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.
Kelly PG, Pollock PJ.To describe (1) diagnosis of dynamic collapse of the cricotracheal ligament in a group of horses and (2) treatment and outcome of affected horses. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Thoroughbred horses (n = 8). Methods: Of 600 over ground dynamic endoscopic examinations performed, 8 Thoroughbred horses had cricotracheal ligament collapse (CTLC); 5 were 2 years old and in early training and 2 were mature horses in full work. CTLC was diagnosed if circumferential collapse of the cricotracheal ligament was identified during exercise. Seven horses had repeat endoscopic examination. T...
Bowen RA, Bosco-Lauth A, Syvrud K, Thomas A, Meinert TR, Ludlow DR, Cook C, Salt J, Ons E.Over the last years West Nile virus (WNV) lineage 2 has spread from the African to the European continent. This study was conducted to demonstrate efficacy of an inactivated, lineage 1-based, WNV vaccine (Equip WNV) against intrathecal challenge of horses with a recent isolate of lineage 2 WNV. Twenty horses, sero-negative for WNV, were enrolled and were randomly allocated to one of two treatment groups: an unvaccinated control group (T01, n=10) and a group administered with Equip WNV (T02, n=10). Horses were vaccinated at Day 0 and 21 and were challenged at day 42 with WNV lineage 2, Nea Sant...
Sanz MG, Oliveira AF, Page A, Horohov DW.Rhodococcus equi is the most common cause of pneumonia in young foals. A vaccine is not available and the use of R equi-specific hyperimmune plasma (HIP) is common. Despite its widespread use, the efficacy of HIP in preventing disease remains controversial. The objectives of this study were (1) to evaluate the virulence associate protein A (VapA)-specific IgG and IgG subclasses in commercially available R equi HIP and (2) to evaluate serum VapA-specific IgG and IgG subclasses in foals following administration of commercial R equi HIP. Three different lots from four commercial R equi HIP were s...
Garvican ER, Cree S, Bull L, Smith RK, Dudhia J.Autologous mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) injection into naturally-occurring equine tendon injuries has been shown to be safe and efficacious and protocols inform translation of the technique into humans. Efficient transfer of cells from the laboratory into tissue requires well-validated transport and implantation techniques. Methods: Cell viability in a range of media was determined over 72 hours and after injection through a 19G, 21G or 23G needle. Viability, proliferation and apoptosis were analysed using TrypanBlue, alamarBlue® and AnnexinV assays. Results: Cell viability was similar in all...
López C, Carmona JU, Giraldo CE, Alvarez ME.1) To evaluate the bacteriostatic in vitro effect of pure platelet-rich plasma (P-PRP), pure platelet-rich gel (P-PRG), leukocyte-poor gel (LPG), platelet-poor plasma (PPP), and heat inactivated plasma (IP) against methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) over a period of 24 hours. 2) To determine the degradation of platelet factor-4 (PF-4), transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1), and platelet-derived growth factor isoform BB (PDGF-BB) in these equine blood components. 3) To establish correlations between platelet and leukocyte counts, PF-4 concentrations, and MSSA growth. Metho...
Walker WT, Callan RJ, Hill AE, Tisher KB.This study evaluated the effects of administering oral powder electrolytes on packed cell volume (PCV), plasma chemistry parameters, and incidence of colic in horses participating on a 6-day 162-km trail ride in which water was not offered ad libitum. Twenty-three horses received grain with powder electrolytes daily while 19 control horses received grain only. Horses were ridden approximately 32 km a day at a walk or trot. Packed cell volume and plasma chemistry parameters were analyzed daily. Episodes of colic were diagnosed and treated by a veterinarian unaware of treatment group allocation....
Brown JA, Holcombe SJ, Southwood LL, Byron CR, Embertson RM, Hauptmann JG.To determine factors associated with postoperative reflux, postoperative colic, repeat celiotomy, and survival in horses after end-to-side (E2S) or side-to-side (S2S) jejunocecostomy. Methods: Retrospective, multicenter study. Methods: Horses (n = 150). Methods: Admissions, intra- and postoperative data were collected from medical records of horses that had E2S or S2S jejunocecostomy. Descriptive statistics were calculated and data were analyzed using parametric and nonparametric tests, linear and multivariate logistic regression with significance set at P < .05. Kaplan-Meier estimate ...
