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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.
Characterization of the fecal bacteria communities of forage-fed horses by pyrosequencing of 16S rRNA V4 gene amplicons. The diversity of the equine fecal bacterial community was evaluated using pyrosequencing of 16S rRNA gene amplicons. Fecal samples were obtained from horses fed cool-season grass hay. Fecal bacteria were characterized by amplifying the V4 region of bacterial 16S rRNA gene. Of 5898 mean unique sequences, a mean of 1510 operational taxonomic units were identified in the four fecal samples. Equine fecal bacterial richness was higher than that reported in humans, but lower than that reported in either cattle feces or soil. Bacterial classified sequences were assigned to 16 phyla, of which 10 were ...
The relationship of training milestones with racing success in a population of Standardbred horses in New Zealand. To investigate the association between attainment of training milestones by 2-year-old horses with racing outcomes in a population of Standardbred racehorses in New Zealand. Methods: Retrospective records of the 2001/2002-born Standardbred foals were obtained. The three training milestones used were: registered with a trainer, entered in a trial, and competed in a race. The racing outcomes were length of career in years raced and number of race starts, and total earnings. Cox regression analysis was used to assess the association between attainment of the three milestones by 2-year-olds and th...
Anterior and posterior segment photography. An alternative approach using a dSLR camera adaptor. To describe a novel digital single lens reflex (dSLR) camera adaptor for anterior and posterior segment photography. Methods: The adaptor was used to evaluate canine, feline, and equine patients presenting to Tufts Ophthalmology service. Anterior segment imaging was conducted with the adaptor mounted between a dSLR camera body (Canon 7D) and a macro lens (Canon EF-S 60mm/f2.8). Posterior segment imaging was performed with the aid of an indirect ophthalmic lens mounted in front of the macro lens. Coaxial illumination during viewing was provided by a single white light-emitting diode (LE...
Biomechanical testing of a novel suture pattern for repair of equine tendon lacerations. To compare in vitro biomechanical properties of a novel suture pattern to a current standard for primary repair of equine superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) laceration. Methods: In vitro randomized, paired design. Methods: Cadaveric equine forelimb SDFT (n = 24). Methods: The 3-loop pulley (3LP) and 6-strand Savage (SSS) suture patterns were applied to transected equine SDFT. Ultimate failure load, stiffness, mode of failure, and load required to form a 3-mm gap were obtained using a materials testing system and synchronized high-speed video analysis. Statistical comparisons were made us...
Welfare of Aged Horses. Horses form a unique and special part of their owners' lives and aged horses are no exception. This review considers the health and management of aged horses, including the role of the owner and their perceptions of aged horses, potential threats or risks to their welfare and finally, factors affecting quality of life and euthanasia of aged horses. Owners of aged horses are concerned about the health, welfare and quality of life of their aged animals. Yet surveys of management and preventive healthcare reflect that there may be some limitations to what owners are actually achieving in practice...
Circadian variation in ghrelin and certain stress hormones in crib-biting horses. Crib-biting is classified as an oral stereotypy, which may be initiated by stress susceptibility, management factors, genetic factors and gastrointestinal irritation. Ghrelin has been identified in the gastric mucosa and is involved in the control of food intake and reward, but its relationship to crib-biting is not yet known. The aim of this study was to examine the concentration and circadian variation of plasma ghrelin, cortisol, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and β-endorphin in crib-biting horses and non-crib-biting controls. Plasma samples were collected every second hour for 24h in ...
Assessment of endogenous growth hormone pulsatility in gelded yearling horses using deconvolution analysis. Defining normal Growth Hormone (GH) secretory dynamics in the horse is necessary to understand altered GH dynamics related to issues like welfare and disease. Methods: Twelve healthy yearlings and two mature Standardbreds were used to quantify GH secretion. Endogenous GH half-life was determined after administration of 1.0 µg/kg BW GH releasing hormone (GHRH). Exogenous GH half-life was determined after administration of 20 µg/kg BW recombinant equine GH (reGH) with and without suppression of endogenous GH secretion by somatostatin infusion (50 µg/m(2)/h). Pulse detection algorithm (C...
Basal glucose metabolism and peripheral insulin sensitivity in equine pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction. Glucocorticoids are suggested to precipitate laminitis and induce insulin resistance in horses. Objective: To assess insulin sensitivity and the basal amount of glucose metabolized in equine pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID). Methods: The euglycaemic hyperinsulinaemic clamp (EHC) technique was performed in seven horses with a diagnosis of PPID based on the presence of hypertrichosis and positive dexamethasone suppression-test results comprising one gelding and six mares with a mean age of 21.1 ± 5.8 (SD; range 15-34) years. Results were compared with those from five negative (h...
Relationship of biosecuriy practices with the use of antibiotics for the treatment of infectious disease on U.S. equine operations. This study is the first report estimating, on a national basis, the use of various biosecurity practices, singly and in combination, on U.S. equine operations. Use of biosecurity practices is described for operations by risk level, based on reported exposure of resident horses to outside horses during the previous 12 months. In addition, the association between use of various biosecurity practices and use of antibiotics to treat infectious disease in both adult equids and foals is reported. The comparison of these study findings with previously reported data in the literature is limited by the...
