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Topic:Disease Diagnosis
Disease diagnosis in horses involves the identification and characterization of illnesses through various diagnostic methods and tools. This process is essential for effective veterinary care and management of equine health. Techniques used in diagnosing diseases in horses include clinical examinations, laboratory tests, imaging modalities such as ultrasonography and radiography, and molecular diagnostics. Blood tests are frequently utilized to assess parameters such as complete blood count and biochemical profiles, which can indicate underlying health issues. Additionally, advancements in genetic testing and biomarker identification have enhanced the ability to detect specific diseases early. This page aggregates peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore diagnostic methodologies, their applications, and their impact on equine health management.
Changes in plasma melanocyte-stimulating hormone, ACTH, prolactin, GH, LH, FSH, and thyroid-stimulating hormone in response to injection of sulpiride, thyrotropin-releasing hormone, or vehicle in insulin-sensitive and -insensitive mares. Six insulin-sensitive and 6 insulin-insensitive mares were used in a replicated 3 by 3 Latin square design to determine the pituitary hormonal responses (compared with vehicle) to sulpiride and thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), 2 compounds commonly used to diagnose pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) in horses. Mares were classified as insulin sensitive or insensitive by their previous glucose responses to direct injection of human recombinant insulin. Treatment days were February 25, 2012, and March 10 and 24, 2012. Treatments were sulpiride (racemic mixture, 0.01 mg/kg BW), TRH (...
Four novel papillomavirus sequences support a broad diversity among equine papillomaviruses. Papillomaviruses appear to be species-specific pathogens, and it was suggested that each animal species might harbour its own set of papillomaviruses. However, all approaches addressing the underlying evolutionary phenomena still suffer from very limited data about animal papillomaviruses. In case of the horse for example, only three equine papillomaviruses (EcPVs) have been identified. To further address the situation in this host, suspected papillomavirus-associated lesions were tested for EcPV DNA. Four novel EcPV types were detected and their genomes entirely cloned and sequenced. They dis...
Effect of selenium and vitamin C on clinical outcomes, trace element status, and antioxidant enzyme activity in horses with acute and chronic lower airway disease. A randomized clinical trial. Excess production of reactive oxygen species is involved in the pathogenesis of airway disorders in horses. Trace element antioxidants have a beneficial role in oxidant/antioxidant balance. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of a combination of sodium selenite and ascorbic acid on clinical outcome, antioxidant enzymes, and trace elements status in horses with lower airway disease. For this purpose, 40 draft horses with lower airway disease were randomly selected (acute, n = 20; chronic, n = 20). Both acute and chronic cases were randomly allocated into two subgroup...
Hyperinsulinaemia increases vascular resistance and endothelin-1 expression in the equine digit. Insulin leads to overexpression of endothelin-1 (ET-1) in the endothelium of insulin-resistant rodents. If this is also the case in equine laminar tissue, this could explain the predisposition of insulin-resistant horses to laminitis. Objective: To investigate the effect of hyperinsulinaemia on metabolism and vascular resistance of the isolated equine digit in a model of extracorporeal perfusion. Methods: Randomised, controlled study with interventional group, with blinded evaluation of histology results. Methods: After exsanguination, equine digits (n = 11) and autologous blood were collected...
A cohort study of equine laminitis in Great Britain 2009-2011: estimation of disease frequency and description of clinical signs in 577 cases. A previous systematic review highlighted a lack of good evidence regarding the frequency of equine laminitis in Great Britain. Objective: To estimate the frequency of veterinary-diagnosed active laminitis in the general horse population of Great Britain and to describe the clinical signs present in cases. Methods: Prospective cohort study. Methods: Data on active episodes of equine laminitis were collected from veterinary practitioners. Results: The prevalence of veterinary-diagnosed active laminitis was 0.47% (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.42-0.52%) for the veterinary-attended population and...
