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The Most common Equine Diagnostic Plans

Site: EHC | Egyptian Health Council
Course: Equine Medicine Guidelines
Book: The Most common Equine Diagnostic Plans
Printed by: Guest user
Date: Tuesday, 24 December 2024, 12:50 AM

Description

"last update: 28 Oct. 2024"  

- Committee

We would like to acknowledge the committee of National Egyptian Guidelines for Veterinary Medical Interventions, Egyptian Health Council for adapting this guideline.

Executive Chief of the Egyptian Health Council: Prof. Dr Mohamed Mustafa Lotief.

Head of the Committee: Prof. Dr Ahmed M Byomi

The Rapporteur of the Committee: Prof. Dr Mohamed Mohamedy Ghanem.

Scientific Group Members: Prof. Dr Nabil Abd Elgaber, Prof. Dr Ashraf Aldesoky Shamaa, Prof. Dr Amany Abbass, Prof. Dr Dalia Mansour, Dr Essam Sobhy, Dr Mohamed Elsharkawi.

Editor: Dr Mohamed Elsharkawi, Prof Mohamed Ghanem.


- Scope

This guideline outlines the most common methods with its precaution appropriate for the diagnoses of the most equine diseases that are most infectious, non-infectious and zoonotic diseases. For this manual to become an effective document, it is important that the proposed strategies are incorporated into routine protocols and staff training.

➡️The Target audience
The guideline is intended for all veterinarians who are responsible for dealing with equine population as well as whose responsible for veterinary clinics and equine farms owners.  

- Introduction

Diagnostic tests are essential tools for confirming the health status of animals and identifying pathogens. They enable the early detection, management and control of animal diseases including zoonosis, it is important to take into account several basic aspects of the sampling for the laboratory analysis in order to avoid mistakes in this stage which could lead to false conclusions drawn from the interpretation of results:

1. Choosing the right material when carrying out the sampling.

2. Two samples collected in clean/sterile conditions depending on the case.

3. The samples taken should be transported to the laboratory in ice box for the detection of the antigen  .

4. The serum samples must be collected for the detection of antibodies (serology).

5. it is very important to label the samples correctly.

- A detailed case report should be included with the samples

1. Owner's name – farm name

2. Horse ID.

3. Owner complain and clinical signs

4. Gross findings and lesions (including size and anatomic location).

5. previous treatment, including response to treatment (if any) results of relevant diagnostic testing, such as CBC, serum biochemical analysis, cytologic and histologic evaluation, and imaging studies

6. Previous vaccination program.

7. Feeding program.

- The most common equine diagnostic plans

1.    Equine Basic Workup

2.    Equine Pre-purchase Exam Diagnostic Plan

3.    Equine Liver

4.    Large Animal Renal

5.    Dermatology Diagnostic Plan

6.    Equine Abortion Fetal Tissue Diagnostic Plan

7.    Equine Abortion Serology  + Selenium

8.    Equine Chronic Ill Thrift/Weight Loss Plan

9.    Equine Cryptorchid

10. Equine Diarrhea, Adult (Acute) Diagnostic Plan

11. Equine Diarrhea, Adult (Chronic) Diagnostic Plan

12. Equine Diarrhea/Septicemia Foal Acute Diagnostic Plan

13. Equine Fever of Unknown Origin  Diagnostic Plan

14. Equine Respiratory PCR

15. Equine Foal Joint Ill Diagnostic Plan

16. Equine Myopathy Plan

17. Equine Respiratory, Adult Diagnostic Plan

18. Equine Respiratory, Foal Diagnostic Plan

19. Equine Metabolic Syndrome Diagnostic Plan

1. Equine Basic Workup

Tests Performed

Test Code

Samples Needed

Fecal Floatation

 

FLOAT

Fresh feces from animals 3 days or older

Hemogram, Large Animal

 

LA CBC

(2) air dried blood smears

1ml EDTA whole blood (lavender top tube)

Large Animal Chemistry

 

LA P

Heparinized plasma (separated from a green top tube) or

Serum (separated)

Serum Amyloid A

SAA

1ml serum

 -  Ship chilled except for slides which should remain at room temperature.

