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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.
Isolation and genetic analysis of Japanese encephalitis virus from a diseased horse in Japan. Japanese encephalitis (JE) developed in an unvaccinated half-bred horse kept in Tottori Prefecture, Japan. The animal showed ataxia with pyrexia and low appetite, and ultimately died. A viral strain was isolated from the cerebrum of the horse and was identified as JE virus (JEV) by RT-PCR using JEV specific primers. The isolated JEV was classified into genotype I by nucleotide sequence analysis of the viral envelope gene. We believe that this is the first report of the genotype I strain being isolated from a horse.
Arthrodesis of the talocalcaneal joint for the treatment of two horses with talocalcaneal osteoarthritis. Two horses with lameness due to tolocalcaneal osteoarthritis that failed to respond to conservative management were treated by tolocalcaneal arthrodesis using cortex screws placed in lag fashion. The affected joint of one horse was arthrodesed by compressing and stabilizing the medial facet of the joint with three screws. In the second horse, the medial and lateral facets of the affected tolocalcaneal joint were each compressed and stabilized with two screws. The lameness of both horses improved markedly following surgery.
Prediction of equine risk of West Nile virus infection based on dead bird surveillance. Since the introduction of West Nile Virus (WNV) to the United States in 1999, the efficacy of dead bird surveillance for the prediction of human and veterinary WNV infection has been an issue of debate. We utilized South Carolina's Department of Health and Environmental Control surveillance data from 2003 to determine whether dead bird surveillance accurately predicts equine WNV infection on a county level. We adjusted for human population density as a potential confounder of an association between WNV-positive dead bird counts and mammalian WNV risk. We found a strong positive association bet...
Potential role of Clostridium difficile as a cause of duodenitis-proximal jejunitis in horses. Duodenitis-proximal jejunitis (DPJ) is an idiopathic condition in the horse characterized by inflammation and oedema of the duodenum and proximal jejunum. Clinical signs include colic, ileus, depression, fluid accumulation in the small intestine and stomach, and endotoxaemia. The objective of this study was to investigate prospectively the role of Clostridium difficile in this idiopathic disease. Nasogastric reflux from 10 consecutive cases with DPJ and 16 consecutive horses with other causes of nasogastric reflux was cultured for C. difficile, other Clostridium spp., and Salmonella. Toxigenic...
Measurement of free thyroxine concentration in horses by equilibrium dialysis. The purpose of the study reported here was to validate measurement of free thyroxine (fT4) concentration in equine serum by equilibrium dialysis (fT4D), and to compare values with fT4 concentration measured directly and with total T4 (TT4) concentration. The fT4D, fT4, and TT4 concentrations were measured over a range of values in euthyroid horses and horses made hypothyroid by administration of propylthiouracil (PTU). Concentrations of fT4D (<1.8-83 pmol/L) were consistently higher than those of fT4 (<1-40 pmol/L). There was a significant (P < .001) regression of fT4D on fT4 in 503 s...
Splenectomy impairs diffusive oxygen transport in the lung of dogs. The spleen acts as an erythrocyte reservoir in highly aerobic species such as the dog and horse. Sympathetic-mediated splenic contraction during exercise reversibly enhances convective O2 transport by increasing hematocrit, blood volume, and O2-carrying capacity. Based on theoretical interactions between erythrocytes and capillary membrane (Hsia CCW, Johnson RL Jr, and Shah D. J Appl Physiol 86: 1460-1467, 1999) and experimental findings in horses of a postsplenectomy reduction in peripheral O2-diffusing capacity (Wagner PD, Erickson BK, Kubo K, Hiraga A, Kai M, Yamaya Y, Richardson R, and Sea...
Effect of beclomethasone dipropionate and dexamethasone isonicotinate on lung function, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cytology, and transcription factor expression in airways of horses with recurrent airway obstruction. Glucocorticoid (GC) therapy is recognized to be effective for the treatment of recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) in horses. Anti-inflammatory properties of GC are thought to be mediated by suppression of inflammatory gene expression via inhibition of transcription factors such as nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) and activator protein-1 (AP-1). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of low-dose inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate and injectable dexamethasone 21-isonicotinate on clinical signs, pulmonary function, airway cytology, and activity of NF-kappaB and AP-1 in bronchial c...
Use of force plate analysis to assess the analgesic effects of etodolac in horses with navicular syndrome. To evaluate the musculoskeletal analgesic effect of etodolac administered PO every 12 or 24 hours in chronically lame horses by use of force plate analysis. Methods: 22 horses with navicular syndrome. Methods: Horses received etodolac (23 mg/kg, PO, q 12 h; n = 7), etodolac (23 mg/kg, PO, q 24 h; 8), or corn syrup (20 mL, PO, q 24 h; control treatment; 7) for 3 days. Combined forelimb peak vertical ground reaction force (PVF) was measured via force plate analysis before the first treatment (baseline) and at 6, 12, 24, and 36 hours after the last treatment. Differences in mean PVF (mPVF) betwee...
