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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.
Study of serum amyloid A concentrations as a means of achieving early diagnosis of Rhodococcus equi pneumonia. Prognosis of Rhodococcus equi pneumonia can be challenging because the course of the disease is often insidious and overt clinical signs are subtle. Early diagnosis is considered desirable because it may offer the chance of more successful implementation of treatment and, thereby, improved outcome. Serological tests have previously failed to be accurate for early detection or diagnosis. Measurement of serum amyloid A (SAA) prior to and at the time of clinical signs was therefore chosen in order to assess its potential clinical use. Objective: To determine whether SAA concentrations differentia...
Masseter myodegeneration as a cause of trismus or dysphagia in adult horses. The medical records of eight horses with histological evidence of myodegeneration of the masseter muscles were examined. While they were alive their most common clinical signs had included difficulty in eating or opening their mouths, weight loss, difficulty in moving, and noticeable atrophy of the masseter muscles. The serum activities of muscle enzymes were abnormally high in all of the horses. Whole blood and/or liver selenium and vitamin E concentrations were less than the reference ranges in some of the horses. The lesions varied with the stage of the disease and consisted of swelling and...
Acute necrotising pancreatitis following grain overload in a donkey. A donkey developed abdominal discomfort and distension together with cardiovascular collapse and gastric reflux 24 to 36 hours after ingesting a large amount of poultry feed. Rectal findings prompted a laparotomy that identified extensive gastric dilation, an empty, atonic small intestine, dry colonic content and an easily corrected caecal displacement. These findings were not consistent with the severity of the signs, which were attributed to endotoxaemia. The donkey was euthanased during recovery. Necropsy revealed acute necrotising pancreatitis with massive gastric dilation and right dorsal...
A new relaxed state in horse methemoglobin characterized by crystallographic studies. A new relaxed state has been characterized in the crystals of horse methemoglobin grown at neutral pH at low ionic concentration and their low humidity variants. The crystals provide an example for improvement in X-ray diffraction quality with reduced solvent content. Only the classical R state has been so far observed in liganded horse hemoglobin. The state characterized in the present study lies in between the R state and the R2 state characterized earlier in liganded human hemoglobin. The results presented here, along with those of earlier studies, suggest that relaxed and tense hemoglobin ...
Comparison of two techniques for injection of the podotrochlear bursa in horses. To compare accuracy of 2 methods for injection of the podotrochlear bursa in horses. Methods: Observational study. Methods: 17 French Standardbreds. Methods: In each horse, contrast medium was injected into the podotrochlear bursa of 1 foot by use of a distal palmar approach with the needle inserted parallel to the sole (DPPS) and into the podotrochlear bursa of the other foot by use of a distal palmar approach to the navicular position (DPNP). Podotrochlear bursa injection was evaluated by means of radiographic examination in all horses and postmortem examination in 6. Results: Contrast mediu...
Gas arthroscopy for removal of osteochondral fragments of the palmar/plantar aspect of the metacarpo/metatarsophalangeal joint in horses. To evaluate the use of carbon dioxide (CO(2)) gas for joint distention during arthroscopy for removal of osteochondral (OC) fragments of the palmar/plantar aspect of the metacarpo (MCP)/metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joints in horses. Methods: Clinical study. Methods: Horses (26) with OC fragment(s) of palmar/plantar aspect of 1 or 2 MCP/MTP joint(s). Methods: OC fragments were removed using arthroscopic technique. Joint distention was maintained by isotonic Ringer's acetate at the beginning and at the end of the procedure but during fragment removal, CO(2) was used for joint distention. After surg...
Comparison of computer-assisted surgery with conventional technique for the treatment of axial distal phalanx fractures in horses: an in vitro study. To compare the precision obtained with computer-assisted screw insertion for treatment of mid-sagittal articular fractures of the distal phalanx (P3) with results achieved with a conventional technique. Methods: In vitro experimental study. Methods: Thirty-two cadaveric equine limbs. Methods: Four groups of 8 limbs were studied. Either 1 or 2 screws were inserted perpendicular to an imaginary axial fracture of P3 using computer-assisted surgery (CAS) or conventional technique. Screw insertion time, predetermined screw length, inserted screw length, fit of the screw, and errors in placement wer...
Extensive nasal septum resection in horses using a 3-wire method. To describe a surgical technique for, and report outcome after, extensive nasal septum resection in horses with congenital or acquired septal diseases. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Horses (5) with nasal septal deformity. Methods: Under general anesthesia, obstetrical wires were preplaced around the ventral, caudal, and dorsal aspects of the nasal septum by combinations of manual guidance (ventral and caudal wires) and use of a trephine hole on the dorsal mid-line (dorsal and caudal wires). The rostral part of the septum was incised with a scalpel and the ventral, dorsal, and caudal s...
