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.
Pharmacokinetic analysis of bumped-kinase inhibitors in horses demonstrates their potential utility for prevention and treatment of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis. To determine the systemic and CNS distribution of bumped-kinase inhibitors (BKIs) in healthy horses, assess potential side effects, and identify a candidate compound for a clinical trial in equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) cases. Unassigned: 9 pharmacokinetic (PK) experiments were conducted from March 2021 through November 2024. Bumped-kinase inhibitors 1708, 1748, and 1841 were screened in Sarcocystis neurona growth assays and IV PKs, followed by investigation of a lead BKI compound by single-dose or multiday oral administration. Serial plasma collections were performed to assess syst...
Effect of N-Butylscopolammonium Bromide and Metamizol Sodium on Heart Rate, Blood Pressure, and Echocardiographic Measurements in Warmblood Horses With Aortic and Mitral Valve Regurgitation. Administration of N-butylscopolammonium bromide (NBB) with metamizol sodium (NBBM) causes tachycardia and hypertension, and has been associated with accentuated cardiac murmurs. Objective: To evaluate the effect of a pharmacological challenge using NBBM on valvular regurgitation and cardiac murmurs in horses with aortic (AR) and mitral valve regurgitation (MR). Methods: Twenty Warmblood horses with AR and 20 with MR. Methods: Cardiac auscultation and two-dimensional (2D), M-mode, color flow, pulsed wave Doppler flow, and tissue Doppler echocardiography were performed with simultaneous ECG reco...
Laser fenestration of the dorsal pharyngeal recess does not correct experimentally induced dorsal nasopharyngeal collapse in horses. To quantify the impact of experimentally induced dorsal nasopharyngeal collapse (NPC) on respiratory performance parameters and assess the efficacy of laser fenestration of the dorsal pharyngeal recess as a treatment option for experimentally induced NPC. Methods: Experimental interventional study. Methods: Six adult Standardbreds (one with naturally occurring disease). Methods: After an 8 week conditioning program, baseline parameters (V̇Omax, pharyngeal pressure, peak airflows, upper airway resistance) and dynamic endoscopy videos were collected in a high-speed treadmill test (T1). Dorsal N...
Wearable smart textile band for continuous equine health monitoring. Continuous physiological monitoring is well-established in human healthcare for early disease detection and management. However, translation of these technologies to large animals such as equines remains underdeveloped due to anatomical constraints, dense hair coat coverage, and requirements for unimpeded mobility. Equines, particularly racehorses, are prone to asthma and cardiovascular abnormalities, with nearly 80 % affected by mild to moderate asthma, impacting performance and long-term health. Despite the need for continuous monitoring, existing solutions require shaving hairs, often lack...
Dynamic Mobilization Exercises Improve Activity and Stride Parameters Measured with Accelerometry in Sedentary Horses. Dynamic mobilization exercises (DME) are an effective strategy to prevent musculoskeletal injuries and promote back health in sport horses. Previous studies focused mainly on multifidus muscle cross-sectional area, with limited data on locomotion and adaptation timing. This study evaluated locomotor changes using accelerometry, over 8 weeks of DME application in 14 sedentary horses: a DME group ( = 8) performing 10 different DME (3 neck flexions, 1 neck extension and 3 lateral bending exercises to each side), 5 repetitions of each DME per session, 3 sessions/week, and a control group ( = 6), t...
Effects of the Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitor Velagliflozin on Insulin Concentrations in Horses With Insulin Dysregulation. Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) are promising treatments to manage hyperinsulinemia in horses with insulin dysregulation (ID). Objective: The SGLT2i velagliflozin decreases insulin concentration in horses with ID. Methods: Privately-owned adult horses (n = 37) with laboratory-confirmed ID (low-dose oral sugar test insulin concentration > 75 μIU/mL). Methods: Double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial. Horses received placebo (n = 19) or velagliflozin 0.3 mg/kg PO q24h (n = 18) for 20 weeks (Study Period 1, SP1) immediately followed by a 20-week ope...
Relationship between weight-carrying capacity and performance in a standardized treadmill exercise test in horses. Weight-carrying capacity is important in riding horses both for performance and welfare, yet there is no standardized method to estimate individual horses' weight-carrying capacity. This study investigated the correlation between the physiological response during a (i) standardized incremental exercise test (SET) on a treadmill and a (ii) ridden incremental weight-carrying exercise test (WET). Sixteen horses (15 ± 3 years) performed both tests, including four steps with increased speed or weight load, respectively. Body weight ratio (BWR) in the WET was 20%, 25%, 30%, and 35% in each st...
