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.
Elmas CR, Koenig JB, Bienzle D, Cribb NC, Cernicchiaro N, Coté NM, Weese JS.Septic synovitis is a potentially debilitating and life-threatening disorder in horses. We hypothesized that a universal bacterial real-time PCR (RT-PCR) assay would have improved sensitivity and decreased turn-around time for detection of bacteria in synovial fluid (SF) samples. Forty-eight SF samples were collected from 36 horses that presented to two referral institutions with suspected septic synovitis. Universal RT-PCR, bacterial culture and SF analysis were performed on all samples, and an interpretation on the sample being septic or not was derived by three board certified specialists f...
Lohmann KL, Lopez AM, Manning ST, Marques FJ, Brownlie R, Allen AL, Sangster AE, Mutwiri G, Gerdts V, Potter A, Townsend HG.We evaluated the immunogenic and protective potential of a recombinant VapA/CpG oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) 2395 vaccine in neonatal foals undergoing experimental Rhodococcus equi challenge. Foals (n = 8) were vaccinated by intramuscular injection on days 1 and 15 of the study; control foals (n = 7) received a phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) solution. All foals were challenged by intrabronchial administration of 5 × 10⁶ R. equi 103⁺ on day 29. Bronchoalveolar lavages were done on days 15, 29, and 36 and total cell count, differential cell count, rVapA-stimulated cell proliferation and inte...
Witte TH, Wilke M, Stahl C, Jandová V, Haralambus R, Straub R.A 7-year-old 573-kg (1,261 -lb) Swiss Warmblood gelding was evaluated because of signs of acute abdominal pain. Results: Physical examination revealed a markedly distended abdomen with subjectively reduced borborygmi in all abdominal quadrants. A large, gas-distended viscus was present at the pelvic brim preventing complete palpation of the abdomen per rectum. Ultrasonographic evaluation could not be safely performed in the initial evaluation because of severe signs of abdominal pain. Results: Ventral midline celiotomy was performed, and right dorsal displacement of the ascending colon was cor...
Trela JM, Spriet M, Padgett KA, Galuppo LD, Vaughan B, Vidal MA.Intra-arterial (i.a.) and intravenous (i.v.) regional limb perfusions (RLP) through the median artery and cephalic vein, respectively, have been previously investigated for administration of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to the equine distal limb. Limitations due to thrombosis of the arteries after i.a. RLP and poor distribution of MSCs to the foot with i.v. RLP were observed. These techniques need to be modified for clinical use. Objective: Evaluate the distribution, uptake and persistence of radiolabelled MSCs after i.a. injection through the median artery without a tourniquet and after i.v....
Tipton TE, Ray CS, Hand DR.To characterize superficial digital flexor (SDF) tendon lesions in the forelimbs of cutting horses and determine recurrence rate and prognosis for this condition. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: 19 cutting horses with SDF tendonitis. Methods: Medical records for horses evaluated for SDF tendonitis in 2007 through 2011 were reviewed. Data regarding age, sex, lameness grade, affected limb, and treatment were collected. Ultrasonographic images were reviewed, and lesion characteristics were recorded. Follow-up telephone interviews with owners or trainers were conducted to determine re...
Venner M, Credner N, Lämmer M, Giguère S.The objectives of the present study were to determine the relative efficacy of tulathromycin, azithromycin, or azithromycin with rifampin for the treatment of pulmonary abscesses on a farm with endemic infections caused by Rhodococcus equi. Foals with ultrasonographic evidence of pulmonary abscesses (abscess score 8.0-15 cm; n=120) were randomly allocated in four equal treatment groups: (1) tulathromycin intramuscularly; (2) azithromycin monotherapy, orally; (3) azithromycin with rifampin, orally; (4) saline intramuscularly as a placebo. Physical examination and thoracic ultrasonography were p...
