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.
Fetal Membrane Removal in the Mare: Proactive Versus Reactive Approaches. Retained fetal membranes are the most common postpartum condition in mares. Although the incidence of retained fetal membranes is low, the consequences for the health of the mare can be severe (metritis, endotoxemia, laminitis, death). Oxytocin administration is often the first line of therapy for management of retained fetal membranes. Removal of fetal membranes using umbilical vessel infusion and manual membrane removal are effective tools for reducing risks associated with abnormally heavy membranes, retained membranes, or for mares that are geographically limited for veterinary care.
Single-stage reconstruction of third-degree perineal lacerations in horses under general anesthesia: Utrecht repair method. To describe perioperative management, surgical procedure, and outcome in mares with third-degree perineal lacerations (TDPL) treated with a single-stage repair, the Utrecht repair method (URM). Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Twenty mares with TDPL. Methods: Medical records of mares with TDPL reconstructed with a URM were reviewed for perioperative management; surgical outcome; and postoperative fertility, athletic performance, and complications. Results: Mares ranged in age from 3.5 to 11 years. Long-term follow-up was available for 13 mares. Mean duration of follow-up was 9 years ...
Experimentally Induced Open Pneumothorax in Horses. The objective of this study was to evaluate clinical and cardiovascular parameters and pleural and intra-abdominal pressures of horses after experimentally induced unilateral open pneumothorax. Prospective, experimental study-animals: seven healthy adult horses, 4 females and 3 males. Left hemithorax thoracotomy was carried out to create an open pneumothorax for 60 minutes. Pleural pressure (P) was directly obtained at the midpoint of the left eighth intercostal space before thoracotomy. Esophageal pressure (P), arterial blood gas analysis, left ventricular function, and ultrasonographic asses...
Standing MRI for surgical planning of equine fracture repair. To report the feasibility of standing MRI (sMRI) and document the value of sMRI in surgical planning for surgical repair of limb fractures in the horse. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Thirty-one horses with preoperative sMRI. Methods: Medical records were reviewed for fracture type, application of a polyester cast, sMRI sequences performed, technical variables, and image quality. Fracture geometry and concomitant lesions were compared between sMRI and radiography. The relative value of sMRI with regard to surgical planning was classified as minor (sMRI did not provide additional ...
Surgical corrections and postsurgical complications of epiglottic entrapment in Thoroughbreds: 12 cases (2009-2015). Twelve Thoroughbred racehorses were diagnosed as epiglottic entrapment at the Korea Racing Authority equine hospital. Four different surgical correction techniques were used to treat epiglottic entrapment: the transnasal hook bistoury, transoral unshielded hook bistoury, transnasal shielded hook bistoury, and transendoscopic laser techniques. Eleven cases were surgically resolved eventually, with one case of recurrence. Five complications related to surgical correction occurred: a severe nasal passage laceration and bleeding (n=1), epiglottic laceration (n=1), epiglottis tip burns (n=2), and m...
A retrospective comparison of induction with thiopental/guaifenesin and propofol/ketamine in Thoroughbred racehorses anesthetized with sevoflurane and medetomidine during arthroscopic surgery. This study compares clinical characteristics between induction with thiopental/guaifenesin and propofol/ketamine in Thoroughbred racehorses anesthetized with sevoflurane and medetomidine. Clinical records of 214 horses that underwent arthroscopic surgery between 2015 and 2016 were retrospectively retrieved. Horses were premedicated with medetomidine and midazolam to sedate at the adequate level for smooth induction, and then induced with either thiopental (4.0 mg/kg) and guaifenesin (100 mg/kg) in Group TG (n=91) or propofol (1.0 mg/kg) and ketamine (1.0 mg/kg) in Group PK (n=123). Anesthesia ...
Surgical Repair of an Occipital Meningocele in a Foal. There are no previous reports of cranial meningocele in horses. In this report, we present the case of a 1-day-old male Quarter Horse that was born with a mass in the occipital region. The newborn was brought to the veterinary hospital, and a meningocele was diagnosed. The patient then underwent surgical closure of the defect. After an initial favorable response, the patient displayed signs of infection. The antibiotic therapy was changed, and the patient's condition improved. On the 13th postoperative day, the patient exhibited ataxia, difficulty standing, and limb hypertonia. Hydrocephalus w...
