Omneity® Pellets
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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.
Silent blood chimaerism in a mare confirmed by DNA marker analysis of hair bulbs. Microsatellite DNA markers in a mare's hair bulbs not concordant with markers in her blood confirmed the hypothesis of chimaerism which had been proposed to explain the apparent parentage exclusion of the mare from her suckling foal. Parentage analysis for this foal based on genetic markers not originating from blood cells of its dam supported a parentage verification conclusion.
Application of epidemiologic principles and methods to investigating and controlling equine infectious diseases. Epidemiology is a tool much like any other diagnostic tool that the practitioner uses as an aid in the complete physical examination of the group of animals. It can be used to generate a specific differential diagnosis list. Epidemiology is especially useful to design a disease control and prevention program by helping to elucidate the key determinants of disease occurrence.
[Pilot study of the occurrence of Prototheca in fecal samples of horses]. Fecal samples of 146 horses were culturally investigated for occurrence of Prototheca spp. using a selective medium, developed by PORE (1973). Prototheca zopfii could be isolated in monoculture from 9 fecal samples (6.2%). The results of this pilot study show that horses too can harbour and shed Prototheca spp. in variable frequency.
Equine rabies. With the continued increase in the number of wildlife rabies cases reported across the United States and Canada, this disease will remain a threat to the horse as the potential for exposure to infected wildlife and other domestic animals is likely to also increase. Because there are no rapid, definitive antemortem diagnostic tests, the tentative diagnosis is based upon the variable and sometimes nonspecific clinical signs. Although the CSF analysis may be helpful in some cases, it may not be abnormal. Nor is collection of the specimen always practical in the field situation. The FAT on neural ...
[Salmonellosis in the horse]. Salmonellosis is a worldwide problem of both men and animals. Equine salmonellosis is an increasing problem and a review of the recent knowledge is given. Etiology, symptomatology, diagnostic procedures, therapy and prevention are discussed.
[Ganglioside GM3 from horse erythrocytes: structure and effect on cell proliferation]. An increase of the mouse fibroblast proliferation by ganglioside GM3 from equine erythrocytes is described. The structure of GM3 has been established on the basis of chemical methods, enzymatic degradation, GC-MS, as well as plasma desorption mass spectrometry and HPLC of 9-anthrylmethyl esters of gangliosides to characterize the long-chain base composition. The oligosaccharide moiety includes an N-glycolylneuraminic acid residue, whereas the main components of the lipid moiety are 20:1 sphingosine and 24:0 fatty acids.
Rhodococcus equi-associated osteomyelitis in foals. Two cases of Rhodococcus equi infection in foals are described, in which osteomyelitis was a feature. Because rhodococcal infection is usually low grade and chronic, and because the signs of early metaphysitis can be subtle, any articular or periarticular swelling in a foal from a farm with a history of rhodococcosis should be strongly suspected to be associated with R equi until proven otherwise.
Flow reversal through a Mark III halothane vaporizer. A fault in the assembly of a Matrix Large Animal Circle anaesthetic machine resulted in reversal of fresh gas flow through the vaporizer. The fault was discovered only after the sudden development of excessive depth of anaesthesia in two equine patients. Laboratory investigations were conducted to determine the effect of flow reversal on vaporizer output. Results indicated that output concentration was approximately doubled under these conditions.
Equine plasma and blood volumes decrease with dehydration but subsequently increase with exercise. The effects of dehydration and 40 min of exercise at approximately 40% of maximal O2 consumption on plasma volume (PV) and blood volume (BV) were studied in six horses. Horses were exercised while euhydrated (C); 4 h after administration of furosemide (1.0 mg/kg i.v.; FDH), which induced isotonic dehydration; and after 30 h without water (DDH), which caused hypertonic dehydration. Dehydration resulted in decreases of 6.3 and 9.9% for PV and BV, respectively, with FDH and 10.7 and 8.5%, respectively, with DDH. During exercise in C, PV and BV increased by 12.7 and 20.0%, respectively; during exe...
