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.
Sponseller BT, Valberg SJ, Schultz NE, Bedford H, Wong DM, Kersh K, Shelton GD.Seasonal pasture myopathy (SPM) is a highly fatal form of nonexertional rhabdomyolysis that occurs in pastured horses in the United States during autumn or spring. In Europe, a similar condition, atypical myopathy (AM), is common. Recently, a defect of lipid metabolism, multiple acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (MADD), has been identified in horses with AM. Objective: To determine if SPM in the United States is caused by MADD. Methods: Six horses diagnosed with SPM based on history, clinical signs, and serum creatine kinase activity, or postmortem findings. Methods: Retrospective descriptive ...
El Garch H, Crafford JE, Amouyal P, Durand PY, Edlund Toulemonde C, Lemaitre L, Cozette V, Guthrie A, Minke JM.A recombinant canarypox virus vectored vaccine co-expressing synthetic genes encoding outer capsid proteins, VP2 and VP5, of African horse sickness virus (AHSV) serotype 4 (ALVAC(®)-AHSV4) has been demonstrated to fully protect horses against homologous challenge with virulent field virus. Guthrie et al. (2009) detected weak and variable titres of neutralizing antibody (ranging from <10 to 40) 8 weeks after vaccination leading us to hypothesize that there could be a participation of cell mediated immunity (CMI) in protection against AHSV4. The present study aimed at characterizing the CMI ind...
Grapperon Mathis M, Ley C, Berger M, Hansson K.The current lack of a standardized protocol for positioning of the gamma camera relative to the horse limb in a lateral stifle scintigram, and thus the reliance on subjective positioning, may be a cause of diagnostic error and inter-operator variability due to variations of the view angle. The aims of this study were to develop a reliable method to obtain a lateral scintigram of the equine stifle based on fixed anatomical landmarks and measure the resulting foot to gamma camera angle on sequential measurements of the same horse and of different horses Methods: Technetium filled capsules were g...
Mukherjee S, Moody EE, Lewokzco K, Huddleston DB, Huang J, Rowland ME, Wilson R, Dunn JR, Jones TF, Moncayo AC.Human and equine outbreaks caused by eastern equine encephalomyelitis virus (EEEV) typically occur in North America adjacent to coastal wetlands associated with the presence of Culiseta melanura (Coquillet) mosquitoes. Eastern equine encephalomyelitis (EEE) is an emerging disease in Tennessee, as the first records of equine disease began in 2002. In 2006 we trapped and tested mosquitoes for EEEV at hardwood swamps in western Tennessee that were at the epicenter of a multi-equine outbreak in fall of 2005. Additionally, the Tennessee Valley Authority tested mosquito pools collected in Tennessee ...
Sundra TM, Harrison JL, Lester GD, Raidal SL, Phillips JK.The effects of hyoscine-N-butylbromide (hyoscine) and propantheline-bromide (propantheline) on heart rate (HR), HR variability (HRV) and gastrointestinal tract (GIT) contractions in the normal horse were determined. Five adult horses had ECG recordings for 180 min after treatment with propantheline (100mg), hyoscine (120 mg) or saline. Both propantheline and hyoscine reduced GIT sounds, with propantheline having a longer duration of effect (≥120 min). Both drugs elevated HR relative to the control baseline period (P<0.05), with the effects of propantheline again being of longer duration. ...
Lunney JK, Kai C, Inumaru S, Onodera T.This special issue of Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology summarizes the Proceedings of the 9th International Veterinary Immunology Symposium (9th IVIS) held August 2010, in Tokyo, Japan. Over 340 delegates from 30 countries discussed research progress analyzing the immune systems of numerous food animals and wildlife, probing basic immunity and the influence of stress, genetics, nutrition, endocrinology and reproduction. Major presentations addressed defense against pathogens and alternative control and prevention strategies including vaccines, adjuvants and novel biotherapeutics. A spe...
