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.
Semevolos SA, Nixon AJ, Strassheim ML.To determine the mRNA expression of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-6 and -2 and a BMP antagonist (Noggin) in horses with osteochondrosis. Methods: Samples of articular cartilage from affected stifle or shoulder joints of 10 immature horses with naturally acquired osteochondrosis and corresponding joints of 9 clinically normal horses of similar age; additionally, samples of distal femoral growth plate cartilage and distal femoral articular cartilage were obtained from a normal equine fetus. Methods: Cartilage specimens were snap-frozen in liquid nitrogen, and total RNA was isolated. Adjacent ...
O'Conner MS, Steiner JM, Roussel AJ, Williams DA, Meddings JB, Pipers F, Cohen ND.To evaluate the use of sucrose permeability testing to detect ulcers in the gastric squamous mucosa of horses. Methods: 13 adult horses ranging from 5 to 19 years of age. Methods: Following induction of gastric ulcers by intermittent feed deprivation, horses underwent sucrose permeability testing (administration of sucrose by nasogastric intubation followed by collection of urine at 2 and 4 hours after intubation) and gastric endoscopy. Squamous ulcers were assigned a severity score (range, 0 to 3) by use of an established scoring system. Horses were subsequently administered omeprazole for 21...
Adam-Castrillo D, White NA, Donaldson LL, Furr MO.To determine effects on anal pressure of horses after local injection of the external anal sphincter with Clostridium botulinum toxin type B. Methods: 11 healthy adult horses. Methods: Peak and resting anal sphincter pressures were measured with a custom-made rectal probe that was connected to a pressure transducer. Pressures were measured before treatment and after injection with botulinum toxin type B (BTB) or saline (0.9% NaCl) solution. Dose titration with 500, 1,000, 1,500, and 2,500 U of BTB was completed. Physical changes, behavior, and anal pressure were recorded for each horse. Result...
Deaton CM, Marlin DJ, Smith NC, Harris PA, Roberts CA, Schroter RC, Kelly FJ.To determine the pulmonary epithelial lining fluid (ELF) concentrations and degree of oxidation of ascorbic acid in horses affected by recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) in the presence and absence of neutrophilic airway inflammation. Methods: 6 RAO-affected horses and 8 healthy control horses. Methods: Nonenzymatic antioxidant concentrations were determined in RBC, plasma, and ELF samples of control horses and RAO-affected horses in the presence and absence of airway inflammation. Results: ELF ascorbic acid concentration was decreased in RAO-affected horses with airway inflammation (median, 0...
Sato F, Yamashita S, Kugo T, Hasegawa T, Mitsui I, Kijima-Suda I.To determine the full-length complementary DNA (cDNA) sequence of equine erythropoietin (EPO) and to develop region-specific antibodies to differentiate equine EPO (eEPO) and human EPO (hEPO). Methods: RNA and lysate extracted from renal tissues of an adult Thoroughbred. Methods: Full-length cDNA was determined by use of a reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction assay and a rapid amplification of cDNA ends method. The deduced amino acid sequence was compared with sequences of EPO reported for other species. Furthermore, 4 synthetic peptides were designed in 2 distinctive parts of the e...
Carstanjen B, Hoyle NR, Gabriel A, Hars O, Sandersen C, Amory H, Remy B.To evaluate a human assay for quantification of carboxy-terminal cross-linking telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX-I), assess the influence of age on plasma CTX-I concentration, investigate the relationship between plasma CTX-I and serum osteocalcin concentrations, and determine whether concentrations of plasma CTX-I or serum osteocalcin fluctuate in circadian manner in horses. HORSES: 75 clinically normal horses. Methods: Cross-reactivity between equine serum CTX-I and CTX-I antibodies in an automated electrochemiluminescent sandwich antibody assay (ECLIA) was evaluated via a specificity test...
Brown KA, Boerboom D, Bouchard N, Doré M, Lussier JG, Sirois J.17Beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 4 (17betaHSD4) has a unique multidomain structure, with one domain involved in 17beta-estradiol inactivation. The objective of the study was to investigate the regulation of 17betaHSD4 during human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)-induced ovulation/luteinization. The equine 17betaHSD4 cDNA was cloned and was shown to encode a 735-amino acid protein that is highly conserved (81-87% identity) compared with other mammalian orthologs. RT-PCR/Southern blot analyses were performed to study the regulation of 17betaHSD4 transcripts in equine preovulatory follicles ...