Knowledge base and effectiveness of online continuing education about foreign animal diseases for equine veterinarians. The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of two different methods of online education using the knowledge base of African horse sickness (AHS) among US equine veterinarians as a model. An e-mail was sent to US veterinary members of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP), inviting them to participate in a complementary online educational opportunity. We determined participants' baseline knowledge of AHS by their responses in an AHS case scenario. Participants were then randomly assigned to either a Webinar module or a text-formatted module, followed by an educa...
Comparison of microbial populations in the small intestine, large intestine and feces of healthy horses using terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism. The composition of the microbiota of the equine intestinal tract is complex. Determining whether the microbial composition of fecal samples is representative of proximal compartments of the digestive tract could greatly simplify future studies. The objectives of this study were to compare the microbial populations of the duodenum, ileum, cecum, colon and rectum (feces) within and between healthy horses, and to determine whether rectal (fecal) samples are representative of proximal segments of the gastrointestinal tract. Intestinal samples were collected from ten euthanized horses. 16S rRNA gen...
Indigofera spicata (creeping indigo) poisoning of three ponies. Three ponies continuously grazed a pasture containing an estimated 24% Indigofera spicata (wet weight basis) for 4-6 weeks in April and May 2004. They developed ataxia, paresis, depression, muscle fasciculations, dysphagia, ptyalism and halitosis. Two also developed corneal opacity. One pony recovered with supportive treatment, but the other two were euthanased and necropsied. Neuropathology was not present in either case, but both livers had periacinar and periportal lymphocytic infiltrations and hydropic degeneration of mid-zonal hepatocytes, with mild to moderate periacinar necrosis also ev...
A case report of lung cancer in a horse trainer caused by exposure to respirable crystalline silica: an exposure assessment. Here, we present a case of lung cancer in a 48-year-old male horse trainer. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first such case report to include an exposure assessment of respirable crystalline silica (RCS) as a quartz. The trainer had no family history of lung cancer. Although he had a 15 pack/year cigarette-smoking history, he had stopped smoking 12 years prior to his diagnosis. For the past 23 years, he had performed longeing, and trained 7-12 horses per day on longeing arena surfaces covered by recycled sands, the same surfaces used in race tracks. We investigated his workplace RCS ...
Prognosis for racing with conservative management of cervical vertebral malformation in thoroughbreds: 103 cases (2002-2010). Cervical vertebral malformation (CVM) is seen in young, rapidly growing horses, and is commonly associated with a poor prognosis for racing. Objective: To examine the records of a population of Thoroughbreds with a presumptive diagnosis of CVM and to determine which radiographic findings and neurologic exam findings have an effect on these horses achieving athletic function when managed conservatively. Methods: One hundred and three thoroughbreds presumptively diagnosed with CVM and treated conservatively between 2002 and 2010. Methods: Racing records were reviewed in this retrospective study ...
The nasal vestibulum is the optimal sampling site for MRSA screening in hospitalised horses. The increased incidence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection in equine hospitals highlights the need for infection control protocols based on optimal patient screening. In horses, the deep ventral meatus of the nasal cavity is the principal site sampled to detect MRSA. However, in humans, the anterior nares are the preferred sampling site. The objective of this study was to determine the optimal sampling location in the nasal chambers for MRSA in horses by comparing the results obtained from three different locations (the vestibulum, diverticulum and ventral meatus) ...
Detection of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi infections in Venezuelan horses using Competitive-Inhibition ELISA and PCR. The focus of this study was the detection of equine piroplasmosis in Distrito Capital, Miranda, Aragua, Guárico and Apure States from Venezuela, using two methods: Competitive-Inhibition ELISA and multiplex PCR and the analysis of the possible differences in occurrence in relation to the primary purpose of the horses, which is related to varied degrees of exposure to tick. Antibody levels to Babesia caballi and Theileria equi were assessed in 694 equine serum samples using Competitive-Inhibition ELISA, while PCR assays were performed in 136 horses, using two sets of oligonucleotides to establ...
