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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.
Evaluation of an electronic device used as a quick screening method to detect changes in the red cell content of the blood in horses participating in endurance trail rides. Dehydration, to varying degrees, will inevitably occur in horses participating in endurance trail rides. This water loss is directly related to the amount of body water lost through evaporative cooling, that in turn being related to the amount and rate of work performed, and to the environmental temperature and humidity. An electronic apparatus that can substitute for the conventional and time-consuming venous haematocrit was developed to measure the animals' hydration status. The mechanism of this electrometer is based upon the relationship between the red cell content and the electrical cond...
In vitro responses of airway smooth muscle from horses with recurrent airway obstruction. The in vitro contractile and relaxant responses of tracheal smooth muscle strips (TSM) and third-generation bronchi (3B) of control horses and horses with recurrent obstructive disease (heaves) were compared. Acetylcholine (ACH) sensitivity of the diseased tissues was less than that of tissues from control horses, especially at the level of the third generation (EC50 controls 15 +/- 11 microM vs 81 +/- 17 microM for heaveys). Despite tracheal and bronchial hyporesponsiveness to ACH, these tissues from heavey horses were hyperresponsive to EFS. The inhibitory effect of isoproterenol and electri...
Plasma progestagen concentrations in the normal and dysmature newborn foal. Radioimmunoassay (RIA) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) were used to determine plasma progestagen concentrations in the normal and premature foal. Radioimmunoassay provides a profile of plasma progestagens with respect to time but, due to the non-specific nature of the technique and without prior chromatographic purification, quantitative data based on RIA analysis must be interpreted with caution. In contrast, the greater specificity of GC-MS allows identification of specific plasma progestagens and measuring of multiple analytes in a single analysis. Both techniques demonstra...
Antigenic relationships among the 47 human adenoviruses determined in reference horse antisera. Reference equine antisera to all 47 serotypes of human adenoviruses presently described have been prepared and evaluated by reciprocal neutralization and hemagglutination-inhibition tests. All tests were carried to endpoint dilutions a minimum of five times in each direction to give accurate values for homologous and heterologous antibody titers. Significant cross-reactions in the horse antisera were compared to similar data obtained from rabbit antisera. Using this analysis, major antigenic relationships exist among types 12-18-31 of subgenus A, types 7-11-14 and 34-35 of subgenus B, types 8-...
Digital signal analysis of cardiac events in horses and ponies. We have developed a digital signal analysis technique which can be used to evaluate various cardiac events in ponies and horses at rest and during exercise. The algorithm is designed to identify R-wave peaks on the surface electrocardiogram, consistent reference points on the left ventricular pressure waveform and the initiation of the QRS complex on the epicardial electrogram. We have used the technique to evaluate data from 10 horses and ponies at rest, during strenuous exercise and during experimentally-induced coronary artery occlusion. The technique provided rapid and accurate beat-by-bea...
Paneth cell degranulation and lysozyme secretion during acute equine alimentary laminitis. The equine Paneth cell response to a shift in the microbial balance of the intestinal tract was studied by inducing an acute episode of alimentary laminitis in 6 mature ponies. The normal bacterial population of the gut was modified by administration of a carbohydrate-rich ration. During acute laminitis a dramatic degranulation of the Paneth cells occurred in the intestinal glands throughout the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. Bacteriocidal lysozyme, which was immunohistochemically identified as a component of the Paneth cell secretory granule, was evident in the glandular lumina and in degranul...
Effects of placental pathology on maternal plasma progestagen and mammary secretion calcium concentrations and on neonatal adrenocortical function in the horse. Between 1985 and 1990, 25 Thoroughbred mares were classified as having an abnormal pregnancy on the basis of precocious signs of impending parturition. Throughout the remainder of their pregnancies, plasma progestagen and mammary secretion calcium concentrations were monitored. After parturition, evidence of placental pathology was recorded and their foals were assessed with regard to adrenocortical function and behaviour. Seven pony mares were used to establish a model of placental pathology and, following induced placental separation, were subjected to the same protocol. Control animals cons...
