Omneity® Pellets
All-In-One Vitamin & Mineral Pellet
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.
Characterisation of Salmonella Typhimurium from a fatal equine nosocomial outbreak and retrospective analysis of equine clinic salmonellosis cases (2010-2025). In 2024, a highly fatal outbreak of equine salmonellosis occurred in a Hungarian equine referral hospital, resulting in the death or euthanasia of four out of five affected horses. () subsp. serovar Typhimurium was identified as the primary causative agent from equine faecal, reflux, and post-mortem intestinal content samples, while one case involved Coeln. Extensive environmental sampling during the outbreak also yielded multiple serovars. Whole-genome sequencing revealed a high degree of genetic relatedness among the Typhimurium isolates, confirming nosocomial transmission. The source ...
Disorders of the Equine Head and Neck: Paranasal Sinuses. This article provides an overview of equine paranasal sinus disease with emphasis on relevant anatomy, diagnostic considerations, and commonly encountered pathologic conditions. It outlines the structure and drainage of the paranasal sinuses to establish a foundation for understanding disease development and spread. The discussion reviews available diagnostic modalities and their roles in localizing disease and determining underlying causes. Common sinus disorders are presented with attention to their general pathophysiology, diagnostic features, treatment approaches, and expected outcomes. Co...
“Synthetic gp90 peptide ELISA for equine infectious anemia virus: Improved sensitivity and risk factor insights”. Equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) is a globally significant equine pathogen, and its control relies on effective serological surveillance. The agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) test, the WOAH-prescribed method, has limitations in sensitivity. This study developed and validated an indirect ELISA using a synthetic peptide derived from a conserved region of the EIAV gp90 surface glycoprotein. The assay was evaluated using 773 horse sera from the Metropolitan Zone of the Valley of Mexico and compared to the AGID test. The gp90-EIAV ELISA demonstrated a sensitivity of 85.3 % and a specificity o...
Evaluation of computed tomographic anatomy of the foot in Jeju horses. Foot diseases are common causes of lameness in horses. Computed tomography (CT) is a valuable tool for diagnosing musculoskeletal lesions in horses and providing a detailed evaluation of foot diseases. Objective: The objective of this study was to establish reference ranges related to the feet of normal Jeju horses by measuring the angles and length of the hoof, and the Hounsfield Unit (HU) value of soft tissues in the foot. Methods: Sixteen normal Jeju horses (mean age: 4.25 years; mean body weight: 282.06 kg) without lameness were examined using CT. After CT scanning, the angles and lengths ...
Advances in ELISA-based detection of equine leptospirosis. Leptospirosis is a globally distributed zoonosis that affects both humans and animals, with being the main causative agent. In horses, the disease is associated with considerable economic losses. The Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT) is the reference test for diagnosis but has limitations, emphasizing the need for effective diagnostic alternatives. In this study, was evaluated the use of a recombinant chimera, composed of ErpY-like and LemA proteins, as an antigen for ELISA-based detection of equine leptospirosis. The chimera was successfully expressed, purified and tested on 915 horse ser...
Enhancing African horse sickness virus detection: comparing and adapting PCR assays. African horse sickness (AHS) is the only equine disease for which the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) gives official disease-free status, given that it poses a major threat to the equine industry. The disease is caused by AHS virus (AHSV; family , taxon species ), which is endemic in sub-Saharan Africa. Reverse-transcription quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) is a rapid, sensitive detection method used in the diagnosis of AHS and the certification of animals as negative for AHSV for the purpose of movement. Genetic variability of AHSV may influence the accuracy of RT-qPCR detecti...
The first molecular detection of equine piroplasmosis in Vietnam and genetic characterization of three co-circulating genotypes of Theileria equi. Equine piroplasmosis, caused by , and , significantly impacts on the veterinary and economic aspects of the global horse industry. However, many countries, including Vietnam, have not yet conducted epidemiological surveys to determine the prevalence of these haemoparasites. This study aimed to detect and/or infections in horses and to identify their genotypes. Blood samples were collected from 154 apparently healthy horses in eight districts of Hanoi, Thai Nguyen, and Son La provinces located in the northern part of the country. Twenty-four horses (15.58%, 95%CI: 10.70–22.14%) were found ...
Activation of the S100A8/A9 Alarmin Amplifies Inflammatory Pathways in Equine Ascending Placentitis. Ascending placentitis is a significant cause of equine pregnancy loss, yet the upstream inflammatory triggers are poorly defined. Recently, we identified S100A8/S100A9 (S100A8/A9) alarmins as potential upstream regulators in a chronic equine placentitis model. The current study aimed to determine whether this upregulation is sustained in the acute model and in clinical cases, and to elucidate the expression of their downstream inflammatory mediators. Using an experimental model, we quantified mRNA expression in acute ( = 5) and chronic ( = 6) placentitis induced by ssp. . We found mRNA expre...
