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.
Spatial Modeling of Equine Herpesviruses 1 (EHVs-1) Risks in Kazakhstan Using 2017-2024 Surveillance Data. Equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) is one of the most dangerous viral diseases affecting ungulates, and is characterized by a wide range of clinical manifestations in horses, including rhinopneumonia, abortion, neonatal death, and myeloencephalopathy. It is well known for causing mass abortions in mares and respiratory diseases in young animals. Once introduced into a horse breeding farm of any type, EHV-1 tends to establish as a persistent infection. The disease is reported on nearly all continents and causes substantial annual economic losses to horse breeding operations. In Kazakhstan, 34 EHV-1 o...
Molecular diversity of cox1 and LSU rDNA sequences of Sarcocystis bertrami (syn. S. fayeri) (Apicomplexa: Eucoccidiorida: Sarcocystidae) in horses. Food poisoning caused by consuming raw horsemeat contaminated with Sarcocystis is a significant public health concern. Two morphotypes of sarcocysts in horsemeat, characterized by upright and folded villar protrusions, are typically identified as Sarcocystis fayeri and S. bertrami, respectively. However, recent molecular studies focusing on the ribosomal RNA gene (rDNA) and mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (cox1) have indicated a conspecific relationship between these two morphotypes using a limited number of specimens. To explore further genetic diversity in equid sarcocysts,...
Monte Carlo evaluation of occupational exposures in equine radiology procedures. Portable X-ray equipments are commonly used in diagnostic radiology of equine patients. Despite its benefits, the exposure to ionizing radiation can pose a health risk to workers as physical restraint of patients is typically required. In this context, the aim of this study was to apply Monte Carlo simulation to investigate occupational exposure in the diagnosis of horses. The simulations were carried out by the Monte Carlo N-Particle 6.2 (MCNP6.2) code. The workers were represented by a FASH3 (female) and MASH3 (male) virtual anthropomorphic phantoms. To simulate the horse, a realistic virtua...
Imaging Findings of Congenital Distal Interphalangeal Joint Dysplasia in a 3-Month-Old Friesian Foal. A 3-month-old Friesian colt presented with severe, progressive distal limb lameness in two limbs. Radiographic and postmortem full-body CT imaging revealed severe articular deforming osteolysis and osteoproliferation at the dorsodistal navicular bone margin and the adjacent distal phalanx proximo-palmar/proximo-plantar margin in two limbs, with the remainder of the distal interphalangeal joint being unaffected. Multiple other joints showed small osteolytic subchondral defects. Postmortem histopathological examination confirmed focal joint disease of both distal interphalangeal joints, without ...
Equine Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction. Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) is a common, slowly progressive, neurodegenerative disorder of the older horse. Oxidative damage to the hypothalamic periventricular neurons results in loss of dopaminergic inhibition of the pars intermedia region of the pituitary gland. Consequently, there is increased production of the pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC)-derived hormones normally produced by this region, as well as initial melanocyte hypertrophy and hyperplasia, followed by adenomatous change. Clinical signs that are highly suggestive of the disease are generalised and regional hypertrich...
Seroprevalence of segmented flavi-like Alongshan virus in horses. The emergence of new pathogens poses a significant threat to global health, exacerbated by climate change, biodiversity loss, and increased globalization. Ticks, as vectors for various pathogens, contribute to the rising incidence of diseases. Surveillance programs are crucial for identifying and controlling emerging pathogens. This study focuses on the Alongshan virus (ALSV), a segmented flavi-like virus first identified in humans in China in 2017. Despite its ability to infect a wide range of mammals, the natural hosts and transmission pathways of ALSV remain poorly understood. Therefore, we...
Does Muscle Development of Sport Horses Using Water Treadmill Exercise as Part of a Long-Term Training Programme Differ from That of Horses Not Using Water Treadmill Exercise? Water treadmill (WT) exercise has become a popular tool for equine training and rehabilitation. However, few studies describe the long-term effects of WT exercise in low water on muscle development (MD). This study's objectives were to compare MD changes over a 40-week period in sport horses that regularly used WT in low water within training (Group WTH, = 55) and a control group that did not (control, = 28). Subjective MD assessments were undertaken using an adaptation of a previously published method at weeks 0, 20 and 40. For Group WTH, MD significantly increased in the neck, pelvis and h...
