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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.
Clinical predictive models in equine medicine: A systematic review. Clinical predictive models use a patient's baseline demographic and clinical data to make predictions about patient outcomes and have the potential to aid clinical decision making. The extent of equine clinical predictive models is unknown in the literature. Using PubMed and Google Scholar, we systematically reviewed the predictive models currently described for use in equine patients. Models were eligible for inclusion if they were published in a peer-reviewed article as a multivariable model used to predict a clinical/laboratory/imaging outcome in an individual horse or herd. The agreement o...
A Review of Radiomics and Artificial Intelligence and Their Application in Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging. Great advances have been made in human health care in the application of radiomics and artificial intelligence (AI) in a variety of areas, ranging from hospital management and virtual assistants to remote patient monitoring and medical diagnostics and imaging. To improve accuracy and reproducibility, there has been a recent move to integrate radiomics and AI as tools to assist clinical decision making and to incorporate it into routine clinical workflows and diagnosis. Although lagging behind human medicine, the use of radiomics and AI in veterinary diagnostic imaging is becoming more frequent...
Use of serum amyloid A in equine medicine and surgery. Serum amyloid A (SAA) has become an indispensable part of the management of equine patients in general practice and specialized hospital settings. Although several proteins possess acute phase properties in horses, the usefulness of SAA exceeds that of other acute phase proteins. This is due to the highly desirable kinetics of the equine SAA response. SAA concentrations exhibit a rapid and pronounced increase in response to inflammation and a rapid decline after the resolution of inflammation. This facilitates the detection of inflammatory disease and real-time monitoring of inflammatory activ...
A Modified Schirmer Tear Test in Clinically Normal Horses: Measurement at 30 Seconds versus 60 Seconds. This study sought to compare the Schirmer Tear Test (STT)-1 results at 30 (STT30) versus 60 (STT60) seconds in healthy horses. This study included a total of 56 healthy horses. STT-1 was performed in both eyes, right eye first, and the wetting lengths were measured in STT30 and STT60. To evaluate the reduction of the initial reflex phase, the wetting length velocity was measured during the first 30 seconds. The effects of eye, age, weight, sex, and ambient temperature and humidity on STT values were evaluated. Mean (standard deviation) STT30 and STT60 were 19.06 (3.88) and 24.26 (4.50) mm. The...
Differences of morphological attributes between 62 proximal and distal subchondral cystic lesions of the proximal phalanx as determined by radiography and computed tomography. To determine morphological characteristics of subchondral cystic lesions (SCLs) in the proximal phalanx (PP) of adult horses. Methods: Radiographs and/or CT scans of PP from 46 horses. Methods: There were horses with a SCL in PP, which was diagnosed by radiography and/or computed tomography, included. Additional data (signalment, history, orthopedic examination) were collected retrospectively for each case. Results: Forty-six horses met the required inclusion criteria, with a total of 62 SCLs. Forty-three SCLs (70.5%) were located in the proximal PP (group A). Forty-four percent of these were ...
Prevalence and pathology of equine parvovirus-hepatitis in racehorses from New York racetracks. Theiler's disease, a.k.a. equine serum hepatitis, is a devastating, highly fatal disease of horses. Equine parvovirus-hepatitis (EqPV-H) has been identified as the likely cause of this disease. While the incidence of Theiler's disease is low, the prevalence of EqPV-H DNA in horses is high, with up to 37% in some regions, suggesting that subclinical or persistent infection is common. To determine the prevalence and pathogenicity of EqPV-H infection at New York racetracks, DNA was extracted from archived formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded liver tissues from racehorses submitted for necropsy to th...
Changes in Acute Phase Response Biomarkers in Racing Endurance Horses. This study aimed to evaluate if exercise-induced acute phase response (APR) occurs in endurance horses in response to the race. The study included 23 horses competing in an endurance competition with a successfully passed clinical examination before the race. Blood samples were collected before the start and within 30 min after the end of the race. Haematological and biochemical tests were performed and correlated to acute phase biomarkers changes. Values of calprotectin and haptoglobin (Hp) decreased after the races compared to values before, while concentrations of ceruloplasmin and albumin ...
