Prognosis in horses refers to the prediction of the likely outcome or course of a disease or injury in equine patients. It involves assessing various factors such as the nature and severity of the condition, the horse's overall health, and response to treatment. Prognostic evaluations help veterinarians and horse owners make informed decisions regarding treatment options, management strategies, and potential recovery. The process often incorporates clinical assessments, diagnostic tools, and historical data to estimate the chances of recovery or progression. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore methodologies, factors influencing prognostic outcomes, and the implications of prognostic evaluations in equine veterinary practice.
Decloedt A.Pericardial, myocardial, and great vessel diseases are relatively rare in horses. The clinical signs are often nonspecific and vague, or related to the underlying cause. Physical examination usually reveals tachycardia, fever, venous distension or jugular pulsation, a weak or bounding arterial pulse, ventral edema, and abnormal cardiac auscultation such as arrhythmia, murmur, or muffled heart sounds. The prognosis depends on the underlying cause and the disease progression, and ranges from full recovery to poor prognosis for survival. This article focuses on the etiology, diagnosis, prognosis,...
Marr CM.Degenerative myxomatous disease is common and is associated with aging. Poor prognostic indicators for equine aortic regurgitation specifically include ventricular ectopy, increased pulse pressure, and hyperkinetic pulses. Valvular prolapse is a functional abnormality diagnosed echocardiographically, about which knowledge is limited. A better understanding of its role in valvular regurgitation is needed. Infective endocarditis presents with fever and other systemic signs accompanying valvular regurgitation. The prognosis is poor, warranting aggressive therapy. Other forms of valvular disease o...
Heaton K, Farnsworth KD, Souza CRS, Jones ARE. This report describes the use of a minimally invasive standing pastern arthrodesis technique for the treatment of osteoarthritis in horses and documents its clinical outcome in 12 horses. Methods: Medical records and radiographs of horses diagnosed with proximal interphalangeal joint osteoarthritis that underwent standing pastern arthrodesis using transarticular screws were reviewed. Follow-up information for determination of outcome was obtained via phone interview with the owners. Results: Twelve horses (15 limbs) were included in the study. Radiographical findings revealed severe o...
Whitton RC, Walmsley EA, Wong ASM, Shannon SM, Frazer EJ, Williams NJ, Guerow JF, Hitchens PL.Long bone fractures in racehorses may present as stress fractures which have a good prognosis, or complete fractures, which often result in a fatal outcome. In order to identify differences in modifiable management practices that may contribute to these outcomes, racing histories of horses with humeral or tibial fractures and of matched controls were examined. A retrospective case-control study of Australian Thoroughbred racehorses diagnosed with a fracture of the humerus or tibia by scintigraphy or at post-mortem between 2002 and 2016 was undertaken. Control horses were matched from the same ...
Pye J, Espinosa-Mur P, Roca R, Kilcoyne I, Nieto J, Dechant J.To determine if preoperative and intraoperative clinical variables correlate with resection and anastomosis (RA) in horses presenting with strangulating small intestinal (SI) lesions. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Horses undergoing exploratory celiotomy for a strangulating SI lesion (n = 243). Methods: The records of horses undergoing surgical correction for strangulating SI lesions from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2017 were reviewed. Horses were categorized as treated with RA or not treated with RA. Obtained information included history, signalment, clinical findings, d...
Contreras-Aguilar MD, Martínez-Subiela S, Cerón JJ, Martín-Cuervo M, Tecles F, Escribano D.Salivary biomarkers could be useful to objectively evaluate critical illness and prognosis for survival in horses with acute abdominal disease. Objective: To compare salivary alpha-amylase (sAA) activity and concentration in healthy horses and horses with acute abdominal disease, and evaluate the association between sAA activity and concentration with disease severity and outcome. Methods: A prospective cohort. Methods: sAA activity, measured using a colorimetric commercial kit, and concentration, measured using a Time-resolved immunofluorometric assay, in 25 healthy horses and in 33 horses wi...
