Omneity® Pellets
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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.
Equine genital and ocular squamous cell carcinomas: clinical, histopathological, molecular and viral characterization with proposed histopathological classification system. Equine squamous cell carcinomas (eSCCs) are common, and a proportion are likely induced by papillomavirus 2 (EcPV-2). Accurate prediction of clinical outcomes is challenging with no recognized prognostic criteria or consistent histopathological classification scheme for eSCC. The aims of this study were to histopathologically subtype a large case series of eSCCs (genital and ocular) and correlate them with p16 and HER-2 expression, equine papillomavirus infection status, and various clinical and histopathological parameters to predict tumour behavior and prognosis. One hundred and eighty-five...
Molecular characterization of Anaplasmataceae in Turkmen horses (Akhal-Teke breed) and ticks in racetracks, Iran. Due to the abundance of ticks on open grassy surfaces, racetracks may represent ideal scenarios for tick-borne pathogens. Therefore, in 2024/2025 Turkmen horses (Akhal-Teke breed) and ticks collected by dragging in paddocks of Iran were screened for Anaplasmataceae using Sanger sequencing on 16S rRNA, TRP36 and dsb genes. Amongst 200 horses, 11 (5.5%) tested positive without signs/symptoms, being 8 (4%) for Ehrlichia canis and 3 (1.5%) for Anaplasma ovis; no difference in prevalence was found by gender and age (p>0.05). All ticks were identified as Hyalomma asiaticum and Haemaphysalis sulca...
Comparative hematological and physiological responses to ground and pool training in Colombian Paso Horses. Exercise training causes physiological and hematological changes that are crucial for enhancing athletic performance in horses. While these responses have been extensively studied in various equine breeds, there is limited information regarding Colombian Paso Horses (CPH), especially concerning the comparative effects of different training methods. Ground-based training is frequently used to improve gait and speed, whereas aquatic exercise has become an alternative conditioning approach that lessens musculoskeletal stress. However, the physiological responses related to these training modaliti...
Client-specific outcome measure for chronic osteoarthritis pain assessment in horses. Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent cause of chronic pain and lameness in horses. Whereas lameness can be quantified using objective measures, the assessment of OA-associated pain remains challenging. This study aimed to evaluate the applicability of the Client-Specific Outcome Measure (CSOM), a tool widely used in small animals, for the assessment of chronic OA pain in horses through caretaker evaluation. Unassigned: Seventeen privately owned horses with confirmed OA were enrolled in a 20-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. For each horse, three individual pain-related ind...
Metastatic adenocarcinoma in the parotid gland in a horse – clinical and pathological findings. This case report details the findings of a metastatic adenocarcinoma of the parotid gland, a rare neoplasm in horses with limited treatment options. A 12-year-old, Criollo breed, gelding was presented with an enlarged left parotid gland that had been previously treated for 6 months without response to treatment. Based on the results of the diagnostic procedures performed, the horse underwent a total sialadenectomy and died of hypovolemic shock in the recovery room. Post-mortem examination revealed metastatic neoplastic infiltration of the submandibular lymph nodes and the lymphatic network at ...
Pedigree-Based Assessment of Genetic Structure and Disease-Associated Variants in Friesian Horses in Brazil. Background: Friesian horses are recognized for severe genetic restriction due to intensive selection. Still, the genetic diversity, founder representation, and prevalence of inherited disorders in the Brazilian Friesian population, which is comprised of fewer than 500 individuals, have not been previously investigated AIMS/OBJECTIVES: characterize the genetic diversity, inbreeding, founder representation using pedigree-based tools, and frequency of known pathogenic, behavioral, and white spotting alleles in Friesian horses registered in Brazil METHODS: Pedigree data from 411 Friesian horses (2...
Impacts of flavor and aromatic palatants on consumption behavior in nursing foals. Palatability research in horses has primarily been conducted in mature, non-lactating horses and has typically investigated gustatory rather than aromatic preference. Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the gustatory and aromatic preferences of nursing foals. Methods: Stock-type mare (13.25 ± 4.40 years) and foal (6 ± 3 weeks) pairings (n = 4) were utilized in multi-preference testing for treatments including apple, anise, peppermint and control (no palatant). Mares and foals were placed in assigned split stalls for 1800 seconds and provided unrestricted access to a...
Small Genome-wide association study of insect bite hypersensitivity in Hucul horses. Insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH) is a prevalent allergic skin disease in horses that significantly affects animal welfare and shows evidence of genetic predisposition. Objective: Understanding the genetic basis of IBH can improve management and breeding strategies. The Equine80K BeadChip microarray was used to identify genomic regions associated with the occurrence of IBH in Hucul horses. Methods: Hair samples were collected from 127 Hucul horses, including both affected individuals and controls. DNA was extracted and genotyped. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) was performed to identif...
