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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.
Immunodeficiency disorders in horses. Immunodeficiencies are characterized as primary (genetic) or secondary (acquired). Primary immunodeficiencies are relatively uncommon; however, clinically, they present a significant challenge to the practitioner, especially if the underlying disorder goes unrecognized. Secondary immunodeficiencies may present at any age, but failure of passive transfer in neonatal foals is most commonly encountered. This article provides a general overview of clinical signs and diagnosis of primary and secondary immunodeficiencies currently recognized in horses.
Clinical pathology of the foal. The neonatal foal is in a period of transition between fetal and extrauterine life. The clinicopathologic findings in this period often reflect the in utero environment; thus, results need to be interpreted with the knowledge of changes that intrauterine life may produce. These changes can also assist the veterinarian in identifying a foal at high risk for developing clinical problems. The veterinarian should also be aware of the normal variations in clinicopathologic findings that occur as the foal matures. As with results from all diagnostic testing, the clinicopathologic results need to be ...
Mechanisms for dominant follicle selection in monovulatory species: a comparison of morphological, endocrine and intraovarian events in cows, mares and women. The selection of a single ovarian follicle for further differentiation and finally ovulation is a shared phenomenon in monovulatory species from different phylogenetic classes. The commonality of dominant follicle (DF) development leads us to hypothesize that mechanisms for DF selection are conserved. This review highlights similarities and differences in follicular wave growth between cows, mares and women, addresses the commonality of the transient rises in FSH concentrations, and discusses the follicular secretions oestradiol and inhibin with their regulatory roles for FSH. In all three spe...
Hepatitis E virus infection among domestic animals in eastern China. Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a zoonotic pathogen of which several species of animal were reported as reservoirs. Antibodies to HEV and HEV RNA have been detected in some Chinese population and swine groups but few other domestic animals. In this study, to investigate the HEV prevalence, we tested sera from 788 pigs, 100 cows, 50 goats, 49 horses, 101 pet dogs, 105 chickens, 47 duck and 45 pigeons in eastern China for anti-HEV immunoglobulin G (IgG). We also tested 50% of the swine sera, all of sera from the other domestic animals and 13 Shanghai human sera which were positive for anti-HEV immuno...
The use of dexamethasone administered to mares at breeding time in the modulation of persistent mating induced endometritis. The present study describes the effect of a single dose of dexamethasone administered to mares at time of breeding. In an initial experiment, the authors investigated safety of treatment. In a second experiment the effect of treatment on the uterine environment, fetal development and pregnancy outcome was examined. In the final part of the study, mares susceptible to persistent mating induced endometritis were identified, by means of a risk factor score system and the effect of treatment evaluated. Results indicated that dexamethasone administered at breeding time did not negatively impact on ...
A cis-acting regulatory mutation causes premature hair graying and susceptibility to melanoma in the horse. In horses, graying with age is an autosomal dominant trait associated with a high incidence of melanoma and vitiligo-like depigmentation. Here we show that the Gray phenotype is caused by a 4.6-kb duplication in intron 6 of STX17 (syntaxin-17) that constitutes a cis-acting regulatory mutation. Both STX17 and the neighboring NR4A3 gene are overexpressed in melanomas from Gray horses. Gray horses carrying a loss-of-function mutation in ASIP (agouti signaling protein) had a higher incidence of melanoma, implying that increased melanocortin-1 receptor signaling promotes melanoma development in Gra...
The prokinetic effect of mosapride citrate on horse gastric emptying rates. The prokinetic effect of the 5-HT4 receptor agonist mosapride was evaluated in seven healthy thoroughbreds. Mosapride was orally administered at doses of 0.5, 1.0 or 1.5 mg/kg. The breath 13CO2/12CO2 rate (Delta13CO2), an indirect indicator for the rate of gastric emptying, was measured at appropriate points for 4 hr after drug administration. There was a significant increase compared with the control value at 15, 20 and 165 min for 0.5 mg/kg, 30 min at 1.0 mg/kg and 165 min for 1.5 mg/kg. The results suggest that mosapride may facilitate the gastric emptying in horses.