Aldrich ED, Goodrich LR, Contino EK, Kawcak CE, Barrett MF, King MR, Valdés-Martínez A.CASE DESCRIPTION A 12-year-old mixed-breed mare (horse 1) and 6-year-old Friesian gelding (horse 2) were examined for chronic lameness associated with the stifle joint. CLINICAL FINDINGS Lameness examination revealed effusion of the right (horse 1) or left (horse 2) femoropatellar and medial femorotibial joints and grade 3/5 (horse 1) or 4/5 (horse 2) lameness. A diagnosis of cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) injury with associated mineralization and avulsion (horse 1) or mineralization alone (horse 2) was facilitated in both horses with a caudomedial-craniolateral oblique radiographic view obta...
Tarancón I, Leiva M, Jose-Cunilleras E, Ríos J, Peña T.To describe ocular findings associated with Rhodococcus equi bronchopneumonia in foals, and to determine whether severity of the ocular lesions is related with outcome. Methods: Foals diagnosed with R equi infection at the VTH-UAB from January 2002 to December 2017. Methods: Rhodococcus equi infection was diagnosed by means of clinical signs, radiographic/ultrasonographic findings, and/or positive culture. In all the foals, a complete ophthalmic examination by a boarded ophthalmologist was performed and ocular signs were recorded and graded (0-4). Results: Thirty-nine foals were included in t...
van Bergen T, Haspeslagh M, Wiemer P, Swagemakers M, van Loon G, Martens A.To report the clinical features, outcomes, and prognostic factors associated with the surgical treatment of epiploic foramen entrapment (EFE). Methods: Retrospective study at a single referral hospital. Methods: Horses (n = 142) undergoing surgery (n = 145) for EFE. Methods: Preoperative, perioperative, and postoperative data of surgeries on horses that underwent exploratory laparotomy for EFE were obtained. The postoperative outcome was assessed by follow-up telephone calls with the owners/caregivers. Factors associated with postoperative reflux (POR), relaparotomy, hospital discharge...
Luethy D, Frimberger AE, Bedenice D, Byrne BS, Groover ES, Gardner RB, Lewis T, MacDonald VS, Proctor-Brown L, Tomlinson JE, Rassnick KM, Johnson AL.Prognosis associated with lymphoma in horses is poorly characterized, and treatment is often palliative. Long-term outcome after chemotherapy for horses with lymphoma is not well documented. Objective: To report long-term outcome of horses with lymphoma treated with chemotherapy. Methods: Fifteen equids. Methods: Retrospective case series. Medical record search and call for cases on the ACVIM listserv for horses treated with chemotherapy for lymphoma. Results: Fifteen cases with adequate data were identified. Complete remission was achieved in 5 horses (33.3%), partial response was achieved in...
Fitzharris LE, Lane JG, Allen KJ.To determine the proportion of horses treated by laryngoplasty prosthesis removal (LPR) for complications associated with prosthetic laryngoplasty (LP), the reason for LPR, and the outcome of horses undergoing LPR to manage iatrogenic coughing/dysphagia. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Client-owned horses treated with LP (n = 1202) and LPR (n = 58). Methods: Clinical case records were reviewed to determine the number of horses treated with LP and LPR by the same surgeon. Historical, clinical, endoscopic, and surgical data were extracted for those horses undergoing LPR. Long-term...
Kilcoyne I, Nieto JE, Dechant JE.To determine the ability of plasma and peritoneal creatine kinase (CK) to predict the presence of a strangulating lesion in horses presented for colic. Methods: Prospective clinical study. Methods: Ten healthy control horses and 61 clinical colic cases. Methods: Creatine kinase activity was measured in peritoneal fluid and plasma of 10 healthy horses and 61 horses presenting for colic (40 horses with nonstrangulating lesions and 21 horses with strangulating lesions). Information on other blood and peritoneal fluid variables, signalment, results from the physical examination, outcome, requireme...
Unger L, Jagannathan V, Pacholewska A, Leeb T, Gerber V.Currently no methods are available to predict the clinical outcome of individual horses with equine sarcoid (ES) disease. Objective: To investigate if whole blood microRNA (miRNA) profiles can predict the long-term development of ES tumors. Methods: Five horses with regression and 5 with progression of ES lesions monitored over 5-7 years and 5 control horses free of ES for at least 5 years. Methods: For this cohort study, RNA extracted from whole blood samples from the regression, progression, and control groups was used for high throughput sequencing. Known and novel miRNAs were identified us...
