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.
From Keratoma to Anaplastic Malignant Melanoma in a Horse’s Hoof. Melanomas in horses are most often associated with gray, older horses with an average age of over 16 years. Anaplastic malignant melanoma, however, can very rarely affect non-gray horses. Herein, we report a case of a 16-year-old Wielkopolski gelding with a chronic lameness caused by a mass in the hoof. The first resection of the lesion and histopathological examination confirmed the presence of a keratoma. The regrown mass and persistent lameness resulted in another mass resection. The second histopathological examination result suggested a neoplastic growth of melanocytic origin with a low h...
Effects of the Ingestion of Ripe Mangoes on the Squamous Gastric Region in the Horse. Erosions and gastric ulcers may be present in horses at any age and under different conditions of rearing and handling. In tropical regions, horses can feed on fruits rich in soluble carbohydrates, such as mangoes, but little is known about how these foods interact with their digestive systems. To test the hypothesis that the ingestion of ripe mangoes with peels could cause disturbances in the digestive processes of horses, an experiment was developed to monitor animals that had free access to ripe mangoes in their pasture areas. Horses (purebred Arabians, n = 5; ~340 kg, ~13 years) were evalu...
Methods Used for Endotracheal Tube Cuff Inflation and Pressure Verification in Veterinary Medicine: A Questionnaire on Current Practice. Endotracheal intubation is a routine procedure in veterinary anaesthesia, yet no consensus guidelines exist for endotracheal tube (ETT) cuff inflation and pressure measurement. The aim of this study was to assess current practice of ETT cuff inflation and seal verification in veterinary medicine. An online questionnaire was distributed among veterinary professionals who administer anaesthesia, comprising six demographic and twelve ETT cuff-related questions per species. N = 348 questionnaires were completed. Cuff pressure was measured by 30% of respondents in cats, 32% in dogs and 9% in both f...
Eosinophilic Inflammation and Equine Herpesvirus-1 Associated With Haemorrhagic Cystitis in a Horse. Case Report. Equine idiopathic haemorrhagic cystitis (EIHC) is a recently described form of aseptic cystitis in horses in which there is no discernible underlying cause. This case report describes a 9-year-old Thoroughbred gelding that presented with stranguria, pollakiuria, and haematuria. Cystoscopy revealed ulceration and haemorrhage of the bladder mucosa, diffuse mural hyperaemia and marked urine sedimentation. Histopathological evaluation of the bladder revealed chronic active ulcerative neutrophilic, lymphoplasmacytic, and eosinophilic cystitis. There was no bacterial or fungal growth upon culture bu...
[Unilateral mandibular fracture in horse – Treatment with fixateur externe, a complication during implant removal and procedure for removal of implant fragments]. The first part of this case report describes the surgical treatment of a unilateral mandibular fracture in the standing horse by using a fixateur type I. By the time of implant removal, the fracture had completely healed. However, during implant removal, an implant failure of 2 of the 4 implants occurred with fragments remaining in the bone. The second part of the report focuses on the development of a special surgical instrument that was designed for removal of the implant fragments. Furthermore, the surgical method allowing the entire extirpation of the fragments within a second surgery is d...
Ultrasound-guided injection technique of the equine cervical nerve roots. Radiculopathy in horses is often a diagnosis of exclusion because of the non-specific clinical signs related to neck pain and possible forelimb lameness. There are no reported treatment options in the equine veterinary literature. The purpose of the study was to describe an ultrasound-guided injection of the cervical nerve root C3 to C8, to evaluate accuracy, time and safety and to anticipate possible complications on clinical cases. Under general anesthesia and with ultrasound guidance, five horses were injected from C3 to C8 with 1.5mL mix of contrast and latex. Immediately after euthanasia,...
Prevalence of Gastric Ulceration in Horses with Enterolithiasis Compared with Horses with Simple Large Intestinal Obstruction. Enterolithiasis is a well-documented cause of colic in horses, especially in some geographic areas such as California and Florida. This retrospective case-control study aims at comparing the prevalence of gastric ulcers in horses affected by enterolithiasis to that in horses affected by other types of large intestinal obstruction. Two hundred and ninety-six horses were included in the study sample. Horses that had surgery for the removal of one or more enteroliths were included in the study as cases. Patients that had surgery for large intestinal simple obstructions other than enterolithiasis ...
