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Topic:Clinical Signs
Clinical signs in horses refer to observable physical or behavioral manifestations that may indicate the presence of disease or injury. These signs can include a range of symptoms such as changes in appetite, alterations in gait, abnormal respiratory patterns, or variations in body temperature. Recognizing clinical signs is an integral part of equine veterinary practice, as they provide initial insights into the health status of the animal. Veterinarians rely on these signs to formulate differential diagnoses and guide further diagnostic testing. This page gathers peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the identification, interpretation, and diagnostic value of clinical signs in equine health management.
Standing Arthroscopic Treatment of Temporomandibular Joint Sepsis in a Horse. A 15-year-old Thoroughbred gelding was presented for investigation of fever, right temporomandibular region swelling, and progressive pain when opening the mouth. Right temporomandibular joint (TMJ) sepsis was diagnosed based on synovial fluid analysis, sonographic imaging, and standing robotic cone-beam computed tomography. Concurrent otitis media and temporohyoid osteoarthropathy (THO) were also noted. The horse was treated with arthroscopic debridement and lavage during standing sedation followed by local and systemic antimicrobial therapy. There were no complications associated with the su...
Impact of concurrent treatment with omeprazole on phenylbutazone-induced equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS). Phenylbutazone is commonly prescribed for treatment of various painful or inflammatory disorders in horses, but is associated with gastrointestinal (GI) adverse effects. Anecdotally, many practitioners prescribe omeprazole concurrently with phenylbutazone to reduce development of equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS), but the efficacy and safety of this practice remains unknown. Objective: To evaluate the effect of omeprazole on phenylbutazone-induced equine glandular gastric disease (EGGD) and equine squamous gastric disease (ESGD). Methods: Randomised block experimental design. Methods: Twent...
Agenesis and Dysgenesis of the Navicular Bone as Cause of Lameness and Malalignment in Two Foals. A three-week-old warmblood colt was referred for a two-week history of lameness on the left thoracic limb, and a two-month-old Quarter Horse-mix filly was referred for malaligned pelvic limbs since birth. The foals were diagnosed with agenesis and dysgenesis of the navicular bone, respectively. In this report, we present clinical signs, diagnostics, and postmortem workup of the two cases.
Psychodynamic Based Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy in Adults with Intertwined Personality Problems and Traumatization: A Systematic Review. The growing field of equine-assisted psychotherapy (EAP), a subfield of animal-assisted psychotherapy (AAP), needs theoretically-based clinical studies. This systematic review examines the existing clinical studies in adult populations on psychodynamic psychotherapy combined with equine-assisted psychotherapy. An electronic database search was divided in two studies to identify publications on 1) EAP combined with psychodynamic psychotherapy and 2) EAP combined to personality problems and traumatization in order to compile studies by population, intervention, outcome and therapeutic assets. St...
Resolution of neurologic signs presumed to be associated with hyperammonemia in 2 endurance horses. This case report describes 2 endurance horses with non-hepatic hyperammonemia. The animals were competing in a 160-km endurance competition in extreme heat conditions and were presented for obtundation. One of the horses also had evidence of blindness. The blood ammonia concentration was elevated (196 μmol/L and 249 μmol/L) and both horses improved following treatment with intravenous fluids and supportive care. These are the first documented cases of clinical signs presumed to be associated with hyperammonemia in endurance horses. Despite the severity of the clinical presentation, both hors...
Retrospective case series to identify the most common conditions seen ‘out-of-hours’ by first-opinion equine veterinary practitioners. The study aim was to describe conditions seen 'out-of-hours' in equine practice. This was a retrospective case series of first opinion 'out-of-hours' cases seen at two equine practices between 2011 and 2013. Data were retrieved on case presentation, diagnostic testing, treatment administered and outcome, and diseases categorised using a systems-based coding system. A hierarchical logistic regression, formulated using a generalised linear model, was used to identify clinical variables associated with a binary outcome of 'critical' cases (required hospitalisation or euthanasia or died). Data fro...
Computed tomographic cervical myelography in horses: Technique and findings in 51 clinical cases. Three-dimensional computed tomographic (CT) evaluation of the cervical vertebral column enables more accurate identification of osseous and soft tissue lesions than traditional latero-lateral radiography. However, examination of the complete cervical vertebral column has been limited by horse size, preventing evaluation of the caudal cervical vertebrae. Objective: To describe a technique to enable CT myelography of the complete cervical spine and describe the findings in 51 horses. Methods: Records of 51 horses presented for evaluation of cervical vertebral lesions. Methods: A retrospective re...
