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Topic:Diagnosis
Diagnosis in horses involves the systematic identification of diseases and conditions affecting equine health. This process relies on a combination of clinical evaluations, laboratory tests, imaging techniques, and other diagnostic tools to assess the health status of horses. Veterinarians utilize these methods to identify symptoms, determine the underlying causes of health issues, and formulate appropriate treatment plans. Diagnostic procedures in equine medicine can include blood tests, ultrasound, radiography, endoscopy, and more specialized tests such as genetic screening or advanced imaging modalities like MRI and CT scans. This page aggregates peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore various diagnostic techniques, their applications, and advancements in the field of equine veterinary medicine.
[Occurrence and treatment of Bovicola (Damalinia) equi (Linnaeus, 1758) infestation on a thoroughbred horse farm.]. Lice infestations of horses occur mainly during winter months and are characterized by severe pruritus and an unkempt coat. Two lice have been described for equines namely Bovicola (Damalinia) equi and Haemotopinus asini. There is a scarcity of data on the occurrence and prevalence rates of these horse pathogens in Turkey. This paper reports a thoroughbred farm, in which two horses were found to be infested with B. equi. The horses were treated with propoxur and no lice or nymphs could be found after treatment for10 days.
Elevated amount of Toll-like receptor 4 mRNA in bronchial epithelial cells is associated with airway inflammation in horses with recurrent airway obstruction. Recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) is characterized by neutrophilic airway inflammation and obstruction, and stabling of susceptible horses triggers acute disease exacerbations. Stable dust is rich in endotoxin, which is recognized by Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4. In human bronchial epithelium, TLR4 stimulation leads to elevation of interleukin (IL)-8 mRNA expression. The zinc finger protein A20 negatively regulates this pathway. We hypothesized that TLR4 and IL-8 mRNA and neutrophil numbers are elevated and that A20 mRNA is not increased in RAOs during stabling compared with controls and with R...
Acute small intestinal obstruction associated with Parascaris equorum infection in young horses: 25 cases (1985-2004). To retrospectively evaluate the medical and surgical records of horses with acute small intestinal obstructions associated with Parascaris equorum infection; to describe the gastrointestinal lesions; and to determine the outcome of cases with such lesions. Methods: Records of 25 horses with acute small intestinal obstruction associated with P. equorum between 1985 and 2004 were reviewed to determine signalment, history, physical examination, surgical or post-mortem findings, and outcome. Results: All horses except one were less than 12 months old. Standardbreds were over-represented in the pop...
[Detection of leptospira in the vitreous body of horses without ocular diseases and of horses with equine recurrent uveitis (ERU) using transmission-electron microscopy]. Equine recurrent uveitis (ERU) is caused by persistent intraocular leptospira, which appear to use the vitreous body as a refuge. The detection of leptospira in the vitreous body of horses with spontaneous ERU by histological methods has not yet been described. Thirty eight vitreous body samples from 36 horses with ERU (collected during vitrectomy), and 10 vitreous body samples obtained from 5 horses without ocular disease (control group) were examined by transmission electron microscopy. Prior to sample collection, 2 ml of a leptospira culture suspension were injected into the vitreous body o...
Early onset airway obstruction in response to organic dust in the horse. Equine recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) has been used as a naturally occurring model of human asthma. However, it is unknown whether there is an early-phase response in RAO. The aim of this study was to determine whether exposure to organic dust induces immediate changes in lung function in RAO-affected horses, which could be mediated by airway mast cells. Six RAO-affected horses in remission and six control horses were challenged with hay-straw dust suspension by nebulization. Total respiratory resistance at 1 Hz, measured by forced oscillation, was increased from 0.62 +/- 0.09 cmH(2)O.l(-1...
[Ciliates from the intestine of Yakut horse (Equus caballus)]. Endobiotic ciliates of native Yakut horse are investigated. 57 ciliate species have been found. From 17 up to 43 species of ciliates have been revealed in each host specimen. The specimens of Alloiozona trizona Hsiung, 1930 and Triadinium caudatum Fiorentini, 1890 were present in 100 % of the horses. The endemic genus and species of allantosomides, Strelkowella urunbasiensis Kornilova, 2004, has been found in 11 horses. Allantoxena japonensis (Imai, 1979) and Cycloposthium ishikawai Gassovsky, 1919 being recorded previously in Japan only were found for the first time in Russia. The species Cyc...