An investigation into the impact of the inclusion of a commercial fiber-based feed, designed for both hydration and nutrition, on the equine hindgut microbiomes. It is more evident that horse health is linked to the gastrointestinal tract and microbial community structure (MCS) as affected by diet. There are many marketed feeds available to enhance nutrition for horses, however the effects of these feeds on hindgut MCS are largely unknown. Objective: The aim was to test the effect of a complementary forage feed (FF) on the fermentation profile and MCS in contrasting basal diets. Methods: A 2×2 factorial design was used to assess the effect of basal diet, forage only (FOR) or forage/concentrate (MIX), and presence/absence of FF on fermentation paramete...
Successful resolution of natural Werneckiella equi infestation in two horses using pour-on Fipronil: A clinical observation. Werneckiella equi is an ectoparasite of equids, and control can be challenging because of the limited availability of licensed products. This case report describes the clinical observation of 1% fipronil pour-on against W. equi infestation in horses admitted to a veterinary hospital. Two horses were treated and observed between 2022 and 2023. Both exhibited pruritus, especially in the head, withers, and croup regions, and were diagnosed with severe W. equi infestation. The treatment consisted of a single topical application of 1% fipronil pour-on (1 mg/kg). Parasite reduction was assessed by c...
Plasma Concentrations Following Oral Administration of Two Different Forms of Resveratrol in Horses. Resveratrol is a compound found in multiple plants and there is evidence for its use as a supplement in horses, particularly through protection of chondrocytes. Previous studies on the clinical efficacy of resveratrol supplementation in horses have reported limited benefits. To date, there is no pharmacokinetic data of resveratrol in horses but the bioavailability of resveratrol in other species is poor. In this crossover study, the plasma concentrations of two forms of resveratrol were examined. Each horse received via nasogastric tube, either a single dose of resveratrol phospholipid or a st...
When Vibrio is not Vibrio: misidentified Aeromonas sp. associated with equine abortions and neonatal death, revealed by MALDI-TOF and 16S rRNA sequencing. A retrospective review of equine necropsies performed at the Normandy Laboratory for Animal Health, French Agency for food, environmental and occupational health and safety (1996-2022) unexpectedly reported Vibrio alginolyticus, Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus in equine samples using API 20NE, prompting a re-evaluation of bacterial identification. Of 27 strains, 25 were cultivable, and re-examined using API 20NE, API 20E, MALDI-TOF, 16S rRNA gene sequencing and Vibrio-specific PCR assays. API 20NE confirmed the original (erroneous) identifications; all Vibrio-specific PCR assays ...
Effects of Exercise Intensity and Duration on Acute-Phase Proteins in Thoroughbred Racehorses. Physical exercise represents a physiological stressor capable of activating the acute-phase response (APR) in horses. However, the relative contribution of exercise intensity duration to acute-phase protein (APP) dynamics remains incompletely defined. This study compared the effects of short, high-intensity gallop exercise (2400 m flat race; = 12) and prolonged, low-intensity endurance exercise (40 km; = 13) on serum amyloid A (SAA), haptoglobin (Hp), and ceruloplasmin (Cp) in Thoroughbred racehorses. Blood samples were collected before exercise and at defined post-exercise time points. Bet...
Objective, Longitudinal Computed Tomographic Evaluation of the Metacarpal Condyles in Non-Lame Thoroughbred Racehorses. There are limited data on sequential computed tomographic (CT) evaluation and objective CT assessment of the metacarpal condyles in Thoroughbred racehorses. This longitudinal study aimed to document changes in attenuation of the metacarpal condyles during the first two years of training and racing. Fan-beam CT examination of the metacarpophalangeal regions was performed on 40 non-lame Thoroughbred yearlings, and repeated four more times, approximately six months apart. Mean Hounsfield Unit (HU) measurements were obtained on sagittal reconstructions of the dorsal and palmar halves of the medial...
Air pollution exceedances routinely occur at Thoroughbred racetracks in the contiguous United States. To characterize spatiotemporal patterns of criteria air pollutants surrounding Thoroughbred racetracks in the US. Unassigned: We identified all active Thoroughbred racetracks from 2011 through 2024, linking their location with daily air quality data from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Air Quality System. Mean daily and annual pollutant concentrations within a 50-km bounding box of each racetrack were summarized using descriptive statistics and evaluated for monthly and annual trends. Exceedances were defined as any observation in which pollutant concentration met or exceeded the ...
