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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.
[Immunopathogenesis of Borna disease]. An overview of the pathogenesis of Borna disease (BD) in rats as a model for the naturally occurring infection in horses and sheep is presented. Our findings revealed a virus infection in which a virus-specific T cell-mediated immune response leads to disease. The immune cells capable of mediating this immunopathological reaction were defined as helper/inducer T cells. In all, the described observations indicate that CD4+ T cells and macrophages trigger a delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction and cause BD together with other cells of the immune system.
The ammonia tolerance test in horses. Clinically normal horses (n = 8) with ages ranging from 5 to 8 years, were starved for 12 h and their plasma ammonia concentrations were measured. The mean fasting plasma ammonia concentration was 17.8 +/- 3.8 mumol l-1. After dosing ammonium chloride at a dose rate of 0.02 g kg-1, there was a significant increase in plasma ammonia concentration, with a maximum rise after 20 min (P less than 0.05). To investigate the influence of temperature on plasma ammonia concentrations of stored samples, 8 plasma samples were stored at -20 degrees C and 4 degrees C respectively. The plasma ammonia concent...
Cryoglobulinemia in a horse. Cryoglobulin was isolated from a horse which had glomerulo-nephritis and a history of swelling and skin ulcers of the limbs in the winter. The isolated cryoglobulin showed a single peak on a gel permeation chromatography column with an apparent molecular mass (Mr) of 180,000 which could be divided into two gamma bands by cellulose acetate electrophoresis. Immunoelectrophoretic analysis revealed that the cryoglobulin formed two precipitation lines with anti-horse IgG. Spur formation was observed when the cryoglobulin and the IgG purified from a normal healthy horse were cross-reacted with anti-...
Effects of steroid administration on pituitary luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone in ovariectomized pony mares in the early spring: pituitary responsiveness to gonadotropin-releasing hormone and pituitary gonadotropin content. These experiments tested the hypothesis that administration of steroid hormones to ovariectomized (OVX) mares during the vernal transition to the breeding season would influence LH and FSH secretion. Circulating gonadotropin concentrations, response to exogenous GnRH, and pituitary gonadotropin content were monitored. Experiments 1 and 2 were conducted, beginning 10 March, and 3 February, respectively, utilizing a total of 30 long-term OVX pony mares. In experiment 1, mares were administered vehicle (n = 5) or estradiol-17 beta (E2, n = 5, 5 mg/3 ml sesame oil), twice daily for 16 days. Blood ...
DNA probes for the detection of Babesia caballi. A genomic library of Babesia caballi DNA was constructed in the plasmid vector pUC13. The specificity of the clones for B. caballi was established by the lack of hybridization to Babesia equi, Babesia bovis, Babesia bigemina and equine DNA. Two probes, pBC11 and pBC191, were isolated that could detect 0.25 ng and 0.125 ng of B. caballi DNA, corresponding to a parasitaemia of 0.12% and 0.06% respectively. pBC191 could detect B. caballi parasites in the blood of an experimentally infected horse as well as in naturally infected horses.
Equine arteritis virus is not a togavirus but belongs to the coronaviruslike superfamily. The nucleotide sequence of the genome of equine arteritis virus (EAV) was determined from a set of overlapping cDNA clones and was found to contain eight open reading frames (ORFs). ORFs 2 through 7 are expressed from six 3'-coterminal subgenomic mRNAs, which are transcribed from the 3'-terminal quarter of the viral genome. A number of these ORFs are predicted to encode structural EAV proteins. The organization and expression of the 3' part of the EAV genome are remarkably similar to those of coronaviruses and toroviruses. The 5'-terminal three-quarters of the genome contain the putative EAV p...
Serially determined plasma alpha-tocopherol concentrations and results of the oral vitamin E absorption test in clinically normal horses and in horses with degenerative myeloencephalopathy. Plasma alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) values were monitored serially in 9 foals sired by a stallion with equine degenerative myeloencephalopathy (EDM) and in 5 age-matched control foals (sired by a clinically normal stallion) raised in the same environment for the first year of life. Clinical evaluation determined that 8 of the 9 foals sired by the stallion with EDM had neurologic deficits consistent with the disease on one or more occasions during the study period, whereas control foals had normal gait. From 6 weeks to 10 months of age, plasma alpha-tocopherol values in foals with signs of EDM ...
Head trauma in two horses. The initial clinical signs displayed by two horses with head trauma are described and related to the pathology and management of the condition, to illustrate the diversity of signs that may result from similar events. It is suggested that careful repeated neurological investigations are more reliable prognostic indicators in cases of equine head trauma than a reliance on the initial assessment.
