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Topic:Clinical Study
Clinical studies in equine research involve the systematic investigation of health and disease in horses through structured scientific methods. These studies aim to evaluate the safety and efficacy of treatments, understand disease mechanisms, and improve veterinary care practices. Clinical studies can include randomized controlled trials, observational studies, and case-control studies. They may focus on various aspects such as pharmacokinetics, therapeutic interventions, and diagnostic techniques. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the design, implementation, and findings of clinical studies in equine medicine, providing insights into their impact on horse health and veterinary practices.
Equine Cervical Pain and Dysfunction: Pathology, Diagnosis and Treatment. Interest in the cervical spine as a cause of pain or dysfunction is increasingly becoming the focus of many equine practitioners. Many affected horses are presented for poor performance, while others will present with dramatic, sometimes dangerous behavior. Understanding and distinguishing the different types of neck pain is a starting point to comprehending how the clinical presentations can vary so greatly. There are many steps needed to systematically evaluate the various tissues of the cervical spine to determine which components are contributing to cervical pain and dysfunction. Osseous s...
Incomplete Ileocecal Bypass for Ileal Pathology in Horses: 21 Cases (2012-2019). Incomplete ileocecal bypass can be performed in cases in which an ileal disfunction is suspected but resection of the diseased ileum is not necessary. Objective: To describe the clinical findings, the surgical technique, and the outcome of 21 cases of colic with ileal pathologies that underwent an incomplete ileocecal bypass. Methods: Historical, clinical, and surgical features of cases diagnosed with pathologies involving the ileum or the ileocecal valve that underwent ileocecal anastomosis without ileal resection were retrieved. Clinical (heart rate, duration of symptoms, presence of reflux,...
Neural changes following equine-assisted therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder: A longitudinal multimodal imaging study. While effective treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) exist, many individuals, including military personnel and veterans fail to respond to them. Equine-assisted therapy (EAT), a novel PTSD treatment, may complement existing PTSD interventions. This study employs longitudinal neuro-imaging, including structural magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI), resting state-fMRI (rs-fMRI), and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), to determine mechanisms and predictors of EAT outcomes for PTSD. Nineteen veterans with PTSD completed eight weekly group sessions of EAT undergoing multimodal MRI assessme...
Dietary conjugated linoleic acid supplementation alters skeletal muscle mitochondria and antioxidant status in young horses. Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) improves oxidative stress and mitochondrial biogenesis in various species but has not been thoroughly investigated in horses. We collected blood and muscle samples from lightly exercising horses before and 6 and 12 wk after receiving either soybean oil (CON; n = 5) or CLA (CLA; n = 5) supplementation. Samples were analyzed for markers of mitochondrial characteristics, antioxidant status, oxidative stress, and muscle damage. Data were analyzed using a linear model with repeated measures. In the triceps brachii (TB), citrate synthase (CS) activity was higher in CON...
Symmetric dimethylarginine and creatinine concentrations in serum of healthy draft horses. Symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) is considered a more sensitive indirect estimate of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) than creatinine (Cr). Symmetric dimethylarginine is not affected by sex or muscle mass in small animals. Objective: To validate a commercial SDMA immunoassay (IA) for equine serum; to compare SDMA and Cr in cohorts of draft horse breeds; and to assess effects of age, sex, and breed. Methods: One hundred and sixty-five healthy draft horses (0.5-16 years), including 63 Percherons, 52 Clydesdales, and 50 Belgians. Methods: Cross-sectional study. The SDMA IA was validated for eq...
Evaluation of the ocular surface mycobiota in clinically normal horses. The eye is host to myriad bacterial, fungal, and viral organisms that likely influence ocular surface physiology in normal and diseased states. The ocular surface mycobiota of horses has not yet been described using NGS techniques. This study aimed to characterize the ocular surface fungal microbiota (mycobiota) in healthy horses in 2 environmental conditions (stalled versus pasture). Conjunctival swabs of both eyes were obtained from 7 adult stallions stabled in an open-air pavilion and 5 adult mares living on pasture. Genomic DNA was extracted from ocular surface swabs and sequenced using pr...
Third Generation Cephalosporin Resistant Enterobacterales Infections in Hospitalized Horses and Donkeys: A Case-Case-Control Analysis. In human medicine, infections caused by third-generation cephalosporin-resistant (3GCRE) are associated with detrimental outcomes. In veterinary medicine, controlled epidemiological analyses are lacking. A matched case-case-control investigation (1:1:1 ratio) was conducted in a large veterinary hospital (2017-2019). In total, 29 infected horses and donkeys were matched to 29 animals with third-generation cephalosporin-susceptible (3GCSE) infections, and 29 uninfected controls (overall = 87). Despite multiple significant associations per bivariable analyses, the only independent predictor fo...
