Topic:Clinical Symptoms
Clinical symptoms in horses encompass a range of observable signs that may indicate underlying health issues, such as disease, injury, or physiological stress. These symptoms can vary widely depending on the condition and may include changes in behavior, appetite, respiratory patterns, or physical appearance. Common clinical symptoms in horses include lameness, colic, coughing, nasal discharge, and changes in body temperature or heart rate. Identifying and interpreting these symptoms is an essential aspect of equine veterinary practice, as they provide critical information for diagnosis and management of health conditions. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the identification, assessment, and implications of clinical symptoms in equine health management.
Hoof kinetic patterns differ between sound and laminitic horses. No kinetic data on hoof loading in laminitic horses are available, despite their importance for optimising supportive shoeing therapies. Objective: To quantify the load distribution pattern in laminitic and sound horses. Methods: Controlled observational study. Methods: Fifty-four sound and laminitic horses were assigned to three groups: control group (sound horses), group 1 (G1) horses with acute laminitis, evaluated immediately after acute clinical signs subsided, and group 2 (G2) horses that had been free of acute laminitis signs for 6-12 weeks. Measurements on both forelimbs in barefoot c...
Monolateral chronicon orchitis in a stallion. Orchitis and epididymo-orchitis are inflammatory lesions of the testicle. We herein describe a case of monolateral chronic orchitis which occurred in a Tiro Pesante Rapido (TPR) stallion, born in 2002, with a history of good fertility. The stallion was healthy and asymptomatic although the left testis was found to be smaller as compared with the right one and was hard in consistency. Histopathology examination revealed tubular atrophy and parenchymal sclerosis. Scattered foci of calcification and chronic inflammation, the latter dominated by macrophages and lymphocytes, were also observed. Alt...
Partial atrioventricular septal defect in an adult sport horse. A partial atrioventricular septal defect, represented as a large ostium primum atrial septal defect and common (bridging) atrioventricular valve leaflets with cleft septal leaflet of the mitral valve, was diagnosed incidentally in a nine-year-old warmblood gelding used for show jumping. Initial examination findings and a three-year follow-up are documented in this report. The horse was first presented for the evaluation of chronic coughing. A left-sided, grade 4/6 holosystolic (band-shaped) murmur was identified along with a similar right-sided, grade 3/6 heart murmur. Echocardiography reveale...
Comparative Efficacy of the Prokinetic Effects of Cisapride and Tegaserod in Equines. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of cisapride and tegaserod on intestinal smooth muscle activity in equines. Efficacy was evaluated through measurement of gastrointestinal transit time, bowel movements per day, stool weight, and bowel sounds. Drug safety was evaluated via heart rate, respiratory rate, and rectal temperature. Records were obtained throughout three periods: a control phase without treatment, a period of cisapride administration at a dose of 0.22 mg/kg, and a period of tegaserod treatment at a dose of 0.27 mg/kg. Gastrointestinal transit time, bowel movements pe...
Comparison of analgesic and tissue effects of subcutaneous perineural injection of liposomal bupivacaine and bupivacaine hydrochloride in horses with forelimb lameness induced via circumferential clamp. To evaluate the analgesic and tissue effects of liposomal bupivacaine administered SC as an abaxial sesamoid nerve block in horses with experimentally induced lameness. Methods: 6 healthy mature light-breed horses. Methods: In a randomized crossover study, a circumferential hoof clamp was applied to a forelimb to induce reversible lameness. An abaxial sesamoid nerve block of the lame forelimb was performed by SC perineural injection of 10 mg of liposomal bupivacaine or bupivacaine HCl/site. Quantitative gait data were objectively obtained with a body-mounted inertial sensor system before (base...
Effect of digital hypothermia on lamellar inflammatory signaling in the euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp laminitis model. Continuous digital hypothermia (CDH) prevents lamellar failure in the euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp (EHC) model of laminitis, but the protective mechanisms are unclear. Objective: To determine if CDH inhibits lamellar inflammatory signaling in the EHC model of laminitis. Methods: Eight Standardbred horses. Methods: Prospective experimental study. Horses underwent an EHC, with 1 forelimb treated with CDH and the other kept at ambient temperature (AMB). Horses were euthanized 48 hours after initiation of the EHC and lamellar tissue was analyzed via polymerase chain reaction (pro-inflammato...
