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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.
Epidemiologic study of Taylorella equigenitalis strains by field inversion gel electrophoresis of genomic restriction endonuclease fragments. Contagious equine metritis (CEM), a sexually transmitted bacterial disease, was first described in thoroughbred horses. It also occurs in nonthoroughbred horses, in which it produces isolated, apparently unrelated outbreaks. Thirty-two strains of Taylorella equigenitalis, the causative agent of CEM, from all over the world were characterized by field inversion gel electrophoresis of fragments of genomic DNA obtained by digestion with low-cleavage-frequency restriction enzymes. This resulted in a division into five clearly distinct groups. Strains from thoroughbred horses from all continents be...
Ultrastructural findings in horses with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). I: Alterations of the larger conducting airways. Extensive light and electron microscope studies of the conducting airways were carried out in 28 horses with varying degrees of clinically manifested chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and in 8 horses with normal lungs. The principal ultrastructural changes were found in the ciliated cells. There was focal loss of ciliated cells, which were replaced by undifferentiated cells in a largely hyperplastic epithelium, and some horses, independent of the degree of severity of the disease, showed various types of ciliary malformation. The finding of dilated intercellular clefts and accumulat...
Studies of antigenic components in acid extracts of group C streptococci with special reference to Streptococcus equi. For the determination of a species-specific antigen of Streptococcus (S.) equi, acid extracts of group C streptococcal strains from horses (S. equi, S. zooepidemicus, S. equisimilis) were investigated using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and the immunoblotting technique. Using sera of horses suffering from strangles as well as sera from horses with respiratory infection of unknown etiology, Western blotting yielded more or less multiple banding reactions with bands in the 70, 54, 42, 40, and 31-28 kd molecular weight ranges against extracts of all of the 3 different bacterial species. Howe...
Attempted transmission of Ehrlichia risticii (Rickettsiaceae) with Stomoxys calcitrans (Diptera: Muscidae). Experimental transmission of Ehrlichia risticii, the causal agent of Potomac horse fever, was attempted with adult stable flies, Stomoxys calcitrans, (L.) using two feeding schedules. In schedule A, a set of 140 flies was allowed to feed once on an experimentally infected donor pony and once 24 h later on a recipient pony. A different set of flies was used each day for a 12-d period. In schedule B, 240 flies were allowed to feed once daily for 12 consecutive d on the donor pony followed by five consecutive daily feedings on the recipient pony. E. risticii was isolated from the blood of the exp...
Alteration of intestinal enzyme activities associated with extensive large-colon resection in horses. Lactase, maltase, sucrase, and alkaline phosphatase activities were determined in the intestinal mucosa from 3 locations in the small intestine and 4 locations in the large intestine 1 year after extensive large-colon resection (group 1; n = 5) and 1 year after sham operation (group 2; n = 3) in horses. Lactase, maltase, and sucrase activities were similar (P greater than 0.05) between group-1 and group-2 horses in all locations measured in the intestinal tract. Alkaline phosphatase activity in the remaining large colon of group-1 horses was significantly (P less than 0.05) greater than the ac...
Use of the forced oscillating airflow technique to measure the resistance of the equine upper airway: effects of laryngoventriculectomy and laryngoplasty. Investigations were carried out to determine whether measurements of total respiratory resistance (TRR) made in resting animals could detect changes due to laryngeal hemiplegia. Control values of TRR were obtained in eight ponies and in six of these the measurements were repeated after division of the left recurrent laryngeal nerve in the mid-cervical region; two were retained as controls. A further set of measurements were made before two of the operated animals were subjected to left laryngoventriculectomy (Hobday operation). A laryngoplasty ('tie-back' operation) was performed on another tw...
Right dorsal colitis. Moderate to severe ulcerative colitis of the right dorsal colon was diagnosed by necropsy or by exploratory celiotomy and biopsy in 13 horses with a primary clinical complaint of either colic, diarrhea, or weight loss. Clinical signs varied from acute fulminating diarrhea (possibly with fever), colic, dehydration, endotoxic shock and death, to a chronic condition manifested by mild intermittent colic up to several months in duration, and weight loss with or without mild diarrhea. In a large percentage of the horses, those affected had been hypovolemic and received nonsteroidal anti-inflammator...
Aujeszky’s disease in a horse. A horse with neurological signs and severe meningoencephalitis caused by Aujeszky's disease is described. The diagnosis was established by immunohistochemistry, DNA-in situ hybridization and serological tests. Aujeszky's disease virus antigen and Aujeszky's disease viral DNA were detected in neurons of the cerebrum. In the serum of the horse antibodies against Aujeszky's disease virus were detected in a virus neutralization test, in a blocking ELISA which specifically detects antibodies against the glycoprotein I (Ig) of the virus, in an indirect double sandwich ELISA and with colloidal gold i...
