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.
Ultrasonographic Evidence of Synovitis Correlates with Synovial Citrate and TBARS in Equine Osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease that affects humans and animals worldwide. Its early diagnosis remains challenging due to subtle clinical signs and late radiographic changes. This study aimed to explore candidate biomarkers associated with spontaneous OA and to investigate their correlation with ultrasonographic scores to support early diagnosis. Clinical, radiographic, and ultrasonographic evaluations were performed on 52 equine metacarpophalangeal joints, with and without OA, allowing joint scoring and classification into osteoarthritis (OAG) and control groups. Synovial ...
Radiographic Prevalence of Anatomical Variations of the Ventral Lamina of the Sixth Cervical Vertebra, C6/C7 Articular Process Joint Modelling and Competition Outcomes in Warmblood Sport Horses. Anatomical variations of the caudal ventral lamina of the sixth cervical vertebra (C6), referred to as equine caudal cervical morphologic variations (ECCMV), and radiographic modelling of the caudal cervical articular process joints (APJ) are commonly identified in sport horses, yet their interrelationship and relevance for athletic performance remain controversial. This retrospective observational study aimed to determine the prevalence of ECCMV and APJ modelling in a clinically sound warmblood sport horse population, to evaluate a potential association and to assess if ECCMV affects competit...
Commentary on MacKechnie-Guire et al. Measuring Noseband Tightness on the Lateral Aspect of the Horse’s Face. Animals 2015, 15, 537. The use of horses for sport is under scrutiny due to evidence that common practices such as tight nosebands may impair horse welfare. Restrictive nosebands prevent horses from performing normal comfort behaviour such as coughing and yawning. To address these concerns, the International Society for Equitation Science (ISES) developed a noseband tightness-checking device, the ISES "taper gauge," along with a validated method that assesses how far the device can be inserted beneath the noseband at the dorsal midline of the nasal planum. However, citing concerns about the reliability of dorsal mid...
A Novel Equine F[ab’]2 Veterinary Antivenom for North American Viperid Snake Envenomation Demonstrates Efficacy by Rapid Serum Venom Removal and Improvement in Snakebite Severity Score. To assess the efficacy of a new equine F[ab'] antivenom (US Department of Agriculture code 6101.05) in removing serum venom and lowering the snakebite severity score (SSS) in animals suffering from naturally occurring viperid envenomation. Methods: Retrospective study, April 2020 to October 2021. Methods: Veterinary hospitals across four North American regions. Methods: Twenty-two dogs, one cat, and one horse. Methods: All patients received the new antivenom intravenously and were assessed for clinical response. Most dogs required one vial for clinical control of signs. Results: Among the dogs...
Pharmacokinetics of Intragastric Ursodeoxycholic Acid and Its Impact on Bile Acid Profiles in Horses. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), a secondary bile acid (BA) with therapeutic applications, is standard therapy for cholestatic hepatopathies in humans. In recent years, its use has been increasingly explored in equine medicine for similar indications. Pharmacokinetic data for UDCA in horses are currently lacking. This study aimed to describe the pharmacokinetic parameters following a single intragastric administration of 15 mg/kg in nine healthy, fasted horses and to characterize the changes in their BA profiles. Plasma concentrations of UDCA were measured at specific time points using liquid ch...
Development of an Explainable Machine Learning Computational Model for the Prediction of Severe Complications After Orchiectomy in Stallions. The objective of the present study was to apply supervised Machine Learning to predict severe complications after equine orchiectomy. A dataset of 612 cases of orchiectomies in stallions was used for the development of a computational model, among which in 8.5% of cases severe complications (colic, continued stallion-like behaviour, evisceration, funiculitis, haemorrhage, and scrotal infection) were diagnosed post-orchiectomy. Three supervised Machine Learning tools were employed: Logistic Regression (12 different models evaluated), Random Forest (64 models), and Gradient Boosting (8 models). ...
Barrel racing horses demonstrate a high incidence of nonclinical postrace airway disorders. To describe the prevalence of postrace airway abnormalities in a population of barrel racing horses competing in Oklahoma. Unassigned: A descriptive field study was conducted at a single event. Horses underwent resting endoscopy within 60 minutes of competition. Recordings were evaluated and numerical and/or binary scores assigned for pharyngeal lymphoid hyperplasia, recurrent laryngeal neuropathy, dorsal displacement of the soft palate, epiglottic entrapment, and exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage. Clients completed a questionnaire detailing the horse's medical history and run time. A line...
