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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.
Prevotella mikamonis sp. nov., isolated from equine clinical specimens. In this study, five strains of anaerobic, Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacteria were characterized phenotypically, biochemically and genotypically. These strains were clinically isolated from horse specimens in Japan. Phylogenetic trees constructed based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons showed distinct clustering of the five strains with the type strains of closely related species. The genomic DNA G+C content was 46.7 mol%. The major cellular fatty acids identified were C, 3-OH-C and 3-OH-iso-C. Whole-genome comparisons based on average nucleotide identity using blast (ANIb) and digital DNA...
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone and Thyroxine Concentrations in Young Healthy Equids: Species Differences and Seasonal Variations. Due to growing interest in endocrine diseases, more studies aim to interpret the baseline concentrations and reference intervals of hormone values like adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and thyroxine (T4) in horses. Most studies available in the literature focus on evaluating ACTH and thyroid hormone values in adult and geriatric horses, with only a few considering younger donkeys and ponies. This study aimed to measure ACTH and T4 in autumn and spring in younger equids. The study included 42 young equids, which were divided into three groups: horses, ponies, and donkeys. The concentration of...
Case Report: Neurologic signs following rattlesnake envenomation. Rattlesnake envenomation is a common emergency in horses in California. Rattlesnakes belong to a group of venomous snakes: pit vipers. The Northern Pacific Rattlesnake (), a subspecies of the Western Rattlesnake, is the most widespread rattlesnake in California (1). A 5-year-old miniature horse mare presented for a presumed Western Rattlesnake bite. The owners found the horse the morning of presentation with severe facial swelling and the horse was housed in an area where rattlesnakes are commonly observed. The horse was reported to be normal the day prior to presentation. On blood examination...
Longitudinal assessment of hemostatic adaptations in pregnant mares: Evidence of a physiological hypercoagulable state. Pregnancy triggers intricate hemostatic adjustments that support placental maturation and prepare the maternal organism for delivery. We hypothesized that pregnant mares would progressively shift toward a procoagulant state throughout gestation, reflected in changes to coagulation and fibrinolytic markers. To test this hypothesis, 15 clinically healthy Spanish Purebred pregnant mares were monitored monthly from conception to term, alongside 15 non-pregnant controls of similar age and breed. A comprehensive hemostatic profile-including platelet (PLT) count, prothrombin time (PT), activated part...
Analytical Challenges and Emerging Detection Strategies of Synthetic Cannabinoids in Horse Doping Control. Synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) were originally synthesized to advance the understanding of the endocannabinoid system, facilitate disease research, and support the development of novel therapeutic agents. Compared with tetrahydrocannabinol, these compounds exhibit substantially higher psychoactive potency and enhanced receptor-binding affinity. The rapid and continuous evolution of SC derivatives presents significant challenges for analytical laboratories and increases the risk of misuse. Furthermore, SCs may be exploited to alter performance in both human and animal sports. The scarcity of comp...
Competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to quantify hepcidin in horse serum. Hepcidin (Hepc) is a peptide hormone primarily produced by hepatocytes and considered the master regulator of iron homeostasis, with Hepc controlling the release of iron within the circulation. Despite the renewed interest in iron-related research due to Hepc discovery, there is limited data on serum hepcidin in horses. The objective of the study was to develop and partially validate a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to quantify serum hepcidin in horses. Precision was evaluated using horse serum samples representing low, medium and high Hepc concentrations, yielding intra...
Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever Virus Exposure in Horses and Donkeys in Border Livestock Markets of Nigeria. Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) is a tick-borne zoonotic pathogen of major public health importance in Africa. Although CCHFV exposure has been reported in several livestock species in Nigeria, data on equids remain limited despite their extensive involvement in livestock movement and trade. This study assessed CCHFV seroprevalence in horses and donkeys in major international livestock markets in northern Nigeria and examined factors associated with exposure. Methods: From June 2023 to July 2024, a longitudinal sero-surveillance study was conducted in three high-volume livestock...
Seroprevalence of Sarcocystis neurona and Neospora hughesi in healthy horses from the province of Alberta, Canada. Literature on the seroprevalence of antibodies to the causative agents of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) in Canada is limited. Objective: To determine the prevalence of serum antibodies against Sarcocystis neurona and Neospora hughesi in apparently healthy horses without signs of neurologic disease which have always resided in Alberta, Canada, using commercially available immunodiagnostic tests. Methods: Samples from 116 healthy horses were obtained from a biobank containing horse serum collected across Alberta in 2021 and 2022. Samples were selected based on owner survey responses, ...