Upjohn MM, Pfeiffer DU, Verheyen KL.There are an estimated 112 million Equidae (horses, donkeys, mules) in the developing world, providing essential resources for their owners' livelihoods and well-being. The impoverished situation of their owners and the often harsh conditions in which they work mean that the animals' welfare is a cause for concern. A number of equine non-governmental organisations (NGOs) operate within working equid communities providing veterinary care, education and training programmes aimed at improving equine welfare. However, there is little published information available that describes monitoring and ev...
Riet-Correa F, Rivero R, Odriozola E, Adrien Mde L, Medeiros RM, Schild AL.In the current study, mycotoxicoses of ruminants and horses are reviewed, with an emphasis on the occurrence of these diseases in South America. The main mycotoxicoses observed in grazing cattle include intoxications by indole-diterpenoid mycotoxins (Paspalum spp. contaminated by Claviceps paspali, Lolium perenne infected by Neotyphodium lolii, Cynodon dactylon infected by Claviceps cynodontis, and Poa huecu), gangrenous ergotism and dysthermic syndrome (hyperthermia) caused by Festuca arundinacea (syn. Festuca elatior) infected by Neotyphodium coenophialum (syn. Acremonium coenophialum), and ...
Sampieri F, Allen AL, Pusterla N, Vannucci FA, Antonopoulos AJ, Ball KR, Thompson J, Dowling PM, Hamilton DL, Gebhart CJ.The objective of this study was to demonstrate the susceptibility of rabbits to Lawsonia intracellularis obtained from a case of clinical equine proliferative enteropathy (EPE). This is a preliminary step toward developing a rabbit infection model for studying pathogenesis and therapy of EPE in horses. Nine does were equally assigned to 3 groups. Animals in 2 groups (Group 1 and Group 2) were orally inoculated with different doses of cell-cultured L. intracellularis. Controls (Group 3) were sham-inoculated. Feces and blood were collected before the rabbits were infected and at 7, 14, and 21 da...
Klaus CS, Vogt C, Lischer CJ.To describe a technique and the outcome of using 3.5/4.5/5.0 Metaphyseal Locking Compression Plate for corrective osteotomy of mandibular brachygnathia. Methods: Clinical report. Methods: Eight-month Thoroughbred horse. Methods: Severe mandibular brachygnathia was surgically treated by corrective osteotomy and fixation with 2 LCP 3.5/4.5/5.0 Metaphyseal plates inserted using minimally invasive technique. Results: Severe mandibular brachygnathia was treated successfully with minor complications and stable fixation after 3 months. Cosmetic outcome and owner satisfaction was excellent. Conclusion...
Fletcher DJ, Brainard BM, Epstein K, Radcliffe R, Divers T.Antifibrinolytic drugs such as epsilon aminocaproic acid (EACA) and tranexamic acid (TEA) are used to treat various bleeding disorders in horses. Although horses are hypofibrinolytic compared to humans, dosing schemes have been derived from pharmacokinetic studies targeting plasma concentrations in humans. Objective: We hypothesized therapeutic plasma concentrations of antifibrinolytic drugs in horses would be significantly lower than in humans. Our objective was to use thromboleastography (TEG) and an in vitro model of hyperfibrinolysis to predict therapeutic concentrations of EACA and TEA in...
Feary DJ, Abraham S, Woolford L, Trott DJ.A 6-year-old Arabian mare had a 4-week history of a subcutaneous mass (15 × 15 cm) at the base of the neck, cranial and distal to the prescapular lymph node on the right side. The mass was solid and painful on deep palpation. Ultrasonographic examination showed a soft-tissue abscess. Purulent aspirate was submitted for bacterial culture, which showed a moderate growth of an Actinomyces species. 16S rRNA gene sequencing was performed for definitive identification. Gene sequencing demonstrated close nucleotide homology with A. denticolens. Prolonged therapeutic management resulted in resolu...
