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.
Traub-Dargatz JL.Bacterial pneumonia in the horse often occurs secondary to viral respiratory infection; however, primary infections can occur. A diagnosis of bacterial pneumonia is made on the basis of history, physical examination, and laboratory and radiographic findings. Treatment consists of appropriate antimicrobial therapy for at least 7 to 10 days; further therapy may be needed in more severe cases. Prevention of bacterial pneumonia includes attempting to prevent viral respiratory infections and appropriate management to prevent stress to the respiratory tract.
Guo YJ, Wang M, Zheng SL, Wang P, Ji WJ, Chen QH.About thirty thousands horses were affected and hundreds of them died in an epidemic caused by equine 2 influenza virus (H3N8) in China. The estimated morbidity and mortality accounted for 81% and 2%, respectively. The viral protein and RNA electrophoresis patterns revealed that the new isolates were antigenically different from the prototype strain influenza A/eq/Miami/1/63(H3N8). Therefore, the representative strain of the equine 2 subtype of influenza A virus recommended for producing reference reagents, vaccines, and for serological diagnosis must have been altered by antigenic drift.
Schneider C, Müller FP, Bertschi I.We describe the utilization of the Abbott Vision system in a horse clinic and a comparison with the Compur M 2000 CS (Bayer Diagnostics and Electronics). Discrepancies were found in respect to precision and accuracy of results. Both systems showed good practicability during routine operation but different cost-effectiveness.
Schmotzer WB, Hultgren BD, Huber MJ, Watrous BJ, Riebold TW, Wagner PC, Shires GM.The efficacy of eliminating parotid salivary secretions by retrograde infusion of 10% formalin, 2% chlorhexidine, or 2% or 3% silver nitrate solutions was evaluated in 10 horses. Solutions were kept within the parotid salivary gland for 90 seconds after infusion through parotid duct cannulae and then allowed to drain freely. Severed parotid ducts and surgical incisions were left to heal by second intention. All agents eliminated glandular secretions. There was less necrosis and suppurative inflammation after formalin infusion than after chlorhexidine and silver nitrate. Silver nitrate (2% and ...
Pereira MC, Kohek Júnior I, Campos R, Lima SB, Foz RP.The anthelmintic efficacy of ivermectin (IVM), piperazine citrate (PPZ) and fenbendazole (FBZ) alone, and combinations of FBZ with varying dosages of PPZ, was evaluated for the control of strongyles of Mangalarga equids. In all cases of positive strongly egg counts per gram of faeces (EPG) before and after treatment, pure populations of cyathostome larvae with eight gut cells were consistently observed in faecal cultures. The faecal egg count reductions (FECR) were evaluated between Day 7 and Day 56 post-treatment. Significant differences (P less than or equal to 0.05) were found between Day 7...
Kimman TG, Binkhorst GJ, van den Ingh TS, Pol JM, Gielkens AL, Roelvink ME.Aujeszky's disease virus was isolated from the brain of a horse which had shown severe neurological signs, including excessive sweating, muscle tremors and periods of mania. Pathological examination revealed a non-suppurative meningoencephalitis. The virus was propagated in cell culture and inoculated into the conjunctiva and nostrils of two ponies. The ponies developed fever seven days after inoculation and subsequently started to behave abnormally, showing severe neurological signs on the ninth day after inoculation. One pony became excited and the other was depressed. One pony died on the n...
Welles EG, Prasse KW, Moore JN.Protein C content and plasminogen activity were measured in plasma from 100 horses with signs of colic. Data were analyzed by grouping horses 4 ways. Each horse was allotted to 1 of 2 outcome groups (survivors and nonsurvivors), 1 of 3 broad-category diagnosis groups (inflammatory disorders, strangulating obstructions, and all other gastrointestinal disorders), and 1 of 2 clinical management groups (medical and surgical). In a fourth grouping, all horses (although numbers of horses included in each subgroup were small) were assigned either to specific diagnostic groups that had high expectatio...