United States stakeholder insights on genetic testing for equine health and breeding. The S1094 United States Department of Agriculture Multistate Research Project is a collaborative effort utilizing equine genetics and genomics to improve horse health and well-being. It also provides educational resources and genetic testing tools to equine industry stakeholders. Objective: A survey assessed the knowledge, priorities, and information sources of U.S. horse owners and enthusiasts regarding equine genetic testing to inform future outreach and research efforts. Methods: An online survey was distributed from March to October 2024, targeting horse owners and enthusiasts across the U...
Polyphenol-Rich Feed Material increases Anaerostipes and reduces methanogenic archaea in the horse hindgut microbiome. The gastrointestinal microbiota plays a critical role in horse health and performance. While sugarcane-derived polyphenols have shown microbiota-modulating properties in other species, their effects in horses remain unexplored. Objective: This study investigated whether supplementation with a sugarcane-derived polyphenol feed material modulates the hindgut microbiota of healthy adult horses. Methods: An observational longitudinal study was conducted on six horses over 12 weeks. Faecal samples were collected at three time points: baseline (P1), during supplementation (P2), and post-supplementat...
Adult Equine Optic Nerve Head Measurements Using Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography. To compare equine optic nerve head (ONH) measurements using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) to detect clinically relevant ONH cupping. Methods: Forty-five eyes from 34 horses were categorized as CONTROL or CUPPED based on indirect ophthalmoscopy and were measured using SD-OCT: Bruch's membrane opening (BMO), optic cup width (OC), anterior laminar depth (ALD), prelaminar thickness (PLT), and cup-to-disk ratio (OC: BMO) at superior (sup.), central (ctr.), and inferior (inf.) ONH locations. Results: The OC:BMO was 0.61 ± 0.09 (sup.), 0.64 ± 0.09 (ctr.), and 0.55 ...
Fungal endometritis in broodmares: clinical presentation, prevalence in Ireland and diagnostic performance of cytology. Fungal endometritis is an uncommon uterine condition associated with poor fertility. Objective: This study aimed to 1) provide a descriptive summary of 11 cases of fungal endometritis, 2) assess prevalence trends of fungal endometritis over time, 3) assess fungal species distribution in diagnostic samples, and 4) evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of cytology. Methods: Study 1 reviewed records of 11 mares diagnosed with fungal endometritis for history, presentation, treatment, and outcome. Study 2 analysed 6,727 uterine samples (swabs and lavages; 2019-2024) for factors influencing fungal cultur...
Evaluation of episcleral silicone matrix cyclosporine implants for presumed equine immune-mediated keratitis: a retrospective study. Immune-mediated keratitis (IMMK) is a chronic inflammatory corneal disease in horses. Long-term topical therapy with cyclosporine is often impractical, highlighting the need for sustained-release alternatives. Objective: To assess clinical response, tolerability, and duration of effect of episcleral silicone matrix cyclosporine implants (ESMC) in horses with presumed IMMK. Methods: Medical records of 12 horses (14 eyes) treated between 2019 and 2023 were retrospectively reviewed. IMMK subtypes were classified as epithelial (n = 3 eyes), anterior stromal (n = 9), or mid-stromal (n =...
The transition from winter to spring has an impact on the airway metabolome profile of asthmatic horses. Equine asthma is a chronic, non-infectious inflammatory disease of the lower airways in horses, classified as mild to moderate (MEA) or severe (SEA). Its pathogenesis is not fully understood and is influenced by environmental and seasonal factors. In this cross-sectional study, seasonal effects on the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) metabolome were investigated in asthmatic and non-asthmatic horses. The metabolome of 230 BALF samples from horses across different seasons, classified as cytologically unremarkable (CUA), MEA, or SEA, was analyzed using proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectr...
Advanced Imaging of the Cranium and the Cervical Spine for Equine Neurologic Disease. Diagnostic imaging is essential for evaluating and managing neurologic disease in horses. Following clinical lesion, neurolocalization imaging modalities are often necessary to further characterize the disease process. However, which technology to use depends on various factors, including the patient's size, clinical signs, and the anatomic region. Current advances in imaging technology, in general, and the adaptation of different modalities for equine patients, in particular, have substantially improved our ability to evaluate the equine central nervous system. This article will summarize the...