Ginther OJ, Gastal EL, Gastal MO, Beg MA.The role of the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system in the deviation in growth rates among follicles (follicle selection) was studied in mares using an IGF binding protein (BP) to reduce the follicular-fluid concentrations of IGFs. The future dominant follicle (F1) was treated by intrafollicular injection at the expected beginning of deviation (F1 > or = 20 mm; Day 0). The experimental groups were control (no injection, n = 8), vehicle (injection of vehicle; n = 6), and BP (injection of 250 microg of recombinant human IGFBP-3; n = 6). A sample of follicular fluid was taken from F1 on Da...
Greube A, Müller K, Töpfer-Petersen E, Herrmann A, Müller P.Seminal plasma of mammalians contains, among others, proteins that are characterized by the fibronectin (Fn) type II module. Our knowledge about the structure and the physiological function of seminal Fn type II proteins mainly originates from studies on PDC-109, the bovine representative of this protein family. The present work focuses on the equine protein SP-1/2 (also named HSP-1/2) with particular emphasis on its interaction with lipid membranes by employing the intrinsic protein fluorescence and a number of spin-labeled and fluorescent lipid analogues. The results indicate that the intera...
Elsinghorst TA.In this fourth article of a series of papers listing first case reports of animal diseases published since 2000, the following six cases of horse diseases are discussed: Disseminated metastatic intramedullary melanoma. Lipoma of the extensor tendon sheaths. Meningoencephalomyelitis in a neonatal foal due to Salmonella agona infection. Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis. Placentitis due to Rhodococcus equi infection. Right atrial diverticulum in a foal. After a short introduction, the bibliographical data, the abstract of the author(s), and some additional information derived from the article are g...
Tamaki Y, Hirata H, Takabatake N, Bork S, Yokoyama N, Xuan X, Fujisaki K, Igarashi I.A Babesia caballi gene encoding the 134-kDa (BC134) protein was immunoscreened with B. caballi-infected horse serum. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using recombinant BC134 protein could effectively differentiate B. caballi-infected horse sera from Babesia equi-infected or noninfected control horse sera. These results suggest that the recombinant BC134 protein is a potential diagnostic antigen in the detection of B. caballi infection.
Huang X, Xuan X, Xu L, Zhang S, Yokoyama N, Suzuki N, Igarashi I.An immunochromatographic test (BeICT) for the rapid detection of antibodies against Babesia equi was developed. It clearly differentiated B. equi-infected horses from B. caballi-infected and uninfected horses. The agreement with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay results was 96.7% in the detection of field sera. The results suggest that BeICT is rapid, simple, reliable, and suitable for use to detect B. equi infection in the field.
Davenport-Goodall CL, Ross MW.To identify scintigraphic abnormalities in the pelvic region of horses examined because of hind limb lameness or poor performance and determine the clinical relevance of areas of abnormal radiopharmaceutical uptake (ARU) in these horses. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: 128 horses. Methods: Medical records were reviewed, and information on signalment, history, admitting complaints, physical examination findings, and results of lameness examinations was recorded. Clinical relevance of areas of ARU was determined by comparison with results of other diagnostic tests. For horses with clinica...
Dowdall SM, Proudman CJ, Klei TR, Mair T, Matthews JB.Cyathostomins are the most common parasitic nematodes of horses. Larval stages, which inhabit the intestinal wall, are particularly pathogenic and can cause severe colitis and colic. Despite their clinical importance, diagnostic techniques for the prepatent stages do not exist. A method that could estimate mucosal infection intensity would have a major impact on the control and diagnosis of cyathostominosis. Here, serum IgG(T) responses to two larval antigen complexes of 25 and 20 kDa were quantified in horses with experimental infections, natural infections and in horses that presented with c...