Intra-articular anaesthesia of the equine stifle improves foot lameness. Equine diagnostic anaesthesia can be a useful tool in challenging lameness examinations. However, anaesthetics diffuse over time leading to nonspecific desensitisation of periarticular structures. Nerves that convey sensation from the distal limb to the central nervous system pass in close proximity to the caudal stifle joint capsule. Therefore, diffusion of intra-articular (IA) anaesthetics could cause inadvertent desensitisation of the distal limb resulting in a false diagnosis of stifle lameness. Objective: To determine if IA stifle anaesthesia can alleviate lameness originating in the dist...
Otitis externa in eight horses – clinical signs, treatment and prognosis. Otitis externa is rare in horses and the condition is poorly described in the literature. Objective: To describe clinical signs, treatment regimens and prognosis of otitis externa in horses. Methods: Eight horses diagnosed with otitis externa during 2011-2018. Methods: Retrospective review of medical records and follow-up contact with owners. Results: Common clinical signs seen in affected horses were pruritus, ear discharge and ear droop of affected ears. The most common cytological findings were neutrophils, bacteria and yeast. All horses responded well to treatment; two horses were reported...
Percutaneous transcatheter closure of an aorto-cardiac fistula in a six-year-old Warmblood mare with atrial fibrillation. This report describes a rare case of an aorto-cardiac fistula in a six-year-old French Warmblood mare presented with atrial fibrillation, decreased performance, ventral oedema, bounding arterial pulsation and pathological jugular venous pulse. A 2.7-cm-diameter fistula connected the right aortic sinus of Valsalva to the right atrium. Atrial fibrillation was likely due to volume overload of the right heart due to left-to-right shunting. The horse was treated by percutaneous transcatheter closure of the fistula delivered under general anaesthesia using a transarterial approach. The operation was...
Indirect Blood Pressure Measurement in Horses: Is There an Influence of Age, Sex, Breed, Bodyweight, and Cardiac Diseases on Pressure Values? Only few data regarding normal resting blood pressure in horses and the influence of cardiac diseases on arterial blood pressure are available in literature. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the possible influence of age, sex, breed, bodyweight, and cardiac diseases and their severity on blood pressure values measured in horses with cardiac disease and in a control group. For this case-control study, indirect blood pressure measurement was performed in 60 horses with different types of cardiac disease and in 23 healthy horses (control group), by means of an ultrasonic blood-...
Surgical treatment of a penetrated metallic foreign body in the oral cavity wall of a mare. One of the reasons of weight loss and poor performance in horses is decrease in food intake. Oral cavity problems can cause malfunctions in prehension and deglutition resulting in dysphagia. There are few published reports about a metallic foreign body disorders in the oral cavity of horses due to an important role of their flexible lip and incisor teeth in food selection and prehension. This report describes the history, clinical, hematological and radiographic findings and surgical management of a left oral wall fistula formation due to a piece of wire penetration in a pregnant mare. The wir...
Plasma concentrations at two dexmedetomidine constant rate infusions in isoflurane anaesthetized horses: a clinical study. To determine dexmedetomidine plasma concentrations at two infusion rates in isoflurane anaesthetized horses and compare cardiovascular effects and anaesthetic recovery between treatments. Methods: Prospective, randomized, masked clinical study. Methods: Healthy, adult, client-owned, non-food producing horses presented for castration. Methods: Premedication consisted of acepromazine, romifidine and morphine, and anaesthesia was induced with ketamine and midazolam. The horses were randomized to receive dexmedetomidine 0.5 μg kg hour (treatment DL, n = 7) or 1.75 μg kg hour (treatment DH, n =...
