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.
Hinchcliff KW, Morley PS, Guthrie AJ.To evaluate the efficacy of furosemide for prevention of exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH) in Thoroughbred racehorses under typical racing conditions. Methods: Randomized, placebo-controlled, blinded, crossover field trial. Methods: 167 Thoroughbred racehorses. Methods: Horses were allocated to race fields of 9 to 16 horses each and raced twice, 1 week apart, with each of the 2 races consisting of the same race field and distance. Each horse received furosemide (500 mg, IV) before one race and a placebo (saline solution) before the other, with the order of treatments randomly determ...
Vanderperren K, Martens AM, Declercq J, Duchateau L, Saunders JH.To compare clinical usefulness of ultrasonography versus radiography for detection of fragmentation of the dorsal aspect of the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) and metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joints in horses. Methods: Cross-sectional study. Methods: 36 horses with fragmentation of the MCP (n = 19) and MTP (29) joints. Methods: In all joints, radiography (4 standard projections) and ultrasonography were performed prior to arthroscopic examination and fragment removal. Number and location of fragments identified radiographically and ultrasonographically were compared with arthroscopic findings. Results...
Lindegaard C, Vaabengaard D, Christophersen MT, Ekstøm CT, Fjeldborg J.To compare effects of hot iron branding and microchip transponder injection regarding aversive behavioral reactions indicative of pain and inflammation in horses. Methods: 7 adult horses. Methods: In a randomized controlled clinical crossover study, behavioral reactions to hot iron branding and microchip transponder injection were scored by 4 observers. Local and systemic inflammation including allodynia were assessed and compared by use of physiologic and biochemical responses obtained repeatedly for the 168-hour study period. Serum cortisol concentration was measured repeatedly throughout th...
Anderson ME, Lefebvre SL, Rankin SC, Aceto H, Morley PS, Caron JP, Welsh RD, Holbrook TC, Moore B, Taylor DR, Weese JS.Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an emerging veterinary and zoonotic pathogen, associated with increasing reports of disease in horses. Objective: To provide an overview of the characteristics of clinical MRSA infections in horses. Methods: A retrospective case study was performed on 115 horses admitted to 6 participating veterinary teaching hospitals in Canada and the United States between 2000 and 2006, and diagnosed with clinical MRSA infection. Descriptive statistics, univariate and multivariable analyses for community- (CA) vs. hospital-associated (HA) MRSA infections...
Cramp P, Derksen FJ, Stick JA, de Feijter-Rupp H, Elvin NG, Hauptman J, Robinson NE.The nerve-muscle pedicle graft technique is a treatment for recurrent laryngeal neuropathy (RLN), but the optimal placement of the pedicles within the cricoarytenoideus dorsalis (CAD) muscle is unknown. Objective: The magnitude and direction of force placed on the muscular process of the left arytenoid cartilage affects the magnitude of laryngeal abduction. Methods: Five larynges were harvested from cadavers. Using increments of 0.98 N, a dead-weight force generator applied a force of 0-14.7 N for 1 min each to the left muscular process at 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 and 70 degrees angles. The r...
Bosch G, de Mos M, van Binsbergen R, van Schie HT, van de Lest CH, van Weeren PR.Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) is frequently used in equine practice, but little is known about its biological action. Objective: To study the effects of ESWT on matrix structure and gene expression levels in normal, physiologically loaded tendinous structures in ponies. Methods: Six Shetland ponies, free of lameness and with ultrasonographically normal flexor and extensor tendons and suspensory ligaments (SL), were used. ESWT was applied at the origin of the suspensory ligament and the mid-metacarpal region of the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) 6 weeks prior to sample taki...
du Toit N, Burden FA, Dixon PM.Dental disease has been shown to be a risk factor for weight loss and colic in horses. No extensive clinical studies in donkeys have investigated the potential relationship between different dental disorders, or between dental disease and systemic disorders. Objective: To determine possible associations between dental disease and body condition score, weight loss, the need for supplemental feeding and prevalence of colic in donkeys of all ages, and to gain a better understanding of the pathogenesis of dental disease by the determination of associations between different dental disorders. Metho...
