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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.
Ovarian hematoma in an 11-year-old Thoroughbred-Hanovarian mare. An aggressive mare, presented for prebreeding examination, was found to have a significantly enlarged ovary (soccer ball size). A granulosa thecal cell tumor was initially suspected. Following laboratory and repeated clinical examination, the mare was diagnosed with an ovarian hematoma, which regressed with treatment.
Muscarinic receptor subtypes mediate vasorelaxation in isolated horse deep dorsal penile vein. To investigate the effect of acetylcholine (ACh) on horse deep dorsal penile vein and to characterize the muscarinic receptor subtypes involved in this response. Methods: Vein rings were mounted in an organ bath chamber, and the isometric tension was recorded. Results: In phenylephrine-contracted veins, ACh (1 nM to 1 microM) induced endothelium-dependent relaxation. The muscarinic receptor antagonist, atropine, produced parallel rightward shifts of the ACh response curves (pA2 = 10.04; pK(B) = 9.98). Carbachol (10 nM to 100 microM) also evoked relaxation in the vein segments, but showed a low...
Accuracy of pulse oximetry and capnography in healthy and compromised horses during spontaneous and controlled ventilation. The objective of this prospective clinical study was to evaluate the accuracy of pulse oximetry and capnography in healthy and compromised horses during general anesthesia with spontaneous and controlled ventilation. Horses anesthetized in a dorsal recumbency position for arthroscopy (n = 20) or colic surgery (n = 16) were instrumented with an earlobe probe from the pulse oximeter positioned on the tip of the tongue and a sample line inserted at the Y-piece for capnography. The horses were allowed to breathe spontaneously (SV) for the first 20 min after induction, and thereafter ventilation wa...
Biochemical characterisation of navicular hyaline cartilage, navicular fibrocartilage and the deep digital flexor tendon in horses with navicular disease. The study hypothesis was that navicular disease is a process analogous to degenerative joint disease, which leads to changes in navicular fibrocartilage and in deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) matrix composition and that the process extends to the adjacent distal interphalangeal joint. The objectives were to compare the biochemical composition of the navicular articular and palmar cartilages from 18 horses with navicular disease with 49 horses with no history of front limb lameness, and to compare navicular fibrocartilage with medial meniscus of the stifle and collateral cartilage of the hoof...
The application of a scintigraphic grading system to equine tibial stress fractures: 42 cases. Tibial stress fractures are an important cause of lameness in the Thoroughbred racehorse. While it is recognised that these injuries can vary in clinical presentation and radiographic or scintigraphic appearance, little has been done to quantify lesion severity. By contrast the scintigraphic grading of tibial stress fractures in human athletes is widely reported and assists in the selection of appropriate management regimes. Objective: To determine the relationship between scintigraphic grade, clinical severity and radiographic appearance of tibial stress fractures. Methods: The current study ...
Tiludronate as a new therapeutic agent in the treatment of navicular disease: a double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial. Bisphosphonates, such as tiludronate, are used to normalise bone metabolism via inhibition of bone resorption. Areas of increased bone resorption and formation are typical lesions in a diseased navicular bone. Objective: To determine if bone remodelling changes occurring in navicular disease may be corrected with therapies regulating bone metabolism. Methods: We designed a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial to compare 2 doses of tiludronate, 0.5 mg/kg and 1 mg/kg bwt administered via daily i.v. injections over 10 days for the treatment of navicular disease. Seventy-three horses, s...
Radiographic changes in Thoroughbred yearlings. Part 2: Associations with racing performance. Although the radiographic examination of yearlings has become commonplace at some large Thoroughbred sales, there are few data to support the decisions facing veterinarians who are asked to evaluate future racing potential. Objective: To identify radiographic changes in the fetlocks, proximal sesamoid bones, carpi, tarsi, stifles and fore feet of Thoroughbred yearlings associated with future racing performance during ages 2 and 3 years. Methods: Radiographs from routine pre- and post sale examinations of 1162 yearlings were used to identify individual radiographic changes in sale yearlings. St...