Girthiness: Retrospective Study of 37 Horses (2004-2016). Girth aversion or girthiness is a nonspecific clinical sign anecdotally associated with multiple conditions in the horse (behavioral problems, gastric ulcers, back pain); however, studies have not been conducted to definitively correlate this clinical sign to specific pathologies. This retrospective study aims to describe the clinical signs and final diagnoses of 37 horses evaluated at the University of California, Davis with a presenting complaint of girthiness. Medical records of all horses presented to the veterinary hospital between 2004 and 2016 for girthiness were reviewed. Twelve horses...
Race-day performance of horses with epiglottic entrapment, and following surgical correction using intra-oral curved bistoury hook in anaesthetised horses. Epiglottic entrapment is a condition in racing horses, associated with abnormal respiratory noises and exercise intolerance. Epiglottic entrapment has been linked to both poor and superior athletic performance, leading to concerns regarding whether surgery is indicated, and whether surgical correction may have a deleterious effect on future race performance. The objective of the current study was to assess the race-day performance of horses racing with epiglottic entrapment and the effect of surgical correction on performance outcomes using an intra-oral technique in anaesthetised horses. A ca...
A “modified Obel” method for the severity scoring of (endocrinopathic) equine laminitis. Laminitis is a common equine disease characterized by foot pain, and is commonly diagnosed using a five-grade Obel system developed in 1948 using sepsis-related cases. However, endocrinopathic laminitis is now the most common form of the disease and clinical signs may be mild, or spread across two Obel grades. This paper describes a modified method which assigns scores to discreet clinical signs, providing a wider scale suitable for use in a research setting. Methods: The "modified Obel" method was developed using an iterative process. First, a prototype method was developed during the detaile...
Prevalence of and risk factors for acute laminitis in horses treated with corticosteroids. A retrospective treated versus untreated study (study 1) and multicentre prospective cohort study (study 2) were undertaken to determine the prevalence of, and risk factors associated with, acute laminitis in horses treated with corticosteroids. All old treated with corticosteroids January-December 2014 (study 1) and January 2015-February 2017 (study 2) by two first opinion and referral hospitals in UK were included. Additionally, an untreated animal was identified for each treated animal (study one). Signalment, body condition (study 2 only), relevant medical history, primary condition, corti...
Diversity, Virulence, and Clinical Significance of Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase- and pAmpC-Producing Escherichia coli From Companion Animals. are opportunistic pathogens with the potential to cause a variety of infections in both humans and animals and in many cases have developed antimicrobial resistance. In this study, we characterized extended-spectrum cephalosporin resistant (ESCR) isolates from diseased companion animals (dogs, cats, and horses) and related the results to clinical findings. ESCR clinical isolates obtained over a 6-year period were screened for extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) and/or plasmid mediated AmpC (pAmpC) and virulence markers likely to be associated with extraintestinal pathogenic (ExPEC). ESBL...
Richter’s hernia in a 3-month-old colt – A rare event. Umbilical hernias are among the most common congenital defects in horses. Complications of umbilical hernias are uncommon, and Richter's hernias are rare. This report describes a case of Richter's hernia in a 3-month-old colt that was presented with signs of acute colic. The foal underwent a herniorrhaphy with intestinal resection and anastomosis. Hernie de Richter chez un poulain âgé de 3 mois — une rare manifestation. Les hernies ombilicales figurent parmi les défauts congénitaux les plus communs chez les chevaux. Les complications des hernies ombilicales sont peu fréquentes et les he...
Presumptive tick paralysis in 2 American Miniature horses in the United States. Tick paralysis has not been reported in horses in North America. Results: Two American Miniature horses were examined for progressive weakness and recumbency. Numerous ticks (Dermacentor variabilis) were found on both horses. Horse 1 was recumbent (grade 5/5 gait deficit) on presentation, whereas Horse 2 was standing but ataxic (grade 4/5 gait deficit) and tetraparetic. Both horses had decreased tongue and tail muscle tone, and had normal spinal reflexes. Cerebrospinal fluid cytology was normal. Equine herpesvirus-1 testing was negative. Unassigned: Ticks were removed within 24 hours of pres...
