Equine health encompasses the study and management of diseases, disorders, and overall well-being of horses. It involves understanding various physiological systems, preventive care, and treatment strategies to maintain optimal health in equine populations. Common areas of focus include nutrition, infectious diseases, orthopedic conditions, and reproductive health. Research in equine health aims to advance knowledge on diagnostic methods, therapeutic interventions, and management practices that improve horse welfare and performance. This page collects peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the diverse aspects of equine health, offering insights into current findings and advancements in the field.
Aberle K, Wrede J, Distl O.Gene contributions of foreign populations as well as coefficients of inbreeding and relationship were calculated in 1918 South German Coldblood horses registered in Bavaria in 2003. Based on nearly complete 8-generation-pedigrees (index of pedigree completeness: 76%) the mean coefficient of inbreeding was 23%. After considering missing pedigree data, the mean coefficient of inbreeding was 3%. The rates of inbreeding per generation in the current population amount to about 0.43% over the last eight generations and to about 0.15% in the forthcoming generation. In the total current population, th...
Shanahan S.Resistance in the horse to trailer loading is a common source of stress and injury to horses and their handlers. The objective of this study was to determine whether nonaversive training based on the Tellington-Touch Equine Awareness Method (TTEAM; Tellington-Jones &Bruns, 1988) would decrease loading time and reduce stress during loading for horses with a history of reluctance to load. Ten horses described by their owners as "problem loaders" were subjected to pretraining and posttraining assessments of loading. Each assessment involved two 7-min loading attempts during which heart rate and s...
Kirkpatrick JF, Turner A.Despite a large body of safety data, concern exists that porcine zonae pellucidae (PZP) immunocontraception--used to manage wild horse populations--may cause out-of-season births with resulting foal mortality. Our study at Assateague, Maryland indicated the effects of immunocontraception on season of birth and foal survival between 1990 and 2002 on wild horses from Assateague Island. Among 91 mares never treated, 69 (75.8%) of foals were born in April, May, and June (in season). Among 77 treated mares, 50 (64.9%) were born in season. Of 29 mares foaling within 1 year after treatment (contracep...
Litzke LE, Wagner E, Baumgaertner W, Hetzel U, Josimović-Alasević O, Libera J.Damaged adult articular cartilage has very limited capacity to heal. Autologous chondrocyte transplantation (ACT) has been used clinically and studied in experimental animals in an attempt to provide biologically based cartilage regeneration. This study evaluated cartilage repair following ACT in a large animal model over a period of 2 years. Articular cartilage defects (10 mm in diameter, full-thickness) were created in the minor load-bearing area on the lateral talus of tibiotarsal joints of eight adult horses. In each animal, the right joint was repaired using autologous chondrocytes inject...
Trachsel D, Tschudi P, Portier CJ, Kuhn M, Thormann W, Scholtysik G, Mevissen M.Atrial fibrillation is a well-known heart disease in horses. The common therapy consists of administration of quinidine. More potent antiarrhythmic drugs have become available for human therapy and the use of these as alternatives to quinidine for equine antiarrhythmic therapy is a matter of interest. Amiodarone (AMD) is used in human medicine for treatment of many arrhythmias, including atrial fibrillation. Its disposition in horses has not yet been investigated. The purpose of this study was to measure the effect of single intravenous doses of amiodarone (5 and 7 mg/kg) on the surface electr...
Kollias-Baker C, Maxwell L, Stanley S, Boone T.Cocaine is a naturally occurring alkaloid that is commonly abused by human-beings for its psychostimulatory effects. Occasionally, very small concentrations (i.e. <100 ng/mL) of the primary cocaine metabolite, benzoylecgonine (BZE) have been detected in urine collected from horses competing in athletic events. In this study urine samples, collected from four horses following the administration of 2.5 and 20 mg of cocaine sublingually and 50 mg of cocaine intravenously, were analyzed for the presence of cocaine and/or its metabolites by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and gas chrom...