Grant DC, Westropp JL, Shiraki R, Ruby AL.Laser lithotripsy has been used as an alternative to surgical removal of uroliths. Objective: To describe the procedure and efficacy of laser lithotripsy for removal of lower urinary tract uroliths in horses. Additionally, the ultrastructure and the differences in mineralogy and microstructure from 1 successful and 1 unsuccessful laser lithotripsy case are described. Methods: Six client-owned horses with 7 episodes of naturally occurring urocystoliths, urethroliths, or both. Methods: Retrospective study of all horses treated between 2006 and 2008 by laser lithotripsy. All horses were sedated f...
Albini S, Abril C, Franchini M, Hüssy D, Filioussis G.Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (S. maltophilia) is a nonfermentative bacterium, which is naturally resistant against a panel of commonly-used antibiotics. It is frequently isolated from humans with chronic respiratory disease, e.g. cystic fibrosis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In veterinary medicine S. maltophilia is perceived to be a mere coloniser. We herewith report 7 strains of S. maltophilia isolated from animals, of which 5 strains were harvested from 3 horses, a dog and a cat with chronic respiratory disease. The dog isolate showed resistance to trimethoprim / sulphamethoxazol...
Turner CE, Kurupati P, Wiles S, Edwards RJ, Sriskandan S.Currently there is no licensed vaccine against the human pathogen Streptococcus pyogenes. The highly conserved IL-8 cleaving S. pyogenes cell envelope proteinase SpyCEP is surface expressed and is a potential vaccine candidate. A recombinant N-terminal part of SpyCEP (CEP) was expressed and purified. AntiCEP antibodies were found to neutralize the IL-8 cleaving activity of SpyCEP. CEP-immunized mice had reduced bacterial dissemination from focal S. pyogenes intramuscular infection and intranasal infection. We also identified a functional SpyCEP-homolog protease SeCEP, expressed by the equine p...
Cribb NC, Bouré LP, Hanna WJ, Akens MK, Mattson SE, Monteith GJ, Weese JS.To assess the antimicrobial elution characteristics, toxicity, and antimicrobial activity of amikacin-impregnated ferric-hyaluronate implants (AI-FeHAI) for amikacin delivery to the tarsocrural joint of horses. Methods: Experimental study. Methods: AI-FeHAI implants, equine cartilage, and synovium, and horses (n=6). Methods: In vitro study: Five AI-FeHAI were placed in saline solution with daily replacement until implant degradation. Eluent was tested for amikacin concentration and bioactivity. Synovial and cartilage explants were incubated in the presence or absence of AI-FeHAI for 72 hours a...
Jones P, Delco M, Beard W, Lillich JD, Desormaux A.Osteoarthritis of the proximal interphalangeal joint (PIPJ) is a common cause of chronic lameness in the horse that requires surgical arthrodesis when medical management is no longer able to alleviate pain. Surgical principles for successful PIPJ arthrodesis include articular cartilage debridement and rigid fixation. To completely debride articular cartilage, the collateral ligaments and extensor tendon are transected, disarticulating the joint. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate that in chronically lame horses with periarticular new-bone formation and osteoarthritis, successful arth...
Reardon R, Kummer M, Lischer C.To report a novel technique for cervical vertebral fusion in a foal with cervical vertebral malformation (CVM). Methods: Case report. Methods: A 3-month-old Warmblood filly with ataxia, weakness, and stenotic myelopathy at the level of the articulation of the 6th (C6) and 7th (C7) cervical vertebrae had a 7-hole broad locking compression plate (LCP) applied to the ventral aspect of C6 and C7 using seven 5.0-mm locking screws. Revision surgery was required to replace the self-drilling screws, which had migrated, with longer non self-drilling screws. Fusion and growth of the vertebrae were monit...
Dart A, Tee E, Brennan M, Dart C, Perkins N, Chapman S, Debney S.To assess the effect of 1 or 2 laryngeal prosthetic sutures on rima glottidis areas in equine laryngeal specimens. Methods: Experimental, randomized design. Methods: Cadaveric equine larynges (n=16). Methods: Larynges were collected from 10 horses; 2 sutures each were preplaced in the right and left sides of each larynx. A dorsal suture (DS) was placed through the caudal rim of the dorsal midline of the cricoid cartilage, under the cricopharyngeus muscle and through the proximal and rostral aspect of the muscular process. A lateral suture (LS) was placed 1.5 cm lateral to the DS and through th...
