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.
Fessler JF, Bottoms GD, Coppoc GL, Gimarc S, Latshaw HS, Noble JK.Endotoxin (LPS) was quantitated in experimental subjects and in horses with naturally occurring gastrointestinal strangulation obstruction and/or septicaemic diseases to establish the fate of LPS and the clinical usefulness of the Limulus amoebocyte lysate (LAL) assay. The assay was validated for sensitivity (10 pg/ml), recovery (90 to 106 per cent), intra-assay precision (CV = 5.5 per cent) inter-assay precision (CV = 11 per cent), and stability of diluted, heat treated, frozen samples (at least 90 days). Plasma concentrations of LPS after sublethal (3 micrograms/kg) jugular or portal vein bo...
Jöchle W.In this uncontrolled clinical study 12 investigators cooperated to evaluate the analgesic and sedative effect of detomidine (DORMOSEDAN; Farmos Group Ltd; Finland) in 234 horses with abdominal pain caused by colic. The study was designed to use each animal as its own control and to evaluate its response to the drug over a 60 min period. Detomidine was given intravenously (i.v.) once in 169 cases (167 horses, 1 mule, 1 donkey) at a dose of 20 micrograms/kg bodyweight (bwt), and to 65 horses at 40 micrograms/kg bwt. The higher dose was used predominantly in horses with severe pain which were mor...
Merritt AM, Campbell-Thompson ML, Lowrey S.Six healthy six to eight-month-old horses were surgically prepared with Ag bipolar electrodes sutured to the gastric antrum and duodenum. Leads from the electrodes were exteriorised through a stab incision in the flank. During experimental sessions the horses were lightly restrained in stocks and electrode leads were connected to a physiograph to record antroduodenal myoelectrical activity. Intravenous (i.v.) injection of 0.05 mg/kg bodyweight (bwt) of the opioid agonist/antagonist, butorphanol was followed within 2 to 3 mins by a normal appearing period of repetitive spike activity, or phase ...
Archer RM, Lindsay WA, Smith DF, Wilson JW.The vasculature of 22 small colons from dead adult ponies was perfused with latex or barium sulphate solution. The vascular anatomy was studied by use of dissection and alkali digestion of the latex specimens and microangiography of the barium sulphate-perfused specimens. The small colon is supplied by the caudal mesenteric artery. The left colic artery arises from the caudal mesenteric artery, which then becomes the cranial rectal artery. Branches from the left colic and cranial rectal arteries form anastomosing arcades that become narrower distally along the length of the small colon. From t...
Merritt AM, Campbell-Thompson ML, Lowrey S.Five 5 to 6 month old horses were surgically prepared with silver electrodes sutured to the serosa of gastric antrum, duodenum and proximal portions of the jejunum. Normal migrating motility complex (MMC) periodicity was determined during daytime hours in horses that were fed and horses from which food was withheld for 24 hours. Periodicity was defined as time span from the end of one period of regular spike activity (RSA) to the end of the next RSA in the MMC. The periodicity was 120.5 +/- 9.5 (SEM) minutes in horses from which food was withheld, and was 125.7 +/- 20.3 minutes in horses fed h...
King JN, Gerring EL.Post operative ileus is a serious complication of abdominal surgery in horses and there is evidence that endotoxin plays a significant role in its pathogenesis. Pre-treatment with intravenous (i.v.) flunixin (1.1 mg/kg bodyweight [bwt]) or phenylbutazone (4.4 mg/kg bwt) significantly antagonised the acute disruption of gastric, small intestinal and large intestinal motility induced by 0.1 microgram/kg bwt i.v. endotoxin in ponies implanted with gastrointestinal strain gauges. Phenylbutazone was more effective than flunixin and this was significant (P < 0.01) for the stomach and left dorsal col...
Young DR, Richardson DW, Markel MD.A randomised, blind prospective study was performed to evaluate effects of low dose heparin therapy on complication and survival rates in 33 horses following exploratory celiotomy. Four horses had non-strangulating lesions and seven had strangulating lesions of the small intestine, 19 had non-strangulating lesions of the large intestine, and three had duodenitis-proximal jejunitis. Eighteen required an enterotomy or intestinal resection and anastomosis. Sixteen received heparin subcutaneously (66 iu/kg every 12 h) post operatively and 17 received a saline placebo for a mean of 3.7 days. There ...
Mason DK, Watkins KL, Luk CM.An outbreak of respiratory disease among thoroughbred horses in training in Hong Kong was caused by equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) subtype 1 (abortion strain). Two of the horses affected by EHV-1 were serially blood sampled over a period of several weeks and their haematological values measured. There was an increase in monocyte count in the first few days which steadily decreased in one horse, but the other had a second monocyte peak after a period of exercise, thus demonstrating the importance of not working animals in the early stages of the disease.
