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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.
Observations on the long term effects of Brucella abortus infection in the horse, including effects during pregnancy and lactation. Five mares and a stallion were studied from three to 30 months after experimental infection with Brucella abortus strain 544. The mares bred normally. No organisms were recovered from horses or from pregnant Friesian heifer contacts. Titres of serum antibody in the antiglobulin (Coombs) and complement fixation tests fell more slowly than those assessed by other tests. The serum of one foal yielded maternal antibody. An intradermal test was positive in infected adults only, and negative in all foals.
Development of a homologous equine relaxin radioimmunoassay. Equine relaxin (eRlx) immunoactivity has previously been measured in the mare during pregnancy using the porcine relaxin (pRlx) RIA (pRlx-RIA). This was not the optimal system for measurement of eRlx because the dose-response curve obtained with equine plasma was not parallel to the pRlx standard curve. A homologous eRlx-RIA has been developed and used to measure relaxin immunoactivity during pregnancy and parturition in the mare. Highly purified eRlx was used for the generation of antiserum in rabbits, preparation of tracer, and as assay standards. A double antibody eRlx RIA (eRlx-RIA) was de...
Histochemical changes in skeletal muscles of four male horses with neuromuscular disease. Skeletal muscle biopsy specimens were taken from 4 male horses with neuromuscular disease such as myotonia congenita, chronic myositis, exertional rhabdomyolysis, and shivers. Histologic and histochemical techniques were used to evaluate skeletal muscle morphologic features and fiber-type population, size, and area, as well as muscle enzyme activities (acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, and esterase). A histochemical and histologic profile were described for each muscle biopsy specimen.
Clostridium perfringens type C enterotoxemia in a newborn foal. A 1-day old, full-term foal with a history of colic died 2 hours after admission. Necropsy revealed an extremely flaccid, fluid-filled intestinal tract. Histopathologically, the superficial intestinal mucosa was completely necrotic, with minimal inflammatory response. Numerous large, gram-positive rods covered the villi. Clostridium perfringens was isolated on bacteriologic culturing of the intestinal tract contents and was identified as type C by toxin neutralization tests.
Parasites of domestic and wild animals in South Africa. XX. Arthropod parasites of the Cape mountain zebra (Equus zebra zebra). The arthropod parasite burdens of 14 Cape mountain zebra (Equus zebra zebra), shot for survey purposes in the Mountain Zebra National Park in the eastern Cape Province, were determined. Three species of Gasterophilus larvae and 9 ixodid tick species were recovered. Larvae of Gasterophilus pecorum were the most numerous of the fly larvae recovered and Margaropus winthemi was the most abundant tick. Two horses examined in the park were infested with 3 species of Gasterophilus larvae and 7 species of ixodid ticks.
Fracture toughness design in horse hoof keratin. An engineering fracture mechanics approach was applied to the analysis of the fracture resistance of equine hoof-wall. The relationship between fracture toughness and the morphological organization of the keratin hoof tissue was investigated. Fracture toughness was evaluated using the J-integral analysis method which employs the compact tension test geometry. Tensile tests were also conducted to evaluate the effect of the morphological organization on the stress-strain behaviour. Hoof-wall has greatest fracture resistance for cracks running proximally, parallel to the tubular component of the ...
Cloning and fine mapping the DNA of equine herpesvirus type one defective interfering particles. Equine herpesvirus type one (EHV-1) defective interfering (DI) particle DNA fragments were inserted into the XbaI site of the plasmid vector pACYC184. Five DI XbaI fragments, which ranged in molecular weight from 4.5 to 6.7 MDa, were selected for detailed analysis. Each DI DNA clone was labeled with 32P-deoxynucleotides by nick translation and hybridized to genomic digests of EHV-1 standard (STD) DNA bound to nitrocellulose. All five clones were shown to hybridize to DNA sequences derived from the left terminus (0.0-0.04 map units) of the long (L) region and from the short (S) region inverted ...
Active immunization of intact mares against gonadotropin-releasing hormone: differential effects on secretion of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone. Five lighthorse mares were actively immunized against gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) to determine the relative importance of this hypothalamic hormone in the secretion of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Five mares immunized against the conjugation protein served as controls. Mares were initially immunized in November and received secondary immunizations 4 wk later, and then at 6-wk intervals until ovariectomy in June. All mares immunized against GnRH exhibited an increase (p less than 0.01) in the binding of tritiated GnRH by plasma, an indication that a...
Episodic muscle tremors in a quarter horse: resemblance to hyperkalemic periodic paralysis. A three year old Quarter Horse stallion was presented with a one year history of episodes of generalized muscle tremors and stiffness, and spasm of the muscles of facial expression, lasting 10-15 minutes. Between attacks, the horse was either normal or had a localized muscle tremor in the flank region. Episodes appeared unrelated to exercise. The major abnormal findings included 1) a rise in plasma potassium from a resting level of 4.4 to 7.9 mmol/L during an attack and 2) electromyographic findings of generalized increased insertion activity and myotonic discharges. The horse was treated with...
