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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.
Horse Welfare 12: A Human Behavior Change Framework for Improving Horse Welfare. To improve horse welfare do we need more science or a different scientific approach? For over 40 years researchers have called for change to improve horse welfare. During this time, publications have grown exponentially, improving our understanding of horse's needs and the need for change. However, the translation of science into practice is arguably too slow, and yet, there is scant industry-specific research to guide change efforts. To assist behaviour change research, this paper recasts an influential, highly regarded systems thinking framework, the Meadows 12, for the horse industry as the...
Genomics in Equine MEED: Whole-Genome Sequencing and Target Mutation Identification. Multisystemic eosinophilic epitheliotropic disease (MEED) is a rare and severe equine disorder characterized by chronic eosinophilic inflammation, epithelial disruption, and multi-organ involvement, with an undefined genetic basis. We performed the high-depth (~40×) whole-genome sequencing of an affected horse and compared it to 40 control genomes. Over 6.3 million variants were identified, with moderate- and high-impact variants enriched in low-frequency categories, including rare and private variants absent from the controls. The affected horse was dominated by missense mutations, with rela...
Verminous mastitis caused by Cephalobus cubaensis infection in a mare. A 7-y-old American Quarter Horse mare was presented to a veterinary hospital for ongoing reproductive monitoring and management of endometritis. During physical evaluation, several nodular lesions of unknown origin and duration were discovered in the mammae. Histologically, biopsies from the lesions were confirmed as severe granulomatous mastitis with intralesional rhabditid nematodes. A putative diagnosis of or infection was assigned, and ivermectin (1.2 mg/kg PO) treatment was given every 2 wk. When lesions persisted after the initial dose of ivermectin, PCR testing of and gene targe...
Functional and feasibility aspects of orthopedic exoprostheses in quadruped domestic animals: a systematic review. The use of prostheses in animals with partial limb amputation has emerged as an alternative to euthanasia, aiming to improve their quality of life. However, the fabrication and adaptation remain challenging in Veterinary Medicine. This study aims to evaluate, through a systematic review, the determinants of viability, outcomes, and limitations of exoprostheses in domestic animals of varying sizes. A literature search was conducted in ScienceDirect, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar using structure search terms related to prosthesis, veterinary, amputation. After screening and ...
Proteomic signatures of equine dental tooth tissues in ageing and disease. Ageing and dental disease in horses lead to structural and functional deterioration of dental tissues, yet their molecular signatures remain poorly characterised. Understanding how these processes alter the protein composition of enamel, dentin, cementum and pulp is essential for improving equine oral health and identifying biomarkers of degeneration. Objective: To characterise the proteomic profiles of equine dental tissues and determine age- and disease-associated changes, with the aim of identifying proteins consistently altered across conditions. Methods: Ex vivo proteomic study. Methods: ...
Size of the C7-T1 articular processes is overestimated on lateral radiographs when compared to standing cone beam computed tomography. Radiography of the caudal cervical vertebral column is commonly performed in horses, but image distortion may occur due to factors such as scapular superimposition, divergent beam, and the distance between anatomy and detector. These variables can falsely suggest enlargement of the articular processes (APs) at the seventh cervical and first thoracic vertebrae (C7-T1). Objective: To assess the presence of magnification of C7-T1 APs as determined by AP:vertebral body (VB) height ratio on lateral radiographs compared to cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) as a gold standard, and to explore inter...
Immunization of Foals with Equine Rotavirus A Vaccine Can Stabilize or Increase Rotavirus-Specific Neutralizing Antibody Titers. Despite a monovalent G3P[12] ('G3') vaccine being available for horses, equine rotavirus A (ERVA) is still the predominant infectious pathogen causing diarrhea in foals in the United States of America (U.S.). Previous research has shown that maternal neutralizing antibody (NAb) titers are too high and will interfere with the vaccination of foals at 30 and 45 days of age. We aimed to determine if it is possible to increase NAb titers in foals through vaccination before they are vulnerable to ERVA infection. We immunized two foals with the commercially available vaccine (G3) at solely three mont...
