Noninvasive procedures in horses refer to diagnostic and therapeutic techniques that do not require incision into the body or removal of tissue. These procedures are designed to minimize discomfort and risk to the animal while providing valuable information for veterinary care. Common noninvasive methods include ultrasonography, thermography, and endoscopy, which allow for the examination of internal structures without surgery. Additionally, techniques such as laser therapy and extracorporeal shock wave therapy are employed for treatment purposes. These procedures are beneficial for assessing and managing a variety of conditions, including musculoskeletal disorders and soft tissue injuries. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the application, effectiveness, and advancements of noninvasive procedures in equine medicine.
Koenig JB, Martin CE, Nykamp SG, Mintchev MP.To evaluate whether changes in myoelectrical activity in the cecum and large colon of horses can be detected via multichannel electrointestinography (EIG). Methods: 6 healthy mature horses. Methods: Each horse underwent 3 EIG procedures. Intestinal myoelectrical activity (cecum and large colon) was recorded during a 20-minute period following i.v. administration of physiologic saline (0.9% NaCl) solution (20 mL; baseline), erythromycin lactobionate (0.5 mg/kg), or detomidine (0.015 mg/kg); intestinal contractions were concurrently viewed via B-mode ultrasonography. By use of computer software,...
Williams DC, Aleman M, Holliday TA, Fletcher DJ, Tharp B, Kass PH, Steffey EP, LeCouteur RA.The influence of sleep on the equine electroencephalogram (EEG) has not been well documented. Objective: The objectives were to develop a noninvasive method of electrode placement for recording the EEG in horses and to establish normal EEG parameters for the various states of vigilance. Findings are compared with previously published reports on equine sleep based on electrocorticography (ECoG). Methods: Five neurologically normal horses. Methods: Overnight EEGs were recorded digitally in association with simultaneous videotaping of the horses' behavior. Data were analyzed by visual inspection,...
Kruger EF, Puchalski SM, Pollard RE, Galuppo LD, Hornof WJ, Wisner ER.To define the reference range for laminar blood flow (BF) and vascular permeability (VPM) in horses without laminitis by use of dynamic contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT). Methods: 9 adult horses that were not lame and had no abnormalities of the laminae or phalanges detectable via radiographic examination. Methods: Each horse was anesthetized by use of a routine protocol. Horses were placed in right or left lateral recumbency with the dependent forelimb in the CT gantry; only 1 limb of each horse was scanned. Serial 10-mm collimated transverse CT images were acquired at the same locat...
Rose PL, Abutarbush SM, Duckett W.Standing myelography in the horse has been previously described. In that study, metrizamide was used and significant complications were reported. In recent years, the introduction of less-toxic nonionic contrast media has reduced the incidence of complications. This study was undertaken to determine whether standing myelography using a nonionic contrast medium could provide a diagnostic study and be performed safely in the equine patient. Standing myelography was performed in eight horses. The contrast medium used was iohexol. In five horses a myelogram of diagnostic quality was achieved; in o...
Kinnunen S, Laukkanen R, Haldi J, Hanninen O, Atalay M.Endurance training induces changes in autonomic nervous system functions. High intensity training includes the risk of overtraining, in man and horse. Heart rate variability (HRV) is a noninvasive measurement of the autonomic regulation of the heart rate, which is quick and easy to measure with modern telemetric technology. Objective: Since HRV is affected by changes in the autonomic nervous system, it might be an early stage indicator of poor recovery from a previous bout of exercise or overreaching or overtraining in horses in general. Methods: The aim of the study was to monitor recovery an...
Waller A, Lindinger MI.In human and animal clinical practice, multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis (MF-BIA) is increasingly used as a diagnostic tool to assess hydration of intra-and extracellular fluid compartments. Accurate determination of changes in hydration status within individuals over time has remained problematic due to the requirement for complete impedance-frequency relationships at the time points of interest. Objective: To use MF-BIA in 13 Standardbred racehorses and 7 'endurance' research horses to determine if MF-BIA could be used to track changes in total body water (TBW), intracellular ...
Smith JE, Barnes AL, Maloney SK.Body temperature can be a useful measure of how well the horse responds to thermal challenges of exercise and environment. Currently there is little information available about how body temperature changes throughout an endurance ride, and no nonsurgical methods to evaluate internal temperature of exercising horses during prolonged periods and during long distances. Objective: To develop and test a nonsurgical method, using temperature loggers, of continuously recording internal temperature during exercise and over an extended period. Methods: Loggers were inserted transcervically into the ute...