Gasiorowski JC, Richardson DW.To describe clinical use of computed tomography (CT) and hoof surface markers to facilitate internal fixation within the confines of the hoof wall. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Horses (n = 16) that had CT-guided internal fixation of the distal phalanx (DP) or distal sesamoid bone (DSB). Methods: Drill bit entry point and direction were planned from CT image series performed on hooves with grids of barium paste dots at proposed entry and projected exit sites. Post-implantation CT images were obtained to check screw position and length as well as fracture reduction. Imaging, ...
Biedrzycki A, Markel MD, Brounts SH.To compare the in vitro biomechanical properties of a novel subcuticular stapling device to current methods of abdominal skin closure for equine abdominal surgery. Methods: In vitro randomized, matched design. Methods: Equine ventral median abdominal skin specimens (n = 24 horses). Methods: Subcuticular absorbable staples (SAS), metallic staples (MS), polyglyconate suture (PG), and nylon monofilament (NYL) were applied to longitudinally transected portions of equine ventral midline skin. Loads that resulted in an initial failure point and the ultimate failure load and mechanism were record...
Hatz LA, Hartnack S, Kümmerle J, Hässig M, Bettschart-Wolfensberger R.To assess accuracy of noninvasive blood pressure (NIBP) measured by oscillometric device Sentinel compared to invasive blood pressure (IBP) in anaesthetized horses undergoing surgery. To assess if differences between the NIBP measured by the Sentinel and IBP are associated with recumbency, cuff placement, weight of the horse or acepromazine premedication and to describe usefulness of the Sentinel. Methods: Prospective study examining replicates of simultaneous NIBP and IBP measurements. Methods: Twenty-nine horses. Methods: Invasive blood pressure was measured via a catheter in the facial arte...
Kelmer G, Tatz AJ, Famini S, Bdolah-Abram T, Soback S, Britzi M.Regional limb perfusion (RLP) significantly decreases morbidity and mortality associated with distal limb injuries in horses. There is an urgent need for finding additional effective antimicrobial drugs for use in RLP. In this study, we tested the pharmacokinetics (PK) of chloramphenicol in RLP. Eight horses participated in the study, which was approved by the University Animal Care and Use Committee. The cephalic and the saphenous veins were used to perfuse the limbs. Synovial samples were collected from the metacarpo/metatarsophalangeal (MCP/MTP) joint. The Friedman Test was applied for asse...
Braga PC, Dal Sasso M, Lattuada N, Greco V, Sibilia V, Zucca E, Stucchi L, Ferro E, Ferrucci F.Activated neutrophils (PMNs), the ROS/RNS released by PMNs and the derived inflammatory processes are involved in the pathogenesis and progression of human inflammatory airway diseases. Similar diseases are also present in horses which suffer from recurrent airway obstruction (RAO), exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH) and inflammatory airway diseases (IAD). Hyaluronic acid (HA) plays numerous roles in modulating inflammatory processes. The aim of this study was to examine whether a preparation of HA (MW 900 000 Da) interferes with ROS/RNS during the course of equine PMN respiratory b...
Ons E, Van Brussel L, Lane S, King V, Cullinane A, Kenna R, Lyons P, Hammond TA, Salt J, Raue R.The efficacy of Zylexis®, an immunomodulator in horses based on inactivated Parapoxvirus ovis (iPPVO), was assessed using an equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) challenge model in the presence of a natural infection with Streptococcus equi equi (S. equi). Eleven horses were treated with iPPVO and twelve were kept as controls. Six horses were challenged with EHV-1 and commingled with the horses on study. Animals were dosed on Days -2, 0 (just before commingling) and Day 7. On Day 11 significantly less nasal discharge, enlarged lymph nodes, EHV-1 shedding and lower rectal temperatures were observ...
