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.
Ramzan PH.Removal of cheek teeth in all but the aged horse or pony is a serious undertaking with potentially deleterious sequellae. Rigid endoscopy permits detailed examination of the oral cavity and erupted dental tissues and has the potential to assist in the correct identification of the diseased tooth. Objective: To document oral endoscopic findings associated with infected equine cheek teeth in cases without gross oral pathological changes and thereby determine the usefulness of rigid oral endoscopy as an aid to diagnosis of such infections. Methods: Records of all cases of equine cheek tooth remov...
Johns I, Tennent-Brown B, Schaer BD, Southwood L, Boston R, Wilkins P.The incidence and implications of positive blood cultures in mature horses with diarrhoea is unknown. The diagnosis of bacteraemia may alter treatment and prognosis. Objective: The proportion of horses with diarrhoea that are blood culture positive is higher than previously assumed and a positive blood culture has a negative impact on survival. Methods: Blood cultures were taken at admission and 24 h after admission from 31 mature horses with diarrhoea. Results: Nine (29%) horses were blood culture positive within 24 h of admission. Organisms isolated included Corynebacterium spp. (n = 6), Str...
Meehan M, Lewis MJ, Byrne C, O'Hare D, Woof JM, Owen P.Fibrinogen-binding protein (FgBP, also termed SeM) is a cell-wall-associated anti-phagocytic M-like protein of the equine pathogen Streptococcus equi subsp. equi, and binds fibrinogen (Fg) and IgG. FgBP binds Fg avidly through residues located at the extreme N terminus of the molecule, whereas the IgG-binding site is more centrally located between the A and B repeats. FgBP binds equine IgG4 and IgG7 subclasses through interaction with the CH2-CH3 interdomain region of IgG-Fc, and possesses overlapping Fc-binding sites with protein A and protein G. In this study, FgBP truncates containing defin...
Ryan PL, Christiansen DL, Hopper RM, Bagnell CA, Vaala WE, Leblanc MM.Placental insufficiency is regarded as the primary factor contributing to late-term abortion and perinatal death of foals. Often when problems associated with late-term pregnancy in the horse are manifest the condition is well-advanced and therapeutic intervention may not be effective in rescuing the pregnancy. If a compromised pregnancy due to placental insufficiency could be identified early, the pregnancy might be sustained through medical intervention. Because the placenta is the sole source of circulating relaxin in the mare, we hypothesized that systemic relaxin may serve as a biomarker ...
Hemberg E, Kindahl H, Lundeheim N, Einarsson S.The objectives of this study were to investigate: (i) relationships between early foal health and their dams' reproductive health at mating/conception as well as after parturition and (ii) health status during early foal life and its association with performance as an adult. The study included 35 foals showing clinical symptoms indicating septicaemia, sometimes in combination with other disturbances, within their first 18 h postpartum (Group I). Eighty-eight foals that were healthy during their first few days of life were used as control (Group II). All foals were born in the same region of Sw...
Ayala I, Rodríguez MJ, Aguirre C, Buendía AJ, Belda E, Laredo FG.This report describes a case of postanesthetic brachial triceps myonecrosis affecting only the left forelimb of a horse. A fatal unilateral postanesthetic myonecrosis has not been previously reported in the horse. This article describes the factors in the horse's history, the anesthetic protocol, and the treatment that may have led to this condition. Ce rapport décrit un cas de myonécrose postanesthésique du triceps brachial affectant seulement la patte avant gauche. Une myonécrose postanesthésique unilatérale mortelle n’avait pas encore été signalée chez le cheval. Le présent art...
de la Rebière de Pouyade G, Serteyn D, Deby-Dupont G, Franck T.Neutrophil myeloperoxidase (MPO) and elastase can be released in severe inflammatory diseases and cause tissue injuries. Equine enzymes have already been individually purified from large blood quantities. We describe the isolation of both enzymes from a same limited blood volume. Both MPO and elastase were extracted by crushing PMN isolated by centrifugation on a percoll-gradient from a 460 ml blood collection. MPO and elastase were separated by an ionic exchange chromatography phase and further purified by gel filtration chromatography on Superdex 200 and 75, respectively. Enzymes were identi...
