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Topic:Disease Management
Disease management in horses encompasses the strategies and practices employed to prevent, control, and treat diseases affecting equine populations. This field involves understanding the etiology, transmission, and clinical presentation of various equine diseases, as well as implementing biosecurity measures and therapeutic interventions. Common diseases in horses include equine influenza, strangles, and equine herpesvirus. Effective disease management relies on accurate diagnosis, vaccination protocols, and the use of antimicrobials and other treatments. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the methodologies, challenges, and advancements in managing diseases in equine health.
Association between equine asthma and fungal elements in the tracheal wash: An environment-matched case-control study. The presence of fungi in tracheal wash (TW) of horses was recently linked to mild-moderate equine asthma, indicating a possible causal role; however, increased numbers of fungi may also stem from asthma-related alteration of tracheal mucus clearance or from environmental exposure. Our objective was to elucidate the association between the presence of fungi in TW and asthma status while controlling for relevant confounders. We conducted a retrospective case-control study involving 73 horses, including 34 controls and 39 asthmatic cases. Each asthmatic horse was matched with a control from the s...
Association of Borrelia burgdorferi with nuchal bursitis and elevated outer surface protein A-specific serum antibodies in horses of the northeastern United States. Evaluate the incidence of Borrelia burgdorferi in cases of equine nuchal bursitis (NB) and investigate the relationship between elevated serum outer surface protein A (OspA) antibodies and the molecular identification of B burgdorferi in bursal tissue or synovial fluid. Additionally, describe clinical cases and compare the histologic changes in NB with and without detection of B burgdorferi. Methods: This was a retrospective multicenter cohort study (2013 to 2022). Medical records from horses with a diagnosis of NB and B burgdorferi PCR testing on NB tissue or synovial fluid were reviewed. The...
Designing an mHealth Application to Support Horse Owners in Assessing Their Horse’s Health Status – Results of a Usability Test. Existing research agrees that a well-thought design of the user interface is a key point for an mHealth application for animal owners, supporting them obtain information and make decisions regarding their pet's specific situation. However, there is currently a lack of specific advice on the design of such an application. Methods: As part of a user-centered design (UCD) process, a formative, explorative usability test with n = 5 users was conducted for collecting design ideas. The test was conducted for two applications that were already available on the market. Results: The need of supporting ...
Diagnostic utility of acute phase proteins and their ability to guide antibiotic usage in pigs, horses, and cattle: a mapping review. To mitigate the use of antibiotics for many of the multifactorial diseases seen in pigs, horses and cattle, new diagnostic tools are needed. Acute phase protein (APP) measurements can, in humans, be used to guide antibiotic treatment initiation, evaluate treatment efficacy, and make a prognosis. The aim of this review is to collect evidence on the clinical functionality of APP measurements as a tool to guide antibiotic treatment in pigs, horses, and cattle. Literature was retrieved using Medline, CAB Abstracts and Google Scholar. The acute phase response has been investigated for a plethora of...
Acute leptospirosis in horses: A retrospective study of 11 cases (2015-2023). Reports of leptospirosis in horses are limited. Objective: To describe the clinical and diagnostic findings of acute systemic leptospirosis in horses. Methods: Eleven client-owned horses presented to an equine hospital because of acute onset of disease between 2015 and 2023. Methods: Retrospective case series. Horses diagnosed with leptospirosis by 1 or more of urine PCR, serologic microscopic agglutination test (MAT), and histopathology. Results: Common clinical signs included lethargy (10), anorexia (10), fever (9), tachypnea (9), abnormal lung sounds (9), and epistaxis (6). Acute kidney inj...
Black soldier fly (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) larvae reduce cyathostomin (Nematoda: Strongylidae) eggs but develop poorly on horse manure. Cyathostomins are common digestive tract parasites of grazing horses that spread through contact with horse feces. Horse feces are colonized by a variety of organisms, some of which could serve to reduce parasite loads in horse pastures. Black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens L.; Diptera: Stratiomyidae) larvae (BSFL) could be an ideal candidate for biological control of cyathostomins, due to their near-global distribution, low risk of pathogen transmission, ability to develop on a variety of nutrient-poor substrates (including horse manure), and dramatic effect on microbial communities that cyat...