Angele P, Abke J, Kujat R, Faltermeier H, Schumann D, Nerlich M, Kinner B, Englert C, Ruszczak Z, Mehrl R, Mueller R.Collagen-based scaffolds are appealing products for the repair of cartilage defects using tissue engineering strategies. The present study investigated the species-related differences of collagen scaffolds with and without 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethyl aminopropyl) carbodiimide (EDC)/N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS)-crosslinking. Resistance against collagenase digestion, swelling ratio, amino acid sequence, shrinkage temperature, ultrastructural matrix morphology, crosslinking density and stress-strain characteristics were determined to evaluate the physico-chemical properties of equine- and bovine-collagen...
Payne SL, Pei XF, Jia B, Fagerness A, Fuller FJ.The molecular clones pSPeiav19 and p19/wenv17 of equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) differ in env and long terminal repeats (LTRs) and produce viruses (EIAV(19) and EIAV(17), respectively) of dramatically different virulence phenotypes. These constructs were used to generate a series of chimeric clones to test the individual contributions of LTR, surface (SU), and transmembrane (TM)/Rev regions to the disease potential of the highly virulent EIAV(17). The LTRs of EIAV(19) and EIAV(17) differ by 16 nucleotides in the transcriptional enhancer region. The two viruses differ by 30 amino acids i...
Mazan MR, Deveney EF, DeWitt S, Bedenice D, Hoffman A.This study was conducted to determine whether horses with naturally occurring, severe chronic recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) 1). have a greater resting energy expenditure (REE) than control horses, 2). suffer body mass depletion, and 3). have significantly decreased REE after bronchodilation and, therefore, also 4). whether increased work of breathing contributes to the cachexia seen in some horses with RAO. Six RAO horses and six control horses underwent indirect calorimetric measures of REE and pulmonary function testing using the esophageal balloon-pneumotachograph method before and aft...
Derar RI, Maeda Y, Hoque SM, Osawa T, Watanabe G, Taya K, Miyake Y.Two pony mares were immunized against recombinant porcine inhibin alpha subunit three times with 39 day intervals. Clinical findings and endocrinological changes before immunization were taken as the control. The first significant rise in the anti-inhibin titre (P<0.05) in the circulation was found 27 days after the first injection. Maximum binding activity was reached by the 12th day after the second booster dose. The number of small, medium and large sized follicles had increased significantly compared to before immunization (11.75 +/- 4.30, 2.75 +/- 0.69 and 2.51 +/- 0.63 vs 6.50 +/- 1.4...
Frazer KA, Tao H, Osoegawa K, de Jong PJ, Chen X, Doherty MF, Cox DR.Cross-species DNA sequence comparison is a fundamental method for identifying biologically important elements, because functional sequences are evolutionarily conserved, wheres nonfunctional sequences drift. A recent genome-wide comparison of human and mouse DNA discovered over 200,000 conserved noncoding sequences with unknown function. Multispecies DNA comparison has been proposed as a method to prioritize these conserved noncoding sequences for functional analysis based on the hypothesis that elements present in many species are more likely to be functional than elements present in limited ...
Ambagala APN, Gopinath RS, Srikumaran S.Equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) downregulates surface expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules on infected cells. The objective of this study was to investigate whether EHV-1 interferes with peptide translocation by the transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP) and to identify the proteins responsible. Using an in vitro transport assay, we showed that EHV-1 inhibited transport of peptides by TAP as early as 2 h post-infection (p.i). Complete shutdown of peptide transport was observed by 8 h p.i. Furthermore, pulse-chase experiments revealed that maturation...
Cowley AB, Lukat-Rodgers GS, Rodgers KR, Benson DR.N-Acetylmicroperoxidase-8 (1) contains heme and residues 14-21 of horse mitochondrial cytochrome c (cyt c). The two thioether bonds linking protein to heme in cyt c are present in 1, and the native axial ligand His-18 remains coordinated to iron. As an approach to probing structural or functional roles played by the double covalent heme-protein linkage in cyt c, we have initiated a study in which the properties of 1 are compared with those of a synthetic mono-His coordinated heme peptide containing a single covalent linkage (2). One consequence of the greater conformational restriction imposed...