Chen JW, Uboh CE, Soma LR, Li X, Guan F, You Y.To evaluate whether urine supernatant contains amplifiable DNA and to determine factors that influence genotyping of samples from racehorses after storage and transportation. Methods: 580 urine, 279 whole blood, and 40 plasma samples obtained from 261 Thoroughbreds and Standardbreds. Methods: Genomic DNA was isolated from stored blood and urine samples collected from racehorses after competition. Quantified DNA was evaluated to determine whether 5 equine microsatellite loci (VHL20, HTG4, AHT4, HMS6, and HMS7) could be amplified by use of PCR techniques. Fragment size of each amplified locus wa...
Divers TJ, Kraus MS, Jesty SA, Miller AD, Mohammed HO, Gelzer AR, Mitchell LM, Soderholm LV, Ducharme NG.Six adult horses were administered sodium monensin, 1.0-1.5 mg/kg, via gastric gavage. Anorexia and/or diarrhea occurred within 24 hr after monensin administration in all 6 horses. Cardiac disease and dysfunction were evaluated by both elevations in heart rate, echocardiography, and an increase in serum concentrations of cardiac troponin I (cTnI), occurred in 4 horses. The development and severity of cardiac disease was likely affected by the monensin dose, vehicle (water or corn oil) mixed with monensin, and/or whether the monensin was administered to fed or fasted horses. Initial increases i...
Bello TR, Allen TM.To compare the McMaster and centrifugal flotation techniques and larval culture for recovery of cyathostomin (small strongyle) eggs from the feces of horses. Methods: Fecal samples from 101 horses. Methods: In experiment I, homogenized fresh feces from a single horse were randomly subsampled by use of each technique for 10 replicates. In experiment II, samples from 43 horses that had no anthelmintic treatment were analyzed by use of McMaster, centrifugal flotation, and larval culture techniques. In experiment III, 57 horses were treated with an anthelmintic by owners, and fecal samples were an...
Kalck KA, Frank N, Elliott SB, Boston RC.To ascertain whether laminitis can be induced via administration of oligofructose (OF) at doses of 5.0 and 7.5 g/kg in horses and to assess glucose and insulin dynamics before and after treatment. Methods: 19 adult horses. Methods: Horses were fed OF (1.0 g/kg) mixed with oats for 6 days. Oligofructose at doses of 5.0 and 7.5 g/kg was then mixed with 4 L of water and administered (0 hours) to 8 (group A) and 4 (group B) horses, respectively, via nasogastric intubation; 8 horses received water alone. One horse in group A that did not develop laminitis was subsequently treated again and included...
Collins N, Milne E, Hahn C, Dixon P.The establishment of a single validated endoscopic laryngeal grading system for assessing recurrent laryngeal neuropathy (RLN) is desirable to facilitate direct comparisons between the findings of different clinical and research groups worldwide. The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between the Havemeyer endoscopic laryngeal grading system and histopathological changes consistent with RLN in the left cricoarytenoideus dorsalis (CAD) muscle of horses of different breeds with a full range of clinical severities of RLN, i.e., from normal endoscopic laryngeal function to comp...
Hilton H, Puchalski SM, Aleman M.Equine temporohyoid osteoarthropathy is characterized by progressive osseous proliferation of the temporohyoid articulation and surrounding structures. The diagnosis has generally been made using radiography and endoscopy of the guttural pouch. Recently, computed tomography (CT) has been used in the diagnosis of temporohyoid osteoarthropathy. This study was performed to determine the CT imaging characteristics of temporohyoid osteoarthropathy and to compare these to radiographic and endoscopic findings. CT scans from 16 horses with a final diagnosis of temporohyoid osteoarthropathy were review...
Gorgas D, Luder P, Lang J, Doherr MG, Ueltschi G, Kircher P.Nuclear bone scintigraphy is commonly used in the diagnosis of sacroiliac disease in horses. The aim of the present retrospective study was to determine if there was an association between radiopharmaceutical uptake pattern and radiographic appearance of the sacroiliac region in horses. Seventy-nine horses undergoing bone scintigraphy with Tc-99 m-HDP and radiography of the pelvis because of lameness or poor performance were studied. Subjective and semiquantitative methods were used to characterize and compare radiopharmaceutical uptake between horses. Ventrodorsal radiographs of the region we...