Squamous cell carcinoma of the equine external genitalia: a review and assessment of penile amputation and urethrostomy as a surgical treatment. A retrospective analysis was performed on 48 cases of suspected neoplasia involving the equine external genitalia. Forty nine squamous cell carcinomata (SCC) and 23 squamous papillomata (SP) were identified. Two cases of epithelial hyperplasia and one case of habronemiasis were also recognised histopathologically. The glans penis was the most common site of tumour development accounting for 53 per cent of cases of SCC and 61 per cent of SP. The urethral diverticulum, urethral process or urethra was involved in 27.6 per cent (8/29) of cases of SCC. Twelve per cent (5/41) of cases of SCC were co...
Characterization of BPV-like DNA in equine sarcoids. The DNA from equine sarcoid samples from New York State and Switzerland was isolated and probed with bovine papillomavirus type 1 (BPV-1) to determine if BPV genomes were present. Twelve of 13 sarcoids from New York State and 17/20 sarcoids from Switzerland contained DNA that hybridized to the BPV-1 probe. Restriction enzyme analysis of the positive samples demonstrated restriction fragment profiles characteristic of BPV-1 in 22 sarcoids and restriction fragment profiles characteristic of bovine papillomavirus type 2 (BPV-2) in 7 sarcoids. In addition, three tissues histologically diagnosed as...
Aspergillus flavus and aflatoxins B1, B2, and M1 in corn associated with equine death. Corn from an Arkansas farm, where three horses died and others became sick, was investigated for causative principles. Necropsy of the three horses revealed what appeared to be severe hepatic necrosis. Histopathological examination indicated a pattern of hepatic lesions that was suggestive of aflatoxin contamination of the feed. Mycological examination of the corn by dilution plating revealed 95% of the colonies as Aspergillus flavus. Chemical analysis of the corn for mycotoxins was positive for aflatoxin B1, B2, and M1 at concentrations of 114, 10, and 6 micrograms/Kg, respectively. Cyclopiaz...
Emphysematous gastritis in a horse. A 12-year-old Morgan gelding was examined for colic of 3 days duration. Signs of depression, colic, diarrhea, and endotoxemia persisted despite aggressive medical therapy and surgical exploration. Culture results from gastric fluid and feces yielded many colonies of Clostridium perfringens. This organism also was recovered from peritoneal fluid 10 days after admission; consequently, the horse was euthanized. At necropsy, a localized gas-filled, necrotic stomach wall was found; many mucosal and submucosal gas blebs were visible. Culture of this tissue yielded Clostridium perfringens. Emphysemat...
Cranial thoracic masses in the horse: a sequel to pleuropneumonia. The formation of cranial thoracic masses (CTM) as a sequel to infectious pleuropneumonia is described. Using ultrasound, masses were diagnosed subjectively as abscesses or loculations. Eight of 99 cases with pleuropneumonia had CTM. Clinical signs associated with the presence of a CTM included increased heart rate, jugular distention, forelimb 'pointing' and caudal displacement of the heart. Techniques used for diagnostic ultrasonographic examination of the cranial thorax are described. Five of the eight horses with CTM responded to conservative medical management; the other three required per...
Pathological changes of the mare endometrium and genotypes for transferrin and ELA. Histological features of the endometrium, as assessed in biopsy samples, were related to Standardbred mare genotypes for transferrin, esterase (as a control) and equine leucocyte antigens (ELA). Pathological changes were found more frequently in each successively older age group of mares. Among mares aged 6-19 years, there were significant pathologic changes on first examination following an infertile breeding season for 46 of 90 (51%) of transferrin homozygotes and 50 of 146 (34%) of transferrin heterozygotes. The difference between the two groups was significant for the total data (chi 1(2) ...
Proximal suspensory desmitis: clinical, ultrasonographic and radiographic features. Clinical, ultrasonographic and radiographic features of proximal suspensory desmitis in the forelimb and the hindlimb are described. Acute cases may present with slight, localised, oedematous swelling, heat, distension of the medial palmar (plantar) vein and/or pain, whereas chronic cases or those rested immediately after onset of lameness usually have no detectable clinical signs suggestive of the source of pain. In these cases local analgesia is required to identify pain in the proximal metacarpal (metatarsal) region. Transverse ultrasonographic images of the suspensory ligament usually yiel...
