Topic:Retrospective Study
Retrospective studies in horses involve the analysis of pre-existing data to identify patterns, outcomes, and associations related to health and disease within equine populations. These studies utilize historical records, such as veterinary medical histories, treatment outcomes, and diagnostic results, to explore various aspects of equine health and management. Retrospective studies can provide insights into the prevalence of diseases, the effectiveness of treatments, and risk factors associated with certain conditions. This page aggregates peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that focus on the methodologies, findings, and implications of retrospective analyses in equine veterinary science.
Reproductive efficiency of Thoroughbred and Standardbred horses in north-east Victoria. To evaluate the reproductive efficiency of horse farms in north-east Victoria and identify aspects of management to be targeted for improving reproductive efficiency. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Records from seven Thoroughbred (TB) and four Standardbred (STB) studs in north-east Victoria from 1990 to 2001 were reviewed; 8813 cycles in 4455 mares were analysed. TB mares were inseminated by natural mating, whereas STB mares (89%) were artificially inseminated. Results: The overall early pregnancy rate per cycle was 68.8% for TB mares and for STB mares, 68.3%. Multiple pregnancy per cy...
Semiconductor diode laser transscleral cyclophotocoagulation for the treatment of glaucoma in horses: a retrospective study of 42 eyes. To evaluate the outcome of diode laser transscleral cyclophotocoagulation (TSCP) for the treatment of glaucoma in horses. Methods: Medical records at The Ohio State University were reviewed. All horses that underwent diode laser TSCP between the years of 1995 and 2007 were included. Preoperative, procedural and clinical follow-up data were collected, and telephone follow-up was performed. Results: Forty-two eyes of 36 horses were included. Twenty-four hours prior to surgery mean intraocular pressure (IOP) was 37.17 + or - 13.48 mmHg (42 eyes). Forty-one of 42 eyes (98%) were sighted and 39 of ...
Associations between physiotherapy findings and subsequent diagnosis of pelvic or hindlimb fracture in racing Thoroughbreds. Physiotherapists who work in racehorse training yards routinely treat horses' backs and hindquarters and may be able to recognise signs that indicate the presence of (impending) pelvic or hindlimb fracture before it becomes catastrophic. Objective: To establish whether physiotherapy assessment findings in Thoroughbred racehorses referred for routine physiotherapy could be predictive of subsequent (within 30 days) pelvic or hindlimb fracture diagnosis. Methods: Retrospective veterinary and physiotherapy data from a cohort of Newmarket (UK) Thoroughbred racehorses, were used. A case-control stud...
Spurious hypercreatininemia: 28 neonatal foals (2000-2008). To (1) determine the occurrence of spurious hypercreatininemia in a population of hospitalized foals<2 days old, (2) assess the resolution of the hypercreatininemia, and (3) determine its association with survival in these foals. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: 2 Referral hospitals. Methods: Foals442 micromol/L (>5.0 mg/dL) from 2 referral hospitals. Methods: None. Results: The medical records of 33 foals were reviewed. Twenty-eight had spurious hypercreatininemia and 5 had acute renal failure. Admission creatinine was not significantly different between the 2 groups (mean [...
Ulcerative keratitis in thoroughbred racehorses in Japan from 1997 to 2008. To describe the number of cases, etiologies, healing times, and results of microbial culture and susceptibility testing of corneal ulcers in thoroughbred racehorses in Japan. Methods: Retrospective study of the medical records of racehorses belonging to the Japan Racing Association (JRA) from 1997 to 2008. Results: A total of 2846 horses suffered ulcerative keratitis. These horses accounted for 90.5% of all the corneal problems and 54.9% of the entire number of horses with ocular diseases. Running in races was the cause in 64.3% of the cases. The mean healing time of the ulcers developed in ra...
Physical and clinicopathologic findings in foals derived by use of somatic cell nuclear transfer: 14 cases (2004-2008). To describe the health status of foals derived by use of somatic cell nuclear transfer (NT) at a university laboratory. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: 14 live-born NT-derived foals. Methods: Medical records from 2004 through 2008 were evaluated to identify all pregnancies resulting in live-born NT-derived foals. Information obtained included gestation length, birth weight, foaling complications, gross abnormalities of the fetal membranes, appearance of the umbilicus, mentation of the foal, limb deformities, and any other abnormalities detected in the neonatal period. Clinicopatho...