Expression in Escherichia coli of a synthetic gene coding for horse heart myoglobin. A gene for expression of horse heart myoglobin in Escherichia coli has been constructed in one step from long synthetic oligonucleotides. The synthetic gene contains an efficient translation initiation signal and used codons that are commonly found in E. coli. Unique restriction sites are placed throughout the gene. It has been inserted in a phagemid vector and is expressed from the lac promoter in E. coli at high efficiency, the soluble heme protein representing approximately 10% of soluble protein. Two versions of horse heart myoglobin were produced with aspartic acid or asparagine at residu...
Use of the cardiopulmonary flow index to evaluate cardiac function in thoroughbred horses. The ratio of the cardiopulmonary blood volume to stroke volume is called the cardiopulmonary flow index (CPFI). The CPFI can be determined indirectly from the simultaneous recording of a radiocardiogram and an electrocardiogram. The CPFI and cardiac output were measured simultaneously in horses (n = 10) that were diagnosed as having cardiac disease. The diseased subjects were probably all exposed to feed contaminated with the ionophore, salinomycin, and all showed clinical signs indicative of chronic toxic myocarditis. The results obtained from these subjects were compared with those from cont...
Abortion of a mummified fetus associated with short uterine body in a mare. A mummified fetus was aborted at 284 days of gestation from a Quarter Horse mare with a history of consecutive abortions. The abortion occurred 12 days after administration of supplemental progestogen had been discontinued. Results of a breeding soundness evaluation revealed that this mare had a short uterine body. Other abnormalities were not discovered. This condition may have been responsible for repeated abortions in this mare, and may represent a cause of fetal mummification other than twin pregnancy in mares.
Medical problems of adult horses, as ranked by equine practitioners. This paper reports the results of a survey conducted among members of the American Association of Equine Practitioners, concerning medical problems of adult horses. A one-page questionnaire listing 36 medical problems grouped by body system was completed by 1,149 veterinarians. The top-ranked disease was colic, followed by viral respiratory tract disease, endometritis, dermatitis, and parasitism. When responses were evaluated by type of practice, location of practice, and number of veterinarians in the practice, ranking of the top 2 diseases was the same for the total respondents. Ranking of d...
Use of transendoscopic contact neodymium:yttrium aluminum garnet laser to drain dorsal epiglottic abscesses in two horses. A submucosal abscess, located on the dorsal surface of the epiglottis, was diagnosed in 2 Thoroughbred racehorses by use of endoscopy. Both horses had exercise intolerance. One horse had intermittent dorsal displacement of the soft palate, coughed while eating and galloping, and made an abnormal respiratory noise. Both abscesses were drained transendoscopically by use of a contact neodymium:yttrium aluminum garnet laser. Eleven days after surgery, the surgical sites appeared to have healed. Clinical signs resolved permanently, and both horses returned to successful racing careers.
Use of phacofragmentation for cataract removal in horses: 12 cases (1985-1989). The medical records of 12 horses that had cataracts removed by use of phacofragmentation were reviewed. Cataracts were removed from 16 eyes in horses ranging in age from 2 months to 15 years. Complications after surgery included corneal ulcers in 13 eyes, diffuse corneal edema in 5 eyes, and uncontrollable uveitis in 3 eyes. Follow-up information was obtained in all horses from 1 month to 3.5 years after surgery. Visual results were judged good by owners or veterinarians in 10 of the horses.
Characterisation and distribution of epidermal growth factor receptors in equine hoof wall laminar tissue: comparison of normal horses and horses affected with chronic laminitis. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptors were detected in plasma membrane preparations of equine hoof wall laminar tissue at concentrations comparable to that of equine liver. Scatchard analysis of the equilibrium binding data suggested the presence of two classes of EGF binding sites in most of the controls (plasma membranes from clinically normal horses); a high-affinity class and a more numerous low-affinity class. The dissociation constant of the low-affinity class of EGF-specific receptors (KD = 1 x 10(-9)M) is in reasonable agreement with other values established for the EGF receptor. The...
Fertility of a stallion with low sperm motility and a high incidence of an unusual sperm tail defect. At the beginning of the breeding season an eight-year-old standardbred stallion had semen with virtually zero sperm motility and an approximately 90 per cent incidence of midpiece and tail defects. The motility of the sperm improved to 7 per cent when semen was collected daily but its morphology did not improve. Electron microscopy revealed that the defects consisted mainly of a loss of microtubules in the axoneme and of disorganised midpieces. A pregnancy rate of 24 per cent per cycle and 44 per cent for the season was achieved in 32 mares after the insemination of whole ejaculates collected ...
Failure of passive transfer of colostral immunity in the foal: incidence, and the effect of stud management and plasma transfusions. The importance of colostrum for the passive transfer of maternal immunity to foals is well recognised. This survey reports the incidence of the failure of passive transfer of colostral immunity in thoroughbred foals in the United Kingdom during 1988 to 1990, and the effect of plasma transfusions on IgG levels in a group of them. The incidence of disease in these foals first month of life is also recorded.
