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.
Cytochrome c oxidase I deep amplicon sequencing for metabarcoding of equine strongyle communities: unexpectedly high Strongylus spp. prevalence in treated horses. Equines are parasitized by complex communities of Strongylidae (Nematoda) comprising multi-species infections. Currently, Cyathostominae are most prevalent, while Strongylus species are only rarely detected. Since eggs and, in most cases, infective larvae cannot be differentiated to species level, except for Strongylus spp., species-specific knowledge of the pathology, epidemiology and ecology of these parasitic nematodes is limited. Reference sequence data for several cyathostomin species are limited or missing. Deep amplicon sequencing of internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS-2) regions of nema...
Pharmacokinetics and preliminary safety of single-dose oral fluralaner at 10 and 25 mg/kg in healthy horses revealed no adverse reactions. To determine the safety and pharmacokinetics of a single dose of the oral ectoparasiticide fluralaner at 10 and 25 mg/kg in healthy horses. Unassigned: 12 clinically healthy university-owned horses, 9 to 17 years of age, were administered a single oral dose of fluralaner at 10 or 25 mg/kg. Physical examinations, neurological examinations, plasma samples, hematology and biochemistry panels, and skin biopsies were collected throughout the 84-day trial period. Fluralaner concentrations were measured in plasma and skin by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, and pharmacokinetics were ev...
Hematological and blood biochemical parameters of Tokara horses in Kaimon Foothills Nature Park. The Tokara horse is a breed of native Japanese horse, for which hematological and biochemical data are lacking. The aim of this study was to obtain current hematological and biochemical data on Tokara horses. We enrolled 90 Tokara horses kept at the Kaimon Foothills Nature Park (Kagoshima) that underwent physical examinations and blood sampling between 2022 and 2024. All horses in this study were regarded as clinically healthy, based on physical examinations. Hematological and biochemical parameters also showed no abnormal values. Based on the above results, we consider that the data from this...
Newly isolated bacteriophages show efficacy and phage-antibiotic synergy in vitro against the equine genital pathogens Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Bacterial infections of the genital tract are a severe problem in equine reproduction. Biofilms produced by Klebsiella (K.) pneumoniae and Pseudomonas (P.) aeruginosa present further concerns in such cases as they can limit the success of antibiotic treatments. Alternative treatment approaches are urgently needed for treating bacterial equine genital tract infections and thus, reduce antibiotic use. The present study reports on the bactericidal efficacy of both, novel K. pneumoniae- and P. aeruginosa-specific phages, in a biofilm model and in conjunction with antibiotic drugs as tested in vitr...
Plate fixation of small metacarpal and metatarsal bone fractures in 27 horses. To present fracture cases selected for plate fixation (PF), describe surgical techniques and assess their association with postoperative complications and return-to-work outcomes in horses undergoing PF for small metacarpal/metatarsal (SMCT) fractures. Methods: Multicenter retrospective study. Methods: A total of 27 horses. Methods: Horses treated with PF of a SMCT fracture between 2008 and 2023 across three hospitals were included. Medical records and imaging were reviewed. Long-term outcomes were established by readmission to the hospital, telephone interviews, and/or race records. Univariab...
Exploring the Abnormal Characteristics of the Ovaries During the Estrus Period of Kazakh Horses Based on Single-Cell Transcriptome Technology. The ovary is among the earliest organs to undergo age-related degeneration, limiting the reproductive potential of elite horses and constraining the growth of the equine industry. Follicular development during estrus is a key determinant of fertility, yet the molecular mechanisms underlying its decline, particularly at the level of specific ovarian cell types, remain poorly understood in equids. Here, we constructed a single-cell transcriptomic atlas to investigate ovarian changes in Kazakh horses. Using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), we profiled 112,861 cells from follicle-containing...
Effectiveness of a screening protocol employed at a UK rescue centre to prevent introduction of strangles. Infection with Streptococcus equi subspecies equi (S. equi) is characterised by acute disease, with about 10% of infected animals remaining persistently infected. Clinically, infection with S. equi cannot readily be distinguished from infection caused by other respiratory pathogens, including Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus (S. zooepidemicus), equine influenza virus, and equine herpes virus. Screening protocols, with appropriate quarantining facilities, are important to detect horses infected with S. equi and avoid strangles outbreaks. Virulent strains of S. zooepidemicus can also ...
