Omneity® Pellets
All-In-One Vitamin & Mineral Pellet
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.
Evaluation of ivermectin for larvicidal effect in experimentally induced Parascaris equorum infections in pony foals. A controlled test was carried out on 15 pony foals inoculated with 1,500 +/- 108.8 infective Parascaris equorum eggs. The foals were assigned to 3 treatment groups. Treatments given on postinoculation day 11 included 0.2 mg of ivermectin/kg of body weight, formulated as paste (n = 5), or liquid (n = 5), or no treatment (controls; n = 5). The foals were euthanatized on postinoculation day 25, and examined for larvae in the small intestine, lungs, and liver. Larvae were not found in foals treated with ivermectin liquid or paste, whereas significantly (P less than 0.05) higher mean numbers (960.9...
BCG emulsion immunotherapy of equine sarcoid. Of 61 horses with sarcoids treated with intralesional injection of a double emulsion incorporating inactivated bacillus Calmette Guérin organisms, 36 (59 per cent) showed complete regression and 11 (18 per cent) showed partial regression. The majority of cases required only one treatment. Not all sarcoids were responsive to this therapy; those not responding were usually large or on horses with multiple sarcoids.
A method for reproducing fatal idiopathic colitis (colitis X) in ponies and isolation of a clostridium as a possible agent. Severe colitis was induced in two ponies after oral pretreatment with clindamycin and lincomycin, followed by intestinal content from two horses which had died from naturally-occurring idiopathic colitis. Two ponies treated with antibiotic alone, and two ponies treated with intestinal content alone, were unaffected. In a further study, three ponies treated on separate occasions with lincomycin, administered orally, died or were destroyed 67 to 72 h after initial treatment. No established salmonella, yersinia or campylobacter pathogens were isolated from these ponies, but a clostridium closely ...
Variation in plasma concentrations of oestradiol-17 beta and their relationship to those of progesterone, 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F-2 alpha and oxytocin across pregnancy and at parturition in pony mares. Concentrations of plasma progesterone were similar to values reported in the literature except that a significant decrease in progesterone during the last day, but before parturition, was detected by systematic, high-intensity blood sampling. Mean concentrations of oestradiol-17 beta increased sharply and significantly, plateaued for 132.8 +/- 1.5 days (mean +/- s.e.m., N = 9), then declined sharply in each mare. There was obvious variation between the mares in when these increases and decreases in oestradiol-17 beta occurred, with the events being related closely to ambient photoperiod condit...
Effects of cimetidine and ranitidine on basal gastric pH, free and total acid contents in horses. The basal gastric pH, free and total acid contents from five adult horses were determined at two-hour intervals for six- to eight-hour periods. The basal gastric pH, free and total acid contents varied from 2.14 +/- 0.08 to 2.41 +/- 0.14, 28.63 +/- 8.27 to 17.89 +/- 2.86 mmol litre-1 and 41.38 +/- 9.72 to 37.38 +/- 3.70 mmol litre-1, respectively. Cimetidine (8.8 mg kg-1 orally) and ranitidine (2.2 mg kg-1 orally) increased the basal gastric pH to above 3.6 (P less than 0.05) with a concomitant reduction of 75 per cent and 75 to 100 per cent in the basal gastric free acid content, respectively...
Production of monovalent anti-Bothrops asper antivenom: development of immune response in horses and neutralizing ability. A monovalent antivenom was produced by immunizing two horses with venom of the pit viper Bothrops asper (Ophidia: Viperidae). Although development of the immune response against four toxic and enzymatic activities of the venom was similar in both horses during the first two thirds of the immunization schedule, antibody response in one of the horses reached much higher levels in the last part of the immunization. Immunoelectrophoretic analysis indicates that there were precipitating antibodies in the sera of these horses during all the stages of immunization. However, immunoprecipitation did no...
Biochemical indicators of bone formation in foals after transfer from pasture to stables for the winter months. Serum alkaline phosphatase activity and serum concentrations of osteocalcin, free thyroxine, protein, and cholesterol were measured in 14 foals monthly from birth to 1 year of age. A transient decrease (P less than 0.05) in alkaline phosphatase activity and osteocalcin, free thyroxine, and cholesterol concentrations was found in November after transferring the horses from pasture to stables for the winter months. During the 2 subsequent months, serum alkaline phosphatase activity and osteocalcin concentration increased slightly. Protein concentration was highest in late fall and decreased (P l...
Preferred landing sites of Culicoides species (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) on a horse in Israel and its relevance to summer seasonal recurrent dermatitis (sweet itch). Six hundred and twenty culicoides of five species were collected from a bait horse at Kannot, Israel, between April and September 1986. Seventy-two per cent of the midges were collected from the belly and 27 per cent from the dorsal aspect of the body, ie, the sweet itch summer seasonal recurrent dermatitis (SSRD) zone. Midges were active mainly from half an hour prior to half an hour after sunset. Only Culicoides puncticollis, C imicola and C schultzei group were collected in considerable numbers. While C imicola was present continuously throughout the season, the appearance of the two other ...
