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.
Green JH, Bolin RC, Carver RK, Gross H, Pigott N, Harrell WK.The serological response in burros and horses to the viable LVS strain of Pasteurella tularensis was studied. High-titered agglutinating antisera and fluorescent-antibody conjugates were obtained in both groups of animals. Maximum titers were obtained in horses 14 to 21 days after the start of vaccination and in burros 21 to 28 days after the start of vaccination. The use of Woodhour's adjuvants or booster inoculations did not result in increased titers.
Correa WM.Smears and imprints were made from the liver of 27 equine fetuses, believed to have aborted as a result of Equine Virus Abortion (EVA) infection. Several different fixatives and staining techniques were employed for the demonstration of typical intra-nuclear inclusion bodies in these preparations, and the following conclusions were reached. Methanol proved to be the best fixative and Pappenheim's panoptic method was the best staining technique, giving good contrast and definition of the inclusion bodies. Cytological methods provided a simple and rapid means of diagnosis, but histological secti...
Ellis PM.An accurate modified auscultatory technique for the indirect measurement of arterial pressure in the horse is described. Limitations of the method were sensitivity to external motion in nervous, conscious horses, and the failure to detect Korotkoff sounds in shocked, anaesthetized surgical cases. The apparatus required for the method is expensive and is probably impractical for routine monitoring during anaesthesia.
Pihl TH, Jacobsen S, Olsen DT, Højrup P, Grosche A, Freeman DE, Andersen PH, Houen G.OBJECTIVE To purify and characterize equine vitamin D-binding protein (VDBP) from equine serum and to evaluate plasma concentrations of VDBP in healthy horses and horses with gastrointestinal injury or disease. ANIMALS 13 healthy laboratory animals (8 mice and 5 rabbits), 61 healthy horses, 12 horses with experimentally induced intestinal ischemia and reperfusion (IR), and 59 horses with acute gastrointestinal diseases. PROCEDURES VDBP was purified from serum of 2 healthy horses, and recombinant equine VDBP was obtained through a commercial service. Equine VDBP was characterized by mass spectr...
Suarez-Fuentes DG, Caston SS, Tatarniuk DM, Kersh KD, Ferrero NR.Contaminated or septic navicular bursitis has been reported to have a guarded prognosis after surgical treatment with navicular bursotomy only. In our experience, the use of navicular bursotomy for the treatment of this disease in combination with systemic and local delivery of antimicrobials can provide a good prognosis, even in horses with chronic disease. Objective: To report the outcome of horses undergoing navicular bursotomy for the treatment of contaminated or septic navicular bursitis. Methods: Descriptive case series. Methods: Navicular bursotomy was performed in combination with syst...
Martin GS, Strand E, Kearney MT.To determine the relationship between prediction errors of a regression model of racing finish times and earnings or finish position; the relationship between standardized finish times, determined by use of this model, and earnings or finish position; and whether this model was valid when applied to data for horses that underwent surgical treatment. Methods: Survey. Methods: Records of 6,700 healthy Thoroughbreds racing in Louisiana and of 31 Thoroughbreds with idiopathic left laryngeal hemiplegia that underwent surgical treatment. Methods: Predicted and standardized finish times were calculat...
Barber SM, Panizzi L, Lang HM.To evaluate arthrodesis as a treatment for carpometacarpal joint osteoarthritis (CMC-OA). Methods: Case series. Methods: Horses (n=12) with CMC-OA. Methods: Arthrodesis was facilitated by insertion and fanning of a drill bit into the CMC joint at several (3-5) locations in 15 limbs. Follow-up radiographs were obtained for 7 horses (9 limbs). Outcome was determined by telephone survey of owners based on postoperative pain, return to use, appearance of the limb, and success of treatment. Results: Postoperative pain was slight or moderate in 10 of 12 (83%) horses during the first 30 days, and 11 ...
Stephen J, Harty M, Hollis A, Yeomans J, Corley K.An 11-year-old mare presented 36 hours after foaling with a ruptured bladder. Uroperitoneum was diagnosed on ultrasound and from the creatinine concentration of the peritoneal fluid. Bladder endoscopy demonstrated tissue necrosis and a rent in the dorsocranial aspect of the bladder. Following stabilisation, including abdominal drainage and lavage, the mare was taken to standing surgery. Under continuous sedation and epidural anaesthesia, and after surgical preparation, a Balfour retractor was placed in the vagina. Using sterile lubricant and moderate force, it was possible to insert a hand int...