Mosing M, Kuemmerle JM, Dadak A, Moens YP.A case of a pony with severe cyanide intoxication as a result of cherry ingestion is presented. General anaesthesia was performed for colic surgery. Severe metabolic lactate acidosis in combination with a high arterial oxygen partial pressure and clinically good peripheral perfusion parameters were the remarkable signs during anaesthesia. Severe hypothermia was obvious during recovery. Ten hours post-surgery the pony was euthanized as a result of neurological signs. The diagnosis of cyanide intoxication was made post-mortem. Conclusions: Cherry ingestion can lead to lethal cyanide intoxication...
Schauvliege S, Van den Eede A, Duchateau L, Pille F, Vlaminck L, Gasthuys F.To compare cardiac output () measurements using lithium dilution (LiDCO) and pulse contour analysis (PulseCO) techniques in isoflurane-anaesthetized ponies before and during the administration of different inotropic/vasoactive drugs. Methods: Prospective randomized experimental cross-over trial. Methods: Six ponies aged 5.0 +/- 1.6 (4-6.5) years and weighing 286 +/- 53 (212-368) kg. Methods: After sedation (romifidine) and induction (midazolam + ketamine), anaesthesia was maintained with isoflurane in oxygen. After 90 minutes (= T0), one of four treatments was administered: saline 0.1 mL kg(-1...
Rhee HS, Steel CM, Derksen FJ, Robinson NE, Hoh JF.We used immunohistochemistry to examine myosin heavy-chain (MyHC)-based fiber-type profiles of the right and left cricoarytenoideus dorsalis (CAD) and arytenoideus transversus (TrA) muscles of six horses without laryngoscopic evidence of recurrent laryngeal neuropathy (RLN). Results showed that CAD and TrA muscles have the same slow, 2a, and 2x fibers as equine limb muscles, but not the faster contracting fibers expressing extraocular and 2B MyHCs found in laryngeal muscles of small mammals. Muscles from three horses showed fiber-type grouping bilaterally in the TrA muscles, but only in the le...
Duz M, Whittaker AG, Love S, Parkin TD, Hughes KJ.Measurement of hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) concentration and pH in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) is useful for detection and monitoring of asthma in humans. In contrast, limited information on the use of these parameters for the investigation of lower airway inflammation (LAI) is available for horses. Aims of the current study were to investigate the intra- and inter-day variations of EBC H(2)O(2) concentration and pH in horses and establish any relationship(s) with LAI. Both intra- and inter-day variability of EBC H(2)O(2) concentration were large, while those of pH were small. No signific...
Moretti A, Mangili V, Salvatori R, Maresca C, Scoccia E, Torina A, Moretta I, Gabrielli S, Tampieri MP, Pietrobelli M.Babesia caballi and Theileria equi are the causative agents of equine piroplasmosis. In this preliminary epidemiological study, 412 horses reared in central and northern Italy were sampled and three diagnostic methods compared, namely, the microscopy, the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) and a PCR. Possible risk factors (such as area, season, breed, activity, sex, age, and grazing) associated with serological positivity were evaluated. A seroprevalence of 68.4% was found: 12.4% of the animals had anti-T. equi antibodies, 17.9% anti-B. caballi antibodies and 38.1% had antibodies agains...
Ginther OJ, Almamun M, Shahiduzzaman AK, Beg MA.The mechanism for a reported temporal association between ovulation and a transient disruption in the periovulatory increase in LH concentrations was studied in nine mares treated with human chorionic gonadotropin when the preovulatory follicle was >/=32mm. Examinations for ovulation detection and blood collection were done at 2-h intervals and the results were retrospectively centralized to ovulation (Hour 0). Concentrations of LH began to increase (P<0.03) rapidly at Hour -18, decreased (P<0.04) between Hours 0 and 6, and again increased (P<0.0001) after Hour 12. A progressive de...
