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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.
Potential role of Clostridium difficile as a cause of duodenitis-proximal jejunitis in horses. Duodenitis-proximal jejunitis (DPJ) is an idiopathic condition in the horse characterized by inflammation and oedema of the duodenum and proximal jejunum. Clinical signs include colic, ileus, depression, fluid accumulation in the small intestine and stomach, and endotoxaemia. The objective of this study was to investigate prospectively the role of Clostridium difficile in this idiopathic disease. Nasogastric reflux from 10 consecutive cases with DPJ and 16 consecutive horses with other causes of nasogastric reflux was cultured for C. difficile, other Clostridium spp., and Salmonella. Toxigenic...
Effect of beclomethasone dipropionate and dexamethasone isonicotinate on lung function, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cytology, and transcription factor expression in airways of horses with recurrent airway obstruction. Glucocorticoid (GC) therapy is recognized to be effective for the treatment of recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) in horses. Anti-inflammatory properties of GC are thought to be mediated by suppression of inflammatory gene expression via inhibition of transcription factors such as nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) and activator protein-1 (AP-1). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of low-dose inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate and injectable dexamethasone 21-isonicotinate on clinical signs, pulmonary function, airway cytology, and activity of NF-kappaB and AP-1 in bronchial c...
Diagnosis of deafness in a horse by brainstem auditory evoked potential. Deafness was confirmed in a blue-eyed, 3-year-old, overo paint horse by brainstem auditory evoked potential. Congenital inherited deafness associated with lack of facial pigmentation was suspected. Assessment of hearing should be considered, especially in paint horses, at the time of pre-purchase examination. Brainstem auditory evoked potential assessment is well tolerated and accurate. Un diagnostic de surdité a été confirmé par potentiel auditif évoqué au niveau du tronc cérébral chez un cheval Paint Horse overo aux yeux bleus âgé de 3 ans. Une surdité congénitale héréditaire ...
Immune response to Sarcocystis neurona infection in naturally infected horses with equine protozoal myeloencephalitis. Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) is one of the most common neurologic diseases of horses in the United States. The primary etiologic agent is Sarcocystis neurona. Currently, there is limited knowledge regarding the protective or pathophysiologic immune response to S. neurona infection or the subsequent development of EPM. The objectives of this study were to determine whether S. neurona infected horses with clinical signs of EPM had altered or suppressed immune responses compared to neurologically normal horses and if blood sample storage would influence these findings. Twenty clinical...
Target animal safety and tolerance study of pyrantel pamoate paste (19.13% w/w pyrantel base) administered orally to horses. Pyrantel pamoate paste (19.13% w/w pyrantel base) for the treatment of tapeworm, Anoplocephala spp was evaluated for target animal safety and tolerance in horses treated orally at 0, 1, 3, 5, and 10 times the clinical dose of 13.2 mg pyrantel base/kg body weight administered daily for six consecutive days. Parameters evaluated included clinical signs, food and water consumption, body weights, physical examinations, clinical pathology (hematology, coagulation, serum chemistry, urinalyses, and fecal examinations), complete necropsy, organ weights, and histopathology. No adverse events or test ar...
Lymphoscintigraphy of draught horses with chronic progressive lymphoedema. Early diagnosis of chronic progressive lymphoedema (CPL) may result in more effective interventions and provide a basis for further investigation of whether early diagnosis could be used as a means of eliminating potential genetic influences by cessation of breeding from affected individuals. Objective: Lymphoscintigraphy may be useful in draught horses to differentiate early lesions of CPL from other conditions in the pastern region. Methods: Forelimbs of 2 normal and 5 CPL-affected draught horses were evaluated with lymphoscintigraphy. Results: Lymphoscintigraphy showed clearly the presence ...
