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.
Endocardial electro-anatomic mapping in healthy horses: Normal sinus impulse propagation in the left and right atrium and the ventricles. Understanding the depolarisation pattern of the equine heart under normal physiologic conditions, and its relationship to the surface electrocardiogram (ECG), is of uppermost importance before any further research can be done about the pathophysiology of complex arrhythmias. In the present study, a 3D electro-anatomical mapping system was used to evaluate the qualitative and quantitative depolarisation patterns and correlation to the surface ECG of both the atrial and ventricular endocardium in seven healthy horses in sinus rhythm under general anaesthesia. Bipolar activation maps of the endoc...
Long-term successful treatment of a donkey with cutaneous lupus erythematous with methotrexate. Cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) is a rare immune-mediated dermatitis. To the best of the authors' knowledge it has not been described in donkeys. A 5-year-old male neutered donkey, living in south-east France, was diagnosed with CLE. Clinical signs included generalized symmetrical areas of alopecia, erythema, crusting and scales. Diagnostic tests included examination of skin biopsy samples by histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis which demonstrated an interface dermatitis with CD8+ T cells. The skin condition was successfully treated initially with glucocorticoids and methotre...
Development of a microsphere-based immunoassay for the serological detection of glanders in equids. Burkholderia mallei is the etiologic agent of glanders, an infectious disease of solipeds, with renewed scientific interest due to its increasing incidence in different parts of the world. More rapid, sensitive and specific assays are required by laboratories for confirmatory testing of this disease. A microsphere-based immunoassay consisting of beads coated with B. mallei recombinant proteins (BimA, GroEL, Hcp1, and TssB) has been developed for the serological diagnosis of glanders. The proteins' performance was compared with the OIE reference complement fixation test (CFT) and an indirect en...
Diffusion of Radiodense Contrast Medium Following Perineural Injection of the Deep Branch of the Lateral Plantar Nerve Using Two Different Techniques in Horses: an In Vivo Study. This article evaluates and compares the diffusion pattern of radiopaque contrast medium following perineural analgesia of the deep branch of the lateral plantar nerve performed using two different techniques: weight-bearing or flexed. Methods: This was an experimental study. Methods: Eight horses were enrolled. Perineural injection of the right and left deep branch lateral plantar nerves was performed with a weight-bearing or flexed technique, using radiopaque contrast medium (iohexol). Radiographic evaluation was performed after 5 (T5), 15 (T15) and 30 (T30) minutes. The diffusion o...
Age-related differences in blood pressure, ultrasound-derived arterial diameters and arterial wall stiffness parameters in horses. Arterial rupture mainly affects older horses. The reason why older horses are more prone to arterial rupture and which underlying vascular changes predispose older horses to aortic rupture is still unclear. Objective: To investigate the effect of ageing on the equine arterial wall and blood pressure. Methods: Cohort study. Methods: Non-invasive blood pressure measurement using a tail cuff and vascular ultrasound from aorta, common carotid artery and external iliac artery was performed in 50 healthy young (3-7 years) and 50 healthy old Warmblood horses (>18 years). Arterial diameters and c...
Evaluating Ultrasound as a Noninvasive Technique for Investigating Anatomical Variations of the Equine Nuchal Ligament Lamellae. Ultrasound is a well-established modality in equine investigative and diagnostic procedures. Although to date, it has not been utilized in examining the attachments of the equine nuchal ligament lamellae (NLL) onto the cervical vertebrae, for which a noninvasive technique is currently lacking. This study presents a standardized methodology for investigating the equine NLL using ultrasonography, and further evaluates the ultrasound images against postmortem dissection in two nonrelated horses. The ultrasound images in both horses clearly presented the attachment points of the NLL to the dorsal ...
Muscle tears as a primary cause of lameness in horses: 14 cases (2009-2016). This study describes clinical and ultrasonographic findings and outcomes of horses with lameness associated with muscle tears. Records of horses diagnosed with muscle tears were retrospectively evaluated. Horses in which one or more muscle tears were confirmed ultrasonographically and lameness was associated with the tear were included in the study ( = 14). Eight horses had tearing of a single muscle, 6 horses had 2 or more muscles involved. Twelve of 14 horses survived to discharge and were alive at follow-up (8 to 90 months). Recovery time ranged from 6 to 52 weeks (mean: 19.8 weeks); 6 to 1...
