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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.
Comparison of first and second acupuncture treatments in horses with chronic laminitis. Laminitis is a common but critical disease that causes severe pain and disability in horses. The etiology and pathogenesis of laminitis remain inconclusive and a multimodal therapeutic approach is generally indicated. Acupuncture has been used as a treatment option; however, the required number of treatments is still controversial due to the lack of objective scientific evidence. Objective: The objective of this study was to determine if the response to a second acupuncture treatment differed from the response to the first acupuncture treatment in horses with chronic laminitis. Methods: Fourte...
Incomplete fracture of the talus secondary to maladaptive stress remodeling in a horse. A 6-year-old Quarter Horse gelding used for barrel racing was evaluated for acute onset of non-weight-bearing lameness of the left hind limb following strenuous exercise. Nuclear scintigraphic imaging revealed focal increased radiopharmaceutical uptake centrally within the left talus. Subsequent standard radiographic and ultrasonographic examinations of the tarsus failed to identify the cause of the increased radiopharmaceutical uptake; however, the lameness was definitively localized to the tarsocrural joint by intra-articular anesthesia. Subsequent MRI sequences of the left tarsus revealed a...
Determination of reference intervals for equine arterial blood-gas, acid-base and electrolyte analysis. To establish reference intervals for arterial blood-gas (ABG), acid-base and electrolyte values from a healthy equine population. Methods: Retrospective clinical study. Methods: A total of 139 client-owned, systemically healthy horses, 1 year of age and older, presented for elective surgical procedures. Methods: Blood samples were collected anaerobically from the transverse facial or common carotid artery of horses breathing room air, prior to administration of preanaesthetic medication. Samples were analysed immediately, without correction for body temperature, using an automated bench-top an...
Calcium electroporation: The bioelectrochemical treatment of spontaneous equine skin tumors results in a local necrosis. Electrochemotherapy (ECT) is an anticancer bioelectrochemical therapy where electrical field pulses (electropermeabilization) increase intracellular concentration of antitumor drugs. The procedure is very effective against skin tumors. The restrictive regulations concerning anticancer drugs in veterinary medicine limit use of ECT. Electroporation with calcium (Electroporation Calcium Therapy)(ECaT) was proved to be effective in vivo on induced tumors in laboratory animals. This study evaluated the effects of ECaT in equine sarcoids (spontaneous skin tumors) on an animal cohort. Pulse parameter...
A Primitive Trait in Two Breeds of Equus Caballus Revealed by Comparative Anatomy of the Distal Limb. The 55-million-year history of equine phylogeny has been well-documented from the skeletal record; however, this is less true for the soft tissue structures that are now vestigial in modern horse. A recent study reported that two ligamentous structures resembling functional interosseous muscle II and IV were evident in Dutch Konik horses. The current study investigates this finding and compares it to members of the genus Equus to identify either a breed anomaly or functional primitive trait. Distal limbs (n = 574) were dissected from four species of Equus; E. caballus, E. asinus, E. przewalski...
A Competency-Guided Veterinary Curriculum Review Process. Competencies can guide outcomes assessment in veterinary medical education by providing a core set of specific abilities expected of new veterinary graduates. A competency-guided evaluation of Colorado State University's (CSU) equine veterinary curriculum was undertaken via an alumni survey. Published competencies for equine veterinary graduates were used to develop the survey, which was distributed to large animal alumni from CSU's Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program. The results of the survey indicated areas for improvement, specifically in equine business, surgery, dentistry, and radiolog...
Age-related dynamics of pro-inflammatory cytokines in equine bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and peripheral blood from horses managed on pasture. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the natural age-related variation and compare the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the peripheral blood and lower airways of horses. The mRNA expression of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8 TNF-α TLR-4 in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were studied by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and differential cell count cytology from 44 horses of different ages. A significant age-related increase was found for the mRNA expression of IL-6, IL-8, TLR-4 and TNF-α in stimulated BAL cells and for T...
Factors associated with the distribution of natural Toxoplasma gondii infection among equids in Northeastern Brazil. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and factors associated with Toxoplasma gondii in naturally infected equids in northeastern Brazil. Serum samples from 569 equids (528 horses, 8 mules and 33 donkeys) were subjected to the indirect fluorescent antibody test. Generalized linear models were used to evaluate associated factors. Among the 569 animals sampled, 118 (30.6%) living in rural areas and 14 (26.42%) in urban areas were seropositive (p>0.05). Seropositive animals were observed on 95% of the farms and in all the municipalities. Donkeys/mules as the host, presence of dom...