Theelen MJP, Wilson WD, Byrne BA, Edman JM, Kass PH, Magdesian KG.The study objectives were to provide cumulative antimicrobial susceptibility data at the patient level and to evaluate the effect of initial antimicrobial treatment on survival in foals with sepsis. Foals below 30days of age with a diagnosis of sepsis, confirmed by isolation of bacteria from normally sterile sites on the day of hospital admission, were included. Susceptibility testing was performed using the broth microdilution procedure. In total, 213 foals and 306 bacterial isolates were included. The likelihood of survival for foals from which all bacteria were susceptible to the initial an...
Ludwig EK, van Harreveld PD.Equine septic synovitis commonly occurs secondary to traumatic wounds. The distal limbs of horses have minimal soft tissue protection, thus wounds in these areas are more likely to involve adjacent synovial structures. Synovial sepsis can be debilitating due to difficulties clearing established infections and the degenerative changes that result from ongoing inflammation. Prompt diagnosis allows for immediate treatment, improving the prognosis. Goals for successful treatment of infected synovial structures due to wounds include early and accurate recognition of the condition, rapid resolution ...
Gardner A, Dockery A, Quam V.To review indications and risk factors for exploratory celiotomy secondary to acute colic in the horse; decision making for and during surgery; and prognosis for return to function after exploratory celiotomy for the practicing veterinarian. Data sources included scientific reviews and original research publications from veterinary sources, as well as clinical data specifically in regard to underlying disease and survival rates from a tertiary referral hospital where exploratory celiotomy is commonly performed. There is a high positive predictive value of specific clinical preoperative paramet...
Harcourt M, Smith C, Bell R, Young A.We describe the radiographic and magnetic resonance imaging findings associated with a case of bilateral forelimb bipartite navicular disease in a 7-year-old Warmblood gelding used for eventing. In addition to the radiographically evident partitioned navicular bones, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) also detected other concurrent abnormalities occurring within the foot that have not been described before in other cases of navicular bone partition. MRI not only revealed soft tissue lesions of the podotrochlear apparatus, but also allowed for more detailed characterisation of the recently diagno...
Gilbertie JM, Schnabel LV, Stefanovski D, Kelly DJ, Jacob ME, Schaer TP.Bacterial colonization of synovial structures can cause infections that are difficult to treat. Systemic and local antimicrobials and repeated joint lavages are the mainstays of therapy. However, despite aggressive treatments, infection may persist, leading to significant tissue damage or death of the patient. In order to investigate the impact of bacterial culture and antimicrobial resistance on survival to discharge, we reviewed medical records of horses admitted to the University of Pennsylvania's large animal teaching hospital from 2010-2015. Two-hundred and six cases with a definitive dia...
Reig Codina L, Werre SR, Brown JA.Umbilical remnant infection and patent urachus are an important cause of morbidity for the equine neonate. Left untreated, fatal complications can develop. Identifying risk factors for post-operative complications after surgery are important for estimating prognosis. Objective: To identify risk factors associated with post-operative complications in foals undergoing umbilical remnant resection due to patent and/or infected umbilical remnants. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Foals undergoing umbilical remnant resection due to patent urachus or infected remnants at the Marion duPont...
Claffey EF, Brust K, Hackett RP, Fubini S.To report the surgical management and the short- and long-term follow-up of postcastration spermatic cord infection in horses. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Twenty-three client-owned horses. Methods: Medical records (2001-2017) of horses that had been surgically treated for spermatic cord stump infection after castration were reviewed. Time from castration to presentation, diagnostic procedures, surgical complications, bacterial culture and ancillary testing, and survival to discharge were collected. Long-term follow-up was obtained by owner survey when possible. Descriptive sta...
Lipreri G, Bladon BM, Giorio ME, Singer ER.To compare the outcome following conservative vs surgical management of sports horses with a diagnosis of subchondral bone trauma of the proximal aspect of the proximal phalanx (PP) by low-field MRI. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Twenty-one mature sports horses with evidence of high water signal within the proximal sagittal groove of the PP according to low-field MRI of the fetlock, with no definitive radiographic evidence of fracture. Methods: Medical records (2010-2017) of horses admitted to 2 referral hospitals were reviewed. Historical, clinical, radiographic, and MRI findin...