Reproductive Disorders in Donkeys: Current Evidence and Update. Reproductive disorders in donkeys present a significant challenge to their health and welfare, impacting their roles in agriculture, conservation, and companionship. With the development of large-scale donkey farming in recent years, reproductive disorders have become a limiting factor for the expansion of the donkey population. In general, donkeys suffer from a similar array of diseases like horses, but little is known about the specificities of donkey reproductive disorders. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the pathogenesis, distribution, presentation, diagnosis, treatment, and p...
Clinical features and outcomes of horses presenting with presumed equine immune mediated keratitis to two veterinary hospitals in the United Kingdom and Finland: 94 cases (2009-2021). There is limited literature regarding equine immune mediated keratitis (IMMK) in Europe. North America-based publications describe minimal blepharospasm, rare corneal ulceration and no uveitis; clinical impression suggests these are seen in Europe. Objective: Assess the prevalence of blepharospasm, corneal ulceration and uveitis and their impact on outcome in horses diagnosed with IMMK in Europe (UK and Finland). Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Clinical records of 94 horses with IMMK were evaluated. The UK and Finland populations were comparable; therefore, descriptive statistics ...
What Is the Evidence Behind Sarcoid Treatments? Despite the ubiquitous nature of sarcoids, robust data regarding the selection of treatment modalities are scarce, with many treatments having little or no published data to support their use. Treatment options are numerous and vary with the location and type of sarcoid, treatment accessibility, and the financial status of the owner. Many treatments are expensive and time-consuming, and some have health and safety implications. It is this author's belief that, based on the limited evidence base, appropriate treatment options vary with the location and type of the sarcoid, and no one treatment ...
Explainable machine learning for assessing upper respiratory tract of racehorses from endoscopy videos. Laryngeal hemiplegia (LH) is a major upper respiratory tract (URT) complication in racehorses. Endoscopy imaging of horse throat is a gold standard for URT assessment. However, current manual assessment faces several challenges, stemming from the poor quality of endoscopy videos and subjectivity of manual grading. To overcome such limitations, we propose an explainable machine learning (ML)-based solution for efficient URT assessment. Specifically, a cascaded YOLOv8 architecture is utilized to segment the key semantic regions and landmarks per frame. Several spatiotemporal features are then ex...
Exploring the Genetic Landscape of Vitiligo in the Pura Raza Español Horse: A Genomic Perspective. Vitiligo is a depigmentation autoimmune disorder characterized by the progressive loss of melanocytes leading to the appearance of patchy depigmentation of the skin. The presence of vitiligo in horses is greater in those with grey coats. The aim of this study was therefore to perform a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify genomic regions and putative candidate loci associated with vitiligo depigmentation and susceptibility in the Pura Raza Español population. For this purpose, we performed a wssGBLUP (weighted single step genomic best linear unbiased prediction) using data from a ...
Paraneoplastic Syndromes in Horses. This article discusses the reported paraneoplastic syndromes (PNSs) in horses, including the possible pathogenesis, diagnostic methods, and any treatment options. The more commonly reported PNSs in horses include cancer anorexia and cachexia, fever and increased acute phase protein concentrations, and hypercalcemia and monoclonal gammopathy. As these conditions can often be more commonly diagnosed in non-neoplastic conditions, the diagnosis of a PNS and the accompanying neoplasia can be challenging. As signs of a PNS may precede signs of the underlying neoplasia, it is important that the clini...
Steamed hay and alfalfa pellets for the management of severe equine asthma. Steaming hay significantly reduces respirable particles and provides a palatable alternative to dry hay for horses with asthma, but there are few prospective studies demonstrating the clinical efficacy of steamed hay. Objective: To compare the efficacy of alfalfa pellets and steamed hay in improving lung function and inflammation of horses with severe asthma (SEA). Methods: Controlled crossover study. Methods: Ten horses with SEA were enrolled and nine completed the study. Horses were housed indoors and fed hay. Once in exacerbation, they were fed pellets and steamed hay for 4 weeks, in a cr...
