Disease treatment in horses encompasses a range of medical interventions and management strategies aimed at addressing various health conditions affecting equine species. These treatments can include pharmacological approaches, such as the administration of antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, and antiparasitic medications, as well as non-pharmacological methods like physical therapy, dietary adjustments, and surgical procedures. The selection of appropriate treatments depends on the specific disease, its severity, and the individual needs of the horse. This topic brings together peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the efficacy, safety, and advancements in therapeutic options for equine diseases, providing insights into best practices and emerging trends in equine veterinary medicine.
Ziegler A, Fogle C, Blikslager A.Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs work through inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX) and are highly effective for the treatment of pain and inflammation in horses. There are 2 clinically relevant isoforms of COX. Cyclooxygenase-1 is constitutively expressed and is considered important for a variety of physiologic functions, including gastrointestinal homeostasis. Thus, NSAIDs that selectively inhibit COX-2 while sparing COX-1 may be associated with a lower incidence of adverse gastrointestinal effects. Various formulations of firocoxib, a COX-2-selective NSAID, labeled for use in horses are av...
Frank N, Hermida P, Sanchez-Londoño A, Singh R, Gradil CM, Uricchio CK.Octreotide is a somatostatin analog that suppresses insulin secretion. Objective: We hypothesized that octreotide would suppress insulin concentrations in horses and that normal (N) horses and those with insulin dysregulation (ID) would differ significantly in their plasma glucose and insulin responses to administration of octreotide. Methods: Twelve horses, N = 5, ID = 7. Methods: Prospective study. An oral sugar test was performed to assign horses to N and ID groups. Octreotide (1.0 μg/kg IV) was then administered, and blood was collected at 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 45, 60, 75, and 90 minu...
Gaudaire D, Lecouturier F, Ponçon N, Morilland E, Laugier C, Zientara S, Hans A.In 2009, a major outbreak of equine infectious anaemia (EIA) was reported in the south-east of France. This outbreak affected three premises located in the Var region where the index case, a 10-year-old mare that exhibited clinical signs consistent with EIA, occurred at a riding school. Overall, more than 250 horses were tested for EIAV (equine infectious anaemia virus) antibodies, using agar gel immunodiffusion test, and 16 horses were positive in three different holdings. Epidemiological survey confirmed that the three premises were related through the purchase/sale of horses and the use of ...
Rizzo D.An 11-year-old crossbred mare was presented with left eye buphthalmia, a mydriatic minimally responsive pupil, locally extensive ventral corneal edema, and corneal striae. Intraocular pressures exceeding 80 mmHg lead to a presumptive diagnosis of glaucoma. Following several days of treatment there was no improvement and enucleation was performed. Glaucome idiopathique chez une jument de race croisée âgée de 11 ans. Une jument de race croisée âgée de 11 ans a été présentée avec une buphtalmie de l’œil gauche, une pupille mydriatique minimalement réactive, un œdème cornéen ventr...
Ludwig EK, Byron CR, Lahmers KK, Santos MP.An adult horse was diagnosed with a frontal and caudal maxillary sinus lipoma, which was surgically removed. This is the first known report of a sinus lipoma in a horse. Lipomas should be considered in the differential diagnoses of equine sinus masses; complete surgical excision appears to be curative. Un cheval adulte a été diagnostiqué avec un lipome du sinus maxillaire frontal et caudal qui a été enlevé par chirurgie. Il s’agit du premier rapport d’un lipome de sinus chez un cheval. Les lipomes devraient être considérés dans les diagnostics différentiels des masses des sinus ...
Ludwig EK, Byron CR.A 2-year-old, 8-weeks pregnant, non-weight bearing miniature horse mare was treated for a 6-day-old left coxofemoral joint luxation with a femoral head ostectomy. The procedure had no negative effects on pregnancy or parturition and 23 months following surgery the horse had minimal lameness. Une jument miniature non portante gravide de 8 semaines et âgée de 2 ans a été traitée pour une luxation de l’articulation coxofémorale gauche datant de 6 jours à l’aide d’une ostectomie de la tête fémorale. L’intervention n’a pas eu d’effets négatifs sur la gestation ou la parturiti...
Coleman MC, Whitfield-Cargile C.Incomplete ossification of the cuboidal bones is a common finding in premature and dysmature foals, and possibly in foals with hypothyroidism. Radiographs of the carpus and tarsus should be performed in any high-risk foal to obtain a diagnosis. Goals of treatment include limiting weight bearing and exercise. The prognosis is guarded depending on the degree of incomplete ossification.