Modified mucosal digestion procedure improves precision of encysted larval cyathostomin counts in horses. With rising anthelmintic resistance in adult cyathostomins, the most pervasive equine parasites, the need to assess larvicidal efficacy has increased, yet available methods remain limited. Encysted larvae are quantified using mucosal digestion, wherein a 5% subsample of intestinal mucosa is processed, and a 2% aliquot is counted for early third stage (EL3) and late third stage/mucosal fourth stage (LL3/L4) larvae. This method is imprecise and post-treatment larval differences are often not observed. The following study aimed to assess standard and modified protocol precision and sensitivity. I...
Perspectives of UK horse carers towards the use of artificial intelligence in equine healthcare. Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming increasingly prevalent in the modern world, including in veterinary medicine. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate horse carers' attitudes towards using AI use in equine care. Methods: An online survey was distributed to UK horse owners/carers in 2025, covering participants' demographics and use of AI and their opinions of AI for equine care. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, categorisation of free-text responses and logistic regression to determine factors associated with opinions. Results: Ninety-seven resp...
Development and evaluation of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for measuring antibodies against VP8∗ receptor binding domain of equine rotavirus A. Equine rotavirus A (ERVA) poses a significant threat to foal health, necessitating reliable serological tools for assessing protective immune responses. This study focused on the development of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the measurement of antibodies against the VP8∗ receptor binding core domain of ERVA. Following the expression and purification of VP8∗ receptor binding domain from the bacterial expression system, the ELISA for detecting anti-ERVA VP8∗ antibodies with VP8∗ as a coating antigen was developed and its performance was validated by the comparative anal...
Ethological and clinical evaluation of the welfare of horses in draft competitions in Spain. Draft and pulling horses are used in a traditional equestrian sport in the Valencian Community (Spain), in which horses must pull a cart loaded with a weight equivalent to twice their body weight along a sand track. Although it constitutes cultural heritage, this practice raises questions about animal welfare since it involves working horses under demanding physical exertion. There are no studies evaluating the welfare of horses participating in these draft and pulling competitions using validated clinical, ethological, and physiological indicators, and the present work aims to fill this knowl...
[Puncture wounds of the equine hoof – a retrospective study of 96 cases – Part 1: Prevalence, clinical findings and diagnostic investigations]. Penetrating wounds of the hoof are common and potentially life-threatening injuries in equine veterinary practice. The aim of this study was the systematic data analysis of horses presenting to the clinic with a solar puncture wound.In this retrospective study, patient data from horses presented with a puncture wound to the hoof in the period from September 2008 to August 2024 were collected. The analyzed data covered signalment, intended use, and insurance status. The following were also considered: previous history including the period between injury and presentation to the clinic, affected ...
Saliva and plasma metabolome analysis during the five days before foaling in the mare. Saliva is a relevant biofluid for real-time welfare-friendly monitoring of systemic events in animals, because some bioanalytes have a systemic origin and its collection is painless, stress-free and non-invasive. Our aim was to analyze the metabolome of equine saliva during the five days before foaling, with a focus on identifying metabolites whose level significantly changed before parturition, that could be potential salivary biomarkers of the onset of parturition. We compared the saliva and plasma metabolomes to investigate their relationship. Saliva and blood samples were collected from tw...
Priorities and Recommendations for Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to Improve Equid Health and Welfare. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being increasingly used for equid health and welfare. This study aimed to establish consensus on where and how AI should be developed to achieve maximum benefit in this field. A workshop involving 41 stakeholders generated statements about current welfare concerns, areas for AI development, and barriers and solutions to AI use. Statements were circulated through Delphi surveys (acceptance set at 75% agreement). One-hundred-and-six statements reached agreement. Ethological needs not being met and poor equid management practices were key welfare concerns. Particip...
Biomarkers of Adipose Color: A Multi-Omics Analysis Unravels the Molecular Landscape of White and Yellow Fat in Kazakh Horse. Fat color is one of the most important economic traits influencing consumer preference and the market value of meat products. To explore the molecular mechanisms underlying abdominal adipose tissue color differentiation in the Kazakh horse, this study employed a multi-omics strategy, integrating targeted metabolomics (fatty acid and amino acid profiling), untargeted metabolomics, and transcriptomic analyses. Two types of adipose tissue, white adipose tissue (WAT, = 8) and yellow adipose tissue (YAT, = 8), were selected for systematic comparative analysis. Fatty acid composition analysis reve...