Effects of dehydration on thermoregulatory responses of horses during low-intensity exercise. Effects of dehydration on thermoregulatory and metabolic responses were studied in six horses during 40 min of exercise eliciting approximately 40% of maximal O2 consumption and for 30 min after exercise. Horses were exercised while euhydrated (C), 4 h after administration of furosemide (FDH; 1.0 mg/kg i.v.) to induce isotonic dehydration, and after 30 h without water (DDH) to induce hypertonic dehydration. Cardiac output was significantly lower in FDH (144.1 +/- 8.0 l/min) and in DDH (156.6 +/- 6.9 l/min) than in C (173.1 +/- 6.2 l/min) after 30 min of exercise. When DDH, FDH, and C values we...
Role of decreased plasma volume in hematocrit alterations during incremental treadmill exercise in horses. Six intact (IN) and six splenectomized (SP) mares were subjected to an incremental exercise test to examine the role of decreases in plasma volume (PV) in the changes in hematocrit (Hct) normally seen with exercise. Each horse underwent an incremental exercise test in which it ran on a treadmill up a fixed incline of 6 degrees. The test started at a speed of 4 m/s, and speed was increased 1 m/s each min until heart rate reached a plateau. Blood samples were obtained at rest and at the end of the 4, 5, 6, and 7 m/s steps of the exercise test. Resting PV was greater (P < 0.05) in the IN group...
The acute effect of lowering plasma cortisol on the secretion of corticotropin-releasing hormone, arginine vasopressin, and adrenocorticotropin as revealed by intensive sampling of pituitary venous blood in the normal horse. The effect of an acute fall in plasma cortisol on the secretion of CRH, arginine vasopressin (AVP), and ACTH was studied using our nonsurgical technique for collecting pituitary venous (PV) blood from horses. PV blood from six mares was collected continuously and divided into 30-sec segments for 0.5 h before and during a 3-h infusion of metyrapone, an 11-beta-hydroxylase inhibitor. During treatment, plasma cortisol fell (P < 0.01) to a mean nadir of 15% of pretreatment levels, and 11-deoxy-cortisol rose (P < 0.02). Three mares became mildly agitated during treatment. Mean PV concentratio...
Naloxone affects gastrointestinal functions and behaviour in horses. Clinical effects of the opioid antagonist naloxone were investigated in healthy horses. Naloxone caused a transient increase in the frequency of defecations, a softening of the faeces and alterations in the intensity of abdominal borborygmi. Total serum protein concentrations decreased. Behavioural changes like frequent yawning and flehmen occurred, heart rate decreased and respiratory rate tended to increase but no clinical signs of distress or pain were observed. It can be concluded that in healthy animals naloxone had only minor side-effects and could be used to investigate the physiologica...
Salmonellosis. Salmonellosis is the most common infectious cause of diarrhea or colitis in horses. It can be associated with high fatality rates in patients with compromised host defenses. The increasing incidence of infection and antimicrobial resistance present a challenge for the practicing veterinarians. The epidemiology and pathogenesis of salmonellosis are reviewed. Diagnosis, treatment, and control of disease are discussed.
Standing laparoscopic laser technique for ovariectomy in five mares. Laparoscopic laser instrumentation and endoscopic stapling techniques were used to perform 10 unilateral ovariectomy procedures on 5 standing Thoroughbred mares. In all instances, mares had a clinically normal reproductive tract and estrous cycle, and ovariectomy was performed to eliminate regular estrous behavior. All procedures were accompanied by minimal trauma and uncomplicated postoperative recovery. Mares were able to resume normal activity 2 weeks after surgery. Regular estrous behavior was eliminated in all 5 mares, although 1 mare continued to have signs of estrous behavior occasional...
In vivo investigation of communication between the distal intertarsal and tarsometatarsal joints in horses and ponies. The frequency of communication between the tarsometatarsal and distal intertarsal joints was investigated in 27 horses and 12 ponies. After the injection of diluted latex into the tarsometatarsal joints using the plantarolateral approach, the horses and ponies were walked for 200 meters. Latex was found in the distal intertarsal joints of 19 of 73 tarsi (26% communication) at necropsy. In 3 tarsi, latex was also found in the proximal intertarsal and tarsocrural joints.