Genetics of equine bleeding disorders. Genetic bleeding disorders can have a profound impact on a horse's health and athletic career. As such, it is important to understand the mechanisms of these diseases and how they are diagnosed. These diseases include haemophilia A, von Willebrand disease, prekallikrein deficiency, Glanzmann's Thrombasthenia and Atypical Equine Thrombasthenia. Exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage also has a proposed genetic component. Genetic mutations have been identified for haemophilia A and Glanzmann's Thrombasthenia in the horse. Mutations are known for von Willebrand disease and prekallikrein deficienc...
Horse allergen sensitivity and respiratory symptoms among horse farm workers. Sensitivity and symptoms related to animal proteins have been investigated in various occupational groups. However, data from horse farm workers are limited. We aimed to determine horse allergen sensitivity in the horse farm workers, and to evaluate its relationship with respiratory symptoms and functional parameters. A total of 110 subjects were enrolled in the study. The study group consisted of 80 horse farm workers. Face-to-face surveys, skin prick tests (SPT), and pulmonary function tests (PFT) were performed in the study group. Control group consisted of 30 healthy subjects. SPT and PFTs...
Ascending aortic aneurysm associated with tetralogy of Fallot in an adult mare. Congenital heart disease is relatively uncommon in horses. Only three reports exist that describe a tetralogy of Fallot in adult horses. Whereas in humans the presence of congenital heart disease constitutes a risk factor for developing aortic aneurysms, their association has never been reported in horses. Here, we present a case with a large ascending aortic aneurysm as a complication of a tetralogy of Fallot in an adult mare. The mare was referred with sustained tachycardia and a 5 days history of mild intermittent colic, depression, inappetence and weight loss. Echocardiography was used to...
Histologic Evaluation of Palmar Digital Nerves after Perineural Injection of 2% Ammonium Chloride in Miniature Horses. Neurolytic compounds are widely used by equine practitioners for the management of lameness, mostly related to the foot. The present study aimed to evaluate the neurotoxicity of 2% ammonium chloride (2% AC) applied adjacent to the palmar digital nerves in six miniature horses. The 2% AC and 0.9% saline solution were randomly injected into three and one palmar digital nerve of each horse, respectively. Nerve samples were collected by neurectomy performed under general anesthesia at 5, 12, 19, 35, 47, and 62 days after treatment, with one horse per day of surgery. The inflammatory reaction to p...
A bitless bridle does not limit or prevent dynamic laryngeal collapse. Bits have often been incriminated as a cause of upper respiratory tract obstruction in horses; however, no scientific studies are available to confirm or refute these allegations. Clinical signs of dynamic laryngeal collapse associated with poll flexion (DLC) are induced when susceptible horses are ridden or driven into the bit. Objective: To determine whether use of Dr Cook's™ Bitless Bridle, instead of a conventional snaffle bit bridle, would reduce the severity of DLC in affected horses measured objectively using inspiratory tracheal pressures. Methods: Intervention study using each horse...
Mycotoxicoses in veterinary medicine: Aspergillosis and penicilliosis. Molds and mycotoxins are contaminants of animal feed causing spoilage and clinical intoxication. Animal exposure to mycotoxins reflects diet composition with major differences occurring between animals kept predominantly of pastures, i.e. ruminants and horses, and those consuming formulated feed like pigs and poultry. Mixed feeds are composed of several ingredients, often sourced from different continents. Subsequently, practitioners may confront endemic diseases and signs of toxin exposure related to toxins imported accidentally with contaminated feed materials from other countries and contin...
Equine granulosa cell tumours among other ovarian conditions: Diagnostic challenges. Granulosa cell tumours (GCT) are the most common ovarian tumours in mares. While the classical presentation may not represent diagnostic challenges, diagnosis is not easy in the early stages. Objective: Illustrate the variability in the presentation and serum biomarkers associated with ovarian abnormalities in the mare. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Nonclassical cases of GCTs and other ovarian conditions were identified and behaviour, GCT endocrine results, palpation and ultrasonographic findings are described and the diagnostic value of each is discussed. Results: Mares in this...
Fibrinonecrotic Placentitis and Abortion Associated With Pantoea agglomerans Infection in a Mare. Pantoea agglomerans, family Enterobacteriaceae, is a Gram-negative bacterium that may be isolated from soil and from plants. This bacterium has been associated with disease in plants, humans, and rarely in domestic animal species. We describe here a case of fibrinonecrotic placentitis and equine abortion associated with P. agglomerans infection in southern Brazil. A fetus with 10 months of gestation and its placenta were evaluated. Gross lesions were observed in the cervical star extending to the body of the chorioallantois and consisted of a focally extensive, transmural, severely thickened...
