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.
Gandini M, Cerullo A, Giusto G.Postoperative complications frequently occur following equine colic surgery but there is a lack of consistency in their definitions and reporting. Objective: To perform a scoping review to identify current evidence on the definitions and classifications of postoperative complications in equine colic surgery. Methods: Evidence review. Methods: A scoping review was conducted in CAB, Web of Science, Scopus and PubMed databases using a PCC (Population-equids, Concept-complications, adverse events, sequelae, failure to cure, technical failure, disease progression and Context-postoperative period af...
Giancola S, Hart KA.Blood culture is considered the gold standard test for documenting bacteraemia in patients with suspected bacterial sepsis in veterinary and human medicine. However, blood culture often fails to yield bacterial growth even though the clinical picture is strongly suggestive of bacterial sepsis, or contaminating organisms can overgrow the true pathogen, making accurate diagnosis and appropriate management of this life-threatening condition very challenging. Methodology for collecting blood cultures in equine medicine, and even in human hospitals, is not standardised, and many variables can affec...
de Pádua BR, Dias RA, Fioravanti MCS, Borsanelli AC.Equine infectious anemia (EIA) is an infectious disease affecting equine in most countries and represents a notifiable disease with compulsory euthanasia of positive animals. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of EIAV infected equines in herds of the state of Goiás (Central Brazil) and to evaluate the risk factors associated with the occurrence of the disease. Blood samples were collected from 1170 equids from 332 randomly selected farms divided into three different strata according to their herd characteristics. Also, an epidemiological questionnaire was applied during the v...
Godoy VM, Oliveira NFOE, Paretsis NF, Silva SCD, Souza AF, De Zoppa ALDV, Corrêa RR.This report describes the combination of two surgical fracture repair techniques and the postoperative management of a mandibular diastemal fracture in a two-year-old mare. The mare was referred to a veterinary hospital with a laceration over the body of the right mandible. Radiographic assessment revealed two mesial fracture lines involving the second premolar tooth and a ventrally displaced bone fragment. The mare was treated under general anesthesia and the fracture was corrected using open reduction and plate fixation. A 3.5 mm narrow 15-hole locking compression plate with seven locking ...
Kirkwood NC, Hughes KJ, Stewart AJ.Poor recognition of subtle clinical abnormalities and equivocal ACTH concentrations make early diagnosis of PPID difficult. Progressive clinical findings and corresponding ACTH concentrations in horses transitioning to PPID over time have not been documented. Seven horses with ACTH concentrations equivocal for PPID (utilizing locally derived, seasonally adjusted diagnostic-cut off values (DCOV)) and no clinical signs of PPID were selected. Sequential measurement of basal and thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH)-stimulated ACTH concentrations and recording of clinical findings occurred from Octo...
Kuroda T, Minamijima Y, Mita H, Tamura N, Fukuda K, Kuwano A, Toutain PL, Sato F.A pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) approach was used to determine the best empirical dosage regimen of cefazolin (CEZ) after intramuscular (IM) administration of CEZ in horses. Seven horses received a single IM or intravenous (IV) administration of CEZ of 5Â mg/kg bodyweight (BW) according to a crossover design. CEZ plasma concentrations were measured using LC-MS/MS. The plasma concentrations in these seven horses and those of six other horses obtained in a previous study with an IV CEZ dose of 10Â mg/kg were modelled simultaneously using NonLinear Mixed-Effect modelling followed by M...
Tomlinson JE, Van de Walle GR.Equine parvovirus hepatitis (EqPV-H) is highly prevalent and causes subclinical to fatal hepatitis, which can occur in outbreaks. Whereas iatrogenic transmission is well documented, the mode of horizontal transmission is not known. The virus is shed in nasal, oral and fecal secretions, and PO transmission has been reported in a single horse. Objective: Investigate the efficiency of PO and nasal transmission of EqPV-H in a larger cohort. Methods: Prospective experimental transmission study. Eleven EqPV-H-negative horses were inoculated with 5 × 10 genome equivalents EqPV-H. Serum PCR and s...
