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.
Fortier J, Deley G, Goachet AG, Julliand V.An appropriate energy feeding management that ensures the optimal dietary energy supply according to the energy expenditure (EE) is a crucial component for the horse's performance. The main purpose of this study was to determine the EE during four specific exercises used in the training of Standardbred trotters (promenade, jogging, parcours and interval work-outs). A total of six Standardbred geldings performed four different testing situations on a track. The intensity (expressed in percentage of the maximal velocity over 500 m, i.e. v500) and volume (distance and duration) of the testing sit...
Miragliotta V, Pirone A, Donadio E, Abramo F, Ricciardi MP, Theoret CL.Convincing evidence shows that persistent or excessive expression of osteopontin (OPN) is linked to fibroproliferation of various organs in laboratory animals and in man, such that its downregulation is a logical therapeutic objective. Objective: To investigate OPN expression in an equine model of wound healing and in clinical specimens of equine exuberant granulation tissue and human keloids in an effort to better understand the contribution of this protein to inflammation-associated skin fibrosis. Methods: Description of gene and protein expression in an experimental equine model of wound he...
Dias BP, Araújo MA, Deschk M, Trein TA, Pinheiro NC, Perri SH, Rodrigues CA, Santos PS.To assess the cardiorespiratory parametes, recovery, gastrointestinal motility and serum cortisol concentrations in horses anesthetized with isoflurane with or without a continuous rate infusion (CRI) of butorphanol for orchiectomy. Methods: Twelve adult, intact, male horses weighing 332 ± 55 kg were included in the study. Xilazine was administered as premedication. Anesthesia was induced with ketamine and midazolam and maintained with isoflurane. Butorphanol (0.025 mg kg-1 bolus) or an equivalent volume of saline (0.9%) was given intravenously followed by a CRI of butorphanol (BG) (13 µg kg...
Medina-Torres CE, Underwood C, Pollitt CC, Castro-Olivera EM, Hodson MP, Richardson DW, van Eps AW.Lamellar perfusion is thought to be affected by weightbearing and limb load cycling; this may be critical in the development of supporting limb laminitis. Objective: To document the effects of unilateral weightbearing and altered limb load cycling on lamellar energy metabolism and perfusion. Methods: Randomised, controlled (within subject), experimental trial. Methods: Nine Standardbred horses were instrumented with microdialysis probes in the foot lamellar tissue and skin (over the tail base). Urea (20 mmol/l) was added to the perfusate. Samples were collected every 15 min for a 1 h con...
Tofflemire KL, Whitley EM, Flinn AM, Dufour VL, Ben-Shlomo G, Allbaugh RA, Griggs AN, Peterson CS, Whitley DR.To compare the effect of commercially available solution and compounded ointment formulations of dorzolamide(2%)-timolol(0.5%) on intraocular pressure (IOP) of normal horses. Methods: Eighteen clinically normal horses. Methods: A randomized, masked prospective design was used with horses divided into two equal groups. One eye of each horse was selected for topical ophthalmic treatment with either 0.2 mL of dorzolamide(2%)-timolol(0.5%) solution or 0.2 g of dorzolamide(2%)-timolol(0.5%) ointment every 12 h for 5 days. The contralateral eye of horses in both groups was untreated. Rebound tonomet...
Wilson A, Agass R, Vaux S, Sherlock E, Day P, Pfau T, Weller R.Hoof conformation, foot placement and movement asymmetry are routinely assessed as part of the lameness examination. However, to date, few studies have described these parameters, or the interplay between them, in the general horse population. Objective: To assess foot conformation and foot placement in the forelimbs of a group of general purpose horses and investigate the relationships between foot placement, foot conformation and movement asymmetry. Methods: Observational cross-sectional study. Methods: Forty-three horses were included in the study. Measurements were taken from photographs o...
Robert M, Hu W, Nielsen MK, Stowe CJ.Traditionally, equine parasite control has relied heavily on frequent routine anthelmintic treatments applied at regular intervals all year round. However, current recommendations aim to employ a more surveillance-based approach and it remains unknown to what extent these recommendations are being implemented on US horse farms. Objective: To describe equine parasite control on Kentucky Thoroughbred farms and evaluate respondents' willingness to pay for various attributes of surveillance-based parasite control strategies. Methods: Questionnaire survey performed among the membership of the Kentu...