Arytenoidectomy for advanced unilateral chondropathy with accompanying lesions. A noncurrent prospective study of nonworking horses with arytenoid chondropathy was conducted to confirm a clinical impression that horses with unilateral chondropathy and accompanying lesions had a poorer prognosis after arytenoidectomy than horses with bilateral or uncomplicated unilateral chondropathy. Surgical failure was defined as death, euthanasia, permanent tracheostomy, or reoperation. Survival to surgical failure and clinical improvement data were compared between horses with and without accompanying lesions treated by arytenoidectomy. The probability of surgical failure was signific...
Peritoneal fluid values from healthy foals. Peritoneal fluid was analysed from 17 foals, aged 13 to 134 days with a mean age of 68 days. Cytologically, the peritoneal fluid was characterised by a mean total cell count of 0.45 x 10(9)/litre (range 0.06 to 1.42 x 10(9)/litre), rare eosinophils, rare cytophagia and variable percentages of neutrophils and mononuclear cells. These data indicate that peritoneal fluid nucleated cell counts over 1.50 x 10(9)/litre in the foal should be interpreted as elevated. Biochemical evaluation revealed a mean biuret protein level of 12 g/litre, mean refractive index protein level of 16 g/litre and urea ni...
A phalangeal fusion defect and osteochondrosis dissecans with subluxation of the distal interphalangeal joints in a foal. A fusion defect of the proximal and middle phalanges of both hindlimbs, osteochondrosis dissecans of the distal interphalangeal joints of the forelimbs, and subluxation of all 4 distal interphalangeal joints occurred in a Standardbred filly. Lameness was the first abnormality noted and was observed at one week of age in the left forelimb and progressed until all 4 limbs were affected by 5 weeks of age. On radiographs of both forelimbs, the distal interphalangeal joints were subluxated with irregularity and lucency of subchondral bone. On radiographs of the distal hindlimbs, there was a subluxa...
An indirect sandwich ELISA utilising F(ab’)2 fragments for the detection of African horsesickness virus. African horsesickness virus (AHSV), an important disease of equines is caused by an orbivirus. Because of the need to contain the spread of the disease, it is often essential to make a rapid diagnosis. For this purpose, an ELISA capable of detecting viral antigen in animal tissue and in cell culture fluid was developed. Immobilised F(ab')2 fragments prepared by digestion of AHSV-specific IgG with pepsin were used to trap virus from tissue homogenates or cell culture supernatant. After addition of intact IgG as detecting antibody, Staphylococcus aureus protein A labelled with horseradish peroxi...
Transendoscopic Nd:YAG laser surgery for treatment of epiglottal entrapment and dorsal displacement of the soft palate in the horse. Transendoscopic neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser was used to treat 12 standing horses with epiglottic entrapment (EE) or dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP), or both. In four horses, transendoscopic laser staphylectomy was performed. The most common presenting complaints were respiratory stridor, cough, and exercise intolerance. Ten horses with EE healed without epiglottic complications; in one horse, partial adhesion of the aryepiglottic fold to one side of the epiglottis was corrected surgically through a laryngotomy incision. One horse with DDSP had no further sign...
Atelectasis causes gas exchange impairment in the anaesthetised horse. The anatomical basis of gas exchange impairment in the anaesthetised horse was studied by computerised tomography (CT; three shetland ponies) and morphological analysis (one pony and three horses). By means of CT, densities were seen in dependent lung regions early during anaesthesia, both with spontaneous breathing and with mechanical ventilation. The densities remained for some time where they had initially been created when the animal was turned from dorsal to sternal recumbency. Deep insufflation of the lungs reduced the dense area. Gas exchange was impaired roughly in proportion to the de...
Analysis of peritoneal fluid as a diagnostic aid in grass sickness (equine dysautonomia). The analysis of peritoneal fluid is of value in the differential diagnosis of equine colic but its characteristics have not been evaluated in grass sickness. Peritoneal fluid was collected from 15 normal horses and from 11 cases of medical colic, 11 cases of surgical colic, 20 cases of acute grass sickness and 13 cases of subacute grass sickness. The fluid was analysed for its appearance, total and differential white cell count, specific gravity, total protein concentration and total and intestinal alkaline phosphatase activity. Fluid from cases of medical colic was normal in these respects. S...
Ten cases of bladder paralysis associated with sabulous urolithiasis in horses. Bladder paralysis and sabulous urolithiasis were diagnosed in 10 horses with urinary incontinence. Additional neurological deficits in the hindquarters were detected in five of them. Treatment by catheter drainage and bladder lavage was unsuccessful, and all the horses were destroyed within 14 months of presentation. Neuritis of the cauda equina was diagnosed post mortem in one horse, but the cause of the paralysis was not identified in the others, although radiography revealed abnormal lumbosacral vertebral angulation in one case.
