Equine diseases encompass a wide range of health conditions that can affect horses, including infectious diseases, metabolic disorders, and genetic conditions. These diseases can impact the overall health, performance, and well-being of horses. Common equine diseases include equine influenza, equine herpesvirus, laminitis, and equine metabolic syndrome. Diagnosis and management of these diseases often require a combination of clinical evaluation, laboratory testing, and appropriate treatment strategies. This page gathers peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the etiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment options for various equine diseases, providing valuable insights for veterinarians and researchers in the field.
Lee SK, Lee I.Twelve Thoroughbred racehorses were diagnosed as epiglottic entrapment at the Korea Racing Authority equine hospital. Four different surgical correction techniques were used to treat epiglottic entrapment: the transnasal hook bistoury, transoral unshielded hook bistoury, transnasal shielded hook bistoury, and transendoscopic laser techniques. Eleven cases were surgically resolved eventually, with one case of recurrence. Five complications related to surgical correction occurred: a severe nasal passage laceration and bleeding (n=1), epiglottic laceration (n=1), epiglottis tip burns (n=2), and m...
Muñoz A, Castejón-Riber C, Castejón F, Rubio DM, Riber C.Simulated hypoxic normobaric devices have been used in human beings in order to enhance endurance capacity. These devices are sealed chambers where the athletes are supposed to stay for at least 6-8 hr daily. The current research assesses the changes in time-domain, spectral and non-geometrical heart rate variability (HRV) parameters in 6 horses subjected to progressive duration periods inside of a hermetically sealed chamber. It was pursued, firstly to evaluate the intensity of the stress experienced by the animals and secondly to elucidate whether the horses might require an acclimation per...
Tegtmeyer B, Echelmeyer J, Pfankuche VM, Puff C, Todt D, Fischer N, Durham A, Feige K, Baumgärtner W, Steinmann E, Cavalleri JV.Equine hepacivirus (EqHV) in equids represents the closest homologue to hepatitis C virus (HCV) infecting humans. A majority of HCV infected patients develop a chronic course of infection leading to liver fibrosis, cirrhosis and liver failure. However, in horses mostly transient mild subclinical infections are reported for EqHV to date. EqHV can be involved in chronic liver diseases of horses. Biochemical parameters in serum samples were measured. Viral load was determined using qPCR. Next generation sequencing (NGS) of serum was performed. Liver tissue was stained with haematoxylin and eosin ...
Mariani LPR, Sampaio F, Silveira AB, Bastos LF, Weber SH, Michelotto PV.Diseases of the stifle joint remain a challenge for veterinarians. The objective of this study was to achieve a valuable acupuncture suggestive diagnosis to be considered for stifle joint diseases in horses. Thirty-nine nonlame horses involved in different activities were assessed. Acupuncture was independently performed by two evaluators. Reactions of the animal when pressurizing the point suggestive of stifle disease (PSSD), Bladder-20 and/or Bladder-21, were considered as the inclusion criteria for inclusion in the stifle group (SG, n = 31), and the animals with no reactions were assigne...
Di Filippo PA, Dias Meireles MA, Ribeiro LMF, de Lannes ST, Meireles NFT, Viana IS, Hokamura HK.In this study, the effect of early exercise, age, body weight (BW), and growth on the articular cartilage and subchondral bones of the tarsocrural joints was evaluated in 40 young Mangalarga Marchador horses allowed free choice exercise in pasture. Twenty of the horses had additional controlled exercise 3 days per week from a mean age of 30 ± 20 days until 36 months. The training program consisted of an increasing number of 15-minute gallop sprints in an oval paddock with a concrete floor covered by a thick layer of sand. BW, withers height (WH), and neck circumference were measured and bo...
Mendonça T, Bienboire-Frosini C, Menuge F, Leclercq J, Lafont-Lecuelle C, Arroub S, Pageat P.Equine-assisted therapies (EATs) have been widely used in the treatment of patients with mental or physical conditions. However, studies on the influence of equine-assisted therapy (EAT) on equine welfare are very recent, and the need for further research is often highlighted. The aim of this study was to investigate whether EAT creates negative or positive emotions in horses, and the influence of patients' expectations (one group of patients had physical and psychological expectations and one group of patients had only psychological expectations) on horses' emotional responses. Fifty-eight pa...