Balasuriya UBR, Hedges JF, Smalley VL, Navarrette A, McCollum WH, Timoney PJ, Snijder EJ, MacLachlan NJ.Equine arteritis virus (EAV) causes a persistent infection of the reproductive tract of carrier stallions. The authors determined the complete genome sequences of viruses (CW96 and CW01) that were present 5 years apart in the semen of a carrier stallion (CW). The CW96 and CW01 viruses respectively had only 85.6 % and 85.7 % nucleotide identity to the published sequence of EAV (EAV030). The CW96 and CW01 viruses had two 1 nt insertions and a single 1 nt deletion in the leader sequence, and a 3 nt coding insertion in ORF1a; thus their genomes included 12 708 nt as compared to the 12 704 nt in EA...
Viñoles C, Quintans G, Paiva N, Cavestany D.The ovarian responses of anoestrus beef cows to a combined treatment with medroxy-progesterone acetate (MAP) sponges and oestradiol benzoate or equine chorionic gonadotrophin (eCG) were evaluated. Forty-five suckling Hereford cows were allocated to three equal groups. Group 1 received a MAP sponge for seven days plus an injection of 2 mg oestradiol benzoate when the sponge was inserted (day 0) and 1 mg when the sponge was withdrawn; group 2 received identical treatment until day 7, when a dose of 400 iu of eCG was administered, and group 3 were left untreated as control animals. From day 0 to ...
Witonsky S, Morrow JK, Leger C, Dascanio J, Buechner-Maxwell V, Palmer W, Kline K, Cook A.A vaccine against Sarcocystis neurona, which induces equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM), has received conditional licensure in the United States. A major concern is whether the immunoglobulin G (IgG) response elicited by the vaccine will compromise the use of Western blotting (WB) as a diagnostic tool in vaccinated horses with neurologic disease. Our goals were to determine if vaccination (1) causes seroconversion: (2) causes at least a transient increase in S neurona-specific IgG in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF); and (3) induces an IgG response that can be differentiated from that induc...
Gerber V, Lindberg A, Berney C, Robinson NE.Mucus accumulation and neutrophilic inflammation in the airways are hallmarks of heaves. Endoscopically visible mucus accumulations, however, have not been studied during exposure to dusty hay and allergens (ie, environmental challenge). We hypothesized that (1) heaves-affected horses have increased mucus accumulation compared with controls, (2) mucus accumulations increase in heaves-affected horses during environmental challenge, and (3) environmental challenge also induces neutrophilic inflammation and mucus accumulation in control horses. Mucus accumulation was graded endoscopically (mucus ...
Quinlivan M, Cullinane A, Nelly M, Van Maanen K, Heldens J, Arkins S.Four seronegative foals aged 6 to 7 months were exposed to an aerosol of influenza strain A/Equi/2/Kildare/89 at 10(6) 50% egg infective doses (EID(50))/ml. Nasopharyngeal swabs were collected for 10 consecutive days after challenge. Virus isolation was performed in embryonated eggs, and the EID(50) was determined for all positive samples. The 50% tissue culture infective dose was determined using Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. Samples were also tested by an in vitro enzyme immunoassay test, Directigen Flu A, and by reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) using nested primers from the nucl...
Clark-Price SC, Cox JH, Bartoe JT, Davis EG.A 6-month-old male Quarter Horse was evaluated for chronic respiratory tract disease. Diagnostic investigations revealed pulmonary inflammation; Pneumocystis carinii was detected within macrophages. Lymphocyte subpopulation phenotyping and immunoglobulin concentration analysis were performed and results suggested immune suppression. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole administration was initiated; the colt was discharged but was reexamined 8 days later because of profuse diarrhea and endotoxemia. Bacterial culture of feces recovered Salmonella spp resistant to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and a di...
Roberts F, Bradberry J, Williams C.Baccalaureate nursing students who participated in equine-facilitated psychotherapy (EFP) clinical observation found that they could benefit as much from the program as the child clients. By identifying beneficial educational outcomes of this nontraditional learning assignment, the authors hope readers will explore similar possibilities for nurses at various stages of their professional development.