Valverde A, Giguère S, Morey TE, Sanchez LC, Shih A.To compare cardiac output (CO) measured by use of the partial carbon dioxide rebreathing method (NICO) or lithium dilution method (LiDCO) in anesthetized foals. Methods: Data reported in 2 other studies for 18 neonatal foals that weighed 32 to 61 kg. Methods: Foals were anesthetized and instrumented to measure direct blood pressure, heart rate, arterial blood gases, end-tidal isoflurane and carbon dioxide concentrations, and CO. Various COs were achieved by administration of dobutamine, norepinephrine, vasopressin, phenylephrine, and isoflurane to allow comparisons between LiDCO and NICO metho...
von Borell E, Langbein J, Després G, Hansen S, Leterrier C, Marchant J, Marchant-Forde R, Minero M, Mohr E, Prunier A, Valance D, Veissier I.Measurement of heart rate variability (HRV) is a non-invasive technique that can be used to investigate the functioning of the autonomic nervous system, especially the balance between sympathetic and vagal activity. It has been proven to be very useful in humans for both research and clinical studies concerned with cardiovascular diseases, diabetic autonomic dysfunction, hypertension and psychiatric and psychological disorders. Over the past decade, HRV has been used increasingly in animal research to analyse changes in sympathovagal balance related to diseases, psychological and environmental...
Tolleson DR, Teel PD, Stuth JW, Strey OF, Welsh TH, Carstens GE.Anti-tick treatments are often applied concurrent to routine livestock management practices with little regard to actual infestation levels. Prescription treatments against ticks on grazing cattle would be facilitated by non-invasive detection methods. One such method is fecal near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Four studies utilizing cattle (Bos spp.) and one with horses (Equus caballus) fed varying diets and infested with either Amblyomma americanum, A. maculatum, A. cajennense or Dermacentor albipictus were conducted to determine the ability of fecal NIRS to identify samples from animals wit...
Carstanjen B.Effective, non-invasive bone assessment methods for screening, diagnosis and follow-up of the skeleton are more and more requested in veterinary medicine. In contrast to clinical parameters, invasive methods and imaging techniques, indices of bone turnover is a tool for bone metabolism evaluation of the whole skeleton. Biochemical bone markers therefore provide a more real-time assessment of the bone status with simple blood- or urine-analysis. This article surveys currently available biochemical marker of bone metabolism used in veterinary medicine. Additionally, information is provided about...
Hobbs SJ, Richards J, Matuszewski B, Brigden C.To develop and evaluate a marker cluster set for measuring sagittal and extrasagittal movement of joints in the distal portion of the forelimb in ponies. Methods: 4 ponies. Methods: 5 infrared cameras were positioned on a concrete walkway in a frontal-sagittal arc and calibrated. Four segments were defined: hoof, middle phalanx, proximal phalanx, and metacarpus. Rigid clusters with 4 retroreflective markers were placed on each segment. A static trial was recorded with additional anatomic markers on the medial and lateral joint lines. Those anatomic markers were removed, and kinematic data were...
Barrett EL, Talbot AM, Driver AJ, Barr FJ, Barr AR.An alternative technique of radiographing the pelvis in the standing horse is required, to avoid the risks associated with general anaesthesia. Objective: That lateral oblique radiography in the standing horse would be a useful technique in the investigation of pelvic injury. Objective: To describe the technique of lateral oblique pelvic radiography in the standing horse and demonstrate the feasibility and usefulness of this technique. Methods: A technique for lateral oblique radiography in the standing horse was devised and retrospective review made of radiographic findings in 18 clinical cas...
Hewetson M, Cohen ND, Love S, Buddington RK, Holmes W, Innocent GT, Roussel AJ.A urine sucrose test has recently been reported to be a reliable method of detecting gastric ulcers in horses; however, technical difficulties associated with urine collection have limited the practical value of the test. The objective of this pilot study was to determine whether gastric sucrose permeability, as evaluated by serum sucrose concentration, could be used to detect gastric mucosal injury in horses. Twelve adult horses with naturally acquired gastric ulceration were studied. After a 20-hour nonfeeding period, each horse was dosed with 250 g of sucrose via nasogastric intubation. Blo...
