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Topic:Equine Health
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.
Management of stallions on large breeding farms. Often, there is an adversarial relationship between senior management and livestock managers. It is important that the veterinarian responsible for breeding management and health care maintain open communications with senior managers. Although the veterinarian may recognize livestock-management deficiencies that need changing, he or she must remain flexible within the constraints provided on the breeding farm. Years may be required to solidify this give-and-take relationship, and opinions on the value of many management procedures will change. The underpinnings of a successful stallion manager...
Effects of gonadotropin-releasing hormone infused in a pulsatile or continuous fashion on serum gonadotropin concentrations and ovulation in the mare. Studies were conducted to compare continuous vs pulsatile i.v. infusion of GnRH on serum gonadotropin concentrations and ovulation in seasonally anestrous mares and in cycling mares. Anestrous mares (Exp. 1) received no treatment (control; n = 3), 2, or 20 micrograms of GnRH/h continuous infusion (CI) (n = 4 and n = 6, respectively), or 20 micrograms of GnRH/h pulsatile infusion (PI) (n = 5). After initiation of GnRH infusion, serum LH levels increased earlier, and to a greater extent, in the PI group than in other groups (P less than .05). In contrast, serum FSH concentrations did not differ ...
Animal ferritin and bacterioferritin contain quinones. The origin of the 440 nm fluorescence of horse spleen ferritin and of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Azotobacter vinelandii bacterioferritin has been investigated using a Nitro Blue Tetrazolium/glycinate colorimetric test specific for quiones [Paz, Flückiger, Boak, Kagan & Gallop (1991) J. Biol. Chem. 266, 689-692]. The results of the analysis indicate that ferritin and bacterioferritins contain quinones. A possible functional role of these quinones in iron uptake and release is described, as is the possibility that the presence of quinones in these proteins results from oxidative damage.
Arthrotomy versus arthroscopy and partial synovectomy for treatment of experimentally induced infectious arthritis in horses. To evaluate the clinical, laboratory, and histologic effects of 2 methods of treatment for infectious arthritis in horses, Staphylococcus aureus (3.4 to 3.9 x 10(3) colony-forming units) was inoculated into the tarsocrural joints of 8 horses on day 0. Each horse was treated with phenylbutazone (2 g, PO, q 24 h) and gentamicin sulfate (2.2 mg/kg of body weight, IV, q 8 h) for 14 days. On day 2, general anesthesia was induced, and each horse had 1 tarsocrural joint treated by arthrotomy, with removal of accessible fibrin and lavage with 3 L of sterile balanced electrolyte solution. An indwelling...
Histologic evaluation of nerve muscle pedicle graft used as a treatment for left laryngeal hemiplegia in standardbreds. A nerve muscle pedicle (NMP) graft was placed in the cricoarytenoideus dorsalis (CAD) muscle of 6 horses with induced left laryngeal hemiplegia. The NMP graft was created by use of the first cervical nerve and omohyoideus muscle. In 1 horse (control), the first cervical nerve was transected after placement of the NMP graft. One year after the surgical procedure, horses were examined endoscopically and then anesthetized. While the larynx was observed endoscopically, the first cervical nerve was stimulated. Horses were subsequently euthanatized, and the larynx was harvested. Prior to anesthesia,...
Ankylosis of the distal interphalangeal joint in a horse after septic arthritis and septic navicular bursitis. A 6-month-old 300-kg Quarter Horse filly was treated for septic arthritis of the distal interphalangeal joint and septic navicular bursitis that developed as a result of a deep puncture to the foot. Initial treatment consisted of establishing ventral drainage for the navicular bursa, lavage of the distal interphalangeal joint, and administration of broad-spectrum antimicrobial drugs and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Because of continuing sepsis in the distal interphalangeal joint, subsequent treatment included packing the defect in the bottom of the foot with cancellous bone in an att...
[Hematologic values and serum enzymes in horses inoculated with snake venoms for the production of antivenins in Costa Rica]. Blood components were studied in six horses immunized with snake venoms for the production of polyvalent antivenom in Costa Rica. No significant changes in hemoglobin or hematocrit throughout the immunization period were observed, whereas a significant increment in total serum proteins occurred in the second half of the immunization process, probably due to an increased synthesis of immunoglobulins. There were no significant changes in creatine kinase, but a slight increment was detected in both transaminases, although they did not exceed normal limits. These findings suggest the absence of re...
