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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.
Attempts to immunoprotect adult horses, specifically pregnant mares, with commercial vaccines against clinical disease induced by equine herpesvirus-1. In a project lasting 4 years more than 300 Lipizzans, around 180 of them adults, were vaccinated systematically against Equine Herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) and representative groups thereof were serologically controlled for their antibody responses. In part, vaccination intervals recommended on packing slips were followed, in part other intervals, implicated by intermediary results, were used. A live virus vaccine proved ineffective if humoral antibodies were present. An oil-adjuvanted vaccine proved of highest antiviral immunogenicity, but after repeated revaccinations caused severe local reactions ...
Fine structure of atrial natriuretic peptide(ANP)-granules in the atrial cardiocytes in the pig, cattle and horse. In the pig, cattle and horse, the right and left atria and ventricles were examined by immunohistochemistry, and the right atrial and auricular cardiocytes were studied by transmission electron microscopy. Moreover, ANP-granules in the cardiocytes were analyzed by ultrastructural morphometry. Immunohistochemically, the most intensely ANP-reacted cardiocytes were localized in the right auricle, particularly more prominent in the pig and cattle than in the horse. Ultrastructurally, ANP-granules were located principally in the perinuclear region associated with the Golgi apparatus and throughout ...
Characteristics of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from lesions of horses. Seventy-six Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from various lesions of horses were characterized. All of the 76 strains were identified as biotypes B (38.2%) and C (61.8%). Of 55 strains tested, 42 (76.4%) were differentiated into 7 coagulase types. Coagulase types V and VII were predominant in the metritis strains. Coagulase type II was found most frequently in the strains from phlegmon, dermatitis, sinusitis, empyema sinus, and nasal catarrh. Forty-two (55.3%) of the 76 strains were differentiated into 24 phage patterns. Twenty (58.8%) of 34 typable strains from metritis were lysed by th...
Cytotoxic tumor necrosis factor activity produced by equine alveolar macrophages: preliminary characterization. Blood monocytes and alveolar macrophages (AM) were harvested from foals (aged 46 days to 6 months) and cultured in either medium alone or medium containing 10 micrograms/ml bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). After 24 h, culture supernates were collected and analyzed for cytotoxic activity on sensitized L929 cells. Both monocytes and AM that had been treated with LPS produced significantly more cytotoxic activity than the same cell type exposed to medium lacking LPS. LPS-treated macrophages secreted significantly more cytotoxic activity (120 +/- 17.8 U/ml) than did LPS-treated monocytes (47.3 ...
Characteristics of digital flexor tendon sheath fluid from clinically normal horses. Physical, biochemical, and cytologic properties of synovial fluid from digital flexor tendon sheaths of clinically normal horses were investigated. Tendon sheath fluid was pale yellow, clear, and did not clot. Volume of fluid within a tendon sheath varied minimally, with a mean of 2.11 ml. Total erythrocyte counts were higher than values observed in normal equine joint fluid, whereas values for total leukocyte count (770 +/- 73 cells/mm3), viscosity (6.05 +/- 0.58 cs), and protein concentration (7.87 +/- 0.03 mg/ml) were similar to those in joint fluid. Large mononuclear cells were the predomi...
Biological and immunoactive substances resembling chorionic gonadotropin are present in full-term horse and zebra placentas. This study describes the presence of immunoactive and bioactive eCG-like material in full-term placentas of both domestic horses and zebras. Term placental extracts were immunoreactive in an LH monoclonal antibody RIA, and methods successfully used previously for the purification of eCG and eLH were employed to further concentrate the immunoreactive materials to the point where additional characterization studies could be performed. Sufficient equine material was obtained to perform a final fractionation on a concanavalin A Sepharose column yielding an unadsorbed fraction, e17A, and an adsorbe...
Thermography as an aid to the clinical lameness evaluation. Thermography has been shown to be a practical aid in the clinical evaluation of lameness. This modality specifically increases the accuracy of diagnosis. Thermography represents skin temperature, usually pictorially. The techniques involve contacting and noncontacting modalities. Noncontacting thermography, which detects infrared radiation, is the most accurate. In order to be accurate, thermography must be performed in a temperature-controlled, draft-free area. The area should be protected from sunlight to avoid erroneous heating of the skin, and the hair length should be uniform. Thermograph...
Increased sensitivity of a rotavirus serotyping enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay by the incorporation of CaCl2. The sensitivity of a rotavirus serotyping enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was improved by the addition of 0.5 mM CaCl2 to the washing buffer and reagent diluent. Twenty-nine of 63 (46%) previously untyped bovine and equine faecal rotavirus samples were serotyped in the modified assay. A differential response to Ca2+ ions was noted for different G-serotypes suggesting that serotyping assays performed without the inclusion of CaCl2 in the assay buffers may produce biased results.
