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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.
[The effect of the essential fatty acids in mare’s milk on the function of the immune system and of nonspecific resistance in rats]. The influence of essential fatty acids of mare's milk fat on the immunocompetent system and nonspecific resistance of male rats weighing 135-145 g was investigated after 6 weeks of feeding. Rats were fed with isocaloric purified diets containing 15% of test fat (in control--combination of lard and sunflower oil) which provide the ratio of omega-6/omega-3 fatty acids equal to 0.76. An increase of immune responsiveness and nonspecific resistance in the group fed with the diet with mare's milk fat on day 6 after a single immunization of the animals with 5% sheep erythrocyte suspension was noted.
In vitro antibody-dependent enhancement assays are insensitive indicators of in vivo vaccine enhancement of equine infectious anemia virus. We have previously demonstrated a high propensity for enhancement of virus replication and disease resulting from experimental immunization of ponies with a baculovirus recombinant envelope (rgp90) vaccine from equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV). The current studies were undertaken to examine the correlation between the observed in vivo vaccine enhancement and in vitro assays for antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) of EIAV replication. Toward this goal an optimized EIAV in vitro enhancement assay was developed using primary equine macrophage cells and used to evaluate the enhancement prope...
Cimetidine inhibits nitric oxide associated nitrate production in a soft-tissue inflammation model in the horse. Cimetidine (CIM) is an H2-receptor antagonist that has been used in racehorses in an attempt to reduce the occurrence of stress-related gastric ulceration. It has also been shown to produce several useful effects other than its gastric acid suppression properties. Further, it is a well documented antagonist of cytochrome P-450 (CYP) mediated oxygenation reactions. Nitric oxide (NO), a recently discovered mediator or modifier of numerous physiological functions, is generated by several forms of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), one of which is inducible (iNOS). Inducible NOS, expressed in neutrophil...
Immunopathology of pineal glands from horses with uveitis. Pinealitis accompanying uveitis is well established in laboratory models of experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis. In naturally occurring uveitis, pinealitis has been demonstrated in the pineal gland from a mare with active uveitis and is suspected in some human uveitides. We have evaluated pineal glands from horses with various stages of uveitis for signs of immunopathology accompanying spontaneous uveitis. Methods: Pineal glands from 10 horses with uveitis and from 13 horses without uveitis were evaluated for histochemical (H&E, collagen) and immunohistochemical (MHC class II antigen exp...
[Effect of common head gear on horses]. The functions of the most common head-gears for horses are analysed from a biomechanical point of view. With the exception of the stable halter are all of them designed to enlarge the tensile forces transmitted through the reins or the longe, and to concentrate the enlarged forces on sensitive parts of the horse's head: the nose, or the lips, mandible and tongue. Since the direction, duration and size of these tensile forces are the essential factors to modulate signals for controlling the horse, a device has been developed to measure, or at least roughly quantify these forces. The mechanical ...
The effects of intrafetal ACTH administration on the outcome of pregnancy in the mare. Enhanced adrenocortical activity in the fetus is related to the onset of parturition in many species. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of injection of fetal ACTH on gestational length and fetal viability in the horse. Pony mares (n=23) were studied from 300 days gestation. Seven control mares (Group 1) received three consecutive intrafetal injections of sterile water, while fetuses of a further 16 mares received Depot ACTH1-24. These mares were either allowed to foal spontaneously (Group 2, n=4) or delivery was induced within 3 days of the last fetal injection (Group 3, n=7); ...
Abdominal spindle cell sarcoma of probable myofibroblastic origin in a horse. No abstract available
Treatment of Culicoides hypersensitive horses with high-dose n-3 fatty acids: a double-blinded crossover study. In this double-blinded crossover study the clinical efficacy of high dose α-linolenic acid (linseed oil) for the treatment of Culicoides spp. hypersensitivity was evaluated. Seventeen privately owned horses from north Florida, USA completed the 18-week study. Criteria for inclusion included negative dermatophyte cultures, negative skin scrapes, failure to respond to ivermectin treatment, compatible clinical signs, positive skin test to Culicoides spp.antigen and a history of seasonal pruritus consistent with Culicoides spp. hypersensitivity. Horses were randomized and each horse's feed was su...
Geographic distribution of Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus subtype IE genotypes in Central America and Mexico. Phylogenetic analysis of 20 strains of Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE) virus subtype IE isolated from 1961 to 1996 in Mexico and throughout Central America showed that VEE virus subtype IE was monophyletic with respect to other VEE virus subtypes. Nonetheless, there were at least three distinct geographically separated VEE virus IE genotypes: northwestern Panama, Pacific coast (Mexico/Guatemala), and Gulf/Caribbean coast (Mexico/Belize). Strains from the Caribbean coast of Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua may cluster with the Gulf/Caribbean genotype, but additional isolates from the reg...
