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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.
Comparison of M and N gene sequences distinguishes variation amongst equine arteritis virus isolates. cDNA copies of the M and N genes of equine arteritis virus (EAV) isolates were synthesized by reverse transcription followed by polymerase chain reaction amplification. The cDNA was subjected to a cycle sequencing strategy using Taq polymerase, and the nucleotide and derived amino acid sequences of 10 virus isolates were compared. The M and N genes of all isolates had the same initiation and termination sites as the prototype Bucyrus strain and the encoded proteins were conserved between viruses. Comparison of nucleotide sequence homologies and phylogenetic tree analysis implied the existence ...
Accessory carpal bone fractures in the horse. The clinical signs, the radiographic appearance, and the treatment of two cases of fracture of the accessory carpal bone are described. The fractures were in the vertical plane. Surgical intervention consisted out of fixation of the fracture with two lag screws. Follow-up information revealed that one horse became sound and returned to complete athletic activity whereas the other horse remained lame. A brief literature review is given and the surgical treatment and the complications are discussed.
Repair of fractures of the distal aspect of the radius in two horses. Fractures of the distal radius in two horses were repaired by open reduction and interfragmentary compression using screws placed in a lag fashion. One horse had a complete oblique fracture of the medial aspect of the epiphysis of the distal radius and was sound for riding 32 months after surgery. The other horse had an open spiral comminuted fracture with medial displacement of the distal radial fragment. Laminitis developed in the contralateral limb and this horse was euthanatized 5 weeks after surgery.
A 64,X,i(Xq) karyotype in a standardbred filly. Chromosomal analysis is not a routine examination in equine
practice. It is indicated, however, in infertile or subfertile
mares with small, inactive ovaries (Chandley et a/. 1975;
Power 1986).
The most commonly reported abnormalities in mares
concern sex chromosomes such as 63,XO and mosaic
63,XO/64,XX giving sterile mares and 64,XY resulting in
gonadal dysgenesis, sex reversal and testicular feminisation
(Power 1990). The phenotypic manifestations of a horse with
these karyotypic abnormalities are usually quite mild
compared with the corresponding abnormalities in man. These
mild ...
Ultrasonographic evaluation and long-term follow-up of flexor tendonitis/desmitis in the metacarpal/metatarsal region in Dutch warmblood horses and standardbred racehorses. Over a 2 year-period, the ultrasonographic localization and distribution of flexor tendinous and ligamentous injuries, the long-term follow-up, and the outcome were studied in 101 Dutch Warmblood horses (DW) with a mean age of 8.7 years and in 71 Standardbred racehorses (ST) with a mean age of 5.2 years. The ratio between forelimb and hind limb flexor tendonitis/desmitis in the DW-group was 4:1 and in the ST-group group 4:3. In the DW-group, tendonitis/desmitis of the suspensory ligament (32%), the superficial digital flexor tendon (29%), the distal carpal check ligament (17%) of the forelimb ...
Diagnosis of Babesia caballi infections in horses by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and western blot. From Babesia caballi in vitro cultures a preparation of 100% infected erythrocytes was obtained. From this, B. caballi antigens were extracted with the detergent 3-[(3-Cholamidopropyl)-dimethylammonio]-1-propane-sulfonate (CHAPS) and used as ELISA antigens. A control antigen of normal erythrocytes from the same donor horse was prepared in an identical manner. The ELISA and Western blot were validated by testing of sera from horses experimentally infected with B. caballi or B. equi or not infected with Babesia spp. ELISA and Western blot results were compared with those obtained by the immunofl...
Species specificity and interspecies relatedness in VP4 genotypes demonstrated by VP4 sequence analysis of equine, feline, and canine rotavirus strains. We determined the nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of the VP4 genes of five equine, two feline, and two canine rotavirus strains. A high degree of homology (> 97.0%) was found among the VP4 amino acid sequences of the equine strains H2, FI-14, and FI23. Equine strain L338 has a distinct VP4 amino acid sequence from those of the other equine strains (78.1% or less homology), and the L338 VP4 exhibited more than 17.0% divergence at the amino acid level from those of rotavirus strains published so far. The VP4 amino acid sequence of equine strain H1, which showed low homology with t...
