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Topic:Equine Diseases
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.
Behavioral responses to two intranasal vaccine applicators in horses and ponies. To evaluate behavioral compliance of horses and ponies with simulated intranasal vaccination and assess development of generalized aversion to veterinary manipulations. Methods: Clinical trial. Methods: 28 light horse mares, 3 pony geldings, 2 light horse stallions, and 3 pony stallions that had a history of compliance with veterinary procedures. Methods: Behavioral compliance with 2 intranasal vaccine applicators was assessed. Compliance with standard physical examination procedures was assessed before and after a single experience with either of the applicators or a control manipulation to e...
Observations on the interstitial cells of Cajal and neurons in a recovered case of equine dysautonomia (grass sickness). This paper describes the histopathological and immunohistochemical changes in the central, autonomic and enteric nervous systems in a well-documented case of equine dysautonomia (ED), after the animal had recovered without significant residual clinical signs. Evidence of neuronal degeneration, such as neuronal chromatolysis, glial scars or a decrease in density of neurons, was not observed in the midbrain, pons, medulla oblongata or spinal cord, including the nuclei of cranial nerves III, V, VII, X and XII. In addition, no evidence of muscle denervation or re-innervation, such as group atrophy...
Computer-assisted kinematic evaluation of induced compensatory movements resembling lameness in horses trotting on a treadmill. To characterize compensatory movements of the head and pelvis that resemble lameness in horses. Methods: 17 adult horses. Methods: Kinematic evaluations were performed while horses trotted on a treadmill before and after shoe-induced lameness. Lameness was quantified and the affected limb determined by algorithms that measured asymmetry in vertical movement of the head and pelvis. Induced primary lameness and compensatory movements resembling lameness were assessed by the Friedman test. Association between induced lameness and compensatory movements was examined by regression analysis. Results...
Effects of desflurane and mode of ventilation on cardiovascular and respiratory functions and clinicopathologic variables in horses. To quantitate the effects of desflurane and mode of ventilation on cardiovascular and respiratory functions and identify changes in selected clinicopathologic variables and serum fluoride values associated with desflurane anesthesia in horses. Methods: 6 healthy adult horses. Methods: Horses were anesthetized on 2 occasions: first, to determine the minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of desflurane in O2 and second, to characterize cardiopulmonary and clinicopathologic responses to 1X, 1.5X, and 1.75X desflurane MAC during both controlled and spontaneous ventilation. Results: Mean +/- SEM MAC ...
Effect of exercise on age-related changes in collagen fibril diameter distributions in the common digital extensor tendons of young horses. To determine whether specific treadmill exercise regimens would accelerate age-related changes in collagen fibril diameter distributions in the common digital extensor tendon (CDET) of the forelimbs of young Thoroughbreds. Methods: 24 female Thoroughbreds. Methods: Horses were trained for 18 weeks (6 horses; short term) or 18 months (5 horses; long term) on a high-speed treadmill; 2 age-matched control groups (6 horses/group) performed walking exercise only. Horses were (mean +/- SD) 24 +/- 1 months and 39 +/- 1 months old at termination of the short-term and long-term regimens, respectively. ...
Prevalence of Taylorella equigenitalis infection in stallions in Slovenia: bacteriology compared with PCR examination. The prevalence of Taylorella equigenitalis infection in Slovenia is unknown and methods used to refine identification in these stallions are required. Objective: In diagnosis of T. equigenitalis, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) would have advantages over culture methods, especially in cases where small numbers of causal agent or intensive contamination of genital swabs are involved. Methods: Culture method and PCR were used to examine a total of 980 genital swabs from the urethra and fossa urethralis of 245 stallions for the presence of the contagious equine metritis organism. Results: Among 2...
Study of serum amyloid A concentrations as a means of achieving early diagnosis of Rhodococcus equi pneumonia. Prognosis of Rhodococcus equi pneumonia can be challenging because the course of the disease is often insidious and overt clinical signs are subtle. Early diagnosis is considered desirable because it may offer the chance of more successful implementation of treatment and, thereby, improved outcome. Serological tests have previously failed to be accurate for early detection or diagnosis. Measurement of serum amyloid A (SAA) prior to and at the time of clinical signs was therefore chosen in order to assess its potential clinical use. Objective: To determine whether SAA concentrations differentia...
A study of seven different types of grafts for jugular vein transplantation in the horse. The aim of this study was to investigate the biological behaviour of vascular grafts replacing a section of the jugular vein in order to improve the results of the surgical treatment of complete thrombosis of the jugular vein in the horse. Seven graft types: fresh allograft, home frozen allograft, glutaraldehyde-fixed allograft, cryo-preserved allograft, PTFE-graft (Gore), small intestinal submucosa preparation (Cook) and fresh autograft, were randomly implanted in ponies. The grafts were removed after one month and examined histologically for: preservation of the graft structures, acceptance ...