Local and global stereopsis in the horse. Although horses have laterally-placed eyes, there is substantial binocular overlap, allowing for the possibility that these animals have stereopsis. In the first experiment of the present study we measured local stereopsis by obtaining monocular and binocular depth thresholds for renal depth stimuli. On all measures, the horses' binocular performance was superior to their monocular. When depth thresholds were obtained, binocular thresholds were several times superior to those obtained monocularly, suggesting that the animals could use stereoscopic information when it was available. The binocul...
Prevalence of severe welfare problems in horses that arrive at slaughter plants. To assess the prevalence of severe welfare problems in horses that arrive at slaughter plants and to identify horses that were unfit for travel. Methods: Prevalence survey. Methods: 1,008 horses. Methods: Horses arriving at 2 slaughter plants were observed. The following were rated severe welfare problems in horses: body condition scores of 1 or 2 (emaciated) of 9; recumbency (down) or the inability to walk; fractured limbs or other foot or limb problems that extremely impaired mobility; severe wounds, such as deep cuts, extensive lacerations, abrasions on the head or back, eye injuries, negle...
[Botulism–a forgotten disease?]. The laboratory diagnosis of C. botulinum is described for cattle and horses in the years 1995-1998. Out of 122 cases 66 were positive. All types of toxins were identified; in cattle mainly types C and D. In 9 cases typing was not conclusive. The results of an enquiry of afflicated animal owners showed, that modern agricultural technology has an important impact on toxinogenesis in feed stuff. Possibilities to prevent the disease and to reduce economic losses are discussed; a solution cannot be presented.
Molecular characterization of equine isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae: natural disruption of genes encoding the virulence factors pneumolysin and autolysin. Although often considered a strict human pathogen, Streptococcus pneumoniae has been reported to infect and cause pneumonia in horses, although the pathology appears restricted compared to that of human infections. Here we report on the molecular characterization of a group of S. pneumoniae isolates obtained from horses in England and Ireland. Despite being obtained from geographically distinct locations, the isolates were found to represent a tight clonal group, virtually identical to each other but genetically distinguishable from more than 120 divergent isolates of human S. pneumoniae. A co...
Expression of c-yes oncogene product in various animal tissues and spontaneous canine tumours. An immunohistochemical study of various visceral organs of normal adult dogs, cats, pigs, horses, cows, and chickens (five of each species) and of 185 spontaneous canine tumours was carried out using paraffin wax sections and a commercially available antibody to the human c- yes oncogene product. Among the adult normal tissues of six animal species, epithelial cells of the proximal and distal renal tubules, the myocardium, hepatocytes, cerebellar Purkinje cells and adrenal cortical cells were positive for c- yes product. Among the foetal tissues of dogs and chickens, a positive reaction was ob...
Alpha 2 agonists and antagonists. The alpha 2 agonists can produce reliable dose-dependent sedation and analgesia in most species. Nevertheless, they can also produce significant physiological adverse side effects depending on dose, rate, route of administration, and the concurrent use of other CNS depressants. For this reason, it may be best to use a low dose of an alpha 2 agonist as a preanesthetic agent. The alpha 2 agonists are best suited for young, healthy, exercise-tolerant patients. The combining of low doses of alpha 2, opioid, and benzodiazepine agonists results in a synergistic CNS depressant response while minimizi...
Safe handling of large animals. The major causes of accidents with cattle, horses, and other grazing animals are: panic due to fear, male dominance aggression, or the maternal aggression of a mother protecting her newborn. Danger is inherent when handling large animals. Understanding their behavior patterns improves safety, but working with animals will never be completely safe. Calm, quiet handling and non-slip flooring are beneficial. Rough handling and excessive use of electric prods increase chances of injury to both people and animals, because fearful animals may jump, kick, or rear. Training animals to voluntarily coop...
Strategic control of gastrointestinal nematode and lungworm infections with eprinomectin at turnout and eight weeks later. Two groups of 10 first-year grazing cattle were either left untreated as controls (group 1) or treated with eprinomectin as a pour-on application at turnout and eight weeks later (group 2). The control group developed a mild infection with gastrointestinal nematodes and lungworms during the season, whereas the treated animals remained healthy. The interval between the treatments allowed the establishment of adult worms, but the egg counts remained negligible. The total number of eggs shed by the treated cattle during the grazing season was significantly smaller than by the controls.
Effects of feeding frequency and voluntary salt intake on fluid and electrolyte regulation in athletic horses. The effect of feeding frequency and voluntary sodium intake (VSI) on fluid shifts and plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) were studied at rest and after exercise in six athletic horses. The horses were fed twice a day (2TD) and six times a day (6TD) for 25 days for each protocol, according to a changeover design. VSI was measured by weighing each horse's salt block daily. Feeding 2TD or 6TD caused no major alterations in fluid shifts, but in the 2TD treatment there was a postprandial increase in plasma protein concentration and osmolality that lasted <1 h. PAC and VSI were not affected b...