Fennell L, Church S, Tyrell D, Forbes G, Charles J, McCowan C, Savage C.A 10-month-old Friesian filly had a presentation that was consistent with chronic left- and right-sided congestive heart failure. Clinical pathology findings included abnormal haematological and biochemical variables, abnormal blood gas values and increased serum concentration of cardiac troponin I. Echocardiography revealed cardiac chamber dilation and dextropositioning of the aorta. Radiography revealed a generally enlarged heart and pulmonary interstitial infiltration. These findings were supported at necropsy and the diagnosis of double-outlet right ventricle was confirmed. The pathologica...
Chiocchetti R, Bombardi C, Mongardi-Fantaguzzi C, Venturelli E, Russo D, Spadari A, Montoneri C, Romagnoli N, Grandis A.This paper describes the morphology and distribution of the enteric nervous system (ENS) cells and fibres immunoreactive for choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), substance P (SP), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), NF200kDa (NF200), and S100 protein. The percentages of subclasses of enteric neurons in the total neuronal population were investigated by the use of anti-PGP 9.5 or anti-NSE antibodies. ChAT-IR myenteric plexus (MP) and submucosal plexus (SMP) neurons were 66+/-7% and 74+/-15%, respectively, whereas those cells expressing nNOS-IR were 38+/-7...
Laha R, Sasmal NK.This study was undertaken to detect Trypanosoma evansi infection in clinically ill cattle, buffaloes and horses that were suspected of 'surra' infection. Various diagnostic tests were utilized in order to assess the prevalence of infection in the clinically ill and 'suspected' animals. Animals in the Eastern Region of India were systematically studied for T. evansi infection, which had not been tested for previously. Examination of Giemsa-stained blood smears detected 5.3%, 9.4% and 40.6% infections; the mouse inoculation test detected 18.4%, 15.6% and 46.9% infections whereas an in-house ELIS...
Prause AS, Stoffel MH, Portier CJ, Mevissen M.In horses, gastrointestinal (GI) disorders occur frequently and cause a considerable demand for efficient medication. 5-Hydroxytryptamine receptors (5-HT) have been reported to be involved in GI tract motility and thus, are potential targets for treating functional bowel disorders. Our studies extend current knowledge on the 5-HT(7) receptor in equine duodenum, ileum and pelvic flexure by studying its expression throughout the intestine and its role in modulating contractility in vitro by immunofluorescence and organ bath experiments, respectively. 5-HT(7) immunoreactivity was demonstrated in ...
Gáspárdy A, Rieden S, Simonyi Z, Szemere B, Bodó I.The authors give a short orientation about the age related parameters of the incisors based on the literature. They examined the question of breed differences with respect to the age determination of horses in the different counties, especially in regard to the English Thoroughbred. In this context they present a new parameter as well as a new approach in data-processing. The cup depth and the yearly abrasion showed high breed-specificity. The relative abrasion indicated that the most intensive wear out is typical for the Thoroughbred. The cup depth and the yearly wear out were different accor...
Woo PC, Lau SK, Choi GK, Huang Y, Wernery R, Joseph S, Wong EY, Elizabeth SK, Patteril NA, Li T, Wernery U, Yuen KY.Among all known picornaviruses, only two species, equine rhinitis A virus and equine rhinitis B virus (ERBV) are known to infect horses, causing respiratory infections. No reports have described the detection of ERBV in fecal samples of horses and no complete genome sequences of ERBV3 are available. Methods: We performed a molecular epidemiology study to detect ERBVs in horses from Dubai and Hong Kong. Complete genome sequencing of the ERBVs as well as viral loads and genome, phylogenetic and evolutionary analysis were performed on the positive samples. Results: ERBV was detected in four (13.8...
McCue ME, Anderson SM, Valberg SJ, Piercy RJ, Barakzai SZ, Binns MM, Distl O, Penedo MC, Wagner ML, Mickelson JR.The GYS1 gene mutation that is causative of Type 1 Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy (PSSM) has been identified in more than 20 breeds of horses. However, the GYS1 mutation frequency or Type 1 PSSM prevalence within any given breed is unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of the GYS1 mutation and prevalence of genetic susceptibility to Type 1 PSSM in selected breeds from Europe and North America. The GYS1 mutation was detected in 11 breeds, including, in order of increasing allele frequency, Shires, Morgans, Appaloosas, Quarter Horses, Paints, Exmoor Ponies, Saxon-Thu...