Watts AE, Ness SL, Divers TJ, Fubini SL, Frye AH, Stokol T, Cummings KJ, Brooks MB.To evaluate the effects of clopidogrel on clinical and clinicopathologic variables in healthy horses with experimentally induced endotoxemia. Methods: 12 adult mares. Procedures-Horses were assigned with a randomization procedure to receive clopidogrel (4 mg/kg, once, then 2 mg/kg, q 24 h; n = 6) or a placebo (6) through a nasogastric tube. After 72 hours of treatment, horses received lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 30 ng/kg, IV). Heart rate, respiratory rate, rectal temperature, CBC variables, plasma fibrinogen concentration, serum tumor necrosis factor-α concentration, plasma von Willebrand factor...
Manuja BK, Manuja A, Dahiya R, Singh S, Sharma RC, Gahlot SK.Equine influenza (EI) is primarily an infection of the upper respiratory tract and is one of the major infectious respiratory diseases of economic importance in equines. Re-emergence of the disease, species jumping by H3N8 virus in canines and possible threat of human pandemic due to the unpredictable nature of the virus have necessitated research on devising strategies for preventing the disease. The myxovirus resistance protein (Mx) has been reported to confer resistance to Orthomyxo virus infection by modifying cellular functions needed along the viral replication pathway. Polymorphisms and...
Khrustaleva TA, Khrustalev VV, Barkovsky EV, Kolodkina VL, Astapov AA.The SF23 peptide corresponding to the receptor binding fragment of diphtheria toxin (residues 508-530) has been synthesized. This fragment forming a protruding beta hairpin has been chosen because it is the less mutable B-cell epitope. Affine chromatography and ELISA show that antibodies from the sera of persons infected by toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae and those immunized by diphtheria toxoid are able to bind the synthetic SF23 peptide. There are antibodies recognizing the SF23 peptide in the serum of horses hyperimmunized with diphtheria toxoid. Analysis of circular dichroism spectra...
Carmalt JL, Borg H, Näslund H, Waldner C.The aim of this study was to determine whether horses with a proximal palmar/plantar first phalangeal osteochondral fragment (POF) had comparable racing careers (prior to and following surgery) to horses without this fracture. A retrospective cohort study included 174 Swedish Standardbred trotters with osteochondral fragmentation in the palmar/plantar fetlock joint and 613 radiographically negative control horses presented for prepurchase examinations. Medical records and radiographs were examined for each horse. Racing data were retrieved from online Swedish Standardbred harness racing record...
Schauvliege S, Savvas I, Gasthuys F.To investigate the influence of two inspired oxygen fractions (FiO(2)) on the arterial oxygenation in horses anaesthetized with isoflurane. Methods: Retrospective, case-control clinical study. Methods: Two hundred equine patients undergoing non-abdominal surgery (ASA class 1-2), using a standardized anaesthetic protocol and selected from anaesthetic records of a period of three years, based on pre-defined inclusion criteria. Methods: In group O (n = 100), medical oxygen acted as carrier gas, while in group M (n = 100), a medical mixture of oxygen and air (FiO(2) 0.60) was used. Demographic dat...
Beccati F, Gialletti R, Passamonti F, Nannarone S, Di Meo A, Pepe M.Septic arthritis/tenosynovitis in the horse can have life-threatening consequences. The purpose of this cross-sectional retrospective study was to describe ultrasound characteristics of septic arthritis/tenosynovitis in a group of horses. Diagnosis of septic arthritis/tenosynovitis was based on historical and clinical findings as well as the results of the synovial fluid analysis and/or positive synovial culture. Ultrasonographic findings recorded were degree of joint/sheath effusion, degree of synovial membrane thickening, echogenicity of the synovial fluid, and presence of hyperechogenic spo...