Maxillofacial fractures sustained by unmounted equestrians. Facial injuries caused by horses are relatively common among riding enthusiasts, but little is known about the nature of maxillofacial fractures sustained by those not mounted. We collected data on patients' characteristics, fractures sites, mechanisms of injury, and treatment of these fractures from the departmental records of the oral and maxillofacial unit at Christchurch Hospital, New Zealand between 1996 and 2008. Of 49 patients with equine-related facial fractures, 35 (mean (SD) age 35.8 (16.7) years) had sustained their injuries while unmounted (71%). Most of the fractures occurred in w...
Antimicrobial delivery by intrasynovial catheterisation with systemic administration for equine synovial trauma and sepsis. To present the technique for intra-articular catheter placement and report the clinical outcomes of 38 cases of equine synovial trauma and/or infection treated with broad-spectrum antimicrobials administered via an intrasynovial catheter (ISC). Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Medical records of 38 horses treated for synovial trauma and sepsis with frequent antimicrobial administration through an ISC from 1995 to 2008 were reviewed. Follow-up information was obtained via clinical re-evaluation or telephone contact with the owners. Results: The majority of horses (84%) received amikacin a...
Isolation rates of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in dogs, cats and horses in Ireland. A retrospective analysis and prospective surveillance study were conducted to determine isolation rates of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in dogs, cats and horses in Ireland. Clinical samples that had been submitted to University College Dublin (UCD) for routine microbiological examination over a four-year period (2003 to 2006) were analysed in the retrospective analysis, which included clinical samples from 3866 animals. In the prospective surveillance study, samples from healthy animals presenting for elective surgery as well as from animals with a clinical presentation su...
Comparison between horse and rabbit antithymocyte globulin as first-line treatment for patients with severe aplastic anemia: a single-center retrospective study. The best antithymocyte globulin preparation for first-line immune suppression in patients with severe aplastic anemia is still not clear. The aim of this study was to compare hematological response and overall survival in patients submitted to horse or rabbit antithymocyte globulin as first-line treatment for severe aplastic anemia. We retrospectively compared 71 consecutive patients with severe aplastic anemia, classified according to the antithymocyte globulin preparation. Analyses included variables related to patients and to immune suppression. Forty two patients (59.1%) received horse and...
Bacterial infections in horses: a retrospective study at the University Equine Clinic of Bern. Bacterial infections present a major challenge in equine medicine. Therapy should be based on bacteriological diagnosis to successfully minimize the increasing number of infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria. The present study is a retrospective analysis of bacteriological results from purulent infections in horses admitted at the University Equine Clinic of Bern from 2004 to 2008. From 378 samples analyzed, 557 isolates were identified, of which Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus and coliforms were the most common. Special attention was paid to infectio...
Mass gathering medical care: to calculate the Medical Usage Rate of Galway Races. Medical Usage Rate (MUR) of Galway Races: The Galway Races is the most popular horse-racing festival in Ireland. It takes place for a week starting from the last Monday in July. The races are held at Ballybrit race course in Galway. During the 7 days of racing, about 180,000 people attend. The average temperature in Galway around that time of the year is around 15-200C. The aim of this study is to calculate the MUR of Galway Races and to develop a model to predict the MUR for Galway Races in future. The MUR of Galway Races is calculated by looking retrospectively at the medical records of the ...
Endoscopic evaluation of arytenoid function and epiglottic structure in Thoroughbred yearlings and association with racing performance at two to four years of age: 2,954 cases (1998-2001). OBJECTIVE-To determine the association between results of endoscopic evaluation of arytenoid function (AF) and epiglottic structure (ES) in Thoroughbred yearlings and racing performance at 2 to 4 years of age. DESIGN-Retrospective case series. ANIMALS-2,954 Thoroughbred yearlings. Procedures-Records of yearlings that had endoscopic evaluation of the larynx between 1998 and 2001 were obtained, and results were graded by use of standardized scales. A modified Havemeyer scale (grade I, II.1, II.2, III, or IV) was used to evaluate AF; ES was graded on a scale of 0 to IV. Records were annotated if ...
Type A botulism in horses in the United States: a review of the past ten years (1998-2008). The objective of the current retrospective study was to describe naturally occurring type A botulism in horses in the United States. In the past 10 years, the Botulism Laboratory at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Veterinary Medicine has identified 3 isolated cases and 8 outbreaks of type A botulism in horses via samples positive for Clostridium botulinum type A toxin or spores using the mouse bioassay test. Additional information was obtained by review of submission forms and by telephone or email interviews. Almost all type A cases and outbreaks occurred in the western United Stat...
