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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.
Differences in second-intention wound healing between horses and ponies: macroscopic aspects. Second-intention healing of deep wounds was studied in 5 horses and 5 ponies. Standardised wounds were created on the distal limbs and hind quarters. Wounds on the metatarsi extended onto the metatarsal bone; the depth of the wounds in the femoral biceps muscle was 18 mm. The wound margins were marked by tattoos. Photographs were taken at weekly intervals to determine the wound area. The relative contribution of contraction and epithelialisation to wound closure was quantified by means of the tattoos. Swelling of the limbs was measured; and regularity and aspect of the granulation tissue were ...
Detection of Trichinella infection in slaughter horses by ELISA and western blot analysis. In order to determine the presence of Trichinella infections in horses slaughtered at an abattoir in Mexico, 147 serum samples were examined by two immunoenzymatic methods. Specific antibodies were detected by ELISA in 7% of the serum samples at a dilution 1:400 and in 10% at lower dilutions (1:20, 1:40) using Trichinella spiralis muscle larvae (ML) excretory/secretory (E/S) products. Serum samples from four naturally infected horses (confirmed by direct methods) gave negative O.D. values in an ELISA at a 1:400 dilution and only two of them were positive at a 1:20 and 1:40 dilutions. Serum sam...
Equine herpesvirus type 1 infects dendritic cells in vitro: stimulation of T lymphocyte proliferation and cytotoxicity by infected dendritic cells. Equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) causes respiratory disease, abortion and myeloencephalopathy in horses. As with other herpesviruses, cell-mediated immunity is considered important for both recovery and protection. Although virus-specific T-cell proliferation and cytotoxicity can be detected following in vivo infection, little is known about the role of antigen presenting cells such as dendritic cells (DCs) in these processes. Peripheral blood DCs were shown to express the viral glycoprotein gB perinuclearly following exposure to EHV-1 in vitro, demonstrating EHV-1 replication within them. Co...
Equine laminitis basement membrane pathology: loss of type IV collagen, type VII collagen and laminin immunostaining. Disintegration of the basement membrane (BM) of the equine hoof lamellae and failure of the BM to remain attached to the basal cells of the secondary epidermal lamellae (SEL) is one of the earliest pathological events to occur in acute laminitis. Changes in the lamellar basement membrane were investigated by immunolabelling the key structural components of the BM, type IV collagen, type VII collagen and laminin in the lamellar BM of horses 48 h after the induction of laminitis. Lamellar tissues were harvested from 2 normal horses and 2 horses with acute laminitis. Immunostaining with antibody ...
A permeability barrier in the dorsal wall of the equine hoof capsule. The permeability barrier in the dorsal wall of the equine hoof capsule was studied by means of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) in 0.9 N saline solution as a water soluble tracer. Section were treated with 3'3'-diaminobenzidine tetrachloride (DAB) and before dissection the quality of the horn of feet from 10 horses was assessed and given a subjective grade as either good or poor. Blocks of tissue from each horse were left in either an oven at 60 degrees C or in water for 2 weeks before treatment in HRP, sectioning and DAB solution. Regions observed were i) outer surface, ii) outermost layers of th...
Batimastat (BB-94) inhibits matrix metalloproteinases of equine laminitis. A method for culturing explants of lamellar hoof was developed to investigate the process of lamellar separation that occurs in laminitis. Explants, consisting of hoof wall, dermal and epidermal lamellae and the adjacent sub-lamellar connective tissue remained intact when cultured in tissue culture medium for 2 days. However, when cultured in the presence of the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activator aminophenylmercuric acetate (APMA), the lamellae separated when tension was applied by pulling the hoof wall in an opposite direction to the connective tissue. The separation occurred between th...
Equine laminitis: its development coincides with increased sublamellar blood flow. The effect of alimentary carbohydrate overload on hoof temperature was investigated to determine the state of the sublamellar vasculature preceding the onset of equine laminitis. Hoof, core and ambient temperatures and heart rate were logged continuously in 21 mature Standardbred horses kept in an environmental chamber set at 10 degrees C. Recording hoof temperature was a successful, noninvasive, method to measure indirectly, shifts in digital blood flow against a background of cold induced, physiological, vasoconstriction. High hoof temperatures were assumed to indicate digital vasodilation a...
Association of Clostridium difficile with enterocolitis and lactose intolerance in a foal. Diagnoses of Clostridium difficile enterocolitis and lactose intolerance were made in a neonatal foal with persistent diarrhea. It was determined that the foal had lactose intolerance on the basis of the results of a lactose tolerance test, and a diagnosis of C difficile enterocolitis was subsequently made. The foal responded to oral administration of metronidazole and lactase. Lactose intolerance is a secondary problem most commonly associated with rotavirus infection, but it can be caused by any condition affecting the small intestine. Because C difficile can affect the small intestine in fo...