Intestinal myxosarcoma in a thoroughbred mare. A large fibrotic mass originating from the cecal base was discovered upon surgical exploration of the abdomen in a Thoroughbred mare with a history of chronic colic and weight loss. The mass protruded intraluminally resulting in partial obstruction. Surgical excision was not feasible due to the location of the mass and the inability to exteriorize it adequately from the abdominal cavity. The mass was fibrous with a shiny, gelatinous material present throughout the neoplasm. Histologically, large confluent spaces filled with mucopolysaccharides were identified by staining with Alcian blue. The ...
An attempt to define the host range for African horse sickness virus (Orbivirus, Reoviridae) in east Africa, by a serological survey in some Equidae, Camelidae, Loxodontidae and Carnivore. A survey was carried out in horse, zebra, elephant, camel, sheep and goat and wild carnivore sera for virus-serum neutralising antibody to the nine type strains of African horse sickness virus. Antibody was found amongst the horse, zebra and elephant sera to all nine different strains. No antibody was detected in any sera from camels, sheep and goats. None was found in sera from hyaena and jackals in this series but had been detected earlier.
The teniae of the equine intestinal tract. At several locations along the equine cecum and colon, the outer longitudinal portion of the tunica muscularis is gathered into discrete bands of smooth muscle and connective tissue called "teniae". In this study, the disposition of the teniae ceci and coli was traced along the equine intestinal tract. It was discovered that, in several instances, arrays of teniae converge toward the valves and sphincters which separate the various intestinal compartments. The teniae may also provide support for and directionality to, peristaltic contraction waves. The tissue proportions of the teniae vary in ...
Influence of age on fibre type characteristics in the middle gluteal muscle of Andalusian foals. 34 Andalusian foals of both sexes were divided into three age-groups (A = mean age 1 month, B = 7 months, C = 14 months). Samples of the right m. gluteus medius were stained for m-ATPase and NADH-TR in order to determine fibre type composition and size as well as the relative area occupied by each type. Results revealed no statistically significant variation in the proportion of type I fibre among the three age-groups. Significant differences were recorded, however, for type II fibres; an increase in the proportion of IIA fibres was accompanied by a decrease in IIB ones, the difference being m...
Venereal disease. Equine venereal infections of concern in the United States include EHV-3, T. equigenitalis, P. aeruginosa, and K. pneumoniae. Stallions may also harbor EAV in the genital tract and transmit the virus to mares during coitus. With the exception of EHV-3, the stallion generally remains asymptomatic while transmitting infections to mares during breeding. Methods for diagnosis, treatment, and control of these infections are discussed.
Artificial insemination and preservation of semen. Artificial insemination is an effective technique for improving utilization of stallions in breeding programs. When proper semen handling and insemination procedures are used, optimal pregnancy rates are attainable. When AI techniques are employed for mares and stallions with marginal fertility, pregnancy rates may be improved in comparison with natural mating. Preservation of stallion semen in the liquid or frozen state reduces the costs and potential health hazards incurred by transporting mares and provides easier access to genetic material that may otherwise be unavailable. Acceptable preg...
Effects of atipamezole on xylazine sedation in ponies. Atipamezole antagonism of xylazine sedation was evaluated in six ponies. Atipamezole (0.15 mg/kg) or saline was injected intravenously 15 minutes after the ponies had been sedated with xylazine (1.0 mg/kg). Arterial blood pressure and gases, pulse and respiratory rates, the electrocardiogram, nose-to-ground distance and a subjective sedation score were recorded. The pretreatment nose-to-ground distance and PaO2 returned to normal sooner after atipamezole than after saline and the ponies' appetite and normal locomotion also recovered sooner. No significant differences were observed between the ...
Histopathological changes in the coeliaco-mesenteric ganglia of horses with ‘mal seco’, a grass sickness-like syndrome, in Argentina. 'Mal seco' is a grass sickness-like syndrome of horses in Argentina. A histopathological study was made of the coeliaco-mesenteric ganglia of four horses with 'mal seco' and of four horses that died from other causes. The severity and extent of the lesions found in the horses with 'mal seco' was greatest in the two with the shortest clinical course. Degenerative changes consisted mainly in the loss of Nissl substance, cytoplasmic vacuoles, neuronophagia, intercellular and intracytoplasmic eosinophilic bodies, and pyknotic and eccentric nuclei. The coeliaco-mesenteric ganglia of the control hor...