Correction: Association between radiographic equine distal phalanx characteristics and absence, presence and type of horseshoes. [This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2025.1598038.].
RNA-seq analysis identifies key genes enhancing hoof strength to withstand barefoot racing in Standardbred trotters. Racing without protective shoes is common in the Swedish harness racing industry, as it can enhance horses' performance on the track. Trainers typically decide whether a horse will race barefoot based on practical experience rather than objective measures. However, this practice can sometimes lead to excessive hoof wear, posing potential welfare concerns for racing horses. Gene expression differences may help reveal the underlying genetic mechanisms associated with different phenotypic traits. To explore an objective measure for assessing which horses are best suited for barefoot racing, we co...
Cost of referral treatment for colic in the United Kingdom-What has changed in the last 5 years? Referral treatment costs and insurance status impact treatment decisions for colic. Objective: To evaluate changes in the cost of referral treatment for colic, and insurance cover and premiums in the United Kingdom between 2018 and 2023. Methods: Cross sectional study. Methods: Thirty UK equine referral hospitals were contacted in January 2024 and asked about their colic caseload and costs of the last three cases across six categories (surgical +/- resection, euthanasia before, during or after surgery, and medical treatment), using similar methodology to a 2018 study. Data are reported as mean...
Cytoplasmic and nuclear Survivin expression in healthy gastric mucosae of equids: A comparative study between horses, donkeys, and mules. Information regarding Survivin protein expression in the gastric mucosa of equids is scarce. This protein has been associated with functions related to modulating apoptosis and promoting mitosis in epithelial cells and is considered part of gastric cytoprotection mechanisms in humans and mice, maintaining mucosal integrity and regulating cellular renewal. Objective: This study aimed to determine the expression of cytoplasmic and nuclear Survivin in gastric mucosae of equids (horses, donkeys, and mules). Methods: A total of 30 healthy stomachs, 10 from each species, were evaluated using histolo...
Investigations on metabolic diseases of horses in Egypt. Obesity is a significant risk factor that predisposes horses to laminitis, equine metabolic syndrome, arthritis, heart disease, and respiratory issues. Unassigned: Mares showing overweight or laminitis ( = 30), different BCS ( = 90) weighing 350-550 Kg were subjected to clinical and rump fat assessments. Blood samples were collected to measure circulating estradiol, progesterone, cortisol, insulin, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and leptin. Additionally, glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, total proteins, albumin, nitric oxide (NO), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), glutathione redu...
Road transportation is associated with decreased intestinal motility in horses. Transportation of horses has been associated with colic and changes to the gastrointestinal microbiome. Percutaneous abdominal ultrasonography using wireless, point-of-care transducers can be used to assess gastrointestinal motility in field settings. Unassigned: Characterization of intestinal motility and salivary cortisol responses of horses completing commercial transportation of 10-12h. Unassigned: Prospective observational study of 30 horses with diverse signalment and transport histories. Clinical parameters, sonographic assessment of intestinal motility and saliva samples, were collecte...
First night effect alters occipital brain connectivity in horses. The First Night Effect is a phenomenon whereby sleep duration and quality are compromised in unfamiliar environments or situations. Horses are often transported to new locations, such as sporting events. We wanted to know if the First Night Effect is also detectable in horses in two different populations. To investigate this, we compared five horses from a professional sports horse barn that are regularly used in competitions, with six horses from a breeding barn, that are less frequently transferred to unfamiliar places. Despite the significant differences observed in electroencephalography (...
Seroprevalence and Passive Clinical Surveillance of West Nile Virus in Horses from Ecological High-Risk Areas in Western Romania: Exploratory Findings from a Cross-Sectional Study. This cross-sectional study evaluated the seroprevalence and clinical impact of West Nile virus (WNV) infection in horses from three ecologically high-risk counties in western Romania (Timiș, Arad, and Bihor) between 2023 and 2025. A total of 306 unvaccinated horses were tested using a commercial ELISA, with 8.17% testing positive for WNV antibodies, indicating prior exposure. Passive surveillance for clinical signs during mosquito seasons identified 16 horses with acute neurological symptoms, four of which were confirmed as clinical cases based on WNV-specific IgM positivity, suggesting proba...