Effect of administration of an alpha 2-adrenergic agonist, xylazine, on pulsatile gonadotrophin secretion in anoestrous horse mares. Two experiments were performed to test the hypothesis that the seasonal suppression of gonadotrophin pulse frequency in anoestrous horse mares reflects inhibitory neural mechanisms. In a preliminary experiment (Exp. 1) conducted in February, 4 anoestrous mares were sedated by repeated intravenous injections of xylazine, an alpha 2-adrenergic receptor agonist. On the day of treatment, 1-2 LH pulses were observed in xylazine-treated mares. In contrast, during a 12-h period only 1/8 untreated control mares exhibited a LH pulse. In Exp. 2, the effect of xylazine-induced sedation on pulsatile gonad...
Continuous absorbable suture pattern in the closure of ventral midline abdominal incisions in horses. A retrospective study was performed to evaluate the healing of ventral midline abdominal incisions, closed with a simple continuous suture pattern using absorbable suture material, in 139 horses and foals. Dehiscence and incisional hernia developed separately in two horses. The low incidence of dehiscence and incisional hernia, compared with their reported incidence following the use of interrupted suture repair, leads the authors to recommend this alternative method of abdominal incision closure in horses. The security of closure is not sacrificed and the advantages of a rapid closure are des...
Sequelae of myelography in the horse. The records of 131 horses undergoing general anaesthesia and positive contrast cervical myelography with metrizamide were examined to determine the effect of the procedure on the 'patient'. Three per cent of minimally ataxic and moderately ataxic horses had serious complications after myelography. Thirty-two per cent of severely ataxic horses died or were destroyed after general anaesthesia and myelography. Although general anaesthesia and myelography are essential components of a complete neurological evaluation of a horse, they impose a significant risk.
Purification of specific heterologous F(ab)2 fragments with DEAE-Zeta-Prep cartridges for ion-exchange chromatography. A simple two-step procedure for purifying F(ab)2 fragments of horse immunoglobulins is described. In the first step, the horse plasma is diluted, made up to 12% (w/v) with ammonium sulphate and digested with pepsin. In the second step, the previously dialyzed solution is chromatographed. Instead of a normal ion-exchange resin, a DEAE-cellulose, covalently linked to a synthetic vinyl polymer, was used (DEAE-Zeta-Prep). With this assembly it is possible to perform chromatography at a high flow-rate without the problems related to the use of large columns. The yield and purity of the final produc...
Subchondral cyst-like lesions in the distal portion of the radius of four horses. Four horses with subchondral cyst-like lesions in the medial radial facet of the distal portion of the radius were examined. Joint effusion and signs of pain from flexion of the antebrachiocarpal joint were not observed, but lameness was observed in 3 of the 4 horses. Regional nerve blocks and intra-articular anesthesia were used to localize the lesions, and conservative treatment resulted in soundness for performance.
Kleingrass-associated hepatotoxicosis in horses. Chronic hepatic disease was diagnosed in 6 horses with history of anorexia and weight loss. These horses consistently had abnormally high serum gamma-glutamyltransferase activities, total and direct bilirubin and blood ammonia values, and sulfobromophthalein clearance times, whereas serum iditol dehydrogenase, aspartate transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase activities were variable. In the 6 horses, histologic examination of the liver revealed lesions of chronic hepatitis with varying degrees of fibrosis. All 6 horses had ingested kleingrass (Panicum coloratum) for variable periods. Three hea...
Serum and peritoneal fluid phosphate concentrations as predictors of major intestinal injury associated with equine colic. To determine the reliability with which inorganic phosphorus (phosphate) concentrations can be used to predict major intestinal injury associated with equine colic, phosphate concentrations were measured in serum, peritoneal fluid, or both from 9 clinically normal adult horses (group A), 37 horses successfully managed medically for signs of abdominal pain (group B), 26 horses with signs of abdominal pain and undergoing exploratory laparotomy without intestinal resection (group C), and 26 horses undergoing intestinal resection or euthanasia for extensive intestinal lesions (group D). Peritoneal...
Keratomas in horses: seven cases (1975-1986). The diagnosis of keratoma in 7 horses and their treatment and outcome were evaluated. Horses were 2 to 20 years old, of various breeds, and were intact or castrated males. All were lame, and 6 horses had had previous injuries of the affected hoof that had not responded to prior treatments. Only 1 hoof was affected in each horse. Keratomas were beneath the hoof wall (6 horses) or sole (1 horse). Radiographically, a circular or semicircular defect with a discrete margin was present in the distal portion of the third phalanx in 3 horses. Grossly, keratomas were firm solitary masses (1.5 to 5 cm d...
