2 lesions are more hyperplasic or alternatively ulcerated. To test the hypothesis that these lesions are papillomavirus-induced, samples of 24 horses with characteristic clinical and histologic findings of penile papillomas or in situ or invasive squamous cell carcinomas were collected. As controls, 11 horses with various lesions--namely, Balanoposthitis (6 cases), melanoma ...
The histological appearance of the proximal aspect of the dorsal condylar sagittal ridge of the third metacarpal and metatarsal bone in young warmblood horses: normal appearance and correlation with detected radiographic variations. The objective of this study is to describe the normal histological appearance of the dorsoproximal aspect of the sagittal ridge of the third metacarpal/metatarsal bone in young Warmblood horses, and to compare it to the different radiographic variations (irregular, indentation, lucency, notch) described at this level. A total of 25 metacarpo/metatarsophalangeal joints of 12 Warmblood horses were used. Five samples of each radiographically described group were selected for histological processing. Each category was compared with the normal control group. Each group showed a bone cortex, covered...
Early experience with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in 5 horses — a case series. This case series is the first report of the use of CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) ventilation in adult horses. Two horses and 3 ponies anesthetized for orthopedic procedures in lateral recumbency received 10 cm H(2)O CPAP. During anesthesia, arterial oxygen partial pressure tended to increase and arterial carbon dioxide pressure tended to increase despite increased minute ventilation index. The measured cardiovascular parameters were within physiologic limits. Cette série de cas est le premier rapport sur l’utilisation de la ventilation spontanée en pression positive continue ...
Assessment of oxidative stress biomarkers in exhaled breath condensate and blood of Thoroughbred foals. This study reports preliminary data on systemic and local biomarkers of oxidative stress (OS) in Thoroughbred foals. Blood and exhaled breath condensate (EBC) were sampled from 13 foals on two farms. Values of reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs), biological antioxidant potential (BAP), antioxidant barrier (OXY-ads), thiol antioxidant barrier (SHp) and advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs) were determined in blood, while EBC samples were assayed for hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) levels. Systemic and local OS biomarkers did not differ between farms and gender. Increased oxidative stress in...
ADP-induced platelet aggregation after addition of tramadol in vitro in fed and fasted horses plasma. Adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-induced platelet aggregation in fed and fasted horses after addition of tramadol hydrochloride was evaluated in vitro. On 10 horses citrated blood samples were collected 2h after feeding (fed animals) and 21 h after feeding (fasted animals). Final concentrations of ADP 1 and 0.5 μM, and tramadol hydrochloride (1, 15, 30, 45 and 60 min after the addition of tramadol) were used to determine the maximum degree and initial velocity of platelet aggregation. Repeated measures multifactor analysis of variance (MANOVA) was used to evaluate the effect of feeding/fasting con...
Effect of the size of evacuated blood collection tubes on total carbon dioxide concentration in equine plasma. To determine whether plasma total CO(2) concentrations would vary with the size of the evacuated tube used to collect blood samples. Methods: Randomized crossover study. Methods: Convenience sample of 20 healthy adult horses. Methods: Jugular venous blood was collected from horses in random order into 8 types of evacuated tubes: 2-mL glass, 2- or 3-mL plastic or plastic plasma separator, 4- or 6-mL plastic, and 10-mL glass or plastic. Total CO(2) concentrations in plasma were measured with a biochemistry analyzer. Data were analyzed via repeated-measures ANOVA and multivariate regression. Resu...
Evaluation of a commercially available radioimmunoassay and species-specific ELISAs for measurement of high concentrations of insulin in equine serum. To evaluate a human radioimmunoassay (RIA) and equine and high-range porcine (hrp) species-specific ELISAs for the measurement of high serum insulin concentrations in ponies. Methods: Serum samples from 12 healthy nonobese ponies (7 clinically normal and 5 laminitis prone; 13 to 26 years of age; 11 mares and 1 gelding) before and after glucose, insulin, and dexamethasone administration. Methods: Intra-and interassay repeatability, freeze-thaw stability, dilutional parallelism, and assay agreement were assessed. Results: Assay detection limits were as follows: RIA, < 389 μU/mL; equine ELISA...
