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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.
Plasma and urinary exposure of cannabidiol and cannabidiolic acid in horses following consumption of contaminated feed. Cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) are non-psychoactive cannabinoids naturally present in hemp-derived products. While these compounds are prohibited during equine competition, horses may be inadvertently exposed through contaminated feed. Data describing systemic and urinary exposure to CBD and CBDA following such low-dose, involuntary intake are limited. This study aimed to describe plasma and urine concentration-time profiles of CBD and CBDA in horses after consumption of experimentally contaminated feed. Results: Twelve Standardbred horses received feed containing low doses (1...
First molecular detection of Theileria haneyi infection in horses in Southern Spain. Equine piroplasmosis (EP) is a tick-borne disease of equids caused by the hemoparasites , and . , a close relative of that causes mild clinical signs under experimental conditions, has been reported in several countries, adding complexity to EP ecology, diagnosis, and treatment. However, its presence in Spain remains unknown, which is concerning given the country's importance in equine genetics and international trade. Hereby, we investigated the presence of in blood samples from equids in Spain. Unassigned: Blood samples from 222 equids (218 horses, two donkeys, two mules) suspected of EP a...
Assessment of knowledge, attitudes, and preventive practices for equine Endoparasite control among livestock owners in South Gondar Zone, Northwest Ethiopia: A community-based cross-sectional study. Endoparasites are a major health concern affecting equine productivity and welfare worldwide. Understanding farmers' knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) toward parasite control is critical for designing effective interventions. This study assessed KAP levels among farmers in South Gondar Zone, Northwest Ethiopia, and identified factors associated with good KAP. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 150 farmers. KAP scores were initially categorized into three levels (low, moderate, and high) and analyzed using chi-square (χ) tests to explore bivariate associations....
Prevalence, risk factors, and antimicrobial resistance of Staphylococcus aureus in equines in Egypt. Staphylococcus aureus is a common commensal organism in both humans and animals, frequently colonizing the skin and nasal cavities of healthy individuals, although it can also cause a wide range of severe infections. The present study investigated the prevalence and risk factors of S. aureus in equines, along with antimicrobial resistance patterns of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) isolates. The results revealed a prevalence of 38.6% in nasal samples collected from equines, highlighting the organism's significant presence and potential to cause infections in these animals. A genotypic p...
Molecular and parasitological evidence of Leishmania (Mundinia) martiniquensis infection in a horse from Brazil. Leishmania (Mundinia) martiniquensis is an emerging human pathogen with increasing reports of infection in domestic animals. This study describes a naturally infected mare from Brazil with no history of international travel, presenting with persistent nodular cutaneous lesions and cervical lymph node enlargement, without evidence of systemic involvement. Considering the endemicity of cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis in the study area, as well as previous reports of equine leishmaniasis, infection by Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum was initially suspected. Anti-L. (L.) infantum antibodies ...
Viral Hepatitis. Since 2012, 2 viral causes of hepatitis have been identified in horses. Much remains to be discovered about their transmission, risk factors for clinical disease, diagnosis, and treatment approaches. Equine parvovirus-hepatitis has been identified as the cause of acute hepatic necrosis, previously known as Theiler's disease. Equine hepacivirus is recognized as a cause of chronic fibrosing hepatitis. Diagnosis relies on ruling out other causes of hepatitis and documenting infection by serum or liver polymerase chain reaction. There is no direct antiviral for either condition and treatments are ...
Mitigating and addressing complications in equine laparoscopy. The purpose of this article was to report a condensed overview of current strategies for mitigating and managing complications in equine laparoscopic surgery. Minimally invasive surgical techniques have become standard in equine surgery for a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, with purported advantages including reduced postoperative pain, expedited recovery, fewer incisional complications, and enhanced visual imagery for the surgeon compared to traditional open approaches. Despite these benefits, complications can arise, and the literature demonstrates variability in definition...
Molecular prevalence of equine herpesvirus type 1 and equine herpesvirus type 4 in thoroughbred and Arabian horse facilities in Türkiye. Equine herpesvirus-1 and -4 are contagious viruses causing respiratory disease and reproductive losses in horses. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of EHV-1 and EHV-4 in eight Turkish stud farms using RT-PCR analysis of nasal secretions, uterine fluids and aborted foal tissues. Deep nasal swabs were collected from 443 horses showing acute-onset fever and/or clinical signs of respiratory disease. Additionally, uterine swabs and tissue samples (lung, liver, spleen, thymus, kidney, heart) were obtained from 152 abortion cases. Among symptomatic horses, EHV-1 DNA was found in 2 cases (0...
