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.
Clinical application and prognostic value of computed tomography examination in foals diagnosed with osteomyelitis: Forty-four cases. Computed tomography (CT) is increasingly recognized as superior to conventional imaging methods for diagnosing osteomyelitis in foals. However, comprehensive studies in this area are limited. This study aims to report on clinical cases of osteomyelitis in foals, establishing a relationship between CT findings and survival outcomes. Additionally, it compares CT imaging with conventional methods such as radiography and ultrasound. We hypothesized that CT variables would more accurately predict survival than other clinical factors and provide more detailed information about osteomyelitis lesions....
Electrochemotherapy with bleomycin for bilateral ocular squamous cell carcinoma in a horse. To describe the procedure and outcome of electrochemotherapy (ECT) with bleomycin as a first-line treatment for bilateral ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN) in the eye of a horse. Methods: A client-owned 5-year-old Haflinger gelding with limbal-conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma. Methods: During general and local anesthesia, injection of bleomycin in the ocular tumor was followed by electroporation, applied with a 15 mm needle electrode, needles held parallel to the ocular surface. Results: Treatment with ECT resulted in therapeutic electric pulses and complete tumor response with no...
Electrochemotherapy with bleomycin for bilateral ocular squamous cell carcinoma in a horse. To describe the procedure and outcome of electrochemotherapy (ECT) with bleomycin as a first-line treatment for bilateral ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN) in the eye of a horse. Methods: A client-owned 5-year-old Haflinger gelding with limbal-conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma. Methods: During general and local anesthesia, injection of bleomycin in the ocular tumor was followed by electroporation, applied with a 15 mm needle electrode, needles held parallel to the ocular surface. Results: Treatment with ECT resulted in therapeutic electric pulses and complete tumor response with no...
An ongoing concern: 20 years of research on equine atypical myopathy. Anne-Christine François, Benoît Renaud, Caroline-Julia Kruse, Christel Marcillaud-Pitel and Dominique-Marie Votion of the Atypical Myopathy Alert Group discuss insights from 20 years of research and surveillance on equine atypical myopathy.
Pilot study characterizing a single pooled preparation of equine platelet lysate for nebulization in the horse. Platelet lysate (PL) demonstrates antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties offering potential for treatment of bacterial pneumonia in horses. It remains unknown whether nebulization is suitable for PL administration in horses. This pilot study characterized particle size and flow rate of pooled equine PL (single preparation) nebulized using an equine-specific nebulizer (Flexivent®). Unassigned: Protein composition and antimicrobial activity were compared before and after nebulization. Protein composition was evaluated according to growth factor, antimicrobial peptide and cytokine concen...
Role of cannabidiolic acid or the combination of cannabigerol/cannabidiol in pain modulation and welfare improvement in horses with chronic osteoarthritis. Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychotropic cannabinoid obtained from hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) used for pain management in companion animals including horses. The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) and cannabigerol/cannabidiol oil (CBG/CBD) oral administration in alleviating pain in adult horses affected by chronic osteoarthritis (OA). Twenty-four horses (10 geldings and 14 mares), aged between 11 and 18 years old, were equally divided into two groups. One group received CBDA 15% oil and the other group received CBG/CBD oil (CBG20%-CBD10%) for 14 consecuti...
Effects of Porcine Zona Pellucida Immunocontraception on Mare Body Condition and Foaling Season Length in Two Western Wild Horse Populations. Wildlife managers and the public have expressed considerable interest in the use of contraception to help manage the populations of wild horses and burros (Equus caballus and E. asinus). Field testing has shown that two preparations of the porcine zona pellucida (PZP) vaccine, a simple emulsion (ZonaStat-H) and PZP-22 (which supplements ZonaStat-H with a controlled-release component) effectively prevent pregnancy in individual mares and can substantially reduce population foaling rates. To determine whether some PZP preparations might have secondary effects that harm treated mares or their foa...
Promoting mental health in military veterans. Methodology and evaluation tools in a pilot study involving an Equine-Assisted Intervention. Military veterans exposed to stressful or traumatic events may experience adjustment difficulties in the post-deployment period, developing a high risk of mental health-related issues. Promising complementary practices such as Equine-Assisted Therapy (EAT) are now widely used, although standardized protocols are missing. The present study aimed to develop an EAT standardized intervention. Methods: A total of 16 veterans were enrolled for the study (11 veterans for the EAT group and 5 veterans for the control group). The EAT lasted 9 months and both a quantitative (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory...