Larval cyathostominosis in horses in Ontario: an emerging disease? From 1991 to 2003, 24 cases of larval cyathostominosis were diagnosed at postmortem in equids, 15 (63%) from 2001 to 2003. Cases occurred from September to May, the majority from October to December. Median age was 12 mo. Diarrhea, colic, and weight loss were common clinical signs. Hypoalbuminemia and microcytosis were consistent findings. Cyathostominose larvaire chez des chevaux en Ontario: une maladie émergente? De 1991 à 2003, 24 cas de cyathostominose larvaire ont été diagnostiqués à l’examen post mortem chez des équidés dont 15 (63 %) entre 2001 et 2003. Les cas étaient rappor...
Complete and partial hoof wall resection for keratoma removal: post operative complications and final outcome in 26 horses (1994-2004). There are no data on the frequency of post operative complications following keratoma removal, such as recurrence, hoof wall instability and excessive granulation tissue formation, or their relation to the method of surgical removal. Objective: To identify important factors in the outcome for horses undergoing surgical removal of a keratoma and compare the post operative complications encountered following keratoma removal by complete hoof wall resection (CR) and partial hoof wall resection (PR). Objective: Horses undergoing PR would have fewer post operative complications and would return to ...
Investigation of equine influenza cases exhibiting neurological disease: coincidence or association? Equine influenza is usually a transient and self-limiting disease. However, during an outbreak of equine influenza in the UK in 2003 there were reports of unusually severe clinical signs among unvaccinated animals. Two influenza-infected horses developed neurological signs, and one was subjected to euthanasia. Post-mortem examination of the brain revealed viral-type non-suppurative encephalitis, and influenza virus antigen was demonstrated by immunolabelling of sections of nasal mucosa. A syndrome known as influenza-associated encephalopathy has been described in man. Although not proved, the ...
Risk factors associated with renal insufficiency in horses with primary gastrointestinal disease: 26 cases (2000-2003). To identify factors associated with renal insufficiency in colic- or colitis-affected horses with high serum creatinine (SCr) concentrations evaluated at a referral hospital. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: 167 colic- or colitis-affected horses (88 represented a random sample [hospital population], and 79 had high SCr concentration at initial evaluation [study population]). Methods: Medical records were reviewed. Data collected included signalment; physical examination, clinicopathologic, and diagnostic findings; and outcome. The study population was categorized on the basis of wh...
Evaluation of factors associated with positive IgM capture ELISA results in equids with clinical signs compatible with West Nile virus infection: 1,017 cases (2003). To describe the prevalence of West Nile virus (WNV) infection and evaluate factors associated with positive IgM capture ELISA results in equids with clinical signs compatible with WNV infection. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Laboratory submission forms from 1,104 equids tested for WNV in Colorado in 2003. Methods: Submission forms accompanying samples submitted for detection of WNV via IgM capture ELISA were obtained from the Colorado state veterinarian and diagnostic laboratories performing the tests. Data on signalment, clinical signs, history of vaccination against WNV, and a...
Use of ultrasonography to diagnose large colon volvulus in horses. To describe the use of ultrasonography to diagnose large colon volvulus (LCV) in horses. Methods: Descriptive report. Methods: 4 horses with clinical signs of abdominal pain. Methods: Each horse was administered analgesic agents for pain control and placed in stocks. Ultrasonographic evaluations were performed with a 3.5-MHz sector scanning transducer that was placed parallel to the long axis of the horse (longitudinal imaging) over an area of the left ventral aspect of the abdomen. The boundaries of the evaluated region included the ventral midline, 2 vertical lines at the level of the left 1...
Evaluation of the risk of motor neuron disease in horses fed a diet low in vitamin E and high in copper and iron. To determine whether equine motor neuron disease (EMND) could be induced in adult horses fed a diet low in vitamin E and high in copper and iron. Methods: 59 healthy adult horses. Methods: Horses in the experimental group (n = 8) were confined to a dirt lot and fed a concentrate low in vitamin E and high in iron and copper in addition to free-choice grass hay that had been stored for 1 year. Control horses (n = 51) were fed a concentrate containing National Research Council-recommended amounts of copper, iron, and vitamin E. The hay fed to control horses was the same as that fed to experimenta...