Prognostic Significance of Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate for Survival in Equine Colic. Accurate early prognostic assessment is a central aspect of clinical decision-making in horses presenting with colic. Despite the availability of multiple clinical and laboratory parameters, reliable biomarkers that provide useful information at the time of admission remain limited. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate is a non-specific indicator of systemic inflammation that has recently been validated for automated point-of-care use in horses. Its behaviour in equine colic has not been previously characterised. This study included 85 horses admitted for colic at two university referral hospita...
How to perform a venogram of the equine foot. The objective of this video is to demonstrate a reliable technique for obtaining diagnostic venogram images of the equine foot. Venogram studies are indicated to assess vascular contrast filling of the equine digit, primarily in cases of laminitis. Unassigned: A healthy university-owned horse was used for demonstration purposes. The protocol was approved by the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University IACUC. Unassigned: The horse's shoes are removed, and the foot is cleaned of debris. The horse is sedated and a medial and lateral abaxial nerve block performed. The pastern is clipped...
Barrel racing horses demonstrate a high incidence of nonclinical postrace airway disorders. To describe the prevalence of postrace airway abnormalities in a population of barrel racing horses competing in Oklahoma. Unassigned: A descriptive field study was conducted at a single event. Horses underwent resting endoscopy within 60 minutes of competition. Recordings were evaluated and numerical and/or binary scores assigned for pharyngeal lymphoid hyperplasia, recurrent laryngeal neuropathy, dorsal displacement of the soft palate, epiglottic entrapment, and exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage. Clients completed a questionnaire detailing the horse's medical history and run time. A line...
Three-dimensional anatomical description of the microarchitecture of the distal sesamoid bone in healthy and navicular syndrome-affected horses by computed microtomography. Navicular syndrome (NS) is a chronic, degenerative condition of the equine thoracic limb that compromises the distal sesamoid bone (DSB) and associated structures responsible for stabilization and load absorption during locomotion. Although historically attributed to vascular alterations, its etiology is now recognized as biomechanical, characterized by chronic overload of the deep digital flexor tendon. Conventional diagnostic techniques-radiography, scintigraphy, and ultrasonography-lack the sensitivity and precision required to detect early microarchitectural alterations. This study aimed t...
Comparative Analysis of Extracellular Vesicle Isolation From Equine Serum and Plasma Using Two Isolation Methods With Structural and Proteomic Validation. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are promising biomarkers and mediators of intercellular communication, but their isolation from equine biofluids remains challenging. This study compared two isolation workflows-size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) and differential ultracentrifugation followed by SEC (UC + SEC)-to evaluate their efficiency, reproducibility, and the proteomic composition of EVs derived from equine serum and plasma. Blood from six healthy horses was processed to obtain platelet-free plasma and serum. EVs were isolated using SEC or UC + SEC and characterized by transmission ele...
Effects of sample storage time and temperature on equine complete blood counts. Equine blood samples are often collected in uncontrolled, distant environments and stored for later analysis. Objective: This study aimed to determine how sample storage methods influence complete blood count (CBC) parameters, hypothesizing that temperature and time elapsed from collection to analysis would affect CBC parameters. Methods: Blood samples were collected from 10 healthy Quarter Horse mares (age: 13 ± 4.5 years old) and stored in EDTA tubes at room temperature (22°C), above ice (8°C), refrigerated (4°C), or in contact with ice (2°C). The IDEXX ProcyteDx was used to obtain CBCs...
Validation of a handheld smartphone markerless gait-analysis tool using an estimated groundline in horses. A handheld smartphone-based computer vision algorithm (RealHorse® [RH]) offers accessible alternatives for equine gait analysis but requires validation against a gold-standard three-dimensional multicamera optical motion capture system (Qualisys® [QS]). Objective: To evaluate the accuracy and precision of RH in measuring vertical displacement signals (VDS) at the eye, withers, back and croup in horses trotting on a straight line and on a circle. Methods: Cross-sectional comparative validation study of a markerless computer vision algorithm. Methods: Fifty-nine horses were recorded while trot...
