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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.
Automated differential leukocyte count in horses, cattle, and cats using the Technicon H-1E hematology system. The differential leukocyte counts performed by an automated hematology analyzer, the Technicon H-1E Hematology System, and traditional microscopic method (M-Diff) from blood samples of 129 horses, 40 cattle, and 140 cats were compared. The comparison was repeated after selected subsets of data were created by deleting samples with certain patterns suggesting error with the automated differential cell count (A-Diff). The two methods had good comparison of results for neutrophils and lymphocytes in all three species. Results for equine monocytes correlated moderately well between the two methods...
The diagnostic nerve block of the sesamoidean nerve: desensitized structures and possible clinical applications. The sesamoidean nerve branches from the palmar nerve and runs towards the proximal sesamoid bone. To study the structures innervated by this nerve, a technique for blocking it was developed. The effect of this nerve block was determined in ponies with an induced lameness located in the lateral proximal sesamoid bone (5 ponies) or in the distal part of the lateral branch of the suspensory ligament (5 ponies), and in 10 horses with clinical sesamoidosis. A lameness provoked by the implantation of an expansion plug in the proximal sesamoid bone could, to a large extent, be anaesthetized by a sesa...
Cardiac rod body: hypertrophic Z-line in an aged pony. Numerous rod bodies were found in a heart sample from a 33-year-old pony by a conventional electron-microscopic technique. The rod bodies were concentrated in localized areas of both atria and ventricles, without a specific pattern of distribution. The rods appear to have a typical crystalline-like structure which presumably contains actin backbone filaments and alpha-actinin as major protein constituents. Diminution, fragmentation, and disorganization of the myofibrils, random expansion of electron-dense materials, especially at the fasciae adherens of the intercalated disc, an increase of in...
Effects of storage on serum ionized calcium and pH from horses with normal and abnormal ionized calcium concentrations. It has been previously shown that Ca(I) concentration is stable in serum collected from healthy horses for 10 days if stored at 40 degrees C. This may not be true for horses with abnormal Ca(I) concentrations. Thus the stability of ionized calcium (Ca(I)) concentration and pH measurement in serum from horses with both normal and abnormal Ca(I) concentrations stored for various times at 40 degrees C and -10 degrees C was evaluated. Our results indicated that serum Ca(I) concentration was stable throughout 7 days of cold or frozen storage, after being received by the Clinical Chemistry Laborator...
The effect of diagnostic regional nerve blocks in the fore limb on the locomotion of clinically sound horses. The practice of applying diagnostic nerve blocks relies on the assumption that the blocks in themselves do not alter the horse's gait. This assumption has recently been challenged. In the present paper a series of sequential nerve blocks (low palmar digital block, abaxial sesamoid block, high palmar block) was applied to clinically sound horses. Before and after each block the gait was clinically scored and Ground Reaction Forces (GRF) were measured. Clinical scoring did not change after any of the nerve blocks. None of the GRF variables changed significantly except for a slight alteration of ...
Collagen fibril diameter distributions in ligaments and tendons of the carpal region of the horse. Since horses bred for the racing industry are subject to rigorous training procedures there is a real need to understand how the stresses experienced by their tendons and ligaments in vivo relate to the major load-bearing elements-the collagen fibrils. Consequently, an age-related study has been made of the collagen fibril diameter distributions of nine ligaments in and around the equine carpus. This is the first stage of a larger study aimed at understanding the ultrastructural changes that occur as a result of exercise. Most of the ligaments showed a bimodal diameter distribution at maturity...
Rapid and quantitative analysis of bilirubin in equines by high-performance liquid chromatography. Rapid and quantitative analytical methods for bilirubin using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with UV detection were developed for samples from equines at a meat inspection site. Sharp HPLC peaks for bilirubins, unconjugated bilirubin (UCBL) and conjugated bilirubin (CBL), were obtained using a simple mobile phase of methanol:0.5 M Tris-HCl buffer (65:35, v/v, pH 7.4). A variable wavelength detector set at 450 nm, 0.01 AUFS and a recorder set at 4 cm/min were used for detection. Peaks for UCBL and CBL occurred at 7.1 min and 4.9 min, the lower limits of detection ranged between 0...
Blood precipitate associated with intra-abdominal carboxymethylcellulose administration. A precipitate was observed on the blood films of horses (15 of 16) and one cow given a peritoneal infusion of 1 % sodium carboxymethylcellulose (SCMC) solution to prevent abdominal adhesions. The intensity of the precipitate seen 2 to 3 days post-infusion strongly correlated with the administered dose of SCMC (range 0.96 to 11.7 ml/kg). The dose given was inversely correlated with bodyweight and the most prominent precipitates were seen in foals. The precipitate was observed as early as 24 hours and persisted for as long as 9 days after SCMC administration. Fibrinogen was the only hematologica...