Horses on pasture may be affected by equine motor neuron disease. Equine motor neuron disease (EMND) was diagnosed in 3 horses maintained on lush, grass-based pasture. This contrasted with North American studies which identified limited or no access to green herbage as an important risk factor for EMND. Objective: Grazing horses that have an apparently adequate intake of pasture herbage to meet normal equine vitamin E requirements can develop EMND. Methods: Owners of 32 European horses diagnosed with EMND completed a questionnaire regarding intrinsic, managemental, nutritional and environmental factors that could potentially be risk factors for EMND, and als...
Evaluation of a nested PCR test and bacterial culture of swabs from the nasal passages and from abscesses in relation to diagnosis of Streptococcus equi infection (strangles). Streptococcus equi is the cause of strangles in horses. To improve diagnostic sensitivity, development and evaluation of DNA-based methods are necessary. Objective: To evaluate diagnostic methods and observe the pattern of bacterial shedding during natural outbreaks. Methods: Two herds with natural outbreaks of strangles were visited over a period of 15 weeks and 323 samples originating from 35 horses investigated. The diagnostic use of a nested PCR test was evaluated using a collection of 165 isolates of Lancefield group C streptococci (species specificity) and swabs from nasal passages or fr...
A mechanical study of ligature security of commercially available pre-tied ligatures versus hand tied ligatures for use in equine laparoscopy. To determine a hand-tied ligature knot configuration, suture size, and suture type that would be an acceptable substitute to commercially available ligature knots for use in equine laparoscopic surgery. Methods: Three-factor ANOVA with the fixed effects being suture type, suture size, and knot type. The dependent variable was ligature security (load to failure). Methods: Commercially available Endoloop and 4 hand-tied slipknot ligatures were compared with a 4-layer square knot. The hand tied ligature knots tested were the 4S modified Roeder knot, the Brooks knot, the modified Roeder knot, and ...
Equine Culicoides hypersensitivity: evaluation of a skin test and of humoral response. Intradermal tests were carried out on 18 horses with clinical signs of Culicoides hypersensitivity (CHS) and 23 horses without clinical signs of CHS, and sera from these horses were analysed by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting (W-B). Intradermal injections of 0.1 ml of 25 microg/microl sterile Culicoides extract, 0.1 ml of 1:10,000 histamine (positive control) and 0.1 ml of physiological saline (negative control) were made in the dermis of the middle region of the neck. Analysis of reactions indicated that a 1 cm wheal and a skinfold thickness >10% at 24 h represented a valid cut-off between h...
Use of plasma ionized calcium levels and Ca2+ substitution response patterns as prognostic parameters for ileus and survival in colic horses. Hypocalcaemia is a common finding in horses with enterocolitis and severe gastrointestinal disorders. The aims of this study were to investigate in colic horses 1)the parameters related to hypocalcaemia, 2)the influence of hypocalcaemia on outcome and 3)the possible beneficial effect of Ca2+ substitution. Methods: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: Intensive care unit. Methods: One hundred forty-four horses that were admitted with an acute abdomen during a 1.5 year period were enrolled and daily evaluated for clinical criteria and whole blood ionized Ca2+ levels. Colic horses with hypocalca...
Prevalences and clinical signs of polysaccharide storage myopathy and shivers in Belgian draft horses. To determine prevalences of polysaccharide storage myopathy (PSSM) and shivers in Belgian Draft Horses (BDHs) and determine whether there was an association between these 2 conditions. Methods: Prospective cohort study. Methods: 103 BDHs > 1 year old. Methods: Owners were questioned regarding clinical signs of PSSM, shivers, and hindquarter weakness, defined as poor hindquarter muscling and lack of propulsion. Blood samples were collected for determination of serum creatine kinase and aspartate transferase activities and serum selenium and vitamin E concentrations. A biopsy sample from the ...
