Ultrasonography of the spleen, kidneys and bladder in healthy Mangalarga Marchador horses across different life stages.

Research Overview

• This study established breed-specific normal ultrasound measurements and anatomical descriptions of the spleen, kidneys, and bladder in healthy Mangalarga Marchador horses at various life stages.
• The research provides important reference data that can be used to evaluate the health and development of these organs in this particular horse breed.

Purpose and Objectives

• To define normal ultrasonographic reference values for key abdominal organs (spleen, kidneys, bladder) in Mangalarga Marchador horses.
• To describe the anatomical features and sonographic characteristics of these organs across different ages.
• This helps veterinarians differentiate normal developmental changes from pathological conditions specific to the breed.

Methods

• Sample: 88 healthy Mangalarga Marchador horses, both male and female.
• Age range: From neonates (1, 7, 15 days old), through monthly intervals until 11 months, and then at 1, 3, and 5 years old.
• Procedure: Abdominal ultrasonography was performed to image the spleen, kidneys, and bladder.
• Measurements included:
  • Spleen width
  • Renal length and width
  • Cortex and medulla thickness in kidneys
  • Length of renal pelvis
  • Bladder wall thickness

Results

• Organ sizes varied notably during the early months of life, reflecting developmental growth.
• Bladder location changed with age; specifically, it was visible in the inguinal region near the coxofemoral joint on both sides up to 4 months of age.
• The study successfully documented normal ranges for all measured parameters, reflecting normal anatomy and sonographic appearance for this breed.

Conclusions and Significance

• This is the first study to provide breed-specific ultrasonographic reference data for the spleen, kidneys, and bladder in Mangalarga Marchador horses.
• The reference values and anatomical descriptions serve as important diagnostic benchmarks for veterinarians.
• Knowledge of how organ size and location change from birth through adulthood in this breed can improve diagnostic accuracy and monitor health status.
• These findings can also aid in detecting abnormalities or diseases by comparing affected animals against established normal values.