Abdelhamid L, Hussein H, Ghanem M, Eissa N.Retinoic acid (RA), an active metabolite of vitamin A, has shown potential therapeutic immunomodulatory properties. Allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)-based therapy is an effective approach to induce tissue healing and regeneration in many equine orthopedic conditions. However, MSCs-based therapies induced inflammatory responses in vivo. This study aimed to: 1. Determine the effect of RA cell culture treatment on inflammatory responses of lipopolysaccharides (LPS)- and allogeneic MSCs-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). 2. Determine the effect of RA on stimulated MSCs ...
Delesalle C, de Bruijn M, Wilmink S, Vandendriessche H, Mol G, Boshuizen B, Plancke L, Grinwis G.White muscle disease (WMD) is a nutritional myopathy caused by selenium (Se) deficiency. In most soils, Se is present in low concentrations, sometimes even below 0.2 mg/kg, a trend which is seen in many countries. Apart from total soil Se concentrations, soil conditions may be such that the bio-availability of Se is so low that it causes very low uptake in plants which can ultimately lead to deficiency problems in animals. This is the first case series to report clinical WMD in foals in areas deficient in Se, in the Netherlands. The aim of the current report is to provide an overview of the c...
Greve L, Dyson S, Pfau T.Lameness, thoracolumbosacral pain and reduced range of motion (ROM) often coexist; better understanding of their relationship is needed. The objectives were to determine if thoracolumbosacral movement of horses changes when pain causing lameness is improved by diagnostic analgesia. We hypothesised that reduction of lameness will increase ROM of the thoracolumbosacral region. Thirteen horses with different types of hind limb lameness were trotted in straight lines and lunged on a 10m diameter circle on left and right reins before and after lameness was subjectively substantially improved by dia...
Cousillas H, Oger M, Rochais C, Pettoello C, Ménoret M, Henry S, Hausberger M.Electroencephalography (EEG) that has been extensively studied in humans presents also a large interest for studies on animal brain processes. However, since the quality of the recordings is altered by muscular activity, most EEG recordings on animals are obtained using invasive methods with deeply implanted electrodes. This requires anesthesia and can thus only be used in laboratory or clinical settings. As EEG is a very useful tool both for detecting brain alterations due to diseases or accidents and to evaluate the arousal and attentional state of the animal, it seemed crucial to develop a ...
Romero A, Barrachina L, Ranera B, Remacha AR, Moreno B, de Blas I, Sanz A, Vázquez FJ, Vitoria A, Junquera C, Zaragoza P, Rodellar C.Several therapies have been investigated for equine tendinopathies, but satisfactory long term results have not been achieved consistently and a better understanding of the healing mechanism elicited by regenerative therapies is needed. The aim of this study was to assess the separate effects of autologous bone marrow (BM) and adipose tissue (AT) derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), and platelet rich plasma (PRP), for treating lesions induced in the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) of horses. Lesions were created surgically in both SDFTs of the forelimbs of 12 horses and were treated...
Yamanaka T, Nemoto M, Bannai H, Tsujimura K, Kondo T, Matsumura T, Fu TQH, Fernandez CJ, Gildea S, Cullinane A.Equine influenza (EI) is a respiratory disease caused by equine influenza A virus (EIV, H3N8) infection. Rapid diagnosis is essential to limit the disease spread. We previously reported that some rapid antigen detection (RAD) tests are fit for diagnosing EI although their sensitivity is not optimal. Here, we evaluated the performance of the newly developed RAD test using silver amplification immunochromatography (Quick Chaser Auto Flu A, B: QCA) to diagnose EI. The detection limits of QCA for EIVs were five-fold lower than the conventional RAD tests. The duration of virus antigen detection i...
Southwood LL, Lindborg S, Myers M, Aceto HW.To compare long-term outcome of Salmonella-positive versus Salmonella-negative horses discharged from hospital after colic surgery. Methods: Retrospective case-control. Methods: Horses discharged from the hospital after colic surgery. For each horse with positive culture for Salmonella enterica (SAL-POS, n = 59), at least 2 horses testing negative for S. enterica (SAL-NEG, n = 119) were enrolled. Methods: Owners were interviewed via phone at least 12 months after surgery regarding: (1) complications after discharge from the hospital; (2) duration of survival; and (3) return to prior or...