Schiavo S, Cillán-García E, Elce Y, Liuti T, Taylor SE.Solar foot penetration is one of the causes of deep digital flexor tendon injuries in horses, however, limited information is available on the prognosis for return to soundness in the absence of synovial sepsis. Objectives of this retrospective observational study were to describe low-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings and long-term outcome for a group of horses with this combination of clinical problems. Horses were included if low-field standing MRI of the foot was performed following puncture wounds, injury of the deep digital flexor tendon was diagnosed, and sepsis was confirm...
Chope KB.Cardiac murmurs are not uncommonly detected in the equine athlete. Although most are benign in nature, differentiation and quantification of murmurs due to valvular regurgitation are important for prognosis and recommendations. Arrhythmias can be associated with structural disease or occur independently and may range in severity from minimal clinical effect to poor performance to presenting a safety risk to rider and horse. This article discusses commonly encountered cardiac conditions in the sport horse. Physical examination, diagnostic approach, valvular disease, and arrhythmias with an impa...
Kieffer PJ, Aceto H, Stefanovski D, Parente EJ.To assess the outcome of transendoscopic laser surgery for the treatment of epiglottic entrapment (EE) and determine the influence of preoperative morphological characteristics on outcomes. Methods: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: Thoroughbred racehorses treated with transendoscopic laser surgery (n = 66) and untreated cohorts (n = 132). Methods: Medical, surgical, and race records of 66 horses treated with transendoscopic laser surgery were compared with untreated cohorts randomly selected from their last race presurgery. Postsurgery data were collated as number of starts and rac...
García-López JM.Pain localized to the neck, back, and or pelvis can result in a profound effect on the horse's performance. These conditions can present with a varied and nonspecific set of clinical signs. A careful and thorough examination of these areas by means of physical examination, lameness evaluation both in hand and under saddle, diagnostic anesthesia, and the use of multiple imaging modalities in combination is often necessary to have an accurate prognosis. Medical and surgical management where appropriate of the conditions highlighted in this article are discussed as well as their individual progno...
Parente EJ.Many abnormalities of the upper airway that can inhibit performance are determined on a critical resting endoscopic evaluation. Some dynamic abnormalities can only be seen during an exercising endoscopic evaluation, which should be performed whenever the history of abnormal noise or performance limitations is not completely consistent with the resting endoscopic findings. Head and neck position may play a critical role in the evaluation process and the exact position during performance should be reproduced during the clinical examination to definitively define the abnormality. Treatments and p...
Gutierrez-Nibeyro SD, McCoy AM, Selberg KT.Foot problems are very common causes of lameness in horses. With the recent diagnostic advances to evaluate and treat foot pathology as well as to monitor response to therapy, it is now possible to more accurately evaluate the effectiveness of many of these treatments. This review details some of the recent advances of the most common conservative and surgical treatment options for foot problems in horses, including an overview of evidence on the efficacy to support the use of these treatment options and on factors that may affect prognosis.
Fenner MF, Verwilghen D, Townsend N, Simhofer H, Schwarzer J, Zani DD, Bienert-Zeit A.Paranasal sinus cysts (PSC) are a common cause of equine secondary sinusitis. The outcome and associated complications have not been frequently reported. Objective: To review the associated clinical signs, associated morbidities and outcomes of horses treated for PSC. Methods: Retrospective multicentre case series. Methods: Retrospective analysis of case records and telephone follow up survey. Results: Subjects were 37 horses 1-24 years old that were presented with nasal discharge (n = 31), facial swelling (n = 25) and epiphora (n = 19). Radiography and computed tomography allowed identificati...
Bertin FR, Ruffin-Taylor D, Stewart AJ.Systemic inflammation is a cause of insulin dysregulation in many species, but the insulin and glucose dynamics in adult horses diagnosed with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) are poorly documented. Objective: In SIRS in horses, insulin and glucose dynamics will be altered and associated with survival. Methods: Adult horses diagnosed with SIRS admitted to a referral hospital. Methods: Prospective study enrolling horses diagnosed with SIRS in which serum insulin and glucose concentrations were measured. Horses were grouped by outcome (survival, hyperinsulinemia, and hyperglycemia)...