Cerullo A, Gandini M, Giusto G.Laparoscopy is a common approach in equine surgery and has the advantage of improved visibility and diagnostic accuracy, decreased morbidity and hospitalization time. However, despite the numerous benefits, there can be intraoperative and postoperative complications which could have important welfare and economic consequences. The aim of this study was to perform a scoping review to identify current evidence on the occurrence, definition and classification of intra and postoperative complications in equine laparoscopy. A scoping review was conducted in scientific databases. Peer-reviewed scien...
Stefansdottir SB, Jonsdottir S, Kristjansdottir H, Svansson V, Marti E, Torsteinsdottir S.Insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH) is a seasonal dermatitis of horses caused by IgE-mediated reactions to bites of Culicoides midges characterized by an imbalance of T-cell subsets. Iceland is free of the causative species but the prevalence of IBH in exported Icelandic horses is especially high. We have shown that intralymphatic (i.l.) vaccination with r-Culicoides allergens in Aluminum hydroxide (alum) and monophosphoryl lipid A (MPLA) adjuvants induces a desired Th1/regulatory T-cell response. The aim of this study was to compare i.l. to subcutaneous (s.c.) injection. Twelve healthy Iceland...
Costa MHDS, Medeiros PR, Melo UP, de Souza RF, da Silva GEL, Ferreira C, de Assis DB, da Silva LP, de Brito EL.Horse owners are crucial in recognizing colic because they are responsible for identifying the signs of colic and deciding whether to seek veterinary intervention. Common reasons for delayed response to clinical issues include lack of understanding or knowledge of the subject and difficulty in recognizing subtle clinical signs of abdominal pain. Examining horse owners' basic knowledge of colic, their motivations, obstacles in seeking veterinary care, and their responses to the various clinical symptoms manifested during colic will identify current knowledge gaps and decision-making barriers. T...
Henneman K.Addressing poor performance issues in horses is a common yet challenging request to veterinarians. Often, there are limited field diagnostic or therapy choices. Growing lay popularity in integrative therapies, as well as increasing clinical incorporation, is creating more awareness of their clinical applications. Many modalities are showing increasing evidence of positive outcomes with minimal harm, but additional safety and efficacy evaluation is needed. Integrative modalities have unique ways of perceiving disease patterns that are different from more modern approaches, and these different p...
Luomala T.Fascia is a complex and intriguing tissue, which can take on structural properties of being loose or dense, irregular or regular. Fascia functions by connecting, separating, and uniting different structures of the body. Myofascial dysfunction can be a significant source of pain and can be categorized as densification, adhesion, and fibrosis. Digital palpation and treatment of myofascial disorders can be provided via superficial or deep techniques. Different myofascial treatment techniques include slow and fast techniques, which can be applied at different depths, angles, and rhythms.
Adair S.This article serves as an introduction into integrative case management as it applies to the horse's mental health, pain management, and tissue healing. The integrative philosophy pertains to the combination of conventional Western medicine and complementary and alternative therapies to provide the best patient care possible using currently available evidence. The goal is to improve the health of the patient in a more holistic manner.
Nielsen MK, Steuer AE, Anderson HP, Gavriliuc S, Carpenter AB, Redman EM, Gilleard JS, Reinemeyer CR, Poissant J.Macrocyclic lactones have been the most widely used drugs for equine parasite control during the past four decades. Unlike ivermectin, moxidectin exhibits efficacy against encysted cyathostomin larvae, and is reported to have persistent efficacy with substantially longer egg reappearance periods. However, shortened egg reappearance periods have been reported recently for both macrocyclic lactones, and these findings have raised several questions: (i) are egg reappearance period patterns different after ivermectin or moxidectin treatment? (ii) Are shortened egg reappearance periods associated w...