Treatment of luteal phase mares with the aromatase inhibitor letrozole does not change characteristics of the estrous cycle, ovarian function, and embryo characteristics. Letrozole is a potent and highly selective third-generation aromatase inhibitor. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effects of letrozole treatment of non-pregnant mares on estrous cycle characteristics. Cyclic, non-lactating mares (n = 9) were included. After estrus synchronization, mares were monitored to detect ovulation (d0:) of the treatment cycle. Each three mares were randomly assigned to one of three treatments: control, 0.5, and 1 mg/kg body weight letrozole in three consecutive cycles (d7 to d13 of the treatment cycle). Mares were inseminated in the estrus after trea...
Equine Asthma Is Characterised by Severity-Dependent Correlations Between Blood Neutrophil Cholesterol Content and NET Formation. Equine asthma (EA) is the most prevalent chronic lung disease in horses. Neutrophils are the main effector cells in severe EA. Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) have been described as contributors to severity in human asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Thus, we aimed to investigate if NET-related factors in equine neutrophils, blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) allow us to differentiate EA severities and to identify NET-related mechanistic insights in EA. We quantified NETs and NET-related factors in the blood and BALF of eight healthy horses and 18 horses with di...
Pharmacokinetics of Remimazolam Versus Midazolam After Intravenous Administration to Horses. Remimazolam (RMZ) is a new short-half-life benzodiazepine used in humans. We compared the pharmacokinetics and sedative effects of RMZ with those of midazolam (MDZ) in Thoroughbred horses. Six Thoroughbreds received a single IV dose of RMZ 0.05 mg/kg or MDZ 0.05 mg/kg in a randomized crossover design. Blood samples were collected, and plasma RMZ and MDZ concentrations were measured by LC-MS/MS. Plasma concentrations were analyzed by using non-compartmental analysis and a nonlinear mixed effect model. The half-life of RMZ (0.77 ± 0.15 h) was significantly shorter than that of MDZ (3....
Preanesthetic Administration of Trazodone Does Not Impact Anesthetic Recovery Scores in Horses. Trazodone is administered to hospitalized equine patients to aid in behavioral management, but the effects on the anesthetic recovery period have not been investigated. This study sought to determine if there is an association between trazodone administration and recovery quality, recovery time, need for sedation, or need for reversal agent administration. We hypothesized that there would be no difference in recovery scores, recovery time, additional sedation, or reversal agent administration between horses that received preanesthetic trazodone and horses that did not. Records were reviewed to...
Multi-centre clinical audit of oxygen and inhalant anaesthetic usage in equine anaesthesia: The potential benefits of training and low-flow techniques. The healthcare sector contributes significantly to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with anaesthetic gases being a notable contributor. Implementing sustainable practices in equine anaesthesia, such as low-flow anaesthesia, offers potential benefits. Objective: To audit oxygen and isoflurane usage in five equine hospitals, their associated GHG emissions, and the impact of anaesthesia training on mitigating these emissions. Methods: Multi-centre clinical audit. Methods: This audit covered two periods: study period one (1 June-30 September 2022) and study period two (1 June-30 September 20...
Pharmacokinetics and preliminary safety of single-dose oral fluralaner at 10 and 25 mg/kg in healthy horses revealed no adverse reactions. To determine the safety and pharmacokinetics of a single dose of the oral ectoparasiticide fluralaner at 10 and 25 mg/kg in healthy horses. Unassigned: 12 clinically healthy university-owned horses, 9 to 17 years of age, were administered a single oral dose of fluralaner at 10 or 25 mg/kg. Physical examinations, neurological examinations, plasma samples, hematology and biochemistry panels, and skin biopsies were collected throughout the 84-day trial period. Fluralaner concentrations were measured in plasma and skin by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, and pharmacokinetics were ev...
Intravenous clomiphene citrate pharmacokinetics in healthy mares as a first step toward use in reproduction. To investigate the IV pharmacokinetic parameters of clomiphene citrate (CC), a selective estrogen receptor modulator, in mares. Unassigned: This was an experimental study to assess the pharmacokinetic parameters of CC in the mare. Eight mares received a single 2,000-mg dose of IV CC to identify plasma concentrations over 336 hours. Following this, 6 mares received a multidose regimen of IV CC (2,000 mg, q 24 h) for 5 days to identify trough plasma concentration each day. Unassigned: CC was well tolerated, demonstrated a short elimination half-life of 4.95 ± 1.10 hours and a mean residence tim...
Hematological and blood biochemical parameters of Tokara horses in Kaimon Foothills Nature Park. The Tokara horse is a breed of native Japanese horse, for which hematological and biochemical data are lacking. The aim of this study was to obtain current hematological and biochemical data on Tokara horses. We enrolled 90 Tokara horses kept at the Kaimon Foothills Nature Park (Kagoshima) that underwent physical examinations and blood sampling between 2022 and 2024. All horses in this study were regarded as clinically healthy, based on physical examinations. Hematological and biochemical parameters also showed no abnormal values. Based on the above results, we consider that the data from this...