Efficacy of 0.2% povidone-iodine and 0.1% polyhexamethylene biguanide as preoperative antiseptics in equine ophthalmic procedures. This retrospective study evaluates the efficacy of povidone-iodine (PI) and polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) as preoperative antiseptics in equine ophthalmic procedures. Methods: Horses that underwent routine ophthalmic surgery and procedures. Methods: Data were collected retrospectively from the medical records of equine patients undergoing ophthalmic procedures. Inclusion criteria were sampling for aerobic microbial culture at three different time points (T0: pre-irrigation, T1: post-irrigation, and T2: postoperatively) and T0 showing bacterial growth. Microbiological outcomes were assesse...
Effectiveness of Equine-Assisted Activities and Therapies for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Update. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition requiring personalised therapeutic approaches. This study evaluated the effectiveness of Equine-Assisted Activities and Therapies (EAATs) in 86 children with varying ASD severity levels (levels 1-3). Methods: Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scales and the Parenting Stress Index were used. Between May 2022 and October 2023, participants completed 20 weekly sessions of 45 min each, tailored to their individual needs. Results: Children with level 3 ASD demonstrated greater challenges in communication (level 1: 67.1 ± 29.0 vs. l...
Clinical efficacy of inhaled corticosteroids in equine asthma: A meta-analysis and number needed to treat. Equine asthma, a prevalent chronic inflammatory condition affecting the equine population, significantly compromises the performance and quality of life in affected horses. Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are often the first-line pharmacological intervention due to their potent anti-inflammatory properties. This meta-analysis investigates the clinical efficacy of ICS in treating equine asthma, emphasizing the number needed to treat (NNT) and the likelihood of achieving a clinical response. A comprehensive literature search identified relevant studies comparing ICS with placebo (PCB) controlled t...
Effect of hay nets on subluxations, pain-pressure thresholds, and cervical range of motion in the axial skeleton of adult horses. Horses have become more intensively managed, including the use of hay nets to increase intake time and reduce hay waste, but their impact on health is not well known. The objectives were to compare changes in subluxations, range of motion, and the pain-pressure threshold in the axial skeleton of horses fed hay with (NET) or without (CON) hay nets. In September 2021, 13 adult horses were blocked by bodyweight (BW) and randomly assigned to the NET or CON treatments for one year. After one year, horses switched treatments and the trial concluded in September 2023. Horses were housed in dry lots w...
Performance of Warmblood horses following tenoscopic desmotomy of the main part of the accessory ligament of the superficial digital flexor tendon for treatment of tendinopathy: 62 cases. Desmotomy of the accessory ligament of the superficial digital flexor tendon (AL-SDFT) has been described for the treatment of superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) tendinopathy in Thoroughbred and Standardbred racehorses, and in event horses. To our knowledge, the outcome of this procedure has not been described in a population of warmblood horses. Objective: To report on the outcome of treatment of SDFT tendinopathy in warmblood horses using tenoscopic desmotomy of the main part of the AL-SDFT. Methods: Prospective observational case series. Methods: All 62 horses included in the case ser...
Double-blinded, randomized tolerance study of a biologically enhanced Nanogel with endothelin-1 and bradykinin receptor antagonist peptides via intra-articular injection for osteoarthritis treatment in horses. Osteoarthritis is a leading cause of pain and retirement in athletic horses. Hydro-expansive functionalized nanogels, acting as Drug Delivery Systems, constitute one of the current therapeutic prospects. These nanogels have the potential to combine mechanical benefits through polymers with the biological effect of prolonged release of bioactive molecules. The purpose of this double-blinded randomized tolerance study versus negative control was to evaluate the response of healthy joints to a single injection of the expected efficient dose (further referred to as the trial dose) and overdose of ...
Electrocardiograms from different types of exercise in Eventing horses with and without cardiac signs. Exercising arrhythmias can be clinically irrelevant or associated with poor performance, collapse and sudden cardiac death. Objective: To test if readable exercising ECGs can be recorded by grooms or riders and to describe arrhythmias in ECGs from different types of exercise in Eventing horses and investigate associations with type of workout, the presence of previous cardiac signs and intensity of exercise. Methods: Cohort study. Methods: Single lead exercising ECGs were obtained by riders or grooms during training and competition from a convenience sample of horses in training for Eventing c...
