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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.
Tick-borne pathogens in a nature reserve area in the Netherlands: serological and molecular assessments in large herbivores and Ixodes ricinus ticks. Ticks are vectors of a wide range of pathogens, relevant to both veterinary and public health. Although tick surveillance is frequently conducted in the Netherlands, data on tick-borne pathogens in free-living herbivores remains limited, leaving the impact of these pathogens on animal health poorly understood. This study aimed to characterise tick species and determine seroprevalence and infection prevalence of selected tick-borne pathogens in large herbivores at the Oostvaardersplassen nature reserve and questing ticks collected in the area. Between September 2023 and December 2024, blood was...
Penile and preputial pythiosis in Saudi Arabian horses: clinicopathological features and surgical outcomes. Pythiosis, caused by , is a chronic granulomatous disease of horses characterized by invasive, ulcerative, and pyogranulomatous cutaneous lesions. Involvement of the external genitalia is uncommon and remains poorly characterized, particularly regarding environmental exposure and treatment outcomes. This study aimed to describe the epidemiological pattern, clinicopathological features, diagnostic findings, and surgical outcomes of penile and preputial genital pythiosis in a hospital-presented horse cohort. Unassigned: A retrospective study was conducted on 123 horses presented with cutaneous u...
Longitudinal and spatial declines in equine Hendra virus vaccination despite continued risk. Hendra virus is an emerging zoonosis endemic to Australia with high fatality of infection in horses and humans. The role of infected domestic horses as amplifying bridge hosts for onward transmission to humans led to the creation of an equine vaccine as a One Health solution against spillover. Despite the risk this disease represents, previously reported equine vaccination rates were low. This study explored vaccination trends between 2012 and 2023 at fine spatial scales and identified demographic and ecological predictors of vaccination against emerging zoonoses. Over 1 million doses of Equiv...
Intratumoral para-toluenesulfonamide as a tumor-ablative therapy for equine cutaneous tumors: a case series of three horses. Equine neoplasia, including sarcoids, melanomas, and squamous cell carcinomas, presents therapeutic challenges due to recurrence and limitations of conventional treatments. Para-toluenesulfonamide (p-TLS) is a tumor-ablating agent that is associated with localized tumor necrosis and subsequent lesion resolution. It has been evaluated in human clinical settings as an intratumoral treatment of malignant airway obstruction caused by non-small cell lung cancer. This study aimed to describe the clinical outcomes and tolerability of intratumoral p-TLS in equine neoplasia. Three equine cases, includi...
Evaluation of the Brix refractometer for diagnosing the failure of transfer of passive immunity in 12-h-old foals. Failure of transfer of passive immunity (FTPI) is the most important cause of sepsis and mortality in neonatal foals. Unassigned: This study aimed to evaluate the performance of the digital Brix refractometer for the diagnosis of FTPI in 12-h-old foals. Unassigned: Cross-sectional, diagnostic accuracy study. Unassigned: Jugular blood samples were collected from 124 foals at 12 ± 0.5 h after birth. IgG concentrations were estimated using a digital Brix refractometer and measured using the radial immunodiffusion test (RID). Correlation coefficients were calculated between serum Brix percentages...
Recombinant EHV-1 Vector Expressing Immunodominant Hemagglutinin Protein of Equine Influenza Virus H3N8 (Sub-Lineage Florida Clade 2). Equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) and equine influenza virus (EIV) are major respiratory pathogens in horses, causing significant economic losses in domesticated horses. Bacterial Artificial Chromosome (BAC) technology can be used to precisely manipulate the EHV-1 genome for the development of live-attenuated vector vaccines. Earlier, our group developed a live-attenuated EHV-1 vaccine by deleting virulence-associated genes using this technology and the mutant EHV-1 has been exploited for expressing foreign gene in the current study. Specifically, in this study, a mutant EHV-1 virus expressing...
Unveiling wolf dietary specialization on free ranging horses using forensic genetics and field monitoring. Wolves occasionally specialize on free-ranging horses when they are abundant and alternative prey is scarce, potentially reducing horse productivity, triggering conflicts with owners, and hampering conservation of both species. Yet, ecological and demographic impacts of wolf predation on horses remain poorly understood. We investigated wolf-horse interactions in NW Portugal by combining wolf monitoring, diet analysis, spatial overlap between wolf and horse activity areas, and horse pedigree reconstruction from genetically identified individuals recovered from wolf scat remains, feeding sites a...