Frisbie DD, Kisiday JD, Kawcak CE, Werpy NM, McIlwraith CW.The purpose of this study was the assessment of clinical, biochemical, and histologic effects of intraarticular administered adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction or bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells for treatment of osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis was induced arthroscopically in the middle carpal joint of all horses, the contralateral joint being sham-operated. All horses received treatment on Day 14. Eight horses received placebo treatment and eight horses received adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction in their osteoarthritis-affected joint. The final eight horses were treate...
Chiam R, Sharp E, Maan S, Rao S, Mertens P, Blacklaws B, Davis-Poynter N, Wood J, Castillo-Olivares J.African horse sickness virus (AHSV) causes a non-contagious, infectious disease in equids, with mortality rates that can exceed 90% in susceptible horse populations. AHSV vaccines play a crucial role in the control of the disease; however, there are concerns over the use of polyvalent live attenuated vaccines particularly in areas where AHSV is not endemic. Therefore, it is important to consider alternative approaches for AHSV vaccine development. We have carried out a pilot study to investigate the ability of recombinant modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA) vaccines expressing VP2, VP7 or NS3 genes...
Vissani MA, Becerra ML, Olguín Perglione C, Tordoya MS, Miño S, Barrandeguy M.Infection with Equid Herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) leads to respiratory disease, abortion, and neurological disorders in horses. Molecular epidemiology studies have demonstrated that a single nucleotide polymorphism (A(2254)/G(2254)) in the genome region of the open reading frame 30 (ORF30), which results in an amino acid variation (N(752)/D(752)) of the EHV-1 DNA polymerase, is significantly associated with the neuropathogenic potential of naturally occurring strains. In order to estimate the prevalence of the EHV-1 neuropathogenic genotype in our country, we analyzed the ORF30 genome region of ...
Kumar S, Kanwar S, Bansal V, Sehgal R.Diphtheria toxin has the capacity to block protein synthesis in cultured mammalian cells, and thus causing cell death. This capacity of diphtheria toxin was utilized for in-vitro neutralization test to determine antibody titer, using Vero cells, which have been found to be susceptible to diphtheria toxin. In the present study, a Vero cell assay was standardized and validated for potency estimation of diphtheria antitoxin serum (DATS). The results obtained by Vero cell assay were compared with in-vivo biological assay. High degree of correlation (+0.98) was found between in-vivo biological assa...
Enderle AK, Levionnois OL, Kuhn M, Schatzmann U.To compare isoflurane alone or in combination with systemic ketamine and lidocaine for general anaesthesia in horses. Methods: Prospective, randomized, blinded clinical trial. Methods: Forty horses (ASA I-III) undergoing elective surgery. Methods: Horses were assigned to receive isoflurane anaesthesia alone (ISO) or with ketamine and lidocaine (LKI). After receiving romifidine, diazepam, and ketamine, the isoflurane end-tidal concentration was set at 1.3% and subsequently adjusted by the anaesthetist (unaware of treatments) to maintain a light plane of surgical anaesthesia. Animals in the LKI ...
Schauvliege S, Van den Eede A, Duchateau L, Gasthuys F.To evaluate the combined effects of enoximone and dobutamine on the cardiovascular system and respiratory gas exchange in isoflurane-anaesthetized ponies. Methods: Prospective, randomized, experimental study. Methods: Six ponies (286 +/- 52 kg), aged 5.0 +/- 1.6 years. Methods: After sedation (romifidine 80 microg kg(-1)), anaesthesia was induced with midazolam (0.06 mg kg(-1)) and ketamine (2.2 mg kg(-1)) and maintained with isoflurane in oxygen. The ponies were ventilated to maintain eucapnia. After 90 minutes (=T0), enoximone alone (0.5 mg kg(-1)) (E) or enoximone, followed by a constant ra...
Saulez MN, Dzikiti B, Voigt A.Two of 348 horses that underwent gastrointestinal surgery under general anaesthesia developed perforations in their tracheas caused by the endotracheal tube. In one case the damage was probably caused when the horse was being moved from the induction room for surgery and excessive traction was exerted on the tube when the anaesthetic machine was moved too far ahead of the horse. The trachea of the other horse may have been damaged when it was intubated.
