A retrospective study of Doppler echocardiographic findings in horses referred in a Belgian equine clinic.

Poster (2010, September)

Grass sickness disease

in Courouce-Malblanc, A.; Desbrosse (Eds.) Maladies des chevaux (2010)

Comparison of the Repeatability of Echocardiographic Measurements from Different Modes and Views in Horses of Various Breeds and Sizes

in Journal of Equine Veterinary Science (2010), 30(6), 287-297

The objective of this study was to compare the repeatability of echocardiographic measurements obtained from different echocardiographic modes and views in healthy adult equids of various sizes, breeds ... [more ▼]

The objective of this study was to compare the repeatability of echocardiographic measurements obtained from different echocardiographic modes and views in healthy adult equids of various sizes, breeds and thorax shapes. Ten, free of cardiac disease, equids (body weight: 120 to 662 kg; age: 1 to 26 years) from various breeds were used in this study. Each animal was submitted to a standardized echocardiographic and Doppler protocol 3 times at 1 day interval. This protocol included the measurements of left and right ventricular, aortic, pulmonary, and left atrial parameters obtained from different views using the bidimensional (2D) or the motion (M) modes, and the measurement of several parameters of blood flow obtained from the pulsed wave Doppler mode. Repeatability of each measurement was estimated on the basis of the residual variance using a linear model and the coefficient of variation of repeated measurements. A two by two comparison of the repeatability of measurements performed in different views was performed using the residual variances in a variance ratio F test. Results showed that repeatability of echocardiographic or Doppler measurements in equids of various sizes, breeds and thorax shapes are comparable to previously reported results in thoroughbred and standardbred horses. Left ventricular morphologic parameters showed a good repeatability in the classic M-mode right parasternal short axis (Sax) view at the level of the chordae tendinae, but the 2D-mode right parasternal long axis (LAx) four- chambers view appeared to offer an interesting alternative to measure them. This latter view also allowed obtaining the mostre repeatable measurement of right ventricular internal diameter. The left atrial diameter was maximal and most repeatable in the 2D-mode left parasternal long axisLAx four- chambers angled view, and the repeatability of the aortic diameter was best in the 2D-mode right parasternal long axisLAx five-chambers view. Finally, aortic systolic time intervals were more repeatable when measured from the Doppler mode as compared to the M-mode. ThusIn conclusion, best repeatability of echocardiographic measurements in horses could be optimized following an echocardiographicthe following protocol in equids: 1-M-mode right parasternal short axis view at the level of chordae tendinae, to measure left ventricular morphologic parameters, and 2D-mode right parasternal long axis four-chamber as an alternative view. 2-2D-mode right parasternal long axis five-chambersre, to measure the aortic diameter. 3-2D-mode left parasternal long axis four-chambersre angled view, to measure the left atrial diameter. [less ▲]

Altered diastolic and systolic left ventricular function in horses completing a long distance endurance race

in In Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Equine Exercise Physiology (ICEEP) (2010)

Altered systolic left ventricular function in horses completing a long distance endurance race

in Equine Veterinary Journal. Supplement (2010)

Reasons for performing the study: It is unknown whether exercise-induced cardiac fatigue (EICF), as demonstrated in athletes performing long duration exercise, occurs in endurance horses. Objective: To ... [more ▼]

Reasons for performing the study: It is unknown whether exercise-induced cardiac fatigue (EICF), as demonstrated in athletes performing long duration exercise, occurs in endurance horses. Objective: To examine the effects of a long distance endurance race on left ventricular systolic function in horses. Methods: Echocardiography was performed before and after a 2 or 3 star international endurance race (106 to 132 km) in 11 horses. Systolic (s) and diastolic (d) interventricular and left ventricular free wall thickness (IVS and LVFW, respectively), left ventricular, left atrial and aortic internal diameter (LVID, LA and Ao, respectively), fractional shortening (FS) and ejection fraction (EF) were measured by echocardiography. Heart rate (HR), peak flow velocity (Vmax), flow velocity integral (FVI), ejection time (ET), pre-ejection period (PEP), velocity of circumferential fiber shortening (Vcf), stroke volume (SV) and cardiac output (CO) were measured from aortic Doppler wave recordings. Results: After the race, LVIDd, Ao, LA, EF, FS, FVI, SV, ET and ET indexed for HR were significantly lower and IVSd, LVFWd, HR, PEP, PEP/ET, and Vcf were significantly higher as compared with pre-race values. Pre- to post-exercise changes in those parameters were not significantly correlated with changes in HR or in LVIDd. Conclusions: Results suggest that EICF, with a decrease in left ventricular systolic function, could occur post-exercise in horses performing long duration endurance races. However, a confounding effect of altered preload and heart rate on the studied variables cannot be discounted. [less ▲]

European outbreak of atypical myopathy in the autumn 2009.

in Journal of Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care (2010)

Background: Atypical myopathy (AM) is an acute, severe rhabdomyolysis occurring in grazing horses. Since In the beginning of October 2009, a new outbreak affects started in several European countries ... [more ▼]

Background: Atypical myopathy (AM) is an acute, severe rhabdomyolysis occurring in grazing horses. Since In the beginning of October 2009, a new outbreak affects started in several European countries. Geographic, demographic and clinical data of the reported cases in the month October 2009 are described. Key Findings: The survival rate over the month October 2009 was 25%. The most frequently observed clinical signs were congestedive mucous membranes, dyspnea, tachycardia, depression, weakness, stiffness, recumbency, trembling, transpirationsweating, and myoglobinuria. Non-survivors were significantly more often likely to be recumbent than survivors. Prognostic factors, symptomatic treatment and preventive measures are discussed. Significance: Slight differences were encountered during the described outbreak of AM in October 2009 compared to previous studies. Equine practitioners should be alert aware that previous epidemiological studies have shown that after a high prevalence this autumn, for new cases are likely to occur in the upcoming spring 2010. [less ▲]

Histopathological evaluation of rectal biopsies taken with a uterine biopsy claw in horses

Poster (2009, January 10)

Les cardiomyopathies dans l’espèce bovine

in Annales de Médecine Vétérinaire (2009), 153(3), 156-163

Cardiomyopathies in cattle are disorders that are sometimes encountered by rural practitioner. They usually lead to cardiac dysfunction, heart failure, arrhythmias and even sudden death. Most of ... [more ▼]

Cardiomyopathies in cattle are disorders that are sometimes encountered by rural practitioner. They usually lead to cardiac dysfunction, heart failure, arrhythmias and even sudden death. Most of cardiomyopathies in cattle are of hereditary, nutritional or toxic origin. Bovine cardiomyopathies may involve only one animal as they may affect several animals of the farm and can cause considerable economic losses either in treatment costs, decrease of zootechnical performances or in mortality. The etiological variability of cardiomyopathies as well as non-specificity of clinical signs often complicate the diagnostic approach of the practitioner. In this paper, a literature review on cardiomyopathies that may occur in cattle is proposed. Their different aetiologies and clinical aspects as well as diagnostic means in affected cattle are discussed [less ▲]

Apport de l'épidémiologie clinique dans l'étude des endocardites végétantes chez les équidés (1994-2006)

in Epidémiologie et Santé Animale (2009), 55

Pathologies du système digestif des équidés

Learning material (2009)