2. Equine Pre-purchase Exam Diagnostic Plan

Tests Performed

Test Code

Samples Needed

Equine Arteritis Virus (EAV) SN

If stallion, add EVASN

 

EVASN

 

- Serum  

Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) Virus c-ELISA

 

EIAEL

Fecal Floatation

 

FLOAT

-  Fresh feces in leak-proof container.

Hemogram, Large Animal

 

LA CBC

-  (2) Air dried blood smears.

-  EDTA whole blood (lavender top tube).

Large Animal Chemistry

 

LA P

-  Heparinized plasma (separated from a green top tube).

-  Serum (separated).

Equine Drug Screen Level 1 or

 

Equine Drug Screen Level 2

 

 

 

        EQDRUG1


 EQDRUG2

-  8ml Heparinized whole blood (green top tube).

-  4ml of heparinized plasma separated and placed in plain red top tube.

 -  Ship chilled. Slides should be kept at room temperature.

-   If stallion, add Equine Arteritis Virus (EAV) SN on serum. If stallion is known EVA positive, may want to consider Equine Arteritis Virus (EAV) semen isolation (OIE) on semen.  

3. Equine Liver

Tests Performed

Test Code

Samples Needed

A/G Ratio

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-  Heparinized plasma (separated from a green top tube)

-  Serum (separated)

Albumin

 

ALB

Aspartate Aminotransferase

 

AST

Bilirubin  (total, direct, indirect)

 

BILIP

Creatine kinase

 

CK

Gamma Glutamyl Transferase

 

GGT

Globulin

 

 

Glutamate Dehydrogenase, blood

 

GLDH

Sorbitol Dehydrogenase, blood

 

SDH

Total Protein with Albumin and Globulins

 

 

Triglycerides

 

TRIG

 -  Ship chilled.

Interpretations

Bile acid results in most healthy horses are < 11 umol/L. Patients with values higher than this could have hepatobiliary dysfunction or portosystemic shunting, but results are not specific for the type of underlying disease. In horses, slightly increased concentrations (up to 20 umol/L) can result from decreased feed intake lasting several days or longer. Note that bile acid concentrations cannot be accurately interpreted in a patient that has an increased direct (conjugated) bilirubin, since bile acids do not give any indication of hepatic function or portosystemic shunting in the presence of cholestasis.

4. Equine Renal

Tests Performed

Test Code

Samples Needed

Albumin

 

ALB

 

 

 

-       1ml Serum (separated).

-       heparinized plasma.

 

Anion Gap

 

Calcium

CA

Chloride

CL

Creatinine

CREAT

Phosphate (Phosphorus)

P

Potassium

K

Sodium

NA

Urea Nitrogen

BUN

 -  Ship chilled

5. Dermatology Diagnostic Plan

- Deep lesion

Tests Performed

Test Code

Samples Needed

Aerobic bacterial culture                       

 

AER

-          (2) Fresh skin biopsies in plain red top tube with 0.5ml sterile saline to keep moist (not wet).

-          +/- Swab from deep in tissue placed in aerobic transport media (Amies with charcoal).

Fungal Culture                       

 

FUNGCM

Fungal KOH Fluorescent Stain               

 

FUNGKOH

-          Nails, skin scrapings or 10-12 hairs from border lesion

-          Fresh tissue or bodily fluids (systemic fungi/yeast)

-          Prepared slide

Gram Stain     

 

GRAM

-          (2) Fresh skin biopsies in plain red top tube with 0.5ml sterile saline to keep moist (not wet).

Histopathology (biopsy)           

 

HISTO

-          Multiple formalin fixed skin biopsies.

 -  Superficial lesion

Tests Performed

Test Code

Samples Needed

Fungal Culture                       

 

FUNGCM

-          (1) Hair and skin scraping for fungal culture and gram stain sent in a sealable paper envelope.

Gram Stain

GRAM

Fungal KOH Fluorescent Stain               

 

FUNGKOH

-           Skin scrapings or 10-12 hairs from border lesion.

-          Fresh tissue or bodily fluids (systemic fungi/yeast) Prepared slide.

Histopathology (biopsy)           

 

HISTO

-           Multiple formalin fixed skin biopsies.

