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.
van Dyk E, Immelman A, van Heerden JS.After isolation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from endometrial biopsies of 6 mares they were treated with amikacin sulphate. Three were treated by intra-uterine application of the drug, in one the drug was given by intramuscular injection, in another the intravenous route was used while in the last mare simultaneous local and intravenous treatment was applied. An intra-uterine Tris-EDTA instillation preceeded the uterine amikacin instillations to aid in the breakdown of the capsule around the bacterium. Serum concentrations of amikacin were determined after intravenous and intramuscular administra...
Edwards GT.Of 1388 horses and ponies examined at two abattoirs in the north of England from November 1979 to September 1981, 123 (8.7 per cent) showed evidence of hydatid infection. Prevalence of infection was closely related to age, rising from nil in animals up to two years old to over 20 per cent of those over eight years. Full-mouthed horses and ponies had similar prevalence rates (14.9 and 14.5 per cent, respectively), but horses had nearly twice as many viable infections as ponies. The prevalence of infection varied with the region of origin of full-mouthed horses and ponies, with 18 per cent of th...
Cross AR, Higson FK, Jones OT, Harper AM, Segal AW.1. The absorption coefficient of human neutrophil plasma-membrane reduced-minus-oxidized cytochrome b-245 was determined [delta epsilon (mM; 559-540 nm) = 21.6 cm-1]. 2. Neutrophil polymorphonuclear leucocytes (neutrophils) were prepared from human, ox, horse and pig blood. In each case plasma-membrane fractions were found to contain low-potential cytochrome b. When membranes from horse neutrophils were incubated anaerobically with either NADH or NADPH the cytochrome b became reduced. Prior stimulation of the cells with phorbol myristate acetate did not increase the rate or extent of cytochrom...
Lanneau M, Loir M.Using standardized methods for protein extraction and analysis, the testes of rams, bulls, goats, boars, stallions, rats, cats, hedgehogs, European mink and ferrets were examined for basic spermatid nucleoproteins by electrophoresis. The results suggest that differences exist in the total number of these proteins as well as in the number and amount of the cross-linked cystein-containing proteins. These differences appear to be more family-specific than species-specific.
Hamlin RL, Levesque MJ, Kittleson MD.Transmural myocardial blood flow was measured with microspheres in systole and in diastole, along with intramyocardial pressure, in seven anaesthetised horses. Intramyocardial pressures were measured with a miniature manometer implanted in the tip of a 16-gauge needle. Peak systolic intramyocardial pressure decreased from subendocardium to subepicardium and never exceeded intraventricular pressure. Systolic blood flow decreased from epicardium to endocardium where it did not differ from zero. Diastolic blood flow increased from epicardium to subendocardium, but then decreased in the most endoc...
Bártek J, Viklický V, Franĕk F, Angelisová P, Dráber P, Jarosíková T, Nĕmec M, Verlová H.Five stable hybridoma lines were prepared using the myeloma cell line P3-X63-Ag.653 and spleen cells of mice hyperimmunized by pig transferrin. All hybridomas grew well in mouse peritoneal cavity and produced antibodies of the IgG1 subclass. Antibody preparations obtained from ascitic fluids tested for their capacity of antigen precipitation. No precipitation was obtained with single antibodies and with pairs of antibodies. Three out of 10 possible triads gave clear and sharp precipitation zones and rings in immunodiffusion tests performed in agar gel. All 5 antibodies were shown by quantitati...
Keay G, Doxey DL.Samples of serum from both young and adult normal cattle, sheep and horses were subjected to protein electrophoresis on agarose gel films. After processing, the stained electrophoretic patterns and densitometric traces of each species exhibited certain specific characteristics. The separations also revealed differences between young and adult animals of the same species. These age-related differences are described here.
Madewell BR, Carlson GP, MacLachlan NJ, Feldman BF.A 17-year-old Arabian gelding was presented because of CNS depression and weight loss. Physical examination revealed generalized lymphadenopathy, pitting edema, and ascites. The diagnosis of lymphosarcoma with leukemic manifestations was based on cytologic and histopathologic examination of lymph node biopsy samples and a peripheral leukocyte count of 98,300/microliters, 94% of which were mature lymphocytes. These circulating lymphocytes lacked B-lymphocyte markers and did not respond to mitogenic stimulation, indicating functional incompetence. Though ultrastructural findings were equivocal, ...
Lindmark DG, Jarroll EL, Timoney PJ, Shin SJ.The energy metabolism of the English E-CMO strain of contagious equine metritis bacterium was studied in whole cells and cell extracts. This bacterium appears to have an active Krebs cycle and probably obtains energy by oxidative phosphorylation since glycolysis and the hexose monophosphate pathways appear to be absent. These conclusions are based on the findings that [U-14C]glucose incorporation by this bacterium is below the level of detection, and that respiration is stimulated by Krebs cycle intermediates (i.e., malate, citrate, and succinate), but not by glucose, fructose, maltose, or suc...