Whyard JM, Brounts SH.This study compared post-operative complications and survival in horses with right dorsal displacement of the large colon (RDD) and horses with other non-strangulating large colon (NSLC) lesions. Data were obtained from medical records of horses undergoing exploratory laparotomy from 2000 to 2016 and from owner questionnaire. Of 137 horses that fitted the inclusion criteria, 67 (49%) had RDD and 70 (51%) had NSLC lesions. Twenty-eight horses with RDD (42%) and 27 horses with NSLC (39%) experienced ≥ 1 complication after surgery. The RDD group showed more severe complications than the NSLC gr...
Baptista VDS, Guttmann PM, Rusca AC, Moreira da Silva K, Macieira DB, de Alencar NX, Lessa DAB.Ten mule foals were used to investigate serum IgG concentration. Blood was collected from mares and foals on the day following parturition (D1), at 48 and 72 hr after birth (D2 and D3), and on D7, D14, D21, D28, D35, D42, and D60. Serum IgG concentration was determined by zinc sulfate turbidity test and was above 400 mg/dl at all time points, except for one foal on D2. Mean values were above 800 mg/dl from D1 to D7 and at D60. The difference between mares and foals at each collection time was significant, except at D1. For all other days, foal IgG values were lower than the mare IgG values. Me...
Vezzosi T, Vitale V, Sgorbini M, Tognetti R, Bonelli F.Continuous electrocardiography (ECG) monitoring is the gold standard for diagnosing arrhythmias that occur intermittently or under exercise. The aim of this study was to compare two different methods for 24-hour Holter monitoring in horses, a 7-electrode system (7-ES) versus a 4-electrode system (4-ES), assessing the recording performance at rest and during exercise. Six standardbred horses were included in the present prospective study. Two different methods for 24-hour Holter monitoring were used in each horse with a washout period of one week between each recording method. In the first 15 ...
Sano H, Martin-Flores M, Santos LC, Cheetham J, Araos JD, Gleed RD.To evaluate the effect of epidural morphine on gastrointestinal (GI) motility in horses. Methods: Randomly ordered crossover design. Methods: Six healthy adult horses weighing 585± 48 kg (mean±SD). Methods: Horses were randomly assigned to receive either 0.2 mg kg(-1) morphine or an equal volume (0.04 mL kg(-1)) of saline epidurally (the first inter coccygeal space) with 2 weeks between treatments. The horses were stabled, fed a standardized diet and allowed water ad libitum throughout the duration of the study. Radiopaque spheres were administered by stomach tube. Xylazine 0.2 mg kg(-1) int...
Verdegaal EJMM, Delesalle C, Caraguel CGB, Folwell LE, McWhorter TJ, Howarth GS, Franklin SH.OBJECTIVE To evaluate use of a telemetric gastrointestinal (GI) pill to continuously monitor GI temperature in horses at rest and during exercise and to compare time profiles of GI temperature and rectal temperature. ANIMALS 8 Standardbred horses. PROCEDURES Accuracy and precision of the GI pill and a rectal probe were determined in vitro by comparing temperature measurements with values obtained by a certified resistance temperature detector (RTD) in water baths at various temperatures (37°, 39°, and 41°C). Subsequently, both GI and rectal temperature were recorded in vivo in 8 horses over...
Zientara S, Sailleau C, Moulay S, Wade-Evans A, Cruciere C.The development of a coupled reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction assay (RT-PCR) is described for the detection of African horse sickness virus (AHSV) double-stranded RNA. Genome segments 7 and 10 were chosen as target templates for primers selected for use in the RT-PCR. Using these AHSV-specific primers all 9 serotypes were detectable. The sensitivity and specificity of the RT-PCR results were compared to those obtained by competition ELISA.
