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.
Kawata H, Kishimoto H, Iwai S, Ishimaru K, Saito T, Kayatani F, Inamura N, Hamamichi Y, Kawada Y, Nasuno S, Maekawa S.We assessed the effect of reconstructing the pulmonary artery during arterial switch surgery for transposition of the great arteries on late pulmonary stenosis. Sixty-five patients who underwent Lecompte procedure between September 1991 and December 2006 were divided, by the procedure used chronologically to reconstruct the pulmonary artery, into group XP (single pantaloon patch with equine pericardium, n = 11), group P (direct reconstruction, n = 47), and group AP (single pantaloon patch with fresh autopericardium, n = 7). Outcome and pulmonary stenosis on the most recent ultrasound cardiogra...
Sugiura T, Nakajima H.An indirect hemagglutination was developed for the diagnosis of equine infectious anemia using sheep red blood cells coated with group specific virus antigen which had been highly purified by affinity chromatography. The presence of indirect hemagglutination antibodies was demonstrated in horses with equine infectious anemia since the cells were specifically agglutinated by all the serum samples obtained from experimentally infected horses. Antibodies appeared within 35 days after inoculation, and development of which coincided well with that of precipitating and complement fixing antibodies. ...
Viscardi V, Jorge ML, Silva KM, Sad EP, Fonseca AB, Alencar NX, Lessa DA.Collection of fluid from the lower respiratory tract (LRT) plays an important role in both the pathophysiological investigation and diagnosis of respiratory tract disease. Enzymes such as ALP are, among others, indicators of cell damage or death, type II pneumocyte proliferation, and neutrophil invasion, and have been useful as biomarkers of respiratory disease in other species. Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine and compare tracheal wash (TW) ALP activity in healthy horses and horses with LRT inflammation (LRTI) determined by TW cytology profile. Methods: Tracheal washes we...
Wilkołek P, Szczepanik M, Rodzik B, Sitkowski W, Pluta M, Taszkun I, Gołyński M.Intradermal tests (IDTs) and measurement of specific immunoglobulin E class (sIgE) levels in sera are the most common and reliable methods used in allergological clinical practice. The purpose of this study was to explore the sensitization of pollen allergy in atopic horses with pollinosis and to assess the diagnostic value of the multiple allergen simultaneous tests (MASTs) compared with that of the IDT. Twenty-one Malopolski horses with typical skin hypersensitivity symptoms during pollen seasons were enrolled. Intradermal tests were performed, and allergen-specific IgE concentrations in ser...
Kirkland KD, Fales WH, Blanchard TL, Youngquist RS, Hurtgen JP.Five isolants of Pseudomonas aeruginosa collected from clinical cases of equine genital infection and one standard strain of P. aeruginosa were exposed to various concentrations of ethylene-diaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and tris (hydroxymethyl) aminomethane (tris buffer pH 8) and EDTA-tris lysozyme. Colony forming units of the isolants and minimal inhibitory concentrations for 11 antimicrobial agents were determined with each isolant before and after exposure to the EDTA solutions. Decreased cellular viability was found with all six isolants after exposure to the EDTA-tris solutions. Reversal...
Bennet ED, Parkin TDH.Racehorse training and racing schedules in many parts of the United States and Canada were interrupted or otherwise reduced during the first three to six months of 2020. This was an indirect consequence of mitigations to prevent the spread of the pandemic virus COVID-19. Data from the Equine Injury Database, a census-level survey of all race starts made in the USA and Canada, were used to analyse the incidence of fatalities in 2009-2022 among three age cohorts of racehorses within each year. There was a statistically significant increase in the incidence of musculoskeletal fatalities among 2-y...
Jenner F, Närväinen J, de Ruijter-Villani M, Stout TA, van Weeren PR, Brama P.Equine embryogenesis post implantation is not well studied, and only two-dimensional illustrations are available. A thorough appreciation of the complex three-dimensional relationship between tissues and organs and their development is, however, crucial for understanding physiological and pathological mechanisms. Objective: The goals were 2-fold: 1) to establish a freely accessible online atlas as a reference tool for the scientific and pedagogic communities; and 2) to create a framework for integration of data with known spatiotemporal distribution, such as gene expression or cell lineage. Me...