Tsuzuki N, Seo JP, Haneda S, Yamada K, Furuoka H, Tabata Y, Sasaki N.A 13-month-old Thoroughbred filly was diagnosed with osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the medial tibial malleolus. A sponge impregnated with platelet-rich plasma, bone morphogenetic protein-2, mesenchymal stem cells and gelatin β-tricalcium phosphate was applied to the OCD site following arthroscopy and debridement. Postoperative radiography (every week for 16 weeks), computed tomography (CT) (16 weeks postoperatively), arthroscopy (16 weeks postoperatively) and biopsy of the regenerated tissue (16 weeks postoperatively) were performed to evaluate the outcome. Radiographically, the defect b...
Turki I, Hammami A, Kharmachi H, Mousli M.Human and equine rabies immunoglobulins are currently available for passive immunization against rabies. However, these are hampered by the limited supply and some drawbacks. Advances in antibody engineering have led to overcome issues of clinical applications and to improve the protective efficacy. In the present study, we report the generation of a trivalent single-chain Fv (scFv50AD1-Fd), that recognizes the rabies virus glycoprotein, genetically fused to the trimerization domain of the bacteriophage T4 fibritin, termed 'foldon' (Fd). scFv50AD1-Fd was expressed as soluble recombinant protei...
Gozalo-Marcilla M, Hopster K, Gasthuys F, Krajewski AE, Schwarz A, Schauvliege S.To compare the effects of a constant rate infusion (CRI) of dexmedetomidine and morphine to those of morphine alone on the minimum end-tidal sevoflurane concentration necessary to prevent movement (MACNM ) in ponies. Methods: Prospective, randomized, crossover, 'blinded', experimental study. Methods: Five healthy adult gelding ponies were anaesthetized twice with a 3-week washout period. Methods: After induction of anaesthesia with sevoflurane in oxygen (via nasotracheal tube), the ponies were positioned on a surgical table (T0), and anaesthesia was maintained with sevoflurane (Fe'SEVO 2.5%) i...
Goraya K, Iqbal Z, Sajid M, Muhammad G, Ain QU, Saleem M.Plants have widely been used and documented for their therapeutic potential in many parts of the world. There are, however, few reports on the use of plants for the treatment of diseases of equines. To this end, participatory epidemiology and rapid rural appraisal techniques were used to document the plants having pharmacotherapeutic significance against different ailments of equines in selected population of Punjab, Pakistan. Methods: A survey was conducted to interview a total of 450 respondents (150 from each of the districts of Faisalabad, Lahore and Sargodha of Pakistan) to collect inform...
Hackett ES, Mama KR, Twedt DC, Gustafson DL.To determine the oral bioavailability, single and multidose pharmacokinetics, and safety of silibinin, a milk thistle derivative, in healthy horses. Methods: 9 healthy horses. Methods: Horses were initially administered silibinin IV and silibinin phospholipid orally in feed and via nasogastric tube. Five horses then consumed increasing orally administered doses of silibinin phospholipid during 4 nonconsecutive weeks (0 mg/kg, 6.5 mg/kg, 13 mg/kg, and 26 mg/kg of body weight, twice daily for 7 days each week). Results: Bioavailability of orally administered silibinin phospholipid was 0.6% PO in...
Nevins R, Finch S, Hickling EJ, Barnett SD.We theorized that ability to direct and control a horse will lead to a sense of empowerment, facilitate a relationship between horse and veteran, lead to a decrease in anxiety, and improve physical and social functioning. Methods: This case study utilizes the Connection methodology: nonverbal language of the horse in a predictable, sequential, and repeatable method. Psychological testing occurred immediately pre- and post-Connection with follow-up occurring at 2, 4, 6, and 12 wks post-Connection. Methods: Twice-deployed combat medic who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). Methods: Saratog...
Hardeman LC, van der Meij BR, Oosterlinck M, Veraa S, van der Kolk JH, Wijnberg ID, Back W.In the treatment of laminitis, reducing deep digital flexor muscle (DDFM) activity might diminish its pull on the distal phalanx, thereby preventing displacement and providing pain relief. Injection of Clostridium botulinum toxin type A into the DDFM of horses is potentially therapeutic. However, the effects of C. botulinum toxin type A on the gait characteristics of sound horses at the walk are not known. The aim of this study was to test if a reduced DDFM activity would lead to (1) alterations of the sagittal range of motion of the metacarpus (SROM) and range of motion of the carpal joint (C...