Ankringa N, Wijnberg ID, Boerma S, Ijzer J.A 6-year-old Friesian stallion was examined because of signs of exercise intolerance, stiff gait and symmetrical hind weakness, and increased serum liver enzymes. On presentation, the horse showed muscle atrophy of the hindquarters. Neurological investigation showed no abnormalities. Laboratory findings revealed a prolonged prothrombin time and increased levels of alkaline phosphatase (AF), aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT), gamma-glutamyl-transferase (GGT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and bile acids. Histological evaluation of the liver revealed severe cirrhosis and intracytoplasmic greyish ...
Brainard BM, Epstein KL, LoBato DN, Kwon S, Darien BJ, Hurley DJ, Moore JN.Inflammation-induced P-selectin (CD62P) expression on platelets and endothelial cells facilitates interactions among platelets and polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN), and can also promote coagulation. The effects of clopidogrel and aspirin (ASA) on equine platelet CD62P expression were investigated. Six horses were treated in a cross-over design with clopidogrel (2mg/kg PO q 24) or ASA (5mg/kg PO q 24h) for 5 days. Platelets collected at 24, 72, 96, 120, and 168 h after the initiation of therapy were stimulated using 0.1 μg/mL thrombin, followed by flow cytometric analysis using anti-CD41/61 ...
Maciel FB, DeRossi R, Módolo TJ, Pagliosa RC, Leal CR, Delben AA.Deep second-degree burns (DSDb) involve all epidermis layers, including the basal laminae. In general, DSDb heals with extensive areas of scarring. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a source of growth factors, obtained by centrifugation and addition of thrombin and calcium, resulting in a gel. The objective of this study was to monitor the healing of DSDb by sequential biopsies after PRP treatment and evaluating by a scanning electron microscopy. Also, characterize bacterial profile and PRP antibacterial effect in horses' burns. Four horses were placed into two groups, G1 and G2, with the groups r...
Blake KR, Affolter VK, Lowenstine LJ, Vilches-Moure JG, le Jeune SS.A 10-year-old Lipizzaner stallion was evaluated over the course of 1.5 years because of intermittent, recurrent colic. Results: The horse was initially treated medically for gastric ulcers; dietary changes were made, and a deworming protocol was instituted, without resolution of colic episodes. Subsequently, the horse underwent exploratory celiotomy and a large colon volvulus was identified with diffuse colonic wall thickening. A pelvic flexure biopsy sample was submitted for histologic examination, which revealed lymphocytic (CD3-positive T cells) myenteric ganglionitis (MG). The horse develo...
Hunter B, Nation PN.Mycotic encephalitis caused severe ataxia and other neurologic deficits in a horse. The finding of a single, large focus of cerebral malacia, with histopathologic evidence of fungal elements, suggested infection was a result of direct transfer from the frontal sinuses, rather than hematogenous spread from the guttural pouch. Une encéphalite mycotique a causé une ataxie grave et d’autres déficits neurologiques chez un cheval. La découverte d’un grand foyer unique de malacie cérébrale avec une preuve histopathologique d’éléments fongiques a suggéré que l’infection était un tr...
Renzi S, Lombardo T, Dotti S, Dessì SS, De Blasio P, Ferrari M.The advent of stem cells and stem cell-based therapies for specific diseases requires particular knowledge of laboratory procedures, which not only guarantee the continuous production of cells, but also provide them an identity and integrity as close as possible to their origin. Their cryopreservation at temperatures below -80°C and typically below -140°C is of paramount importance. This target can be achieved by incorporating high molar concentrations of cryoprotectant mixtures that preserve cells from deleterious ice crystal formation. Usually, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and animal proteins...
Werner HW.Prepurchase examination provides a significant opportunity for veterinarians to offer an important professional service to the equine industry. When the service is performed competently and ethically, prospective buyers and sellers will recommend the examining veterinarian to fellow horse owners and professionals. To become comfortable with and skilled at performing prepurchase examinations, a veterinarian must understand the operational challenges associated with this service-and master them. Veterinarians performing prepurchase examinations should address the needs and manage the expectation...
