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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.
Immunoassay detection of drugs in racing horses. VII. Detection of acepromazine in equine urine and blood by ELISA and PCFIA. We have developed and evaluated a one step enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test and a particle concentration fluorescence immunoassay (PCFIA) test for acepromazine as part of a panel of pre- and post-race tests for illegal medications in racing horses. These tests are rapid, sensitive and economical and development of the tests occurred in less than seven months. The ELISA test detects acepromazine with an I-50 of about 150 pg/ml. In vivo, it readily detects the presence of acepromazine or its metabolites in equine blood and urine from 8 to 72 hours or longer, respectively, after adm...
Concentration of serum testosterone in XY sex reversed horses. The XY Sex Reversal Syndrome of the horse is a condition associated with female or intersexual development in genetic males. In our previous study, 38 sex reversed XY mares were classified according to behavior, gross clinical phenotype, gonadal status, and H-Y phenotype. Four classes were described, ranging from potentially fertile female (Class I) to virilized intersex (Class IV). In the present study, serum testosterone concentrations were measured in 29 sex-reversed XY mares, 3 normal mares and 3 normal stallions. Serums were obtained during the breeding season (March-August), and were sto...
Biochemical and toxigenic characteristics of Aeromonas spp. isolated from diseased mammals, moribund and healthy fish. In this study we describe biochemical, toxigenic and surface characteristics of 33 motile Aeromonas isolated from diseased mammals, 3 from moribund marine mammals, 24 from healthy fish and 4 from moribund fish. Aeromonas hydrophila, A. caviae and A. sobria were isolated from both mammals and fish but at a different incidence. Aeromonas hydrophila was the predominant species isolated from clinical specimens; it was isolated from pneumonia, wound infections, septicemia and abortion in horses, cattle and pigs. Aeromonas sobria was isolated from one mammal and 11 healthy fish. Aeromonas caviae was...
Molecular mechanics calculation of geometries of NAD+ derivatives, modified in the nicotinamide group, in a ternary complex with horse liver alcohol dehydrogenase. The geometry of seven NAD+ analogues bound to horse liver alcohol dehydrogenase (LADH) modified only in their nicotinamide group, have been studied using AMBER molecular mechanics energy-minimization procedures. Starting geometries were taken from X-ray crystallographic data for NAD+/Me2SO/LADH reported by Eklund and co-workers. In this study the NAD+ analogues were encaged by the constituent amino acids of the enzyme within a range of 0.6 nm from the initial NAD+/Me2SO/Zn2+ complex. The calculational method used is able to rationalize individual substituent effects and to evaluate the essenti...
Platelet function testing in the pony. Platelet isolation techniques and platelet function were evaluated in 35 adult ponies. Platelet recovery from whole blood was consistent and the preparation of platelet rich plasma was facilitated by an enhanced erythrocyte sedimentation rate. All platelet samples aggregated in response to 10 microM ADP. However, concentrations of ADP as high as 100 microM did not elicit significant 14C-serotonin release. Collagen induced irreversible platelet aggregation and 14C-serotonin release in all samples. The threshold dose for collagen in most ponies was 1.5 micrograms. Arachidonic acid (500 microM) f...
Embryonic loss in mares. Incidence, possible causes, and diagnostic considerations. Fertilization rates were similar for normal and subfertile mares, and much of the difference in fertility between normal and subfertile mares was due to embryonic loss. Fertilization rate estimates for mares ranged from 71 to 96 per cent. The incidence of embryonic loss detected by ultrasonography between Days 11 and 50 was approximately 9 per cent for normal mares, and the estimated incidence of embryonic loss before Day 14 was also 9 per cent. Therefore, the estimated incidence of embryonic loss in normal mares between fertilization and Day 50 is approximately 18 per cent (Fig. 1). In subfer...