Electrophoretic characterization of equine oviductal fluid. To characterize further the events involved in fertilization and early embryonic development in the mare, effect of the estrous cycle on oviductal fluid proteins was investigated. Five mares had indwelling cannulas placed in their oviducts so that fluid could be collected throughout the estrous cycle. Daily fluid volumes were recorded and mares were monitored for signs of standing estrus. Oviductal fluid samples were pooled across mares according to stage of cycle (either estrus or nonestrus) for further analysis. Two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) was used to determine ...
[An evaluation of the direct agglutination test for the diagnosis of “mal de caderas” in horses]. The usefulness of the direct agglutination test (DA) to diagnose Mal de Caderas disease was evaluated. Forty four sera samples from two lots of horses with natural T. evansi infection (Lot 1 and Lot 2) were used. Thirteen (81.2%) of sixteen horses in which parasites were isolated gave positive agglutination titres (> or = 1:512) in the DA test. Treatment of these positive sera with 2-mercaptoethanol drops three to eight dilutions the agglutination titres in twelve samples (92%), showing the IgM nature of these antibodies. The DA test was also positive in seventeen of twenty eight horses in ...
Laboratory and clinical evaluation of a chromogenic endotoxin assay for horses with acute intestinal disorders. In this study the laboratory and clinical performance of a chromogenic endotoxin assay for equine plasma was evaluated. The assay was sensitive (detection limit 3 ng LPS/L plasma), reproducible (within and between-assay CV at 50 ng LPS/L E. coli O111:B4 LPS standard addition was 5% and 7.5%, respectively), and not substantially affected by enhancement or inhibition phenomena (recovery of an in vitro spike was 75-125% in 80% of the samples). LPS added to whole blood was rapidly inactivated upon incubation at 37 degrees C but not at 0 degrees C. A recently developed blood collection tube for LPS...
Contact area and pressure distribution changes of the equine third carpal bone during loading. Changes in contact area and pressure distribution with loading were evaluated on the proximal articulating surface of the equine third carpal bone using safranin-O dye staining and pressure sensitive film techniques. A significant increase in percentage contact area resulted as the applied load was increased from 3115 to 9000 N (54.93% +/- 7.99 vs 61.43% +/- 7.37 respectively, P = 0.016). The area in contact shifted towards the dorsal aspect of both the radial and intermediate facets of the third carpal bone. Changes were also detected in the mean pressure under the same loading conditions. Th...
Analysis of the frequency spectrum of the equine electroencephalogram during halothane anaesthesia. The electroencephalogram (EEG) has been used in human clinical anaesthesia as an indicator of cortical activity and as an indicator of the depth of anaesthesia. It would be useful if it provided a reliable indication of the depth of anaesthesia of horses. In this study anaesthesia was induced with thiopentone and maintained with halothane in nine ponies. The end tidal halothane concentration (PE-Hal) was monitored and 20 seconds of EEG were recorded at 0.8 per cent, 1.0 per cent and 1.2 per cent halothane, equivalent to the minimum alveolar concentration (MAC), 1.25 MAC and 1.5 MAC. Each 20 se...
Nerve supply of the proximal sesamoid bone in the horse. In chronical proximal sesamoid bone lameness it is difficult to localise the exact site of pain. A specific diagnostic analgesia is not available because of a deficiency of detailed information about the nerve supply to the proximal sesamoid bones and surrounding area. A macroscopic study of the nerve distribution to the proximal sesamoid bones of 10 foals and 5 adult horses revealed that these bones are innervated by two branches, in this study called the medial and lateral sesamoidean nerve, respectively, originating from the medial and lateral palmar nerve. Histology of the left forelimbs o...
Effects of centrifugation and specimen preparation technique on bronchoalveolar lavage analysis in horses. Bronchoalveolar lavages (BAL) were performed for 6 healthy horses and 8 horses with lower airway diseases (LAD). Total cell and differential counts were performed before and after centrifugation and resuspension of the BAL cells in a small volume of fluid; there was no difference in the total cell counts, but mast cell percentages were significantly (P < 0.05) lower, after centrifugation, in the LAD group. The two specimen preparation techniques compared were cytocentrifugation and centrifugation on microscope glass covers. For both groups of horses, lymphocyte percentages were significantl...
Arthroscopic approach and intra-articular anatomy of the plantar pouch of the equine tarsocrural joint. Arthroscopic examination of structures within the plantar pouch of the tarsocrural joint was accomplished via portals in both the plantaromedial and plantarolateral aspects of the joint. Flexion and extension of the tarsus while examining the joint through either portal allowed observation of the proximal and plantar aspects of the lateral and medial trochlear ridges, the trochlear groove, the caudal aspect of the distal tibia, and the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) in its sheath. From a plantarolateral portal, the plantar talocalcaneal ligament and the plantar aspect of the lateral malleol...