Owner-Reported Cohort Study of Causes, Management and Outcome of Traumatic Wounds in 219 Horses. Current evidence on traumatic equine wounds are predominantly from expert opinion reviews or referral hospital studies. This study aimed to describe the owner-reported causes, management and outcome of equine wounds. An owner-reported cohort approach was used. Owners of horses with recent traumatic wounds were recruited through snowball sampling. Data were collected from initial injury to final healing and outcome, including horse demographics, wound cause and location, owner- and veterinary-administered treatment, and outcome. Descriptive statistics included frequency percentages (%, x/y) and...
Vaginal host-microbe signatures linked to placental outcomes in mares. Ascending placentitis is a leading cause of late-term pregnancy loss in mares. Although pathogens are presumed to ascend from the caudal reproductive tract, the association between the vaginal microbiome and placentitis has not been systematically examined. Objective: To characterise microbial and host gene expression in the equine vagina during gestation and to identify taxa or transcripts that were associated with the presence of an abnormal placenta at birth. Methods: Prospective, paired observational study. Methods: Vaginal wall swabs were collected from 49 multiparous Thoroughbred mares a...
Bexagliflozin controls hyperinsulinemia in horses with naturally occurring insulin dysregulation: a placebo-controlled crossover trial. To evaluate bexagliflozin for insulin control in horses with naturally occurring insulin dysregulation. Unassigned: In a randomized, placebo-controlled crossover study, 10 client-owned Arabian horses with hyperinsulinemia (> 30 μIU/mL) were treated with bexagliflozin (0.03 mg/kg, PO, q 24 h; BEXA03) or placebo control for a 10-day treatment period, crossing over after a 4-day washout. After a further 12-day washout, 8 of the horses were treated with bexagliflozin (0.06 mg/kg, PO, q 24 h; BEXA06) for an additional 7-day treatment period. Oral sugar tests were performed at the beginning of e...
[Retrospective evaluation of equine blood cultures sampled between 2022 and 2024]. In this study, the results of equine blood cultures sampled during the period from 2022 to 2024 were evaluated. Samples were submitted as routine samples by veterinary practices to a veterinary diagnostic laboratory in Germany. The study focused mainly on the differentiation of the bacterial isolates. In order to place the results in a clinical context, the study was complemented by a questionnaire sent to the practices enquiring for sepsis-associated clinical signs. Unassigned: The study was carried out retrospectively. A total of 199 blood culture samples submitted by practices located in Ge...
Heavy metals in horses: A review of the toxicity, clinical consequences and expected safe tissue concentrations. Trace elements arsenic, cadmium, lead, chromium, mercury, nickel, and zinc are high-density, naturally occurring metals notable for their toxicity and environmental persistence. Cadmium and mercury are particularly concerning due to their capacity for bioaccumulation and biomagnification within the food chain. Dispersed through both anthropogenic and natural sources, these elements pose significant threats to ecosystems and animal health. In equines, they induce oxidative stress by disrupting mitochondrial function, generating reactive oxygen species, and inhibiting antioxidant enzymes, leadin...
Accuracy of large language model-based artificial intelligence tools for equine topics. Artificial intelligence (AI) platforms are becoming increasingly popular as resources for equine information. However, these platforms generate responses from a wide range of sources and do not always distinguish between fact and opinion. Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the accuracy and quality of AI-generated answers to equine-related questions. Researchers hypothesized that AI platforms could answer basic equine questions effectively but would perform poorly on complex topics or questions. Methods: Forty questions were written covering general horse care, facilities mana...
In vitro cultivation of Trypanosoma equiperdum: Comparison of in vitro and in vivo antigens for an ethical and sustainable serological diagnosis of Dourine. The protozoan Trypanosoma equiperdum is the causative agent of Dourine, a contagious sexually transmitted disease of equines that can manifest itself in chronic or acute form. Dourine has serious veterinary and economic implications, as there are no vaccines available for prevention and the management of the disease requires the culling of infected animals, together with rigorous sanitary control measures. This study compares the traditional production of T. equiperdum antigen grown in vivo, with an in vitro cultivation methodology developed to eliminate the use of animals. The in vitro and in...
Rostral hard palate swelling (lampas) in horses: true or fiction? This study aimed to determine the occurrence of swellings (lampas) in the rostral portion of the hard palate in young, adult, and elderly horses and to characterize them histologically. One hundred and twenty horses of different ages were evaluated by oral inspection. Horses were classified with lampas when the mucosa of the hard palate extended beyond the occlusal surface of the upper incisors and samples of palatal mucosa were collected. Ten other horses without rostral hard palate alterations, euthanized for unrelated causes, were included as the control group. Histological analysis include...