Skin Scraping            

 

SSE

-          (1) Skin scraping for ectoparasite identification in an escape proof, nonporous container.

 - Deep lesion samples: Ship chilled and protects fixed tissue from freezing.

- Superficial lesion samples: Ship at room temperature and protect from temperature extremes.

- Protect slides from formalin exposure.

6. Equine Abortion Fetal Tissue Diagnostic Plan

Tests Performed

Test Code

Samples Needed

(3) Aerobic Bacterial Culture            

 

AER

-  Submit 3 fresh tissue samples: placenta, lung, and stomach contents - labelled and individually bagged; for individual aerobic culture

Equine Arteritis Virus (EAV) FA           

 

EVAFA

-  Fresh tissue: placenta, liver, lung, kidney - labelled and individually bagged

Equine Herpesvirus PCR       

 

EHVPNL

-  Fresh tissue: lung (preferred), placenta - use only if lung not available

Histopathology          

 

HISTO

-  Formalin-fixed tissue: placenta, liver, lung, brain, adrenal, heart, thymus, small intestine, kidney, and fetal skin

(2) Leptospira PCR                

 

LEPTPCR

-  Submit 2 fresh tissue samples: placenta and fetal kidney preferred; stomach contents acceptable

 Collect fetal heart blood, pleural fluid or abdominal fluid and place in red top tube for possible antibody serology testing.

-   Ship chilled and protects fixed tissue from freezing.

-  Placenta samples will be cultured as one of the 3 aerobic cultures.

7. Equine Abortion Serology + Selenium

Tests Performed

Test Code

Samples Needed

Equine Arteritis Virus (EAV) SN                  

 

EVASN

 

 

 

 

 

 

-  1ml maternal serum (separated)

 

EquineHerpesvirus(Rhinopneumonitis) SN              

EHV1SN

Equine Herpesvirus-4 (EHV-4) SN               

 

EHV4SN

Equine Influenza Virus (EIV) HAI   

 

EIVHAI

Leptospira MAT, 5 standard serovars

 

LEPTO

Selenium, whole blood                      

 

SEL

-  Maternal EDTA whole blood (lavender top tube)

-  Maternal heparin whole blood (lavender top tube)

-  Ship chilled.

-  When acute and convalescent samples are/will be collected, for most serology assays they should always be tested in parallel, and paired results interpreted. If acute samples are submitted alone please indicated if all tests should be performed.  

8. Equine Chronic Ill Thrift/Weight Loss Plan

Tests Performed

Test Code

Samples Needed

ACTH Baseline                     

 

ACTHE

 

 

 

- 3ml EDTA plasma separated from cells and frozen within 4 hours.

 

Insulin Baseline         

 

INSE

ACTH Post TRH       

 

ACTHPOSTTRH1

ACTH Pre TRH                     

 

ACTHPRETRH

Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) Virus c-ELISA                       

EIAEL

- 1ml serum.

Fecal Floatation                     

FLOAT

-  Fresh feces.

Hemogram, Large Animal     

LA CBC

-  (2) unstained, unfixed, air-dried blood smears

Large Animal Chemistry                   

 

LA P

-  Heparinized plasma (separated from a green top tube).

-  Serum (separated).

Peritoneal Fluid Cytology                 

 

PTFE

-  1ml peritoneal fluid in EDTA (lavender top tube); red top tube if culture anticipated plus 2-3 unstained smears.

Sand Recovery Analysis        

SAND

- Feces (8-10 fecal balls).

Selenium, whole blood.

SEL

- EDTA whole blood (lavender top tube).

- Heparin whole blood (green top tube).

Serum Amyloid A                  

SAA VET

- 1ml serum or plasma.

Thyroid , Equine        

THYPALLI

-  2ml serum or plasma.

Vitamin E in serum    

NDIK

-  2ml serum.

Lawsonia intracellularis qPCR                       

LAWPCR

-  Feces, ileum, or tonsillar tissue.

-  Horses with EPM may present with asymmetrical muscle wasting or weakness – diagnostics to consider include Sarcocystis neurona EPM SAG 2,3,4 ELISA and Neospora hughesi ELISA. Both assays are referred to Equine Diagnostic Solutions.