Smith RK, Werling NJ, Dakin SG, Alam R, Goodship AE, Dudhia J.Tendon injuries are a common age-related degenerative condition where current treatment strategies fail to restore functionality and normal quality of life. This disease also occurs naturally in horses, with many similarities to human tendinopathy making it an ideal large animal model for human disease. Regenerative approaches are increasingly used to improve outcome involving mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), supported by clinical data where injection of autologous bone marrow derived MSCs (BM-MSCs) suspended in marrow supernatant into injured tendons has halved the re-injury rate in racehorses....
De Briyne N, Atkinson J, Pokludová L, Borriello SP, Price S.The Heads of Medicines Agencies and the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe undertook a survey to gain a better insight into the decision-making process of veterinarians in Europe when deciding which antibiotics to prescribe. The survey was completed by 3004 practitioners from 25 European countries. Analysis was to the level of different types of practitioner (food producing (FP) animals, companion animals, equines) and country for Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Spain, Sweden and the UK. Responses indicate no single information source is universally considered critical, though tra...
Marsella R.Allergies are common in horses. It is important to identify and correct as many factors as possible to control pruritus and make the patient comfortable. Culicoides hypersensitivity is a common component in allergic horses. The main treatment continues to be rigorous fly control and avoidance of insect bites. Environmental allergies are best addressed by early identification of the offending allergens and formulation of allergen-specific immunotherapy to decrease the need for rescue medications. Food allergy is best managed with food avoidance. Urticaria is one of the manifestations of allergi...
Esparza J.Mystery surrounds the extent to which horsepox virus may have contributed to the vaccinia virus used to eradicate smallpox. With few documented cases of horsepox in recent years it may never be solved, says José Esparza, who seeks to raise awareness of the potential historical and scientific importance of identifying new cases.
Schröttner P, Schultz J, Rudolph W, Gunzer F, Thürmer A, Fitze G, Jacobs E.We report on the isolation of Actinobacillus equuli ssp. haemolyticus from wound smears of a 2-year-old girl who was admitted to the hospital due to partial amputation of the distal phalanx of her right middle finger caused by a horse bite. A. equuli typically causes diseases in horses and only very few reports describing human infections (mostly associated with wounds) are available in the literature. Interestingly, although the bacteria could be found in consecutive samples taken at different points in time, there were no signs of advancing infection or inflammation. Moreover, the fingertip ...
Raisi A, Davoodi F.The purpose of this review is to provide a comprehensive comparison of spermatic cord torsion in domestic animals. Spermatic cord torsion leads to occlusion of testicular blood flow resulting in ischemia and tissue hypoxia. Spermatic cord torsion has been reported in all domestic mammals but dogs and horses are overrepresented. Abdominal pain (colic), anorexia, vomiting, lameness, and stiff gait are the most common clinical signs reported. The condition may be asymptomatic in cases of a low degree of spermatic cord torsion. In dogs, spermatic cord torsion is most commonly reported in undescend...
El-Kady EM, Ibrahim NM, Wahby AF.The horse antibodies to Naja haje (Nh) elicited in a low dose multi-site immunization protocol were investigated from binding perspective in the context of antivenom maturation. We found that, this protocol evoked the production of lethality neutralizing avid antibodies in the first round of immunization which increases over the successive immunization rounds. The changes and the relative changes in the antibody parameters of each horse were taken as a measure for the efficacy of its immune system to respond by gaining and magnifying the antivenom parameters. While the avidity increases over t...
Warnakulasooriya DN, Marth CD, McLeod JA, Hanlon DW, Krekeler N.Retained fetal membranes (RFM) is a common post-partum problem in mares for which the treatment is highly variable. The aim of this study was (i) to investigate the different treatments used by equine practitioners for RFM and (ii) to determine if there is a difference between treatments used by reproductive specialists and general equine practitioners. Information regarding treatment of RFM was sought from veterinary practitioners via a survey and this was compared to recommendations in the current literature. The survey was sent out to equine veterinarians and mixed practitioners with a high...
