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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.
Expression of activin receptors in the equine uteroplacental tissue: an immunohistochemical analysis. Activin is secreted from equine uterine glands and plays important roles in establishment and maintenance of pregnancy in mares. This study aimed to localize activin receptors (ActRs) IA/B and IIA/B using immunohistochemistry in the uteroplacental tissues of seven pregnant Thoroughbred mares. At the time of tissue collection, the mares were at the following days of pregnancy: 88, 120, 161, 269, 290, 313, and 335 days. We fixed the uteroplacental tissues in 4% paraformaldehyde and obtained serial sections that were subsequently stained for analysis. All four isoforms of ActR were expressed in t...
Hair histology as a tool for forensic identification of some domestic animal species. Animal hair examination at a criminal scene may provide valuable information in forensic investigations. However, local reference databases for animal hair identification are rare. In the present study, we provide differential histological analysis of hair of some domestic animals in Upper Egypt. For this purpose, guard hair of large ruminants (buffalo, camel and cow), small ruminants (sheep and goat), equine (horse and donkey) and canine (dog and cat) were collected and comparative analysis was performed by light microscopy. Based on the hair cuticle scale pattern, type and diameter of the me...
Marsupialization and sclerotherapy with povidone iodine and ethanol of a branchial remnant cyst in an Arabian filly. Branchial remnant cysts are an uncommon cause of masses of the throatlatch area in horses. Two methods of treatment have been proposed in literature, both with complications. This manuscript proposes a method (marsupialization and sclerotherapy) for the treatment of a cyst in a 1.5-year-old Arabian filly. Diagnosis was made by ultrasonographic, radiographic and endoscopic examinations, revealing an anechoic fluid-filled structure and a well-defined capsule not in communication with other structures. After emptying the cyst, the skin was sutured circumferentially to the cyst wall; it was then f...
Association of equine sperm population parameters with outcome of intracytoplasmic sperm injections. Limited clinical information is available regarding sperm population parameters that are important for use with equine intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Therefore, the appropriateness of a sample of sperm is typically not known before ICSI. The aim of our study was to determine which sperm population characteristics were predictive of ICSI outcome. Frozen-thawed sperm samples (n = 114) from 37 stallions in a clinical program were analyzed after ICSI for percentages of normal morphology (MORPH+), live as assessed by eosin/nigrosin stain (LIVE+), membrane intact as assessed by hypoosmot...
Equine pericardium-covered stenting in post-traumatic pseudoaneurysm of cavernous internal carotid artery. We report a case of traumatic intracranial carotid artery pseudoaneurysm treated with an equine pericardium-covered stent. The patient was admitted to the Emergency Department after sustaining severe polytrauma in a motor vehicle accident. A cavernous carotid pseudoaneurysm was detected after an episode of massive epistaxis that required emergent nasal packing. Treatment with parent vessel sacrifice was ruled out after an unfavourable balloon test occlusion. We opted for an equine pericardium-covered stent as a means to immediately seal the wall defect in the setting of massive bleeding second...
Development and evaluation of recombinant antigen and monoclonal antibody based competition ELISA for the sero- surveillance of surra in animals. Trypanosoma evansi, a haemoflagellated protozoan parasite, is responsible for chronic as well as the acute debilitating disease called surra in a wide range of herbivores and carnivores including domestic and wild animals. Since the parasite is having wide host range, there is a need for diagnostic test which can detect the T. evansi specific antibody in different species of animals for generating sero-surveillance data. In the present study we developed and evaluated competitive enzyme immunoassay using monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) raised against recombinant variable surface glycoprotein (rVS...
Histocytic-like Atypical Mast Cell Tumours in Horses. This report describes a series of four equine mast cell tumours (MCTs) with atypical morphological features. The tumours were 1-2 cm in diameter and mostly localized to the eyes (one eyelid, two conjunctiva). Histologically, they were composed of very large (up to 35 μm) round pleomorphic cells with a large central to paracentral nucleus and abundant granular cytoplasm. A large number of viable mature eosinophils were detected intermingled with the large round cells. Histochemical staining (toluidine blue and Perls' Prussian blue) and immunohistochemistry (KIT, mast cell tryptase, lysozyme ...