Harrington JT, McMullen RJ, Clode AB, Gilger BC.A 2-month-old, 110-kg Saddlebred filly presented for evaluation of bilateral cataracts. A hypermature cataract in the left eye (OS) and an incipient nuclear cataract in the right eye (OD) were diagnosed. Electroretinography and ocular ultrasound revealed no contraindications for surgical removal of the cataractous lens OS. Phacoemulsification and implantation of a +14 diopter (D) intraocular lens (IOL) OS were performed at 4 months of age without complication, with the exception of a partial iridectomy performed on a small iris section that prolapsed through the corneal incision. Complete opht...
Giguère S, Lee EA, Guldbech KM, Berghaus LJ.There are no studies investigating interactions between clarithromycin or azithromycin and rifampin or other commonly used antimicrobial agents against virulent isolates of Rhodococcus equi. In addition, there is no published data on the postantibiotic effects (PAEs) and pharmacodynamics properties of antimicrobial agents against R. equi. The objectives were to assess in vitro interactions, pharmacodynamics, and PAEs of 11 antimicrobial agents belonging to various antimicrobial classes against R. equi. Antimicrobial agents investigated (erythromycin, clarithromycin, azithromycin, rifampin, ami...
Khan I, Wieler LH, Melzer F, Elschner MC, Muhammad G, Ali S, Sprague LD, Neubauer H, Saqib M.Glanders or farcy, caused by Burkholderia mallei, is an infectious and zoonotic disease of solipeds. Horses, donkeys and mules are the only known natural reservoir of B. mallei. Although glanders has been eradicated from most countries, it has regained the status of a re-emerging disease because of the numerous recent outbreaks. Pre-symptomatic or carrier animals are the potential source of infection for the healthy equine population and play a crucial role in the spreading of the infectious agent. Glanders is characterized by ulcerating nodular lesions of the skin and mucous membrane. Genera...
Ziska SM, Schumacher J, Duran SH, Brock KV.To develop a high-speed, continuous-flow, automated plasmapheresis procedure for the high-volume harvest of equine plasma in accordance with current good manufacturing practice. Methods: 143 horses (predominantly draft breeds) between 3 and 10 years of age at the time of purchase. Methods: Adaptations were made to automated plasmapheresis instruments and sterile disposable collection sets, which allowed for dual-instrument, continuous-flow operation. Donor horses were connected to the apparatus via 2 catheters (1 inserted in each jugular vein). The instruments removed whole blood from donors, ...
Costa MC, Weese JS.The equine intestinal tract contains a complex microbial population (microbiota) that plays an important role in health and disease. Despite the undeniable importance of a 'normal' microbiota, understanding of the composition and function of this population is currently limited. As methods to characterize the microbiota and its genetic makeup (the microbiome) have evolved, the composition and complexity of this population are starting to be revealed. As is befitting a hindgut fermenter, members of the Firmicutes phylum appear to predominate, yet there are significant populations of numerous ot...
Tofflemire KL, Whitley RD, Wong DM, Waller KR, Myers RK, Pillatzki AE, Ben-Shlomo G.An 11-year-old Oldenburg mare presented following three episodes of acute, transient blindness, ataxia, and disorientation within the preceding 7 months. Clinical improvement, including return of vision, occurred within 1 week of initiating corticosteroid therapy for each of the three episodes. However, mild right-sided miosis was a consistent finding on ophthalmic examinations. Routine clinicopathologic testing revealed no significant abnormalities, and testing of cerebral spinal fluid for selected infectious diseases was unrewarding. Computed tomography of the brain demonstrated a hyperatten...
Morello S, Southwood LL, Engiles J, Slack J, Crack A, Springate CM.To evaluate the effect of PERIDAN™ Concentrate on clinical findings, infection, and tissue healing in adult horses undergoing celiotomy and jejunojejunostomy. Methods: Block randomized blinded experimental in vivo study. Methods: Adult horses (n = 12). Methods: Horses had jejunojejunostomy at 2 sites and were administered 5 L of diluted PERIDAN™ Concentrate (6 horses) or Lactated Ringer's Injection (LRS) control intraperitoneally (6 horses) before body wall closure. Postoperative monitoring comprised physical examinations, serial hematology, coagulation and chemistry panels, and ultrasonog...