Electromyography of some respiratory muscles in the horse. To investigate activity in respiratory muscles, insulated wire electrodes were used to record electromyographic activity in the costal diaphragm and in the intercostal, serratus ventralis, internal abdominal oblique, transversalis and rectus abdominis muscles in conscious horses and in the same animals when anaesthetised. Electromyographic activity was related to respiratory phases as recorded by a stethograph around the chest wall. The costal diaphragm showed tonic and inspiratory activity in both conscious and anaesthetised animals. The principal muscle actively involved in expiration was th...
Assessment of the breeding prognosis of mares using paired endometrial biopsy techniques. Paired endometrial biopsy samples were taken from 530 subfertile mares, before and after treatment (where indicated) and a period of sexual rest. Prognoses were made after each biopsy (Categories 1A-4A before treatment and Categories 1B-4B after treatment), using histopathological criteria similar to those described by Kenney and Doig (1986). Eighty-seven per cent of the mares were assigned to first biopsy prognosis Category 3A. The second biopsy prognosis produced a more even population distribution (10, 47, 40 and 3 per cent respectively for Category 1B, 2B, 3B and 4B mares). First biopsy Ca...
Bilateral hypoplasia of the soft palate in a foal. Bilateral hypoplasia of the soft palate and aspiration pneumonia occurred in a Standardbred foal. The filly was presented with a history of illthrift, dyspnoea, coughing and bilateral nasal discharge. Abnormal sounds (crackels and wheezes) were auscultated over all lung fields and the cervical trachea. Endoscopy revealed a shortened soft palate with a uvula-like mass protruding from the free border into the nasopharynx. Mucopurulent material was present in the trachea. Samples obtained by tracheal wash were submitted for cytology, culture and sensitivity testing. Results indicated a septic inf...
Osteochondritis dissecans of the tarsocrural joint: results of treatment with arthroscopic surgery. The technique and results of arthroscopic surgery for the treatment of osteochondritis dissecans in 318 tarsocrural joints in 225 horses are reported. Of the 225 horses, 154 were racehorses or intended for racing. Arthroscopic surgery was an effective technique for treating osteochondritis dissecans of the tarsocrural joint. The overall functional ability and cosmetic appearance of the limbs were excellent. Post surgical follow-up information was obtained for 183 horses, of which 140 (76.5 per cent) raced successfully or performed their intended use following surgery. Of the remaining 43, 11 w...
Evaluation of peroral transendoscopic contact neodymium:yttrium aluminum garnet laser and snare excision of subepiglottic cysts in horses. Three basic techniques (and one modified technique) were developed, allowing successful excision of subepiglottic cysts in 10 horses (5 Standardbreds, 4 Thoroughbreds, and 1 Quarter Horse; mean age, 3.5 years) via peroral approach. This approach eliminated the need for laryngotomy or pharyngotomy and reduced postoperative care. None of the cysts redeveloped. Clinical signs of disease before surgery included respiratory noise, exercise intolerance, coughing, and dysphagia and were eliminated in all horses except one that raced successfully, but in which some respiratory noise was detected. Pero...
Technique for continuous stride analysis of horses exercising on a treadmill. A technique for continuous computerised recording and analysis of the stride of horses on a treadmill is described. Advantages of the system are low cost, the use of normal shoes and the calculation of stride parameters in real time.
Acute hemolytic anemia after oral administration of L-tryptophan in ponies. The hematologic and pathologic effects of orally administered L-tryptophan and indoleactic acid and of L-tryptophan administered IV were studied in ponies. Sixteen adult Shetland ponies were allotted into 4 experimental groups. Group 1 consisted of 5 ponies (1-5) given 0.6 g of tryptophan/kg of body weight in a water slurry via stomach tube. Group 2 included 4 ponies (6-9) given 0.35 g of tryptophan/kg orally. Group-3 ponies (10-13) were given 0.35 g of indoleacetic acid/kg orally. Group 4 consisted of 3 ponies (14-16) given a single 4-hour IV infusion of 0.1 g of tryptophan/kg. Restlessness, ...
Effects of bromocriptine and perphenazine on prolactin and progesterone concentrations in pregnant pony mares during late gestation. Pregnant pony mares in Group A (n = 4) received i.m. injections at 07:00 and 17:00 h of 0.8 mg bromocriptine/kg body weight 0.75 per day beginning on Day 295 of gestation and continuing until parturition. Group B (n = 4) was treated similarly, but perphenazine was administered orally at 0.375 mg/kg body weight twice a day beginning on Day 305 of gestation and continuing until parturition. Mares in Group C (n = 3) received i.m. injections of saline. Mean plasma prolactin and progesterone concentrations were greater (P less than 0.05) for mares in Group C than in Groups A and B from 295 to 309 d...