-  Cyathostomiasis (encysted small strongyle larval infection) may cause chronic ill thrift. In these cases the absence of strongyle eggs and larvae on fecal floatation does not rule out a diagnosis of cyathostomiasis.

-  Lawsonia intracellularis, the causative agent of Equine Proliferative Enteropathy, effects horses in the weanling to yearling age range, from approximately 2 to 18 months of age. Rarely adult horses may be affected.

9. Equine Cryptorchid

Tests Performed

Test Code

Samples Needed

Estrone Sulfate          

 

E1S

1ml Serum (separated) or plasma

 

Testosterone baseline            

 

TE

Horses must be at least 3 years of age. If less than 3 years consider HCG or GnRH Response, Testosterone

10. Equine Diarrhea, Adult (Acute) Diagnostic Plan

Tests Performed

Test Code

Samples Needed

Anaerobic Bacterial Culture

 

Clostridium perfringens Genotype PCR

ANAER

 

CPGPCR

-  Fecal swab in anaerobic transport media shipped at room temperature.

-  Clostridium perfringens genotyping PCR to further identify which genes for which toxins are present.

Clostridium difficile Toxins (A/B)                

 

CLDT

-  Feces refrigerated and less than 24 hours old or frozen.

Coronavirus PCR, Beta                     

 

BCOR

-  Fresh feces in leak-proof container.

 

Fecal Flotation                       

 

FLOAT

Hemogram, Large Animal

Examination for blood parasites included           

 

LA CBC

-  (2) Air dried blood smears.

-  EDTA whole blood (lavender top tube).

Large Animal Chemistry                   

 

LA P

-  Heparinized plasma (separated from a green top tube) .

-  Serum (separated).

Lawsonia intracellularis PCR            

 

LAWPCR

-  Feces (most common in 4-7 M old foals but can occur in 3 M  to 13 M  old foals).

Potomac Horse Fever PCR                

 

EHRR

-  EDTA whole blood (lavender top tube).

 

Salmonella culture                 

 

SALM

-  Fecal swab in Amies transport media

-  Fresh fecal sample in sterile container (fill to line on container but do not overfill) or in ParaPak ® transport media to assist with Salmonella recovery.

Selenium, whole blood                      

 

SEL

-  EDTA whole blood (lavender top tube).

-  Heparin whole blood (green top tube).

-  Ship chilled (keep feces for toxin testing frozen) except for ParaPak®, Port-a-cul™ and slides which should be kept at room temperature.

11. Equine Diarrhea, Adult (Chronic) Diagnostic Plan

Tests Performed

Test Code

Samples Needed

Fecal Flotation                       

 

FLOAT

-  Fresh feces in leak-proof container.

Hemogram, Large Animal     

 

LA CBC

-  (2) air dried blood smears.

-  EDTA whole blood (lavender top tube).

Large Animal Chemistry                   

 

LA P

-  Heparinized plasma (separated from a green top tube).

-  Serum (separated).

Salmonella culture                 

 

SALM

-  Fecal swab in Amies transport media

-  Fresh fecal sample in sterile container (fill to line on container but do not overfill) or in ParaPak® transport media to assist with Salmonella recovery.

Sand Recovery Analysis                    

 

SAND

-  Fresh feces in leak-proof container (8-10 fecal balls)

Selenium, whole blood                      

 

SEL

-  EDTA whole blood (lavender top tube).

-  Heparin whole blood (green top tube).

 

12. Equine Diarrhea/Septicemia Foal Acute Diagnostic Plan

Tests Performed

Test Code

Samples Needed

Anaerobic bacterial culture

 

Clostridium perfringens Genotype PCR

 

 

 

ANAER

 

CPGPCR

- Fecal swab in anaerobic transport media shipped at room temperature.

Clostridium perfringens genotyping PCR to further identify which genes for which toxins are present.

(2) Blood Culture, Aerobic       

 

BLDAER

 

-  (2) Inoculated aerobic blood culture bottles.

 

(2) Blood Culture, Anaerobic    

 

BLDAN

Clostridium difficile Toxins (A/B)                     

 

CLDT

-  Fresh feces refrigerated and less than 24 hours old or frozen.

