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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.
Hypercalcemia and high serum parathyroid hormone-related protein concentration in a horse with multiple myeloma. A 13-year-old gelding was examined because of weight loss, hyperglobulinemia, and hypercalcemia. Possible causes of hypercalcemia that were considered included renal failure, primary hyperparathyroidism, vitamin D toxicosis, and malignancy. There was no history of vitamin D ingestion, and serum creatinine and parathyroid hormone concentrations were normal, making renal failure and primary hyperparathyroidism unlikely. The hypercalcemia was suspected to be a result of malignancy, but thorough testing did not reveal any neoplastic disease. Eight months later, serum parathyroid hormone-related pr...
The diagnostic and prognostic value of alkaline phosphatase activity in serum and peritoneal fluid from horses with acute colic. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is an enzyme present in intestinal mucosa, bile, bone, and renal tubule cells. We sought to assess the diagnostic and prognostic relationships of total ALP (ALPt) activity and that of intestine-derived ALP (ALPi) in serum and peritoneal fluid of 126 horses with colic. ALPt and ALPi activities were measured in both serum and peritoneal fluid by using both standard and L-phenylalanine-based buffers, respectively. Neither ALPt nor ALPi activity were useful in classifying type or severity of intestinal damage. ALPt and ALPi activities in peritoneal fluid were lowest in h...
Transdermal fentanyl combined with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for analgesia in horses. This study investigated the pharmcokinetics, efficacy, and safety of the fentanyl transdermal therapeutic system (TTS) in horses in which there was an inadequate analgesic response to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) alone. Nine horses with pain that was refractory to therapeutic doses of phenylbutazone (n = 3) or flunixin meglumine (n = 6) subsequently also received between 39 and 110 microg/kg of transdermal fentanyl. Blood samples were collected at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, and 72 hours after patch application, and a radioimmunoassay was used to determine serum f...
Association of a mutation in the ryanodine receptor 1 gene with equine malignant hyperthermia. Equine malignant hyperthermia MH has been suspected but never genetically confirmed. In this study, we investigated whether mutations in a candidate gene, RyR1, were associated with MH in two clinically affected horses. RyR1 gene sequences revealed polymorphisms in exons 15, 17, and 46 in WTRyR1 and MHRyR1 horses with one derived amino acid change in MHRyR1 exon 46, R2454G. The MHRyR1 horses were genetically heterozygous for this mutation, but presented an MH phenotype with halothane challenge. Skeletal sarcoplasmic reticulum from a R2454G heterozygote collected during a fulminant MH episode s...
Equine abortion and premature birth associated with Cellulosimicrobium cellulans infection. During the 2002 and 2003 foaling seasons, Cellulosimicrobium (Cellumonas) cellulans (formerly Oerskovia xanthineolytica) was the principal microorganism isolated from fetal tissues or placentas from cases of equine abortion, premature birth, and term pregnancies. Significant pathologic findings included chronic placentitis and pyogranulomatous pneumonia. In addition, microscopic and macroscopic alterations in the allantochorion from 4 of 7 cases of placentitis were similar to those caused by Crossiella equi and other nocardioform bacteria. This report confirms a causative role of C. cellulans ...
Hereditary equine regional dermal asthenia (“hyperelastosis cutis”) in 50 horses: clinical, histological, immunohistological and ultrastructural findings. Data on fifty horses with hereditary equine regional dermal asthenia (HERDA; "hyperelastosis cutis") were collected on clinical, histopathological, ultrastructural and immunohistological findings. All horses were Quarter horses or of Quarter horse ancestry. Pedigree evaluation strongly supported an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance. The most common lesions were seromas/haematomas, open wounds, sloughing skin, and loose, easily tented skin that did not return to its initial position. Definitive diagnosis could not be made via histopathology, although the presence of tightly grouped thin a...
Equine congenital papilloma: pathological findings and results of papillomavirus immunohistochemistry in five cases. Abstract Congenital cutaneous papillomas were identified in five foals. Age at diagnosis ranged from 305 days' gestation to 2 days of age. Breeds were thoroughbred (2), standard-bred (1), warmblood (1) and paint (1). Two were female, one was male and the gender of two cases was not specified. Masses were pedunculated with a roughened, wart-like (verrucous) or a smoother, cauliflower-like surface. Masses occurred as single lesions on the forelimb, lip and face, or as multiple lesions on the trunk. Histological features included relatively uniform epidermal papillary hyperplasia with variable me...