Echocardiographic identification of atrial-related structures and vessels in horses validated by computed tomography of casted hearts. Echocardiography is the imaging technique of choice for the equine heart. Nevertheless, knowledge about ultrasonographic identification of dorsally located structures and vessels, related to the atria, in horses is scarce. Objective: To describe the echocardiographic approach and the identification of structures and vessels in relation to the atria in healthy horses. Methods: CT images from two equine hearts, casted with self-expanding foam, were segmented and used to identify atrial-related structures and vessels. These images were compared with standard and nonstandard ultrasound images from...
Evaluation of Histogel- and Gelfoam-embedded bronchoalveolar lavage and transtracheal wash fluids compared with cytocentrifuged and sediment smear preparations. Storage and temperature significantly impact bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) analysis, and shipment of samples to diagnostic laboratories is often necessary. Alternative sample preparation methods could limit storage and temperature effects. Objective: This study aimed to determine if airway wash samples that were fixed in formalin after being embedded in Histogel or Gelfoam gave comparable results to fresh cytocentrifuged or sediment smear preparations for the evaluation of cell morphology. Methods: Eleven bronchoalveolar lavage and 3 transtracheal wash fluids were available, including 8 ...
Expression of glucose transporters in the endometrium and early conceptus membranes of the horse. Glucose is the primary energy substrate for early conceptus development and, for the first 40 days of gestation, the equine conceptus depends solely on glucose available in the histotroph; thereafter, histotrophic glucose provision continues to support transport across the definitive placenta. To investigate glucose provision routes during early equine pregnancy we examined expression of glucose transporters in conceptus membranes and endometrium recovered on days 7, 14, 21 and 28 after ovulation. To further differentiate the contributions of maternal progesterone priming and conceptus-endomet...
The utility of an rTeGM6-4r-based immunochromatographic test for the serological diagnosis of non-tsetse-transmitted equine trypanosomosis in rural areas of Mongolia. Our previous studies report epidemics of non-tsetse-transmitted equine trypanosomosis in Mongolia. However, the current status of non-tsetse-transmitted equine trypanosomosis endemicity remains to be clarified in some parts of Mongolia. We previously reported the potential application of rTeGM6-4r-based diagnostic tools, an rTeGM6-4r-based immunochromatographic test (ICT) and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), in the serological surveillance of equine trypanosomosis in Mongolia. In the present study, the utility of the rTeGM6-4r-based ICT was validated. The rTeGM6-4r-based ICT accur...
Electrocardiographic confirmation of a twin pregnancy in a mare at 8 months of gestation. A 15-year-old Warmblood mare, at 8 months of gestation, was presented to the Ghent University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine for evaluation of suspected stage one labor. Transrectal ultrasonography revealed no clear signs of placentitis or stage one labor. The combined thickness of uterus and placenta was 11 mm and the cervix was closed. Twin pregnancy was suspected by transabdominal ultrasonography but could not be confirmed with certainty. An electrocardiogram (ECG) was recorded from the mare's abdominal wall to register a fetal ECG. To confirm twin pregnancy, registration of both fetal ECG...
First detection of anti-Besnoitia spp. specific antibodies in horses and donkeys in Italy. Among Apicomplexa protozoa infecting equids, Besnoitia spp., Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora spp. represent important issues from a sanitary and zootechnical viewpoint. However, only scarce epidemiological data are available on the spread of the infections in horses and donkeys in Europe. Therefore, a serosurvey was planned to estimate the prevalence of these Sarcocystidae species in Italian equids. Serum samples from 268 horses and 18 donkeys raised in Italy were collected and serologically analyzed to detect anti-Besnoitia spp., anti-T. gondii and anti-Neospora spp. antibodies: an approach ba...
Evaluation of the equine mental foramen block: cadaveric and in vivo injectate diffusion. To describe injectate diffusion for two equine mental foramen block techniques. Methods: Descriptive anatomic study. Methods: A total of 12 equine heads and three live horses. Methods: Equine heads were longitudinally sectioned to create 24 hemi-heads for testing two mental foramen block techniques (T1 and T2) and two injectate volumes (3 and 5 mL) of mixed dye and contrast medium. T1 needles were directed rostrocaudally into the mental foramen for 3 cm, and T2 needles were directed dorsolaterally to ventromedially into the foramen for 1 cm. Hemi-heads were randomly assigned one injection tech...