Pre-operative feeding effects on post-anaesthetic colic and faecal output in horses. Post-anaesthetic colic (PAC) is a complication in horses undergoing general anaesthesia (GA). Various preoperative feeding strategies are used in equine practice, yet their impact on PAC remains unclear. Objective: To identify perioperative risk factors associated with PAC and evaluate the influence of preoperative fasting on PAC prevalence and faecal output. Methods: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: Medical records of horses undergoing non-abdominal surgery under GA were reviewed. Horses were categorised into fasted and non-fasted groups based on their pre-anaesthetic feeding regimen. Mul...
Streptococcus equi subsp. equi isolated from horses in Southern Brazil: molecular and phenotypic analyses. Streptococcus equi subsp. equi (S. equi) is the etiological agent of strangles, a contagious equine disease characterized by lymph node abscess and respiratory complications. To clarify the epidemiology and virulence factors of isolates, this study demonstrated phenotypic and genotypic differences between S. equi obtained from nasal secretions and lymph node aspirates of clinical strangles cases. Additionally, circulating alleles were differentiated through sequencing of the 5' end of the seM gene. A total of 23 clinical isolates collected from horses with strangles over the past decade were a...
First report of West Nile virus infections in horses in Tunisia from 2018 to 2023. West Nile virus (WNV) is an arthropod borne virus, the most widely distributed of the encephalitic Orthoflaviviruses. It can cause severe neurological symptoms in both humans and horses. It poses an emerging threat to both public and animal health. In this study, we retrospectively screened 25 suspected WNV samples collected from 2018 to 2023. Methods: A total number of 25 samples (brain tissue and blood) were collected from clinically affected horses and those already deceased across several locations in Tunisia. All samples were tested for the presence of WNV NS2A gene using qRT-PCR. Eleven ...
A high proportion of bacterial isolates from septic neonatal foals in Ontario express multidrug resistance and low susceptibility to first-line antimicrobials. To describe common bacterial isolates cultured from sick neonatal foals and their antimicrobial susceptibility and resistance patterns. Unassigned: Medical records of foals ≤ 30 days of age, admitted to the Ontario Veterinary College from 2020 to 2023, and with a positive aerobic bacterial culture and susceptibility testing performed (Kirby-Bauer method) were included. A descriptive analysis of species isolated and antimicrobial and multidrug resistance profiles was performed. Unassigned: 62 samples from 60 predominantly Thoroughbred (42% [25 of 60]) neonatal foals (median age, 8 days) yield...
Complications of the Recumbent Horse: Diagnosis and Management. This issue focuses on the potential complications caused by prolonged recumbency in horses. It discusses how managing a recumbent horse involves treating the primary illness while also preventing and addressing secondary issues that can arise from recumbency itself. The authors explore the underlying pathophysiology of these complications, along with strategies for prevention and treatment. By understanding these aspects, veterinarians can improve care and outcomes for horses that are immobilized for extended periods. The issue provides insights into the most common complications and emphasize...
A pilot study on the potency of injectable vs. oral moxidectin formulation to suppress strongyle egg excretion in horses at twice lower dose. The aim of present study was to examine the potency of moxidectin solution (Cydectin 1 %; Zoetis) and commercially available oral moxidectin gel (Equest®; Zoetis) to suppress the excretion of strongyle eggs in horses over a 6-week period. The horses naturally infected with strongyle nematodes (>500 eggs/g of feces) were divided into two comparable groups according age, sex and weight. On day 0 of the study, horses in Group OT (oral treatment; N=5) were dewormed with moxidectin gel (Equest®; Zoetis; 0.4 mg/kg of b.w.) according to the manufacturer's instructions, and horses in Group IT (intra...
Molecular Detection of Pythium insidiosum in Cutaneous Lesions of Horses from Northeastern Brazil. Pythiosis is an underestimated and neglected disease in Brazil, both in horse breeders and in horses. The molecular detection of in horses in the Brazilian Northeast represents a milestone in the epidemiology of equine pythiosis in the country. This study reports novel cases of equine pythiosis, diagnosed by molecular methods, in five states of Northeastern Brazil. Clinical samples were submitted to microbiological culture, DNA extraction, and nested-PCR for molecular detection of . The nested-PCR successfully detected in four out of five equine lesion samples, demonstrating higher sensitivi...