McGurrin MK, Arroyo LG, Bienzle D.Immune-mediated thrombocytopenia (IMT) is a sporadic cause of thrombocytopenia in horses for which it is difficult to establish a definitive diagnosis. In this report, we describe 3 horses with severe thrombocytopenia in which flow cytometric analysis of platelets for surface-bound IgG was used in an attempt to substantiate a provisional diagnosis of IMT. A distinct proportion (4.28%, 5.04%, and 7.95%) of platelets with surface-bound IgG was detected in the 3 thrombocytopenic horses, but not in 6 healthy horses (0.03% to 0.15%) or 6 horses with colic (0.00% to 1.21%). These results, in conjunc...
Verdegaal EJ, Kroeze EJ, Dik KJ, van Oijen LA, Sloet van Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbaan MM.A 9-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare was presented with a history of abnormal behaviour and acute facial nerve paralysis on the left side. Clinical examination revealed a slight head tilt and a corneal ulcer of the left eye. The base of the left ear was warm and painful. Endoscopic examination of the left guttural pouch showed thickening of the proximal part of the stylohyoid bone. Computer tomography revealed a left-sided prominent bony enlargement of the middle and proximal part of the stylohyoid bone and the tympanic bulla, fusion of the temporrhoid joint, and osseous proliferation of the pars...
Capik I, Ledecky V, Mihály M.Abnormalities of dental development such as hypoplasia of cementum, oligodontia, polydontia, enamel hypoplasia, brachygnathia, and prognathia are quite common in the horse. Abnormalities of eruption are less common and often associated with trauma. This case report describes the diagnosis and therapy for pre-eruption displacement of the maxillary left third and fourth premolar teeth resulting from previous facial trauma in a 1.5-year-old filly.
Lee EJ, Raudsepp T, Kata SR, Adelson D, Womack JE, Skow LC, Chowdhary BP.Comparative genomics has served as a backbone for the rapid development of gene maps in domesticated animals. The integration of this approach with radiation hybrid (RH) analysis provides one of the most direct ways to obtain physically ordered comparative maps across evolutionarily diverged species. We herein report the development of a detailed RH and comparative map for horse chromosome 17 (ECA17). With markers distributed at an average interval of every 1.4 Mb, the map is currently the most informative among the equine chromosomes. It comprises 75 markers (56 genes and 19 microsatellites),...
Murray RC, Dyson SJ, Schramme MC, Branch M, Woods S.Chronic laminitis is a severe disease affecting the equine digit. It was hypothesized that magnetic resonance (MR) imaging would improve visualization of structures within the foot and pathology associated with chronic laminitis. This study aimed to describe the MR imaging findings in chronic laminitis, compare different pulse sequences for visualization of pathology, and to compare MR imaging with standard radiography. Twenty (10 forelimb, 10 hindlimb) cadaver limbs from 10 horses clinically diagnosed with chronic laminitis (group L) and 10 limbs without laminitis (group N) were used. Laterom...
Moure A, Reichmann P, Gamba HR.The application of the dual photon absorptiometry (DPA) technique, using gadolinium-153 as the photon source, to evaluate the bone mineral density (BMD) of the third metacarpal bone of horses is presented. The radiation detector was implemented with a NaI(TI) scintillator coupled to a 14 stage photomultiplier. A modular mechanical system allows the position of the prototype to be adjusted in relation to the animal. A moveable carrier makes it possible to scan the third metacarpal with a velocity adjustable between 1 and 12 mm s(-1), in steps of 1 mm s(-1), for a total distance of 250 mm. The p...
Peyrou M, Higgins R, Lavoie JP.Evolution of bacterial resistance to certain antibacterial agents in horses in a veterinary hospital. A total of 255 antibiograms, conducted according to the Kirby-Bauer method from bacterial isolates collected from horses at the Hôpital Vétérinaire d'Enseignement at the Université de Montréal between 1996 and 1998 were compared with the results obtained about 10 years ago with corresponding bacterial species. A significant increase in the percentage of strains resistant to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SXT), penicilline, tetracycline, and to gentamicin was observed. The percentages ...