Friis NF, Bech J.Döhle bodies were observed in a horse suffering from a chronic pleurisy. The bodies were demonstrated in about 80 % of the neutro-phils in blood smears prepared during an acute flare-up of the disease. One to 4 bodies were found in each cell, situated in the periphery of the cytoplasm. The size of the bodies was 1–3 μ and the shape rodlike or oval. They stained blue with M-G-G. Blood smears were examined from 50 horses suffering from various diseases, but Döhle bodies could not be demonstrated in any of these cases. Döhle-Körperchen wurden bei einem Pferd mit chronischer Pleuritis beoba...
Craig MI, Barrandeguy ME, Fernández FM.Equine herpesvirus 2 (EHV-2) was isolated from healthy animals; therefore, the association between EHV-2 infection and respiratory disease raises the question of the role of this agent in this pathology. To date, there are no reports that relate viral excretion to health, this study then analysed 153 nasal swabs from horses in different age groups (older and younger than 1 year old) and state of health (clinically healthy and with respiratory symptoms). Results showed that the percentage of horses with viral excretion was higher within the clinically healthy group, being significative (p < 0.0...
Oke SL, Hurtig MB, Keates RA, Wright JR.To develop a new 1,9-dimethylmethylene blue (DMMB) assay for measurement of sulfated glycosaminoglycan (sGAG) concentrations in equine synovial fluid (SF) by use of membrane technology and to compare the assay's ability to measure sGAG concentrations with that of 2 other established DMMB assays. Methods: 25 samples of SF collected from affected joints of 14 horses and 13 samples of SF collected from nonaffected (control) joints of 4 horses. Methods: A solid-phase DMMB assay was developed to measure sGAG concentrations in SE Results for the assay were then compared with results obtained by use ...
Vonaparti A, Lyris E, Panderi I, Koupparis M, Georgakopoulos C.In equine sport, salicylic acid is prohibited with a threshold level of 750 microg mL(-1) in urine; hence, doping control laboratories have to establish quantitative and qualitative methods for its determination. A simple and rapid liquid chromatographic/mass spectrometric method was developed and validated for the quantification and identification of salicylic acid. Urine samples after 900-fold dilution and addition of the internal standard (4-methylsalicylic acid) were directly injected to the liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry system. Electrospray ionization i...
Fernández-Garayzábal JF, LaFrentz S, Casamayor A, Abarca E, Mohammed HH, Cuming RS, Arias CR, Domínguez L, Vela AI.Twenty-two unidentified Gram-positive, rod-shaped organisms were recovered from the conjunctival surface of apparently healthy horses and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic analysis. Based on cellular morphology and biochemical criteria, the isolates were tentatively assigned to the genus , although they did not match any recognized species. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing studies demonstrated that all of the isolates were phylogenetically members of the genus The isolates shared 99.4 to 100% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity among the strains and 96.5% similarity with 2385/12, which w...
Dunkel B, Corley KT, Johnson AL, Witte TH, Leitch M, Marr CM, Weller R.Pneumocephalus is occasionally encountered in horses but poorly described in the literature. The study aimed to describe historical, clinical and diagnostic imaging findings and outcome in horses to increase the awareness and recognition of the condition amongst equine practitioners, allowing appropriate management of these cases. Cases of pneumocephalus from 4 participating institutions were identified and case details extracted from the medical records. Five cases of pneumocephalus were identified. Head trauma with suspected or confirmed fractures of the sinuses was the underlying cause in 4...
Hopfer SM, Van Kruiningen HJ, Daniels WH.Twelve horses were divided into three groups and given various doses of a mixed species strongyle inoculum, representing light, moderate, and heavy infections. Three weeks after the larval inoculations, three animals from each group were given larvicidal doses of thiabendazole (TBZ) (440 mg kg-1 on two consecutive days); one animal from each group served as a non-medicated control. Treatment was repeated three weeks later. One treated animal from each group was designated for long-term study; others were necropsied to study adult and larval parasite loads. Six of the twelve animals with strong...
Gabal MA, Mohammed KA.An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was evaluated for the detection of antibody in sera of equine naturally infected with Histoplasma farciminosum 'epizootic lymphangitis'. Ten sera from naturally infected horses were tested. A hydrogen peroxide ABTS mixture constituted the substrate. The reactions were read as the absorbance values measured at 405 nm using a spectrophotometer. The standard deviation and the average percentage of the absorbance values of the different serum samples were considered in the interpretation of the results. All sera were proved positive with variations in the diffe...