Radiological abnormalities of the cervicothoracic vertebrae in Warmblood horses with primary neck-related clinical signs versus controls. Radiological observations at the cervicothoracic junction in horses with or without related clinical signs have not been comprehensively described. The aim was to evaluate the seventh cervical (C7) to second thoracic (T2) vertebrae in horses with neck-related clinical signs (neck pain and/or stiffness, neck-related forelimb lameness, or general proprioceptive [spinal] ataxia) and control horses. This prospective analytical cross-sectional study included 127 control horses and 96 cases, examined using standardized clinical and radiological protocols. Univariable logistic regression was used to ...
Trends in the management of horses referred for colic evaluation preceding and during the COVID-19 pandemic (2013-2023). The COVID-19 pandemic represented a significant source of anxiety and stress for equine veterinarians and clients, with the potential for measurable effects on caseload and owner economics. Unassigned: To compare the number of horses presenting for emergency colic evaluation and treatment, as well as costs at two equine referral hospitals. Unassigned: Retrospective cohort. Unassigned: Medical records of horses admitted to North Carolina State University (NCSU) and Bell Equine Veterinary Clinic (BEVC) were compared. Total equine accessions, number of horses referred for colic, and patient age w...
Morphological and immunohistochemical characteristics of diffuse seminoma in horses: A case report. The present study describes the morphological and immunohistochemical characteristics of a case of diffuse seminoma in a 16-year-old male mixed-breed horse. According to the owner, the animal's left testicle had been gradually increasing in size over a period of 2 months. On palpation, the testicle had a firm consistency, with no sensitivity to digital pressure, was adhered to the scrotum and measuring 16 cm × 8 cm. In the ultrasound examination, it presented a heterogeneous texture and areas of hypoechogenic echogenicity without visualization of the mediastinum. Therefore, the bila...
Equine Gastrointestinal Neoplasia. Gastrointestinal neoplasia is uncommon in horses. Clinical signs can be vague and advanced testing, including biopsy, exploratory surgery, and/or advanced imaging may be required for diagnosis. Prognosis varies by location, organ involved and is frequently poor to grave.
Equine Trypanosomiasis: Molecular Detection, Hematological, and Oxidative Stress Profiling. Surra caused by () is widely distributed and has significant impact on equine sector and international trades. However, there are no available data about the genetic characterization of this parasite in horses in Egypt. So, the goal of this study was to study the molecular characterization of in horses and determine the changes in hematological parameters and oxidative stress associated with infection. A total of 12 horses were examined using PCR targeting RoTat 1.2 VSG gene, and we evaluated the changes in hematological and oxidative stress between infected and healthy animals. The results...
Transient efficacy of buparvaquone against Theileria haneyi in chronically infected horses. Theileria haneyi is one of the three known causative agents of equine piroplasmosis. While imidocarb is generally effective in the clearance of the highly pathogenic Theileria equi, it is ineffective in the treatment of T. haneyi. Moreover, co-infection with T. haneyi has been shown to impede the successful treatment of T. equi. Furthermore, tulathromycin and diclazuril have demonstrated inefficacy in eradicating T. haneyi. The absence of an effective therapeutic agent against this parasite represents a significant obstacle in managing equine piroplasmosis. Methods: To address this issue, we e...
Equine Sarcocystosis in the Northern Region of the Republic of Kazakhstan. A total of 396 samples were taken from the hearts, oesophagi, and diaphragms of 132 horses slaughtered at slaughterhouses in 2023 for subsequent examination. Methods: The histological method revealed pathomorphological changes in the muscle tissue. The molecular method identified the pathogen species. Results: Histological examination revealed thick-walled cysts with internal septa and numerous bradyzoites, and mononuclear inflammatory cells with pericyst infiltrates. Microcyst samples were amplified by polymerase chain reaction. Molecular genetic analysis allowed for the identification of 18 ...