Cutaneous vasculitis in equines: a retrospective study of 72 cases. Cutaneous vasculitis was identified by histopathological findings in 72 equines. The most frequent clinical findings were crusts/scales and oedema of the legs with the most common underlying disease being photo-aggravated dermatitis. Common laboratory findings were anaemia, neutrophilia, hyperglycaemia and hyperglobulinaemia. Histopathological patterns were most commonly cell-poor and lymphocytic/histiocytic. While statistically supported treatment recommendations could not be made due to the large numbers of confounding factors, trimethoprim-sulfa antibiotics, corticosteroids, and/or resoluti...
Clinical, magnetic resonance, and sonographic imaging findings in horses with proximal plantar metatarsal pain. Sonography is commonly used for diagnosis of desmopathy of the proximal part of the suspensory ligament in horses. However, magnetic resonance (MR) imaging has been stated to be superior for detecting disease and localizing lesions. In this retrospective study of 39 horses or 46 hind limbs with lameness due to proximal plantar metatarsal pain, the clinical and diagnostic findings are discussed and sonography and MR imaging compared for examination of the proximal part of the suspensory ligament. With MR imaging interpreted as the clinical gold standard, desmopathy of the proximal part of the s...
Return to work following unilateral enucleation in 34 horses (2000-2008). REASONS FOR STUDY: The effect of unilateral enucleation on vision and potential loss of performance in horses has received little study. Objective: To evaluate the likelihood of return to prior discipline following unilateral enucleation in horses, assessing the role of age at enucleation, equine discipline, reason for enucleation, time to vision loss and eye enucleated. Objective: Unilateral enucleation has no significant effect on likelihood of return to work in horses, for both right and left eyes, across age and discipline. Methods: A retrospective review of medical records identified 92 h...
Retrospective study of 108 foals with septic osteomyelitis. To determine the clinical characteristics, short-term outcome and future athletic performance of foals with septic osteomyelitis. Methods: Retrospective clinical study of 108 Thoroughbred foals with radiographic evidence of bone infection that were presented at the Scone Veterinary Hospital between August 1995 and December 2001. Medical records were reviewed and information concerning signalment, the clinical, laboratory and radiographic findings, treatment and outcome was obtained. Racing records were obtained and evaluated for surviving foals that had reached racing age. Results: Mean age of...
Concurrent or sequential development of medial meniscal and subchondral cystic lesions within the medial femorotibial joint in horses (1996-2006). Summary Reasons for performing study: Medial meniscal injuries and subchondral cystic lesions (SCL) are known to occur independently within the medial femorotibial (MFT) joint in horses. However, there are no reports of a potential clinical relationship between these 2 types of lesions. Objective: To: 1) document the concurrent presence or sequential development of medial meniscal and SCL of the medial femoral condyle within the MFT joint; and 2) determine the prognosis with both types of lesions. Methods: Retrospective case series of horses with both a medial meniscal and SCL of the medial fe...
Computed tomography of temporal bone fractures and temporal region anatomy in horses. In people, specific classifications of temporal bone fractures are associated with clinical signs and prognosis. In horses, similar classifications have not been evaluated and might be useful establishing prognosis or understanding pathogenesis of certain types of trauma. Objective: We hypothesized associations between temporal bone fracture location and orientation in horses detected during computed tomography (CT) and frequency of facial nerve (CN7) deficit, vestibulocochlear nerve (CN8) deficit, or temporohyoid osteoarthropathy (THO). Complex temporal region anatomy may confound fracture id...
Effect of ‘tongue tie’ use on racing performance of thoroughbreds in the United Kingdom. There is contradictory published evidence on the potential efficacy of 'tongue ties' (TTs) for treatment of intermittent dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP) in racehorses. Objective: To evaluate the effect of TTs on racing performance in Thoroughbred racehorses in the U.K. using a retrospective cohort study. Methods: Data on individual horses' lifetime racing performance and TT use were retrieved from the Racing Post Online Database. Exposed cases were horses that ran with a TT in randomly chosen race meetings on one of 60 randomly chosen dates from 2001-2003. Unexposed (control) hor...
Osseous abnormalities associated with collateral desmopathy of the distal interphalangeal joint. Part 2: treatment and outcome. There are currently few long-term follow-up data relating to recovery from injury of a collateral ligament (CL) of the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint and limited information about the effect of associated osseous injury on prognosis. Objective: To describe long-term follow-up results for horses with CL injury, with and without associated osseous injury; and to determine the effect of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ECSWT) or radial pressure wave therapy (RPWT) on outcome. Objective: Prognosis for return to performance for horses with CL-related osseous injury would be worse than for hor...