Smith CL, Dowling BA, Dart AJ.Laparoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that has applications as a diagnostic, therapeutic and prognostic technique. Specialized equipment is necessary to perform equine laparoscopy, and there is a large range of instruments, both disposable and non-disposable available. Laparoscopic procedures described include ovariectomy, cryptorchidectomy, adhesiolysis and herniorrhaphy. Laparoscopy can be performed in a standing or dorsally recumbent position, depending on surgeon preference, patient status and the procedure to be performed. Stapling equipment is frequently used in gastrointestinal ...
Dionísio L, Medeiros F, Pequito M, Faustino-Rocha AI.Influenza is an extremely contagious respiratory disease, which predominantly affects the upper respiratory tract. There are four types of influenza virus, and pigs and chickens are considered two key reservoirs of this virus. Equine influenza (EI) virus was first identified in horses in 1956, in Prague. The influenza A viruses responsible for EI are H7N7 and H3N8. Outbreaks of EI are characterized by their visible and rapid spread, and it has been possible to isolate and characterize H3N8 outbreaks in several countries. The clinical diagnosis of this disease is based on the clinical signs pre...
Rucker A.The digital venogram uses contrast radiography to evaluate the soft tissues and vasculature of the foot, thus identifying pathology attributable to laminitis. Pathology can be detected before changes appear on plain-film radiographs. When used in conjunction with clinical and radiographic findings, information gained from a venographic study informs and directs treatment. Serial venograms assess the response to treatment and help determine prognosis early in the course of therapy. If the venographic contrast pattern does not improve, either the treatment needs to be altered, or the damage is s...
Bryant JE, Gaughan EM.Abdominal surgery in foals under 30 days old has become more common with improved neonatal care. Early recognition of a foal at risk and better nursing care have increased the survival rates of foals that require neonatal care. The success of improved neonatal care also has increased the need for accurate diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal, umbilical, and bladder disorders in these foals. This chapter focuses on the early and accurate diagnosis of specific disorders that require abdominal exploratory surgery and the specific treatment considerations and prognosis for these disorders.
Mathis SC, Slone DE, Lynch TM, Hughes FE, Clark CK.To evaluate the relationship of colonic luminal pressure (CLP) measurements to outcome in horses with large colon volvulus (LCV) after either manual correction or large colon resection and anastomosis (LCRA). Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Horses (n=57) that had LCV. Methods: Records for horses with LCV (March 1997-December 2003) were reviewed. Inclusion criteria were strangulating LCV proximal to the cecocolic ligament (>270 degrees), recorded CLP, and successful recovery from anesthesia. CLP measurements and survival/mortality rates were compared between horses that had manual correc...
Turk R, Habuš J, Flegar-Meštrić Z, Svetina A, Mojčec V, Perkov S, Belić M, Starešina V, Turk N.The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of infection with Leptospira spp. in horses on activities of platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH) and paraoxonase-1 (PON1) considering the anti-inflammatory/anti-oxidative properties of both enzymes. A total of 63 sport and leisure horses' sera were chosen among those routinely serologically examined on leptospirosis during the year 2009 in Croatia. Sera were divided into three groups according to the estimated level of antibody titre against Leptospira spp; group 1: sera serologically negative to leptospirosis (antibody titre<5...
Culp WT, Weisse C, Berent AC, Getman LM, Schaer TP, Solomon JA.CASE DESCRIPTION-5 Dogs, 1 goat, and 1 horse underwent percutaneous endovascular retrieval of intravascular foreign bodies between 2002 and 2007. CLINICAL FINDINGS-Foreign bodies were IV catheters in 4 dogs, the horse, and the goat and a piece of a balloon valvuloplasty catheter in 1 dog. Location of the foreign bodies included the main pulmonary artery (1 dog), a branch of a pulmonary artery (4 dogs), the right ventricle (the goat), and a jugular vein (the horse). TREATMENT AND OUTCOME-The procedure of percutaneous endovascular retrieval of the foreign body was easy to perform in all instance...
Westerman TL, Tornquist SJ, Foster CM, Poulsen KP.To evaluate use of serum amyloid A (SAA) and haptoglobin concentrations as prognostic indicators for horses with inflammatory disease in regard to euthanasia, complications, and hospitalization duration and cost. Methods: 20 clinically normal horses and 53 horses with inflammatory disease. Methods: Total WBC count, neutrophil count, and fibrinogen, SAA, and haptoglobin concentrations were determined for clinically normal horses and horses with suspected inflammatory disease. Clinicopathologic values at admission were compared to test the use of SAA and haptoglobin concentrations in predicting ...
