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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.
Flow cytometric method for detecting thiazole orange-positive (reticulated) platelets in thrombocytopenic horses. To evaluate a method for detecting thiazole orange-positive (TO+, reticulated) platelets in equine blood, using flow cytometry. Methods: 16 healthy, equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV)-negative horses and ponies; 9 thrombocytopenic, EIAV-positive horses and ponies; and 2 thrombocytopenic, EIAV-negative horses. Methods: Blood from healthy and thrombocytopenic horses was collected by jugular venipuncture. Appropriate sample requirement and incubation time for the assay were evaluated, using blood anticoagulated with EDTA or sodium citrate, or platelet-rich plasma in sodium citrate. The sample ...
Mechanisms of echinocytosis induced by Crotalus atrox venom. Transient echinocytosis has been reported in association with snake envenomation in humans and dogs. An in vitro model of echinocytosis induced by venom of crotalus atrox (western diamondback rattlesnake) was established to characterize erythrocyte morphologic changes and to investigate potential mechanisms of echinocytic transformation. Erythrocyte morphologic changes produced after the addition of venom to canine, feline, equine, and human blood were characterized by dose-dependent echinocytosis. Type III echinocytosis were consistently induced in vitro at a dose comparable to in vivo enveno...
Influence of antigen challenge on platelet responsiveness in horses with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. A role for platelets in allergic airways disease has been postulated and changes in the responsiveness of circulating platelets have been demonstrated following antigen challenge of asthmatic human subjects. In this study agonist-induced aggregation of equine platelets in vitro has been compared before and after exposure of horses to a controlled hay and stray challenge. Prior to challenge the response of platelets, from horses with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and normal animals, to adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and platelet activating factor (PAF) did not differ. Five hours aft...
Clinical features of blister beetle poisoning in equids: 70 cases (1983-1996). To document clinical signs and gross pathologic changes associated with naturally acquired cantharidiasis (blister beetle poisoning) in equids. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: 70 equids with laboratory-confirmed blister beetle poisoning. Methods: Medical records were reviewed to obtain history, physical examination findings, feeding practices, and diagnostic test and necropsy results. Results: 32 horses and 2 donkeys died from exposure to cantharidin, whereas 36 horses survived. Diet content varied, but alfalfa hay was the common component. Onset of signs of disease was rapid. Most equi...
[An experience of the modified Norwood’s operation for hypoplastic left heart syndrome with aberrant origin of right subclavian artery and persistent left superior vena cava–the procedure without total circulatory arrest and cardiac arrest]. We reported a successful case of the modified Norwood operation for a 21-day-old neonate with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (MS and AS) associated with an aberrant right subclavian artery and a persistent left superior vena cava. The modified Norwood operation was performed without total circulatory arrest and Cardiac arrest. A 4 mm Gore-Tex graft, which was anastomosed between the right carotid artery and the right pulmonary artery for systemic-pulmonary shunt, was used for cerebral perfusion during aortic arch reconstruction. Coronary perfusion was performed with a small cannula placed on ...
Brodifacoum toxicosis in two horses. Increased popularity during the past decade of brodifacoum, an anticoagulant rodenticide, has led to an increase in cases of accidental poisoning in nontarget species, including pets and farm animals. Pharmacokinetics of second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides such as brodifacoum are substantially different from those of first-generation anticoagulant rodenticides such as warfarin. This difference dramatically influences management of exposure in terms of duration and cost of treatment and may affect outcome. The National Poison Control Center reports that approximately 50 cases of brodif...
Influence of preoperative complete blood cell counts on surgical outcomes in healthy horses: 102 cases (1986-1996). To assess the value of CBC as a preoperative test in healthy horses undergoing cryptorchidectomy. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: 117 horses. Methods: Medical records were reviewed to identify horses that had had cryptorchidectomy. Of the 117 horses identified, 102 were found that did not have a known medical condition believed to adversely affect surgery. Preoperative CBC was assessed in terms of abnormalities detected and effects of these abnormalities on development of complications during and after surgery and patient management. Results: Of 102 CBC performed, 55 contained abnormali...
Antigenic diversity of granulocytic Ehrlichia isolates from humans in Wisconsin and New York and a horse in California. The agent of human granulocytic ehrlichiosis (HGE), Ehrlichia phagocytophila, and Ehrlichia equi are very similar. HGE is of variable severity. Genetic and antigenic differences among 3 human isolates (Webster, Spooner, and NY-8) and 1 horse isolate (MRK) were evaluated. The 16S rRNA gene sequences were identical in all human isolates. By use of 5 homologous antisera from these 3 humans and 1 horse and an additional 5 antisera in heterologous reactions, the immunodominant antigens of each isolate were noted to differ in molecular size: 43 kDa in the Webster (Wisconsin) isolate, 46 kDa in the S...