Circulating microRNA profiles as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for acute and carrier Theileria equi infection. Equine piroplasmosis caused by Theileria equi exhibits a wide clinical spectrum ranging from acute disease to lifelong asymptomatic carriage, posing significant diagnostic and epidemiological challenges. In this cross-sectional case-control study, equines were classified as acutely infected, asymptomatic carriers, or uninfected controls based on clinical examination and quantitative PCR. Hematological and biochemical alterations were assessed, and plasma miRNA profiles were characterized using small RNA sequencing, followed by qRT-PCR validation of selected miRNAs. Cytokine gene expression in ...
Evaluation of the tolerance and effects of 1-deoxynojirimycin on insulin and glucose dynamics in healthy horses and horses at risk for insulin dysregulation. Insulin dysregulation (ID) is common and diminishes welfare of horses. Current management relies on diet and exercise, with variable responses and limited medical options. Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors (AGIs) might provide adjunctive therapy. Objective: To evaluate the tolerance and effects of Reducose®, a Morus alba leaf extract standardized to 5% 1-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ), in healthy horses and horses at risk of ID. We hypothesized DNJ would be well-tolerated and reduce insulin responses to oral sugar tests (OSTs). Methods: Twenty-seven horses: 6 healthy (Phase I), 5 at risk for ID (Phase II)...
Successful nutritional management of a warmblood horse with multiple pathologies that respond to nutrition. This report describes the nutritional management of an 18-year-old, 553 kg gelding warmblood used for dressage lessons that presented with severe weight loss, marked muscle atrophy, poor dentition, sabulous urolithiasis, gastric ulcers, and later small colon impaction. On admission, the diet consisted of ad libitum wheat straw and mixed cereals (73:27 forage:concentrate), providing 2% of body weight as dry matter without vitamin-mineral supplementation. Marked deficiencies were identified in digestible energy (38%), crude protein (20%), lysine, threonine, vitamins, and minerals, while sugar an...
Glanders: Past, Present and Future of a Neglected Zoonosis as a Threat in Veterinary and Human Health. Burkholderia mallei is the causative agent of glanders, a serious zoonotic disease of major concern for both animal and human health. This highly contagious and potentially fatal bacterium is always classified as a biothreat agent. In this review, we covered a comprehensive overview of glanders, including the biology of the pathogen, epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, control strategies and ongoing eradication programs in Eurasia. We also summarized human case reports, differential diagnosis, treatment and organism's antimicrobial properties. The section on vaccine development is among the...
Autochthonous Leishmaniosis in Dogs, Cats, Horses, and Wildlife in the United States of America. Leishmaniasis is endemic in 99 countries worldwide, including the United States of America (USA). Its causative pathogens, spp. have been detected in both humans and animals within the USA. Lately, we have comprehensively reviewed autochthonous leishmaniasis in humans in this region. Animals play a pivotal role in maintaining its endemicity in some endemic areas and regions, for example, dogs in Brazil and the Mediterranean. In this review, we thoroughly examine autochthonous leishmaniosis in dogs, cats, horses, and wildlife in the USA, and we synthesize integration across species, transmissi...
Antibacterial use in Norwegian horses: a nationwide registry-based cross-sectional study. BACKGROUND: Antibacterials are essential for treating infections in horses, but the use contributes to antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which threatens animal and human health. Despite these concerns, antibacterial use in horses has not been systematically studied and described in Norway, and nationwide registry-based analyses in other countries are scarce. The aim of this study is to describe antibacterial use in Norwegian horses, 2022–2024, by analysing nationwide registry data, with a particular emphasis on gynecological and obstetrical conditions. In addition, we will evaluate the data qu...
Deep digital flexor tenotomy provides pain relief and clinical comfort in horses with chronic laminitis. This study evaluated the clinical application, outcomes, and prognostic indicators of deep digital flexor tenotomy (DDFT) in horses with chronic laminitis. Unassigned: A computer-generated search identified all possible cases of laminitis for horses referred to the George D. Widener Hospital for Large Animals at the University of Pennsylvania between 2010 and 2022. Medical records were reviewed for a diagnosis of laminitis by clinical examination and radiographs. The population was characterized by breed, age, clinical features, and radiographic findings. Poisson regression was performed to id...