Sanada Y, Senba H, Mochizuki R, Arakaki H, Gotoh T, Fukumoto S, Nagahata H.To establish a reliable diagnostic measure for equine Anoplocephala perfoliata infection, the impact of deworming was examined in 12 Thoroughbreds to which bithionol (5-10 mg/kg body weight) was administered and feces were examined by the modified Wisconsin method using sucrose solution. One day after the administration, cestode eggs were detected in previously fecal egg-negative 3 horses and increased in the other 9 horses. The optimum time for post-deworming egg detection was examined in following horses: 17 mares were administered bithionol and 10 mares were used as controls. The fecal egg ...
Dart AJ, Perkins NR, Dart CM, Jeffcott LB, Canfield P.To evaluate the effect of a non-occlusive dressing incorporated in a 3-layer bandage on second intention healing of wounds of the distal portion of the limb. Methods: Untreated wounds in 33 adult horses used in four studies using the same wound-healing model conducted over 5 years. Methods: Standardised, full-thickness wounds were made in the skin overlying the dorsomedial aspect of the mid-metacarpus; 17 horses were bandaged with a non-occlusive dressing covered by gauze-coated cotton wool that was compressed with adhesive tape; 16 horses were left unbandaged. Wounds were photographed weekly ...
Cilliers I, Williams J, Carstens A, Duncan NM.Four horses were presented to the Onderstepoort Veterinary Academic Hospital with histories of facial asymmetry, nasal discharge or obstruction of normal nasal passage airflow. Radiographic examination of the maxillary sinuses of 2 cases revealed well circumscribed, unilateral, mineralised masses; the other 2 cases showed less mineralisation. The masses were accessed for further investigation by surgically created frontonasal bone flaps or trephination of the maxillary sinuses. Diagnosis of osteoma was confirmed histopathologically in 3 of the cases and of ossifying fibroma in the 4th. Two hor...
David F, Cadby J, Bosch G, Brama P, van Weeren R, van Schie H.Larger superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) injuries have a poorer prognosis than smaller lesions. During the inflammatory phase enlargement of the initial lesion is frequently noted, with biomechanical loading being recently proposed to play an important role. Objective: To evaluate the effect of lower limb cast immobilisation on tendon lesion propagation in an equine model of surgically induced SDFT injury. Methods: Core lesions were surgically induced in both front SDFTs of 6 young mature horses. At the end of surgery, one leg was randomly placed in a lower limb cast and the other leg (...
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...
Crispin SM.Tear-deficient dry eye (keratoconjunctivitis sicca), and evaporative dry eye, with some overlap between these two categories, are two major categories of dry eye recognized in the horse. Careful examination of the eyelid margins, the inner and outer surfaces of the upper and lower eyelids, assessment of blink and third eyelid movement, specific testing of tear production, assessment of corneal sensitivity, and slit-lamp examination of the ocular surface before and after fluorescein dye application is recommended to detect dry eye problems. Rose Bengal dye application is also recommended in man...
Gearhart PM, Steficek BA, Peteresen-Jones SM.A 12-year-old Belgian draft horse presented for a right eye third eyelid mass and red-tinged ocular discharge of 3 months' duration. The third eyelid was excised and submitted for histopathology. On histopathologic examination, the mass was composed of both hemangiosarcoma and squamous cell carcinoma. The horse developed thickened eyelids and hemorrhagic ocular discharge from the right eye approximately 16 months following surgery, and was euthanized. Necropsy and histopathology confirmed local recurrence and regional metastasis of the hemangiosarcoma. This was an unusual case because there we...
Clegg PD, Pinchbeck GL.Evidence-based medicine (EBM) refers to the conscientious, explicit, and judicious use of current best evidence from research for the care of an individual patient. Central to the adoption of EBM is both producing and identifying the best possible evidence for a particular intervention or therapy. This article identifies and reviews the approaches to producing and identifying the best possible evidence that is necessary for the full acceptance of stem cell therapies in the horse and reviews the approaches that will allow future clinical studies in stem cell therapies to provide the best eviden...
Wagner PC, Grant BD, Reed SM.Cervical vertebral malformations are recognized clinically when they result in spinal cord compression causing neurologic deficits. Confirmation of diagnosis is based on radiographic and myelographic evidence of cord compression. Medical therapy is not usually successful. Several successful surgical treatments are described.