Thompson JA, Eades SC, Chapman AM, Paulsen DB, Barker SA, McConnico RS.To determine the effects of clenbuterol, at a dosage of up to 3.2 μg/kg for 14 days, PO, on skeletal and cardiac muscle in healthy horses undergoing treadmill exercise. Methods: 12 healthy horses from 3 to 10 years old. Methods: Horses were randomly assigned to a control group (n = 6) or clenbuterol group (6) and received either saline (0.9% NaCl) solution or clenbuterol, PO, every 12 hours for 14 days. Horses were subjected to submaximal treadmill exercise daily during treatment. Muscle biopsy specimens were collected before and after treatment for determination of apoptosis. Echocardiograph...
Katzman SA, Nieto JE, Arens AM, MacDonald MH, Puchalski SM, Galuppo LD, Snyder JR, Maher O, Bell RJ.To assess clinical outcomes and scintigraphic findings in horses with a bone fragility disorder (BFD) treated with zoledronate (a nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate). Methods: Prospective uncontrolled clinical trial. Methods: 10 horses with evidence of a BFD. Methods: Signalment, history, and geographic location of horses' home environments were recorded. Physical examinations, lameness evaluations, and nuclear scintigraphy were performed. Diagnosis of a BFD was made on the basis of results of clinical and scintigraphic examination. Each horse was treated with zoledronate (0.075 mg/kg [0.034 m...
Textor JA, Puchalski SM, Affolter VK, MacDonald MH, Galuppo LD, Wisner ER.To determine whether CT provides unique information about the treatment or prognosis for horses with ethmoid hematoma (EH). Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: 16 horses with EH. Methods: Horses with a diagnosis of EH that had undergone a diagnostic CT study were included. Clinical features, treatment, outcome, radiographic and CT images, and histologic specimens were reviewed. Results: CT provided new diagnostic information that affected treatment in 10 of 16 horses. Bilateral disease occurred in 8 of 16 horses and was undetected in 5 horses prior to CT. Paranasal sinus involvement o...
Borchers A, Wilkins PA, Marsh PM, Axon JE, Read J, Castagnetti C, Pantaleon L, Clark C, Qura'n L, Belgrave R, Trachsel D, Levy M, Bedenice D....Admission L-lactate concentration is a useful and commonly measured biomarker not previously prospectively evaluated in a large multicentre study of critically ill neonatal foals. Objective: To evaluate overall outcome and the association of survival and L-lactate concentration at admission ([LAC]ADMIT) by periparturient history, presenting complaint and clinicians' major diagnosis for ill neonatal foals. Methods: Thirteen university and private equine referral hospitals enrolled 643 foals over the 2008 foaling season. Case details, historical, clinical and clinicopathological data were entere...
Jose-Cunilleras E, Viu J, Corradini I, Armengou L, Cesarini C, Monreal L.Nutritional support in critically ill neonatal foals is of great importance given their high metabolic rate and minimal stores of energy and protein. Nutrient requirements of healthy growing foals have been estimated based on daily milk intake; however, little is known about the resting energy expenditure (REE) of sick foals. Objective: To determine REE in critically ill neonatal foals (sepsis and/or hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy [HIE] and compare this with REE in control foals. Methods: Critically ill newborn foals admitted to the Fundació Hospital Clinic Veterinari, Universitat Autònoma...
Himler M, Hurcombe SD, Griffin A, Barsnick RJ, Rathgeber RA, MacGillivray KC, Toribio RE.Hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis dysfunction is associated with morbidity and mortality in critically ill people. To date, investigations of HPT axis in critically ill foals are limited. Objective: To document the occurrence of low thyroid hormone concentrations (presumptive nonthyroidal illness syndrome; NTIS) in critically ill newborn foals and investigate whether NTIS is associated with severity of disease and outcome. Objective: NTIS occurs frequently in foals with sepsis and is associated with sepsis score and outcome. Reverse T3 (rT3) concentrations will be increased in septic f...