Lipid analysis of lavage samples from the equine guttural pouch (auditory tube diverticulum). The guttural pouch is a large, air-filled diverticulum of the auditory tube, present in the horse and other species. Lipid analysis of saline lavage from the equine guttural pouch has demonstrated the presence of phospholipids and neutral lipids in amounts that are variable but consistently greater than in any other species described. A stain specific for choline-containing phospholipids has demonstrated the presence of phospholipid-containing vesicles only within the cells of subepithelial, seromucoidlike glands, suggesting that these cells incorporate phospholipids in their secretions. The f...
Gastric emptying of solid, non-digestible, radiopaque markers in ponies. The gastric emptying of different forms of ingesta occurs by a variety of mechanisms and dysfunction may selectively affect different components of the gastric contents. A technique for assessing gastric emptying of solid, indigestible, radiopaque markers was developed. Emptying of these markers in four ponies was variable in both pattern and rate (half emptying time ranged from less than one hour to more than 24 hours). However, whereas in man physically similar markers appear to empty relatively rapidly when fasting but are delayed by a meal, no such delay was evident in these ponies. The ho...
Proximal suspensory desmitis in the hindlimb: 42 cases. Proximal suspensory desmitis of the hindlimb was diagnosed using local analgesic techniques and ultrasonography in 42 horses. Subtarsal analgesia resulted in substantial improvement in lameness in 36 of 41 horses in which local analgesic techniques were used. In the remaining five horses lameness was improved by perineural analgesia of the tibial nerve (three) or the tibial and fibular nerves. Intra-articular analgesia of the tarso-metatarsal joint produced a similar degree of improvement in two of 24 horses in which lameness had been improved by subtarsal analgesia. Ultrasonographic abnormali...
Clinical and force plate evaluation of the effect of a high plantar nerve block in lameness caused by induced mid-metatarsal tendinitis. To answer the question whether it is possible to differentiate, by means of a high plantar nerve block in the hind limb, flexor tendon lameness from a suspensory ligament lameness, mid-plantar tendinitis or desmitis was induced with collagenase in five Standardbred horses in two trials. Before the induction of lameness, and on the fourth (D4) and fourteenth day (D14) after the induction of lameness the horses were evaluated subjectively (clinical lameness score), objectively (ground reaction force (GRF) measurements), and ultrasonographically. Clinical evaluation and GRF measurements were also...
Performance analysis after prosthetic laryngoplasty and bilateral ventriculectomy for laryngeal hemiplegia in horses: 70 cases (1986-1991). Medical records of 70 horses diagnosed with left laryngeal hemiplegia that were treated by use of prosthetic laryngoplasty combined with bilateral ventriculectomy were examined. Degree of arytenoid cartilage abduction that had resulted from the prosthesis had been graded before the horse was discharged from the hospital. Follow-up information through owner/trainer questioning was acquired for 55 horses. Information concerning the type and frequency of complications, if any, was recorded, along with a determination of owner/trainer satisfaction regarding surgical results. Race records were acqu...
Effects of storage time and temperature on ionized calcium concentration in equine blood, plasma, and serum. Stability of ionized calcium (Ca2+) concentrations and pH values in equine venous samples (n = 12 in each group) stored at 4 C for 3, 9, 24, and 48 hours (blood, plasma, and serum) or for 240 hours (plasma and serum), and at -20 C for 240 hours (plasma and serum), was studied. Storage of equine blood, plasma, and serum samples at 4 C for up to 48 hours and of serum samples at 4 C for up to 240 hours, despite appreciable pH changes, was associated with < 1.5% change in blood, plasma, and serum Ca2+ concentrations. Therefore, Ca2+ concentration in equine blood, plasma, and serum samples store...
Renal dysplasia and benign ureteropelvic polyps associated with hydronephrosis in a foal. A 4-month-old male Trakehner foal with a history of hematuria, poor growth, and abnormal hair was found to have unilateral hydronephrosis and hydroureter, as determined by ultrasonography and surgical exploration. Nephrectomy and ureterectomy were performed as treatment. Gross examination of the ureter and kidney revealed renal pelvic and ureteral polyps causing obstruction and subsequent hydronephrosis. The histologic features were consistent with renal dysplasia. The polyps and renal dysplasia were likely to be congenital, but the etiopathogenesis is not known. The finding that urinary outfl...