Topical Ganciclovir Reduces Viral Excretion in Mares With Equine Coital Exanthema. Equid alphaherpesvirus 3 (EHV-3) is the etiological agent of equine coital exanthema (ECE). Because no vaccines or antiviral therapies are available, prevention consists of clinical examination of mares and stallions before mating or semen collection and resting from breeding activities when lesions are present. However, this methodology does not identify subclinically infected animals. Ganciclovir is the most potent compound known to reduce EHV-3 replication. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of topical ganciclovir application to reduce EHV-3 replication in experimentally infected mar...
Atrial fibrillation in horses part 1: Pathophysiology. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common clinically relevant arrhythmia in horses, with a reported prevalence up to 2.5%. The pathophysiology has mainly been investigated in experimental animal models and human medicine, with limited studies in horses. Atrial fibrillation results from the interplay between electrical triggers and a susceptible substrate. Triggers consist of atrial premature depolarizations due to altered automaticity or triggered activity, or local (micro)reentry. The arrhythmia is promoted by atrial myocardial ion channel alterations, Ca2+ handling alterations, structural ...
Period of excretion of equine herpesvirus 3 (EHV-3) from a stallion before showing clinical signs of equine coital exanthema and the effect of acyclovir treatment on the duration of EHV-3 excretion. In 2017, two Thoroughbred stallions, A and B in Farms A and B, respectively, in Hokkaido in Japan showed clinical signs of equine coital exanthema (ECE). In 2020, stallion C in Farm B showed clinical signs of ECE. Eighteen mares were mated within five days before stallion A developed ECE. Ten mares that mated within 3 days before onset showed clinical signs of ECE on the external genitalia. Equine herpesvirus 3 (EHV-3) was isolated from vaginal swabs from three mares that mated within 2 days before onset. Swabs from 12 mares that mated within 4 days before onset were real-time PCR (rPCR)-posit...
BEVA primary care clinical guidelines: Wound management in the horse. There are currently no evidence summaries on wounds in the horse. Objective: To develop evidence-based guidelines on wound management in the horse. Methods: Evidence review using the GRADE framework. Methods: Research questions were proposed by a panel of veterinarians, and developed into PICO format. Evidence in the veterinary literature was evaluated using the GRADE evidence-to-decision framework. Searches for human evidence summaries were conducted in the NICE, Cochrane and JBI databases. Final recommendations were based on both veterinary and human evidence. Conclusions: The research quest...
Genetics of Equine Muscle Disease. There are 5 single-gene mutations that are known to cause muscle disease in horses. These mutations alter the amino acid sequence of proteins involved in cell membrane electrical conduction, muscle energy metabolism, muscle contraction, and immunogenicity. The clinical signs depend on the pathway affected. The likelihood that an animal with a mutation will exhibit clinical signs depends on the mode of inheritance, environmental influences, and interactions with other genes. Selection of a genetic test for use in diagnostic or breeding decisions requires a knowledge of clinical signs, mode of i...
Putative Otobius megnini-associated clinical signs in horses in South Africa (2012-2018). Otobius megnini has been associated with certain clinical conditions in horses in both California and Mexico. A number of cases similar to those described previously have been identified by the author in South Africa. This case report summarises these cases to demonstrate that the clinical condition occurs readily in South Africa and may be increasing in occurrence. The disease has minimal coverage in the literature making it more likely that a veterinarian, unfamiliar with the disease, will miss the diagnosis. The author would like to make veterinarians aware of this as a potential differenti...
Habronematidosis in Equids: Current Status, Advances, Future Challenges. Over the past few decades, among equine parasitoses caused by gastrointestinal nematodes, habronematidosis has been discontinuously studied worldwide. Habronematidosis is a parasitic disease distributed all over the world. It is caused by Habronema microstoma, Habronema muscae, and Draschia megastoma (Spirurida, Habronematidae), and it is maintained in the environment by muscid flies which act as intermediate hosts. At larval and adult stages these species live in the stomach of domestic and wild equids. However, the larvae can also be found on the skin, causing lesions known as "summer sores"...