Dunkel B, Chaney KP, Dallap-Schaer BL, Pellegrini-Masini A, Mair TS, Boston R.Intestinal hyperammonaemia (HA) has been infrequently reported in individual horses; however, there have been no studies describing clinical and laboratory data as well as short- and long-term outcome in a larger number of cases. Objective: To describe clinical and laboratory data and short- and long-term outcome in a large group of horses with intestinal HA. Methods: Multi-centred, retrospective study; case records of horses with HA were reviewed and any horse with a clinical or post mortem diagnosis of intestinal HA was included. Hyperammonaemia was defined as a blood ammonium (NH(4) (+)) co...
Delling U, Howard RD, Pleasant RS, Lanz OI.To develop a minimally invasive, hand-assisted laparoscopic ovariohysterectomy (HALS-OHE) technique in the mare and to evaluate safety and any associated complications. Methods: Experimental study. Methods: Eight, 11-24-year-old mares with anatomically normal urogenital tracts. Methods: The surgical technique was developed in 2 non-survival mares and subsequently evaluated in 6 survival procedures. Food was withheld for 48 hours, then mares were anesthetized and positioned in dorsal recumbency for laparoscopic surgery. A hand access device (Omniport) was placed followed by 4 laparoscopic porta...
McTaggart C, Penhale J, Raidala SL.To evaluate the effect of plasma transfusion on phagocytosis and oxidative burst activity of peripheral blood neutrophils from healthy and septic equine neonates with sub-optimal passive transfer of maternal immunity. Methods: Nine healthy and seven septic foals with suboptimal passive transfer of maternal immunity (serum IgG or = 8 g/L. Methods: Foals with serum IgG concentrations or = 11. All foals received between 1 and 3 L of plasma to boost circulating IgG concentrations to > or = 8 g/L. Serum IgG concentrations were determined before and following transfusion by glutaraldehyde coagu...
Dyson SJ, Dik KJ.The use of diagnostic ultrasonography has greatly enhances our ability to diagnose injuries of tendons and tendon sheaths that were previously either unrecognized or poorly understood. For may of these injuries, there is currently only a small amount of follow-up data. This article considers injuries of the deep digital flexor tendon and its accessory ligament, the carpal tunnel syndrome soft tissue swellings on the dorsal aspect of the carpus, intertubercular (bicipital) bursitis and bicipital tendinitis, injuries of the gastrocnemius tendon, common calcaneal tendinitis, rupture of peroneus (...
Cooper C, Sears W, Bienzle D.Availability of recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO) has facilitated use to enhance red blood cell production, and therefore aerobic performance, in human and equine athletes. Recombinant human EPO promotes growth and differentiation of equine erythroid precursor cells, but in some horses repeat administration induces immune interference with endogenous EPO resulting in fatal anemia. Although blood reticulocyte parameters acquire unique changes in humans treated with EPO, with manual enumeration methods, horses were not considered to release reticulocytes from the bone marrow into circulatio...
Payne RC, Sukanto IP, Graydon R, Saroso H, Jusuf SH.During an outbreak of trypanosomiasis in cattle, buffalo and horses on the island of Madura, a survey was conducted to determine the prevalence of Trypanosoma evansi in the region. Blood samples were collected from 130 cattle and 147 buffalo in 5 villages, whole blood was examined for trypanosomes by the microhaematocrit (MHCT) method and serum samples were subjected to an enzyme linked immuno absorbent assay to detect T. evansi antibodies. T. evansi was detected by MHCT in 50% of the buffalo examined and 13% of the cattle, while antibodies were detected in 47% of the buffalo and 30% of the ca...
Dern K, Burns TA, Watts MR, van Eps AW, Belknap JK.Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is consistently increased in the digital lamellae in different studies of sepsis-related laminitis (SRL). IL-6 signalling through the gp130 receptor activates similar signalling (i.e. mTORC1-related signalling) previously reported to be activated in models of endocrinopathic laminitis. Objective: To assess the activation state of signalling proteins downstream of IL-6/gp130 receptor complex activation in an experimental model of SRL. Methods: Randomised experimental study. Methods: Lamellar phospho-(P) protein concentrations downstream of the IL-6/gp130 receptors were asse...