Horses with previous episodes of laminitis have altered insulin responses to seasonal oral sugar testing and grazing compared to horses with no known history of laminitis. Forage is essential for equine health and performance, but intake of elevated pasture nonstructural carbohydrates (NSC) may exacerbate metabolic disorders. This study aimed to investigate the influence of laminitis history on metabolic and morphometric responses in grazing horses. Twelve non-pregnant mares (15 ± 3.4 yrs) were selected based on previous diagnosis of laminitis (PRELAM; n=6) or not (NOLAM; n=6). Horses were maintained on 8.5-ha pasture. Weekly pasture samples were clipped at random for nutrient analysis. Monthly blood samples were collected and analyzed for glucose and insulin c...
[Retrospective study of the effectiveness of human tyrosinase vaccination in eight horses]. Dermal melanoma is a common neoplastic disease in horses, which occurs particularly in gray horses. There are various local and systemic therapeutic approaches to treat this skin tumor. Vaccination with human tyrosinase, ONCEPT ® vaccine, is a newer type of systemic melanoma therapy. In this study, the effectiveness of this ONCEPT ® vaccine was retrospectively examined in eight treated horses. In half of the horses (4) a positive change in tumor growth in the sense of retardation, stagnation and, in one of these horses, even reduction in the size of the melanomas was observed. Of the rem...
Essential oil supplementation improves insulin sensitivity and modulates the plasma metabolome of hyperinsulinemic horses. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of essential oil (EO) supplementation on insulin sensitivity (IS) and the plasma metabolome in insulin dysregulated (ID) horses. Horses were blocked by degree of IS and assigned randomly to treatment: oral daily bolus (50 mL) of either a plant derived EO supplement or carrier (CON). Mares were housed in dry lots with access to grass hay and supplemented individually twice daily with a concentrate to meet nutrient requirements for mature horses. Before and after 6 wks of treatment, mares underwent a combined glucose-insulin tolerance ...
A clinical and hematologic approach to basophilia in dogs, cats, and horses. Basophils are the rarest blood leukocyte in most healthy domestic mammals and the clinical significance of basophilia is poorly understood. Objective: To empirically determine magnitude thresholds for basophilia, identify its hematologic correlates, and identify associations between breeds, specific diseases, disease categories, organ systems, and basophilia in dogs, cats, and horses. Methods: CBCs and clinical information from dogs, cats, and horses were collected from the University of California-Davis School of Veterinary Medicine between 2000 and 2020. Relationships between basophil concen...
Prevalence of Taylorella equigenitalis in Icelandic mares and geldings in Southern Germany and Austria. Contagious Equine Metritis (CEM) caused by the bacterium Taylorella equigenitalis (T. equigenitalis), is a venereal infection of equids which is of international concern to the equine breeding industry. A recent study showed a high prevalence of T. equigenitalis in Icelandic stallions when compared to stallions of other breeds also using for natural breeding. Consequently, the objectives of the present study were to investigate the prevalence of T. equigenitalis in Icelandic mares and geldings and to determine factors associated with a T. equigenitalis-positive qPCR result. In total, 361 Icela...
Quantitative lameness assessment in horses by using an accelerometer-based simple device: A preliminary study. Global technological advancements have shifted equine lameness diagnostics from purely subjective assessment toward more objective, quantitative methods. Traditional gait evaluations are increasingly being supplemented by innovative technologies to enhance diagnostic accuracy. Unassigned: This study aimed to determine if traditional gait assessment could be effectively complemented by quantitative measurements using an affordable, self-constructed device, the Lameness Detector 0.1, which incorporates inertial motion sensors. Unassigned: A total of 42 adult sport horses diagnosed with hindleg l...
Comparison of Ketamine/Diazepam and Tiletamine/Zolazepam Combinations for Anaesthesia Induction in Horses Undergoing Partial Intravenous Anaesthesia (PIVA): A Retrospective Clinical Study. The aim of this retrospective clinical study was to compare the combinations of ketamine/diazepam (KD group) and tiletamine/zolazepam (TZ group) for the induction of general anaesthesia in horses undergoing elective surgery. The data from the clinical and the anaesthetic records of 138 horses from 2021 to 2023 were evaluated, and the horses were divided in two groups: KD ( = 60) and TZ ( = 72). The horses were premedicated with romifidine and methadone IV; anaesthesia was induced with ketamine/diazepam for the KD group and tiletamine/zolazepam for the TZ group and was maintained with isofluran...