Correlation of racing performance with radiographic changes in the proximal sesamoid bones of 487 Thoroughbred yearlings. Proximal sesamoiditis has been a common and confusing radiographic diagnosis in Thoroughbred yearling surveys. This study categorised the radiographic appearance of yearling proximal sesamoid bones and determined their effect on the number of races started and earning potential for racing at ages 2 and 3 years. Objective: Yearlings with moderate to severe proximal sesamoiditis have decreased performance at age 2 and 3 years. Methods: Survey radiographs of 487 Thoroughbred yearlings were reviewed. Proximal sesamoid bones were examined and findings placed into 7 categories, 5 of which measured s...
Meniscal tears in horses: an evaluation of clinical signs and arthroscopic treatment of 80 cases. There is little published information available describing clinical signs, arthroscopic findings and prognosis of meniscal injuries in horses. Objective: To evaluate the effect on the outcome not only of the arthroscopic findings and treatment, but also of the clinical and radiographic signs in these horses. Methods: The following were recorded for each case: the meniscal injury, graded according to severity; clinical and radiographic findings prior to surgery; any concurrent injury in the joint seen at arthroscopy. The effect of these factors and the grade of injury on the outcome were analys...
Preliminary evidence for dormant clostridial spores in equine skeletal muscle. Clostridial myonecrosis is caused by histotoxic or tissue-
destroying clostridia (Allen et al. 1999). Clostridium perfringens
and C. septicum are the most common isolates in horses, followed
by C. chauvoei, C. novyi and C. fallax (McLaughlin et al. 1979;
Westman et al. 1979; Hagemoser et al. 1980; Murphy 1980; Van
Heerden and Botha 1982; Coloe et al. 1983; Valberg and
McKinnon 1984; Rebhun et al. 1985; Perdrizet et al. 1987). The
disease is characterised by a rapid spread of tissue necrosis
combined with a lack of leucocyte infiltration at the site of
infection (Stevens et al. 1987). ...
Intralesional administration of formalin for treatment of epidermal inclusion cysts in five horses. Five horses with unilateral epidermal inclusion cysts located in the nasal diverticula were sedated and treated with intralesional injection of neutral-buffered 10% formalin (volume range, 2 to 4.5 mL). After aspiration of the cyst, formalin was injected intralesionally until leakage of fluid around the needle was observed. After several weeks, desiccation of the cyst was evident; it was excised 2 weeks after treatment in 3 horses, digitally removed by the owner of 1 horse, and never removed in 1 horse, because the owner declined further treatment after resolution of the original swelling of t...
Detection of EHV-1 and EHV-4 in placental sections of naturally occurring EHV-1- and EHV-4-related abortions in the UK: use of the placenta in diagnosis. EHV-1 and EHV-4 abortion diagnosis is based upon detailed examination of the aborted fetus. However, in some cases, only the placenta is available for examination. Furthermore, the contribution of lesions in the placenta to pathogenesis and diagnosis of EHV-1 and EHV-4 abortion has been neglected. Objective: To assess the utility of placental examination in equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) and EHV-4 abortion diagnosis. Methods: Sections of allantochorion from 49 herpesvirus abortions were analysed by PCR, in situ hybridisation and immunostaining. Results: Virus-specific nested PCR confirmed the pr...
The effects of local anaesthetic solution in the navicular bursa of horses with lameness caused by distal interphalangeal joint pain. Analgesia of the palmar digital (PD) nerves has been demonstrated to cause analgesia of the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint as well as the sole. Because the PD nerves lie in close proximity to the navicular bursa, we suspected that that analgesia of the navicular bursa would anaesthetise the PD nerves, which would result in analgesia of the DIP joint. Objective: To determine the response of horses with pain in the DIP joint to instillation of local anaesthetic solution into the navicular bursa. Methods: Lameness was induced in 6 horses by creating painful synovitis in the DIP joint of one f...