Identification of risk factors associated with antimicrobial resistance in equine fecal Escherichia coli isolates. Antimicrobial resistance is a growing global problem that will need a multinational collaborative effort to overcome this serious challenge. The aim of the study is to investigate the potential risk factors associated with the prevalence and distribution of antimicrobial-resistance genes (ARGs) of Escherichia coli isolates obtained from equine fecal samples. One hundred and eighteen horses from different geographical locations and management systems were enrolled in the study and a questionnaire containing information about each individual horse was designed and filled. The enrolled horses bel...
The effect of freeze-thaw cycles on determination of immunoreactive plasma adrenocorticotrophic hormone concentrations in horses. Determination of plasma adrenocotrophic hormone (ACTH) concentration (endogenous or thyrotropin-releasing hormone [TRH] stimulation test) is the most commonly used diagnostic test for pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) in horses. Because ACTH is unstable, samples often are frozen to be shipped to laboratories or to allow for batch analysis of research samples. However, the effect of multiple freeze-thaw cycles on equine ACTH is unknown. Objective: To determine the effects of multiple freeze-thaw cycles on immunoreactive ACTH concentration. Methods: Twenty-eight horses ranging from 10...
Parasite Occurrence and Parasite Management in Swedish Horses Presenting with Gastrointestinal Disease-A Case-Control Study. All grazing horses are exposed to intestinal parasites, which have the potential to cause gastrointestinal disease. In Sweden, there is a concern about an increase in parasite-related equine gastrointestinal disease, in particular , since the implementation of prescription-only anthelmintics approximately 10 years ago. In a prospective case-control study, parasitological status, using fecal analyses for strongyle egg counts, the presence of eggs and Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) as well as serology for , were compared between horses presenting with or without gastrointestinal disease at a ...
A De Novo MITF Deletion Explains a Novel Splashed White Phenotype in an American Paint Horse. Splashed white is a coat color pattern in horses characterized by extensive white patterning on the legs, belly, and face often accompanied by blue eyes and deafness. Three mutations in microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) and two mutations in Paired Box 3 (PAX3) have been identified that explain splashed white patterns (SW1-SW5). An American Paint Horse stallion with a splashed white phenotype and blue eyes, whose parents were not white patterned, was negative for the 5 known splashed white variants and other known white spotting alleles. This novel splashed white phenotype (...
A case series highlighting the role of different gamma-herpesviruses in Equine Multinodular Pulmonary Fibrosis. This case series describes three cases of equine multinodular pulmonary fibrosis (EMPF) diagnosed at the Clinic for Equine Internal Medicine at the University of Zurich between 2012 and 2017. Current information on etiology and treatment options are presented. Two horses showed mild signs of chronic lower respiratory tract disease and one horse was presented with acute signs of disease including recurrent fever spikes and tachypnea. Diagnosis was achieved by physical examination, radiographic findings, and PCR testing for equine herpesviruses (EHV) of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid or lung...
Horses are susceptible to natural, but resistant to experimental, infection with the liver fluke, Fasciola hepatica. Fasciola hepatica is a common parasite of livestock in Ireland, causing significant economic losses and affecting animal welfare. A previous abattoir study of 200 horses led to an estimated 9.5 % prevalence of infection in horses slaughtered in Ireland. However, the epidemiology and pathogenic significance of this infection in this species is not well-described. The objectives of this study were to determine the susceptibility of horses to oral challenge infection with F. hepatica metacercariae, and to document the course of the infection along with serological and biochemical response. We att...
Diagnostic value of plasma and peritoneal fluid procalcitonin concentrations in horses with strangulating intestinal lesions. To assess the diagnostic value of plasma and peritoneal fluid procalcitonin concentrations for identification of horses with strangulating intestinal lesions. Methods: 65 horses with signs of colic of intestinal origin and 10 healthy (control) horses. Methods: For each horse, plasma and peritoneal fluid samples were obtained for a CBC and determination of total protein, procalcitonin, and lactate concentrations. Signalment and clinicopathologic findings were compared among control horses and horses with strangulating and nonstrangulating intestinal lesions. Results: Mean ± SD plasma (274.9 ±...
Subjective and objective evaluations of horses for fit-to-compete or unfit-to-compete judgement. At Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) competitions, horses undergo veterinary inspection for judgement of 'fit-to-compete'. However, FEI Veterinary Delegates (VDs) often differ in opinion. The aim of the present study was to evaluate intra- and inter-observer agreements of fit-to-compete judgement and compare these with objective gait analysis measurements. Twelve horses were evaluated by three experienced VDs and one veterinary specialist and video-recorded for re-evaluation later. Simultaneously, quantitative gait analysis measurements were acquired. Inter-observer agreement during l...
