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Topic:Diagnostic Technique
Diagnostic techniques in equine medicine encompass a range of procedures and tools used to identify diseases, injuries, or other health conditions in horses. These techniques include imaging methods such as radiography, ultrasonography, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), as well as laboratory tests like blood work and tissue biopsies. Each diagnostic method provides specific information that can aid in the assessment and management of equine health issues. Radiography is commonly used for evaluating bone structures, while ultrasonography is useful for soft tissue examination. MRI offers detailed images of both soft and hard tissues, though its use is limited by cost and availability. Laboratory tests can detect biochemical and hematological changes indicative of disease. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the development, application, and efficacy of various diagnostic techniques in equine veterinary practice.
A highly sensitive method for the detection and genotyping of West Nile virus by real-time PCR. In recent years, West Nile virus has been responsible for outbreaks in regions where it has not previously been found. Five genetic lineages with specific geographic distributions exist. Recent outbreaks of WNV associated with the introduction of lineage 1 strains into the western hemisphere, together with the emergence of lineage 2 WNV in Central Europe, has highlighted the potential for spread of pathogenic WNV strains beyond their expected geographical boundaries. Therefore, genotyping of WNV strains may have important applications in surveillance and epidemiology. We report here the develo...
Antibody immobilization on to polystyrene substrate–on-chip immunoassay for horse IgG based on fluorescence. A simple microfluidic immunoassay card was developed based on polystyrene (PS) substrate for the detection of horse IgG, an inexpensive model analyte using fluorescence microscope. The primary antibody was captured onto the PS based on covalent bonding via a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of thiol to pattern the surface chemistry on a gold-coated PS. The immunosensor chip layers were fabricated from sheets by CO(2) laser ablation. The functionalized PS surfaces after each step were characterized by contact angle measurement, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and atomic force microscopy (...
Ovulation, pregnancy rate and early embryonic development in vernal transitional mares treated with equine- or porcine-FSH. The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of purified equine- and porcine-FSH treatment regimes in mares in early vernal transition. Mares (n = 22) kept under ambient light were examined ultrasonographically per-rectum, starting January 30th. They were assigned to one of two treatment groups using a sequential alternating treatment design when a follicle >or= 25 mm was detected. In the eFSH group, mares were treated twice daily with equine-FSH, and in the pFSH group mares were treated twice daily with porcine-FSH; treatments were continued until follicle(s) >or= 35 mm, and 24 h l...
Arthroscopic removal of palmar/plantar osteochondral fragments from the proximal interphalangeal joint in four horses. To describe anatomic considerations and arthroscopic technique in horses for arthroscopic removal of palmar/plantar osteochondral fragments from the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Adult horses (n=4) with osteochondral fragments of the palmar/plantar PIP joint. Methods: Arthroscopic removal of palmar/plantar osteochondral fragments within the PIP joint was performed with horses in dorsal recumbency under general anesthesia. Medical records of affected horses were reviewed to determine history; physical, lameness, and radiological findings; surgical ...
Surgical repair of mid-body proximal sesamoid bone fractures in 25 horses. To describe the characteristics of unilateral mid-body proximal sesamoid bone (PSB) fractures, to determine factors associated with the outcome of horses after surgical repair, and to describe a technique for arthroscopically assisted screw fixation in lag fashion. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Horses (n=25) with unilateral mid-body PSB fracture. Methods: Medical records (1996-2006), radiographs, and arthroscopic videos of horses with surgically repaired unilateral mid-body PSB fractures were reviewed. Retrieved data included signalment, affected limb and PSB, fracture character...
Baseline plasma cortisol and ACTH concentrations and response to low-dose ACTH stimulation testing in ill foals. To evaluate baseline plasma cortisol and ACTH concentrations and responses to low-dose ACTH stimulation testing in ill foals. Methods: Cross-sectional study. Methods: 58 ill foals. Methods: Baseline cortisol and ACTH concentrations and cortisol concentrations after administration of a low dose of cosyntropin were determined within 6 hours after admission. Foals were assigned to 4 groups on the basis of age (<or=24 hours vs 1 to 56 days) and presence of septicemia (yes vs no). Values were compared among groups and with values previously reported for healthy foals. Results: Plasma cortisol co...