This research article entitled “Ultrasonographic visualization of the liver in sites recommended for blind percutaneous liver biopsy in horses” gives information about two corrections made in a previously published veterinary […]
Pfau T, Jennings C, Mitchell H, Olsen E, Walker A, Egenvall A, Tröster S, Weller R, Rhodin M.Lungeing is often part of the clinical lameness examination. The difference in movement symmetry, which is a commonly employed lameness measure, has not been quantified between surfaces. Objective: To compare head and pelvic movement symmetry between surfaces and reins during lungeing. Methods: Quantitative gait analysis in 23 horses considered sound by their owners. Methods: Twenty-three horses were assessed in-hand and on the lunge on both reins on hard and soft surfaces with inertial sensors. Seven movement symmetry parameters were quantified and used to establish 2 groups, namely symmetric...
Lamb CR, Adams CA.Relatively few journals publish their annual acceptance rate, although this figure is of scientific and academic interest. Objective: To determine the acceptance rate for manuscripts submitted to veterinary peer-reviewed journals during 2012 and to determine the proportions of submitted manuscripts that were accepted without revision, accepted after revision or rejected. Methods: Self-reporting email questionnaire Methods: Editors of 118 peer-reviewed journals listed in the Web of Science in the subject category veterinary sciences were invited by email to submit data pertinent to manuscripts ...
Faramarzi B, McMicking H, Halland S, Kaneps A, Dobson H.Recent studies indicate a high prevalence of fractures of the palmar processes (PP) of the distal phalanx in foals. However, information on the prevalence of such fractures in different breeds and the effect of predisposing factors, such as hoof conformation, is limited. Objective: To examine the prevalence of distal phalanx PP fractures in foals and report the relationship of distal limb and hoof conformation with the prevalence of fracture. Methods: Longitudinal study. Methods: Front hooves of 19 Thoroughbred, Quarter Horse and Arabian foals were examined. Digital radiographic and photograph...
Miyamoto M, Ueno HM, Watanabe M, Tatsuma Y, Seto Y, Miyamoto T, Nakajima H.Airag is a traditional fermented milk of Mongolia that is usually made from raw mare's milk. Lactobacillus helveticus is one of the lactic acid bacteria most frequently isolated from airag. In this study, we investigated the genetic and physiological characteristics of L. helveticus strains isolated from airag and clarified their significance in airag by comparing them with strains from different sources. Six strains of L. helveticus were isolated from five home-made airag samples collected from different regions of Mongolia. The optimal temperature for acidification in skim milk was 30 to 35Â...
Cook VL, Blikslager AT.To review the physiology of the cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes with reference to the beneficial effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) related to their analgesic and antiendotoxic properties as well as the mechanisms responsible for adverse gastrointestinal, renal, and coagulation effects. Methods: Human and veterinary peer reviewed literature Results: NSAIDs are frequently administered to critically ill horses for their analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. However, NSAIDs have significant side effects principally on the gastrointestinal mucosa and kidneys. These side effec...
Bielefeldt-Ohmann H, Prow NA, Wang W, Tan CS, Coyle M, Douma A, Hobson-Peters J, Kidd L, Hall RA, Petrovsky N.In 2011, following severe flooding in Eastern Australia, an unprecedented epidemic of equine encephalitis occurred in South-Eastern Australia, caused by Murray Valley encephalitis virus (MVEV) and a new variant strain of Kunjin virus, a subtype of West Nile virus (WNVKUN). This prompted us to assess whether a delta inulin-adjuvanted, inactivated cell culture-derived Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) vaccine (JE-ADVAXâ„¢) could be used in horses, including pregnant mares and foals, to not only induce immunity to JEV, but also elicit cross-protective antibodies against MVEV and WNVKUN. Foals, 74...
Steinbach F, Westcott DG, McGowan SL, Grierson SS, Frossard JP, Choudhury B.Equine arteritis virus (EAV) is the causative agent of equine viral arteritis (EVA), a respiratory and reproductive disease of equids, which is notifiable in some countries including the Great Britain (GB) and to the OIE. Herein, we present the case of a persistently infected stallion and the phylogenetic tracing of the virus strain isolated. Discussing EAV occurrence and phylogenetic analysis we review features, which may aid to harmonise and enhance the classification of EAV.
