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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.
Cytokine dysregulation in aged horses and horses with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction. Equine pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) is the result of a loss of dopaminergic inhibition of the pars intermedia secondary to neurodegeneration of periventricular hypothalamic neurons. The pathologic events contributing to development of neurodegeneration or clinical signs in equids with PPID are unknown. Chronic inflammation may contribute to initiation or progression of PPID. Objective: Horses with PPID have a distinct systemic cytokine profile compared with that of normal adult or aged horses. The cytokine profile of healthy aged horses differs from that of adult horses. Method...
Effect of age, feeding, and omeprazole administration on gastric tonometry in healthy neonatal foals. Gastric tonometry is commonly used in humans as an assessment of intestinal mucosal perfusion. Values in healthy foals are currently unknown. Objective: Age, enteral feeding, and omeprazole administration would significantly alter gastric tonometry measurements in neonatal foals. Methods: Nine clinically normal foals were used to assess the effect of age and feeding, and 8 similar foals were used to assess the effect of omeprazole. Methods: At 1, 7, and 14 days of age, gastric intramucosal PCO2 (PgCO2) and arterial blood gas samples were obtained at baseline, immediately after feeding milk, an...
Retrospective comparison of caffeine and doxapram for the treatment of hypercapnia in foals with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. Despite a lack of data regarding their efficacy, both caffeine and doxapram have been recommended for treatment of hypercapnia in equine neonates with central nervous system damage. Objective: Caffeine and doxapram alleviate hypercapnia in foals with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. Methods: Sixteen foals treated with either caffeine (n = 8) or doxapram (n = 8). Methods: Information on age, body temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, arterial blood gas parameters, duration of therapy, and outcome was abstracted from each medical record. Results: Therapy with doxapram resulted in a signific...
Suspected primary scapulohumeral osteoarthritis in two Miniature ponies. Two cases of severe scapulohumeral osteoarthritis in Miniature ponies are described, one bilateral and the other unilateral. The condition is thought to occur in miniature breeds as a result of scapulohumeral dysplasia. The presentation in one of the ponies was unusal: it refused to pick up either fore limb, with progression to a uniquely bizarre gait with narrow forelimb placement, an arched back and widely placed hindlimbs camped well forward under the body. The other pony was presented for an acute unilateral non-weight bearing forelimb lameness. Response to analgesia in both cases was poor...
Prevalence of equine polysaccharide storage myopathy and other myopathies in two equine populations in the United Kingdom. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of equine polysaccharide storage myopathy (EPSM) in two populations of horses in the UK. Biopsy specimens from 94 horses presented to an abattoir (population 1), and 46 horses with neuromuscular disorders presented to a university referral hospital (population 2) were obtained over a period of 4years. Histological sections were examined by a veterinary pathologist for lesions including abnormal polysaccharide inclusions in myofibres. In population 1, a diagnosis of EPSM was made in 8% and non-specific myopathy in 33% of horses. In populatio...
Evaluation of equine hemograms using the ADVIA 120 as compared with an impedance counter and manual differential count. The ADVIA 120 is an automated laser cell counter widely used in veterinary medicine. Although specific software for equine samples is available and validated, only a few reports have been published comparing the ADVIA 120 with other methods for equine hemogram evaluation. Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the hematologic values and reference intervals obtained on the ADVIA 120 with those obtained on an impedance cell counter and manual differential counts in healthy horses. Methods: EDTA-anticoagulated blood samples were obtained from 114 clinically healthy horses of various ...
Equine atypical myopathy: a review. Atypical myopathy (AM) is an acute rhabdomyolysis syndrome that occurs at irregular intervals in grazing equines. An increasing number of outbreaks have been reported in recent years, including some from countries where the disease has not previously been diagnosed. In this review, clinical and other details of outbreaks of AM are analysed to better define its epidemiological profile. Potential aetiologies are discussed, the short clinical course of AM is described and the main biochemical and pathological findings are considered. Recommendations for medical management are suggested, based on ...
