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.
Winder NC, Gruenig G, Hermann M, Howald B, von Fellenberg R.Equine respiratory secretions (RS) collected before (33 horses) and after (76 horses) slaughter were evaluated cytologically and grouped according to the histological diagnosis of the lungs from which they were obtained. The histological categories included normal lungs (control; 17 horses), chronic small airway disease with mild (23 horses), moderate (13 horses) and severe lesions (25 horses), interstitial pneumonia (13 horses), pulmonary eosinophilic infiltration (13 horses) and pulmonary haemorrhage (5 horses). On a group basis there were significantly more neutrophils in RS of horses with ...
Shankarappa B, Dutta SK, Sanusi J, Mattingly BL.Competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (CELISA), mediated by a monoclonal antibody designated HybI, was developed for the diagnosis of equine monocytic ehrlichiosis. Inhibition of binding of HybI by the horse antibodies to Ehrlichia risticii was optimum at dilutions of 1:20 for serum and 1:10,000 for HybI. Mean optical densities (ODs) of positive and negative sera were 0.158 and 0.855, respectively. A comparison of ODs obtained by CELISA and indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) indicated a marked tendency of positive and negative samples to cluster separately with respect ...
Freeman DE, Ross MW, Donawick WJ, Hamir AN.Balloon-tipped catheters were used to occlude the external carotid artery and its branches in nine horses with hemorrhage caused by guttural pouch mycosis. The internal carotid artery on the affected side was occluded simultaneously in four horses and had been occluded previously in two others. In three horses, a single balloon-tipped catheter was inserted in the external carotid artery beneath the floor of the guttural pouch and its tip was advanced blindly into distal branches. In one horse, the superficial temporal artery was occluded briefly during surgery by a balloon-tipped catheter so a...
Morgan SJ, Storts RW, Stromberg PC, Sowa BA, Lay JC.Factors involved in the proliferation of equine vascular smooth muscle cells were studied in vitro. The most prominent proliferative responses in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells were induced by Strongylus vulgaris larval antigen extract (LAE) and platelet-derived factors. Less significant proliferative responses were obtained with conditioned media from S. vulgaris LAE stimulated and from unstimulated equine mononuclear leukocytes. Additionally, vascular smooth muscle cells exposed to S. vulgaris LAE developed numerous perinuclear vacuoles and were more spindle-shaped than control or smo...
Verschooten F, Roels J, Lampo P, Desmet P, De Moor A, Picavet T.Radiographic measurements from the lateromedial projection of the equine foot were compared in three groups of horses. Group 1 consisted of 143 normal horses, group 2 were 60 horses with clinical navicular disease and group 3 were 161 horses with clinical and radiographic navicular disease. Several measurements tended to be larger in group 3 than group 1. An enlargement of the navicular bone was observed in proximodistal and dorsopalmar directions. Partial enlargement of the pedal bone was observed in groups 2 and 3. Few differences were observed between age classes. All horses aged four years...
Kawaoka Y, Webster RG.A severe influenza outbreak occurred in horses in South Africa in 1986. The causative agent was identified as an influenza virus [A/Equine/Johannesburg/86 (H3N8)]. Antigenic analyses of the hemagglutinin (HA) with ferret antisera and monoclonal antibodies showed that the Eq/Johannesburg/86 virus is similar to recent equine H3 viruses. The nucleotide sequence analysis on the HA genes of Eq/Johannesburg/86 and other equine H3 influenza viruses, together with the epidemiological data, clearly demonstrated that the Eq/Johannesburg/86 virus was derived from a virus that had been circulating in hors...
McMurphy RM, Cribb PH.This study was designed to investigate the effect of the nasotracheal insufflation of oxygen at a flow rate of 15 L/min on the arterial partial pressure of oxygen during the recovery period following inhalation anesthesia in the horse. It has been stated that this is a suitable flow rate to prevent postoperative hypoxemia but without any experimental evidence to support those statements. Horses being used for the study of healing of cartilage were anesthetized on two separate occasions. Following one period of anesthesia they were allowed to recover breathing room air, and following the other ...
