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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.
Airway responses to histamine aerosol in clinically normal foods. To describe the spectrum of nonspecific airway reactivity in a group of clinically normal foals. Methods: 12 clinically normal mixed-breed foals, 48 to 92 days old, without history of clinical lung disease. Methods: Nonspecific airway reactivity was determined by measuring the extent of changes in dynamic compliance during nebulization of incrementally increasing concentrations of histamine aerosol. Degree of airway reactivity was expressed as the dose of histamine that evoked a decrease in dynamic compliance (Cdyn) to 65% of the after saline nebulization value (PC65Cdyn) or increase in pulmon...
Hemothorax in 2 horses. This report documents the successful conservative medical management of hemothorax in 2 horses. Hemothorax occurred after a lung biopsy procedure (horse 1) and strenuous exercise on a treadmill (horse 2). The horses had tachypnea, tachycardia, nostril flaring, hemoptysis, and pawing. Hemothorax was suspected based upon absence of auscultable ventral lung sounds; development of cool extremities and pale, tacky mucous membranes; the ultrasonographic appearance of moderate to severe amounts of pleural fluid; and a concurrent decrease in hematocrit and total plasma protein. Both horses were treate...
The prevalence of Aeromonas species in feces of horses with diarrhea. Feces collected from 40 horses with diarrhea and 34 horses without diarrhea were examined to determine if an association existed between isolation of Aeromonas spp. and diarrhea. Samples were also examined for Salmonella spp., and identification of viruses and parasite ova. Neither Salmonella spp. nor Aeromonas spp. were isolated from the feces of 34 control horses. Aeromonas spp. were isolated from feces of 22 of 40 (55%) horses with diarrhea. Salmonella spp. were isolated from feces of 8 (20%) horses, and of these, 5 (12.5%) were also positive for Aeromonas spp. Twenty-nine isolates of Aerom...
Testing for therapeutic medications: analytical/pharmacological relationships and limitations’ on the sensitivity of testing for certain agents. Proper veterinary care of horses requires that horses in training have access to modern therapeutic medication. However, the sensitivity of equine drug testing now allows for detection of pharmacologically insignificant concentrations of many therapeutic medications. In 1995, the Association of Racing Commissioners International (ARCI) resolved that members 'address trace level detection so as not to lead to disciplinary action based on pharmacologically insignificant traces of these substances'. The rationale behind this approach is to prevent overly-sensitive testing from inhibiting the prop...
Species-specific amplification by PCR of ribosomal DNA from some equine strongyles. The first and second internal transcribed spacer sequences of 28 morphologically-defined species of horse strongyle were characterized, and specific oligonucleotide primers were designed for some species based on the nucleotide differences. Utilizing these primers, a PCR approach was developed for the specific amplification of ribosomal DNA of Strongylus vulgaris, Cyathostomum catinatum, Cylicocyclus nassatus, Cylicostephanus longibursatus or Cylicostephanus goldi. The method allowed the species-specific amplification of parasite DNA derived from faecal samples and/or copro-cultures, demonstra...
Pathological alterations caused by Anoplocephala perfoliata infection in the ileocaecal junction of equids. The pathological alterations caused by Anoplocephala perfoliata in the ileocaecal junction of 28 equids slaughtered in an abattoir in Madrid (Central Spain) are described. The lesions were scored in grades based on the intensity of the damage and were related to the tapeworm number observed. The first grade (grade I) of alterations consisted of a slight enteritis associated with focal erosions observed in 43% of parasitized animals with low parasitic burden (1-26 tapeworms). The second grade (grade II) was a focal pseudomembranous enteritis, present in the ileocaecal junctions of 36% infected ...
[Chronic urticaria in sports horses]. Chronic urticaria in otherwise healthy sport horses, generally has an origin in a food allergy, accompanied by a facultative latent enteritis. Etiological diagnosis may be made by skin tests that permit a following targeted avoidance.
The use of postmortem radiography as an aid in diagnosing, documenting, and understanding disease in animals. Postmortem radiography can be a valuable supplement to traditional necropsy. This article provides examples where postmortem radiographs have been useful in diagnosing and documenting lesions in animals, and have helped demonstrate important principles of the pathology and the pathogenesis of lesions identified at necropsy. This article also discusses additional circumstances where the application of postmortem radiography might be worthwhile.