Effects of surgery on the acute phase response in clinically normal and diseased horses. The serum concentrations of serum amyloid A, haptoglobin and fibrinogen were measured in a group of horses before and at intervals after elective and non-elective surgery, and in a control group of normal horses. There was a significant, rapid and repeatable increase in the concentration of serum amyloid A in response to both elective and non-elective surgery. In the control horses its serum concentration was within the normal range, from 0 to 0.2 microg/ml. Twenty-four hours after elective surgery its mean peak concentration was 16.4 microg/ml, and after non-elective surgery it was 27.3 micro...
Immunoglobulin E-bearing cells and mast cells in skin biopsies of horses with urticaria. The pathogenesis of equine urticaria is not well understood. In man, urticaria has been associated with immunological and nonimmunological mechanisms leading to the release of various mediators by mast cells. Skin biopsies of 32 horses with a history of urticaria were stained with toluidine blue, a double-labelling method for chymase and tryptase, and immunohistochemistry for immunoglobulin (Ig)E. These horses were compared with horses with pemphigus foliaceus, insect bite hypersensitivity and control horses with healthy skin. Neither formalin fixation time nor biopsy site influenced the stain...
Disseminated acute concomitant aspergillosis and mucormycosis in a pony. A 6-year-old female pony died after 2 days of prostration. Clinical signs included hyperthermia and abnormal pulmonary auscultation sounds. Necropsy revealed diffuse severe necrohaemorrhagic colitis and splenitis, multiple visceral ecchymoses, petechial haemorrhages in the brain and lungs. Microscopical examination showed acute necrohaemorrhagic colitis, encephalitis, pneumonia and splenitis associated with fibrinoid vasculitis, thrombosis and fungal hyphae within and around vessels. Immunohistologically, concomitant aspergillosis (caused by Aspergillus fumigatus) and mucormycosis (causde by A...
The detection of modafinil and its major metabolite in equine urine by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. A method has been developed for the detection of modafinil and its major metabolite, modafinil acid, in equine urine by solid-phase extraction and positive ion electrospray ionisation liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. The method has been applied to the analysis of equine urine samples obtained after the oral administration of modafinil. Modafinil acid was the major component in the urine, and was detected up to 4 days post-administration. Unchanged modafinil was present at substantially lower concentrations, and was detected for only 24 hours.
Association of maximum voluntary dietary intake of freeze-dried garlic with Heinz body anemia in horses. To characterize hematologic and clinical consequences of chronic dietary consumption of freeze-dried garlic at maximum voluntary intake in horses. Methods: 4 healthy sex- and age-matched horses. Methods: An initial garlic dose (0.05 g/kg, twice daily) was fed to 2 horses in a molasses carrier as part of their normal ration and was gradually increased to maximum voluntary intake (0.25 g/kg, twice daily) over 41 days. Dietary supplementation then continued for a total of 71 days. Two control horses were fed molasses with no garlic with their ration. Blood samples were collected weekly and analyz...
Effects of oral potassium supplementation on acid-base status and plasma ion concentrations of horses during endurance exercise. To compare effects of oral supplementation with an experimental potassium-free sodium-abundant electrolyte mixture (EM-K) with that of oral supplementation with commercial potassium-rich mixtures (EM+K) on acid-base status and plasma ion concentrations in horses during an 80-km endurance ride. Methods: 46 healthy horses. Methods: Blood samples were collected before the ride; at 21-, 37-, 56-, and 80-km inspection points; and during recovery (ie, 30-minute period after the ride). Consumed electrolytes were recorded. Blood was analyzed for pH, PvCO2, and Hct, and plasma was analyzed for Na+, K+,...
Acute clinical, hematologic, serologic, and polymerase chain reaction findings in horses experimentally infected with a European strain of Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Six horses were experimentally infected by administration of horse blood containing a Swedish strain of Anaplasma phagocytophilum. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) signal was consistently detected 2-3 days before appearance of clinical signs and persisted 4-9 days beyond abatement of clinical signs, whereas diagnostic inclusion bodies were 1st noted on average 2.6 +/- 1.5 (SD) days after onset of fever. Clinical signs and hematologic changes were largely indistinguishable from those previously reported for diseases caused by A phagocytophilum (formerly Ehrlichia equi--"Californian agent") a...
Investigation of the effect of black walnut extract on in vitro ion transport and structure of equine colonic mucosa. To examine the secretory response (in the presence and absence of prostaglandin inhibition) in vitro and structural alterations of colonic mucosa in horses after intragastric administration of black walnut extract (BWE). Methods: 14 adult horses. Methods: Seven horses were administered BWE intragastrically and monitored for 11 hours. Tissue samples were obtained from the right ventral, left ventral, and right dorsal colons (RVC, LVC, and RDC, respectively) of the 7 BWE-treated and 7 control horses. Tissue samples were examined via light microscopy, and the extent of hemorrhage, edema, and gran...