Tachibana Y, Sakurai T, Bai H, Shiota K, Nambo Y, Nagaoka K, Imakawa K.Extensive studies have been conducted to characterize the unique phenomena of equine pregnancy. Most studies have focused on embryo transmigration when the embryo is covered with a mucin-like glycoprotein capsule and on the characterization of the chorionic girdle and chorionic gonadotropin (CG) secretion. However, the events preceding and following capsule disappearance have not been well studied. In this study, the mRNA expression in conceptus membranes at days 19, 21, and 25 (day 0 = day of ovulation) was analyzed by RNA-seq (SOLiD3), and transcript levels on these three days and day 13...
Sherlock CE, Mair TS, Ireland J, Blunden T.Correlating magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and histopathological findings is essential to validate low field MR imaging in lame horses. This study aimed to compare signal changes in the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) of the distal limb on low field MR imaging with macroscopical and histological findings. Cadaver limbs from lame horses with DDFT lesions were selected. The DDFT MR imaging findings and histopathological results were graded, and macroscopical abnormalities were recorded. There was a strong correlation between MR imaging and histopathology grades (rs = 0.76, p < 0.00...
Goachet AG, Julliand V.Measurements of respiratory exchanges in genuine exercise conditions are undoubtedly of interest to further define the energy needs of endurance horses. However, the equine K4b2, the gas exchanges portable device validated for equines, has not been used in Arabian endurance horses yet. Therefore, the objective of this study was to implement field cardio-respiratory measurements in such horses using the equine K4b2 in order to assess energy expenditure (EE). Measurements of heart rate (HR), oxygen uptake (VO2), carbon dioxide production (VCO2), respiratory frequency (RF), tidal volume (VT) and ...
Endo Y, Tsuchiya T, Akiyama K, Takebe N, Nakai K, Korosue K, Ishimaru M, Tsuzuki N, Hobo S.In order to reveal the preventive effect of marbofloxacin (MRFX) administration just before transportation, we compared the occurrence of transportation-associated fever before and after introduction of MRFX administration. After the introduction of prophylactic MRFX administration, the rectal temperatures of horses after transportation were significantly lower than before the introduction of MRFX administration (P<0.01) and the number of febrile horses was significantly lower than before the introduction of MRFX administration (P<0.01). In conclusion, these results show that prophylacti...
Delpont M, Lafosse T, Bachy M, Mary P, Alves A, Vialle R.The foot may be the site of birth defects. These abnormalities are sometimes suspected prenatally. Final diagnosis depends on clinical examination at birth. These deformations can be simple malpositions: metatarsus adductus, talipes calcaneovalgus and pes supinatus. The prognosis is excellent spontaneously or with a simple orthopedic treatment. Surgery remains outstanding. The use of a pediatric orthopedist will be considered if malposition does not relax after several weeks. Malformations (clubfoot, vertical talus and skew foot) require specialized care early. Clubfoot is characterized by an ...
Schubert M, Jónsson H, Chang D, Der Sarkissian C, Ermini L, Ginolhac A, Albrechtsen A, Dupanloup I, Foucal A, Petersen B, Fumagalli M, Raghavan M....The domestication of the horse ∼ 5.5 kya and the emergence of mounted riding, chariotry, and cavalry dramatically transformed human civilization. However, the genetics underlying horse domestication are difficult to reconstruct, given the near extinction of wild horses. We therefore sequenced two ancient horse genomes from Taymyr, Russia (at 7.4- and 24.3-fold coverage), both predating the earliest archeological evidence of domestication. We compared these genomes with genomes of domesticated horses and the wild Przewalski's horse and found genetic structure within Eurasia in the Late Pleist...