Two cases of primary hepatic neoplasia in young horses: Diagnostic challenges and clinical implications. Primary hepatic neoplasms are rare in horses and often have a poor prognosis due to non-specific clinical signs and delayed diagnosis. This report describes two cases of primary hepatic neoplasia in young horses. The first case was a yearling Hanoverian filly presenting with non-specific clinical signs, including poor weight gain and inappetence, ultimately diagnosed with hepatoblastoma based on ultrasonographic findings and histopathological examination. The second case was a three-year-old Polish Sport Horse stallion that died suddenly, with post-mortem examination revealing advanced cholang...
Serological Assays to Measure Rabies Antibody Response in Equine Serum Samples. Rabies is a neglected tropical zoonotic disease caused by rabies-virus (RV) infection and is responsible for almost 60,000 annual deaths globally, largely affecting the socio-economically disadvantaged population. Although fatality is preventable by immunization either before or after exposure with therapeutic antibodies, the high cost of prophylaxis or treatment limits their accessibility for the affected population. However, due to the almost 100% fatality rate in symptomatic individuals, almost 29 million annual vaccinations are performed, imposing high financial burden. Human transmission ...
Evaluation of Laboratory Techniques for the Diagnosis of Leptospira-Associated Equine Recurrent Uveitis (ERU) With Focus on the Goldmann-Witmer Coefficient. To evaluate different laboratory procedures for determining the etiologic diagnosis of equine recurrent uveitis regarding intraocular infection with Leptospira spp. and to establish a diagnostic guideline. Methods: Eighty horses with a history of ERU were ophthalmologically examined. Serum and aqueous humor were collected. Total protein, albumin level, and MAT against Leptospira spp. were evaluated on serum and aqueous humor. PCR for Leptospira spp., EHV-1 and -4 was performed on aqueous humor. Goldmann-Witmer coefficient (GWC) and C-value (CC) were calculated based on MAT. In 42 cases, an add...
Isolation of Madariaga Virus (MADV) in a Horse Coinfected with Equine Infectious Anemia in Venezuela: A Review of MADV Circulation in the Country. Madariaga virus (MADV), formerly known as the South American variant of Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus (EEEV), is an alphavirus that belongs to the family and has been periodically infecting equids in Venezuela since its first identification in 1975. This study reports the isolation and molecular characterization of MADV isolated from a horse in December 2024 in the context of MADV cases reported in Venezuela. Methods: Antibodies to the rabies virus were detected by indirect immunofluorescence, and to the Equine Infectious Anemia virus (EIAV) by passive immunodiffusion. MADV RNA was detect...
Outbreak of equine botulism type C associated with consumption of baleage in Brazil. An outbreak of botulism occurred in March 2024 among horses at a Quarter Horse stud farm in Central-West Brazil. After ingesting baleage, 22 of 26 (85%) horses housed in stables and fed baleage became ill. The affected horses had dysphagia, muscular weakness, fasciculations, and progressive recumbency; 13 of 22 (59%) died within a few days. The diagnosis of type C botulism was established based on clinical and epidemiologic findings and confirmed by mouse bioassays, which indicated botulinum toxin type C in liver samples and intestinal contents. Furthermore, PCR testing identified toxigenic i...
Detection of vasculogenic mimicry in equine ocular, oronasal, and genital squamous cell carcinoma. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most common malignant tumor disease in horses. It predominantly affects the ocular, oronasal, and anogenital region. Equine SCC is difficult to treat, also because important aspects of SCC development and metastasis are still unclear. We previously provided evidence that equine SCC cells can adopt a stem cell-like phenotype as a hallmark of malignant progression. Here, we investigated whether equine SCCs harbor endothelial-like tumor cells that form an alternative network of pseudo-vessels better known as vasculogenic mimicry (VM). Following histopathologic...
Intra-rater and inter-rater reliability of ultrasonographic intestinal wall thickness measurements in healthy horses. Abdominal ultrasound is widely used to evaluate the intestinal tract of horses. Despite being a routine examination, there is limited data on the reliability of this diagnostic procedure. Objective: To investigate intra- and inter-rater reliability of ultrasonographic intestinal wall thickness measurements in healthy horses. A second aim was to assess variance within repeated measurements to determine threshold values that distinguish whether differences between repeated examinations are true findings versus solely due to measurement variation. Methods: In vivo reliability study. Methods: Eigh...
Urine sediment characterisation in physically healthy adult jennies (Equus asinus). A cross-sectional study. Urinalysis is a valuable, non-invasive method for evaluating renal function, yet data on donkey urinary parameters remain scarce. This study characterised urinary sediment in fifty-four healthy adult jennies, established urine specific gravity (USG) reference intervals, and proposed a preliminary semi-quantitative sediment grading scale. Urine samples were collected via catheterisation and analysed using refractometry, dipstick testing, and microscopy. The median USG was 1.048 (IQR: 1.040-1.055) with a pH of 7.6 (IQR: 7.2-8.0). Leukocytes and glucose were absent; erythrocytes were found in one...