Wongaumnuaykul S, Siedler C, Schobesberger H, Stanek C.The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of Doppler ultrasonography to monitor vascular blood flow dynamics in defined diseases of the equine digit in a noninvasive way. Doppler sonography was used to evaluate medial digital artery blood flow in eight horses with septic pododermatitis and four horses with laminitis in comparison with 10 horses of a control group. Doppler sonographic measurement and lameness examinations were performed in lame horses before treatment (day 0) and at 3, 6, and 9 days following treatment. Before treatment, blood flow velocities, arterial diameter, and flow vo...
Webb JG, Chandavimol M, Thompson CR, Ricci DR, Carere RG, Munt BI, Buller CE, Pasupati S, Lichtenstein S.Percutaneous aortic valve implantation by an antegrade transvenous approach has been described but is problematic. Retrograde prosthetic aortic valve implantation via the femoral artery has potential advantages. Percutaneous prosthetic aortic valve implantation via the femoral arterial approach is described and the initial experience reported. Results: The valve prosthesis is constructed from a stainless steel stent with an attached trileaflet equine pericardial valve and a fabric cuff. After routine aortic balloon valvuloplasty, a 22F or 24F sheath is advanced from the femoral artery to the a...
Haussler KK, Erb HN.An objective measure of neck, back and croup pain is needed in horses with musculoskeletal injuries, vague upper limb lameness or poor performance. Objective: To establish mechanical nociceptive thresholds (MNTs) within the axial skeleton and evaluate the effects of subject status and ridden exercise. Methods: Thirty-six mature horses (10 nonridden; 26 actively ridden) were used to assess MNTs evoked by a pressure algometer (PA) with a 1 cm2 rubber plunger tip at 62 midline and bilaterally symmetrical anatomical landmarks along the axial skeleton. Pressure was applied at a uniform rate of appl...
Verna M, Turner TA, Anderson KL.Nonfocused extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) treatment protocol is commonly used in veterinary practice. This study investigated the effects of four nonfocused ESWT treatments, given 2 weeks apart, on bone radiopharmaceutical uptake and radiographic and thermographic appearance in the metacarpal and metatarsal regions in six adult untrained horses. There were no measurable treatment effects determined by thermography (daily), scintigraphy (at 2-week intervals), and radiography (before study initiation and at study completion) between treated and control limbs. It was concluded that no g...
Sasaki N, Aiuchi H, Yamada H.This study aimed to establish and standardize a breath test that uses 13C-acetate in a liquid diet for evaluation of gastric emptying in horses. Seven adult healthy thoroughbreds were used in this study. They were given 13C-acetate (125 mg, 250 mg, or 500 mg) in a test meal (2000 ml liquid diet) via an intranasal catheter. 13C concentrations in the exhaled CO2 were measured in samples taken before and after test meal administration using an infrared absorption spectroscope. In the 500 mg 13C-acetate group, Delta13CO2 showed a steep gradient immediately after meal administration compared to the...
Giguère S, Bucki E, Adin DB, Valverde A, Estrada AH, Young L.The objective of this study was to assess 2 noninvasive methods of measuring cardiac output (CO) in neonatal foals by comparing results to that of the lithium-dilution method. Ten neonatal foals were anesthetized and CO was manipulated by varying the depth of anesthesia and infusion of dobutamine. Concurrent CO measurements were obtained by lithium dilution (reference method), partial carbon dioxide (CO2) rebreathing, volumetric echocardiography (cubic, Teichholz, Bullet, area-length, and single and biplane modified Simpson formulas), and transthoracic Doppler echocardiography. Thirty pairs of...
Woodie JB, Ducharme NG, Hackett RP, Erb HN, Mitchell LM, Soderholm LV.Dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP) is a common condition in racehorses for which various surgical treatments are often performed. In light of recent findings that suggested the position of the larynx may influence the occurrence of DDSP, we investigated whether a noninvasive mean of affecting the position of the larynx could be effective in the management of DDSP. Objective: An external device (laryngohyoid support; LHS) positioning the larynx in a more rostral and dorsal location and preventing caudal displacement of the basihyoid bone would be effective in preventing DDSP during s...
Pourcelot P, Defontaine M, Ravary B, Lemâtre M, Crevier-Denoix N.The ability to measure the forces exerted in vivo on tendons and, consequently, the forces produced by muscles on tendons, offers a unique opportunity to investigate questions in disciplines as varied as physiology, biomechanics, orthopaedics and neuroscience. Until now, tendon loads could be assessed directly only by means of invasive sensors implanted within or attached to these collagenous structures. This study shows that the forces acting on tendons can be measured, in a non-invasive way, from the analysis of the propagation of an acoustic wave. Using the equine superficial digital flexor...