Ahern BJ, Van Eps AW, Boston RC, Franklin SH.To determine the degree and ease of arytenoid abduction achieved with abaxial placement of a FASTak II suture anchor compared to 2 suture patterns with different directions of insertion-caudomedial to craniolateral and medial to lateral. Methods: Ex vivo experimental. Methods: Cadaveric larynges from 10 Standardbred racehorses. Methods: Each larynx was sequentially instrumented with all 3 arytenoid suture attachment in random order: (1) abaxial placement of a FASTak II suture, (2) caudomedial to craniolateral suture, and (3) medial to lateral suture placement. Each construct was abducted at 5N...
Schoonover MJ, Moser DK, Young JM, Payton ME, Holbrook TC.To determine the influence of a dual tourniquet technique and limb exsanguination on amikacin concentrations in the synovial fluid of the radiocarpal joint (RCJ) and distal interphalangeal joint (DIPJ) after low volume, cephalic intravenous regional limb perfusion (IVRLP). Methods: Randomized cross-over design. Methods: Six healthy adult horses. Methods: One gram of amikacin in 6 mL of 0.9% NaCl was infused via cephalic IVRLP in 6 standing, sedated horses using 4 techniques: proximal pneumatic tourniquet (P), proximal pneumatic tourniquet with exsanguination (PE), proximal pneumatic and distal...
Hifumi T, Yamamoto A, Ato M, Sawabe K, Morokuma K, Morine N, Kondo Y, Noda E, Sakai A, Takahashi J, Umezawa K.Blood serum from immunized humans or animals (e.g., horses) contains relevant antibodies and has been used as serum therapy to treat many diseases or envenomation events. The effectiveness of blood serum was initially discovered in 1890 when Kitasato and von Behring observed the effectiveness of this type of therapy against diphtheria and tetanus. Serum therapies played an important role in the advancement of modern medicine prior to the development of penicillin and steroids. At present, several types of serum therapy remain in clinical use. However, some physicians have a limited understandi...
Henríquez C, Morán G, Carrasco C, Sarmiento J, Barría M, Folch H, Uberti B.It is accepted that T regulatory cells (Treg) control different types of immune responses. In connection with this role, we have recently described an important increase in CD4+, CD25, Foxp3+ lymphocytes in the airway system of horses coursing with an exacerbation of severe equine asthma (EA). To explore the potential role of this population in the resolution of EA inflammation, we used a murine experimental model in which airway neutrophilic inflammation, which is similar to that observed in EA, is induced in mice by continual exposure to Aspergillus fumigatus contaminated hay. This model has...
Williamson AJ, McKinnon AO.Cystic urolithiasis is the most common form of urolithiasis reported in horses. In contrast to the gelding or stallion, clinical disease is less common in the mare and manual removal techniques are possible because of their shorter, wider urethral anatomy. However, these manual removal techniques can be traumatic and are limited by the size of the urolith. This report describes the use of a commercial laparoscopic specimen pouch to remove a cystic urolith in a mare. Conclusions: This approach may allow the extraction of larger uroliths per urethra in the mare, while affording some protection t...
Stasiak K, Dunowska M, Hills SF, Rola J.Equid herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) is a common viral infection associated with varied clinical outcomes including respiratory disease, abortion and neurological disease. We have characterized EHV-1 sequences (n = 38) obtained from cases of equine abortion in Poland between 1999 and 2016, based on sequencing of PCR products from open reading frames (ORF) 30 and 68 of the EHV-1 genome. The majority (81.6%) of sequences were not classified into any of the previously described groups based on the ORF68 sequence. The remaining sequences belonged to ORF68 group III (7.9%) or IV (10.5%). A haplotype ne...
Harmon CCG, Hawkins JF, Li J, Connell S, Miller M, Saenger M, Freeman LJ.OBJECTIVE To determine the effects of 3 topically applied treatments (1% silver sulfadiazine cream [SSC], triple antimicrobial ointment [TAO], and hyperosmolar nanoemulsion [HNE]) on microbial counts, exuberant granulation tissue (EGT) development, and reepithelialization of contaminated wounds at the distal aspect of the limbs of horses. ANIMALS 8 healthy adult horses. PROCEDURES A 2.5 × 2.5-cm, full-thickness, cutaneous wound was created at the dorsal aspect of each metacarpus and metatarsus (1 wound/limb/horse), covered with nonadhesive dressing, and bandaged. Wounds were inoculated with b...