Endothelial mechanisms underlying responses to acetylcholine in the horse deep dorsal penile vein. This study evaluates the mechanisms underlying endothelium-dependent responses to acetylcholine in horse deep dorsal penile veins. Acetylcholine-induced relaxation was abolished by endothelium removal, the soluble guanylyl cyclase-inhibitor, and the nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitors. Acetylcholine-induced relaxation was inhibited by high K+ concentrations and blockade of large-conductance Ca(2+)-activated potassium (BK(Ca)) channels, and voltage-dependent potassium (K(v)) channels. Relaxations were unaffected by a small-conductance K(Ca) (SK(Ca)) channel blocker, or an ATP-sensitive potass...
Inflammatory airway disease, nasal discharge and respiratory infections in young British racehorses. Respiratory disease is important in young Thoroughbred racehorses, but the variation in the rates of occurrence between different ages and training groups has not been characterised. Objective: To determine the rates of respiratory disease, particularly inflammatory airway disease (IAD), as well as evidence of infection, and their variation between age and group. Methods: Horses were examined monthly in 7 British flat training yards over a 3 year period. IAD was defined as increased mucus in the trachea with increased proportions of neutrophils in tracheal wash samples. Frequencies of disease ...
Electromyographic activity of the stylopharyngeus muscle in exercising horses. There is a need to understand the process which leads to failure of recruitment of the stylopharyngeus muscle in clinical cases of nasopharygeal collapse. We therefore studied the timing and intensity of stylopharyngeus muscle activity during exercise in horses. Objective: To measure the electromyographic (EMG) activity of the stylopharyngeus muscle in exercising horses and correlate it with the breathing pattern. Methods: Five horses were equipped with a bipolar fine wire electrode placed on the stylopharyngeus muscle and a pharyngeal catheter. The horses exercised on a treadmill at speeds co...
Masseter myodegeneration as a cause of trismus or dysphagia in adult horses. The medical records of eight horses with histological evidence of myodegeneration of the masseter muscles were examined. While they were alive their most common clinical signs had included difficulty in eating or opening their mouths, weight loss, difficulty in moving, and noticeable atrophy of the masseter muscles. The serum activities of muscle enzymes were abnormally high in all of the horses. Whole blood and/or liver selenium and vitamin E concentrations were less than the reference ranges in some of the horses. The lesions varied with the stage of the disease and consisted of swelling and...
Influence of repeated arthrocentesis and exercise on synovial fluid concentrations of nitric oxide, prostaglandin E2 and glycosaminoglycans in healthy equine joints. The importance of osteoarthritis (OA) in the horse and the difficulty in its early diagnosis have led to a search for potential biomarkers of joint disease. If the levels of such markers are to be interpreted accurately, clinicians and researchers need to know whether they are influenced by environmental factors and/or interventions such as exercise and repeated arthrocentesis. Objective: To investigate the influence of repeated arthrocentesis and exercise on nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) concentrations in synovial fluid (SF) from normal equine joints. ...
Effects of glucosamine hydrochloride and chondroitin sulphate, alone and in combination, on normal and interleukin-1 conditioned equine articular cartilage explant metabolism. Clinical trials in human and veterinary literature have documented the benefits of oral nutraceutical joint supplements containing glucosamine (GU) and chondroitin sulphate (CS) to treat mild to moderate osteoarthritis, but the effects of these components have not yet been conclusively determined. Objective: To assess varying dosages of GU and CS on normal and interleukin-1alpha (IL-1) conditioned equine cartilage explants and rationalise the use of these products. Objective: Treatment would not be detrimental to cartilage metabolism and higher dosages and the combination of GU and CS would be...
Immunoexpression of androgen receptors in the reproductive tract of the stallion. The objective of this study was to visualize androgen receptors (ARs) in the testis, epididymis, and prostate of the stallion by means of immunohistochemistry. Nuclear immunostaining was found in all somatic cells in the testis--Leydig, Sertoli, and peritubular myoid cells; in both types of epithelial cells of the epididymis; and in the secretory cells of the prostate. These results indicate that ARs are distributed throughout the reproductive tract cells of the stallion.
Effects of feeding a blend of grains naturally contaminated with Fusarium mycotoxins on feed intake, metabolism, and indices of athletic performance of exercised horses. An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of feeding blends of grains naturally contaminated with Fusarium mycotoxins to mature, exercised horses, and to test the efficacy of a polymeric glucomannan mycotoxin adsorbent (GM polymer) in preventing Fusarium mycotoxicoses. Six mature, mixed-breed mares with an average BW of 530 kg were assigned to one of three dietary treatments for 21 d in a replicated 3 x 3 Latin square design. Feed consumed each day was a combination of up to 3.5 kg of concentrates and 5.0 kg of mixed timothy/alfalfa hay (as-fed basis). The concentrates fed included 1...