An in vitro biomechanical study of a multiplanar circular external fixator applied to equine third metacarpal bones. The biomechanical characteristics of a 4-ring circular multiplanar fixator applied to equine third metacarpal bones with a 5 mm mid-diaphyseal osteotomy gap were studied. Smooth Steinmann pins, either 1/8 inch, 3/16 inch, or 1/4 inch, were driven through pilot holes in the bone in a crossed configuration and full pin fashion and fastened to the fixator rings using cannulated fixation bolts. The third metacarpal bone fixator constructs were tested in three different modes (cranial-caudal four-point bending, axial compression, and torsion). Loads of 2,000 N were applied in bending and axial comp...
Plasma adrenocorticotropin concentration in healthy horses and in horses with clinical signs of hyperadrenocorticism. Pituitary adenomas are commonly reported in older horses. The typical clinical signs associated with this condition, also known as equine Cushing's disease (ECD), are related to increased adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) production resulting in hyperadrenocorticism. The primary purpose of this study was to determine whether plasma ACTH concentrations differed between cushingoid and healthy horses. The second objective was to determine the effects of blood sample handling techniques on ACTH concentrations. A commercial human ACTH radioimmunoassay (RIA) was used to quantify equine plasma ACTH. Intra-a...
Leukoencephalomalacia and hemorrhage in the brain of rabbits gavaged with mycotoxin fumonisin B1. Two of five pregnant rabbits gavaged with purified fumonisin B1 at 1.75 mg/kg/day died, one after 9 and one after 13 doses. Microscopic examination revealed focal small hemorrhages in cerebral white matter in both animals, with malacia and hemorrhage also present in the hippocampus of one. The lesions were bilateral. Both animals also had marked degeneration of renal tubule epithelium and of hepatocytes. Apoptosis was the dominant degenerative change in kidney and liver. Fumonisin is known to cause leukoencephalomalacia and hemorrhage in equines, but CNS changes associated with exposure to fum...
Lymphoid leukosis viruses, their recognition as ‘persistent’ viruses and comparisons with certain other retroviruses of veterinary importance. Diseases caused by lymphoid leukosis virus (LLV), a retrovirus, take a long time after infection to develop and have a wide variety of pathological manifestations. This long latent period is characteristic of 'persistent virus infections'. Disease produced by LLV infection and its underlying mechanisms is compared with 'persistent' infections caused by other retroviruses in birds and mammals of veterinary importance. The diseases considered for comparison are those caused by reticuloendotheliosis, feline leukaemia, bovine leukosis and equine infectious anaemia viruses. There are significant ch...
Validation of human haptoglobin immunoturbidimetric assay for detection of haptoglobin in equine and canine serum and plasma. The Incstar(R) SPQ II human haptoglobin (Hpt) (Incstar Corporation, Stillwater, MN) immunoturbidimetric assay was validated for the determination of serum and plasma Hpt concentrations in dogs and horses. The anti-human Hpt antiserum supplied with the assay, displayed monospecificity to both dog and horse serum Hpt by immunoelectrophoresis and Western blotting techniques. The automated immunoturbidimetric assay results correlated well with the cyanmethemoglobin binding assay (r=0.953 for canine serum and r=0.941 for equine serum), and had excellent precision at both high and low serum Hpt conc...
[Ryegrass cramps in horses]. To elaborate the diagnosis of rye-grass intoxication in a stallion demonstrating a neurotoxic syndrome characterized by ataxia and incoordination, a number of diagnostic tests were performed. Results of both, blood chemistry and haematology gave no indication for organ-specific or systemic lesions. Chemical analysis of the hay fed to the horse revealed the presence of the mycotoxin lolitrem B in concentrations consistent with those described in sheep and cattle with similar symptoms. Thus, it was concluded that the animals demonstrated the rye-grass-stagger(RGS)-syndrome.
Equine severe combined immunodeficiency: a defect in V(D)J recombination and DNA-dependent protein kinase activity. V(D)J rearrangement is the molecular mechanism by which an almost infinite array of specific immune receptors are generated. Defects in this process result in profound immunodeficiency as is the case in the C.B-17 SCID mouse or in RAG-1 (recombination-activating gene 1) or RAG-2 deficient mice. It has recently become clear that the V(D)J recombinase most likely consists of both lymphoid-specific factors and ubiquitously expressed components of the DNA double-strand break repair pathway. The deficit in SCID mice is in a factor that is required for both of these pathways. In this report, we show...