Ovum pick-up in mares: Evidence review and best practice recommendations using a modified GRADE approach. Ovum pick-up (OPU) is a procedure that is now performed in mares worldwide to harvest oocytes for in vitro embryo production. There is a lack of consensus surrounding best practices for various procedural elements of the technique and recently there has been an increasing focus on the welfare aspects of the procedure. Our objective was to summarize current practice and to develop guidelines for OPU in the mare, using a modified GRADE approach to optimize efficiency and mare welfare. Published evidence on various aspects of the procedure was compiled, and to supplement the relative lack of publ...
Case Report: Oral and topical chronic administration of THC-rich and CBD-rich cannabis oil as palliative care in a rescued horse with open wound, sarcoid and chronic pain. Cannabinoid-based therapies have shown analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing potential across veterinary species; however, clinical data on long-term use of THC-rich formulations in horses remain scarce. This case report describes the use of combined oral and topical THC-rich and CBD-rich full-spectrum cannabis oils as part of a palliative care strategy in a rescued horse with severe chronic disease. A senior mixed-breed gelding was rescued with a large, chronic ulcerative lesion of the left hind limb, severe malnutrition, non-weight-bearing lameness (AAEP grade 5/5), and refractory ...
Use of computer-assisted tomography for diagnosis and standing surgical reduction of progressive ethmoidal hematoma in a mare. Progressive ethmoidal hematoma (PEH) is a rare, nonneoplastic mass occurring in the sinonasal passages of horses. An 11-year-old, pregnant Thoroughbred mare was presented with a history of intermittent nasal discharge and stertorous respiration. On examination, radiography revealed increased opacity in the sinus and nasal cavities and endoscopy identified a mass emerging from the left ethmoidal turbinate. Computed tomography (CT) showed the range and origin of the mass, indicative of PEH. A standing frontonasal flap was made under sedation, following temporary tracheostomy to secure the airway...
Cheek tooth extraction in geriatric versus non-geriatric horses. Age-related dental changes are major contributors to dental disorders in older horses, and cheek tooth extractions are often required to maintain masticatory function and oral comfort. However, limited information is available on clinical and treatment characteristics in this older patient population. Objective: To describe clinical features, treatments, complication rates and short-term outcomes of horses undergoing oral cheek tooth extraction and treatment of odontogenic sinusitis, and to compare findings between geriatric and non-geriatric horses. Methods: Retrospective analysis of clinical...
Oclacitinib for Controlling Pruritus and Associated Skin Lesions in 16 Horses With Allergic Dermatitis. Oclacitinib is a Janus kinase inhibitor approved for the treatment of pruritus associated with allergic dermatitis in dogs and may be effective in horses. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of oclacitinib in reducing pruritus and skin lesions in horses with allergic dermatitis. Methods: Sixteen horses aged ≥ 18 months. Methods: Horses received oclacitinib at 0.25 mg/kg orally once daily for 21 days. Changes in haematological and biochemical parameters were measured on Day (D)0 and D21. The owners were instructed to evaluate the horses using the pruritus Visual Analog Scale (PVAS) on...
Laser neoureterocystostomy to treat ectopic ureters. Ureteral ectopia is an uncommon but clinically important congenital abnormality in horses. If left untreated, it can lead to persistent dermatitis, urinary tract infections, and failure to thrive. Surgical correction is necessary, but traditional approaches have produced mixed results with high morbidity. Identification of a minimally invasive, effective technique would significantly improve prognosis. Objective: To describe the procedure and outcomes of cystoscopic guided laser neoureterocystostomy in three fillies. Methods: Case series. Methods: Retrospective review of three cases treated wi...
Pathology of sudden death in racehorses: a review. Sudden death (SD) is the second most important syndrome associated with death in racehorses. The cause of SD in a large number of horses remains undetermined, and, in many of these cases, causes are not found by gross or microscopic postmortem examinations. Among the known causes of SD are traumatic injuries, including fractures of skull, neck, and pelvis; intoxications (e.g., anticoagulant rodenticides); and others. For many cases of SD in which no significant lesions are found, heart failure, probably associated with arrhythmias, is suspected. Precise phenotypic characterization of SD in hor...