Monitoring of the repair process of surgically created lesions in equine superficial digital flexor tendons by use of computerized ultrasonography. To evaluate quantitative ultrasonography for objective monitoring of the healing process and prognostication of repair quality in equine superficial digital flexor (SDF) tendons. Methods: 6 horses with standardized surgical lesions in SDF tendons of both forelimbs. Methods: Healing was monitored for 20 weeks after surgery by use of computerized ultrasonography. Pixels were categorized as C (intact fasciculi), B (incomplete fasciculi), E (accumulations of cells and fibrils), or N (homogenous fluid or cells). Four scars with the best quality of repair (repair group) and 4 scars with the lowest q...
Use of a wireless system to measure invasive arterial blood pressure in ponies – preliminary study. To evaluate the feasibility and functionality of intra-carotid wireless device implantation in ponies, and to investigate its short-term complications. Methods: Prospective preliminary study. Methods: Five mixed breed, adult, intact male ponies weighing 104 +/- 28.8 kg (mean +/- SD) underwent surgery. Arterial blood pressure data were continuously collected from four animals. Methods: General anesthesia was induced on two consecutive days. On the first day, an intra-arterial wireless device was implanted in the right carotid artery. On the next day, a transcutaneous intra-arterial catheter was...
Measurement of the Curve of Spee in horses. The Curve of Spee is well known, yet hardly understood in the horse, as there is a striking lack of biometrically related data which could help to explain its biomechanical significance. Older horses display drastic alterations of the Curve of Spee in routine clinical examinations. Since the Curve of Spee is known to be biomechanically related to the masticatory forces in humans, the same may apply to the equine, and masticatory deficits can be expected in the geriatric horse. Quantitative data of the Curve of Spee cannot be obtained directly by means of measurements in the horse's long and na...
Modification of equine sperm chromatin decondensation method to use fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is widely used in the study of chromosome structure and organization. Cytogenetic evaluation of chromosomes using FISH technique plays an increasingly important role in diagnosing karyotype changes in both somatic and reproductive cells. The aim of the study was to optimize the conditions of stallion sperm decondensation, which have a significant effect on the results of fluorescence in situ hybridization. Appropriate type and time of decondensation was chosen for the sperm of every stallion. It was found that decondensation performed using a preparati...
Rapid calcitonin response to experimental hypercalcemia in healthy horses. Calcium has important physiological functions, and disorders of calcium homeostasis are frequent in horses. We have made important progress understanding equine calcium homeostasis; however, limited information on equine calcitonin (CT) is available, in part because of the lack of validated CT assays. To determine the CT response to high ionized calcium (Ca(2+)) concentrations in healthy horses, we induced hypercalcemia in 10 healthy horses using a calcium gluconate 23% solution (5mg/kg; 120 mL/500 kg horse) infused over 4 min. Four horses were infused with 120 mL of 0.9% NaCl and used as cont...
Maternal age and parity influence ultrasonographic measurements of fetal growth in Dutch Warmblood mares. Ultrasonographic examination of the equine fetus in mid-late gestation is usually performed only if there are concerns about fetal or maternal health. Even then it is difficult to determine whether development is 'normal' for gestational age because the reference values include considerable error margins. This study examined maternal factors that influence fetal growth with the aim of producing more precise late gestation fetal growth curves for Dutch Warmblood horses. Fetal development was monitored at 2-week intervals from day 100 of gestation until term in 32 mares ranging from 4 to 18 year...
Fluorangiographic study of the ocular fundus in normal horses. To describe the protocol and appearance of fluorescein angiography (FA) in normal horses. Methods: A total of 25 healthy horses aged between 5 and 15 years. Methods: The horses were sedated with 15 microg/kg detomidine and 50 microg/kg butorphanol and dilated with topical tropicamide 1%. All angiograms were recorded after intravenous bolus injection of 10 mg/kg of fluorescein sodium solution. Results: Two successive angiographic phases could be discerned: the choriopapillary phase, starting at 46.95 +/- 9.48 s, and the retinal vascular phase, starting at 47.79 +/- 10.38 s. The retinal vascular...
Update on veterinary cataract surgery. The purpose of this review is not to specifically discuss the techniques of veterinary cataract surgery, but rather to emphasize some of the differences between the veterinary and human cataract patients, procedures and outcomes. Results: In general, veterinary cataract surgery has more similarities than differences when compared to its human counterpart. This is especially true when comparing pediatric cataract patients. Veterinary cataract surgery has changed dramatically in recent years with regards to surgical technique, ocular pharmacology, viscoelastic devices, phacoemulsification, and t...