The effect of nonspecific immunostimulation of pregnant mares with 1,3/1,6 glucan and levamisole on the immunoglobulins levels in colostrum, selected indices of nonspecific cellular and humoral immunity in foals in neonatal and postnatal period. The objectives of the studies were to evaluate the effect of levamisole and 1,3/1,6 glucan applied in pregnant mares on parameters of non-specific cellular and humoral immunity of foals. Eighteen mares in three experimental groups (six animals in each) and their progeny were examined. Multiparous mares, crossbreed of Polish, full-blood and Hannover lines (400-500 kg), 4-9 years old, originated from four different farms. They were kept under identical zoohygienic and nutritional conditions. The animals were randomly chosen in experimental groups. None of mares had been previously vaccinated. In...
Cytological and bacteriological findings in guttural pouch lavages of clinically normal horses. Percutaneous washes of the guttural pouches were obtained from two groups of 15 clinically normal horses, one lightly exercised and the other heavily exercised. Microbiological and cytological studies showed a wide variation in the differential cell counts. The cytological pattern of the normal lavages (< 5 per cent neutrophils) was characterised by a large proportion of ciliated columnar epithelial cells, a few non-ciliated cuboidal epithelial cells, and less than 1 per cent monocytes, lymphocytes, and eosinophils. Abnormal lavages (with more than 5 per cent neutrophils) had higher levels ...
Borna disease virus infection in racing horses with behavioral and movement disorders. Borna disease virus (BDV) is a neurotropic agent with capacity to infect and cause neurological disease in a broad range of warmblooded hosts including horses, sheep, cattle, cats, and possibly also humans. The epidemiology of BDV is largely unknown. However, it is likely that subclinically infected animals may represent potential virus reservoirs. In two groups of Swedish racing horses, one clinically healthy and one consisting of horses with diffuse neurological signs, the BDV seroprevalence was 24.5% and 57.7%, respectively. BDV RNA was detected in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in 8 ou...
Are Sarcocystis neurona and Sarcocystis falcatula synonymous? A horse infection challenge. Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) is a debilitating neurologic disease of the horse. The causative agent. Sarcocystis neurona, has been suggested to be synonymous with Sarcocystis falcatula, implying a role for birds as intermediate hosts. To test this hypothesis, opossums (Didelphis virginiana) were fed muscles containing S. falcatula sarcocysts from naturally infected brown-headed cowbirds (Molothrus ater). Ten horses were tested extensively to ensure no previous exposure to S. neurona and were quarantined for 14 days, and then 5 of the horses were each administered 10(6) S. falcatula...
Multiple DNA markers differentiate Sarcocystis neurona and Sarcocystis falcatula. Studies designed to investigate the causative agent of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis and its life cycle have been hampered by the marked similarity of Sarcocystis neurona to other Sarcocystis spp. present in the same definitive host. Random-amplified polymorphic DNA techniques were used to amplify DNA from isolates of S. neurona and Sarcocystis falcatula. DNA sequence analysis of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products was then used to design PCR primers to amplify specific Sarcocystis spp. DNA products. The ribosomal RNA internal transcribed spacer was also amplified and compared betwee...
Tack and saddle fit. Examining the fit of the saddle is perhaps the most important aspect of examining a horse with a suspected back problem. If the back problem is corrected and a poorly fitting saddle is placed on the back, the problems will return. An ill-fitting saddle contributes to direct and compensatory lower leg lameness making it even more imperative to correct the fit. A correctly fitting saddle enhances both the horse and rider's ability to perform with accuracy, lightness, and freedom of movement.
Physical therapy for the equine back. Before a physical therapy and rehabilitation program is suggested, the end requirement must be considered. All physiotherapeutic machines are subject to laboratory screening. In the United States, the approval of the Food and Drug Administration is required; in the United Kingdom, certification by the National Physics Laboratory has been required by law since January 1996. Laboratory experiments are continually conducted to examine and evaluate the effects on tissues of varied electrical waveforms, low-intensity electrical currents, sound waves, and light rays delivered by a variety of therape...
Back problems. Chiropractic evaluation and management. A thorough knowledge of equine spinal anatomy, biomechanics, and potential pathology is required to understand the principles and theories behind chiropractic and to apply its techniques properly. Chiropractic provides additional diagnostic and therapeutic means that may help equine practitioners to identify and treat the primary cause of lameness or poor performance. Specialized training in the evaluation and treatment of vertebral joint dysfunction and neuromusculoskeletal disorders places chiropractic in the forefront of conservative treatment of spinal-related disorders. Nevertheless, limi...
Physical examination of horses with back pain. The diagnosis of back pain is often a diagnosis of exclusion of other problems in the face of poor performance. It requires careful observation, thought, an open mind, and experience. The signs of back pain can be extremely variable and range from subtle to obvious. Obvious forelimb or hind limb lameness is not usually a sign of back pain. The most common differential diagnosis may be back pain secondary to degenerative joint disease of the hocks, fetlocks, or stifle. These diseases can mimic signs of back pain including lack of impulsion, shortening of the stride length, and change in the str...
