International News | EQUINE
Cutaneous lymphangitis can become chronic if
left untreated or if treatment is ineffective. Chronic
expansion of the subcutis by edematous fluid due to
faulty lymphatic vessels can result in the deposition of
fibrous tissue and permanent limb disfigurement. This
emphasizes the importance of rapid diagnosis and
treatment of cutaneous lymphangitis.
Sporadic lymphangitis, also known as “Monday
morning leg,” can also result in swollen distal hindlimbs.
This condition can develop in horses that are stabled
or immobile for extended lengths of time, typically
days or more. The cause of sporadic lymphangitis is
not well understood, but luckily the condition typically
resolves after exercise.
Cutaneous lymphangitis is occasionally diagnosed
at the University of Kentucky Veterinary Diagnostic
Laboratory. However, the exact frequency of the
condition cannot be easily estimated through typical
diagnostic submissions, because diagnoses are
frequently made by veterinarians in the field and don’t
require extensive diagnostic evaluations.
CONTACT: Dr. Alan Loynachan, [email protected], (859)
257-8283, Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, University of Kentucky,
Lexington, Kentucky
Eye Neoplasia
Neoplasia is the abnormal growth of tissue which,
if it forms a mass, is commonly known as a tumor.
Neoplasia may be benign (tends to be less destructive)
or malignant (tends to be invasive and may spread
to other tissues). The spread of a tumor is known
as metastasis. Tumors of the eye itself are very rare
in horses, but tumors of the structures around the
eye are surprisingly common. The most commonly
diagnosed types of neoplasia in this area are sarcoids,
melanomas, and squamous cell carcinomas. Other
tumors such as lymphoma and mast cell tumors may
also be found. Most tumors around the eye of the horse
do not metastasize, but they can be locally aggressive
and have serious effects on the welfare and use of the
horse. Early treatment of eye neoplasia is therefore
strongly recommended.
Sarcoids are believed to be the most common skin
tumor of the horse and can be seen in various forms.
Sarcoids that occur around the eye are frequently
more aggressive in nature, invading into the eyelid
musculature, especially those located on the upper
eyelid. Horses will usually have additional sarcoids
in other locations, so a thorough examination of the
horse is recommended to identify any other lesions
that need to be treated. Traditionally, sarcoids were
often left without treatment, but as they almost
invariably become larger and more difficult to treat,
early intervention is strongly recommended to avoid
long-term sequelae. Treatment may involve topical or
intralesional chemotherapy, surgical procedures (most
successfully by laser surgical removal), or radiotherapy.
No single treatment is 100% successful for these
difficult lesions. Radiation has the highest reported
• Volume 20 Issue 2 | July 2018 •
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