Virion associated proteins of equine rhinitis B virus 1 (ERBV1): the non-structural protein 3C(pro) co-purifies with virions. Equine rhinitis B virus (ERBV), genus Erbovirus, is most closely related to the Cardiovirus genus in the family Picornaviridae. The structural proteins (VP1-4) of erboviruses are not well described, but are predicted by sequence to be 35, 29, 26 and 7 kDa. Methods for the purification of cardioviruses (polyethylene glycol, trypsin treatment) were used to characterise the structural proteins of ERBV1. Only one of the virus proteins detected was an expected molecular mass, and this 26 kDa protein was identified as VP3 by N-terminal amino acid sequencing. N-terminal sequencing of the 56 and a 29 ...
Serum protein concentrations from clinically healthy horses determined by agarose gel electrophoresis. Serum protein electrophoresis is a useful screening test in equine laboratory medicine. The method can provide valuable information about changes in the concentrations of albumin and alpha-, beta-, and gamma-globulins and thereby help characterize dysproteinemias in equine patients. Reference values for horses using agarose gel as a support medium have not been reported. Objective: The purpose of this study was to establish reference intervals for serum protein concentrations in adult horses using agarose gel electrophoresis and to assess differences between warm-blooded and heavy draught hors...
Uterine influences on embryogenesis and early placentation in the horse revealed by transfer of day 10 embryos to day 3 recipient mares. Eight day 10 horse embryos were transferred non-surgically to recipient mares that had ovulated 7 days after the donors. The embryonic vesicle was seen ultrasonographically in all eight recipients, and three out of eight (38%) of the vesicles developed an embryo proper with a beating heart. Conceptus expansion was initially slower than that in control mares but continued until day 22 (recipient day 15). Time of fixation of the vesicle was related to its diameter, rather than uterine stage. Although the embryo proper first appeared ultrasonographically on day 22, as normal, it grew more slowly ...
Real-time RT-PCR for detection of equine influenza and evaluation using samples from horses infected with A/equine/Sydney/2007 (H3N8). Equine influenza (EI) virus (H3N8) was identified in the Australian horse population for the first time in August 2007. The principal molecular diagnostic tool used for detection was a TaqMan real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reactions (RT-PCR) assay specific for the matrix (MA) gene of influenza virus type A (IVA). As this assay is not specific for EI, we developed a new EI H3-specific TaqMan assay targeting the haemagglutinin (HA) gene of all recent EI H3 strains. The IVA and the EI H3 TaqMan assays were assessed using in vitro transcribed RNA template, virus culture, diagnost...
Sharpea azabuensis gen. nov., sp. nov., a Gram-positive, strictly anaerobic bacterium isolated from the faeces of thoroughbred horses. Four bacterial strains, designated ST18(T), HM244, HM250 and DI49, were isolated from the fresh faeces of four thoroughbred horses in Japan. Cells were Gram-positive, strictly anaerobic, catalase-negative, non-spore-forming, non-motile rods that occurred in chains. They were placed in the same subcluster based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, phenotypic characteristics and levels of DNA-DNA relatedness. Their DNA G+C content ranged from 36 to 38 mol%. Lactobacillus catenaformis, Lactobacillus vitulinus and Catenibacterium mitsuokai belong to cluster XVII of the Clostridium subphylum. Strain...
Ultrasonographic and Doppler findings of subclinical clitoral microtraumatisms in mountain bikers and horseback riders. Repeated microtraumas in horseback riders and mountain bikers are, in males, associated with perineal and scrotal lesions. No data are reported in the females. Objective: To report five cases of clitoral microcalcifications, diagnosed by ultrasonography, in six healthy, eumenorrheic athletes, and to verify the clinical and sexual impact of the ultrasonographic findings. Methods: Translabial ultrasonographic evaluation of the clitoris, Doppler analysis of dorsal clitoral arteries, and the two-factor Italian McCoy Female Sexuality Questionnaire (MFSQ) METHODS: The patients were assessed with a d...
