Equine congenital defects.
Abstract: In a 13-year survey of equine congenital defects that resulted in death or required euthanasia in central Kentucky, necropsies were performed on 608 deformed fetuses or newborn foals. The following congenital anomalies were observed: contracted foal syndrome (33.2%), miscellaneous limb contraction (20%), multiple defects (5.3%), microphthalmia (4.6%), craniofacial malformations (4.3%), cleft palate (4.0%), heart defects (3.5%), umbilical defects (3.5%), and hydrocephalus (3.0%). Eleven less frequently occurring anomalies constituted the balance of the congenital defects in fetuses and newborn foals.
Publication Date: 1985-02-01 PubMed ID: 3994101
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research article focuses on a study conducted over 13 years, looking into equine congenital defects in central Kentucky that led to death or needed euthanasia. The research involved conducting necropsies on 608 deformed fetuses or newborn foals, revealing a range of defects including contracted foal syndrome, miscellaneous limb contraction, multiple defects, and others.
Exploration of Study and Findings
- The research took place over a period of 13 years, focusing on horses in central Kentucky. The aim was to investigate the prevalence and types of congenital defects (conditions present at birth) that resulted in the death of fetuses or required newborn foals to be euthanized.
- Necropsies – post mortem examinations – were performed on 608 deformed foals, either stillborn or newly born.
- The findings showed a range of congenital anomalies with contracted foal syndrome (a condition causing abnormal posture or positioning) being the most common, observed in 33.2% of the cases.
- Miscellaneous limb contraction (nonspecific disorders causing limb contracture or stiffness) was the second most common anomaly, observed in 20% of the cases.
- Less common but significant anomalies included multiple defects (5.3%), microphthalmia (a disorder causing abnormally small eyes, 4.6%), craniofacial malformations (abnormalities of the skull and face, 4.3%), cleft palate (when the roof of the mouth contains an opening into the nose, 4.0%), heart defects (3.5%), umbilical defects (3.5%), and hydrocephalus (a condition causing build-up of fluid in the brain, 3.0%)
- The remainder of the cases displayed other congenital defects that occurred less frequently.
Significance of the Research
- This research is vital as it provides valuable insight into the prevalence and variety of congenital defects in horses, particularly in the population of central Kentucky.
- Understanding these defects can help vets and horse breeders work towards better preventative measures and treatment plans, potentially reducing the number of fetuses and newborn foals that die or need to be euthanized due to these anomalies.
- The study can also guide future research into congenital horse defects, paving the way for advancements in equine health and veterinary medicine.
Cite This Article
APA
Crowe MW, Swerczek TW.
(1985).
Equine congenital defects.
Am J Vet Res, 46(2), 353-358.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Abnormalities, Multiple / epidemiology
- Abnormalities, Multiple / veterinary
- Animals
- Congenital Abnormalities / epidemiology
- Congenital Abnormalities / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horses
Citations
This article has been cited 8 times.- Ludwig EK, Hallowell K, Womble M, O'Neil E. Bilateral patellar aplasia in a foal.. Vet Med Sci 2023 May;9(3):1143-1148.
- Voss JK, Dubois MS. Redundant mesocolonic mesentery in a Shire colt.. Can Vet J 2021 Feb;62(2):179-183.
- Ducro BJ, Schurink A, Bastiaansen JW, Boegheim IJ, van Steenbeek FG, Vos-Loohuis M, Nijman IJ, Monroe GR, Hellinga I, Dibbits BW, Back W, Leegwater PA. A nonsense mutation in B3GALNT2 is concordant with hydrocephalus in Friesian horses.. BMC Genomics 2015 Oct 9;16:761.
- Shaw SD, Norman TE, Arnold CE, Coleman MC. Clinical characteristics of horses and foals diagnosed with cleft palate in a referral population: 28 cases (1988-2011).. Can Vet J 2015 Jul;56(7):756-60.
- Galvin N, Corley K. Causes of disease and death from birth to 12 months of age in the Thoroughbred horse in Ireland.. Ir Vet J 2010 Jan 1;63(1):37-43.
- Andersson LS, Juras R, Ramsey DT, Eason-Butler J, Ewart S, Cothran G, Lindgren G. Equine Multiple Congenital Ocular Anomalies maps to a 4.9 megabase interval on horse chromosome 6.. BMC Genet 2008 Dec 19;9:88.
- Carstanjen B, Abitbol M, Desbois C. Bilateral Polydactyly in a foal.. J Vet Sci 2007 Jun;8(2):201-3.
- Chauvet AE, Lipsitz D, Burek K, Bailey CS. Pulmonary choristoma in a calf.. Can Vet J 1994 Jul;35(7):441-2.
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