Squires EL, Berndtson WE, Hoyer JH, Pickett BW, Wallach SJ.Twelve stallions that had been given 0, 50 or 200 micrograms testosterone propionate (TP)/kg body weight every other day for 88 days were examined for the effects of androgen withdrawal on spermatozoal production, seminal quality and libido. Although the lower dosage did not affect most of the traits studied, the higher dosage severely reduced scrotal width, spermatozoal production, the number of sperm per ejaculate, the percentage of progressively motile spermatozoa and the percentage of normal spermatozoa. These adverse effects were found to be largely reversible. By 90 days after the cessat...
Lee SK, Lee I.Twelve Thoroughbred racehorses were diagnosed as epiglottic entrapment at the Korea Racing Authority equine hospital. Four different surgical correction techniques were used to treat epiglottic entrapment: the transnasal hook bistoury, transoral unshielded hook bistoury, transnasal shielded hook bistoury, and transendoscopic laser techniques. Eleven cases were surgically resolved eventually, with one case of recurrence. Five complications related to surgical correction occurred: a severe nasal passage laceration and bleeding (n=1), epiglottic laceration (n=1), epiglottis tip burns (n=2), and m...
Hong CB, Donahue JM.Abortion caused by Campylobacter fetus subsp fetus was diagnosed in a 7-month-old equine fetus. The fetus was small for its gestational age. Macroscopically, the proximal portion of the small intestine was hemorrhagic and its wall was thick. Histologically, the Brunner glands were distended with neutrophils, and the submucosa was thick, owing to fluid accumulation and/or cellular infiltrates. Curved bacteria were observed in the Brunner glands and intestinal glands. Campylobacter fetus subsp fetus was isolated from stomach contents, liver, and lungs, and was detected by dark-field microscopic ...
Steffey EP, Kelly AB, Woliner MJ.Cardiovascular and respiratory functions were serially evaluated in ten healthy, fasting, spontaneously breathing, laterally recumbent adult horses during five hours of constant 1.06% alveolar halothane (equivalent to 1.2 times the minimum alveolar concentration for horses). Mean carotid arterial pressure was about 25% higher after one hour of constant-dose halothane than after 30 minutes of constant-dose (P less than 0.05), and remained increased throughout the study. Mean carotid arterial pressure peaked after 90 minutes, and was about 30% higher than at 30 minutes. Total peripheral vascular...
Clark B, Steel C, Vokes J, Shan JR, Gedye K, Lovett A, Sykes BW.Rebound gastric hyperacidity (RGH) secondary to hypergastrinemia has been suggested to contribute to the rapid recurrence of equine squamous gastric disease (ESGD) in horses after discontinuation of omeprazole. Objective: To evaluate changes in serum gastrin and chromogranin A (CgA) concentrations in response to medium-term (57-day) omeprazole treatment and after omeprazole discontinuation. Methods: Fourteen mature Thoroughbred racehorses in simulated race training. Methods: Horses received 2.28 g of oral omeprazole PO q24h for 57 days within a 61-day period, excluding a withholding period...
Rouse BT, Ditchfield WJ.The antibody response in serum and nasal secretions of groups of ponies vaccinated or infected with Myxovirus influenzae A-equi 2 was examined. Following infection by aerosol with live virus, a weak antibody response was recorded in both serum and secretions. Antibody levels were undetectable in secretions at 31 days after infection. After primary intramuscular vaccination with killed virus, using sodium alginate as an adjuvant, antibody was detected only in the serum. However, following revaccination, a pronounced antibody response was demonstrated in both serum and secretions. Antibody was s...
Dyson SJ, Romero JM.A positive radiographic contrast agent was injected into the tarsometatarsal (TMT) joints of both hindlimbs of 10 horses. Lateromedial radiographic views were obtained at 5, 15 and 30 mins after injection. Injection was successful in 19 of 20 limbs. Communication between the centrodistal (CD) and TMT joints was identified in 7 limbs (35%). Contrast agent extended around the tendons of tibialis cranialis (TC) and fibularis tertius (FT) in 18 limbs, and in 7 limbs some contrast entered the tarsal sheath. Slight to moderate plantar and/or distal extension of contrast agent was identified in 13 li...