Schoonover MJ, Whitfield CT, Young JM, Sippel KM, Payton ME.OBJECTIVE To determine effects for 2 IV regional limb perfusion (IVRLP) protocols involving tiludronate on lameness of horses with navicular syndrome. ANIMALS 15 horses with bilateral forelimb navicular syndrome. PROCEDURES Shoeing and anti-inflammatory injection into the distal interphalangeal joint (DIPJ) of both forelimbs (day 0) were performed on all horses. On day 14, horses received 1 of 3 IVRLPs consisting of 0.1 mg of tiludronate/kg (low-dose tiludronate [LDT]; n = 5), 0.2 mg of tiludronate/kg (high-dose tiludronate [HDT]; 5), or saline (0.9% NaCl) solution (placebo; 5); treatments wer...
Ternisien T, Dunn M, Vachon C, Manguin E, Bonilla AG, Jean D.Three client-owned horses diagnosed with obstructive ureteral stones were referred and treated in a minimally invasive manner by retrograde ureteroscopy in conjunction with electrohydraulic lithotripsy (EHL) or laser Holmium:YAG lithotripsy (HYL). For all 3 horses, additional tests revealed variable degrees of azotemia and ureteral obstruction. Ultrasound examination (2 horses) revealed a loss of cortico-medullary distinction consistent with a chronic nephropathy. Ultrasound-guided biopsy of the right kidney in 1 horse revealed moderate glomerulosclerosis and lymphoplasmacytic nephritis. A sta...
Grulke S, Salciccia A, Arévalo Rodríguez JM, Sandersen C, Caudron I, Serteyn D, de la Rebière de Pouyade G.Epiploic foramen entrapment (EFE) of small intestine is a severe cause of strangulating small intestinal obstruction (SSI) with long-term survival seeming lower than for other causes of SSI in horses. Different techniques via laparoscopy or laparotomy for epiploic foramen (EF) closure have been developed. This study describes a technique of peroperative mesh closure of the EF in clinical cases and their long-term follow up. In the study period of 5.5 years, 36 horses were admitted to the clinic with EFE. Of these, 17 horses had peroperative mesh closure, with resection anastomosis in 4 cases a...
Giusto G, Iotti B, Sammartano F, Valazza A, Gandini M.The aim of this study is to compare handsewn and stapled jejunocecal anastomosis with different stomal lengths in terms of anatomical differences. Group 1 underwent a two-layer handsewn jejunocecal side-to-side anastomosis (HS); Group 2 received a stapled jejunocecal side-to-side anastomosis (GIA). Each group was divided into two subgroups (HS80 and HS100, GIA80 and GIA100). Specimens were inflated and CT scanned. The stomal/jejunal area ratio and blind end pouch volume/area were measured and compared. Effective length of the stoma was measured and compared with the initial length. Stomal/jeju...
Ponthier J, de la Rebière G, Salciccia A, Deleuze S.In mares, endometrial cysts are associated with endometriosis and can cause maternal recognition failure or compromise and delay pregnancy diagnoses. Historical treatments were invasive and had adverse effects on the endometrium. Hysteroscopically guided laser therapy is easy and effective for endometrial cysts resection, with no deleterious effects for the endometrium. A 110 cm long and 1.0 cm wide endoscope is sterilely introduced in the uterus through the open cervix of an estrous mare after vulvar cleaning. The uterus is slowly infused with less than 1 L of physiologic solution and the las...
van der Kolk JH, van Hoorn CJ, van Garderen E, van den Belt AJ.An eighteen-year-old pony gelding was referred to the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine because of colic, due to cecal tympany. His haircoat was dull with long wavy hair. After medical treatment of the colic it was sent home three days later. Just before it had been dismissed the morning plasma glucose concentration measured 10.2 mmol.l-1. The basal plasma cortisol concentration was high (180 nmol.l1) and basal plasma ACTH concentration was highly elevated (> 960 pg.ml1). An ACTH-stimulation test was performed by intravenous administering of 0.25 mg synthetic ACTH 1 24 at 9.00 hours showing ad...
Woods AC, Chesney AM.A filterable agent has been obtained from the humors and tissues of the eyes of horses suffering from active periodic ophthalmia. The intra-vitreous injection of this filtrate produced in normal horses the same clinical and pathological picture observed in the natural disease. This filtrate injected into rabbits produced a different clinical picture, but the essential pathological lesions closely resembled those found in horses. After passage of the filterable agent through six generations of rabbits, it again produced the clinical and pathological picture of the natural disease when injected ...
Joonè CJ, Schulman ML, Fosgate GT, Plagis TA, Crafford JE, Gupta SK, Bertschinger HJ.Few studies have investigated the cell mediated immune response during zona pellucida-based immunocontraception, despite hypothesized cytotoxic T-cell involvement in ovarian dysfunction associated with these vaccines. This study aimed to investigate antigen-specific anamnestic responses of helper (CD4) and cytotoxic (CD8) T-lymphocytes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) isolated from pony mares before and after their treatment with native porcine zona pellucida (pZP), recombinant pZP3 and pZP4 antigens (reZP) or adjuvanted saline. Mares were randomly assigned to pZP, reZP and control...