Two Cases of Equine Multinodular Pulmonary Fibrosis in Japan. Equine multinodular pulmonary fibrosis (EMPF) is a recently described form of interstitial pneumonia associated with equine herpesvirus type 5 (EHV-5). This disease has been reported in North and South America, Europe and Oceania but not, to our knowledge, in horses in Japan. We diagnosed EMPF in two Thoroughbred horses in Japan on the basis of gross and histopathological findings. In both cases, significant gross lesions, restricted to the lungs, consisted of numerous firm and coalescing nodules widely distributed throughout the lung. The nodules were <3 cm in diameter and pale white to t...
Retrospective comparison of equine hemoglobin oxygen saturation measured by a human-specific co-oximeter, or derived from an algorithm using temperature-corrected and -uncorrected oxygen tension. Hemoglobin oxygen saturation (SO) is measured by co-oximetry (SO) or calculated from partial pressure of oxygen (PO) using algorithms (SO). To compare venous and systemic arterial blood sample data retrospectively and to examine whether temperature correction of PO is important. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: A group of 21 healthy, adult, sedated or anesthetized horses. Methods: Mixed-venous and systemic arterial blood samples (1 mL) were anaerobically collected using commercial preheparinized syringes from the right ventricle and facial artery, respectively. Blood was analyzed using a...
A First Step Toward Unraveling the Energy Metabolism in Endurance Horses: Comparison of Plasma Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Metabolomic Profiles Before and After Different Endurance Race Distances. Endurance racing places high demands on energy metabolism pathways. Metabolomics can be used to investigate biochemical responses to endurance exercise in humans, laboratory animals, and horses. Although endurance horses have previously been assessed in the field (i.e., during races) using broad-window Nuclear Magnetic Resonance metabolomics, these studies included several different race locations, race distances, age classes, and race statuses (finisher or elimination). The present NMR metabolomics study focused on 40 endurance horses racing in three race categories over 90, 120, or 160 km. T...
Infection dynamics of Theileria equi and Theileria haneyi, a newly discovered apicomplexan of the horse. Theileria equi infection, exotic to the United States has reemerged through intravenous (iatrogenic) and tick-borne transmission. Surveillance at the US-Mexico border identified a new species, Theileria haneyi, (T. haneyi) (EP = Eagle Pass, Texas) which warranted additional investigation due to inability to detect by PCR targeting of T. equi ema-1 and EMA-1-cELISA validated for T. equi. Infection dynamics of T. haneyi were evaluated, including ability to superinfect in the presence of T. equi-Texas (T. equi), the isolate responsible for the reemergence of T. equi in the U S. Experimental i...
Determination of the Moisture Content and the Generation of Airborne Particulate Matter From Various Types of Footing From Indoor Riding Arenas Considered to Have Optimal Rideability. It has been known for some years now that the occurrence of lameness in horses is closely related to the characteristics of the riding surface and that respiratory tract diseases can be induced by airborne particles. To ensure both optimal rideability (e.g., grip, elasticity, etc.) and low dust production, riding surfaces have to be regularly attended to, which also includes watering the floor. However, at present, it is not known what the individual moisture content of the various types of riding surface should be to ensure optimal rideability or what their potential for releasing dust is at ...
Pharmacokinetics of single doses of maropitant citrate in adult horses. The neurokinin-1 (NK) receptor antagonist, maropitant citrate, mitigates nausea and vomiting in dogs and cats. Nausea is poorly understood and likely under-recognized in horses. Use of NK-1 receptor antagonists in horses has not been reported. The purpose of this study was to determine the pharmacokinetic profile of maropitant in seven adult horses after single intravenous (IV; 1 mg/kg) and intragastric (IG; 2 mg/kg) doses. A randomized, crossover design was performed. Serial blood samples were collected after dosing; maropitant concentrations were measured using LC-MS/MS. Pharmacokinetic pa...