Teratocarcinoma of the ovary in a mare. A 5-year-old Appaloosa mare had a history of mild intermittent abdominal discomfort and clinical signs that were suggestive of intestinal obstruction. Palpation per rectum revealed a large mass attached to the left uterine horn, with smaller masses extending dorsally and cranially and causing constriction of the rectum. At necropsy, numerous multilobulated masses were observed in the abdominal cavity and several nodules were seen in the lungs. The left ovary was large and contained both cartilage and hairlike material. Sections from all masses had similar histologic features and confirmed the ...
Diagnosis and surgical treatment of functional obstruction of the right dorsal colon in a horse. Functional obstruction of the right dorsal colon was found at surgery in a 6-year-old American Saddlebred gelding with a history of anorexia, depression, weight loss, and intermittent colic. Side-to-side anastomosis of the right dorsal colon to the small colon was done to bypass the obstruction. Histopathologic findings of the right dorsal colon and regional colonic lymph nodes were unremarkable. Surgical treatment was successful.
Fistulous withers in horses: 14 cases (1978-1987). Over an 8-year period, 14 horses were admitted to the New York State College of Veterinary Medicine for evaluation of fistulous withers. Of the 14 horses, 11 were treated surgically and 3 were not treated. Surgical techniques involved radical excision of the affected soft tissue and spinous processes of affected vertebrae. Recurrence rate was 30%, and these horses required additional surgery to resolve the problem.
Detomidine-butorphanol sedation in equine clinical practice. Combinations of detomidine (mean dose rate 13 micrograms/kg) and butorphanol (mean dose rate 26 micrograms/kg) were used to sedate 61 horses for a variety of surgical or diagnostic procedures in general equine practice. Three horses were sedated on more than one occasion. The degree of sedation was graded from 3 to 0 (deep sedation to no effect) and any side effects were recorded. Forty-three per cent of the horses were graded 3, 46 per cent were graded 2, 8 per cent were graded 1 and 3 per cent were graded 0. Bradycardia and ataxia were the major side effects. The combination was judged to be...
Micronema deletrix-induced granulomatous osteoarthritis in a lame horse. Necropsy of a chronically lame 16-year-old thoroughbred gelding revealed granulomatous osteomyelitis and polyarthritis due to a widely disseminated infection by Micronema deletrix. Diagnosis was based upon the nematode's morphology with its characteristic rhabditiform oesophagus. Granulomata, often containing one or more centrally located M. deletrix, were observed histologically in sections prepared from femur, kidney, stomach, lung, adrenal gland and sublumbar lymph nodes. Neither verminous meningo-encephalitis nor cephalic granulomata, which are the more commonly described lesions, was foun...
Costal diaphragmatic O2 and lactate extraction in laryngeal hemiplegic ponies during exercise. Diaphragmatic O2 and lactate extraction were examined in seven healthy ponies during maximal exercise (ME) carried out without, as well as with, inspiratory resistive breathing. Arterial and diaphragmatic venous blood were sampled simultaneously at rest and at 30-s intervals during the 4 min of ME. Experiments were carried out before and after left laryngeal hemiplegia (LH) was produced. During ME, normal ponies exhibited hypocapnia, hemoconcentration, and a decrease in arterial PO2 (PaO2) with insignificant change in O2 saturation. In LH ponies, PaO2 and O2 saturation decreased well below tha...
Ultrastructure of junctional epidermolysis bullosa in Belgian foals. Ultrastructural examination of a mechanobullous disease of probable hereditary nature in Belgian foals, confirmed light microscopic findings that separation of the dermo-epidermal junction occurred through the lamina lucida of the basement membrane, leaving the intact lamina densa adherent to the dermis and the plasmalemma of the basal epithelial cells intact. The location of the cleft and the presence of small hemidesmosomes in adjacent intact skin are additional characteristics which make this condition similar to junctional epidermolysis bullosa of man.
Pharmacokinetics and estimated bioavailability of amoxicillin in mares after intravenous, intramuscular, and oral administration. The pharmacokinetics and estimated bioavailability of amoxicillin were determined after IV, intragastric, and IM administration to healthy mares. After IV administration of sodium amoxicillin (10 mg/kg of body weight), the disposition of the drug was best described by a 2-compartment open model. A rapid distribution phase was followed by a rapid elimination phase, with a mean +/- SD half-life of 39.4 +/- 3.57 minutes. The mean volume of distribution was 325 +/- 68.2 ml/kg, and the mean body clearance was 5.68 +/- 0.80 ml/min.kg. It was concluded that frequent IV administration of sodium amoxic...