Zubrod CJ, Schneider RK, Tucker RL, Gavin PR, Ragle CA, Farnsworth KD.To assess the use of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging for identifying subchondral bone damage in the distal limbs of horses. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: 11 horses. Methods: Medical records of horses with lameness and subsequent evidence of subchondral bone damage as determined by MR imaging were reviewed. Severity and duration of lameness, results of diagnostic local anesthesia and diagnostic testing, surgical and necropsy findings, and treatment were recorded. Outcome was determined by follow-up information obtained from the owner or referring veterinarian. Results: Lameness was loc...
Jolly RD, Palmer DN, Dalefield RR.Analytical studies of three lipopigments show that much can be achieved. Lipopigment from ovine ceroid-lipofuscinosis is composed of discrete protein and lipid molecules in orderly arrays and lipid peroxidation is not involved in its formation. Subunit c of mitochondrial ATP synthase accounts for approximately 50% of accumulated material and is specific to the disease process in this and other forms of the disease. Lipofuscin from bovine heart was mostly soluble and also contained discrete proteins, lipids and metals. Equine thyroid lipofuscin was less soluble but also had a relatively high pr...
Sevinga M, Barkema HW, Stryhn H, Hesselink JW.During the foaling seasons of 1999 and 2000, the incidence of retained placenta in 495 normal parturitions of 436 Friesian brood mares was studied. Retained placenta was defined as a failure to expel all fetal membranes within 3 h of the delivery of the foal. Furthermore, the sex of the foal, month of breeding, sire and dam's sire, age of the mare, and time of day of foaling, were studied as factors that might be associated with retained placenta in Friesian mares after normal foalings, and with gestational length. The analysis was carried out using marginal logistic regression, and mixed line...
Johnson PJ, Ganjam VK, Slight SH, Kreeger JM, Messer NT.The role of glucocorticoids (GCs) in the pathogenesis of laminitis is incompletely understood. Local tissue activity of GC is regulated by the steroid converting enzyme, 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-1 (11beta-HSD-1). Changes in integumentary (skin and hoof lamellar) 11beta-HSD activity occurring during laminitis could affect the extent to which GCs are involved in its development. Objective: That changes in integumentary 11beta-HSD-1 activity associated with the laminitic condition would lead to elevated local tissue levels of GCs, which could subsequently contribute, through paracrine ...
Nollet H, Deprez P, van Ham L, Dewulf J, Decleir A, Vanderstraeten G.Cervical spinal cord dysfunction is a common problem in equine medicine and the currently available tests give no objective information about the functionality of the nervous tracts. Therefore, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) was performed in 84 healthy horses of different height in order to have an objective measure for the integrity of the descending motor tracts in normal horses. Objective: To obtain reference values for onset latency and peak-to-peak amplitude of magnetic motor evoked potentials (MMEPs) and to evaluate the possible effect of height, age and gender on the neurophysi...
Seahorn JL, Seahorn TL.Fluid therapy is essential to the successful management of horses with gastrointestinal disease. Affected horses can present in a wide spectrum of metabolic derangement depending on the extent and severity of the underlying disease process. Precise quantitation of fluid deficits and losses is usually not possible; thus, formulating a rational plan, applying diligent and ongoing monitoring, and making adjustments to meet individual demands provide the best approach to fluid therapy in these horses. Although restoration of fluid and electrolyte homeostasis can be complicated, it is probably best...
Hungerford NL, Sortais B, Smart CG, McKinney AR, Ridley DD, Stenhouse AM, Suann CJ, Munn KJ, Sillence MN, McLeod MD.Due to the potential for misuse of a wide range of anabolic steroids in horse racing, a screening test to detect multiple compounds, via a common class of metabolites, would be a valuable forensic tool. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) has been developed to detect 17alpha-alkyl anabolic steroid metabolites in equine urine. 16beta-Hydroxymestanolone (16beta,17beta-dihydroxy-17alpha-methyl-5alpha-androstan-3-one) was synthesised in six steps from commercially available epiandrosterone (3beta-hydroxy-5alpha-androstan-17-one). Polyclonal antibodies were raised in sheep, employing mesta...