Equine shock wave therapy – where are we now? Over the past three decades, electrohydraulic extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) as a treatment modality for equine orthopaedic disorders has sparked exponential interest among practitioners, but its clinical applications are quickly evolving and a current review highlighting modernised equine clinical use is lacking. The objective of this review is to summarise the most current ESWT technology, evidence for its use, proposed mechanisms of action and clinical applications in horses while also highlighting the areas requiring further investigation. The three ways to generate a shock wave ...
Clinical and imaging findings, treatment details and outcomes in foals with extensor tendon rupture-A multicentre retrospective study. Forelimb extensor tendon rupture (ETR) in foals is sparsely documented. Objective: To describe clinical and imaging findings, treatment details, and long-term outcome in foals with ETR. Methods: Multicentre retrospective case-series. Methods: Clinical record review of foals with ETR, presented to Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Ghent University (Belgium), the Clinic for Horses at the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover (Germany), and Rossdales Equine Hospital (UK) between 2009-2021. Long-term outcome based on structured telephone interview with the owner at the university hospitals an...
Caudal epidural catheterization for pain management in 48 hospitalized horses: A descriptive study of demographics, complications, and outcomes. The placement of caudal epidural catheters in horses has become more frequent as a multi-modal analgesic strategy. Despite its integration into clinical practice, there are limited reports describing the use of caudal epidural catheterization for prolonged use in horses. The purpose of this study was to characterize the hospitalized caseload undergoing epidural catheterization for long-term epidural analgesic administration, to report the response to epidural therapy and observed complications, and to describe patient outcomes. Medical records of hospitalized equine patients that underwent pla...
Enterococcus durans infection and diarrhea in Thoroughbred foals. Diarrhea remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality in neonatal foals, and correct identification of etiologic agents is essential for effective disease management. Objective: To examine the association between diarrhea and detection of Enterococcus durans or other enteropathogens in neonatal foals on 1 breeding farm in Kentucky, USA. Methods: Fifty-nine Thoroughbred foals and their broodmares. Methods: Prospective observational study. Study foals and broodmares were sampled and tested for E. durans and other enteropathogens during the first 10 days after foaling. The frequency of...
Cross-sectional comparison of superficial swab and fine-needle aspiration: Improving the diagnostic workup of horses with sarcoids. Although bovine papillomavirus (BPV)-induced equine sarcoids are often identified solely by clinical examination, confirmation of the clinical diagnosis is essential for correct treatment selection. Only few approaches are presently available for this purpose. PCR-based screening for BPV in superficial swabs is widely-used to support clinical suspicion. While this method effectively detects sarcoid involvement in ulcerated lesions, sensitivity is lower in tumors with intact epithelium. This cross-sectional study compared the diagnostic characteristics of superficial swabs and fine-needle aspir...
Scoping review: Occurrence and definitions of postoperative complications in equine colic surgery. Postoperative complications frequently occur following equine colic surgery but there is a lack of consistency in their definitions and reporting. Objective: To perform a scoping review to identify current evidence on the definitions and classifications of postoperative complications in equine colic surgery. Methods: Evidence review. Methods: A scoping review was conducted in CAB, Web of Science, Scopus and PubMed databases using a PCC (Population-equids, Concept-complications, adverse events, sequelae, failure to cure, technical failure, disease progression and Context-postoperative period af...
Computed tomography findings in horses presented with signs of head-shaking. Trigeminal nerve-mediated head-shaking (TNMH) in horses is a diagnosis made by exclusion. Computed tomography (CT) is frequently used to identify any disease process that could cause the clinical signs of head-shaking. Although abnormalities are frequently identified, it is unknown whether treatment of these conditions improves clinical signs. Objective: To ascertain the clinical significance of CT findings in horses presented with a complaint of head-shaking. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: CT and patient records were reviewed and all abnormal findings and any treatments subseque...
Equine blood cultures: Can we do better? Blood culture is considered the gold standard test for documenting bacteraemia in patients with suspected bacterial sepsis in veterinary and human medicine. However, blood culture often fails to yield bacterial growth even though the clinical picture is strongly suggestive of bacterial sepsis, or contaminating organisms can overgrow the true pathogen, making accurate diagnosis and appropriate management of this life-threatening condition very challenging. Methodology for collecting blood cultures in equine medicine, and even in human hospitals, is not standardised, and many variables can affec...