Clinical observations and management of a severe equine herpesvirus type 1 outbreak with abortion and encephalomyelitis. Latent equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) infection is common in horse populations worldwide and estimated to reach a prevalence nearing 90% in some areas. The virus causes acute outbreaks of disease that are characterized by abortion and sporadic cases of myeloencephalopathy (EHM), both severe threats to equine facilities. Different strains vary in their abortigenic and neuropathogenic potential and the simultaneous occurrence of EHM and abortion is rare. In this report, we present clinical observations collected during an EHV-1 outbreak caused by a so-called "neuropathogenic" EHV-1 G(2254)/D(...
Blood lactate concentrations in ponies and miniature horses with gastrointestinal disease. Clinical impression suggested that pony and miniature breeds (collectively referred to as ponies) presenting to a referral hospital for investigation of gastrointestinal disease had higher blood lactate concentrations on admission than large breed horses. Objective: The study tested the hypothesis that ponies with gastrointestinal disease had higher blood lactate concentrations on admission than large breed horses with similar disease severity. Methods: Retrospective case-control study. Methods: Medical records from September 2006 to July 2011 were reviewed for ponies with a primary presenting...
Exposure of mares to processionary caterpillars (Ochrogaster lunifer) in early pregnancy: an additional dimension to equine amnionitis and fetal loss. Equine amnionitis and fetal loss (EAFL) is an unusual form of abortion in mid- to late-gestation mares, first identified in Australia in 2004. It has been shown that both whole processionary caterpillars (Ochrogaster lunifer) and their shed exoskeletons can induce abortion in mares during midgestation. These abortions exhibited gross pathology and bacteriology results consistent with field cases of EAFL. Objective: To determine whether exposure of mares to the shed exoskeletons of processionary caterpillars can induce abortion in the preplacentation (<35 days' gestation) and early plac...
Eliminating infectious diseases of livestock: a metapopulation model of infection control. When novel disease outbreaks occur in livestock, policy makers must respond promptly to eliminate disease, and are typically called on to make control decisions before detailed analysis of disease parameters can be undertaken. We present a flexible metapopulation model of disease spread that incorporates variation in livestock density and includes occasional high-mixing locations or events, such as markets or race meetings. Using probability generating functions derived from this branching process model, we compare the likely success of reactive control strategies in eliminating disease spread...
Detection of A/B toxin and isolation of Clostridium difficile and Clostridium perfringens from foals. Toxin detection and screening could contribute to knowledge of the transmission patterns, risk factors and epidemiology of Clostridium difficile and Clostridium perfringens. Objective: To isolate C. difficile and C. perfringens and to detect A/B toxins in faecal samples from diarrhoeic and nondiarrhoeic foals. Methods: Cross-sectional observational study. Methods: A total of 153 samples from foals were collected: 139 samples from farms and 14 samples from diarrhoeic foals admitted to a veterinary hospital. The A/B toxins were detected by cytotoxicity assay. All suspected colonies of C. perfrin...
Selenium deficiency associations with gender, breed, serum vitamin E and creatine kinase, clinical signs and diagnoses in horses of different age groups: a retrospective examination 1996-2011. Selenium and vitamin E deficiency have been associated with nutritional myopathy, more commonly known as white muscle disease (WMD) in horses. However, correlations between selenium concentrations and presenting clinical signs, age, breed, gender, serum vitamin E, creatine kinase (CK) and final diagnosis, have not previously been evaluated. Objective: To determine the number of hospitalised horses in 3 age groups that were selenium tested and the proportions of horses with categorised presenting clinical signs; the association/odds risk of final diagnosis with selenium deficiency and to examin...
Pathological evidence of pancreatitis in 43 horses (1986-2011). Definitive ante mortem diagnosis of pancreatitis in horses is difficult. Reports summarising the most common clinical signs, clinicopathological features and concurrent disorders in horses with a definitive diagnosis of pancreatitis that may aid in the recognition of disease are lacking. Objective: To describe case details, clinical signs, clinicopathological data and necropsy findings in horses with a definitive diagnosis of pancreatitis. Methods: This was a retrospective study (1986-2011) and inclusion criteria consisted of horses with a definitive diagnosis of pancreatitis. A medical record...
