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ABSTRACT: Clinical tendon lesions usually enlarge during the first days to weeks after sustaining the injury due to enzymatic and biomechanical influences. Limiting this enlargement would positively influence prognosis related to lesion size.
To investigate the effect of cyclic loading on the propagation of enzymatically and physically induced tendon lesions and to assess the effect of immobilisation thereon in an ex vivo model.
Equine cadaver limbs with either physically or collagenase-induced SDFT lesions were placed in a pneumatic loading device. Groups consisted of unloaded limbs, cyclically loaded limbs and cyclically loaded limbs with fibreglass cast immobilisation. Lesion size was evaluated ultrasonographically and macroscopically and load at failure was determined for groups where lesions enlarged.
Physically induced lesions did not propagate after cyclical loading and were not further investigated. Collagenase-induced lesions propagated significantly more after cyclical loading compared to unloaded limbs. This propagation could effectively be reduced by immobilisation through a lower limb cast. Immobilisation did not influence load at failure.
The combination of enzymatic and mechanical stimulation caused the lesions to propagate most. Casting appeared effectively to reduce the enlargement of the original tendon lesions in this ex vivo model, while it did not affect ultimate tendon strength. Potential relevance: As prognosis of tendon injuries is related to lesion size, the outcome of this study warrants further investigations in vivo.
Equine Veterinary Journal 07/2010; 42(5):407-11. · 1.46 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: An extreme form of abnormal development, dwarfism, is common in man and some animals, but has not been officially reported in horses. Within the Friesian horse breed, congenital dwarfism has been recognised for many years, but no detailed report exists on its phenotype. The most salient feature of the dwarf syndrome is the physeal growth retardation in both limbs and ribs. Affected animals have approximately 25% shorter fore- and hindlimbs and approximately 50% reduced bodyweight. Postnatal growth is still possible in these animals, albeit at a slower rate: the head and back grow faster than the limbs and ribs leading to the characteristic disproportional growth disturbance. Thus, adult dwarfs exhibit a normal, but a relatively larger head conformation, a broader chest with narrowing at the costochondral junction, a disproportionally long back, abnormally short limbs, hyperextension of the fetlocks and narrow long-toed hooves. Furthermore, a dysplastic metaphysis of the distal metacarpus and metatarsus is radiographically evident. Microscopic analysis of the growth plates at the costochondral junction shows an irregular transition from cartilage to bone, and thickening and disturbed formation of chondrocyte columns, which is similar to findings in osteochondrodysplasia.
Equine Veterinary Journal 06/2008; 40(3):282-7. · 1.46 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The hypothesis that hypocalcaemia may play a role in dystocia in captive Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) was investigated. The objectives of the study were to measure the total calcium concentration in elephant plasma; assess the changes in parameters of calcium metabolism during a feeding trial; investigate a possible relationship between calcium metabolism and dystocia; and assess bone mineralisation in captive Asian elephants in vivo. The following parameters were measured: total and ionised calcium, inorganic phosphorous and magnesium, the fractional excretions of these minerals, intact parathyroid hormone, 25-OH-D(3) and 1,25-OH-D(3). Radiographs were taken from tail vertebrae for assessment of bone mineralisation. The mean (sd) heparinised plasma total calcium concentration was 2.7 (0.33) mmol/l (n=43) ranging from 0.84 to 3.08 mmol/l in 11 Asian elephants. There was no significant correlation between plasma total calcium concentration and age. Following feeding of a calcium rich ration to four captive Asian elephant cows, plasma total and ionised calcium peaked at 3.6 (0.24) mmol/l (range 3.4 to 3.9 mmol/l) and 1.25 (0.07) mmol/l (range 1.17 to 1.32 mmol/l), respectively. Plasma ionised calcium concentrations around parturition in four Asian elephant cows ranged from 0.37 to 1.1 mmol/l only. The present study indicates that captive Asian elephants might be hypocalcaemic, and that, in captive Asian elephants, the normal plasma concentration of total calcium should actually be around 3.6 mmol/l and normal plasma concentration of ionised calcium around 1.25 mmol/l. Given the fact that elephants absorb dietary calcium mainly from the intestine, it could be concluded that elephants should be fed calcium-rich diets at all times, and particularly around parturition. In addition, normal values for ionised calcium in captive Asian elephants should be reassessed.
The Veterinary record 05/2008; 162(15):475-9. · 1.25 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Systematically performed EMG needle examination of muscles provides essential information about the functional aspects of the motor unit. However, clinical studies in which information is given on the diagnostic and discriminative values of electromyography (EMG) in the horse are scarce.
To determine to what extent inclusion of EMG analysis in clinical examination contributes to determination of type and localisation of abnormality.
EMG analysis, complete clinical examination and diagnosis of 108 horses (mean +/- s.d. age 75 +/- 3.8 years; bodyweight 548 +/- 86 kg; height 1.67 +/- 0.07 m) were performed, and results without and with EMG analysis compared.
Without EMG, myopathy and neuropathy were diagnosed in 20 and 58 horses, respectively, and with EMG in 17 and 82 horses. EMG changed localisation in myopathy and neuropathy in 12 and 37% of cases, respectively. Lesions in the C1-T2, T2-L3 and L3-S3 segments were, respectively, diagnosed without EMG in 7, 11 and 30%, and with EMG in 27, 7 and 17% of cases. Where no clinical diagnosis could be made prior to EMG, many patients appeared to be suffering from localised cervical lesions (29%) or generalised neuropathy (54%).
The assistance of EMG in discriminating between normal, neuropathy and myopathy, and in locating pathology, contributes to diagnosis of neuromuscular problems.
Equine Veterinary Journal 01/2005; 36(8):718-22. · 1.46 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: A method is proposed to identify leukocyte subpopulations in bovine bronchoalveolar lavage fluid by dual-laser flow cytometry. The technique uses several parameters, i.e., exclusion of highly autofluorescent alveolar macrophages and inclusion of leukocytes on the basis of labeling by specific antibodies and light scatter characteristics.
Clinical and Diagnostic Laboratory Immunology 08/2004; 11(4):795-8. · 2.51 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The occurrence of unexpectedly high numbers of horses with neurological signs during two outbreaks of strangles required prompt in-depth researching of these cases, including the exploration of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a possible diagnostic technique.
To describe the case series and assess the usefulness of MRI as an imaging modality for cases suspected of space-occupying lesions in the cerebral cavity.
Four cases suspected of suffering from cerebral damage due to Streptococcus equi subsp. equi infection were examined clinically, pathologically, bacteriologically, by clinical chemistry (3 cases) and MRI (2 cases). In one case, MRI findings were compared to images acquired using computer tomography (CT).
In all cases, cerebral abscesses positive for Streptococcus equi subsp. equi were found, which explained the clinical signs. Although the lesions could be visualised with CT, MRI images were superior in representing the exact anatomic reality of the soft tissue lesions.
The diagnosis of bastard strangles characterised by metastatic brain abscesses was confirmed. MRI appeared to be an excellent tool for the imaging of cerebral lesions in the horse.
The high incidence of neurological complications could not be explained but possibly indicated a change in virulence of certain strains of Streptococcus equi subsp. equi. MRI images were very detailed, permitting visualisation of much smaller lesions than demonstrated in this study and this could allow prompt clinical intervention in less advanced cases with a better prognosis. Further, MRI could assist in the surgical treatment of brain abscesses, as has been described earlier for CT.
Equine Veterinary Journal 04/2003; 35(2):146-51. · 1.46 Impact Factor
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