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.
Winfield LS, Kass PH, Magdesian KG, Madigan JE, Aleman M, Pusterla N.There are currently few data available on the prognosis and outcome of recumbent horses. Objective: To investigate the outcome of hospitalised horses that had been recumbent in the field or hospital and factors affecting their survival within the first 3 days of hospitalisation and survival after 3 days to hospital discharge. Methods: Retrospective analysis of clinical records. Methods: Records of 148 horses admitted to the William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, University of California Davis from January 1995 to December 2010 with a history of recumbency or horses that bec...
Silva AG, Furr MO.To compare clinical, clinical pathology, and outcome variables between geriatric and nongeriatric horses. Methods: Retrospective case-control study. Methods: 690 horses (345 horses ≥ 20 years old and 345 horses > 1 and 1 and < 20 years old. Results: Mean ± SD age was 23.9 ± 4.6 years for cases and 9.2 ± 3.6 years for controls. Arabian and pony breeds were significantly overrepresented in the geriatric group, compared with the control group. Diagnoses related to the digestive system, musculoskeletal system, and respiratory system were most common in this hospital population overall ...
Maher MC, Schnabel LV, Cross JA, Papich MG, Divers TJ, Fortier LA.To determine whether low-dose, low-frequency doxycycline administration is capable of achieving chondroprotective concentrations within synovial fluid (SF) while remaining below minimum inhibitory concentration 90 (MIC90 ) of most equine pathogens and would be an option in the management of osteoarthritis. Objective: To determine whether low-dose, low-frequency oral administration of doxycycline can attain in vivo SF concentrations capable of chondroprotective effects through reduction of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-13 activity, while remaining below MIC90 of most equine pathogens. Method...
Hussey GS, Goehring LS, Lunn DP, Hussey SB, Huang T, Osterrieder N, Powell C, Hand J, Holz C, Slater J.Equine herpesvirus myeloencephalitis (EHM) remains one of the most devastating manifestations of equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) infection but our understanding of its pathogenesis remains rudimentary, partly because of a lack of adequate experimental models. EHV-1 infection of the ocular vasculature may offer an alternative model as EHV-1-induced chorioretinopathy appears to occur in a significant number of horses, and the pathogenesis of EHM and ocular EHV-1 may be similar. To investigate the potential of ocular EHV-1 as a model for EHM, and to determine the frequency of ocular EHV-1, our ...
van den Top JG, Harkema L, Ensink JM, Barneveld A, Martens A, van de Lest CH, van Weeren PR, Gröne A.Penile and preputial papilloma and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) are commonly diagnosed in horses. Papillomas have the potential to progress to potentially lethal SCC. Knowledge of pathogenetic mechanisms may help in prevention and definition of treatment targets. Methods: Retrospective study using archived material. Objective: To determine the expression of cyclo-oxygenase 1 (COX-1), cyclo-oxygenase 2 (COX-2) and microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 (mPGES-1) in penile and preputial normal tissue, papilloma and SCC in horses, and whether expression of these enzymes is influenced by degree of...
Wright IM, Minshall GJ.Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the distal sagittal ridge of the third metacarpal bone (McIII) has not previously been described in the literature. Objective: To describe the clinical, radiological and arthroscopic features of OCD of the distal sagittal ridge of the McIII and to report outcome in a series of cases. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Case records and images of horses with OCD of the distal sagittal ridge of the McIII admitted to a single referral centre between February 2006 and February 2013 were reviewed. Follow-up information was obtained by telephone questionna...
Doyle AJ, MacDonald VS, Bourque A.A 12-year-old gelding was diagnosed with recurrent lymphoma in multiple cutaneous sites. A highly invasive preputial mass caused urethral obstruction. The horse was treated with surgery and chemotherapy consisting of lomustine (CCNU) and prednisolone. The treatment was well-tolerated and effective. This is the first reported use of lomustine (CCNU) in a horse for the treatment of equine lymphoma. Utilisation de lomustine (CCNU) dans un cas de lymphone cutané équin. Un hongre âgé de 12 ans a été diagnostiqué avec un lymphome récurrent sur plusieurs sites cutanés. Une masse préputiale ...
Maliye S, Voute L, Lund D, Marshall JF.In order for changes in lameness to be accurately and repeatably detected and recorded during diagnostic investigations, an objective measure of lameness is required. Objective: To ascertain whether an inertial sensor-based system can distinguish between a positive and negative response to diagnostic anaesthesia of the foot and objectively assess the effect of a positive response on the trot. Methods: Restrospective clinical study. Methods: Data obtained during lameness investigations undertaken between August 2011 and December 2012 in which either a palmar digital or abaxial sesamoid nerve bl...