Muir WW, Reed SM, McGuirk SM.Intravenous administration of quinidine gluconate converted atrial fibrillation (AF) to sinus rhythm in 9 of 12 horses. Twelve horses that were diagnosed by ECG to have AF were administered up to 11 mg of quinidine gluconate/kg of body weight in 1.0- to 1.5-mg/kg bolus injections every 10 to 15 minutes. The total dose of quinidine administered IV ranged from 1.8 to 5.8 g. Increased ventricular rate, apprehension, and mild depression were observed during treatment. Other signs of toxicosis were not observed. One horse was successfully treated with IV administered quinidine gluconate on 3 occasi...
Sweeney CR.This article addresses many aspects of exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH). Reports of the prevalence, effect on performance, and the clinical signs and means of diagnosis of EIPH are included. Radiologic and scintigraphic findings in horses with EIPH are reported. Pathogenesis and treatment are discussed.
Moyer W.Hoof wall defects in horses are common occurrences, and, fortunately, many of those detected present little or no danger to the individual horse. Those defects that are either presently a problem or have a great likelihood of being a problem do often require specialized consideration. Horse shoeing and farriery are ancient practices; over the years, a multitude of methods, theories, and management schemes have been proposed. It is unfortunate to note that few studies are available to provide an accurate incidence rate, a better understanding of the various causes, and, lastly, a comparative ap...
Gordon J, Álvarez-Narváez S, Peroni JF.The development of antimicrobial resistant bacteria and the lack of novel antibiotic strategies to combat those bacteria is an ever-present problem in both veterinary and human medicine. The goal of this study is to evaluate platelet lysate (PL) as a biological alternative antimicrobial product. Platelet lysate is an acellular platelet-derived product rich in growth factors and cytokines that is manufactured via plateletpheresis and pooled from donor horses. In the current study, we sought to define the antimicrobial properties of PL on select gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Results ...
Kornicka-Garbowska K, Groborz S, Lynda B, Galuppo L, Marycz K.Synovitis (SI) is one of the most common and serious orthopedic diseases in horses of different age, breed and sex, which contributes to the development of osteoarthritis. The burden of SI includes economic loss and represents a real challenge for current veterinary health care. At the molecular level, fibroblasts-like synoviocytes (FLS) are recognized as major cell populations involved in SI pathogenesis. In the course of SI, FLSs are losing their protective and pro-regenerative cytological features, become highly proliferative and initiate various stress signaling pathways. Fibroblast-like s...
Hardy J, Stewart RH, Beard WL, Yvorchuk-St-Jean K.Pharyngeal or esophageal trauma was diagnosed in 9 horses after nasogastric intubation. Evidence of trauma (edema or ulceration) was detected in the pharynx of 3 horses and in the esophagus of 6 horses. Complications associated with nasogastric intubation were first observed in 5 horses while they were intubated and in 4 horses after extubation. Clinical signs of pharyngeal or esophageal trauma were similar, and included salivation, bruxism, coughing, and nasal discharge. Treatment, including extubation, enteral feeding through a small nasogastric tube, or esophagostomy distal to the affected ...
Scott M.Quarter horses used for western performance competitions commonly sustain a variety of musculoskeletal injuries. It is important for the veterinarian to have an understanding of some of the breed characteristics and the nature of the competitions in which individual horses are being used so as to diagnose, treat, and prevent injury as effectively as possible.
de Wasseige S, Picotte K, Lavoie JP.A study reported low systemic availability of injectable dexamethasone nebulized to healthy horses using the Flexineb mask. When used in horses with severe asthma and a different nebulizer, lack of efficacy and cortisol suppression were observed. Objective: Nebulized dexamethasone is as effective as PO administration for the treatment of severe asthma in horses. Methods: Twelve horses with severe asthma from a research herd. Methods: Randomized clinical trial. Horses were divided into 2 groups and received 5 mg of dexamethasone sodium phosphate by nebulization using a Flexineb mask (NE, n = 6)...