Sampson SN, Schneider RK, Tucker RL, Gavin PR, Zubrod CJ, Ho CP.Injury to the oblique and straight distal sesamoidean ligaments is becoming recognized as a more common cause of lameness in horses than was previously thought. The purpose of this study was to review the magnetic resonance (MR) imaging findings of 27 horses affected with desmitis of the oblique and/or straight distal sesamoidean ligament and determine long-term prognosis for horses with this diagnosis. Imaging was performed with horses in right lateral recumbency in a high-field 1 T magnet. All horses had lameness localized to the digit or metacarpophalangeal/metatarsophalangeal joint region ...
Dunowska M, Hardcastle MR, Tonkin FB.A 10-year-old polo mare presented with a history of weight loss, poor condition and inappetance. Results: The mare was tachycardic, tachypnoeic and febrile. Harsh lung sounds were auscultated over all lung fields. The mare initially responded to treatment with antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs and bronchodilators. Throughout the course of treatment, there was a variable lymphocytosis, monocytosis and fluctuation in concentrations of fibrinogen. The mare also developed a mild anaemia, most likely due to chronic disease. Despite treatment, the mare's condition deteriorated over the following ...
Nelson BB, Ruple-Czerniak AA, Hendrickson DA, Hackett ES.1) To identify factors associated with short-term survival and time to death after hospital discharge in horses with nephrosplenic entrapment (NSE). 2) To compare the frequency of recurrent colic episodes in horses with and without laparoscopic closure of the nephrosplenic space. Methods: Historical cohort with a nested case control. Methods: Client-owned horses. Methods: Medical records of horses treated for NSE from January 1, 2002 to June 1, 2014 were reviewed. Data collected included signalment, physical examination parameters, laboratory results, diagnostic findings, and treatments. Facto...
Tomlinson JE, Boston RC, Brauer T.To determine racing performance after surgery for colic in Thoroughbreds. Methods: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: 85 racing Thoroughbreds that survived to discharge following colic surgery and 170 race-matched reference horses. Methods: Earnings, starts, and earnings per start were compared between horses that underwent surgery and reference horses, the proportions of horses that returned to racing were analyzed, and career longevity was determined. Results: Among 85 racing Thoroughbreds that underwent colic surgery, 31 (36%) had primarily small intestinal lesions, of which 11 underwent ...
Bedenice D, Heuwieser W, Brawer R, Solano M, Rand W, Paradis MR.A total of 207 thoracic radiographs obtained from 128 foals were evaluated to assess the impact of pulmonary radiographic pattern, distribution, and severity of pulmonary changes on short-term survival of neonatal foals. The association between selected clinical variables and the radiographic manifestation of neonatal respiratory disease was also investigated. The evaluation of interstitial and alveolar-interstitial radiographic patterns within the caudodorsal, caudoventral, and cranioventral lung regions proved to be highly reliable between viewers in the study. A diagnosis of systemic inflam...
Rüfenacht S, Straub R, Steinmann B, Winand N, Bidaut A, Stoffel MH, Gerber V, Wyder M, Müller E, Roosje PJ.Hereditary equine dermal asthenia (HERDA) is an autosomal recessive skin disease that affects predominantly Quarter Horses and related breeds. Typical symptoms are easy bruising and hyperextensible skin on the back. The prognosis is guarded, as affected horses cannot be ridden normally and are often euthanised. In the Quarter Horse, HERDA is associated with a mutation in cyclophilin B (PPIB), an enzyme involved in triple helix formation of collagen. Here we describe the case of a Swiss Warmblood filly with symptoms of HERDA without PPIB-mutation and in which we also could exclude Ehlers-Danlos...
Stokol T, Erb HN, De Wilde L, Tornquist SJ, Brooks M.Fibrin(ogen) degradation products (FDPs) and D-dimer are sensitive indicators of excessive fibrinolysis due to disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) in dogs. To the authors' knowledge, latex-agglutination-based plasma FDP and D-dimer assays have not been validated for use in horses. Objective: To determine: 1) sensitivity and specificity of latex agglutination serum and plasma FDP and D-dimer assays for diagnosis of DIC; and 2) their prognostic value in horses with severe colic. Methods: At hospital admission and 24 hours later, blood was collected from 30 healthy horses and 20 horses w...