Vermedal H, O'Leary JM, Fjordbakk CT, McAloon CG, Løkslett H, Stadsnes B, Fretheim-Kelly ZL, Strand E.The laryngeal tie-forward (LTF) procedure is commonly used to treat intermittent dorsal displacement of the soft palate (iDDSP). There is a wide range in reported efficacy of treating horses with and without a definitive diagnosis of iDDSP. Objective: To evaluate the racing performance of harness racehorses in which iDDSP had been definitely diagnosed and treated solely with the LTF procedure. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Ninety-five harness racehorses were treated with LTF for confirmed iDDSP. A definite diagnosis of iDDSP was made with high-speed treadmill or overground endos...
Klingeborn B.Twelve mares were vaccinated with attenuated equine abortion virus (EAV) strain RAC-H. Two nonvaccinated mares served as controls. In at least three mares the vaccination appeared to coincide with a natural infection. This was indicated by characterization of the EAV isolated from nasal secretions of six vaccinated mares, a nonvaccinated control, and also from the lung, spleen, and liver of a fetus aborted by a vaccinated mare. The relative sensitivity of the isolated EAV to dithiothreitol was used to distinguish the RAC-H strain and wild-type virus. Of the 10 EAV isolates, four were recognize...
Kay AT, Hunt RJ, Rodgerson DH, Spirito MA, Santschi EM, Payne RJ.To describe the characteristics of osteomyelitis lesions of the patella and to report short- and long-term outcome after treatment in 8 foals. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Foals (n = 8). Methods: Medical records (2003-2007) and radiographs of foals that had osteomyelitis of the patella were reviewed. Inclusion criteria included clinical, radiographic, and surgical findings consistent with osteomyelitis of the patella, and a long-term follow-up of >15 months. Information acquired included signalment, hematologic and serum biochemical profile results, clinical and radiographic si...
Heath SE, Geor RJ, Tabel H, McIntosh K.An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed for use in horses to determine serum titers of antibodies of the immunoglobulin classes IgA, IgG, and IgM to Streptococcus equi M-like protein and culture supernatant protein antigens. Serum antibodies were determined in 28 adult horses, including 9 horses with recent S. equi infections, 17 horses without known exposure to S. equi, but without a history of respiratory disease in the preceding 4 months, and 2 horses with clinical purpura hemorrhagica. Serum IgA titers to culture supernatant protein antigen were highest in recently infec...
Drumev D.Stated is the use of promising therapeutic formulae that produce prophylactic, metaphylactic, and curative effects at lower input of labour and handling, inciting lower unrest with animals, belonging chiefly to the type of the so-called 'therapeutic systems'. Particular attention is paid to drugs for programmed, continuous, and checkable release of the active ingredients in compliance with what is needed at the time (sustained release forms)-type OROS (oral osmotic system), type 'liquid reservoir', type 'glass cylinders', tablets and boluses of higher relative weight, or multilayer and mosaic ...
Acland HM, Allen PZ, Kenney RM.Twenty-three of 24 mares were infected experimentally with contagious equine metritis organisms by intrauterine inoculation, and killed 2-116 days later. From mares killed within 14 days after infection the organism could be recovered from many sites in the uterus, and most sites in the cervix, a few sites in the vagina and oviduct and from one clitoral sinus. At this time the endometrial folds were swollen and there were 10-20 ml of fluid in the uterus. In mares killed after 14 days, the organism was recovered from the ovarian surface (1 mare), oviduct (4 mares), uterus (2 mares) and the clit...
Kulinski KM, Thompson DL, Capshaw EL, French DD, Oliver JL.This experiment assessed the effects of 12 mo of daily treatment of young horses with recombinant equine somatotropin (eST) on 1) carcass and internal organ traits at necropsy and 2) residual effects in live horses for 60 d after cessation of treatment. Seven horses received eST daily at 20 microg/kg BW; seven others received vehicle (controls). Four horses from each group were killed at the end of treatment. There were few effects of eST treatment on hematologic assessments or histopathologic evaluations of internal organs. Treatment with eST increased the weights of the right adrenal gland (...