Retrospective case review investigating the effect of replacing oaten hay with a non-cereal hay on equine peripheral caries in 42 cases. Equine peripheral caries can cause significant morbidity and can have considerable welfare implications. Recent research suggests that diets with high water soluble carbohydrate (WSC) content are associated with high risk of peripheral caries. Previous work has indicated that the condition may be treatable if the inciting cause is removed and the damaged tooth allowed to erupt out, being replaced by the unaffected tooth previously under the gingival margin. Objective: To see whether the peripheral caries process can be ceased if oaten hay (typically high WSC) is removed from the diet and repla...
Sprint Exercise of Juvenile Animals Does Not Impact Cartilage Glycosaminoglycan or Synovial Fluid Neopeptide Collagenase Cleavage of Type I and II Collagen Content. Short sprints performed during growth can increase bone strength, mineral density, and cortical widths, but their impact on joint health is not fully understood. Some studies have found joints of young animals are damaged by forced sprints, while others found confinement hindered joint development. This study aimed to determine the impact of short sprints on synovial fluid neopeptide collagenase cleavage of type I and II collagen (C1,2C) and cartilage glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content. Calves were used as a model for young horses in this terminal study. Twenty-four Holstein bull calves were assi...
Alterations of Circulating Biomarkers During Late Term Pregnancy Complications in the Horse Part II: Steroid Hormones and Alpha-Fetoprotein. Preterm labor and/or abortion causes considerable economic impact on the equine industry. Unfortunately, few experimental models exist for the induction of various pregnancy-related complications, and therefore extrapolations are made from the experimental model for ascending placentits, although inferences may be minimal. Certain steroid hormones (progestogens, estrogens) and fetal proteins (alpha-fetoprotein; AFP) might improve the diagnostics for abnormal pregnancy, but the utility of these markers in the field is unknown. To assess this, thoroughbred mares (n = 702) were bled weekly begi...
Pilot Videodermoscopic Examination of Hair and Skin in Arabian Mare Horses During the Winter Season. Videodermoscopy is a novel, noninvasive technique used to examine the appearance of skin and its adnexa. The aim of this study was to assess specific dermoscopic parameters in Arabian purebred mares in particular areas of the body during the winter season. The study was performed in the winter season. Videodermoscopic evaluations of the hair and skin were performed over seven areas of the body: the forehead, mane, neck, chest, flank, croup, and tail. Twenty-one healthy, non-breeding Arabian mares aged 3 to 21 years were selected for the study. The Video-Dermatoscope Vidix 7 (Medici Medical SRL...
Biomechanical Effects of Unidirectional Expansion Using Anisotropic Expanders in Horse Skin Tissue. The use of a self-inflating tissue expander is a technique to stretch cutaneous tissues for potential use in reconstructive skin surgeries. This study investigates the mechanical properties of horse skin stretched by the subcutaneous implantation of anisotropic tissue expanders at the forehead, right shoulder, and dorsomedial part of the cannon region of the right forelimb in six (n = 6) horses. After 14 days of skin expansion, expanded and normal (control) skin samples were harvested and their mechanical properties of elastic modulus (EM), maximum force (MF), maximum stress (MSs) and maximu...
Antinociceptive effects of levomethadone in standing horses sedated with romifidine. To evaluate the antinociceptive effect of a bolus of intravenous levomethadone administered to horses during romifidine constant rate infusion (CRI). Methods: Prospective, randomized, masked, crossover experimental study. Methods: A group of eight adult Warmblood horses (seven geldings, one mare) aged 6.6 ± 4.4 years, weighing 548 ± 52 kg [mean ± standard deviation (SD)]. Methods: Levomethadone 0.1 mg kg or an equivalent volume of saline (control) was administered intravenously to standing horses 60 minutes after starting a romifidine CRI. Blood samples to quantify romifidine and levomethad...
Towards an improved pain assessment in castrated horses using facial expressions (HGS) and circulating miRNAs. Pain in horses is an emergent welfare concern, and its assessment represents a challenge for equine clinicians. This study aimed at improving pain assessment in horses through a convergent validation of existing tools: we investigated whether an effective analgesic treatment influences the horse grimace scale (HGS) and the concentration of specific circulating microRNAs (miRNAs). Eleven stallions underwent routine surgical castration under general anaesthesia. They were divided into two analgesic treatment groups: castration with the administration of preoperative flunixin and castration with ...
Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-9, semen quality and sperm longevity in fractionated stallion semen. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 are gelatinases that take part in several reproductive processes. The aim of this study was to measure levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in fractionated stallion ejaculates, and to evaluate the association between these components and semen quality, and sperm longevity during cooled storage. Semen quality were assessed separately for sperm-rich fractions (HIGH), sperm-poor fractions (LOW), and whole ejaculate samples (WE) from 33 stallions. After cooled storage with SP either present or removed, sperm motility and DFI were determined. The relative activity of...
Towards an improved pain assessment in castrated horses using facial expressions (HGS) and circulating miRNAs. Pain in horses is an emergent welfare concern, and its assessment represents a challenge for equine clinicians. This study aimed at improving pain assessment in horses through a convergent validation of existing tools: we investigated whether an effective analgesic treatment influences the horse grimace scale (HGS) and the concentration of specific circulating microRNAs (miRNAs). Eleven stallions underwent routine surgical castration under general anaesthesia. They were divided into two analgesic treatment groups: castration with the administration of preoperative flunixin and castration with ...
Ex vivo comparison of the bursting strength of an equine ventral midline celiotomy covered by two standard abdominal bandages. To determine the compressive effect of abdominal bandages after ventral midline celiotomy closure in horses. Methods: Ex vivo, experimental study. Methods: Equine cadavers (n = 18), six per group. Methods: A 20-cm ventral midline celiotomy was created in each of 18 equine cadavers. A 200-L inflatable bladder was placed in the abdomen, and the linea alba was apposed. Horses were randomly assigned to no bandage (C), elastic (E), or Velcro inelastic (I) bandage groups for testing. Circumferential bandages were placed with a subbandage pressure monitoring system over the incision. The bladder was ...
Effects of equine riding on static and dynamic mechanical contraction of the thighs and trunk muscles in inactive women. This study investigated whether equine riding affects static or dynamic mechanical contractions on the thighs and trunk muscles in inactive women. Methods: Participants consisted of 30 women with a mean (SD) age of 21.06 (0.44) years. They were randomly allotted as follows: equine group (EQG, n= 15) and control group (CON, n= 15). Two types of muscle contraction properties in their thighs and trunk were measured through a tensiomyography (static muscle tester) and an isokinetic device (dynamic muscle tester), respectively. Using the body weights of EQG and CON as covariates, a 2-way between-gr...
Overfeeding Extends the Period of Annual Cyclicity but Increases the Risk of Early Embryonic Death in Shetland Pony Mares. Obesity has been associated with altered reproductive activity in mares, and may negatively affect fertility. To examine the influence of long-term high-energy (HE) feeding on fertility, Shetland pony mares were fed a diet containing 200% of net energy (NE) requirements during a three-year study. The incidence of hemorrhagic anovulatory follicles (HAF) and annual duration of cyclicity were compared to those in control mares receiving a maintenance diet. Day-7 embryos were flushed and transferred between donor and recipient mares from both groups; the resulting conceptuses were collected 21 day...
The lipopolysaccharide model for the experimental induction of transient lameness and synovitis in Standardbred horses. An established lipopolysaccharide (LPS) model previously described in Warmbloods, was inconsistent in Standardbred horses, where lameness was not detected despite the presence of synovitis. The present study aimed to determine the dose of LPS from E. coli O55:B5 required to induce mild to moderate lameness following middle carpal joint injection in Standardbred horses and to quantitate the induced lameness over time, with and without anti-inflammatory pre-treatment. In a baseline trial, eight healthy, clinically sound Standardbred horses were used in a rule-based dose-escalation design trial, ...
Influence of clinical and experimental intra-articular inflammation on neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin concentrations in horses. To investigate neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) concentrations in serum and synovial fluid (SF) from horses with joint inflammation. Methods: Experimental studies and retrospective clinical study. Methods: Serum and SF samples were available from healthy horses (n = 19), clinical cases, and horses with experimental joint inflammation. Clinical cases included horses with (n = 10) or without (n = 10) septic arthritis. Experimental intra-articular inflammation was induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS; n = 7, severe inflammation), lidocaine (n = 6, moderate inflammation), or mepivac...
