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.
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 ...
Mizuno Y, Aida H, Hara H, Fujinaga T, Hagio M.Cardiac output (CO) measurements by the three methods of dye dilution, pulsed Doppler echocardiography and thermodilution in horses under anesthetized conditions were compared. Although CO determined by the thermodilution method was slightly higher than those obtained by the other two methods, the measurements by all methods showed almost similar results. The coefficients of correlation between the dye dilution and thermodilution methods, the dye dilution and pulsed Doppler echocardiography methods, and the thermodilution and pulsed Doppler echocardiography methods were 0.87, 0.89, and 0.88, r...
Mayhew IG, Donawick WJ, Green SL, Galligan DT, Stanley EK, Osborne J.Over a period of 5 years on a central Kentucky Thoroughbred stud farm 132 foals were evaluated for the presence of cervical vertebral malformation (CVM). Lateral cervical vertebral radiographs were obtained on 70 standing foals. These radiographs were evaluated semi-quantitatively and scored numerically for the presence of stenosis of the vertebral canal, enlarged physeal growth plates, caudal extension of the dorsal border of the orifice of the vertebral canal, angular fixation, delayed ossification of bone and degenerative joint disease. From these scores a total CVM score was given for each...
Lumsden JM, Derksen FJ, Stick JA, Robinson NE.Flow-volume loops generated from 6 Standardbreds at rest and during treadmill exercise were evaluated for their use in detecting upper airway obstruction. Tidal breathing flow-volume loops (TBFVL) were obtained from horses at rest and exercising at speeds corresponding to 75% of maximal heart rate and at maximal heart rate. The TBFVL were evaluated, using a pulmonary function computer; calculated indices describing airflow rate and expiratory-to-inspiratory airflow ratio for individual loops were determined. In addition to TBFVL indices, standard variables of upper airway function also were me...
Marr CM.Microwave thermographs were recorded from 77 normal horses. In 51% the lowest temperature was recorded in the mid-metacarpal region, and in 41% it was in the distal metacarpal region. The mean temperature of the normal limbs ranged from 25.04 to 37.4 degrees C. Maximum temperature differences between symmetrical points in both forelimbs ranged from 0 to 5.33 degrees C and differences in mean limb temperatures between both forelimbs ranged from 0 to 2.91 degrees C. In 48 horses with acute (less than 4 weeks' duration) injury of the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) (36 unilateral, 12 bil...
McClure SR, Chaffin MK, Beaver BV.Self-mutilative behavior, a form of stereotypic behavior, can be a serious problem in stallion management. An 11-year-old Quarter Horse stallion was referred for evaluation of repeated episodes of self-mutilation and aggressive behavior. Historically, this behavior worsened when the horse was isolated from other animals and confined to a stall for long periods. Observations of the stallion revealed episodes of self-mutilation and other forms of stereotypic behavior precipitated by stressful situations. Modification of this behavior was achieved by environmental and nutritional management and p...
Hall LW, Young SS.Total respiratory resistance was measured rapidly and non-invasively in 6 conscious ponies before and after they inhaled approximately 25% of the minimal anaesthetic concentration (0.25 MAC) of either enflurane, halothane, or isoflurane, over a 10 min period. The forced random noise (FRN) method was used to measure the impedance over the frequency range of 5 to 40 Hz and its real part, the resistance, was extracted from these impedance measurements. At the concentrations used, halothane appeared to have no effect on the total respiratory resistance; enflurane and isoflurane seemed to increase ...
White DA, Hildebrand SV, Jones JH, Fung DL, Gronert GA.On the basis of results in dogs, conditioning exercise may increase sensitivity to nondepolarizing muscle relaxants. Five Thoroughbreds were exercised/conditioned 3 times weekly on a treadmill for 8 months. Increasing maximal rate of O2 consumption verified that the horses were responding to exercise conditioning. Six nonexercised Thoroughbreds served as the control group. Studies were done with horses under general anesthesia by use of halothane during partial paralysis by a brief constant-rate infusion with the muscle relaxant, metocurine iodide. Quantification of degree of paralysis of the ...