Characterization of variable regions in the envelope and S3 open reading frame of equine infectious anemia virus. The polymerase chain reaction was used to amplify and clone parts of the envelope gene and overlapping S3 open reading frame, thought to encode rev, of the virulent in vivo-derived Th-1 isolate of equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV). The results indicated that EIAV consists of a heterogeneous mixture of genotypes present at the first febrile cycle after initial infection. We showed that the Th-1 isolate apparently contains nondefective genotypes as well as types which have transmembrane protein truncations or are rev deficient. Furthermore, we could confirm the presence of a hypervariable re...
The role of scintigraphy in the lameness evaluation. Bone scanning to help diagnose orthopedic disease has been used in human patients for over two decades. The value of this diagnostic tool has been well established in helping to identify a variety of musculoskeletal conditions. It has only recently been used by veterinarians for more accurate characterization of equine musculoskeletal disease. The technique offers the major advantage of increased sensitivity over standard radiographic imaging. The case material illustrated here shows that except for consistent identification of bone cysts, most of the pathologic changes to the horse's musculos...
Nonsurgical removal of chondroid masses from the guttural pouches of two horses. Chondroid masses were successfully removed from the guttural pouches of 2 horses, using an endoscope, a snare, and a vacuum pump. This technique is an alternative to surgical removal of chondroid masses in patients when basic lavage of the affected guttural pouch is ineffective. Complications were not encountered. Advantages of this snare technique include avoidance of surgery and its potential complications, minimal recovery time, and minimal expense.
Advances in diagnostic ultrasonography. A wide variety of ultrasonographic equipment currently is available for use in equine practice, but no one machine is optimal for every type of imaging. Image quality is the most important factor in equipment selection once the needs of the practitioner are ascertained. The transducer frequencies available, transducer footprints, depth of field displayed, frame rate, gray scale, simultaneous electrocardiography, Doppler, and functions to modify the image are all important considerations. The ability to make measurements off of videocassette recorder playback and future upgradability should be ...
Quantitative evaluation of the remodeling response of the proximal sesamoid bones to training-related stimuli in Thoroughbreds. Eight untrained 2-year-old Thoroughbred horses were used in a study of the remodeling response of the proximal sesamoid bone (PSB) to training-related stimuli. Two horses each were assigned to 1 of 4 groups: group 1, untrained, pasture turnout (control); group 2, modified-classically trained, dirt track; group 3, classically trained, dirt track; and group 4, classically trained, wood chip track. Horses were given fluorochromic bone labels every 28 days during training. All horses were euthanatized after 5 months of training, and the proximal sesamoid bones (PSB) were removed. A midsagittal sec...
Extender and centrifugation effects on the motility patterns of slow-cooled stallion spermatozoa. Slow-cooled stallion spermatozoa, with and without seminal plasma removed by centrifugation, were diluted in Kenney's extender (KE) containing nonfat dry skim milk with glucose and antibiotics or in KE supplemented by adding a modified high-potassium Tyrode's medium (KMT). Four ejaculates from each of four stallions were collected and divided factorially across these four treatments. Percentage of motile sperm, path velocity, and linearity immediately after treatment (0 h) and after storage at 4 degrees C for 24, 48, and 72 h were evaluated objectively by use of a HTM-2030 sperm motility analy...
Effects of detomidine on equine oesophageal function as studied by contrast radiography. The effects of sedation with detomidine on oesophageal function were assessed by contrast radiography in 10 healthy adult thoroughbred horses. Barium swallows were monitored by means of image intensification, first without sedation and then after the intravenous administration of detomidine at doses of 10 and 20 micrograms/kg bodyweight. The transit time of contrast agent to the oesophageal hiatus was recorded and each swallow was scored for markers of oesophageal dysfunction. Analysis of the data indicated that there were highly significant dose dependent increases in the transit time, the re...
A mechanical trigger for the trot-gallop transition in horses. It is widely thought that animals switch gaits at speeds that minimize energetic cost. Horses naturally switched from a trot to a gallop at a speed where galloping required more energy than trotting, and thus, the gait transition actually increased the energetic cost of running. However, by galloping at this speed, the peak forces on the muscles, tendons, and bones, and presumably the chance of injury, are reduced. When the horses carried weights, they switched from a trot to a gallop at a lower speed but at the same critical level of force. These findings suggest that the trot-gallop transiti...
Transendoscopic contact neodymium:yttrium aluminum garnet laser excision of tracheal lesions in two horses. Two male racehorses (1 Standardbred, 1 Thoroughbred) were examined because of intraluminal cervical tracheal lesions, located 60 to 70 cm from the nares. A contact neodymium:yttrium aluminum garnet laser with a chisel probe attached to the fiber end was used to transendoscopically debride a nonhealing tracheal ulcer and to excise a pyogranulomatous mass. In both horses, the surgical sites healed quickly and the lesions did not redevelop.