Pain recognition and treatment in the horse: a survey of equine veterinarians in The Netherlands and Belgium. This survey investigated the attitudes of equine veterinarians in The Netherlands and the Flemish region of Belgium towards pain management in the horse. Questionnaires were sent out to 771 equine veterinarians, all members of the Dutch or Flemish equine practitioners society. The return rate of completed questionnaires was 16.6%. The survey provided information about the use of analgesic drugs, factors influencing their prescription, pain scoring, analgesic therapy for specific clinical conditions, use of epidural analgesia, and appraisal of personal knowledge of pain management. The pain sco...
Inhibition of cytochrome P450 enzymes involved in ketamine metabolism by use of liver microsomes and specific cytochrome P450 enzymes from horses, dogs, and humans. To identify and characterize cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYPs) responsible for the metabolism of racemic ketamine in 3 mammalian species in vitro by use of chemical inhibitors and antibodies. Methods: Human, canine, and equine liver microsomes and human single CYP3A4 and CYP2C9 and their canine orthologs. Methods: Chemical inhibitors selective for human CYP enzymes and anti-CYP antibodies were incubated with racemic ketamine and liver microsomes or specific CYPs. Ketamine N-demethylation to norketamine was determined via enantioselective capillary electrophoresis. Results: The general CYP inhibit...
Functional characterization of EUL47 in productive replication, morphogenesis and infectivity of equine herpesvirus 1. EUL47 is a major component of the tegument of equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1). To determine its function, we used Red/ET cloning to delete its gene (gene 13) from EHV-1 strain Ab4p inserted into a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC), yielding Ab4pattBΔ13. We also examined the reverted virus (Ab4pattB13R). Ab4pattBΔ13 replicated in rabbit kidney (RK)-13 cells, indicating that ORF13 is dispensable for virus replication in cell culture. Its intracellular and extracellular titers were about 10- and 100-fold lower than those of the revertant and parent strains, respectively. In addition, the plaqu...
Persistent digital hyperthermia over a 48 h period does not induce laminitis in horses. Persistent digital hyperthermia, presumably due to vasodilation, occurs during the developmental and acute stages of insulin-induced laminitis. The objectives of this study were to determine if persistent digital hyperthermia is the principal pathogenic mechanism responsible for the development of laminitis. The potent vasodilator, ATP-MgCl(2) was infused continuously into the distal phalanx of the left forefoot of six Standardbred racehorses for 48 h via intra-osseous infusion to promote persistent digital hyperthermia. The right forefoot was infused with saline solution and acted as an inter...
Effect of dental correction on voluntary hay intake, apparent digestibility of feed and faecal particle size in horse. In nine adult Warmblood horses with mild to moderate dental findings (no signs of discomfort during chewing), voluntary hay intake before and after dental correction was examined. In a second experiment, digestibility of feed and faecal particle size were determined (3 days of total faecal collection) before and after dental correction. During both digestion trials including a 3-day adaptation period, the amount of hay and concentrate (mixture of oats, barley and maize) was kept constant in each individual horse before and after dental correction. Voluntary hay intake in individual horses ra...
Molecular and cytogenetic studies in a case of XX SRY-negative sex reversal in an Arabian horse. An 18-month-old Arabian foal characterized by a stallion-like appearance was submitted for cytogenetic and molecular genetics examinations due to abnormalities of external genitalia and the presence of ovotestis-like structures in the abdominal cavity. By RB-banding the animal showed the normal female equine karyotype (2n = 64,XX). Molecular analysis revealed the absence of the SRY and ZFY genes and the presence of ZFX, a typical female equine condition. The entire RSPO1 coding region was examined to exclude its involvement. Although a SNP was found in exon 3, it was not responsible for an ami...
Bartonellae in animals and vectors in New Caledonia. Bartonellae are gram-negative facultative intracellular alpha-proteobacteria from the family Bartonellaceae. The natural history of bartonellae consists of a reservoir/host, which is a vertebrate with chronic intravascular infection with sustained bacteremia, and a vector (usually an arthropod) that transfers the bacteria from the reservoir to a susceptible yet uninfected host. In order to reveal the sources and reservoirs of Bartonella infection in animals and vectors in New Caledonia, we collected the blood samples of 64 dogs, 8 cats, 30 bovines, 25 horses and 29 wild deer Cervus timorensis ...
Population screening of endangered horse breeds for the foal immunodeficiency syndrome mutation. The Fell and Dales are UK pony breeds that have small populations and may be at risk from in-breeding and inherited diseases. Foal immunodeficiency syndrome (FIS) is a lethal inherited disease caused by the recessive mutation of a single gene, which affects both Fell and Dales ponies and potentially other breeds that have interbred with either of these. FIS, previously known as Fell pony syndrome, is characterised by progressive anaemia and severe B lymphocyte deficiency. The identification of the causal mutation for this disease led to the recent development of a DNA-based carrier test. In th...