Fecal Carriage of Extended-Spectrum-β-Lactamase/AmpC-Producing Escherichia coli in Horses. A nationwide study on the occurrence of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)/AmpC in nonhospitalized horses in the Netherlands was performed. Molecular characterization was done, and questionnaires were analyzed to identify factors associated with carriage. In total, 796 horse owners were approached; 281 of these submitted a fecal sample from their horse(s), resulting in 362 samples. All samples were cultured qualitatively in Luria-Bertani (LB) broth and subsequently on MacConkey agar, both supplemented with 1 mg/liter cefotaxime (LB+ and MC+). Positive samples were subsequently cultured qu...
Development of the blood supply to the growth cartilage of the medial femoral condyle of foals. Growth cartilage is found in the articular-epiphyseal cartilage complex (AECC) and the physis. It has a temporary blood supply organised as end arteries. Vascular failure is associated with osteochondrosis, but infection can also obstruct vessels. The location of bacteria was recently compared to arterial perfusion, and the results indicated that they were located in the distal tips of AECC end arteries. Systematic perfusion studies were not available for comparison to the infected physes. Further studies may improve our understanding of infections and other pathologies. Objective: To describe...
Detection of the epidemic of the H3N8 subtype of the equine influenza virus in large-scale donkey farms. To monitor the occurrence of equine influenza in large-scale donkey farms in Liaocheng City, Shandong Province, serological investigation and sequence analysis of HA/M protein gene of equine influenza virus (EIV) were carried out. Samples (n = 65) of the lung and nasal swab were collected in six different large-scale donkey farms and detected with RT-PCR for HA and M protein gene. The homology and evolution of HA and M genes were analysed with known sequences. Antibody titres of serum samples (n = 120, unvaccinated) level was determined by the HI test. The average seropositive rate was 32....
Presence of Clock genes in equine full-term placenta. Mammals have a circadian rhythm that is synchronized by a master clock located in the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). The SCN regulates additional clocks located in peripheral tissues, including some involved in endocrine or reproductive functions. Studies in humans and mice report that molecular clocks also exist in the placenta. However, little is known about the presence of "Clock genes," namely Circadian Locomotor Output Cycles Kaput (CLOCK), Brain and Muscle Arnt-Like 1 (BMAL1), Period 1 (PER1), Period 2 (PER2), Cryptochrome 1 (CRY1), and Cryptochrome 2 (CRY2), in equine place...
First report of equine parvovirus-hepatitis-associated Theiler’s disease in Europe. Equine parvovirus-hepatitis (EqPV-H) has been proposed as the aetiological cause of Theiler's disease, also known as serum hepatitis. EqPV-H-associated Theiler's disease has not been previously reported in Europe. Objective: To determine whether EqPV-H infection was associated with a 2018-2019 outbreak of Theiler's disease in four horses on a studfarm. Methods: Descriptive case series. Methods: The medical records of four horses from the same farm diagnosed with fatal Theiler's disease were examined retrospectively. Information collected included a clinical history, physical examination findin...
A pilot study to investigate the measurement of immunoglobulin A in Welsh Cob and Welsh Pony foals’ faeces and their dam’s milk. To determine if an ELISA for measurement of IgA in equine serum could be used to measure concentrations of IgA in foal faeces and to determine correlations with concentrations in the milk of the dam. Faeces from 20 Welsh Cob and Welsh Pony foals and milk from their dams were collected within 12 hours (Day 0) and at 6 days after parturition (Day 6). On Day 6, faeces could not be collected from 2/20 foals, and milk samples could not be collected from 3/20 mares. An equine IgA ELISA validated for serum and plasma was used to measure concentrations of IgA in all samples in triplicate. The preci...
Detection of Age-Related Changes in Tendon Molecular Composition by Raman Spectroscopy-Potential for Rapid, Non-Invasive Assessment of Susceptibility to Injury. The lack of clinical detection tools at the molecular level hinders our progression in preventing age-related tendon pathologies. Raman spectroscopy can rapidly and non-invasively detect tissue molecular compositions and has great potential for in vivo applications. In biological tissues, a highly fluorescent background masks the Raman spectral features and is usually removed during data processing, but including this background could help age differentiation since fluorescence level in tendons increases with age. Therefore, we conducted a stepwise analysis of fluorescence and Raman combined s...
