Omneity® Pellets
All-In-One Vitamin & Mineral Pellet
Topic:Animal Health
Animal Health encompasses a broad range of topics focused on maintaining and improving the well-being of equine species. This field addresses various aspects of horse care, including disease prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and management of health conditions. Key areas of interest include equine nutrition, vaccination protocols, parasite control, dental care, and the management of chronic conditions such as laminitis and colic. Additionally, animal health research in horses investigates the impact of exercise and training on physical health, the role of genetics in disease susceptibility, and the development of new therapeutic approaches. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the latest advancements, challenges, and best practices in preserving and enhancing the health of horses.
Exhaled breath condensate in horses: a first microbiological insight. Exhaled breath condensate (EBC) is a non-invasive method for obtaining samples reflecting the airway lining fluid; however, its microbiological composition remains poorly characterized. Objective: To perform an exploratory microbiological comparison of EBC in clinically healthy horses maintained under different environmental conditions. Methods: An observational study included 30 mares equally distributed into two groups: horses housed in stalls (Racetrack group) and horses maintained under pasture conditions (Farm group). EBC samples were collected using a validated device developed by the re...
Use of Sildenafil Citrate for the Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction in Stallions: First Case Reports. Pharmacological aids can be useful alternatives to enhance penile erection and/or improve ejaculatory function, thereby prolonging the reproductive life of stallions with ejaculatory disorders. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of sildenafil citrate in the treatment of erectile dysfunction and on semen quality in two aged stallions, a Quarter Horse (18 years) and a Mangalarga Marchador (25 years), presented to the Veterinary Hospital of FMVZ-UNESP, Botucatu, SP, Brazil. The treatment consisted of oral administration of sildenafil citrate at 0.2 mg/kg. Thirty minutes after administ...
Evaluation of mosquito transmission of equine hepacivirus in laboratory and field studies. Equine hepacivirus (EqHV) is a hepatotropic virus, closely related to human hepatitis C virus (HCV), that can cause acute or chronic infection in horses. As with HCV, transmission is thought to occur primarily through parenteral, particularly blood-borne, routes. Vertical transmission from mare to foal has been reported but appears to be uncommon. The high seroprevalence in horse populations and the occurrence of infection in isolated horses indicate efficient horizontal transmission routes exist. One such possibility is biological or mechanical transmission by arthropods, such as mosquitoes, ...
Fatal equine gas gangrene associated with Clostridium septicum in the Brazilian Amazon: clinicopathological and molecular characterization of a 20-case series. Clostridial gas gangrene is an acute necrotizing infection of skeletal muscle characterized by rapid tissue destruction and severe systemic toxemia in horses; however, systematically documented case series from tropical settings remain scarce. Here, we describe a clinicopathological and molecularly confirmed series of 20 fatal equine gas gangrene cases diagnosed in the eastern Brazilian Amazon (Pará State) between 2018 and 2026. Horses presented with abrupt onset of severe lameness, rapidly progressive swelling of a limb or muscle group, and palpable subcutaneous crepitus, frequently followin...
Diagnostic and Therapeutic Standing Needle Arthroscopy of the Distal Interphalangeal Joint in 36 Horses. The objective of this study is to describe the technique, complications, and outcomes of standing needle arthroscopy of the distal interphalangeal joint (DIPJ) in horses. Unassigned: This is a retrospective study. Unassigned: Five cadaver forelimbs; 36 client-owned horses. Unassigned: A 1.9-mm needle arthroscope was used to evaluate the DIPJ in cadaver limbs and clinical cases. Horses underwent diagnostic and/or therapeutic arthroscopy under standing sedation and local anaesthesia. Data collected included signalment, diagnostic imaging findings, intraoperative findings, complications, and outc...
Pilot Study on the Development and Assessment of a Novel Sensor for Measuring Rein Tension. Effective horse-rider communication is essential in equestrian sports, both for performance and animal welfare. Rein tension, which is often applied through negative reinforcement (i.e., the release of pressure to reward a desired response), plays a central role in this interaction. However, high or inconsistent tension can lead to discomfort or injury, particularly in the mouth cavity. While previous studies have analyzed rein tension in basic gaits such as walk, trot, and canter, limited research exists on more complex maneuvers like jumping or abrupt stops. This pilot study introduces a cus...