Management of headshaking in three horses by treatment for protozoal myeloencephalitis. Unlike the incidence of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM), which appears to be increasing, headshaking is an uncommon problem for horses in Missouri and the adjacent states. Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis was incriminated in three horses examined for the treatment of headshaking on the basis of a neurological examination, an analysis of cerebrospinal fluid and their response to treatment. The headshaking and stereotypical behaviour associated with EPM was successfully treated with potentiated sulphonamides and pyrimethamine.
Airway response of horses with COPD to dry powder inhalation of ipratropium bromide. To determine the effects of the dry powder inhalation (DPI) of ipratropium bromide (ipratropium) on the airways of health horses and the dose-response curve in horses suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by means of pulmonary function tests, five healthy horses were first studied. Ipratropium (2400 micrograms ipratropium horse-1) was contained in gelatine capsules and administered using a dry powder device connected to an adapted face mask. Pulmonary function tests were recorded before inhalation and 15 and 60 min after inhalation. No modification of pulmonary function w...
The intercarpal ligaments of the equine midcarpal joint, Part 3: Clinical observations in 32 racing horses with midcarpal joint disease. To characterize the clinical features of intercarpal ligament pathology and to determine the relationship among palmar intercarpal ligament tearing, dorsomedial intercarpal ligament (DMICL) hypertrophy, and other intraarticular lesions. Methods: Prospective clinical observations. Methods: Twenty-eight thoroughbred and four standardbred race horses. Methods: Clinical, radiographic, and arthroscopic examination of 53 midcarpal joints of 32 horses. Results: Palmar intercarpal ligament tearing was observed in 30 joints of 22 horses. Some tearing of the medial palmar intercarpal ligament (MPICL) wa...
IL-1 beta induces the degradation of equine articular cartilage by a mechanism that is not mediated by nitric oxide. Proteoglycan degradation was induced in young equine articular cartilage explants cultured for eight days in the presence of 50 ng/ml recombinant human interleukin-1 beta. Degradation was initiated after 6 hours of exposure to the cytokine. This was accompanied by an induction of nitric oxide synthesis and a decrease in the incorporation of [36S]sulphate into the glycosaminoglycan chains of proteoglycans. The addition of 1mM N-iminoethyl-L-ornithine (an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase) to the explant cultures in the presence of rhIL-1 beta suppressed the synthesis of NO and restored proteog...
Multiple aneurysmal bone cysts in a foal. Multiple aneurysmal bone cysts (ABCs) are previously unreported in horses. An ABC was diagnosed in the left 3rd metacarpal of a Thoroughbred foal, which partially resolved following surgical curettage. A 2nd ABC developed in the left tibia, 7 wk postoperatively, and the foal was euthanized.
Pseudocyst of the spermatic cord of a gelding. Clinical, echographic, and histopathological features of an unusual enlarging scrotal mass in a 5-year-old gelding are described. Echography of the scrotal mass in this case provided valuable information concerning the nature of the tissue present, and assisted in narrowing the differential diagnosis.
Identification of thrombospondin as a high molecular mass protein released from activated equine platelets. To establish the existence of platelet-derived proteins in equine plasma, with the future goal of developing an assay for the detection of in vivo platelet activation. Methods: 5 mature healthy horses. Methods: Platelet-rich plasma and platelet-poor plasma were prepared from anticoagulated blood. Platelets were separated from plasma proteins by gel filtration, then activated with 0.5 microM platelet-activating factor. Protease inhibitors were added, and the released platelet proteins were harvested. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was performed on the released platele...
Comparison of PCR and culture to the indirect fluorescent-antibody test for diagnosis of Potomac horse fever. Potomac horse fever is an acute systemic equine disease caused by Ehrlichia risticii. Currently, serologic methods are widely used to diagnose this disease. However, serologic methods cannot determine whether the horse is presently infected or has been exposed to ehrlichial antigens in the past. The purpose of the present study was to compare the sensitivities of the nested PCR and cell culture with that of the indirect fluorescent-antibody (IFA) test for the diagnosis of Potomac horse fever. Blood and fecal specimens serially collected from a pony experimentally infected with E. risticii Mary...