Comparison of a Single-Shot Antibiotic Protocol Compared to a Conventional 5-Day Antibiotic Protocol in Equine Diagnostic Laparotomy Regarding Pre- and Postoperative Colonization with Multi-Drug-Resistant Indicator Pathogens. The emergence and spread of multi-drug-resistant (MDR) bacteria pose a growing threat in veterinary medicine, particularly in equine hospitals. This study investigated the colonization and infection dynamics of horses undergoing emergency laparotomy with two distinct antibiotic protocols (single-shot versus 5-day protocol) during hospitalization. Nasal swabs and fecal samples were collected from 67 horses undergoing emergency laparotomy at clinic admission as well as on postoperative days 3 and 10. These were screened for multi-drug-resistant indicator pathogens. As multi-drug-resistant indi...
Complications Following Orchiectomy in Stallions in Field Conditions: Descriptive Results and Predictors in a Study of 612 Cases. The objectives of this work were (i) to evaluate the incidence of complications in male horses after orchiectomy performed in the field, i.e., away from a veterinary hospital, (ii) to describe the post-operative complications that occurred in these animals and (iii) to study the potential predictors for the development of such complications. This study involved 612 animals, on which orchiectomy was performed. The operative part of the study was carried out by one of three experienced veterinary surgeons. Standard pre-operative procedures were followed. Orchiectomy was performed using one of th...
GnRH Administration Increases Synchronisation of Ovulation in Mares. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of exogenous GnRH administration at the beginning of estrus synchronisation in mares during the spring transitional period. Estrus was synchronised using a progesterone releasing intravaginal device (PRID). The PRID was left in the vagina for 10 days, followed by an injection of 0.4 mg of cloprostenol at PRID removal. The GnRH group (n = 32) was subjected to intramuscular administration of 100 μg of the GnRH agonist triptorelin at PRID insertion, while the control group (n = 32) received 1 mL of sterile physiological sali...
Evaluation of oxidative stress in the newborn foal: a multibiomarker approach. During the perinatal period, neonates experience a sudden increase in oxygen exposure, predisposing them to oxidative stress. Objective: This prospective, in vivo study aimed to evaluate biomarkers of oxidative stress and antioxidant defence in healthy neonatal foals during the first 48 hours of life. Methods: Ten Standardbred foals were enrolled. Blood samples were collected at birth, 24 hours, and 48 hours after birth and analyzed for biomarkers using spectrophotometry assays. Statistical analysis was performed using non-parametric tests and linear regression. Results: The results revealed s...
Left and right-side echocardiographic measurement of pulmonary artery stiffness in thoroughbred racehorses. Pulmonary Artery Stiffness (PAS) is a non-invasive echocardiographic index of pulmonary artery elasticity. In horses, PAS has been measured only from the right parasternal short-axis view, while the influence of alternative imaging windows remains unknown. Objective: To assess the repeatability and reproducibility of Acceleration Time (AT), Maximal Frequency Shift (MFS), and PAS measurements from the left parasternal angled view of the right ventricular inflow/outflow, and to compare these parameters with those obtained from the right parasternal short-axis view in Thoroughbred racehorses. Met...
Evaluation of long-term postoperative morbidity and survival after equine colic surgery using a complication severity classification. Most studies on colic surgery outcome focus on short-term survival and complications. Long-term outcomes, particularly post-discharge morbidity, are poorly characterised despite their relevance. No standardised system has previously integrated both short- and long-term postoperative complications with survival outcomes. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate long-term survival and morbidity in horses after colic surgery using the equine postoperative complication score (EPOCS), and to assess the association between complications and survival. Methods: The medical records of horses undergoing ...
Doppler assessment of testicular arterial blood flow in stallions: influence of age and 180° spermatic cord torsion. Doppler ultrasonography is a valuable tool for monitoring testicular hemodynamics, offering improved diagnostic insight and supporting treatment monitoring. However, its use in equine andrology remains limited due to a scarcity of published data and reference values. Therefore, this study aimed to characterize the testicular arterial blood flow patterns in clinically normal stallions and stallions with 180° spermatic cord torsion. Spectral Doppler ultrasonography was performed on both testes of 48 Mangalarga Marchador stallions. Thirty stallions with normal testes were divided into three age ...
