The study of diseases in horses encompasses a wide range of conditions affecting equine health, including infectious diseases, metabolic disorders, and genetic abnormalities. These diseases can impact various systems within the horse, such as respiratory, gastrointestinal, and musculoskeletal systems, and can lead to significant health challenges. Research in this area focuses on understanding the pathophysiology, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of equine diseases. Common diseases studied include equine influenza, equine herpesvirus, and laminitis. This page provides access to peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the etiology, clinical presentation, and management strategies of diseases in horses, contributing to the advancement of equine veterinary medicine.
Schoeb TR, Panciera RJ.Case records of 21 horses with acute illness following ingestion of hay containing dead striped blister beetles (Epicauta spp) were selected for review. Abdominal pain, fever, depression, frequent urination, shock, and, occasionally, synchronous diaphragmatic flutter characterized clinical illness. Hematologic findings included hemoconcentration, neutrophilic leukocytosis, and hypocalcemia. Hematuria and low urine specific gravity were abnormal urinalysis results. Sloughing of the epithelium of the esophageal part of the stomach, hemorrhagic and ulcerative cystitis, enterocolitis, and myocardi...
Brown CM, Holmes JR.Using a catheter with 2 transducers, one mounted at the tip and one 9 cm proximal to it, enabled transvalval pressure waveforms to be recorded in 8 horses. A simultaneous electrocardiogram acted as a time base. The changing waveforms produced in the chambers of the heart and great vessels are described and related to the events of the cardiac cycle. The effect of second degree AV block, ectopic beats, a pan diastolic murmur and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are described.
Reynolds DJ, Nicholl TK.A 5 month old colt foal with recurrent pyrexia and a loud pansystolic murmur later developed signs of cardiac failure. Peritoneal fluid and blood samples both demonstrated an extreme leucocytosis and neutrophilia. At post-mortem both a cranial mesenteric arteritis and the congenital cardiac anomaly, Tetralogy of Fallot were found. The detailed clinical and post-mortem findings contributing to the case are described.
Johnson JH, Amend JF, Franklin D, Garner HE.Ultrasonic dimension gauges were implanted in the crico-arytenoideus dorsalis muscle in a mature horse. Resting and contracted muscle length and average contraction rate were measured serially in the conscious state over a period of 25 days. Results suggest that specific laryngeal muscle function in the horse may be defined with this approach. Since man and horse are both known to suffer from laryngeal hemiplegia, this experimental preparation may help provide information of benefit to both species.
Rose RJ.The case histories of four horses with osteomyelitis involving the metacarpal and metatarsal bones are reviewed and the surgical treatments discussed. The horses recovered after curettage of all infected tissue and post operative drainage. The role of antibiotics in treatment is considered and reference is made to the acute treatment of deep wounds to avoid osteomyelitis.
Perryman LE, McGuire TC, Crawford TB.Sixty-six cases of combined immunodeficiency (CID) in foals were studied to determine the most prevalent causes of infection and death. Lesions of the respiratory system were observed in 59 of the foals and were attributable to infection with equine adenovirus. Pneumocystis carinii, and bacteria. Significant lesions were also observed in liver, pancreas, intestines, heart, and kidneys. Maintenance of foals with CID for experimental purposes is directed at the prevention and control of these secondary infections. Adenovirus can be controlled by administration of horse plasma containing high tit...
Klingeborn B, Dinter Z.Antibody to equid herpesvirus 1, which mediates single radial hemolysis, is that responsible for neutralization. Hemagglutination inhibition antibody is not necessarily involved in neutralization or hemolysis.
Folz SD, Hanson BJ, Griffin AK, Dinvald LL, Swerczek TW, Walker RD, Foreman JH.Ceftiofur sodium was evaluated as a therapy for respiratory infections in horses. This cephalosporin antimicrobial was administered intramuscularly every 24 h and at a dose of 2.2 mg/kg (1.0 mg/lb) of body weight. The efficacy of ceftiofur sodium was compared with that of a positive control drug, ampicillin sodium (recommended dose of 6.6 mg/kg [3 mg/lb], given every 12 h). Both treatments were continued for 48 h after clinical symptoms were no longer evident (maximum of 10 days). Fifty-five (55) horses with naturally acquired respiratory infections were included in the study; 28 were treated ...
Magnuson NS, Decker DM, Perryman LE.1. Activities of S-adenosylhomocysteine (AdoHcy) hydrolase were measured in tissues of horses with severe combined immunodeficiency. No decrease in activity of the enzyme was detected.
2. The activity in erythrocytes was 14.2 ± 9.2 nmol AdoHcy formed/min/g hemoglobin and in fibroblasts it was 28.0 ± 7.9 nmol AdoHcy formed/min/108 cells.
3. Km values were obtained for hemolysates (0.77 μM) and for fibroblast lysates (0.59 μM).
4. Effects of 2′-deoxyadenosine on enzyme inactivation were studied.
Sloet van Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbaan MM.A Dutch Warmblood yearling stallion was referred for skin lesions, oedema and diarrhoea. At rectal palpation a cecocolonic intussusception was diagnosed, that might have been present for at least one week. A short literature review of cecocolonic intussusception is given.
Baxter GM, Humphries GB.A large abscess in the lateral neck region of a horse was treated with percutaneous drainage. The abscess was localized with ultrasonography and aspirated by use of a 7.7-cm spinal needle. A stainless-steel guide wire was passed through the needle, and tissue dilators were used to enlarge the percutaneous hole. A multiperforated polyvinylchloride catheter that was placed within the abscess cavity permitted aspiration and lavage of the abscess. The abscess resolved over the next 10 days with no complications. Percutaneous abscess drainage is commonly performed in people and may have application...
Rick MC.Diagnosis, evaluation, and management of the various grades of rectal tears is discussed. Surgical techniques, which include direct closure, diverting colostomies, and placement of temporary rectal liners, are detailed. Also, rectal prolapses and various methods of repair are outlined.