The recipient’s Day after ovulation and the number of corpora lutea influence the likelihood of pregnancy in mares following transfer of ICSI frozen embryos. Asynchronous embryo transfer is an excellent tool to investigate how subtle differences in the uterine environment affect embryo development and survival. Progesterone secreted from the corpus luteum following ovulation is one of the main factors responsible for establishing endometrial receptivity for the pre-implantation embryo via complex alterations in the expression of genes involved in the secretion of the histotroph. The objective of this retrospective study was to determine whether the recipient's Day after ovulation and the number of CL at ET influence the pregnancy rates of IVP horse...
Ex Vivo Assessment of an Ultrasound-Guided Injection Technique of the Lumbosacral Disc in the Horse. The aim of this study was to describe an ultrasound-guided injection technique of the lumbosacral disc in horses through the cranial vertebral notch of the sacrum and to evaluate both accuracy and potential complications of the technique on equine cadavers. Methods: Twenty-four injections of the lumbosacral area were performed on 12 equine cadavers shortly after euthanasia under ultrasound guidance with the horse in recumbency using two different dyes (one colour for each side). The lumbosacral area was dissected in each horse and the accuracy of the technique, as well as its potential c...
Detection of Equid gammaherpesvirus 2 and 5 DNA in the upper respiratory tract of asymptomatic horses from Southern Brazil. Equid gammaherpesvirus 2 (EHV-2) and 5 (EHV-5) are members of the Herpesviridae family and have been reported in horse populations worldwide. This study aimed to evaluate the presence of herpesvirus DNA in the upper respiratory tract of horses. Twenty-six nasal swabs were collected from asymptomatic adult horses of two different horse farms (A, n = 18; B, n = 8), both located in Southern Brazil. The EHV-1, EHV-2, EHV-4, and EHV-5 DNA analyses were performed using nested PCR assays targeting the glycoprotein B gene. Four (15.3%) and 12 (46.1%) of the 26 nasal swab samples were positive ...
Influence of Dietary Supplementation of Ensiled Devil Fish and Staphylococcus saprophyticus on Equine Fecal Greenhouse Gases Production. The present context was designed to investigate the efficacy of devil fish (DF; Plecostomus sp.) silage and Staphylococcus saprophyticus on fermentation characteristics as well as greenhouse gases production mitigation attributes in horses. Four levels of ensiled DF at 0 (control DF0), 6 (DF6), 12 (DF12), and 18 (DF18) % were added into the diet. Moreover, three doses of S. saprophyticus (0, 1, and 3 mL/g dry matter [DM]) were used for in vitro fecal fermentation. The use of ensiled DF resulted in increased (P < .0001) pH during fermentation. The asymptotic gas production was the highest...
Plasma concentrations at two dexmedetomidine constant rate infusions in isoflurane anaesthetized horses: a clinical study. To determine dexmedetomidine plasma concentrations at two infusion rates in isoflurane anaesthetized horses and compare cardiovascular effects and anaesthetic recovery between treatments. Methods: Prospective, randomized, masked clinical study. Methods: Healthy, adult, client-owned, non-food producing horses presented for castration. Methods: Premedication consisted of acepromazine, romifidine and morphine, and anaesthesia was induced with ketamine and midazolam. The horses were randomized to receive dexmedetomidine 0.5 μg kg hour (treatment DL, n = 7) or 1.75 μg kg hour (treatment DH, n =...
Pressure algometry for assessment of abdominal wall sensitivity in horses after ventral midline coeliotomy. To assess the clinical course of abdominal wall sensitivity after ventral midline coeliotomy in horses by determining mechanical nociceptive thresholds (MNTs) during hospitalization, and to determine the inter-observer reliability of pressure algometry on the abdominal wall. Methods: Observational, cohort study. Methods: A total of 13 horses presenting with signs of abdominal pain/colic undergoing ventral midline coeliotomy and 10 healthy horses without an abdominal incision. Methods: Measurements were performed on days 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 postoperatively using a pressure algometer. Measurement s...
Effects of allergen-specific immunotherapy on peripheral blood regulatory T cells and serum concentrations of cytokines and immunoglobulins in horses with allergic dermatitis. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT) on the immunological responses of horses. Blood samples were taken from thirty-two horses with allergic dermatitis treated with ASIT and 10 healthy control horses at 0, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months to investigate the evolution of the percentage of regulatory T cells (Treg) in the peripheral blood and the serum levels of cytokines and immunoglobulins. Clinical improvement was appreciated by the majority of the horses' owners (56.6%). No effect of ASIT on CD4CD25 Treg cells was found during the one year treatment...