Scalco R, Aleman M, Nogueira CEW, Freitas NB, Curcio BR.To report red cell distribution width (RDW) values, to calculate RDW-to-platelet ratio (RPR), and to investigate a possible correlation of RDW and RPR index values in neonatal foals classified as healthy or at risk based on clinical information from a population of foals up to 24 hours of life. Methods: Retrospective study conducted from records and CBCs of foals born between June and November from 2018 to 2020 foaling seasons. Methods: Breeding farm. Methods: Three hundred and nine neonatal full-term Thoroughbred foals. Methods: None. Results: Foals were evaluated by a veterinarian within 15...
Gerring EL, King JN.Cisapride and domperidone were both effective in restoring electrical and mechanical activity, coordination between gastric and small intestinal activity cycles and the stomach to anus transit time in three ponies in which post operative ileus was induced experimentally. Cisapride (0.1 mg/kg bodyweight intramuscularly) for three to eight doses prevented idiopathic post operative ileus in 22 clinical cases requiring colic surgery. The only side effects after cisapride were increased bowel sounds and slight, transient sounds of discomfort. No adverse side effects were seen in 16 cases following ...
Scholl PJ, Chapman MR, French DD, Klei TR.In a trial designed to evaluate the efficacy of the recommended dosage of moxidectin 2% oral gel against the gastric stages of Gasterophilus spp., 14 ponies were selected from a herd on the basis of the inclusion criterion of the presence of Gasterophilus spp. eggs attached to their hair coats. After random allocation, the ponies were treated with 1 of 2 treatments, moxidectin 2% equine gel in a single dose at the commercial dosage of 400 microg moxidectin/kg body weight or placebo gel. The animals were necropsied 14 days posttreatment. Efficacies against second- and third-instar Gasterophilus...
Breuhaus BA, DeGraves FJ.Plasma endotoxin concentrations were measured at 1 to 2 and 5 to 6 days of age in clinically normal foals and in potentially septic neonatal foals admitted to North Carolina State University's Veterinary Teaching Hospital for a variety of conditions. In 1 to 2 and 5 to 6 day old normal foals, median plasma endotoxin concentrations were 2.17 (range, 1.61-2.54; n = 6) and 2.89 (range, 2.61-3.50; n = 7) endotoxin units/mL (EU/mL), respectively. Median plasma endotoxin concentration in potentially septic foals with negative blood cultures or gram positive isolates (n = 8) was 2.73 (range, 0.59-4.0...
Andritzky J, Rossol M, Lischer C, Auer JA.To compare the precision obtained with computer-assisted screw insertion for treatment of mid-sagittal articular fractures of the distal phalanx (P3) with results achieved with a conventional technique. Methods: In vitro experimental study. Methods: Thirty-two cadaveric equine limbs. Methods: Four groups of 8 limbs were studied. Either 1 or 2 screws were inserted perpendicular to an imaginary axial fracture of P3 using computer-assisted surgery (CAS) or conventional technique. Screw insertion time, predetermined screw length, inserted screw length, fit of the screw, and errors in placement wer...
Klei TR.Helminths are among the most significant parasites of horses in developed countries. This article examines immune responses against helminth parasites and the implications that immunologic investigations have on vaccine development, improvement of diagnostic procedures, and disease eradication.
Dossa RG, Alperin DC, Garzon D, Mealey RH, Brown WC, Jervis PJ, Besra GS, Cox LR, Hines SA.α-GalCer is a potent immunomodulatory molecule that is presented to NKT cells via the CD1 antigen-presenting system. We hypothesized that when used as an adjuvant α-GalCer would induce protective immune responses against Rhodococcus equi, an important pathogen of young horses. Here we demonstrate that the equine CD1d molecule shares most features found in CD1d from other species and has a suitable lipid-binding groove for presenting glycolipids to NKT cells. However, equine CTL stimulated with α-GalCer failed to kill cells infected with R. equi, and α-GalCer did not increase killing by C...
Liley H, Davies H, Firth E, Besier T, Fernandez J.Fatigue failure of bones of the metacarpo-phalangeal (fetlock, MCP) joint is common in thoroughbred racehorses. Stresses within the fetlock joint cartilages are affected by the morphology of the third metacarpal bone (MC3) and proximal phalangeal bone, and the steepness of the median sagittal ridge of MC3 is believed to be associated with fracture. This study investigated the influence of the steepness of the sagittal ridge on cartilage stress distribution using a finite element model of the joint. Changes to the steepness of the sagittal ridge were made by applying a parabolic function to the...