Coronavirus PCR, Beta            

 

BCOR

 

-  Fresh feces in leak-proof container

 

Fecal Flotation 

 

FLOAT

Hemogram, equine                   

 

CBC

-  (2) air dried blood smears.

-  EDTA whole blood (lavender top tube).

Immunoglobulin G, Equine - TIA                      

 

EQUINE IGG

-  Serum (separated).

Equine Chemistry                    

 

LA P

-  Heparinized plasma (separated from a green top tube).

-  Serum (separated).

Rotavirus Antigen Detection Group A               

 

RLA

-  Fresh feces in leak-proof container.

Salmonella culture                    

 

SALM

-  Fecal swab in Amies transport media.

-  Fresh feces in leak-proof sterile container.

-  Fresh fecal sample in sterile container (fill to line on container but do not overfill) or in ParaPak® transport media to assist with Salmonella recovery.

Selenium, whole blood             

 

SEL

-  EDTA whole blood (lavender top tube).

-  Heparin whole blood (green top tube).

Serum Amyloid A                    

 

SAA VET

-  Serum (separated).

-  If septicemia suspected, include (2) Blood cultures, aerobic and (2) Blood cultures, anaerobic.

-  If fecal float is negative, consider Cryptosporidium ELISA and Giardia ELISA which are performed on fecal samples.

13. Equine Fever of Unknown Origin Diagnostic Plan

Tests Performed

Test Code

Samples Needed

Aerobic Bacterial Culture                     

 

AER

 

- Feces, Pleural fluid, Peritoneal fluid, CSF, Tracheal wash.

 

Anaerobic bacterial culture

ANAER           

Anaplasma phagocytophilum

 

PCR

-  Included at a reduced price in the Equine Fever of Unknown Origin PCR   EHRE   .

-  EDTA whole blood in lavender top tube.

Cerebrospinal Fluid Cytology or Peritoneal fluid cytology or Pleural fluid cytology or Tracheal wash cytology

 

CSFE

PTFE

PLFE

TWE   

-  Also submit a red-top tube if culture is anticipated.

-  CSF/Pleural fluid/Peritoneal fluid in EDTA.

-  Smears (at least 2-3 unstained smears preferred).

Coronavirus PCR, Beta

Included at a reduced price in the Equine Fever of Unknown Origin PCR          

BCOR 

 

- Feces

Salmonella culture                    

           

SALM

Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) PCR

 

EEEPCR           

-  EDTA whole blood in lavender top tube.

-  CSF in sterile container.

-  Urine in sterile container.

(3) Blood Culture, Anaerobic    

 

BLDAN           

 

-  Whole blood in blood culture medium. For improved sensitivity, 3 samples 15-20 minutes apart if possible.

 

(3) Blood Culture, Aerobic/Fungal        

BLDAER           

Equine Adenovirus 1 PCR

EAD1  

 

-  Nasal swab or deep pharyngeal swab or trans-tracheal wash or bronchoalveolar lavage or lung tissue.

 

Equine Adenovirus 2 PCR

EAD2

Equine Arteritis Virus PCR

EAR

Equine Rhinitis Virus A PCR

ERHA

Equine Rhinitis Virus B PCR

ERHB

Streptococcus equi Culture       

SEQUCUL

Influenza Virus Matrix PCR

IVMPCR

Streptococcus equi PCR

 

SEQUPCR

Equine Herpesvirus PCR

 

EHVPNL           

-  EDTA whole blood in lavender top tube.

-  Nasal swab or deep pharyngeal swab or trans-tracheal wash or bronchoalveolar lavage or lung tissue.

Equine Parvovirus PCR            

 

EQPVPCR

-  Serum, liver, EDTA whole blood.

Fecal Floatation           

 

FLOAT

-  Fresh feces from animals 3 days or older.

Hemogram, Large Animal        

 

LA CBC           

-  EDTA whole blood in lavender top tube.

Equine Chemistry                    

 

LA P

-  Heparinized plasma (separated from a green top tube).

-  Serum (separated).

Leptospira MAT, 5 standard serovars                

 

LEPTO

 

 

 

-  Serum.