Sepulveda MF, Perkins JD, Bowen IM, Marr CM.Doppler tissue imaging (DTI) is a novel noninvasive method by which myocardial velocity can be assessed directly and it allows regional, rather than global, cardiac function to be evaluated. Objective: That regional differences in myocardial velocities exist within the equine ventricle. Objective: To develop a repeatable examination technique for DTI in horses, describe DTI findings in various regions of the normal equine ventricle, compare colour (CDTI) and spectral (SDTI) techniques of DTI, and document regional differences in myocardial velocity. Methods: Five regions of the ventricles (rig...
Braun S, Lafrenz R.In recent years extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) is used in veterinary medicine especially in equine orthopedics. Different ESWT generators are commonly used in equine medicine with varying energy density and depth of penetration. The presented case report described the treatment of a ligamentum nuchae calcification with focused extracorporeal shock wave therapy with SONOCUR Plus generator combined with SONOLINE Prima ultrasound. Negligible adverse effects, the non-invasive character of the treatment, the time-saving therapy, and the positive results make the focused extracorporeal sho...
Rollot Y, Lecuyer E, Chateau H, Crevier-Denoix N.As critical locomotion events (e.g. high-speed and impacts during racing, jump landing) may contribute to tendinopathies, in vivo recording of gaits kinematic and dynamic parameters is essential for 3D reconstruction and analysis. Objective: To propose a 3D model of the forelimb and a ground reaction force recording shoe (GRF-S) for noninvasively quantifying tendon and ligament loads and strains. Methods: Bony segments trajectories of forelimbs placed under a power press were recorded using triads of ultrasonic kinematic markers linked to the bones. Compression cycles (from 500-6000 N) were ap...
Sanchez LC, Merritt AM.Most current models of visceral sensitivity testing in the horse have required visceral cannulation. Colorectal distention (CRD) is a widely used, noninvasive method for testing in other species and could be adapted for use in horses. Objective: To develop a protocol of controlled CRD in the conscious horse and to evaluate the effect of i.v. xylazine or intrarectal lidocaine on CRD threshold and rectal compliance. Methods: Eight horses were used for baseline studies (3 trials each) and 6 horses to evaluate treatments (4 trials, 2 per treatment). A 45 cm diameter polyvinyl balloon attached to p...
Norman SE, Eager RA, Waran NK, Jeffery L, Schroter RC, Marlin DJ.Analysis of heart rate variability (HRV) is a non-invasive technique useful for investigating autonomic function in both humans and animals. It has been used for research into both behaviour and physiology. Commercial systems for human HRV analysis are expensive and may not have sufficient flexibility for appropriate analysis in animals. Some heart rate monitors have the facility to provide inter-beat interval (IBI), but verification following collection is not possible as only IBIs are recorded, and not the raw electrocardiogram (ECG) signal. Computer-based data acquisition and analysis syste...
Gemensky-Metzler AJ, Wilkie DA, Cook CS.To describe semiconductor diode laser use for anterior uveal cyst deflation and coagulation in dogs, horses and cats. Methods: The presenting clinical signs, surgical technique and postoperative results for four dogs, nine horses and seven cats with anterior uveal cysts treated with diode laser are described. Treated cysts were of sufficient size and/or number to potentially impair vision, damage the corneal endothelium, or increase intraocular pressure (IOP). One dog with free-floating cysts exhibited 'fly biting' behavior. Cysts were suspected of causing shying on the affected side and/or he...
Deaton CM, Marlin DJ, Smith NC, Smith KC, Newton RJ, Gower SM, Cade SM, Roberts CA, Harris PA, Schroter RC, Kelly FJ.The relationship between hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) concentration in expired breath condensate (EBC) and cytology of the respiratory tract obtained from tracheal wash (TW) or bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), and epithelial lining fluid (ELF) antioxidant status is unknown. To examine this we analysed the concentration of H2O2 in breath condensate from healthy horses and horses affected by recurrent airway obstruction (RAO), a condition considered to be an animal model of human asthma. The degree of airway inflammation was determined by assessing TW inflammation as mucus, cell density and neutrophil ...