Malik P, Singha H, Goyal SK, Khurana SK, Kumar R, Virmani N, Shanmugasundaram K, Pandey SB, Kant R, Singh BK, Singh RK.Equine infectious anemia (EIA) is a retroviral infection of horses. Horses infected by EIA virus (EIAV) become inapparent carriers that remain asymptomatic for the remainder of their life span and serve as infection source to other horses. In this study, agar gel immunodiffusion test and ELISA were used to investigate the presence of antibodies to EIAV in equines. A total of 67,042 equine serum samples from 19 states and two union territories were tested during April 1999 to September 2012. The results revealed that none of the animals were positive for antibodies to EIAV from 1999 to December...
Andrews FM, Reinemeyer CR, Longhofer SL.Eighteen mature, healthy horses were divided into three groups (six per group) receiving either no treatment, 15 consecutive days of phenylbutazone (PBZ), or 15 consecutive days of suxibuzone (SBZ) at recommended label doses. Horses underwent endoscopy before and after the treatment period and were assigned gastric ulcer scores. Gastric ulcer number and severity scores were similar across treatment groups. These findings suggest that when administered at the recommended label dose for 15 days, neither PBZ nor SBZ causes an increase in the number or severity of gastric ulcers over what would be...
Boersema JH, Borgsteede FH, Eysker M, Saedt I.The reappearance of strongyle eggs in the faeces of horses treated with pyrantel embonate was studied. The horses (103) were divided in 11 groups on 8 different farms. The efficacy of pyrantel embonate against strongyles, based on egg count reduction tests, was 99.8%. Mean weekly egg counts performed between week 2 and week 9 after treatment showed that 5 weeks after treatment the egg output passed the 90% reduction level. It is concluded that strategic treatments of horses with pyrantel embonate for the prevention of strongylosis should be administered with intervals of 6 weeks.
Mizushima D, Amgalanbaatar T, Davaasuren B, Kayano M, Naransatsral S, Myagmarsuren P, Otgonsuren D, Enkhtaivan B, Davkharbayar B, Mungun-Ochir B....In Mongolia, horses play important roles, not only in livestock production, but also in terms of culture, tradition, and Mongolian beliefs. Although the presence of non-tsetse-transmitted horse trypanosomoses, which are caused by infections with (surra) and (dourine), has been reported in the country, whether there is a nationwide epidemic of these infectious diseases is unknown. In the present study, a nationwide surveillance of horse trypanosomoses was performed. The sample sizes for each province, the whole country, and male and female horses were, respectively, 96, 2,400, and 316 and 306...
Arroyo LG, Sears W, Gomez DE.The outcome of treatment of horses with plasma for typhlocolitis/colitis at the Ontario Veterinary College-Health Sciences Centre was evaluated. Horses with typhlocolitis/colitis that received a plasma transfusion had higher odds of dying than did non-transfused horses. The clinical usefulness of transfusing plasma to hospitalized hypoproteinemic horses is questioned. . Les résultats du traitement des chevaux à l’aide de plasma pour la typhlocolite/colite au Health Sciences Centre de l’Ontario Veterinary College ont été évalués. Les chevaux atteints de typhlocolite/colite qui avaient...
Smith LJ, Mellor DJ, Marr CM, Mair TS.Septic digital tenosynovitis is a serious problem in the horse, with a poor prognosis being reported for recovery. Objective: The occurrence of septic digital tenosynovitis would significantly reduce the likelihood of a horse returning to its previous level of athletic function. Methods: Medical records of 90 horses treated for septic digital tenosynovitis were reviewed. Data retrieved included age, sex, location of inciting cause of sepsis, time from onset of clinical signs to presentation for treatment, and whether the horse survived to be discharged. Long-term outcome was determined through...