Incarceration of the small colon through a rent in the gastrosplenic ligament in a pony. A 10-year-old castrated male pony was examined for intermittent signs of abdominal pain of 3 days' duration. An incarceration of the small colon through a rent in the gastrosplenic ligament was found. Resection and end-to-end anastomosis were performed on the affected portion of the small colon. The pony recovered and returned to its previous degree of activity. Incarceration of the small intestine and large colon through rents in the gastrosplenic ligament are documented, although involvement of the small intestine is more common. To the best of our knowledge, incarceration of the small colon...
Matrix metalloproteinase activity in equine synovial fluid: influence of age, osteoarthritis, and osteochondrosis. To investigate the influence of age, osteoarthritis (OA), and osteochondrosis (OC) on the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity in the synovial fluid (SF) of equine joints. Methods: SF was collected from normal and osteoarthritic metacarpophalangeal joints (normal: 14 adult, 28 juvenile; OA: 22 adult). And from normal and osteochondrotic tarsocrural joints (5 months: 11 normal, 8 OC; 11 months: 7 normal, 6 OC). Subsequently, overall MMP activity was measured. Results: The level of active MMPs was almost twofold higher in SF from juvenile horses (age up to 11 months) than in SF from mature an...
Two SINE families associated with equine microsatellite loci. BLAST searches of 61 equine microsatellite sequences revealed two related families of retroposons. The first family included seven markers, all of which showed significant homology to the Equine Repetitive Element-1 (ERE-1) Short Interspersed Nucleotide Element (SINE) sequence. Length of homology ranged from 76 to 171 bases with identities to the ERE-1 consensus sequence ranging from 71% to 83%. The second family referred to as Equine Repetitive Element-2 (ERE-2) has a consensus sequence that showed homology to ERE-1 over approximately 60 bases. These 60 bases comprised subunit I. Sequence com...
Detection of antibodies to equine arteritis virus by enzyme linked immunosorbant assays utilizing G(L), M and N proteins expressed from recombinant baculoviruses. Indirect enzyme linked immunosorbant assays (ELISAs) utilizing the three major structural proteins (M, N, and G(L)) of equine arteritis virus (EAV) expressed from recombinant baculoviruses were developed. A large panel of sera collected from uninfected horses, and from animals experimentally and naturally infected with EAV or vaccinated with the modified live virus vaccine against equine viral arteritis, were used to characterize the humoral immune response of horses to the three major EAV structural proteins. The data suggest that the M protein was the major target of the equine antibody resp...
Paranasal sinus cyst as a cause of stridor in a standardbred colt. Sinus cysts are epithelium-lined, fluid-filled cavities that can occur in the paranasal sinuses of horses. Extensive damage to the permanent tooth buds was a significant feature in this case. The sequellae of these abnormalities, although not apparent at the time of presentation, remain an important consideration for prognosis.
Purification of two equine pepsinogens by use of high-performance liquid chromatography. To purify and characterize pepsinogens in equine gastric mucosa. Methods: Stomachs collected from 2 healthy horses at necropsy. Methods: After collection, stomachs were placed immediately in ice before storage at -48 C. After slow thawing, the mucosa was scraped off while the tissue was immersed in 0.1M potassium phosphate (pH 7.4) at 4 C, then was homogenized. The filtered extract was subjected to anion-exchange chromatography. Fractions that were found to contain pepsin or pepsinogen were further chromatographed. Individual fractions were tested for pepsinogen or pepsin content by monitoring...
Instability-induced osteoarthritis in the metacarpophalangeal joint of horses. To establish an instability model of osteoarthritis (OA) that mimics the early changes of naturally acquired OA. Methods: 6 mature radiographically normal horses. Procedure-The collateral and lateral collateral sesamoidean ligaments were transected in a metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint in each horse. Lameness examinations were performed every 7 days after surgery for 8 weeks. Radiographs were taken immediately before and after desmotomy and 8 weeks after surgery. Eight weeks after surgery, bilateral MCP joints were grossly evaluated, specimens of articular cartilage were harvested for histologi...
Musculoskeletal system neoplasia. Tumors of the musculoskeletal system are rare in horses; however, they must be taken seriously. Diagnosis requires observation of clinical signs, radiographic findings, and histological examination. Veterinarians must realize prognosis is not favorable for most tumors; however, some of these tumors can be treated or at least ameliorated. Tumors discussed in this article include: osteoma and osteosarcoma; osteoblastoma; chondrosarcoma; fibroma and fibrosarcoma; plasma cell myeloma; synovioma; rhabdomyosarcoma and tumors metastatic to the musculoskeletal system.