Norvall A, Cota JG, Pusterla N, Cissell D.Equine temporomandibular joint (TMJ) diseases are increasingly recognized as a problem for the well-being and performance of horses. Diagnosis is confounded by overlap of clinical signs associated with pathology of the oral cavity, poll, and cervical vertebrae. Arthrocentesis for intra-articular analgesia, sampling of synovial fluid, and medication is needed for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Ultrasound features of the normal TMJ and a blind arthrocentesis technique have been described, but a systematic approach to ultrasound-guided (USG) arthrocentesis has not been reported. Ultrasound ...
Airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) are pivotal characteristics of equine asthma. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) may have a central role in modulating airway inflammation and dysfunction. Therefore, the aim of this study was to match the inflammatory and contractile profile in LPS-challenged equine isolated bronchi to identify molecular targets potentially suitable to counteract AHR in asthmatic horses. Equine isolated bronchi were incubated overnight with LPS (0.1-100 ng/ml). The contractile response to electrical field stimulation (EFS) and the levels of cytokines, chemokines...
To determine risk factors for Clostridium piliforme infection in neonatal foals on a Thoroughbred breeding farm in California. Methods: Case-control and retrospective cohort studies. Methods: 322 neonatal Thoroughbred foals either born on the study farm or born elsewhere but traveled to the farm with their dam during the 1998, 1999, and 2000 breeding seasons. Methods: Mare and foal records from 1998, 1999, and 2000 were examined, using case-control design methods to determine variables associated with increased risk of C. piliforme infection in foals. Important risk factors identified in the c...
Dalgleish R, Love S, Pirie HM, Pirie M, Taylor DJ, Wright NG.A natural outbreak of strangles occurred in a group of 19 young experimental ponies. The disease was diagnosed in 11 of them within two days of their arrival at Glasgow University veterinary school and five others developed clinical signs within a further four days, a morbidity rate of 84 per cent. All of the affected ponies had typical signs of strangles including dullness, anorexia, pyrexia, regional lymphadenitis, occasionally with rupture of the lymph node, conjunctivitis and a mucopurulent nasal discharge. Nine of the affected ponies were destroyed during the clinical phase of the disease...
Ciupe SM, Schwartz EJ.We develop a mathematical model for the interaction between two competing equine infectious anemia virus strains and neutralizing antibodies. We predict that elimination of one or both virus strains depends on the initial antibody levels, the strength of antibody mediated neutralization, and the persistence of antibody over time. We further show that the ability of a subdominant, neutralization resistant virus to dominate the infection transiently or permanently is dependent on the antibody-mediated neutralization effect. Finally, we determine conditions for persistence of both virus strains. ...
Teixeira-Soares CM, Viana AGA, Ribeiro IM, Silva KDP, Sancler-Silva YFR, Machado-Neves M.Endometritis is a relevant cause of subfertility in mares. However, the accurate diagnosis, essential for effective treatment, can be difficult due to the variability of results and interpretations resulting from different examination methods and sample collection techniques. The present work compared gynecological evaluation methods and sample collection techniques to diagnose endometritis in subfertile mares. Forty animals with a history of subfertility were selected for gynecological evaluation using clinical methodologies, such as perineal conformation, transrectal palpation and ultrasonog...
Jeffcott LB.This article is presented as an introduction to the complex subject of back pain and its management in horses. It considers some of the historical perspectives and deals with some of the limiting factors when attempting to evaluate back pain. The clinical indications of a back problem are considered, as is the important distinction of primary versus secondary back pain. Finally, a list of considerations capable of causing back pain and impaired performance is included.
Connally BA, Derksen FJ.The usefulness of tidal breathing flow-volume loops (TBFVL) to evaluate pulmonary function was investigated in 6 Standardbreds during treadmill exercise. Tidal breathing flow-volume loops are a graphic representation of airflow rate vs tidal volume for each individual breath. These TBFVL were obtained from horses exercising at speeds corresponding to 75 and 100% of maximum heart rate. Measurements were recorded in each horse before and after ovalbumin-induced allergic lung disease. Moderate obstructive lung disease, characterized by a significant increase in pulmonary resistance, was observed ...