Fortier LA, Fubini SL, Flanders JA, Divers TJ.Two calves and two foals presented with episodic clinical signs of diffuse central nervous system disease. Portosystemic anomalies were tentatively diagnosed based on the history, clinical signs and increased serum concentrations of blood ammonia and total serum bile acids with normal concentrations of liver derived enzymes. one calf died before intraoperative contrast portography, whereas the other calf and both foals had marked clinical improvement after intensive medical therapy. Surgical correction was attempted in these three animals and was successful in one foal. A right paracostal celi...
Rossignol F, Perrin R, Boening KJ.To evaluate the efficacy of a laparoscopic peritoneal flap hernioplasty (PFH) to close anatomically the vaginal ring and to evaluate its protective effect in horses with a history of strangulated inguinal hernia (SIH) against future herniation. Methods: Prospective study. Methods: A first group of 5 ponies, 3 horses and 1 donkey with no history of SIH and a second group of 4 horses 'clinical cases' with a history of SIH. Methods: A laparoscopic PFH was effected on all horses under general anaesthesia. Peritoneum ventro-lateral to the vaginal ring was elevated and cut on 3 sides, separated from...
Squire KR, Adams SB, Widmer WR, Coatney RW, Habig C.A 5-year-old Arabian stallion with moderate effusion in the right carpal canal and intermittent lameness in this limb was diagnosed to have an osteochondroma projecting from the distal portion of the radius into the carpal canal. oral phenylbutazone treatment over the next 3 years allowed the stallion to continue its show career. Right forelimb lameness returned at that time, and ultrasonography revealed the osteochondroma impinging on the dorsal surface of the deep digital flexor tendon. The owner elected to have the osteochondroma surgically removed. The horse was anesthetized, and the carpa...
Watts AE, Fortier LA, Nixon AJ, Ducharme NG.To report a technique for laser-facilitated, minimally invasive proximal interphalangeal joint (PIJ) arthrodesis in horses. Methods: Case series. Methods: Horses (n=6); 5 thoracic and 2 pelvic limb PIJ. Methods: PIJ osteoarthritis (OA) diagnosis was confirmed by radiography. A diode laser was used to apply 2000 J of energy to the joint followed by insertion of 3 parallel 5.5 mm screws in lag fashion through stab incisions to achieve PIJ arthrodesis. After anesthetic recovery, limbs were maintained in bandages (n=2) or bandage casts (5) for 3 weeks. Horses were allowed exercise or turnout by 3 ...
Kold SE, Hickman J, Meisen F.The quantitative aspects of equine cancellous bone graft incorporation and the possibility of influencing graft incorporation by daily exposure to a pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) was studied in eight yearling ponies. In order to be able to quantify formative aspects of graft remodelling, a double and treble tetracycline intravital labelling technique was used. Intravital radiographs were obtained at regular intervals throughout the trial, but were found to be of little assistance in assessing any differences between stimulated and non-stimulated grafts. The ponies were humanely destroyed...
Rose PL, Abutarbush SM, Duckett W.Standing myelography in the horse has been previously described. In that study, metrizamide was used and significant complications were reported. In recent years, the introduction of less-toxic nonionic contrast media has reduced the incidence of complications. This study was undertaken to determine whether standing myelography using a nonionic contrast medium could provide a diagnostic study and be performed safely in the equine patient. Standing myelography was performed in eight horses. The contrast medium used was iohexol. In five horses a myelogram of diagnostic quality was achieved; in o...