Gehlen H, Bildheim LM.Our aim was to evaluate the influence of the ageing process on the myocardium using pulsed wave tissue Doppler (PW-TDI) and colour tissue Doppler imaging (cTDI) to measure myocardial velocities at three different myocardial regions (right ventricular free wall: RVFW, interventricular septum: IVS, left ventricular free wall: LVFW). A total of 60 healthy warmblood horses, aged from 3 to 30 years, were examined. The horses were divided into five age groups (group 1: 3-8 years, n = 14; group 2: 9-13 years, n = 9; group 3: 14-18 years, n = 10; group 4: 19-23 years, n = 14; group 5: 24-...
Ivanetich KM, Hsu PH, Wunderlich KM, Messenger E, Walkup WG, Scott TM, Lukasik J, Davis J.Criteria for sub-typing of microbial organisms by DNA sequencing proposed by Olive and Bean were applied to several genes in Escherichia coli to identify targets for the development of microbial source tracking assays. Based on the aforementioned criteria, the icd (isocitrate dehydrogenase), and putP (proline permease) genes were excluded as potential targets due to their high rates of horizontal gene transfer; the rrs (16S rRNA) gene was excluded as a target due to the presence of multiple gene copies, with different sequences in a single genome. Based on the above criteria, the mdh (malate d...
Tennent-Brown BS, Epstein KL, Whelchel DD, Giguère S.To evaluate the utility of thromboelastography (TEG) and Sonoclot analyses to monitor the effects of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) administration to healthy horses. Methods: Randomized crossover study. Methods: Large animal veterinary teaching hospital. Methods: Six adult mixed breed healthy mares. Methods: LMWH (dalteparin) was administered (50 U/kg subcutaneously) either every 12 or 24 h for 3 consecutive days. Blood samples were collected before LMWH administration and then at selected time points for analysis. Thromboelastography derived R-time (R), K-time (K), angle (ANG), and maxim...
Canisso IF, Loux S, Scoggin KE, Squires EL, Troedsson MH, Ball BA.Characterisation of fetal fluids in healthy and disease states of pregnant mares can help to unravel the pathophysiology and to identify putative markers of disease. Thus, this study aimed to compare the protein composition of: (1) amniotic and allantoic fluids of healthy mares obtained immediately after euthanasia and (2) allantoic fluid harvested via centesis before and after experimental induction of placentitis via transcervical inoculation of Streptococcus equi ssp zooepidemicus in healthy mares. Fetal fluids were analysed with a high-throughput proteomic technique after in-gel digestion....
Re G, Badino P, Odore R, Galaverna D, Girardi C.To determine the concentration and binding characteristics of alpha-adrenoceptor subtypes in smooth muscle cell membranes of equine ileum. Methods: Segments of longitudinal and circular smooth muscle from the ileum of 8 male and 8 female adult horses. Methods: Distribution of alpha-adrenoceptor subtypes was assessed by use of radioligand binding assays incorporating [3H]-prazosin and [3H]-rauwolscine, highly selective alpha1- and alpha2-adrenoceptor antagonists, respectively. Characterization of adrenoceptor subtypes was performed by use of binding inhibition assays. Results: On the basis of b...
Wilson WD, Spensley MS, Baggot JD, Hietala SK.The pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of rifampin were determined after IV (10 mg/kg of body weight) and intragastric (20 mg/kg of body weight) administration to 6 healthy, adult horses. After IV administration, the disposition kinetics of rifampin were best described by a 2-compartment open model. A rapid distribution phase was followed by a slower elimination phase, with a half-life (t1/2[beta]) of 7.27 +/- 1.11 hours. The mean body clearance was 1.49 +/- 0.41 ml/min.kg, and the mean volume of distribution was 932 +/- 292 ml/kg, indicating that rifampin was widely distributed in the body....
Hance SR.Colopexy is a surgical procedure designed to create an adhesion from the ventral colon to the body wall to prevent recurrence of large colon volvulus or displacement, and is a useful technique to prevent recurrence of this disease. Colopexies usually are reserved for broodmares, because this is the population of horses that is most predisposed to recurrence of large colon volvulus.
