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.
Bulnes F, Argüelles D, Buzón A, García-Álamo K, Rodríguez-Gómez IM, Hernández E, Mozos E.This case report details a long-term follow-up of a hoof melanoma with dermo-epidermal activity (resembling Spreading Superficial Melanoma (SSM)) in a bay horse with a history of a right front hoof keratoma. Melanomas involving the horse's foot are seldom reported and usually diagnosed as anaplastic melanomas based on signalment and post-mortem examination. The clinical-pathological characteristics of the foot melanoma in this bay horse are consistent with SSM-like described in humans, which is considered an intermediate malignant tumour attending their biological behaviour. However, a definit...
Kopec EK, Stevens M, Crowe O, Wright C, Suthers J.The aim of the present study was to investigate the long-term survival and postoperative complications in horses that had undergone small intestinal resection and a modified anastomosis technique using a partially stapled, functional end-to-end anastomosis. Methods: Observational retrospective case series. Methods: A total of 25 horses underwent small intestinal resection and a partially stapled, functional end-to-end anastomosis. Methods: A modified technique to create a partially stapled, functional end-to-end anastomosis is described. The clinical case records of all horses that fulfilled t...
Van Mol B, Oosterlinck M, Janssens S, Buys N, Pille F.Various environmental and genetic risk factors are linked to the pathogenesis of equine osteochondrosis and osteochondral fragments in the fetlock joint. Therefore, a scoping review was conducted to describe current evidence linking genetic factors and environmental factors of these osteochondral disorders. This article constitutes the first part of this scoping review and focuses on environmental factors, with the second part addressing genetic factors. To identify potentially relevant papers online bibliographical databases PubMed and Web of Science were utilised, supplemented with articles ...
Barton CK, True A, Fenn M, Thampi P, Watson A, Smanik LE.The objective of this Case Report was to describe the clinical manifestation and postmortem findings of a horse evaluated for recurrent colic diagnosed with pyloric aplasia and an ectopic duodenal papilla. Methods: 13-year-old Quarter Horse gelding. Unassigned: The horse was presented to a referral center for signs of colic that were unresponsive to management on the farm. No abnormalities were noted on rectal palpation; however, upon passage of a nasogastric tube, 31 L of net gastric reflux was obtained. Gastroscopy noted grade IV squamous ulceration and moderate glandular ulceration, severe ...
Guo L, Tahir AM, Hore M, Collins A, Rideout A, Wang ZJ.Sesamoiditis is a common equine disease with varying severity, leading to increased injury risks and performance degradation in horses. Accurate grading of sesamoiditis is crucial for effective treatment. Although deep learning-based approaches for grading sesamoiditis show promise, they remain underexplored and often lack clinical interpretability. To address this issue, we propose a novel, clinically interpretable multi-task learning model that integrates clinical knowledge with machine learning. The proposed model employs a dual-branch decoder to simultaneously perform sesamoiditis grading ...
Kopecka A, Novotna T, Svobodova Z, Drabkova Z.This study describes a case of poisoning by pyrrolizidine alkaloids in a horse. To the best of the author's knowledge, this is the first confirmed case of Senecio ovatus poisoning. A six-year-old 450-kg Irish cob mare was presented to the Equine Clinic of the University of Veterinary Sciences Brno (Czechia) with symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy, which progressively worsened with time despite intensive therapy and led to euthanasia. A complex diagnostic and therapeutic approach including the post-mortem patoanatomical and histopathological examination is described here. Regar...
Carpenter AL, Townsend KS, Johnson PJ, Kim DY.An 8-y-old National Show Horse mare was presented for evaluation of pneumonia and laminitis. Harsh bronchovesicular sounds were auscultated throughout both lung fields, and the mare had signs of moderately painful laminitis. Thoracic ultrasonography revealed lung consolidation throughout the dorsal aspect of both lungs, and radiography revealed an extensive diffuse-to-patchy bronchointerstitial lung pattern. The mare's clinical condition rapidly deteriorated, and euthanasia was elected. On postmortem examination, the lungs, omentum, spleen, liver, adrenal glands, kidneys, and femur contained 0...