Narinx F, Monclin S, Sauvage A, Vercruysse E, Heimann M, Alloway E, Vandersmissen M, Grauwels M.To describe the clinical presentation and treatment of an ectopic periorbital lymph node in two young horses. Two warm-blood horses were presented at the equine clinic of the University of Liège with a periorbital non-painful mass. Differential diagnosis included neoplasm (lymphoma), (sterile) abscess, cyst, ectopic lacrimal gland tissue, hematoma, adipose tissue, or ectopic lymphoid tissue. Information collected included physical and ophthalmic examination findings, results of the ocular and periocular ultrasound, surgical procedure, histopathology, and follow-up. Masses of 2 × 2 cm and 3 Ã...
Manganiello CF, Basbus L, Callegari MS, Cayol F, Amaral De Sousa CR, Porta RE.Passive immunotherapy is a therapeutic alternative for patients with COVID-19. Methods: The decision was made to create a prospective database of patients diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia, nonhypoxemic, treated on an outpatient basis at the Hospital de BolÃvar, Dr. Miguel Capredoni, province of Buenos Aires, Argentina, with the aim of evaluating the efficacy in reducing severe cases and hospitalizations of treatment with hyperimmune equine serum in this subgroup of patients. We performed a retrospective analysis of the period from 05/26/2021 to 08/28/2021, where a total of 151 patients wer...
Cender AN, Mählmann K, Ehrle A, Merle R, Pieper L, Lischer CJ.Digital flexor tendon sheath (DFTS) pathology is an important cause of lameness in horses. The outcome after surgical treatment is variable and depends on the exact diagnosis. Objective: To (1) describe the prevalence of lesions associated with lameness caused by nonseptic DFTS tenosynovitis in a large population of German sports and pleasure horses; (2) determine the sensitivity and specificity of diagnostic imaging techniques for identifying lesions within the DFTS with tenoscopic diagnosis being the gold standard; (3) explore associations between tenoscopically diagnosed lesions and signalm...
Gilger BC.This review, which is part of the "Currents in One Health" series, describes the importance of the study of immune-mediated ocular disease in the development of innovative therapeutics, such as cell and gene therapy for the eye. Recent examples of cell and gene therapy studies from the author's laboratory are reviewed to emphasize the importance of One Health initiatives in developing innovative therapies for ocular diseases. Spontaneous immune-mediated corneal disease is common in horses, cats, dogs, and humans. Autologous bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) injected subconju...
Kirkwood NC, Hughes KJ, Stewart AJ.Substantial morbidity results from pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) which is often underestimated by owners and veterinarians. Clinical signs, pathophysiology, diagnostic tests, and treatment protocols of this condition are reviewed. The importance of improved recognition of early clinical signs and diagnosis are highlighted, as initiation of treatment will result in improved quality of life. Future research should be targeted at improving the accuracy of the diagnosis of PPID, as basal adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) concentration can lack sensitivity and thyrotropin releasing ...
Vergara-Hernandez FB, Panek CL, Nielsen BD, Robison CI, Colbath AC.To determine the effects of clodronate disodium (CLO) on control and recombinant equine interleukin-1β (IL-1β)-treated equine joint tissues. Methods: In vitro experimental study. Methods: Cartilage explants, chondrocytes, and synoviocytes (n = 3 horses). Methods: Monolayer cultures of chondrocytes and synoviocytes from three horses were subjected to: control media (CON), 5 ng/ml CLO (C/low), 50 ng/ml CLO (C/med), 100 ng/ml CLO (C/high), with and without IL-1β, and 10 ng/ml IL-1β (IL) alone for 72 hours. Cartilage explants from three horses were subjected to CON, IL, C/low, and C/...
Chaiyabutr N, Wattanaphansak S, Tantilerdcharoen R, Akesowan S, Ouisuwan S, Naraporn D.African horse sickness (AHS) is a non-contagious, high mortality, and insect-borne disease caused by a double-stranded RNA virus from the genus Orbivirus. The study aimed to develop inactivated vaccines serotype 1 inactivated AHS vaccine (IAV) and to compare the effect of IAV on antibody responses in young naïve horses and adult horses pre-immunized with live-attenuated AHS virus (AHSV) serotypes 1, 3, and 4 live-attenuated vaccine (LAV). Unassigned: A total of 27 horses were vaccinated in two trials. Twelve AHS naïve young horses and 15 adult horses were divided into three groups of 4 and 5...