Hunter BG, Schlipf JW, Cebra C.The transverse facial venous sinus (TFVS) can be used for blood collection in horses, but information on the validity of blood values from this site is limited. Objective: To determine if packed cell volume (PCV), total solids (TS) and blood lactate concentrations in blood drawn simultaneously from a TFVS and jugular vein of critically ill horses are correlated and determine the effect of serial TFVS sampling on the same parameters in healthy horses. Methods: Prospective observational study. Methods: Critically ill horses had simultaneous blood samples drawn from a TFVS and jugular vein. Blood...
Ruple-Czerniak AA, Aceto HW, Bender JB, Paradis MR, Shaw SP, Van Metre DC, Weese JS, Wilson DA, Wilson J, Morley PS.Methods that can be used to estimate rates of healthcare-associated infections and other nosocomial events have not been well established for use in equine hospitals. Traditional laboratory-based surveillance is expensive and cannot be applied in all of these settings. Objective: To evaluate the use of a syndromic surveillance system for estimating rates of occurrence of healthcare-associated infections among hospitalised equine cases. Methods: Multicentre, prospective longitudinal study. Methods: This study included weaned equids (n = 297) that were admitted for gastrointestinal disorders at ...
van Eps AW, Pollitt CC, Underwood C, Medina-Torres CE, Goodwin WA, Belknap JK.Prophylactic digital hypothermia reduces the severity of acute laminitis experimentally but there is no evidence for its efficacy as a treatment once lameness has already developed. Objective: To investigate the therapeutic effects of digital hypothermia, applied after the onset of lameness, in an experimental acute laminitis model. Methods: Randomised, controlled (within subject), blinded, experimental trial. Methods: Eight Standardbred horses underwent laminitis induction using the oligofructose model. Once lameness was detected at the walk, one forelimb was continuously cooled (CRYO), with ...
Rossignol F, Mespoulhes-Rivière C, Vitte A, Lechartier A, Boening KJ.To describe a technique for standing inguinal hernioplasty in horses using cyanoacrylate glue, and to evaluate its effect on prevention of recurrent inguinal herniation in stallions that had previous acquired strangulated inguinal hernia (SIH). Methods: Case series. Methods: Stallions (n = 10) with a history of SIH. Methods: Hernioplasty was performed in standing horses using 4 laparoscopic portals. The mesorchium was retracted caudomedially using Babcock forceps. A flexible polyethylene extension tube was introduced through the sheath of a laparoscopic needle and n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate (2 mL...
Rashmir-Raven A.Hereditary equine regional dermal asthenia is a form of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, and has an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance. Affected horses are typically born normal and develop lesions within the first 2 years of life. The most common symptoms of the disease include stretchy, loose skin that feels doughy or mushy. More severely affected horses experience spontaneous skin sloughing and extensive lacerations, hematomas, and seromas from minor trauma. Affected horses have a higher than expected incidence of corneal ulcers. DNA testing can normal, establish carrier and affected status. Pa...
Bergvall KE.Sarcoids are the most common skin tumors seen in horses worldwide. The pathogenesis of sarcoids is multifactorial, including an association with bovine papillomavirus types 1 and 2 and a genetic susceptibility to tumor development. Clinical manifestations vary and include occult, verrucous, nodular, fibroblastic, mixed, and malignant (malevolent) types. The tumor is nonmetastasizing but can become very aggressive locally. Multiple tumors are common. All clinical types can be present in the same horse. No treatment protocol is universally effective. The tumor has a high risk of recurrence. Recu...
Yu AA.Equine Pastern Dermatitis (EPD) is not a single disease, but a cutaneous reaction pattern of the horse. EPD should be considered a syndrome, rather than a diagnosis. Uncovering the underlying etiology prior to treatment is key to minimizing treatment failures and frustration. To achieve a positive therapeutic outcome, treating the predisposing and perpetuating factors is just as important as addressing the primary cause of EPD. This article reviews clinical signs, differential diagnoses, diagnosis, and treatment of EPD.