Fatal musculoskeletal injuries of Quarter Horse racehorses: 314 cases (1990-2007). To determine major causes of death and the anatomic location of musculoskeletal injuries in Quarter Horse racehorses in California. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: 314 Quarter Horse racehorses with musculoskeletal injuries that were necropsied through the California Horse Racing Board Postmortem Program from 1990 to 2007. Methods: Postmortem pathology reports were retrospectively reviewed. Musculoskeletal injuries were categorized by anatomic region and described. The number of Quarter Horse starts and starters for the same period of time were obtained from a commercial database f...
Comparison of Measurements of 12 Analytes in Equine Blood Samples Using the In-Practice Falcor 350 and the Reference KoneLab 30i Analysers. Falcor 350 is a wet-reagent biochemistry analyser that is available for in-house use. The aim of this study was to compare the results produced by this analyser with those obtained by the KoneLab 30i that served as the reference instrument. Blood samples from 60 clinical cases were analysed for urea, creatinine, total proteins, albumin, creatine kinase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin, total calcium, phosphate, sodium, and potassium using both instruments. Good to excellent correlations (r s value) value) were identified for creatinine (0.88), total proteins (...
Plasma proteomics shows an elevation of the anti-inflammatory protein APOA-IV in chronic equine laminitis. Equine laminitis is a devastating disease that causes severe pain in afflicted horses and places a major economic burden on the horse industry. In acute laminitis, the disintegration of the dermal-epidermal junction can cause the third phalanx to detach from the hoof wall, leaving the horse unable to bear weight on the affected limbs. Horses that survive the acute phase transition into a chronic form of laminitis, which is often termed "founder". Some evidence suggests that chronic laminar inflammation might be associated with alterations in the endocrine and immune systems. We investigated th...
Pulpar temperature changes during mechanical reduction of equine cheek teeth: comparison of different motorised dental instruments, duration of treatments and use of water cooling. Although equine motorised dental instruments are widely used, there is limited information on their thermal effect on teeth. The recently described variation in subocclusal secondary dentine depth overlying individual pulp horns may affect heat transmission to the underlying pulps. Objective: This study compared the effect of 3 different equine motorised dental instruments on the pulpar temperature of equine cheek teeth with and without the use of water cooling. It also evaluated the effect of subocclusal secondary dentine thickness on pulpar temperature changes. Methods: A thermocouple probe ...
Factors influencing foaling rate following colic surgery in pregnant Thoroughbred mares in Central Kentucky. Clinical experience has suggested that foaling rates following colic surgery in the pregnant mare are influenced by days of gestation. This premise has not been supported in previous studies. We also aimed to determine the effects of other potential influencing factors. Objective: To determine the influence of age of gestation on foaling rates in pregnant mares following colic surgery and evaluate the relationships between other factors and foaling rates. Methods: Medical records of Thoroughbred mares, which had colic surgery performed from 1993 to 2007 at the Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, ...
Magnetic resonance imaging of pulp in normal and diseased equine cheek teeth. A retrospective analysis of 619 upper and lower cheek teeth from 62 horses was performed. Based on clinical findings, as well as radiographic and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging findings, the teeth were classified into five groups. There were 20 teeth with abnormal MR imaging signals as well as clinical alterations and 599 healthy teeth. Using MR imaging, the appearance of pulp in diseased and disease-free teeth was compared, and the appearance of abnormal pulp was studied. Subsequently, the ability of MR imaging to diagnose pulpitis and pulp necrosis in teeth with normal external appearance w...
Equine multinodular pulmonary fibrosis in association with asinine herpesvirus type 5 and equine herpesvirus type 5: a case report. A standardbred gelding with a history of 10 days pyrexia and lethargy was referred to the Equine Hospital at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences in Uppsala, Sweden.The horse had tachypnea with increased respiratory effort and was in thin body condition. Laboratory findings included leukocytosis, hyperfibrinogenemia and hypoxemia. Thoracic radiographs showed signs of pneumonia with a multifocal nodular pattern, which in combination with lung biopsy findings indicated Equine Multinodular Pulmonary Fibrosis (EMPF). EMPF is a recently described disease in adult horses with clinical s...
