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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.
Factors influencing the ingestion of Onchocerca cervicalis microfilariae by Culicoides variipennis (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae). Culicoides variipennis were fed under controlled conditions on two ponies that exhibited seasonal changes in Onchocerca cervicalis microfilarial (mf) skin density and skin distribution. The seasonal changes did not radically affect mf ingestion. Flies were fed on the umbilicus of infected ponies by two methods: individual feeding in consecutive order at the same site, or by mass feeding. Linear regression analysis indicated that ingestion of microfilaria was independent of feeding time and engorged weight. In the individual feeding data, there was a trend toward an increased ingestion of mf as...
Equine Cushing’s disease: differential regulation of beta-endorphin processing in tumors of the intermediate pituitary. Equine Cushing's disease is caused by an adenomatous hyperplasia of the intermediate pituitary which secretes high levels of beta-endorphin, ACTH, and other peptide derivatives of POMC. In the present study we found that plasma and cerebrospinal fluid immunoreactive beta-endorphin (i beta-endorphin) levels were 60- and 120-fold higher than control values in horses with Cushing's disease. There were no significant differences in intermediate lobe i beta-endorphin concentrations, although anterior lobe i beta-endorphin was significantly reduced in Cushing's horses, presumably because high levels...
The effect of drugs used in the treatment of osteoarthrosis on stromelysin (proteoglycanase) of equine synovial cell origin. There is increasing evidence that the proteoglycan-degrading neutral metalloproteinase, stromelysin, is a key enzyme in the pathogenesis of osteoarthrosis. Equine synovial lining cells were stimulated in vitro to produce stromelysin, and phenylbutazone, flunixin, betamethasone, sodium hyaluronate and polysulphated glycosaminoglycan (PSGAG) were tested for their ability to inhibit the action of this enzyme on 14C-labelled casein substrate. Only PSGAG possessed inhibitory activity at concentrations likely to be achieved therapeutically in the equine fetlock joint.
Cardiorespiratory and sedative effects of a combination of acepromazine, xylazine and methadone in the horse. Cardiorespiratory and sedative effects of a combination of acepromazine, xylazine and methadone were studied in the horse. Acepromazine and xylazine produced cardiovascular effects whereas methadone mainly affected respiratory rate. Decreases in heart rate, arterial blood pressure and respiratory rate were seen. Sedation was superior to that of acepromazine, xylazine or a combination of these. No serious side effects were seen.
Efficacy of ivermectin in paste and injectable formulations against microfilariae of Onchocerca cervicalis and resolution of associated dermatitis in horses. The efficacy of a single dose of ivermectin (0.2 mg/kg), in injectable or paste formulations, against microfilariae of Onchocerca cervicalis and associated skin lesions was evaluated in 20 naturally infected horses during midsummer months in Louisiana. All horses had clinical signs of dermatitis of the ventral midline and/or limbs, shoulders, thorax, and withers. Efficacy was monitored at 21, 42, and 63 days after treatment. Procedures done at these intervals included microfilarial counts of 6-mm skin biopsy specimens of affected ventral midline, grading of gross lesions, and photography and h...
Non-invasive measurement of bone: a review of clinical and research applications in the horse. The current methods for non-invasive measurement of bone quality are reviewed. In the horse this has traditionally involved the use of radiography, but there are now two other modalities available for the critical evaluation of cortical bone quality and strength. These utilise single photon absorptiometry and ultrasound velocity. Photon absorptiometry gives a direct measurement of bone mineral content, by using a monoenergetic radionuclide source, and transverse ultrasound velocity in bone gives a measure of bone stiffness or elasticity. They can both be used conveniently on the metacarpus of ...
Enumeration of anaerobic bacterial microflora of the equine gastrointestinal tract. Samples from the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum, as well as from the cecum and colon, were obtained from 11 mature grass-fed horses. Viable counts of total culturable and proteolytic bacteria were made on habitat-simulating media containing 40% clarified ruminal fluid. The mean pHs in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum were 6.32, 7.10, and 7.47, respectively; the mean pH decreased to 6.7 in the hindgut. The acetate concentration increased along the length of the small intestine and was the only volatile fatty acid present in this gut segment. Molar proportions of acetate, propionate, and butyrate ...
Comparison of staple and suture techniques for end-to-end anastomosis of the small colon in horses. Two techniques for end-to-end anastomosis of the small colon were evaluated in each of 6 horses. A simple interrupted suture pattern that excluded the mucosa and was oversewn with an inverting suture was compared with a triangulated double-row pattern of stainless steel staples. Anastomotic sites were evaluated at 2 weeks, 2 months, and 6 months for extent of abdominal adhesions, lumen diameter at anastomotic sites, bursting pressures, and healing response. Clinical postoperative complications were not associated with either technique. At postmortem examination, there was extensive adhesion fo...