Kobluk CN, Schnurr D, Horney FD, Sumner-Smith G, Willoughby RA, Dekleer V, Hearn TC.High-speed cinematography with computer aided analysis was used to study equine hindlimb kinematics. Eight horses were filmed at the trot or the pace. Filming was done from the side (lateral) and the back (caudal). Parameters measured from the lateral filming included the heights of the tuber coxae and tailhead, protraction and retraction of the hoof and angular changes of the tarsus and stifle. Abduction and adduction of the limb and tarsal height changes were measured from the caudal filming. The maximum and minimum values plus the standard deviations and coefficients of variations are prese...
Ginther OJ.Ultrasonography was used to determine whether there is embryo reduction in mares with unilaterally fixed twins when a major portion of the vascularized area of the wall of one of the embryonic vesicles is in apposition with the wall of the adjacent vesicle, rather than with the endometrium (deprivation hypothesis). In addition, the effect of ovulatory pattern (synchronous and asynchronous) on the incidence of embryo reduction was studied. Twin vesicles were ultrasonically detected on days 11 to 15 (ovulation = day 0) and were examined daily until there was embryo reduction or until day 40. In ...
van Schie HT.The ultrasonic examination of tendons and ligaments of the distal limb of the horse improves the diagnostic possibilities of these frequently injured structures. The successful application is based upon a reliable knowledge of the normal sonographic anatomy and upon a standardized, flawless technic of the examination. Practice and experience allow the recognition of minor alterations which enables a more precise diagnosis, a more reliable prognosis, and in follow-up examinations also more specific information about the further use of the horse.
López ML, Grez P, Gribbel I, Bustos-Obregón E.The epididymis of stallion castrated during the breeding and non breeding seasons were subdivided into six regions and their ultrastructural and cytochemical characteristics were studied in order to provide a better understanding of the structure-function relationship of this androgen target organ. Even when the stallion has been postulated to be a seasonal breeder, our results do not show significant ultrastructural or cytochemical differences in both seasons. The pseudostratified epithelium is composed mainly of principal and basal cells and intraepithelial lymphocytes. The principal cells s...
Tobin T, Kwiatkowski S, Watt DS, Tai HH, Tai CL, Woods WE, Goodman JP, Taylor DG, Weckman TJ, Yang JM.We have developed and evaluated a one step enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test for sufentanil and a 125I radioimmunoassay test for alfentanil as part of a panel of pre- and post-race tests for narcotic analgesics in racing horses. Our sufentanil ELISA test detects sufentanil with an I-50 of about 0.5 ng/ml. The test is rapid and economical in that it can be read with an inexpensive spectrophotometer, or even by eye. The test readily detects the presence of sufentanil or its metabolites in equine blood and urine from 1 to 24 hours respectively after administration of therapeutic or s...
Jolly RD, Dalefield RR.The lipopigments are a heterogenous group of pigments whose pathogenesis and terminology is confused. Whereas there is epidemiological and observational evidence that ceroid is derived from degeneration and peroxidation of unsaturated lipid, the assumption that all so-called lipopigments are similarly formed, is questioned. In particular, recent studies have distanced the pathogenesis of the pigment found in the ceroid-lipofuscinoses from that perceived for ceroid. The importance of protein rather than lipid in the pathogenesis of the pigment of ceroid-lipofuscinosis and of age pigment from th...
Tajima M, Araiso T, Koyama T, Fujinaga T, Otomo K, Koike T.The membrane viscosity of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) of equine, bovine and canine was measured by the use of time-resolved fluorescence depolarization technique with 1, 6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH). The viscosity values were 0.55, 0.59 and 0.50 poise for equine, bovine and canine PBLs, respectively. These values were compared with steady-state anisotropies and order parameters measured from electron spin resonance (ESR) of 5-doxyl stearic acid. Both values were increased with increase of viscosity. The fluid property of the membranes stimulated with phytohemagglutinin-P (PHA) was...
