Pheochromocytoma in the horse and measurement of norepinephrine levels in horses.
Abstract: Ten cases of pheochromocytoma in horses were obtained from the literature and a computer search of medical records. The clinical, laboratory and pathological features of pheochromocytoma in horses were reviewed. Pheochromocytoma is a catecholamine secreting tumor which tends to occur in older horses without breed or sex predisposition. It is usually unilateral adrenal medullary in location and benign. Malignancy was present in one horse. The most common clinical signs were sweating, tachycardia, tachypnea, muscle tremor and anxiety; however the tumor may be asymptomatic. Clinical signs were nonspecific and could be confused with other diseases, especially abdominal pain. Hyperglycemia is a consistent finding. Venous norepinephrine levels were measured in normal horses. Norepinephrine measurements may prove to be a diagnostic aid in horses with pheochromocytoma.
Publication Date: 1984-01-01 PubMed ID: 17422350PubMed Central: PMC1790512
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research focuses on ten cases of pheochromocytoma in horses, a tumor that produces high levels of catecholamine hormones potentially causing symptoms like sweating, rapid heart rate, and anxiety. The study also presents observed norepinephrine levels in healthy horses that may help to diagnose this condition in the future.
Pheochromocytoma in Horses: An Overview
- The research paper is based on an in-depth examination of ten cases of pheochromocytoma in horses. Pheochromocytoma is a type of tumor which secretes high levels of catecholamine hormones, especially norepinephrine.
- The condition typically occurs in older horses and shows no notable predisposition concerning the sex or breed of the horse.
- Most commonly, the tumor develops in the adrenal medullary of the horse which is usually unilateral (located on one side).
Identification and Symptoms of Pheochromocytoma
- The research reveals that a horse with pheochromocytoma might display a range of clinical signs such as sweating, rapid heart rate (tachycardia), rapid breathing (tachypnea), muscle tremors and anxiety. However, in some instances, the tumor may not show any symptoms and thus be asymptomatic.
- These clinical signs were noted to be nonspecific, meaning they don’t provide conclusive evidence of the presence of pheochromocytoma as they could be symptoms of other diseases like abdominal pain.
- One consistent feature in horses with pheochromocytoma was hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar levels.
- Out of the ten cases studied, malignancy was only present in one, suggesting that these tumors are typically benign or non-cancerous.
Norepinephrine Levels as a Diagnostic Aid
- The level of norepinephrine, a hormone that the tumor secretes, was measured in healthy horses.
- These measurements might serve as a valuable tool in diagnosing pheochromocytoma in horses as high levels of norepinephrine could potentially indicate the presence of the tumor.
Cite This Article
APA
Yovich JV, Horney FD, Hardee GE.
(1984).
Pheochromocytoma in the horse and measurement of norepinephrine levels in horses.
Can Vet J, 25(1), 21-25.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
References
This article includes 15 references
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Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- Drozdzewska K, Gehlen H. Markers for internal neoplasia in the horse. Vet Med Sci 2023 Jan;9(1):132-143.
- Fouché N, Gerber V, Gorgas D, Marolf V, Grouzmann E, van der Kolk JH, Navas de Solis C. Catecholamine Metabolism in a Shetland Pony with Suspected Pheochromocytoma and Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction. J Vet Intern Med 2016 Nov;30(6):1872-1878.
- Husulak ML, Lohmann KL, Gabadage K, Wojnarowicz C, Marqués FJ. Equine motor neuron disease in 2 horses from Saskatchewan. Can Vet J 2016 Jul;57(7):771-6.
- Luethy D, Habecker P, Murphy B, Nolen-Walston R. Clinical and Pathological Features of Pheochromocytoma in the Horse: A Multi-Center Retrospective Study of 37 Cases (2007-2014). J Vet Intern Med 2016 Jan-Feb;30(1):309-13.
- Parry BW. Diagnosis of equine pheochromocytoma. Can Vet J 1984 Aug;25(8):333.
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