Gizaw Y, Megersa M, Fayera T.Dourine is a venereal transmitted trypanosomosis causing a major health problem threatening equines worldwide. The origin and identification of Trypanosoma equiperdum within the subgenus Trypanozoon is still a subject of debate. Unlike other trypanosomal infections, dourine is transmitted almost exclusively by coitus. Diagnosis of dourine has continued to be a challenge, due to limited knowledge about the parasite and host-parasite interaction following infection. The pathological lesions caused by the diseases are poorly described and are observed mainly in the reproductive organs, in the ner...
Broux B, De Clercq D, Decloedt A, Ven S, Vera L, van Steenkiste G, Mitchell K, Schwarzwald C, van Loon G.Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common pathological arrhythmia in horses. After successful treatment, recurrence is common. Heart rate monitors are easily applicable in horses and some devices offer basic heart rate variability (HRV) calculations. If HRV can be used to distinguish between AF and sinus rhythm (SR), this could become a monitoring tool for horses at risk for recurrence of AF. Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess whether in horses AF (before cardioversion) and SR (after cardioversion) can be differentiated based upon HRV parameters. Methods: Cohort study with in...
Shikichi M, Iwata K, Ito K, Miyakoshi D, Murase H, Sato F, Korosue K, Nagata S, Nambo Y.Measurement of progestines and estrogens in maternal plasma has been advocated as an indicator of foeto-placental function. The goals of the present study were as follows: to determine progestin and estrogen concentrations in mares with normal and abnormal pregnancies during late gestation, evaluate the diagnostic value of hormone concentrations, and investigate the relationship between hormone concentrations after treatment and the survival of foals. Blood samples were collected monthly from 459 pregnant mares between Day 201 of gestation and foaling. Progestin and estrogen concentrations wer...
Rutenberg D, Venner M, Giguère S.There is conflicting data regarding the efficacy of tulathromycin for the treatment of foals with bronchopneumonia. Tulathromycin is effective for the treatment of bronchopneumonia in foals and noninferior to the combination of azithromycin and rifampin. A total of 240 foals on a farm endemic for infections caused by Rhodococcus equi. In a controlled, randomized, and double-blinded clinical trial, foals with ultrasonographic pulmonary lesions (abscess score 10-15 cm) were allocated to 3 groups: 1-tulathromycin IM q 7 days (n = 80); 2-azithromycin-rifampin, orally q24h (n = 80); or 3-untreated ...
Rijkenhuizen ABM, van der Harst MR.Standing laparoscopic castration without orchidectomy has been shown to be a reliable method of castration in animals with abdominal cryptorchidism, but it cannot be recommended as a method of castration in those with inguinal cryptorchidism or normal males. An alternative laparoscopic method for the castration of horses with descended testes was developed. Objective: To report the results of laparoscopy-assisted abdominal transection of the spermatic cord and a modified open method in the standing horse for castration of descended testes in unilateral abdominal cryptorchids. Methods: Descript...
Brilhante RSN, Bittencourt PV, de Souza Collares Castelo-Branco D, de Melo Guedes GM, de Oliveira JS, Alencar LP, de Aguiar Cordeiro R, Pinheiro M....This study aimed to assess the biofilm-forming ability of Candida spp. from the ocular conjunctiva of horses and to investigate the antifungal susceptibility of these biofilms. Methods: Initially, the biofilm-forming ability of 15 strains was assessed by crystal violet staining, which reveals the fungal biomass adhered to the polystyrene plates, and scanning electron microscopy. Then, the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of amphotericin B, fluconazole, itraconazole, and caspofungin were initially determined against strains in planktonic form. Afterward, antifungal susceptibility of mat...
Wiklund M, Granswed I, Nyman G.To evaluate the effect of pulsed inhaled nitric oxide (INO) on arterial oxygenation in horses during abdominal surgery. Methods: Prospective, randomized, clinical trial. Methods: Thirty horses that underwent abdominal surgery at the University Animal Hospital in Uppsala, Sweden. Methods: Anaesthesia was induced according to a standard protocol - romifidine, butorphanol, diazepam and ketamine and maintained with isoflurane in oxygen. Fifteen horses were administered pulsed INO and 15 served as controls. After baseline data collection, pulsed INO delivery commenced. Arterial and venous blood wer...