Modified stapled jejunocecostomy in horses. To develop a modified stapled (MS) jejunocecostomy (JC) in healthy horses. Methods: In vivo experimental study. Methods: Six healthy adult horses underwent ventral midline celiotomy, a jejunal resection, and an MS. Methods: Time to complete anastomosis and anastomotic length at necropsy were recorded. Horses were assessed by physical examination every 6 h for 5 days after surgery, then once daily until euthanasia at 7 days. A group of seven horses that had a stapled side-to-side JC and were euthanized 28 days postoperatively was used as an historical control (SS). Results: All MS horse...
Plate fixation of small metacarpal and metatarsal bone fractures in 27 horses. To present fracture cases selected for plate fixation (PF), describe surgical techniques and assess their association with postoperative complications and return-to-work outcomes in horses undergoing PF for small metacarpal/metatarsal (SMCT) fractures. Methods: Multicenter retrospective study. Methods: A total of 27 horses. Methods: Horses treated with PF of a SMCT fracture between 2008 and 2023 across three hospitals were included. Medical records and imaging were reviewed. Long-term outcomes were established by readmission to the hospital, telephone interviews, and/or race records. Univariab...
Pre-operative feeding effects on post-anaesthetic colic and faecal output in horses. Post-anaesthetic colic (PAC) is a complication in horses undergoing general anaesthesia (GA). Various preoperative feeding strategies are used in equine practice, yet their impact on PAC remains unclear. Objective: To identify perioperative risk factors associated with PAC and evaluate the influence of preoperative fasting on PAC prevalence and faecal output. Methods: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: Medical records of horses undergoing non-abdominal surgery under GA were reviewed. Horses were categorised into fasted and non-fasted groups based on their pre-anaesthetic feeding regimen. Mul...
A high proportion of bacterial isolates from septic neonatal foals in Ontario express multidrug resistance and low susceptibility to first-line antimicrobials. To describe common bacterial isolates cultured from sick neonatal foals and their antimicrobial susceptibility and resistance patterns. Unassigned: Medical records of foals ≤ 30 days of age, admitted to the Ontario Veterinary College from 2020 to 2023, and with a positive aerobic bacterial culture and susceptibility testing performed (Kirby-Bauer method) were included. A descriptive analysis of species isolated and antimicrobial and multidrug resistance profiles was performed. Unassigned: 62 samples from 60 predominantly Thoroughbred (42% [25 of 60]) neonatal foals (median age, 8 days) yield...
A pilot study on the potency of injectable vs. oral moxidectin formulation to suppress strongyle egg excretion in horses at twice lower dose. The aim of present study was to examine the potency of moxidectin solution (Cydectin 1 %; Zoetis) and commercially available oral moxidectin gel (Equest®; Zoetis) to suppress the excretion of strongyle eggs in horses over a 6-week period. The horses naturally infected with strongyle nematodes (>500 eggs/g of feces) were divided into two comparable groups according age, sex and weight. On day 0 of the study, horses in Group OT (oral treatment; N=5) were dewormed with moxidectin gel (Equest®; Zoetis; 0.4 mg/kg of b.w.) according to the manufacturer's instructions, and horses in Group IT (intra...
BCG Immunotherapy in Equine Sarcoid Treatment: Mechanisms, Clinical Efficacy, and Challenges in Veterinary Oncology. Equine sarcoids are the most common dermatological neoplasm in horses worldwide, associated with bovine papillomavirus (BPV) infection and characterized by high recurrence rates after conventional therapies. Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) immunotherapy has historically been used for sarcoid treatment, yet its role in contemporary veterinary oncology remains debated. This narrative review critically examines the immunological mechanisms, clinical efficacy, and limitations of BCG in equine sarcoid therapy, while integrating insights from comparative oncology and One Health perspectives. A syste...
Feasibility and safety of intrathecal transplantation of allogeneic bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in horses. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have emerged as a promising alternative for treating neurological disorders due to their neuroprotective, neuroregenerative, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties. The use of allogeneic MSCs offers advantages such as the selection of specific cells and their immediate availability. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and feasibility of intrathecal transplantation of allogeneic equine bone marrow-derived MSCs (EqBM-MSCs) in healthy horses. Ten healthy horses (five-12 years old) were randomly divided into two groups. In the control g...