Lysosomal storage disease in Sida carpinifolia toxicosis: an induced mannosidosis in horses. This study reports a neurological disease unrecognised until now in ponies in southern Brazil. Objective: Epidemiological data strongly suggests that the ingestion of Sida carpinifolia is involved in the aetiology. We tested the hypothesis that it is an acquired lyosomal storage disease. Methods: Following the death of 3 ponies, all ponies from the premises were closely monitored; epidemiological data and clinical findings carefully recorded. Fragments of several organs, including CNS, were fixed in neutral formalin and embedded in paraffin-wax. Sections were stained with haematoxylin and eosi...
Homeostasis of intracellular Ca2+ in equine chondrocytes: response to hypotonic shock. Ca2+ homeostasis in articular chondrocytes affects synthesis and degradation of the cartilage matrix, as well as other cellular functions, thereby contributing to joint integrity. Although it will be affected by mechanical loading, the sensitivity of intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in equine articular chondrocytes to many stimuli remains unknown. Objective: An improved understanding of Ca2+ homeostasis in equine articular chondrocytes, and how it is altered during joint loading and pathology, will be important in understanding how joints respond to mechanical loads. Methods: [Ca2+]i...
[Splenectomy in a dressage pony: end of sports career?]. A 14-year-old Arabian cross-bred gelding was referred to the University Clinic because of mild, recurrent signs of colic for 5 days. The pony showed icteric mucous membranes, haemolytic blood, and dark coloured urine. Internal examination did not give a clear diagnosis. Unidentified intra-abdominal strands were found and haemorrhagic abdominocentesis led to the decision to perform an exploratory laparatomy. An extremely enlarged spleen was the sole finding. A splenal biopsy sample was taken and surgery was completed. The pony remained colicky, so the spleen was examined by ultrasonography. Aft...
Comparison of in vitro methods and faecal egg count reduction test for the detection of benzimidazole resistance in small strongyles of horses. The objective of the study was to compare the in vitro egg hatch test (EHT), larval development test (LDT) and in vivo faecal egg count reduction test (FECR test) for the detection of benzimidazole resistance in equine strongyles. The presence of resistant or susceptible strongyle populations was determined in 25 stud farms using the in vivo FECR test and in vitro EHT. On the basis of the FECR values, resistance to fenbendazole was detected on 15 of the 25 farms (60%). The ED50 value (anthelmintic concentration producing 50% inhibition of hatching) for suspected resistant populations varied fr...
[Expression and immunogenicity of equine infectious anemia virus membrane protein GP90]. Membrane protein GP90 of China equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) vaccine strain (DLV) and its parental wild type LN strain were expressed with Bac-to-Bac baculovirus expression system and BALB/c mice were inoculated with purified protein, thereby to explore the availability of protein for differential diagnosis and potential for preparing genetically engineered vaccine. Methods: The authors infected donkey PBMC culture with China EIAV vaccine strain (DLV) and its parental wild type LN strain, extracted its proviral DNA as template, amplified the GP90 of DLV and LN, respectively, and expres...
Spontaneous repair of the atrophic contralateral ovary without ovariectomy in the case of a granulosa theca cell tumor (GTCT) affected mare. A 21 year old thoroughbred mare with granulosa theca cell tumor (GTCT) in the right side and atrophic contralateral ovary was investigated in this study. After arrival at our laboratory on 10th December 1999, the clinical diagnosis of GTCT was examined by rectal palpation and ultrasonographic image of ovaries. Plasma from peripheral blood was collected in the breeding and non-breeding seasons for hormonal analysis. The results showed that the contralateral ovary regained normal activity without any treatment of the GTCT affected ovary and contained follicles showing different sizes 19 months l...
Localization of inhibin alpha-, betaA- and betaB-subunits and aromatase in ovarian follicles with granulosa theca cell tumor (GTCT) in 6 mares. To clarify the morphological and immunohistochemical characteristics in mares with granulosa theca cell tumor (GTCT), the localization of inhibin subunits (alpha, betaA, betaB) and aromatase in the granulosa cell layers and theca layers in the ovarian follicles were determined by immunohistochemical staining. The follicles were obtained from the ovaries of 6 mares with GTCT and 4 normal mares as controls. Immunohistochemically, inhibin alpha-subunit was localized in the granulosa cells of all follicles showing different sizes in all GTCT cases and betaA- subunit was localized in two GTCT cases...