Airway obstruction is the main trait of severe equine asthma that affects respiratory function and elicits detrimental effects on clinical presentation. Only few and underpowered clinical studies have investigated the impact of improvement in lung function induced by bronchodilators on the clinical signs of asthma-affected horses. Objective: To identify the minimal important difference (MID) in lung function elicited by bronchodilator leading to a meaningful improvement in clinical signs. Methods: Pairwise meta-analysis and meta-regression analysis. Methods: Literature searches were performed ...
Following the recent confirmation of cases of equine viral arteritis in stallions in south-west England, James Crabtree of Equine Reproductive Services (UK) discusses the disease and its potential routes of spread into and around the UK.
Szóstek-Mioduchowska AZ, Baclawska A, Okuda K, Skarzynski DJ.Equine endometrosis (endometrial fibrosis) is a degenerative chronic process that occurs in the uterus of the mare and disturbs proper endometrial function. Fibrosis is attributed to excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) components. The turnover of ECM is mediated by matrix metallopeptidases (MMP). Previously, it was shown that cytokines modulate MMP expression in other tissues and may regulate fibrosis indirectly by attracting inflammatory cells to the site of inflammation and directly on various tissues. However, the regulation of MMP expression in equine endometrosis is still r...
Varner KM, Hopster K, Driessen B.To assess effects of nitrogen and helium on efficacy of an alveolar recruitment maneuver (ARM) for improving pulmonary mechanics and oxygen exchange in anesthetized horses. Methods: 6 healthy adult horses. Methods: Horses were anesthetized twice in a randomized crossover study. Isoflurane-anesthetized horses in dorsal recumbency were ventilated with 30% oxygen and 70% nitrogen (treatment N) or heliox (30% oxygen and 70% helium; treatment H) as carrier gas. After 60 minutes, an ARM was performed. Optimal positive end-expiratory pressure was identified and maintained for 120 minutes. Throughout ...
Radtke A, Fortier LA, Regan S, Kraus S, Delco ML.Equine diagnostic anaesthesia can be a useful tool in challenging lameness examinations. However, anaesthetics diffuse over time leading to nonspecific desensitisation of periarticular structures. Nerves that convey sensation from the distal limb to the central nervous system pass in close proximity to the caudal stifle joint capsule. Therefore, diffusion of intra-articular (IA) anaesthetics could cause inadvertent desensitisation of the distal limb resulting in a false diagnosis of stifle lameness. Objective: To determine if IA stifle anaesthesia can alleviate lameness originating in the dist...
Raidal SL.Antimicrobial stewardship involves the judicious use of antimicrobials balanced against the requirement to treat the presenting clinical condition. The same mandate and principles as discussed in human medicine and other veterinary disciplines are relevant to equine practice. This brief review will focus on available resources for equine practitioners, emerging perspectives on antimicrobial use and stewardship, and opportunities for more effective antimicrobial use in equine practice. There is a need for improved client education, availability of faster and more accurate techniques for identif...
Chesworth M, Brandenberger O, Cheetham J, Windley Z, Schumacher J, Cochran K, Piercy RJ, Perkins JD. To investigate the effect of the transverse arytenoid ligament (TAL) on abduction of the arytenoid cartilage when performing laryngoplasty. Modified prosthetic laryngoplasty was performed on right and left sides of 13 cadaver larynges. Increasing force was sequentially applied to the left arytenoid cartilage at 3 N intervals from 0-24 N, when the force on the right arytenoid cartilage was either 0 or 24 N, before and after TAL transection. Digital photographs of the rostral aspect of the larynx were used to determine the left arytenoid abduction angles for these given force combinations and ...
Jeong MJ, Jeong BH.Prion diseases are fatal neurodegenerative diseases characterised by the accumulation of an abnormal prion protein isoform (PrP), which is converted from the normal prion protein (PrP). Prion diseases have been reported in an extensive number of species but not in horses up to now; therefore, horses are known to be a species resistant to prion diseases. The prion-like protein gene () is closely located downstream of the prion protein gene () and the prion-like protein (Doppel) is a homologue with PrP. Previous studies have shown that an association between prion diseases and polymorphisms of t...
