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.
Naylor RJ, Perkins JD, Allen S, Aldred J, Draper E, Patterson-Kane J, Piercy RJ.The aetiology of temporohyoid osteoarthropathy (THO) is unknown; both primary infectious and degenerative causes have been suggested. Objective: There is a significant association between increasing age and severity of temporohyoid joint degeneration. To examine the histopathology of the temporohyoid articulation in aged horses and to compare the appearance of the joint with computed tomography (CT) and peripheral quantitative CT (pQCT). Methods: pQCT scans of the temporohyoid articulations were obtained bilaterally from 31 horses (range age 1-44 years) post mortem and images were graded by 2 ...
Lacombe VA, Sogaro-Robinson C, Reed SM.The use of computer tomography (CT) and contrast-enhanced CT (CCT) to image the head is common. However, the validity of CT as a neurodiagnostic indicator of intracranial diseases in horses is unknown. Objective: To define the validity of CT and CCT in horses with suspected intracranial disorders. Methods: The validity of CT imaging was estimated by comparing clinical, clinicopathological and histopathological findings to CT findings in 15 horses presented for intracranial disorders, for which pre- and post contrast CT images and post mortem examination of the brain and skull were reviewed. Po...
Argüelles D, Casteljins G, Carmona JU, Armengou L, Climent F, Prades M.In man, peritoneal transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) is associated with peritoneal diseases and subsequent adhesion formation. No studies on plasma and peritoneal TGF-beta concentrations in horses with colic are available. Objective: 1) To determine both plasma and peritoneal TGF-beta(1) and TGF-beta(3) concentrations in horses with different types of colic (not previously subjected to abdominal surgery); 2) to compare these concentrations according to the type of peritoneal fluid (transudate, modified transudate and exudate); and 3) to compare and correlate plasma and peritoneal conc...
Torfs S, Levet T, Delesalle C, Dewulf J, Vlaminck L, Pille F, Lefere L, Martens A.To assess risk factors for celiotomy incisional infection in horses, especially the use of staples for skin closure. Methods: Case series. Methods: Horses (n=356) that had 1 exploratory celiotomy for colic and survived >2 weeks after surgery between March 1, 2004 and December 31, 2007. Methods: Incisions were classified as "normal" (no complication, only edema, serous drainage lasting <24 hours) or as "surgical site infection (SSI)" (persistent serosanguinous drainage or purulent drainage with or without positive bacterial culture). All possible risk factors, including method of skin closure (...
Hawkes CS, Hahn CN, Dixon PM.Dysfunction of the muscles is implicated in the pathogenesis of intermittent dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP) in exercising horses. The histological features of normal equine soft palate muscles have not been previously described. Objective: To describe the histological and morphometric features of normal equine soft palate muscles. Methods: The palatinus, palatopharyngeus, levator veli palatini and tensor veli palatini muscles of 6 Thoroughbred type horses were examined histologically and histochemically to assess their general morphology, fibre-type distribution and mean fibre d...
Rajasekhar A, Clancy CJ.Group C streptococci (GCS) are common causes of veterinary diseases and may colonize humans. Human diseases due to GCS are uncommon and generally occur in the elderly and persons exposed to animals or animal products. We report a case of Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus meningitis in a horse trainer and review 36 cases of GCS meningitis reported in the literature. The median age was 48 y and the majority of patients were previously healthy. Thirty-one percent (11/36) of the reported cases followed equine exposure and 19% (7/36) ingestion of dairy products. Sixty-seven percent (24/36) we...
LeBlanc MM.Rapid physical uterine clearance is paramount for fertility. Mares that are unable to clear the by-products of insemination or foaling quickly may develop post-mating-induced or acute endometritis. If endometritis is not promptly resolved, the infection can become chronic. Endometritis can be difficult to identify because clinical signs, ultrasonographic and laboratory findings can vary between uterine pathogens. Some micro-organisms are associated with an influx of neutrophils and fluid into the uterine lumen while others are associated with only heavy debris on cytological specimens. Identif...
