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Topic:Equine Diseases
Serum concentrations of selenium, copper, and zinc in neonatal foals: Influence of failure of passive transfer and age-related changes. An adequate supply of trace elements is very important for equine neonates, as deficiencies can lead to health problems and even death. Unassigned: This study investigated serum concentrations of selenium (Se), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) in neonatal foals up to the 8th day of life. The influences of disease, age, and failure of passive transfer (FPT) on these concentrations were analyzed. Unassigned: Serum concentrations of Se, Cu, and Zn were determined from blood samples of 93 foals by means of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The foals were divided into 2 groups based on health...
Occurrence of ultrasonographic assessed placental abnormalities, treatments, pregnancy outcome, and subsequent fertility on a large warmblood stud farm: a retrospective field study. Little is known about the incidence and outcome of high-risk pregnancies in equine practice and clinical studies on spontaneous occurring placentitis cases and treatments are missing. Therefore, the aims of this retrospective field study were to (1) describe the incidence and severity of ultrasonographic assessed placental abnormalities (UPA) in 4,192 pregnancies on a large commercial warmblood stud farm in 2017 - 2019 and (2) characterize these UPA cases and their pregnancy outcome. UPA severity (Placental abnormality score (PSc) 1-3; low to high), nine treatment regimens (TM1-9) used in UPA ...
Effect of hospitalization on equine local intestinal immunoglobulin A (IgA) concentration measured in feces. During hospitalization horses may develop gastrointestinal conditions triggered by a stress-associated weak local immune system. The prospective, clinical trial was conducted to find out whether fecal immunoglobulin A (IgA) concentrations could be determined in hospitalized horses and how they changed during hospitalization and in response to various stressors. Samples were obtained from 110 horses and a control group (n = 14). At arrival in the hospital, horses were categorized into pain grades (1-5), and elective versus strenuous surgery (> 2 hours, traumatic and emergency procedures)...
Practitioner Experiences of the Death of an Equine in an Equine-Assisted Services Program. Given the nature of horse-human interactions in equine-assisted services (EAS), death of a horse may have significant impacts. In this study, an online survey was distributed to EAS practitioners. The goal of the study was to explore the experiences of practitioners and identify the socioemotional processes that occur upon the death of an equine within an EAS program. Open-ended responses ( = 84) were analyzed qualitatively using a grounded theory and constant-comparative approach. Responses are situated into two themes (1) Processing the death of an equine and (2) Practical implications. Expe...
Adaptation strategies of the Icelandic horse with induced forelimb lameness at walk, trot and tölt. Lameness assessment in the gaited Icelandic horse is complex. We aimed to describe their kinematic and temporal adaptation strategies in response to forelimb lameness at walk, trot and tölt. Methods: In vivo experiment. Methods: Ten clinically non-lame Icelandic horses were measured before and after reversible forelimb lameness induction. Upper body and limb kinematics were measured using 11 inertial measurement units mounted on the poll, withers, pelvis (tubera sacrale) and all four limbs and hoofs (Equimoves®, 500 Hz). Horses were measured on a straight line at walk and trot in-hand and ...
Multiparametric Flow Cytometry for Determination of Viability, Caspase 3 and 7 Activity, and Lipid Peroxidation Adduct (4-Hydroxynonenal) in Equine Spermatozoa. Flow cytometry is a powerful tool for the analysis of cell samples formed of multipopulations, such as spermatozoa. In recent years, multiparametric cytometers have evolved, allowing the study of different cellular characteristics, such as protein expression, DNA analysis, or mitochondrial activity. Whether using traditional fluorescent dyes or fluorophore-conjugated antibodies, each cell or cellular component is individually stained, the sample is analyzed at high velocities, and then is displayed and interpreted in a dot-plot. We hereby describe the procedure to perform a multiparametric flo...
