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EQUINE VETERINARY EDUCATION / AE / FEBRUARY 2022


Diagnostic methods and tools for investigation of horses with performance or rideability issues clinically suspected to be related to pain


Musculoskeletal pain


Orthopaedic examination


Gait evaluation:


• In hand, on the lunge, and ridden • Flexion tests


• Inertial sensor systems


Oral and dental pain


Oral and dental examination


• Extra-oral structures


• Oral soft tissues • Occlusion


• Periodontal status


• Endodontic status


Diagnostic analgesia


Dental imaging Diagnostic imaging


•Radiography •CT


• Ultrasound • Radiography •CT • MRI • Scintigraphy


Systemic analgesic testing


Neurological examination


Blood work: Measurement of AST and CK


Fig 1: Diagnostic methods and tools for the evaluation of horses presenting with poor performance or rideability issues clinically suspected to be related to pain of either musculoskeletal, oral or visceral origin.


horses, wherefore a comprehensive oral and dental examination may be required in the diagnostic work-up. The identification of oral and dental abnormalities requires a complete evaluation of extra-oral structures, oral soft tissues,


© 2020 EVJ Ltd


occlusion, periodontal status and endodontic status (Henry and Rice 2017). To aid diagnosis of disorders involving the apical regions and reserve crowns, dental imaging such as radiography or computed tomography may also be


Ridden


examination with and without a bit


Urogenital work up


• Examination of external genitalia


• Transrectal palpation and ultrasonography


Diagnostic blocks on the tissues of the oral cavity


• Urinalysis


• Palpation and local analgesia of spermatic cord stump or inguinal region (geldings)


Visceral pain


Gastrointestinal work up


Miscellaneous Routine


haemotology and biochemistry


• Gastroscopy


• Faecal worm egg count


• Faecal sand sedimentation test


• Transrectal palpation


• Abdominal


ultrasonography • Enteral biopsies


Caudal epidural analgesia


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