Magdesian KG.Measurements of physiologic parameters, such as blood pressure or lactate concentration, are useful to detect occult derangements, such as tissue hypoxia and dysoxia. These tools are also useful in determining the effects of therapy. Monitoring techniques are now widely available for the intensive management of critically ill horses and foals. A number of these have evolved into noninvasive or minimally invasive devices and procedures and provide information that can be used for earlier and more dynamic therapeutic intervention. The goal of increased monitoring is to improve the level of care ...
Gao Y, Yoshida S, Takeyama A, Tagami M, Rajabi-Toustani R, Tsogtgerel M, Nambo Y.Ultrasound examination during late gestation is one of the best methods for monitoring potential pregnancy risks. Enlarged bladder is a urological disorder rarely observed in equine fetuses. This clinical case report aimed to present a case illustrating the development of equine fetal enlarged bladder using transabdominal ultrasound examinations and maternal hormone evaluation during gestation. An 8-year-old Hokkaido native pony was impregnated by embryo transfer, and at 215 days of gestation, abnormalities of the fetal bladder were detected. The bladder volume increased with gestational age, ...
Sutton DG, Preston T, Love S.Validation of a reliable, noninvasive clinical test for quantification of equine orocaecal transit time (OCTT) is required. This would facilitate an evidence-based approach to investigation and treatment of equine small intestinal disorders. Objective: 1) Comparison of the lactose (13) C-ureide breath test (LUBT) with the hydrogen breath test (H(2) BT) for OCTT measurement. 2) Identification of the characteristics of gastrointestinal microbial glycosylureide hydrolase activity in vitro. 3) Production of an optimised protocol for the LUBT for in vivo measurement of equine OCTT. Objective: Signi...
Buckingham SH, Jeffcott LB, Anderson GA, McCartney RN.The in vivo precision of ultrasound velocity measurement and single photon absorptiometry for the assessment of equine bone quality is discussed. In vivo precisions for ultrasound velocity measurements were less than 0.5 per cent, whereas cortical cross-sectional area, compact bone density and modulus of elasticity were around 1 per cent, and bone mineral content and density were just over 2 per cent. Except for ultrasound velocity, substantial improvements could be achieved by taking the mean of five readings for each measurement. The long-term precision of the techniques was also high, with ...
Dawson K.Sourcing of horses naturally infected with parasites such as Anoplocephala perfoliata and Gasterophilus intestinalis for antiparasitic efficacy slaughter studies is often difficult, expensive, and usually excessive numbers of animals must be slaughtered before significant data can be obtained. To overcome this problem a "Modified Critical Treatment Method" was developed. This method does not require the horses to be sacrificed, but relies on the collection and processing of all faecal material containing expelled parasites from test animals. Efficacy is assessed by comparing, in the same horse...
Halsberghe BT.Hoof problems are commonly seen in veterinary practice and manipulation of hoof growth rate can be practical and beneficial for that matter. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the effect of whole body vibration (WBV) on hoof growth rate of front feet in the horse. The study was an experimental, single subject, repeated measure design, with all horses serving as control and treatment. Ten horses were subject to WBV, 30 min, twice daily, five days a week, for 60 days in addition to their regular exercise routine. Hoof growth was measured from the reference hairline down to a horizo...
Alef M, Oechtering G.Capnography measures carbon dioxide concentration or partial pressure of the respiratory gas continuously and non-invasively. The endtidal value is of great diagnostic value, it corresponds approximately to the arterial value, except for ventilation-perfusion-mismatching (horse), shunting (horse), or increased dead-space-ventilation (panting in the dog). Capnography primarily serves for monitoring of spontaneous and artificial ventilation, it is a reliable method for detecting hypo- and hyperventilation. Because metabolism and circulation influence the amount of carbon dioxide eliminated in th...
Glycogen in skeletal muscle is a major source of energy during exercise and an important determinant of endurance capacity, so that its measurement may provide a meaningful marker of athletes' preparation and a possible predictor of performance, both in humans and in equines. Gold standard of glycogen concentration measurement is the histochemical and biochemical analysis of biopsy-derived muscle tissue, an invasive and potentially injuring procedure. Recently, high-frequency ultrasound (US) technology is being exploited in human sports medicine to estimate muscle glycogen content. Therefore, ...
Beder NA, Mourad AA, Aly MA.As means for enhancing gastrointestinal (GI) motility, prokinetics have previously been evaluated in different breeds of horses with varying success. No previous studies were conducted to evaluate the effect of prokinetics on the intestinal tract of Arabian horses breed. Using B-mode ultrasound in the quantification of intestinal contractility, this study aimed to compare the impact of neostigmine and metoclopramide on the intestinal motility of healthy Arabian horses. Methods: Twenty-one clinically healthy Arabian horses were equally distributed into three groups. The control group was admini...