Lavoie-Lamoureux A, Moran K, Beauchamp G, Mauel S, Steinbach F, Lefebvre-Lavoie J, Martin JG, Lavoie JP.Neutrophils are potent contributors to the lung pathophysiological changes occurring in allergic airway inflammation, which typically involve T helper type 2 (Th2) cytokine overexpression. We have previously reported that equine pulmonary endothelial cells are activated by the Th2 cytokine IL-4 and express chemotactic factors for neutrophils after stimulation. We have further explored the possible mechanisms linking Th2-driven inflammation and neutrophilia by studying the effects of recombinant equine IL-4, a prototypical Th2 cytokine, on peripheral blood neutrophils (PBN) isolated from normal...
Bogaert L, Heerden MV, Cock HE, Martens A, Chiers K.Ten equine skin tumors that had been classified as schwannomas on routine histological examination were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction for bovine papillomavirus DNA. All 10 were positive for bovine papillomavirus 1 or 2, and all 10 were immunohistochemically negative for S-100 protein and strongly positive for vimentin. Nine tumors were moderately positive for laminin and 8, for smooth muscle actin. Five tumors were variably and weakly positive for type IV collagen. The lack of S-100 protein expression made Schwann cells an unlikely cell of origin, as opposed to peripheral nerve sheath ...
Sedacca CD, Bright JM, Boon J.Univentricular atrioventricular (AV) connections are rare and complex congenital cardiac anomalies in which both AV valves communicate into a large, common (single) receiving chamber. The common chamber can be of left, right, or mixed ventricular morphology. Although well documented in people, reports of the double-inlet ventricle malformation are rare in the veterinary literature. This report provides description of an Arabian horse with a double-inlet univentricular connection of left ventricular type, a hypoplastic subpulmonary right ventricle, two muscular ventricular septal defects, and a...
Aquino LP, Machado RZ, Lemos KR, Marques LC, Garcia MV, Borges GP.The present research investigated the presence of T. evansi antibodies in animals from the subregion of Nhecolandia, in the Pantanal Sul-mato-grossense, by means of an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT), and the pattern of polypeptide recognition by sera from experimentally and naturally infected hosts using Western blotting. Serum samples were obtained from bovines (n = 102), horses (n = 98), and dogs (n = 55), and from 32 free-ranging coatis (Nasua nasua). None of the bovines were found positive, while sera from 16 dogs (29%) and 23...
Sindak N, Kandemir L, Yertürk M, Biricik HS.To determine physiologic levels of tear production in Arabian (AH) and throughbred horses (TH) by using phenol red thread test (PRT). Methods: The study was performed on 16 AH and 14 TH, ranging from 2.5 to 24 years of age, housed in a stable situated in the Sanliurfa of Turkey. Methods: For the measurement of PRT, the strip was placed under the lower eyelid approximately one-third the distance from the temporal to nasal canthus and left for 15 s. The length of the wet area was measured in mm and compared among breed, sex, and age groups and between eyes of both sides. Results: The mean length...
Fey K.Horses are obligate nasal breathers and depend on patency of their nasal passages. Several dynamic obstructive diseases in the pharyngeal and laryngeal area can be differentiated by high speed treadmill endoscopy and may be responsible for impaired exercise tolerance in the equine athlete. The anatomical specialty of guttural pouches predisposes the horse to species-specific diseases.
Freitas MC, Grycajuk M, Molento MB, Bonacin J, Labruna MB, Pacheco Rde C, Moraes-Filho J, Deconto I, Biondo AW.Brazilian Spotted Fever (BSF) is an often fatal zoonosis caused by the obligate intracellular bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii. The disease is generally transmitted to humans by Amblyomma spp. ticks. Serological evidence of past infection by R. rickettsii has been reported in horses, but the pathogenicity of R. rickettsii in horses remains unknown. Cart horses are still widely used in urban and urban fringe areas in Brazil, and these animals may constitute suitable sentinels for BSF human in these areas, for example, in Sao Jose dos Pinhais, where the first BSF human case in the state of Parana...
Menzies-Gow NJ, Stevens KB, Sepulveda MF, Jarvis N, Marr CM.The aim of this study was to evaluate both the repeatability (intraobserver agreement) and reproducibility (interobserver agreement) of Obel grading, the most widely accepted method for describing the severity of equine laminitis. The study comprised two parts. In study A, to test intraobserver agreement, 25 ponies were graded twice by a single blinded experienced equine veterinary surgeon, on the first occasion via clinical examination and on the second occasion via a video recording of the initial clinical examination. In study B, to test interobserver agreement, video recordings of 13 ponie...