Advances in dental management in the equine geriatric patient: strategies for improved welfare. Geriatric horses have a high prevalence of dental disease, which is a culmination of age-related dental changes and dental disease throughout the life of the horse that may have long-term consequences. Wear abnormalities, diastemata with periodontal disease, pulpitis and endodontic disease, infundibular caries, and equine odontoclastic tooth resorption and hypercementosis become more prevalent with age. Recognition of age-related dental disease at an early stage can help to treat and possibly preserve teeth for longer. With a natural decrease in masticatory efficiency, it is even more importan...
Flemish equine veterinarians’ perceptions on the use of and client communication about complementary and alternative veterinary medicine. Complementary and alternative veterinary medicine (CAVM) is increasingly popular in horses. As CAVM usage could have risks, client-veterinarian communication about CAVM is crucial. Objective: Evaluating equine veterinarians' attitude towards CAVM, their CAVM usage and veterinarian-client communication about CAVM. Methods: Cross-sectional study. Methods: A telephone survey was conducted among equine veterinarians providing ambulatory care on a daily or weekly basis. The first section of the survey included questions about the veterinarians' attitude towards CAVM and their CAVM usage. The second...
Morphological and histological investigation of the conduction system in the equine atrial muscle sleeve of pulmonary veins. Atrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia in horses causing poor performance. The role of pulmonary vein triggers in the pathogenesis has been identified in horses. Ablation methods have been investigated, but the available information on anatomical, histological and immunohistochemical assessment of the pulmonary vein ostia and the conduction system of the myocardial sleeve is still limited. Objective: The aim of the study was to describe the morphological properties of the myocardial sleeve in healthy horses. Methods: Cross-sectional. Methods: Eighty-three equine hearts were dissecte...
First identification and characterization of ovine gammaherpesvirus type 2 in horses and artiodactyla from an outbreak of malignant catarrhal fever in Mexico. Ovine gammaherpesvirus 2 (OvHV-2), a member of the genus Macavirus, causes sheep-associated malignant catarrhal fever (SA-MCF), a fatal lymphoproliferative disease affecting a wide variety of ungulates in addition to horses. This study described an outbreak of SA-MCF in Mexico and the identification of the OvHV-2 virus in primary rabbit testis cultures through the generation of intranuclear inclusion bodies, syncytia, immunofluorescence (IF), immunocytochemistry (ICC), immunohistochemistry (IHC), endpoint polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and partial sequencing of the ORF75 gene. The animals in...
Retroperitoneoscopy of the presacral space in horses: Surgical access and anatomy. Surgical approaches to the equine rectum and perirectal area are described in the literature. However, surgeries in this region can be challenging. Objective: To describe the surgical anatomy of the presacral space and to evaluate its access using a retroperitoneoscopic approach. Methods: Ex vivo experiment. Methods: Preliminary dissections were performed in two cadavers to define the boundaries of the presacral space and to determine portal locations for the surgical approach. After that, nine cadavers were used for experimental presacral retroperitoneoscopic procedure in a standing position....
The prevalence of equine odontoclastic tooth resorption and hypercementosis and the role of interincisal angulation in disease severity in a representative cohort of horses in Switzerland. Equine odontoclastic tooth resorption and hypercementosis (EOTRH) is an increasingly diagnosed degenerative dental disease in aged horses. The primary aim of this retrospective study was to determine the prevalence of EOTRH in horses admitted to the Equine Hospital, University of Zurich, for dental procedures from 2004 to 2017. A secondary goal was to measure and compare interincisal angles on two-dimensional radiographs of horses with EOTRH to determine whether the interincisal angle is associated with age and severity of the disease. Radiographs were assessed for the presence of lysis and/or...
Survey of horse transportation in Switzerland: practices and issues. This study aimed to describe equine transportation practices and transport-related behavioural and health problems in Switzerland and to identify possible associations between them. An online survey was disseminated to Swiss equine industry members and questioned respondents' details, transport practices (before, during, and after journeys), horse transport-related behavioural (TRPBs) and health problems (TRHPs) experienced in the previous 2 years. The survey generated 441 valid responses, analysed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression models (outcomes: TRPBs, TRHPs, injuries, d...
