Multicentric Hemangiosarcoma in the Horse: A Case Report

The present article reports a case of multicentric hemangiosarcoma in a 22-year-old Warmblood mare presented for recurrent fever and weight loss. Thoracic ultrasonography showed multiple small areas of pulmonary consolidation. Ultrasonography in the region of the right liver lobe showed the presence of a rounded mass, approximately 24 × 19 cm² in size, extending from the 9th to 14th rib of the right side, characterized by multiple fluid-filled cavities and hypo- and hyperechoic rounded areas. On the left side, several hyperechoic rounded areas were detected in the spleen. Because of sudden onset of hemoperitoneum and worsening of the clinical conditions, the mare was humanely destroyed. Necroscopy confirmed the presence of hepatic, splenic, and pulmonary lesions, and showed further nodules on the stomach wall. The microscopic appearance of the lesions was consistent with hemangiosarcoma with multiple visceral metastases. Because the reported prevalence of equine hemangiosarcoma is as low as 0% to 0.7%, this case report may provide further information and describe one of the possible ultrasonographic patterns of multicentric hemangiosarcoma in horses.     

Schwannoma of the External Auditory Canal in a Filly: A Case Report

Schwannomas of the external auditory canal (EAC) are exceedingly rare in human beings and domestic animals. Herein we describe the clinicopathological and immunohistochemical features of a benign schwannoma arising in the EAC of a 2.5-year-old filly. Microscopically, the mass showed a spindle cell tumor composed of hypocellular Antoni type B areas as a myxomatous arrangement of mesenchymal cells and hypercellular Antoni type A areas displaying short fascicles of densely packed neoplastic cells in the collagenous stroma. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were diffusely positive for S100 protein and vimentin but negative for Ki67. It was concluded that schwannomas should be included in the differential diagnosis of EAC masses, and immunohistochemical markers such as S100 protein can strongly help in differentiating this tumor from other spindle cell tumors.     

Autologous Platelet Concentrates as an Adjunctive Treatment for Chronic Laminitis in a Mare with Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction

The aim of this article was to describe a case of a 7-year-old mare with chronic laminitis secondary to pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction that was successfully treated with autologous platelet concentrates (APC) obtained by the tube method, 4 months before being treated with oral pergolide. After the diagnosis of pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction, the patient was treated with three intralesional injections of APC at 10-day intervals. APC presented a mean concentration of 430 ± 22 × 10⁶ platelets and 8.6 ± 1.3 leukocytes/mL. The treatment with APC produced growth of the hooves at a rate of 5 mm/wk and substantially reduced the foot pain (lameness) after two APC applications. The mare could be ridden 2 weeks after the third APC treatment. The treatment with oral pergolide 4 months later improved the clinical picture of the patient, albeit hirsutism remained. APC could be useful as adjunctive treatment of chronic laminitis in horses. However, additional clinical studies are necessary to determine the safety and effectiveness of APC in chronic laminitis.     

Cervical Vertebral Osteomyelitis With Secondary Septic Arthritis of the Atlantoaxial Joint in a Foal: A Case Report

A 36-day-old, 100-kg Thoroughbred colt was presented with a sudden onset of abnormal head carriage and pyrexia. Radiography revealed an osteomyelitis of the vertebral body of the second cervical vertebra. Ultrasonography revealed abscessation in the region of the atlantoaxial articulation on the left side, and fluid aspirated from the abscess confirmed suppurative inflammation. Surgical management was not feasible on economic grounds, and therefore this case was managed with aggressive medical therapy based on the most likely pathogens involved. To provide prolonged antibiotic therapy within the client’s budget, the antibiotic flucloxacillin (Staphlex, 500 mg) was used at a dose of 10 mg/kg by mouth, three times daily. Thirty-eight days after first presentation, the foal was euthanized because of chronic pain and deterioration in neurologic signs. A diagnosis of chronic osteomyelitis of the body of the second cervical vertebra (axis) was made with concurrent septic arthritis of the atlantoaxial joint involving the articular surface of the first cervical vertebra (atlas) and cervical myelopathy of the spinal cord within the first two vertebrae. No pathogens were isolated post mortem. This is the first report to describe the use of flucloxacillin in a foal. Although the outcome was fatal, the medical therapy provided could be considered successful at sterilizing the bony lesion.     