Lewis MJ, Wagner B, Irvine RM, Woof JM.As in other mammals, immunoglobulin A (IgA) in the horse has a key role in immune defense. To better dissect equine IgA function, we isolated complementary DNA (cDNA) clones for equine J chain and polymeric Ig receptor (pIgR). When coexpressed with equine IgA, equine J chain promoted efficient IgA polymerization. A truncated version of equine pIgR, equivalent to secretory component, bound with nanomolar affinity to recombinant equine and human dimeric IgA but not with monomeric IgA from either species. Searches of the equine genome localized equine J chain and pIgR to chromosomes 3 and 5, resp...
Finno CJ, Eaton JS, Aleman M, Hollingsworth SR.A 23-year-old female mule was presented for bilateral ocular abnormalities and an abnormal pelvic limb gait. Results: Anisocoria, unilateral enophthalmos, medial strabismus, ptosis, pupillary light reflex deficits, and bilateral reticulated pigmentary retinopathy were observed on ophthalmic examination. Neurologic abnormalities included right-sided facial nerve paralysis, extensive symmetric muscle atrophy, and asymmetric pelvic limb ataxia with an abnormal pelvic limb gait. A positive titer (1:40) for equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) associated with Neospora hughesi was obtained from ...
Rüfenacht S, Roosje PJ, Sager H, Doherr MG, Straub R, Goldinger-Müller P, Gerber V.Chorioptes bovis infestation is a common cause of pastern dermatitis in the horse, with a predilection in draft horses and other horses with thick hair 'feathers' on the distal limbs. The treatment of this superficial mite is challenging; treatment failure and relapse are common. Furthermore, C. bovis infestation may affect the progression of chronic pastern dermatitis (also known as chronic proliferative pastern dermatitis, chronic progressive lymphoedema and dermatitis verrucosa) in draft horses, manifesting with oedema, lichenification and excessive skin folds that can progress to verruci...
Caloni F, Cortinovis C.Aflatoxins are a group of mycotoxins principally produced by Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus, which are both natural contaminants of food and feedstuff. Aflatoxin B(1) is the most prevalent member of this group that is normally detected and is the most powerful hepatocarcinogen known. Few naturally occurring episodes of aflatoxicosis in horses have been reported in the literature. Indeed, the published information about aflatoxin exposure, metabolism and the effects on horses is limited and controversial, possibly indicating a lack of awareness rather than the rarity of the occurrence. T...
Brault SA, Bird BH, Balasuriya UB, MacLachlan NJ.Equine herpesvirus-2 (EHV-2) infection has been implicated as a cause of a variety of clinical disorders in young horses, including upper respiratory tract disease, generalized malaise, fever, pharyngeal lymphoid hyperplasia, and lymphadenopathy. Considerable sequence heterogeneity has been demonstrated previously among EHV-2 strains, and individual horses can be concurrently infected with more than one virus strain. In this study, the temporal variation of the viral load and genomic diversity of the glycoprotein B (gB) gene of EHV-2 in the nasal secretions of a cohort of foals was characteriz...
Kurtz BM, Singletary LB, Kelly SD, Frampton AR.In this study, Equus caballus major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) was identified as a cellular entry receptor for the alphaherpesvirus equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1). This novel EHV-1 receptor was discovered using a cDNA library from equine macrophages. cDNAs from this EHV-1-susceptible cell type were inserted into EHV-1-resistant B78H1 murine melanoma cells, these cells were infected with an EHV-1 lacZ reporter virus, and cells that supported virus infection were identified by X-Gal (5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-beta-d-galactopyranoside) staining. Positive cells were subjected t...
Lavoie-Lamoureux A, Maghni K, Lavoie JP.The systemic component of chronic inflammatory diseases may lead to clinical complications. High levels of TNFα, a pro-inflammatory cytokine, are found in human patients with COPD and asthma. Horses are also susceptible to an array of chronic inflammatory disorders possibly associated with systemic inflammation, including respiratory diseases. Currently, there is no commercially available ELISA validated to assess TNFα in equine serum samples. Moreover, the reported normal mean concentration of serum TNFα in horses vary greatly. Hence, we sought to optimize and validate a procedure to quant...