Ginel PJ, Hernández E, Lucena R, Blanco B, Novales M, Mozos E.Insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH) is a common cause of pruritus in horses, but there are few controlled studies on the efficacy of allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT). Atopic dermatitis and IBH can present with overlapping clinical signs; multiple insect and environmental allergens could be indicated in these horses to achieve effective hyposensitization. Although the success of ASIT using Culicoides spp. whole-body extracts is controversial, there are no controlled studies published that clearly show benefit from this form of therapy. Objective: The objective was to evaluate the efficacy ...
Sykes BW, Sykes KM, Hallowell GD.Studies on omeprazole have reported that doses as low as 0.7 mg/kg bwt per os are potent suppressors of acid production. Yet, to date, no studies have compared treatment efficacy of different doses in clinical cases of equine gastric ulceration. Furthermore, no studies have been performed to compare the healing response of the squamous and glandular mucosa to acid suppression therapy. Objective: To compare: 1) the efficacy of 2 doses of omeprazole in the treatment of primary squamous and glandular gastric ulceration; and 2) the healing response of primary squamous and glandular gastric ulcer...
Jatzlau A, Abdel-Ghaffar F, Gliem G, Mehlhorn H.Intense laboratory tests on experimentally infected mice and rats had shown that a mixture of micronized onions and coconut pulp decreases substantially (until disappearance) the worm load (trematodes, cestodes and nematodes) after oral uptake. As a consequence, feeding experiments of naturally infected sheep had been done in Egypt, in Saudi Arabia, and in Germany, which showed that treated animals grow up much better than untreated ones. The mean gain of body weight per animal was up to 6 kg within 4 weeks compared to untreated ones. These experiments were repeated again in the present study ...
Riesenberg A, Feßler AT, Erol E, Prenger-Berninghoff E, Stamm I, Böse R, Heusinger A, Klarmann D, Werckenthin C, Schwarz S.The aim of this study was to determine the MICs of 32 antimicrobial agents for 200 isolates of Rhodococcus equi of animal origin by applying a recently described broth microdilution protocol, and to investigate isolates with distinctly elevated rifampicin MICs for the genetic basis of rifampicin resistance. Methods: The study included 200 R. equi isolates, including 160 isolates from horses and 40 isolates from other animal sources, from the USA and Europe. MIC testing of 32 antimicrobial agents or combinations thereof followed a recently published protocol. A novel PCR protocol for the joint ...
Mackinnon MC, Southwood LL, Burke MJ, Palmer JE.To document causes of colic in equine neonates, evaluate clinical features of neonates managed medically versus surgically, determine short- and long-term survival rates for neonates with specific medical and surgical lesions, and assess ability of patients to achieve intended use. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: 137 client-owned equine neonates (< 30 days old) with a history of colic or signs of colic within 1 hour after hospital admission examined between 2000 and 2010. Methods: Signalment, history, results of physical examination, laboratory data, ancillary diagnostic tests, de...
Sherlock CE, Eggleston RB.To determine the clinical signs, treatment, and prognosis for horses with impaction of the cranial aspect of the base of the cecum (cecal cupula). Methods: Retrospective observational case series. Methods: 7 horses with colic attributed to cecal cupula impaction. Methods: Medical records were reviewed and horses that underwent exploratory celiotomy from 2000 through 2010 were identified. Horses with cecal cupula impaction and without other abdominal problems to which colic could be attributed were selected for inclusion in the study. Information regarding history, clinical findings, diagnostic...
Lin YZ, Yang F, Zhang SQ, Sun LK, Wang XF, Du C, Zhou JH.Equine lentivirus receptor 1 (ELR1) has been identified as the sole receptor for equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) and is a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) superfamily. In addition to the previously described membrane-associated form of ELR1, two other major alternative splicing variant mRNAs were identified in equine monocyte-derived macrophages (eMDMs). One major spliced species (ELR1-IN) contained an insertion of 153 nt, which resulted in a premature stop codon situated 561 nt upstream of the predicted membrane spanning domain. The other major species (ELR1-DE) has a...
Nelson BB, Hassel DM.To compare a unidirectional barbed suture (V-Loc™) to its suture material equivalent (Biosyn™) in a single-layer end-to-end anastomosis of equine jejunum. Methods: Experimental in vitro study. Methods: Jejunal sections from adult horses (n = 5) without gastrointestinal disease. Methods: Jejunal end-to-end anastomoses (n = 9) were performed for each group (V-Loc™, Biosyn™) with a continuous Lembert pattern with an interruption every 120°. Anastomosis construction time, luminal diameter, and number of suture bites were recorded. Anastomosis constructs were distended with fluid at 1 L/mi...