Yadernuk LM.A 13-year-old broodmare was referred for weight loss and left facial nerve paralysis. Bilateral temporohyoid osteoarthropathy was diagnosed based on proliferation of the temporohyoid joints and stylohyoid bones on radiographs and guttural pouch endoscopy. The left side was more severely affected. Treatment resulted in little or no improvement.
Erichsen C, Eksell P, Widström C, Berger M, Holm KR, Johnston C.The sacroiliac region in 33 clinically normal riding horses was examined with scintigraphy to determine the normal scintigraphic appearance, to evaluate a semiquantitative method used to calculate a sacroiliac joint (SI joint) ratio, and to identify factors that affect the scintigraphic appearance of the pelvis. The scintigraphic examination included dorsal views of each SI joint region and one lateral view of the urinary bladder. Two predefined areas (the SI joint and the area between the tuber sacrale and the SI joint) were evaluated subjectively by comparing the intensity in each area to th...
Muirhead T, McClure JT, Bourque A, Pack L.A lesion in the cervical region of a 14-month-old Belgian gelding with severe ataxia was suspected. Necropsy revealed symmetric focal cartilage defects compatible with osteochondrosis of the occipital condyles and atlanto-occipital dysplasia. To our knowledge this is the first equine report of symmetrical osteochondrosis of the occipital condyles causing neurologic signs.
Cordeau ME, Joubert P, Dewachi O, Hamid Q, Lavoie JP.Heaves is a common condition of horses of cold climate that is characterized by small airway inflammation and obstruction following exposure of susceptible horses to moldy hay and straw. It has been shown that helper T lymphocytes (Th) orchestrate the inflammatory response in asthma and in various animal models of allergic lung diseases by the release of Th2-type cytokines. Results of previous studies indicate that a predominant expression of Th2-type response by airway cells may also be present in heaves. To evaluate the temporal mRNA expression of Th1 (IFN-gamma) and Th2 (IL-4, IL-5) type cy...
Elce YA, Ross MW, Davidson EJ, Tulleners EP.To describe the surgical technique, complications, and outcome of thyroidectomy in 6 horses. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Six horses, 10 to 22 years of age, with unilateral, rapidly enlarging thyroid masses. Methods: Medical records between 1985 and 2000 were reviewed for horses that had unilateral thyroidectomy. Retrieved data included signalment, physical, clinical, and ultrasonographic examination findings, surgical technique, complications, and outcome. A minimum of 6 months follow-up was obtained. Results: Six horses were identified. Three horses had tracheal compression and 2 o...
Cruz F, Fores P, Mughini-Gras L, Ireland J, Moreno MA, Newton R.Equine viral arteritis (EVA), a disease caused by infection with the equine arteritis virus (EAV), is present in many European countries. In Spain, the last confirmed outbreak was reported in 1992 and there is a paucity of seroprevalence studies. The disease has a major impact on the equine breeding industry, which is mainly represented by Spanish Purebred (SP) horses in Spain. Objective: To estimate the seroprevalence of EAV in the breeding SP horse population in central Spain and identify potential horse and studfarm level factors associated with seropositivity to EAV. Methods: Cross-section...
Yin X, Guo M, Gu Q, Wu X, Wei P, Wang X.Tetherin is an interferon-inducible host cell factor that blocks the viral particle release of the enveloped viruses. Most knowledge regarding the interaction between tetherin and viruses has been obtained using the primate lentiviral system. However, much less is known about the functional roles of tetherin on other lentiviruses. Equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) is an important macrophage-tropic lentivirus that has been widely used as a practical model for investigating the evolution of the host-virus relationship. The host range of EIAV is reported to include all members of the Equidae ...
Main AR.The kinetic and structural relationships of eight electrophoretically pure mammalian serum and liver serine carboxylesterases (CE) and cholinesterases (ChE) have been studied. Eight CE's and ChE's, which were fully resolved but only partially purified, provided additional information. Five of the electrophoretically pure esterases were monomeric, and of these, four belonged to a new and widely distributed class. These four monomeric esterases hydrolyzed choline esters, but at widely differing rates. Thus two were termed monomeric butyrylcholinesterases, mBuChE I and II, and two were monomeric ...