Derbala MK, Abu-Seida AM, El-Metwally AE, Asfour HAE.Embryo transfer (ET) is regarded as one of the reproductive methods for genetic improvement initiatives in the horse business. The current study aimed to increase the success rate of ET by re-flushing and re-transferring of embryos from contaminated recipient mares into second healthy recipients. The study involved 25 recipient mares that demonstrated embryonic vesicles inside intraluminal fluid (ILF) on ultrasound scanning 2 ± 0.5 days after ET. Seven recipient mares were left without re-flushing and re-transferring of embryos (control group) and 18 recipient mares (treated group) were subje...
Meiseberg LK, Delarocque J, de Buhr N, Ohnesorge B.Equine asthma is a common, non-infectious, chronic lung disease that affects up to 80% of the horse population. Strict phenotyping and identification of subclinically asthmatic horses can be challenging. The aim of this study was to describe equine asthma phenotypes (mild, moderate, and severe asthma) defined by BALF cytology and occurrence of clinical signs in a population of privately owned horses and to identify the variables and examination steps with best discriminative potential. The standardised examination protocol included clinical examinations, blood work, airway endoscopy with bronc...
Malsa J, Reigner F, Riou M, Gesbert A, Guégnard F, Perrot N, Serreau D, Fleurance G, Sallé G.The increasing emergence of anthelmintic-resistant parasitic isolates prompts us to reassess the management of intestinal strongylosis in horses. Additionally, societal demand is shifting toward reducing the use of chemical treatments, aligning with environmentally-friendly practices and the exploration of natural alternatives. In this context, we provide an initial view of the antiparasitic activity and the effect on immune circulating blood cells of three commercialized plant-based feed additives in ponies. Three treatments, based either on mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris), echinacea (Echinacea ...
Nyerges-Bohák Z, Kovács L, Povázsai Á, Hamar E, Póti P, Ladányi M.Equine asthma in severe form (severe equine asthma [sEA]) shares remarkable similarities with human asthma. Human studies detected changes in the autonomic nervous system function in asthmatic patients based on heart rate variability (HRV) analysis. Methods: Observational study. Objective: To investigate the relationship between sEA and HRV in horses. Methods: Twenty horses diagnosed with sEA and 20 asymptomatic (non-sEA) horses were investigated. SEA horses showed clinical signs. The RR intervals of the ECG were recorded for 1 h at rest between 9 AM and 11 AM using a heart rate (HR) mon...
Malekipour F, Whitton RC, Lee PV.This review synthesizes recent advancements in understanding subchondral bone (SCB) biomechanics using computed tomography (CT) and micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) imaging in large animal models, particularly horses. Results: Recent studies highlight the complexity of SCB biomechanics, revealing variability in density, microstructure, and biomechanical properties across the depth of SCB from the joint surface, as well as at different joint locations. Early SCB abnormalities have been identified as predictive markers for both osteoarthritis (OA) and stress fractures. The development of sta...
Herbst C, Hartmann KS, Brown DO, Malinowski K.To stay up-to-date with the demographics, interests, and needs of the equine community, equine extension programs commonly conduct so called "needs assessment surveys". The main goals of the 2022 Rutgers Equine Science Center (ESC) needs assessment survey were to: 1) characterize the equine community, 2) identify information sources used by the equine community, 3) assess the usefulness of selected equine-related services and programs, and 4) determine the perceived importance of selected equine-related issues. An anonymous online survey was distributed through the Rutgers ESC's email list, a ...
Bayless RL, Cooper BL, Sheats MK.Colic is a common and potentially life-threatening condition in horses; in many cases, it remains challenging for clinicians to determine the cause, appropriate treatment, and prognosis. One approach that could improve patient care and outcomes is identification of novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. Plasma cell-free DNA (cfDNA) is a biomarker that shows promise for characterizing disease severity and predicting survival in humans with acute abdominal pain or requiring emergency abdominal surgery. In horses, we recently determined that extracted plasma cfDNA concentrations are elevated...