Clinical and epidemiologic features of an epizootic of equine leukoencephalomalacia. A herd of 15 mature riding horses with a history of anorexia, weight loss, and lethargy was examined. The animals had been fed a 50/50 mixture of commercial sweet feed and corn screenings contaminated with a heavy growth of Fusarium moniliforme. Thirteen of the horses had one or more neurologic signs. The most characteristic signs were profound depression and mild ataxia. Over the 19-day course of the epizootic, the horses had increasing severe neurologic deficits, including unilateral blindness and delirium. Despite the clinical appearance of dehydration, 12 horses had low PCV (16 to 27%), he...
The placenta as a determinant of fetal well-being in normal and abnormal equine pregnancies. One hundred twenty-four horse placentas were evaluated according to gross appearance, weight and surface area. Grossly abnormal placentas were photographed, and histological sections were taken from abnormal appearing areas, and from representative areas (pregnant horn, non-pregnant horn, body and cervical pole) in both normal and abnormal placentas. Information about the resulting foals was obtained and correlations examined. Histological sections were reviewed and related to the resulting foals. Four normal fresh placentas were infused with dyes to ascertain the blood supply to various areas...
Soft tissue- and bone-phase scintigraphy for diagnosis of navicular disease in horses. Radiography and soft tissue- and bone-phase scintigraphy were performed on 14 clinically normal horses and 35 horses in which definite, probable, or possible navicular disease had been diagnosed. The specificity of radiography and scintigraphy in revealing signs of navicular disease were nearly equal; however, the sensitivity of scintigraphy appeared to be greater than that of radiography. The greatest sensitivity and specificity were achieved when the results of radiography and scintigraphy were evaluated together. Differences in sensitivity were greatest when scintigraphy revealed lesions no...
Measurement of renin and prorenin in cattle, hog and horse. 1. Species specific problems complicating the measurement of prorenin and renin concentrations were studied in bovine, hog and horse plasma. 2. In contrast to horse renin, bovine and hog renin reacted with rat angiotensinogen, allowing measurement of the plasma renin concentration in cattle and hog with rat angiotensinogen as exogenous substrate. 3. Trypsin treatment of plasma in order to activate prorenin generated an interfering angiotensin I immunoreactive material in all three species, most extensively in horse plasma. 4. This material could be removed in bovine and hog plasma by a cation-...
Purification of equine neutrophil lysozyme and its antibacterial activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Lysozyme from equine neutrophil granulocytes was isolated in a pure form by fast performance liquid chromatography, i.e. ion-exchange chromatography and reversed-phase chromatography. The lysozyme lysed Micrococcus luteus, Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus lentus and was also bactericidal against the Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Bordetella bronchiseptica, and Serratia marcescens. Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis were not lysed. The lysozyme was only very slightly bactericidal for S. epidermidis and S. aureus. Equine neutrophil lysozyme ...
Severe hypercarbia resulting from inspiratory valve malfunction in two anesthetized horses. Severe hypercarbia was documented by arterial blood gas analysis in 2 adult horses anesthetized for exploratory laparotomy. Both horses appeared to be adequately anesthetized, but continued to breathe against the ventilator. In both cases, the inspiratory valve on the anesthesia machine was found to be stuck open, permitting expired CO2 to return to the inspiratory limb of the anesthetic circuit and to be inhaled with the next breath. Correction of the malfunctioning valve alleviated the hypercarbia. Problems with the flow valves of the anesthesia machine should be suspected when anesthetized ...
Effect of early season ivermectin and pyrantel treatments on strongylid infections in young Shetland ponies in The Netherlands. Two groups of three ponies were used to study the effect of three ivermectin or pyrantel treatments given at intervals of 5 weeks at the beginning of the grazing season. Although each pyrantel treatment resulted in a greater than 95% reduction in faecal egg counts during the first 3 weeks, high pasture larval counts were seen from the beginning of August onwards and substantial cyathostomine burdens were found at necropsy in December. The ivermectin treatments resulted in an even more pronounced reduction in faecal egg output, and the pasture larval counts and cyathostomine burdens at necropsy...