Fortier LA, Nixon AJ, Ducharme NG, Mohammed HO, Yeager A.To determine the outcome of horses with "complex" digital tenosynovitis treated by tenoscopic proximal annular ligament desmotomy and resection of synovial masses or adhesions, or both, within the digital sheath. Methods: Retrospective evaluation. Methods: Twenty-five horses with a clinical and ultrasonographic diagnosis of palmar or plantar proximal annular ligament constriction and ultrasonographic evidence of synovial masses or adhesions within the digital tendon sheath. Methods: Each horse had tenoscopic surgery for annular ligament desmotomy combined with adhesiolysis and/or synovial mass...
Stange LM, Krieter J, Czycholl I.Equine headshaking syndrome is a problematic behavior that has been described in literature for more than 100 years. The signs of headshaking syndrome appear frequently and violently so that riding the horse can be dangerous. The aim of this research was to gain an overview of the underlying causes of equine headshaking syndrome to identify effective treatment options, reduce the distress of horses and, in a second step, potentially improve therapeutic possibilities for horse owners and veterinarians. Most studies on prevalence originate from Anglo-American countries, so this research was to ...
Seltzer KL, Byars TD.To determine the percentage of Thoroughbred racehorses that would be capable of racing performance after recovery from infectious pleuropneumonia. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: 70 Thoroughbred horses that had recovered from pleuropneumonia. Only horses 5 years old known to be in race training at the time of illness were included in the study. Results: Forty-three of the 70 (61%) horses raced after recovery, and 24 of the 43 (56%) won at least 1 race. Horses that required placement of an indwelling thoracic drain apparently did not have a worse prognosis than did horses that did...
Auer U, Schramel JP, Moens YP, Mosing M, Braun C.To assess changes in the distribution in pulmonary ventilation in anaesthetized ponies using electrical impedance tomography (EIT). Methods: Prospective experimental study. Methods: A group of eight adult pony geldings. Methods: General anaesthesia was induced and maintained using isoflurane in oxygen with volume-controlled ventilation [tidal volume (VT) (10 mL kg-1), respiratory rate (8-12 breaths minute-1)] to maintain end-tidal carbon dioxide between 35 and 40 mmHg (4.66-5.32 kPa). Regional distribution of ventilation was assessed with EIT (plane of fifth to sixth intercostal space) at 30, ...
Goodman-Davis R, Figurska M, Cywinska A.Diarrhea in foals is a problem of significant clinical and economic consequence, and there are good reasons to believe microbiota manipulation can play an important role in its management. However, given the dynamic development of the foal microbiota and its importance in health and disease, any prophylactic or therapeutic efforts to alter its composition should be evidence based. The few clinical trials of probiotic preparations conducted in foals to date show underwhelming evidence of efficacy and a demonstrated potential to aggravate rather than mitigate diarrhea. Furthermore, recent studie...
Scotty NC, Cutler TJ, Brooks DE, Ferrell E.To define the indications for equine ocular ultrasonography and to provide representative ultrasonographic images of lens and posterior segment diseases. Methods: Retrospective study. Equine medical records dating from January 1983 to March 2001 were reviewed. All cases that: (1) had a lens and/or posterior segment abnormality; and (2) received a complete ophthalmic examination and ocular ultrasonography were included. Results: Forty-three cases (n = 64 eyes) out of 112 total cases of equine lens and/or posterior segment abnormalities qualified. The following conditions were identified ultraso...
Owens JG, Kamerling SG, Barker SA.The pharmacokinetic properties of a single intravenous dose of ketoprofen (2.2 mg/kg) in plasma and synovial fluid were compared in four healthy animals and four horses with experimentally induced acute synovitis. Synovitis was induced by the injection of a 1% solution of sterile carrageenan into the left intercarpal joint. Ketoprofen was administered at the same time as carrageenan infection. The plasma disposition followed a biexponential equation or a two-compartment model in most horses. The plasma harmonic mean half-life in healthy horses (0.88 h) was longer than in horses with synovitis ...