Single-stage orthognathic correction of campylorrhinus lateralis in foals using transection and fixation: Surgical description and outcome of four horses. Campylorrhinus lateralis ('wry nose') is a rare congenital maxillofacial deformity of foals resulting in compromise of the airway and severe class 4 malocclusion. Various surgical techniques to correct the deformity have been described, but contemporary data on single-stage transection and fixation, including use of a rib graft, and long-term functional and cosmetic outcomes remain underreported. Objective: To describe the transection-and-fixation technique and perioperative management used to correct wry nose in horses, and to report postoperative complications and long-term outcomes of horse...
Preliminary Metabolomic Analysis: Serum Metabolomic Dynamics During Estrus Synchronization in Kazakh Mares. This study aimed to analyze the differences in serum metabolomes at different stages of estrus synchronization in Kazakh horses, to characterize dynamic changes in serum metabolites during estrus synchronization, and to screen potential metabolic markers and key regulatory pathways. Four sampling stages (M1: intravaginal device insertion; M3: device removal, labeled consistently with the pre-experiment timeline; P: 24 h post-PG injection; L: tertiary follicle emergence) were selected. The research results showed that 37 significantly different metabolites (DAMs) were identified in the M1-vs.-M...
Prevalence of equine lungworm (Dictyocaulus arnfieldi) infection and associated risk factors in Egypt. infection is a common parasitic respiratory disease of equines that can adversely affect animal health, welfare, and productivity. However, epidemiological information on this infection remains limited in many regions of Egypt. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of and identify associated risk factors among equines in three Egyptian governorates. Unassigned: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 415 equines, including 150 donkeys, 55 mules, and 210 horses. Animals were examined for , and data on species, age, body condition, and deworming history were collected. Associations bet...
Limited Effects of High-Intensity Laser Therapy on Clinical and Radiographic Outcomes in Three-Year-Old Arabian Racehorses with Dorsal Metacarpal Disease. Dorsal metacarpal disease (DMD) is a common musculoskeletal injury in young racehorses, and effective non-invasive treatments remain of clinical interest. This study aimed to evaluate whether high-intensity laser therapy (HILT), which was applied as the sole intervention in horses retired from training, reduces the clinical signs of DMD compared with untreated controls. During the 2023-2024 racing seasons, 15 Arabian racehorses diagnosed with DMD were enrolled; 9 received HILT and 6 served as controls without laser therapy. The treatment protocol consisted of five daily HILT sessions followed ...
Differential shaping of equine gut microbiota structure and function by breed and feeding regimen. The gut microbiota plays an essential role in host energy metabolism and immune function. Horses are non-ruminant herbivores that rely heavily on hindgut microbial fermentation to meet their energy requirements. However, the relative contributions of host genetic background (breed) and environmental factors (feeding regimen and geographical location) to shaping the equine gut microbiota remain poorly understood. Unassigned: In this study, 16S rRNA gene sequencing and functional prediction analysis were performed on 139 equine fecal samples to systematically investigate the differential effects...
Electrochemotherapy Following Surgical Cytoreduction for the Treatment of Recurrent Equine Sarcoids: A Retrospective Study of 23 Lesions. Despite the wide range of therapeutic options currently available for equine sarcoids, recurrence of these lesions remains a major clinical challenge. Consequently, the identification of effective strategies for the management of recurrent sarcoids remains an important objective in equine oncology. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the clinical outcome of surgical cytoreduction combined with intraoperative electrochemotherapy in horses affected by recurrent equine sarcoids. Medical records of horses treated between July 2018 and August 2025 at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital...
Prevalence and Molecular Characterisation of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis in Equines in Algeria. Limited data are available on the epidemiology of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis in equines in Algeria. No prior molecular data existed on giardiasis in this host population. Objective: This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the prevalence and molecular diversity of Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis in equines across multiple regions of Algeria, and to characterise species, subtypes and assemblages present. Methods: Between December 2021 and December 2022, 197 faecal samples were collected from 104 horses, 89 donkeys, 2 ponies, 1 zebra and 1 mule from 46 private farms,...