Hay WP, Mueller PO, Harmon B, Amoroso L.To evaluate the efficacy of 1% sodium carboxymethylcellulose (SCMC) for prevention of experimentally induced abdominal adhesions in horses. Methods: Prospective, controlled, experimental study. Methods: Twelve healthy adult horses. Methods: The effect of 1% SCMC on adhesion formation was evaluated in 12 healthy horses by using an established model of serosal trauma to induce intraabdominal adhesions. After ventral median celiotomy, 2 separate areas of the jejunum were abraded, and three 2-0 chromic gut sutures were placed in each abraded area. Jejunal resection and end-to-end anastomosis was p...
Wang T, Magnarelli LA, Anderson JF, Gould LH, Bushmich SL, Wong SJ, Fikrig E.Recombinant West Nile virus envelope (E) protein was examined in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect antibodies elicited during West Nile virus infection. Horses (nine of 10) and humans (six of six) with confirmed West Nile virus infection had IgG and/or IgM antibodies to the E protein. Antibodies to the recombinant West Nile virus membrane and nonstructural 1 proteins were not detected in any of these sera. An E protein-based ELISA may aid in the serological diagnosis of West Nile virus infection.
Trela JM, Dechant JE, Culp WT, Whitcomb MB, Palm CA, Nieto JE.To describe the successful management of a urethral stricture with an absorbable stent in a stallion. Methods: Clinical report. Methods: Stallion with a urethral stricture. Results: A 12-year-old Thoroughbred breeding stallion was evaluated for acute onset of colic. Uroperitoneum because of presumptive urinary bladder rupture, with urethral obstruction by a urethrolith, was diagnosed. The uroperitoneum was treated conservatively. The urethrolith was removed through a perineal urethrotomy. Approximately 15 weeks after urethrolith removal, the stallion presented with a urethral stricture. The st...
Spugnini EP, Bolaffio C, Scacco L, Baldi A.A twenty-year-old female saddle horse was referred for evaluation of a seven month, non-healing erosive lesion of the right hind hoof with proliferation and bleeding of the underlying soft tissues. This lesion had been twice surgically treated as a canker but rapidly recurred. Histological examination of the second excision revealed a well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. At presentation, the horse was mildly depressed, lame and partially non-weight-bearing on the right hind leg, which exhibited a 10 x 10 cm erosive and proliferative lesion remodeling the hoof. After completing staging ...
Schrock P, Lüpke M, Seifert H, Borchers L, Staszyk C.In equine dentistry, periodontal diseases are frequently found in aged horses. Excessive strains and stresses within the periodontal ligament (PDL) occurring during the masticatory cycle may be predisposing factors especially in old horses with short, worn teeth. The finite element (FE) analysis is a valuable tool to investigate such strains and stresses in biological materials but a precondition for a realistic and reliable FE analysis is accurate knowledge of material parameters. As no data exist concerning the PDL of equine incisor teeth, this study was undertaken to determine the equine sp...
Chowdhary BP, Bailey E.Analysis of the horse genome is proceeding at a rapid pace. Within a short span of 6-7 years, approximately 1,500 markers have been mapped in horse, of which at least half are genes/ESTs. Health, performance and phenotypic characteristic are of major concern/interest to horse breeders and owners. Current efforts to analyze the equine genome are primarily aimed at developing critical resources (including an advanced gene map) that could readily be used in the near future to i) identify genes and mutations responsible for inherited equine diseases/disorders and to formulate approaches for accura...
Honnas CM, Welch RD, Ford TS, Vacek JR, Watkins JP.The medical records of 12 horses with septic arthritis of a distal interphalangeal joint were reviewed to determine clinical features and response to treatment. Sepsis was caused by trauma or an injection that resulted in an open or contaminated distal interphalangeal joint. All horses were severely lame. Treatment included broad-spectrum parenterally administered antimicrobial drugs (ten horses), percutaneous through-and-through joint lavage (eight horses), indwelling drains (three horses), immobilization of the limb in a cast (three horses), intraarticular injection of sodium hyaluronate (on...
Ruppin M, Sullivan S, Condon F, Perkins N, Lee L, Jeffcott LB, Dart AJ. Review 103 cases of presumed tick envenomation in horses. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Variables, including date of presentation, age, breed, weight, presence of ticks, gait and respiration scores, duration of recumbency, treatment, outcome and complications were recorded. A series of univariable screening tests were performed and used in a multivariable logistic regression model. Results: There were a total of 103 cases affecting 10 breeds, aged between 1 week and 18 years of age. Horses >6 months old and weighing >100 kg had a higher odds of death than those...