There are limited findings from low-powered studies based on few number of subjects with equine asthma. Furthermore, no studies have been performed to assess a meaningful clinically detectable impact of corticosteroids in equine asthma. Objective: To assess and compare the clinical effect of inhaled and systemic corticosteroids in equine asthma and identify a quantitative clinical score suitable to assess the Minimal Important Difference (MID), expressed as the Minimally Clinically Detectable Difference (MCDD). Methods: Pair-wise and network meta-analysis. Methods: Literature searches for stud...
Pisseri F, Bertoli A, Nardoni S, Pinto L, Pistelli L, Guidi G, Mancianti F.Dermatophytes are a group of keratinophilic and keratinolytic molds, some of which are responsible for ringworm. Among them Trichophyton equinum, which mostly infects equids, can cause extensive outbreaks in stud farms. The conventional treatment of equine trichophytosis is topic, based upon medicated shampoos to reduce the spread of infection among the animals. Nevertheless the popularity of phytotherapy is at an all-time peak, and the interest for natural alternatives or complements to conventional drug therapy is challenging both in human and veterinary field. Among herbal remedia Tea Tree ...
Chong YC, Duffus WP.Four foals were raised under specific pathogen free (SPF) conditions. At 3 to 4 months of age, SPF foals and 1 other non-SPF foal were intranasally inoculated with equine herpes virus type 1 (EHV-1). Clinical signs included depression, fever, inappetence and intermittent coughing. Clinical recovery was complete by seven days but high titres of virus were detected in nasal mucus for at least 10 days after inoculation. Clinical illness was less severe in the non-SPF foal. Interferon was detected in the nasal mucus of all foals from 2 days post infection (dpi), persisting until 8 or 10 dpi. ELISA...
Mainguy-Seers S, Vargas A, Labrecque O, Bédard C, Hélie P, Lavoie JP.Neutrophilic inflammation is believed to contribute to the airway obstruction and remodelling in equine asthma. Azithromycin, an antibiotic with immunomodulatory properties, reduces pulmonary neutrophilia and hyper-responsiveness in human asthmatics and decreases airway remodelling in rodent models of asthma. It was therefore hypothesised that azithromycin would improve lung function, mucus accumulation and central airway remodelling by decreasing luminal neutrophilia in severe equine asthma. The effects of a 10-day treatment with either azithromycin or ceftiofur, an antimicrobial without immu...
Pecoraro HL, Felippe MJB, Miller AD, Divers TJ, Simpson KW, Guyer KM, Duhamel GE.Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is a rare condition in adult horses characterized by hypogammaglobulinemia and increased susceptibility to parasitic and bacterial infections, including recurrent respiratory diseases, septicemia, and meningitis. Lyme disease is often included as a differential diagnosis in CVID horses with signs of meningitis; however, the Borrelia burgdorferi organism has not been demonstrated previously within central nervous system tissues of CVID horses with neurologic disease, to our knowledge. We report herein a case of neuroborreliosis in a CVID horse, confirmed ...
Barbet JL, Bevier D, Greiner EC.Fourteen privately owned horses completed a six month, controlled, double-blind trial to assess the efficacy of immunotherapy using an aqueous extract of whole, unfed Culicoides variipennis in the treatment of Culicoides hypersensitivity. Selected horses had a history of a seasonal, pruritic dermatitis, clinical signs and distribution compatible with Culicoides hypersensitivity, failed to improve in response to ivermectin therapy, and reacted to several dilutions of Culicoides extracts without significant reactivity to other possible allergens including insects, moulds and feeds. One horse fro...
Bottoms GD, Fessler JF, Roesel OF, Moore AB, Frauenfelder HC.A study was made of flunixin meglumine, an analgesic agent with antiinflammatory and antiprostaglandin activity, for the management of endotoxin-induced cardiovascular derangements. Three groups of 5 ponies each were used: controls--group 1; given endotoxin but not treated--group 2; and given endotoxin and treated with flunixin meglumine--group 3. Shock was induced in anesthetized ponies with IV injection of Escherichia coli endotoxin. Hemodynamic changes were monitored, and regional blood flow was determined at 4 different times, using microspheres labeled with 1 of 4 nuclides. There were ext...
Mitchell A, Watts AE, Ebetino FH, Suva LJ.Bisphosphonates (BPs) are a family of molecules characterized by two key properties: their ability to bind strongly to bone mineral and their inhibitory effects on mature osteoclasts and thus bone resorption. Chemically two groups of BPs are recognized, non-nitrogen-containing and nitrogen-containing BPs. Non-nitrogen-containing BPs incorporate into the energy pathways of the osteoclast, resulting in disrupted cellular energy metabolism leading to cytotoxic effects and osteoclast apoptosis. Nitrogen-containing BPs primarily inhibit cholesterol biosynthesis resulting in the disruption of intrac...