Management of bilateral choanal atresia in a foal. A 1-day-old Standardbred foal with a history of extreme respiratory distress after birth consistent with upper airway obstruction was evaluated. A temporary tracheostomy tube was placed by the referring veterinarian. Results: On initial examination, there was evidence of hypoxic-ischemic syndrome, secondary to perinatal asphyxia. Endoscopy revealed obstruction of both nares at the level of the choanae; a diagnosis of bilateral choanal atresia was made. Results: The foal was anesthetized and underwent transendoscopic laser fenestration of the buccopharyngeal membranes. Three weeks after surgery...
Comparison of IgG antibody levels to Clostridium botulinum antigens between euthanased and surviving cases of chronic grass sickness. Serum from 12 horses suffering from chronic grass sickness (CGS) were assayed for IgG antibodies against botulinum neurotoxins C and D (BoNT/C and BoNT/D) and to a surface antigen extract of a neurotoxin negative strain of Clostridium botulinum type C. Collectively, the six surviving CGS cases demonstrated significantly higher initial IgG levels (P=0.05) against surface antigens than the six that were subsequently euthanased. The surviving animals also demonstrated higher initial IgG levels against the BoNT/C but not reaching significance (P=0.06). The two groups demonstrated no difference bet...
In vitro evaluation of three bacterial culture systems for the recovery of Escherichia coli from equine blood. To evaluate the effectiveness of a commercial conventional blood culture system (BCS), a commercial resin-containing BCS, and a commercial lysis-centrifugation-based BCS for the recovery of Escherichia coli from equine blood samples inoculated with that organism. Methods: Samples of blood obtained from a clinically normal horse that were inoculated with E coli. Methods: Blood samples were aseptically collected and inoculated with an E coli specimen (50 CFUs/mL) that had been previously isolated from a foal with sepsis. Subsequently, samples were spiked with gentamicin at a concentration of 30 ...
Evaluation of changes in architecture of the stratum internum of the hoof wall from fetal, newborn, and yearling horses. To evaluate morphologic changes of the stratum internum of hooves from near-term fetal, newborn, and yearling horses. Methods: Feet from 27 near-term equine fetuses, 19 newborn foals, and 8 yearlings. Methods: Primary epidermal laminae (PEL) of the stratum internum were examined for evidence of architectural changes. Results: In near-term fetuses, the PEL had a homogeneous appearance and symmetric distribution around the hoof wall with no significant differences in PEL density between the toe and quarters. However after birth, branched laminae at the toe formed within the first few weeks, whic...
Bovine papillomavirus infection in equine sarcoids and in bovine bladder cancers. Bovine papillomavirus (BPV) type 2 is involved in carcinogenesis of the urinary bladder in cattle, while BPV-1 is commonly associated with equine sarcoid tumours. In both cases the early viral proteins are expressed, but virion is not produced. Given the similarities in BPV biology between the tumours in cattle and horses, bovine bladder cancers and equine sarcoids were compared with respect to physical status, load of viral DNA and variability of the E5 open reading frame (ORF). Rolling circle amplification demonstrated that BPV-1 and BPV-2 genomes exist as double stranded, episomal, circular...
Subchondral bone failure in overload arthrosis: a scanning electron microscopic study in horses. Mechanical overload leads to a common arthrosis in the metacarpal condyle of the fetlock joint of racehorses. This is usually asymptomatic but severe forms can cause lameness. Subchondral bone failure is often present and the predictability of the site provided an opportunity to study of the progression of bone failure from microcracks to actual collapse of subchondral bone. Twenty-five fetlock condyles from racehorses with various stages of disease were selected. Stages ranged from mild through severe subchondral bone sclerosis, to the collapse of bone and indentation or loss of cartilage kno...
Occurrence of fungi from conjunctiva of healthy horses in Tuscany, Italy. The fungal flora of the normal conjunctival fornix has been described for many animal species (Urban et al., 1972; Samuelson et al., 1984; Moore et al., 1988; Davidson et al., 1994; Cooper et at, 2001) and many environmental factors, such as age, geography, habitat and husbandry are reported to influence its composition (Samuelson at at, 1984; Andrew et at, 2003). Equine keratomycosis can be caused by saprophytic fungi following an underlying corneal pathology or improper use of topical antibiotics and/or topical corticosteroids (Andrew at al., 1998; Brooks, 1999). Knowledge of differences in ...