Hauck SM, Dietter J, Kramer RL, Hofmaier F, Zipplies JK, Amann B, Feuchtinger A, Deeg CA, Ueffing M.Autoimmune uveitis is a blinding disease presenting with autoantibodies against eye-specific proteins as well as autoagressive T cells invading and attacking the immune-privileged target tissue retina. The molecular events enabling T cells to invade and attack the tissue have remained elusive. Changes in membrane protein expression patterns between diseased and healthy stages are especially interesting because initiating events of disease will most likely occur at membranes. Since disease progression is accompanied with a break-down of the blood-retinal barrier, serum-derived proteins mask the...
Mallem MY, Thuleau A, Noireaud J, Desfontis JC, Gogny M.To investigate the role of superoxide anions in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced impairment of beta-adrenoceptor-mediated equine digital vein (EDV) vasodilation. Methods: EDVs isolated from forelimbs of 24 healthy adult horses. Methods: Endothelium-intact or endothelium-denuded EDV rings were incubated with or without LPS (10 microg/mL) of Escherichia coli (O55:B5) for 4 hours. Cumulative concentration-relaxation curves resulting from administration of isoprenaline, a nonselective beta-adrenoceptor agonist, or from administration of SR 58611A, a selective beta(3)-adrenoceptor agonist, were...
McMullen RJ, Davidson MG, Campbell NB, Salmon JH, Gilger BC.To determine appropriate intraocular lens (IOL) implant strength to approximate emmetropia in horses. Methods: 16 enucleated globes and 4 adult horses. Methods: Lens diameter of 10 enucleated globes was measured. Results were used to determine the appropriate-sized IOL implant for insertion in 6 enucleated globes and 4 eyes of adult horses. Streak retinoscopy and ocular ultrasonography were performed before and after insertion of 30-diopter (D) IOL implants (enucleated globes) and insertion of 25-D IOL implants (adult horses). Results: In enucleated globes, mean +/- SD lens diameter was 20.14 ...
Spolidorio MG, Labruna MB, Machado RZ, Moraes-Filho J, Zago AM, Donatele DM, Pinheiro SR, Silveira I, Caliari KM, Yoshinari NH.Blood samples collected from 201 humans, 92 dogs, and 27 horses in the state of Espirito Santo, Brazil, were tested by polymerase chain reaction, indirect immunofluorescence assays, and indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for tick-borne diseases (rickettsiosis, ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis, borreliosis, babesiosis). Our results indicated that the surveyed counties are endemic for spotted fever group rickettsiosis because sera from 70 (34.8%) humans, 7 (7.6%) dogs, and 7 (25.9%) horses were reactive to at least one of the six Rickettsia species tested. Although there was evidence of ehrlic...
Anthenill LA, Gardner IA, Pool RR, Garcia TC, Stover SM.To compare macrostructural and microstructural features of proximal sesamoid bones (PSBs) from horses with and without PSB midbody fracture to gain insight into the pathogenesis of PSB fracture. Methods: PSBs from 16 Thoroughbred racehorses (8 with and 8 without a PSB midbody fracture). Methods: Parasagittal sections of fractured and contralateral intact PSBs from horses with a PSB fracture and an intact PSB from age- and sex-matched control horses without a PSB fracture were evaluated for visual, radiographic, microradiographic, histologic, and his-tomorphometric differences in bone porosity,...
Scheinberg P, Marte M, Nunez O, Young NS.Clones of glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchor protein-deficient cells are characteristic in paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria and are present in about 40-50% of patients with severe aplastic anemia. Flow cytometry has allowed for sensitive and precise measurement of glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchor protein-deficient red blood cells and neutrophils in severe aplastic anemia. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria clones measured by flow cytometry in 207 consecutive severe aplastic anemia patients who received immunosuppressive therapy with a h...
Arnold CE, Brinsko SP, Love CC, Varner DD.6 geldings and 5 stallions were evaluated from January 2007 through April 2009 for the following conditions requiring phallectomy: chronic paraphimosis (n = 7), squamous cell carcinoma of the penis (3), and priapism (1). Results: None of the 7 horses with paraphimosis was able to retract the penis. Chronicity of the paraphimosis in 6 horses ranged from 2 weeks to 2 months and was unknown in the seventh horse. Horses with paraphimosis had been medically treated without success. The horse with priapism had developed the condition secondary to acepromazine administration 2 days prior to referral ...