Subtotal Ovariohysterectomy Following Fetal Maceration and Pyometra in a Maiden Welsh Pony Mare. Fetal maceration and pyometra were diagnosed in a 16-year-old maiden Welsh pony mare. Due to anatomical and surgical difficulties encountered throughout treatment, previously reported techniques including both per-vaginum removal of fetal remnants and ovariohysterectomy were attempted and resulted in novel complications. Fetal bones were unable to be removed completely transcervically due to failure of cervical dilation despite repeated attempts. Subsequent surgical complications such as inadequate exposure of the uterus and incorporation of fetal bones into the uterine stump following ovarioh...
Intra-articular 2.5% polyacrylamide hydrogel, a new concept in the medication of equine osteoarthritis: A review. Recent clinical and experimental trials have demonstrated that intra-articular 2.5% Polyacrylamide hydrogel (PAAG) is highly effective (82.5% free of lameness horses at 2 year follow-up), lasting and safe for the treatment of equine osteoarthritis (OA). Over the last decade, intra-articular 2.5% PAAG has shown to be a potent and promising drug in the medication of OA in horses, as no other single medical treatment for OA has such prolonged efficacy. Most of these studies were presenting some limitations. Preliminary observations on the mechanisms of action of intra-articular 2.5% PAAG support ...
Treatment of a Mandibular Diastemal Fracture Using Locking Compression Plate and Cerclage Wire in a Mare. This report describes the combination of two surgical fracture repair techniques and the postoperative management of a mandibular diastemal fracture in a two-year-old mare. The mare was referred to a veterinary hospital with a laceration over the body of the right mandible. Radiographic assessment revealed two mesial fracture lines involving the second premolar tooth and a ventrally displaced bone fragment. The mare was treated under general anesthesia and the fracture was corrected using open reduction and plate fixation. A 3.5 mm narrow 15-hole locking compression plate with seven locking ...
Survey on the recognition, attitudes, and experience of horse owners during episodes of equine colic in Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. Horse owners are crucial in recognizing colic because they are responsible for identifying the signs of colic and deciding whether to seek veterinary intervention. Common reasons for delayed response to clinical issues include lack of understanding or knowledge of the subject and difficulty in recognizing subtle clinical signs of abdominal pain. Examining horse owners' basic knowledge of colic, their motivations, obstacles in seeking veterinary care, and their responses to the various clinical symptoms manifested during colic will identify current knowledge gaps and decision-making barriers. T...
Comparison of thoracic ultrasonography and thoracic radiography between healthy adult horses and horses with bacterial pneumonia using a novel, objective ultrasonographic scoring system. Thoracic ultrasonography (TUS) is widely used in equine practice but comparison to radiography is limited in horses. Unassigned: To validate a novel, objective scoring system for TUS in adult horses and to compare ultrasonographic and radiographic findings. Unassigned: 13 healthy horses and 9 with confirmed bacterial pneumonia. Unassigned: Prospective study in which TUS and radiography were performed on healthy horses and those with bacterial pneumonia confirmed by clinical signs and results of transtracheal wash analysis. Ultrasonography was scored utilizing a novel scoring system evaluating ...
Identification of an ectopic periorbital lymph node in two horses. To describe the clinical presentation and treatment of an ectopic periorbital lymph node in two young horses. Two warm-blood horses were presented at the equine clinic of the University of Liège with a periorbital non-painful mass. Differential diagnosis included neoplasm (lymphoma), (sterile) abscess, cyst, ectopic lacrimal gland tissue, hematoma, adipose tissue, or ectopic lymphoid tissue. Information collected included physical and ophthalmic examination findings, results of the ocular and periocular ultrasound, surgical procedure, histopathology, and follow-up. Masses of 2 × 2 cm and 3 Ã...
Changes in Head, Withers, and Pelvis Movement Asymmetry in Lame Horses as a Function of Diagnostic Anesthesia Outcome, Surface and Direction. Evaluation of diagnostic anesthesia during equine lameness examination requires comparison of complex movement patterns and can be influenced by expectation bias. There is limited research about how changes in movement asymmetries after successful analgesia are affected by different exercise conditions. Movement asymmetry of head, withers and pelvis was quantified in N = 31 horses undergoing forelimb or hindlimb diagnostic anesthesia. Evaluation on a straight line and a circle was performed with subjective diagnostic anesthesia outcome and quantitative changes recorded. Mixed linear mode...