Atalaia T, Prazeres J, Abrantes J, Clayton HM.Injuries to the locomotor system are a common problem in athletic horses. Veterinarians address these injuries using appropriate medical, surgical, and pharmacological treatments. During or after recovery from the initial injury, horses may be treated for functional locomotor deficits using specific rehabilitation techniques aimed at restoring full athletic performance. This study reviews the literature to identify which rehabilitative techniques have been used most frequently in horses over the past 20 years, the protocols that were used, and the outcomes of the treatments in naturally occurr...
Daradka M, Pollitt CC.Current theories explaining how the hoof wall 'grows' and moves past the stationary distal phalanx are speculative and based on incomplete evidence. Movement in the lamellar region could occur by cell proliferation or an enzyme-based remodelling process. Since laminitis pathogenesis appears to involve increased transcription and activation of enzymes normally involved in tissue remodelling, it is important to know precisely which process dominates the lamellar region of the hoof.. Objective: To investigate epidermal cell proliferation in the equine hoof wall and calculate a proliferative index...
Mukherjee S, Moody EE, Lewokzco K, Huddleston DB, Huang J, Rowland ME, Wilson R, Dunn JR, Jones TF, Moncayo AC.Human and equine outbreaks caused by eastern equine encephalomyelitis virus (EEEV) typically occur in North America adjacent to coastal wetlands associated with the presence of Culiseta melanura (Coquillet) mosquitoes. Eastern equine encephalomyelitis (EEE) is an emerging disease in Tennessee, as the first records of equine disease began in 2002. In 2006 we trapped and tested mosquitoes for EEEV at hardwood swamps in western Tennessee that were at the epicenter of a multi-equine outbreak in fall of 2005. Additionally, the Tennessee Valley Authority tested mosquito pools collected in Tennessee ...
Rahmani V, Häyrinen L, Kareinen I, Ruohoniemi M.The progression of equine odontoclastic tooth resorption and hypercementosis (EOTRH) has not been completely evaluated, and currently, the only effective treatment is extraction of severely affected teeth. We aim to describe how the disease relates to the history and clinical findings and to report on the outcome in individual horses. This case series comprises data collected from 20 horses (age 14-29 years old) with radiographic findings of EOTRH in their incisor and/or canine teeth. Most horses affected with EOTRH in this study were admitted for dental problems, but some for other complaints...
Wise LN, Ueti MW, Kappmeyer LS, Hines MT, White SN, Davis W, Knowles DP.The equid hemoprotozoan parasite Theileria equi is endemic in most regions worldwide. Infection of horses is a cause of significant economic loss due to costs associated with disease and restriction of trade with non-endemic nations. The ability of certain drugs such as imidocarb dipropionate to eliminate persistent T. equi infection and transmission risk is controversial. The anti-protozoal agent ponazuril has been used successfully to treat equine Sarcosystis neurona and Toxoplasma gondii. The hypothesis that ponazuril inhibits replication of T. equi in vitro was tested. T. equi infected equ...
Morley PS, Townsend HG, Bogdan JR, Haines DM.To describe 3 epidemics of respiratory tract disease caused by influenza virus infections in a large population of horses. Methods: Cross-sectional and prospective longitudinal observational studies. Methods: All horses stabled at a Thoroughbred racetrack. Methods: During a 3-year period, descriptive information was collected as horses arrived at the racetrack and throughout race meetings. Routine observations and physical examinations were used to classify horses' disease status. Cause of epidemics was established by use of serologic testing and identification of influenza virus in nasal secr...
Marunova E, Hoenecke K, Fiske-Jackson A, Smith RKW, Bolt DM, Perrier M, Gerdes C, Hernlund E, Rhodin M, Pfau T.Evaluation of diagnostic anesthesia during equine lameness examination requires comparison of complex movement patterns and can be influenced by expectation bias. There is limited research about how changes in movement asymmetries after successful analgesia are affected by different exercise conditions. Movement asymmetry of head, withers and pelvis was quantified in N = 31 horses undergoing forelimb or hindlimb diagnostic anesthesia. Evaluation on a straight line and a circle was performed with subjective diagnostic anesthesia outcome and quantitative changes recorded. Mixed linear mode...