Right dorsal colitis in the horse: minireview and reports on three cases in Ireland. : Right dorsal colitis (RDC) is an ulcerative inflammatory bowel disorder of the horse that has been associated with the administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), particularly in horses treated when dehydrated or toxaemic. The acute form of RDC may result in profuse diarrhoea, severe colic, dehydration, endotoxic shock and even death; the chronic form may be manifest by mild to moderate intermittent colic, ventral oedema and weight loss with or without diarrhoea. The most consistent laboratory findings are anaemia, hypoproteinaemia, hypoalbuminaemia and hypocalcaemia. M...
Application of the comet assay for investigation of oxidative DNA damage in equine peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Oxidative stress occurs when antioxidant defense mechanisms are overwhelmed by free radicals and may lead to DNA damage, which has been implicated in processes such as aging and diseases such as cancer. The two main techniques presently used to quantify DNA damage are measurement of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine and the Comet assay (also known as single-cell gel electrophoresis). The aim of this study was to apply the comet assay to equine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and identify two conditions in which we hypothesized that oxidative DNA damage would be increased in PBMCs: aging and e...
Investigation of the facilitation of the nociceptive withdrawal reflex evoked by repeated transcutaneous electrical stimulations as a measure of temporal summation in conscious horses. To investigate whether facilitation of the nociceptive withdrawal reflex (NWR) can be evoked and quantified as a measure of temporal summation from the distal aspect of the left forelimb and hind limb in standing nonsedated horses via repeated stimulations of various subthreshold intensities and frequencies. Methods: 10 adult horses. Methods: Surface electromyographic activity evoked by stimulation of the digital palmar and plantar nerves was recorded from the common digital extensor and cranial tibial muscles. For each horse, the NWR threshold intensity to a single stimulus was determined for...
Comparison of hematologic values and transforming growth factor-beta and insulin-like growth factor concentrations in platelet concentrates obtained by use of buffy coat and apheresis methods from equine blood. To evaluate the buffy coat and apheresis methods for preparation of platelet concentrates from equine blood by comparing platelet and growth factor concentrations. Methods: 15 mature mixed-breed geldings. Methods: Whole blood samples were collected and processed by use of a buffy coat or apheresis method to obtain platelet poor and platelet concentrated fractions. The PCV, WBC count, and platelet count were compared among whole blood samples, platelet poor fractions, concentrates obtained by use of the apheresis method (ie, apheresis platelet concentrates), and concentrates obtained by use of ...
Compensated overexpression of procollagens alpha 1(I) and alpha 1(III) following perilla mint ketone-induced acute pulmonary damage in horses. Interstitial lung disease with chronic fibrosis is a frequent cause of reduced performance in horses. The aim of this study was to establish a model of acute alveolar damage and interstitial lung disease in horses that could be used to monitor the histopathological lesions and changes in expression levels of genes relevant to pulmonary fibrosis. Six adult horses were given a single intravenous injection (6 mg per kg body weight) of perilla mint ketone (PMK). Transthoracic lung biopsy samples (1 x 0.2 x 0.2 cm) were collected before and after (days 1, 4, 8, 11, 15, 18, 22, 25 and 29) the admini...
Non-functional C-cell adenoma in aged horses. Thyroid tumours occur in older horses, and most such tumours have been considered to be of follicular epithelial origin. However, their immunohistochemical characterization has not been investigated. The purpose of this study was to confirm a suspicion that most of these tumours are in fact parafollicular cell (C cell)-derived adenomas, and to evaluate their pathogenesis and functional state. Thyroid glands from 38 horses aged 10-29 years were evaluated, all tissue samples being examined histologically, immunohistochemically and ultrastructurally. Nodular tumour masses were found in the thyroi...
Equine recurrent uveitis: new methods of management. Equine recurrent uveitis (ERU) is one of the most common causes of blindness in horses. Until recently, treatment of this condition consisted only of symptomatic therapy, typically with steroidal and nonsteroidal medications. A better understanding of the disease process(es) has permitted new medical and surgical therapies that have recently been described. This article highlights clinical features of ERU, the causes of ERU, and new management and treatment options for horses with ERU.