Plasma disposition of ceftazidime in healthy neonatal foals following intravenous and intramuscular administration. Cephalosporin antimicrobials can be utilized for the treatment of sepsis in neonatal foals, particularly when an aminoglycoside is contraindicated. Some cephalosporins, however, are not utilized because of cost, sporadic availability, or uncertainty about efficacy. The plasma disposition of ceftazidime, a third-generation cephalosporin with a broad spectrum of activity against a wide variety of gram-negative bacteria and minimal renal side effects has not been reported in neonatal foals. In this study, the plasma disposition of single intravenous (IV) and intramuscular (IM) doses of ceftazidim...
Inhaled ciclesonide is efficacious and well tolerated in the treatment of severe equine asthma in a large prospective European clinical trial. Ciclesonide is a glucocorticoid prodrug, already registered for human use. Due to its mode of action and inhaled route of administration, it was considered an appropriate treatment option for horses with severe equine asthma. Although the efficacy of inhaled ciclesonide has been demonstrated in horses with asthma exacerbations under controlled mouldy hay challenge conditions, it has not yet been reported under field conditions. Objective: To assess the effectiveness and safety of inhaled ciclesonide for the treatment of severe equine asthma. Methods: Prospective, multicentre, placebo-controlle...
Systemic detectability of dexamethasone and prednisolone after eye drop application in horses. Equine sport agencies list steroids as prohibited substances for competing horses. Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate if the controlled substances dexamethasone and prednisolone are detectable in equine serum and urine samples during and after treatment with eye drops and if this can generate a positive doping test. Methods: Prospective cohort study. Methods: The study cohort included 11 horses. One eye of the horses was treated with either dexamethasone (Maxitrol 0.1%, n = 5 eyes) or prednisolone (Pred forte 1%, n = 6 eyes) eye drops 3 times daily for 14 days. Dexa...
Risk factors for bit-related lesions in Finnish trotting horses. Bit-related lesions in competition horses have been documented, but little evidence exists concerning their potential risk factors. Objective: To explore potential risk factors for oral lesions in Finnish trotters. Methods: Cross-sectional study. Methods: The rostral part of the mouth of 261 horses (151 Standardbreds, 78 Finnhorses and 32 ponies) was examined after a harness race. Information on bit type, equipment and race performance was collected. Results: A multivariable logistic regression model of Standardbreds and Finnhorses showed a higher risk of moderate or severe oral lesion stat...
Rare Case of Spinal Neurosarcoidosis with Concomitant Epidural Lipomatosis. Spinal neurosarcoidosis is a rare disease that can manifest as myelopathy, radiculopathy, or cauda equine syndrome. Spinal epidural lipomatosis is also a rare condition resulting from overgrowth of epidural fat tissue causing compressive myelopathy. To our knowledge, there are no reports linking epidural lipomatosis and spinal neurosarcoidosis. . We describe a case of progressive myelitis in the presence of concomitant spinal neurosarcoidosis and epidural lipomatosis which was a challenging diagnosis with complete response to treatment after addressing both diseases. Both etiologies are inflam...
Metabolic profile distinguishes laminitis-susceptible and -resistant ponies before and after feeding a high sugar diet. Insulin dysregulation (ID) is a key risk factor for equine endocrinopathic laminitis, but in many cases ID can only be assessed accurately using dynamic tests. The identification of other biomarkers could provide an alternative or adjunct diagnostic method, to allow early intervention before laminitis develops. The present study characterised the metabolome of ponies with varying degrees of ID using basal and postprandial plasma samples obtained during a previous study, which examined the predictive power of blood insulin levels for the development of laminitis, in ponies fed a high-sugar diet...
Evaluation of a questionnaire to detect the risk of developing ESGD or EGGD in horses. Equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS) affects various categories of horses worldwide. This syndrome is now divided into two different diseases, based on the presence of lesions on either the squamous (Equine Squamous Gastric Disease, ESGD) or the glandular (Equine Glandular Gastric Disease, EGGD) mucosa. Diagnosis is based on the evaluation of the presence of gastric lesions with gastroscopic examination. As a gastroscopy can be considered expensive by clients, therapy is started often on the basis of clinical signs only. The aim of this study was to validate a questionnaire to detect the risk ...
Effects of sand, asphalt and 3-degree hind toe or heel elevation on horse kinematics. Although the effects of both the surfaces and plantar angles on equine locomotion have been widely discussed, limited scientific data are available. Methods: Our objectives were to determine the effects of two surfaces (asphalt and sand) and of 3-degree hind toe or heel elevation on horse kinematics in an experimental study. Six saddle horses were shod with a reference shoeing (REF), characterized by a fore aluminium (REF F) and hind steel racehorse (REF H) shoeing. Two dimensional kinematic videos compared horse's kinematic parameters when walking and trotting on asphalt and sand. On asphalt,...