“How long is life worth living for the horse?” A focus group study on how Austrian equine stakeholders assess quality of life for chronically ill or old horses. Quality of life (QoL) provides a comprehensive concept underpinning veterinary decision-making that encompasses factors beyond physical health. It becomes particularly pertinent when seeking responsible choices for chronically ill or old horses that emphasise their well-being and a good QoL over the extension of life. How different stakeholders use the concept of QoL is highly relevant when considering the complexity of these decisions in real-life situations. Methods: Seven focus group discussions (N = 39) were conducted to gain insights into how stakeholders assess and use equine QoL in ...
Survey of state animal health officials reveals lack of personnel and resources to manage equine infectious disease outbreaks. The purpose of the study was to assess the challenges faced by state animal health officials (SAHOs) when managing equine disease outbreaks. Methods: A survey was conducted to assess SAHOs' collaboration with horse owners and practicing veterinarians to provide biosecurity and infection disease control. It was sent to 180 email addresses listed in the Equine Disease Communication Center website database. The responses in each category for each question were tabulated and reported as a percentage. Results: There were 72 survey responses from 45 states. The number of states responding suggested ...
Transcorneal aspiration for management of primary iris cysts in the standing horse. Equine primary iris cysts are usually incidental findings but, if associated with clinical signs, may require intervention. The use of laser (Nd:Yag or diode) has been reported but requires specialised equipment. Transcorneal aspiration has not been previously evaluated in the standing horse. To review outcomes of standing transcorneal aspiration of primary iris cysts (STAPIC) in horses. Horses were identified from electronic patient records from 2018 to 2024 across four collaborating centres. Clinical presentation and outcomes were identified and reported using descriptive statistics. Eightee...
Causes, treatment, and outcome of hyphema, fibrin, and vitreal hemorrhage in horses: 219 cases (2012-2023). To determine the causes, time to resolution, effect of therapeutics, and ocular sequelae of hyphema, fibrin, and/or vitreal hemorrhage in horses. Methods: 225 horses (219 eyes) who were diagnosed with hyphema, fibrin, and/or vitreal hemorrhage. Methods: Records were retrospectively reviewed for the horses. Signalment, ophthalmic examination findings, causes, treatments, and outcomes were evaluated. Results: Common causes of intraocular fibrin or hemorrhage were equine recurrent uveitis (42/219 horses), corneal stromal abscess (32/219 horses), corneal stromal ulcer (25/219 horses), and trauma (...
Occurrence of fenbendazole resistance in Parascaris spp. on breeding farms in Sweden. Anthelmintic resistance is an increasing problem in many gastrointestinal parasites of grazing animals. Among these, the equine roundworm, Parascaris spp., has developed wide-spread resistance to macrocyclic lactones over the past decades. Additionally, there are recent observations of emerging treatment failure of both tetrahydropyrimidine and fenbendazole. Therefore, the aims of this study were to further investigate the occurrence of fenbendazole resistance on breeding farms and to explore potential management-related risk factors associated with resistance in Parascaris spp. in Sweden. Ele...
The use of serum paraoxonase-1 to assess inflammation in horses with colitis. Paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) has been suggested as a marker of inflammation and oxidative stress in horses and could potentially be used for prognostication in horses with colitis. Objective: Assessment of PON-1 in horses with colitis and comparison of two methods. Methods: Serum PON-1 was measured by two methods (paraoxon and p-nitrophenyl acetate) in 161 horses with colitis and 57 controls. Follow-up samples obtained during hospitalization were available from 106 horses with colitis. The two methods were compared. Results: Serum PON-1 was significantly lower in horses with colitis than in healthy h...
Prices for veterinary care of dogs, cats and horses in selected countries in Europe. In recent years, prices for veterinary care have received considerable attention in mainstream media, yet scientific literature has not delved into actual figures. This study aims to elucidate veterinary care costs for dogs, cats, and horses across five countries [Sweden (SE), Norway (NO), Denmark (DK), United Kingdom (UK), and Ireland (IR, with limited data)] through web searches. Unassigned: Utilising online business directories, we located URLs featuring veterinary care prices in autumn 2022, and repeated tri-monthly five times. Vetpris.se (VP), a price comparison site for SE, NO, and DK, e...