[Case report of a complex odontoma in a horse–clinical picture, radiography, ultrasonography and computed tomography]. The clinical signs, diagnosis and pathology of an adult horse with a complex odontoma are described. Computer tomography was shown to be a new diagnostic technique with outstanding potential in the investigation of diseases of the equine head.
Examination of the foal. Recent advances in veterinary diagnostics have improved our ability to diagnose and treat foal diseases. However, these advances do not replace the physical examination as the most valuable diagnostic aid available to the equine practitioner. The basic physical examination provides the majority of information needed to make a presumptive diagnosis, provide a direction for ancillary tests, and formulate a plan for emergency therapy if needed.
The cytology of squamous cell carcinomas in domestic animals. A series of 40 tumors with a proven diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma for which both histology and cytology were available were classified according to their histologic appearance as well differentiated, moderately differentiated, and poorly differentiated. The Romanowsky-stained cytology specimens were reviewed. When available, Papanicolaou-stained smears were included. The cytologic findings for each of the 3 groups are described, and the most significant findings are photographically illustrated.
Expression of functional protease and subviral particles by vaccinia virus containing equine infectious anaemia virus gag and 5′ pol genes. Cells infected with vaccinia viruses expressing the equine infectious anaemia virus (EIAV) gag gene (VGag) or gag plus the 5' pol encoding protease (VGag/PR) were evaluated with monoclonal antibody to a p26 capsid protein linear epitope (QEISKFLTD). Both recombinant viruses expressed Gag precursor protein (55K) whereas only VGag/PR expressed a detectable Gag-Pol fusion protein (82K) with a functional protease, shown by subviral particles containing processed p26. Horses inoculated with VGag/PR produced antibodies reactive with EIAV Gag proteins.
Identification of diagnostic antigens for South American Babesia caballi infections. Sera from 60 horses held in breeding herd in Brazil were examined monthly by ELISA, immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT) and Western blot. All foals had maternal antibodies detectable by ELISA and IFAT, and sero-conversion took place between the 2nd and 5th month of age. The 48 and 50 kDa antigens were recognized first in the course of infection. Of 79 sera taken after sero-conversion 78 reacted with the 48 kDa antigen, 76 with the 50 kDa, 50 with the 70 kDa, 54 with the 112 kDa, 72 with the 141 kDa antigen. In general, sera from horses older than 1 year reacted with all 5 diagnostic antige...
Detection of African horsesickness virus by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using primers for segment 5 (NS1 gene). The reverse transcription followed by the polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique was applied to the detection of African horsesickness virus (AHSV) using primers specific for attenuated AHSV serotype 4 segment 5 (NS1 gene). Total RNA which contains both messenger RNA and genomic dsRNA was extracted by the acid guanidinium-phenol-chloroform method from the AHSV infected Vero cells and was used as templates to optimize the RT-PCR. A pair of primer (NP2-NP32) amplified the product of the expected size from all serotypes of attenuated AHSV when four pairs of primers were tested. Using this p...
Epidemiological investigation of equid herpesvirus-4 (EHV-4) excretion assessed by nasal swabs taken from thoroughbred foals. Equid herpesvirus-4 (EHV-4) was detected in nasal swabs taken from foals using a PCR based test and this information used to study the epidemiology of EHV-4 disease on three Australian Thoroughbred stud farms in NSW in 1992. There was a very high level of agreement (kappa value of 0.84) between the PCR results and virus isolation using cell culture techniques. There was a strong seasonal distribution of EHV-4 shedding. Twenty-five of 26 positive samples were collected in January and March with the remaining positive sample collected in February. Foals with clinical signs of upper respiratory t...
Effect of time and storage temperature on cholinesterase activity in blood from normal and organophosphorus insecticide-treated horses. Delays between time of sampling and time of testing are common; therefore, the length of time that blood can be stored at various temperatures was evaluated for effects on cholinesterase activity. Six horses were treated with 16 g of trichlorfon per os, 6 horses were treated with 15 g of dichlorvos per os, and 10 horses were untreated controls. The cholinesterase activity in whole blood from each horse was measured using an adaptation of the Ellman colorimetric method. The blood from each horse was then divided into 3 groups and stored at 5 C (refrigerated), 20 C (room temperature), or 38 C (i...