Long-term Treatment of Insulin-insensitive Mares with Cabergoline: Effects on Prolactin and Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone Responses to Sulpiride and on Indices of Insulin Sensitivity

The main experiment assessed whether the inhibitory effects of the dopamine agonist, cabergoline, on prolactin and α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH) concentrations would persist throughout a longer-term administration (65 days). The possible effect of cabergoline on insulin sensitivity was also studied. Ten mares known to be insulin insensitive were allotted to two groups (treated vs. control). An insulin challenge, a glucose tolerance test, and a sulpiride challenge were administered before treatment. On day 0, treated mares (n = 5) received an injection of 5 mg cabergoline in slow-release vehicle; control mares (n = 5) received an equivalent vehicle injection. Injections were repeated every 10 days for a total of seven injections. Sulpiride challenges were done 1 day before each cabergoline treatment to assess possible refractoriness to the treatment. Behavior and hair coat density were also monitored. Plasma prolactin was suppressed (P < .01) to undetectable levels in mares receiving cabergoline; control mares had robust prolactin responses to each sulpiride injection. There was no indication of refractoriness to cabergoline over time. Plasma MSH concentrations after sulpiride were also suppressed (P < .05) by cabergoline. After treatment, neither the glucose response to insulin nor the insulin response to glucose differed (P > .1) between groups. No behavioral changes were noted because of treatment. Weight of hair samples indicated that cabergoline perturbed (P < .05) winter coat growth. It is concluded that 5 mg of cabergoline in slow-release vehicle administered every 10 days is an effective way of delivering dopaminergic activity to mares that results in no noticeable detrimental effects and no refractoriness to the drug.     

A Retrospective Analysis of 2,253 Cases Submitted for Endocrine Diagnosis of Possible Granulosa Cell Tumors in Mares

Endocrine diagnoses of granulosa cell tumors (GCTs) in the mare are frequently based upon determination of serum concentrations of inhibin, testosterone, and progesterone (GCT panel). In the present study, we examined results from 2,253 samples submitted for determination of GCT panel. In an additional subset of samples (n = 75), diagnosis of GCT was confirmed based upon surgery or necropsy. The objective of the current study was to examine the agreement between serum inhibin and testosterone concentrations in mares with serum progesterone concentrations less than or ≥1 ng/mL. Across all samples, elevations in serum inhibin or testosterone were noted in 15.2% or 17.3% of samples, respectively. For samples with progesterone <1 ng/mL, more (P = .001) samples had elevated inhibin than elevated testosterone, whereas for samples with progesterone ≥1 ng/mL, more (P < .0001) samples had elevated testosterone than elevated inhibin. For samples with progesterone <1 ng/mL, the agreement between elevated inhibin and testosterone was greater than that for samples with progesterone ≥1 ng/mL. In a subset of 53 samples with progesterone ≥1 ng/mL, 28 samples had endocrine evidence of a granulosa cell tumors based upon elevations of serum anti-Müllerian hormone, and 4 of these samples had endocrine evidence of pregnancy based upon estrone sulfate concentrations. For samples from mares with confirmed GCTs, 85% and 55% had elevated inhibin or testosterone, respectively. Based upon endocrine diagnosis, GCTs occur in mares with elevated progesterone and/or estrone sulfate, albeit at a low rate.     