Badial PR, Oliveira-Filho JP, Winand NJ, Borges AS.Hereditary equine regional dermal asthenia (HERDA) is a genetic disorder that occurs in the American Quarter horse (AQH) and is caused by a c.115G>A missense mutation in the peptidylprolyl isomerase B (PPIB) gene. Using a quantitative real-time PCR high resolution melting analysis genotyping assay for the PPIB mutation, the estimated HERDA allele and carrier frequencies in a sample of Brazilian AQHs were 2.9% and 5.8%, respectively.
Ciupe SM, Schwartz EJ.We develop a mathematical model for the interaction between two competing equine infectious anemia virus strains and neutralizing antibodies. We predict that elimination of one or both virus strains depends on the initial antibody levels, the strength of antibody mediated neutralization, and the persistence of antibody over time. We further show that the ability of a subdominant, neutralization resistant virus to dominate the infection transiently or permanently is dependent on the antibody-mediated neutralization effect. Finally, we determine conditions for persistence of both virus strains. ...
Rossignol F, Vitte A, Boening J.To (1) report a modified transfixation pin cast technique, using dorsal recumbency for fracture reduction, distal positioning of the pins in the epiphysis and distal metaphysis, and a hybrid cast, combining plaster of Paris (POP) and fiberglass casting, and (2) report outcome in 11 adult horses. Methods: Case series. Methods: Adult horses (n = 11) with comminuted phalangeal fractures. Methods: Horses were anesthetized and positioned in dorsal recumbency. The phalangeal fracture was reduced by limb traction using a cable attached to the hoof. Screw fixation in lag fashion of fracture fragments ...
Held J, Schmitz R, van der Linden M, Nührenberg T, Häcker G, Neumann FJ.Purulent pericarditis is a life-threatening disease that usually manifests following bacteraemia or through spreading from an intrathoracic focus. Only a few cases of this disease have been reported with Lancefield group C streptococci as aetiological agents, and the primary focus in these infections remains unknown. We report a case of purulent pericarditis with septic and cardiogenic shock, caused by Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus (group C) in a 51-year-old patient. The pathogen was possibly contracted through contact with horses. Most probably, it caused initially pneumonia before ...
Hamond C, Martins G, Loureiro AP, Pestana C, Lawson-Ferreira R, Medeiros MA, Lilenbaum W.The aim of the present study was to consider the wide usage of urinary PCR as an increasingly useful tool for an accurate diagnosis of leptospirosis in livestock. A total of 512 adult animals (300 cattle, 138 horses, 59 goats and 15 pigs), from herds/flocks with reproductive problems in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil was studied by serology and urinary PCR. From the 512 serum samples tested, 223 (43.5 %) were seroreactive (cattle: 45.6 %, horses: 41.3 %, goats: 34%and pigs: 60 %). PCR detected leptospiral DNA in 32.4 % (cattle: 21.6 %, horses: 36.2 %, goats: 77.4 % and pigs: 33.3 %. To our knowledge t...
Depecker M, Bizon-Mercier C, Couroucé-Malblanc A.The atlanto-occipital site (AO) is convenient for retrieving an adequate volume and quality of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the diagnosis of neurological disease in horses. However, general anaesthesia is not always possible for horses displaying severe neurological signs, or for economical reasons. The objectives of the present work were to determine the feasibility and safety of ultrasound-guided CSF puncture at the AO site on the standing horse. Seven horses (six healthy and one mildly ataxic) were sedated with acepromazine (0.02 mg/kg bodyweight intravenously or 0.04 mg/kg bodyweight intra...
Sánchez-Matamoros A, Sánchez-Vizcaíno JM, Rodríguez-Prieto V, Iglesias E, Martínez-López B.African horse sickness (AHS) is one of the most important vector-borne viral infectious diseases of equines, transmitted mainly by Culicoides spp. The re-emergence of Culicoides-borne diseases in Europe, such as the recent bluetongue (BT) or Schmallenberg outbreaks, has raised concern about the potential re-introduction and further spread of AHS virus (AHSV) in Europe. Spain has one of the largest European equine populations. In addition, its geographical, environmental and entomological conditions favour AHSV infections, as shown by the historical outbreaks in the 1990s. The establishment of ...