Fintl C, Wilkins PA.There are a number of unusual tumors in the horse. Gross tumor characteristics, anatomical location, and signalment may assist with identification. Clinical pathology is often unrewarding with non-specific findings, while fine needle aspirates may not obtain sufficient tissue material to confirm a diagnosis. Although regular staining of biopsy material may be sufficient, immunohistochemistry markers may be required, especially in less differentiated tumors. The prognosis is dependent on the type, location, tumor size as well as on metastatic spread. A selection of unusual and rare tumors that ...
Hollis AR.Melanomas are very common in older gray horses, with 80% of gray horses having at least 1 melanoma by 15 years of age. Historically considered a benign disease, it is now known that up to 66% of lesions will eventually metastasize. Melanomas may also cause local problems due to abscessation, ulceration, and interference with function of the affected areas. Treatment can be limited by size and location, but surgical resection, where possible, is likely to be the treatment of choice.
Johns I, Bryan J.The diagnosis of neoplasia in the horse is both simple and extremely challenging, depending on the type of neoplasm and its location. Obtaining an accurate diagnosis of a neoplastic condition is key to formulating an appropriate treatment plan if possible or developing a palliative plan if curative treatment options do not exist. A combination of historical features, clinical examination findings, and diagnostic testing typically allow a working diagnosis of neoplasia to be made, with a definitive diagnosis requiring the identification of neoplastic cells in a sample or tissue.
Samuels A, Burns TA.Lymphoma and myeloproliferative diseases in horses are relatively uncommon. The clinical signs, prognosis, and treatment options depend upon the anatomic location and subtype. Significant gaps in knowledge remain regarding prevalence, pathogenesis of different subtypes, antemortem diagnostic tests, response to treatment, and standardized treatment protocols. However, treatment options are available, accessible on the farm, and could improve quality of life and prolong survival.
Fiske-Jackson A.Equine neoplasia poses challenges in surgical management owing to their diverse locations and potential for aggressive behavior. Surgical interventions aim for complete excision while minimizing cosmetic and functional impairments. Techniques such as laser ablation and electrochemotherapy offer minimally invasive options for accessible tumors. For deeper or larger masses, surgical excision with adequate margins remains the gold standard. Preoperative biopsy and imaging guides surgical planning, ensuring complete tumor removal while preserving vital structures. Close adherence to a strict surgi...
Li Z, Luo Z, Hu D.Diarrhea serves as a vital health indicator for assessing wildlife populations post-reintroduction. Upon release into the wild, wild animals undergo adaptation to diverse habitats and dietary patterns. While such changes prompt adaptive responses in the fecal microbiota, they also render these animals susceptible to gastrointestinal diseases, particularly diarrhea. This study investigates variations in fecal microorganisms and hormone levels between diarrhea-afflicted and healthy Przewalski's horses. The results demonstrate a significant reduction in the alpha diversity of the fecal bacterial ...
García Sánchez A, Zurita SG, Gil Molino M, Martin Cano FE, Barraso Gil C, Hermoso de Mendoza Salcedo J.The aim of this study is to describe an outbreak of dermatophilosis at an equestrian center in Castilla la Mancha (central Spain), which affected 16.6% (5/30) of the animals. Research was carried out to establish the mode of transmission and spread to other horses in the herd. Clinical features, diagnostic methods and treatment are also described. O objetivo deste estudo é descrever um surto de dermatofilose em um centro equestre em Castilla la Mancha (centro da Espanha), no qual 16,6% (5/30) dos animais foram afetados. Foi realizada uma pesquisa para estabelecer o modo de transmissão e a di...
Dély S, Gerber V, Peters LM, Sage SE.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...
Pearson EK, Guarino C, Cercone M, Divers T, Lambert J, García-López J, Johnson AL, Engiles JB, Marconi R, Smith J, Brown K, Pinn-Woodcock T.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...
Haase L, Sedlmayr B, Jung IC, Sedlmayr M, Monett D, Winter J.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 ...
Jakobsen N, Weber NR, Larsen I, Pedersen KS.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...
Ramsay L, Eberhardt C, Schoster A.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...
Mann DN, Hobert KT, Biddle AS, Crossley MS.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...