Repellent activity of icaridin-impregnated horsecloth against horse flies. Horseflies are pests that cause discomfort from blood-sucking and disease transmission, and economic losses in the equine industry. This study evaluated the efficacy of horsecloth impregnated with icaridin in reducing horsefly attacks and deterring horseflies. Repellent activities were evaluated under three conditions: treatment 1 (no horsecloth), 2 (horsecloth without icaridin), and 3 (horsecloth impregnated with icaridin), using three native Hokkaido horses (Dosanko) and three mixed-breed horses (Dosanko and Haflinger) in July 2023 at a riding horse club in Hokkaido, Japan. Treatment 3 signi...
Impact of equine interactions on human acute pain perception: Two cross sectional studies. Research has demonstrated the effectiveness of Animal-Assisted Therapy, usually involving dogs, as a way to reduce pain in inpatient and outpatient populations. Here two studies investigate the effectiveness of interacting with horses for reducing human acute pain perception. Unassigned: In Study 1, a blood-pressure cuff was used to administer acute ischaemic pain to 70 adult participants, who were allocated to one of three groups: Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP), Horse Interaction without EAP (HI), and a Control (no horses present). All participants engaged in an activity (finding a horse...
Improved embryo recovery through increased flushing media volume and the impact on unintended pregnancies in a single subject donor mare. The case report discusses the implications of using different volumes of flushing media during embryo flushing (EF) procedures in a single donor mare that experienced multiple unintended pregnancies following negative EF outcomes. The study involved two sets of EF experiments over two years on a non-lactating Spanish purebred mare. The initial experiments (group 1, n=6) used 1L of flushing medium (Ringer´s Lactate), and subsequent tests (group 2, n=5) increased the volume to 2L, to assess whether a larger volume could enhance embryo recovery rates. After every EF procedure, no PGF2α was admi...
A new smartphone-based digital stethoscope featuring phonocardiography and electrocardiography in adult horses. Smartphone-based technology is increasingly used in veterinary medicine as a complementary tool for cardiac auscultation and ECG recording. This prospective observational study evaluates a digital stethoscope (DS) that consists of simultaneous phonocardiographic and one-lead ECG recording (dECG) in adult horses, comparing it with auscultation using a conventional stethoscope (CS) and reference base-apex ECG (rECG). A total of 104 horses underwent cardiac auscultation using CSs and DSs to detect arrhythmias and murmurs. Audio and dECG were acquired using the DS. The rECG tracings were also reco...
Pergolide mesylate administration does not decrease blood thyroid hormone concentrations and thyroid function in horses. Pergolide, labeled for the treatment of pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction, is 90% protein bound and might cause a decrease in blood thyroid hormone concentrations by displacing them from binding proteins. This study investigated the effect of pergolide on the equine thyroid function. Methods: This was an analytic, observational, cohort study. Six horses (17 to 24 years old and 530 to 599 kg) received 1 mg of pergolide mesylate orally once a day from days 1 to 6. Total T4 (tT4) was measured daily from day 0 to 11 (before, during, and after pergolide treatment). Thyrotropin-releasing hormone...
Case report: Incomplete bypass ileocolostomy without partial typhlectomy in five horses with acute, non-reducible cecocolic intussusceptions and review of literature. Cecocolic intussusceptions are a rare condition of acute colic in horses requiring immediate surgical intervention due to persistent uncontrollable pain and ongoing ischemic cecal necrosis. Particularly in cases where reduction of the intussusception is surgically not feasible surgical interventions such as partial typhlectomy through colotomy (partial cecal amputation) combined with or without cecal bypass techniques are described. Alternatively, surgical interventions can also be performed without partial typhlectomy via incomplete bypass ileocolostomy. Information regarding applicable techn...
A Pilot Study to Assess the Safety and Efficacy of Umbilical Cord Blood-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells for the Treatment of Synovitis in Horses. Synovitis is present before and during osteoarthritis in horses and can result in performance-limiting lameness. Twenty-four horses with lameness localized to the metacarpo-/metatarsophalangeal joint or a single joint of the carpus were enrolled in this study. We evaluated the response of intra-articular injection with 10 million activated (aMSC) or non-activated (naMSC) allogeneic equine umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs). Subjective and objective lameness was assessed on Days 0, 1, 21, and 42. The treatment injection was randomly assigned and performed following th...