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.
Incomplete nasomaxillary dysplasia in a foal. Atresia of the nasal punctum is the most common congenital anomaly for the equine nasolacrimal system. Nasomaxillary dysplasia has not been previously documented in foals, is of unknown etiology, and appears to be a rare condition. Conjunctivomaxillary sinostomy was successful in resolving the epiphora.
Microphthalmia, brachygnathia superior, and palatocheiloschisis in a foal associated with griseofulvin administration to the mare during early pregnancy. An 18 year old Friesian mare was treated with griseofulvin for dermatomycosis in the second month of pregnancy. Pregnancy was uneventful and after 331 days a male foal was born. The foal showed bilateral microphthalmia, severe brachygnathia superior, and palatocheiloschisis. The lesions were incompatible with life and the animal was euthanized. As similar lesions have been described in other species associated with griseofulvin administration during pregnancy, and the development of the eyes and facial bones in the horse occurs in the second month of pregnancy, the lesions most likely can be a...
Cervical meningomyelocele associated with spina bifida in a hydrocephalic miniature colt. Cervical meningomyelocele, spina bifida, and hydrocephalus were diagnosed in a newborn miniature colt that was unable to stand and had a cystic mass in the caudal portion of the dorsal cervical region. Results of physical examination and ultrasonographic imaging of the brain supported the diagnosis of hydrocephalus. Results of radiographic evaluation of the vertebral column were consistent with spina bifida at C5-C6. Fluid aspirated from the cervical mass resembled CSF. Radiography of the cervical region after injection of iohexol into the mass revealed herniation of the spinal cord through a ...
Congenital polyalveolar lobe in three foals. Three cases of congenital polyalveolar lobe (pulmonary hamartoma) were diagnosed in female Thoroughbred foals. Foal 1 was born at full term but died shortly afterwards. Foal 2 was aborted at the seventh month of gestation. Parturition was induced at the tenth month of gestation in foal 3 because it developed hydrops of the amnion and ascites. In all three foals, the polyalveolar lobe occurred on the right side and affected the entire right lung. In each case, the right lung formed a tumour-like mass, and expanded into the left chest cavity. The lung masses were pink to dark red and spongy to r...
A case-control study of the congenital hypothyroidism and dysmaturity syndrome of foals. A case-control study was conducted to identify risk factors for the congenital hypothyroidism and dysmaturity syndrome of foals. A questionnaire was used during personal interviews of foal owners and farm managers to collect information on animal signalment, farm environment, and mare management. Information on 39 foals with the congenital hypothyroidism and dysmaturity syndrome were compared with 39 control foals. Foals with the syndrome had a significantly (P < 0.0001) longer gestation (357.6 d) than control foals (338.9 d). Pregnant mares that were fed greenfeed, did not receive any supplem...
[Polydactyly in a foal–a case report]. Polydactylism, an excess deformity in a foal is described. The hereditary pathology and etiopathogenesis are discussed. A method of surgical correction of the deformed extremity is introduced. Indication and prognosis of the surgical correction of polydactylism and aspects concerning the breeding management are discussed.
The diagnosis and surgical correction of congenital portosystemic vascular anomalies in two calves and two foals. Two calves and two foals presented with episodic clinical signs of diffuse central nervous system disease. Portosystemic anomalies were tentatively diagnosed based on the history, clinical signs and increased serum concentrations of blood ammonia and total serum bile acids with normal concentrations of liver derived enzymes. one calf died before intraoperative contrast portography, whereas the other calf and both foals had marked clinical improvement after intensive medical therapy. Surgical correction was attempted in these three animals and was successful in one foal. A right paracostal celi...
[Congenital bile duct cysts and liver fibrosis in a foal]. A three-week-old foal was submitted to the clinic because of a minor traumatic injury at the lower jaw. At admission the foal exhibited diarrhea, a distended abdomen and reduced general condition. These findings could not be associated with the injury. On abdominal radiography decreased abdominal detail and a dorsocaudal displacement of the intestine was present. Ultrasonographically multiple fluid-filled cystic structures of several centimeters in diameter were identified. These cystic structures appeared to be associated with the liver. At laparotomy and at necropsy the liver was markedly en...
Multiple congenital cardiac anomalies and idiopathic thoracic aortitis in a horse. An echocardiographical and clinical pathological investigation of the rapid loss of weight by a yearling thoroughbred filly revealed an atrial septal defect, a ventricular septal defect and hyperfibrinogenaemia. A post mortem examination confirmed the cardiac abnormalities and revealed a severe thoracic aortitis. It is proposed that the idiopathic thoracic aortitis contributed to the horse's compromised cardiovascular homoeostasis.
Congenital cleft vertebral centrum and intra- and extraspinal cyst in a foal. A midsagittal centrum cleft of T5-6, malformation and fusion of T3-7, intra- and extraspinal cyst, and myelodysplasia were found in a 3-month-old female Arabian foal that had experienced posterior ataxia since birth. Based on studies in other species, ecto-endodermal adhesions early in embryogenesis leading to formation of an enterogenous cyst is the most probable pathogenesis.