The clinical and pathological features of gastric impaction in twelve horses. Gastric impaction in the horse is poorly described in the veterinary literature. Objective: To review the clinical and pathological features of gastric impaction. Methods: The clinical details of horses presenting with colic over a 7-year period and cases in which gastric impaction was considered to determine the outcome were reviewed. Clinical and clinicopathological data were recorded. Results: Twelve cases of gastric impaction were recorded (1.4% of 857 horses hospitalised for colic). Diagnosis was achieved by ultrasonographic examination, gastroscopy, exploratory celiotomy and/or post mort...
Magnetic resonance and radiographic diagnosis of osseous resorption of the flexor surface of the distal phalanx in the horse. Osseous resorption of the flexor surface of the distal phalanx of the horse has been identified previously using magnetic resonance (MR) imaging; however, little is known about the prevalence and characteristics of this lesion. Objective: To establish the MR prevalence of resorptive lesions in the flexor surface of the distal phalanx and identify concurrent lesions associated with this finding and associations between the MR and radiographic findings. Methods: Horses with distal extremity MR and radiographs performed within 2 weeks of each other were included in the study. The flexor surface o...
Equine piroplasmosis treatment protocols: specific effect on orocaecal transit time as measured by the lactose 13C-ureide breath test. Imidocarb dipropionate is the drug of choice for equine piroplasmosis but its administration causes severe colic and diarrhoea. An imidocarb protocol that reduces these effects is needed. Objective: 1) Quantification of the effects of imidocarb dipropionate on equine orocaecal transit time (OCTT), with and without atropine or glycopyrrolate premedication and 2) investigation of an improved pretreatment regimen for imidocarb administration. Objective: Treatment with imidocarb dipropionate will result in colic and reduced OCTT as demonstrated by the lactose 13C-ureide breath test which will be a...
Acquired equine polyneuropathy in Norway and Sweden: a clinical and epidemiological study. Acquired equine polyneuropathy (AEP, also known as 'Scandinavian knuckling syndrome'), is a serious disease of unknown aetiology, which emerged clustering in horse farms in Sweden, Norway and Finland in the 1990s. Clinical and epidemiological data regarding the syndrome are scarce. Objective: To describe the clinical and epidemiological findings and outcome in outbreaks of AEP and compare risk factors in affected and unaffected horses on affected farms in Norway and Sweden during 2007-2009. Methods: Neurological examinations were performed and data collected regarding demography, usage, turnin...
B-mode and Doppler ultrasonography in pony mares with experimentally induced ascending placentitis. Early, accurate diagnosis of ascending placentitis in mares remains a key challenge for successful treatment of the disease. Doppler ultrasonography has shown promise as a tool to diagnose pregnancy abnormalities and is becoming more available to equine clinicians. However, to date, no studies have prospectively compared this technique to standard B-mode measurement of the combined thickness of the uterus and placenta (CTUP). Objective: The objective of the current study was to compare Doppler and B-mode ultrasonography for the detection of experimentally-induced ascending placentitis in mares...
Influence of head and neck position on radiographic measurement of intervertebral distances between thoracic dorsal spinous processes in clinically sound horses. Reductions in distances between dorsal spinous processes on radiographs are used as criteria for the diagnosis of impingement of the thoracic dorsal spinous processes in horses but are potentially altered by spine motion and different head and neck positions. Objective: To determine the influence of head and neck positions on intervertebral distances between dorsal spinous processes on radiographs of thoracic spines of clinically sound horses. Methods: Lateral-lateral radiographs were obtained from 23 horses in 3 head and neck positions. The width of the thoracic dorsal spinous processes and i...
Detection of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in carthorses in the metropolitan region of Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil. Toxoplasma gondii, the agent for toxoplasmosis, has worldwide distribution. Horses normally play a secondary role in its life cycle, but movement around urban areas, feeding on grass and the increasing use of carthorses for gathering recyclable material in some urban areas of Brazil may increase their exposure to T. gondii infection. The aim of the present study was to investigate the frequency of anti-T. gondii antibodies in carthorses in the metropolitan region of Curitiba, PR. IgG antibodies against T. gondii were detected using the indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT) (titers ≥ 64)...