[Cutaneous vascular hamartoma in a foal]. Vascular hamartomas are rare malformations in foals that typically present as painless masses of the skin or subcutaneous tissue. This case report describes a newborn foal with a vascular mass over the right shoulder. Complete surgical excision was performed at seven days of age. Histologically, the lesion was found to be a well-defined dermal vascular proliferation consistent with a vascular hamartoma. The healing process was uneventful, and no recurrence occurred six months postoperatively. This case adds a rare location on the scapula to the literature and confirms surgical removal as an ef...
Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction. Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) is one of the most common equine endocrine disorders. It is caused by oxidative damage to dopaminergic neurons in the hypothalamus and results in loss of inhibition of the pituitary pars intermedia. This leads to increased circulating concentrations of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and related peptides. Diagnosis is based on increased resting and/or thyrotropin releasing hormone-stimulated ACTH concentrations. Assessment of insulin regulation is also important, as insulin dysregulation occurs in at least one-third of PPID cases and is associate...
Pulmonary cryptococcosis with an endobronchial cryptococcoma in a Warmblood mare. This report describes pulmonary cryptococcosis with a large endobronchial cryptococcoma in an 8-year-old Warmblood mare. The mare was presented initially with fever and lethargy, and clinical signs typical of bacterial pneumonia. Markedly elevated serum amyloid A (SAA) concentrations indicated a severe systemic inflammatory response. Over a period of 6 wk, the condition progressively worsened and was refractory to multiple courses of broad-spectrum antimicrobial therapy as administered in a field setting. Diagnostic imaging following referral revealed extensive consolidation of the left lung a...
Synthesis and Characterization of 2-(1-Hydroxyethyl)Promazine Sulfoxide-d4 HCl as an Internal Standard for the Accurate Quantitation of 2-(1-Hydroxyethyl)Promazine Sulfoxide in Equine Urine. Acetylpromazine, 1-{10-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-10H-phenothiazin-2-yl}ethenone, CHNOS, 326.46 g·mol is a phenothiazine derivative at one time used in human medicine as an antipsychotic medication but now predominantly used in veterinary medicine as a sedative/tranquilizer and referred to as acepromazine. In performance horses its use is regulated by using a 10 ng/mL threshold for the major urinary metabolite 2-(1-hydroxyethyl) promazine-sulfoxide (HEPS) in equine urine. To enable accurate quantitation of HEPS in equine urine we have synthesized and purified hydroxyethylpromazine sulfoxid...
Equine piroplasmosis in China, 2000 to 2025: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prevalence and risk factors. Equine piroplasmosis (EP) is a tick-borne disease of equids caused by Theileria equi, Babesia caballi, and Theileria haneyi. We conducted a PRISMA-guided systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate pooled prevalence in China and identify associated risk factors. PubMed, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, CNKI, Wanfang, and VIP were searched through 15 August 2025. Of 2,626 records identified, 80 studies met the inclusion criteria. Random-effects models were used to pool prevalence estimates, and prespecified subgroup analyses and univariate meta-regression were used to explore heterogeneity an...
Centrifugation of peritoneal fluid improves visual assessment of strangulating lesions in equine colic. Early and accurate recognition of a strangulating lesion is essential to expedite surgical intervention in horses presenting with colic. Objective: To evaluate the use of a colour grading scale in the visual assessment of peritoneal fluid, before and after centrifugation, and assess its ability to predict the presence of a strangulating lesion. Methods: Prospective clinical study. Methods: Peritoneal fluid samples from 231 equids presenting with colic were visually analysed immediately after collection and assigned a numerical value based on a developed colour scale. Peritoneal fluid was centr...
Prevalence and Molecular Characterization of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in Horses From Northern and Eastern China: Investigation of Associated Risk Factors and Assessment of Zoonotic Potential. Enterocytozoon bieneusi is a zoonotic microsporidian threatening public health, yet epidemiological data on equine infections in China are scarce despite frequent human-horse contact. In this study, 412 fresh horse fecal samples were collected from four Chinese regions covering four rearing systems and were screened for E. bieneusi internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences via nested PCR, with risk factor and phylogenetic analyses conducted. The overall infection prevalence reached 15.0% (62/412), varying geographically from 9.7% (Wenzhou) to 29.3% (Qiqihar). Foals <1 year and male horses ex...