Nitric oxide and its role in the management of hypoxaemia in the anaesthetised horse-a narrative review. To outline historical aspects of nitric oxide, including its discovery and biological effects, to describe the current use of inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) in human healthcare, and to review the available evidence on the use of pulsed iNO (PiNO) for the management of hypoxaemia in anaesthetised horses. Methods: Google Scholar and PubMed databases were searched using the search terms nitric oxide, PiNO, environment, discovery, acute respiratory distress syndrome, COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, horse, pony, hypoxaemia, and anaesthesia. Conclusions: Inhaled NO is licensed in the management of hypoxic respira...
In Vitro Characterization of an Equinized Anti-PD-L1 Antibody for Cancer Immunotherapy in Horses. Horses develop spontaneous tumors, typically in old age. Although local tumor control can be achieved using conventional therapies, systemic therapies are required to treat recurrent and/or metastatic tumors. Immune checkpoint inhibitors, such as anti-PD-L1 antibodies, have been approved for the treatment of various tumor types in humans; however, little is known about the immunosuppressive roles of the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway in horses, and the therapeutic potential of these inhibitors remains to be elucidated. Previously, we reported that the rat monoclonal anti-PD-L1 antibody 6C11-3A11 cross-rea...
Pharmacokinetics of Intramuscularly Administered Ketamine at Subanaesthetic Dosage in Horses. Subanaesthetic doses of ketamine (0.5 mg kg) provide analgesia in several species, but there is limited information on the pharmacokinetics and clinical effects of intramuscularly administered ketamine in horses. This study investigated the pharmacokinetics of ketamine and norketamine, and evaluated clinical effects, ataxia, and vital parameters, following intramuscular and intravenous administration of 0.5 mg kg ketamine in nine healthy horses, using a randomized two-period crossover design with a 1-week washout period. Plasma concentrations were analyzed using Ultra-High Performance ...
Case Report: Mesh repair of a urinary bladder dorsal wall defect following repeated cystorrhaphy in a warmblood foal. A three-day-old male Warmblood foal presented with inability to urinate. Primary diagnostic findings included abdominal distension, hyperkalemia, azotemia, and ultrasonographic evidence for free anechoic fluid in the abdominal cavity. Abdominocentesis confirmed the diagnosis of an uroperitoneum [peritoneal fluid to serum creatinine ratio (>2:1)]. Suture repair of a dorsal urinary bladder wall defect was performed, but leakage along the suture tracts resulted in recurrent uroperitoneum confirmed by computed tomographic urography after two days. Repeated cystorrhaphy was performed but uroperi...
Coexistence of seminoma and leiomyoma in the testis of an Arabian-Barbe stallion: A case report. Testicular tumors are rare in horses, with seminoma being the most frequently described in the literature. In Morocco, many stallions used for Tbourida are intentionally kept intact, as uncastrated horses are traditionally viewed as symbols of prestige and cultural pride. This cultural practice increases the likelihood of detecting testicular pathology in mature stallions. Unassigned: A 15-year-old Arabian-Barbe stallion used in Tbourida was presented for evaluation after the owner noticed a slow, progressive enlargement of the right testis over a period of more than 1 year. Clinical examinati...
Mass culture of equine synovial fluid-derived mesenchymal stromal cells using nonwoven polyethylene terephthalate fabrics. Culture protocols need to yield 100 million equine synovial fluid (SF)-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (SF-MSCs) in around 3 weeks are needed, before these cells can be evaluated as agents of articular repair in clinical trials. Objective: To investigate mass culture of equine SF-MSC culture protocols using nonwoven polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fabrics for the potential to meet the targets for clinical trials. Methods: In vitro experiments. Methods: SF samples were collected from the carpal joints in thoroughbred racehorses (n = 21) undergoing arthroscopic surgery and cultured in 10%...
Global seroprevalence and epidemiological patterns of equine viral arteritis from 1968 to 2025: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Equine viral arteritis (EVA) is a globally widespread infectious disease affecting equids, with significant consequences for reproductive efficiency and the regulation of international equine trade. Nevertheless, despite the accumulation of numerous region-specific investigations, an integrated synthesis of global seroprevalence estimates and overarching epidemiological patterns remains insufficiently developed. Objective: To calculate the pooled global seroprevalence of EVA and to explore sources of epidemiological heterogeneity. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were undertaken ...