[Equine monocytic ehrlichiosis (EME), a review]. Serological surveys showed that equine monocytic ehrlichiosis (EME) occurs in the USA, Canada and Europe. The causative agent is Rickettsia Ehrlichia risticii, isolated for the first time in 1984. The clinical features of the disease are sluggishness, anorexia, colic and fever, possibly followed by watery diarrhoea. Complications of an infection with E. risticii are laminitis and abortion. Colitis of the ascending colon may be observed at autopsy. Following a positive serological diagnosis (IgM ELISA) of EME, treatment with oxytetracycline can be initiated. It is also important to restore the ...
Nonsurgical removal of a catheter embolus from the heart of a foal. Nonsurgical, percutaneous, transvenous removal of a catheter fragment embolus was performed in a 14-day-old Thoroughbred foal. A basket retrieval catheter was introduced into the jugular vein and manipulated under fluoroscopic guidance to remove the fragment from the right side of the heart. Percutaneous retrieval should be considered as an alternative to thoracotomy for retrieval of intracardiac or intravascular foreign bodies.
Renosplenic entrapment of the large colon in horses: 33 cases (1984-1989). Between 1984 and 1989, 33 horses were diagnosed with renosplenic entrapment of the large colon. Duration of colic, signalment, physical findings, and laboratory values were determined, and treatment methods were evaluated. Nonsurgical correction was attempted in 22 of the horses with suspected renosplenic entrapment of the large colon and was successful in 11 cases. Survival and complication rates also were determined. Nonsurgical correction is a viable alternative to immediate surgery for renosplenic entrapment of the large colon, if cases are selected properly.
A monoclonal antibody defines a geographically conserved surface protein epitope of Babesia equi merozoites. Babesiosis is a tick-borne hemoparasitic disease affecting horses worldwide. To investigate mechanisms of immunity to this parasite, the antibody response of infected horses to Babesia equi merozoite proteins was evaluated. Immunoprecipitation of B. equi merozoite antigens with sera from infected horses revealed 11 major proteins of 210, 144, 108, 88, 70, 56, 44, 36, 34, 28, and 25 kDa. Monoclonal antibody (MAb) 36/133.97, which binds to live merozoites, immunoprecipitated proteins of 44, 36, 34, and 28 kDa. When immunoprecipitations were performed with in vitro translation products of merozoi...
Isolation of equine herpesvirus-1 mutants in the presence of (S)-9-(3-hydroxy-2-phosphonylmethoxypropyl)adenine: demonstration of resistance in vitro and in vivo. The compound (S)-9-(3-hydroxy-2-phosphonylmethoxypropyl)adenine (HPMPA) had been previously shown to be highly effective in treatment of EHV-1 in a murine model for the equine disease. This paper describes the isolation of a series of mutants resistant to the drug. Resistance was demonstrated in cell culture and one mutant was tested in a murine model. The resistant mutant was pathogenic for mice; infectious virus was recovered from respiratory tissues and blood at levels similar to the parental virus. However, the mutant showed a significant degree of resistance in vivo, thus proving the viru...
Surgical correction of strictures of the large colon in three horses. An extensive stricture of the left dorsal colon in a Thoroughbred colt was resected and the colon was anastomosed. In two horses, circumferential strictures at the pelvic flexure 2.5 to 3 cm long were corrected with a modified Heineke-Mikulicz pyloroplasty technique. The horses were reported to be doing well at 6, 8, and 45 months, respectively.
Bone abscess in the mandible of a quarter horse gelding. A 4-year-old Quarter horse gelding presented with a swelling in the soft tissues over the junction of the body and ramus of the left mandible. Radiography showed a well circumscribed lytic area within the mandible surrounded by sclerosis unassociated with any tooth. Aspiration of the lesion yielded pus. The abscess cavity was opened, curetted and lavaged. A Penrose drain was placed in the abscess cavity for 10 days. Bacteriological culture of the exudate and soft tissues from the abscess produced a few colonies of Staphylococcus intermedius. Histopathology showed chronic pyogenic infection. Th...
Evaluation of transabdominal ultrasound-guided amniocentesis in the late gestational mare. Serial transabdominal amniocentesis was performed on eight mares in late gestation. Ultrasonography was used to identify the two placental fluid sacs and the foetus. A biopsy guide attached to the transducer allowed visualisation of the needle path during insertion. Amniotic fluid was obtained in 85 per cent of the attempts, although as mares approached parturition substantial pools of amniotic fluid were more difficult to locate. Two mares aborted during the study probably because of complications of the procedures, whereas six mares produced normal foals at term. The abortions preclude clini...