Takahashi T, Matsui A, Mukai K, Ohmura H, Hiraga A, Aida H.It is important to know the effects of the inclination of a slope on the activity of each muscle, because training by running on a sloped track is commonly used for Thoroughbred racehorses. The effects of incline (from -6 to +6%) on the forelimbs and hind limbs during walking and trotting on a treadmill were evaluated by an integrated electromyogram (iEMG). The muscle activities in the forelimbs (5 horses) and hind limbs (4 horses) were measured separately. Two stainless steel wires were inserted into each of the brachiocephalicus (Bc), biceps brachii (BB), splenius (Sp), and pectoralis descen...
Ishizaka S, Matsuda A, Amagai Y, Oida K, Jang H, Ueda Y, Takai M, Tanaka A, Matsuda H.The effects of probiotics on horses are still controversial. The present study was a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled crossover study designed to evaluate the ability of probiotics to improve intestinal conditions in adult horses. Fermented probiotics were administered to 10 healthy adult geldings for 28 days. The clinical condition of the horses was monitored daily, and the blood and feces were biochemically analyzed every 14 days. In the probiotic-treated group, the concentration of carboxylic acids in the feces was increased at days 14 and 28. In contrast to the fecal pH in th...
Accogli G, Douet C, Ambruosi B, Martino NA, Uranio MF, Deleuze S, Dell'Aquila ME, Desantis S, Goudet G.Glycoprotein oligosaccharides play major roles during reproduction, yet their function in gamete interactions is not fully elucidated. Identification and comparison of the glycan pattern in cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) from species with different efficiencies of in vitro spermatozoa penetration through the zona pellucida (ZP) could help clarify how oligosaccharides affect gamete interactions. We compared the expression and localization of 12 glycosidic residues in equine and porcine in vitro-matured (IVM) and preovulatory COCs by means of lectin histochemistry. The COCs glycan pattern diffe...
Hackett ES, Embertson RM, Hopper SA, Woodie JB, Ruggles AJ.Large colon volvulus results in strangulating obstruction requiring surgical treatment. Duration of this disease prior to surgical treatment is likely to influence survival directly. Objective: The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of duration of large colon volvulus on patient survival to discharge. Relationships between other factors and survival following large colon volvulus were also examined. Methods: Retrospective case analysis. Methods: Medical records of Thoroughbred mares aged ≥2 years undergoing surgical treatment for large colon volvulus between 1 Marc...
Hill AE, Gardner IA, Carpenter TE, Lee CM, Hitchens PL, Stover SM.Knowledge of the site distribution of ligamentous injuries facilitates clinical diagnosis of suspensory apparatus conditions. Objective: To determine if lesions within the suspensory ligament (SL) and distal ligaments of the proximal sesamoid bones (DSLs) were associated with suspensory apparatus failure or metacarpal lateral condylar fracture in California Thoroughbred racehorses. Methods: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Suspensory apparatus specimens from 327 deceased Thoroughbred racehorses were sectioned within the SL body and branches, and oblique and straight DSLs. Purple lesions ≥2 ...
Weese JS, Holcombe SJ, Embertson RM, Kurtz KA, Roessner HA, Jalali M, Wismer SE.Disruptions in the gastrointestinal microbiota may trigger development of post partum colic. Objective: To determine the effects of the periparturient period on the faecal microbiome and identify associations between the faecal microbiota and post partum colic. Methods: Longitudinal case-control study. Methods: Pre- and post partum faecal samples were collected from mares on 3 farms in central Kentucky. Next generation sequencing of the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene was performed on samples from 13 mares that developed colic, 13 mares that did not display colic and 5 nonpregnant controls. Res...
Lee Davis D, Maurstad A, Dean S.Pink t-shirts that proclaim "My horse is my therapist" are for sale in a wide variety of horse-sport catalogues. Literature on the healing power of human-nonhuman animal encounters and the practice of a variety of animal-assisted therapy programs, such as hippotherapy and equine-facilitated therapy, show dramatic growth over the last 30 years. Less attention is paid to the role that horse-human interactions may play in more popular accountings of well-being and impairment among a sample of everyday riders. Analysis of 50 lifecycle narratives, collected from accomplished but nonprofessional equ...