Effects of a histamine type-2 receptor antagonist (BMY-25368) on gastric secretion in horses. The effects of a potent new histamine-2 (H2) receptor antagonist, BMY-25368, were studied on gastric acid secretion in 5 foals from which food was withheld. Doses of 0.02, 0.11, 0.22, and 1.10 mg/kg of body weight were administered IM in a randomly assigned treatment sequence. Following BMY-25368 administration, hydrogen ion concentration was decreased and mean pH was higher than baseline values in a dose-response pattern. At the 0.22 and 1.10 mg/kg doses, the high pH was sustained for greater than 4 hours. The BMY-25368 thus may be useful for treating gastric ulcer disease in horses.
Rhodococcus equi: an animal and human pathogen. Recent isolations of Rhodococcus equi from cavitatory pulmonary disease in patients with AIDS have aroused interest among medical microbiologists in this unusual organism. Earlier isolations from humans had also been in immunosuppressed patients following hemolymphatic tumors or renal transplantation. This organism has been recognized for many years as a cause of a serious pyogranulomatous pneumonia of young foals and is occasionally isolated from granulomatous lesions in several other species, in some cases following immunosuppression. The last decade has seen many advances in understanding o...
Experimental models of endotoxaemia related to abortion in the mare. Three different routes of administering Salmonella typhimurium endotoxin to mimic naturally occurring endotoxaemia were tried in the mare. Bolus injection, repeated bolus injections and continuous low-dose infusion were compared with prostaglandin F2 alpha release, leucocyte count and clinical response. A biphasic prostaglandin release and a pronounced leucopenia of almost identical patterns were seen in all models. Repeated bolus injections showed that the second injection initiated only a small prostaglandin release indicating the development of refractoriness to the treatment. A similar ref...
A rare GC mutant in horses disclosed by isoelectric focusing and subsequent immunoprinting. An apparent incompatibility in the GC/DBP system in a mare and her colt was found after classification by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Because of this observation an analysis of the equine GC/DBP system by isoelectric focusing and subsequent immunoprinting was initiated. Further GC subtypes, however, were not encountered: the three phenotypes GC F, FS and S were also delineated by this method. The GC types in the case of disputed descent were dissolved: GC S was found in the mare and GC FS in her colt as well as in another of her male offspring. It is proposed that a rare GC mutant is r...
Closed suction drainage in the treatment of infectious arthritis of the equine tarsocrural joint. Infectious arthritis of the tarsocrural joint was treated in 13 horses with closed suction drainage through a flat, fenestrated, latex (Jackson-Pratt) drain, broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and bandage immobilization. In 11 horses, arthroscopic lavage and debridement were also performed. Ingress drains were placed for lavage in six horses. Ten horses returned to their previous level of competition or were sound. One horse raced but had lameness of the affected tarsocrural joint and dropped in racing class; one horse was euthanatized because of laminit...
Congenital atresia of the parotid salivary duct in a 7-month-old quarter horse colt. A 7-month-old Quarter Horse colt was examined because it had had a tortuous, distended vessel on the side of its head since birth. An abnormality of the parotid salivary duct was suspected on the basis of location and course of the vessel. Atresia of the duct near the parotid papilla was diagnosed by use of contrast sialography. Surgical transpositioning was attempted, but failed because of stricture formation. Chemical ablation of the salivary gland has been used to treat traumatic rupture of the duct. It proved to be an effective and practical method of resolving the problem in this case. Co...
[Spavin in horses]. The pathogenesis of bone spavin and its implications for diagnosis and therapy are reviewed. The pathogenesis of spavin can be divided into three phases, which are characterised by fibrillation of cartilage, osteolysis and ankylosis respectively. It will depend on the degree of osteolysis whether diagnostic anaesthesia should be added to standard clinical and radiological examinations. Satisfactory results of treatment in the group of patients with severe osteolysis can only be obtained by arthrodesis of the distal tarsal joints. It is expected that biomechanical investigations will provide a ...