Radiographic and scintigraphic evaluation of spondylosis in the equine thoracolumbar spine: a retrospective study. Clinical, radiographic and scintigraphic signs associated with spondylosis of the equine thoracolumbar spine have been poorly documented. Objective: To establish an objective radiographic and scintigraphic grading system for spondylosis lesions; to estimate the prevalence of spondylosis in a population of horses with back pain; and to compare the results of radiography and scintigraphy. Methods: Radiographic images of the thoracolumbar spine from 670 horses with clinical signs of back pain were graded. Scintigraphic images from horses with spondylosis lesions underwent subjective and objective...
Osseous abnormalities associated with collateral desmopathy of the distal interphalangeal joint: part 1. Osseous abnormalities associated with collateral ligament (CL) injury of the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint have been documented using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) but there is currently limited information about the frequency of osseous pathology associated with CL injury. Objective: To determine the frequency of occurrence of osseous abnormality coexistent with CL injury of the DIP joint and describe the distribution and character of osseous lesions; and to establish if there was an association between osseous abnormality and increased radiopharmaceutical uptake (IRU). Objective: The...
Location of radiological lesions of the thoracolumbar column in French trotters with and without signs of back pain. The radiographs of 102 French trotters presented with signs of back pain were reviewed retrospectively, and a control group of 16 French trotters without back pain was analysed. The age, sex, type of race, number of starts, earnings and index of performance were recorded. Radiological evaluation was performed from the 14th thoracic (T14) to the third lumbar (L3) vertebra. Impingement of the spinous processes (ISP), periarticular proliferation of synovial intervertebral articulations (PP-SIA) and sclerosis of SIA (S-SIA) were located and graded. Radiological lesions were identified in 10 (62 pe...
Ultrasonographic findings in 100 horses with tarsal region disorders. Ultrasonographic findings from 100 horses (103 joints) diagnosed with tarsal region pathology are described. Results of standard orthopaedic, radiographic and ultrasonographic examination of the tarsal region were analysed retrospectively. Periarticular swelling and/or synovial effusion was present in 100% of the joints, a wound was observed in 14.5% and 76.7% of the horses that were lame. Abnormalities were detected in 69.7% of joints using radiography and in 100% with ultrasonography. Our results show that the main disease process can affect all aspects of the tarsus. The most common ultraso...
Causes of disease and death from birth to 12 months of age in the Thoroughbred horse in Ireland. A retrospective study was carried out to investigate the causes of disease and death in a population of foals in Ireland during their first 12 months post partum. Foaling and veterinary records from 343 foals on four farms born between January 1, 2004 and May 30, 2008 were reviewed. Among 343 foals, 22 did not survive to 12 months of age. Over the five-year period, the incidence of stillbirth was 1.5% (5/343), mortality 5% (17/338) and overall morbidity was 88.5% (299/338). Morbidity was calculated to include all new conditions brought to the attention of the attending veterinary surgeon, no m...
Third eyelid resection as a treatment for suspected squamous cell carcinoma in 24 horses. Between October 2000 and January 2007, 24 horses were presented with suspected squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the third eyelid. The hospital's medical records were analysed retrospectively to gain data about the cases, and telephone follow-up was obtained from the owners and referring veterinary surgeons. The resected third eyelid was submitted for histological examination in 21 cases; in the other three cases the tissue was not submitted at the owners' request, for economic reasons. SCC was confirmed in 16 of these 21 cases, three cases were diagnosed histologically as lymphoid hyperplasia,...
Echinococcus granulosus infection in humans and livestock in the Coquimbo region, north-central Chile. Cyst echinococcosis (CE) is one of the most important zoonosis in Chile, where studies have focussed mainly in moist southern regions. The present study was conducted to determine the prevalence of cystic echinococcosis (CE) in livestock and humans in the semiarid Coquimbo region in north-central Chile. A review of all surgical cases of CE in humans reported in the Elqui, Limarí and Choapa provinces in Coquimbo region for the period comprising 1995-2006 was obtained. In addition, a retrospective study of CE covering condemnation records from slaughterhouses of these provinces from the same pe...
A retrospective longitudinal study of animal and human rabies in Botswana 1989-2006. A longitudinal study of animal and human rabies covering 18 years from 1989 to 2006 was retrospectively conducted in order to highlight the epidemiological features and trends of the disease in Botswana. Over the 18-year period, a total of 4 306 brain specimens collected from various species of animals including human beings with clinical signs consistent with rabies were submitted to the National Veterinary Laboratory in Gaborone for confirmatory diagnosis. Of the samples submitted, 2419 cases were found to be positive for lyssavirus antigen; this presents an overall prevalence rate of 56.18 ...