Wang Z, Zeng S, Wang Y, Wang T, Qu H, Zhu Y, Li J.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...
Preston JF, Mustikka MP, Priestnall SL, Dunkel B, Fischer MC.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 ...
Pascucci I, Di Provvido A, Cammà C, Di Francesco G, Calistri P, Tittarelli M, Ferri N, Scacchia M, Caporale V.Dourine is trypanosomosis that affects equids, it's mainly sexually transmitted. The disease was first eradicated in Italy in the 1940s, but there was then a serious epidemic in the mid-70s. After sporadic reports at the end of the 1990s, in May 2011 it was reported once more. Clinical diagnosis of dourine can be complex, as clinical signs and gross lesions are not always present. Direct laboratory diagnosis is also problematic, given the low number of parasites normally present in infected tissues and the mild, short-lasting parasitaemia. This article describes the epidemiological, clinical a...
Kamada M, Ando Y, Fukunaga Y, Kumanomido T, Imagawa H, Wada R, Akiyama Y.A primary enzootic of equine Getah virus infection involving 722 of 1,903 racehorses occurred at a training center in Japan between September and November of 1978. Sixty-two viral agents were isolated from the plasma of 209 sick horses which exhibited pyrexia with rectal temperatures ranging from 38.5--40 degrees C, urticarial rash on various portions of the body, and edema of the hind legs. The viruses were antigenically related to the AMM 2021, Haruna, and Sagiyama strains of Getah virus. Infection and disease were produced experimentally in horses when inoculated by the intramuscular or int...
Short MA, Clark CK, Harvey JW, Wenzlow N, Hawkins IK, Allred DR, Knowles DP, Corn JL, Grause JF, Hennager SG, Kitchen DL, Traub-Dargatz JL.A 7-year-old Quarter Horse gelding was hospitalized in Ocala, Fla, because of lethargy, fever, anorexia, and swelling of distal aspects of the limbs. A tentative diagnosis of equine piroplasmosis (EP) was made on the basis of examination of a blood smear. The case was reported to the Florida State Veterinarian, and infection with Babesia equi was confirmed. The subsequent investigation included quarantine and testing of potentially exposed horses for B equi and Babesia caballi infections, tick surveillance, and owner-agent interviews. Results: 210 horses on 25 premises were tested for infectio...
Woolcock JB, Farmer AM, Mutimer MD.The development of a selective medium for the isolation of Corynebacterium equi is described. The medium has been used to examine fecal samples from 127 horses of which 90 have been found to carry the organism.
Penell JC, Egenvall A, Bonnett BN, Olson P, Pringle J.The principal aim of this study was to analyse the incidence of disease due to general and more specific causes among over 100,000 horses covered by complete insurance for veterinary care by a Swedish insurance company during 1997 to 2000. The database was used to calculate the rate of cause-specific morbidity in horses of different ages, sexes and breed groups kept in different regions with different human population densities. The joints were the most commonly affected part of the body, followed by unspecified/whole body, the skin and the digestive system. The most common specific diagnosis ...
Minke JM, Siger L, Cupillard L, Powers B, Bakonyi T, Boyum S, Nowotny N, Bowen R.The emergence of lineage 2 strains of WNV in Europe as a cause of clinical disease and mortality in horses raised the question whether the existing WNV vaccines, all based on lineage 1 strains, protect against circulating lineage 2 strains of WNV. In the present paper we have determined the level of cross protection provided by the recombinant ALVAC(®)-WNV vaccine in a severe challenge model that produces clinical signs of WNV type 2 disease. Ten horses were vaccinated twice at 4 weeks interval with one dose of the ALVAC-WNV vaccine formulated at the minimum protective dose. A further 10 hors...
Verheyen KL, Wood JL.Musculoskeletal injury is the major cause of days lost from training and wastage in Thoroughbred racehorses. Little scientific information is available on the majority of injuries occurring in training. Objective: To estimate the incidence of fractures in British racehorses in training and describe the occurrence of different fracture types and bones involved. Methods: Thirteen UK racehorse trainers participated in a prospective study, providing data on horses in their care for 2 years. Details on horses, their daily exercise and fracture occurrence were recorded. Results: A total of 1178 hors...