Ortholog-specific Spatial Expression of Vanins in the Respiratory Tract of Horses. Equine asthma (EA) is the most prevalent chronic respiratory disease in horses, but molecules thought to be relevant in its pathogenesis are not yet fully understood. Recently, increased Vanin-1 (VNN1) levels were found in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from horses with severe EA. Human VNN1 is known as a pantetheinase, which is associated with respiratory diseases such as asthma, but the equine vanins (eVNNs) are uncharacterized. We identified the domain architecture of eVNN in silico and analyzed its tissue expression in healthy horses using RT-PCR (=5) and in situ hybridization (=3). Recombin...
Veterinarian and breeder perspectives surrounding ovum pick-up and intracytoplasmic sperm injection in mares: A survey study. There is an ethical debate about the application of ovum pick-up (OPU) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in mares. Objective: To survey the opinions of equine veterinarians and breeders of sport horses on the ethics of using OPU-ICSI in mares. Methods: Cross-sectional descriptive study. Methods: Three surveys were distributed. The first targeted breeders ('Breeder Survey') who were actively involved in sport horse breeding. The second targeted veterinarians performing OPU ('OPU-Reprovets Survey'). The third targeted general equine practitioners ('Practitioner Survey'). There were six...
Seizures and blindness onset zone in 7 horses undergoing radiographic myelography in lateral recumbency under inhalation anesthesia. Seizures and blindness are potential complications associated with myelography. Objective: Describe, classify, and determine onset zone of seizures and blindness in horses undergoing radiographic myelography in lateral recumbency. Methods: Seven young adult horses. Methods: Retrospective study. Horses with seizures or blindness associated with myelography were included. Results: Three horses with general proprioceptive ataxia and 4 neurologically normal horses (Warmblood = 4, Thoroughbred = 3), ages 9 (range, 3-16) years old. Iohexol (300 mg I/mL) from 50 to 60 mL (0.09-0.1 mL/kg) were ...
Phylogenetic and phylogeographic analysis of equine influenza in Colombia. In 2022, Colombia experienced an outbreak of equine influenza (EI) that primarily affected competition horses. Despite the epidemiological relevance of equine influenza virus (EIV) in the country, no previous phylogenetic or phylogeographic analyses based on complete genomes have been reported. Objective: To perform phylogenetic and phylogeographic analyses of complete EIV genomes obtained from horses with clinical signs in two Colombian regions between 2020 and 2023. Methods: Molecular epidemiological study based on whole-genome sequencing and evolutionary analyses. Methods: Nasopharyngeal sa...
Association between cytology and endoscopy of guttural pouches: a prospective study on 173 horses. Guttural pouch (GP) disorders are clinically important in horses, yet the relationship between endoscopic findings and GP cytology remains poorly defined. Objective: To establish reference cytological values for GP lavage fluid in horses and to investigate associations between inflammatory cytology and endoscopic findings. Methods: Asymptomatic racing horses sampled in the field and horses referred for investigation of respiratory disorders. Methods: Prospective cross-sectional study. Horses underwent clinical examination, upper airway endoscopy, and bilateral transendoscopic GP lavage. A GP i...
Spatial and temporal radiation exposure during equine bone scintigraphy: Implications for occupational safety and post-scintigraphy isolation. Bone scintigraphy is a valuable diagnostic modality in equine orthopaedics, but it is associated with occupational radiation exposure and regulatory requirements for post-procedural isolation. Objective: To quantify radiation dose rates emitted from horses undergoing bone scintigraphy, to evaluate the effects of distance (spatial) and time (temporal) on radiation exposure, and to derive evidence-based recommendations for post-scintigraphy isolation periods. Methods: Prospective, cross-sectional study. Methods: Twenty warmblood horses underwent musculoskeletal scintigraphy following intravenous...
Magnesium Dysregulation. Magnesium (Mg) is a critical intracellular cation involved in energy metabolism, neuromuscular and cardiac stability, and endocrine regulation of calcium and potassium. In horses, Mg dysregulation is common in gastrointestinal disease, systemic inflammation and critical illness, yet often remains underdiagnosed. Hypomagnesemia contributes to ileus, cardiac arrhythmias, and refractory hypocalcemia or hypokalemia, whereas hypermagnesemia is rarely reported and typically iatrogenic. This review summarizes Mg physiology, regulation, clinical manifestations of Mg dysregulation, diagnostic approache...