Lymphoproliferative and myeloproliferative disorders. Nomenclature regarding neoplasia of the hematopoietic and lymphoid tissues in the horse is confusing. This article will clarify terminology, and discuss the individual lymphoproliferative and myeloproliferative disorders recognized in the horse. Diagnostic techniques that are useful in cases in which hematopoietic or lymphoid tissue neoplasia are suspected include histochemical staining profiles, bone marrow aspiration, and bone marrow biopsy.
Paraneoplastic syndromes. The importance of paraneoplastic syndromes is often underestimated in the horse. Clinically, paraneoplastic syndromes can cause greater morbidity than the actual physical presence of the malignant tumor. The appearance may be the first sign of a malignancy and may be so severe that appropriate therapy for the underlying cancer is not initiated. This article reviews some of the most common paraneoplastic syndromes that are likely to occur in the horse.
Neoplasia of the female reproductive tract. Granulosa cell tumors of the ovary and SCC and melanoma of the external genitalia are the most common neoplasms in the mare. Tumors of the tubular reproductive tract and the mammary gland are rare.
Radiation therapy in the horse. This article covers the principles and applications of radiation therapy in horses. The goal in treating tumors by irradiation is tumor control with minimum treatment complications. Various treatment techniques are available to achieve this goal. The prognosis depends on many factors such as the extent and location of the tumor, tumor type and tumor cell proliferation. Radiation therapy is a very effective treatment modality for equine tumors but logistical reasons limit its impact in equine oncology.
Tumors of the central nervous system. Neoplasia of the central nervous system (CNS) can be divided into two main categories: nonpituitary CNS neoplasia and pituitary adenomas. Nonpituitary CNS neoplasias are generally compressive in nature, although some are also invasive. The majority of reported CNS tumors are secondary with only a few originating from nervous tissue. Pituitary adenomas predominantly occur in the pars intermedia of the older horse. Clinical signs, diagnostic testing, and possible treatments are discussed.
Abdominal neoplasia (excluding urogenital tract). Neoplasia of the equine gastrointestinal tract and abdominal organs occurs predominantly in geriatric horses, although lymphoma and hepatocellular carcinoma and a few other neoplasms can be found in young horses. This article discusses diagnostics that can be used in weight-loss situations, suspicious of neoplasia, as well as tumors themselves including clinical signs, diagnostic tools, histopathologic appearance, and management.
Neoplasia of the respiratory tract. Tumors of the equine respiratory tract occur infrequently. An accurate diagnosis of neoplasia of the respiratory tract is critical because the prognosis is usually grave. The clinical signs and diagnostic procedures are discussed for tumors of the nasal and paranasal sinuses, nasopharynx/larynx, guttural pouch and thorax including lung, pleura, and thymus.
Tumors of the eye and ocular adnexal tissues. This article reviews options in dealing with tumors of the cornea and conjunctiva, nictitating membrane neoplasms, and eyelid neoplasms. Orbital tumors, optic nerve and other intraocular tumors are also discussed.
Urinary tract neoplasia. This article is a review of reports on neoplasia of the equine urinary tract. Clinical signs associated with equine patients with urinary tract neoplasia are summarized along with a description of diagnostic methods used in such patients. The prognosis for treatment of urinary tract neoplasia is guarded. A review of the limited treatments that have been reported to date are also provided in this article.
Dermatologic tumors (excluding sarcoids). Cutaneous neoplasia represents a clinical problem with which veterinarians are commonly challenged. This article addresses equine cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, squamous cell papilloma, melanoma, mastocytosis, and lymphosarcoma. Current concepts regarding the origin, pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of each neoplasm is emphasized.
Equine sarcoids. Sarcoids, the most common tumor of the horse, are fibroblastic, wart-like skin lesions that show variable manifestations. They are often invasive and recurrent, although they do not fulfill all criteria of malignancy. Due to their anatomic location, these tumors can sometimes cause loss of use of the horse. There is very strong evidence that sarcoids are caused by viruses closely related or identical to bovine papilloma viruses, and genetic studies have shown associations between genes in or near the equine major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and susceptibility to sarcoid. Several types of ...
Neoplasia of the male reproductive tract. Genital neoplasms in the male horse are relatively uncommon. Squamous cell carcinomas and squamous papillomas are the most commonly diagnosed neoplasms of the penis and prepuce. Geldings appear to be overrepresented for these types of neoplasms, and accumulation of smegma may be a contributing factor. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential for salvaging these organs before lesions become excessively large and invasive or are allowed to metastasize. Newer treatment modalities such as 5-fluorouracil appear to be promising alternatives to surgical excision. Although generally considered to b...