Nikles SA, Heath TJ.In the horse, several thousand lymph nodes receive lymph from the intestine, part of which is very large and contains microorganisms that enable the animal to utilize refractory dietary constituents such as cellulose. The aim of this study was to describe the pathways by which lymph is delivered into, traverses, and is drained from these lymph nodes. These pathways were studied with either Microfil or methacrylate casting materials and with light and electron microscopy. The afferent lymphatic vessel delivering lymph into one of the nodes divides over the capsular surface and within trabeculae...
White NA.Intestinal infarction associated with cranial mesenteric artery thrombosis, without strangulation obstruction of the intestine, was studied in 18 horses. Findings normally of value in evaluating horses with acute abdominal pain (heart rate, rectal palpation findings, gastric reflux) or classification of the degree of pain were not helpful in diagnosing the problem. Similarly, packed cell volume, plasma total protein, circulating white blood cell count, peritoneal white blood cell count, and peritoneal fluid total protein were not of value in predicting severity of the intestinal damage, locati...
Dern K, Burns TA, Watts MR, van Eps AW, Belknap JK.Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is consistently increased in the digital lamellae in different studies of sepsis-related laminitis (SRL). IL-6 signalling through the gp130 receptor activates similar signalling (i.e. mTORC1-related signalling) previously reported to be activated in models of endocrinopathic laminitis. Objective: To assess the activation state of signalling proteins downstream of IL-6/gp130 receptor complex activation in an experimental model of SRL. Methods: Randomised experimental study. Methods: Lamellar phospho-(P) protein concentrations downstream of the IL-6/gp130 receptors were asse...
May CE, Guthrie AJ, Keys B, Joone C, Monyai M, Schulman ML.The response to the first outbreak of contagious equine metritis in South Africa included pioneering a web-based platform to coordinate key aspects of a national, real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR)-based stallion screening programme to determine the distribution and prevalence of Taylorella equigenitalis in stallions and exposed mares. Objective: To define the hypothesised pre-existing status of T. equigenitalis in the South African equine population and progression of the epidemiological investigation via the implementation of a molecular diagnostic-based surveillance programme. Metho...
Snow DH, Bogan JA, Douglas TA, Thompson H.The oral administration of phenylbutazone at a dose rate of approximately 10 mg per kg per day for seven to 14 days resulted in the development of signs of toxicity in seven of eight ponies treated. Clinical signs included anorexia, depression and abdominal oedema. Blood biochemical determinations showed a decrease in total plasma protein and calcium concentrations with an increase in urea concentration. These changes were considered indicative of water retention. Three of the ponies died during treatment following the development of shock. Shock was considered to arise from the submucosal oed...
Moyer W.Hoof wall defects in horses are common occurrences, and, fortunately, many of those detected present little or no danger to the individual horse. Those defects that are either presently a problem or have a great likelihood of being a problem do often require specialized consideration. Horse shoeing and farriery are ancient practices; over the years, a multitude of methods, theories, and management schemes have been proposed. It is unfortunate to note that few studies are available to provide an accurate incidence rate, a better understanding of the various causes, and, lastly, a comparative ap...
Gordon J, Álvarez-Narváez S, Peroni JF.The development of antimicrobial resistant bacteria and the lack of novel antibiotic strategies to combat those bacteria is an ever-present problem in both veterinary and human medicine. The goal of this study is to evaluate platelet lysate (PL) as a biological alternative antimicrobial product. Platelet lysate is an acellular platelet-derived product rich in growth factors and cytokines that is manufactured via plateletpheresis and pooled from donor horses. In the current study, we sought to define the antimicrobial properties of PL on select gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Results ...
Lewis SL, Holl HM, Long MT, Mallicote MF, Brooks SA.Equine metabolic syndrome (EMS), like human metabolic syndrome, comprises a collection of clinical signs related to obesity, insulin dysregulation and susceptibility to secondary inflammatory disease. Although the secondary conditions resulting from EMS can be life-threatening, diagnosis is not straightforward and often complicated by the presence of other concurrent conditions like pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID). In order to better characterize EMS, we sought to describe the variation within, and correlations between, typical physical and endocrine parameters for EMS. Utilizing ...