You Y, Uboh CE, Soma LR, Guan F, Taylor D, Li X, Liu Y, Chen J.A method involving ultra high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was developed and validated for the analysis of capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin in equine plasma. The analytes were recovered from plasma by liquid-liquid extraction using methyl tert-butyl ether and separated on a sub-2 micron column. The mobile phase was composed of 2 mM ammonium formate and methanol. A triple quadrupole mass spectrometer was used to detect the analytes in positive electrospray ionization mode with selected reaction monitoring. The limits of detection, quantification and confirmation for ...
Garvican ER, Salavati M, Smith RKW, Dudhia J.The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of normal synovial fluid (SF) on exposed endogenous tendon-derived cells (TDCs) and engrafted mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) within the tendon extracellular matrix. Methods: Explants from equine superficial digital flexor (extra-synovial) and deep digital flexor tendons (DDFTs) from the compressed, intra-synovial and the tensile, extra-synovial regions were cultured in allogeneic or autologous SF-media. Human hamstring explants were cultured in allogeneic SF. Explant viability was assessed by staining. Proliferation of equine monolayer MSC...
Brown JA, Derksen FJ, Stick JA, Hartmann WM, Robinson NE.Show and performance horse with laryngeal hemiplegia (LH) often present for excessive respiratory noise rather than significant exercise intolerance. Therefore, the goal of surgery in these horses is to reduce respiratory noise but there are no quantitative studies evaluating the effect of any upper-airway surgery in LH-affected horses. Objective: To determine whether bilateral ventriculocordectomy (VC) reduces respiratory noise in exercising horses with laryngeal hemiplegia. Methods: Six Standardbred horses with normal upper airways were used in this study. Respiratory sounds and inspiratory ...
Norvall A, Spriet M, Espinosa P, Ariño-Estrada G, Murphy BG, Katzman SA, Galuppo LD.Increased 18 F-Sodium Fluoride (18 F-NaF) uptake at the chondrosesamoidean ligament (ChSL) attachment on the distal phalanx was identified in an exploratory positron emission tomography (PET) study. The prevalence and significance of this lesion has not been previously investigated. Objective: The goal of this study was to assess the prevalence of this lesion, its association with other imaging findings and with clinical signs. Methods: Retrospective cross-sectional analytical study. Methods: All horses with 18 F-NaF PET and computed tomography (CT) imaging of the feet performed between Octobe...
Cui JQ, Liu WH, Zang YX, Zhang C, Zou L, Sun HZ, Pan Q, Ren HY.A lytic bacteriophage vB_EcoM_DE7 (hereafter designated DE7) that could infect donkey-derived Escherichia coli was isolated. The bacteriophage was examined by transmission electron microscopy, and the result showed that DE7 belonged to the family Myoviridae. The microbiological characterization revealed that DE7 was stable over a broad range of pHs (3 ∼10) at 40-50 °C. The latent period was 10 min, and the burst size was 43 PFUs/infected cell. The whole-genome sequencing showed that DE7 was a dsDNA virus and had a genome of 86,130 bp. The genome contained 124 predicted open reading frames...
Portier KG, Séna A, Senior M, Clutton RE.To examine the association between objective and subjective descriptors used for assessing recovery quality in horses after anaesthesia. Methods: Prospective clinical study. Methods: Two hundred and seventy-six equids (110 mares, 85 entire males and 81 geldings), ASA 1-5, weighing 50-850 kg and aged 1 month - 25 years. Methods: Recoveries after general anaesthesia were assisted with head and tail ropes by two anaesthetists. One scored dichotomous objective descriptors (DOD) of recovery. Two dichotomous objective scales (DOS) were then generated from those descriptors. The same individual also ...
House JA.AHS is a noncontagious vector-borne disease of Equidae caused by Orbiviruses. Species susceptibility in decreasing order is horses, mules, donkeys, and zebras. The main vectors of AHS are culicoides. The disease is endemic in sub-Saharan Africa, but epizootics have occurred outside of this area on several occasions. The most recent outbreaks outside of the endemic area were in Spain, Morocco, and Portugal between 1987 and 1990. AHS causes mortality up to 95% and is classically divided into four clinical forms: the pulmonary, cardiac, mixed, and horse fever forms. Pathologic changes are subcuta...