Ultrasonic imaging of equine ovarian follicles and corpora lutea. One of the most profound theriogenology applications of transrectal diagnostic ultrasonography in mares involves the imaging of ovarian follicles and corpora lutea. The resolving capabilities (frequency) and quality of the scanner directly affect the minimal size of a structure that can be imaged and the quality of the image. High-frequency scanners (5 or 7.5 MHz) of good quality can image a 2-mm follicle and the corpus luteum throughout its functional life. A low-frequency scanner (3 or 3.5 MHz) can image a 6-mm follicle and the corpus luteum for several days after ovulation. Equine follicles...
Endometrial biopsy of the mare. A review and update. The endometrial biopsy is a safe and effective means of predicting a mare's prognosis for foaling. A thorough understanding of the normal cyclic and seasonal pattern displayed by the normal endometrium is necessary before interpreting pathologic changes. Several systems for prognostic classification have been proposed, including a recent one that combines many of the criteria used in the other systems.
Acute phase response in the horse: plasma protein changes associated with adjuvant induced inflammation. The induction of an acute phase response in four horses by adjuvant administration was used to examine the effect on the levels of plasma proteins. Blood parameters (packed cell volume, total plasma protein, red blood cell count, haemoglobin concentration) were monitored to follow the progress of the acute phase response in parallel with the examination of plasma proteins. Plasma protein levels were determined by densitometry from the electrophoretic patterns of three different gel systems. Haptoglobin and alpha 1 B glycoprotein were shown to be positive acute phase reactants whereas albumin w...
Slab fractures of the third carpal bone in standardbreds and thoroughbreds: 155 cases (1977-1984). Case records and radiographs of 155 horses with third carpal bone (C3) slab fractures were reviewed. Of these cases, race records were obtained for 72 Thoroughbreds and 61 Standardbreds. Three performance criteria were examined: ability to make 1 start, ability to make 10 starts or earn $2,000 (within 1 year of first start after the fracture), and earnings per start. Treatment distribution (lag screw fixation, fragment excision, or rest) was similar in both breeds. Significant differences between breeds were identified in age and sex distributions, fracture displacement, and postinjury perform...
Diagnosis and correction of twin pregnancy in the mare. Reproductive Physiology 1. Twin pregnancies result in high rates of abortion, stillbirth, and neonatal mortality. 2. Twins develop subsequent to multiple ovulations. Multiple ovulations are related to breed, parity, and mare history. Multiple ovulations are most frequently seen in Thoroughbred and Draft mares. Multiple ovulations are more common in barren and perhaps maiden mares than in lactating mares, and they are more common in certain individual mares. 3. Equine embryos are motile in the uterus from the time of first detection (Days 9 to 10) until fixation (Day 16). They are frequently lo...
Differences in diagnostic test results and hematologic data between aged and young horses. Hematologic data and results of diagnostic tests were compared between aged (greater than or equal to 20 years old) and young (less than or equal to 5 years old) horses to identify hematologic and metabolic changes associated with aging. Initial data were obtained from 8 aged and 6 young mares (group 1). Similar data were collected from a second group of aged (3 mares and 3 geldings) and young (1 mare and 5 geldings) horses (group 2). Dexamethasone suppression tests (DST) and necropsies were performed on 6 additional mares and mare 8 from group 1 (group 3). Complete blood counts and serum bioc...
Equine post anaesthetic myositis: muscular post ischaemic hyperaemia measured by laser Doppler flowmetry. Measurements of muscular microcirculation in horses anaesthetised with halothane were performed by laser Doppler flowmetry. Variations of microcirculation in the compressed and uncompressed triceps brachii were measured when horses were positioned in dorsal recumbency after a prolonged period in lateral recumbency. A significant post ischaemic hyperaemia was recorded in horses which developed a post anaesthetic myositis.
Pericardial haemangiosarcoma in a horse. A primary pericardial haemangiosarcoma with metastasis to the parietal pleura and left adrenal gland is described in a 22-year-old Clydesdale x Percheron gelding. Although haemangiosarcomas have been reported in horses, the pericardium has not hitherto been described as the primary site of origin.