A non-competitive chemiluminescence enzyme immunoassay for the equine acute phase protein serum amyloid A (SAA) — a clinically useful inflammatory marker in the horse. A non-competitive chemiluminescence enzyme immunoassay for measuring serum amyloid A (SAA) in equine serum was developed. A polyclonal anti-equine-amyloid A antiserum specific for equine SAA was utilized, and the assay was standardized using highly purified equine SAA. An acute phase horse serum was calibrated against the purified SAA and was used as standard when running the assay. Serum SAA concentrations in the range of 3-1210 mg/l could be measured. The reference range of SAA in clinically healthy adult horses was <7 mg/l. The clinical validation of the assay comprised the SAA responses...
Molecular detection of Babesia equi and Babesia caballi in horse blood by PCR amplification of part of the 16S rRNA gene. Babesia equi and Babesia caballi are tick-borne haemoparasites that may cause babesiosis of Equidae. In southern Europe B. equi is enzootic and infections may occur asymptomatically and more frequently than those due to B. caballi. Complement fixation test (CFT) is the official serological test for the diagnosis of equine babesiosis, but it has low sensitivity during early and latent stages of the disease. With the aim of developing more sensitive and rapid direct diagnostic alternatives, PCR systems that amplified DNA targets of 664 or 659 bp regions of the 16S rRNA genes were designed and de...
Prevalence of Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin and Clostridium difficile toxin A in feces of horses with diarrhea and colic. To determine prevalence of clostridial enterotoxins in feces of horses with diarrhea and colic, and to determine whether an association exists between detection of clostridial enterotoxins in feces and development of diarrhea as a complication of colic. Methods: Prospective case series and case-control study. Methods: 174 horses with diarrhea, colic, or problems not related to the gastrointestinal tract. Methods: Horses were assigned to 1 of 4 groups: colic with diarrhea (group 1; n = 30); colic without diarrhea (group 2; 30); diarrhea without colic (group 3; 57); and control (group 4; 57). Fe...
Radiation exposure to personnel during examination of limbs of horses with a portable hand-held fluoroscopic unit. To determine radiation exposure to personnel during fluoroscopic imaging of limbs of horses with a portable unit and to determine distance from the c-arm at which radioprotective clothing is not required. Methods: Repeated-measures cohort study. Methods: Part 1, 1 forelimb and 1 hind limb from each of 5 equine cadavers; parts 2 and 3, personnel involved during imaging of limbs of 5 and 9 horses, respectively. Methods: Radiation exposure rates were mapped around the suspended c-arm of a portable fluoroscopy unit during imaging of various joints of equine cadaver limbs. During similar examinatio...
Identification of Ruminococcus flavefaciens as the predominant cellulolytic bacterial species of the equine cecum. Detection and quantification of cellulolytic bacteria with oligonucleotide probes showed that Ruminococcus flavefaciens was the predominant species in the pony and donkey cecum. Fibrobacter succinogenes and Ruminococcus albus were present at low levels. Four isolates, morphologically resembling R. flavefaciens, differed from ruminal strains by their carbohydrate utilization and their end products of cellobiose fermentation.
Persistent frenulum of the epiglottis in four foals. To report the clinical signs and management of 4 foals with persistent frenulum of the epiglottis. Methods: Case report. Methods: Four newborn foals. Methods: Foals were admitted with a complaint of oronasal reflux after nursing. Variable systemic signs of aspiration pneumonia were evident. Nasal endoscopy confirmed persistent dorsal displacement of the soft palate. Persistent frenulum of the epiglottis, confirmed by oral endoscopic examination, was transected. Results: After surgery, all foals had the epiglottis positioned normally, dorsal to the soft palate. Clinical signs of oronasal reflux...
[HPLC separation and characterization of tick-borne encephalitis and equine Venezuela encephalomyelitis viral proteins]. Homogeneous (according to PAGE) capsid and surface viral proteins were isolated from concentrated purified suspensions of tick-borne encephalitis and Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis viruses by one-stage reversed-phase HPLC. The amino acid composition and the sequences of their N-terminal parts were determined.
[Nutrition of horses: ration calculation and assessment]. In various situations it is desirable to evaluate the diet of horses. Such situations occur when nutrition is considered as the cause of disease or symptoms or and when a diet or diet change raises concern about whether the animal is receiving sufficient nutrients. Ration evaluation consists of translating feed ingredients into nutrients supplied and comparing this with nutrient requirements. The basics of ration evaluation are illustrated by means of four examples of horse diets.