[A horse with chronic eosinophilic enteritis]. A three-year-old pregnant Dutch Warmblood mare was referred to the Department of Large Animal Medicine and Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, because of weight loss for 1 month. The main clinical features were (beside weight loss) moderate ventral oedema, enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes, and uniform thickening of the wall of the jejunum. Haematological evaluation revealed leukocytosis (15.9 G.l-1 with 18% lymphocytes and 1% eosinophils) and a decreased total serum protein and albumin concentration (35 g.l-1 and 36.3% albumin). At necropsy transmural eosinophilic enteritis was found in ...
Hematology and hemostasis in the horse: normal functions and common abnormalities. In diseased animals, laboratory evaluations of erythrocytes, leukocytes, and hemostasis provide important information that contributes to either narrowing the list of potential diagnoses or to determining a specific diagnosis. To adequately interpret the results of these evaluations, normal erythrocyte and leukocyte kinetics and normal hemostatic function must be understood. In addition, knowledge of common diseases resulting in abnormalities of these laboratory tests and of typical changes in these tests caused by these diseases is vital. This article has reviewed normal erythrocyte and leuko...
Double-plate fixation of comminuted fractures of the second phalanx in horses: 10 cases (1985-1993). To determine the technique used, and the outcome for, double-plate fixation of comminuted fractures of the second phalanx of horses. Methods: Retrospective analysis of medical records. Methods: 10 horses with comminuted fractures of the second phalanx that were treated by use of double-plate fixation. Methods: Two 4- to 6-hole dynamic compression plates were abaxially placed to achieve arthrodesis of the proximal interphalangeal joint and fixation of the fracture of the second phalanx. Results: Arthrodesis and fracture healing were detected in all horses. Conclusions: Horses with comminuted fr...
Electrolyte and acid-base disturbances in the horse. Laboratory electrolyte and acid-base analyses are important for the characterization and assessment of the severity of disorders of fluid balance, and they enable the veterinarian to institute appropriate corrective therapeutic interventions. Abnormalities of electrolytes or acid-base rarely define the diagnosis, but certain diseases are characterized by predictable trends in these parameters. Important clinical situations in which assessment of electrolyte and acid-base status should be regarded as important to the equine practitioner include diarrhea, severe colic, peritonitis, pleuritis, dy...
Recent advances in the laboratory diagnosis of equine parasitic diseases. This article reviews recent advances in laboratory diagnosis of equine parasitic diseases. Laboratory diagnosis of most equine parasitic diseases continues to rely on standard methods. Only laboratory diagnostic tests for EPM, cryptosporidiosis, and giardiasis were included. The criteria for testing and interpretation of results for each new diagnostic method were explained. Western blot and PCR testing for EPM and immunofluorescent staining with monoclonal antibodies for cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis were reviewed.
[Sonographic diagnosis (B-mode techniques) for the eyes of horses. 2. Pathological cases]. Diagnosis of diseases of the inner eye of horses is problematic, especially in cases where ophthalmoscopic examination is impaired or prevented by cloudiness of the optical apparatus. In addition, examination of retrobulbar affection normally only allows indirect conclusions on localization and extent of alteration. By the use of ultrasound on diseased horse eyes a detailed examination of the inner eye with retrobulbar structures is possible even in these cases. Here, we present several clinical pictures which are difficult or impossible to diagnose by ophthalmoscopical means. For example, son...
Evaluation of a porous bovine collagen membrane bandage for management of wounds in horses. To evaluate the effect of a porous bovine-derived collagen membrane (PBCM) on the rates of wound healing, cellular events, presence of granulation tissue, and appearance at termination of the study in surgically created full-thickness cutaneous wounds of the distal portion of the extremities of horses. Methods: Treated wounds (n = 12) received a PBCM dressing and control wounds were covered with a nonadherent dressing. Forelimbs and hind limbs were cross paired; the right forelimb and left hind limb always received the same dressing application, as did the left forelimb and right hind limb. Li...
Effect of training on diverse hematologic parameters in Andalusian horses. A study has been made of the variations experienced by the hemogram and blood volume indices in 16 Andalusian horses after carrying out an exercise test of increasing intensity consisting of 3 sequences of 1000 m each, before and after being subjected to a daily exercise programme for two months. Samples were taken by external jugular vein puncture: while at rest, within the first minute of finalizing each exercise stage and at 10 and 15 minutes of recovery. Both the red blood cells and the hematocrit value showed a significant decrease in their mean values after two months training; conversel...