Evaluation of a rapid agglutination method for detection of equine red cell surface antigens (Ca and Aa) as part of pretransfusion testing. Blood typing before transfusion minimizes the risk of transfusion reactions and prevents immunization of the recipient against incompatible RBC antigens. The major RBC antigens that warrant identification before packed RBC or whole blood transfusions in horses are Ca and Aa. Standard blood-typing protocols are time-consuming (2.5-3.0 hours) and impractical in emergency settings. Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether equine RBCs could be typed for Ca and Aa antigens using sera from horses with RBC antibodies in a modified rapid (15 minute) blood-typing protocol. Methods:...
Simulation of local anaesthetic nerve block of the infraorbital nerve within the pterygopalatine fossa: anatomical landmarks defined by computed tomography. To provide anaesthesia of the maxillary cheek teeth, a local block of the infraorbital nerve in the pterygopalatine fossa has been suggested. The aim of this study was to re-examine the anatomy of the pterygopalatine fossa, giving special attention to relevant arteries, veins and nerves; simulate the infiltration of an anaesthetic by injecting a contrast medium; improve the injection technique to avoid puncturing of relevant anatomical structures. Five heads and two living horses were investigated using contrast medium injections and computed tomography (CT). Needles were inserted using two in...
[Sensation seeking in a French population of horse betting gamblers: comparison between pathological and regular]. A theoretical position on the role of arousal in gambling comes in the form of Zuckerman's theory of sensation seeking. Zuckerman originally suggested a relationship between sensation seeking and gambling in which individuals entertain the risk of monetary loss for the positive reinforcement produced by states of high arousal during the periods of uncertainty, as well as the positive arousal produced by winning. However, this hypothesis has received inconsistent support. Results of the literature support the view that there is a difference between gambling form selection and use, suggesting th...
Hormone profiles of mares affected by the mare reproductive loss syndrome. While searching for the cause of the Mare Reproductive Loss syndrome (MRLS), we postulated that 1 of 3 tissues in 40-120 D pregnant mares was the likely primary target of the noxious factor that caused early abortions: The corpora lutea (CL), the endometrium or the fetus and/or its membranes. At this stage of gestation, progesterone (P4) is solely produced by luteal tissue, eCG by endometrial cups in the endometrium and oestrogens by the feto-placental unit. We determined whether concentrations of P4, eCG and/or total conjugated oestrogens (CE) would indicate which tissue was targeted during t...
Effect of a novel solution for organ preservation on equine large colon in an isolated pulsatile perfusion system. Several therapeutic agents have been tested in models of ischaemia and reperfusion injury (IRI) in equine jejunum, with mixed results. This study was based on the use of an organ perfusion solution (OPS) designed to protect human allografts from IRI. Objective: A modified OPS can preserve the integrity of equine large colon during 12 h of isolated pulsatile perfusion, in the absence of oxygen and blood. Methods: Segments of large colon were removed from anaesthetised horses, the contents removed and the mucosa rinsed with 0.9% saline. Experimental segments were perfused for 12 h with one litre...
Evaluation of dimethyl sulphoxide effects on initial response to endotoxin in the horse. Endotoxaemia is one of the most severe and ubiquitous disease processes in horses. Although dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) is used clinically in horses, there is no study indicating its efficacy in endotoxaemic horses. Objective: DMSO ameliorates the clinical response to i.v. lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration. Methods: Eighteen horses were assigned randomly to one of 4 groups: Normosol-LPS (0.2 mug/kg bwt, i.v.); DMSO (1 g/kg bwt, i.v.)-saline; high-dose DMSO (1 g/kg bwt, i.v.)LPS; low-dose DMSO (20 mg/kg bwt, i.v.)-LPS. Horses participating in the DMSO-saline group were later assigned rando...