Equine ehrlichiosis in Italy. The authors review equine granulocytic ehrlichiosis (EGE) in Italy from 1996 to 2002. In 1996, the first case of EGE has been observed in a horse affected with specific symptomatology (fever, lethargy, anorexia, limb edema, thrombocytopenia, and petechiae). In 1997, a seroepidemiological survey was performed in the province of Rome on 563 animals using IFAT. The authors describe the last case, which occurred on 2002 in a 15-year-old male, bay, half-breed, tick-infested horse. Clinical features included fever, lethargy, limb edema, icterus, leukocytopenia, and thrombocytopenia. Laboratory tests...
Equine infectious anemia in mules: virus isolation and pathogenicity studies. There appears to be a lack of information concerning responses of mules to natural infection or experimental inoculation with equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV). In the present study EIAV was isolated from mules, for the first time, and its pathogenicity in naturally infected and experimentally inoculated animals was investigated. Two naturally infected (A and B) and three EIAV free mules (C, D and E) were used for this purpose. Mule A developed clinical signs, whereas mule B remained asymptomatic until the end of the study. Mules C and D were each inoculated with 10ml of blood from mule A ...
A non-lethal method for assessment of efficacy of antiparasitics against parasites in horses such as Anoplocephala perfoliata and Gasterophilus intestinalis. Sourcing of horses naturally infected with parasites such as Anoplocephala perfoliata and Gasterophilus intestinalis for antiparasitic efficacy slaughter studies is often difficult, expensive, and usually excessive numbers of animals must be slaughtered before significant data can be obtained. To overcome this problem a "Modified Critical Treatment Method" was developed. This method does not require the horses to be sacrificed, but relies on the collection and processing of all faecal material containing expelled parasites from test animals. Efficacy is assessed by comparing, in the same horse...
Intracranial epidermoid cyst in a horse. An intracranial epidermoid cyst was diagnosed in a Haflinger gelding aged 12 years suffering from episodes of neurological disturbance, apathy and fever. The extracerebral cyst was located in the region of the tentorium cerebelli and measured 9 x 8 x 5 cm. It displaced the cerebral hemispheres anteriorly and compressed the cerebellum and brainstem underneath. Histologically, the cyst was lined by keratinizing, stratified squamous epithelium and contained keratin scales, debris, focal haemorrhages, and degenerating inflammatory cells. The epithelium was supported by a vascularized fibrous capsu...
Assessment of three variations of the 1,9-dimethylmethylene blue assay for measurement of sulfated glycosaminoglycan concentrations in equine synovial fluid. To determine whether 3 variations of the 1,9-dimethylmethylene blue (DMMB) assay yield comparable results when measuring sulfated glycosaminoglycan (sGAG) concentrations in equine synovial fluid (SF). Methods: 25 samples of SF collected from affected joints of 13 horses and 13 samples of SF collected from nonaffected (control) joints of 4 horses. Methods: Sulfated glycosaminoglycan concentrations were measured by the direct spectrophotometric (ie, Farndale), microplate, and indirect DMMB assays in samples of SF collected from normal and affected joints and in samples digested with nucleases, p...
Submural histopathologic changes attributable to peracute laminitis in horses. To describe submural histopathologic changes attributable to peracute laminitis in horses. Methods: 20 adult horses. Methods: A concurrent-control design was used to compare laminar lesions in 10 horses subjected to carbohydrate-induced laminitis with laminar characteristics of 10 sex- and aged-matched control horses with normal feet. Horses in the treatment group were administered an overload of carbohydrate. Tissues were obtained by biopsy 4 to 8 hours after onset of lameness or 72 hours after administration of the carbohydrate overload when lameness did not develop. Sections were stained wi...