Hopen LA, Colahan PT, Turner TA, Nixon AJ.Subchondral cyst-like lesions of the cubital joint were diagnosed in 7 horses at the teaching hospital between 1983 and 1987. Diagnosis of the lesions was made by administration of intra-articular local anesthesia and/or radiographically. Initial treatment for all horses consisted of stall rest for 60 to 90 days. In addition, 2 horses were administered sodium hyaluronate intra-articularly, 1 horse was given injections of polysulfated glycosaminoglycans IM, and 1 horse was given phenylbutazone orally. Follow-up information was compiled 6 weeks to 4 years after initial examination. At the time o...
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 ...
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...
Curran S, Ginther OJ.Accuracy of transrectal ultrasonic diagnosis of fetal gender by identifying and locating the genital tubercle was assessed in 85 horses and 102 dairy heifers and cows. Examinations were made once (horses and cattle) under farm conditions (cattle) on approximately Days 50 to 100. Definite diagnosis was made by removal of fetuses (horses) or after calving or abortion (cattle). In both species and both parities, accuracy was 100% (109 109 totaled over both species) when the certainty level recorded at the time of examination was 95 or 99%. At the lower levels of certainty (65 to 80%, 85 to 90%), ...
Held JP, Daniel GB.The effect of flunixin meglumine on renal function was studied in 6 healthy horses by use of nonimaging nuclear medicine techniques. Effective renal plasma flow (ERPF) and effective renal blood flow (ERBF) were determined by plasma clearance of 131I-orthoiodohippuric acid before and after administration of flunixin meglumine. Mean ERPF and ERBF was 6.03 ml/min/kg and 10.7 ml/min/kg, respectively, before treatment and was 5.7 ml/min/kg and 9.7 ml/min/kg, respectively, after treatment. Although ERPF and ERBF decreased after flunixin meglumine administration, the difference was not statistically ...
Seahorn TL, Schumacher J.Chondroid masses were successfully removed from the guttural pouches of 2 horses, using an endoscope, a snare, and a vacuum pump. This technique is an alternative to surgical removal of chondroid masses in patients when basic lavage of the affected guttural pouch is ineffective. Complications were not encountered. Advantages of this snare technique include avoidance of surgery and its potential complications, minimal recovery time, and minimal expense.
Turner TA.Thermography has been shown to be a practical aid in the clinical evaluation of lameness. This modality specifically increases the accuracy of diagnosis. Thermography represents skin temperature, usually pictorially. The techniques involve contacting and noncontacting modalities. Noncontacting thermography, which detects infrared radiation, is the most accurate. In order to be accurate, thermography must be performed in a temperature-controlled, draft-free area. The area should be protected from sunlight to avoid erroneous heating of the skin, and the hair length should be uniform. Thermograph...
Hoskinson JJ, Wooten P, Evans R.Nonsurgical, percutaneous, transvenous removal of a catheter fragment embolus was performed in a 14-day-old Thoroughbred foal. A basket retrieval catheter was introduced into the jugular vein and manipulated under fluoroscopic guidance to remove the fragment from the right side of the heart. Percutaneous retrieval should be considered as an alternative to thoracotomy for retrieval of intracardiac or intravascular foreign bodies.
Langton CM, Riggs CM, Evans GP.The velocity of ultrasound waves through bone has been used widely as a non-invasive method for assessing bone quality. Accurate measurement of velocity depends on accurate assessment of the distance travelled by the sound wave. It has been argued that the sonic pathway is deflected around the marrow cavity and so does not follow a straight line through the bone; therefore, correction factors have been developed to account for the extra distance travelled. This hypothesis was examined in vitro using sections from the equine third metacarpal bone. Two 1 MHz transducers used with the transmittin...