Shin SH, Yoon JH, Yahng SA, Lee SE, Cho BS, Eom KS, Kim YJ, Lee S, Min CK, Kim HJ, Cho SG, Kim DW, Min WS, Park CW, Lee JW.Antithymocyte globulin (ATG) is the drug of choice for immunosuppressive therapy (IST) in patients with severe aplastic anemia (SAA) ineligible for allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Recently, rabbit ATG with cyclosporine A has been used as a first-line IST regimen in patients with SAA because of unavailability of horse ATG. We retrospectively analyzed adult SAA patients who were treated with horse ATG (n=46) or rabbit ATG (n=53) between Feb 2001 and May 2010 to compare hematologic response and survival. Overall response rates at 3, 6, 12, and 18 months were similar in both the horse and ra...
Charvet CL, Guégnard F, Courtot E, Cortet J, Neveu C.The control of parasitic nematodes impacting animal health relies on the use of broad spectrum anthelmintics. However, intensive use of these drugs has led to the selection of resistant parasites in livestock industry. In that respect, there is currently an urgent need for novel compounds able to control resistant parasites. Nicotine has also historically been used as a de-wormer but was removed from the market when modern anthelmintics became available. The pharmacological target of nicotine has been identified in nematodes as acetylcholine-gated ion channels. Nicotinic-sensitive acetylcholin...
Peachey LE, Molena RA, Jenkins TP, Di Cesare A, Traversa D, Hodgkinson JE, Cantacessi C.A growing body of evidence, particularly in humans and rodents, supports the existence of a complex network of interactions occurring between gastrointestinal (GI) helminth parasites and the gut commensal bacteria, with substantial effects on both host immunity and metabolic potential. However, little is known of the fundamental biology of such interactions in other animal species; nonetheless, given the considerable economic losses associated with GI parasites, particularly in livestock and equines, as well as the global threat of emerging anthelmintic resistance, further explorations of the ...
Foote CE, Love DN, Gilkerson JR, Whalley JM.A silent cycle of equine herpesvirus 1 infection has been described following epidemiological studies in unvaccinated mares and foals. In 1997, an inactivated whole virus EHV-1 and EHV-4 vaccine was released commercially in Australia and used on many stud farms. However, it was not known what effect vaccination might have on the cycle of infection of EHV-1. Objective: To investigate whether EHV-1 and EHV-4 could be detected in young foals from vaccinated mares. Methods: Nasal and blood samples were tested by PCR and ELISA after collection from 237 unvaccinated, unweaned foals and vaccinated an...
von Samson-Himmelstjerna G, Thompson RA, Krücken J, Grant W, Bowman DD, Schnyder M, Deplazes P.Anthelmintic resistance (AR) has thus far only rarely been reported for intestinal helminths of dogs and cats, in contrast to parasites of livestock and horses. We highlight possible reasons for this striking and important discrepancy, including ecological, biological and genetic factors and/or intervention regimens of key intestinal helminths concerning both host groups. In view of the current knowledge related to the genetics, mechanisms and principles of AR development, we point at issues which in our view contribute to a comparatively lower risk of AR development in intestinal helminths of...
Magdesian KG.Diarrhea is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the neonatal foal. Numerous noninfectious and infectious agents are responsible for enterocolitis and enteritis. This article provides an overview of the differential diagnoses for neonatal diarrhea and general and specific guidelines for therapy.
Phillips JC, Lembcke LM.Melanomas are among the most common skin tumors in horses, with prevalence rates reaching as high as 80% in adult gray horses. Most melanocytic tumors are benign at initial presentation; however, if left untreated, up to two-thirds can progress to overt malignant behavior. Standard local treatment options can be used to treat solitary early-stage lesions but do not address the underlying risk of recurrent tumor formation or the transformation to a malignant phenotype. An understanding of the specific molecular genetic factors associated with tumor formation should lead to targeted therapies th...