Hoist failure during recovery transfer in an anaesthetised horse: a near miss analysed through a Safety-II lens. A 660 kg, 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding underwent general anaesthesia for an out-of-hours emergency exploratory laparotomy. After approximately 5 hours of anaesthesia, transfer to the recovery box began, using a ceiling-mounted hoist. As the horse crossed the theatre-recovery interface, the hoist failed due to mechanical disengagement. This resulted in loss of electrical power, leaving the anaesthetised horse suspended approximately 150 cm above the floor for approximately 10 minutes. The horse could not be advanced, reversed, or lowered using standard controls. Activity was paused, an...
Assessment of Thyroid Hormones Using the Immulite 2000xpi Analyzer in Healthy Donkeys. The Immulite 2000xpi, a chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA)-based analyzer, is currently recommended for measuring thyroid hormones (TH) concentrations in equids. However, scarce data are available on TH measurements in donkeys using this technique. Similarly, the effects of factors such as age and gender on TH concentrations have not been assessed with this analyzer. Serum free and total T4 and T3 concentrations were measured in 40 healthy donkeys (6.1 ± 0.8 years old; 8 intact jacks and 32 jennies) and 41 horses (10.7 ± 0.5 years old; 15 stallions and 26 geldings) using the Immulite 2000xp...
The Utility and Reliability of Treadmill Tests for Monitoring Thoroughbreds in Training. This study evaluated the reliability of five treadmill protocols that assess heart rate (HR) and blood lactate (Bla) responses in Thoroughbred horses to determine their effectiveness in serving as potential tools for monitoring fitness and the wellbeing of racehorses. Of the five exercise tests, four consisted of repeated interval gallops at constant speeds (8 m/s and 10 m/s) and grade (6°) and one test of a continuous gallop at constant speeds (8 m/s) and grade (6°). Eight hundred and twenty-three gallops in total were performed by 64 horses. The test-retest reliability and absolute agreeme...
The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Equine Colic: A Scoping Review of Diagnostic, Prognostic, and Decision-Support Applications. Equine colic remains one of the leading causes of mortality in horses, with timely diagnosis and accurate prognostic assessment being critical for clinical decision-making. In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has been increasingly applied to support diagnostic and prognostic evaluation in veterinary medicine. However, the scope, methodological characteristics, and performance of AI models in equine colic have not been systematically mapped. Therefore, this scoping review was conducted to summarize current AI applications in equine colic, identify commonly used algorithms, describe re...
MUSCULAR SARCOCYSTIS INFECTIONS IN HORSES IN NORTH AMERICA: ETIOLOGY, CLINICAL DISEASE, PERSONAL PERCEPTION, AND DEPOSITION OF SPECIMENS IN THE SMITHSONIAN MUSEUM. Uncertainty shrouds the number and identity of the species of Sarcocystis infecting horses in the United States. Horses are intermediate hosts for Sarcocystis fayeri, for which the domestic dog is the definitive host. Clinical signs and lesions associated with S. fayeri are not defined. Granulomatous myositis, especially involving the chest and dysphagia, is one of the clinical presentations associated with S. fayeri infections. Whether S. fayeri is the sole species that forms sarcocysts in equine muscles in the United States is not clear. Little is known of the molecular diagnosis of Sarcocys...
Clinical and microbiota alterations in performance horses undergoing long-distance transport. Transport-associated pneumonia contributes substantially to morbidity, impaired welfare, and economic loss in high-performance horses and may be associated with alterations in the respiratory microbiota. Objective: Examine the effect of long-distance transport on the respiratory microbiota and correlate changes in microbiota diversity and composition with systemic and airway inflammation. Methods: Seventeen client-owned performance horses transported from New England to Florida under optimized trailering conditions, and 12 non-traveling horses. Methods: Physical examination, blood testing, nas...
Serum Electrolyte Changes in Foals Receiving Rhodococcus equi-Specific Hyperimmune Plasma. Rhodococcus equi-specific hyperimmune plasma (Re-HIP) is routinely administered to neonatal foals to help prevent rhodococcal pneumonia. In addition to pathogen-specific immunoglobulins, frozen plasma products (FPPs) contain electrolytes that may exceed concentrations found in neonatal foal plasma. Because FPPs are also used to treat failure of passive transfer and sepsis, understanding their effects on neonate homeostasis is crucial. This study evaluated the effects of administration of Re-HIP on the serum concentrations of Na, Cl, K, albumin, and globulin of healthy neonatal foals. Results: ...