Horner GW, Hunter R.Two serologically unrelated adenoviruses were isolated from ill-thrifty young horses on a thoroughbred stud. The viruses differed in their cytopathic effects in cell culture and in their haemagglutination properties. A serological survey of horses in the northern half of the North Island showed the prevalence of precipitating antibodies against equine adenoviruses to be 39%.
Martin DH, Dietz WH, Alvaerez O, Johnson KM.One hundred and fifty-eight strains of Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis virus were typed antigenically and classified epidemiologically as either epizootic or enzootic. Plaque sizes for 148 of these strains were determined, and the pH requirements for hemagglutination (HA) of goose erythrocytes of 131 were studied. Only antigenic variant group IABC strains could be classified epidemiologically as epizootic. In vitro these strains were characterized by the formation of small plaques in Vero cells and a relatively narrow pH range for optimum HA reactivity. Experimental studies in horses confi...
Sahu SP, Wool S, Breese SS.In uterine or cervical specimens obtained from pony mares infected with streptomycin-resistant contagious equine metritis bacteria, several colonies of the bacteria which differed in morphologic characteristics were recognized during their primary isolation on Eugon chocolate agar and tryptose chocolate agar plates. The differences were usually not observed until plates were incubated 10 to 15 days. On Eugon chocolate agar plates, smooth colony, sandy colony with rings, and colony with blebs were recognized. On tryptose chocolate agar plates, only a round smooth convex colony was observed. By ...
Kirchhoff H, Ammar AM, Heitmann J, Dubenkropp H, Schmidt R.Sera from horses with respiratory disease (RD) have been investigated using the complement fixation test, indirect hemagglutination test, enzyme immune assay, and the metabolic inhibition test, and sera from mares after abortion, using the complement fixation test, indirect hemagglutination test and enzyme immune assay, for antibodies against Mycoplasma equirhinis, M subdolum, M. equigenitalium, M. pulmonis, M. felis, Acholeplasma laidlawii, A. hippikon and A. equifetale. Antibodies were found against all mycoplasma and acholeplasma species tested, more often against acholeplasmas. The antibod...
Woods PR.Skin lesions can be associated with many internal diseases. Most organ systems seem to have conditions in which skin lesions can develop. Treatment of the skin lesions in such a situation is palliative. The underlying internal disease must be addressed for resolution of the skin lesions to occur. It is important to view the skin as an integral communicating part of the body and not just as the skin.
Scardia A, Mariani Pimenta EL, Ross Russell RI, Jones GJ, Staffieri F.The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity of the SpO/FiO diagram in estimating gas exchange in horses under general anaesthesia. In this prospective, controlled clinical study were included 10 horses under general anaesthesia. FiO was progressively reduced with the following steps: 0.6, 0.4, 0.3 and 0.21; SpO was recorded at each step. An arterial blood sample was collected at the steps of 1.0 and 0.21, to calculate intrapulmonary shunt with the Fshunt formula. The Fshunt value calculated at 0.21 FiO was defined as "Fshunt 0.21", the one calculated at 1.0 FiO as "Fshunt 1.0". The FiO ...
Brooks DE, McCoy DJ, Martin GS.Uterine rupture was diagnosed in 2 postpartum mares with hemorrhagic vaginal discharge. Both mares had abdominal pain, as evidenced by pawing, kicking at the abdomen, or attempting to roll. Peritoneal fluid analysis was useful in establishing a diagnosis. One mare had many RBC in the peritoneal fluid and was anemic; this mare was managed medically with oxytocin, antibiotics, and blood transfusion. The mare was able to raise her foal to weaning age. The second mare had many RBC, degenerate neutrophils, and intracellular and extracellular bacteria in peritoneal fluid. Surgical repair of the uter...
Cartee RE, Cowles WR.To determine the lines of maximum extensibility of the skin over the equine carpus, round puncture wounds were made 2.0 cm apart over the carpal area of 5 horses (7 carpi). The direction of elongation of the round puncture wound was observed and photographed. Lines of maximum extensibility that occurred over the surfaces of the equine carpus were determined to be proximal to distal, except in a small area over the accessory carpal bone where a state of anisotropism existed. In an immobilized carpus, direction of a surgical incision was not as important as it was in a mobile carpus, in which th...