First report of equine Setaria digitata (von Linstow 1906) infestation in Malaysia. The occurrence of Setaria digitata in a horse is reported for the first time in Malaysia. An 8-year-old Thoroughbred cross mare was referred to the University Veterinary Clinic with the primary complaint of corneal opacity and excessive eye discharge. After initial treatment with Terramycin eye ointment, corneal opacity cleared partially to reveal a moving thread-like cylindrical worm in the anterior chamber of the eye. The parasite was successfully removed surgically, and examination under the light microscope revealed that the isolated worm (length = 45 mm) was a 5th stage larva of S. ...
A Retrospective Study of the Incidence and Management of Complications Associated With Regional Nerve Blocks in Equine Dental Patients. Regional anesthesia of the equine head is commonly performed to allow oral extraction of diseased teeth in the standing horse. The use of 4 blocks (infraorbital nerve, maxillary nerve, mental nerve, and mandibular nerve) is well documented for desensitization of dental quadrants for oral surgery for exodontia, but descriptions of associated complications are limited. A total of 270 regional nerve blocks were performed on 162 equine patients in a second opinion referral hospital setting. Criteria for inclusion in the study included a 24-hour stay in hospital, that the blocks be performed by one...
A histological and ultrastructural study of equine peripheral caries. Peripheral caries (PC) has recently been shown to affect over half of UK and Australian horses. Objective: To examine affected cheek teeth histologically and ultrastructurally, to assess the possible route(s) of carious infection into the dental tissues and to further describe the pathological changes in affected teeth. Methods: Descriptive pathological study. Methods: Four control and 16 cheek teeth with different grades of PC were examined grossly, histologically and by electron microscopy. Results: Cariogenic bacteria from plaque entered peripheral cementum perpendicular to the sides of tee...
Surgical correction of a meningoencephalocele in a thoroughbred filly. To describe the surgical correction of a closed meningoencephalocele in a thoroughbred filly. Methods: Case report. Methods: One thoroughbred filly, 1.5 months old at the time of surgery. Methods: A meningoencephalocele was identified at birth and diagnosed with radiography and MRI. The abnormal tissue was excised and submitted for histopathology, the dura was closed, and the defect in the skull was corrected with a titanium mesh. Results: Histopathology confirmed the presence of neural parenchyma consisting of neurons and glial cells. The filly remained without neurologic deficits 7 month...
Standing Hand-Assisted Laparoscopic Diagnosis and Treatment of a Rare Case of Uterine Adenocarcinoma in an 18-Year-Old Mare. An 18-year-old French Trotter mare was presented to the Clinique Equine, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, for exploration of a 3-month-duration vaginal bleeding. A transrectal ultrasound examination identified a mass within the right uterine horn wall, which had been suspected during transrectal palpation. It was described as a firm heterogeneous intramural mass (7 × 12 cm) in the right uterine horn, located few centimeters cranially to the bifurcation. Hysteroscopy confirmed the ulcerated and irregular shape of the mass. A standing hand-assisted flank laparoscopy was performed to ca...
Bilateral granulosa cell tumor in a cycling mare. A 16-year-old Oldenburg mare was evaluated for stallion-like behavior. The mare had given birth to 2 foals previously. Transrectal palpation revealed bilaterally enlarged ovaries with no palpable ovulation fossa. Ultrasound examination showed both ovaries to have small follicles giving a honeycomb appearance, concurrent with a single large cystic structure in the left ovary (10.2 cm diameter). Serum Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) was elevated (95.7 pmol/L), consistent with granulosa cell tumor (GCT). Both ovaries were removed via flank laparoscopy and were evaluated by histopathology, which con...
Granulomatous Rhinitis in a Horse due to Mycobacterium intracellulare Infection. Mycobacterial infections in horses are uncommon, but are caused most frequently by Mycobacterium bovis of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex or Mycobacterium avium of the M. avium complex. Disease caused by Mycobacterium intracellulare, the second most common species within the M. avium complex, has not been reported in horses to date. Mycobacteriosis in horses most often presents as enteric, pulmonary or, rarely, systemic disease. Here we report a case of M. intracellulare infection in a horse presenting as a granulomatous nasal mass.