Marunova E, Hoenecke K, Fiske-Jackson A, Smith RKW, Bolt DM, Perrier M, Gerdes C, Hernlund E, Rhodin M, Pfau T.Evaluation of diagnostic anesthesia during equine lameness examination requires comparison of complex movement patterns and can be influenced by expectation bias. There is limited research about how changes in movement asymmetries after successful analgesia are affected by different exercise conditions. Movement asymmetry of head, withers and pelvis was quantified in N = 31 horses undergoing forelimb or hindlimb diagnostic anesthesia. Evaluation on a straight line and a circle was performed with subjective diagnostic anesthesia outcome and quantitative changes recorded. Mixed linear mode...
Bishop RC, McCoy AM, Kemper AM, Stewart RM, Wilkins PA.To evaluate the effect of the cyclooxygenase-2-selective NSAID firocoxib, compared to the nonselective NSAID flunixin meglumine on viscoelastic coagulation parameters in healthy horses. 12 healthy adult mixed-breed horses. Following a crossover protocol, horses were administered flunixin meglumine (1.1 mg/kg, IV, q 12 h for 5 days), allowed a 6-month washout period, and then administered firocoxib (0.3 mg/kg, PO, once, then 0.1 mg/kg, PO, q 24 h for 4 days). Omeprazole (1 mg/kg, PO, q 24 h) was administered concurrently with each NSAID. Viscoelastic coagulation profiles and traditional coagula...
Brewer K, Machin J, Maylin G, Fenger C, Morales-Briceño A, Tobin T.Gabapentin, 1-(Aminomethyl)cyclohexaneacetic acid, MW 171.240, is a frequently prescribed high dose human medication that is also used recreationally. Gabapentin is orally absorbed; the dose can be 3,000 mg/day and it is excreted essentially unchanged in urine. Gabapentin is stable in the environment and routinely detected in urban wastewater. Gabapentin randomly transfers from humans to racing horses and is at times detected at pharmacologically ineffective / trace level concentrations in equine plasma and urine. In Ohio racing between January 2019 and July 2020,18 Gabapentin identifications...
Gomez DE, Leclere M, Arroyo LG, Li L, John E, Afonso T, Payette F, Darby S.This study describes the clinicopathological findings, diagnostic approach, treatment, and factors associated with non-survival of diarrheic horses admitted to 4 Canadian university teaching hospitals between 2015 and 2019. A total of 300 horses, ≥1-year-old, with acute diarrhea were included and represented 1.6% (300/18 481; range: 0.7 to 3%) of admissions during that period, 70% of the horses survived to discharge. Testing for enteropathogens was limited to a single fecal culture for Salmonella spp. in most cases. An enteropathogen was identified in 14% (42/300) of the horses, but in the h...
Burns JJ, MacMillan KM, John EE.Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most clinically relevant cardiac arrhythmia identified in the Standardbred racehorse. However, there is limited literature regarding athletic ability in Standardbred racehorses following AF conversion. To investigate this issue, the objectives of this review were to: i) determine the success rate in using quinidine sulphate to treat AF in a population of hospitalized equine patients in Atlantic Canada between January 2008 and December 2019; and ii) measure return to athletic ability (using racetrack earnings and top-3 finishes) following cardioversion with quini...
Balasuriya UB, Lee PY, Tiwari A, Skillman A, Nam B, Chambers TM, Tsai YL, Ma LJ, Yang PC, Chang HF, Wang HT.Equine influenza (EI) is an acute, highly contagious viral respiratory disease of equids. Currently, equine influenza virus (EIV) subtype H3N8 continues to be the most important respiratory pathogen of horses in many countries around the world. The need to achieve a rapid diagnosis and to implement effective quarantine and movement restrictions is critical in controlling the spread of EIV. In this study, a novel, inexpensive and user-friendly assay based on an insulated isothermal RT-PCR (iiRT-PCR) method on the POCKITâ„¢, a field-deployable device, was described and validated for point-of-nee...