Presurgical acetone and chlorhexidine aseptic preparation of the equine hoof lowers bacterial counts below surgically acceptable threshold. The objectives were to determine whether topical applications of acetone and 4% chlorhexidine following removal of the superficial hoof wall reduces tissue bacterial load below 5 log10 microorganisms per gram (CFUs/g) of tissue and whether Dey-Engley neutralizing broth (DENB) neutralizes residual chlorhexidine in vitro within equine hoof tissue samples. Unassigned: In a clinical prospective study with a total of 24 hooves, the superficial hoof was mechanically removed followed by disinfection with acetone and 5-minute rough and aseptic preparations with 4% chlorhexidine. Dorsal wall, frog, and...
Overview of the Current Osteoarthritis Treatment in Veterinary Medicine and Future Directions. Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic and progressive joint disease that can cause permanent loss of joint function. OA is highly prevalent in horses, dogs, and cats, affecting different joints and leading to reduced mobility and chronic pain. Different risk factors for animal OA have been identified, including trauma and breed. Inflammation is a hallmark of the disease, with various underlying mechanisms such as cyclooxygenase and metalloproteinase activation, nerve growth factor, cytokine, and prostaglandin upregulation, among others. Although disease complexity makes OA difficult to treat, eno...
Terpenic compounds possess anthelmintic and immunomodulatory properties with potential for controlling equine cyathostomin infections. The emergence of anthelmintic-resistant parasite isolates necessitates alternative control strategies. The use of dietary additives with anti-parasitic or immunomodulatory activities has been proposed as a solution, but whether such additives can simultaneously exert dual bioactivities within this context has rarely been explored. Here, we evaluated whether selected terpenes could exert dual bioactivities (anti-parasitic and immunomodulatory) with a view to their use as food additives that can limit strongyle infections in horses. In vitro tests with cyathostomin larval development, larval mig...
Evaluating Protein Enrichment Methods to Improve Biomarker Discovery in Equine Cerebrospinal Fluid. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a valuable source of biomarkers for neurological diseases, but detection of low-abundance proteins is often masked by highly abundant proteins. Enrichment strategies can enhance proteomic coverage and improve biomarker discovery, yet comparative evaluations of such methods in equine CSF are limited. Objective: This study compared the ProteoMiner Small-Capacity Enrichment Kit and the PreOmics Enrich-iST Kit for their ability to deplete high-abundance proteins and enhance detection of low-abundance proteins relevant to neuropathology. Methods: Equine CSF samples were...
Equine Salmonella in Argentina: Genetic relatedness with humans and other animal species and first detection of serovar Freetown. Salmonellosis in horses can cause severe enteritis with diarrhea, fever, and colic, which is usually severe in foals and hospitalized or immunocompromised animals. Carrier horses may intermittently shed Salmonella, thereby acting as a source of infection for other animals and humans. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence and molecular subtyping of Salmonella spp. in horses from Argentina, focusing on potential zoonotic relevance. Only a single isolate (S. Newport) was obtained from fecal samples of 249 clinically healthy horses (2018-2022), indicating a very low carrier detec...
Atropine induces narrowing of the superior and inferior iridocorneal angle and ciliary cleft in normal horse eyes. To investigate the effects of atropine on the iridocorneal angle (ICA) and ciliary cleft (CC) of normal equine eyes using ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM). Unassigned: 12 normal adult horses underwent measurement of intraocular pressure (IOP), vertical and horizontal pupil diameter, and UBM of the superior, temporal, inferior, and nasal ICA/CC in both eyes. Measurements were repeated 2 hours following ophthalmic atropine 1% solution application. Measurements of the ICA and CC, including pectinate ligament distance (PLD), CC length (CCL), height of opening distance (HOD), CC area (CCA), and pecti...
Evaluation and Management of the Horse with Head and Neck Disorders. Recognizing possible causes of equine head and neck problems requires a careful and systematic evaluation. While for some disorders reaching a diagnosis and treatment plan is relatively straightforward, for others this can be a complicated road requiring extensive diagnostic techniques, treatment trials, and management strategies. The ability to determine whether the patient is in a painful state, experiencing functional deficits, or in a combination of pain and dysfunction is critical to developing an effective treatment plan. Frequently, behavioral concerns often associated with pain must be...