Lloyd KC.Despite clinical signs compatible with obstruction or ischemia of the gastrointestinal tract, the clinician occasionally is unable to identify a gastrointestinal cause for colic. In this article, disorders not originating from obstruction or ischemia of the gastrointestinal tract but causing real or apparent abdominal pain are presented as alternative causes of colic. In addition, colic of gastrointestinal origin may be the primary inciting factor or a secondary complication of an alternative disorder, causing colic-like signs. Recognition of alternative diagnoses relies on a thorough and cons...
Khazaeel K, Pesarakli H, Mashhadi AG, Borujeni MP.Accurate estimation of a horse's age based on the condition of the tooth status is necessary as a scientific and artistic technique, which has not been performed so far in pure Arabian horses of Khuzestan (southern west of Iran). This study aimed to investigate the age-dependent changes in the morphology and morphometry of the incisors in Arabian mares of Khuzestan to estimate age and to compare the estimated dental age and actual age. In this study, 78 Arabian mares of Khuzestan were examined in several equestrian clubs. Then, images were taken with a digital camera from the vestibular and oc...
Corradini I, Georges K, Jose-Cunilleras E.To determine the effects of time after sampling on CO-oximetry measurements of equine blood samples and the effects of adding ascorbic acid (AscAc) and methylene blue (MetBlue) to samples with methemoglobinemia. Methods: Experimental study. Methods: University teaching hospital. Methods: Thirty healthy adult horses assigned to 5 groups. Methods: Repeated CO-oximetry determinations were performed on venous (n = 6) and arterial blood samples (n = 7) stored at 0°C for 48 hours. Methemoglobinemia was induced in vitro in 17 additional blood samples. Six were used as untreated controls, 6 had ...
Derksen FJ, Robinson NE, Berney CE.The dose of aerosol pirbuterol that could be administered safely to ponies (weight approximately 200 kg) was determined by observation for sweating, trembling and excitement and measurement of heart and respiratory rates during cumulative administration of the drug. Sweating, trembling and excitement were first observed following a dose of 2,400 micrograms and became more severe at 3,200 micrograms. These effects were accompanied by an increase in heart rate but not a change in respiratory rate. When 3200 micrograms was administered without prior administration of lower doses, side effects wer...
Bostedt H, Sieme H, Bartmann CP, Handler J, Sobiraj A, Wehrend A.This review describes stepwise the recto-manual and transrectal ultrasonographic evidence of early pregnancy detection in the horse. The morphological and physiological conditions in the individual phases of early pregnancy are presented in correlation to the potential clinical findings. The importance of embryonic and early foetal losses is presented. Communication and documentation of findings are also addressed. The final section is devoted to the evaluation of the examination effort. In this regard, it is emphasized that the gynaecological examination for the evaluation of the pregnancy st...
Kumar S, Rakha NK, Goyal L, Goel P, Kumar R, Kumar A, Kumar S.Theileria equi merozoite surface antigens have been an important candidate for development of diagnostics. We developed ELISA based on EMA-1 recombinant antigen, so as to widen our diagnostic confidence in detection of antibodies against T. equi in sero-surveillance studies. The 547 bp EMA-1 gene fragment encoding high hydrophilic antigenic region was expressed with glutathione-S-transferase tag in prokaryotic system and purified protein (43 kDa) was used for development of ELISA (EMA-1t/ELISA). The EMA-1t/ELISA clearly differentiated T. equi-infected from Babesia caballi-infected horse sera o...
Wilson DV, Suslak L, Soma LR.Cardiovascular effects and pulmonary gas exchange were compared during conventional mechanical ventilation (CMV) and interrupted high-frequency, positive-pressure ventilation (IHFPPV) in 6 anesthetized ponies in dorsal recumbency. When the peak airway pressure (Paw) was held constant at control values attained during CMV (18 to 20 cm of H2O), and the ventilator frequency of IHFPPV was varied over the range, 2.5 to 12.5 Hz, significant (P less than 0.05) changes from control values were observed only in the ratio of dead-space volume to tidal volume (VD/VT) and in the respiratory minute volume ...
Misheff MM, Stover SM, Pool RR.Unicortical corticocancellous bone biopsy specimens 4.5 mm and 6.5 mm in diameter were obtained without long-term complications from the 12th rib in eight standing horses. However, the bone specimens were unsuitable for histologic or histomorphometric evaluation. In in vitro comparisons of biopsy specimens 6.5 mm and 12 mm in diameter, and of unicortical and transcortical biopsy specimens, 12 mm transcortical specimens yielded the most cancellous bone. Transcortical bone biopsy specimens 12 mm in diameter were obtained from eight horses by using power-assisted trephination. The surgical proced...