Clinically and temporally specific diagnostic thresholds for plasma ACTH in the horse. Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) is commonly investigated using plasma ACTH concentrations but problems exist with currently available diagnostic thresholds. Objective: To derive temporally specific diagnostic thresholds for equine plasma ACTH concentration to be used alongside clinical judgement in each individual week of the year and appropriate for the degree of clinical suspicion in any given case. Furthermore, to apply these thresholds to compare the prevalence of high and low ACTH in two subgroups of animals with high and low clinical suspicion of PPID. Methods: A retrospecti...
Case-Control Comparison of Cervical Spine Radiographs From Horses With a Clinical Diagnosis of Cervical Facet Disease With Normal Horses. The accuracy of using radiographs to diagnose cervical facet osteoarthritis (CFA) in horses is undetermined. Further investigation is required to determine the clinical significance of radiographic evidence of CFA, the prevalence of radiographic changes in horses without clinical signs, and the long-term efficacy of intra-articular CFA treatment. The objectives of this study is to compare degenerative changes of the cervical facet joints of the cervical vertebrae on radiographs of horses with clinical signs of CFA with healthy cohort-matched horses, to compare clinical findings between groups,...
Hematologic, prostaglandin F2α -metabolite, serum amyloid A, and serum iron changes in horses with experimentally induced endotoxemia. Endotoxemia is a common and severe disease of horses. Most previous studies have monitored changes caused by a bolus dose of endotoxin over short time periods. Objective: We aimed to describe inflammatory responses to endotoxin with inflammatory and hematologic markers monitored over a longer time than has been performed in the past using more prolonged endotoxin exposures. Methods: Escherichia coli O55:B5 endotoxin was administered as a 6-hour continuous intravenous infusion of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to eight horses. Blood cell counts, and prostaglandin F -metabolite (PGM), serum amyloid A ...
Descemet’s membrane detachments, ruptures, and separations in ten adult horses: Clinical signs, diagnostics, treatment options, and preliminary results. To describe the clinical presentation, diagnostic imaging results, and treatment outcomes of a series of presumed spontaneous Descemet's membrane detachments (DMD), ruptures, or separations (DMRS) in the adult horse. Methods: Ten adult horses of various breeds with DMD or DMRS. Methods: Descemet's membrane detachments/DMRS were diagnosed via slit lamp biomicroscopy, ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM), and/or optical coherence tomography (OCT). Penetrating keratoplasty (PK) with heterologous corneal donor tissue (n = 1), superficial lamellar keratectomy, and Gundersen inlay flaps alone (GF, n =Â...
A wireless endoscopy capsule suitable for imaging of the equine stomach and small intestine. Capsule endoscopy offers a new method for visualization of the gastrointestinal mucosa in horses where other imaging technologies have diagnostic limitations. Objective: To (1) test the feasibility of using this novel endoscopy capsule to visualize intestinal mucosa in horses, including an objective assessment of image quality, (2) assess how changes in preadministration preparation affect the transit time and the amount of gastrointestinal mucosa visualized, and (3) describe intestinal mucosa lesions in healthy horses. Methods: Five healthy adult horses. Methods: Three protocols were used in ...
Ross River Virus Infection of Horses: Appraisal of Ecological and Clinical Consequences. Ross River virus (RRV) is a mosquito-borne arbovirus of the genus Alphavirus that causes disease in humans and horses in Australia. A temporal association of RRV infection in horses with clinical signs including pyrexia, malaise, and polyarthralgia has been reported, along with reduced athletic performance, often for extended periods. Despite these reports, disease due to RRV remains somewhat controversial as experimental infection of horses has resulted in obvious viraemia yet minimal signs of clinical disease. The relatively high viraemia demonstrated by horses infected with RRV has led to s...
The Effects of Treatment with N-Acetyl Cysteine on Clinical Signs in Persistent Breeding-Induced Endometritis Susceptible Mares. Persistent breeding-induced endometritis (PBIE) is a major cause of infertility in mares. Endometrial inflammation that persists until embryonic descent ultimately results in early embryonic death. A poor endometrial biopsy grade (IIb or III) has been identified as a risk factor for PBIE. Intrauterine fluid accumulation (>2Â cm in depth), pathologic endometrial edema, and elevated intrauterine neutrophil levels are all clinical features of PBIE. Commonly applied treatment options include uterine lavage and oxytocin therapy. N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), a mucolytic used to treat bacterial endome...