Al-Agele R, Paul E, Taylor S, Watson C, Sturrock C, Drakopoulos M, Atwood RC, Rutland CS, Menzies-Gow N, Knowles E, Elliott J, Harris P, Rauch C.Global inequalities in economic access and agriculture productivity imply that a large number of developing countries rely on working equids for transport/agriculture/mining. Therefore, the understanding of hoof conditions/shape variations affecting equids' ability to work is still a persistent concern. To bridge this gap, using a multi-scale interdisciplinary approach, we provide a bio-physical model predicting the shape of equids' hooves as a function of physical and biological parameters. In particular, we show (i) where the hoof growth stress originates from, (ii) why the hoof growth rate ...
To evaluate the effects of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) alone and PEEP preceded by lung recruitment manoeuvre (LRM) on lung volumes and respiratory system mechanics in healthy horses undergoing general anaesthesia. Methods: Controlled, prospective clinical study. Methods: A group of 15 horses undergoing arthroscopy. Methods: Following anaesthetic induction, initial ventilatory settings were: tidal volume 15 mL kg, inspiratory:expiratory ratio 1:2, respiratory rate to maintain end-tidal CO between 5.3-6.6 kPa (40-50 mmHg). The following settings were implemented sequentially: zero PE...
Pouyet M, G Bonilla A.To describe the technique, experience, and limitations of using a 2-mm flexible endoscope to perform standing minimally invasive sinoscopy. Methods: In phases 1 and 2, we used cadaveric heads (ex vivo). In phase 3, we used unaffected horses (in vivo). Methods: Five cadaveric equine skulls in phase 1 and 10 cadaveric equine skulls in phase 2. Six horses older than 5 years in phase 3. Methods: In phase 1, the specimens were used to determine the suitability of the endoscope for sinoscopy and the ideal landmarks to approach the paranasal sinuses through minisinusotomies performed with a 14 gaug...
van Galen G, Hallowell G.To review and discuss the use of hydroxyethyl starches (HES) in equine veterinary medicine, and to provide recommendations for its use. Methods: Veterinary and human peer-reviewed medical literature including scientific reviews, meta-analyses, and original research articles. Results: Increasing evidences on adverse effects after HES use and decreasing support for beneficial effects with regards to volume expansion and colloid osmotic pressure (COP) support in critically ill subjects have led to a recent guideline to limit the use of HES in critically ill people. Unassigned: The rationale for H...
Thorsteinsdóttir L, Jónsdóttir S, Stefánsdóttir SB, Andrésdóttir V, Wagner B, Marti E, Torsteinsdóttir S, Svansson V.Two types of gammaherpesviruses (γEHV) are known to infect horses, EHV-2 and EHV-5. Foals become infected early in life, probably via the upper respiratory tract, despite maternal antibodies. In this study, we analyzed samples from a herd of mares and their foals. The foals were followed from birth to 22 months of age and the dams during the first 6 months postpartum. Blood and nasal swab samples were taken regularly for evaluation of antibody responses, virus isolation and viral load by qPCR. EHV-2 was isolated on day 5, and EHV-5 on day 12, earlier than previously reported. γEHV specific a...
Stewart RC, Nelson BB, Kawcak CE, Freedman JD, Snyder BD, Goodrich LR, Grinstaff MW.Early detection of osteoarthritis (OA) remains a diagnostic challenge owing to insensitive diagnostic techniques currently available. Herein a new semiquantitative scoring system, based upon contrast-enhanced computed tomographic (CECT) imaging, is described for further refinement of early OA disease staging. Trochlear ridge cartilage defects were surgically created in the femoropatellar joint of an adult horse (ACUC approved protocols). Seven weeks post-surgery, CECT imaging was performed on a clinical scanner after intra-articular injection of a cationic iodinated contrast agent, CA4+, into ...
Odelros E, Kendall A, Wulcan S, Bergvall K.Otitis externa is rare in horses and the condition is poorly described in the literature. Objective: To describe clinical signs, treatment regimens and prognosis of otitis externa in horses. Methods: Eight horses diagnosed with otitis externa during 2011-2018. Methods: Retrospective review of medical records and follow-up contact with owners. Results: Common clinical signs seen in affected horses were pruritus, ear discharge and ear droop of affected ears. The most common cytological findings were neutrophils, bacteria and yeast. All horses responded well to treatment; two horses were reported...