A Simple Double Centrifugation Tube Method to Obtain Platelet-rich Plasma from Equine Blood. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is widely utilized as a routine treatment for chronic musculoskeletal conditions in horses, such as osteoarthritis, tendinopathies, and desmopathies. This effectiveness stems from the high concentration of growth factors and anti-inflammatory cytokines that are released upon activation of this orthobiologic agent, whether activated endogenously or exogenously. Despite its growing popularity, there is a notable absence of instructional videos that demonstrate the techniques for obtaining PRP in horses. This study examines a double centrifugation tube method for obtain...
The horse gut bacteriome and anaerobic mycobiome are influenced by seasonal forages and small intestinal starch digestibility. The equine gut microbiome is a complex and dynamic ecosystem, housing a diverse consortium of bacteria and anaerobic fungi (AF) capable of breaking down complex plant matter and converting it into vital energy sources for their host. The aim of this study was to broaden our current understanding of bacterial and AF diversity in the equine hindgut and how it differs between cohorts and responds to dietary shifts. Results: Faecal samples were collected from 48 horses and the bacteriome and anaerobic mycobiome analysed using long-read amplicon sequencing. Samples were collected from racehorses (R...
Do stereotypies help or harm? Exploring the link between cortisol level and abnormal behaviours in animals: a review. Stereotypical behaviours in animals, often linked to stress, are repetitive actions that may lack a clear purpose. This review examines the relationship between cortisol levels, a key stress hormone, and stereotypic behaviour across various animal species, including zoo mammals, horses, and dogs. A total of 99 studies were analysed to understand whether elevated cortisol levels are associated with stereotypies. While many studies report a positive correlation between cortisol and stereotypical behaviour, more detailed research suggests that these behaviours may also serve as coping mechanisms,...
Photodynamic therapy in the treatment of cutaneous habronemosis in a horse: Case report. Habronema muscae is a parasitic nematode that causes habronemiasis in horses, leading to chronic skin lesions. The parasite is transmitted via flies, and larvae deposited in wounds result in difficult-to-heal "summer sores". This case study involved treating a 9-year-old gelding male horse with recurrent habronemiasis using photodynamic therapy (PDT) concurrent with conventional treatments. The horse presented with ulcerated, exudative wounds on its limbs and face, unresponsive to traditional treatments. PDT was applied over six months, using methylene blue (MB) as a photosensitizer, combined ...
Comparison of Gait Characteristics for Horses Without Shoes, with Steel Shoes, and with Aluminum Shoes. Differences in horseshoe materials may have effects on gait that could change perceived esthetic qualities. Objective information regarding effects of shoeing on gait characteristics of horses is scant. The aim of this study was to determine differences in gait characteristics for horses under various experimental shoeing conditions (barefoot, aluminum shoes, steel shoes) on two surfaces (asphalt and soft footing) using body- and hoof-mounted sensors. We hypothesized that shoeing would affect hoof arc height during early (arc height a) and late (arc height b) swing phases but would not affect ...
Late Iron Age and Roman equine breeding north of the Alps: Genetic insights and cultural implications. The Roman conquest of the northern Alpine foreland in 15 BCE introduced larger-sized horses and hybrid mules to the region. To investigate their genetic profiles and influence on local breeding, we analyzed our previously generated shallow shotgun DNA data from 402 Late Iron Age and Roman equids, supplemented with mitochondrial and nuclear capture data from 40 to 31 equids from the same regions and periods. Late Iron Age and Roman horses exhibit high matrilineal diversity, with unique haplogroups in the latter indicating exogenous animals. The preferred use of male mounts in army service menti...