High resolution protein electrophoresis of equine cerebrospinal fluid. To determine normal CSF electrophoresis patterns in horses, and to determine whether the electrophoretic scans from horses with cervical compression differ from those of neurologically normal horses. Methods: 32 horses assigned to 1 of 2 groups: neurologically normal (n = 18) or cervical compression (n = 14). Methods: CSF was collected from 18 neurologically normal horses referred to the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center, and protein electrophoresis was performed to describe the normal equine CSF electrophoretogram. Results of CSF electrophoresis from 14 horses with cervical compressio...
Equine infectious anemia virus utilizes a YXXL motif within the late assembly domain of the Gag p9 protein. We have previously demonstrated that the Gag p9 protein of equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) is functionally homologous with Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) p2b and human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) p6 in providing a critical late assembly function in RSV Gag-mediated budding from transfected COS-1 cells (L. J. Parent et al., J. Virol. 69:5455-5460, 1995). In light of the absence of amino acid sequence homology between EIAV p9 and the functional homologs of RSV and HIV-1, we have now designed an EIAV Gag-mediated budding assay to define the late assembly (L) domain peptide sequences con...
Infectious temporomandibular joint disease in the horse: computed tomographic diagnosis and treatment of two cases. Diagnostic imaging and treatment of unilateral destructive temporomandibular joint disease in two horses is described and discussed. Computed tomography appeared to be the best imaging technique for these lesions. The disease can be followed by functional recovery after the infection has resolved.
Adjunctive use of a neodymium:yttrium-aluminum garnet laser for treatment of pythiosis granulomas in two horses. Pythiosis, caused by Pythium insidiosum, is a common cutaneous granulomatous disease in horses. Surgical removal is the most common treatment; however, high rates of recurrence have been reported. Results of examination of 2 horses with pythiosis granulomas in which a neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser was used to photoablate the bed after removal are reported. The mass had not recurred in either horse 1 year after surgery. Photoablation results in collateral thermal necrosis and may kill organisms that have infiltrated surrounding tissues, thus reducing the risk of recurrence.
Septic tenosynovitis and focal osteomyelitis of the lateral proximal sesamoid bone in a thoroughbred gelding. Chronic septic tenosynovitis with concurrent, associated focal osteomyelitis of the lateral proximal sesamoid bone was diagnosed in a seven-year-old thoroughbred gelding. Surgical management of this case consisted of open annular ligament desmotomy and curettage of the affected sesamoid. Following lavage of the digital sheath the incisional wound was closed but a 2 cm gap was left distally to allow for postoperative open drainage. The distal limb was bandaged and the horse treated with antibiotics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories. Sepsis resolved and the horse made a gradual return to ful...
Diseases and surgery of the large colon. Displacements and intraluminal obstructions of the large colon carry a good to excellent prognosis for long-term recovery, and surgery for these diseases is rarely followed by short-term or long-term complications. Entrapment of the large colon over the renosplenic ligament is amenable to medical therapies so that surgery can be avoided in many cases. However, preoperative diagnosis of all nonstrangulating diseases of the large colon can be difficult. Vascular diseases of the large colon, such as thromboembolic diseases and large colon volvulus, are more difficult to treat and carry a poorer p...
Equine inhibin/activin beta A-subunit mRNA is expressed in the endometrial gland, but not in the trophoblast, during pregnancy. The expression of both inhibin alpha- and inhibin/activin beta A-subunit mRNA was examined in equine uteroplacental tissues collected during pregnancy (days 90 to 300). Northern blot analysis revealed that 5 transcripts (7.0, 4.1, 3.4, 2.6, 1.5 kb) of beta A-subunit were present, and the most abundantly expressed transcript was the 1.5 kb one. Relatively high levels of the 1.5 kb transcript were seen in the second trimester of pregnancy compared to what was found in the third trimester. To identify the tissue localization of beta A-subunit mRNA, in situ hybridization was performed, and the pos...
Evaluation of the catabolic activity of cartilage by measurement of serum keratan sulfate concentration in foals. To determine keratan sulfate (KS) concentration in the serum of foals at the early stage of growing, and to evaluate the role of serum KS as a cartilage catabolic marker, comparing its values with the fluctuation of serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity as a measurement of osteoblastic activity. Methods: 12 foals with normal growth and 3 foals with joint abnormalities within 18 months after birth. Methods: Measurement of KS concentration and ALP activity in serum and radiographic and physical examinations were done. Results: In all foals, serum KS concentration was high from 1 week after b...
Advances in diagnostic techniques for horses with colic. Recent advances in the use of abdominal ultrasound, endoscopy, laparoscopy, radiography, and peritoneal fluid analysis have contributed to the evaluation of horses with colic. Improved diagnostic capabilities allow earlier surgical intervention when necessary, and this should improve survival rates and the economic aspects of case management.