Judy CE, Chaffin MK, Cohen ND.To identify features of guttural pouch (auditory tube diverticulum) empyema in horses and compare findings of uncomplicated guttural pouch empyema with guttural pouch empyema complicated by chondroids. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: 91 horses with guttural pouch empyema. Methods: Medical records of horses with guttural pouch empyema were reviewed. Results: The most common owner complaint and abnormal finding was persistent nasal discharge. Chondroids were detected in 21% (19/91) of affected horses. Streptococcus equi was isolated from the guttural pouch in 14 of 44 horses; for Streptoc...
Tschetter JR, Byrne KM, Perryman LE, McGuire TC.Horses infected with equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) have recurrent episodes of viremia which are eventually controlled, but the immune mechanisms have not been identified. Antibodies were detected to the surface of EIAV-infected cells within 1 month postinfection and remained for at least 3.5 years postinfection. These antibodies recognized cell surface-exposed envelope (Env) glycoproteins, but could not mediate antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) using EIAV-WSU5-infected equine kidney (EK) cells as targets and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) or polymorphonuclear c...
Hackett ES, Mama KR, Twedt DC, Gustafson DL.To determine the oral bioavailability, single and multidose pharmacokinetics, and safety of silibinin, a milk thistle derivative, in healthy horses. Methods: 9 healthy horses. Methods: Horses were initially administered silibinin IV and silibinin phospholipid orally in feed and via nasogastric tube. Five horses then consumed increasing orally administered doses of silibinin phospholipid during 4 nonconsecutive weeks (0 mg/kg, 6.5 mg/kg, 13 mg/kg, and 26 mg/kg of body weight, twice daily for 7 days each week). Results: Bioavailability of orally administered silibinin phospholipid was 0.6% PO in...
Anyanwu MU, Jaja IF, Nwobi OC, Mgbeahuruike AC, Ikpendu CN, Okafor NA, Oguttu JW.Mobile colistin resistance () genes (-1 to -10) threaten the efficacy of colistin (COL), a polymyxin antibiotic that is used as a last-line agent for the treatment of deadly infections caused by multidrug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant bacteria in humans and animals. COL has been used for more than 60 years for the prophylactic control and treatment of infections in livestock husbandry but not in horses. Polymyxin B is used for the prophylactic control and empirical treatment of infections in horses without conducting sensitivity tests. The lack of sensitivity testing exerts selectio...
Holcombe SJ, Rodriguez KM, Haupt JL, Campbell JO, Chaney KP, Sparks HD, Hauptman JG.To determine the incidence of postoperative ileus (POI) in a population of horses after small intestinal surgery and the effect of multiple variables on development of POI. Methods: Case series. Methods: Horses (n=233) aged > or =1 year that had exploratory celiotomy for small intestinal disease that recovered from surgery from 1995 to 2005. Methods: Sixty-eight variables were collected from medical records (1995-2005) for each horse. POI was defined as nasogastric reflux volume >20 L over 24 hours or >8 L at any single time after surgery. Results: Twenty-seven percent (64/233) of hor...
Thoefner MB, Ersbøll AK, Jensen AL, Hesselholt M.A prospective survey of horses with colic referred to the Large Animal Hospital at the Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University of Copenhagen, Denmark, was undertaken between August 1994 and December 1997. The interrelationships between 17 clinical variables were analysed using factor analysis. Factor analysis uncovers the structure of the variability in data and therefore detects multicollinearity. A total of 528 horses were admitted in the study period. Of these, 16 were excluded from the analysis as a result of miscellaneous conditions. Only 205 horses had observations for all 17 variab...
Fox SE, Ridgway EB, Slavin SA, Upton J, Lee BT.Equestrian activities have always been popular in the United States. As safety guidelines have become more stringent, horse-related injuries have diminished by 40 percent over the past 20 years. Although perhaps less critical than in the past, injuries to equestrians most frequently involve the face, upper extremity, and lower extremity and are commonly evaluated by the plastic surgeon. The purpose of this study was to determine the characteristics of these equestrian-related injuries. Methods: The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System database is a stratified probability sample of ho...
