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Topic:Disease Treatment
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.
Surgery of the small intestine. Although earlier reports describe a poor prognosis for small intestinal surgery in the horse, there is growing evidence that the short-term survival rate can exceed 80%. In addition to advancements in surgery and aftercare, early referral contributes considerably to the improved prognosis. Surgical procedures that restore anatomic and physiologic continuity to close to normal can minimize postoperative complications. Jejunojejunostomy carries a better prognosis than jejunocecostomy, probably because the latter involves anastomosis between two intestinal segments with dissimilar functions. Care...
Treatment of impaction colics. Impactions have been reported in the stomach and all segments of the intestine. Impactions predominately occur just oral to sites of intestinal narrowing or active pacemakers. The most common sites of impaction are in the ileum, the cecum, and the large colon pelvic flexure. The treatment of gastrointestinal impactions depends on the segment affected and the amount of bowel damage which has occurred from distension. Many impactions respond to appropriate administration of analgesics, cathartics, and oral or intravenous fluids. The prognosis for impactions treated medically is better than for t...
Diseases and surgery of the large colon. Displacements and intraluminal obstructions of the large colon carry a good to excellent prognosis for long-term recovery, and surgery for these diseases is rarely followed by short-term or long-term complications. Entrapment of the large colon over the renosplenic ligament is amenable to medical therapies so that surgery can be avoided in many cases. However, preoperative diagnosis of all nonstrangulating diseases of the large colon can be difficult. Vascular diseases of the large colon, such as thromboembolic diseases and large colon volvulus, are more difficult to treat and carry a poorer p...
Colopexy. Colopexy is a surgical procedure designed to create an adhesion from the ventral colon to the body wall to prevent recurrence of large colon volvulus or displacement, and is a useful technique to prevent recurrence of this disease. Colopexies usually are reserved for broodmares, because this is the population of horses that is most predisposed to recurrence of large colon volvulus.
Diseases and surgery of the small colon. Diseases of the small colon are numerous and they can affect horses of any age. Diseases can be simple obstructions, nonstrangulating obstructions, strangulating obstructions, and congenital defects. American Miniature Horses appear prone to luminal obstruction with impacted intestinal contents, and some ischemic diseases are more common in postpartum mares. Enterotomy and enterectomy have a high success rate in the small colon, provided the affected portion can be exteriorized. The beginning and terminal portions of the small colon can be involved in many diseases and are not readily accessib...
Sepsis of the common digital extensor tendon sheath secondary to hemicircumferential periosteal transection in a foal. A 4-month-old Quarter Horse was admitted for evaluation of infection that developed following bilateral hemicircumferential periosteal transection and elevation. Sepsis of the common digital extensor tendon sheath was diagnosed. Treatment included lavage of the tendon sheath, placement of an indwelling drain for lavage after surgery, establishment of drainage, and administration of antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory drugs. Three months after treatment, the foal was clinically normal.
Advances in diagnostic techniques for horses with colic. Recent advances in the use of abdominal ultrasound, endoscopy, laparoscopy, radiography, and peritoneal fluid analysis have contributed to the evaluation of horses with colic. Improved diagnostic capabilities allow earlier surgical intervention when necessary, and this should improve survival rates and the economic aspects of case management.
Epidemiology of colic. Understanding the epidemiology of equine colic is directly relevant to the management of individual horses with colic. In this article, the epidemiology of colic is reviewed with emphasis on epidemiologic studies that have identified specific factors associated with increased risk of colic and epidemiologic studies that are designed to predict the need for surgery and prognosis in horses with colic. Despite the magnitude of the problem of equine colic, much remains to be learned about the epidemiology of this disease.
Surgical treatment of progressive ethmoidal hematoma aided by computed tomography in a foal. A progressive ethmoidal hematoma (PEH) was treated successfully in a 4-week-old Belgian filly by surgical removal, using a frontonasal bone flap. The filly had respiratory stridor, epistaxis, and facial enlargement over the left paranasal sinuses, which had progressively increased in size since birth. Computed tomographic images of the head obtained with the foal under general anesthesia were useful in determining the extent and nature of the soft-tissue mass and planning surgical intervention. On the basis of the histologic appearance of the mass, a diagnosis of PEH was made. Twelve months af...