Equine Odontoclastic Tooth Resorption and Hypercementosis. Equine odontoclastic tooth resorption and hypercementosis (EOTRH) is a recently described painful and progressive condition of unknown etiology that occurs in middle-aged and geriatric equines. It predominantly affects the permanent incisor and canine teeth and, less commonly, the premolar and molar dentition. EOTRH was first reported in peer-reviewed literature in 2008, with subsequent publications of case reports, histological studies and retrospective case series. There have been few significant research developments related to this disease. The existing studies have primarily involved sing...
Anti-nociceptive efficacy of the soluble epoxide hydrolase inhibitor t-TUCB in horses with mechanically induced lameness. Soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) inhibitors are novel anti-inflammatory and analgesic agents that could improve pain management in horses. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the anti-nociceptive effect of a single-dose intravenous administration of the sEH inhibitor trans-4-{4-[3-(4-trifluro-methoxy-phenyl)-ureido]-cyclohexyloxy}-benzoic acid (t-TUCB) using an adjustable heart bar shoe (a-HBS) model of lameness. We hypothesized that t-TUCB would improve objective and subjective lameness measures compared to the control. Methods: Reversible lameness was induced in 8 horses for 24...
Bilateral Change in Vertical Hoof Force Distribution in Horses with Unilateral Forelimb Lameness before and after Successful Diagnostic Anaesthesia. Kinetic examinations of horses with induced lameness as well as the effect of perineural anaesthesia in sound horses have shown promise, but clinical studies regarding the effect of diagnostic anaesthesia during the different stance phases are rare. Fourteen horses with unilateral forelimb lameness were examined with the Hoofâ„¢ System during trot to assess vertical force distribution (in kg) affecting both front hooves before and after diagnostic anaesthesia during landing, midstance, and breakover. For statistical analysis, a covariance analysis with repeated measurements regarding the limb ...
Development of a Novel Approach for Detection of Equine Lameness Based on Inertial Sensors: A Preliminary Study. Both as an aid for less experienced clinicians and to enhance objectivity and sharp clinical skills in professionals, quantitative technologies currently bring the equine lameness diagnostic closer to evidence-based veterinary medicine. The present paper describes an original, inertial sensor-based wireless device system, the Lameness Detector 0.1, used in ten horses with different lameness degrees in one fore- or hind-leg. By recording the impulses on three axes of the incorporated accelerometer in each leg of the assessed horse, and then processing the data using custom-designed software, th...
CT measures of osseous cervicothoracic intervertebral foramina are repeatable and associated with CT measures of adjacent articular processes in horses. Narrowing of the equine cervicothoracic intervertebral foramina (IF) has the potential to cause forelimb lameness and/or neck pain although limited information is available on CT of the IF. The aims of this retrospective, analytical study were to describe a protocol for quantifying CT cervicothoracic IF size; evaluate the repeatability of IF size measures; test associations between IF size and adjacent articular process (AP) size, ventral extent, and anatomic location; and determine the proportion of IF with narrowing. Computed tomographic images were acquired in 20 Warmblood horses that prese...
Large Colon Volvulus in a Neonatal Foal Secondary to Atresia Coli. An 18 hours old foal presented with a suspected meconium impaction. There was no response to treatment and a tentative diagnosis of atresia coli (AC) was made. Surgical intervention was declined and the foal was euthanized 12 hours after admission. Type 3 AC was confirmed on post-mortem examination, with the colon ending at the left ventral colon. A 1,080 large colon volvulus (LCV) at the sternal flexure was present. It is speculated that AC could predispose the foal to LCV. Histopathology was not performed but would be useful in further cases of AC.
Clinical, Diagnostic and Histological Findings Involving Cheek Teeth Hypercementosis in Nine Horses. Hypercementosis is infrequently reported to affect the cheek teeth of horses and presents as mineral deposits either attached (peripheral) or solitary ovoid (nodular) structures in the tooth bearing region. There is overlap between radiological and histological appearance of hypercementosis, cementoma, and equine odontoclastic tooth resorption and hypercementosis (EOTRH). The clinical presentation, imaging features, surgical management, and histological findings of nine horses that presented for dental lesions and associated hypercementosis of cheek teeth are reported. Horses were 4-15 years o...