Differences in Plasma Exposure of Cannabidiol and Cannabidiolic Acid Following Oral Administration to Horses. There has been a growing interest in the use of cannabinoids in horses in recent years. Several studies have reported on the pharmacokinetics of cannabidiol (CBD) in horses. However, cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) has received less attention, despite limited evidence suggesting clinically beneficial effects in other species. Horses were administered 3 mg/kg of CBD, 3 mg/kg of CBDA, and a placebo per os in a crossover design, with a one-week washout period between treatments. Plasma and urine samples were collected and analyzed using ultra high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem...
Agreement between subjective evaluations and a markerless AI-based gait analysis system during lungeing assessment in traditional racehorses. Subjective lameness evaluation during lungeing is routinely performed in equine practice, but its consistency remains limited, especially in cases of mild or complex asymmetry. Objective: This study aimed to assess the agreement between subjective gait evaluations and a markerless AI-based gait analysis system (OAI-MS) in traditional racehorses during lungeing. Intra- and inter-observer agreement of subjective evaluations was also investigated. Methods: 24 traditional racehorses were assessed during routine pre-race inspections (T0) while trotting on a soft surface. Two experienced equine clin...
Evaluation of a Chemically Defined, Long-Term Extender for Liquid Storage of Stallion Semen. Efficient use of stallion semen in liquid state is limited by its relatively short shelf-life. A chemically defined extender (Beyond) is now available for long-term liquid semen preservation. The objectives of the present study were to compare Beyond with milk extenders for the preservation of semen at two temperatures, and to evaluate fertility of semen cooled for 4-8 days before artificial insemination. Semen was processed using different extenders: milk, cholesterol (BotuSemen Special); milk-based (INRA 96); and Beyond. Sperm motility, membrane and acrosome integrity, and chromatin struct...
Exploratory Metabolomic Fingerprinting of Aqueous Humor in Healthy Horses and Donkeys, and in Horses with Ocular Pathologies. This study aims to generate foundational metabolomic data of aqueous humor (AH) in healthy horses and donkeys, and to investigate potential changes or trends in the metabolomic profile associated with age, sex or ocular pathology in horses. The AH metabolomic fingerprint from 5 donkeys and 35 equine eyes (17 controls, 8 with cataracts, 6 with retinal disease and 4 with anterior chamber disease (ACD)) were analyzed using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. A linear mixed-effects model, with individual horse as a random effect and group as a fixed effect, with multiple testing correct...
Assessment of the antiparasitic effectiveness of pyrantel pamoate in treatment of Strongylidae invasions in young horses – preliminary studies. The resistance of strongyles to pyrantel pamoate has been reported in publications worldwide. There is no data on its efficacy in horses in Poland. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of pyrantel pamoate to control strongyle invasions in young horses. The study involved horses of both sexes, aged 1 to 2 years, and was conducted in two seasons (spring and the end of summer). Feces were collected 24 hours before and 14 days after deworming, and they were then examined using McMaster's and combined sedimentation-flotation methods. Results revealed that in spring, th...
Detection of Pathogenic Leptospira DNA in Cervicovaginal Mucus of Mares With Reproductive Disorders in a Brazilian Herd. Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease caused by pathogenic bacteria of the genus Leptospira. A lesser-known form, equine genital leptospirosis (EGL), has been identified as a chronic and often silent infection involving the colonisation of the mare's genital tract. Despite its potential impact, EGL remains underdiagnosed and poorly understood, particularly in its association with reproductive inefficiency. This study showed the presence of Leptospira spp. DNA by lipL32-PCR in the genital tract of mares with a history of reproductive disturbances. Cervicovaginal mucus samples were collected from ...
Midline vs. flank laparotomy- criteria for choosing the optimal surgical technique for uterine torsion correction in the mare. Uterine torsion in mares belongs to maternal pregnancy disorders, accounting for 5-10% of complications in the last trimester of pregnancy. Two surgical techniques for repositioning uterine torsion are used: flank laparotomy in local anesthesia on a standing mare (SFL) and midline laparotomy carried out under general anesthesia (MI). The study aims to present the exact protocol used by the authors to qualify a mare with uterine torsion for surgery using one of the above-mentioned methods.A total of 19 mares were operated on, of which 13 underwent midline laparotomy under general anesthesia, an...
Preliminary clinical study of the arytenoid cartilage abduction grades after prosthetic laryngoplasty with cricoarytenoideus dorsalis myectomy in racehorses. To assess the clinical impact of the cricoarytenoideus dorsalis (CAD) myectomy in the short- and long-term postoperative abduction grade in racehorses. Unassigned: Records from horses presented for surgical treatment of recurrent laryngeal neuropathy from January 2019 through December 2023 were divided into 2 groups: horses that received standard prosthetic laryngoplasty and horses that received a complete myectomy of the CAD (modified myectomy laryngoplasty). Outcomes were compared through endoscopic evaluation after anesthetic recovery, both short term (7 to 10 days) and long term (80 to 90 ...