Combined use of detomidine with opiates in the horse. The effects of administration of one of four opiates (pethidine 1 mg/kg bodyweight (bwt), morphine 0.1 mg/kg bwt, methadone 0.1 mg/kg bwt, and butorphanol 0.05 mg/kg bwt) given intravenously to horses and ponies already sedated with detomidine (10 micrograms/kg bwt) were investigated. Behavioural, cardiovascular and respiratory effects of the combinations were compared with those occurring with detomidine alone. Addition of the opiate increased the apparent sedation and decreased the response of the animal to external stimuli. At doses used, butorphanol produced the most reliable response. Sid...
Isolation and characterization of monoclonal antibodies against an attenuated vaccine strain of equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1). The production and differentiation of monoclonal antibodies (mabs) against the Rac-H strain of EHV-1 used as an attenuated live vaccine to prevent rhinopneumonitis and abortion is described. Seven different antigenic sites were detected by the 15 mabs produced. EHV-1 specific mabs as well as EHV-1 and -4 common mabs could be established, allowing easy typing of EHV isolates. One mab recognized the vaccine strain only. This reaction was used to investigate a possible involvement of the vaccine strain in cases of abortion. Common antigenic determinants with EHV-1,-3,-4 and BHV-1 could also be de...
Capillary permeability to endogenous macromolecules in the equine digit. Microvascular permeability characteristics were evaluated in digits of 7 adult horses. After capillaries were isolated and an extracorporeal perfusion circuit for the digit was established, a lymphatic vessel draining the distal portion of the phalangeal region was cannulated at the level of the coronary band. Venous pressure was increased in a stepwise manner, and lymph flow, lymph protein concentration (Cl), and plasma protein concentration (Cp) were determined after measured variables were allowed to reach steady state. Lymph-to-plasma protein concentration ratios (Cl/Cp) and lymph and plas...
Incidence, location and classification of 371 third carpal bone fractures in 313 horses. The medical records and radiographs of all horses with a third carpal bone fracture admitted to The Ohio State University Veterinary Hospital from 1979 to 1987 were reviewed. Three hundred and seventy-one fractures were found in 313 horses; 57 percent were Standardbreds, 41 per cent were Thoroughbreds, and only 1.6 per cent were Quarterhorses. All were young racehorses (average age = 3.1 years). Third carpal fractures occurred more frequently in the right limb (60 percent) than the left limb (40 percent); Thoroughbreds had a greater right-left disparity (67.5 percent R, 27.1 per cent L). Fract...
Evaluation of three techniques for end-to end anastomosis of the small colon in horses. In an attempt to determine the best method for surgical removal of devitalized small colon lesions, 12 horses underwent a double small colon resection and end-to-end anastomosis. In 4 horses (study 1), an appositional single-layer (APP-1) suture pattern was compared with an inverting 2-layer (INV-2) suture pattern. In 8 horses (study 2), an appositional 2-layer (APP-2) suture pattern was compared with the INV-2 suture technique. Polydioxanone suture (size 1-0), was used. Horses were evaluated at necropsy 3, 10, 14, 28, or 56 days after surgery. Postoperative complications (peritonitis, impacti...
The gait of pacers. 2: factors influencing pacing speed. Standardbred pacers were studied at four different nominated speeds and selected gait kinematics were analysed to determine factors which contribute to pacing speed. A deterministic model is proposed in which pacing speed is a function of stride length and stride timing variables. Stance length and suspension time remained relatively constant over the different pacing speeds. Variables which discriminated best between pacing speeds were suspension length and overlap time. At near maximal speed, the pacers increased speeds with increased stride length. This was attributed to an increased suspen...
Atypical myoglobinuria: an acute myopathy in grazing horses. Four out of 12 horses grazing a field in Berkshire, England, suffered a prostrating illness and died within 12 to 72 h. Serum biochemical abnormalities, including markedly elevated muscle enzymes, were demonstrated and at post mortem widespread myodegeneration was found in both skeletal muscle and myocardium. Urine analysis revealed myoglobinuria, and renal changes were seen histologically. Although similar pathologically, the clinical syndrome and circumstances of the outbreak were not typical of equine exertional rhabdomyolysis (EER). The outbreak bore a striking resemblance to other reporte...
The pattern of venous drainage of the equine ileocaecal junction. The veins draining the ileocaecal junctions of horses (n = 19), donkeys (n = 3) and a plains zebra, (Equus burchelli antiquorum) were injected with latex via the ileocolic vein, and dissected. In all specimens the ileocaecal papilla was drained by 2 major papillary veins: one cranial and one caudal to the papilla. A smaller dorsal vein drained either into the cranial or into the caudal vein. The submucosal veins seemed to increase in number in the ileocaeacal junction to form a venous plexus. This plexus, together with veins from the caecum and the distal ileum immediately bordering the ileoca...