Langston VC, Fontenot RL, Byers JA, Andrews CM, Mochal-King CA.The objective of this study was to determine the pharmacokinetics of meropenem in horses after intravenous (IV) administration. A single IV dose of meropenem was administered to six adult horses at 10 mg/kg. Plasma and synovial fluid samples were collected for 6 hr following administration. Meropenem concentrations were determined by bioassay. Plasma and synovial fluid data were analyzed by compartmental and noncompartmental pharmacokinetic methods. Mean ± SD values for elimination half-life, volume of distribution at steady-state, and clearance after IV administration for plasma samples ...
Ragno VM, Zello GA, Klein CD, Montgomery JB.Obesity data in people and companion animals are depicting a future of increasing morbidity, cost for society, and significant health and welfare concerns. Between 25 and 50% of cats, dogs, and horses in developed countries are overweight or obese, which mirrors the situation in humans. Equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) was named after human metabolic syndrome (MetS), which has about 30 years of lead in research efforts. Even though the complications of the two syndromes seem to grossly differ (cardiac vs. laminitis risk), a number of similar disease mechanisms are worthy of investigation. Sinc...
Ekstrand C, Bondesson U, Giving E, Hedeland M, Ingvast-Larsson C, Jacobsen S, Löfgren M, Moen L, Rhodin M, Saetra T, Ranheim B.Dexamethasone is used for the intra-articular route of administration in management of aseptic arthritis in horses. Despite its widespread use there is very little quantitative data of the disposition and response to dexamethasone. The aim of this study was to investigate and describe the synovial fluid and plasma dexamethasone concentration over time and to explore the relation between synovial fluid concentration and response using clinical endpoints as response biomarkers after IA injection of dexamethasone disodium salt solution in an equine model of synovitis. Results: Inflammation was in...
Alberti E, Stucchi L, Stancari G, Ferro E, Ferrucci F, Zucca E.Only few data regarding normal resting blood pressure in horses and the influence of cardiac diseases on arterial blood pressure are available in literature. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the possible influence of age, sex, breed, bodyweight, and cardiac diseases and their severity on blood pressure values measured in horses with cardiac disease and in a control group. For this case-control study, indirect blood pressure measurement was performed in 60 horses with different types of cardiac disease and in 23 healthy horses (control group), by means of an ultrasonic blood-...
Von Dollen KA, Jones M, Beachler T, Harris TL, Papich MG, Lyle SK, Bailey CS.The use of antimicrobials for the management of equine uterine disease is commonplace, with antibiotic selection generally based on empirical evidence or in vitro sensitivity results. However, the potential disconnect between these laboratory results and clinical efficacy in the mare raises concern for antibiotic failure and subsequent development of resistant organisms. In this work, we attempt to bridge this gap by using an ex vivo model of the equine postpartum uterus to quantitatively evaluate the antimicrobial activity of two commonly used antibiotic treatments in the mare (ceftiofur an...
Mitchell ARM, Scott CJ, Cheong SH, Carrigan P, Diel de Amorim M, Collins CD.Minimizing the interval between parturition and successful rebreeding of thoroughbred broodmares is important in maintaining annual foal production and broodmare profitability. Routine postpartum uterine lavage may help achieve this by aiding uterine clearance and involution in the early postpartum period and increasing pregnancy rates. This retrospective study investigates the effect of postpartum uterine lavage in 32 thoroughbred mares housed on a single farm in Australia in 2014 and 2015. In the control year (2014), postpartum uterine lavage was not performed. In the treatment year (2015), ...
Dunkel B, Mason CJ, Chang YM.A recent study described increased l-lactate concentrations in ponies with gastrointestinal disease compared to horses, but blood glucose (BG) concentrations were not considered. The study tested the hypothesis that BG and l-lactate concentrations are correlated in horses and ponies with gastrointestinal disease and that BG concentrations, not equid type (pony vs horse), are an independent predictor of L-lactate concentrations. It was further hypothesized that equid type was an independent predictor of BG concentrations. Methods: Retrospective study 2008-2016. Methods: University teaching hosp...
Rashid HB, Chaudhry M, Rashid H, Pervez K, Khan MA, Mahmood AK.The present work was conducted to study the comparative efficacy of two anti-protozoan (babesicidal) drugs on the recovery and health of horses. A total of 80 horses, showing typical clinical symptoms of the disease, were selected for this study; the presence of babesiosis was confirmed through blood smear examination. These animals were divided into two groups i.e. A and B. Horses of Group A, were treated with diminazene diaceturate, while horses of Group B were treated with diminazene aceturate. Efficacy of the drugs was determined by the reversal of clinical signs and a negative blood smear...