Management of rectal tears. Rectal tears have important medicolegal implications, and severe tears have a poor prognosis. Prompt diagnosis, immediate application of first aid measures, early referral, use of appropriate definitive treatments, and aggressive aftercare will improve the prognosis. The grade of rectal injury will determine the definitive treatment, but there are few guidelines to determine which treatment is best in each case. Bypass procedures, such as colostomy and indwelling rectal liner, have their own advantages and disadvantages, but can facilitate healing and prevent life-threatening complications if ...
Abdominal surgery in foals. Foals are good candidates for abdominal surgery because their smaller size permits a more complete abdominal exploration and frequently definitive procedures in many cases. The use of rectal examination is replaced with alternative diagnostic modalities such as barium contrast radiography and ultrasonography. With the advancements in these technologies they can distinguish common gastrointestinal lesions and, in most cases, provide sufficient information to guide surgical intervention. The unique aspects of diagnosis and surgical management of gastrointestinal disorders of the foal are discuss...
Effects of flunixin meglumine on short circuit current in equine colonic mucosa in vitro. To study the effect of flunixin meglumine on short circuit current (Isc) in equine right ventral colon in vitro. Methods: Intestinal mucosa from healthy horses and ponies. Methods: Isc was measured in mucosa from the right ventral colon mounted in Ussing chambers. In experiment 1, collection and incubation solutions were: control (no additions); flunixin meglumine, 4 micrograms/ml; indomethacin, 10(-6) M; and flunixin meglumine (4 micrograms/ml) with 10(-6) M prostaglandin E2. In experiment 2, incubation conditions were: control [plain Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate [KRB] solution]; flunixin meglumi...
Lateral buccotomy for removal of a supernumerary cheek tooth in a horse. A 3-year-old female Standardbred was admitted for evaluation of a firm swelling on the right side located rostral to the facial crest and a firm intraoral swelling located rostral to the erupted cheek teeth. Examination of skull radiographs revealed a supernumerary cheek tooth rostral to the erupted third premolar. The supernumerary tooth was removed via lateral buccotomy. The horse did not have complications after surgery and resumed racing. Lateral buccotomy should be considered for removal of rostrally located maxillary or mandibular cheek teeth. Supernumerary cheek teeth can be found in lo...
[Endoparasitic fauna and incidence of species in yearling and adult horses in Upper Bavarian breeding farms with regular anthelmintic prophylaxis lasting for many years]. In this epidemiological study 127 horses from five breeding farms in Upper Bavaria were included. The horses were coproscopically examined in intervals of four weeks over a 16-month period. Since 1992 in all farms regular prophylactic treatments with anthelmintics have been carried out. In 127 horses at least five species were established, such as Parascaris equorum, Anoplocephala perfoliata, Gasterophilus intestinalis and small strongyles, whose third stage larvae were characterized by eight or twelve intestinal cells. Infections with small strongyles occurred most frequently, followed by G. ...
Current concepts in management of abdominal adhesions. Adhesions are an important complication after abdominal surgery in horses and foals, especially after small intestinal resection and anastomosis. Prevention therapies used in horses have included nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, heparin, dimethyl sulfoxide, carboxymethylcellulose, and meticulous surgical technique; however, the ideal surgical technique and prevention therapy has not been determined. Further, treatment of abdominal adhesions has a poor prognosis, emphasizing the need for improvements in prevention methods.
Neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser treatment of cystic granula iridica in horses: eight cases (1988-1996). To determine clinical features of cystic granula iridica in horses and outcome of horses treated with an ophthalmic neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: 8 horses. Methods: An ophthalmic Nd:YAG laser was used to deflate cysts in all horses. Results: Horses were examined because of visual impairment (n = 5), decreased jumping performance (2), or head shaking (1). Clinical signs associated with cysts resolved in all horses after treatment. Short- and long-term complications did not develop, and cysts did not recur. Conclusions: Cystic granula ir...