Efficacy of Therapeutic UVC Irradiation in Reducing Bacterial Load in Microbial Keratitis: A Retrospective Clinical Study in Veterinary Patients. To evaluate the immediate effect of therapeutic ultraviolet-C (UVC) irradiation on corneal bacterial load in veterinary patients with microbial keratitis (MK), using a retrospective analysis of clinical data collected at a UK referral ophthalmology hospital. Methods: Client-owned dogs, horses, and cats presented to a referral ophthalmology clinic with MK in 2025. Methods: Clinical records from MK cases were reviewed. For each case, paired corneal swabs were obtained immediately before and immediately after UVC irradiation with a commercially available 265 nm device (PhotonUVC). Treatment con...
Reference interval for serum amyloid a in apparently healthy donkeys measured with a donkey-specific ELISA. Serum amyloid A (SAA) is a major acute phase protein used as an inflammatory biomarker in equine medicine. However, no universally accepted assay-specific reference interval (RI) exists for donkeys, and available literature remains limited, with only few studies using different donkey breeds and immunoassay platforms. This study aimed to establish an assay- and population-specific RI for serum SAA in apparently healthy donkeys using a species-specific double sandwich ELISA. Unassigned: Serum SAA concentrations were measured in 176 apparently healthy donkeys. RI estimation followed ASVCP/CLSI r...
Simple and efficient HPLC-MS/MS method for simultaneous extraction and quantification of anthelmintics in equine manure. Anthelmintic treatment is a common practice in horses. The presence of pharmaceutical residues in fields and pastures is well-documented affecting various organisms, like nematodes. This study describes the development and validation of a high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) method using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) for extracting and determining the concentrations of four commonly used anthelmintics in horse manure. Manure was initially dried, then spiked with various concentrations (10-10,000 ng) of anthelmintics and extracted using an acetonit...
Correlation of Positron Emission Tomography and Low-Field Standing Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Horses With Forelimb Lameness Localized to the Foot. Low-field magnetic resonance imaging (LF-MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) imaging can be obtained in the standing horse. There is potential for increased diagnostic capacity combining PET with MRI, given that PET assesses the metabolic activity of injured tissues, whereas MRI provides structural and functional details on both bone and soft tissue anatomy. This study aimed to describe 18-fluorine-fluorodeoxyglucose (F-FDG)-PET and 18-sodium fluoride (F-NaF)-PET imaging of horses with forelimb lameness localized to the foot and compare PET with LF-MRI. Fourteen horses with lameness lo...
Imaging Diagnosis: Imaging Diagnosis of Lateral Plantar Digital Vein Thrombosis in a Yearling Thoroughbred. A 1-year-old thoroughbred filly was referred to the Washington State Veterinary Teaching Hospital with a 4-month history of left hind limb swelling, from the mid metatarsus to the distal pastern, without lameness. Previous imaging (digital radiographs, ultrasound, and low-field magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]) was inconclusive, with a tentative diagnosis of lymphatic drainage impairment. A high-field MRI diagnosed left lateral plantar digital vein thrombosis, with secondary lymphatic dilation and edema. The filly was discharged with rehabilitation instructions and resumed exercise shortly aft...
Primary photosensitization caused by Chamaecristas serpens var. serpens in horses, donkeys, cattle, and goats. This paper reports an outbreak of Chamaecrista serpens var. serpens poisoning in Mangalarga Marchador horses, Pega donkeys, Nelore cattle, and Mambrina goats. The disease occurred in the municipality of Iaçu, in the semi-arid region of the state of Bahia, 15-30 days after the start of the rainy season, coinciding with the regrowth of the plant. The prevalence of the poisoning was 100% in donkeys and horses, 11.9% in cattle, and 38.8% in goats. Clinical signs were characterized by itching, edema, and crust formation, predominantly in areas of non-pigmented skin or with less hair coverage and i...
Circadian rhythm of heart rate variability in tropical horses: age-associated autonomic alterations and environmental air pollution effects in an urban field setting. Heart rate variability (HRV) reflects autonomic nervous system activity and is influenced by age, environmental conditions, and circadian rhythms. Information regarding these interactions in horses maintained under tropical conditions remains limited. This study aimed to characterize 24-h heart rate (HR) and HRV patterns in horses raised under tropical conditions and to investigate the effects of aging and environmental factors, including air pollution, on autonomic regulation. Unassigned: Fifteen clinically healthy horses aged 4-20 years were allocated to three age groups: 4-7 years, 8-14 yea...