Dart AJ, Snyder JR, Pascoe JR.A 17-year-old Quarter Horse, Arabian crossbred mare presented with a history of having had abdominal pain for 2 d. At surgery there was 2.6 m of descending colon strangulated within the pedicle of a mesenteric lipoma. The lipoma was resected and the descending colon appeared viable so was replaced, and the mare recovered from anaesthesia. Post-operatively, the mare failed to stabilise so was taken back to surgery. There was 2 m of infarcted descending colon which was resected and anastomosed. A drain and stainless steel stay sutures were incorporated into the ventral suture line. Post-operativ...
Bjørn H, Sommer C, Schougård H, Henriksen SA, Nansen P.This study was undertaken to establish whether anthelmintic resistance was present in nematode parasites of horses in Denmark. Sixteen horse farms were selected for faecal egg count reduction (FECR) tests to measure the efficacy of the anthelmintic used. Resistance to benzimidazole anthelmintics was found on 13 of the 16 farms, with FECR values ranging from 80.0% to -101.3%. On the remaining 3 farms FECR was 100.0%, 99.3% and 97.2%. Results of a questionnaire study on anthelmintic usage, parasite control measures and management practices showed that horses in this study were treated on average...
Cleve H, Schmid DO.An apparent incompatibility in the GC/DBP system in a mare and her colt was found after classification by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Because of this observation an analysis of the equine GC/DBP system by isoelectric focusing and subsequent immunoprinting was initiated. Further GC subtypes, however, were not encountered: the three phenotypes GC F, FS and S were also delineated by this method. The GC types in the case of disputed descent were dissolved: GC S was found in the mare and GC FS in her colt as well as in another of her male offspring. It is proposed that a rare GC mutant is r...
Németh F.The aetiology and pathogenesis of navicular bone disease and sesamoidosis are discussed on the basis of findings reported in the literature and research. A marked similarity is found to be present between the clinical presentation, aetiology and pathogenesis of these two diseases. In addition, the intra and juxta-articular signs of degeneration as seen in these diseases are similar to those seen in various forms of arthrosis. Circulatory disturbances resulting from partial or complete arterial occlusion, caused by arteriosclerosis, are likely to play an important role in the cause of degenerat...
Klein WR.Squamous cell carcinomas of the bovine eye and equine sarcoids are briefly reviewed. A single injection of BCG into the tumour results in permanent regression of the lesion in 37 per cent of the cattle, regression followed by recurrence of the tumour in 26 per cent and in progressive growth of the tumour in 37 per cent of the cases. Recurrence may be prevented by repeated injection into the lesion. From 50 to 60 per cent of the cows will remain free from tumours. Equine sarcoids show a complete regression in 70-80 per cent of the cases. Tumours on the limbs show a less satisfactory response (l...
Jorm LR.A questionnaire survey of 179 horse studs in New South Wales was conducted to estimate the incidence of strangles during 1985 to 1988, to identify risk factors for strangles outbreaks and to assess the effect of strangles vaccination. Forty-nine of the studs (27.4%) had at least one strangles outbreak during this period and 62 studs (34.6%) had at least one case of strangles. The average incidence of strangles was 2.1 cases per 100 horses per year. The risk of strangles increased progressively with the total horse population and rose markedly when more than 100 mares had been served in the 198...
Payne RC, Sukanto IP, Graydon R, Saroso H, Jusuf SH.During an outbreak of trypanosomiasis in cattle, buffalo and horses on the island of Madura, a survey was conducted to determine the prevalence of Trypanosoma evansi in the region. Blood samples were collected from 130 cattle and 147 buffalo in 5 villages, whole blood was examined for trypanosomes by the microhaematocrit (MHCT) method and serum samples were subjected to an enzyme linked immuno absorbent assay to detect T. evansi antibodies. T. evansi was detected by MHCT in 50% of the buffalo examined and 13% of the cattle, while antibodies were detected in 47% of the buffalo and 30% of the ca...