The bactericidal effect of two photoactivated chromophore for keratitis-corneal crosslinking protocols (standard vs. accelerated) on bacterial isolates associated with infectious keratitis in companion animals. Bacterial corneal infections are common and potentially blinding diseases in all species. As antibiotic resistance is a growing concern, alternative treatment methods are an important focus of research. Photoactivated chromophore for keratitis-corneal crosslinking (PACK-CXL) is a promising oxygen radical-mediated alternative to antibiotic treatment. The main goal of this study was to assess the anti-bactericidal efficacy on clinical bacterial isolates of the current standard and an accelerated PACK-CXL treatment protocol delivering the same energy dose (5.4Â J/cm2). Methods: Clinical bacterial...
Alterations to the synovial invaginations of the navicular bone are associated with pathology of both the navicular apparatus and distal interphalangeal joint when evaluated using high field MRI. Limited information exists regarding associations between distal interphalangeal joint (DIPJ) abnormalities and synovial invagination changes in the distal sesamoid (navicular) bone. This retrospective, analytical study aimed to measure specific characteristics of the synovial invaginations of the navicular bone to determine whether any single characteristic was associated with abnormalities in the DIPJ or navicular apparatus (NA) using high field MRI and a sample of 200 horses' feet. The DIPJ and NA were graded independently by three scorers. The grades were averaged, creating a global pathol...
Use of the SGLT2 inhibitor canagliflozin for control of refractory equine hyperinsulinemia and laminitis. Hyperinsulinemia associated with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) and/or equine metabolic syndrome is well documented to put horses at high risk of laminitis. While dietary control of simple sugars and starch is the most effective therapy to control hyperinsulinemia, some horses fail to respond. Ten horses with hyperinsulinemia refractory to diet control, metformin, levothyroxine, and pergolide (if diagnosed with PPID) were treated with sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor canagliflozin (Invokana®). Nine horses were hyperglycemic (>5.5 mmol/l) or had a history of hyperglycemia...
Biomechanical Comparison of a Headless Compression Screw Fastener and AO Cortical Bone Screw for Fixation of a Simulated Equine Third Carpal Bone Slab Fracture. Frontal plane slab fractures account for the majority of third carpal bone (C3) fractures in racing and performance horses. Recommended treatment is stabilization with a lagged AO cortical screw. Associated complications are fragment splitting, fragment spinning, and irritation of dorsal soft tissue structures. A novel, headless, cannulated screw with interlocking threads the Headless Compression Screw Fastener (HCSF) has been developed to resist multidirectional forces and bending moments; however, it has not been applied in the horse. Simulated C3 frontal plane slab fractures were created in...
Preliminary evaluation of the effects of a 1:1 inspiratory-to-expiratory ratio in anesthetized and ventilated horses. To describe some cardiorespiratory effects of an inspiratory-to-expiratory (IE) ratio of 1:1 compared with 1:3 in ventilated horses in dorsal recumbency. Methods: Randomized crossover experimental study. Methods: A total of eight anesthetized horses, with 444 (330-485) kg body weight [median (range)]. Methods: Horses were ventilated in dorsal recumbency with a tidal volume of 15 mL kg and a respiratory rate of 8 breaths minute, and IE ratios of 1:1 (IE1:1) and 1:3 (IE1:3) in random order, each for 25 minutes after applying a recruitment maneuver. Spirometry, arterial blood gases and dobutamine...
An Extra-Articular Surgical Approach to Subchondral Bone Cysts in the Humeral Head and Talus in Two Horses. To date, only a few reports describe the treatment. The present report describes an extraarticular surgical approach, with the insertion of an absorbable implant, to treat a Subchondral cystic lesion (SCL) in the humeral head 3year old racing Thoroughbred & in the talus of a 11year old Arabian horse. SCLs were radiographically visible and associated with severe lameness. Scintigraphy showed focal intense radiopharmaceutical uptake in both cases, and CT scan revealed signs of osteoarthrosis associated with SCL in the talus. The use of a biocompatible, osteoinductive and osteoconductive implant ...