West Nile Virus (WNV) IgG/IgM Capture ELISA Combination                 

           

WNELPL

Serum Amyloid A                    

           

SAA VET

Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) Virus c-ELISA             

           

EIAEL

Potomac Horse Fever PCR

                       

 

EHRR

-  EDTA whole blood in lavender top tube.

Tracheal Wash Cytology                      

 

TWE

-  Tracheal wash fluid in EDTA

-  Smears (at least 2-3 unstained smears preferred)

-  Submit a red-top tube if culture is anticipated.

Urinalysis, Routine                   

 

UA

 

-  Urine in sterile container.

 

Urine Culture   

 

URCUL           

Leptospira Real-time PCR                    

           

LEPTPCR

West Nile Virus (WNV) PCR               

 

WNVPCR

-  CSF.

-  Brain or spinal cord (PM).

For fever in a foal, please refer to Equine Diarrhea/Septicemia, Neonatal Foal Acute Diarrhea Diagnostic Plan.

This diagnostic plan is designed to detect a broad spectrum of systemic bacterial, viral, and some blood parasite causes of acute fever, as well as certain inflammatory changes which may assist in detecting the underlying problems.

- Viral causes of illness are best detected during the first week of illness.

14. Adult equine Fever of Unknown Origin

Tests Performed

Test Code

Samples Needed

Anaplasma PCR                     

 

EHRE

 

 

 

-  EDTA whole blood

Potomac Horse Fever PCR                

           

EHRR

Equine Herpesvirus 1 PCR                

           

EHV1PCR

Equine Herpesvirus 4 PCR                

           

EHV4PCR

Coronavirus PCR       

 

BCOR

-  Fresh feces, colon or colon contents in leak-proof container.

Equine Respiratory PCR                   

 

ERPNL

-  Nasal swab or nasopharyngeal swab or oropharyngeal swab or tracheal wash or bronchoalveolar lavage or lung tissue (PM)

 

15. Equine Foal Joint Ill Diagnostic Plan

Tests Performed

Test Code

Samples Needed

Aerobic Bacterial Culture

           

 

AER

-  synovial fluid sample in transport media.

-  Synovial fluid in EDTA tube (red top tube).

Anaerobic Bacterial Culture              

 

ANAER

-  Synovial fluid in anaerobic transport media.

-  Synovial fluid in EDTA tube (red top tube).

Blood Culture, Aerobic/Fungal                       

 

BLDAER

 

-  Inoculated aerobic/fungal on specific culture media.

 

Blood Culture, Anaerobic                 

 

BLDAN

Hemogram                 

 

LA CBC

-  Two Air dried blood smears.

-  EDTA whole blood.

Immunoglobulin G, Equine - TIA    

EQUINE IGG

-  Serum

Equine Chemistry                  

 

LA P

-  Heparinized plasma

-  Serum

Serum Amyloid A                  

 

SAA VET

-  Serum

Synovial Fluid Cytology

white blood cell count, total protein            

 

JFE

-  Two air dried slides of synovial fluid.

-  Synovial fluid in EDTA tube.


16. Equine Myopathy Plan

Horses with EPM (Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis) may present with asymmetrical muscle wasting or weakness.

Tests Performed

Test Code

Samples Needed

Creatine kinase                      

 

CK

-  1ml Serum or heparinized plasma before exercise and after 15 min of walk/trot.

Selenium, whole blood                       

 

SEL

-  EDTA whole blood.

-  Heparin whole blood.

Vitamin E in serum    

 

NDIK 

-  1ml Serum (separated from clot and protected from light).

 

-  Muscle biopsy recommendations vary depending on the type of equine myopathy suspected.  

-  Genetic testing is required.

17. Equine Respiratory Adult Diagnostic Plan

Tests Performed

Test Code

Samples Needed

 

Aerobic Bacterial Culture                  

 

 

AER

Trans-tracheal washes fluid.

-  Swab of TTW in bacterial transport media.

-  Swab of lung or biopsy of lung tissue aseptically collected and placed in aerobic transport media.

Anaerobic Bacterial Culture  

 

ANAER

 -  Swab of transtracheal wash (TTW) (preferred sample).

-  Swab of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid in anaerobic transport media.

