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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.
Seasonal succession of tabanid species in equine infectious anaemia endemic areas of Italy. Equine infectious anaemia (EIA) is a disease with an almost worldwide distribution, with several outbreaks having been reported recently in European countries. In Italy, two regions, Lazio and Abruzzo, are considered as endemic areas for this disease. In nature, the EIA virus is mechanically transmitted by biting flies such as tabanids (Diptera: Tabanidae), although few studies have investigated the epidemiological implications. In the present study, several sites characterized by different levels of EIA prevalence were sampled. In sites with high tabanid populations, a seasonal succession of ...
Luteinizing hormone concentrations in healthy horses and horses with trigeminal-mediated headshaking over an 8-hour period. Trigeminal-mediated headshaking results from a low threshold for firing of the trigeminal nerve. A seasonal component has been implicated in onset of clinical signs, which occur during the spring and summer months. Geldings are overrepresented in the affected population and hormonal differences as compared to a healthy control population of geldings might contribute to headshaking. Objective: To assess concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH) over an 8-hour period in gelded healthy controls and horses affected with headshaking. Our hypothesis was that geldings with seasonal headshaking would...
Identification of a non-host semiochemical from tick-resistant donkeys (Equus asinus) against Amblyomma sculptum ticks. Amblyomma sculptum is a tick affecting animal and human health across Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay and Brazil. Donkeys, Equus asinus, are known to be resistant to A. sculptum, suggesting that they can produce non-host tick semiochemicals (allomones), as already demonstrated for some other vertebrate host/pest interactions, whereas horses, Equus caballus, are considered as susceptible hosts. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that donkeys produce natural repellents against A. sculptum, by collecting sebum from donkeys and horses, collecting the odour from sebum extracts, and identifying do...
Fluoroscopically guided neocanalization for treatment of nasolacrimal atresia in two horses. A yearling Thoroughbred stallion and an 8-year-old Saddlebred mare were evaluated for persistent mucoid ocular discharge. Results: Examination of both horses revealed copious yellow-tan mucoid ocular discharge with a negative Jones I test, absent nasal punctum, and unsuccessful anterograde nasolacrimal duct (NLD) irrigation. Clinical abnormalities were present on the right side only in one horse and bilaterally in the other. Computed tomography (CT) with contrast confirmed nasolacrimal duct atresia in both horses. Results: Under general anesthesia, the affected NLD was catheterized anterograde...
In Vitro Digestibility Measurement of Feedstuffs in Donkeys Using the DaisyII Incubator. Successful studies on in vitro digestibility measurement of feedstuffs with fecal inoculum have been reported for horses, whereas data on donkeys are currently lacking. In this study, we evaluated the use of the Daisy Incubator for in vitro digestibility measurement of feedstuffs using donkey feces as source of microbial inoculum. The method was tested using seven feedstuffs commonly used in donkey diets (alfalfa, bromegrass, ryegrass, and timothy hays; wheat bran and wheat straw; barley grains). Feces were obtained from four female donkeys, and incubations were carried out at 1-week interva...
Interobserver Reliability of the Animal Welfare Indicators Welfare Assessment Protocol for Horses. Objective tools for the assessment of animal welfare are needed. The present study analyzed the interobserver reliability of the Animal Welfare Indicators (AWIN) welfare assessment protocol for horses to further enhance knowledge concerning reliability. Therefore, two trained observers conducted 18 assessments on farm at the same time and on the same animals. The results were compared at individual level by calculation of Cohen's kappa (κ), weighted kappa (κ), and prevalence-adjusted, bias-adjusted kappa (PABAK). Spearman rank correlation coefficient (RS), intraclass correlation coefficient ...
Farm Animal Cognition-Linking Behavior, Welfare and Ethics. Farm animal welfare is a major concern for society and food production. To more accurately evaluate animal farming in general and to avoid exposing farm animals to poor welfare situations, it is necessary to understand not only their behavioral but also their cognitive needs and capacities. Thus, general knowledge of how farm animals perceive and interact with their environment is of major importance for a range of stakeholders, from citizens to politicians to cognitive ethologists to philosophers. This review aims to outline the current state of farm animal cognition research and focuses on u...