Failure of pH to predict ionized calcium percentage in healthy horses. Blood, serum, and plasma total calcium concentrations and plasma and serum ionized calcium concentrations were anaerobically determined by use of a calcium-specific electrode for samples obtained from 39 healthy horses. Mean (+/- SD) serum ionized calcium concentration was 6.6 +/- 0.3 mg/dl (1.6 +/- 0.1 mmol/L) and the mean serum ionized calcium percentage was 58.2 +/- 3.4%. Serum ionized calcium percentage was not significantly correlated with serum pH. Plasma ionized calcium percentage was weakly correlated with plasma pH (r = -0.480; P less than or equal to 0.05). Ionized calcium concentrat...
Prevalence and abundance of equine strongyles (Nematoda: Strongyloidea) in tropical Australia. A postmortem survey of 57 horses in tropical northern Queensland revealed 41 (89%) infected with intestinal strongyles. Thirty-five strongyle species (8 large strongyles and 27 small strongyles [Cyathostominae]) were recorded of which 9 species are reported from Australia for the first time. The 14 most prevalent small strongyles were Cyathostomum catinatum (in 76% of horses), Cyathostomum coronatum (65%), Cyathostomum pateratum (33%), Cyathostomum labiatum (30%), Cylicostephanus calicatus (70%), Cylicostephanus longibursatus (67%), Cylicostephanus goldi (43%), Cylicostephanus minutus (26%), C...
Feed additives and contaminants as a cause of equine disease. The equine practitioner often encounters serious diagnostic and therapeutic challenges regarding the specific origin of a disease. Such challenges may occur when horses become unaccountably ill after consuming what was thought to be acceptable feed but which in fact was contaminated or contained additives intended for other species. Examples of such additives and contaminants are monensin, lasalocid, salinomycin, blister beetles, and such antimicrobics as lincomycin and clindamycin.
Taste aversion learning in horses. The ability of ponies to learn to avoid a relatively novel food associated with illness was tested in three situations: when illness occurred immediately after consuming a feed; when illness occurred 30 min after consuming a feed; and when illness was contingent upon eating one of three feeds offered simultaneously. Apomorphine was used to produce illness. The feeds associated with illness were corn, alfalfa pellets, sweet feed and a complete pelleted feed. The ponies learned to avoid all the fees except the complete feed when apomorphine injection immediately followed consumption of the feed....
Comparative evaluation of the agar gel immunodiffusion test and two commercial ELISA kits for the serodiagnosis of equine infectious anemia. Selected sets of serum samples of horses were tested blindly in a comparative investigation for antibodies against Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) virus. Three commercial kits were used, a well-established agar-gel immuno-diffusion kit which our laboratory has been using routinely for 14 years on one hand, a competitive ELISA kit (CELISA) and a non-competitive ELISA kit on the other hand. The American EIA Reference Laboratory in Ames cotested 56 serum samples with the same 3 products, with highest-level correlation, thereby ascertaining full dependability of our own results. Five EIA experts su...
Microcytosis, hypoferremia, hypoferritemia, and hypertransferrinemia in standardbred foals from birth to 4 months of age. At birth, 24 Standardbred foals were assigned at random to 1 of 2 groups and were given a placebo supplement (group 1) or an iron supplement (248 mg of iron/treatment; group 2). Foals were given iron supplement or placebo 4 times during the second and third weeks after birth. Hematologic variables and general health were monitored until foals were 4 months old. Mean PCV in foals of both groups decreased during the first 2 weeks after birth, but values remained within adult horse reference ranges. During the first 6 weeks after birth, foal erythrocytes were smaller than adult horse erythrocytes...
Factors associated with the development of equine degenerative myeloencephalopathy. A case-control study was done to identify factors associated with the development of equine degenerative myeloencephalopathy (EDM). Questionnaires were mailed to the owners of 146 horses admitted to the New York State College of Veterinary Medicine between November 1978 and June 1987 and diagnosed as having EDM by histologic examination. Questionnaires also were sent to owners of 402 clinically normal horses admitted to the college during the same period. Data were compared between the EDM-affected and control groups (56 and 179 questionnaires returned, respectively). Risk factors identified i...
Absence of cadmium in the blood of horses fed oats grown on municipal sludge-amended soil. Effluents from a number of industries which are typically treated in municipal sewage plants result in cadmium-containing sludge. Disposal of such sewage sludge by application to agricultural land can result in uptake of cadmium by crops. In this study, oats were grown on soils which had been amended with sewage sludge from Syracuse, New York. The cadmium concentration in the sludge-grown oats was 1.79 ppm dry weight. Horses were fed the sludge-grown oats for 6 weeks during which time blood samples were taken for the determination of cadmium. No significant differences (p greater than 0.05) we...
Immunoturbidimetric quantification of serum immunoglobulin G concentration in foals. Immunoturbidimetric determination of serum IgG concentration in foals was compared with the reference methods of single radial immunodiffusion and serum protein electrophoresis. High positive correlations were discovered when the technique was compared with either of these reference methods. The zinc sulfate turbidity test for serum IgG estimation was also evaluated. Although a positive correlation was discovered when the latter method was compared with reference methods, it was not as strong as the correlation between reference methods and the immunoturbidimetric method. The immunoturbidimetr...