Agreement in histologic assessments of the pituitary pars intermedia in aged horses. To evaluate concordance among veterinary pathologists in the assessment of histologic findings in the pars intermedia of pituitary gland sections from aged horses with mild signs suggestive of pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID). Sample Population-10 pituitary glands from aged horses. Methods: 7 pathologists were provided with signalment, clinical signs, and a single H&E-stained pituitary gland section from 10 aged horses with mild signs suggestive of PPID. Pathologists described histologic findings for each section and stated whether findings were consistent with PPID. Agreement ...
Rupture of the gastrocnemius muscle in six foals. Rupture of the gastrocnemius muscle and subsequent disruption of the reciprocal mechanism of the hind limb was diagnosed in 6 foals examined at 7 hours to 3 weeks of age. In 2 foals, the musculoskeletal injury was detected as an ancillary finding to clinical signs of neurologic dysfunction ascribed to hypoxic ischemic insult during delivery, whereas in the other 4 foals, musculoskeletal injury, manifested as inability to rise or stand unsupported, was the chief complaint at admission. Five foals had a history of dystocia and assisted delivery. Common clinical signs were inability to rise, disr...
Evaluation of safety and pharmacokinetics of vancomycin after intravenous regional limb perfusion in horses. To evaluate clinical variables, regional concentrations, and pharmacokinetics of vancomycin in the synovial fluid of distal forelimb joints of horses after IV regional limb perfusion. Methods: 6 horses. Methods: Vancomycin was administered via IV regional limb perfusion to the distal portion of the forelimbs of anesthetized horses. Drug (300 mg of vancomycin hydrochloride in 60 mL of saline [0.9% NaCl] solution) was infused into 1 forelimb, whereas the contralateral limb served as a control and was perfused with 60 mL of saline solution. Solutions were injected into the lateral digital vein af...
A dorsal approach for the removal of the nasal septum in the horse. To describe and evaluate a technique involving a dorsal approach for the removal of the nasal septum in adult horses. Methods: Retrospective clinical study. Methods: Four client-owned horses. Methods: Access for partial nasal septum resection was through a dorsal nasal bone flap. Septum resection was performed because of reduced airflow from septal deviation and/or thickening caused by traumatic insult or neoplasia. Preoperative clinical signs and diagnostic results were recorded. Intra- and postoperative complications were noted and follow-up information was obtained from telephone interviews...
A new approach for perineural injection of the lateral palmar nerve in the horse. To evaluate the accuracy of a new technique for perineural injection of the lateral palmar nerve and to determine frequency of inadvertent injection into the carpal synovial sheath with this technique. Methods: Prospective experimental study. Methods: Thirty equine cadaver forelimbs. Methods: Each of 3 clinicians injected 0.5 mL of a 1% aqueous solution of new methylene blue as a marker at the medial aspect of the accessory carpal bone of 10 limbs. Immediately after each injection, the lateral palmar nerve was identified by dissection of and inspected for proximity of dye, and the carpal synov...
Severe acute rhabdomyolysis associated with Streptococcus equi infection in four horses. Four Quarter Horses (9 months to 7 years of age) with submandibular lymphadenopathy and firm muscles (palpation of which elicited signs of pain) were evaluated; in general, the horses had a stiff gait, and 3 horses became recumbent. Streptococcus equi was cultured from aspirates of lymph nodes or samples of purulent material collected from the auditory tube diverticula. Once the horses were recumbent, their condition deteriorated rapidly despite aggressive antimicrobial and antiinflammatory treatment, necessitating euthanasia within 24 to 48 hours. One horse did not become recumbent and recove...
Serum amyloid A isoforms in serum and synovial fluid in horses with lipopolysaccharide-induced arthritis. The aim of the study was to determine the intraarticular serum amyloid A (SAA) response pattern in horses with inflammatory arthritis. Inflammatory arthritis was induced by injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) into the radiocarpal joint of four horses. Serum and synovial fluid (SF) samples were collected before and at 4, 8, 12, 24, 48, 72, 96, and 144 h after injection. Concentrations of SAA were measured by immunoturbidometry, and expression of SAA isoforms was visualized by denaturing isoelectric focusing and Western blotting. The LPS injection caused systemic and local clinical signs of in...