Wisner ER, O'Brien TR, Lakritz J, Pascoe JR, Wilson DW, Tyler WS.Complete thoracic radiographic examinations were performed on 7 horses ranging in age from 24 to 60 months, followed by in-situ lung fixation. Radiographs were examined by 3 radiologists for the presence, degree and distribution of generalised pulmonary patterns within a region of interest in the caudodorsal lung. Pulmonary tissue was obtained from 12 sites within a designated volume of interest in the caudodorsal lung, corresponding to the area of interest evaluated radiographically, and examined for the presence, character and severity of microscopic lesions. Radiographic findings within the...
Böse R, Peymann B.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...
Locatelli-Dittrich R, Dittrich JR, Richartz RR, Gasino Joineau ME, Antunes J, Pinckney RD, Deconto I, Hoffmann DC, Thomaz-Soccol V.Antibodies to Neospora sp. and Toxoplasma gondii were measured in mares and precolostral foals from a farm in Parana State, Brazil. An indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) was used to determine specific antibodies. Three sampling points, 2003, 2004 and at parturition were included in the study, but not all horses are represented at a parturition time point. In 2003, antibodies to Neospora were detected in 17 mares (47%) at 1:50 dilution and in 5 mares (13.8%) at 1:100 dilution. In 2004, antibodies to Neospora were found in 11/36 (30%) horses with titers of 1:50 and in 6 mares (16.6%) at 1...
Malik P, Singha H, Goyal SK, Khurana SK, Kumar R, Virmani N, Shanmugasundaram K, Pandey SB, Kant R, Singh BK, Singh RK.Equine infectious anemia (EIA) is a retroviral infection of horses. Horses infected by EIA virus (EIAV) become inapparent carriers that remain asymptomatic for the remainder of their life span and serve as infection source to other horses. In this study, agar gel immunodiffusion test and ELISA were used to investigate the presence of antibodies to EIAV in equines. A total of 67,042 equine serum samples from 19 states and two union territories were tested during April 1999 to September 2012. The results revealed that none of the animals were positive for antibodies to EIAV from 1999 to December...
Castagnetti C, Mariella J, Serrazanetti GP, Grandis A, Merlo B, Fabbri M, Mari G.The aim of this study was to gather useful new data for evaluation of lung maturity in the neonatal foal. Because equine neonatal intensive therapy is very expensive, a precocious diagnosis could help to express a prognosis and to offer a respiratory support early after birth, increasing the survival rate and reducing complications. Amniotic fluid was collected at parturition on n=18 mares. Lamellar bodies were isolated in the amniotic fluid and measured with transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Furthermore two tests on amniotic fluid that are commonly used in humane medicine were utilized:...
Kuwamura M, Shirota A, Yamate J, Kotani T, Ohashi F, Sakuma S.A thyroid gland tumor, showing unusual histology, was identified in a 13-year-old male Andalusian horse. Microscopically, the tumor consisted of neoplastic proliferation of C-cell (parafollicular cell) with cytoplasmic fine granules, containing diffusely distributed, variously sized colloid-containing follicles. Immunohistochemically, the neoplastic C-cell were positive for calcitonin and follicleforming epithelial cells showed a positive reaction for thyroglobulin. Ultrastructurally, membrane-bound secretory granules up to 250 nm in diameter were found in the cytoplasm of the parafollicular c...
Leschke DH, Muir GS, Hodgson JK, Coyle M, Horn R, Bertin FR.Diseases associated with insulin dysregulation (ID), such as equine metabolic syndrome and pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction, are of interest to practitioners because of their association with laminitis. Accurate insulin concentration assessment is critical in diagnosing and managing these diseases. Objective: To determine the effect of time, temperature, and collection tube type on insulin concentrations in horses at risk of ID. Methods: Eight adult horses with body condition score >6/9. Methods: In this prospective study, subjects underwent an infeed oral glucose test 2 hours before...