Inness CM, Morgan KL.Polo, one of the world's oldest sports, is unique in merging human skill and balance with animal agility and performance in a contact sport. These modern-day 'centaurs' offer medical, dental and veterinary scientists an unrivalled, if quirky, opportunity to collaborate. Collection of epidemiological data on injuries to UK polo riders and ponies is the first step. Objective: To measure the reported risk and risk factors for injuries to UK polo ponies, their perception and mitigation by player-owners. Methods: A retrospective cohort design and telephone interviews were used. Methods: Data on equ...
Delekta PC, Dobry CJ, Sindac JA, Barraza SJ, Blakely PK, Xiang J, Kirchhoff PD, Keep RF, Irani DN, Larsen SD, Miller DJ.Neurotropic alphaviruses, including western, eastern, and Venezuelan equine encephalitis viruses, cause serious and potentially fatal central nervous system infections in humans for which no currently approved therapies exist. We previously identified a series of thieno[3,2-b]pyrrole derivatives as novel inhibitors of neurotropic alphavirus replication, using a cell-based phenotypic assay (W. Peng et al., J. Infect. Dis. 199:950-957, 2009, doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1086/597275), and subsequently developed second- and third-generation indole-2-carboxamide derivatives with improved potency, solub...
Fink MK, Giuliano EA, Tandon A, Mohan RR.To evaluate the safety and efficacy of Pirfenidone (PFD) in the treatment of equine corneal fibrosis using an in vitro model. Methods: Healthy donor equine corneas were collected and used to generate primary equine corneal fibroblasts (ECFs) by growing cultures in minimal essential medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum. Equine corneal myofibroblasts (ECMs), used as a model of equine corneal fibrosis, were produced by growing ECF cultures in serum-free medium containing transforming growth factor β1 (1 ng/mL). Trypan blue viability assays and changes in ECF morphology were utilized t...
Taylor SD, Toth B, Townsend WM, Bentley RT.To describe the clinical course, management, and outcome of a horse with a presumptive diagnosis of botulism treated with long-term mechanical ventilation. Methods: A 6-year-old Quarter Horse gelding with a history of esophageal obstruction was evaluated for progressive tetraparesis. Generalized and progressive skeletal muscle weakness characterized by recumbency, decreased tongue, tail, eyelid, and anal tone, and respiratory failure was observed. Anticholinergic signs including decreased salivation, xerophthalmia, and ileus were also noted. A presumptive diagnosis of botulism was made, althou...
Marr CM, Reef VB, Reimer JM, Sweeney RW, Reid SW.Two-dimensional and M-mode echocardiograms were recorded from 41 horses before they were successfully treated for atrial fibrillation. In addition, these examinations were performed in a subgroup of 20 horses after treatment, and the results were compared with pretreatment values. Atrial fibrillation in this group of horses was associated with a reduction of mean left ventricular fractional shortening (mean 31% +/- 5.24%), and 22 of the 41 horses were below the reference range. The remaining mean M-mode variables were within the normal reference range, although 12 horses had increased left ven...
van Duijkeren E, Ensink JM, Meijer LA.The distribution of trimethoprim (TMP) and sulfadiazine (SDZ) into subcutaneously implanted noninfected tissue chambers was studied in healthy adult ponies. Six ponies were given an oral TMP/SDZ paste formulation at a dose of 5 mg/kg TMP and 25 mg/kg SDZ at 12 h intervals for 2 days in order to reach steady-state concentrations. Plasma concentrations and tissue chamber fluid (TCF) concentrations of both drugs were measured at regular intervals during a period commencing 24 h after the last oral administration. The peak concentration of TMP (mean +/- SD) was 2.92 +/- 0.86 microg/mL for plasma a...
Shettko DL.As laparoscopic surgery gains popularity, it becomes crucial to understand complications associated with the procedure. The potential complications of laparoscopy include those related to laparoscopy and those related to the surgical procedure. As new applications for laparoscopic surgery emerge, it is important for the surgeon to become familiar with potential complications.