Effect of a dietary antioxidant supplementation on semen quality in pony stallions. Lipid peroxidation contributes to the damage of the sperm plasma membrane. In different species, dietary supplementation with antioxidants has been shown to improve semen quality. Therefore, we tested effects of dietary supplementation with antioxidants and l-carnitin on semen quality in Shetland pony stallions (n=6). Semen was collected twice a week over a time period of 16 weeks. From weeks 5 to 12, a special diet for stallions containing a variety of antioxidants (STALLION, Pavo Pferdenahrung GmbH, Goch, Germany; tocopherol 300 mg/day; ascorbic acid 300 mg/day; l-carnitin 4000 mg/day; folic...
Clinical, serological and molecular investigations of EHV-1 and EHV-4 in 15 unweaned thoroughbred foals. Fifteen unweaned thoroughbred foals, born on a stud farm to vaccinated mares, were clinically monitored during their first six months of life and repeatedly tested for equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) and equine herpesvirus type 4 (EHV-4). Nasopharyngeal swabs and blood samples were collected and screened respectively by PCR and seroneutralisation to detect the presence of the virus, explore its role as a possible cause of respiratory disease, and to assess the efficiency of the pcr for the diagnosis of this disease. The foals were divided into three groups on the basis of their clinical sign...
Naturally arising point mutations in non-essential domains of equine infectious anemia virus Rev alter Rev-dependent nuclear-export activity. Equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) exhibits a high rate of genetic variation in vivo, and results in a clinically variable disease in infected horses. In vivo populations of EIAV have been characterized by the presence of distinct, genetic subpopulations of Rev that differ in phenotype and fluctuate in dominance in a manner coincident with each clinical stage of disease. This study examined the specific mutations that arose in vivo and altered the phenotype. The Rev protein was found to be highly conserved, and only 10 aa mutations were observed at a frequency greater than 10 % in the sampl...
Impaired instrumental choice in crib-biting horses (Equus caballus). Horses displaying an oral stereotypy were tested on an instrumental choice paradigm to examine differences in learning from non-stereotypic counterparts. Stereotypic horses are known to have dysfunction of the dorsomedial striatum, and lesion studies have shown that this region may mediate response-outcome learning. The paradigm was specifically applied in order to examine learning that requires maintenance of response-outcome judgements. The non-stereotypic horses learned, over three sessions, to choose a more immediate reinforcer, whereas the stereotypic horses failed to do so. This suggests...
Bradykinin stimulates prostaglandin E2 production and cyclooxygenase activity in equine nonglandular and glandular gastric mucosa in vitro. There are few data available regarding regulation of prostaglandin (PG) generation by equine gastric mucosae and the role of the cyclooxygenase (COX) isoforms in their production. Objective: To: 1) characterise and quantify PGE2 output in vitro; 2) examine the sensitivity of PGE2 production to exogenous bradykinin (BK) exposure; 3) determine the contribution of the COX-1 and COX-2 pathways to basal and BK-stimulated PGE2 production; and 4) measure if BK influences electrogenic ion transport in equine gastric mucosae in vitro. Methods: Full thickness gastric sheets were obtained from horses at ...
Chondrocytes harvested from osteochondritis dissecans cartilage are able to undergo limited in vitro chondrogenesis despite having perturbations of cell phenotype in vivo. Our objective was to characterize the variation in gene expression for key genes associated with chondrogenic phenotype of osteochondrosis (OC)-affected and normal chondrocytes, and to identify whether OC chondrocytes can redifferentiate and regain a phenotype similar to normal chondrocytes if appropriate chondrogenic signals are given. Equine articular cartilage removed at surgery to treat clinically significant OC lesions was collected (n = 10), and the gene expression evaluated and compared to aged-matched normal samples (n = 10). Cartilage was harvested from normal (n = 4) and OC (n = 3) j...