Transcutaneous Lateral Alveolar Ostectomy for Standing Surgical Extraction of Mandibular First Molar in an 8-Year-Old Miniature Horse. An 8-year-old, 125 kg (275 lb) female miniature horse was evaluated for a persistently thickened left mandible and cutaneous fistula. Pulp horn defects were identified in pulp horns 1 and 3 of tooth 309 and occlusal pulp exposure was detected with a dental explorer. Radiography of the left mandibular dental quadrant revealed changes consistent with apical infection of tooth 309. Following the failure of oral extraction, a standing surgical approach was taken for transcutaneous lateral alveolar ostectomy and extraction. Roots were sectioned at the level of the furcation and elevated from the su...
Atypical Salmonellosis in a Horse: Implications for Hospital Safety. A 17-year-old Quarter Horse mare was evaluated for colic of 24-hour duration. Clinical signs and diagnostic evaluation were consistent with duodenitis-proximal jejunitis. The horse's clinical condition deteriorated despite medical treatment and was euthanized. Aerobic culture collected from small intestinal ingesta was positive for subsp. serovar Hadar. sp. is commonly implicated in nosocomial infections in equine veterinary hospitals usually through feces containing the organism. Considering sp. was cultured from the jejunal luminal contents and the large volume of nasogastric reflux that...
Ventricular arrhythmias in horses: Diagnosis, prognosis and treatment. Ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) are often incidental or coincidental with systemic disease. Ventricular arrhythmias are also the most likely cause of many sudden cardiac deaths in horses. This dichotomy creates challenges in the management of horses with VAs. This review presents current knowledge of diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of VAs in horses.
Airway Hyperresponsiveness Is Severe and Persistent in an Equine Model of Neutrophilic Asthma. The research article presents findings on the severity and persistence of airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) in an equine model of neutrophilic asthma, which is relevant for understanding human asthma and its […]
Actinomyces as a Cause of Osteomyelitis of the Nasofrontal Suture in a Gelding. A 7-year-old American Quarter Horse gelding was referred to the JT Vaughan Large Animal Teaching Hospital at Auburn University, College of Veterinary Medicine, for an investigation of a recurrent swelling of the nasofrontal region. Computed tomography examination of the skull was most consistent with a sequestrum of the left nasofrontal suture with associated focal osteomyelitis and left conchofrontal sinusitis. Surgery to remove the sequestrum, debride the devitalized bone, and flush the left conchofrontal sinus was performed. A microbial culture was obtained at the time of surgery, which yie...
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...
Effectiveness of a paraverterbral nerve block versus local portal blocks for laparoscopic closure of the nephrosplenic space: A pilot study. To compare the effectiveness of a paravertebral nerve block vs local portal blocks for laparoscopic closure of the nephrosplenic space in standing sedated research horses. Methods: Randomized clinical trial. Methods: Twelve horses were randomly allocated to two groups (n = 6 per group), paravertebral block of nerves T , L , and L or local blocks of the three laparoscopic portals. Methods: Horses were sedated with dexmedetomidine (4 μg/kg IV and constant rate infusion [CRI] of 2.5 μg/kg/h) and morphine (50 μg/kg IV and CRI of 30 μg/kg/h). According to group allocation, 20 mL of either lid...
Desensitisation of the distal forelimb following intrathecal anaesthesia of the carpal sheath in horses. The effect of intrathecal anaesthesia of the carpal sheath on distal forelimb sensitivity in horses remains unknown. Objective: To assess the effect of carpal sheath anaesthesia on skin sensitivity of the distal forelimb and to determine potential locations for desensitisation of palmar nerves. Methods: In vivo experimental and descriptive anatomical studies. Methods: Mepivacaine hydrochloride 2% (0.6 mg/kg) was injected unilaterally in the carpal sheath of 8 horses. Mechanical nociception of the distal forelimb was measured with a dynamometer and compared with the control limb at t0, t15, t3...