Metcalfe LV, More SJ, Duggan V, Katz LM.Weight loss despite a good appetite is a frequent diagnostic challenge for equine veterinarians; however, there are few objective reports and little descriptive information regarding risk factors and prognostic indicators. Objective: To provide a descriptive epidemiological analysis of horses evaluated for weight loss despite a good appetite and evaluate relationships between historical and clinicopathological findings and final outcome (survival vs. nonsurvival) to identify risk factors and prognostic indicators. Methods: Medical records of horses referred for investigation of weight loss des...
Stewart S, Richardson D, Boston R, Schaer TP.To determine (1) survival to discharge of horses with radial fractures (excluding osteochondral fragmentation of the distal aspect of the radius and stress fractures); and (2) risk factors affecting survival to hospital discharge in conservative and surgically managed fractures. Methods: Case series. Methods: Horses (n = 54). Methods: Medical records (1990-June 2012) and radiographs of horses admitted with radial fracture were reviewed. Horses with osteochondral fragmentation of the distal aspect of the radius or stress fractures were excluded. Evaluated risk factors were age, fracture configu...
van den Belt AJ, Dik KJ, Barneveld A.Over a 2 year-period, the ultrasonographic localization and distribution of flexor tendinous and ligamentous injuries, the long-term follow-up, and the outcome were studied in 101 Dutch Warmblood horses (DW) with a mean age of 8.7 years and in 71 Standardbred racehorses (ST) with a mean age of 5.2 years. The ratio between forelimb and hind limb flexor tendonitis/desmitis in the DW-group was 4:1 and in the ST-group group 4:3. In the DW-group, tendonitis/desmitis of the suspensory ligament (32%), the superficial digital flexor tendon (29%), the distal carpal check ligament (17%) of the forelimb ...
McCoy AM, Smith RL, Herrera S, Kawcak CE, McIlwraith CW, Goodrich LR.To report the outcome of horses engaged in Western performance disciplines after stifle arthroscopy and identify prognostic factors for return to performance. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Eighty-two Western performance horses undergoing stifle arthroscopy. Methods: Medical records were reviewed for horses involved in athletic performance/training for various Western performance disciplines and undergoing arthroscopy for lameness localized to the stifle. Follow-up was obtained ≥2 years postoperatively by telephone interviews with the owners. Preoperative and intraoperative f...
Granot N, Milgram J, Bdolah-Abram T, Shemesh I, Steinman A.A retrospective review of the medical records of 41 horses requiring abdominal surgery for sand colic. Results: The diagnosis of sand colic was made when sand was found to be the cause of impaction of the gastrointestinal tract during surgical exploration. The most common clinical signs at presentation were abdominal pain, abdominal distension and diarrhoea. A statistically significant association was found between the respiratory rate on arrival and short-term survival. Sand impaction at multiple locations was detected in one-third of the horses. Concurrent pathology was detected in half of t...
Dunkel B, Kapff JE, Naylor RJ, Boston R.Clinical impression suggested that pony and miniature breeds (collectively referred to as ponies) presenting to a referral hospital for investigation of gastrointestinal disease had higher blood lactate concentrations on admission than large breed horses. Objective: The study tested the hypothesis that ponies with gastrointestinal disease had higher blood lactate concentrations on admission than large breed horses with similar disease severity. Methods: Retrospective case-control study. Methods: Medical records from September 2006 to July 2011 were reviewed for ponies with a primary presenting...
Kuemmerle JM, Auer JA, Rademacher N, Lischer CJ, Bettschart-Wolfensberger R, Fürst AE.To describe short incomplete sagittal fractures of the proximal phalanx (type Ia P1 fractures) in horses not used for racing and report outcome. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Horses (n=10) with type Ia P1 fractures. Methods: Retrieved data of horses with type Ia P1 fractures were signalment, history and results of orthopedic examination. Radiographs were re-evaluated for position and length of the fracture line, presence of osteoarthritis or subchondral cystic lesions (SCL), periosteal new bone formation and subchondral sclerosis. Conservative treatment (n=4) included box confinement ...