Wingfield Digby NJ, Ricketts SW.The results of 4024 concurrent endometrial swab and smear tests taken from maiden, barren and post-parturient mares during early oestrus, before coitus demonstrated the practical value of these tests in routine stud farm practice. The use of cytological examinations provided a more direct diagnostic test for acute endometritis and this increased the accuracy of interpretation of the bacteriological findings.
Eades SC.All cases of laminitis are characterized by failure of the attachment of the epidermal cells of the epidermal laminae to the underlying basement membrane of the dermal laminae despite the diversity of diseases that underlie the syndrome. The preponderance of evidence supports roles for inflammation, metabolic derangement, endothelial and venous dysfunction, and matrix degradation as causes of laminitis. Inflammation, oxidant stress, and matrix degradation may be factors common to each of these mechanisms that lead to the laminar damage of laminitis. The understanding of the pathophysiology and...
Wehrend A, Hetzel U, Huchzermeyer S, Klein C, Bostedt H.The aim of the present study was to examine the suitability of sirius red staining for selective light microscopic demonstration of eosinophil granulocytes in cervical tissue of mares, cows and sheep. For this purpose, tissue was fixed in 4% neutral buffered formol or in Bouin's solution. Paraffin sections of 5-microm thickness were stained with sirius red. In cows, mares and sheep a selective distinction of eosinophilic infiltration is successful after both fixation methods.
McMullen RJ, Gilger BC.To determine ocular dimensions (A- and B-scan ultrasound) and corneal curvature (radius of corneal diameter determined in B-scan ultrasound) in the equine eye and to calculate the appropriate dioptric power for a posterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL) necessary to achieve emmetropia in the eyes of horses undergoing lens extraction. Methods: Fourteen clinically normal adult horses of various breeds. Additionally, for comparison, one American Miniature colt foal, and one 2.5-year-old Shire gelding were examined. Methods: B-scan ultrasound was performed on one eye from each horse. One eye from ...
Knox A, Beddoe T.The global equine industry provides significant economic contributions worldwide, producing approximately USD $300 billion annually. However, with the continuous national and international movement and importation of horses, there is an ongoing threat of a viral outbreak causing large epidemics and subsequent significant economic losses. Additionally, horses serve as a host for several zoonotic diseases that could cause significant human health problems. The ability to rapidly diagnose equine viral diseases early could lead to better management, treatment, and biosecurity strategies. Current s...
Pozza ME, Kaewsakhorn T, Trinarong C, Inpanbutr N, Toribio RE.Vitamin D is essential in calcium and phosphorus regulation, bone physiology, cell proliferation and epithelial integrity. Literature on vitamin D in growing horses is sparse, and the effect of age on vitamin D has not been evaluated in equids in the United States or in tropical countries. The goal of this study was to determine if there was an effect of age on serum 25(OH)D3 concentrations in equids in the US (Ohio/Kentucky) and Thailand (Chiang Rai and Kanchanaburi) during the same time of the year. Blood samples were collected from healthy ponies (n=21) and Thoroughbred foals (n=13), yearli...
Barnard BJ.Zebra are the only equine species native to South Africa. These animals roamed over much of the country in the 17th century when horses and donkeys were first imported. The first cases of African horse sickness (AHS) then occurred in the horses of hunters who entered zebra territory. AHS continued to occur on a country-wide basis until the beginning of the 20th century, though the number of outbreaks decreased as the populations of zebra collapsed through overhunting. For most of the 20th century almost all free-living zebra have been confined to the north-eastern parts of South Africa which a...
Chahan B, Zhang S, Seo JY, Nakamura C, Zhang G, Bannai H, Jian Z, Inokuma H, Tuchiya K, Sato Y, Kabeya H, Maruyama S, Mikami T, Xuan X.The prevalence of Babesia (Theileria) equi and B. caballi infections in donkeys in western Xinjiang China was investigated. In total, 93 serum samples were randomly taken from donkeys in the Kashi and Ili areas, and examined for B. equi and B. caballi infections by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays using recombinant antigens. Of the 93 samples, 9 (9.6%) and 36 (38.7%) samples were positive for B. equi infection and B. caballi infection, respectively. In addition, 2 (2.2%) samples were positive for both B. equi and B. caballi infections. These results indicate that equine babesiosis might be e...