Peachey LE, Pinchbeck GL, Matthews JB, Burden FA, Mulugeta G, Scantlebury CE, Hodgkinson JE.Cyathostomins are the most important gastrointestinal nematode infecting equids. Their effective control is currently under threat due to widespread resistance to the broad spectrum anthelmintics licenced for use in equids. In response to similar resistance issues in other helminths, there has been increasing interest in alternative control strategies, such as bioactive plant compounds derived from traditional ethnoveterinary treatments. This study used an evidence-based approach to evaluate the potential use of plant extracts from the UK and Ethiopia to treat cyathostomins. Plants were shortl...
Båverud V, Gunnarsson A, Karlsson M, Franklin A.The antimicrobial susceptibility of 50 Clostridium difficile isolates, 36 of them from horse feces and 14 from environmental sites, was determined by broth microdilution. The antimicrobial agents tested were avilamycin, cephalothin, chloramphenicol, clindamycin, erythromycin, gentamicin, neomycin, oxacillin, oxytetracycline, penicillin, spiramycin, streptomycin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, vancomycin, and virginiamycin. All isolates were susceptible to vancomycin (MIC 16 microg/ml), oxytetracycline (MIC >/=32 microg/ml), spiramycin (MIC > 16 microg/ml), and virginiamycin (MIC 8-16 mi...
Colmer SF, Luethy D, Abraham M, Stefanovski D, Hurcombe SD.Plasma cell-free DNA (cfDNA) levels have been associated with disease and survival status in septic humans and dogs. To date, studies investigating cfDNA levels in association with critical illness in foals are lacking. We hypothesized that cfDNA would be detectable in the plasma of foals, that septic and sick-nonseptic foals would have significantly higher cfDNA levels compared to healthy foals, and that increased cfDNA levels would be associated with non-survival. Animals used include 80 foals of 10 days of age or less admitted to a tertiary referral center between January and July, 2020 wer...
Read EK, Read MR, Townsend HG, Clark CR, Pharr JW, Wilson DG.To evaluate the effect of hemi-circumferential periosteal transection and elevation (HCPTE) in foals with, experimentally induced angular limb deformities. Methods: Prospective study. Methods: 10 healthy foals. Methods: When foals were 30 days old, transphyseal bridge implants were placed on the lateral aspects of both distal radial physes. At 90 days of age (or when 15 degrees of angulation had developed), implants were removed, and HCPTE was performed on 1 limb. Foals were confined in small pens after surgery; the front feet of the foals were rasped weekly to maintain medial-to-lateral hoof ...
The goal of the current study was to evaluate the comparative efficacy of ivermectin (IVM) against small strongyles (cyathostomins) following its oral and intramuscular (IM) administration, in naturally parasitized horses. The parasitological data were complemented with the assessment of the plasma disposition kinetics of IVM. The trial included two different experiments. In experiment I, 40 horses naturally infected with small strongyles were randomly allocated into four experimental groups (n=10) and treated with IVM (0.2mg/kg) as follows: IVM oral paste, animals were orally treated with Eqv...
Landoni MF, Lees P.Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters were established for enantiomers of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) ketoprofen (KTP), each administered separately at a dose level of 1.1 mg/kg to a group of six New Forest geldings, in a three-period cross-over study using a tissue cage model of inflammation. For both S(+)-and R(-)-KTP, penetration into tissue cage fluid (transudate) and inflamed tissue cage fluid (exudate) was rapid, and clearances from exudate and transudate were much slower than from plasma. AUC values were, therefore, higher for exudate and, to a lesser degre...
Higgins C, Huber L.Rhodococcus equi, a gram-positive facultative intracellular pathogen and a soil saprophyte, is one of the most common causes of pneumonia in young foals. It poses a threat to the economy in endemic horse-breeding farms and to animal welfare annually. Many farms use thoracic ultrasonographic screening and antimicrobial treatment of subclinically affected foals as a preventive measure against severe R. equi infections. The wide use antimicrobials to treat subclinically affected foals has contributed to the emergence of multidrug resistant (MDR)-R. equi in both clinical isolates from sick foals a...
Steverink PJ, Salden HJ, Sturk A, Klein WR, van der Velden MA, Németh F.In this study the laboratory and clinical performance of a chromogenic endotoxin assay for equine plasma was evaluated. The assay was sensitive (detection limit 3 ng LPS/L plasma), reproducible (within and between-assay CV at 50 ng LPS/L E. coli O111:B4 LPS standard addition was 5% and 7.5%, respectively), and not substantially affected by enhancement or inhibition phenomena (recovery of an in vitro spike was 75-125% in 80% of the samples). LPS added to whole blood was rapidly inactivated upon incubation at 37 degrees C but not at 0 degrees C. A recently developed blood collection tube for LPS...