Kuzmina TA, Kharchenko VA, Starovir AI, Dvojnos GM.Communities of intestinal helminths in horses are commonly studied post mortem. The study objectives were here to examine the species composition of the strongylid community in brood horses in Ukraine after deworming with an aversectin drug Univerm. The site distribution of the strongylid species was analysed according to dynamics of their expulsion in faeces. Forty-four horses of different ages from Poltavska oblast (22 horses), Kyivska oblast (17 horses) and Sumska oblast (5 horses) of Ukraine were included in the study. Horses were treated with Univerm anthelmintic (0.2% aversectin) at a do...
Wild TF.Paramyxoviruses have been implicated in both animal and human infections. Some viruses, such as Morbilliviruses are responsible for large-scale epidemics. However, there are limited observations of these viruses crossing the host species barrier in nature. In 1994, in Australia a fatal infection in horses and humans was identified to be caused by a new Paramyxovirus, Hendra virus (HeV), and in 1998 in Malaysia, a closely related virus, Nipah virus (NiV) was responsible for fatal infections in pigs and humans. These two viruses were sufficiently different from previously described Paramyxovirus...
Kamath PL, Getz WM.Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) genes are central to vertebrate immune response and are believed to be under balancing selection by pathogens. This hypothesis has been supported by observations of extremely high polymorphism, elevated nonsynonymous to synonymous base pair substitution rates and trans-species polymorphisms at these loci. In equids, the organization and variability of this gene family has been described, however the full extent of diversity and selection is unknown. As selection is not expected to act uniformly on a functional gene, maximum likelihood codon-based models o...
Gomez HH, Georgi JR.A programme of selective anthelmintic therapy was used in a herd of 31 horses. Faecal egg counts were done during the months of September, November, January, March, May and the following September. Horses with greater than or equal to 100 eggs per gram (epg) were treated with ivermectin, and those with less than 100 epg were not treated. The criteria for adequate internal parasite control in the herd was a median herd faecal egg count of less than or equal to 100 epg. Effectiveness of selective therapy was assessed by faecal egg count after nine months of treatment and was determined to be ade...
Mayhew IG, Brown CM, Stowe HD, Trapp AL, Derksen FJ, Clement SF.Two horse farms, on which there was a high incidence of proven and suspected equine degenerative myeloencephalopathy (EDM), were studied. Symmetric ataxia and paresis, along with laryngeal adductor, cervicofacial, local cervical, and cutaneous trunci hyporeflexia, characterized the syndrome. Serum vitamin E concentration reflected a deficient state in affected and unaffected horses on both farms when compared with selected reference groups and with published values. A high incidence of the disease was evident in offspring of two particular sires on one farm. Vitamin E supplementation resulted ...
Lester HE, Spanton J, Stratford CH, Bartley DJ, Morgan ER, Hodgkinson JE, Coumbe K, Mair T, Swan B, Lemon G, Cookson R, Matthews JB.Cyathostomins are considered to be the most important group of helminths to affect equids due to their high prevalence, potential pathogenicity and ability to develop anthelmintic resistance. Their control relies almost exclusively on frequent anthelmintic use. Currently, fenbendazole (FBZ), pyrantel embonate (PYR), ivermectin (IVM) and moxidectin (MOX) are licensed for use in horses in the UK. With no new anthelmintics likely to be licensed in the near future, it is essential that investigations into the efficacy of current anthelmintics in different locations are performed to help inform con...
Hurcombe SD, Toribio RE, Slovis N, Kohn CW, Refsal K, Saville W, Mudge MC.Sepsis is an important cause for neonatal foal mortality. The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPAA) responses to sepsis are well documented in critically ill humans, but limited data exist in foals. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the HPAA response to sepsis in foals, and to associate these endocrine changes with survival. Objective: Blood concentrations of arginine vasopressin (AVP), adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH), and cortisol will be higher in septic foals as compared with sick nonseptic and healthy foals. The magnitude of increase in hormone concentration will be negativ...