Ciota AT.Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV; Togaviridae, Alphavirus) is an arthropod-borne virus (arbovirus) primarily maintained in an enzootic cycle between Culiseta melanura (Coquillett) and passerine birds. EEEV, which has the highest reported case- fatality rate among arbovirus in the Americas, is responsible for sporadic outbreaks in the Eastern and Midwest United States. Infection is associated with severe neurologic disease and mortality in horses, humans, and other vertebrate hosts. Here, we review what is known about EEEV taxonomy, functional genomics, and evolution, and identify gaps i...
Audigié F, Pourcelot P, Degueurce C, Geiger D, Denoix JM.The aim of this paper is to present a method allowing the identification of the lame limb in trotting horses. Using a 3-D kinematic analysis system, 13 sound and 25 lame horses fitted with 4 skin markers placed on the dorsal midline of their trunk were recorded while trotting on a track in the conditions of the routine lameness examination. The vertical displacements of the trunk markers underwent Fourier analysis. Results indicated that these displacements could be represented using only the first and second harmonics. From these two harmonics, indices were then developed. The sensitivity of ...
Cox R, Proudman CJ, Trawford AF, Burden F, Pinchbeck GL.Colic (abdominal pain) is a clinical condition of serious concern affecting the welfare and survival of donkeys at the Donkey Sanctuary in the UK. One of the most commonly reported causes is due to impacted ingesta in the large intestine ("impaction colic"). However little is known about the incidence of, or risk factors for, this condition. Here we describe the epidemiology of colic in donkeys, specifically impaction colic. We focus on temporal aspects of the disease and we identify environmental and management related risk factors for impaction colic in UK donkeys. Results: There were 807 co...
Fietz S, Bondzio A, Moschos A, Hertsch B, Einspanier R.The aim of this study was to develop a specific myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity assay in the synovial fluid of horses and investigate whether MPO activity is increased in different forms of joint diseases. Synovial fluid samples were taken from affected joints from horses with osteoarthritis, chronic non-septic arthritis and septic arthritis, and from healthy control horses. MPO activity was measured using a specific modified o-dianisidine-assay containing 4-aminobenzoic acid hydrazide as a potent and specific inhibitor of the MPO. This assay is characterized by high reproducibility. The result...
Miyazawa T, Matsuda M, Isayama Y, Samata T, Ishida Y, Ogawa S, Takei K, Honda M, Kamada M.Profiles of the genomic DNA of 104 strains of T. equigenitalis isolated from brood mares with contagious equine metritis in Hokkaido during the breeding seasons from 1980 to 1993, as well as those of five strains (SS28, EQ56, EQ59, EQ70 and HH139) previously isolated in Japan were examined after restriction digestion and crossed-field gel electrophoresis. These profiles were essentially identical to each other and the various isolates and strains appeared to have a common genotype, designated 'genotype J', with respect to two restriction enzymes, ApaI and NotI. These results suggest a common s...
Oladunni FS, Sarkar S, Reedy S, Balasuriya UBR, Horohov DW, Chambers TM.Equid herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) is a viral pathogen of horse populations worldwide spread by the respiratory route and is known for causing outbreaks of neurologic syndromes and abortion storms. Previously, we demonstrated that an EHV-1 strain of the neuropathogenic genotype, T953, downregulates the beta interferon (IFN-β) response in equine endothelial cells (EECs) at 12 h postinfection (hpi). In the present study, we explored the molecular correlates of this inhibition as clues toward an understanding of the mechanism. Data from our study revealed that EHV-1 infection of EECs significantly red...
Forssmann A.The islets of Langerhans of the equine pancreas were examined with the electron microscope after immersion or perfusion fixation. Five cell types could be distinguished after fixation by either technique: 1. A-cells, situated at the center of the islets, 2. B-cells, containing mostly "pale granules" and constituting the principal cell type of the periphery of the islets, 3. D-cells, also located mainly at the periphery of the islets, 4. G-cells, found at the edge of the islets and in the exocrine pancreas, and 5. S-cells, (small granule cells), which are relatively few in number and occur only...
Mosing M, Waldmann AD, MacFarlane P, Iff S, Auer U, Bohm SH, Bettschart-Wolfensberger R, Bardell D.This study evaluated the breathing pattern and distribution of ventilation in horses prior to and following recovery from general anaesthesia using electrical impedance tomography (EIT). Six horses were anaesthetised for 6 hours in dorsal recumbency. Arterial blood gas and EIT measurements were performed 24 hours before (baseline) and 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 hours after horses stood following anaesthesia. At each time point 4 representative spontaneous breaths were analysed. The percentage of the total breath length during which impedance remained greater than 50% of the maximum inspiratory impeda...