Ross MW, Bernard WV, Orsini PG, Ford TS.A 3-year-old Standardbred stallion was admitted for treatment of acute enterocolitis. The horse improved in response to empiric treatment, but subsequently developed ventral edema, scrotal abscessation, and severe laminitis. Improvement again was seen, but on day 29 of hospitalization, the horse developed rapid heart rate and signs of abdominal pain. Exploratory celiotomy revealed complete obstruction of the descending portion of the duodenum, 20 cm caudal to the duodenal sigmoidal flexure. Three-tier duodenojejunostomy and jejunojejunostomy were performed to bypass the duodenal obstruction.
Eysker M, Boersema JH, Kooyman FN.Overwintering of horse cyathostomes as inhibited third stage larvae (L3) and the effect of repeated oxfendazole (OFZ) treatment on strongyle infections were studied in an experiment with two groups of three Shetland ponies. Both groups were grazed together from May 28 to November 11, 1986 and subsequently housed. Treatments with 10 mg OFZ kg-1 were given on May 26, July 1 and July 28 and again one week before each group was necropsied in December and April, respectively. Worm populations of both groups were dominated by inhibited early L3. The proportion of fourth stage larvae (L4) was signifi...
Kirker-Head CA, Fackelman GE.Four long bone fractures with a short distal fragment were repaired with a cobra head bone plate alone (2 cattle) or in combination with a straight, broad dynamic compression plate (2 horses). Three fractures were of the distal femur (1 horse, 2 cattle) and one was of the distal radius (1 horse). The long-term outcome of the three femoral fractures was soundness in one case and mild lameness in two. Although satisfactory bone healing progressed in the horse with the radial fracture, laminitis in the contralateral forelimb necessitated euthanasia at week 6.
Pearson EG, Riebold TW.A representative of each of 3 types of bronchodilators was given iv to horses with clinical signs of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. We used atropine (0.01 mg/kg of body weight) as an anticholinergic, isoproterenol HCl as a beta-adrenergic, and aminophylline, the soluble salt of theophylline, as a methylxanthine. Response to these drugs was evaluated by measuring maximal change in intrathoracic pressures (delta Ppl) and observing clinical signs. Atropine caused a significant (P less than 0.01) reduction in delta Ppl, compared with that caused by aminophylline. Atropine caused the delta ...
Homburg-van den Broek FT, Rutgers LJ.It was found that wound infections may be considerably reduced when castration is carried out under strictly aseptic conditions. In this clinical review, healing of the wound following castration with and without closure of the scrotal wounds is compared. All castrations were performed under similar aseptic conditions, general anaesthesia having been produced in the recumbent stallion. The results do not show that there is a significant difference in the appearance of wound infections in scrotal wounds which are closed and those which are left completely open. On the basis of both papers and t...
Lloyd KC, Wheat JD, Ryan AM, Matthews M.Sudden onset of hematuria was associated with mucosal ulceration of the proximal portion of the urethra in 1 stallion and 3 geldings. Hematuria was observed characteristically and consistently at the end of urination. Mucosal ulceration was identified endoscopically in the proximal portion of the urethra at the level of the ischial arch. Biopsy of an ulcerated area of the proximal urethra in one gelding revealed transitional cell carcinoma. Treatment regimens varied from systemic antimicrobial and/or vasoactive therapy to diversion of urinary flow via a temporary perineal urethrostomy. Hematur...
Zaugg JL, Lane VM.We evaluated the efficacy of buparvaquone in eliminating Babesia equi of European origin in carrier horses and in experimentally infected splenectomized ponies. When administered at the rate of 2.5 mg/kg of body weight, IM, 4 times at 96-hour intervals, buparvaquone was effective in eliminating B equi carrier infection in 1 horse. Such results could not be repeated at the same dosage or at 3.5 or 5 mg/kg, IM. Buparvaquone given at the rate of 4 to 6 mg/kg IV and/or IM was therapeutically effective in 4 of 5 acute B equi infections in splenectomized ponies. The treated ponies became carriers.
Sigler DH, Ericson DE, Gibbs PG, Kiracofe GH, Stevenson JS.Lactating mares were assigned as controls or fed altrenogest (.044 mg.kg body wt-1.d-1) for 15 d after foaling. Mares (n = 6) fed altrenogest were inseminated during the first estrus after treatment and mares (n = 6) in the control group were inseminated during the second postpartum estrus. Ovulation during the estrus in which mares were inseminated occurred 26 +/- 1 d postpartum for treated mares and 36 +/- 1 d postpartum for control mares. The percentage of mares conceiving was not different for control (67%) and alternogest-treated (100%) mares. No differences were observed in tone and size...
Dacquet C, Loirand G, Rakotoarisoa L, Mironneau C, Mironneau J.1. Specific binding of the calcium-antagonist dihydropyridine derivative, (+)-[3H]-PN 200-110 (isradipine), to cell membranes of equine portal vein smooth muscle was compared with binding to intact strips isolated from rat portal veins. 2. Specific binding to vascular smooth muscle membranes was of high affinity, saturable and reversible. The dissociation constant obtained from association and dissociation kinetics of (+)-[3H]-PN 200-110 was similar to that obtained from equilibrium binding and competition experiments. 3. Specific binding of (+)-[3H]-PN 200-110 was completely displaced by unla...