O'Grady SE, Dryden VC.A club foot or flexural deformity may affect a horse at any stage of life from neonate through adulthood. The emphasis of this article is on defining and recommending the appropriate farriery for flexural deformities involving the deep digital flexor tendon and the distal interphalangeal joint. Clinical management of the flexural deformity is influenced by the severity, duration, and etiology of the club foot as well as the degree and source of lameness. Also discussed is the management of mismatched hoof angles, which remains a controversial subject for both farrier and veterinarian.
Alm H, Neumann H, Torner H, Tomek W, Wollenhaupt K, Kanitz W, Becker F.Equine oocytes were collected by follicle aspiration in vivo or by dissection of material obtained from an abattoir, and the ultrastructure, protein phosphorylation and mRNA status of the oocytes were evaluated. Electron microscopy studies indicated that the nucleus had a smooth membrane in oocytes with a compact cumulus, whereas the nuclear membrane was undulated in all other groups. Oocytes with compact cumuli had only a few microvilli, whereas those with expanded cumuli had more microvilli. There were only small numbers of cortical granules close to the oolemma in oocytes with compact cumul...
Dybing O, Peoples SA.The determination of amphetamine in body fluids is of interest in veterinary toxicology because of the possible use of amphetamine in the doping of race horses. Many types of methods for its detection and determination have been developed. In the newest methods gas chromatography and mass spectrometry have been applied, making it possible to detect and identify 1 µg amphetamine in blood samples ( 1970).
Kudrnáčová M, Langrová I, Maršálek M, Jankovská I, Scháňková S, Brožová A, Truněčková J.The occurrence of Hypoderma diana (Diptera: Hypodermatidae) in a herd of 15 horses was observed during a 4-year period (2010-2013) in northwest Bohemia. During this period, infestation by the warble fly H. diana increased from 12.5% in 2010 to 53.3% in 2013. Nodules were observed on the neck, back, stomach, legs, and head. The incidence of H. diana was probably influenced by the presence of a specific host mouflon (Ovis orientalis musimon).
Kirschvink N, Reinhold P.In veterinary medicine, upper airway resistance deserves a particular attention in equines athletes and brachycephalic dogs. Due to the anatomical peculiarities of the upper airway and/or pathological conditions, significant alterations of performance and/or well being might occur in horses and dogs. Physiological specificities and pathological changes of the lower respiratory tract deserve a major attention in other species.
Yasine A, Ashenafi H, Geldhof P, Bekana M, Tola A, Van Brantegem L, Van Soom A, Duchateau L, Goddeeris BM, Govaere J.Trypanosoma equiperdum (T. equiperdum) causes dourine, a venereally transmitted infection in horses. Purification of semen by single layer centrifugation (SLC) has been proven to be successful in reducing venereally transmitted diseases when dealing with other pathogens. The objective of this study was to evaluate the purification of T. equiperdum spiked semen by SLC. Semen was spiked using cryopreserved T. equiperdum stabilates (Dodola strain isolate 943). In total, 6 concentrations, varying from 10 to >5 × 10 trypanosomes, were added to semen samples. Subsequently, SLC was performed ...
Hoskinson JJ, Wooten P, Evans R.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.
Jørgensen RJ, Andersen S.Between 10 and 25% of the Dictyocaulus arnfieldi larvae excreted in faeces from a naturally infected donkey were harvested as infective stages from faecal cultures by means of Pilobolus fungi. The faeces were collected between 24 and 56 hours after drenching the donor animal with Pilobolus spores and kept at 16 +/- 2 degrees C. Most larvae were collected between the 5th and the 8th day of culturing during which period fructification and sporangium discharge also peaked. The sporangia and the adhering larvae were collected in Petri dishes inserted between the faecal mass and a light source. All...
Whisenant KD, Ruggles AJ, Stefanovski D, Woodie JB, Hopper SA, Embertson RM.Haematogenous septic arthritis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in foals. Previous research has demonstrated a variable prognosis for athletic performance in foals diagnosed with septic arthritis. Objective: To determine the racing prognosis for Thoroughbred foals, 6 months of age or less with single septic joint of presumed haematogenous origin without recognised systemic sepsis or other serious comorbidity compared with a group of maternal sibling controls. Methods: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: Data were collected from Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in-patient records fro...
Bienert-Zeit A, Gietz C, Staszyk C, Kietzmann M, Stahl J, Ohnesorge B.To monitor concentrations of sulfadimidine in the paranasal sinus mucosa (PSM) of unsedated horses following IV administration of trimethoprim-sulfadimidine via in vivo microdialysis. Methods: 10 healthy adult horses. Methods: Concentric microdialysis probes were implanted into the subepithelial layers of the frontal sinus mucosa of standing sedated horses. Four hours after implantation, trimethoprim-sulfadimidine (30 mg/kg) was administered IV every 24 hours for 2 days; dialysate and plasma samples were collected at intervals during that 48-hour period and analyzed for concentrations of sulfa...