The precorneal tear film in horses: its importance and disorders. The precorneal tear film (PTF) is of critical importance in the physiologic and pathologic findings of the cornea. Clinicians should recall that quantitative and qualitative disorders of the PTF can be a cause of corneal diseases as well as a clinical sign of ocular surface diseases. It is also important to consider that some systemic and topical treatments may affect the PTF volume and composition. Not all interactions are known at this time. There is a continued need for basic research into PTF components in healthy and diseased equine eyes, because much remains unknown. Until additional bas...
Equine corneal surgery and transplantation. Corneal disease is common in equine ophthalmology and requires vigilant monitoring and appropriate therapy to optimize the outcome. Many equine corneal diseases, particularly those that progress rapidly, may benefit from surgical intervention. These include descemetoceles, deep corneal lacerations and ulcers, corneal perforation/iris prolapse, ulcerative keratitis, corneal stromal abscesses, and corneoscleral neoplasia. Indications for corneal transplantation include optical, tectonic, therapeutic, and cosmetic purposes. Corneal transplantation is most often implemented in equine patients for ...
Inflammatory stromal keratopathies: medical management of stromal keratomalacia, stromal abscesses, eosinophilic keratitis, and band keratopathy in the horse. This article discusses the diagnosis and medical treatment of stromal keratomalacia or "melting ulcers," stromal abscesses, eosinophilic keratitis (EK), and calcific band keratopathy. These are common and important inflammatory keratopathies of the equine corneal stroma. Keratomalacia and stromal abscesses are associated with infection, leukocytic invasion of the stroma, and loss of tissue and tear film proteinase homeostasis. Eosinophils infiltrate the stroma in response to unknown stimuli in EK. Calcium is deposited in the stroma and epithelium secondary to chronic equine recurrent uveitis i...
Nutritional and clinicopathological effects of post operative parenteral nutrition following small intestinal resection and anastomosis in the mature horse. There is an absence of data describing the nutritional requirements and nutritional status of horses following surgery for colic; furthermore, the potential effect of parenteral nutrition (PN) on improving nutritional status in such cases is unknown. Objective: Post operative colic cases suffer from a potentially detrimental negative energy balance and the PN formulation developed in this study would lead to clinicopathologically detectable improvements in the subjects' nutritional status. Methods: Several clinicopathological variables, some known to be associated with nutritional status, were...
Prevention of ischaemia-induced small intestinal adhesions in foals. Treatments addressing variously theorised pathophysiological mechanisms of small intestinal adhesions have been reported. This study applied those classes of treatments to the most clinically relevant aetiology of post operative adhesions. Objective: Treatments addressing the pathophysiology of ischaemia-reperfusion induced adhesions would accordingly reduce the incidence of adhesions from this model. Methods: Four classes of treatments were administered for 72 h to 16 foals subjected to complete ischaemia followed by reperfusion to create peritoneal adhesions. These groups were: 1) FPG group-...
Polymyxin B protects horses against induced endotoxaemia in vivo. A safe, affordable and effective treatment for endotoxaemia in horses is needed in order to reduce the incidence of this potentially fatal condition. Objective: To evaluate the effect of polymyxin B (PMB) on signs of experimentally-induced endotoxaemia. Objective: PMB ameliorates the adverse effects of endotoxaemia without causing nephrotoxicity. Methods: Four groups of 6 healthy mature horses each received 20 ng endotoxin/kg bwt i.v. over 30 mins. Additionally, each group received one of the following i.v.; 5000 u PMB/kg bwt 30 mins before endotoxin infusion; 5000 u PMB/kg bwt 30 mins after e...
Radiographic evaluation of sclerosis of the third carpal bone associated with exercise and the development of lameness in Standardbred racehorses. Sclerosis of the third carpal bone is a common radiographic finding in both lame and sound racehorses, but there are no guidelines correlating degree of sclerosis and incidence of lameness. Objective: To develop a protocol for describing subchondral bone sclerosis in C3 on dorsoproximal-dorsodistal oblique (DPr-DDiO) radiographs of the carpus and to correlate these changes with exercise history and carpal lameness. Methods: One hundred and six Standardbreds entering their first year of training (exercise group) and 7 age-matched Standardbreds at pasture (controls) were examined at approximatel...