MacDonald MH, Honnas CM, Meagher DM.Medical records of 28 horses with osteomyelitis of the calcaneus were reviewed to evaluate signalment, history, diagnostic and treatment methods, outcome, and long-term follow-up information. Trauma was the most commonly reported cause (24). Physical examination revealed lameness in 27 horses, and 22 (79%) had a wound or draining tract over the plantar aspect of the calcaneus. Radiography of all horses was done prior to the initiation of treatment, and follow-up radiography was done on 20 horses. The most common radiographic findings were soft tissue swelling (25), bony lysis of the calcaneus ...
Sweeney CR, Benson CE, Whitlock RH, Meirs DA, Barningham SO, Whitehead SC, Cohen D.The age-specific attack rates of Streptococcus equi infections of the upper respiratory tract and lymph nodes (strangles) in horses for the different age groups were 17.6% for broodmares, 47.5% for 1-year-old horses, and 37.5% for foals. Streptococcus equi was isolated from nasal, pharyngeal, or lymph node specimens in 31 (60.8%) of 51 sick horses. A male 1-year-old horse, shipped from Kentucky to farm A, was considered to be the index case. Six (19.4%) of 31 horses with strangles remained as shedders of S equi after clinical signs of the disease had ended. Shedders of S equi were not identifi...
French DA, Pharr JW, Fretz PB.Diagnostic ultrasonography was used during surgery to assist in the removal of a piece of wire from the retropharyngeal region. A 3-year-old Quarter Horse mare was referred with dysphagia of 2 days' duration. Radiography revealed a 9-cm piece of wire located caudodorsal to the larynx. A ventral surgical approach was performed, dissecting along the right side of the larynx and trachea. The surgical field was filled with 0.85% sterile physiologic saline solution. A 5 MHz-mm sector scanner probe immersed in the fluid was able to locate the wire and facilitate the direction and depth of dissection...
Watkins JP, Taylor TS, Schumacher J, Taylor JR, Gillis JP.The records of 35 horses with Grade 3 or 4 rectal tears, presented to the Veterinary Medical Center at Texas A & M University over a five year period, were reviewed. Grade 3 tears were sub-classified according to whether the remaining tissue was serosa (Grade 3a) or mesorectum (Grade 3b). Five horses were destroyed on presentation and 30 were treated by primary suture closure (8 horses), faecal diversion alone (9 horses) or in combination with suture closure (11 horses) and packing of the tear with medicated gauze sponges (two horses). Faecal diversion was achieved with a temporary indwell...
Klein LV, Wilson DV.A mare with a thoracic laceration was anesthetized with halothane-O2 for surgical repair. Shortly after initiation of controlled ventilation, inspiratory plateau pressure began to increase. The increase in pressure continued despite decreasing the tidal volume. Tension pneumothorax was suspected, but because arterial PCO2 and PO2 were normal, the anesthetic apparatus was examined. Excess gas continued to exit through the bellows pop-off valve even when the fresh gas flow was turned off. It was determined that driving gas from the ventilator was entering the breathing circuit through a hole in ...
Meehan LJ, Taylor SE, Labens R, Cillán-García E.Assessment of the usefulness of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in treatment planning in suspected cases of quittor in the horse. Methods: Five horses with chronic discharging tracts at the level of the foot underwent MRI for treatment planning. Results: The MRI examination revealed variable involvement of soft tissue and osseous structures of the foot in addition to abnormalities of the ungular cartilages in all cases. In two cases, follow-up MRI examination was performed. Four of five horses had a successful outcome, with three of these undergoing only one surgical procedure and one being m...
Malalana F, Ireland JL, Pinchbeck GL, McGowan CM.Risk factors for a first episode of primary uveitis in horses have not been determined. In addition, disease progression and the proportion of horses that develop recurrence following the original episode are not known. Objective: To determine the risk factors for the development of a first episode of primary uveitis in horses in the UK and to document the proportion of cases that experience recurrence following this first episode. Methods: Prospective case-control longitudinal study. Methods: Horses with a first episode of primary uveitis between July 2014 and August 2018 were recruited to th...
Furr MO, Quance J, Kennedy T.Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) is a serious disorder of the nervous system of horses caused by Sarcocystis neurona. Recently, toltrazuril has begun to be used for treatment of EPM. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential toxicity of toltrazuril in horses when administered at a dose of 50 mg/kg for 10 days. Five horses were given 50 mg/kg of toltrazuril once daily for 10 days by nasogastric tube. Complete blood cell counts, serum chemistry values, and coagulation panels were evaluated before and after treatment; then a full postmortem examination was completed on day 1...
Weidenhöfer V, Martin H, Peters J.Since the late 9th century, scientific literature in Arabian language, based on the translation and compilation of works of the Classical, Persian and Indian culture considerably increased. This also applies to the field of veterinary medicine, as is illustrated by a number of hippological and hippiatric treatises. Affinities between texts on horse medicine in Antiquity and in Arabian literature have been mentioned by philologists, but the degree of dependence on classical texts could not be verified due to the lack of translations of the Arabian texts. In this respect, the oldest available te...