Embryo reduction before day 11 in mares with twin conceptuses. Incidence of embryo reduction (natural elimination of one member of a twin set) before d 11 was studied by comparing the number of ultrasonically detected conceptuses per ovulation between single and double ovulators. Effect of unilateral (n = 24) vs bilateral (n = 26) double ovulations on the incidence of embryo reduction also was considered. Each of 50 double-ovulating mares was matched with two single ovulators yielding 100 ovulations, or potential embryos, per group. Frequency with which an ovulation resulted in a conceptus was greater for single ovulators (85%, P less than .01) and for bi...
Validation of a radioimmunoassay for measurement of gastrin in equine serum. A commercial radioimmunoassay kit designed for measuring gastrin in human serum was validated for use with equine serum. This nonextraction, double-antibody procedure uses an antiserum with broad specificity for molecular forms of gastrin. Synthetic human gastrin (G17-I) was added to pooled equine serum, and the observed assay values were compared with the mass added. Recovery was 99 to 115% in the gastrin concentration range of 40 to 640 pg/ml. Dilutions of postprandial serum with serum from fasted horses were assayed, and the inhibition curves were compared with those of the human gastrin ki...
Interstitial pH and pressure in the dependent biceps femoris muscle of laterally recumbent anesthetized horses. Interstitial pressure and pH in the dependent biceps femoris muscle were measured in anesthetized, laterally recumbent horses. The mean (+/- standard deviation) interstitial pressure in 10 horses was 19.70 +/- 0.15 mmHg in the 30 to 180 minute interval after induction of anesthesia. Pressures of this order have been associated with reduction in muscle perfusion. Mean (+/- standard deviation) interstitial pH in six horses decreased from 7.07 +/- 0.30 to 6.73 +/- 0.21 between 45 and 150 minutes of anesthesia. These results indicated the presence of circulatory compromise to intracompartmental st...
Surgical reconstruction of a ruptured medial collateral ligament in a foal. An avulsed carpal medial collateral ligament was diagnosed by clinical and radiographic examination in a 1-day-old foal that was unable to bear weight on the affected limb. The foal had a valgus deviation originating at the carpus and medial to lateral instability of the affected carpus. The ligament was reconstructed with screws and suture tape. Surgical reconstruction is a viable alternative to long-term casting or splinting for treatment of a ruptured carpal medial collateral ligament in a foal.
Hemorrhagic necrotizing enterocolitis associated with Clostridium difficile infection in four foals. Severe hemorrhagic necrotizing enterocolitis was determined to be the cause of death for 4 foals. Toxigenic Clostridium difficile was isolated form the intestine of each foal, and large, gram-positive, rod-shaped bacteria lined the surface of necrotic villi. This finding of toxigenic C difficile associated with enteritis in foals adds another possible cause to the list of infectious agents that should be considered when evaluating foals with enteritis. Definitive diagnosis requires a thorough diagnostic evaluation, including procedures that will identify the organism and demonstrate its toxige...
Factors affecting the composition of mare uterine fluid. The influx of protein and polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMN) into the uterine lumen was examined at different intervals after intrauterine infusion of fluids. The intrauterine infusion of both phosphate buffered saline (PBS) and a solution of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) derived from Escherichia coli resulted in a biphasic influx of protein in the uterine flushings peaking three and six hours after infusion. LPS infusion caused an additional influx of protein at 24 hours. The initial influx of protein preceded a biphasic influx of PMN which peaked six and 24 hours after both infusions. Uterine flu...
Clinical significance of aerobic bacterial flora of the uterus, vagina, vestibule, and clitoral fossa of clinically normal mares. Swab specimens for bacterial culture were obtained from the uterus, vagina, vestibule, and clitoral fossa of 48 mares that had normal reproductive tracts, no history of reproductive problems, and no inflammation on evaluation of endometrial biopsy. The mares were predominantly Thoroughbred and Standardbred. Swab specimens of the vagina were obtained through a sterile speculum; swab specimens of the uterus were obtained by use of a double-guarded, occluded culture instrument. Fifteen (31%) of the uterine swab specimens and 20 (42%) of the vaginal swab specimens yielded growth on aerobic culture...