Necrotizing mycotic vasculitis with cerebral infarction caused by Aspergillus niger in a horse with acute typholocolitis. An 18-year-old Morgan mare was presented to the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, University of Illinois, with a 10-day history of watery diarrhea, depression, and dysphagia. On admission, the animal was severely dehydrated, depressed, and unable to swallow and had no clinical signs of diarrhea. The respiratory and heart rate and body temperature were within normal limits. Following fluid therapy, the mare developed severe watery diarrhea and continued to be depressed, incoordinated, and dysphagic. The animal died on the fourth day after admission and was sent to the Laboratories of Veteri...
A PCR based method for the identification of equine influenza virus from clinical samples. In this paper we describe the development of a nested RT-PCR assay for the rapid diagnosis and characterisation of influenza virus directly from clinical specimens. Viral RNA is extracted from nasal swabs by the guanidine thiocyanate extraction method, and subsequently reverse transcribed. The complementary DNA is then used as template in a nested PCR reaction. Primers designed for use in this assay are specific for three templates; (1) the nucleoprotein (NP) gene, (2) the haemagglutinin gene of the H7N7 equine influenza virus (A1), and (3) the haemagglutinin gene of the H3N8 equine influenza ...
Techniques for evaluation of right ventricular relaxation rate in horses and effects of inhalant anesthetics with and without intravenous administration of calcium gluconate. To determine the most repeatable method for evaluating right ventricular relaxation rate in horses and to determine and compare effects of isoflurane or halothane with and without the added influence of intravenously administered calcium gluconate on right ventricular relaxation rates in horses. Methods: 6 Thoroughbred horses from 2 to 4 years old. Methods: 6 models (2 for monoexponential decay with zero asymptote, 3 for monoexponential decay with variable asymptote, and 1 for biexponential decay) for determining right ventricular relaxation rate were assessed in conscious and anesthetized hor...
In vitro allergen-induced degranulation of pulmonary mast cells from horses with recurrent airway obstruction (heaves). To determine the capacity of pulmonary mast cells (PMC) to degranulate in response to various potential allergens and other secretagogues in horses with recurrent airway obstruction (heaves) and clinically normal horses before and after exposure to moldy hay. Methods: 5 horses with heaves and 5 clinically normal horses. Methods: Heaves was characterized as an increased clinical respiratory score and maximum change in transpulmonary pressure of > 20 cm H2O after exposure. Bronchoalveolar lavage was performed during each period. Washed and resuspended cells were exposed for 20 minutes at 37 C wi...
Malignant rhabdoid tumour in the orbit of a horse. A malignant rhabdoid tumour was diagnosed in the orbit of a 2-year-old Thoroughbred filly. The neoplasm, which was very aggressive, was present in nearly every part of the ocular and periocular structures and had spread to the lymph nodes of the head and neck, the salivary glands and the subcutaneous tissues around the eye. The neoplasm was composed of polygonal cells with abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm. Many cells had a large, vesiculate, indented nucleus and contained a paranuclear globular inclusion. Ultrastructurally, the inclusions were seen to consist of whorls of intermediate filaments...
Equine arteritis virus derived from an infectious cDNA clone is attenuated and genetically stable in infected stallions. Virus derived from an infectious cDNA clone of equine arteritis virus (EAV030H) was intranasally inoculated into two stallions, neither of which subsequently developed clinical manifestations of equine viral arteritis (EVA). Virus was isolated from nasal swabs and mononuclear cells collected from both stallions
Diagnosis of larval cyathostominosis in horses in Belgium. Between October 1996 and May 1997, 94 horses which were suspected of being infected with strongyles were examined clinically, and samples of faeces were examined for strongyle eggs and cyathostome larvae (L4) and adults. Blood samples were monitored for total protein, albumin and beta-globulins. In 28 of the horses (30 per cent) cyathostome L4 and adults were detected in the faeces, and were significantly associated with the horses' condition, the occurrence of diarrhoea, with lower concentrations of total protein and albumin, and with higher percentages of beta-globulin. Thirty-four of the ho...
Ultrasonographic anatomy of the accessory ligament of the superficial digital flexor tendon in horses. The ultrasonographic anatomy of the accessory ligament of the superficial digital flexor tendon (AL-SDFT) in the horse is presented. Comparison between anatomical sections of isolated limbs and ultrasound scans of the distal antebrachium in sound horses enabled the authors to establish the normal reference ultrasonographic images of this structure. The AL-SDFT inserts 7-14 cm above the antebrachiocarpal joint on the palmaromedial aspect of the radius. Ultrasonographically it appears as an uniformly echogenic structure located deep to the median artery. The knowledge of ultrasonographic anatomy...