Hesford F, Lazary S, Curty-Hänni K, Gerber H.A number of horse alloantisera were characterized biochemically as being directed against MHC class I or class II antigens by immunoprecipitation of the corresponding antigens from lysates of biosynthetically radioactively labelled lymphocytes and determination of their molecular weights by SDS-PAGE and fluorography. Sera recognizing A2 and A3 specificities precipitated antigens of 44,000 Daltons molecular weight (class I heavy chain), whereas sera with specificities W13, W22 and W23 precipitated antigens corresponding to class II dimers (30,000 and 32,000 Daltons). Comparison with antigens pr...
Ball BA, Little TV, Weber JA, Woods GL.The estimated embryonic loss rate between Days 4 and 14 after ovulation for young, normal mares (9%) was significantly lower (P less than 0.01) than the estimated embryonic loss rate for aged subfertile mares (62%). Fertilization rates, which were based on the recovery of embryos at Day 4 after ovulation, were 96% and 81% (P less than 0.1) for normal and subfertile mares, respectively. Day-4 embryos were collected from the oviducts of normal and subfertile donors mares. These embryos were transferred to the uteri of synchronized, normal recipient mares to test the hypothesis that the high inci...
Björkman C.1. Comparative data are presented of the activities of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex and acetyl-CoA synthetase and of the acetate content in homogenates from ventral grey matter in spinal cord from cows and two non-ruminant species, pigs and horses. The methods used in the study are evaluated and discussed. 2. The total pyruvate dehydrogenase complex activity was 24.9-29.9 mU/mg protein and did not differ between the species. The part of the complex that was in active form at the sampling occasion was 60, 85 and 95% in cows, pigs and horses, respectively. 3. Acetyl-CoA synthetase activity dif...
Specht TE, Colahan PT.Medical records of 48 equids (47 horses, 1 pony) with surgical sand colic were reviewed. The diagnosis of sand colic was made if a sand impaction(s) was palpated during exploratory abdominal surgery or if a large quantity of sand was found during colotomy. Most equids did not experience a previous episode of sand diarrhea or sand colic. Clinical findings and results of clinicopathologic determinations were not diagnostic. Rectal palpation findings in 40 of 46 horses were compatible with large-colon and/or cecal distention. Impactions were palpable per rectum in only 7 horses, but emergency abd...
Weidolf LO, Chichila TM, Henion JD.Methods for screening by thin-layer chromatography, quantification by high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection and confirmation by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of boldenone sulfate in equine urine after administration of boldenone undecylenate (Equipoise) are presented. Sample work-up was done with C18 liquid-solid extraction followed by solvolytic cleavage of the sulfate ester. Confirmatory evidence of boldenone sulfate in equine urine was obtained from 2 h to 42 days following a therapeutic intramuscular dose of Equipoise. The use of 19-nortestosterone sulfat...
Robertson GR, Whalley JM.We have identified the equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) thymidine kinase gene (TK) by DNA-mediated transformation and by DNA sequencing. Alignment of the amino acid sequence of the EHV-1 TK with the TKs from 3 other herpesviruses revealed regions of homology, some of which correspond to the previously identified substrate binding sites, while others have as yet, no assigned function. In particular, the strict conservation of an aspartate within the proposed nucleoside binding site suggests a role in ATP binding for this residue. Comparison of 5 herpes TKs with the thymidylate kinase of yeast revea...
Slone DE.Ovariectomy and cesarean section are relatively common procedures in a surgical practice in an area in which there are numerous broodmares. Both techniques can be performed by several approaches, which are described in this article. Also described are techniques for ovariohysterectomy, a procedure that is rarely indicated, but that can be performed relatively easily by a capable surgeon.