Clinical implications of imprecise sampling time for 10- and 30-min thyrotropin-releasing hormone stimulation tests in horses. The thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) stimulation test is used to diagnose pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) using 10- or 30-min protocols. Imprecise sampling time for the 10-min protocol can lead to misdiagnoses. Objective: To determine the effect of imprecise sampling time for the 30-min protocol of the TRH stimulation test. Methods: In vivo experiment. Methods: Plasma immunoreactive adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) concentrations were measured 9, 10, 11, 29, 30 and 31 min after intravenous administration of 1 mg of TRH in 15 control and 12 PPID horses. Differences in ACTH concent...
Modified abaxial sesamoid nerve block provides enhanced proximal diffusion compared to basisesamoid block and lower proximal diffusion than traditional low plantar nerve block in equine hind limbs: ex vivo and in vivo study. To determine the proximal diffusion distance of radiopaque contrast medium and mepivacaine/methylene blue solution and incidence of inadvertent intrasynovial and intravascular injections of modified sesamoid nerve block (MASB) when compared with traditional plantar nerve analgesia techniques of the equine distal hind limb. Methods: Ex vivo model: 18 hind limbs; and in vivo model: 5 horses in a crossover study. Methods: In the ex vivo model, a mepivacaine/methylene blue solution was used to compare the diffusion distance between MASB, basisesamoid block (BSB), and traditional low plantar block ...
Use of Stem Cells for the Treatment of Musculoskeletal Injuries in Horses. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are used as a regenerative therapy in horses for musculoskeletal injury since the late 1990s and in some regions are standard of care for certain injuries. Yet, there is no Food and Drug Administration-approved MSC therapeutic in the United States for horses. In humans, lack of regulatory approval in the United States has been caused by failure of late-phase clinical trials to demonstrate consistent efficacy, perhaps because of nonuniformity of MSC preparation and application techniques. This article discusses clinical evidence for musculoskeletal applications of ...
History, Rest and Exercise Score (HRE-S) for assessment of disease severity in horses with trigeminal-mediated headshaking. In horses with trigeminal-mediated headshaking (TMHS), clinical signs are likely to be expression of neuropathic facial pain. Currently, subjective assessment of disease severity is used as measure of compromise of animal's welfare. Objective: To develop and validate a precise scoring system for TMHS: History, Rest and Exercise Score (HRE-S). The HRE-S consists of three subscores: history score (H-S), resting score (R-S) and exercise score (E-S). Methods: Retrospective observational study. Methods: Seven masked observers with different experience used HRE-S to score 40 video recordings taken d...
Comparison of equine paranasal sinus trephination complications and outcome following standing computed tomography, radiography and sinoscopy guided approaches for the treatment of sinusitis. The recent availability of standing computed tomography (CT) for equine paranasal sinus disease has enhanced diagnosis and enabled more targeted surgery compared to radiography and sinoscopy. To date, there have been no studies which have critically evaluated the benefit of preoperative CT versus radiography and sinoscopy on complications and outcome in horses undergoing sinus trephination. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: A total of 229 equids. Methods: The medical records of equids (229) presented for sinusitis treated via trephination that had CT, radiography and/or sinoscopy at time ...
Findings consistent with equine proximal suspensory desmitis can be reliably detected using computed tomography and differ between affected horses and controls. The objective of this retrospective, observational, controlled study was to evaluate bone and soft tissue window CT images of the proximoplantar metatarsus III region in twenty horses with pain localized to the proximal suspensory ligament (PSL) and 20 horses with findings nonrelated to tarsal pain. All horses underwent CT and radiographic examination. Images were reviewed by three independent observers who graded the severity and localization of findings. Bone-related categories as well as soft tissue-related categories were evaluated. For the comparison of imaging findings in horses with and...
Use of Biologics and Stem Cells in the Treatment of Other Inflammatory Diseases in the Horse. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are powerful immunomodulatory cells that act via multiple mechanisms to coordinate, inhibit, and control the cells of the immune system. MSCs act as rescuers for various damaged or degenerated cells of the body via (1) cytokines, growth factors, and signaling molecules; (2) extracellular vesicle (exosome) signaling; and (3) direct donation of mitochondria. Several studies evaluating the efficacy of MSCs have used MSCs grown using xenogeneic media, which may reduce or eliminate efficacy. Although more research is needed to optimize the anti-inflammatory potential o...