No evidence of H5N1 avian influenza virus infection in Japanese horses in 2025. The global spillover of clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus into mammalian hosts has become a concern for public health as well as for the equine industry. However, previous reports on H5N1 natural infection and the presence of specific antibodies in horses remain limited. Therefore, we conducted a serosurveillance study to assess the prevalence of H5N1 antibodies in serum samples collected from 400 horses in Japan. Samples were screened using competitive ELISA (cELISA) and hemagglutination inhibition (HI) tests against H5-recombinant protein and H5N1 viral antigen, res...
Intraoperative Mechanical Power and Post-Anesthetic Respiratory Outcomes in Horses: A Retrospective Cohort Study. Mechanical power (MP) represents the ventilatory-delivered energy to the respiratory system, integrating multiple variables into a single parameter. It has been linked to ventilator-induced lung injury and post-ventilation complications in human medicine, while clinical relevance in equine anesthesia remains insufficient. Objective: To evaluate the association between intraoperative mechanical power and postoperative respiratory outcomes in horses undergoing inhalant anesthesia. Methods: This retrospective cohort study analyzed anesthesia records from 843 adult horses anesthetized between 2023...
Effect of sample storage on pH-value in equine faeces. Measurements of pH-value in equine faeces are often performed in studies on nutrition and health in horses, but a standard protocol for it is lacking despite the knowledge that different sample handling may affect the pH-value. Sample handling prior to pH-measurement is often determined by practical settings and has been reported to vary in published studies within the area. The purpose of the current study was therefore to investigate the influence of different combinations of storage time and temperature on the pH-value in equine faecal samples in comparison to immediate pH-measurement at de...
Surgical Management of Unilateral Maxillary Molar Teeth Impaction in a Horse. Impaction of equine permanent cheek teeth is most commonly reported in the mandible, whereas maxillary involvement is rare. This report describes an uncommon presentation of congenital impaction of 3 successive maxillary molar teeth in a 4-year-old mare. Computed tomography revealed complex spatial relationships between the impacted teeth, the sinus floor and adjacent structures, which were not fully appreciated on conventional radiography and were essential for surgical planning. Surgical extraction via a maxillary sinus bone flap permitted controlled sectioning and subsequent removal of all ...
Analgesic use, safety and pharmacokinetics of acetaminophen in equids: A structured scoping review. Despite its frequent use in equine clinical practice, scientific data on the use of acetaminophen in horses remain limited. Objective: To map and critically appraise the available evidence on the analgesic use, safety and pharmacokinetics of acetaminophen in horses. Methods: Structured scoping review. Methods: A comprehensive search was performed in accordance with the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews using the terms '(paracetamol OR acetaminophen) AND (pain OR safety OR toxicosis OR pharmacokinetics) AND (horse OR pony OR donkey OR mule)' across Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed from dat...
Intraoperative monitoring and anaesthetic complications in horses: A secondary analysis of the CEPEF4 multicentre cohort. CEPEF4 provides the most comprehensive contemporary dataset on perianaesthetic risk in horses. Intraoperative complications, monitoring and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA)-stratified associations with death remain incompletely described. Objective: To describe monitoring and complication incidence, assess associations with ASA physical status, and compare ASA-stratified mortality by complication status. Methods: Secondary analysis of a prospective, multicentre cohort study. Methods: Data from 47,371 equine general anaesthetics were analysed. Monitoring was described overall and by ...
Ethical monitoring of ovum pick-up procedures in domestic horses: A standardised self-assessment checklist for responsible veterinary practice. Assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) have the potential to accelerate genetic improvement in selective equine breeding programmes while addressing specific reproductive challenges. One recent assisted reproductive technique in domestic horse breeding is Ovum Pick-Up combined with Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (OPU-ICSI). Despite their advantages, the implementation of these new procedures, like more established breeding methods, raises ethical concerns relating to aspects like animal welfare, staff safety, professional and veterinary practice integrity, which must be monitored and asse...