Holding immature equine oocytes in the absence of meiotic inhibitors: effect on germinal vesicle chromatin and blastocyst development after intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Holding immature oocytes before the onset of maturation simplifies oocyte transport and aids in scheduling later manipulations. We report here a method for holding equine oocytes in the absence of meiotic inhibitors. In Experiment 1, immature oocytes with expanded cumuli were cultured at 38.2 degrees C in medium containing cycloheximide, or were held at room-temperature in M199 with Hanks' salts, for 16-18 h before maturation. Control oocytes were matured immediately after recovery. Oocytes were fertilized by intracytoplasmic sperm injection and cultured for 4d. Embryo development was not diff...
Characterization of an equine mannose-binding lectin and its roles in disease. The mannose-binding lectin (MBL), a pattern recognition serum protein, participates in the innate immune system of mammals as an opsonin. In humans, MBL plays a key role in first-line host defense against infection during the lag period prior to the development of a specific immune response. MBL also activates complement via the lectin pathway that requires a MBL-associated serine protease-2 (MASP-2). Homologues of human MBL (hMBL) have been identified in a variety of mammals, fish, and primitive animals such as ascidians. In this study, we report that equine MBL (eMBL) has properties that are...
Initial clinical impressions of the U.C. Davis large animal lift and its use in recumbent equine patients. The U.C. Davis Large Animal Lift (LAL) is a lightweight sling developed to help lift horses in clinical and rescue situations. Here we report on its first use in 16 recumbent horses with neurologic, muscular and musculoskeletal disorders. For each horse, history, sedation, ease and time of LAL application and hoisting, standing ability, LAL tolerance and outcome were recorded. The LAL was easily and safely applied in all horses in less than five minutes and the procedure was well tolerated with minimal to no sedation. While 10 horses were able to stand in the LAL after being hoisted, 6 horses ...
Anisotropic Poisson’s ratio and compression modulus of cortical bone determined by speckle interferometry. Young's modulus and Poisson's ratios of 6mm-sized cubes of equine cortical bone were measured in compression using a micro-mechanical loading device. Surface displacements were determined by electronic speckle pattern-correlation interferometry. This method allows for non-destructive testing of very small samples in water. Analyses of standard materials showed that the method is accurate and precise for determining both Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio. Material properties were determined concurrently in three orthogonal anatomic directions (axial, radial and transverse). Young's modulus va...
West Nile virus activity in Latin America and the Caribbean. West Nile virus (Flavivirus: Flaviviridae; WNV) has spread rapidly throughout the Caribbean Basin since its initial detection there in 2001. This report summarizes our current knowledge of WNV transmission in tropical America. Methods: We reviewed the published literature and consulted with key public health officials to obtain unpublished data. Results: West Nile virus infections first appeared in human residents of the Cayman Islands and the Florida Keys in 2001, and in apparently healthy Jamaican birds sampled early in 2002. Serologic evidence of WNV infection in 2002 was detected in horses...
Endothelin receptor alterations in equine airway hyperreactivity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and its receptors in the airway hyperreactivity of horses with obstructive pulmonary disease associated with summer pasture (SPAOPD). The right diaphragmatic lobe of the lung of 8 clinically healthy (unaffected) and 8 SPAOPD-affected horses was collected immediately after euthanasia. Bronchial rings (4 mm wide) were prepared and mounted in organ baths and attached to force transducers interfaced with a polygraph. Four rings were used to study each ET-1 receptor; 1 ring served as the control, and the other 3 were incubate...
Potential role of multiple rectal biopsies in the diagnosis of equine grass sickness. Two samples were taken postmortem from the rectum of each of 14 horses with grass sickness and 10 control horses, and four sections stained with haematoxylin and eosin were examined. By using as a criterion of grass sickness the presence of three chromatolytic neurons, 10 of the 14 cases were positive and none of the control horses was positive, giving a sensitivity of 71 per cent and a specificity of 100 per cent. No other histological features appeared to be of diagnostic value, and staining for Nissl substance in neurons with cresyl fast violet and methyl green-pyronin did not improve the s...
Contribution of cooperativity and the Bohr effect to efficient oxygen transport by hemoglobins from five mammalian species. By using published experimental values of the standard oxygen (O2) equilibrium curve and the in vivo arterial and venous O2 pressure (PO2) of fetal and maternal blood in five mammalian species (human, cow, pig, sheep, and horse), we investigated the relationship between the efficiency of O2 delivery and the effectiveness of the Bohr shift, and discussed the significance of cooperativity for mammalian Hb. The O2 delivery of fetal blood was more efficient than that of maternal blood, and the effectiveness of the Bohr shift at both O2 loading and release sites of fetal blood was high. A linear re...
Inflammatory aural polyp in a horse. An inflammatory aural polyp was identified in a 1-year-old standardbred filly, which presented with otorrhea and head rubbing. The polyp was removed by traction-avulsion, and the filly showed no subsequent signs of otorrhea. Aural polyps have not been reported in horses, but they are commonly seen in companion animals and humans. Un polype auditif inflammatoire a été identifié chez une pouliche Standardbred d’un an présentée pour otorrhée et frottage de tête. Le polype a été retiré par traction-avulsion et la pouliche n’a pas manifesté de signes subséquents d’otorrhée. Les ...