A luminescence-based assay for evaluating bactericidal antibody to Borrelia burgdorferi in vaccinated horses’ serum. Current serological tests cannot discriminate between bactericidal Borrelia burgdorferi antibodies from others that are merely a response to Borrelia antigenic stimulation. Objective: To develop a sensitive and convenient luminescence-based serum bactericidal assay (L-SBA) to identify serum borreliacidal activity. Methods: Prospective validation study and method comparison. Methods: Serum samples were obtained either from archives of the Animal Health Diagnostic Center at Cornell University (N = 7) or from a vaccination trial (N = 238). Endogenous complement-inactivated serum sample was in...
A new molecular screening tool for the detection of chromosomal abnormalities in donkeys. Chromosomal abnormalities are a major cause of infertility and reproductive problems in equids. Nowadays, their detection is rising due to the use of new diagnostic tools based on molecular markers instead of karyotyping. Reports of this kind of genetic aberrations in domestic donkeys (Equus asinus) are extremely scarce, despite their importance in human activities. In the present study, we analysed the implementation of a short-tandem-repeat (STR)-based molecular method initially developed for horses, as a diagnostic tool to detect chromosomal abnormalities in donkeys. The frequency of five X...
In silico prediction of prolactin molecules as a tool for equine genomics reproduction. The prolactin hormone is involved in several biological functions, although its main role resides on reproduction. As it interferes on fertility changes, studies focused on human health have established a linkage of this hormone to fertility losses. Regarding animal research, there is still a lack of information about the structure of prolactin. In case of horse breeding, prolactin has a particular influence; once there is an individualization of these animals and equines are known for presenting several reproductive disorders. As there is no molecular structure available for the prolactin hor...
Pain assessment in horses after orthopaedic surgery and with orthopaedic trauma. Objective pain assessment is important to guide and tailor therapy in clinical practice. This study describes the clinical applicability and validity of two pain scales, the Composite Pain Scale (CPS) and the Equine Utrecht University Scale for Facial Assessment of Pain (EQUUS-FAP) in horses with orthopaedic trauma or after orthopaedic surgery. A cohort follow-up study was performed using 77 adult horses (n=43 with orthopaedic trauma or injury; n=34 controls). Composite and facial expression-based pain scores were assessed by direct observations of pairs of two independent observers. All horse...
Wild horse populations in south-east Australia have a high prevalence of Strongylus vulgaris and may act as a reservoir of infection for domestic horses. Australia has over 400,000 wild horses, the largest wild equid population in the world, scattered across a range of different habitats. We hypothesised that wild horse populations unexposed to anthelmintics would have a high prevalence of infections. Verminous endarteritis and colic due to migrating larvae is now absent or unreported in domestic horses in Australia, yet wild horses may pose a risk for its re-emergence. A total of 289 faecal egg counts (FECs) were performed across six remote wild horse populations in south-east Australia, of varying densities, herd sizes and habitats. Total s...
Using Estrous Behavior to Time Initiation of Oxytocin Administration to Prolong Luteal Function in Mares. The objective of this study was to use estrous behavior alone to determine the appropriate time for beginning an oxytocin treatment protocol for estrus suppression. We hypothesized that administration of oxytocin beginning 8 days after the onset of estrus will prolong the luteal phase in mares. Twenty-three light breed mares (aged 4-20 years) were exposed to a stallion and observed for signs of sexual receptivity. Mares not displaying signs received 250 μg of cloprostenol intramuscularly (IM) and were teased again 3-4 days later. On the day that estrous behavior was observed (Day 0), mare...
Update on mammalian sperm capacitation: how much does the horse differ from other species? In contrast to various other mammalian species, conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF) with horse gametes is not reliably successful. In particular, stallion spermatozoa fails to penetrate the zona pellucida, most likely due to incomplete activation of stallion spermatozoa (capacitation) under in vitro conditions. In other mammalian species, specific capacitation triggers have been described; unfortunately, none of these is able to induce full capacitation in stallion spermatozoa. Nevertheless, knowledge of capacitation pathways and their molecular triggers might improve our understanding o...