Salem M, El-Shafaey ES, Farag AMM, El-Khodery S, Al Mohamad Z, Abass M.This study was conducted to establish a detailed anatomic reference for the carpal joint of apparently healthy donkeys using ultrasonography (US), computed tomographic (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Ten orthopedically sound adult donkeys were used for US examination of the carpal joint in each forelimb. Additionally, the carpi of ten donkey cadavers were subjected to CT and MRI examinations. The carpal joint was divided into four zones to simplify examination. US assessment of the carpal joint included transverse and longitudinal sonograms. CT was performed using three planes: axi...
Ripley AM, Penedo MCT, Grahn RA, Martinez de Andino EV, Walbornn SR, Serafini R, Love CC, Hinrichs K.Fetal genotyping has important applications in the horse, but currently necessitates embryo recovery and biopsy. We investigated whether fetal genotyping could be performed on yolk-sac fluid recovered from pregnant mares via transvaginal aspiration. Fluid was collected before Day 30 to provide results before establishment of the endometrial cups (Day 37). Genotyping and assessment of maternal DNA contamination was performed by analyzing histograms of PCR results for 19 loci. In Exp. 1, mares underwent yolk-sac aspiration on Days 22-28 of gestation. Fluid (0.56-1.02 mL) was recovered from fiv...
Farfan M, Genton M, Rossignol F.To describe reliable minimally invasive procedures for (1) removing cartilage by joint distraction and articular drilling for equine metacarpophalangeal (MCP)/metatarsophalangeal (MTP) arthrodesis; (2) applying a palmar/plantar tension band without MCP/MTP joint luxation. Methods: Experimental study. Methods: Cadaveric equine limbs (n = 12). Methods: All limbs were used to evaluate the drilling technique. First the MCP/MTP joint was distracted with a 5.5-mm cortical screw. Then, through four stab incisions, articular cartilage was removed with a 4.5-mm drill. Six randomly chosen limbs were the...
Beard W.Caslick's, episioplasty, urethroplasty, cervical, and rectovestibular laceration repair are, by preference, performed in the standing patient. Normal castration is performed routinely uneventfully in the standing patient. The duration of the procedures and the ease with which they are accomplished in a standing horse of normal temperament make general anesthesia unnecessary. More invasive procedures, such as removal of urinary bladder calculi in male horses or removal of a neoplastic ovary in a mare, can be accomplished in a standing patient but serious consideration should be given to the use...
Holyoak GR, Little TV, Vernon M, McCollum WH, Timoney PJ.Correlation between serum testosterone concentration and morphometric findings from ultrasonography of the accessory sex glands in peripubertal colts was investigated during pubertal development. Nineteen colts of initial age ranging from 5 to 12 months were monitored over a 13-month period. Serum testosterone concentration was determined on a biweekly basis, and accessory sex gland development was ultrasonographically monitored once a month. Notwithstanding individual variation, there was significant correlation (r = 0.913; P < 0.01) between increasing serum testosterone concentration and ...
McGorum BC, Milne AJ, Tremaine WH, Sturgeon BP, McLaren M, Khan F.A combined laser Doppler flowmetry and iontophoresis (LDFI) technique, used routinely to assess human microvascular function, was evaluated as a noninvasive technique for assessment of equine microvascular function, to facilitate the study of diseases such as laminitis. Baseline and vasoactive agonist-induced (acetylcholine and nitroprusside) microvascular flux was quantified at 2 sites (on the dorsal pastern adjacent to the coronary band and over the gluteals) in 6 clinically normal horses on 5 or 6 separate occasions under standardised conditions. Both agonists significantly increased microv...
Woodie JB, Ducharme NG, Hackett RP, Erb HN, Mitchell LM, Soderholm LV.Dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP) is a common condition in racehorses for which various surgical treatments are often performed. In light of recent findings that suggested the position of the larynx may influence the occurrence of DDSP, we investigated whether a noninvasive mean of affecting the position of the larynx could be effective in the management of DDSP. Objective: An external device (laryngohyoid support; LHS) positioning the larynx in a more rostral and dorsal location and preventing caudal displacement of the basihyoid bone would be effective in preventing DDSP during s...