Acute necrotising pancreatitis following grain overload in a donkey. A donkey developed abdominal discomfort and distension together with cardiovascular collapse and gastric reflux 24 to 36 hours after ingesting a large amount of poultry feed. Rectal findings prompted a laparotomy that identified extensive gastric dilation, an empty, atonic small intestine, dry colonic content and an easily corrected caecal displacement. These findings were not consistent with the severity of the signs, which were attributed to endotoxaemia. The donkey was euthanased during recovery. Necropsy revealed acute necrotising pancreatitis with massive gastric dilation and right dorsal...
Prevalence and diagnosis of parasites of the stomach and small intestine in horses in south-west England. Parasites were extracted from the stomach and small intestine of 118 horses at slaughter. The most abundant species was the tapeworm Anoplocephala perfoliata. Maximum likelihood analysis was used to investigate the relationship between the number of worms and their total weight, and the ability of an antibody-based elisa to diagnose the level of infection. The total weight of tapeworms increased towards a maximum as the number of worms increased, suggesting a population density-dependent constraint on the weight. The number of A perfoliata present could be predicted approximately from the resu...
A novel subgroup among genotypes of equine arteritis virus: genetic comparison of 40 strains. The authors determined partial nucleic sequences of the variable regions of open-reading frame (ORF5) from 151 nucleotide to 668 nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of 518 nucleotide respectively of 20 equine arteritis virus (EAV) isolates. About 19 Hungarian and one Austrian EAV strains were subjected to sequence analysis, the further data of 20 EAV strains: six North American and 14 European were obtained from the GenBank. Comparative sequence analysis of the Hungarian EAV strains indicated that among the three variable regions the first has been affected mostly by point mutations. G...
An epizootic of equine influenza in Upper Egypt in 2000. This study describes an epizootic of respiratory tract disease caused by influenza virus infection in a large population of equines in Luxor and Aswan, Upper Egypt, during the winter of 2000. The epizootic started in January and the infection rate reached its peak in February before gradually decreasing until the end of April, 2000. Horses, donkeys and mules of all ages and both sexes were affected. Free movement of the infected equines and direct contact between the animals at markets facilitated the rapid spread of the disease. The cause of the epizootic was established by use of serological...
Arthrodesis of the equine proximal interphalangeal joint: a mechanical comparison of 2 parallel 5.5 mm cortical screws and 3 parallel 5.5 mm cortical screws. To compare the biomechanical characteristics and mode of failure of 2 techniques using parallel 5.5 mm screws for pastern joint arthrodesis in horses. Methods: Randomized block design, for horse (1-5), method of fixation (two 5.5 mm screws versus three 5.5 mm screws), side (right, left), and end (front, hind). Constructs were tested to failure in 3-point bending. Methods: Twenty limbs (5 cadavers). Methods: A combined aiming device was used to facilitate screw placement. Two parallel 5.5 mm screws were inserted in lag fashion in 1 limb of a pair, and three 5.5 mm screws were inserted in the co...
Extensive nasal septum resection in horses using a 3-wire method. To describe a surgical technique for, and report outcome after, extensive nasal septum resection in horses with congenital or acquired septal diseases. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Horses (5) with nasal septal deformity. Methods: Under general anesthesia, obstetrical wires were preplaced around the ventral, caudal, and dorsal aspects of the nasal septum by combinations of manual guidance (ventral and caudal wires) and use of a trephine hole on the dorsal mid-line (dorsal and caudal wires). The rostral part of the septum was incised with a scalpel and the ventral, dorsal, and caudal s...
Neovascularisation in chronic tendon injuries detected with colour Doppler ultrasound in horse and man: implications for research and treatment. Recent research on chronic painful Achilles tendons in humans using ultrasonography and immunohistochemistry, has demonstrated an association between neurovascular ingrowth and tendon pain. In horses, chronic debilitating tendon conditions are well-known to be very difficult to treat, and the background to impaired function and pain is not scientifically clarified. In a collaborative research project between the Sports Medicine Unit in Umeå and Strömsholm Equine Hospital, grey-scale ultrasonography (US) and colour Doppler (CD) examination were performed in ten horses with chronic tendon inju...
Fungal isolation and identification in 21 cases of guttural pouch mycosis in horses (1998-2002). This aetiological study of guttural pouch mycosis (GPM) in the horse was based on the retrospective study of 21 horses brought into the National Veterinary School of Lyon (France) between 1998 and 2002. Biopsies were taken from the lesions caused by GPM during endoscopic examination. In 87% of the cases, direct examination gave positive results, whereas 43% of the cultures were found to be negative. The main fungi observed were Aspergillus fumigatus (in three cases), A. versicolor (in two cases, together with other fungi), and A. nidulans and A. niger (one case each). In six cases, the Aspergi...