A study on the prevalence of cyathostomin and Anoplocephala perfoliata infections in Italian horses: diagnostic testing and analysis of factors affecting infection risk. Cyathostomins and Anoplocephala perfoliata infect equids worldwide and both are of concern due to their potential to cause clinical disease. Although coprological techniques are commonly used for assessing helminth egg shedding these do not provide information about an individual's total parasite burden. Antibody-based tests provide information on infection levels within individuals. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate cyathostomin and Anoplocephala perfoliata occurrence in Italian horses using coprological and serum-based antibody detection methods and to analyse risk factors for infectio...
Establishing Reference Values for Serum Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin (NGAL) in Turkmen Horses: Effects of Gender, Age, Pregnancy and Physical Activity. Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is a glycoprotein involved in immune responses and inflammation, with established diagnostic utility in acute kidney injury (AKI) and systemic diseases. However, reference values for NGAL in healthy horses, particularly the Turkmen breed, remain poorly defined. Objective: This study aimed to establish reference values for serum NGAL concentrations in healthy Turkmen horses and to evaluate the influence of age, sex, pregnancy status and physical activity on its levels, as well as its correlations with haematological and serum biochemical variabl...
Identification of a novel equine rhinitis B virus detected in horse from Japan. Equine rhinitis B virus (ERBV), a member of the Picornaviridae family, is associated with mild to moderate respiratory illness in horses, yet its genomic diversity remains incompletely characterized. In this study, we performed metagenomic analysis on a rectal swab sample from a diarrheic foal confirmed to be positive for rotavirus A. Unexpectedly, we identified a highly divergent ERBV strain with a 9,448-nucleotide genome encoding a 2,721-amino-acid polyprotein. Sequence analysis revealed only 62.5-63.1% identity in the polyprotein and 47.1-49.8% in the VP1 region compared to known ERBV serot...
Potassium carbonate as an alternative solution for detecting Anoplocephalid eggs in horse faecal samples. Anoplocephalid species are responsible for causing tapeworm infection in horses. The disease may cause serious health issues, including discomfort, colic, and even intestinal perforation and death. A study was carried out to compare the detection rates of tapeworm eggs in naturally infected horses using two different examination solutions. For this purpose, faecal samples of 241 horses were examined with a combined sedimentation + centrifugation + flotation technique using saturated sugar solution (specific gravity (SG) = 1.30) as the basis and potassium carbonate (KCO) solution (S...
Calcitonin gene-related peptide concentration in cerebrospinal fluid and serum in horses affected by trigeminal-mediated headshaking. Trigeminal-mediated headshaking (TMHS) in horses shares clinical features with human trigeminal neuralgia (HTN). Increased levels of the neuropeptide calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) have been found in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of HTN patients. Inhibition of CGRP in humans has shown promise for pain relief. Data on CGRP in horses affected by TMHS are currently lacking but if quantifiable and validated, could assist in developing new diagnostic and more rational therapeutic approaches. Objective: This study aimed to quantify and correlate CGRP concentrations in the serum and...
Cyclooxygenase-2 and von Willebrand factor-an immunohistochemical study of the equine foot with and without laminitis, post-mortem perfused with paraffin oil. Equine laminitis is a complex and potentially fatal disease characterized by severe vascular and inflammatory alterations within the equine foot. This study aimed to develop immunohistochemistry (IHC) protocols for the detection of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and von Willebrand factor (vWF) in equine feet with and without laminitis, post-mortem perfused with paraffin oil. Unassigned: A total of 12 equine forelimbs from 8 horses were utilized in this study, divided into two study cohorts: one with laminitis and the other as a non-laminitis control. To develop the IHC protocols thoroughly, the tiss...
Addressing Heterogeneity in Equine PRP Therapies: A Scoping Review of Methods, Evidence, and Commercial Validation. (1) Background: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy has become a cornerstone of equine regenerative medicine, yet significant methodological variability compromises reproducibility and clinical comparability. (2) Methods: This scoping review systematically mapped and analyzed peer-reviewed studies describing equine PRP preparation methods and commercial systems (2000-2024) following PRISMA-ScR guidelines. (3) Results: Twenty-four studies met the inclusion criteria, encompassing 317 horses and both manual and commercial devices. Double-spin manual protocols predominated, though centrifugation pa...