A cream containing omega-3-fatty acids, humectants and emollients as an aid in the treatment of equine Culicoides hypersensitivity. Topical application of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) has shown satisfactory results in dogs and humans with allergic skin diseases. Urea and glycolic acid act as keratolytics and moisturizers. Culicoides hypersensitivity is the most common equine hypersensitivity disorder and only limited treatment options exist. Objective: To evaluate the effect of a cream containing topical PUFAs, humectants and emollients on clinical signs of equine Culicoides hypersensitivity. Methods: Privately owned horses (n = 28) with clinical signs of Culicoides hypersensitivity. Methods: For a period of four ...
Genomic characterization and comparative analysis of Leptospira kirschneri serogroup Grippotyphosa UC5/2011, a strain isolated after mare abortion: Implications for genital animal leptospirosis. The genome of a Brazilian strain of Leptospira kirschneri serogroup Grippotyphosa isolated from a mare post-abortion was sequenced and analyzed. High symmetrical identity and few structural differences were found when compared with a European strain of the same serogroup, L. kirschneri serovar Valbuzzi strain 200702274. Genes associated with virulence and antimicrobial resistance were found. Knowledge of the virulence evolution of Leptospira remains limited, especially in diseases of the reproductive sphere. We highlight the importance of virulence studies in the sphere of genital leptospirosi...
Dietary-induced modulation of the hindgut microbiota is related to behavioral responses during stressful events in horses. The bidirectional communication between the central and the enteric nervous system named the gut-brain axis has been widely recognized. The gut microbiota has been implicated in a variety of stress-related conditions including anxiety, depression and irritable bowel syndrome based on rodent studies or correlative analysis in human patients. The aim of the present study was to investigate to what extent changes in behavior during stressful events and in the microbial composition of the colonic ecosystem were associated in horses. The microbiota alterations were induced by a change from a high-f...
Effects of age on serum glucose and insulin concentrations and glucose/insulin ratios in neonatal foals and their dams during the first 2 weeks postpartum. Maintaining serum glucose concentrations is critical in neonatal foals and is often dysregulated in illness; however, few studies have assessed the effects of age, or variation of glucose and insulin, in neonates and their postpartum dams. This study aimed to serially evaluate serum glucose and insulin concentrations and glucose/insulin (G/I) ratios in seven healthy foals and their dams immediately postpartum and at 1-2 and 10-12days of age. The hypotheses were that: (1) there would be wide temporal variation in hourly glucose and insulin measurements among foals; and (2) measured parameters i...
The Identification of Novel Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms of Equine Beta-Lactoglobulin and Lactotransferrin Genes. Lactoferrin (LTF), also called lactotransferrin, is an iron-binding protein and member of transferrin family, whereas β-LG is an important milk protein and belongs to the ligand-binding protein family of lipocalins and binds retinol. Beta-lactoglobulin (β-LG) is a major whey protein and it is a member of lipocalins family. β-LG is also known as a major allergen reason of cow milk protein allergy. Yet, no information has been reported about β-LG and LTF genes in donkeys. In this study, the genetic variation of β-LG and LTF genes were analyzed via DNA sequencing in 77 donkeys, which were in...
Genetic and environmental risk factors for vitiligo and melanoma in Pura Raza Español horses. Vitiligo and melanoma are relatively common disorders in grey Pura Raza Español horses and other horse breeds with grey-coloured coats. Objective: To determine the breed prevalence, environmental risks factors and estimate the genetic parameters for vitiligo and melanoma in Pura Raza Español horses. Methods: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: We analysed data from a large worldwide population of Pura Raza Español horses. The database included the vitiligo and melanoma scores, on either a four- or six-point linear scale, of 11,436 horses. Genetic parameters were estimated using a Bayesian ...
Using Movement Sensors to Assess Lying Time in Horses With and Without Angular Limb Deformities. Chronic musculoskeletal pathologies are common in horses, however, identifying related effects can be challenging. This study tested the hypothesis that movement sensors and analgesics could be used in combination to confirm the presence of restrictive pathologies by assessing lying time. Four horses presenting a range of angular limb deformities (ALDs) and four nonaffected controls were used. The study comprised two trials at separate paddock locations. Trial A consisted of a 3-day baseline phase and 2 × 3-day treatment phases, during which two analgesics were administered to two ALD horses...