Oku K, Ohta M, Katoh T, Moriyama H, Kusano K, Fujinaga T.We examined the influence of propofol infusion on cardiovascular system at the rate of 0.14, 0.20 and 0.30 mg/kg/min in six adult Thoroughbred horses. The cardiovascular parameters were heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), mean right atrial pressure (MRAP), stroke volume (SV), cardiac output (CO), systemic vascular resistance (SVR), pre-ejection period (PEP) and ejection time (ET). In order to keep the ventilation conditions constantly, intermittent positive pressure ventilation was performed, and the partial arterial CO(2) pressure was maintained at 45 to 55 mmHg during maintenance ...
Parks AH, Doran RE, White NA, Allen D, Baxter GM.Records of 75 horses with ileal impactions were examined retrospectively. There was a sex predilection towards mares. Arabians were over-represented compared to the hospital population. The average age was 8.3 years. Abdominal pain was observed in 96% of horses. Nasogastric reflux was present in 56% of horses, small intestinal distention was found on rectal palpation in 96% and an ileal impaction in 25%. Exploratory celiotomy was performed in 69 horses, the mass was reduced by extramural massage in 67 horses, and ingesta was removed via enterotomy in 2. Jejunocecostomies were performed in 47 h...
McGorum BC, Pirie RS.Equine dysautonomia (ED; also known as equine grass sickness) is a neurological disease of unknown cause, which primarily affects grazing adult horses. The clinical signs reflect degeneration of specific neuronal populations, predominantly within the autonomic and enteric nervous systems, with disease severity and prognosis determined by the extent of neuronal loss. This review is primarily focused on the major clinical decision-making processes in relation to ED, namely, (1) clinical diagnosis, (2) selection of appropriate ancillary diagnostic tests, (3) obtaining diagnostic confirmation, (4)...
Sheoran AS, Timoney JF, Tinge SA, Sundaram P, Curtiss R.The aim of this study was to investigate the intranasal immunogenicity for the horse of a Deltacya Deltacrp-pabA mutant (MGN-707) of Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium (S. typhimurium). MGN-707 caused no sign of disease, was not detected in feces and a single administration induced strong Salmonella-specific serum and nasal mucosal antibody responses. All ponies had made strong salmonella specific serum IgGa, IgGb, IgA and IgM antibody responses by day 25 after the first immunization. IgM responses to salmonella lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were short lived whereas salmonella specific serum ...
Giguère S, Sanchez LC, Shih A, Szabo NJ, Womble AY, Robertson SA.To determine and compare the effects of caffeine and doxapram on cardiorespiratory variables in foals during isoflurane-induced respiratory acidosis. Methods: 6 clinically normal foals (1 to 3 days old). Methods: At intervals of > or = 24 hours, foals received each of 3 IV treatments while in a steady state of hypercapnia induced by isoflurane anesthesia (mean +/- SD, 1.4 +/- 0.3% endtidal isoflurane concentration). After assessment of baseline cardiorespiratory variables, a low dose of the treatment was administered and variables were reassessed; a high dose was then administered, and vari...
French KR, Pollitt CC.Acute laminitis is characterised by hoof lamellar dermal-epidermal separation at the basement membrane (BM) zone. Hoof lamellar explants cultured in vitro can also be made to separate at the basement membrane zone and investigating how this occurs may give insight into the poorly understood pathophysiology of laminitis. Objective: To investigate why glucose deprivation and metalloproteinase (MMP) activation in cultured lamellar explants leads to dermo-epidermal separation. Methods: Explants, cultured without glucose or with the MMP activator p-amino-phenol-mercuric acetate (APMA), were subject...
Aleman M, Spriet M, Williams DC, Nieto JE.Auditory loss is a common deficit in horses with temporohyoid osteoarthropathy (THO), however, recovery of function is unknown. Objective: To investigate neurologic function with emphasis in audition in horses with THO after treatment. To describe anatomical alterations of the petrous temporal bone that might result in auditory loss. Methods: Twenty-four horses with a clinical diagnosis of THO. Methods: Prospective study. A brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER) study was done as part of the criteria for inclusion in horses with a clinical diagnosis of THO from the years of 2005 to 2014. Ph...
Divers TJ.Nephrotoxic and hemodynamically mediated disorders are the most common causes of acute renal failure (ARF) in horses and foals. Leptospira spp. is the most common infectious cause of ARF. Initial treatments for ARF include elimination of nephrotoxic drugs, correction of predisposing disorders, and fluid therapy to promote diuresis. Horses and foals with polyuric ARF often have a good prognosis, while those with oliguric or anuric ARF have a guarded to poor prognosis. When fluid therapy is unsuccessful in improving urine production, various drugs treatments have been used in an attempt to incre...