Detection of Bartonella henselae in the blood of 2 adult horses. Bartonella spp. are emerging zoonotic agents that have been found in a wide variety of domestic animals and wildlife and cause a number of clinical syndromes. Bartonella sp. infection has been identified in a growing number of animal species, including cats, rodents, porpoises, and canids, but has not been reported in horses. Objective: To document the presence of Bartonella sp. in the blood of horses. Methods: One horse with chronic arthropathy and 1 horse with presumptive vasculitis. Methods: Blood samples were tested for the presence of Bartonella sp. by a combination of multiplex real-time...
Stereological characteristics of the equine accessory nerve. Stereological techniques have been increasingly employed for assessment and characterization of neuromuscular diseases in humans and animals. As an adjunct to histopathology, morphometrical algorithms provide quantitative evidence of the peripheral nerve composition, thereby shedding light on its fibre characteristics and basic electrophysiological properties. In the horse, stereological investigations already have focussed on the recurrent laryngeal, deep peroneal and lateral palmar nerves (LPN). Of these, only the latter is suitable for taking biopsies in clinical settings, however, it does ...
The effect of adding oral dexamethasone to feed alterations on the airway cell inflammatory gene expression in stabled horses affected with recurrent airway obstruction. Chemokine expression in airway epithelium and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) cells of horses with recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) is increased. Objective: For RAO-affected horses that are stabled and fed a pelleted ration, the addition of oral dexamethasone further improves pulmonary function and reduces inflammatory gene expression in pulmonary cells. Methods: Twelve RAO-affected horses. Methods: In a randomized cross-over experiment, the effect of feeding pellets in lieu of hay to stabled, RAO-affected horses was compared with the effect of feeding pellets and administering a 21-day ...
Electrolytes changes in mammary secretions before foaling in jennies. No knowledge regarding the peripartum changes in mammary secretions in the jenny are presently available in literature. In the mare, instead, several studies report the role of these changes as indicators of foetal readiness for birth and impending parturition. This experiment was designed to determine calcium, sodium, potassium concentrations, and the value of sodium/potassium ratio in mammary fluids during prepartum in the jenny. Samples were daily collected by hand milking, after mammary gland size increased noticeably, from 17 Martina Franca jennies. Prepartum mammary secretions were analy...
Retrospective study assessing efficacy of treatment of large colonic impactions. Cases with a history of colic due to a large colonic impaction were recruited retrospectively to assess the treatment efficacy and complications of oral and parenteral fluid therapy regimes for correction of primary large colon impactions. Oral isotonic fluids had been administered at varying intervals following initial treatment with magnesium sulphate and water. There was no significant difference in complication rates between groups. Considering complication rates with impaction clearance, hourly administration of oral fluids appears to be the most appropriate treatment regime of those inve...
Determination of the source of increased serotonin (5-HT) concentrations in blood and peritoneal fluid of colic horses with compromised bowel. Increased plasma (5-HT) concentrations are reported in horses predisposed to develop laminitis and after i.v. infusion of endotoxins. In the equine jejunum contractile 5-HT1A-like receptors show tachyphylaxia upon prolonged activation with 5-HT. Therefore, increased systemic 5-HT release in colic horses could play a possible role in the pathophysiology of ileus. Objective: To investigate possible increased systemic release of 5-HT in colic horses with compromised bowel and to identify the source of 5-HT overload. Methods: Concentrations of 5-HT were determined in plasma and peritoneal fluid (P...
Attenuation of ischaemic injury in the equine jejunum by administration of systemic lidocaine. Absorption of endotoxin across ischaemic-injured mucosa is a major cause of mortality after colic surgery. Recent studies have shown that flunixin meglumine retards mucosal repair. Systemic lidocaine has been used to treat post operative ileus, but it also has novel anti-inflammatory effects that could improve mucosal recovery after ischaemic injury. Objective: Systemic lidocaine ameliorates the deleterious negative effects of flunixin meglumine on recovery of mucosal barrier function. Methods: Horses were treated i.v. immediately before anaesthesia with either 0.9% saline 1 ml/50 kg bwt, flun...