The dental cavities of equine cheek teeth: three-dimensional reconstructions based on high resolution micro-computed tomography. Recent studies reported on the very complex morphology of the pulp system in equine cheek teeth. The continuous production of secondary dentine leads to distinct age-related changes of the endodontic cavity. Detailed anatomical knowledge of the dental cavities in all ages is required to explain the aetiopathology of typical equine endodontic diseases. Furthermore, data on mandibular and maxillary pulp systems is in high demand to provide a basis for the development of endodontic therapies. However, until now examination of the pulp cavity has been based on either sectioned teeth or clinical co...
Magnetic resonance imaging features of sinonasal disorders in horses. Diseases of paranasal sinuses and nasal passages in horses can be a diagnostic challenge because of the complex anatomy of the head and limitations of many diagnostic modalities. Our hypothesis was that magnetic resonance (MR) imaging would provide excellent anatomical detail and soft tissue resolution, and would be accurate in the diagnosis of diseases of the paranasal sinuses and nasal passages in horses. Fourteen horses were imaged. Inclusion criteria were lesions located to the sinuses or nasal passages that underwent MR imaging and subsequent surgical intervention and/or histopathologic e...
The clinical significance of Nicoletella semolina in horses with respiratory disorders and a screening of the bacterial flora in the airways of horses. Nicoletella semolina, a member of the family Pasteurellaceae, can be isolated from the airways of horses with respiratory disorders. However, its role as a potential or opportunistic pathogen is not clear nor is its presence as part of the normal flora. We therefore investigated the presence and bacterial load of N. semolina in healthy and diseased horses. Samples from a healthy control group were compared with samples from the routine analysis of horses with a clinical history of respiratory disorders. A total of 1770 nose swabs and 1132 tracheal aspirate samples were analysed and subjected t...
Survival of horses following strangulating large colon volvulus. The pattern of long-term survival and specific factors associated with long-term survival have not previously been evaluated in horses with a strangulating large colon volvulus (LCV). Objective: To provide data on the long-term survival of horses with LCV and to identify pre-, intra- and post operative variables associated with survival. Methods: Clinical data and long-term follow-up information were obtained from 116 horses with a strangulating LCV (≥360°) undergoing general anaesthesia. Two multivariable Cox proportional hazards models for post operative survival time were developed: Mode...
A randomised, blinded, crossover study to assess the efficacy of a feed supplement in alleviating the clinical signs of headshaking in 32 horses. Feed supplements are commonly used by owners to alleviate headshaking; however, randomised, controlled trials are required to assess their efficacy. Objective: To determine the efficacy of a feed supplement for alleviation of the clinical signs of headshaking using a randomised, blinded, placebo-controlled trial. Methods: Using a crossover design, 44 horses previously diagnosed with chronic idiopathic headshaking received both the supplement and a matching placebo per os for 28 days with a washout period between of 14 days. Video recordings were taken at rest and exercise prior to the study an...
Farriery for the hoof with low or underrun heels. Underrun heels are common and involve hoof capsule distortion in which the horn tubules of the heels undergo bending and lengthening, resulting in decreased strength and functionality. The syndrome varies in clinical presentation, depending on duration, severity of distortion, presence of secondary problems, and presence of lameness. Primary treatment goals are to maintain soundness and functional integrity of the foot and to establish a normal hoof capsule. Resolution of the problem is generally not achieved in horses in a heavy work schedule, and realistic goals in this situation are to main...
The importance of therapeutic farriery in equine practice. For an equine practice to offer therapeutic farriery as a professional service, that service must be founded in individual competence and cooperation between veterinarian and farrier. Inadequate farriery education and experience may result in substandard or even contraindicated therapeutic farriery prescriptions and farrier care. Within continuing education for equine practitioners, excellent opportunities to advance one's understanding of and clinical competence in therapeutic farriery are increasingly available. It is the obligation of the veterinarian to acquire and maintain a working under...