Bovine Papillomavirus Type 1 Infection in an Equine Congenital Papilloma. Papillomas are benign epithelial lesions protruding on the epithelial surfaces as finger-like or warty projections. These lesions are often caused by papillomavirus (PV) infection. Congenital papillomas have been reported in foals. However, to date, no evidence of PV infection has been provided. In the present paper, we describe the main clinical-pathological features of a congenital papilloma observed in a foal. In addition, biomolecular tests demonstrated BPV1 infection in the case under study. Such data stimulate further investigations, even on archived samples, aiming to clarifying the eti...
Segmental analysis and long-term monitoring of vadadustat in equine hair for the purpose of doping control. Vadadustat is a newly launched hypoxia-inducible factor stabilizer with anti-anemia and erythropoietic effects; however, its use in horses is expressly forbidden in both racing and equestrian competitions. Following our previous report on the pharmacokinetic study of vadadustat in horse plasma and urine, a long-term longitudinal analysis of vadadustat in horse hair after nasoesophageal administration (3 g/day for 3 days) to three thoroughbred mares is described in this study. Our main objective is to further extend the detection period of vadadustat for the purpose of doping control. Three...
Current and Future Advances in the Detection and Surveillance of Biosecurity-Relevant Equine Bacterial Diseases Using Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP). Horses play an important role throughout the world, whether for work, culture, or leisure, providing an ever-growing significant contribution to the economy. The increase in importation and movement of horses, both nationally and internationally, has inevitably allowed for the global equine industry to grow. Subsequently, however, the potential for transmission of fatal equine bacterial diseases has also escalated, and devasting outbreaks continue to occur. To prevent such events, disease surveillance and diagnosis must be heightened throughout the industry. Current common, or "gold-standard" ...
Assessing the impact of draught load pulling on welfare in equids. About 112 million working equids are the source of income for 600 million people globally. Many equids are used for pulling loads (up to 15,000 kg per day) to transport goods. Most of them are associated with brick kilns, mining, and agriculture industries in developing countries. They may suffer from welfare issues such as overloading, being beaten, and being forced to work for long periods. These issues may occur due to a poor understanding of load-pulling equids. Understanding their capabilities and the elements that influence them is critical for efficient performance and welfare. The me...
Transcriptomic signature related to poor welfare of sport horses. The improvement of horse welfare through housing conditions has become a real issue in recent years and have highlighted the detrimental effect of individual housing of horses on their health and behaviour. In this new study, we analysed the blood transcriptome of 45 sport horses housed individually that were previously examined for their behaviour and gut microbiota. We performed differential and regression analyses of gene expression, followed by downstream bioinformatic analyses, to unveil the molecular pathways related to the behavioural changes associated with welfare impairment in these ...
Genetic characterisation of the Connemara pony and the Warmblood horse using a within-breed clustering approach. The Connemara pony (CP) is an Irish breed that has experienced varied selection by breeders over the last fifty years, with objectives ranging from the traditional hardy pony to an agile athlete. We compared these ponies with well-studied Warmblood (WB) horses, which are also selectively bred for athletic performance but with a much larger census population. Using genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and whole-genome sequencing data from 116 WB (94 UK WB and 22 European WB) and 36 CP (33 UK CP and 3 US CP), we studied the genomic diversity, inbreeding and population structure of th...
Bronchoalveolar Lavage Cytology in Severe Equine Asthma: Cytocentrifugated versus Sediment Smear Preparations. Equine asthma is a common respiratory disease that may affect horses of any age. The diagnosis of severe equine asthma (SEA) (historically referred as recurrent airway obstruction or RAO) is based mainly on the history of the animal and clinical signs, which are further supported by the cytological examination of the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). This can also be helpful in monitoring the inflammation of the lower airways in response to environmental management and medication. The cytocentrifugated preparation is usually considered the method of choice for BAL cytological interpretation. The a...