Baxter GM, Humphries GB.A large abscess in the lateral neck region of a horse was treated with percutaneous drainage. The abscess was localized with ultrasonography and aspirated by use of a 7.7-cm spinal needle. A stainless-steel guide wire was passed through the needle, and tissue dilators were used to enlarge the percutaneous hole. A multiperforated polyvinylchloride catheter that was placed within the abscess cavity permitted aspiration and lavage of the abscess. The abscess resolved over the next 10 days with no complications. Percutaneous abscess drainage is commonly performed in people and may have application...
Griffin PG, Ginther OJ.Fetal activity and mobility and changes in diameter of the allantoic fluid compartment in the uterine horns were studied in mares between days 69 and 81 of pregnancy by use of transrectal ultrasonography (n = 12) and transcervical videoendoscopy (n = 8). The insertion tube of the videoendoscope was positioned within the allantoic sac to permit viewing of the fetus and entrance to each uterine horn. Each uterine horn was divided ultrasonographically into 3 segments of equal length, and the horns were designated on the basis of side of umbilical attachment (cord vs noncord horns). The diameter o...
Lucas Z, Raeside JI, Betteridge KJ.Field observations of 400 totally unmanaged feral horses on Sable Island, Nova Scotia, were complemented by oestrogen determinations in faecal samples from 154 identified females over a 4-year period (454 mare-years). Of mares that were sampled throughout the year and subsequently produced foals, 92.1% exhibited elevated faecal oestrogens between 15 October and 30 March. The results confirm that faecal oestrogens are a useful indicator of pregnancy after approximately 120 days gestation. Distribution of foaling resembled that seen in other feral populations, with 95% of births occurring from A...
Wilson DA, Badertscher RR, Boero MJ, Baker GJ, Foreman JH.Ultrasonography was used to evaluate the ventral midline incisions of 21 ponies following exploratory laparotomy. The incisions were evaluated before surgery and at weekly intervals from one to seven weeks after surgery. Both 5.0 and 7.5 MHz linear array and 7.5 MHz sector transducers were used for the evaluations. The incisional complications observed were drainage, oedema, suture sinus formation, suture abscess, superficial dehiscence and incisional hernia. Ultrasonographic imaging of the ventral midline incision was an easy, reliable and objective method for detecting and monitoring the pro...
Young SS, Hall LW.Total respiratory impedance was measured rapidly and noninvasively in conscious horses over the frequency range 3 to 40 Hz by the forced random noise method. The shape of curve of impedance versus frequency in horses was markedly different from that of humans. Respiratory resistance was readily found as the real part of impedence and both its absolute value and frequency dependence are useful indices of pulmonary function. It was difficult to obtain meaningful results in intubated animals with the method because of the mechanical properties of the endotracheal tube itself.
Bernard WV, Reef VB, Reimer JM, Humber KA, Orsini JA.Small-intestinal intussusceptions were diagnosed in 3 foals. Cross-sectional ultrasonography through the apex of the intussusceptum revealed a target-like pattern with a thick hypoechoic rim. The thick hypoechoic rim was caused by severe edema of the entering and returning walls of the intussusceptum. At the more proximal portion of the intestines, where parietal edema was less severe, the image appeared as 2 concentric rings and an inner circular area. The outer ring and inner circular area were hypoechoic and represented the returning and the entering wall of the intussusceptum. An additiona...
Jeffcott LB, Buckingham SH, McCarthy RN, Cleeland JC, Scotti E, McCartney RN.The current methods for non-invasive measurement of bone quality are reviewed. In the horse this has traditionally involved the use of radiography, but there are now two other modalities available for the critical evaluation of cortical bone quality and strength. These utilise single photon absorptiometry and ultrasound velocity. Photon absorptiometry gives a direct measurement of bone mineral content, by using a monoenergetic radionuclide source, and transverse ultrasound velocity in bone gives a measure of bone stiffness or elasticity. They can both be used conveniently on the metacarpus of ...