Hidden menace: Understanding the devastating consequences of dourine disease in horses. is a protozoan parasite that causes the sexually transmitted disease known as "dourine" in horses. This chronic illness is directly spread from one animal to another during mating. Doflein proposed the name in 1901. Despite being distributed worldwide, the broad use of artificial insemination technology over the past three decades has resulted in only a few cases being documented. The condition is typically fatal and is characterized by gradual emaciation, nervous system involvement, and edematous lesions of the genitals. The incubation period between exposure and the onset of clinical sympt...
Complications in Wound Management. Over 25% of all emergencies are classified as wounds, making them the most common health conditions treated by veterinarians. While equine wounds may heal with minimal intervention, many complications associated with wound management can occur, thereby delaying wound healing and leading to chronic non-healing wounds. Wounds should be closed primarily when possible; however, numerous factors influence the risk of complications. Infection and biofilm production are common causes of delayed wound healing. Other causes of non-healing wounds include the presence of foreign material, sequestrum form...
One health approach on zoonotic multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from Egyptian cattle, horses, and humans. Worldwide, zoonotic diseases represent serious risks to public health, underscoring the need for efficient surveillance techniques. The One Health concept has gained popularity as a comprehensive paradigm for tackling zoonotic disease surveillance because it acknowledges the correlation of pathogens, animals, humans, and the surrounding environment. Public health is now concerned about antibiotic-resistant (), which causes severe impurities in animals and humans, leading to morbidity and mortality. Unassigned: This study examined the collaborative efforts between human and animal (cattle and ...
BCG Immunotherapy in Equine Sarcoid Treatment: Mechanisms, Clinical Efficacy, and Challenges in Veterinary Oncology. Equine sarcoids are the most common dermatological neoplasm in horses worldwide, associated with bovine papillomavirus (BPV) infection and characterized by high recurrence rates after conventional therapies. Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) immunotherapy has historically been used for sarcoid treatment, yet its role in contemporary veterinary oncology remains debated. This narrative review critically examines the immunological mechanisms, clinical efficacy, and limitations of BCG in equine sarcoid therapy, while integrating insights from comparative oncology and One Health perspectives. A syste...
Feasibility and safety of intrathecal transplantation of allogeneic bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in horses. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have emerged as a promising alternative for treating neurological disorders due to their neuroprotective, neuroregenerative, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties. The use of allogeneic MSCs offers advantages such as the selection of specific cells and their immediate availability. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and feasibility of intrathecal transplantation of allogeneic equine bone marrow-derived MSCs (EqBM-MSCs) in healthy horses. Ten healthy horses (five-12 years old) were randomly divided into two groups. In the control g...
Real-time fluorometric isothermal assays for detection of Streptococcus equi subspecies equi and Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus in horses: Validation, comparison and evaluation of their clinical application. Infectious diseases significantly impact equine health and welfare, causing illness and death, and loss of productivity globally. One such disease is 'strangles', a highly contagious upper respiratory condition in horses caused by Streptococcus equi subspecies equi (SEE). Diagnostic methods for this pathogen include sensitive molecular assays and less reliable bacterial isolation and biochemical testing. However, the presence of closely related streptococci, such as Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus (SZOO), may confound diagnosis. Rapid assays for SEE are crucial for outbreak control...
Use of Artificial Intelligence to Detect Cardiac Rhythm Disturbances in Athletes: A Scoping Review. Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly used to enhance electrocardiogram (ECG) interpretation in human medicine. In equine athletes, exercise-associated arrhythmias are common and linked to sudden cardiac death at rates higher than in humans. However, ECG interpretation in horses remains time-consuming and subjective, with the clinical relevance of mild rhythm disturbances often unclear. Objective: Evaluate the application of AI to ECG interpretation for arrhythmia detection, with emphasis on current and potential use in athletic species, particularly horses. Methods: About 17 studies we...
Differences in Plasma Exposure of Cannabidiol and Cannabidiolic Acid Following Oral Administration to Horses. There has been a growing interest in the use of cannabinoids in horses in recent years. Several studies have reported on the pharmacokinetics of cannabidiol (CBD) in horses. However, cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) has received less attention, despite limited evidence suggesting clinically beneficial effects in other species. Horses were administered 3 mg/kg of CBD, 3 mg/kg of CBDA, and a placebo per os in a crossover design, with a one-week washout period between treatments. Plasma and urine samples were collected and analyzed using ultra high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem...