Hernández-Avilés C, Love CC, Serafini R, Ramírez-Agámez L, Kelley DE, de Andino EM, Teague SR, LaCaze KA, Brinsko SP, Varner DD.In this study, the effectiveness of supplementing INRA-96® extender (INRA-Control; original antibiotic formulation: potassium penicillin G = 38 μg/mL; gentamicin sulfate = 105 μg/mL; amphotericin B = 0.315 μg/mL) with amikacin sulfate and potassium penicillin G (AP) was determined. In Exp. 1, two sources of amikacin (INRA-AP-Sigma or INRA-AP-GoldBio) in combination with penicillin G were compared with ticarcillin/clavulanate (INRA-Tim) or no-supplemental antibiotics (INRA-Control) to examine effects on sperm quality and commensal bacterial growth. No differences were detected in s...
Foil L, Foil C.In this discussion of parasitic skin diseases of horses, details on life cycles are given to aid the understanding and development of control strategies.
Sage AM.Almost all equine cardiac diseases may affect the geriatric horse. This article focuses on those cardiac diseases that are most common in the older horse, including degenerative valve disease, aortocardiac fistula, and congestive heart failure. Other cardiac diseases, such as bacterial endocarditis, pericarditis, and arrhythmias, are seen in all age groups of horses and are beyond the scope of this article.
Cesarini C, Hamilton E, Picandet V, Lavoie JP.Theophylline has been shown to have corticosteroid-sparing effects for the treatment of human asthma. A similar effect, if present in horses, would allow diminishing the dose of corticosteroids administered to equine patients with inflammatory airway diseases. Objective: To evaluate whether theophylline potentiates the effects of a low dose of dexamethasone when treating horses with recurrent airway obstruction (RAO). Objective: Theophylline has steroid-sparing effects in horses with RAO. Methods: Ten mature mixed breed horses in clinical exacerbation of RAO were studied. Using an incomplete c...
Jacobs CC, Levine DG, Richardson DW.To describe the outcome, clinical findings, and complications associated with the use of the locking compression plate (LCP) for various types of ulnar fractures in horses. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Client owned horses (n = 18). Methods: Medical records, radiographs, and follow-up for horses having an ulnar fracture repaired using at least 1 LCP were reviewed. Fifteen of 18 horses had fractures of the ulna only, and 3 horses had fractures of the ulna and proximal radius. Results: All 18 horses were discharged from the hospital. Complications occurred in 5 horses; incisio...
Wright K, Ireland JL, Rendle DI.Horses are reported to return to a variety of disciplines following unilateral enucleation; however, owners of horses with ocular disease are frequently reluctant to consider the procedure. There is little published information investigating owners' attitudes towards, and satisfaction following, enucleation. Objective: To investigate the hypotheses: 1) horses return to their previous level of work following unilateral enucleation and 2) their owners are satisfied with the post-operative outcome. Methods: Retrospective case series with cross-sectional survey. Methods: Clinical records from eigh...
Stieler AL, Sanchez LC, Mallicote MF, Martabano BB, Burrow JA, MacKay RJ.The mechanism of hyperthermia, a potentially fatal adverse effect of erythromycin treatment of foals, is unknown. Objective: To determine the cause of erythromycin-associated hyperthermia. It was hypothesised that the normal sweat response of foals is impaired by treatment with erythromycin. Methods: Blinded, crossover study in 10 healthy pony foals. Methods: Foals kept in stalls were given either erythromycin (25 mg/kg bwt orally, 3 times daily) or control for 10 days then turned out for a further 10 days. Quantitative intradermal terbutaline sweat tests were performed on Days 1 (baseline)...
Gardner RB, Nydam DV, Luna JA, Bicalho ML, Matychak MB, Flaminio MJ.Phagocytic activity of neonatal foals has been reported to be similar to that of adult horses, but serum opsonization capacity develops with age and may be further altered when opsonins are consumed during infection. Objective: Phagocytosis, oxidative burst activity, and serum opsonization capacity in neonatal foals admitted to an intensive care unit are reduced in comparison with control foals. Methods: Blood samples were collected from hospitalized neonatal foals and from control foals. Hospitalized foals were characterized as sick or septic on the basis of a sepsis score and received intrav...