Assessment of left ventricular function in horses with aortic regurgitation by 2D speckle tracking. Aortic regurgitation (AR) may lead to left ventricular (LV) dilatation, cardiac arrhythmias and heart failure. Close follow-up of horses with AR is therefore paramount to detect onset of cardiac decompensation. The aim of this study was to examine whether two-dimensional speckle tracking (2DST) can be used to detect altered myocardial function in horses with chronic AR compared to control horses. Speckle tracking was performed on short axis and long axis images of the LV in 29 healthy Warmblood horses and 57 Warmblood horses with AR. Radial, circumferential and longitudinal strain, strain rate...
Tropism, pathology, and transmission of equine parvovirus-hepatitis. Equine parvovirus-hepatitis (EqPV-H) has recently been associated with cases of Theiler's disease, a form of fulminant hepatic necrosis in horses. To assess whether EqPV-H is the cause of Theiler's disease, we first demonstrated hepatotropism by PCR on tissues from acutely infected horses. We then experimentally inoculated horses with EqPV-H and 8 of 10 horses developed hepatitis. One horse showed clinical signs of liver failure. The onset of hepatitis was temporally associated with seroconversion and a decline in viremia. Liver histology and in situ hybridization showed lymphocytic infiltrate...
Using Artificial Intelligence to Predict Survivability Likelihood and Need for Surgery in Horses Presented With Acute Abdomen (Colic). Artificial intelligence and machine learning have promising applications in several medical fields of diagnosis, imaging, and laboratory testing procedures. However, the use of this technology in the veterinary medicine field is lagging behind, and there are many areas where it could be used with potentially successful outcomes and results. In this study, two critical predictions were explored in horses presented with acute abdomen (colic) using this technology. Those were the need for surgical intervention and survivability likelihood of affected horses based on clinical data (history, clinic...
Comparison of serological and molecular tests for detection of Trypanosoma evansi in domestic animals from Ghardaïa district, South Algeria. Trypanosoma evansi (T. evansi) is a hemoflagellate parasite that affects a broad range of mammalian hosts and that causes a disease called surra. Diagnosis of surra based on clinical symptoms alone is inaccurate. Therefore, a variety of serological and molecular diagnostic tests are used to assist in the detection of T. evansi infections. The aim of this study was to compare the diagnostic performance of four serological tests (CATT/T.evansi, immune trypanolysis, ELISA with purified variant surface glycoprotein RoTat 1.2 and with whole cell lysate) and two molecular PCR tests targeting sequenc...
Evaluation of the Element point-of-care blood gas analyzer for use in horses. To compare the Element point-of-care (POC) portable blood gas analyzer with a laboratory-based bench-top reference analyzer using whole blood samples obtained from horses presenting to a referral center with various disorders in order to determine agreement between these analyzers. Methods: Prospective clinical study. Methods: The study was conducted at a university teaching hospital at moderate altitude. Methods: One hundred paired samples from 80 horses >1 year of age were collected after obtaining informed client consent. Fifty paired samples were from patients admitted for elective pro...
Furosemide administration results in a transient alteration in calcium balance in mature horses. Previous research documented that furosemide negatively impacted calcium balance for 3 days but did not determine when calcium balance returned to baseline. This study hypothesized that furosemide's impact on calcium would return to control values before 7 days post-administration. Ten mature geldings were assigned to either control (CON, n = 5) or treatment (FUR, n = 5) for the first of two 8-day total collections in crossover design. Treatment horses received one administration of furosemide (1 mg/kg, IV). A 10% sample of pooled faeces and urine from each day was kept. Calcium concent...
Subclinical Ultrasonographic Abnormalities of the Suspensory Ligament Branches Are Common in Elite Showjumping Warmblood Horses. There is limited information concerning the ultrasonographic appearance of suspensory ligament branches (SLB) in sports horses. Publications exist on clinical injuries that lead to loss of training days and retirement, but not on the appearance of SLBs in high level showjumping Warmbloods. To demonstrate the prevalence of subclinical SLB abnormalities in regularly competing high-level showjumpers; to grade each branch 0-3; compare forelimb vs. hindlimb and medial vs. lateral SLBs; subjectively assess periligamentous fibrosis; measure cross sectional area (CSA) and to gather competition follo...
Antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of bacterial isolates cultured from synovial fluid samples from horses with suspected septic synovitis: 108 cases (2008-2017). To describe the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of the most commonly isolated bacteria cultured from synovial fluid samples from horses with suspected septic synovitis treated at an equine referral hospital between May 1, 2008, and September 24, 2017. Methods: 131 synovial fluid samples from 108 client-owned horses. Methods: A retrospective medical record search was conducted to identify horses with suspected septic synovitis and results of synovial fluid bacterial culture and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Data collected included signalment, known or suspected origin of synovial ...