Tetanus in the equine species: a retrospective study of 31 cases. Few studies exist about factors affecting the outcome of horses with tetanus. Methods: 31 equids (30 horses and 1 donkey) with a clinical diagnosis of tetanus admitted to the Equine Clinic of the University of Liege between 1991 and 2006. The cases were divided into two groups according to the outcome (survivors and non-survivors). Methods: The clinical data of survivors and non-survivors were compared using an ANOVA (continuous data) or a Fisher's test (discrete data). Results: The survival rate was 32%. Most animals were 5 years or younger, and none had been appropriately vaccinated. The non...
Characterization and quantification of fluoxymesterone metabolite in horse urine by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Fluoxymesterone, an anabolic steroid with the 17alpha-methyl,17beta-hydroxy group, has been developed as an oral formulation for therapeutic purposes. However, it is also used illegally in racehorses to enhance racing performance. In this study, we detected 9alpha-fluoro-17,17-dimethyl-18-norandrostane-4,13-dien-11beta-ol-3-one by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), which has not been reported as a fluoxymesterone metabolite so far in horse. It was synthesized for use as a reference standard, and characterized on the basis of (1)H NMR and (13)C NMR spectra, as well as GC/MS EI mass s...
Evaluation of the palatability of three nonsteroidal antiinflammatory top-dress formulations in horses. The efficacy of top-dress antiinflammatory drugs ultimately depends on a patient's willingness to consume treated feed. The current study compares the palatability of two phenylbutazone top-dress formulations (Equipalazone Powder, Dechra Pharmaceuticals, and Pro-Dynam, VetXX, Ltd.) and a suxibuzone top-dress formulation (Danilon Equidos, Janssen Animal Health). Results of a three-period, crossover study on 18 healthy horses showed that Pro-Dynam was significantly less palatable, with significantly less consumption of treated feed compared with either Equipalazone Powder or Danilon Equidos. The...
Allergen-specific IgE in Icelandic horses with insect bite hypersensitivity and healthy controls, assessed by FcepsilonR1alpha-based serology. Insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH) and atopy can both be causes of pruritus in horses and are associated with allergen-specific IgE to biting insects and environmental allergens respectively. Information with respect to differences in IgE levels in diseased and healthy animals is crucial in enabling an understanding of the clinical relevance of results of allergen-specific IgE tests. The aim of this study was (i) to evaluate and compare levels of allergen-specific IgE, using an ELISA method, in Icelandic horses, with and without IBH, from Iceland and Sweden respectively; (ii) to investigate pa...
Pharmacokinetics and clinical effects of pirfenidone administered intravenously in horses. To characterize the plasma pharmacokinetics and clinical effects of pirfenidone administered IV in healthy horses. Methods: 6 adult horses. Methods: A 15 mg/kg dose of pirfenidone was administered IV over 5 minutes. Physical variables were recorded and blood samples collected prior to infusion; 2.5 minutes after beginning infusion; at the end of infusion; and at 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 60, 75, and 90 minutes and 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, and 24 hours after completion of infusion. Plasma concentrations of pirfenidone and its metabolites were determined. Results: Mild clinical effects...
Seasonal variations in daily rhythms of activity in athletic horses. Circadian rhythms reflect extensive programming of biological activity that meets and exploits the challenges and opportunities offered by the periodic nature of the environment. In the present investigation, we recorded the total activity of athletic horses kept at four different times of the year (vernal equinox, summer solstice, autumn equinox and winter solstice), to evaluate the presence of seasonal variations of daily activity rhythms. Athletic Thoroughbred horses were kept in individual boxes with paddock. Digitally integrated measure of total activity of each mare was continuously reco...
Genetic diversity and admixture analysis of Sanfratellano and three other Italian horse breeds assessed by microsatellite markers. Sanfratellano is a native Sicilian horse breed, mainly reared in the north east of the Island, developed in the 19th century from local dams and sires with a restricted introgression of Oriental, African and, more recently, Maremmano stallions. In this study, the genetic relationships and admixture among Sanfratellano, the other two Sicilian autochthonous breeds and Maremmano breed were assessed using a set of microsatellites. The main goals were to infer the impact of Maremmano breed in the current Sanfratellano horse and to provide genetic information useful to improve the selection strategi...