Wrong turns, right career: an accidental journey into equine surgery. From average school reports to a surgical residency in the USA and running a 17-vet practice, this is the unplanned route Phil Cramp took to finding a career he loves.
Validation of a handheld smartphone markerless gait-analysis tool using an estimated groundline in horses. A handheld smartphone-based computer vision algorithm (RealHorse® [RH]) offers accessible alternatives for equine gait analysis but requires validation against a gold-standard three-dimensional multicamera optical motion capture system (Qualisys® [QS]). Objective: To evaluate the accuracy and precision of RH in measuring vertical displacement signals (VDS) at the eye, withers, back and croup in horses trotting on a straight line and on a circle. Methods: Cross-sectional comparative validation study of a markerless computer vision algorithm. Methods: Fifty-nine horses were recorded while trot...
Returning after a lay-up and absence of recent starts are associated with complete humerus fractures in Thoroughbred racehorses in South Korea (2009-2022). To identify risk factors associated with complete humerus fractures in Thoroughbreds in South Korea. Unassigned: A retrospective case-control design with multivariable logistic regression was used. This study included 131 Thoroughbreds diagnosed with complete humerus fractures following racetrack activity between 2009 and 2022 (inclusive). Additionally, 660 healthy Thoroughbreds (699 observations) with at least 1 racetrack activity during the same period were included as controls. Unassigned: A total of 8 variables were associated with the risk of complete humerus fractures. Notably, horses wi...
Developmental Lateral Patellar Luxation in Standardbred Yearlings: Understanding the Condition. To report the incidence, and clinical and pathological findings of developmental lateral patellar luxation in Standardbred yearlings diagnosed with femoropatellar dysplasia (FPD) and demonstrate that osteochondral lesions in the lateral trochlear ridge (LTR) of the femur observed in the affected horses are osteochondral lesions related to patellar maltracking.Retrospective case series. Medical records were retrospectively reviewed for Standardbreds <12 months of age diagnosed with FPD between 2017 and 2023.A total of 10 Standardbred yearlings developed FPD (incidence 6.4 cases per 1,000 foals)...
Vonoprazan pharmacokinetics and effects on gastric pH following administration to fed and fasted horses. Current treatment options for equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS), such as omeprazole-a proton pump inhibitor (PPI)-have notable limitations, including the need for administration on an empty stomach. Potassium-competitive acid blockers (P-CABs), such as vonoprazan, are a newer class of acid suppressants that offer several advantages over PPIs in humans and may provide similar benefits in horses. Objective: To describe the pharmacokinetics and effect of a single oral dose of vonoprazan on intragastric pH in horses. We hypothesised that vonoprazan would follow linear kinetics across the doses ...
Reducing Recurrence in Equine Corneolimbal SCC: Outcomes of Adjunctive Cisplatin Biodegradable Bead Therapy. (1) Context: Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most prevalent ocular neoplasm in horses, with a reported 45% recurrence rate when managed by surgery alone. (2) Objective: To evaluate the effect of adjunctive cisplatin biodegradable beads (CBBs) on recurrence rates of equine corneolimbal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and to document associated adverse effects. (3) Methods: Seventeen cases of histopathologically confirmed corneolimbal SCC in horses were retrospectively identified. Masses were surgically excised by keratectomy and/or conjunctivectomy under general anesthesia, followed by impla...
Effect of a Constant Rate Infusion of Ketamine on a Variable Rate Infusion of Xylazine in Standing Horses Undergoing Ventriculocordectomy and Laryngoplasty. Standing sedation in horses provides immobilization and analgesia for surgery while avoiding the high risks of general anesthesia. Ketamine at subanesthetic doses may enhance sedation and reduce xylazine requirements, but evidence in clinical settings is limited. In a randomized blinded trial, we evaluated whether adding a low-dose ketamine infusion could reduce the xylazine dose required for effective sedation during standing ventriculocordectomy and laryngoplasty. Fifty-one horses were randomly assigned to sedation with xylazine alone (SX group) or xylazine plus ketamine (KX group) in a cont...
Clinical and laboratory evaluation in horses submitted to intracecal fluid therapy administered in two different rates. Two routes of administration for electrolyte solutions are commonly used in horses with fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base imbalances: intravenous and nasogastric. Despite the frequent use of these routes, there are situations in which they cannot be applied. In such cases, intracecal fluid therapy represents a viable alternative, as this route enables the administration of enteral electrolyte solutions even in animals lacking normal anterior gastrointestinal function. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a neutral hypotonic enteral electrolyte solution administered intracecally at two d...