Equine fetal kinetics: Presentation and location. The extent and nature of fetal mobility (presentation and location changes) were studied in 10 pony mares by ultrasonic examinations each week during the fetal stage (Day 40 to term). The percentage of examinations with cranial fetal presentation was 35 to 43% during Months 2 to 5 (no significant differences among months); a significant increase occurred between Months 5 and 6 reaching 100% at Month 7. With only 3 transient exceptions, the fetus was in cranial presentation during all examinations from Month 7 to term. The frequency of presentation changes between successive examinations decrea...
Cardiovascular effects of thoracic compression in horses subjected to euthanasia. Six horses scheduled for euthanasia were instrumented for the measurement of blood flow by thermodilution, pulmonary arterial, right atrial and arterial blood pressures and collection of arterial blood for pH and blood gas analysis. The horses were anaesthetised with intravenous (iv) thiamylal sodium (10 mg/kg) and placed in right lateral recumbency. After euthanasia with an overdose of pentobarbitone sodium (100 mg/kg, iv) and loss of the electrocardiogram and arterial pulse pressure, thoracic compression at rates of 40, 60 and 80 compressions/min was instituted. Thoracic compression was acco...
Persistent hyperbilirubinemia in a healthy thoroughbred horse. Persistent hyperbilirubinemia and icterus are described in a healthy 4-year-old Thoroughbred horse. Hyperbilirubinemia was not related to food intake and was not associated with evidence of increased hemolysis or with acquired hepatic disease. The hyperbilirubinemia was thought to be a result of inappropriate conjugation of bilirubin rather than any abnormality in bilirubin uptake or excretion. The bilirubinemia in this horse appears most similar to a human syndrome, caused by a familial deficiency of bilirubin-uridine diphosphate glucuronyl transferase.
The dangers of disease transmission by artificial insemination and embryo transfer. This review summarizes the major infectious diseases of the three major agricultural species (cattle, sheep and pigs) and horses, and presents the evidence for and against the possibility of infectious agents being transmitted between animals via the venereal route or by the use of semen or early embryos in commercial artificial insemination (AI) or embryo transfer (ET). Cattle feature most prominently in the widespread distribution of frozen semen, and national and international organizations have set out guidelines to work towards disease-free bull studs with semen free from potential pathog...
Hypersensitivity of horses in British Columbia to extracts of native and exotic species of Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae). Six horses from British Columbia severely affected by Culicoides hypersensitivity, a seasonal dermatitis caused by the bites of Culicoides spp., were inoculated intradermally with extracts of six species or forms of Culicoides from British Columbia, United States, and Israel. Two native and four exotic species were thought to cause the disease in their own geographical area. The horses developed large welts within 20 min after injection of any of the six extracts, indicating an immediate (type I) reaction. The skin reactions caused by each extract peaked at or after 24 h, indicating an additio...
Phenytoin increases specific triacylglycerol fatty esters in skeletal muscle from horses with hyperkalemic periodic paralysis. Previous studies have demonstrated that phenytoin decreases the levels of triacylglycerols in several tissues other than skeletal muscle. Since phenytoin is clinically effective in several skeletal muscle disorders, triacylglycerol metabolism in skeletal muscle from four normal Quarter horses and four Quarter horses with hyperkalemic periodic paralysis was examined. The horses with hyperkalemic periodic paralysis had low levels of 18:3 in the phospholipids, low levels of 16:0, 16:1 and 18:3 in the free fatty acids and low levels of 20:4 in triacylglycerols. Triacylglycerol levels were increase...
Development of a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of bovine, ovine, porcine, and equine antibodies to vesicular stomatitis virus. Two competitive (C) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) were developed for the detection of antibodies to vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) in animal sera. The assays are based upon the availability of polyclonal antibodies (PAbs) from mouse ascitic fluids prepared against the New Jersey (NJ) and the Indiana (IN) VSV serotypes. The assays were performed by the immobilization of VSV-NJ and VSV-IN antigens on a solid phase (microtiter plate). Appropriately diluted test serum mixed with an equal volume of serotype-specific PAb was allowed to incubate in the presence of the relevant VSV ant...