Colbath AC, Dow SW, McIlwraith CW, Goodrich LR.Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are widely used for treatment of musculoskeletal diseases in horses, but there is ongoing debate regarding the relative safety and efficacy of allogeneic MSCs, compared with autologous equine MSCs. This review summarises the currently available published data regarding the therapeutic use of autologous and allogeneic MSCs in horses. Arguments that have been advanced against the use of allogeneic MSCs include higher risk of immunological reactions and shorter cell survival times following injection. Arguments favouring the use of allogeneic MSCs include the ability...
Yadav PD, Albariño CG, Nyayanit DA, Guerrero L, Jenks MH, Sarkale P, Nichol ST, Mourya DT.A virus isolated from a sick horse from India in 2008 was confirmed by next-generation sequencing analysis to be equine encephalosis virus (EEV). EEV in India is concerning because several species of Culicoides midge, which play a major role in EEV natural maintenance and transmission, are present in this country.
Gildea S, Quinlivan M, Arkins S, Cullinane A.Antigenic and genetic drift of equine influenza (EI) virus is monitored annually by the Expert Surveillance Panel (ESP), which make recommendations on the need to update vaccines. Surveillance programmes are essential for this process to operate effectively and to decrease the risk of disease spread through the international movement of subclinically infected vaccinated horses. Not only is surveillance necessary to inform vaccine companies which strains are in circulation, but it serves as an early warning system for horse owners, trainers and veterinary clinicians, facilitating the implementa...
Wagner AE.The stress response represents an animal's attempt to reestablish the body's homeostasis after injury, intense physical activity, or psychological strain. Two different neuroendocrine pathways may be activated in stressful situations: the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis, leading to increased cortisol levels, and the sympathoadrenomedullar system, leading to increased catecholamine levels. By applying some of the evaluation methods described in this article in the appropriate clinical situations, equine veterinarians can almost certainly improve their ability to recognize and manage ...
Couetil LL, Thompson CA.Indications for bronchoalveolar lavage, tracheal wash, and thoracocentesis for the diagnosis of respiratory diseases are discussed. Each technique is described in detail and illustrated by videos. Sample handling, preparation and evaluation are reviewed. The advantages and limitations of bronchoalveolar lavage and tracheal wash procedures as well as a critical comparison between the 2 techniques for equine asthma diagnosis are presented. Finally, validated cut-off values for equine asthma diagnosis are reviewed.
Nelson KM, Schram BR, McGregor MW, Sheoran AS, Olsen CW, Lunn DP.Inactivated alum-adjuvanted conventional equine influenza virus vaccines are of poor efficacy and offer limited short-term protection against infection. In sharp contrast, natural infection with equine influenza virus confers long-term protective immunity. In order to identify the protective immune responses to equine influenza virus, the influenza virus-specific IgA, IgGa, IgGb, IgGc and IgG(T) antibody responses in nasal secretions and serum induced by natural infection and a commercial vaccine were studied by ELISA. Two groups of four influenza-naive ponies were established. In the natural ...
Banse HE, Andrews FM.Equine glandular gastric disease (EGGD) is an increasingly recognized disease of the glandular mucosa of the equine stomach. Diagnosis is confirmed by gastric endoscopy and scored based upon one of several different endoscopic scoring systems. Prevalence appears to be variable, depending upon breed and discipline. Primary identified risk factors include exercise frequency, and stress; therefore, management strategies are focused on reducing exercise and stress. Limiting grain intake and increasing pasture turnout may also be helpful preventative measures. Pharmacologic treatment consists prima...
Mendoza L, Alfaro AA.Thirty-nine pythiosis equine cases, were studied at the Veterinary Medicine School of the National University of Costa Rica, between 1981 and 1984. Lesions were located in different parts of their anatomy: anterior and posterior extremities, abdomen, thorax, breast and mammary gland, and were characterized by their tumoral appearance with necrotic tissue in which yellow-white coral-like necrotic masses, called kunker or leeches were shown. Splendore-Hoeppli like phenomenon and eosinophilic inflammatory reaction around the hyphae, was microscopically observed. Pythium sp. (Hyphomyces destruens)...