Studies on some paraclinical indices on intoxication in horses from freshly cut Jimson weed (Datura stramonium)-contaminated maize intended for ensiling. Monitoring of changes in some blood laboratory parameters in 34 horses after ingesting freshly harvested maize that was to be used for ensiling, heavily contaminated with young Datura stramonium plants, is described. For a 7-day period the following parameters were monitored: haemoglobin content (HGB), red blood cell counts (RBC), white blood cell counts (WBC), haematocrit (HCT), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), differential white cell counts (DWC), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), protein fractions, aspa...
Prevalence of Trypanosoma evansi infection in equines and camels in the Punjab region, Pakistan. A cross-sectional study has been carried out in order to determine the prevalence of Trypanosoma evansi infection in susceptible hosts in the Punjab region (Pakistan). A total of 170 equines and 150 dromedary camels were examined. Five (3.3%) and 6 (4%) camels were positive at parasitological and serological examination, respectively. None of the equines tested positive at any method. These results seem to indicate that T. evansi infection has a relatively low prevalence in the Punjab region. However, efforts must be done in order to establish control measures in affected herds and avoid disse...
Molecular diagnosis of granulocytic anaplasmosis and infectious cyclic thrombocytopenia by PCR-RFLP. Anaplasma phagocytophilum (A. phagocytophilum, formerly Ehrlichia phagocytophila) is a tick-borne pathogen responsible for tick-borne fever in ruminants, equine granulocytic ehrlichiosis (EGE) in horses, canine granulocytic ehrlichiosis (CGE) in dogs, and for human granulocytic ehrlichiosis (HGE). Human cases have been registered in many countries with a broad range of symptoms and pathogenicity. This article focused on Sardinia as the prevalence in humans was almost seven times higher than in the rest of Italy. To evaluate the risk, blood samples were collected from dogs and horses on the isl...
Use of an insect cell culture growth medium to isolate bacteria from horses with effusive, fibrinous pericarditis: a preliminary study. Effusive, fibrinous pericarditis is an uncommon disease entity in horses. In 2001, pericarditis occurred in conjunction with an epizootic in central Kentucky that was associated with exposure to eastern tent caterpillars (ETCs). Bacterial isolation from equine pericardial fluid samples was attempted using an insect cell culture growth medium (ICCGM). Using previously cultured, stored frozen samples from four horses with fibrinous pericarditis, inoculation of 10% blood agar plates yielded no growth, whereas simultaneous inoculation of ICCGM resulted in the isolation of Proprionibacterium acnes,...
Proline scanning mutagenesis reveals non-native fold in the molten globule state of equine beta-lactoglobulin. The secondary structure in the molten globule state (an equilibrium analogue of a burst-phase folding intermediate) of equine beta-lactoglobulin was investigated by changes in the circular dichroic spectrum induced by a series of site-directed proline substitutions. The results challenge the structural picture obtained from previous hydrogen/deuterium exchange experiments. A stable non-native alpha-helix was found to exist in the region corresponding to the eighth strand (H strand) in the native structure, where the backbone amide protons are the most strongly protected from exchange. Therefor...
Diagnosis and treatment of equine placentitis. Equine placentitis is a complex disease that has devastating consequences for horse owners. Placentitis is a significant cause of foal loss annually. Prompt diagnosis and treatment of the disease are paramount for survival of the affected neonate. This article discusses current information on pathogenesis of the disease as well as diagnostic and therapeutic options.
Granulosa cell tumors of the equine ovary. The granulosa cell tumor is the most common ovarian tumor in mares. A clinical diagnosis can be made based on the presence ofa unilaterally enlarged ovary and a small inactive contralateral ovary. Endocrine testing may be beneficial to confirm a diagnosis. Surgical removal of the tumor eliminates the adverse effect on pituitary function and results in resumption of follicular development and ovulation in the opposite ovary over time.
Breeding-induced endometritis in mares. Endometritis is a common cause of infertility in broodmares. In the past, the condition was believed to be exclusively the result of bacterial contamination of the uterus. Treatment strategies were focused on preventing bacteria from entering the uterus and on treating mares with signs of endometritis with antibiotics. More recent research on uterine defense mechanisms has increased our understanding of the pathophysiology of equine endometritis. Additional causative agents have been identified, and we have learned to separate uterine infections and a physiologic breeding-induced endometritis ...