The early conception factor (ECF) lateral flow assay for non-pregnancy determination in the mare. The horse early conception factor (ECF) test is designed for qualitative determination of the ECF glycoprotein in the mare that has conceived. The objectives of this study were to determine the performance of the horse ECF test for the detection of the non-pregnant mare, and to determine the agreement among subjects or "readers" regarding the interpretation of the test. Blood samples from 60 mares were collected on Days 0, 5, 8, 11 and 18 following ovulation. Pregnancy status diagnosed with the ECF test was compared (2 x 2 table) to pregnancy status diagnosed by palpation per rectum and ultras...
Expression of cell cycle associated proteins cyclin A, CDK-2, p27kip1 and p53 in equine sarcoids. Equine sarcoids are benign fibroblastic skin tumours affecting equids worldwide. Whilst the pathogenesis is not entirely understood, infection with Bovine Papillomavirus (BPV) types 1 and 2 has been implicated as a major factor in the disease process, however the mechanism by which BPV infection contributes to sarcoid pathology is not clear. In this study, we show that the majority of sarcoids express the BPV-1 major transforming gene E6. Further, we demonstrate that sarcoid lesions are not associated with high levels of cellular proliferation as assessed by Ki67 expression or with expression ...
Early clinical experience with a new tubular equine pericardial stentless aortic valve. This study details a single-center experience with the 3F Therapeutics stentless aortic bioprosthesis(investigational device) and is part of a prospective,nonrandomized worldwide multicenter study. We assessed the implantation procedure and the valve's efficacy in terms of early mortality and morbidity and early echocardiographic valve performance. Methods: Between June 2001 and March 2004, 24 patients (14 men/10 women) underwent aortic valve replacement(AVR) with a 3F valve. Mean age was 72 +/- 13 years(range, 31-88 years). Combined revascularization was performed in 12 patients; 1 patient re...
Development of an electrospray ionization mass spectrometric method for the quantification of theophylline in horse serum. A rapid and selective method has been developed for the determination of theophylline in horse serum by LC-ESI/MS/MS. The analytical method includes a protein precipitation extraction for sample preparation, liquid chromatography separation technique and ionspray tandem mass spectrometry. The drug was extracted from serum using a protein precipitation with acetonitrile and the supernatants were analyzed using an LC-ESI/MS/MS instrument. The chromatography was performed using a 50 x 2.1 mm C(8) analytical column and an isocratic mobile phase composes of 60:40 acetonitrile-0.5% formic acid in wa...
Amino acid concentrations in blood serum of horses performing long lasting low-intensity exercise. The aim of this work was to evaluate the changes in the concentrations, after two rides different for distance covered, of different amino acids in endurance horses. Blood samples have been collected from horses just before the start, at the top of a steep slope (819 m difference in height) and just at the end of a 32-km endurance ride. A second group, competing in a 72 km endurance ride, has also been sampled immediately before and after the race. In serum samples, the concentrations of alanine, arginine, asparagine, glycine, isoleucine, histidine, leucine, lysine, methionine, ornithine, phen...
Standing oral extraction of cheek teeth in 100 horses (1998–2003). Extraction of cheek teeth (CT) by the conventional repulsion technique requires general anaesthesia and carries a high rate of post operative complications. Consequently, an alternative method of extraction, i.e. orally in standing horses, was evaluated. Objective: The need for and risks of general anaesthesia could be avoided and post extraction sequelae reduced by performing extractions orally in standing horses. Methods: One hundred mainly younger horses (median age 8, range 2-18 years) with firmly attached CT that required extraction because of apical infections, displacements, diastemata,...
Effect of systemic lidocaine on visceral and somatic nociception in conscious horses. Commonly used analgesics (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, opioids and alpha2-agonists) have unwanted side effects. An effective alternative with minimal adverse effects would benefit clinical equine pain management. Objective: To compare the effect of lidocaine or saline on duodenal and rectal distension threshold pressure and somatic thermal threshold in conscious mature horses. Objective: Systemically administered lidocaine would increase somatic and visceral nociceptive thresholds. Methods: Lidocaine (2 mg/kg bwt bolus followed by 50 microg/kg bwt/min for 2 h) or saline was administe...
Atropine reduces dobutamine-induced side effects in ponies undergoing a pharmacological stress protocol. High-dose dobutamine stress echocardiography has been shown to be cardiotoxic and arrhythmogenic in horses. However, the test may have benefit in practice as a pharmacological challenge of exercise without the treadmill being required. Objective: To investigate the effect of low-dose dobutamine on cardiac performance in ponies previously treated with atropine, in order to develop a pharmacological protocol that allows examination of the equine heart under stimulation. Methods: In 13 healthy Shetland ponies, heart rate (HR), stroke index (SI) and cardiac index (CI) were calculated from pulsed-w...