Lin HC, Branson KR, Thurmon JC, Benson GJ, Tranquilli WJ, Olson WA, Vähä-Vahe AT.This study was designed to assess the effects of 5 anesthetic drug combinations in ponies: (1) ketamine 2.75 mg/kg, xylazine 1.0 mg/kg (KX), (2) Telazol 1.65 mg/kg, xylazine 1.0 mg/kg (TX), (3) Telazol 2 mg/kg, detomidine 20 micrograms/kg (TD-20), (4) Telazol 2 mg/kg, detomidine 40 micrograms/kg (TD-40), (5) Telazol 3 mg/kg, detomidine 60 micrograms/kg (TD-60). All drugs were given iv with xylazine or detomidine preceding ketamine or Telazol by 5 min. Heart rate was decreased significantly from 5 min to arousal after TD-20 but only at 60 and 90 min after TD-40 and TD-60 respectively. Respirato...
Siwińska N, Żak A, Pasławska U.Diagnosis of acute kidney injury (AKI) in horses is difficult at the subclinical stage, due to nonspecific clinical signs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the concentrations of selected serum and urinary biomarkers in healthy horses, horses at risk of AKI, and those with clinical AKI. Methods: Thirty healthy horses, 30 horses at risk of AKI and 11 horses with clinical AKI and azotaemia were included in the study. Serum and urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and cystatin C were measured using commercially available enzyme immunoassay tests. Results: The median and (...
Dagnachew S, Mohammed S, Dessie B, Tilahun M, Ayele A, Kefyalew H.A cross-sectional study was carried out from November 2016 to May 2017 in selected districts of Northwest Ethiopia (Jawi, South Achefer, Dembecha and Jabitehenan) with the aim of determining the prevalence of bovine and equine trypanosomosis, estimating the apparent density of vectors and assessing the effectiveness of control measures of the disease. A total of 1257 animals of which 803 bovine and 454 equine were examined for the determination of prevalence using blood sample collected from ear vein of animals. The buffy coat technique was employed to determine the prevalence and the packed c...
Yoshimura S, Koziy RV, Dickinson R, Moshynskyy I, McKenzie JA, Simko E, Bracamonte JL.While serum amyloid A (SAA) has been investigated as a potential marker for septic arthritis in horses, no study has reported on whether SAA can be used to detect eradication of joint infection. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate whether the eradication of joint infection in experimentally induced septic arthritis in horses can be detected using serum and synovial fluid SAA. A total of 17 horses were randomly assigned to 3 groups. A middle carpal joint of each horse was injected with saline (control group, = 3), lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (nonseptic synovitis group, = 6)...
Gokbulut C, Aksit D, Santoro M, Roncoroni C, Mariani U, Buono F, Rufrano D, Fagiolo A, Veneziano V.Mebendazole (MBZ) has been licensed for use in horses and donkeys, however there are no data available in the literature regarding its pharmacokinetic disposition and efficacy in donkeys. This study was designed to determine the plasma disposition, milk excretion and anthelmintic efficacy of MBZ in donkeys naturally infected by Cyathostominae. The animals were allocated to three groups, each of six donkeys. One group was untreated control (C-group) and the others were treated using a paste formulation of MBZ administered per os at the manufacturer's recommended horse dosage of 10 mg/kg body we...
Husulak ML, Manning ST, Meachem MD, Burgess HJ, Epp TY, Montgomery JB.The objective of this study was to observe the outcomes of adding an antimicrobial treatment to a conventional treatment regime in horses with severe equine asthma in a clinical setting. Eleven client-owned horses with a history consistent with severe equine asthma, increased respiratory effort and nostril flaring, ≥ 20% neutrophils on bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), and a positive tracheal wash (TW) bacterial culture were treated with environmental management, corticosteroids, and bronchodilators. Six horses were also treated with an antimicrobial (principal group), while the other 5 were adm...
Wilkins RJ, Fairfax TP, Davies ME, Muzyamba MC, Gibson JS.Ca2+ homeostasis in articular chondrocytes affects synthesis and degradation of the cartilage matrix, as well as other cellular functions, thereby contributing to joint integrity. Although it will be affected by mechanical loading, the sensitivity of intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in equine articular chondrocytes to many stimuli remains unknown. Objective: An improved understanding of Ca2+ homeostasis in equine articular chondrocytes, and how it is altered during joint loading and pathology, will be important in understanding how joints respond to mechanical loads. Methods: [Ca2+]i...