Latman NS, Keith N, Nicholson A, Davis M.A horse's hydration status is critical to its health. The accurate and quantitative determination of it has been problematic because of size, length and density of hair, and uneven topography. The objective of this study was to validate a bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) method for objectively quantifying hydration status. Monofrequency BIA values and simple biometric measurements were used to construct predictive equations for total body water, plasma, extracellular, and intra-cellular fluid volumes. These predictive equations were correlated with standard body fluid dilution reference ...
Mc Brearty A, Auckburally A, Pollock PJ, Penderis J.Deafness has been reported in horses due to a variety of causes and objective auditory assessment has been performed with brainstem auditory evoked potential testing. Evoked otoacoustic emission (OAE) tests are widely used in human patients for hearing screening, detecting partial hearing loss (including frequency-specific hearing loss) and monitoring cochlear outer hair cell function over time. OAE tests are noninvasive, quick and affordable. Two types of OAE are commonly used clinically: transient evoked OAEs (TEOAEs) and distortion product OAEs (DPOAEs). Detection of OAEs has not been repor...
Martens A, de Moor A, Waelkens E, Merlevede W, De Witte P.The therapeutic potential of the photodynamic compound, hypericin, in the treatment of equine sarcoids was evaluated. The in vitro cytotoxicity was assessed using three equine cell lines and the observed phototoxic effect was comparable to that on different highly sensitive human cell lines and significantly influenced by the energy density used although independent of the cell type. The in vivo antitumoural action of photodynamic therapy using hypericin was evaluated on three equine sarcoids in a donkey. Four intratumoural injections were given and the tumours were illuminated daily during 25...
Scharf A, Cheng TY, Urion R, Hostnik E.The objective of this study was to optimize an MRI-based diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) protocol for imaging the plantar nerves at the level of the tarsus in normal equine limbs. Methods: 12 pelvic cadaver limbs from horses without evidence of proximal suspensory pathology were imaged with a 3T MRI system. Methods: For diffusion-weighted imaging, b values of 600, 800, and 1,000 s/mm2 were tested. Data were processed with DSI Studio. Cross-sectional areas of the medial and lateral plantar nerve along the plantar tarsus were recorded. The length and number of fiber tracts, signal-to-noise ratio,...
Muko R, Ojima Y, Matsuda H, Toishi Y, Oikawa MA, Shin T, Sato H, Tanaka A.Previously, we demonstrated unique insertion/deletion polymorphisms of equine histidine-rich glycoprotein with five genotypes composed of 45-bp or 90-bp deletions in the histidine-rich region of in Thoroughbred horses. Although leukocytes are typically used to collect DNA for genotyping, blood sampling from animals is sometimes difficult and invasive. Moreover, the method for extracting DNA from blood leukocytes involves complicated steps and must be performed soon after blood sampling for sensitive gene analysis. In the present study, we performed genotyping using DNA, isolated from oral m...
Behroozi M, Graïc JM, Gerussi T.Diffusion-weighted Imaging (DWI) is an effective and state-of-the-art neuroimaging method that non-invasively reveals the microstructure and connectivity of tissues. Recently, novel applications of the DWI technique in studying large brains through imaging enabled researchers to gain insights into the complex neural architecture in different species such as those of (e.g., horses and rhinos), (e.g., bovids, swines, and cetaceans), and (e.g., felids, canids, and pinnipeds). Classical tract-tracing methods are usually considered unsuitable for ethical and practical reasons, in large animals...
Ferlini Agne G, Adamson K, McGlinchey L, Kravchuk O, Santos L, Schumacher J.Accuracy of a median nerve block is normally assessed by testing skin sensitivity on the medial and dorsal aspects of fetlock and pastern. The present study evaluated subjective and objective analysis of skin surface temperature obtained with two different infrared (IR) thermography cameras (a high-end [FLIR P640] and a smartphone IR thermography device [FLIR One®]) before and after anaesthesia of the median nerve. Thermographic images were obtained at 0, 30, 60 and 90 minutes after performing a median nerve block with 2% mepivacaine hydrochloride. The subjective analysis of thermographic ima...