Face, construct, and concurrent validity of a simulation model for laparoscopic ovariectomy in standing horses. OBJECTIVE To develop and validate a simulation model for laparoscopic ovariectomy in standing horses. DESIGN Prospective cohort study. SAMPLE 15 third-year veterinary students and 4 equine surgeons with experience in laparoscopy. PROCEDURES A simulation model that mimicked laparoscopic ovariectomy in standing horses was developed. Face validity of the model was determined with a questionnaire completed by the equine surgeons. Construct validity was determined by comparing performance scores (based on time to completion and accuracy completing various operative tasks) for simulated laparoscopic...
Effects of mares’ age and day of gestation on efficacy of transvaginal ultrasound-guided twin reduction. Transvaginal ultrasound-guided aspiration (TUA) is a procedure which can be used for the reduction of twins post-fixation in the mare. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the age of mares and the day of gestation on the outcome of TUA treatment. Methods: In 88 mares, diagnosed pregnant with twins, TUA of the yolk sac or allantoic fluid was performed between day 30 and 62 of gestation. Mares were aged 3-22 years. Ultrasonographic examination for a viable singleton pregnancy was performed by referring veterinarians 5-7 days and 4 weeks after TUA. Based on reported findings, effec...
Comparison of two agar gel immunodiffusion protocols for diagnosing equine infectious anemia. This study compared agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) protocols for diagnosing equine infectious anemia. Two commercial testing kits were used: one following the Japanese Act on Domestic Animal Infectious Diseases Control and one following the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) manual. From 651 samples tested, both protocols gave identical results for 647 samples (23 samples tested positive; 624 tested negative). Non-specific reactions were observed in 21 samples testing negative by the Japanese protocol, but none were observed with the OIE protocol. The kappa coefficient value was 0.962...
Equine foetal gender determination in mid- to late gestational mares: A practical inquiry. In recent years, the interest in equine foetal gender determination (FGD) during gestation increased remarkably. Ultrasonographic FGD can be performed in two different periods during gestation. The earliest examination can take place at a gestational age of 60-70 days, whereby the genital tubercle is used to differentiate between male and female foeti. The time window of the second approach is wider (120-210 days), and there are more characteristics to take into consideration. In this article, the feasibility and accuracy of ultrasonographic FGD in mid- to late gestation are evaluated. One h...
Effects of on-slide fixation on the cell quality of cytocentrifuged equine bronchioalveolar lavage fluid. During bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) sample preparation in horses, several technical aspects can affect sample variability. To date, the effects of different fixatives on prepared equine BALF films have been insufficiently investigated. Objective: This study aimed to determine the effect of various on-slide fixation methods on cell quality, including spray fixation of wet films, and acetone and methanol fixation of air-dried samples in comparison with unfixed, air-dried films. Methods: Cytocentrifuged BALF samples from 5 horses were fixed in a wet state using a commercially available fix...
Discovery of a novel species, Theileria haneyi n. sp., infective to equids, highlights exceptional genomic diversity within the genus Theileria: implications for apicomplexan parasite surveillance. A novel apicomplexan parasite was serendipitously discovered in horses at the United States - Mexico border. Phylogenetic analysis based on 18S rDNA showed the erythrocyte-infective parasite to be related to, but distinct from, Theileria spp. in Africa, the most similar taxa being Theileria spp. from waterbuck and mountain zebra. The degree of sequence variability observed at the 18S rDNA locus also suggests the likely existence of additional cryptic species. Among described species, the genome of this novel equid Theileria parasite is most similar to that of Theileria equi, also a pathogen of...
Can quantitative computed tomography detect bone morphological changes associated with catastrophic proximal sesamoid bone fracture in Thoroughbred racehorses? Fracture of the proximal sesamoid bones continues to be the most common fatal musculoskeletal injury in US racehorses. Identifying factors that influence fracture risk could lead to screening techniques to reduce catastrophic injury rates and improve animal welfare. Objective: To identify morphological differences between proximal sesamoid bones of the contralateral limb of fracture and control horses and assess the feasibility of computed tomography (CT) to detect traits associated with proximal sesamoid bone fracture. We hypothesised that horses with proximal sesamoid bone fracture would hav...