Gray AW, Davies ME, Jeffcott LB.Equine osteoclast-like cells (OCLs) were generated from the bone marrow (BM) of two ponies and one horse in the presence of RANKL, the receptor activator of NF kappa B ligand and macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF). The phenotype of these cells was confirmed by demonstration of characteristics typical of osteoclasts (OCs) including: the expression of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), the vitronectin receptor (VNR) and the calcitonin receptor (CTR), the demonstration of responsiveness to calcitonin (CT) and the ability to form resorption lacunae on ivory slices and calcium ph...
Wood AD, Sinovich M, Prutton JSW, Parker RA.To evaluate the accuracy of ultrasonographic guidance for injection near the ventral rami of the cervical spinal nerves (VRCSN). Methods: Ex vivo study. Methods: Ten cadavers (n = 40 injections). Methods: Left and right VRCSN at C4/5 and C5/6 were infiltrated at the intervertebral foramen (IVF) under ultrasonographic guidance. A vertically orientated 3.5-MHz curvilinear probe was used to identify the craniocaudal midpoint of the articular process joint (APJ). The probe was moved ventrally until the IVF was identified. An 18-gauge 15-cm-long spinal needle was aimed immediately below the ventral...
Matera MG, Calzetta L, Sanduzzi A, Page CP, Cazzola M.It has been demonstrated in mammals that the airway hyper-responsiveness, which accompanies viral infections, is the result of increased reflex bronchoconstriction due to inhibition of muscarinic prejunctional receptors, which belong to M2 subtypes. Multiple mechanisms account for virus-induced M2 receptor dysfunction. Viral neuraminidase may deglycosylate the M2 receptor, decreasing acetylcholine affinity. Equine influenza remains a common viral respiratory disease of horses worldwide, which results in loss to the equine industry, by decreasing performance, convalescence time and loss of peak...
Cleaver BD, Grubaugh WR, Davis SD, Sheerin PC, Franklin KJ, Sharp DC.Melatonin is thought to play a role in relaying photic information to the central nervous system as part of the seasonal reproductive cycle of the mare. However, the mechanisms by which melatonin may act are unknown. Therefore, this study was designed to determine whether exposure to constant light would, by reducing circulating melatonin concentrations, have any effect on hypothalamic gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) content and circulating levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Blood samples were collected for 12 h at 15-min intervals from 8 ovariect...
Briant C, Ottogalli M, Morel M, Guillaume D.The GnRH antagonist antarelix (Teverelix) was administered to mares (0.01 mg/kg, i.v., twice a day) during the periovulatory period. In Experiment 1, 20 mares were divided into a treated (A3d-) and a control (Control-) group. A3d- mares received antarelix for 3 days from the day when the dominant follicle (F1) reached 32 mm (D0). In Experiment 2, 10 mares were divided into a treated (A6d+) and a control (Control+) group. A6d+ mares received antarelix for 6 days from D0 and hCG was injected in all animals (1600 IU, i.v.) on D1. Pregnancies were determined 13 days after ovulation. In both experi...
Adam-Castrillo D, White NA, Donaldson LL, Furr MO.To determine effects on anal pressure of horses after local injection of the external anal sphincter with Clostridium botulinum toxin type B. Methods: 11 healthy adult horses. Methods: Peak and resting anal sphincter pressures were measured with a custom-made rectal probe that was connected to a pressure transducer. Pressures were measured before treatment and after injection with botulinum toxin type B (BTB) or saline (0.9% NaCl) solution. Dose titration with 500, 1,000, 1,500, and 2,500 U of BTB was completed. Physical changes, behavior, and anal pressure were recorded for each horse. Result...
Delarocque J, Frers F, Huber K, Jung K, Feige K, Warnken T.Insulin dysregulation (ID) is an equine endocrine disorder, which is often accompanied by obesity and various metabolic perturbations. The relationship between weight variations and fluctuations of the insulin response to oral glucose tests (OGT) as well as the metabolic impact of ID have been described previously. The present study seeks to characterize the concomitant metabolic impact of variations in the insulin response and bodyweight during repeated OGTs using a metabolomics approach. Methods: Nineteen Icelandic horses were subjected to five OGTs over one year and their bodyweight, insuli...