Nagamine CM, Castro F, Buchanan B, Schumacher J, Craig LE.Spirochetes were identified histologically in canker (proliferative pododermatitis) in 3 horses. The data suggest that spirochetes may contribute to the pathology of equine chronic foot diseases similar to the manner in which they contribute to the pathology of bovine papillomatous digital dermatitis and contagious ovine digital dermatitis.
Barclay WP, Phillips TN, Foerner JJ.Intussusception associated with Anoplocephala perfoliata infection was found in 5 horses. The unusual types of intussusception and the presence of tapeworms at the leading edge of the intussuscipiens suggested tapeworms as the cause of the problem. Lesions attributable to tapeworm attachment on the mucosa were found to fit a mechanical model of intussusception. Treatment of two of the horses and some of their pasturemates with pyrantel pamoate caused elimination of intact tapeworms.
McClintock SA, Collins AM.A 6-month-old Quarter Horse weanling filly was presented with lethargy, weight loss, inappetance, mild diarrhoea, marked ventral oedema and severe panhypoproteinaemia. Serum antibody titres for Lawsonia intracellularis were very high but PCR to detect faecal shedding of the organism was negative. Proliferative enteropathy due to L. intracellularis infection was diagnosed. After treatment for 4 weeks with oral erythromycin and rifampicin the filly made a complete recovery.
Reeves MJ, Curtis CR, Salman MD, Stashak TS, Reif JS.A survey of 1,965 equine colic cases was conducted from August 1985 to July 1986 at 10 equine referral centers located throughout the United States. The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a multivariable model for the need for surgery. Two-thirds of the cases were randomly selected for model development (1,336), whereas the remaining cases (629) were used only for subsequent validation of the model. If a lesion requiring surgical correction was found at either surgery or necropsy, the case for the horse was classified as surgical, otherwise the case was classified as medical. On...
Naylor JM.The purpose of this review is to present an up-to-date summary of the signs, diagnosis, treatment, and implications of equine hyperkalemic periodic paralysis. The review encompasses all original articles published between 1986 and early 1993. Hyperkalemic periodic paralysis is the result of a genetic mutation in the skeletal muscle sodium channel gene. It is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait; most affected horses are heterozygotes. The classical signs are muscle fasciculation, spasm, and weakness associated with hyperkalemia. However, these signs are only rarely observed in affected hor...
Scheuch E, Spieker J, Venner M, Siegmund W.The long-acting antibiotic tulathromycin is on the marked for treatment of pulmonary infection of cattle, swine and horses. To measure disposition and distribution of tulathromycin in foals, a high throughput method was developed for horse plasma (calibration range: 0.006-0.8 microg/mL) and broncho-alveolar cells (calibration range: 0.1-4.0 microg/10(9)cells) using tandem mass spectrometry. Tulathromycin was extracted from plasma and broncho-alveolar fluid using cation exchange cartridges with acetonitrile/ammonia (95:5, v/v). The chromatography was performed isocratically with a mobile phase ...
Toribio RE.Knowledge of urinary tract anatomy and the numerous functions of the kidney in regulating fluids, electrolytes, acid-base balance, and waste products improves the ability of the clinician to diagnose, treat, and make appropriate recommendations for the management of the horse with renal disease. Several conditions can directly or indirectly affect renal function on a temporary or permanent basis. Endogenous and exogenous compounds (eg, drugs, toxins, hemoglobin) alone or in combination with inappropriate renal blood flow can promote or exacerbate renal disease.
Lavoie JP, Phan ST, Blais D.To evaluate the effects of detomidine and butorphanol in combination on respiratory function in horses and to determine whether these effects are more severe in horses with pre-existing respiratory dysfunction, Methods: Pulmonary function testing and arterial blood gas analyses were performed before and after administration of a combination of detomidine (10 micrograms/kg of body weight, i.v.) and butorphanol (20 micrograms/kg, i.v.). Methods: 5 horses with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and 5 horses free of respiratory disease (controls). Methods: Flow rates were obtained from a pneumo...