McCarhey RN, Jeffcott LB, McCartney RN.Ten pairs of third metacarpal bones from Thoroughbred horses aged two to 12 years were used to estimate bone strength. Measurements of transverse cortical ultrasound velocity, cortical cross sectional area and bone mineral content were made using ultrasonic transmission velocity and single photon absorptiometry. These data were used to determine bone mineral density, compact bone density and modulus of elasticity. The results were compared with those measured by direct means or chemical analysis and satisfactory correlations were obtained between estimated and measured values. Single photon ab...
McCarthy RN, Jeffcott LB.Six Standardbred horses underwent a 14-week training programme on a treadmill. The training schedule consisted of five weeks of slow work of six to 12 km/day at 5 m/sec. This was followed by a nine week interval programme increasing in its intensity so that for the last three weeks the horses did three to four intervals/day from 600 to 1000 m at or above maximum heart rate. Ultrasound velocity through the third metacarpus showed a significant increase as a result of training. There was also a significant increase in modulus of elasticity, but no change in bone mineral content, bone mineral den...
Wichtel JJ, Reinertson EL, Clark TL.Nonsurgical correction of uterine torsion was performed in 7 mares, and 6 foals were subsequently born alive. Uterine rupture necessitated euthanasia in 1 mare. Correction was achieved by rolling of the mares after general anesthesia had been induced. Previously, this technique was believed to be associated with a high prevalence of fetal and maternal mortality. Nonsurgical correction may be a satisfactory alternative to abdominal surgery in treating uterine torsion in mares.
Lavoie JP, Harnagel SH.A small tear in the urinary bladder of a severely debilitated 4-day-old foal was managed with an indwelling urinary catheter connected to a urine collecting system. Fluid therapy, parenteral nutrition, and antimicrobial agents were used during the initial management of the ruptured bladder. Aseptic technique for catheter care and systemic administration of antimicrobial agents prevented the development of bacterial cystitis. Catheter management required constant monitoring, but the bladder defect was sealed within 5 days. Fungal arthritis caused by Candida tropicalis, immune-mediated anemia, d...
West HJ.Single intravenous injections of bromosulphthalein (BSP) were given to horses and the change in plasma concentration of BSP with time was analysed by computer to obtain the proportionality transfer constants 'a', 'h' and 'b'. No age, weight or sex differences in BSP clearance were found in normal horses. The technique was non-invasive, repeatable and suitable for conscious animals. The measurement of the transfer constants 'a', 'h' and 'b', helped to provide an accurate guide to diagnosis and prognosis of liver disease.
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...
Hall LW, Young SS.Total respiratory resistance was measured rapidly and non-invasively in 6 conscious ponies before and after they inhaled approximately 25% of the minimal anaesthetic concentration (0.25 MAC) of either enflurane, halothane, or isoflurane, over a 10 min period. The forced random noise (FRN) method was used to measure the impedance over the frequency range of 5 to 40 Hz and its real part, the resistance, was extracted from these impedance measurements. At the concentrations used, halothane appeared to have no effect on the total respiratory resistance; enflurane and isoflurane seemed to increase ...
White DA, Hildebrand SV, Jones JH, Fung DL, Gronert GA.On the basis of results in dogs, conditioning exercise may increase sensitivity to nondepolarizing muscle relaxants. Five Thoroughbreds were exercised/conditioned 3 times weekly on a treadmill for 8 months. Increasing maximal rate of O2 consumption verified that the horses were responding to exercise conditioning. Six nonexercised Thoroughbreds served as the control group. Studies were done with horses under general anesthesia by use of halothane during partial paralysis by a brief constant-rate infusion with the muscle relaxant, metocurine iodide. Quantification of degree of paralysis of the ...
Journée SL, de Ruijter-Villani M, Hendriks WK, Stout TA.Transvaginal ultrasound-guided pregnancy reduction (TUGR) is a procedure described for the management of twins post-fixation in the horse. Success rates are often disappointing but are reported to be more favorable for bilaterally situated twins and when intervention takes place before day 35 of gestation. This study aimed to determine whether stabbing the embryo/fetus rather than aspirating conceptus fluids improved the likelihood of success, measured as the birth of a normal live singleton foal. Data from 103 TUGR interventions were analyzed by logistic regression analysis; method of treatme...