Dixon PM, Barakzai S, Collins N, Yates J.Cheek teeth (CT) diastemata are a significant cause of painful dental disease in horses and limited factual information is available on the treatment of this disorder. Objective: To assess the response to mechanical widening in the treatment of diastema. Methods: Details of the presenting signs and treatment of cases of CT diastema by widening were recorded and the response to treatment of these cases assessed by re-examinations and by obtaining follow-up information from owners. Results: Sixty horses of various breeds, median age 9 years, with clinically significant CT diastemata were classif...
Lawhon SD, Lopez FR, Joswig A, Black HC, Watts AE, Norman TE, Porter BF.Weissella confusa is a Gram-positive bacterium that has been identified in environmental and food samples from around the world. Rare cases of bacteremia in immunocompromised people have been reported. A 2-day-old foal was presented for weakness and suspected sepsis. Blood culture yielded pure growth of a Gram-positive coccobacillus, which was identified as W. confusa through sequencing of the 16S ribosomal DNA. Although the foal initially responded to antimicrobial therapy with ceftiofur and metronidazole, it later developed septic complications of the right tarsocrural joint and right digita...
Pycock JF, Newcombe JR.The effects on pregnancy rate of three different treatments to remove intrauterine fluid were assessed in 1267 mares. The mares were mated and allocated, in strict rotation, to four treatment groups: 1) untreated controls, 2) intrauterine infusion of broad spectrum antibiotics, 3) intravenous injection of oxytocin, 4) intravenous injection of oxytocin followed by intrauterine antibiotics. The pregnancy status of the mares was determined 13 to 15 days and 27 to 30 days after ovulation by transrectal ultrasonography. The pregnancy rate of group 4 (72 per cent) was higher than that of group 2 (64...
Pfau T, Ferrari M, Parsons K, Wilson A.Inertial sensors are now sufficiently small and lightweight to be used for the collection of large datasets of both humans and animals. However, processing of these large datasets requires a certain degree of automation to achieve realistic workloads. Hidden Markov models (HMMs) are widely used stochastic pattern recognition tools and enable classification of non-stationary data. Here we apply HMMs to identify and segment into strides, data collected from a trunk-mounted six degrees of freedom inertial sensor in galloping Thoroughbred racehorses. A data set comprising mixed gait sequences from...
Wilmink JM, van Weeren PR.Second-intention repair is faster in ponies than in horses and faster in body wounds than in limb wounds. To a large extent, the differences between horses and ponies can be explained by differences in the local inflammatory response, which are a result of the functional capacity of leukocytes. In ponies, leukocytes produce more inflammatory mediators,resulting in better local defense, faster cellular debridement, and a faster transition to the repair phases, with more wound contraction. In horses,leukocytes produce fewer mediators, initiating a weak inflammatory response, which becomes chroni...
Southwood LL, Kawcak CE, Hidaka C, McIlwraith CW, Werpy N, Macleay J, Frisbie DD.To evaluate gene transfer in an equine metacarpal IV (MCIV) ostectomy model using adenoviral vectors encoding the human bone morphogenetic protein-2 and protein-7 gene (Ad-BMP-2/-7). Methods: Healthy adult horses (n = 15). Methods: A plate stabilized, critical size 1.5 cm ostectomy was created in left and right MCIV. The ostectomy site was injected with either Ad-green fluorescent protein (Ad-GFP) or Ad-hBMP-2/-7 at completion of surgery; the same treatment was assigned to both the left and right forelimb of each horse (n = 5 horses/group). Bone healing was evaluated radiographically every 2 w...
Michau TM, Davidson MG, Gilger BC. To determine the complications and nonrecurrence rates following superficial lamellar keratectomy, bulbar conjunctivectomy, and adjunctive carbon dioxide (CO(2)) photoablation for corneolimbal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in the horse. Methods: Retrospective study. Sample population Twenty-four horses with corneolimbal SCC. Methods: Medical records of horses diagnosed with corneolimbal SCC that was surgically excised and where CO(2) photoablation was used as an adjunctive therapy from 2000 to 2007 were reviewed. Signalment, prior therapy, tumor location and size, complications,...