Biotechnological advances in the diagnosis of little-known parasitoses of pets. Dogs, cats, and horses are popular pets in many countries of the World and they have lived in close proximity with human beings for thousands of years. The effect of pet ownership on human health is well known and there is significant merit in preserving the health and welfare of these animals. Some infections caused by parasitic nematodes and arthropods of dogs, cats, and horses are now spreading in several areas of the world. This is the case of canine spirocercosis, feline aelurostrongylosis, and equine gastro-intestinal and nasal nematode and botfly infections. These diseases affect animal...
Serial gastrointestinal ultrasonography following exploratory celiotomy in normal adult ponies. The objective was to characterize ultrasonographic changes in bowel wall thickness, contractility, degree of distension, luminal contents, and peritoneal fluid associated with exploratory celiotomy in normal ponies. Gastrointestinal ultrasonographic examination was performed in 14 ponies on days 1, 3, 5, and 7 after an exploratory celiotomy. Wall thickness, contractility, degree of distension, and luminal contents were recorded for the duodenum and jejunum. Stomach wall thickness and location, cecal wall thickness, and peritoneal fluid location and character were recorded. Peritoneal fluid was...
Isolation, establishment, and characterization of ex vivo equine melanoma cell cultures. Gray horses spontaneously develop metastatic melanomas that resemble human disease, and this is often accompanied with metastasis to other organs. Unlike in other species, the establishment of primary equine melanoma cultures that could be used to develop new therapeutic approaches has remained a major challenge. The purpose of the study was to develop a protocol for routine isolation and cultivation of primary equine melanocytes. Melanoma tissues were excised from 13 horses under local anesthesia, mainly from the perianal area. The melanoma cells were isolated from the melanoma tissue by seri...
Imaging diagnosis–avulsion of the origin of the popliteal tendon in a horse. No abstract available
Magnetic resonance imaging of distal sesamoidean ligament injury. Distal sesamoidean ligament injury is a recognized cause of lameness but diagnosis using ultrasonography is sometimes difficult. Herein, we describe the normal appearance of the distal sesamoidean ligaments on magnetic resonance (MR) images and the changes that occur when the ligaments are injured. The appearance of the distal sesamoidean ligaments on MR images from 66 control horses and 58 horses with distal sesamoidean desmitis were described and the cross-sectional area and signal intensity of the ligaments measured. In control horses, the ligaments had a characteristic appearance and stron...
Evaluation of duration of corneal anesthesia induced with ophthalmic 0.5% proparacaine hydrochloride by use of a Cochet-Bonnet aesthesiometer in clinically normal horses. To measure duration of corneal anesthesia and time and degree of maximal anesthetic effect of 0.5% proparacaine hydrochloride by use of a Cochet-Bonnet aesthesiometer in horses. Methods: 10 clinically normal adult horses. Methods: Baseline corneal touch threshold (CTT) was measured in millimeters for 1 randomly selected eye of each horse by use of the aesthesiometer by applying the filament to the cornea at maximum length (60 mm) and decreasing in 5-mm increments until a consistent blink response was elicited. Following baseline CTT measurement, 0.2 mL of 0.5% proparacaine hydrochloride was in...
The use of oral endoscopy for detection of cheek teeth abnormalities in 300 horses. The main objective of this study was to evaluate an endoscopic examination protocol for routine dental examination in horses. The oral cavities of 300 standing, sedated horses were examined under field and hospital conditions with a rigid endoscope using a standardised technique that included examination of the occlusal, lingual (palatal) and buccal surfaces of all cheek teeth rows. The most common cheek teeth abnormalities detected were sharp enamel edges (present in 96.3% of horses), focal overgrowths (64.3%), fissure fractures (54.3%), diastemata (24.3%) and infundibular hypoplasia/caries (...
Development of a real-time duplex TaqMan-PCR for the detection of Equine rhinitis A and B viruses in clinical specimens. Equine rhinitis A and B viruses (ERAV and ERBV) are respiratory viruses of horses belonging to the family Picornaviridae. Although these viruses are considered to cause respiratory disease in horses and are potentially infectious for humans, little is known about their prevalence and pathogenesis. Virus isolation is often unsuccessful due to their inefficient growth and lack of cytopathic effect in cell cultures. Therefore, molecular assays should be considered as the method of choice to detect infection in symptomatic or apparently healthy horses. In the present study, a novel real-time duple...