Gildea S, Arkins S, Cullinane A.Outbreaks of equine influenza (EI) in endemic populations continue to cause economic loss despite widespread vaccination. Objective: To identify the key management and environmental factors that determine the risk of horses contracting EI in an endemic country and to identify control strategies. Methods: Real time-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), virus isolation and haemagglutination inhibition were carried out on nasopharyngeal swabs and clotted blood samples collected from horses and ponies showing signs of respiratory disease. On premises where a diagnosis of EI was confirmed, the attend...
Weese JS, Rousseau J.To evaluate the efficacy of Lactobacillus pentosus WE7, an equine-origin organism with potentially beneficial in vitro properties, as a probiotic for prevention of neonatal diarrhea in foals. Methods: Randomized controlled clinical trial. Methods: 153 foals. Methods: Foals were enrolled at 24 to 48 hours of age and randomly assigned to treatment or control groups. The treatment group received approximately 2 x 10(11) CFU of freeze-dried L. pentosus WE7 orally once daily for 7 days, whereas the control group received a placebo. Clinical monitoring was performed for 14 days. Results: Probiotic a...
Love EJ, Murrell J, Whay HR.This review evaluates the thermal and mechanical nociceptive threshold testing techniques that have been used in horses and discusses them with reference to their applications, limitations and the factors which can influence both the testing procedure itself and the animal's responses. Methods to optimise the reliability and repeatability of the testing procedures are suggested and the potential clinical applications discussed. Methods: Web of Science and Medline. Conclusions: Thermal and mechanical nociceptive threshold testing techniques have valuable roles in both the identification of alte...
Williams IF, McCullagh KG, Goodship AE, Silver IA.The histological and morphological characteristics of the scar tissue formed during healing after traumatic equine tendon injury have been compared with those of scar tissue produced in response to an enzyme-induced pony tendon injury. Several techniques are currently in use in the treatment of equine tendon sprain and this work formed part of a study of their respective efficacy. It was concluded that the enzyme-induced lesion is resolved by a reparative process very similar in its prognosis and extent to that following a naturally occurring tendon sprain. It may therefore justifiably be used...
Watson J, Daniels P, Kirkland P, Carroll A, Jeggo M.In August 2007 Australia experienced its first outbreak of equine influenza. The disease occurred first in a quarantine station for imported horses near Sydney and subsequently escaped into the general horse population. After an extensive campaign the disease was eradicated and Australia is again recognised as free of this disease. Equine influenza was then, and is now, recognised to be the major disease risk associated with live horse imports into Australia and measures designed to mitigate this risk formed the basis of the quarantine protocols then in place. Subsequent investigations into th...
Collins P.In vitro sensitivity data suggest that acyclovir should be effective against clinical manifestations of herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2, varicella-zoster virus and possibly Epstein-Barr virus. The clinical potential against herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 is further supported by results in animal models. Human cytomegalovirus and the veterinary herpes viruses, with the possible exception of equine herpes virus type 1, may be insufficiently sensitive to be amenable to treatment.
Pusterla N, Magdesian KG, Mapes S, Leutenegger CM.To determine gene expression of selected molecular markers (tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-alpha, interleukin [IL]-1beta, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, procalcitonin [PCT], and transforming growth factor [TGF]-beta) in the blood of healthy and sick foals. Methods: 28 sick foals without sepsis, 21 foals with sepsis, and 21 healthy foals. Methods: Total RNA was extracted from blood samples and converted into complementary DNA (cDNA). Gene expression was measured for the molecular markers by use of real-time PCR assay, and final quantitation was performed with the comparative threshold cycle method. Results: S...
Haussler KK.The clinical assessment of pain is subjective; therefore, variations exist between practitioners in their ability to identify and localize pain. Due to differing interpretations of the signs or severity of pain equine practitioners may assign varying levels of clinical significance and treatment options. There is a critical need to develop better tools to qualify and quantify pain in horses. Palpation is the most common method to detect local tenderness or sensitivity. To quantify this applied pressure, pressure algometry has been used to gradually apply pressure over specified landmarks until...