Seroprevalence of anti-Borrelia burgdorferi antibodies in dogs and horses in Turkey. The aim of the study was to determine the seroprevalence of anti-Borrelia burgdorferi antibodies in a population of Turkish dogs and horses, as well as to compare the sensitivity of novel flow-cytometry-based borreliacidal antibody test (BAT) with ELISA assay. Serum samples collected from 400 dogs and 300 horses were tested with enzyme-linked protein A/G assay (ELPAGA), using Borrelia whole cell antigens. ELPAGA test showed 93 dogs (23.2%) and 18 horses (6%) serologically positive for anti-Borrelia antibodies. In parallel testing of sera with BAT, we found 27.75% positive dogs and 6.33% positi...
Serological evidence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in horses and cattle from Poland and diagnostic problems of Lyme borreliosis. In the course of epizootological research on Lyme borreliosis in animals, the serological evidence of this zoonosis in horses and cattle from different voivodships of Poland was screened. We also discussed some diagnostic problems of Lyme borreliosis resulting from, in addition to other factors, genetic and geographical heterogeneity isolates B. burgdorferi s.l. used as antigens. Using ELISA from 395 sera of horses the total mean seroprevalence for anti-Borrelia IgG antibodies 25.6% was observed. In the respective years, significant differences in the mean seroprevalence were not recorded. In ...
Occlusal angles of cheek teeth in normal horses and horses with dental disease. The angle between the occlusal surface of the tooth and the horizontal plane of 687 cheek teeth from the skulls of 22 horses without gross dental disorders and 11 horses with dental disorders were measured by using stiff malleable wire as an imprint. Each measurement was repeated five times and the mean angle was recorded. In the normal skulls, the mean occlusal angles of the mandibular cheek teeth ranged from 19.2 degrees at the Triadan 06 position to 30 degrees at the 11 position, and these angles were significantly greater than the occlusal angles of the opposing maxillary cheek teeth (rang...
Innovative use of an automated horse walker when breaking in young horses. There is an inherent element of risk associated with "backing" and riding the previously unbroken horse. If training proceeds too quickly, conflict behaviors may result from the simultaneous application of too many cues. Automated horse walkers (AHW) facilitate the exercising of several horses concurrently at walk or trot for warm-up, cool-down, fitness programs, and rehabilitation purposes. The objective of this study was to investigate if backing the horse within the AHW was an appropriate training method. Ten horses (3-year-olds) took part in this study. They began training within the AHW w...
Evaluating the addition of positive reinforcement for learning a frightening task: a pilot study with horses. Horse training often relies upon negative reinforcement (NR). This study tested the hypothesis that adding positive reinforcement (PR) to NR would enhance learning in horses (n = 34) being taught to walk over a tarp (novel/typically frightening task). Subjects were Arabians, and the same person handled all of them. This person handled half "traditionally" (NR only)--that is, halter/lead were pulled; when horse stepped forward, pressure was released; process repeated until criterion met (horse crossed the tarp with little/no obvious anxiety). The same person handled the other half traditionally...
Overshadowing: a silver lining to a dark cloud in horse training. Overshadowing is a process known in behavioral science that occurs when two stimuli of different strengths are applied simultaneously to a nonhuman animal. Typically, the stronger stimulus overshadows the weaker one, resulting in attenuation of the weaker stimulus. This phenomenon explains ways in which the decreased responsiveness and consequent conflict behaviors (and possibly learned helplessness and wastage) in some performance horses can result from the application of two concurrent aversive stimuli. Despite some adverse consequences in the context of ridden horses, overshadowing can have...
Effect of feeding increasing quantities of starch on glycaemic and insulinaemic responses in healthy horses. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of increasing the intake of starch on the glycaemic and insulinaemic responses of horses. A cross-over study design was used in which four horses were fed increasing amounts of a compound feed (0.5-3.5 kg) to provide 0.3, 0.6, 0.8, 1.1, 1.4 and 2 starch/kg bodyweight (BW)/meal. The glycaemic response increased with starch intake (P<0.05), while feeding <1.1 g starch/kg BW resulted in a lowered response, compared to when 1.1-2 g starch/ kg BW was fed (P<0.01). The results suggested that insulin responses may be more appropriate to def...