The Effect of Cloprostenol on the Incidence of Multiple Ovulation and Anovulatory Hemorrhagic Follicles in Two Mares: A Case Report

Reproductive records of the entire lives of two mares with abnormally high incidence of multiple ovulation and hemorrhagic anovulatory follicles were analyzed retrospectively. Chi-square analysis was used to test statistically the effect of cloprostenol, a prostaglandin F2 analog, on the incidence of multiple ovulations, hemorrhagic anovulatory follicles, and its ultrasonographic appearance. A total of 319 estrous cycles during a 17-year period were analyzed. Cycles induced with cloprostenol were more likely (P < .000) to develop hemorrhagic anovulatory follicles than spontaneous cycles. The incidence of multiple ovulation was higher in induced cycles than in spontaneous cycles in one of the two mares.     

A Case of Bronchioloalveolar Carcinoma in a Mare

A case of pulmonary carcinoma in a 23-year-old Quarterhorse mare is described. On physical examination, depression, poor body condition, tachypnea, bilateral serosanguineous nasal discharge and a wide area of reduced breath sounds in association with the right hemithorax were detected. Laboratory evaluation showed leukocytosis with neutrophilia and lymphopenia, hyperfibrinogenemia, hyperprotidemia, hypoalbuminemia, increased beta 2 and gamma globulin fractions, hypoxemia, and normocapnia. Radiography and thoracic ultrasonography revealed a large rounded mass extending from the 9th to the 14th right intercostal space, where neither bronchial nor vascular structures were detectable. Endoscopy showed a large amount of serosanguineous fluid within the tracheal lumen and a mass of reddish soft tissue completely obliterating the right caudal lobar bronchus. Histopathology of the endobronchial mass and of the transthoracic ultrasound-guided biopsy samples was consistent with a primary pulmonary epithelial tumor. Due to worsening of the clinical condition, the mare was euthanized. Postmortem examination confirmed the presence of a large 30-cm mass located in the right caudal pulmonary lobe, characterized by epithelial cells arranged in papillary projections and alveolar structures, findings consistent with bronchioloalveolar carcinoma.     

Exophthalmos Caused by Chronic Sinusitis in a Horse: A Case of Exophthalmos Caused by Sinusitis

A 12-year-old Thoroughbred gelding exhibited a unilateral exophthalmos on the left side. There had been no other clinical symptoms, such as rhinorrhea, before the first consultation. Clinical, hematologic, plasma biochemical, cytologic, and computed tomography (CT) examinations and complete necropsy were performed. These examinations did not reveal neoplastic lesions. CT images suggested that maxillary and frontal sinuses may have been filled with fluid. Cytologic and pathologic examinations revealed that the maxillary and orbital bones were pushed up with a large amount of the inflammatory fluid effused by chronic sinusitis. The CT and cytologic examinations were of great use for differential diagnosis in this case. This was an unusual case of exophthalmos induced by deformation of the orbital bones resulting from chronic sinusitis.     

猪附红细胞体病的诊治报告

2012年7月,南宁市郊某猪场因引进猪不慎而引发了一起以体温升高、呼吸困难、黄疸和贫血为特征的疾病,发病率为50%,病死率为4.2%,死亡率为2.1%;经过临床症状、病理解剖和实验室检查,诊断为猪附红细胞体病,用药治疗7d,除3头危重病猪淘汰外,其余基本治愈,治愈率达97%以上。结果表明,猪附红细胞体病的诊断需要结合临床症状、病理解剖和实验室检查做出综合分析,对猪附红细胞体较敏感的药物为贝尼尔和盐酸多西环素。     

Contribution to the Understanding of Unexplained Death of Pasturing Horses in the North of Spain: A Retrospective Case Series