Byars TD, Dainis CM, Seltzer KL, Rantanen NW.The formation of cranial thoracic masses (CTM) as a sequel to infectious pleuropneumonia is described. Using ultrasound, masses were diagnosed subjectively as abscesses or loculations. Eight of 99 cases with pleuropneumonia had CTM. Clinical signs associated with the presence of a CTM included increased heart rate, jugular distention, forelimb 'pointing' and caudal displacement of the heart. Techniques used for diagnostic ultrasonographic examination of the cranial thorax are described. Five of the eight horses with CTM responded to conservative medical management; the other three required per...
Stalheim OH, Stone SS, Blackburn BO, Foley J.In horses given whole cultures or cells of Mycoplasma mycoides subsp capri (by subcutaneous and intravenous injections), antibody responses were measured by serologic procedures. During an immunization period of 22 weeks, horses produced an antiserum that was used to identify M mycoides subsp capri by agglutination, complement-fixation, and fluorescent antibody (FA) tests, but not by the growth-inhibition test. Horses that were injected with whole cultures of M mycoides subsp capri responded better than horses that were injected with only cells, ie, antibodies were detectable sooner by agar ge...
Olive J, Vila T, Serraud N.To compare navicular bone marrow lesion (BML) conspicuity in the feet of horses as determined via 2 fat-suppressed MRI techniques, including standard short tau inversion recovery (STIR) and inversion recovery gradient echo (IRGE). Methods: Feet (n = 150) of horses with lameness referable to the distal portion of the digit. Methods: STIR and IRGE sequences were obtained prospectively in all feet with a standing low-field equine MRI system. Presence of a BML was ascertained by identification of a characteristic combination of marrow alterations in T1-weighted, T2*-weighted, T2-weighted, and STIR...
Moore RM, Bertone AL, Muir WW.To evaluate the effect of high-molecular weight (MW) dextran macromolecules on low-flow ischemia and reperfusion of the large colon in horses. Methods: Horses subjected to low-flow ischemia and reperfusion of the large colon were treated with either 0.9 NaCl (group 1, n = 6) or high-MW dextran (group 2, n = 6) solutions. Methods: 12 adults horses. Methods: Horses were subjected to 3 hours' low-flow ischemia followed by 3 hours' reperfusion. A dose of either 0.9% NaCl or a 6% solution of high-MW (250,000) dextran (10 ml/kg of body weight) was administered i.v., 30 minutes prior to reperfusion. ...
Powers JD, Powers TE, Varma KJ, Gabel AA, Spurlock SL.Quantification of the clinical manifestations of a disease has been a serious problem particularly as related to clinical trials or drug efficacy studies. Historically, this quantification has been limited to categorizing each patient into one of three or four groups, e.g. worse, no improvement, improved. This problem becomes serious when an investigation utilizes an experimentally induced animal disease model. A health index, which quantifies the clinical state of horses which have an experimentally induced beta-hemolytic streptococcal infection, is described. Aspects of experimental design a...
Pearson EG.Of 41 equids referred to a veterinary teaching hospital in the Pacific northwest because of dyspnea and inspiratory noise, 3 ponies were diagnosed as having liver failure, most likely attributable to pyrrolizidine alkaloid toxicosis. Dyspnea appeared to be caused by laryngeal and/or pharyngeal paralysis. It is proposed that this paralysis was a manifestation of hepatic encephalopathy. Although these clinical signs are not common for pyrrolizidine toxicosis, practitioners should be aware of the possibility so that misdiagnosis of other causes of inspiratory dyspnea may not be made.
Sporn A, Berner D, Winter K, Mageed M, Brehm W, Gerlach K.Scintigraphic examination of the thoracic spine is well documented. However, there is limited information about the effects of time on image quality in the period following injection of radionuclide. This study aimed to determine the optimal time point after injection of (99m)Tc-HDP (hydroxymethylene-diphosphonate) to achieve scintigraphic images with the best possible contrast and adequate count rates. Scintigraphic images of the thoracic spine of 21 horses were acquired two, four and six hours after administering (99m)Tc-HDP. Eight regions of interest were drawn in the images, four in the sp...