Buchanan FR, Cardenas TC, Leede E, Riley CJ, Brown LH, Teixeira PG, Aydelotte JD, Coopwood TB, Trust MD, Ali S, Brown CVR.Large animal-related injuries (LARI) are relatively uncommon, but, nevertheless, a public hazard. The objective of this study was to better understand LARI injury patterns and outcomes. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of the 2016 National Trauma Data Bank and used ICD-10 codes to identify patients injured by a large animal. The primary outcome was severe injury pattern, while secondary outcomes included mortality, hospital length of stay, ICU admission, and mechanical ventilation usage. Results: There were 6,662 LARI included in our analysis. Most LARI (66%) occurred while riding ...
Dunkel B, Rickards KJ, Werling D, Page CP, Cunningham FM.Recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) in mature horses is characterized by reversible airway obstruction and neutrophilic inflammation; there is also functional activation of circulating platelets and neutrophils. This study was undertaken to determine if changes in activation marker expression and heterotypic aggregate formation can be used as an indicator of this increased functional responsiveness. In vitro conditions for flow cytometric measurement of CD13, CD41/61 and CD62P expression on activated cells and heterotypic aggregate formation were established. Values were then compared before an...
Mobasheri A, Critchlow K, Clegg PD, Carter SD, Canessa CM.Equine laminitis is a multifactorial connective tissue disorder with major implications for the welfare of horses. There are few published studies on phenotypic markers for identification of equine laminar keratinocytes using immunohistochemical techniques. Objective: To establish whether the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) and the GLUT1 and GLUT4 facilitative glucose transporters may be used as phenotypic markers for identification of equine laminar keratinocytes using immunohistochemical techniques to monitor changes in the keratinocyte population in laminitis. Methods: Histology and immuno...
Alexeenko V, Fraser JA, Dolgoborodov A, Bowen M, Huang CL, Marr CM, Jeevaratnam K.The analysis of equine electrocardiographic (ECG) recordings is complicated by the absence of agreed abnormality classification criteria. We explore the applicability of several complexity analysis methods for characterization of non-linear aspects of electrocardiographic recordings. We here show that complexity estimates provided by Lempel-Ziv '76, Titchener's T-complexity and Lempel-Ziv '78 analysis of ECG recordings of healthy Thoroughbred horses are highly dependent on the duration of analysed ECG fragments and the heart rate. The results provide a methodological basis and a feasible refer...
Zhang X, Wang Y, Liang H, Wei L, Xiang W, Shen R, Shao Y.The equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) donkey-leukocyte attenuated vaccine (DLV) has been used to protect against equine infectious anaemia (EIA) disease for several decades in China. The attenuated mechanism and immunological protective mechanisms remain to be elucidated. To identify responses that correlate with the protection against disease, we immunized horses with DLV, followed by challenge with an EIAV wild-type strain LN. All vaccinated horses were asymptomatic and had a low level of virus replication (<10 copies ml-1). The expression level of cytokines including gamma interferon...
Polani S, Dean M, Lichter-Peled A, Hendrickson S, Tsang S, Fang X, Feng Y, Qiao W, Avni G, Kahila Bar-Gal G.Juvenile idiopathic epilepsy (JIE) is a self-limiting neurological disorder with a suspected genetic predisposition affecting young Arabian foals of the Egyptian lineage. The condition is characterized by tonic-clonic seizures with intermittent post-ictal blindness, in which most incidents are sporadic and unrecognized. This study aimed to identify genetic components shared across a local cohort of Arabian foals diagnosed with JIE via a combined whole genome and targeted resequencing approach: Initial whole genome comparisons between a small cohort of nine diagnosed foals (cases) and 27 contro...
Dunuwille WMB, YousefiMashouf N, Balasuriya UBR, Pusterla N, Bailey E.Equid herpesvirus (EHV-1) infections in horses can lead to equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM), characterised by neurological clinical signs. The sporadic occurrence of the disease in horse herds suggests a host genetic component. A recent study reported an association between the occurrence of EHM and genetic markers on horse chromosome 6 (ECA6). Objective: To investigate the association of EHM with genetic host factors, especially with reference to the association reported for ECA6. Methods: Genome-wide association study (GWAS) was conducted based on 94 horses that had EHV-1 infecti...