Workload and stress in horses: comparison in horses ridden deep and round (‘rollkur’) with a draw rein and horses ridden in a natural frame with only light rein contact. 'Rollkur' or 'overbending' is the low and deep riding of a dressage horse during training or warming up. Lately, this technique has been criticized, and not necessarily objectively, on welfare grounds. To be able to evaluate these criticisms, more needs to be known about the workload and stress of horses being ridden 'rollkur'. The aim of the present study was to compare the workload of eight riding-school horses when being ridden deep and round with a draw rein ('rollkur') and when being ridden in a natural frame with only light rein contact ('free'). Workload (as measured by heart rate and b...
Tissue expansion. Tissue expansion in the upper extremity is a valuable technique with expanding indications and expected outcomes. The primary indications are coverage problems after trauma, but the technique is also applicable to defects caused by treatment of hemangioma, nevi, tattoos, or hypertrophic scars as well as correction of unstable tissue or as an alternative to free tissue transfer. The advantage of expansion-specifically, match in tissue texture and retention of sensibility-may be more important in the hand and upper extremity than in other areas. The inevitable capsule that forms around the expan...
Mitochondrial DNA: an important female contribution to thoroughbred racehorse performance. The mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) molecule, carrying genes encoding for respiratory chain enzymes, is a primary candidate for demonstrating associations between genotype and athletic performance in mammalian species. In humans, variation at seven protein encoding mitochondrial loci has been implicated in influencing fitness and performance characteristics. Although thoroughbred horses are selected for racing ability, there have not been any previous reported associations between genotypes and racecourse performance. The multi-factorial nature of the inheritance of racing ability is an obvious comp...
[The art of horseshoeing–between empiricism and science]. To correctly shoe a horse requires the farriers to have a good working knowledge of postural anomalies and movement patterns, as well as of the different concepts of horseshoeing and to be able to apply the appropriate technique to every individual horse they shoe. The correct technique for specific problem cases is frequently a subject of debate amongst specialists and many theories would benefit from objective gait analyses. The case study presented examines the influence of different shoeing conditions on selected gait analysis parameters. The measurements were conducted on a Warmblood mare...
[Interactive educational DVD on hoof protection, horseshoeing and diseases of the hoof]. Good cooperation between farrier, veterinarian and horse owner is an important prerequisite for optimal support of the horse with regards to shoeing and hoof health. The introduction of a joint educational aid aims to improve the level of education of both veterinarians and farriers. The interactive, multimedia approach represents an innovative new dimension in instruction techniques, predominantly provided through images and videos. The contents of the new teaching aid will focus on detailed anatomy of the foot and distal limb, as well as currently accepted shoeing practices and techniques an...
Exercise-induced alterations in plasma concentrations of ghrelin, adiponectin, leptin, glucose, insulin, and cortisol in horses. Six Standardbred (STB) mares (11+/-2 years, 521+/-77 kg; means+/-SD) performed an exercise trial (EX) where they underwent an incremental exercise test (GXT) as well as a parallel control trial (CON) to test the hypothesis that short-term, high intensity exercise would alter plasma concentrations of glucose, leptin, adiponectin, ghrelin, insulin and cortisol. Plasma samples were taken before (0 min), during (last 10s at 6, 8m/s, and the velocity eliciting VO(2max)), and after exercise (2, 10, 30, 60 min; 12 and 24h post-GXT). A second set of blood samples was collected before and after an afte...
Effects of phenylbutazone alone or in combination with flunixin meglumine on blood protein concentrations in horses. To assess effects of treatment with phenylbutazone (PBZ) or a combination of PBZ and flunixin meglumine in horses. Methods: 24 adult horses. Methods: 13 horses received nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in a crossover design. Eleven control horses were exposed to similar environmental conditions. Treated horses received PBZ (2.2 mg/kg, PO, q 12 h, for 5 days) and a combination of PBZ and flunixin meglumine (PBZ, 2.2 mg/kg, PO, q 12 h, for 5 days; flunixin meglumine, 1.1 mg/kg, IV, q 12 h, for 5 days). Serum samples were obtained on day 0 (first day of treatment) and day 5, and total...
Changes in heart rate and heart rate variability in Thoroughbreds during prolonged road transportation. To determine whether evaluation of heart rate (HR) and HR variability (HRV) during prolonged road transportation in horses provides a sensitive index of autonomic stimulation. Methods: Five 2-year-old Thoroughbreds. Methods: ECGs were recorded as horses were transported for 21 hours in a 9-horse van. Heart rate, high-frequency (HF) power, low-frequency (LF) power, and LF-to-HF ratio from Fourier spectral analyses of ECGs were calculated and compared with values recorded during a 24-hour period of stall rest preceding transportation. Results: HR, HF power, and LF power had diurnal rhythms durin...