Amari M, Rabbogliatti V, Ravasio G, Auletta L, Brioschi FA, Riccaboni P, Dell'Aere S, Roccabianca P.Radiofrequency (RF) relieves chronic pain in humans, but it is unexplored in horses affected by chronic lameness. This study aims to describe the technique and the histological effects of ultrasound (US)-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of palmar digital nerves (PDNs) in horse's fetlock and pastern, . Unassigned: After assessing the US anatomy of lateral and medial PDNs in fetlock and pastern ( = 10 horses; 20 forelimbs), US-guided RFA was performed on these sites in cadaveric forelimbs ( = 10) applying four different settings with increasing invasiveness ( = 40 total treatmen...
Spriet M, Vandenberghe F.Scintigraphy and Positron Emission Tomography (PET) are both nuclear medicine imaging techniques, providing functional information of the imaged areas. Scintigraphy is a two-dimensional projected imaging technique that was introduced in equine imaging in the late 1970s. Scintigraphy allows imaging of large body parts and can cover multiple areas, remaining the only technique commonly used in horses for whole body imaging. PET is a cross-sectional imaging technique, first used in horses in 2015, allowing higher resolution three-dimensional functional imaging of the equine distal limb. This manu...
Bazzano M, Marchegiani A, La Gualana F, Petriti B, Petrucelli M, Accorroni L, Laus F.Many horses exhibit stereotypies, especially when living in human controlled environments that may prevent horses from satisfying natural needs in terms of feeding, drinking, moving, and socializing. In human medicine, obsessive compulsive disorder and other severe psychiatric disturbances are associated with stereotypic behaviors; salivary biomarkers evaluation is considered a reliable tool for diagnosis of common mental health disorders because saliva collection easy to obtain and noninvasive. In this study, we hypothesized that salivary cortisol concentrations, in addition to alpha-amylase ...
Bishop RC, Shanthappa N, Connolly SL, Wilkins PA, McCoy AM.To establish the reference interval (RI) of fecal calprotectin (fCP) and fCP:protein ratio in the feces of healthy horses and demonstrate preliminary clinical utility for the quantification of intestinal inflammation. Methods: Feces were collected from healthy horses (n = 103) and horses with colic (n = 15) or colitis (n = 13). Feces were suspended in buffer to create fecal supernatant. Fecal calprotectin concentration was determined by ELISA, fecal total protein concentration was determined by bicinchoninic acid assay, and the fCP:protein ratio was calculated. Reference intervals for fCP and ...
Alberghina D, Tombolani C, Quintavalla F.Evaluating the body temperature of horses () is essential for monitoring their health. Rectal thermometry is the most common method for determining the temperatures of adult horses and foals. However, this method requires restraining the animals for several seconds, and it poses potential risks to both horses and humans. This study compared infrared and rectal thermometry in 126 horses, evaluating age and measurement site influences on body temperature. Horses were divided into three groups: foals (4-12 months), Shetland ponies (8-12 months), and adult horses (2-30 years). Rectal, ocular...
Resano-Zuazu M, Carmona JU, Argüelles D.Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is a common source of musculoskeletal pain, characterized by trigger points (TrPs). In horses, MPS is frequently underdiagnosed, and evidence on DN effectiveness is limited. This study investigated whether DN can improve the biomechanics in horses using an artificial intelligence (AI)-based markerless smartphone application (app). Fourteen horses participated, including nine used in assisted therapy, four leisure horses, and one with mixed use. The presence of TrPs was evaluated in six muscles through manual palpation: brachiocephalicus, trapezius, gluteus medius...
Underberg BA, Kaessmeyer S, Schweizer D, Drews B, Van der Vekens E.The objective of this study was to establish a non-contrast enhanced MR angiography (NC-MRA) sequence for the equine foot (EF) using a post-mortem angiography model. Unassigned: Time-of-flight (TOF) sequences were tested using variable parameter settings and 3 slice orientations during vascular perfusion of frozen-thawed cadaver EF with paraffine oil. Transverse and dorsal orientations were planned perpendicular or parallel to the sublamellar vascular plexus at the dorsal aspect of P3, or approximately perpendicular to the coronary plexus. Visibility of the coronary plexus, sublamellar plexus,...
Oztas T, Akar M, Virkanen J, Beier C, Goericke-Pesch S, Peltoniemi O, Kareskoski M, Björkman S.Heavy metal contamination poses significant environmental and health risks to both humans and animals. This study investigates the concentrations of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) in blood, hair, and semen samples collected from 16 breeding stallions in Western Finland to assess whether concentrations in hair and serum samples represent concentrations in semen. The analysis was conducted using an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) system. Results showed that hair samples exhibited the highest concentrations of heavy metals, particularly Pb and As, while semen show...