Semevolos SA, Strassheim ML, Haupt JL, Nixon AJ.Hypertrophic differentiation and endochondral ossification of growth cartilage are regulated by a complex array of signaling peptides, including parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTH-rP), Indian hedgehog (Ihh), and bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs). This study investigated the expression of Ihh, Patched1 and 2 (Ptc1, Ptc2), Smoothened (Smo), Gli1, and Gli3, in naturally acquired articular osteochondrosis, using an equine model. Cartilage was harvested from osteochondrosis (OC) affected femoropatellar or scapulohumeral joints from immature horses and normal control horses of similar age. Ih...
Bernard W, Divers TJ, Whitlock RH, Messick J, Tulleners E.Clostridium botulinum and type-B C botulinum toxin were isolated from a necrotic wound that developed subsequent to castration in a 2-year-old Thoroughbred gelding. The horse had clinical signs of botulism and was successfully treated with wound debridement, C botulinum type-B antitoxin, potassium penicillin, and supportive care.
Viu J, Monreal L, Jose-Cunilleras E, Cesarini C, Añor S, Armengou L.Bacterial meningoencephalitis is a severe complication in septic foals and there is scarce and often unclear information in the equine literature. Objective: To report the most frequent clinical signs, clinicopathological findings, causative agents, treatments given and outcome of a group of foals with confirmed bacterial meningoencephalitis. Methods: Foals aged < 6 months of age admitted to the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona (2004-2009) with confirmed bacterial meningoencephalitis were retrospectively included in the study Diagnosis of bacterial meningoencephalitis was made by cerebrospina...
Blackford J, Doherty TJ, Ferslew KE, Panus PC.In human rehabilitation medicine, dexamethasone-phosphate is theoretically iontophoresed to localized subcutaneous tissue where conversion to dexamethasone occurs. This delivery system has recently been introduced into veterinary medicine for the same purpose. However, the pharmacokinetic justification for parenteral delivery of this prodrug remains undocumented. Utilizing iontophoretic methods that are relevant to both human and veterinary clinical practice, the present investigation compared injection and iontophoresis of dexamethasone-phosphate into the equine tibiotarsal joint, also known ...
Turner TA.Navicular syndrome can be treated in a variety of ways. This is related to the fact that it has a variety of causes. Prognostically, most horses will improve with treatment. One can expect about 50 per cent of the horses to become useably sound for 1 year, no matter what treatment is used. The disease is progressive, and affected horses eventually will need to be retired because of lameness. The author's therapeutic approach is to utilize shoeing as the primary therapy. Shoeing is performed to correct structural problems and to ensure that shoeing is physiologically sound. Nonsteroidal anti-in...
Guthrie AJ, Coetzee P, Martin DP, Lourens CW, Venter EH, Weyer CT, Joone C, le Grange M, Harper CK, Howell PG, MacLachlan NJ.This is a report of the complete genome sequences of plaque-selected isolates of each of the four virus strains included in a South African commercial tetravalent African horse sickness attenuated live virus vaccine.
Haspeslagh M, Van Hecke LL, Hermans K, Chiers K, Pint E, Wilmink JM, Martens AM.Distal limb wounds in horses often show aberrant healing due to a slow inflammatory response. In human medicine, negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is used for the treatment of chronic wounds with a similar inflammatory response. Objective: To compare the effect of NPWT to calcium alginate dressings on the healing of (non) contaminated equine distal limb wounds. Methods: Controlled experiment. Methods: Circular wounds were created on the left and right dorsomedial metacarpus of 10 horses. In five horses, the wounds were contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In...
Klein L, Sherman J.Central venous pressure (cvp) was recorded in horses before and after tranquilization and during halothane-maintained anesthesia in lateral or dorsal recumbency. The cvp was significantly decreased after administration of acetylpromazine, when compared with base line measurements and measurements taken after xylazine administration. After induction of anesthesia, cvp increased with time for 75 minutes, and values in lateral recumbency were significantly higher than those in dorsal recumbency.
Nickels FA.This article discusses the complications of castration and ovariectomy and their treatment and prevention. These two procedures were chosen because castration is the most common surgical procedure performed by the equine practitioner and ovariectomy is associated with a high number of complications.
