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Topic:Disease
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.
EHV-1 Pathogenesis: Current in vitro Models and Future Perspectives. Primary infection and pathogenesis of equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) require an intricate interaction of virus with the mucosal epithelium, mononuclear cells and the vascular endothelium. Studies on EHV-1 have been facilitated by the development of different models that recapitulate the tissue complexity. The available assays can be categorized into (i) models mimicking the epithelium-peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) interaction, which include mucosal (nasal and vaginal) explants and equine respiratory epithelial cells (EREC) cultures; and (ii) PBMC-endothelium mimicking models,...
Dysbiosis associated with acute helminth infections in herbivorous youngstock – observations and implications. A plethora of data points towards a role of the gastrointestinal (GI) microbiota of neonatal and young vertebrates in supporting the development and regulation of the host immune system. However, knowledge of the impact that infections by GI helminths exert on the developing microbiota of juvenile hosts is, thus far, limited. This study investigates, for the first time, the associations between acute infections by GI helminths and the faecal microbial and metabolic profiles of a cohort of equine youngstock, prior to and following treatment with parasiticides (ivermectin). We observed that high...
Emergence of carriage of CTX-M-15 in faecal Escherichia coli in horses at an equine hospital in the UK; increasing prevalence over a decade (2008-2017). This study investigated changes over time in the epidemiology of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) producing Escherichia coli within a single equine referral hospital in the UK. Faecal samples were collected from hospitalised horses in 2008 and 2017, processed using selective media and standard susceptibility laboratory methods. A novel real-time PCR with high resolution melt analysis was used to distinguish bla and bla within CTX-M-1 group. Results: In 2008, 457 faecal samples from 103 horses were collected, with ESBL-producing E. coli identified in 131 samples (28.7, 95% CI 24.6-33.1). I...
Ulcerative, granulomatous glossitis and enteritis caused by Rhodococcus equi in a heifer. infection in horses is common and is characterized by pyogranulomatous pneumonia and ulcerative enterocolitis. clinical disease in cattle, however, is rare and typically manifests as granulomatous lymphadenitis discovered in the abattoir. A 19-mo-old female Santa Gertrudis had a history of intermittent inappetence and weight loss for a 3-mo period before euthanasia. Gross and histologic examination revealed severe, chronic, ulcerative, and granulomatous inflammation in the tongue, pharynx, and small intestine. Also, the heifer had severe, granulomatous pharyngeal and mesenteric lymphadenitis...
The cresty neck score is an independent predictor of insulin dysregulation in ponies. Generalized obesity, regional adiposity, hyperinsulinemia and hypertriglyceridemia are all potential indicators of equine metabolic syndrome (EMS). This study aimed to assess the relationship between morphometric measurements of body condition and metabolic hormone concentrations in ponies, with and without a neck crest or generalised obesity. Twenty-six ponies were assigned a body condition score (BCS) and cresty neck score (CNS). Height, girth, and neck measurements were taken. An oral glucose test (OGT; 0.75g dextrose/kg BW) was performed and blood samples collected prior to and 2 hours pos...
Hindgut Ciliate Composition of Thoroughbred Mares in Kentucky, USA, and Binary Fission in Polymorphella ampulla. Species composition and distribution of hindgut ciliates were investigated in the feces of 20 thoroughbred mares in Kentucky, USA. Thirty-three species and six morphotypes belonging to 21 genera were identified. The average density of hindgut ciliates in mares was 13.5 ± 13.7 × 104 cells ml-1, whereas mean number of ciliate species per host was 14.4 ± 5.3. Bundleia nana, B. elongata, B. piriformis, Blepharoconus hemiciliatus, Holophryoides ovalis, H. macrotricha, Blepharoprosthium polytrichum, Prorodonopsis coli, Paraisotrichopsis composita, Blepharocorys microcorys, and Ochoterenaia append...
Fasciola hepatica in UK horses. Fasciola hepatica (liver fluke) affects grazing animals including horses but the extent to which it affects UK horses is unknown. Objective: To define how liver fluke affects the UK horse population. Methods: Descriptive, cross-sectional, observational study. Methods: An F. hepatica excretory-secretory antibody detection ELISA with a diagnostic sensitivity of 71% and specificity of 97% was validated and used to analyse serum samples. An abattoir study was performed to determine prevalence. A case-control study of 269 horses compared fluke exposure between horses with liver disease and control...
A high protein meal affects plasma insulin concentrations and amino acid metabolism in horses with equine metabolic syndrome. Equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) is characterized by an abnormal insulin response to a glycemic challenge but despite the known insulinotropic effects of certain amino acids, there is a paucity of data evaluating the impact of dietary protein on insulin dynamics in these horses. The objective was therefore to assess insulin and amino acid responses following intake of a high protein meal in healthy horses and those with EMS. Six mature horses diagnosed with EMS and six age-matched control horses without EMS were used. Horses were fed 2g/kg body mass (BM) of a high protein pellet (31% crude prot...