Schulman ML, Becker A, van der Merwe BD, Guthrie AJ, Stout TA.Equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) is one of the most common causes of infectious abortion in mares. Analysing the demography of outbreaks and detailing subsequent reproductive performance of affected mares will assist in the management of future (threatened) epizootics. Objective: To examine the epidemiology and reproductive outcomes of 2 EHV-1 abortion epizootics with very different patterns of morbidity. Methods: Epidemiological and reproductive data were analysed retrospectively following abortion epizootics associated with EHV-1, but initiated via different routes, among unvaccinated mares on 2...
Barrey E.Equine breeding selection has been developed by applying quantitative genetic methods for calculating the heritability of the complex traits such as performance in racing or sport competitions. With the great development of biotechnologies, equine molecular genetics has come of age. The recent sequencing of the equine genome by an international consortium was a major advance that will impact equine genomics in the near future. With the rapid progress in equine genetics, new applications in early performance evaluation and the detection of disease markers become available. Many new biomolecular...
Nurnberg HG, Keith SJ, Paxton DM.Treatment successes of various stereotyped behaviors in animals and humans has renewed interest in ethologic animal models for the study of psychiatric disorders. This report presents another such behavior occurring in horses to weaving. This anomalous, repetitive, and purposeless behavior draws analogies to human compulsive spectrum behaviors. A "weaver" provided an opportunity to evaluate serotonin, dopamine, and opioid neurotransmitter system contributions by probing each with a selective agent in A-B-A-C-A-D design. The horse was treated in sequential 1-month periods separated by 1-month w...
Wise LN, Bryan JN, Sellon DC, Hines MT, Ramsay J, Seino KK.Renal carcinoma is a rare tumor of horses. Objective: Presenting complaints and clinical signs of this disease are vague and early diagnosis increases survival time. Methods: Data were collected from the medical records of 4 horses presented to Washington State University as well as the 23 previously published case reports of horses with renal carcinoma. Methods: Retrospective study. Results: Renal carcinoma affects horses of all ages with most cases observed in geldings and Thoroughbreds. The most common presenting complaints are nonspecific and usually do not occur until late in the course o...
Meier A, Hertzberg H.The occurrence of anthelmintic resistance in strongyles was investigated in 440 horses on 90 farms in Switzerland. The egg hatch assay suggested that benzimidazole (BZ)-resistance was present in 40 of 82 farms (49%). Faecal egg count reduction after pyrantel-treatment was above 96% in 14 of 15 farms. In the remaining farm the efficacy was only 80%. Ivermectin efficacy was investigated on 5 farms and the efficacy was recorded at 98-100%. Faecal cultures undertaken after treatment revealed almost exclusively larvae of the family Cyathostominae. Data about management practices, pasture hygiene an...
Beasley AM, Kotze AC, Allen K, Coleman GT.The macrocyclic lactone (ML) drugs are central to the control of equine strongyles but recent international reports raise concerns about reduced efficacy of these drugs against cyathostomins. The objectives of the present study were firstly, to evaluate the efficacy of ML drugs against cyathostomins on a cross-section of Australian horse farms, and secondly, to determine the egg reappearance period (ERP) following treatment of horses with MLs. A total of 419 horses on 43 properties were treated orally with ivermectin, abamectin or moxidectin, at recommended dose rates and drug efficacy was det...
Piyasena TBH, Setoh YX, Hobson-Peters J, Prow NA, Bielefeldt-Ohmann H, Khromykh AA, Perera D, Cardosa MJ, Kirkland PD, Hall RA.In Australia, infection of horses with the West Nile virus (WNV) or Murray Valley encephalitis virus (MVEV) occasionally results in severe neurological disease that cannot be clinically differentiated. Confirmatory serological tests to detect antibody specific for MVEV or WNV in horses are often hampered by cross-reactive antibodies induced to conserved epitopes on the envelope (E) protein. This study utilized bacterially expressed recombinant antigens derived from domain III of the E protein (rE-DIII) of MVEV and WNV, respectively, to determine whether these subunit antigens provided specific...