Hamond C, Martins G, Lilenbaum W.The infection by Leptospira in horses, in both its acute disease and subclinical forms, is very common, particularly in endemic regions. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of subclinical leptospirosis in the athletic performance of racing thoroughbred horses. Athletic performance of 119 racing Thoroughbred horses from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, was calculated by assigning a point value for the results in racing (performance index (PI)), and serology for leptospirosis was conducted. A total of 85 (71.4 %) horses showed reactive titers (≥ 100), and of which 52 had ...
Divers TJ, Kraus MS, Jesty SA, Miller AD, Mohammed HO, Gelzer AR, Mitchell LM, Soderholm LV, Ducharme NG.Six adult horses were administered sodium monensin, 1.0-1.5 mg/kg, via gastric gavage. Anorexia and/or diarrhea occurred within 24 hr after monensin administration in all 6 horses. Cardiac disease and dysfunction were evaluated by both elevations in heart rate, echocardiography, and an increase in serum concentrations of cardiac troponin I (cTnI), occurred in 4 horses. The development and severity of cardiac disease was likely affected by the monensin dose, vehicle (water or corn oil) mixed with monensin, and/or whether the monensin was administered to fed or fasted horses. Initial increases i...
Barrett JG, MacDonald ES.Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are powerful immunomodulatory cells that act via multiple mechanisms to coordinate, inhibit, and control the cells of the immune system. MSCs act as rescuers for various damaged or degenerated cells of the body via (1) cytokines, growth factors, and signaling molecules; (2) extracellular vesicle (exosome) signaling; and (3) direct donation of mitochondria. Several studies evaluating the efficacy of MSCs have used MSCs grown using xenogeneic media, which may reduce or eliminate efficacy. Although more research is needed to optimize the anti-inflammatory potential o...
Sasaki N, Okamura K, Yamada H.To examine the effects of various doses of mosapride, a 5-hydroxytryptamine 4 receptor agonist, on motility of the small intestine and cecum in horses by use of electrical activity and to determine the dose that provides the optimal response. Methods: 6 healthy adult Thoroughbreds. Methods: Electrical activity of the small intestine and cecum was recorded before and after mosapride administration by use of an electrogastrograph. Mosapride (0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 mg/kg) was dissolved in 200 mL of water and administered orally to horses through a nasogastric tube. Three hours after drug administrati...
Gross TL, Mayhew IG.Gastroesophageal candidiasis in association with ulceration was diagnosed in 5 foals in which signs of colic had been nonresponsive to medical treatment. The ulceration was found in the stomach of all foals and in the esophagus of 1 foal. Candida colonized hyperkeratotic mucosa surrounding the ulcers, and the associated inflammation resulted in splitting of the mucosal epithelium. Loss of the superficial mucosa may have allowed invasion by bacteria, leading to ulceration.
Villarino N, Martín-Jiménez T.Macrolides are used for treatment of pneumonia and extrapulmonary conditions caused by Rhodococcus equi. In foals, macrolides have an extraordinary capacity to accumulate in different lung tissue compartments. These drugs show unique pharmacokinetic features such as rapid and extensive distribution and long persistence in pulmonary epithelial lining fluid (PELF) and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cells from foals. This article reviews the pharmacokinetic characteristics of erythromycin, azithromycin, clarithromycin, tulathromycin, telithromycin, gamithromycin, and tilmicosin in foals, with empha...
Cruz VC, Sommardahl CS, Chapman EA, Fry MM, Schumacher J.A 12-year-old 500-kg (1,100-lb) American Quarter Horse mare was evaluated because of chronic mucopurulent, bloody discharge from the left nostril, inspiratory dyspnea, and respiratory noise. Results: The horse had severe inspiratory dyspnea and stertorous respiration with no airflow from the left nostril. A temporary tracheostomy was performed. Endoscopy revealed a tan mass protruding from the left middle nasal meatus into the left common nasal meatus; it extended caudally into the nasopharynx and around the caudal edge of the nasal septum into the right nasal cavity. Radiographically, a soft ...