Acute fatal poisoning by spontaneous ingestion of Enterolobium contortisiliquum (Mimosidae) pods in horses. An outbreak of acute poisoning of horses by Enterolobium contortisiliquum pods is reported in the state of Goiás, Brazil. Three horses presented apathy, hyporexia, prostration, jaundice, recumbency and died in 24-48 hours. The main pathological findings were a yellowish liver with an enhanced lobular pattern, multifocal hepatic necrosis mostly in the midzones of lobules and sometimes with a random distribution across the hepatic lobes and swelling of hepatocytes. E. contortisiliquum trees has a wide distribution in South America and cases of poisoning have not been reported in horses.
Malignant Mesothelioma of the Vaginal Tunic and Peritoneum in a Young Stallion. Mesothelioma is a rare malignancy in horses. This report describes a case in which marked hemoperitoneum, moderate anemia, and moderate dependent edema were the presenting clinical signs in a 2-year-old Standardbred stallion with mesothelioma of the vaginal tunic. On necropsy, approximately 40 L of dark red fluid distended the abdomen. A dark red mass infiltrated and effaced the right pampiniform plexus, and red nodular masses were present multifocally on the parietal and visceral peritoneal surfaces. Histopathologically, the masses were composed of malignant spindle cells with a sarcomatoid ...
Fetal Death Associated With Premature Mammary Gland Development and Lactation in a Mare Treated With Weekly Injections of Long-Acting Progesterone. A 14-year-old, 530-kg, multiparous, pregnant Quarter Horse mare was referred for evaluation of premature mammary gland development and lactation. The mare was in the seventh month of gestation. The mare had a history of subfertility and was receiving weekly injections of long-acting progesterone, prescribed by the referring veterinarian. The last dose had been administered four days before presentation. Upon presentation, the mare had vital signs within normal limits, a moderately developed, nonpainful udder with galactorrhea, and no vulvar discharge. Transrectal palpation revealed a well-tone...
Epidemiology and risk factors for eliminations from Fédération Equestre Internationale endurance rides between 2004-2015 in Italy. There is limited information on risk factors for elimination from endurance rides and changes over the years. The objectives of this study were to describe elimination for irregular gait and metabolic reasons from Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) endurance rides in Italy (2004-2015) and to assess risk factors and to investigate changes in elimination rates and speed over the long term. Data for FEI endurance rides were collected from three websites. Year, month, day, location, class (Concours de Raid d'Endurance International [CEI]*/**/***), restriction to young riders, distance (km)...
Internal fixation of a complete ventral luxation of the dens axis in an American quarter horse yearling. To report surgical treatment of a complete luxation of the atlantoaxial articulation with a 4.5-mm T-locking compression plate (T-LCP) in a horse. Methods: Case report. Methods: A one-year-old American quarter horse filly. Methods: A one-year-old American quarter horse filly presented with a complete luxation of the atlantoaxial articulation. Closed and open reduction of the luxation were attempted under general anesthesia with the aid of a pulley system. Because the manual reduction was unsuccessful, the dens axis was excised, and the atlas and axis were stabilized with a 4.5-mm T-LCP. Fo...
Actinobacillus species isolated from Japanese Thoroughbred racehorses in the last two decades. Actinobacillus species are known to be pathogenic to horses. To clarify etiological agents of actinobacillosis in Japanese adult horses, 27 isolates from Japanese Thoroughbred racehorses putatively identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry as Actinobacillus were further identified by PCR of the A. equuli toxin gene, by CAMP test, and by 16S rRNA sequencing analysis. Actinobacillus equuli subsp. haemolyticus was isolated most frequently (16/27) and was related to respiratory infections. Actinobacillus equuli subsp. equuli (4/27) was isolated from...
Descriptive analysis of horse movement networks during the 2015 equestrian season in Ontario, Canada. Horses are a highly mobile population, with many travelling locally, nationally, and internationally to participate in shows and sporting events. However, the nature and extent of these movements, as well as the potential impact they may have on disease introduction and spread, is not well documented. The objective of this study was to characterise the movement network of a sample of horses in Ontario, Canada, over a 7-month equestrian season. Horse owners (n = 141) documented their travel patterns with their horse(s) (n = 330) by completing monthly online questionnaires between May and Novemb...
Reliability of three common fecal egg counting techniques for detecting strongylid and ascarid infections in horses. The detection and quantification of nematode eggs using fecal egg count techniques have an irreplaceable role in equine parasitic control. The reliability, particularly precision and accuracy, of individual techniques have been described only for strongylid infections. The aim of this study was to compare three fecal egg count techniques used for the detection of the two most common equine nematode infections: strongylid and ascarid. The Simple McMaster, Concentration McMaster and Mini-FLOTAC techniques were tested on spiked fecal samples with various levels of egg concentration (50, 100, 200,...
Accelerated Idioventricular Rhythm Associated With Isoflurane Administration in a Foal: A Case Report. A 2-day-old filly was referred to the hospital with abdominal pain and constipation. The foal presented tachycardia, tachypnea, hypoxemia, hyperlactatemia, and abdominal distension. Meconium impaction was diagnosed, and the filly underwent abdominal surgery. Diazepam and butorphanol were administered for anesthesia premedication, but sedative effects were mild. Xylazine was used to enhance sedation and ketamine was subsequently administered for induction. The foal showed swallow reflex and head movement when intubation was attempted. Consequently, isoflurane on oxygen was provided via an anest...