Agreement between subjective evaluations and a markerless AI-based gait analysis system during lungeing assessment in traditional racehorses. Subjective lameness evaluation during lungeing is routinely performed in equine practice, but its consistency remains limited, especially in cases of mild or complex asymmetry. Objective: This study aimed to assess the agreement between subjective gait evaluations and a markerless AI-based gait analysis system (OAI-MS) in traditional racehorses during lungeing. Intra- and inter-observer agreement of subjective evaluations was also investigated. Methods: 24 traditional racehorses were assessed during routine pre-race inspections (T0) while trotting on a soft surface. Two experienced equine clin...
Proteomic profiling of endometrial tissue and plasma from mares with endometrial fibrosis†. Endometrial fibrosis leads to subfertility when periglandular fibrosis impairs endometrial gland function. Identifying distinct protein expressions in mares suffering from this condition is essential for understanding the pathogenesis and developing treatments to delay fibrotic progression. To gain a better understanding of protein dynamics underlying this condition, Data-Independent Acquisition Mass Spectrometry was utilized to comprehensively characterize and compare the equine endometrial and plasma proteome from mares with different severities of endometrial fibrosis. Mares in diestrus wer...
Genetic diversity of equine piroplasmosis agents in Guadeloupe (Caribbeans): first report of Theileria haneyi, evaluation of diagnostic tools and impact of horse movement. Equine piroplasmosis is a major tick-borne horse disease, caused by the intracellular development of piroplasms (Theileria equi sensu lato and Babesia caballi), with significant economic and sanitary consequences. In 2024, 203 blood samples were collected in Guadeloupe (Caribbean) from asymptomatic horses. Using an 18S rRNA nested PCR (nPCR) specific for each equine genus parasite, 79 samples tested positive for Theileria equi and 9 for Babesia caballi, resulting in respective prevalence of 38.9% and 4.4%. Three horses were co-infected. For B. caballi, 18S rRNA sequence analysis revealed the p...
Autologous Cancer Vaccines: A Precision Immunotherapy Strategy for Veterinary Cancer Patients. Precision medicine is a therapeutic strategy to provide treatment that is tailored to a specific patient based on factors unique to that individual, such as the genetic makeup or the environment. Autologous cancer vaccines (ACVs) are ideal for a precision medicine approach because they incorporate antigens specific to the patient's tumor and provide an elegant solution to identifying and selecting relevant immunogenic neoantigens. ACVs are an appealing option for veterinary medicine because they are cancer-type and species agnostic. Over the past 50 years, many innovative ACVs have been evalua...
Complications of Equine Musculoskeletal Surgery and Procedures. Complications of equine musculoskeletal procedures and surgery are an inevitable occurrence. This article summarizes complications principally encountered by primary equine veterinarians who perform and manage musculoskeletal procedures and surgeries. Topics discussed include complications of musculoskeletal diagnostic procedures, angular/flexural limb deformities, and muscle, tendon, and ligament surgery; surgery of the foot, orthopedic and arthroscopic surgery, and cast management. Each section lists complications encountered and includes diagnostic and treatment considerations. Awareness of...
Complications in the Critically Ill Equine Patient. Complications in critically ill equine patients are often related to the underlying disease process but can also be a consequence of diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. Complications can be specific to the affected organ or body system; however, in critically ill patients, they frequently affect the vasculature, acid-base, electrolyte, and fluid balance, energy homeostasis, and coagulation, with systemic consequences. Infrequent monitoring, late detection, failure to adapt therapies, hematologic and biochemical abnormalities, coagulopathies, and systemic inflammation can all contribute t...
Comparing the Difference in Traction Between the Bare Hoof, Iron Horseshoes and Two Glue-On Models on Different Surfaces. The interaction between equine hooves and various ground surfaces is a critical factor for injury prevention and performance in modern equestrian sports. Accurate measurement of surface grip is essential for evaluating the effectiveness of different hoof protection systems. This study introduces the Vienna Grip Tester (VGT), a novel sensor-based device developed to quantify rotational resistance-an important parameter for assessing hoof-surface interaction. The VGT utilizes a torque wrench and spring-loaded mechanism to simulate lateral hoof movements under a standardized vertical load (~700 N...