Evaluation of Laboratory Techniques for the Diagnosis of Leptospira-Associated Equine Recurrent Uveitis (ERU) With Focus on the Goldmann-Witmer Coefficient. To evaluate different laboratory procedures for determining the etiologic diagnosis of equine recurrent uveitis regarding intraocular infection with Leptospira spp. and to establish a diagnostic guideline. Methods: Eighty horses with a history of ERU were ophthalmologically examined. Serum and aqueous humor were collected. Total protein, albumin level, and MAT against Leptospira spp. were evaluated on serum and aqueous humor. PCR for Leptospira spp., EHV-1 and -4 was performed on aqueous humor. Goldmann-Witmer coefficient (GWC) and C-value (CC) were calculated based on MAT. In 42 cases, an add...
Parasympathetic tone, cardiovascular variables, and behavioral alterations in conscious horses before and after castration and during anesthesia: A pilot study. Parasympathetic tone activity (PTA) and its association with behavior in conscious versus anesthesia in horses are unknown. Objective: To study PTA, heart rate (HR), minimum alveolar concentration (MAC), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) during castration under anesthesia. To study PTA, HR, Horse Grimace Scale (HGS), locomotor activity (LA), and behavior in conscious horses before and after castration. Methods: Pilot study including seven healthy adult horses. After habituation (days 1, 2, and 3), PTAm, HR, HGS, LA, and behavior were investigated during pre-surgery (days 4-, 5-, and one-hour pr...
Laparoscopically assisted cecal cannulation in standing horses. Access to the equine cecum is required for various therapeutic and experimental procedures, including decompression, fluid therapy, and transfaunation. Traditional approaches via laparotomy are highly invasive. This study aimed to describe a minimally invasive, laparoscopically assisted technique for cecal cannulation in standing horses. Unassigned: Seven horses underwent the procedure under sedation and paravertebral anesthesia. Two right flank accesses were created: a 10-mm laparoscopic port for visualization and a 2-cm minilaparotomy for cecal exteriorization. A Foley catheter was inserted ...
Common Radiographic Findings in Moroccan Working Equids: A Retrospective Study (2015-2022). Working equids are at high risk of musculoskeletal disorders due to strenuous labor, repetitive tasks, and harsh environmental conditions. This retrospective study describes the distribution of radiographically detected musculoskeletal findings in working equids presented to four Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad (SPANA) centers in Morocco, based on 498 animals and 1125 radiographs collected between 2015 and 2022. The study population was mainly composed of horses (78.1%), followed by donkeys (15.3%) and mules (6.6%). Most were males (65.7%), and the majority were between 5 and 15 y...
Bacterial contamination of covered versus non-covered plates in a sterile operating room in an equine referral center. Surgical site infections (SSI) are a common postoperative complication of equine orthopedic surgery and often increase morbidity and mortality. Objective: This study aimed to determine if covering surgical instruments during surgery decreased bacterial environmental air contamination during early opening of surgical packs (EOSP). The authors hypothesized that covering instruments with sterile surgical towels would reduce the total number of bacterial colonies to which the instruments were exposed. Methods: Blood agar plates (BAP) were allocated into two groups (non-covered vs. covered with a s...
Antibiotics prescribing patterns and association with system-specific pathologies in equine veterinary practice: Insights from a 12-year study at a veterinary teaching hospital. Antibiotics are essential in veterinary medicine, enhancing animal health and welfare. However, widespread use contributes to resistance, increasing the risk of treatment failure and the transmission to humans. Objective: Analyze antibiotic prescribing practices in an equine internal medicine unit, focusing on factors influencing use, particularly Highest Priority Critically Important Antimicrobials (HPCIAs). Methods: 1315 adult equids, including horses, donkeys and mules, presented for different diseases to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH) of the University of Pisa from 2011 to 2023. Re...
Perceived Benefits and Barriers for Autistic Adults Accessing Therapeutic Horse Riding for Mental Health. Therapeutic horse riding (THR) is a non-traditional intervention that may support mental well-being in individuals with autism spectrum conditions. Despite growing interest, most research has focused on children and has tended to privilege practitioner or caregiver perspectives, leaving autistic adults underrepresented. This qualitative study explores the psychological benefits and systemic barriers associated with THR among Autistic adults, drawing on perspectives from both clients and practitioners. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six Autistic clients and four practitioners, a...