Temporal relationships of GH, IGF-I and fructosamine concentrations in pregnant Spanish Purebred mares: A substantial contribution from the hormonal standpoint. Growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I) exert essential functions to maintain an adequate metabolic activity for correct placental and fetal development. Although fructosamine (FRUCT) is used in clinical evaluation to assess the glycaemic state, the relationships between GH, IGF-I and FRUCT remain unknown in the mare. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to evaluate the relationships among these parameters in pregnant mares. A total of 30 healthy Spanish Purebred mares, with an age range of 9.33 ± 3.31 years, were studied during the 11 months of gestation. Serum...
Japanese encephalitis in Malaysia: An overview and timeline. Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a vector-borne zoonotic disease caused by the Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV). It causes encephalitis in human and horses, and may lead to reproductive failure in sows. The first human encephalitis case in Malaya (now Malaysia) was reported during World War II in a British prison in 1942. Later, encephalitis was observed among race horses in Singapore. In 1951, the first JEV was isolated from the brain of an encephalitis patient. The true storyline of JE exposure among humans and animals has not been documented in Malaysia. In some places such as Sarawak, JEV ha...
Neck, Back, and Pelvic Pain in Sport Horses. Pain localized to the neck, back, and or pelvis can result in a profound effect on the horse's performance. These conditions can present with a varied and nonspecific set of clinical signs. A careful and thorough examination of these areas by means of physical examination, lameness evaluation both in hand and under saddle, diagnostic anesthesia, and the use of multiple imaging modalities in combination is often necessary to have an accurate prognosis. Medical and surgical management where appropriate of the conditions highlighted in this article are discussed as well as their individual progno...
Diagnosis of Soft Tissue Injury in the Sport Horse. For successful diagnosis of soft tissue injuries in the sport horse, localizing the area of injury during clinical and lameness evaluation will be followed in most cases by an ultrasonographic examination. With MRI more available in equine veterinary clinics, this modality can allow for a complete evaluation of soft tissue and osseous structures and is especially useful for evaluation of structures within the hoof capsule. This article discusses special ultrasonographic techniques, an overview of MRI image generation, and the use of contrast computed tomography for diagnosis of soft tissue inj...
The Efficacy of Intermittent Long-term Bell Boot Application for the Correction of Muscle Asymmetry in Equine Subjects. It has been proposed that manipulating proprioceptive signals of the equine distal limb as part of a rehabilitation process in cases of musculoskeletal pain or neurologic deficits can be used to correct postural control and restore normal motor programs. This trial has examined the effect of treatment with a light-weight and loose-fitting bell boot (82 g) on an imbalance of muscle gluteus superficialis function in horses as measured using acoustic myography (AMG). Eight horses were trained over a 60-minute period every 3 days for 6 weeks, a protocol based on preliminary findings. Acoustic my...
Comparison of fecal egg counting methods in four livestock species. Gastrointestinal nematode parasites are important pathogens of all domesticated livestock species. Fecal egg counts (FEC) are routinely used for evaluating anthelmintic efficacy and for making targeted anthelmintic treatment decisions. Numerous FEC techniques exist and vary in precision and accuracy. These performance characteristics are especially important when performing fecal egg count reduction tests (FECRT). The objective of this study was to compare the accuracy and precision of three commonly used FEC methods and determine if differences existed among livestock species. In this study, ...
Determination of reference intervals for umbilical cord arterial and venous blood gas analysis of healthy Thoroughbred foals. Although umbilical cord blood gas analysis is considered the best way to assess in utero oxygenation in human neonates, there is limited evaluation of this method in equine neonatology. Our objectives were to assess the practicality of obtaining umbilical cord blood gas samples in the field and to determine umbilical cord arterial and venous blood gas reference intervals (RI) for healthy, newborn foals. Thoroughbred foals >320 days gestation from healthy mares with uneventful pregnancies at one stud farm were evaluated. All parturitions were observed, with paired umbilical arterial and venous ...