Determination of ampicillin in serum by using simple ultrafiltration technique and liquid chromatographic analysis. A new liquid chromatographic method for determination of ampicillin in canine and equine serum has been developed. The serum sample (500 microL) is vortex-mixed with 20% ethanol (500 microL) and filtered using a 30,000 molecular weight cutoff microseparation tube to separate high molecular weight solutes following low-speed centrifugation. Ampicillin is then separated from other serum components by reverse phase ion-pair liquid chromatography (LC). The ultraviolet (UV) absorbance of the column effluent is monitored at 230 nm. Recoveries of ampicillin from canine serum spiked at concentrations ...
Responses of horses vaccinated with avirulent modified-live equine arteritis virus propagated in the E. Derm (NBL-6) cell line to nasal inoculation with virulent virus. Nineteen horses with no prior experience with equine arteritis virus (EAV) were inoculated IM with an avirulent live-virus vaccine against equine viral arteritis; the vaccinal virus had been passaged serially 131 times in primary cell cultures of equine kidney, 111 times in primary cell cultures of rabbit kidney, and 16 times in an equine dermis cell line (EAV HK-131/RK-111/ED-16). Three or 4 of the vaccinated horses each, along with appropriate nonvaccinated controls, were inoculated nasally with virulent EAV at each of months 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 after they were vaccinated. The following ...
Demonstration of the carrier state in naturally acquired equine arteritis virus infection in the stallion. The chronic carrier state was virologically confirmed in 15 thoroughbred stallions naturally infected with equine arteritis virus based on the results of test matings and, or, isolations of the virus from semen. Carrier stallions were shown to shed equine arteritis virus in the semen for at least one to two years. Existence of a short-term or convalescent carrier state was also demonstrated in five additional stallions. The frequency of the long-term carrier state in stallions naturally infected with equine arteritis virus was 35 per cent; it varied considerably between groups of stallions on ...
Elastase-producing microorganisms in horse lungs: their possible role in the pathogenesis of chronic pulmonary disease in the horse. Seventeen out of 21 horses had pulmonary microbial organisms which reached considerable numbers in seven cases. Elastase-producing microorganisms from the environment (Streptomyces species and to a lesser extent Bacillus species) constituted 22 per cent to 99 per cent (mean 79 per cent) of the total growth. There was a considerable number of microorganisms with in vitro-produced elastases which were not or only slightly affected by horse serum. There was no correlation between numbers of organisms and pulmonary histopathological findings thus the significance of these microorganisms in the pat...
[Concentration of the Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis virus in a 2-phase system of water-soluble polymers]. A three-step concentration of Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis (VEE) virus from tissue culture fluid was carried out in a two-phase system of polyethyleneglycol (PEG)--sodium dextran sulphate (SDS). The concentration method was based on the dependence of virus distribution coefficient upon NaCl content in the system which allowed alternating transfer of the virus from one phase of the system into the other. The infectious activity of the virus increased approximately 100-fold after the first step, 190-fold after the second, and 300-fold after the third step. The process of concentration was...
Equine laminitis caused by distal displacement of the distal phalanx: 12 cases (1976-1985). Clinical data from 12 cases of equine laminitis characterized by distal displacement of the distal phalanx (P3) were reviewed. Clinical features of horses that survived the syndrome were compared with the nonsurvivors to obtain prognostic indicators. Animals affected included 8 Quarter Horses, 2 Welsh ponies, 1 Thoroughbred, and 1 Arabian. Eight of the animals were females (67%), 2 were stallions, and 2 were geldings. The mean age of affected animals was 8.6 years (2 to 14 years), and the mean body weight was 442 kg. The survivors weighed less than the nonsurvivors (384 kg vs 473 kg, respectiv...
Immunity and potential of vaccination. This article will focus on current information available on the equine immune response to helminth parasites as it relates to acquired resistance, hypersensitivity reactions, and vaccine development.
Experimental Babesia equi infection in mature horses. Nine 4-year-old Arabian geldings were experimentally infected with Babesia equi of European origin. All horses developed detectable parasitemia an average of 30 days after they were inoculated, which was accompanied by a decrease in PCV. The infections were generally mild with no animal deaths. All horses became serologically positive by the indirect fluorescent antibody test within an average of 23 days after they were inoculated and by the complement-fixation test 30 days after they were inoculated.