Validated capillary electrophoretic method for the analysis of ivermectin in plasma after intragastric administration in pigs and horses. A capillary electrophoretic (CE) method has been developed for the determination of ivermectin (CAS 70288-86-7), a new generation drug with antiparasitic activity, in pig and horse plasma. The method was statistically validated for its linearity, accuracy, precision and selectivity. The linear range was from 1 to 30 ng mL(-1) with correlation coefficients greater than 0.999. The limit of detection was 0.3 ng mL(-1), while the quantitative limit was 1 ng mL(-1), using a 0.5 mL sample size. The validated procedure was used to determination of pharmacokinetic parameters of ivermectin after ingest...
Acute recumbency associated with Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection in a horse. An 11-year-old Hanoverian-cross gelding was evaluated because of acute onset of ataxia, recumbency, and fever. At the stable, this and other horses had recently been infested with ticks. Results of analysis of a sample of CSF were within reference limits, but hematologic abnormalities included lymphopenia, thrombocytopenia, mild anemia, and intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies in neutrophils that were consistent with Anaplasma phagocytophilum (previously Ehrlichia equi). Results of serum biochemical analyses were characteristic of infection and included high, unconjugated bilirubin concentration....
Parainguinal laparocystotomy for urolith removal in geldings. To describe parainguinal laparocystotomy for urolith removal and to report outcome. Methods: Prospective clinical study. Methods: Ten geldings with uroliths. Methods: Signalment, number, size, type of uroliths, surgical technique, and complications were recorded. Long-term follow-up was obtained by telephone interviews with the client and/or examination by the referring veterinarian. Results: Cystic calculi, 3-9 cm in diameter, were removed by parainguinal laparocystotomy. Mean surgical time was 59 minutes (range, 40-100 minutes). With this approach, ligation of the pudendal or superficial epi...
Factors associated with mortality and morbidity in small intestinal volvulus in horses. To determine historical, physical, and clinical factors that may affect morbidity and mortality in horses with small intestinal volvulus unrelated to other causes (e.g., incarceration, lipoma, etc.). Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Client-owned horses (115), aged 1 month to 21 years. Methods: Data were obtained from medical records, identified by computer search and manual review. Continuous variables were compared between affected and non-affected horses with Mann-Whitney U-tests and non-continuous variables with Fisher's exact test (2 x 2 tables) or chi(2)-tests (larger tables). Stepw...
Small intestinal volvulus in 115 horses: 1988-2000. To evaluate the historical data, signalment, clinical signs, results of laboratory analyses, treatment, and outcome of horses with small intestinal (SI) volvulus. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: One hundred and fifteen client-owned horses, aged 1 month to 21 years. Methods: Clinical signs, laboratory data, surgical or necropsy findings, and outcome for horses with SI volvulus were obtained from medical records, identified by computer search and manual review. Results: There was no statistical difference in signalment between cases and the hospital population. Seventy-four percent of hor...
Kinetic studies and production rate of equine (e) FSH in ovariectomized pony mares. Application to the determination of a dosage regimen for eFSH in a superovulation treatment. The appropriate dosage regimen for equine FSH (eFSH) (dose, dosing interval) administration in a superovulation treatment in pony mares was determined by a kinetic approach using production rates and kinetic parameters of elimination of the hormone. Two dosage regimens were then tested in superovulation protocols. The eFSH production rates were determined by sampling four ovariectomized pony mares every 10 min for 8 h during the breeding season. Kinetic parameters were determined by administering four dose levels of a preparation of eFSH (4.4, 8.8, 17.6 and 35.2 micro g/kg) by the i.v. route t...
Comparison of systolic cardiac function before and after treatment of atrial fibrillation in horses with and without additional cardiac valve insufficiencies. Clinical, electrocardiographic and echocardiographic examinations were conducted before therapy and 4 days after conversion to normal sinus rhythm in 15 horses with a history of atrial fibrillation of 2-6 months duration. Seven horses showed no other signs of cardiac disease. Four horses suffered additionally from mitral valve insufficiency, while six horses had aortic valve insufficiency, including two of the four horses with mitral valve insufficiency, but none had signs of congestive heart failure. Doppler echocardiographic estimates of various variables were made for assessment of systolic...