Piketh G, Williams A, Schliewert EC.Electrocardiography is the method used to monitor the electrical impulses in the heart. These diagnostics are increasingly making use of smartphone-based technologies. The objective of this research was to determine whether the Alivecor KardiaMobile (ECG) smartphone-modulated electrocardiographic device, a novel ECG device, can be used to obtain reliable electrocardiogram (ECG) readings in horses. The device was initially tested in 36 Nooitgedacht pony mares to determine the best site of application, method of skin preparation, and ECG device orientation for reliable ECG tracings. Once the mos...
Vitale V, Bindi F, Velloso Alvarez A, de la Cuesta-Torrado M, Sala G, Sgorbini M.This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of transcutaneous auricular vagal nerve stimulation (tAVNS) in healthy horses and its effect on heart rate variability (HRV). The study comprised three phases: the selection of mares, their acclimatization to the tAVNS, and the stimulation phase. Stimulation was performed with two electrodes positioned on the right pinna. The settings were 0.5 mA, 250 μs, and 25 Hz for pulse amplitude, pulse width, and pulse frequency, respectively. HRV was analysed before (B1), during (T), and after (B2) the tAVNS. From the 44 mares initially included, only 7 comp...
van Veggel ECS, Vanderperren K, Selberg KT, Bergman HJ, Hoogelander B.This study evaluates the change in an MRI of the proximal metacarpal region in a group of sport horses that returned to work. This retrospective analysis evaluated 18 limbs represented by 17 horses. Results: The hyperintense signal within the dorsal collagenous part of the proximal suspensory ligament (PSL) on T1W/T2*W GRE sequences decreased or stayed the same in the majority of cases. The hyperintense STIR signal within the dorsal collagenous part of the PSL resolved in the majority of the patients, and the third metacarpal bone (McIII) hyperintense STIR signal resolved in all patients. The ...
Mazan MR, Simotas C, Coons T, Barrow B, Bedenice D, Minuto J, Wendell K, Deveney EF.Pulmonary function testing is critical to the diagnosis of equine asthma (EA), an important cause of respiratory disease in the horse, but its clinical use has remained elusive, unfortunately, due to the complexity of reference methods, esophageal balloon/pneumotachography (EBP), and forced oscillatory mechanics (FOM), so we sought a noninvasive, portable method for use in horses through rapid interruption of airflow for equilibration of alveolar pressure with proximal airway pressure, termed flow interruption (FI). Resistance (RINT) was computed as the relationship between the change in press...
Bishop RC, Graham SM, Connolly SL, Wilkins PA, McCoy AM.To optimize and evaluate methods for the detection of the inflammatory biomarkers myeloperoxidase (MPO) and calprotectin (CP) in equine feces by ELISA. Methods: Healthy horses (n = 28) and horses with intestinal inflammation (n = 10). Methods: Feces were suspended in buffer to create fecal supernatant. Serum and fecal supernatant were analyzed using ELISA kits validated for the detection of MPO and CP in equine serum. Assay validation steps included intra- and interassay variability (coefficient of variation [CV]), dilution linearity, spike recovery, and sample type correlation. Variations in ...
Heaton CP, Cavinder CA, McClure EN, Smith T, Smith WB, Liburt N, Krotky A, Harris P.Insulin dysregulation (ID), core to equine metabolic syndrome, may present without obesity. Testing for ID risk is commonly based on breed and obese phenotype but might be valuable for non-obese stock-type horses. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of ID in non-obese stock-type horses and evaluate if morphometric neck measurements (MNM) correlate with ID. Sixty-two, non-obese (BCS 5, range 2.5-6/9) stock-type horses were assessed for MNM: neck circumference at 25%, 50% (NC50), and 75% (NC75) length, and crest height. An oral sugar test (OST; 0.15 mL/kg BW corn syrup) was performed wi...