Reef VB, Collatos C.The umbilical arteries, urachus, and umbilical vein were scanned ultrasonographically in 13 clinically normal foals that ranged in age from 6 hours to 4 weeks. Sonograms were obtained using a 7.5-MHz sector scanner transducer placed across the midline of the ventral portion of the foal's abdominal wall. The umbilical vein was scanned from the umbilical stalk to its entrance into the hepatic parenchyma. The mean (+/- SD) diameter of the umbilical vein was 0.61 +/- 0.20 cm immediately cranial to the umbilical stalk, 0.52 +/- 0.19 cm midway between the umbilicus and liver, and 0.6 +/- 0.19 cm at ...
Easley KJ.Infertility in the mare associated with VVR must be managed as a complex problem. A complete reproductive evaluation of the mare is required to establish the cause of VVR in order for proper therapy to be recommended. Establishing a prognosis for the mare's future breeding soundness is important to the horse owner and breeding manager. VVR is almost always associated with other reproductive problems and must be dealt with in view of this.
Easley KJ, Osborne J, Thorpe PE.Many factors should be considered before one makes a decision to perform surgery, and it is the practitioner's responsibility to make certain the client makes an informed decision. This article considers the various factors of importance in the decision-making process.
Trotter GW, McKinnon AO.Reproductive failure in mares can present a challenge to the attending veterinarian. Although many causes of failure to conceive or to carry to term may be easy to diagnose and treat effectively, others may be difficult. In some cases, more than one problem will be present, and both medical therapy and surgical intervention will be required to achieve a successful outcome. Pneumovagina and its sequelae remain a common cause of reproductive failure in mares. Depending on the case involved, different surgical techniques may be required to correct the problem.
Busechian S, Marchesi MC, Vuerich M, Corsalini J, Nannarone S, Arcelli R, Ortolani F, Rueca F, Gialletti R.Ureteral endoscopy is a routine procedure in human medicine, whereas the reports of this procedure on horses are few and far between. The aim of this paper is to describe the endoscopic technique to evaluate the ureters in standing, sedated horses. An endoscopy of the ureters and lower urinary tract was performed using flexible endoscopes on 4 horses, 3 mares and one gelding. The animals were sedated with alpha-2-agonists and an epidural anaesthesia was given. An endoscopy of the ureter in the horse is easy to perform, causes the animal no adverse effects and could provide significant informat...
Turner AS, Trotter GW.The case histories of 18 horses with hindlimb lameness attributed to fibrotic myopathy were reviewed. In 14 horses, the problem developed after trauma. In 5 others, it developed secondary to intramuscular injections. Other causes of the lameness were surgery, exertional injuries, and purpura hemorrhagica. Eleven of the horses were treated by resection of scar tissue or by semitendinosus myotenotomy. Postoperative complications included pressure necrosis under quill sutures (9 horses), acute disruption of the skin incision (2 horses), dehiscence of the wound during healing (2 horses), and prolo...
Masterson MA, Welker B, Midla LT, Meiring RW, Hoblet KH.While many other veterinary schools have moved away from a traditional university-based ambulatory practice, the Ohio State University's Large Animal Practice has continued to provide a cost-effective and valuable method of preparing students for today's careers in veterinary medicine. The practice provides a full array of services to production, equine, and camelid clients, including herd health, individual animal medicine and surgery, and emergency services. Acquiring established practices from alumni has formed the client base. Four full-time veterinarians operate the clinic. While these sa...
Schneider JE, Adams OR, Easley KJ, Schneider RK, Bramlage LR, Peter J, Boero MJ.Supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscle paralysis with atrophy was treated by partial osteotomy of the scapula, deep to the suprascapular nerve. The horses had various gait abnormalities, which were corrected by the surgery, but regeneration of the muscles varied from partial to complete, depending on the duration of the condition and the degree of atrophy before surgery.