Case Report of a Complex Lateral Femorotibial Joint Injury With Popliteal Tendonitis in a Foal. A two-month-old, Spanish breed, foal was referred with right hind limb lameness of two weeks duration. Clinical examinations confirmed a complex combination of lesions within the lateral femorotibial joint, including a subchondral bone cyst in the lateral femoral condyle, a severe popliteal tendonitis, and a delayed cartilage detachment of the lateral femoral condyle. Because of the complex association of these lesions, poor prognosis for an athletic career was given to the owner. Four years later, the filly is pasture sound. Lesions of the popliteal tendon in the horse are uncommon. The popli...
Conflict Between Direct Experience and Research-Based Evidence Is a Key Challenge to Evidence-Based Respiratory Medicine on British Racing Yards. Inflammatory airway disease (IAD) is a commonly diagnosed but variably defined syndrome of equine lower airway inflammation. The most recent American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) consensus statement, informed by research evidence, recommends a case definition based on clinical signs (poor performance or occasional coughing of at least 3 weeks duration), increased endoscopically-visible tracheal mucus, and bronchoalveolar lavage cytology, and proposes that the condition should be termed 'mild-moderate equine asthma' (mEA). In British Thoroughbred racehorses, research to date ...
Hematological and Biochemical Changes in Naturally Occurring Equine Piroplasmosis in Donkeys (Equus asinus) of Northwest of Iran. Equine piroplasmosis is a tick-borne protozoal disease affecting horses, mules, donkeys and zebras and can lead to severe economic losses in the equine industry. There is limited information on clinical pathologic changes of equine piroplasmosis in donkeys. This study aims to investigate the impacts of babesiosis on various hematological and biochemical properties in naturally infected donkeys with Theileria equi and Babesia caballi. Methods: A total of 200 apparently healthy donkeys were randomly examined for the presence of equine piroplasmosis in blood samples. Of 200 samples, 11(5.5%) anim...
Parasite load and genotype are associated with clinical outcome of piroplasm-infected equines in Israel. Equine piroplasmosis is a highly endemic protozoan disease of horses worldwide, caused by Theileria equi and Babesia caballi. While most horses in endemic areas are subclinically infected, the mechanisms leading to clinical outcome are vastly unknown. Moreover, since clinical signs of disease are not specific, and the prevalence in endemic areas is high, it is difficult to determine if equine piroplasmosis is the cause of disease. To identify possible mechanisms leading to the clinical outcome in an endemic area, we compared parasite loads and genotypes in clinically and subclinically infected...
Long-term successful treatment of a donkey with cutaneous lupus erythematous with methotrexate. Cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) is a rare immune-mediated dermatitis. To the best of the authors' knowledge it has not been described in donkeys. A 5-year-old male neutered donkey, living in south-east France, was diagnosed with CLE. Clinical signs included generalized symmetrical areas of alopecia, erythema, crusting and scales. Diagnostic tests included examination of skin biopsy samples by histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis which demonstrated an interface dermatitis with CD8+ T cells. The skin condition was successfully treated initially with glucocorticoids and methotre...
A long-term study of equine cheek teeth post-extraction complications: 428 cheek teeth (2004-2018). Complications, especially delayed alveolar healing, are common following equine cheek teeth extraction, however, limited objective information is available on the prevalence and nature of these problems. Objective: To document the type and prevalence of complications that occur following equine cheek tooth extraction and to identify possible risk factors for these complications that could be used to predict their occurrence and hopefully reduce their prevalence. Methods: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: Clinical records of all cheek teeth extractions performed between February 2004 and Sep...
Intra-abdominal Pressure Screening of Horses With Colic. The objective of this study was to evaluate changes in intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) in horses with colic by associating the underlying etiologies with directly acquired IAP values and survival rate. This is a 2-year cohort study (2014-2016). Horses with clinical signs of colic were admitted to the veterinary teaching hospital during the period 2014-2016. Twenty-eight horses, of different breeds, males (stallions and geldings) and females, aged between 2 and 20Â years, and weighing from 300 to 450Â kg presenting with clinical signs of colic, were included in the study. IAP was directly acquir...
Acute, subacute and chronic sequelae of horses accidentally exposed to monensin-contaminated feed. Monensin is highly toxic to horses and inadvertent ingestion can result in cardiac injury and death. Objective: To describe sequelae of monensin ingestion and to determine clinical predictors of outcome. Methods: Observational clinical study. Methods: Physical examination, electrocardiogram and echocardiography were performed on 76 horses accidentally exposed to monensin-contaminated feed. Four horses were examined within 14 days of exposure (acute period), 29 horses were examined between 15 and 45 days post-exposure (subacute period) and 70 horses were examined 4-10 months after exposure ...
