Top 20 Equine Diseases Flashcards
A horse presents with acute onset of unilateral blepharospasm,
photophobia, miosis, epiphora, corneal edema.
After a thorough ophthalmic exam with ophthalmoscope, the affected is found to be fluorescein stain positive.
What do you suspect the problem is?
Corneal Ulcers.
The main differential is recurrent Uveitis, but Uveitis will not take stain.
Advanced ulcers will not take stain as the endothelium is either gone (desmetoceles) or covered over (stromal abscesses).
Oleaje, the Andalusian Stallion is being treated with topical antimicrobials, atropine and anticollagenases and maybe even antifungals.
Systemic NSAIDs as Steroids ARE CONTRAINDICATED for this condition.
You recall seeing a picture of his stained eye (green).
What is wrong with Oleaje?
Corneal Ulcer.
Severe cases or animals that are dificult to handle may need subpalpebral lavage.
Conjuctival grafts may also be benefitials in severe cases.
Napoleon the pony, is brought into the clinic and you observe mucopurulent (malodorous) unilateral nasal discharge,
facial swelling and epiphora.
What do you suspect is going on with Napoleon?
And what would you do to Dx?
Sinusitis.
Take a really good look at his teeth.
Take x-rays to evaluate sinus and/or teeth if needed.
Upper airway endoscopy to see where drainage is coming from and rule out other causes of discharge.
Remember Napoleon the pony?
These are the pearls for his issue:
Can be caused by upper respiratory infection.
Most commonly secondary to dental disease, cysts, hematoma or neoplasias.
Chronic cases have guarded prognosis.
Sinusitis, Napoleon has sinusitis.
Treatment consists of dealing with infection if primary, or removing the offending tooth, cyst, etc. using endoscopy if possible, more complicated cases may require frontal sinus trephination.
Why are steroids contraindicated in the treatment of Corneal Ulcers in horses
Steroids slow healing of tissues and can inhibit healing of corneal ulcers.
Lack of dopaminergic inhibition of the pituitary pars
intermedia by hypothalamus leads to development of
functional adenoma in pituitary pars intermedia. See
increased ACTH, alpha-MSH, beta-endorphin, and cortisol
Younger horses with regional adiposity, laminitis, and
insulin dysregulation considered to have “equine
metabolic syndrome”
Cushings Disease in Horses or Pituitary Pars Intermedia Disfunction
What clinical sign would you expect to see in a foal with lethal white syndrome?
Constipation.
Lethal white foals with aganglionosis of the intestines often present with hypomotility, megacolon, constipation, colic, and death.