Prospective Case Series of Clinical Signs and Adrenocorticotrophin (ACTH) Concentrations in Seven Horses Transitioning to Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID). Poor recognition of subtle clinical abnormalities and equivocal ACTH concentrations make early diagnosis of PPID difficult. Progressive clinical findings and corresponding ACTH concentrations in horses transitioning to PPID over time have not been documented. Seven horses with ACTH concentrations equivocal for PPID (utilizing locally derived, seasonally adjusted diagnostic-cut off values (DCOV)) and no clinical signs of PPID were selected. Sequential measurement of basal and thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH)-stimulated ACTH concentrations and recording of clinical findings occurred from Octo...
Measuring Biochemical Variables and Serum Amyloid A (SAA) in Working Mules in Central Italy. According to FAO reports, the global mule population counts about 9 million mules. This hybrid cross of a male donkey and a female horse is mainly used for draft purposes because they are thought to be strong and hardy animals. Most consider mules to be less susceptible to disease and fatigue compared to horses. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of fieldwork on biochemical variables and serum amyloid A in working mules. Blood samples were collected from 10 healthy, female, working mules before and after 8 h of fieldwork. According to statistical analysis, a signif...
Effects of total parenteral nutrition associated with glutamine, enteral fluid therapy with or without glutamine, and fluid therapy on the acid-base and electrolyte balance of horses starved after exploratory laparotomy. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the total parenteral nutrition associated with glutamine, enteral fluid therapy with or without glutamine, and fluid therapy on the acid-base and electrolyte balance of horses starved after exploratory laparotomy. Sixteen healthy male and female adult horses of mixed breed, aged between 4 and 14 years, and having a mean body weight of 248.40 ± 2.28 kg and a body score index of 3-4 (scale of 1-5) were divided into four groups with four animals per group. After an adaptation period of 30 days, they were randomly divided into four experimental groups: ...
Serum amyloid A as a marker to detect sepsis and predict outcome in hospitalized neonatal foals. Serum amyloid A (SAA) has been reported to hold promise as diagnostic and prognostic marker in foals. This has not been investigated thoroughly. Objective: Evaluate admission SAA concentrations as predictor of sepsis and outcome. Methods: Five hundred and ninety hospitalized foals <14 days old. Methods: Retrospective multicenter study. Foals were scored with sepsis and survival scores, grouped according to health category (septic, sick but nonseptic, uncertain sepsis status) and outcome; septic foals were further categorized according to severity (normal sepsis, severe sepsis, and septic sho...
Optimizing Health – Integrative Medicine & Poor Performance. Addressing poor performance issues in horses is a common yet challenging request to veterinarians. Often, there are limited field diagnostic or therapy choices. Growing lay popularity in integrative therapies, as well as increasing clinical incorporation, is creating more awareness of their clinical applications. Many modalities are showing increasing evidence of positive outcomes with minimal harm, but additional safety and efficacy evaluation is needed. Integrative modalities have unique ways of perceiving disease patterns that are different from more modern approaches, and these different p...
Particle Size Distribution of Plasma Lipoproteins in Donkeys from Death Valley Compared to a Sampling of Horses. The clinical evaluation of lipid metabolism in equids is often limited to the measurement of total cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations. This provides a limited picture of metabolic state and general health, given the continuous exchange of lipid species between various lipoproteins. Major lipoprotein classes in equids include high-density lipoprotein (HDL), intermediate-density lipoprotein (IDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), and chylomicrons (CM). Unlike large breed horses, donkeys are highly susceptible to hepatic lipidosis. Currently, serum trig...
Experimental infection with African Horse Sickness Virus in horses induces only mild temporal hematologic changes and acute phase reactant response. African Horse Sickness (AHS) is a vector-borne disease endemic to sub-Saharan Africa caused by African Horse Sickness Virus (AHVS). Infections in naïve horses have high morbidity and mortality rates. AHS pathogenesis is not well understood; neither the hematologic changes nor acute phase response occurring during infection has been fully evaluated. The study's objective was to characterize the hematologic changes and acute phase response during experimental infection with AHSV. Methods: 4 horses negative for AHSV group-specific antibodies. Methods: In this prospective, longitudinal study cond...