[Vigilance for veterinary medicinal products: Reports of adverse reactions in the year 2017]. A total of 306 reports of adverse reactions to veterinary medicinal products were received during the year 2017 representing an increase of 21% compared to the previous year. The majority of these reports described reactions concerning companion animals (180 dogs and 59 cats) as well as cattle (38 reports) and horses (14 reports). Most of the reported reactions were linked to the use of antiparasitics (158 reports), hormone products (30 reports) and anti-inflammatory products (25 reports). 40 reports were generated from consultations with Tox Info Suisse in Zürich and mainly involved the ex...
Thyroid Hormone and Thyrotropin Concentrations and Responses to Thyrotropin-Stimulating Hormone in Horses with PPID Compared with Age-Matched Normal Horses. Glucocorticoids are known to exert inhibitory action on the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis. With recent evidence that free plasma cortisol and urinary excretion of cortisol metabolites may be increased in horses with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID), it is important to further examine thyroid function in horses with PPID. To test the hypothesis that serum thyrotropin (TSH) concentrations are decreased in horses with PPID, baseline serum thyroid hormone and TSH concentrations, and responses to TSH-releasing hormone (TRH), were compared between 12 horses diagnosed as having PPID...
Heterologous Wharton’s Jelly Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Application on a Large Chronic Skin Wound in a 6-Month-Old Filly. A complex feedback of growth factors, secreted by a variety of cell types, is responsible for the mediation of skin healing. Despite the recent advances in wound healing management, this fails up to 50% and skin wounds can still be considered one of the main causes of morbidity, both in human and veterinary medicine. Regenerative medicine, involving mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), is nowadays a promising solution for skin wound healing. Indeed, MSCs are involved in the modulation of the inflammatory local response and cell replacing, by a paracrine mode of action. Local application of equine...
Why Should Human-Animal Interactions Be Included in Research of Working Equids’ Welfare? The livelihood of working horses' owners and their families is intimately linked to the welfare of their equids. A proper understanding of human-animal interactions, as well as the main factors that modulate them, is essential for establishing strategies oriented to improve the welfare of animals and their caretakers. To date, there is still a paucity of research dedicated to the identification and assessment of the human psychological attributes that affect the owner⁻equine interaction, and how these could affect the welfare of working equids. However, some studies have shown that empathy, ...
A genome-wide scan for diversifying selection signatures in selected horse breeds. The genetic differentiation of the current horse population was evolutionarily created by natural or artificial selection which shaped the genomes of individual breeds in several unique ways. The availability of high throughput genotyping methods created the opportunity to study this genetic variation on a genome-wide level allowing detection of genome regions divergently selected between separate breeds as well as among different horse types sharing similar phenotypic features. In this study, we used the population differentiation index (FST) that is generally used for measuring locus-specifi...
Post-thaw Addition of Caffeine and/or Pentoxifylline Affect Differently Motility of Horse and Donkey-Cryopreserved Spermatozoa. To increase sperm motility, several molecules have been tested in mammals. Methylxanthines have shown effects on sperm motility, capacitation, and on in vitro fertilization processes. The aim of the study was to evaluate if the post-thaw addition of caffeine and/or pentoxifylline changes motility parameters of cryopreserved stallion and donkey spermatozoa. Straws derived from 14 horses and 7 donkeys were thawed and diluted in a milk-based extender to obtain the following final concentrations: CTR (control, no additives), CAF 5 (5 mM caffeine), CAF 10 (10 mM caffeine), PTX 5 (5 mM pentoxify...
Development of the central nervous system in equine twin fetuses derived by somatic cell nuclear transfer. Because of the growing importance of horses in leisure and several sports, somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) is being used more frequently for cloning animals for performance and reproductive purposes. However, because of the need to perforate the zona pellucida during microsurgical reconstruction of the oocyte, it is possible that SCNT-derived embryos undergo premature hatching, resulting in embryo bisection and twinning. Therefore, because equine twin pregnancies often lead to abnormal embryo development and pregnancy failure, we performed a detailed comparative assessment of equine twin ...