Pharmacology of the 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors BAY Y 1015 and BAY X 1005 in the horse. Calcium ionophore A23187 induced time and concentration dependent production of immunoreactive leukotriene (LT) B4 by equine heparinized whole blood in vitro. Time dependent production of immunoreactive LTB4 by equine neutrophils and immunoreactive LTC4 by equine eosinophils in vitro was also demonstrated. The 5-lipoxygenase activating protein (FLAP) inhibitors, BAY X 1005 and BAY Y 1015, produced concentration dependent inhibition of ionophore-induced LTB4 synthesis by equine whole blood (mean +/- SEM IC50s n = 5; 6.14 +/- 0.28 microM vs. 12.30 +/- 0.75 microM for BAY Y 1015 and BAY X 1005, r...
Adjunctive methods in equine gastrointestinal surgery. The medical management of postoperative abdominal disorders remains a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge for the equine clinician. Recent advances in the development of techniques and medications to offset or attenuate ischemia-reperfusion injury, endotoxemia, and ileus are encouraging and potentially will decrease the incidence of additional complications.
Ovariectomy of granulosa cell tumors in mares by use of the diagonal paramedian approach: 12 cases (1989-1995). To describe the short- and long-term survival rates in horses undergoing ovariectomy for granulosa cell tumors by use of the diagonal paramedian approach. Methods: Retrospective case study. Methods: 12 horses with granulosa cell tumors. Methods: A diagonal paramedian approach for unilateral ovariectomy was used for removal of each mare's granulosa cell tumor. Information about complications and outcomes was analyzed. Results: Only minimal complications were detected postoperatively when the diagonal paramedian approach was used, regardless of the preferred technique for ovarian pedicle ligatio...
Evaluation of itraconazole-dimethyl sulfoxide ointment for treatment of keratomycosis in nine horses. To evaluate the efficacy of itraconazole-dimethyl sulfoxide ointment for treatment of keratomycosis in horses in the northeastern United States. Methods: Prospective clinical trial. Methods: 9 horses (10 affected eyes). Methods: All horses treated for keratomycosis at Cornell University between July 1994 and July 1996 were included in the study. The diagnosis of keratomycosis was confirmed by cytologic examination, and all horses were treated with 0.25 ml of a 1% itraconazole-30% dimethyl sulfoxide petrolatum-based ointment, applied to the affected eye every 4 hours. Results: Topical applicati...
Equine botulism. Botulism is a severe and often fatal disease in equine patients worldwide. Clostridium botulinum is a ubiquitous soil organism which produces a potent neurotoxin resulting in neuromuscular blockade and flaccid paralysis in affected animals. Definitive diagnosis is often impractical or impossible, leading to diagnosis and treatment based on clinical experience and presenting signs. Delay in case identification and treatment results in rapid deterioration of the patient. Treatment of recumbent equine botulism cases presents challenges due to patient size and requires intensive nursing care. This...
Surgical treatment of a comminuted articular fracture of the accessory carpal bone in a thoroughbred horse. The clinical, radiographic and ultrasonographic findings in a case of a comminuted articular fracture of the accessory carpal bone of a thoroughbred chaser are described, and its surgical treatment and aftercare are detailed. The horse made an uneventful recovery and successfully returned to racing.
A 12-year retrospective study of equine abortion in Michigan. No abstract available
Nasal septoplasty for correction of septal deviation in a foal. This article reports an alternative to septal resection in nasal septal deviations involving the rostral 7 to 10 cm of the nasal septum. Methods: Case report. Methods: One client-owned foal. Methods: A nasal approach with mucosal elevation was used to gain access to the cartilaginous portion of the nasal septum. Once exposed, a series of parasagittal incisions in the cartilage allowed the septum to be repositioned while providing some intrinsic stabilization. Results: The nasal approach provided good access to the rostral 7 cm of the nasal septum. The technique resulted in minimal hemorrhage f...
Magnesium toxicosis in two horses. Magnesium sulfate, a saline laxative, is often used for treatment of intestinal impactions in horses. Clinical signs of hypermagnesemia are an uncommon complication following oral administration of magnesium sulfate. Overdose of magnesium sulfate in combination with renal insufficiency, hypocalcemia, or compromise of intestinal integrity may predispose horses to magnesium toxicosis. Establishment of diuresis with fluids and IV administration of calcium may provide successful treatment of magnesium toxicosis in horses.