Murphy DJ, Nixon AJ.To examine the site-specific and dose-dependent effects of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) on normal equine tendon in vitro. Methods: Superficial digital flexor tendon explants derived from a euthanatized 3-year-old horse. Methods: Explants in culture were treated with 0, 100, 250, or 500 ng of IGF-I/ml for 14 days with an end-stage radiolabel of 20 microCi of [3H]proline/ml or 5 microCi of [3H]thymidine/ml. The tendon tissues were then analyzed biochemically for hydroxyproline content by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography, DNA content by fluorometry, and glycosaminoglyc...
Jasiński T, Zdrojkowski Ł, Kautz E, Juszczuk-Kubiak E, Ferreira-Dias G, Domino M.Endometrosis is an important mares' disease which considerably decreases their fertility. As classic endometrial classification methods might be insufficient for tissue pathological evaluation, further categorization into active/inactive and destructive/non-destructive types was developed by Hoffmann and others. This study aimed to compare NF-κB pathway genes transcription among histopathological types of endometrosis, following Hoffmann and co-authors' classification. Endometrial samples, collected postmortem from cyclic mares ( = 100) in estrus or diestrus, were classified histologically an...
Sansom J, Featherstone H, Barnett KC.Six horses with keratomycosis were examined and three different clinical expressions of the disease were recognised. The diagnostic work-up and response to treatment is described.
McIlwraith CW.The paper reviews current knowledge on conservative versus surgical options for the treatment of osteochondrosis entities in the horse. Clinical and radiographic signs of each significant osteochondrosis entity in the horse are presented, followed by the value of conservative treatment versus arthroscopic surgery options as well as the results for each option with the various entities. The entities presented in detail include, osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the femoropatellar, tarsocrural, metacarpophalangeal and metatarsophalangeal, and glenohumural articulations. The various treatment op...
MacKay RJ, Granstrom DE, Saville WJ, Reed SM.Recent advances in the understanding of the parasite life cycle, epidemiology, clinical signs, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of EPM are reviewed. The NAHMS Equine '98 study and a controlled retrospective study from The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine identified a number of risk factors associated with development of the disease. The national annual incidence of EPM was 1% or less depending on the primary use of the animals. Increased disease risk was associated with age (1-5 and > 13 years of age), season (lowest in winter months and increasing with ambient tempe...
Simhofer H, Griss R, Zetner K.The main objective of this study was to evaluate an endoscopic examination protocol for routine dental examination in horses. The oral cavities of 300 standing, sedated horses were examined under field and hospital conditions with a rigid endoscope using a standardised technique that included examination of the occlusal, lingual (palatal) and buccal surfaces of all cheek teeth rows. The most common cheek teeth abnormalities detected were sharp enamel edges (present in 96.3% of horses), focal overgrowths (64.3%), fissure fractures (54.3%), diastemata (24.3%) and infundibular hypoplasia/caries (...
Lasarzik de Ascurra J, Ehrle A, Einspanier R, Lischer C.Autologous conditioned serum (ACS) is commonly used for the treatment of human and equine osteoarthritis (OA). The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of incubation time and incubation tube on concentrations of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in ACS of horses with and without OA. Blood samples of 7 control horses and 6 horses with naturally occurring OA were obtained. The concentration of serum IL-1ra, IL-1β, and IGF-1 was determined after 12, 24, and 36 hours of incubation using commercial ...
Kouam MK, Kantzoura V, Masuoka PM, Gajadhar AA, Theodoropoulos G.Equine piroplasms in Greece were studied using the reverse line blot hybridization (RLB) assay. Three genotypes consisting of two Theileria (T. equi and T. equi-like) and one Babesia (B. caballi-like) were identified. Of 787 samples tested, 371 (47.14%) hybridised to catchall probe (probe specifically designed to capture any piroplasm species present in a sample), 346 (43.96%) to T. equi probe, 364 (46.25%) to T. equi-like probe, 0 (0%) to B. caballi probe and 3 (0.38%) to B. caballi-like probe. Seven samples gave faint signals with the catchall probe only, indicating the presence of known or ...