Topical Use of Sucralfate in Cutaneous Wound Management: A Narrative Review with a Veterinary Perspective. Wound management is a fundamental skill for veterinarians, requiring a systematic approach to wound care and a deep understanding of the biological principles underlying healing. Sucralfate, widely known as a mucoprotective agent for gastroduodenal ulcers, has recently shown promising topical effects in human skin lesions by binding and protecting growth factors from proteolytic degradation, thereby enhancing their local availability. This action promotes angiogenesis, chemotaxis and cell proliferation, while reducing oxidative stress and exerting bacteriostatic and bactericidal effects agains...
Correction: Modelling African horse sickness emergence and transmission in the South African control area using a deterministic metapopulation approach. [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1011448.].
A fitness tracker can be used interchangeably with a reference method for underwater single-lead electrocardiography but not heart rate variability analysis in swimming horses. To validate a single-lead ECG fitness tracker device (FT) against the reference multilead ECG recording device (RM) for heart rate (HR) and HR variability (HRV) monitoring of horses during routine swimming. Unassigned: 40 race-fit Thoroughbred racehorses were used for 5 days in May 2024. Surface ECG recordings were obtained simultaneously from the FT and RM devices in horses swimming 63.65 m across a pool. Electrocardiograms were reviewed and artifacts corrected when necessary, and correlations were analyzed between the 2 devices for HR and HRV parameters. Descriptive statistics and Bland-Altm...
Tracing the 2021 equine influenza Outbreak: First characterization and phylogeographic analysis of H3N8 Florida clade 1 virus in Tunisia. Equine influenza (EI) is a highly contagious viral respiratory disease affecting equids, with the potential of causing widespread outbreaks across Europe, the Americas, Asia, and other regions of the world. In Tunisia, in the spring of 2021, an EI virus outbreak occurred in a farm housing purebred Arabian horses that exhibited respiratory signs. This outbreak led to a national lockdown on horse movements and the cancellation of equestrian events. A total of 432 serum samples, collected from 2018 to 2021, were tested using ELISA competition assay. In addition, 100 Nasal swabs were collected dur...
Gastrointestinal parasite occurrence in Slovak horses and factors affecting Strongylidae and Parascaris spp. egg shedding. Strongylids and parascarids are the most widespread equine parasites worldwide; however, up-to-date data from Slovakia remain limited. This work bridges that gap by examining the prevalence and level of gastrointestinal helminth infections in Slovak horses. In the study, 392 fecal samples from horses on 24 farms were analyzed using the McMaster method with a sensitivity of 50 eggs per gram (EPG) for detecting nematode eggs and a double-centrifugation/combined sedimentation-flotation protocol for detecting Anoplocephala spp. eggs. Information on the age and breed of horses, management condition...
First report of Benzimidazole resistance in equid intestinal strongyles from Kashmir valley, India. Benzimidazole (BZ) anthelmintics have been used indiscriminately in equids to control nematode infections throughout the world including India and has led to the development of BZ resistance. In order to determine the current status of BZ resistance in equids of Kashmir against intestinal strongyles (IS), the present study was conducted using faecal egg count reduction test (FECRT) and Allele specific PCR (AS-PCR). The study was conducted on ponies from three major tourist destinations of Kashmir viz; Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg in accordance with the WAAVP guidelines. The animals which wer...
Equine Asthma in a Comparative Perspective: Cardiovascular and Neurological Manifestations of Asthma Across Different Species. Asthma is a multifactorial respiratory disease that naturally occurs in horses, humans, and cats, presenting common clinical signs and species-specific mechanisms. This review addresses the impact of asthma on the cardiovascular and neurological systems, with a primary focus on horses. It highlights the need for new biomarkers beyond the respiratory system due to diagnostic difficulties in animals. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar, focusing on cardiovascular and neurological manifestations of asthma in humans, horses, cats, and experimental animal...
Emergence of a new alveolar dental element after extraction of a molar tooth in a horse. A 2-year-old mixed-breed mare was examined at the property due to swelling and fistula on the right mandible. Oral examination and radiographs revealed the presence of an apical abscess involving the 410 tooth. The tooth was extracted entirely and confirmed radiographically. One year later, the owner reported a reoccurrence of clinical signs. A new radiographic evaluation revealed a radiopaque area in the alveolar socket of the 410 tooth filled with spongy-looking bone. An extraoral approach to the alveolar socket was performed, and the content removed had the appearance of a dental element.