The combination of purified recombinant human platelet-derived growth factor-BB and equine particulate bone graft for periodontal regeneration. The objective of this study is to evaluate the potential for periodontal regeneration of a critical-sized defect with the application of recombinant human platelet-derived growth factor (rhPDGF-BB) combined with either a particulate equine or a β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) matrix. Methods: Critical-sized intrabony 2-wall defects were created bilaterally on the distal surface of the second premolar and the mesial surface of the first molar in nine hounds. Twelve defects received rhPDGF-BB/equine treatment, 12 defects received rhPDGF-BB/β-TCP treatment, and the remaining 12 sites served as ...
Rhodococcus equi pneumonia in the foal–part 1: pathogenesis and epidemiology. Rhodococcus equi pneumonia is a worldwide infectious disease of major concern to the equine breeding industry. The disease typically manifests in foals as pyogranulomatous bronchopneumonia, resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. Inhalation of aerosolised virulent R. equi from the environment and intracellular replication within alveolar macrophages are essential components of the pathogenesis of R. equi pneumonia in the foal. Recently documented evidence of airborne transmission between foals indicates the potential for an alternative contagious route of disease transmission. In the...
Isolation and phylogenetic grouping of equine encephalosis virus in Israel. During 2008-2009 in Israel, equine encephalosis virus (EEV) caused febrile outbreaks in horses. Phylogenetic analysis of segment 10 of the virus strains showed that they form a new cluster; analysis of segment 2 showed ≈92% sequence identity to EEV-3, the reference isolate. Thus, the source of this emerging EEV remains uncertain.
How to improve the hygienic quality of forages for horse feeding. Improving the hygienic quality of forages for horse nutrition seems to be a reasonable target for decreasing the prevalence of pulmonary diseases. The aim of the experiment was to study the effects of different agricultural practices on the main aero-allergens contained in forages, including breathable dust, fungi, mycotoxins and pollens. Results: Results showed that the late harvest of hay, a second crop or a haylage production provides a good alternative to increase hygienic quality by reducing fungi contamination and breathable dust content. Barn drying of hay, while having no effect on bre...
Miscellaneous neurologic or neuromuscular disorders in horses. NMD is an important cause of morbidity in horses. Signs of dysfunction could be variable depending on the specific area affected. NM disease can go unrecognized if a thorough evaluation is not performed in diseased horses. Electrodiagnostic testing is an area that has the potential to document and improve our understanding of NM disease yet is uncommonly performed. Keeping an open and observant mind will enhance our ability to search and find answers.
Optimization of a Staphylococcus aureus adhesion assay for equine corneocytes. Meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) causes serious skin and soft-tissue infections of humans and animals. Multiple strains of MRSA have been characterized, and one in particular, designated as strain USA 500, causes infections predominantly of horses and the people who work with them. The purpose of this study was to optimize an assay which could subsequently be used to compare the relative avidity of different S. aureus strains for equine corneocytes. Corneocytes were collected from the perineal skin of 10 healthy horses onto adhesive discs. The discs were then incubated at 37°...
Equine CD4(+) CD25(high) T cells exhibit regulatory activity by close contact and cytokine-dependent mechanisms in vitro. Horses are particularly prone to allergic and autoimmune diseases, but little information about equine regulatory T cells (Treg) is currently available. The aim of this study therefore was to investigate the existence of CD4(+) Treg cells in horses, determine their suppressive function as well as their mechanism of action. Freshly isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from healthy horses were examined for CD4, CD25 and forkhead box P3 (FoxP3) expression. We show that equine FoxP3 is expressed constitutively by a population of CD4(+) CD25(+) T cells, mainly in the CD4(+) CD25(high)...
Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy–what can we learn from humans? Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a condition that occurs in both human newborns and foals. The condition is the subject of extensive current research in human infants, but there have been no direct studies of HIE in foals, and hence, knowledge of the condition has been extrapolated from studies in humans and other animal models. The purpose of this review article is to highlight the most up-to-date and relevant research in the human field, and discuss how this potentially might have an impact in the management of foals with HIE.
Comparison of cortisol and ACTH responses after administration of thyrotropin releasing hormone in normal horses and those with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction. Changes in both adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) and cortisol concentration in response to thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) administration have been used to diagnose equine pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID), but the use of the 2 hormones has not been compared. Objective: Measuring ACTH concentration is superior to measuring cortisol concentration after TRH administration in differentiating between normal horses and those with PPID, and the 2 hormone concentrations are disassociated in PPID horses. Methods: Eleven horses and 2 ponies with PPID and 19 normal horses. Methods: A study eval...
Round-bale feeder design affects hay waste and economics during horse feeding. Many horse owners find round bales convenient, less labor intensive, and more affordable than other hay types, but report an inability to control horse BW gain and excessive hay waste. The objectives were to compare hay waste, hay intake, and payback of 9 round-bale feeders and a no-feeder control when used during horse feeding. Nine round-bale feeders were tested: Cinch Net, Cone, Covered Cradle, Hayhut, Hay Sleigh, Ring, Tombstone, Tombstone Saver, and Waste Less. Each feeder design was placed on the ground in a dirt paddock. Five groups of 5 horses were fed in rotation for a 4-d period with...