3D geometric morphometrics in veterinary science: applications, standardization, and future directions. Three-dimensional geometric morphometric methods have emerged as a pivotal tool in veterinary anatomy, taxonomy, clinical research, and studies of morphological diversity. This article summarizes the key stages, applications, clinical potential, and recommendations for data standardization in 3D morphometrics. Datasets are typically acquired using radiological modalities, including computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and 3D surface scanning, each offering specific advantages and constraints contingent on the research context. Standardized landmark sets are essential in ...
Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) feeding on donkeys in the United Kingdom, with reference to the risk of transmission and persistence of African horse sickness virus. African horse sickness virus (AHSV: Sedoreoviridae; Orbivirus) causes a severe and often fatal disease in horses (African horse sickness: AHS) and is transmitted almost exclusively by Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae). In recent years, unprecedented outbreaks of AHSV have occurred in new geographical foci in Thailand and other related Culicoides-borne viruses continue to emerge unexpectedly, causing disease outbreaks in northern Europe. This study investigated Culicoides abundance and diversity at a donkey (Equus asinus) sanctuary in southern England. The incidence and severi...
The influence of dirt track hardness on equine limb acceleration and impact attenuation. BACKGROUND: Track hardness is a modifiable factor that may influence musculoskeletal loading and injury risk in equine athletes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of track hardness on segmental accelerations and impact attenuation in the equine forelimb at racing speeds. We hypothesized that harder surfaces would result in greater peak segmental accelerations and reduced attenuation. METHODS: Twelve Thoroughbred chuckwagon outriding horses, instrumented with tri-axial accelerometers and a global positioning system (GPS) unit, galloped on the Calgary Stampede dirt racetrack ...
Epidemiological study and risk factors of equine (Equus ferus caballus) gastrointestinal helminth infections in the north and northeast of Iran. Understanding the epidemiology of gastrointestinal (GI) helminth infections in equines is critical for investigating drug resistance patterns and developing effective strategies to control and prevent these infections. There is a lack of data regarding horse GI helminths and risk factors in the north and northeast of Iran. Hence, the present study aimed to identify GI helminths in horses in these regions and determine their risk factors. A total of 340 fecal specimens from horses of north ( = 141) and northeast ( = 199) Iran were coprologically examined for GI helminth infections. The poly...
Interstitial pneumonia associated with equid gammaherpesvirus 5 infection in 2 neonatal foals, and a retrospective study in Hokkaido, Japan. Various bacterial and viral pathogens have been identified in cases of interstitial pneumonia in foals within the first month of life. A potential association has been suggested between equid gammaherpesvirus 5 (EqGHV5, equine herpesvirus 5; family , taxon species ) and interstitial pneumonia in foals; however, direct histologic evidence has been limited. We examined 2 neonates-12-d- and 24-d-old-with acute respiratory distress and poor response to treatment. Postmortem examination revealed interstitial pneumonia with diffuse alveolar damage and intranuclear inclusion bodies in alveolar macrop...
Global distribution of Neorickettsia risticii, the causative agent of potomac horse fever: a systematic review. Potomac Horse Fever (PHF), also known as equine neorickettsiosis (EN) or equine monocytic ehrlichiosis is an acute, potentially fatal infectious disease in horses caused by the monocytotropic rickettsia bacterium Neorickettsia risticii. This obligate intracellular bacterium is maintained throughout the life cycle of digenetic trematodes which utilize multiple intermediate and definitive hosts. Research on N. risticii is scattered across multiple continents, with most studies originating from North and South America. Therefore, a systematic review is needed to consolidate global evidence, clari...
Novel application of a PMSG assay for measurement of circulating LH levels in horses. Luteinizing hormone (LH) plays a pivotal role in equine reproductive physiology, yet its measurement has traditionally relied on radioimmunoassays (RIA), which present safety, accessibility, and regulatory challenges. This study evaluates the use of a commercially available pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) as an alternative for quantifying circulating LH in horses. Given the 100% peptide identity between equine LH and PMSG, we hypothesized that the PMSG ELISA would detect LH with high specificity and sensitivity. Blood samples from healthy, cycl...
Prevalence of potential enteric pathogens in diarrheic and non-diarrheic foals in Brazil. Diarrhea is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in foals. Our hypothesis is that foals with diarrhea have a greater prevalence of ≥2 organisms causing coinfections. We investigated the major microorganisms associated with diarrhea in 200 foals up to 1-y-old (100 diarrheic and 100 non-diarrheic). Fecal samples were analyzed by real-time PCR (rtPCR) for the detection of and toxin genes and , (genotyping for toxin-encoding genes), spp., , , , , , and spp. Rotavirus A and coronavirus were detected using reverse-transcription rtPCR. Fecal bacterial culture was also performed for ...