Thomson JR, McPherson EA.The therapy of equine chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) essentially entails minimising the horse's exposure to the aetiological antigens which are predominantly thermophilic actinomycetes and moulds occurring in hay and straw. This can be achieved, for example, by keeping affected horses permanently out of doors, or when stabled, using shredded paper, wood shavings or peat moss as bedding and feeding a complete cubed diet. There should be no supplementary hay feeding apart from dust-free vacuum-packed hay. Applying such measures generally allows horses to become asymptomatic in seve...
Pleasant RS, Moll HD, Ley WB, Lessard P, Warnick LD.To determine if intra-articular anesthesia of the distal interphalangeal joint could alleviate lameness associated with the navicular bursa in horses. Methods: Experimental investigation. Methods: Six clinically normal horses. Methods: Lameness was induced in each horse by injecting either the left or right front navicular bursa with 5 mg of amphotericin-B. Forty-eight hours later each horse was videotaped walking and trotting before, and 5, 30, and 60 minutes after injecting the distal interphalangeal joint of the treated limb with 5 mL of 2% mepivacaine hydrochloride. All video recordings we...
Seki Y, Seimiya YM, Yaegashi G, Kumagai S, Sentsui H, Nishimori T, Ishihara R.During the period from 2001 to the following year, progenital diseases had been epidemic among the draft stallions and mares pastured together in Iwate Prefecture, the northeastern district of Japan. A stallion and 8 of 31 mares were affected in 2001, and 1 of 2 stallions and 10 of 36 mares in 2002. The clinical symptoms consisted of the formation of papules, pustules, ulcers and scabs on the progenital skin and mucosa in stallions and mares. In 2002, Equine herpesvirus 3 (EHV3) was isolated from 2 mares and the glycoprotein G gene of the virus detected from a stallion and 4 mares by polymeras...
Stauffer S, Cordner B, Dixon J, Witte T.The aim of this preliminary proof-of-concept study was to evaluate and compare the success and complication rate of infiltration of the maxillary nerve of cadaver heads using previously described surface landmarks, standard ultrasound and a novel needle guidance positioning ultrasound system (SonixGPS). Methods: Prospective, anatomical, method-comparison study. Methods: Thirty-eight equine cadaver heads. Methods: Twenty-six veterinary students performed the three methods consecutively on cadaver heads using an 18 gauge, 8.9 cm spinal needle and 0.5 mL iodinated contrast medium. Computed tomog...
Kuroda T, Minamijima Y, Niwa H, Tamura N, Mita H, Fukuda K, Kaimachi M, Suzuki Y, Enoki Y, Taguchi K, Matsumoto K, Toutain PL, Bousquet-Melou A....First-generation cephalosporins have good activity against gram-positive bacteria and are extensively used in horses. There are few reports of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) analysis of cephalosporins in horses. Objective: To optimise the dosages of the two first-generation cephalosporins cephalothin (CET) and cefazolin (CEZ) in horses using PK/PD concepts. Methods: Experimental study with single administration. Methods: Drug plasma concentrations following a single intravenous (i.v.) administration of 22 mg/kg bodyweight (bwt) CET in 12 horses and of 10 mg/kg bwt CEZ in six h...
Doll CU, Niebert S, Burk J.Tendon lesions are common sporting injuries in humans and horses alike. The healing process of acute tendon lesions frequently results in fibrosis and chronic disease. In horses, local mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) injection is an accepted therapeutic strategy with positive influence on acute lesions. Concerning the use of MSCs in chronic tendon disease, data are scarce but suggest less therapeutic benefit. However, it has been shown that MSCs can have a positive effect on fibrotic tissue. Therefore, we aimed to elucidate the interplay of MSCs and healthy or chronically diseased tendon matrix...
Friso AM, Segabinazzi LGTM, Cyrino M, Correal SB, Freitas-Dell'Aqua CP, Teoro do Carmo M, Dell'Aqua JA, Miró J, Papa FO, Alvarenga MA.Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are a therapeutic option for the treatment of inflammation. However, negative effects of non-selective NSAIDs for treatment of mares with endometritis have been described, including delayed uterine clearance and impairment of ovulations. Firocoxib is a specific cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor and has the ability to act in the uterus of mares. We investigated the effects of firocoxib on ovulation rate, numbers of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs), and COX-2 protein levels in the endometrial tissue of susceptible mares after insemination. Two ...
