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Topic:Noninvasive Procedures
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.
Development and application of a focused ultrasound protocol in neonatal foals. This study aimed to develop a standardized ultrasound (US) protocol using selected thoracic and abdominal acoustic windows, to assess its feasibility and applicability in healthy foals, and to evaluate its usefulness for detecting common thoracic and abdominal conditions in sick foals. The Focused US (FUS) protocol included 12 thoraco-abdominal windows (4 right-side, 3 ventral, 5 left-side) using a curved-array probe. It was applied to cohorts of healthy (n = 17) and sick (n = 23) foals by a veterinary clinician with limited US experience. The FUS showed good feasibility and applicabil...
The Effect of Magnetotherapy on Back Pain Sensitivity and Muscle Tension in Recreational Horses-A Pilot Study. Back pain in horses is a frequent musculoskeletal issue that affects performance and welfare. Magnetotherapy has been proposed as a complementary, non-invasive treatment to reduce pain and support soft tissue recovery, but studies in horses remain limited. This pilot study aimed to evaluate the effects of low-frequency pulsed magnetic field therapy on horses with hypersensitivity to palpation along the longissimus dorsi muscle. Four recreational horses participated in a 10-session magnetotherapy program, with changes assessed using palpation, neck flexibility tests, heart rate measurements and...
Comparison of body temperatures and pulse rate between athletic and non-athletic horses during the hot-humid condition. Clinical assessment of parameters that give indications of the health status and fitness of horses are very important in equine practice. The study aimed to compare the resting body temperatures at different anatomical sites and resting pulse rates of athletic and non-athletic horses. Eighteen horses were used for the study, comprising ten athletic and eight non-athletic horses. Measurements of environmental parameters, rectal temperature (RT), body surface temperature (BST) and pulse rate were recorded between 9 and 11 am twice with one week interval at the Ibadan Polo Club, Eleyele, Ibadan, ...
Proof of concept of a wearable IoT-based system for monitoring respiratory rate and surface temperature in horses. This study presents the development and proof of concept of a wearable monitoring system designed to measure respiratory rate (RR) and coat surface temperature (CST) in horses. The device integrates an embedded system based on an ESP-32 microcontroller equipped with sensors for RR (strain gauge) and CST (DS18B20) Data are transmitted in real time via Wi-Fi and stored locally on SD cards. The system was validated against conventional manual methods under field conditions. Agreement between methods was evaluated using Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICC) and Bland-Altman plots. Results show...
Standing excision of the nasal septum of 12 horses. To describe the technique of and complications associated with excising the nasal septum of horses with the horse standing and to report the outcome of horses undergoing this procedure. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: A total of Twelve horses affected with disease of the nasal septum. Methods: The septum of each horse was excised with the horse sedated. All horses underwent rhinotomy, and six also underwent laryngotomy, to position three loops of obstetrical wire used to make three of four septal incisions. The sites of laryngotomy and rhinotomy were desensitized by infiltrating local a...
Using detrended fluctuation analysis and fast Fourier transformation of major peaks to estimate maximal lactate steady state from electrocardiograms of exercising horses. To compare maximal lactate steady-state (MLSS) speeds determined using a treadmill-dependent invasive reference method (RM) with 2 noninvasive methods based on heart rate variability-focused analysis of exercise ECGs. Unassigned: This was a randomized, blinded study using 7 fit Thoroughbreds. A standardized incremental exercise treadmill test (SET) where blood lactate concentration ([La]) was measured after every step facilitated calculation of speeds at which [La] was 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5 mmol/L. The RM required steady-state exercise (SS) at each of these speeds for 25 minutes or until [La] incr...
Ultrasonography and shear wave elastography of equine skin: a preliminary study. To noninvasively characterize skin thickness and elasticity in healthy horses using B-mode ultrasound and shear wave elastography (SWE) and to verify whether there are differences between the skin of stabled and outdoor horses. Unassigned: 10 clinically healthy horses were enrolled in this study. Five animals were housed exclusively indoors (indoor group), and 5 had temporary or permanent access to an outdoor environment (outdoor group). All horses underwent bilateral ultrasonographic examination of 3 anatomical regions: neck, withers, and girth region caudal to the elbow. Skin thickness was a...
Effect of N-Butylscopolammonium Bromide and Metamizol Sodium on Heart Rate, Blood Pressure, and Echocardiographic Measurements in Warmblood Horses With Aortic and Mitral Valve Regurgitation. Administration of N-butylscopolammonium bromide (NBB) with metamizol sodium (NBBM) causes tachycardia and hypertension, and has been associated with accentuated cardiac murmurs. Objective: To evaluate the effect of a pharmacological challenge using NBBM on valvular regurgitation and cardiac murmurs in horses with aortic (AR) and mitral valve regurgitation (MR). Methods: Twenty Warmblood horses with AR and 20 with MR. Methods: Cardiac auscultation and two-dimensional (2D), M-mode, color flow, pulsed wave Doppler flow, and tissue Doppler echocardiography were performed with simultaneous ECG reco...
Wearable smart textile band for continuous equine health monitoring. Continuous physiological monitoring is well-established in human healthcare for early disease detection and management. However, translation of these technologies to large animals such as equines remains underdeveloped due to anatomical constraints, dense hair coat coverage, and requirements for unimpeded mobility. Equines, particularly racehorses, are prone to asthma and cardiovascular abnormalities, with nearly 80 % affected by mild to moderate asthma, impacting performance and long-term health. Despite the need for continuous monitoring, existing solutions require shaving hairs, often lack...