The diagnosis of mild-moderate equine asthma (MEA) can be confirmed by airway endoscopy, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALf) cytology, and lung function evaluation by indirect pleural pressure measurement. Oscillometry is a promising pulmonary function test method, but its ability to detect subclinical airway obstruction has been questioned. Objective: To evaluate the differences in lung function measured by oscillometry between healthy and MEA-affected horses. Methods: Prospective case-control clinical study. Methods: Thirty-seven horses were divided into healthy and MEA groups, based on hist...
Goudet G, Beauclercq S, Douet C, Reigner F, Deleuze S, Nadal-Desbarats L.Successful reproductive management of domestic mammals depends primarily upon timely identification of oestrous cycle stages. There is a need to develop an alternative non-invasive, welfare-friendly, accurate and reliable method to identify reproductive cycle stages. This is of particular interest for horse breeders, because horses are high-value farm animals that require careful management and individual monitoring. Saliva sampling is non-invasive, painless and welfare-friendly. Thus, we performed a metabolomic analysis of equine saliva during different reproductive stages to identify changes...
Lindinger H, Wehrend A.Various systems are available for birth monitoring in horses, whereby a distinction must be made between methods for more accurate prediction of the date of birth in order to intensify monitoring of the mare in a timely manner as well as methods for detecting individuals that are in labor. Basically, it should be noted that there are almost no studies that compare different methods on the same population of mares. As the time of birth approaches, physiological parameters of mare and fetus change, but their variability is too high to predict the exact parturition time point prospectively. The b...
Rudnick MJ, Stewart HL, Burleson MD, Levine DG.Slow hoof growth poses a clinical challenge when hoof wear exceeds natural growth. Many treatment options have been reported without controlled prospective trials. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of transdermal CO2 on the rate of growth in treated hooves. Methods: A prospective, randomized, blinded, crossover study of 14 Warmblood mares. Horses were randomly assigned a number and allocated for treatment of the front feet with room air or CO2 for 30 minutes 3 times per week, and groups were switched after 5 weeks. Hoof growth was measured on the dorsal midline and the qua...
Long AE, Hurcombe S, Hopster K.To compare the ability of bioreactance noninvasive cardiac output (BR-NICO) with thermodilution cardiac output (TDCO) for the measurement of cardiac output (CO) in healthy adult horses receiving 2 different IV volume replacement solutions. Methods: Prospective randomized crossover study from September to November 2021. Methods: University teaching hospital. Methods: Six university-owned adult horses. Methods: Horses were randomly assigned to receive 7.2% hypertonic saline solution (HSS) or 6% hydroxyethyl starch (130/0.4) solution (HETA). BR-NICO and TDCO were measured simultaneously at baseli...
Vinijkumthorn R, Kingkaw A, Yanyongsirikarn P, Phaonakrop N, Roytrakul S, Vongsangnak W, Tesena P.Equine melanocytic neoplasm (EMN) represents a form of skin tumor observed predominantly in grey horses aged over 15 years. Despite its prevalence, current therapeutic and preventive strategies for EMN have been subject to limited investigation. This study endeavors to shed light on potential phosphoproteins present in equine serum and fecal samples, potentially linked to EMN, with a specific focus on functional interactions in EMN pathogenesis. We examined 50 samples (25 serum, 25 feces), divided into three groups based on EMN severity: normal (n = 16), mild (n = 18), and severe EMN (...
Rossi HS, Mykkänen AK, Junnila JJT, Hyytiäinen HK.Pulse oximetry has not been thoroughly evaluated for assessment of oxygenation in conscious foals. Compared with invasive arterial blood sampling, it is a painless and non-invasive method for real-time monitoring of blood oxygen saturation. The aim of this prospective clinical study was to evaluate the usability, validity, and reliability of pulse oximetry at two measuring sites (lip and caudal abdominal skin fold) for blood oxygen saturation measurement in conscious foals with and without respiratory compromise. Thirty-two foals under one month of age were used. Nineteen foals had normal resp...