Mizushima D, Amgalanbaatar T, Davaasuren B, Kayano M, Naransatsral S, Myagmarsuren P, Otgonsuren D, Enkhtaivan B, Davkharbayar B, Mungun-Ochir B....In Mongolia, horses play important roles, not only in livestock production, but also in terms of culture, tradition, and Mongolian beliefs. Although the presence of non-tsetse-transmitted horse trypanosomoses, which are caused by infections with (surra) and (dourine), has been reported in the country, whether there is a nationwide epidemic of these infectious diseases is unknown. In the present study, a nationwide surveillance of horse trypanosomoses was performed. The sample sizes for each province, the whole country, and male and female horses were, respectively, 96, 2,400, and 316 and 306...
Arroyo LG, Sears W, Gomez DE.The outcome of treatment of horses with plasma for typhlocolitis/colitis at the Ontario Veterinary College-Health Sciences Centre was evaluated. Horses with typhlocolitis/colitis that received a plasma transfusion had higher odds of dying than did non-transfused horses. The clinical usefulness of transfusing plasma to hospitalized hypoproteinemic horses is questioned. . Les résultats du traitement des chevaux à l’aide de plasma pour la typhlocolite/colite au Health Sciences Centre de l’Ontario Veterinary College ont été évalués. Les chevaux atteints de typhlocolite/colite qui avaient...
Smith LJ, Mellor DJ, Marr CM, Mair TS.Septic digital tenosynovitis is a serious problem in the horse, with a poor prognosis being reported for recovery. Objective: The occurrence of septic digital tenosynovitis would significantly reduce the likelihood of a horse returning to its previous level of athletic function. Methods: Medical records of 90 horses treated for septic digital tenosynovitis were reviewed. Data retrieved included age, sex, location of inciting cause of sepsis, time from onset of clinical signs to presentation for treatment, and whether the horse survived to be discharged. Long-term outcome was determined through...
Jensen TK, Boye M, Bille-Hansen V.Fluorescent in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry, and Grocott's methenamine-silver nitrate staining were compared as diagnostic methods for Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in formalin-fixed lung tissue from foals and pigs. An oligonucleotide probe targeting 18S ribosomal RNA of P. carinii was designed for in situ hybridization, and a commercially available monoclonal antibody was used for immunohistochemistry. Samples from six foals and 10 pigs with P. carinii pneumonia, as verified by Grocott's methenamine-silver nitrate staining, were examined concurrently with samples from seven anima...
Semevolos SA, Strassheim ML, Haupt JL, Nixon AJ.Hypertrophic differentiation and endochondral ossification of growth cartilage are regulated by a complex array of signaling peptides, including parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTH-rP), Indian hedgehog (Ihh), and bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs). This study investigated the expression of Ihh, Patched1 and 2 (Ptc1, Ptc2), Smoothened (Smo), Gli1, and Gli3, in naturally acquired articular osteochondrosis, using an equine model. Cartilage was harvested from osteochondrosis (OC) affected femoropatellar or scapulohumeral joints from immature horses and normal control horses of similar age. Ih...
Pollaris E, Haspeslagh M, Van den Wyngaert G, Vlaminck L.Fissures of the occlusal surface of equine cheek teeth are commonly encountered during oral examination but their aetiology is unknown. Objective: To examine the prevalence and characteristics of occlusal fissures in cadaver teeth. It is hypothesised that their prevalence is influenced by masticatory forces. Consequently, their possible association with wear disorders and occlusal angles were examined. Methods: Cross-sectional survey. Methods: The dental abnormalities and occlusal fissure findings in the cheek teeth of 143 cadaver heads were recorded. The cheek teeth occlusal angles were measu...
Viu J, Monreal L, Jose-Cunilleras E, Cesarini C, Añor S, Armengou L.Bacterial meningoencephalitis is a severe complication in septic foals and there is scarce and often unclear information in the equine literature. Objective: To report the most frequent clinical signs, clinicopathological findings, causative agents, treatments given and outcome of a group of foals with confirmed bacterial meningoencephalitis. Methods: Foals aged < 6 months of age admitted to the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona (2004-2009) with confirmed bacterial meningoencephalitis were retrospectively included in the study Diagnosis of bacterial meningoencephalitis was made by cerebrospina...