Intraday and Interday Evaluation of pH and Hydrogen Peroxide in the Exhaled Breath Condensate of Horses Using A Portable Device. The analysis of equine exhaled breath condensate (EBC) lacks standardized methodology, and current collection devices are often adapted for research. This study evaluates a novel horse-specific EBC collector and assesses the variability of EBC pH and hydrogen peroxide (HO) levels, exploring potential correlations with bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and tracheal wash (TW) cytology. Eleven healthy mixed-breed mares from a teaching herd, with no evidence of airway abnormalities, were included in this randomized observational study. The collection efficiency of the proposed device was assessed, and ...
Variation in Four Horse Gait Categories Illustrated by Quantitative Analysis With ANALOC-E. Horse gaits are a trait highly selected and prized in diverse breeds. Meanwhile, gait classification relies mostly on subjective visual observations by evaluators. Noninvasive equipment able to track locomotion in horses and output quantitative gait parameters is not only helpful in evaluating locomotion but also in designating gait types and its variations. Equine locomotion pattern designation based solely on observer evaluation can be subjective; therefore, utilizing tools that provide quantitative results and track individual limb movements, especially during intermediate-speed gaits, can ...
A Markerless Approach for Full-Body Biomechanics of Horses. The ability to quantify equine kinematics is essential for clinical evaluation, research, and performance feedback. However, current methods are challenging to implement. This study presents a motion capture methodology for horses, where three-dimensional, full-body kinematics are calculated without instrumentation on the animal, offering a more scalable and labor-efficient approach when compared with traditional techniques. Kinematic trajectories are calculated from multi-camera video data. First, a neural network identifies skeletal landmarks (markers) in each camera view and the 3D location...
Does Low-Field MRI Tenography Improve the Detection of Naturally Occurring Manica Flexoria Tears in Horses? 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...
Artificial intelligence in smartphone video analysis for equine asthma diagnostic support. 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...
Non-contrast enhanced visualization of the equine foot vasculature in a cadaver model using time-of-flight sequence. 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,...
Equine-Assisted Intervention and Alzheimer’s Disease: A Non-randomized, Controlled, Multicenter Study. This study evaluated the psychological benefit of equine-assisted intervention (EAI) for older adults living with Alzheimer disease (AD). A non-randomized, controlled, multicenter study was conducted in 14 nursing homes. A total of 74 older adults were recruited and divided into three groups: a group benefiting from an EAI program, a group following an adapted physical activity program (APA), and a control group continuing their daily activities (CG). Psychological health was assessed. The results showed reduced psychobehavioral disorders by week six of EAI, improved quality of life, and sligh...
Current and Emerging Quantitative Imaging Modalities for Diagnosing and Monitoring Equine Tendon and Ligament Injuries. Technological developments in imaging modalities have advanced the diagnostic capabilities for equine tendon and ligament injuries beyond the traditional methods. This review examines elastography techniques in ultrasonography that assess tissue stiffness and strain properties, computed tomography (CT) innovations including PET/CT fusion and dual-energy CT, and emerging applications of diffusion-weighted MRI for evaluating fiber microstructure and functionality. These complementary approaches offer veterinarians improved means to detect early injuries, assess structural integrity, monitor heal...
Preimplantation genetic testing in horses: biopsy of Piezo-ICSI embryos for sex, coat color, and disease alleles. 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...
Evaluation of a thermal camera in measuring surface temperature in horses. 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...
Equine Standing Multidetector Computed Tomography of the Distal Thoracic Limb and Tarsus Has a Lower Cumulative Radiation Dose than Digital Radiography. 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 ...
Use of 2D-Shear Wave Elastography for the Evaluation of Lens in Horses. 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...
Short-Term Impact of Dry Needling Treatment for Myofascial Pain on Equine Biomechanics Through Artificial Intelligence-Based Gait Analysis. 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...
Assessing thermal changes in the equine thoracolumbar region following different capacitive-resistive electrical transfer protocols. 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...
Exploring the impact of housing routine on lying behavior in horses measured with triaxial accelerometer. 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...
Elastography and Applications in the Musculoskeletal System in Veterinary Medicine: From Physical Basis to Image Formation. Musculoskeletal ultrasound is a versatile imaging technique, surpassing conventional radiographic examinations in detecting certain alterations in the musculoskeletal system and showing effectiveness comparable to magnetic resonance imaging in assessing articular and periarticular soft tissues. The objective of this review is to discuss the physical principles of ultrasound elastography and its applications in the musculoskeletal system of veterinary medicine. This bibliographic review compiles relevant studies exploring elastography's physical basis, its technological development, and its cli...
Molograph 4.0: A demonstration of a non-invasive, automated system for evaluating aspects of the masticatory process in the horse. 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...
Performance of a non-contact veterinary infrared thermometer and reference intervals of equine temperature at different body sites. 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...
Equine cadaveric study suggests tibial and fibular nerve block is feasible with a single ultrasound-guided injection via a caudocranial midfemoral approach. 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...
Comparison of Nose Wipes, Stall Sponges, and Air Samples with Nasal Secretions for the Molecular Detection of Equine Influenza Virus in Clinically and Subclinically Infected Horses. 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-...
Concentrations of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) in blood, hair and semen of stallions in Finland. 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...