Pezzanite L, Easley J.Cervical vertebral compressive myelopathy (CVCM) represents the most significant disease of the spinal cord in horses for which surgical treatment is described. Current surgical methods used include ventral interbody fusion with kerf cut cylinders and dorsal laminectomy. Polyaxial pedicle screw and rod constructs and ventral locking compression plating have been introduced in the treatment of equine CVCM and present promising alternative approaches to achieve ventral interbody fusion. Advancements in diagnostic imaging and endoscopy of the cervical vertebral canal may improve reliable preopera...
van Weeren PR, van den Bogert AJ, Barneveld A.Displacement of skin over the underlying skeletal structures in the proximal parts of the limbs was investigated in four walking Dutch Warmblood horses. Movement of the skin was visualised with self adhesive spot labels whereas that of the skeletal parts was visualised indirectly by means of a plastic strip connected to a transcutaneous Steinmann pin, driven into the bone of interest. Consistent results for all four horses were found. Individual and mean total displacements ranged from 1 to 4 cm (distal scapula) to 13 to 17 cm (caudal part of the greater trochanter of the femur). Displacements...
Hopster K, Soma LR, Li X, Hopster-Iversen C, Boston RC, Driessen B.Intravenous (i.v.) bolus administration of xylazine (XYL) (0.5 mg/kg) immediately followed by a continuous rate infusion (CRI) of 1 mg kg hr for 2, 4, and 6 hr produced immediate sedation, which lasted throughout the duration of the CRI. Heart rate decreased and blood pressure increased significantly (p > .05) in all horses during the first 15 min of infusion, both returned to and then remained at baseline during the duration of the infusion. Compartmental models were used to investigate the pharmacokinetics of XYL administration. Plasma concentration-time curves following bolus an...
Bailey E.The linkage group formed by the ELA and A blood group system in horses was studied in American Standardbred horses. The distance between the ELA locus and the A blood group locus was measured as 1.61 centimorgans, observing only the haplotypes contributed by the sires. Strong linkage disequilibrium was found in pacing Standardbred horses for ELA-W1 with Aa, ELA-W5 with Ab and ELA-W10 with Ab. Linkage disequilibrium was apparent at both the population and family level. Among trotting Standardbred horses, linkage disequilibrium was found for ELA-W1 with Aa and for ELA-W10 with Ab. It was not pos...
, and of the equine influenza group at the Animal Health Trust provide a timely reminder of risk of equine influenza and the importance of vaccination.
Tee SY, Horadagoda N, Mogg TD.Flaviviruses, including Kunjin virus, are arboviruses that cause encephalomyelitis in humans and horses. This case report describes an Arabian gelding exhibiting neurological signs of flavivirus encephalomyelitis, the diagnostic investigation and confirmation of an unreported case of Kunjin virus equine encephalomyelitis in Australia.
Trim CM, Moore JN, Clark ES.An ultrasonic flow probe was implanted around a branch of the left renal artery in five horses. The effects of dopamine were studied in the unsedated horses 10 days after surgery. Three experiments, separated by at least two days, were performed in random order on each horse. In two experiments, dopamine was infused intravenously for 60 mins at either 2.5 and 5.0 micrograms/kg bodyweight (bwt)/min. Saline was infused for 60 mins before and after each infusion, and for 180 mins in the third experiment as a control. Renal blood flow increased during administration of dopamine at both dose rates ...
Badial PR, Oliveira-Filho JP, Pantoja JC, Moreira JC, Conceição LG, Borges AS.Hereditary equine regional dermal asthenia (HERDA) is an autosomal recessive disorder affecting quarter horses (QHs); affected horses exhibit characteristic skin abnormalities related to abnormal collagen biosynthesis. Objective: To characterize the thickness and morphological abnormalities of the skin of HERDA-affected horses and to determine the interobserver agreement and the diagnostic accuracy of histopathological examination of skin biopsies from horses with HERDA. Methods: Six affected QHs, confirmed by DNA testing, from a research herd and five unaffected QHs from a stud farm. Methods:...