Zahoor J, Kashif M, Nasir A, Bakhsh M, Qamar MF, Sikandar A, Rehman A.Trypanosomiasis is one of the severe pathogenic infections, caused by several Trypanosoma species, affecting both animals and humans, causing substantial economic losses and severe illness. The objective of this study was to determine the molecular diagnosis and the risk factors associated with trypanosomiasis in District Jhang, Punjab, Pakistan. For this purpose, blood samples were randomly collected from 200 horses. A predesigned questionnaire was used to collect data on risk factors before the sample collection. The microscopy examination through Giemsa staining, formol gel test and PCR tec...
Hardy J, Marcoux M, Breton L.Radiographs of all 4 fetlocks of 71 Standardbred racehorses were obtained at 3-month intervals for 1 year. Radiographic findings in the abaxial surface of the proximal sesamoid bones were classified into 3 types according to the severity of lesions, and correlation was made with clinical findings at time of examination. Type-1 lesions (1 or 2 linear defects less than or equal to 1 mm wide) were detected in 55% of horses at the start of training; clinical signs of disease were not manifested, and lesions did not become clinically relevant. Type-2 lesions (3 or more linear defects less than or e...
Catalani G, Dottavio ME, Rasia M.During acute exercise several significant cardiovascular alterations take place, along with possible physiopathological consequences, such as Exercise Inducted Pulmonary Haemorrhage (EIPH). Given the relevance of blood rheology in the determination of flow resistance and its supposed participation in the stated events, the present paper focuses on the analysis of modifications in haematocrit, blood viscosity and erythrocyte deformability in Thoroughbred horses caused by two different levels of effort (6 to 9 m/s and 13 to 16 m/s), in the same track they train in and with their own jockeys. The...
Cittadini A, Domínguez R, Sarriés MV, Pateiro M, Lorenzo JM.This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the total or partial replacement of NaCl by a commercial low-salt mixture Pansalt® (T1) or Kombu (L. ochroleuca) seaweed powder (T2), respectively, on the quality properties of dry-cured foal "cecina". Salt reformulation unaffected fat percentages, decreased (P < 0.001) moisture and ash contents, while protein amounts increased (P < 0.001) in the T2 batch. Considering the physicochemical variables, any significant differences were observed among batches, except for a*, water activity, and springiness values. T1 and T2 samples presented a si...
Piskoty G, Jäggin S, Michel SA, Weisse B, Terrasi GP, Fürst A.There are no detailed studies describing the resistance of equine tibiae and radii to side impact loads, such as a horse kick and a better understanding of the general long bone impact behavioural model is required. Objective: To quantify the typical impact energy required to fracture or fissure an equine long bone, as well as to determine the range and time course of the impact force under conditions similar to that of a horse kick. Methods: Seventy-two equine tibiae and radii were investigated using a drop impact tester. The prepared bones were preloaded with an axial force of 2.5 kN and wer...
Chen CL, Zhu D, Gillis KD, Meleka-Boules M.To develop a simple and sensitive ELISA for detection of dexamethasone in horse serum and urine. Methods: Blood and urine samples from 3 thoroughbred mares. Methods: A dexamethasone oxime was prepared and conjugated to hemocyanin, bovine serum albumin and to horseradish peroxidase. One- and two-step double-antibody ELISA methods, as well as a radioimmunoassay method, were performed. The one-step ELISA was used to test urine from 3 Thoroughbred mares injected with 5 mg of dexamethasone, IV. Results: The ELISA could detect dexamethasone in the range of 0.01 to 50 ng/ml, with intra- and interassa...
Thomas J, Narkowicz C, Peterson GM, Jacobson GA, Narayana A.The efficacy of an ointment containing kunzea oil for the treatment of horses with localised acute or chronic pastern dermatitis was assessed. Thirty-seven horses were randomly allocated to treatment with an ointment containing either 20 per cent kunzea oil (test) or 2 per cent ketoconazole (control). Only 21 of the horses completed the study. The severity of the lesions was assessed before and after seven days of treatment. The kunzea oil formulation resulted in a significant decrease in the median total area of the lesions from 40 cm(2) (range 3 to 252 cm(2)) to 0 cm(2) (range 0 to 34 cm(2))...