A Pilot Welfare Assessment of Working Ponies on Gili Trawangan, Indonesia. Many working equids in developing countries experience poor health and welfare due to environmental and management factors. Collecting baseline data on these populations is essential to inform education projects to improve equid health and welfare. Gili Trawangan is an island in Indonesia that has no motor vehicles and a working pony population of approximately 200. This pilot study sought to determine baseline data on their health, welfare, and husbandry to inform future health and welfare strategies. A cross-sectional study was performed in May 2017 consisting of a pony cart driver questionn...
Fetal Membrane Removal in the Mare: Proactive Versus Reactive Approaches. Retained fetal membranes are the most common postpartum condition in mares. Although the incidence of retained fetal membranes is low, the consequences for the health of the mare can be severe (metritis, endotoxemia, laminitis, death). Oxytocin administration is often the first line of therapy for management of retained fetal membranes. Removal of fetal membranes using umbilical vessel infusion and manual membrane removal are effective tools for reducing risks associated with abnormally heavy membranes, retained membranes, or for mares that are geographically limited for veterinary care.
Different distribution of Cryptosporidium species between horses and donkeys. Few studies have been conducted on the distribution of Cryptosporidium species and subtypes in equine animals. In this study, 878 stool specimens were collected during 2015-2019 from 551 donkeys and 327 horses in Shandong, Xinjiang, and Inner Mongolia, China and screened for Cryptosporidium spp. by PCR analysis of the small subunit rRNA gene. The Cryptosporidium species presented were identified by sequence analysis of the PCR products and subtyped by sequence analysis of the 60 kDa glycoprotein gene. The infection rates of Cryptosporidium spp. in horses and donkeys were 3.1% (10/327) and 14...
Treatment Options for Melanoma of Gray Horses. All gray horses inherited a single gene mutation, STX17G, that unbalances melanocyte behavior to cause graying and propensities to develop vitiligo and melanoma. The coat color genes ASIPa and MC1RE add risk such that relative likelihood of melanoma based on pregraying coat color is black > bay > chestnut. Melanomas begin at about 4 years. Locoregional control of melanoma masses depends on surgical removal and/or intralesional chemotherapy (possibly with adjunctive hyperthermia or electroporation). Systemic treatment is not evidence based but immunomodulators (cimetidine, levamisole) and ...
Evaluation of a Novel Bone Substitute Injection Technique for Potential Treatment of Impact Injury to the Equine Palmar Metacarpal Condyle. The aim of this study was to evaluate the injection of a bone substitute material (BSM) into an impact lesion in the palmar condyle of the third metacarpal bone. Methods: This was an controlled study performed on six horses. Methods: Medial metacarpal condyles were exposed via arthrotomy and a compressive lesion created in anaesthetized horses using 80 psi (27.6 MPa) onto the articular surface ( = 12). Paired limbs were randomly selected as a control or for extra-articular injection of BSM towards the subchondral bone near the compressive lesion. Parameters of the surgical tech...
Endometrial histopathology, bacteriology and cytology outcomes in mares with early embryonic death (EED): a field study. Early embryonic death (EED) is one of the causes of infertility in the mare. We compared endometrial environment in 9 mares with EED and 13 mares in diestrus phase. Cotton swab (CS), cytobrush (CB) and uterine biopsy (B) samples were obtained for the cytological, bacteriological and histopathological examinations. In the first step we compared CS and CB methods to biopsy as a reference method, as B revealed the highest number of positive results in cytological and bacteriological examinations in both groups. In turn, we also compared cytological, bacteriological and histopathological findings ...
First Molecular Detection and Phylogenetic Analyses of Zoonotic Giardia intestinalis in Horses in Turkey. The goal of our study was to investigate the molecular prevalence of Giardia intestinalis in naturally infected horses in Kayseri, Central Anatolia Region in Turkey, to determine the molecular characterization of the obtained isolates and to exhibit the potential role of horses in zoonotic transmission of G. intestinalis. Fecal samples were randomly collected from totally 150 horses with clinically healthy between March and June of 2018. After the genomic DNA extractions, 25 (16.6%) of the 150 fecal samples, were found positive for G. intestinalis by nested PCR analyses of β-giardin gene. P...
Surgical Repair of an Occipital Meningocele in a Foal. There are no previous reports of cranial meningocele in horses. In this report, we present the case of a 1-day-old male Quarter Horse that was born with a mass in the occipital region. The newborn was brought to the veterinary hospital, and a meningocele was diagnosed. The patient then underwent surgical closure of the defect. After an initial favorable response, the patient displayed signs of infection. The antibiotic therapy was changed, and the patient's condition improved. On the 13th postoperative day, the patient exhibited ataxia, difficulty standing, and limb hypertonia. Hydrocephalus w...