Paweska JT, Henton MM, van der Lugt JJ.Clinical, virological and serological responses were evaluated in 10 pregnant mares after different challenge exposures to the asinine-94 strain of equine arteritis virus (EAV). The outcome of maternal infection on the progeny was also investigated. Mares were inoculated intranasally (n = 4), intramuscularly (n = 2), intravenously (n = 1), or contract-exposed (n = 3). All inoculated mares developed pyrexia, 5 showed mild clinical signs related to EAV infection and 2 remained asymptomatic. Viraemia was detected in all the inoculated animals and shedding of virus from the respiratory tract occur...
Moll HD, Schumacher J.A 2-year-old Tennessee Walking Horse colt was admitted for evaluation of signs of abdominal pain, inappetence, and constipation of 5 days' duration. Two days prior to the onset of signs, the owner had cut the sacrococcygeal muscles as part of a tail-setting procedure. On examination, the horse was febrile and lethargic, and intestinal sounds were not heard on auscultation. Results of peritoneal fluid analysis were indicative of peritonitis. The horse continued to deteriorate and died despite treatment with antimicrobials, flunixin meglumine, and balanced electrolyte solution. At necropsy, the ...
Moens Y, De Moor A.The carbon dioxide content of respiratory gases may be monitored by the use of an infra-red carbon dioxide analyser. The technique allows continuous and non-invasive recording of important information concerning the ventilatory, circulatory and metabolic states of the anaesthetised horse. Some of the monitoring capabilities of a carbon dioxide analyser (capnograph) are reviewed with illustrations from cases anaesthetised in the authors' clinic. Technical faults in the anaesthetic apparatus and the connections with the "patient" could be readily detected and emergency situations immediately rec...
Morris DD, Crowe N, Moore JN.The purpose of this study was to determine if a structurally novel dual inhibitor of arachidonic acid metabolism, SK & F 86002, would inhibit the endotoxin-induced production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) activity by equine peritoneal macrophages. Equine peritoneal macrophages were variously pretreated for 0, 0.5 and 2 h with SK & F 86002 at 10(-9) to 10(-4) molar final concentrations or were left untreated. Then, the macrophages were cultured in vitro in the presence of endotoxin (5 ng/mL). Supernatant media were collected after 4 h and stored at -70 degrees C until assayed for TNF a...
van Foreest AW, Wiemer P.Periapical disorders in horses can be treated by resection of the apex. The indications, contraindications, diagnosis, treatment and complications of the intervention are discussed. Four case reports of horses in which apicoectomy with retrograde endodontic treatment was performed are reviewed.
Yamada K, Araki M, Tokushige H, Fujiki R, Sakai S, Tateno O, Mashita S, Kusano K.Equine scintigraphy has been legally permitted in Japan since 2009; however, it has not yet been a routine modality for horses. One reason is the legal regulations concerning the disposal of contaminated bedding. However, overseas, the bedding after scintigraphy can be disposed following radioactivity decay, but this is not allowed in Japan. Therefore, beddings are required to stored permanently in a controlled area, implying that large amounts of beddings such as straw would be kept untreated, which is quite unpractical. This may cause a hospital owner to hesitate to construct an equine scint...
van der Harst MR, Rijkenhuizen AB.The prognosis of ruptured collateral ligaments of the metacarpophalangeal or metatarsophalangeal joint in horses is usually considered to be poor, especially for future athletic performance. The main problem is the development, due to joint instability, of osteoarthritis, which may result in persistent lameness. In this paper a surgical technique is described in which joint stabilisation is realised by using a polypropylene mesh as a substitute for the ruptured ligaments, with the subsequent application of a cast for 7 weeks. The technique was successfully performed in 2 horses with ruptured l...
Meijer P.Two cases of tetany in the horse are reported. The two patients were thoroughbreds. One was eight and the other thirteen years old. The mares were in heat and were brought to the service (stud) station to be mated. Both patients were nursing a foal. One was a four-week-old foal and the other was seven weeks old. The calcium level of the serum had dropped in the two patients, to 4.0 mg and 5.4 per ml. respectively. The magnesium level was 1.0 mg and 1.9 mg per 100 ml. respectively. The animals responded satisfactorily to intravenous infusion of calcium borogluconate and magnesium chloride. One ...
Tobin T, Watt DS, Kwiatkowski S, Tai HH, Blake JW, McDonald J, Prange CA, Wie S.We have introduced large scale non-isotopic immunoassay testing into pre- and post-race drug testing in racehorses. The technologies utilized are Particle Concentration Fluorescence Immuno Assay (PCFIA) and the one-step Enzyme Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay (ELISA). These technologies are rapid, inexpensive, and highly effective. On introduction into post-race testing in the Western United States, these ELISA tests exposed several previously undetected patterns of drug abuse. The drugs detected were buprenorphine, oxymorphone, mazindol, sufentanil and cocaine. This led to the suspension of a larg...