Camacho-Luna P, Buchanan B, Andrews FM.Equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS) primarily describes ulceration in the terminal esophagus, nonglandular squamous mucosa, glandular mucosa of the stomach, and proximal duodenum. EGUS is common in all breeds and ages of horses and foals. This article focuses on the current terminology for EGUS, etiologies and pathogenesis for lesions in the nonglandular and glandular stomach, diagnosis, and a comprehensive approach to the treatment and prevention of EGUS in adult horses and foals.
Morrell JM, Rocha A.One of the most commonly encountered challenges in equine breeding is endometritis, which can be difficult to resolve and causes considerable economic losses to the industry. It is a multifactorial condition, developing as an exaggerated form of the normal physiological response to breeding. Seminal plasma proteins, spermatozoa, bacteria and debris initiate an inflammatory response; the resulting fluid and neutrophils are then cleared from the uterus along with the debris. However, in some mares, the response is prolonged or exaggerated, with much fluid formation and neutrophil infiltration le...
Jefcoat AM, Hotchkiss JA, Gerber V, Harkema JR, Basbaum CB, Robinson NE.Horses with the episodic asthmalike condition of recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) have bouts of inflammation and bronchoconstriction associated with indoor housing. To assess the potential differences in airway secretions between RAO-affected and control horses, methods to quantify mucus secretions were developed and applied to bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. The relative difference in the amount of mucin glycoproteins between control and RAO-affected horses was assessed with a carbohydrate side chain-specific monoclonal antibody (4E4) in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and by carbohydrat...
Stephano MA, Guidolin R, Higashi HG, Tambourgi DV, Sant'Anna OA.The main features associated with pit viper envenomations include the intense local lesions such as oedema, necrosis, acute renal failure and other effects. The severity of these reactions to snakebite depends on the degree of envenomation. Lachesis muta venom (LMV) has weak lethal activity, but due to the large amount often inoculated, the effects are extremely severe and demand anti-venom with a high neutralizing capacity. LMV had the lowest neutralizing antibody induction capacity in horses when compared with that of other venoms. For example, Bothrops anti-venom serum neutralizes 180 times...
Davis EG, Wilkerson MJ, Rush BR.The use of flow cytometry in veterinary diagnostics is becoming a valuable clinical tool with a broad range of applications. Physical characteristics of cells can be determined by the flow cytometer laser and electronics through the measurement of changes in light scatter properties. Other components and functions of cells can be defined through the application of fluorochrome dyes that have an affinity for cellular components. Traditionally, common clinical applications are immunophenotyping of cells of the hematopoietic system with fluorescent-labeled antibodies raised against specific cell ...
Vengust M, Staempfli H, Prescott JF.A 10-year-old warmblood gelding was evaluated for intermittent pyrexia, dullness, weight loss, and progressive respiratory disease. Multifocal necrotic pneumonia and pleuritis due to Rhodococcus equi infection was diagnosed. Case management is discussed, as well as factors that may have led to this rare cause of pleuropneumonia in an adult horse.
Matthee S.Anthelmintic products form the basis of helminth control practices on horse stud farms at present. Regular evaluation of the efficacy of these products is advisable, as it will provide information on the worm egg reappearance period and the resistance status in the worm population. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of doramectin, pyrantel pamoate, ivermectin and moxidectin on a Thoroughbred stud farm in the Western Cape Province, South Africa. The study also compared the anthelmintic efficacy of two moxidectin formulations administered at their recommended dosages (an injectab...
Poelaert KCK, Van Cleemput J, Laval K, Xie J, Favoreel HW, Nauwynck HJ.The ancestral equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV1), closely related to human herpes viruses, exploits leukocytes to reach its target organs, accordingly evading the immune surveillance system. Circulating EHV1 strains can be divided into abortigenic/neurovirulent, causing reproductive/neurological disorders. Neurovirulent EHV1 more efficiently recruits monocytic CD172a cells to the upper respiratory tract (URT), while abortigenic EHV1 tempers monocyte migration. Whether similar results could be expected for T lymphocytes is not known. Therefore, we questioned whether differences in T cell recruitment c...