Use of iohexol for myelography in the horse. The use of iohexol as a contrast agent for myelography is reported in two groups of horses. Group 1 (n = 6) were used only for myelography and to assess the clinical and pathological effects of intrathecal administration of iohexol. A volume of 20 ml at a concentration of 300 or 350 mg iodine/ml gave satisfactory myelographic detail with no serious clinical or neurological side effects. Only a minimal inflammatory response could be demonstrated in cerebrospinal fluid at four and 14 days after injection. At post mortem examination 14 days after myelography there was no evidence of meningitis no...
Immunoassay detection of drugs in racing horses. VI. Detection of furosemide (Lasix) in equine blood by a one step ELISA and PCFIA. A one step enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and a particle concentration fluorescent immunoassay (PCFIA) test for furosemide were evaluated as part of a panel of pre- and post-race tests for illegal medication of racing horses. These tests are very sensitive to furosemide with an I-50 for furosemide of about 20 ng/ml. The test is also rapid; an average pre-race complement of 10 samples can be analyzed in 90 minutes or less. The ELISA test results can be read with an inexpensive spectrophotometer, or even by eye. Both the PCFIA test and the ELISA test readily detect the presence of fur...
Characterization of the genome of equine herpesvirus 1 subtype 2. The genome structure of equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) subtype 2 was shown by electron microscopic studies and restriction endonuclease site mapping to comprise two covalently linked segments (L, 109 kbp; S, 35 kbp). The S segment contains a unique sequence (US) flanked by a substantial inverted repeat (TRS/IRS). Thus, the genome structure of EHV-1 subtype 2 is similar to that published previously for EHV-1 subtype 1, but the two subtypes differ in the occurrences of EcoRI and BamHI restriction sites. Hybridization studies using cloned EHV-1 DNA showed that the genome of EHV-1 subtype 2 is colin...
Cutaneous fungal flora in twenty horses free of skin or ocular disease. The fungal flora of the hair and underlying skin from 2 sites was examined qualitatively in 20 horses free of skin or ocular disease. Fungi were isolated from both the hair and the underlying skin of all 20 horses. Twenty-two genera regarded commonly as saprophytes were identified and an additional 2 fungi resembled the perfect state of the cutaneous pathogenic genera Microsporum and Trichophyton. Cladosporium spp, Penicillium spp, and Rhizopus spp were the most frequently isolated saprophytes. In general, similar fungi were isolated from the hair and underlying skin, and differences were not ...
An investigation into alternative methods for the serodiagnosis of dourine. The complement fixation test (CFT), indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT), card agglutination test for trypanosomiasis (CATT) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were compared in their application to the serological diagnosis of Trypanosoma equiperdum infection in 43 horses. The CFT remains a reliable test for dourine, especially in countries where other members of the subgenus Trypanozoon do not occur. The IFAT is a good 'back-up' test, but, requiring skilled operators it has the disadvantage of making it labour intensive, and interpretation of results subjective. This makes it ...
Development of a novel in vitro equine anthelmintic assay. An in vitro assay involving the use of a horse strongyle (Strongylus edentatus) and the micromotility meter has been developed to test for equine anthelmintic activity. Three commercially available equine anthelmintics (dichlorvos, ivermectin, and pyrantel pamoate) and an investigational drug (p-toluoyl chloride phenylhydrazone) were evaluated in this assay at four concentrations. After a 24-h incubation, greater than or equal to 10 micrograms/ml of all four drug treatments significantly (P less than or equal to 0.05) reduced the motility of ensheathed L-3 S. edentatus larvae, thereby indicati...
Comparison of clinical judgment, Doppler ultrasound, and fluorescein fluorescence as methods for predicting intestinal viability in the pony. Strangulation obstruction was induced in anesthetized ponies for periods of 2 and 3 hours by clamping 45-cm segments of jejunum and associated veins (venous strangulation obstruction) and arteries and veins (arterial and venous strangulation obstruction). Four segments were studied in each of 7 ponies allowed to survive 12 hours, 2 segments in a pony that was allowed to survive 1 hour, and 1 segment in each of 10 ponies allowed to survive 42 days after the strangulation periods ended. Fifteen minutes after the periods of strangulation obstruction ended, the viability of test segments was asses...