Clinical Application of Myofascial Therapy in Horses. Fascia is a complex and intriguing tissue, which can take on structural properties of being loose or dense, irregular or regular. Fascia functions by connecting, separating, and uniting different structures of the body. Myofascial dysfunction can be a significant source of pain and can be categorized as densification, adhesion, and fibrosis. Digital palpation and treatment of myofascial disorders can be provided via superficial or deep techniques. Different myofascial treatment techniques include slow and fast techniques, which can be applied at different depths, angles, and rhythms.
Therapeutic Exercises for Equine Sacroiliac Joint Pain and Dysfunction. This article provides the equine practitioner with a review of sacroiliac joint pain and dysfunction and outlines the importance of providing a specific prescription for a safe and effective therapeutic exercise program. The continuum of clinical dysfunction associated with the sacroiliac region is presented with prescribed interventions. The intent is to encourage the practitioner to perform a thorough assessment of the sacroiliac joint and the adjacent soft tissues and to use sound clinical reasoning to formulate a therapeutic exercise plan.
Identification of an ectopic periorbital lymph node in two horses. To describe the clinical presentation and treatment of an ectopic periorbital lymph node in two young horses. Two warm-blood horses were presented at the equine clinic of the University of Liège with a periorbital non-painful mass. Differential diagnosis included neoplasm (lymphoma), (sterile) abscess, cyst, ectopic lacrimal gland tissue, hematoma, adipose tissue, or ectopic lymphoid tissue. Information collected included physical and ophthalmic examination findings, results of the ocular and periocular ultrasound, surgical procedure, histopathology, and follow-up. Masses of 2 × 2 cm and 3 Ã...
Diagnosis and outcome following tenoscopic surgery of the digital flexor tendon sheath in German sports and pleasure horses. Digital flexor tendon sheath (DFTS) pathology is an important cause of lameness in horses. The outcome after surgical treatment is variable and depends on the exact diagnosis. Objective: To (1) describe the prevalence of lesions associated with lameness caused by nonseptic DFTS tenosynovitis in a large population of German sports and pleasure horses; (2) determine the sensitivity and specificity of diagnostic imaging techniques for identifying lesions within the DFTS with tenoscopic diagnosis being the gold standard; (3) explore associations between tenoscopically diagnosed lesions and signalm...
Serum amyloid A and fibrinogen as markers for early detection of surgical site infection associated with internal fixation in the horse. The objective of this study was to determine the diagnostic ability of serum amyloid A (SAA) and fibrinogen for early detection of surgical site infection (SSI) after equine internal fixation. Horses undergoing internal fixation for fracture, arthrodesis, or osteotomy with internal fixation for limb deformity were included in the study. SAA and fibrinogen were measured on blood samples preoperatively and on days 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, and 14 postoperatively. Statistical analysis included use of Spearman's rank correlation, logistic regression, and calculating the area under the receiver operating cha...
Heritability of insidious uveitis in Appaloosa horses. Equine recurrent uveitis (ERU) is a blinding ocular disorder among horses, and the Appaloosa horse breed is disproportionally affected by a chronic form of this intraocular inflammatory disease known as insidious uveitis. Strong breed predisposition and previous investigations suggest that there is a genetic component to the pathology of insidious uveitis among Appaloosa horses; however, no estimates of the heritability of the disease have previously been determined. This study aimed to characterize the genetic underpinning of the disease by estimating the heritability for insidious uveitis am...
Disease progression, pathologic, and virologic findings of an equine influenza outbreak in rescue donkeys. Equine influenza virus is a common cause of respiratory disease in equids. Few reports describe clinical presentation and disease progression in donkeys. Objective: Describe the clinical and diagnostic findings, outcome, and pathologic lesions associated with influenza pneumonia in donkeys. Methods: Thirteen unvaccinated donkeys ranging from 1 week to 12 years of age and sharing clinical signs and exposure history. Methods: Retrospective case series. Medical records from June to July 2020 at the Colorado State Veterinary Teaching Hospital and collaborating referring veterinary practices wer...
Biomarkers of Kidney Disease in Horses: A Review of the Current Literature. Creatinine only allows detection of kidney disease when 60 to 75% of the glomerular function is lost and is therefore not an ideal marker of disease. Additional biomarkers could be beneficial to assess kidney function and disease. The objectives are to describe new equine kidney biomarkers. This systematic review assesses the available literature, including the validation process and reference values, following which the authors suggest recommendations for clinical use. SDMA may have some potential as equine kidney biomarker, but there is currently a lack of evidence that SDMA offers any advan...