Al-Hizab F, Clegg PD, Thompson CC, Carter SD.To investigate the relationship between matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity and osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) in the equine joint. Methods: Equine articular cartilage was obtained from normal (N = 8) and osteochondrotic (OCD) (N = 6) femoropatellar joints from horses at necropsy. The activity of gelatinase MMPs was determined in sections of cartilage by in situ gelatin zymography. Results: Gelatinase activity was markedly increased in articular cartilage obtained from OCD samples and was particularly prominent in the deep cartilage zone. Activity was only seen in the pericellular area of...
Equine coronavirus (ECoV) leads to outbreaks with variable morbidity and mortality. Few previous reports of risk factors for infection are available in the literature. Unassigned: To describe unique clinical findings and risk factors for infection and development of clinical disease. Unassigned: 135 horses on a farm affected by ECoV outbreak. Unassigned: Retrospective cohort study. Data obtained included age, breed, gender, activity level, housing, and feed at the onset of the outbreak. Factors were evaluated for assessment of risk of infection using simple logistic regression or Fisher's exac...
Estell K, Spriet M, Phillips KL, Aleman M, Finno CJ.Previously published myelographic studies do not report findings at the junction between the seventh cervical (C7) and first thoracic vertebrae (T1). Modern digital radiographic equipment allows improved visualization of C7-T1. Based on clinical experience, we hypothesized that 50% reduction of the dorsal myelographic column or 20% reduction of the dural diameter, criteria commonly used as a supportive finding for spinal cord compression in the cervical vertebral column, do not apply at C7-T1. A myelographic study was performed on 12 healthy, neurologically normal horses. Our hypothesis was co...
Williams MM, Spiess BM, Pascoe PJ, O'Grady M.OBJECTIVE: To identify any systemic effects of topical and subconjunctival administration of atropine sulfate in the horse. Animals studied Six mature grade horses were treated hourly in one eye with topical ophthalmic atropine drops for 24 h. Five horses were treated subconjunctivally in one eye with 3 mg of atropine sulfate. Procedures Pupillary light reflexes, pupil size, electrocardiographic parameters, girth measurements, intestinal motility, and clinical signs of abdominal pain were monitored. RESULTS: Alteration in auscultated gut motility and clinical signs of abdominal pain were the m...
Rebolledo-Mendez J, Hestand MS, Coleman SJ, Zeng Z, Orlando L, MacLeod JN, Kalbfleisch T.The reference assembly for the domestic horse, EquCab2, published in 2009, was built using approximately 30 million Sanger reads from a Thoroughbred mare named Twilight. Contiguity in the assembly was facilitated using nearly 315 thousand BAC end sequences from Twilight's half brother Bravo. Since then, it has served as the foundation for many genome-wide analyses that include not only the modern horse, but ancient horses and other equid species as well. As data mapped to this reference has accumulated, consistent variation between mapped datasets and the reference, in terms of regions with no...
Turner TA.Navicular syndrome can be treated in a variety of ways. This is related to the fact that it has a variety of causes. Prognostically, most horses will improve with treatment. One can expect about 50 per cent of the horses to become useably sound for 1 year, no matter what treatment is used. The disease is progressive, and affected horses eventually will need to be retired because of lameness. The author's therapeutic approach is to utilize shoeing as the primary therapy. Shoeing is performed to correct structural problems and to ensure that shoeing is physiologically sound. Nonsteroidal anti-in...
Hreinsdóttir I, Hreinsdóttir A, Eydal M, Tysnes KR, Robertson LJ.In Iceland, there is at least 1 horse for every 5 human inhabitants, mostly kept on uncultivated rangelands. Although the Icelandic horse is considered robust compared with other breeds, it is nevertheless susceptible to disease. Few studies have investigated the prevalence of intestinal parasites in horses in Iceland. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of the tapeworm, Anoplocephala perfoliata, in horses in Iceland and to explore associations between intensity of infection and the severity of macroscopic pathological lesions in this population. In addition, the relation...
O'Callaghan MW, Pascoe JR, O'Brien TR, Hornof WJ, Mason DK.This study was initiated to determine if the extent and intensity of lung lesions associated with exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH) in horses could be predicted from thoracic radiographs. Sets of thoracic radiographs from 24 horses with varied histories of EIPH were subjectively coded for radiographic quality, and perceived extent and intensity of diffuse interstitial opacity by three radiologists who had no knowledge of the corresponding autopsy results. Codes assigned from radiographs for the chosen parameters were compared with coded estimates of lung surface staining assigned a...