Detection of bovine papillomavirus type 1 genomes and viral gene expression in equine inflammatory skin conditions. Papillomaviruses are normally strictly species-specific and even under experimental conditions do not usually infect any other host than the natural host. The only documented reports of natural papillomavirus cross-species infection are of BPV-1/BPV-2, which can infect horses and induce equine sarcoids. BPV DNA has not been detected in non-sarcoid equine tumours or equine papillomas, but its presence has been reported in some cases of equine dermatitis. In the present study, we show that equine inflammatory skin conditions harbour episomal circular double stranded BPV-1 genomes, with copy numb...
Diagnosis of the compromised equine pregnancy. Identification of a compromised pregnancy in the mare requires the exhaustive collection of a database that includes past and recent reproductive and medical histories and a variety of parameters indicating fetal distress and possibly suggesting neonatal compromise.Judicious interpretation of findings and serial recording of data throughout gestation may help in the early detection of abnormal fetomaternal exchange pathways. Some sources of compromise may be identified, and the impact on fetomaternal well-being maybe calculated. Appropriate preventive or corrective measures may then be impleme...
Diversity in Indian equine rotaviruses: identification of genotype G10,P6[1] and G1 strains and a new VP7 genotype (G16) strain in specimens from diarrheic foals in India. Rotaviruses causing severe diarrhea in foals in two organized farms in northern India, during the period from 2003 to 2005, were characterized by electropherotyping, serotyping, and sequence analysis of the genes encoding the outer capsid proteins. Of 137 specimens, 47 (34.31%) were positive for rotavirus and exhibited at least five different electropherotypes (E), E1 to E5. Strains belonging to different electropherotypes exhibited either a different serotype/genotype specificity or a lack of reactivity to typing monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) used in this study. Strains belonging to E1, E2, an...
Monoclonal antibody-based competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detecting and quantifying West Nile virus-neutralizing antibodies in horse sera. A rapid immunoassay for detecting and quantifying West Nile virus (WNV)-neutralizing antibodies in sera was developed as an alternative to the plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT), the gold standard test for WNV. The assay is a competitive, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using neutralizing monoclonal antibody 5E8 (NT-ELISA). A cutoff percent inhibition (PI) value of 35% (mean PI plus 3 standard deviations), with a specificity of 99%, was established based on analysis of 246 serum samples from horses free of WNV. The NT-ELISA detected neutralizing antibodies in all sera collected 7 or...
Pressure algometry to quantify muscle pain in racehorses with suspected sacroiliac dysfunction. Despite the prevalence of orthopaedic injuries to horses, there is no objective means of quantifying the intensity of musculoskeletal pain. Objective: Mechanical nociceptive thresholds (MNT) can be measured repeatably by pressure algometry in horses and MNTs are correlated with both severity of clinical signs and subjective scores of muscle pain on palpation in horses with suspected sacroiliac dysfunction (SID). Methods: The technique of pressure algometry and its repeatability was tested at 4 anatomical sites on either side of the thoracolumbar and pelvic region in 12 Thoroughbreds in trainin...
Transrectal ultrasonography and plasma progestin profiles identifies feto-placental compromise in mares with experimentally induced placentitis. Transrectal ultrasonography of the caudal uterus and a progestin profile were evaluated for accuracy in identifying mares with feto-placental compromise in a model of placentitis. Twenty-two pregnant ponies were divided into four groups: (1) control mares (n=5); (2) instrumented controls (n=2); (3) instrumented inoculated mares (n=11); (4) inoculated mares (n=4). Mares in Groups 3 and 4 were inoculated with Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus. Maternal plasma progestins, vulvar discharge, mammary gland development, combined thickness of the uterus and placenta (CTUP) and placental separati...
Are feeding practices associated with duodenitis-proximal jejunitis? Feeding concentrate has been putatively associated with risk of development of duodenitis-proximal jejunitis (DPJ); however, this association has not been evaluated systematically in a controlled study. Objective: To determine whether there was evidence that feeding practices were associated with increased odds of developing DPJ employing a case control study. Objective: The amount of concentrate fed daily to horses is significantly greater among horses that develop DPJ than control horses with either lameness or other types of colic. Methods: Feeding practices of cases of DPJ diagnosed betwee...