Shoeing principles for the management of navicular disease in horses. Navicular disease was diagnosed in 36 horses. Each horse was treated, using shoeing as the only major means of treatment. Phenylbutazone was used initially for 10 days after shoeing. Shoeing was designed to correct preexisting problems, enhance physiologic function of the foot, and ease breakover of the foot. The horses were evaluated over a period ranging from 12 to 54 months. The lameness improved in all horses. Thirty-one of the 36 horses treated were not lame when last evaluated. Shoeing was most effective when performed within 8 months of the first signs of lameness. Also, horses used for...
Epidemiology and control of parasites in northern temperate regions. The serious and widespread problem of drug resistance has forced a re-thinking of basic philosophy regarding control of equine parasites. It has illustrated the dangers of total reliance on chemical control and stimulated the use of alternate strategies. Two new approaches are described. Prophylactic treatments in the spring and summer provide effective strongyle and colic control with less selection pressure for drug resistance. A nonchemical approach of pasture cleaning twice a week offers the same advantages with the added bonus of a 50 per cent increase in grazing area.
The equine protease inhibitory system (Pi): abnormal expressions of PiF, PiL, and PiS1. Three cases of abnormal expression of the equine protease inhibitory alleles, Pi F, L, and S1, were observed following the examination of 30,000 plasma samples by one-dimensional acid (pH 4.6) polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Characterization of the abnormal proteins in terms of isoelectric point, molecular mass, inhibitory spectra, and sialic acid content was performed using one- and two-dimensional electrophoretic techniques. The Pi F and S1 abnormalities were postulated to be the result of amino acid substitutions causing alterations in the processing of the carbohydrate side chains. No ...
Large strongyles. Recent advances. This review cites recent advances in the knowledge pertaining to infections of large strongyles in equids. Emphasis is placed on Strongylus vulgaris and attention is focused on pathogenesis of clinical manifestations of infections and treatment and control, including chemotherapy of migrating larvae and drug resistance.
Diagnostic laparoscopy in the horse. Laparoscopy was performed in 5 clinically normal horses. Abdominal fluid protein content and WBC count increased markedly in all horses. Necropsy findings were confined to an increased amount of slightly turbid abdominal fluid. Five examples of applications of laparoscopy in horses with abdominal problems indicated that laparoscopy can be a valuable diagnostic procedure in the horse.
Ultrastructural study of the equine cecum during onset of laminitis. The morphologic and pathologic changes which occurred within the cecal mucosa of 4 horses during the onset of laminitis were determined from cecal biopsy materials obtained via a cecal fistula; the laminitis was induced with carbohydrate overload. The cecal epithelial mucosa specimens were obtained at 0 (base line), 24, 32, 48, and 72 hours after horses were given carbohydrate overload, and these were fixed and subsequently photographed. Changes in the cecal epithelium were examined by transmission electron and scanning electron microscopies. These histopathologic changes indicated that the mu...
Histochemical staining characteristics of normal horse skeletal muscle. The histologic and histochemical staining characteristics of the triceps brachii (long head), extensor carpi radialis, gluteus medius, vastus lateralis, biceps femoris, semimembranosus, semitendinosus, and extensor digitorum longus muscles of 8 Thoroughbreds, 2 Quarter Horses, 1 Arabian, 1 Paso Fino, and 1 Shetland Pony are described. Muscle fiber morphology, staining distribution and intensity, amount of IM connective tissue, number of IM blood vessels and IM nerves, calcium-activated adenosine triphosphatase activity (CaATPase), percentage of fibertype population, percentage of relative fibe...
Anthelmintics and drug resistance. Equine anthelmintics and the resistance of nematode parasites to anthelmintics are reviewed. Recommendations are made for effective treatment of these parasites and for procedures that can be performed to minimize the problem in the future.
Parasitic skin diseases. In this discussion of parasitic skin diseases of horses, details on life cycles are given to aid the understanding and development of control strategies.
Protozoal diseases. The clinical and pathologic findings of and therapy for such protozoal diseases as equine protozoal myeloencephalitis, toxoplasmosis, sarcocystosis, pneumocytosis, cryptosporidiosis, giardiasis, besnoitiosis, and klossiellosis are discussed. Emphasis is placed on disorders that occur with greater frequency in North America and on emerging protozoal diseases affecting horses.
A quantitative study of Sertoli cell and germ cell populations as related to sexual development and aging in the stallion. Testes from 47 stallions, 1-20 yr of age, were used to examine the influence of age on Sertoli and germ cell populations as well as on functional activity of Sertoli cells. For these stallions, the number of Sertoli cells per paired testes declined linearly with age, and was only 41.7% as great at age 20 as at age 2. However, development of reproductive organs proceeded until age 12-13, as evident from increases in paired testes weight and quantitative rates of spermatozoal production. Although the absolute number of Sertoli cells declined during this period of development, individual Sertoli ...