Chyloabdomen in a neonatal foal. A 12-hour-old female standardbred foal developed signs of abdominal pain, tachycardia, tachypnoea and fever associated with chylous ascites. Small intestinal obstruction was due to segmental, mid-jejunal lymphangiectasia. Post mortem examination revealed a lack of communication between afferent and efferent lymphatic vessels in the mesenteric lymphocentre, a defect which was suspected to be congenital.
[Two congenital anomalies of the urinary tract in warmblood horses: ectopia ureteris and diverticulum vesicae]. Two cases of congenital anomalies of the urinary tract of horses are described. In case 1 there was an ectopia ureteris sinistri in an one-year-old mare. The animal showed urinary incontinence without affects of the general condition. The diagnosis was made by rectal, ultrasonic and vaginoscopic examination. Therapeutically a nephrectomy of the left kidney was carried out. In case 2 a six-year-old gelding had a congenital diverticulum at the neck of the urinary bladder. It showed colic during urination, dropping of urine and haematuria. The diagnosis was made by rectal exploration, ultrasonic ...
Congenital abnormalities of tendons and ligaments. Congenital deformities of tendons and ligaments are not uncommon in foals. The vast majority of hyperextension deformities are treated successfully with exercise management and extended heel shoes. Successful treatment of contractural deformities depend on the site and severity of the deformity and on the appropriate use of medical, physical, and, possibly, surgical therapy.
Bilateral hind limb hypoplasia in a foal. Hypoplasia affecting both hind limbs was observed in a neonatal foal. Scintigraphy aided in establishing diagnosis and prognosis. Radiography revealed an abnormally shaped middle phalanx and lack of the distal phalanx and navicular bone in the right hind limb, with an abnormally shaped distal phalanx and navicular bone in the left hind limb. Scintigraphic findings were closely correlated with the radiographic findings. Radiographic and scintigraphic findings were confirmed at postmortem examination.
[The “lethal white foal” syndrome]. The lethal white foal syndrome (congenital intestinal aganglionosis) was diagnosed by history, clinical signs and pathological findings in a female foal, born in March 1992, that was an offspring of two overo-spotted paint horses. The syndrome is a congenital innervation defect of the gastrointestinal tract. A literature review of this condition, relatively unknown in Germany, is given.
Torsion in quadrupeds and its impact on mammalian joints. Congenital and acquired torsion occur in the limbs of domestic animals. Congenital abnormalities are of clinical significance in foals; they are also seen in calves whose dams have ingested certain toxic plants that contain teratogenic agents. Acquired torsional deformities are most common in foals, but are also observed in adult horses, dogs, and llamas. Acquired rotational deformities are almost always associated with angular limb deformities. The clinical consequence of torsional deformities is the early development of degenerative joint disease.
A 64,X,i(Xq) karyotype in a standardbred filly. Chromosomal analysis is not a routine examination in equine
practice. It is indicated, however, in infertile or subfertile
mares with small, inactive ovaries (Chandley et a/. 1975;
Power 1986).
The most commonly reported abnormalities in mares
concern sex chromosomes such as 63,XO and mosaic
63,XO/64,XX giving sterile mares and 64,XY resulting in
gonadal dysgenesis, sex reversal and testicular feminisation
(Power 1990). The phenotypic manifestations of a horse with
these karyotypic abnormalities are usually quite mild
compared with the corresponding abnormalities in man. These
mild ...
Renal dysplasia and benign ureteropelvic polyps associated with hydronephrosis in a foal. A 4-month-old male Trakehner foal with a history of hematuria, poor growth, and abnormal hair was found to have unilateral hydronephrosis and hydroureter, as determined by ultrasonography and surgical exploration. Nephrectomy and ureterectomy were performed as treatment. Gross examination of the ureter and kidney revealed renal pelvic and ureteral polyps causing obstruction and subsequent hydronephrosis. The histologic features were consistent with renal dysplasia. The polyps and renal dysplasia were likely to be congenital, but the etiopathogenesis is not known. The finding that urinary outfl...
Musculoskeletal disorders of the neonate. Musculoskeletal disorders in newborn foals are complex, multifactorial, and associated with prematurity, dysmaturity, and twinning. They include incomplete ossification of cuboidal bones, tendon laxity, congenital angular limb deformities, septic arthritis, osteomyelitis, and septicemia. Other deformities associated with nutrition, large size, and rapid growth include osteochondrosis, physitis, ruptured tendons, acquired flexural deformities, and postnatal angular limb deformities. Optimal management of the complexly interrelated musculoskeletal disorders of the neonate also is discussed.
Congenital choanal restriction in 3 horses. This study investigates the rare congenital defect known as atresia choana in horses, a condition that obstructs the animals’ nose breathing. The research centers on three horses with this condition. […]
Causes of abortion, stillbirth, and perinatal death in horses: 3,527 cases (1986-1991). Pathology case records of 3,514 aborted fetuses, stillborn foals, or foals that died < 24 hours after birth and of 13 placentas from mares whose foals were weak or unthrifty at birth were reviewed to determine the cause of abortion, death, or illness. Fetoplacental infection caused by bacteria (n = 628), equine herpesvirus (143), fungi (61), or placentitis (351), in which an etiologic agent could not be defined, was the most common diagnosis. Complications of birth, including neonatal asphyxia, dystocia, or trauma, were the second most common cause of mortality and were diagnosed in 19% of the...