Riebold TW.In conclusion, monitoring the depth of anesthesia plays an integral role in the anesthetic regimen. Although the use of sophisticated monitoring equipment has replaced some of the art of anesthesia and made assessment of depth of anesthesia more precise, a vigilant clinician still needs to serve as the animal's advocate. He or she must gather the data that are generated by machines, acquire data that monitoring equipment cannot obtain, assimilate all the facts, and make appropriate changes in anesthetic management.
Tranquilli WJ, Thurmon JC.Several unique pharmacologic and physiologic factors must be considered when attempting to anesthetize premature or neonatal foals. Juvenile foals are similar to adults in their physiology and metabolism. Anesthetic drug and protocol selection should reflect the differences between these two age groups. Neonates are best anesthetized using an inhalation technique, whereas older foals can be safely anesthetized with either parenteral or inhalation anesthetic agents. Careful monitoring is absolutely essential when anesthetizing foals. The clinician should plan to routinely administer fluids and ...
Friedhoff KT, Tenter AM, Müller I.The geographical distribution of Babesia equi and Babesia caballi and their tick vectors is discussed. Control of infections with these protozoa is hampered by the lack of a suitable antiprotozoal drug and a reliable serological test. No vaccine is available. Ehrlichia risticii (the causal agent of Potomac horse fever) and E. equi are rickettsial parasites which are difficult to control. Little is known of their geographical distribution and vectors. Early diagnosis is required for tetracycline therapy to be effective and there is a need for a rapid test to provide an early diagnosis.
Racklyeft DJ, Love DN.Twenty four normal, confined mares were unable to lower their heads for 24 or 48 h. In 21 mares this resulted in increases in the proportion of neutrophils and/or numbers of bacteria in transtracheal aspirates. In eight mares the changes in tracheal washes were accompanied by clinical evidence of mild respiratory disease. In three additional cases respiratory signs were accompanied by systemic illness. These changes reversed once the mares were able to lower their heads. Haematological changes (absolute neutrophilia and/or hyperfibrinogenamia) were mild and occurred more commonly in horses res...
Foreman JH, Weidner JP, Parry BW, Hargis A.A 17-year-old Quarter Horse mare was examined nearly 3 years after excision and cryotherapy of a papillary mammary gland adenocarcinoma. The mare had been used for pleasure riding since surgery, but had recently developed progressive dyspnea. The mare had clinical evidence of pleural effusion, but died before further clinical examination and treatment were instituted. Necropsy revealed deep mammary masses with similar nodules in the deep inguinal, renal, and mediastinal lymph nodes and in the lungs, pericardium, visceral and parietal pleurae, and left ovary. The masses were identified as papil...
Loftin MK, Levine JF, McGinn T, Coggins L.State veterinarians in 11 southeastern states completed a questionnaire designed to determine the proportion of equids in the region that were seropositive for equine infectious anemia (EIA). Cases of EIA were diagnosed in each of the states surveyed. Distinct geographic clusters of cases were apparent in Tennessee and Kentucky adjacent to the Mississippi River, in the Piedmont of North Carolina at the Virginia border, in north central Georgia, and throughout the Florida peninsula. It is suggested that the national EIA program could be improved by standardization and wider application of unifo...
of surveillance testing, April to June 2017International disease occurrence in the second quarter of 2017These are among matters discussed in the most recent quarterly equine disease surveillance report, prepared by Defra, the Animal Health Trust and the British Equine Veterinary Association.
Bonaduce A, Martone F, Bonaduce D, Vaccaro A.The six strains were not antigenically different from strains isolated in Naples in 1967 and Andria in 1968.
Coffman JR, Hammond LS, Garner HE, Thawley DG, Selby LA.A COMMON progression of chronic laminitis is ischaemic
necrosis with secondary infection a frequent complication.
For 6 years we have performed a complete blood count
(CBC) on all hospitalised horses (at the University of Missouri
Veterinary Hospital) every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Preliminary scrutiny of the results indicated that persistent
elevation of the total white blood cell count (WBC) and
neutrophilia was consistent with poor prognosis in horses
affected with laminitis. Because of these considerations we
decided to perform a retrospective examination of the blood
cell d...