The case for pragmatism in equine practice. This month, a horse owner discusses the importance of offering a range of treatment options.
Evaluation of automated erythrocyte methodology in new world camelids using the ADVIA 2120 hematology analyzer. Accurate erythrocyte measurements with ADVIA hematology analyzers require isovolumetric cell sphering in one reaction and hemolysis in another. However, camelid erythrocytes are resistant to sphering and osmotic lysis, and no published evaluation of ADVIA methods for camelids exists. Objective: The objectives were to demonstrate whether camelid erythrocytes sphere in the ADVIA red blood cell/platelet (RBC/PLT) reagent and lyse in the ADVIA cyanide HGB reagent, and to determine optimal ADVIA settings for camelids. Methods: Camelid and canine blood were diluted to 1:625 in RBC/PLT reagent and ev...
Evaluation of Two Handheld Point-of-Care Blood Gas Analyzers in Healthy Donkeys. There has been increasing interest in blood gas analysis in donkeys. "Point-of-care (POC) testing" is a diagnostic testing performed on or immediately next to the patient. This study assesses the agreement between two POC blood gas analyzers in donkeys. Arterial and venous blood samples were collected from 17 donkeys and analyzed using a fully automated blood gas analyzer (ABL 700 Series Radiometer, Denmark) (RAD) and two POC blood gas analyzers (i-STAT System; VetStat, Idexx). The parameters revealed by all three devices were submitted to a canonical discriminant analysis, to evaluate which p...
Declining testicular function in the aging stallion: Management options and future therapies. Declining fertility in association with declining testicular function is commonly seen as stallions age and can be the cause of significant economic losses in the equine breeding industry. This manuscript describes how to clinically recognize the signs of age-related declining testicular function (testicular degeneration) and also provides mare and stallion management strategies for improving reproductive outcomes. Finally, the current understanding of the pathophysiology of the disease is presented, including the results of recent studies that are beginning to uncover the underlying causes fo...
Changes in Serum Amyloid A (SAA) Concentration in Arabian Endurance Horses During First Training Season. Sport training leads to adaptation to physical effort that is reflected by the changes in blood parameters. In equine endurance athletes, blood testing is accepted as a support in training, however, only the changes before versus after exercise in creatine phosphokinase activity (CPK) and basic blood parameters are usually measured. This study is the first longitudinal investigation of the changes in routinely measured blood parameters and, additionally, serum amyloid A (SAA), during seven months, in Arabian horses introduced to endurance training and competing in events for young horses. It h...
Girthiness: Retrospective Study of 37 Horses (2004-2016). Girth aversion or girthiness is a nonspecific clinical sign anecdotally associated with multiple conditions in the horse (behavioral problems, gastric ulcers, back pain); however, studies have not been conducted to definitively correlate this clinical sign to specific pathologies. This retrospective study aims to describe the clinical signs and final diagnoses of 37 horses evaluated at the University of California, Davis with a presenting complaint of girthiness. Medical records of all horses presented to the veterinary hospital between 2004 and 2016 for girthiness were reviewed. Twelve horses...
Impact of body weight gain on hepatic metabolism and hepatic inflammatory cytokines in comparison of Shetland pony geldings and Warmblood horse geldings. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is known as determining part of human obesity. The impact of body weight (BW) gain on liver metabolism has not been extensively investigated yet. Objective: To investigate hepatic alterations caused by increasing BW in ponies and horses. Methods: A total of 19 non-obese equines (10 Shetland ponies, geldings; nine Warmblood horses, geldings). Methods: Animals received 200% of their metabolizable maintenance energy requirements for 2 years. Serum alkaline phosphatase, glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and gamma-glutamyl transferas...
Associations between the presence of specific antibodies to the West Nile Virus infection and candidate genes in Romanian horses from the Danube delta. The West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus causing meningoencephalitis in humans and animals. Due to their particular susceptibility to WNV infection, horses serve as a sentinel species. In a population of Romanian semi-feral horses living in the Danube delta region, we have analyzed the distribution of candidate polymorphic genetic markers between anti WNV-IgG seropositive and seronegative horses. Thirty-six SNPs located in 28 immunity-related genes and 26 microsatellites located in the MHC and LY49 complex genomic regions were genotyped in 57 seropositive and 32 seronegative ho...