Chronic Atlantoaxial Luxation Imaging Features in a Pony with Intermittent Neck Stiffness. A 17-year-old mixed breed pony was presented with intermittent neck stiffness during regular training rides in the six months preceding its admission. All parameters were within the normal range, except for an increase in heart rate (48 bpm) during the examination. Concave areas were observed at the level between the atlas and axis vertebrae (C1-C2) on both the left and right sides of the neck. Radiographs were taken of the laterolateral, left ventrodorsal oblique, and right ventrodorsal oblique projections in the cranial cervical region. The images revealed severe structural disorders, includ...
The Use of Pneumatic Impact Lithotripsy in a Laparoscopic Retrieval Pouch for Removal of Large Cystoliths in Two Female Horses. Two mares, aged 15 and 21 years, were examined because of urinary incontinence, intermittent hematuria, and urine scalding. On admission of both horses, physical parameters were within normal limits and urine scalding of the skin at the ventral perineum was noted. Transrectal palpation and cystoscopy revealed a large type I cystolith (>10 cm) with associated hyperemia and focal ulceration of the bladder mucosa. In horse 1, hemogram, serum biochemical analysis, and renal ultrasound were not performed because of owner finances. In horse 2, results from hematological and serum biochemical analys...
Pathological bradyarrhythmia in horses. Pathological bradyarrhythmia is rare in horses but should be especially considered when presented with a horse that has signs consistent with episodic weakness or collapse. This paper reviews the literature describing our current knowledge of, and possible mechanisms causing, clinically significant bradyarrhythmia in horses.
Rare Generalized Form of Fungal Dermatitis in a Horse: Case Report. A rare case of spp. dermatitis in a horse is presented. After unrelated, previous surgery and antibiotic treatment, a saddle horse showed well-circumscribed areas of non-pruritic alopecia. Suspecting allergic skin disease, the horse was treated with corticosteroids. The skin lesion spread, and a second veterinarian was consulted. At clinical examination, the horse was lethargic, pyretic and hair was shedding/easily epilated over the head, neck, shoulders, and legs and the hind legs were swollen. Blood analysis revealed mild leucocytosis and hyperglobulinemia. Hair, skin scraping, and skin bio...
Cervical Epidural and Subarachnoid Catheter Placement in Standing Adult Horses. Horses underwent either cervical epidural space (CES) catheterization or subarachnoid space (SAS) catheterization while restrained in stocks, under deep sedation (detomidine and morphine) and local anesthesia (mepivacaine 2%) block. Catheters were placed under ultrasound guidance with visualization of the dura, SAS, and spinal cord between the first (C1) and second (C2) cervical vertebrae. Following sedation and sterile skin preparation, operator 1 placed under ultrasound guidance, a 6- or 8-inch Tuohy needle with the bevel oriented caudally. For CES, a 6-inch Touhy needle was used with the ha...
Digit innervation of the thoracic limb of Criollo horses: Anatomical description and consequences to perineural blocks. Criollo horse breeding is an important economic activity in South America. Because of their athletic performance, these animals tend to show great incidence of musculoskeletal disorders, many of them diagnosed by means of perineural blocks. However, incorrect interpretation of these blocks may be due to anatomical differences in nerve distribution. The objective of this study was to describe the innervation of the digit region of thoracic limbs in Criollo horses, in order to improve the interpretation of tests for claudication diagnosis based on nerve block. Thirty thoracic limbs from Criollo ...
Antinociceptive Effect of Intravenous Regional Analgesia in Horses Underwent Selected Short-Time Distal Limb Surgeries. The aim of the present study was to establish appropriate doses for both lidocaine hydrochloride (Hcl) and mepivacaine in intravenous regional analgesia (IVRA) and to assess their intraoperative and postoperative analgesic effects in horses with distal limb surgeries. A total of 55 draft horses were included in the present study. Six clinically healthy horses were selected randomly for establishing the doses of lidocaine Hcl and mepivacaine in IVRA in horse limbs. After selection, 32 horses suffered from various distal limb surgical affections were randomly allocated into three groups: thiopen...
Use of autologous fascia lata graft to repair a complex corneal ulcer in a mare. Application of an autogenous fascia lata graft in the treatment of keratomalacia in the horse has not been reported. The present case describes the use of an autologous fascia lata graft to surgically treat a complicated corneal ulcer in a horse. Methods: A 12-year-old Arabian mare was admitted to Sharjah Equine Hospital with a history of right eye ulcerative keratitis of unknown duration. Following a week of aggressive medical treatment, the condition deteriorated and a keratectomy and pedicle conjunctival graft were performed. A week later, the conjunctival graft partially dehisced and the u...