Estimating the economic value of working donkeys in Ethiopia. There is limited empirical evidence on the quantitative economic contribution of donkeys to livelihoods, leading to their undervaluation and exclusion from policy. Here an enterprise budget analysis is embedded within a stochastic dynamic population model for three production systems in Ethiopia to evaluate system inputs, outputs and the economic contribution of donkeys. The model was parameterised using data from household surveys, focus group discussions and key informant interviews, supplemented by literature. The economic value of donkeys' (unpaid) homestead and agricultural services was e...
Management of Equine Post-Extraction Cheek Tooth Alveoli: Application of Alveolar Plugs. Preservation of dentition remains the primary goal of equine dentistry; however, cheek tooth extraction is required in cases of severe dental pathology. Following tooth extraction, management of the post-extraction alveolus remains a significant clinical challenge due to its large size and susceptibility to contamination with feed material and bacteria. To mitigate these risks, alveolar plugs are commonly used to protect the alveolus, stabilize the blood clot, and support granulation tissue formation. This review summarizes the current case reports and research articles regarding the use of al...
Evaluation of two point-of-care molecular diagnostic platforms for rapid detection of equine Hendra virus. Hendra virus (HeV) is a lethal zoonotic pathogen endemic to eastern Australia, posing significant risks to equine and human health. Rapid field detection of HeV enables timely intervention and outbreak management. This study evaluated candidate point-of-care (POC) molecular diagnostic platforms for HeV detection in equine samples: including a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (DARQ RT-LAMP) assay and real-time reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Comparative analytical evaluation demonstrated that RT-qPCR exhibited superior analytical sensitivity relativ...
Herd-level occurrence and spread of Theileria equi and its associated ticks on an Austrian horse farm. Equine piroplasmosis (EP) is a tick-borne disease caused by the blood parasites Theileria equi, Theileria haneyi, and Babesia caballi transmitted primarily by hard ticks (Ixodidae). The clinical courses of EP range from asymptomatic to severe, and chronic infections for several years support the transmission among hosts. Methods: Over a period of two years, blood and fecal samples were taken from horses (n = 18) on a single farm in eastern Austria, starting with the first confirmed case of T. equi infection. Hard ticks (n = 1525 of Ixodes ricinus, Dermacentor reticulatus and Haemaphysalis ...
Pilot Study of an Alpha-2-Macroglobulin-Enriched Plasma-Derived Orthobiologic Preparation in Sport Horses with Chronic Degenerative Joint Disease. Chronic joint disease is a major cause of lameness and reduced performance in sport horses and is characterized by persistent synovial inflammation and protease-mediated matrix degradation. This exploratory prospective pilot study investigated clinical outcomes and synovial biomarker changes following intra-articular administration of an α-2-macroglobulin plasma-derived preparation. Twenty client-owned sport horses were observed in the treatment group (n = 10) or a comparison group (n = 10) and monitored for up to 180 days under field conditions. Clinical outcomes were assessed longitudinally...
Recent Advances in Natural Products for Colitis: Mechanisms and Translational Perspectives. Colitis is a chronic relapsing inflammatory disorder characterized by persistent mucosal inflammation, epithelial barrier disruption, oxidative stress, immune dysregulation, and gut microbiota imbalance. Although current therapies have improved disease management, their long-term use is still limited by incomplete response, relapse, adverse effects, and high cost. Natural products have attracted increasing attention as promising candidates for colitis intervention because of their structural diversity, broad bioactivity, and multitarget regulatory potential. In veterinary medicine, colitis and...
Efficacy of 0.5% Tretinoin in the Treatment of Equine Aural Plaques. Equine aural plaques are a benign form of auricular papillomatosis caused by equine papillomavirus. Despite the efficacy of 5% imiquimod cream, a marked local reaction is frequently observed during therapy, often requiring sedation before application. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and potential adverse effects of 0.5% topical tretinoin in the treatment of equine aural plaques. We hypothesised that tretinoin would be effective, with fewer adverse effects compared to imiquimod. Methods: The study included 10 horses of both sexes, aged between 7 months and 15 y...