Tadros EM, Fowlie JG, Refsal KR, Marteniuk J, Schott HC.Hyperinsulinaemia is the suspected component of insulin dysregulation having the strongest association with laminitis and occurs variably in equids with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID). Objective: We hypothesised that magnitude of hyperinsulinaemia correlates with laminitis severity in PPID-affected equids. Furthermore, we hypothesised that owners can be unaware of chronic endocrinopathic laminitis. Methods: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Serum insulin concentrations, owner-reported laminitis history and radiographic evidence of laminitis were determined in 38 client-owned horses...
Lyons ET, Tolliver SC, Ionita M, Collins SS.Horse foals on five farms in Central Kentucky were used in field studies in 2007 evaluating activity of paste formulations of four compounds (fenbendazole-FBZ, ivermectin-IVM, oxibendazole-OBZ, and pyrantel pamoate-PRT) against internal parasites with emphasis on ascarids (Parascaris equorum). It has been well established the last few years that there is widespread resistance of P. equorum to ivermectin. The main purpose of the present research was to obtain current data on ascaridicidal activity of FBZ, OBZ, and PRT; also, to acquire further information on ascarid resistance to ivermectin. Ad...
Rios JJ, Fleming JG, Bryant UK, Carter CN, Huber JC, Long MT, Spencer TE, Adelson DL.West Nile virus, first identified within the United States in 1999, has since spread across the continental states and infected birds, humans and domestic animals, resulting in numerous deaths. Previous studies in mice identified the Oas1b gene, a member of the OAS/RNASEL innate immune system, as a determining factor for resistance to West Nile virus (WNV) infection. A recent case-control association study described mutations of human OAS1 associated with clinical susceptibility to WNV infection. Similar studies in horses, a particularly susceptible species, have been lacking, in part, because...
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an emerging problem in horses; however, the epidemiology of infection and colonization is poorly understood. This study evaluated factors associated with MRSA colonization at the time of admission to a veterinary teaching hospital. A case-control study evaluating historical factors was performed. Previous colonization of the horse, previous identification of colonized horses on the farm, antimicrobial administration within 30 days, admission to the neonatal intensive care unit, and admission to a service other than the surgical service were...
Espinoza JR, Terashima A, Herrera-Velit P, Marcos LA.Fasciola hepatica is the causative agent of fasciolosis in Peru; the disease is an important public health problem by the high prevalence of the human infection affecting mainly children and a major veterinary problem by the high rates of infected livestock. The human disease is endemic in the Sierra and the Coast but sporadic in the Amazonia, and reported in 18 Departments, while the animal infection in 21 of 24 Departments of Peru. Transmission occurs in Andean rural populations engaged in agriculture, but recently an increasing number of people became infected in the cities. The epidemiolog...
Sudia WD, Newhouse VF, Beadle ID, Miller DL, Johnston JG, Young R, Calisher CH, Maness K.A major epidemic of Venezuelan equine encephalitis occurred in south Texas in the summer of 1971. More than 1500 equines died of VEE in Texas, and 110 human cases with no deaths were reported. Vector studies in south Texas and northern Tamaulipas revealed that the overall mosquito infection rates during the peak of the epidemic were about 1:100, one of the highest rates observed for a major epidemic. Mosquito infection rates of this magnitude could easily explain the intensity of VEE outbreaks in both equines and man. A total of 943 VEE virus isolations were made from mosquitoes. Eight of the ...
Tyrnenopoulou P, Diakakis N, Karayannopoulou M, Savvas I, Koliakos G.Regenerative medicine has become one of the most promising therapies of equine osteoarthritis. Platelet lysate (PL) is rich in bioactive proteins and growth factors that play a crucial role in tissue healing. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of intra-articularly injected autologous PL in equine athletes with naturally occurring osteoarthritis. Methods: Fifteen warmblood geldings aged 8-19 years with osteoarthritis of the distal interphalangeal joint were included in this study. They were randomly divided into two groups; 10 horses received intra-articular injections of PL and 5 of normal s...