Wright CA, Lawton K, Barnum S, Craig BW, Farwell BR, Blea J, McCook C, Pusterla N.This study aimed to determine if exercise increases the frequency of selected respiratory viruses/bacteria shedding in non-clinical horses using nose wipes. Nose wipes were taken pre- and post- exercise from 133 healthy horses of various ages and disciplines. Wipes were assayed for the presence of selected common (equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV), EHV-4, S. equi spp equi) and commensal (EHV-2, EHV-5, S. equi spp zooepidemicus) respiratory pathogens. The frequency of detection increased significantly (p < 0.05) in the post-exercise wipes for EHV-1, EHV-2, EHV-5, and S. zooepidemicus. EHV-4 and S. equ...
Rosse NDS, Tavares RA, Nunes MC, de Freitas BW, Reis ECC.Early detection of renal deficient function is imperative for the success of treatments and determining prognosis. In horses, a renal ultrasound can be performed through the abdominal wall (TA) or transrectally (TR), being an important tool for the evaluation of the kidneys. Besides renal morphology, resistivity (RI) and pulsatility indexes (PI) may be early tools to detect renal injury as they reflect arterial compliance. Twenty-nine healthy adult horses were sonographically evaluated by TA and TR approaches, measuring RI and PI on both kidneys. The mean values from the TA for RI and PI in th...
Strugava L, Gomes ARC, Lorga AD, Bosak VL, Rossa AP, Janiszewski JDR, Machado M, Dornbusch PT, Moreno JCD.To describe anatomical references and sonoanatomy of an echo-guided injection for blocking the tibial and common fibular nerves with the use of a caudocranial midfemoral approach and to evaluate dye spreading in horse cadavers. Unassigned: 1 horse cadaver preserved in glycerin was used for the anatomical study, and 14 fresh horse cadavers were used for the dye spreading study. The experimental procedures were conducted on the first cadaver on March 25, 2021, and on the last cadaver on October 5, 2022. A glycerin-preserved horse cadaver's pelvic limb was dissected to identify anatomical landmar...
Pusterla N, Lawton K, Barnum S, Magdesian KG.In recent years, the use of non-invasive host and environmental samples for the detection and monitoring of equine respiratory pathogens has shown promise and a high overall agreement with the gold standard of nasal secretions. The present study looked at comparing nose wipes, stall sponges, and air samples with nasal swabs collected from 27 horses involved in an equine influenza (EI) outbreak. The outbreak involved 5 clinical, 6 subclinical, and 16 uninfected horses. Samples sets were collected at the onset of the index case and retested every 2-3 days thereafter until all horses tested qPCR-...
Bandera L, Guerri G, Straticò P, Pincelli MC, Celani G, Varasano V, Vignoli M, Petrizzi L.Although lens diseases are uncommon in horses, they can be disabling in advanced stages. The B-mode ultrasound is useful for diagnosing and monitoring the progression of ocular diseases such as cataracts. Elastography is an ultrasonographic technique that allows the detection and measurement of tissue stiffness. This observational cohort prospective study aimed to determine the feasibility, reproducibility, and repeatability of 2D-shear wave elastography (2D-SWE) of lenses in horses. Forty-six eyes of 23 horses with no evidence of ocular disease were included in this study. The horses underwen...
Gaida JL, Steinberg T, Stieger-Vanegas SM, Merle R, Lischer CJ.Recent technological advancements in CT have improved the ability to scan standing sedated horses. However, the impact of radiation exposure on veterinary staff while scanning the extremities of standing horses using this technique, compared with digital radiography (DR), remains unknown. This study compares the radiation exposure of imaging technicians assisting with multidetector CT (MDCT) and DR of the distal thoracic limb and tarsus in standing horses. Personal dose equivalent was measured on four body locations: thyroid gland, gonads, hand, and feet. Images of the distal thoracic limb (n ...