Interconversion of E and S isoenzymes of horse liver alcohol dehydrogenase. Several residues contribute indirectly to catalysis. The E and S isoenzymes of horse liver alcohol dehydrogenase differ by 10 amino acid residues, but only the S isoenzyme is active on 3 beta-hydroxysteroids. This functional difference was correlated to the differences in structures of the isoenzymes by characterizing a series of chimeric enzymes, which could represent intermediates in the evolution of catalytic activity. Deletion of Asp-115 from the E isoenzyme created the E/D115 delta enzyme that is active on steroids. The deletion alters the substrate binding pocket by moving Leu-116, which sterically hinders binding of steroids in the E isoe...
Repair of superior palpebral defect in a horse by use of silicone subdermal implant. A silicone subdermal implant was used in the surgical repair of a superior palpebral defect in a horse. The right superior palpebra was missing from the lateral canthus superiorly to the 1 o'clock position, and a corneal ulcer, anterior uveitis, and right micropalpebral fissure also were observed. Lateral canthotomy and canthoplasty were performed to enlarge the palpebral fissure, and a silicone implant was inserted in the superior palpebra to replace the missing tarsal plate. These procedures resulted in a successful reconstruction, with improvement of palpebral function.
Tension-band wiring and lag screw fixation of a transverse, comminuted fracture of a patella in a horse. A transverse, comminuted fracture of the patella was treated surgically by combining tension-band wiring and lag-screw fixation in a horse. Partial patellectomy or smaller detached fragments of the patella was performed. Satisfactory healing of the fracture was evident 10 weeks after surgery, and there were no complications. Implants were not removed. The horse was sound at a trot 4 months after surgery and was used for pleasure riding 8 months later.
Chronic diarrhoea in adult horses: a review of 51 referred cases. A retrospective analysis of the clinical and laboratory findings from 51 adult horses with chronic diarrhoea revealed that the most common conditions were larval cyathostomiasis (14 cases), idiopathic chronic colitis (nine cases) and alimentary lymphoma (five cases). Five animals had diarrhoea as a result of non-alimentary disease. A diagnosis was reached in 37 cases, but only 15 were made ante mortem. Among the 18 animals (35 per cent) which survived, there were five cases of larval cyathostomiasis, one case of colonic impaction and 12 cases were undiagnosed. The most frequent abnormalities d...
Long-term effects of porcine zonae pellucidae immunocontraception on ovarian function in feral horses (Equus caballus). Ten feral mares free-roaming in Maryland, USA, were inoculated with porcine zonae pellucidae (PZP) protein before the breeding season for three consecutive years (1988-90). Ovarian function was monitored for 51 days during the peak of the breeding season after the third annual PZP inoculation, in seven of these mares and in four untreated control mares, by means of urinary oestrone conjugates and nonspecific progesterone metabolites. None of the ten inoculated mares became pregnant in 1990, compared with 55% of 20 control mares, which included two of the four monitored for ovarian function. Th...
On the genetic basis of equine allergic diseases: II. Insect bite dermal hypersensitivity. The horses studied were of the Swiss Warmblood breed and most were ELA-typed to assess a possible association of dermal hypersensitivity to insect bites with the major histocompatibility complex. Firstly, the occurrence of the condition was examined in 304 half-siblings sired by six stallions (A to F). Fourteen cases of dermal hypersensitivity were recognized and all were in the 153 offspring of Stallions C, E and F. Most animals of this group were also investigated for chronic hypersensitivity bronchitis: none of the sires displayed clinical signs of dermal hypersensitivity, but Stallions D, ...
Aerosol pirbuterol: bronchodilator activity and side effects in ponies with recurrent airway obstruction (heaves). The dose of aerosol pirbuterol that could be administered safely to ponies (weight approximately 200 kg) was determined by observation for sweating, trembling and excitement and measurement of heart and respiratory rates during cumulative administration of the drug. Sweating, trembling and excitement were first observed following a dose of 2,400 micrograms and became more severe at 3,200 micrograms. These effects were accompanied by an increase in heart rate but not a change in respiratory rate. When 3200 micrograms was administered without prior administration of lower doses, side effects wer...