Bannai H, Ochi A, Nemoto M, Tsujimura K, Yamanaka T, Kondo T.As we reported previously, Getah virus infection occurred in horses at the Miho training center of the Japan Racing Association in 2014. This was the first outbreak after a 31-year absence in Japan. Here, we report a recurrent outbreak of Getah virus infection in 2015, sequential to the 2014 one at the same site, and we summarize its epizootiological aspects to estimate the risk of further outbreaks in upcoming years. Results: The outbreak occurred from mid-August to late October 2015, affecting 30 racehorses with a prevalence of 1.5% of the whole population (1992 horses). Twenty-seven (90.0%)...
Tzelos T, Barbeito JS, Nielsen MK, Morgan ER, Hodgkinson JE, Matthews JB.Parasitic nematodes, particularly cyathostomins, are ubiquitous in grazing horses world-wide. Considerable burdens of cyathostomin larvae can encyst in the large intestinal wall. The most recommended treatment against these pathogenic stages is moxidectin. Information is required on how effective moxidectin is against cyathostomin populations in different regions. The objectives here were to determine the efficacy of moxidectin treatment and estimate the strongyle egg reappearance period (ERP) after treatment in several equine populations, to confirm the type of strongyle nematodes present and...
Barker CM, Reisen WK, Kramer VL.The California Mosquito-Borne Virus Surveillance and Response Plan recently was developed to provide a semi-quantitative means for assessing risk for western equine encephalomyelitis (WEE) or St. Louis encephalitis (SLE) viruses and to provide intervention guidelines for mosquito control and public health agencies during periods of heightened risk for human infection. West Nile virus recently has arrived in California, and the response plan also will provide a baseline for assessing the risk for human and equine infection with this virus. In the response plan, overall risk is calculated by ave...
Buling A, Criado-Fornelio A, Asenzo G, Benitez D, Barba-Carretero JC, Florin-Christensen M.The haemoparasites Babesia bovis and Babesia bigemina affect cattle over vast areas of the tropics and temperate parts of the world. Microscopic examination of blood smears allows the detection of clinical cases of babesiosis, but this procedure lacks sensitivity when parasitaemia levels are low. In addition, differentiating between similar haemoparasites can be very difficult. Molecular diagnostic procedures can, however, overcome these problems. This paper reports a quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay involving the use of SYBR Green. Based on the amplification of a small fragment of the cytochrome...
Pinchbeck GL, Morrison LJ, Tait A, Langford J, Meehan L, Jallow S, Jallow J, Jallow A, Christley RM.The Gambia has an increasing population of equidae largely used for agriculture and transportation. A review of cases at The Gambian Horse and Donkey Trust (GHDT) indicated that a common reason for presentation is a poorly defined medical condition often attributed to trypanosomosis. There are few reports describing the prevalence or the range of clinical signs associated with infection with different species of trypanosomes in horses and donkeys, but given the importance of these animals, the role of trypanosomosis requires investigation. Results: In total 241 animals from the Central River D...
Anniballi F, Fiore A, Löfström C, Skarin H, Auricchio B, Woudstra C, Bano L, Segerman B, Koene M, Båverud V, Hansen T, Fach P, Tevell Aberg A....Botulism is a severe neuroparalytic disease that affects humans, all warm-blooded animals, and some fishes. The disease is caused by exposure to toxins produced by Clostridium botulinum and other botulinum toxin-producing clostridia. Botulism in animals represents a severe environmental and economic concern because of its high mortality rate. Moreover, meat or other products from affected animals entering the food chain may result in a public health problem. To this end, early diagnosis is crucial to define and apply appropriate veterinary public health measures. Clinical diagnosis is based on...
Lhermie G, La Ragione RM, Weese JS, Olsen JE, Christensen JP, Guardabassi L.Among the measures taken to preserve the clinical efficacy of highest priority critically important antimicrobials (HP-CIAs), the WHO has recommended avoiding their use in food-producing animals. Little is known regarding the indications for which different antimicrobial classes are used in animals, even in countries where data on antimicrobial use are available. To outline, in a narrative review, the diseases for which HP-CIAs are used in veterinary medicine, highlighting incongruences with international guidelines and disease conditions where effective alternatives to HP-CIAs are missing. Sc...