Gobbo E, Maccario C, Zupan Šemrov M, Bovo M, Atallah E, Minero M, Dalla Costa E.Methods to assess the positive behavior of horses in relation to their environment can be used to provide information to enhance animal welfare. One of the most important experiences that can be observed in mammals is sleep, a universal behavior relevant for the welfare of all species. To achieve paradoxical sleep, horses must lie down in lateral recumbency for a sufficient time, but they only do so when feeling safe and comfortable. Recently, technological tools like accelerometers have opened the possibility of non-invasive continuous monitoring of lying behavior, thus implementing the way w...
Ribeiro RM, Oliveira TO, Ribeiro DSF.The use of thermal cameras in horses has proven effective for monitoring surface body temperature non-invasively, enabling the early identification of disease and inflammation. This study evaluated the agreement between a thermal camera compared to an infrared thermometer in the measurement of surface temperatures of 60 healthy horses (27 mares, 33 stallions; 7.88 ± 4.01 years; 466 ± 50.1 kg). Measurements were taken at the neck, thorax, and coronary band between 8:00-9:00 a.m., under controlled environmental conditions. Analysis revealed strong correlations between the two methods at the co...
Sterkenburgh TR, Ordieres-Meré J, Villalba-Diez J.We outlined a monitoring system as a demonstration of the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) in horses that provided the ability to record aspects of the equine chewing process. Here we take up the idea of a Molograph, which was already proposed in the mechanical form in 1941 by Leue and transferred into today's world. As a substantial practical advantage, the system now involved a non-invasive measurement that was taken in the horse's familiar environment. All patients were fed roughage. In terms of the examination scenario, we focused on the determination of the direction of chewing. The syst...
Calle-González N, Rivero JL, Olivares J, Miró F, Argüelles D, Requena F, Munoz A.Capacitive-resistive electrical transfer (CRET) is an endogenous non-invasive technique, used as deep diathermy. We pursue to analyze the temperature changes by applying different CRET protocols in the thoracolumbar spine of horses, between thoracic vertebrae 15 and lumbar 2. Unassigned: Ten clinically sound horses without thoracolumbar pain underwent various CRET protocols applied to a standardized thoracolumbar region (T15-L2). The protocols included sham (device off), low intensity (LIP, 5%), medium intensity (MIP, 30%), and high intensity (HIP, 40%). The HIP protocol was further divided in...
Barandalla M, Colleoni S, Perota A, Galli C, Lazzari G.The introduction of ovum pick-up, Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) and in vitro embryo production in equine reproduction offers significant advantages, including overcoming infertility, high blastocyst yields, embryo cryopreservation, and preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) by collecting few cells extruded spontaneously during embryo growth using a mouth pipette. PGT enables embryo selection before transfer and is particularly useful in breeds with a preference for specific offspring genders, coat color, and detecting genetic diseases. Here, we present the first large-scale validation...
Gomes C, Coheur L, Tilley P.Equine asthma is a prevalent respiratory disease that negatively impacts horses' health and athletic performance. Traditional diagnostic methods are invasive and require specialised equipment. There is a need for a non-invasive, cost-effective screening tool that can be used by veterinarians and horse handlers in ambulatory settings. Objective: To assess the willingness of veterinarians and horse handlers to adopt such a tool (Questionnaire 1) and the challenges associated with visually recognising equine asthma (Questionnaire 2) and to develop EquiBreathe, an artificial intelligence (AI)-powe...
Aßmann AD, Sànchez-Andrade JS, Argüelles D, Bischofberger AS.Diagnosing digital flexor tendon sheath (DFTS) pathologies, particularly manica flexoria (MF) tears, can be challenging with standard imaging modalities. Standing low-field MRI tenography (MRIt) may improve the detection rate of MF tears. This study aimed to compare ultrasonography, contrast radiography, pre-contrast MRI, and MRIt to detect naturally occurring MF lesions in horses undergoing tenoscopy. Ten horses with a positive DFTS block, which underwent contrast radiography, ultrasonography, MRI, MRIt, and tenoscopy were included. Two radiologists evaluated the images and recorded whether a...