Hedberg Y, Dalin AM, Ohagen P, Holm KR, Kindahl H.In various species, sex, hormonal treatments and oestrous-cycle stage have been shown to affect the animal's response in behavioural tests. Few such studies have been performed in the horse. The main aim of the present study was to investigate whether oestrous-cycle stage affects mares' response to a novel object test and isolation test and, in part, to study whether mares, assumed to suffer from oestrous-related behavioural problems, respond differently in these tests when compared with controls. Twelve mares were tested twice, in oestrus and dioestrus, in a crossover design. Seven behavioura...
Vaden MF, Purohit RC, McCoy MD, Vaughan JT.Thermographic and radiographic evaluations of the tarsus (hock) were done on 20 Standardbred racehorses before and after exercise at three consecutive 6-week intervals. All horses were from the same stable and given the same care and training under identical schedules and conditions. Normal thermographic patterns were established before and after exercise. These patterns corresponded to the underlying tarsal vasculature. Postexercise thermal patterns indicated a warming trend, and the increases were uniform. Abnormal thermal patterns were more localized and did not conform to the normal underl...
Sundra T, Kelty E, Rendle D.An extended-release injectable omeprazole formulation (ERIO) has become a popular treatment for equine squamous gastric disease (ESGD) and equine glandular gastric disease (EGGD) where it is available; however, published data are limited and optimal treatment regimens have not been determined. Objective: To compare effects of treatment on ESGD and EGGD when an ERIO formulation is administered at either 5- or 7-day intervals. Methods: Retrospective clinical study. Methods: Case records and gastroscopy images of horses with ESGD or EGGD treated with ERIO were reviewed. Images were anonymised and...
Grubb T, Edner A, Frendin JH, Funkquist P, Rydén A, Nyman G.To assess oxygenation, ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) matching and plasma endothelin (ET-1) concentrations in healthy horses recovering from isoflurane anaesthesia administered with or without pulse-delivered inhaled nitric oxide (iNO). Methods: Prospective experimental trial. Methods: Healthy adult Standardbred horses. Methods: Horses were anaesthetized with isoflurane in oxygen and placed in lateral recumbency. Six control (C group) horses were anaesthetized without iNO delivery and six horses received pulse-delivered iNO (NO group). After 2.5 hours of anaesthesia isoflurane and iNO were abrupt...
Tam TL, Hogsette J, TenBroeck S.The stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans (L.), is a bloodsucking ectoparasite that causes irritation and distress to livestock, wildlife, and humans. Both sexes are vicious blood-feeders that feed on a variety of animals. Optically attractive sticky traps have been used to capture stable flies, and some companies claim that sticky traps can protect animals from the bites of stable flies. To further investigate the protective ability of sticky traps, Home and Garden Mosquito (HGM) traps were selected for evaluations at the University of Florida Horse Teaching Unit (HTU). Broodmares coated with fluor...
Fikrig E, Magnarelli LA, Chen M, Anderson JF, Flavell RA.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) and immunoblots using either whole-cell lysates of Borrelia burgdorferi or an antigenic region of flagellin (41-G) as the antigen were performed, and the abilities of the two assays to detect antibodies to this spirochete in dog, cottontail rabbit, and horse sera were compared. Assays using whole-cell B. burgdorferi lysates as the antigen were more sensitive for detecting antibodies. ELISA with 41-G as the antigen were specific for Borrelia antibodies but were not as sensitive as the assays with whole-cell lysates coated to the solid phase. Use of rec...
Naylor RJ, Livesey L, Schumacher J, Henke N, Massey C, Brock KV, Fernandez-Fuente M, Piercy RJ.Equine type 1 polysaccharide storage myopathy (PSSM1), a common glycogenosis associated with an R309H founder mutation in the glycogen synthase 1 gene (GYS1), shares pathological features with several human myopathies. In common with related human disorders, the pathogenesis remains unclear in particular, the marked phenotypic variability between affected animals. Given that affected animals accumulate glycogen and alpha-crystalline polysaccharide within their muscles, it is possible that physical disruption associated with the presence of this material could exacerbate the phenotype. The aim ...