Moorman VJ, Reiser RF, Mahaffey CA, Peterson ML, McIlwraith CW, Kawcak CE.To determine intralimb orientation changes with an inertial measurement unit (IMU) in hooves of horses at a walk and trot after induction of weight-bearing single forelimb lameness and to determine whether hoof orientations are similar to baseline values following perineural anesthesia. Methods: 6 clinically normal horses. Methods: 3-D hoof orientations were determined with an IMU mounted on the right forelimb hoof during baseline conditions, during 3 grades of lameness (induced by application of pressure to the sole), and after perineural anesthesia. Linear acceleration profiles were used to ...
Reck C, Menin Á, Pisetta NL, Batista F, Miletti LC.This study reports the first autochthonous "surra" outbreak in horses in the State of Santa Catarina, southern Brazil. Six horses with clinical suspicion of trypanosomosis had the natural infection by T. evansi confirmed by PCR and rapid serum agglutination test. Clinical, parasitological, and hematology evaluations were performed at initial observation (T0) and 90 days after (T1). At T0, all animals that tested positive for T. evansi in PCR presented with severe clinical signs and out of normal range hematological hematological (hematocrit, leukocytes, platelets, hemoglobin) and serum bioche...
Ribeiro RM, Ribeiro DS, Cota LO, Leme FO, M Carvalho A, Faleiros RR.This study aimed to characterize and correlate physiological and metabolic changes in horses fed a hypercaloric diet (HD). Nine mature horses with a mean initial body condition score of 2.9 ± 1 (scale, 1-9) were fed a high-calorie diet for 5 months. Fasting blood samples were collected before the study and biweekly for the duration of the project to determine the concentrations of cholesterol (CHOL), very low (VLDL), low (LDL) and high-density (HDL) lipoproteins, triglycerides, non-esterified fatty acids, and fructosamine. A low-dose oral glucose tolerance test (LGTT) was conducted before, 75...
Felix K, Ferrándiz R, Einarsson R, Dreborg S.Some patients who are allergic to horses have reported that they can tolerate certain breeds, and the presence of breed-specific allergens has been suggested. Breeders and patients with asthma have claimed that Bashkir horses are nonallergenic. We used sodium dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting to determine IgE-binding profiles of extracts of dander obtained from horses of several breeds. We found considerable inter-breed and within-breed variation but no breed-specific allergens. Danders from all breeds investigated contained the most important allergens, and ...
Gandini M, Cerullo A, Giusto G.Postoperative complications frequently occur following equine colic surgery but there is a lack of consistency in their definitions and reporting. Objective: To perform a scoping review to identify current evidence on the definitions and classifications of postoperative complications in equine colic surgery. Methods: Evidence review. Methods: A scoping review was conducted in CAB, Web of Science, Scopus and PubMed databases using a PCC (Population-equids, Concept-complications, adverse events, sequelae, failure to cure, technical failure, disease progression and Context-postoperative period af...
Van Steenkiste G, Carlson J, Decloedt A, Vera L, Buhl R, Platonov PG, van Loon G.To compare the atrial fibrillatory rate (AFR) derived from a local right atrial intracardiac recording (RA-FR) and from a single-lead surface electrocardiogram (ECG) during atrial fibrillation (AF) and to evaluate the correlation with transvenous electrical cardioversion (TVEC) threshold (in Joules), number of shocks and cardioversion success rate in horses. Methods: ECGs and clinical records of horses with AF treated by TVEC. Horses were included if a simultaneous recording of the right atrial intracardiac electrogram and a modified base-apex ECG were available. Methods: Clinical records of h...
Edwards DF, Parker JW, Wilkinson JE, Helman RG.Plasma cell myelomas in horses have been reported infrequently. Data from 10 cases, 9 from the literature and 1 new case, are used to characterize the disease in the horse. Hot-blooded horses (7/10), specifically Quarter Horses (4/10), were most often affected. Median age at diagnosis was 11 years (range, 3 mo-22 yr) and both male (5) and female horses (5) were represented equally. Clinical findings included weight loss (6/8), anorexia (4/8), fever (4/8), limb edema (4/8), pneumonia (3/8), rear leg paresis/ataxia (3/8), epistaxis (3/8), palpable lymphadenopathy (2/8), and bone pain (2/8). Anem...