Synthesis and Characterization of Deuterated Detomidine for Use in Equine Medication Regulation. Detomidine, 5-[(2,3-dimethylphenyl)methyl]-1H-imidazole, is a tranquilizer/sedative/analgesic widely used in equine medicine and regulated by several different analyte concentrations of detomidine and its hydroxydetomidine and carboxydetomidine metabolites in plasma and urine. Accurate regulatory quantitation of detomidine at low picogram/mL concentrations requires the availability of a stable isotope internal standard of detomidine; however, to the best of our knowledge, no certified deuterated internal standard of detomidine is commercially available and its synthesis has not been reported. ...
Sequential Application of Autologous Platelet Rich Plasma and Muscle-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Acute Tendon Injuries in Horses: Early Clinical and Ultrasonographic Outcomes in a Randomized, Double-Blind Controlled Study. Tendon and ligament injuries are frequent in sport horses and are prone to recurrence due to incomplete healing. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are increasingly used, but data controlled on the early effects of autologous MSCs remain limited. A prospective randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in horses with naturally occurring tendinopathies. After standardized PRP pretreatment, non-responders were randomized to receive intralesional autologous muscle-derived MSCs (mdMSCs, = 17) or placebo ( = 6). Clinical and ultrasonographic paramete...
Evidence That GYPA (Glycophorin A) Encodes the K Blood Group System in Horses. Although serological and genetic studies of equine blood group systems have been conducted for many years, the molecular basis of erythrocyte antigens' variability has remained largely unexplored. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the genetic basis of serological variation within equine blood group K. Using mRNA extracted from peripheral blood samples (n = 100) collected from horses with known serological blood types (Ka or K-), we performed a transcriptome-wide association study (TWAS), which revealed a significantly associated region on equine chromosome 2 (ECA2). A detailed analysis ...
Computer-Aided Diagnosis of Equine Temporomandibular Joint Osteoarthritis Using Machine Learning Integrating Computed Tomography Findings and Synovial Fluid Biomarkers. Horses presenting with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunctions are often clinically evaluated for TMJ osteoarthritis (OA). Due to the unique characteristic of TMJ-related pain, the clinical diagnosis of equine TMJ OA is challenging; however, it may be supported by computer-aided tools incorporating biomarker data. This study aims to evaluate a machine learning-based approach to address a binary classification distinguishing healthy TMJs from TMJ OA. Among 50 equine cadaver heads, 82 TMJs were included and annotated as healthy or OA based on histological and computed tomography (CT) findings...
Assessment of the Welfare of Working Horses: Combining Clinical Evaluations with Indirect Indicators. Assessing the welfare of the working horses is crucial for identifying health and management issues and implementing effective solutions. This study evaluated the welfare of working horses in South Darfur, Sudan, by integrating clinical examination with indirect indicators through owner interviews. A total of 400 horse-owner pairs were included. Most horses (61.7%) worked every day, and 77% of owners reported using whips to encourage movement. Clinical assessment revealed that 29.0% of horses were thin, over half had dirty coats, 50.5% harbored external parasites, 43% had abnormal discharges, ...
Is there a difference in pressures and forces under the roller with different pads when lunging horses with the Pessoa training aid? Elevated pressures beneath training rollers during the Pessoa training aid (PTA) use have been reported, particularly over the thoracic region, which may contribute to back discomfort. Objective: To investigate the effect of different pads on pressures and forces beneath a training roller during lunging with a PTA. Methods: Six clinically sound horses (13.8 ± 5.2 years) were lunged on a 16-m circle in trot and canter using a randomised crossover design under three conditions: no padding (Pad 1), a folded cotton saddle cloth (Pad 2), and a purpose-made roller foam pad (Pad 3). Kinetic data wer...
Comparative study of dental age estimation methods against known chronological age in Nigerian local horses. Dental age estimation in horses is very important in the context of quality healthcare, breeding programs, and welfare management. However, information on the most suitable dental age estimation methods for Nigerian local horses is not available in the literature. We evaluated and compared dental age estimates based on six dental age estimation methods with known chronological ages of Nigerian local horses to establish the most accurate techniques for this population. A cross-sectional study of 180 Nigerian local horses was conducted in Ibadan, Nigeria. Six dental age estimation methods (erupt...
