Topic:Congenital Disorders
Congenital disorders in horses encompass a range of structural, functional, or metabolic anomalies present at birth. These disorders may arise from genetic mutations, environmental factors, or a combination of both, affecting various systems in the equine body. Common congenital disorders in horses include cleft palate, umbilical hernias, and limb deformities. The diagnosis and management of these conditions require a multidisciplinary approach involving veterinary genetics, surgery, and rehabilitation. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the etiology, diagnosis, and management strategies for congenital disorders in equine medicine.
Diagnosis of cardiac lesions by contrast echocardiography. Contrast M-mode echocardiography was utilized to study animals with congenital and acquired cardiac defects. Contrast was produced through the rapid injection of isotonic NaCl solution, the patient's blood, or indocyanine green dye into the circulation. Peripheral vein and intracardiac injections of contrast material were used to document ventricular septal defect, tetralogy of Fallot, atrial septal defect, and mitral valve regurgitation. The technique was safe and useful for both small and large animals.
Congenital intestinal aganglionosis in white foals. A congenital and probably hereditary neurological defect has been identified in the intestinal tract of six foals produced from the breeding of overo (a type of spotting pattern) horses. The foals had white hair and pink skin with the exception of occasional pigmented foci about the muzzle, ventral abdomen, and hindquarters. The foals appeared normal at birth, but within a few hours developed symptoms of colic. At necropsy, the only significant finding was a narrow, pale segment of large intestine. This abnormality either was confined to the small colon and rectum or involved the entire colon ...
Hereditary lethal arthrogryposis (“muscle contracture”) in horses. In 4 female foals of the Norwegian horse breed, "Fjord Horse", congenital arthrogryposis of the limbs are described. The disorder was mainly limited to the hind limbs and associated with polydactylia and partly with brachygnathia superior and cleft palate. The defective foals were paternal halfsisters of 4 normal foals (1 female + 3 males), sired by the stallion "Bingo" 1804, which was phenotypically quite normal. The disorder being lethal, is possibly caused by a sex-limited or a strongly sex-influenced dominant gene.
Multiple congenital heart anomalies in five Arabian foals. Five Arabian or half-Arabian foals with suspected multiple cardiac anomalies were examined. Various combinations of clinical examination, electrocardiography, angiocardiography, cardiac catheterization, blood gas analysis, radiography, and echocardiography resulted in clinical data that allowed accurate antemortem diagnoses to be made. In 4 cases, the clinical diagnosis was substantiated by postmortem findings. The confirmed diagnoses were: pseudotruncus arteriosus, a combination of patent ductus arteriosus, pulmonic stenosis, and tricuspid stenosis, pentalogy of Fallot, and tricuspid atresia....
Pulmonary atresia with dextroposition of the aorta and ventricular septal defect in three Arabian foals. Three Arabian males foals were presented with cyanosis, heart murmur, and exercise intolerance, Results of clinical evaluation suggested a tentative diagnosis of ventricular septal defect in conjunction with malformations of the great arteries. Each foal had a poor prognosis and was killed at the owners' requests. At necropsy, the malformed hearts of the three foals were virtually identical. Each heart had a large defect in the upper interventricular septum. The aorta originated from the hypertrophied right ventricle and partially overrode the ventricular septal defect. The aortic ostium was g...
Ileocolonic aganglionosis in white progeny of overo spotted horses. The congenital absence of myenteric ganglia in the terminal portion of the ileum, cecum, and entire colon of white foals with overo spotted parents was reported. Males as well as females were affected. The foals were generally normal at birth but did not defecate. Signs of colic were noticed between 5 and 24 hours after birth, with death occurring at 23 to 132 hours.
Anatomy and therapeutic resection of the peroneus tertius muscle in a foal. A foal with a congenital flexure deformity of the right hock was unable to walk because of an abnormally short peroneus tertius (PT) muscle. Tension on the muscle origin and insertions limited the dorsal angle of hock extension to a 70-degrees arc. The intrauterine position of the fetus probably caused the defect. All the PT attachments were dissected in several other limbs, and illustrations made from these dissections were used to study the anatomy and surgical approach. Immediately after resection of the PT muscle, the foal's right hock extended an additional 30 degrees. Two months later, t...
Congenital duodenal stenotic diaphragm in the foal. A two-month-old female foal with duodenal stenosis is described. The foal was in poor condition and showed an abnormal stable behaviour. She stood preferably with her head stretched out and reposing on the mare's back or on the stable ridge. Salivation was an important symptom. Clinical and radiological examination of the oral cavity, the pharynx, and the oesophagus showed no abnormalities, except for the antiperistaltic wave along the oesophagus. Because of her bad condition the filly was euthanized. At post mortem examination, apart from leukoplakia, an erosive ulcerative inflammation was fo...
Congenital musculosketal lesions and hyperplastic goitre in foals. Seven foals with multiple congenital musculoskeletal abnormalities are described. Rupture of common digital extensor tendons, forelimb contracture, and mandibular prognathism were common findings. Severe hyperplastic goitre was consistently present.
Carpal bone lesions associated with angular limb deformities in foals. Six foals with angular limb deformities present at birth or shortly after were examined. The limb deformities were caused by abnormalities of the carpal bones and included hypoplasia and osteochondritis dissecans. The 3rd carpal bone was affected most frequently.
Equine congenital cutaneous papillomatosis: a report of 5 cases. Four cases of equine congenital cutaneous papillomatosis were found during a review of 555 cutaneous tumours received at the pathology department, Ontario Veterinary College, during a 10-year period. A fifth case received after that period was also included. Two of the tumours were found in Thoroughbreds, one in a Standardbred, one in an Arabian and in one case the breed was not specified. The anatomical locations were the rib cage, head, hind leg and 2 on the forehead.
Persistent right aortic arch associated with a persistent left ductus arteriosus and an interventricular septal defect in a horse. In this article a description is given of the clinical and postmortem findings of a persistent right aortic arch in association with a persistent left ductus arteriosus and a ventricular septal defect in a horse.
A probable congenital diaphragmatic defect in an adult pony. The presenting signs exhibited by a pony with a large diaphragmatic defect of probable developmental origin are described. The results of clinical examination, laparotomy and post mortem examination are presented.