Horse species symposium: Current and future outlook on equine industry, research trends, and opportunities: How to promote a sustainable field into the future. The equine industry represents a complex and evolving sector with substantial economic, social, and scientific significance, yet it faces growing challenges related to funding constraints, societal expectations for animal welfare, regulatory pressures, and rapid scientific and technological change. This article synthesizes perspectives presented at the 2025 Horse Species Symposium, held during the joint Annual Meeting of the American Society of Animal Science and Canadian Society of Animal Science, which convened experts from academia, government, and industry to evaluate the current state and...
Do Polish Konik Horses Find Soaked Hay to Be Palatable? Frequently, equine diseases necessitate the moistening or soaking of hay for the horses. It was assumed that this treatment would not reduce the willingness of the Polish Konik horses with low nutritional requirements to consume the hay. Furthermore, it was believed that moistening would increase the palatability of this feed. The aim of this study was to determine time and frequency parameters and the amount of unconsumed dry, moist, or soaked hay. The research material comprised 12 Polish Konik horses consuming either 1 kg of dry hay, 2.1 kg of moist hay, or 3.3 kg of soaked hay on three sub...
Association Between Vaquejada Practice and Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Muscle Damage in Quarter Horses. Vaquejada (VQ) is a traditional Brazilian sport demanding high performance from Quarter Horse (QH) athletes. This study aimed to identify modifications in hematological, biochemical, inflammatory, and oxidative stress biomarkers associated with VQ training, comparing conditioned and non-conditioned horses. Blood samples were collected at rest from 70 healthy QH horses: 60 athletes (VQ-conditioned athlete group-AG) and 10 sedentary controls (breeding horses-CG). Using Linear Mixed Models alongside comprehensive hematological and biochemical analyses, the study found that AG horses exhibited an ...
Miscellaneous Equine Liver Conditions. Miscellaneous equine liver conditions not covered in other chapters include chronic active hepatitis, Tyzzer's disease, seasonal idiopathic hepatitis, neoplasia, and idiopathic persistent hyperbilirubinemia. Chronic active hepatitis refers to inflammatory and fibrotic liver disease with an unknown cause. Treatment is aimed at reducing inflammation. Tyzzer's disease is caused by Clostridium piliforme infection and causes acute necrotizing hepatitis in foals. Successful treatment with antimicrobial therapy and supportive care is rare. Seasonal idiopathic hepatitis is a winter disease of Midweste...
A Revised View on Equine Hypertriglyceridemia, Hyperlipidemia, and Hyperlipemia. Hypertriglyceridemia, also known as hyperlipidemia or hyperlipemia, affects equids of all breeds and ages, mostly secondary to a negative energy balance triggered by a disease process. Increased triglyceride concentrations (TG) have been described in well-eating equids with endocrinopathies, atypical myopathy, severe liver disease, and after treatment with sodium-glucose transporter 2 inhibitors. The fact that equids can have substantially increased TG without showing clinical signs prompted reevaluation of the clinical effects of hypertriglyceridemia. As long as the consequences of high TG ar...
Prognosis of Equine Liver Diseases. Prognostic information in equine liver disease can be gleaned from historical, clinical, clinicopathological, ultrasonographic, and histopathological features. However, given the multiple causes and subtypes of liver disease affecting horses worldwide, prognostic data might not be suitable for universal application across all cases. Most evidence has been established for horses with chronic hepatopathies and extrapolation to acute cases should be avoided. In chronic liver disease the presence and severity of clinical signs and serum markers including total globulins, albumin, and bile acids ar...
Seroprevalence of Orthoflaviviruses in horses in 3 different Algerian climatic zones between 2021 and 2023. Orthoflaviviruses are etiological agents of neurological diseases in equines. Horses are susceptible to equine Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), Usutu virus (USUV), and West Nile virus (WNV), although mostly WNV has been associated with clinical disease. The aim of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of TBEV, USUV and WNV in 289 healthy horses from nine provinces of Algeria. This study was conducted between March 2021 and December 2023. Sera that tested positive, doubtful, or negative close to the doubtful threshold in the Orthoflavivirus-ELISA were further tested by the virus...
Topical betulinic acid for treatment of equine melanoma and sarcoid. Betulinic acid, a natural pentacyclic triterpenoid, has demonstrated anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor properties in vitro, including activity against equine melanoma and sarcoid. However, there is limited in vivo evidence evaluating its clinical efficacy. The objective of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of a compounded 1% betulinic acid cream for the treatment of equine cutaneous melanoma and sarcoid. Unassigned: This prospective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial enrolled client-owned horses with melanoma or sarcoid tumors. Horses received either a...