Fungal Culture           

FUNGCM

Equine Herpesvirus PCR

EHVPNL

-  EDTA blood (min. 2ml) Nasal or nasopharyngeal swab in red top tube with 0.5ml sterile saline.

Equine Respiratory PCR

Consists of multiple PCR assays: Equine Herpesviruses 1 and 4, Equine Adenoviruses 1 and 2, Equine Rhinitis viruses A and B, Influenza A virus (matrix), Equine arteritis virus and Streptococcus equi

ERPNL

-  Nasal swab or deep pharyngeal swab (in sterile, sealed vials with several drops of saline added).

-  Transtracheal wash or Bronchoalveolar lavage or lung tissue (in sterile leak-proof containers).

Selenium, whole blood                       

 

SEL

-  EDTA whole blood.

-  Heparin whole blood.

Streptococcus equi Culture                

 

SEQUCUL

-  Nasal swab or deep pharyngeal swab (in sterile, sealed vials with several drops of saline added)

-  Transtracheal wash or Bronchoalveolar lavage 

Tracheal Wash Cytology       

 

TWE

Tracheal wash fluid in EDTA.

-  Smears (at least 2-3 unstained smears preferred).

-  Also submit a red-top tube if culture is anticipated.

-  To maximize sensitivity, it is recommended that both a streptococcus equi PCR (included in the PCR) and a streptococcus equi culture be run in parallel (requiring both a nasal swab in a red top tube with 0.5mL of sterile saline and a nasal swab in bacterial transport media).

18. Equine Respiratory, Foal Diagnostic Plan

Tests Performed

Test Code

Samples Needed

 

Aerobic Bacterial Culture

Rhodococcus equi included               

AER

- A swab inoculated with sample and placed in aerobic transport media (Amies without charcoal).

Transtracheal wash (TTW) (preferred).

Anaerobic Bacterial Culture              

 

ANAER

- A swab inoculated with tracheal wash fluid and placed in anaerobic transport media.

- Fresh lung (>2-3 cm in diameter, minimum size).

- Swab of lung or piece of lung tissue aseptically collected and immediately placed in anaerobic transport media.

Equine Respiratory PCR                   

 

ERPNL

- Nasal or pharyngeal swabs in viral transport media or a red top tube with 0.5ml sterile saline

-  Transtracheal wash (TTW) (preferred)

Fecal Floatation         

FLOAT

-  Fresh feces in leak-proof container.

Fibrinogen (heat-precipitation)

FIB-SCH

-  EDTA whole blood

Fungal Culture                       

 

FUNGCM

-  Swab of transtracheal wash (TTW) (preferred sample) or swab of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid in anaerobic transport media or Amies transport media.

-  Swab of lung or piece of lung tissue in anaerobic transport media or Amies transport media

Hemogram, Equine                

LA CBC

- (2) air dried blood smears.

-  EDTA whole blood (lavender top tube).

Immunoglobulin G, Equine - TIA

EQUINE IGG

-  Serum (separated).

Rhodococcus equi virulence PCR           

REQUPCR     

-  Transtracheal wash (TTW) (preferred).

Tracheal Wash Cytology           

 

TWE  

-  Two air dried slides of fluid.

-  Transtracheal wash (TTW) (preferred).


19 .Equine Metabolic Syndrome Diagnostic Plan

Tests Performed

Test Code

Samples Needed

ACTH Baseline

ACTHEQ

 

 

-  EDTA plasma frozen within 4 hours of obtaining sample.

 

ACTH Pre TRH Response

ACTHPRETRH

ACTH Post TRH 10 min

ACTHPOSTTRH1

ACTH Post TRH 30 min

ACTHPOSTTRH2

Insulin Baseline

INSEQ

Leptin

LEPTIN

Glucose

 

GLU

           

-  Serum (separated)

 

T4 (Thyroxine)

 

T4I

Myoglobin

 

-  Urine sample (spectro)


- References

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2. Bergvall, K. (2005) Advances in acquisition,identication and treatment of equine ectoparasites. Clinical Techniques in Equine Practice, 4, 296–301.