Evaluation of equine locomotion during different degrees of experimentally induced lameness. II: Distribution of ground reaction force patterns of the concurrently loaded limbs. Force plate and high-speed film data from a group of six walking horses were used to study the distribution of the ground reaction forces (GRF) of the concurrently loaded limbs. Three different degrees of supporting lameness were induced in a forelimb or a hindlimb using modified horse shoes. In all experiments the alterations in the distribution in the transverse horizontal GRF (Fx) were small. During unilateral forelimb lameness, the decreased longitudinal horizontal GRF (Fy) was compensated by an increase of the Fy forces of the contralateral forelimb and the ipsilateral hindlimb. The decre...
The gait of pacers. 1: kinematics of the racing stride. Standardbred pacers have been studied under race conditions to describe the gait of the pacer, and to determine relationships between stage of the race, finish order and selected gait kinematics. Overlap increased with the stage of the race while pacing speed decreased marginally for low order pacers and increased for high order finishers. High order finishing pacers appear to have greater stance and stride lengths than do low order finishers. Pacers could be separated into low order and high order groups on the basis of their movement patterns. High order pacers exhibited greater ranges of li...
Detomidine: a preliminary analysis of its duration of action in the horse by variable interval responding. Variable interval (VI) reinforcement scheduling is a specific type of operant conditioning that is sensitive to drug effects even when overt clinical signs of the drug have diminished. Six horses were conditioned to break a light beam with a head-bobbing movement and this behaviour was reinforced with a reward of clean oats (approximately 30 mg/reinforcement). Initial training procedures included familiarisation with the behavioural equipment and fixed-ratio reinforced scheduling. To establish baseline rates of behaviour, the horses were converted to a variable interval (60 secs) reinforcement...
Fasciola in horses in the Republic of South Africa: a single natural case of Fasciola hepatica and the failure to infest ten horses either with F. hepatica or Fasciola gigantica. The faeces of 11 horses were examined for Fasciola spp. eggs. One of them was positive for Fasciola hepatica, a finding which was confirmed post-mortem. The 10 negative horses were subsequently infested with either F. hepatica or Fasciola gigantica, each animal receiving orally from 500-9,500 metacercariae. No clinical signs were observed and no fluke eggs were detected in the faeces, and neither immature nor adult Fasciola worms were recovered from the horses slaughtered 16-26 weeks post-infestation with F. hepatica and 28-34 weeks post-infestation with F. gigantica, respectively. The results...
Cruciate and collateral ligament failure in the equine stifle: seven cases (1975-1985). Medical records of 7 adult horses with single or multiple ligament failure of the femorotibial ligaments were reviewed to evaluate signalment, history, diagnostic and treatment methods, outcome, and long-term follow-up information. Acute onset of lameness was recorded for most of the horses. Horses with multiple ligament injury had more severe clinical signs than did horses with single ligament injury. Horses with single ligament injury generally required manipulative tests to localize the lameness to the stifle. In all horses, radiography of the stifle assisted in the diagnosis. Horses either...
Kinematic analysis of the instant centers of rotation of the equine metacarpophalangeal joint. A kinematic analysis of the instant centers of rotation analysis was performed on 21 metacarpophalangeal joints from 11 horses. Manual and computerized methods were used to locate the instant center of rotation on photocopies of transparent composite tracings of a series of radiographs of each joint. The instant centers of rotation of the proximal phalanx about the distal portion of the third metacarpal bone were located consistently on or near the eminence for attachment of the collateral ligaments. The instant centers of rotation of the sesamoids about the distal portion of the third metacar...
Treatment of respiratory distress in a prematurely born foal. A foal born 3 weeks prematurely was treated for respiratory distress, using a combination of oxygen therapy and mechanical ventilatory assistance. Clinical response and arterial blood gas tensions were monitored regularly. Continuous positive-airway pressure and intermittent positive-pressure ventilation administered via a nasotracheal tube were effective in improving arterial oxygenation and ventilatory function.
The hypersensitivity of horses to culicoides bites in british columbia. Culicoides hypersensitivity is a chronic, recurrent, seasonal dermatitis of horses that has a worldwide distribution, but has only recently been reported in Canada. It is characterized by intense pruritus resulting in lesions associated with self-induced trauma.A survey of veterinarians and horse-owners in British Columbia showed no differences in susceptibility due to the sex, color, breed, or height of the horses. The prevalence of the disease in the 209 horses surveyed was 26%. Horses sharing the same pasture could be unaffected. The disease was reported primarily from southwestern British ...