The aim of this work was to study a retrospective case series of acute degenerative myopathy, which caused high mortality in adult horses grazing in a specific region of Spain, in relation to a possible etiopathogenesis. Outbreaks of myopathy occurred in December of 1999, 2003, 2009, and 2011 after an abrupt fall in temperatures and the first snowfalls. Ten horses were necropsied, and an exhaustive gross and histopathological examination was performed using specific histochemical stainings to evaluate muscle and cardiac damage. Intense myodegeneration, affecting the postural and respiratory muscles and the muscles involved in swallowing, was the main finding. A further consistent finding was necrosis of Purkinje fibers in the myocardium. Serum concentration values of creatine kinase, selenium, and vitamin E, as well as blood concentration values of glutathione peroxidase activity, were determined in 10 horses clinically affected and in another 12 horses with no clinical signs. In the affected horses, creatine kinase was high and reached values over 10,000 U/L. Selenium values were deficient in the horses affected, ranging from 4.2 to 10.5 μg/g (reference range: >50 μg/L) in selenium-untreated horses, and also, selenium values in 11 horses with no clinical signs were below the reference range. Glutathione peroxidase activity was below the reference range in all the analyzed sera, and vitamin E values were also below the reference range in four horses. The severe selenium deficiency together with a sudden arrival of unfavorable weather conditions seemed to provoke the arising of this disease. The presence of Eupatorium cannabinum in this valley is discussed as a possible source of the phytotoxin associated with rhabdomyolysis.     

Unusual Polydactylism in a Foal: A Case Report

A 2 month old quarter horse colt had multiple skeletal abnormalities of the left fore limb, including two supernumerary metacarpal bones, two supernumerary carpal bones, abnormal carpal bone development, and a valgus deformity originating at the carpal joint. The largest supernumerary metacarpal bone was removed completely, a portion of the smaller supernumerary metacarpal bone was removed, and the leg was placed in a tube cast. Surgical treatment improved the clinical appearance and prevented further injury to the limb. The carpal joint width remained increased but the carpal valgus deformity partially responded to hemicircumferential periosteal transection. The foal was sound 2 1/2 years after surgery.     

Diagnosis and Surgical Management of Pythiosis in Draft Horses: Report of 33 Cases in Egypt

A total of 33 draft horses suffering from cutaneous pythiosis were referred to Mansoura Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Egypt, between October 2008 and January 2011. The animals presented ulcerative, granulomatous lesions located at the ventral aspect of the thorax (n = 10), abdomen (n = 14), forelimbs (n = 5), hind limbs (n = 2), and presternal region (n = 1) and at withers (n=1). The animals suffered from ulcerations composed of whitish yellow tissue having numerous draining tracts that discharge serosanguineous or bloody exudates. Initial diagnosis was based on location, gross lesion, and presence of kunkers. Histopathological evaluation revealed an eosinophilic granulomatous reaction associated with intralesional hyphae characteristic of Pythium insidiosum visualized by Gomori methenamine silver stain. The outcome of surgical excision revealed complete cure in 24 cases. Euthanasia was indicated in 9 cases.     

一例奶牛发生牛支原体肺炎的诊断

牛支原体是严重影响养牛业发展的重要病原。2008年我们报道牛支原体导致＂肉牛传染性牛支原体肺炎＂以来,主要在肉牛发现该病。本文从临床出现类似症状的运输后发病奶牛采集样本,经细菌培养和支原体培养、特异性PCR扩增和16S rRNA测序等病原学检测证实为牛支原体感染。     

Postoperative Myositis in a Neonatal Foal: A Case Report

A foal with azotemia, acidemia, and electrolyte abnormalities was diagnosed with uroperitoneum. The foal was anesthetized with isoflurane, and throughout the 4 hours of anesthesia and abdominal surgery, its mean arterial pressure ranged between 45 and 65 mm Hg. The foal developed a myopathy postoperatively and died 24 hours after surgery.     

Suspected Tension Pneumomediastinum In A Dog: A Case Report

Successful resuscitation of a trauma-induced, suspected tension pneumomediastinum in a dog is presented. The cause was a caudal cervical penetration wound which acted as a one-way valve allowing air to enter, but not exit, the cranial mediastium. Early in the course of hospitalization, respiratory and cardiovascular collapse occurred; an emergent parasternotomy allowed decompression of the mediastinum, and the cradiovascular system immediately responded. The dog made a complete recovery following surgical exploration and removal of contaminated mediastinal tissue. Nine days of intensive care included 24-hour monitoring, oxygen therapy, intravenous crystalloids and colloids, continuous pleural suctioning, nutritional support, antibiotics, and pain control.