3. Brownlow, M.A., Hutchins, D.R. & Johnston, K.G.(1981) Reference values for equine peritoneal fluid.

4. Casella S, Fazio F, Giannetto C, et al. Influence of transportation on serum concentrations of acute phase proteins in horse. Res Vet Sci 2012; 93: 914–917.

5. Collatos, C., Barton, M.H., Prasse, K.W. & Moore, J.N. (2020) Intravascular and peritoneal coagulation and fibrinolysis in horses with acute gastrointestinal tract diseases. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 207, 465–470.

6. Crisman MV, Kent Scarratt W, Zimmerman KL. Blood proteins and inflammation in the horse. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 2008; 24: 285–297.

7. Di Terlizzi R, Platt SR. The function, composition and analysis of cerebrospinal fluid in companion animals: Part II— Analysis. Vet J 2009;180:18.

8. Donovan, J., and Brown, P. Removal of blood from laboratory mammals and birds: First report of the BVA/FRAME/RSPCA/UFAW Joint working group on refinement. Lab Animal 27, 1-22. (1993) Equine Veterinary Journal, 13, 127–130.

9. Evans, A.G. and Stannard, A.A. (1986)Diagnostic approach to equine skin disease.Compendium Equine, 8, 652–660. Littlewood, J.D. (1997) Diagnostic procedures in equine skin disease. Equine Veterinary Education, 3, 174–176.

10. Furr M. Cerebrospinal fluid and the blood brain barrier. In: Equine neurology. Ames, IA: John Wiley & Sons; 2015, 30–34.

11. 15. Hawk, C.T., Leary, S.T., and Morris, T.H. Formulary for Laboratory Animals (3rd ed.). (Ames, Iowa:Blackwell Publishing, 2005)

12.  McCurnin, D., and Bassert, J. Clinical Textbook for Veterinary Technicians (5th ed.). (Philadelphia, PA: Saunders. 2002).

13.  Murase H, Miyazawa M, Harada T, Ozawa M, Sato F, Hada T. Aborted fetal sizes of thoroughbred horses in Hidaka, Japan, between 2005 and 2015. J Equine Sci. (2017) 28:47–53. doi: 10.1294/jes.28.47.

14. Pascoe, R.R. and Knottenbelt, D.C. (1999)Manual of Equine Dermatology, W.B.Saunders, London.

15. Scott, D.W. and Miller, W.H. (2011) Equine Dermatology, 2nd edn, W.B. Saunders,St. Louis.

16. Sweeney CR, Russell GE. Differences in total protein concentration, nucleated cell count, and red blood cell count among sequential samples of cerebrospinal fluid from horses. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2021;217(1):54–56.

17. Van Hoogmoed, L., Rodger, L.D., Spier, S.J., Gardner, I.A., Yarbrough, T.B. & Snyder, J.R. (1999) Evaluation of peritoneal fluid pH, glucose concentration, and lactate dehydrogenase activity for detection of septic peritonitis in horses. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 214, 1032–1036.

18. Walesby, H.A. and Blackmer, J.M. How to Use the Transverse Facial Venous Sinus as an Alternative Location for Blood Collection in the Horse. In: (Ed.), 49th Annual Convention of the American Association of Equine Practitioners, 2003 - New Orleans, LA, USA. Ithaca: International Veterinary Information Service (www.ivis.org), 2003

19. Reed SM, Furr M, Howe DK, et al. Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis:An updated consensus statement with a focus on parasite biology, diagnostics, treatment, and prevention. J Vet Intern Med 2016; 30: 493. 2.

20. Roach JM, Foote AK, Smith KC, Verheyen KL, de Mestre AM. Incidence and causes of pregnancy loss after day 70 of gestation in Thoroughbreds. Equine Vet J. (2020) 2020:1–8. doi: 10.1111/evj.13386.

21. Weimann, C.D., Thoefner, M.B. & Jensen, A.L. (2002) Spectrophotometric assessment of peritoneal fluid haemoglobin in colic horses: An aid to selecting medical vs. surgical treatment. Equine Veterinary Journal, 34, 523–527.

22. Willard M. Fluid accumulation disorders. In: Willard M., Tvedten H., Turnwald G., editors. Small animal clinical diagnosis by laboratory methods. 1st edition. WB Saunders; Philadelphia: 1989. pp. 229–242.