Bellezzo F, Hunt RJ, Provost R, Bain FT, Kirker-Head C.Fractured ribs are encountered quite frequently in newborn Thoroughbred foals, often with fatal outcome. Surgical repair of fractures therefore requires consideration as a means of reducing mortality. Objective: To evaluate the repair of rib fractures using internal fixation techniques in foals at 2 different equine hospitals following similar diagnostics and case selection. Methods: The records of 14 foals that underwent internal fixation of fracture ribs were reviewed. Subject details, clinical presentation, diagnosis, surgical technique, post operative care and complications were recorded. ...
Tull TM, Bramlage LR.To evaluate the diagnostic features, results of free-choice exercise treatment, prognosis, and postinjury racing performance of Thoroughbred racehorses with cumulative stress-induced bone injury (CSBI) of the distal portion of the third metacarpal and third metatarsal bones (MC3/MT3). Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: 55 Thoroughbred racehorses with CSBI of the distal portion of MC3/MT3. Methods: Data on signalment, history, and radiographic, scintigraphic, and lameness examination findings were reviewed. Horses with lameness localized to the distal portion of MC3/MT3, and that did ...
Wilkins PA, Sheahan BJ, Vander Werf KA, Castagnetti C, Hardy J, Schoster A, Boston RC.A variety of measures of L-lactate concentration ([LAC]) in the blood of critically ill neonatal foals have shown utility as prognostic indicators. These measures, evaluating either the severity of hyperlactatemia or the duration of exposure to hyperlactatemia, perform fairly well and have correctly classified 75-80% of foals examined in several studies. The area under the L-lactate concentration versus time curve (LACArea) encompasses both severity and duration of hyperlactatemia and should improve correct classification of patient survival. Objective: LACArea is larger in nonsurviving critic...
Miller CA, Durham AC, Schaffer PA, Ehrhart EJ, Powers BE, Duncan CG.Equine cutaneous lymphoma is an uncommon disease that can present with variable clinical signs, immunosuppression, and rapid systemic disease progression. Various subtypes of equine lymphoma have been described and classified according to a veterinary adaptation of the World Health Organization classification system, but little data is available regarding the association between lymphoma subtypes and epidemiological criteria and/or clinical outcome. The objective of the current study was to classify previously diagnosed cases of equine cutaneous lymphoma and correlate subtypes with clinical da...
Potenza KN, Huggons NA, Jones ARE, Rosanowski SM, McIlwraith CW.Rehabilitation of horses using underwater treadmill therapy has been shown to improve joint range of motion, joint mobility, stride length and proprioceptive parameters with experimental studies. However, studies investigating the prognosis and return to function following rehabilitation are lacking. Methods: A retrospective study of Thoroughbred racehorses treated with arthroscopic surgery for osteochondral fragments of the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) or metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joints or carpal joints undergoing conventional rehabilitation or underwater treadmill assisted rehabilitation at th...
Mair TS, Smith LJ.Early (acute) relaparotomy after surgery for equine colic is widely considered to be an acceptable treatment option for management of certain post operative complications. However, there is relatively little published information about resulting complication rates and short- and long-term outcomes. Objective: To document the proportions, indications, complication rates and survival rates of horses undergoing acute relaparatomy following colic surgery. Methods: History, clinical findings, surgical findings and procedures, post operative treatments and outcome of 300 consecutive surgical colic c...
Compston PC, Turner T, Wylie CE, Payne RJ.Laser resection for the treatment of sarcoids is an established part of equine practice; however, few studies have provided long-term follow-up results. Additionally, many previous reports have evaluated several treatments concurrently or have not been able to provide a definitive histological diagnosis of sarcoid. Objective: To establish the success rate following laser resection as a sole treatment for histologically confirmed sarcoids and evaluate risk factors for recurrence. Methods: Retrospective time-to-event analysis. Methods: Horses included had laser surgery to remove at least one sar...
Haggett EF, Magdesian KG, Kass PH.To determine whether high liver enzyme activities were negatively associated with outcome in sick neonatal foals as compared with foals that did not have high liver enzyme activities. Methods: Retrospective case-control study. Methods: 147 foals < 30 days old with high γ-glutamyltransferase activity, high sorbitol dehydrogenase activity, or both (case foals) and 263 foals < 30 days old with γ-glutamyltransferase and sorbitol dehydrogenase activities within reference limits (control foals). Methods: Medical records were reviewed for information on signalment, physical examination findin...