Schrimpf R, Metzger J, Martinsson G, Sieme H, Distl O.In stallions, impaired acrosome reaction (IAR) may often cause subfertility. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within FK506-binding protein (FKBP6) seem to be associated with IAR in stallions. However, their effect on stallion fertility has not yet been quantified. Using whole-genome sequence data of seven stallions, we searched FKBP6 for mutations to perform an association study in Hanoverian stallions with estimated breeding values for the paternal component of the pregnancy rate per oestrus cycle (EBV-PAT) as target trait. Genotyping five exonic mutations within FKBP6 revealed a signif...
Dunowska M, Hardcastle MR, Tonkin FB.A 10-year-old polo mare presented with a history of weight loss, poor condition and inappetance. Results: The mare was tachycardic, tachypnoeic and febrile. Harsh lung sounds were auscultated over all lung fields. The mare initially responded to treatment with antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs and bronchodilators. Throughout the course of treatment, there was a variable lymphocytosis, monocytosis and fluctuation in concentrations of fibrinogen. The mare also developed a mild anaemia, most likely due to chronic disease. Despite treatment, the mare's condition deteriorated over the following ...
Mayaki AM, Abdul Razak IS, Adzahan NM, Mazlan M, Rasedee A.The clinical presentation of horses with back pain (BP) vary considerably with most horse's willingness to take part in athletic or riding purpose becoming impossible. However, there are some clinical features that are directly responsible for the loss or failure of performance. Objective: To investigate the clinical features of the thoracolumbar region associated with BP in horses and to use some of the clinical features to classify equine BP. Methods: Twenty-four horses comprised of 14 with BP and 10 apparently healthy horses were assessed for clinical abnormality that best differentiate BP ...
Giguère S, Hernandez J, Gaskin J, Prescott JF, Takai S, Miller C.The performance of four enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) (ELISA-6939, ELISA-33701, ELISA-VapA, and ELISA-California) and an agar gel immunodiffusion test for diagnosis of Rhodococcus equi pneumonia in foals was evaluated. Antibody concentrations of foals with culture-confirmed R. equi pneumonia (n = 41) were compared to those of age-matched pasturemates that remained clinically healthy during the entire breeding season (n = 24). For each serological assay evaluated, selection of a low cutoff resulted in high sensitivity but low specificity. Increasing the cutoff value resulted in be...
Hughes JP, Loy RG.Many normally fertile stallions harbour bacteria in and on the genital organs. Many mares served by such stallions are unaffected by the bacteria to which they are thus exposed; however, some mares so exposed will become infected and diseased. Presumably, the genital defenses of such mares had been compromised. Strain differences in pathogenicity of bacteria do exist. Some mares affected with pyometra had irregular ovarian activity and some had normal ovarian cycles. In the former group, destruction of the endometrium many have prevented the production of endogenous luteolysin. The leukopenia ...
Bugno M, Jablonska Z, Tischner M, Klukowska-Rötzler J, Pienkowska-Schelling A, Schelling C, Slota E.The aim of our study was to diagnose aneuploidy in equine spermatozoa by multicolour fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technique using specific molecular probes for equine sex chromosomes and autosome pair four (EGFR probe) labeled by different fluorochromes. These were applied on decondensed spermatozoa of four stallions. In total, more than 8800 sperm cells were examined. The total frequency of aberrant cells was 0.496%: aneuploidy of XX (0.135%), YY (0.023%), XY (0.102%), diploidy (0.057%), lack of sex chromosome (0.18%). In one stallion the ratio of normal X- and Y-bearing cells wa...
Love CC.Stallion semen evaluation is an important part of the breeding soundness evaluation. The results of the semen evaluation cannot be interpreted without a thorough knowledge of the mare and management effects that may have played a role or may affect the potential fertility of the stallion evaluated. There are considerations and limitations that the clinician should understand about each test. Any sperm quality test must be interpreted with a clear understanding of how it relates to fertility.
Donadeu FX, Ginther OJ.The temporal relationships in the changes in concentrations of follicular fluid factors during follicle selection were characterized in mares. All follicles > or =5 mm were ablated 10 days after ovulation, followed by follicular fluid collection from the three largest follicles (F1, F2, and F3) when F1 of the new wave reached a diameter of 8.0-11.9, 12.0-15.9, 16.0-19.9, 20.0-23.9, 24.0-27.9, or 28.0-31.9 mm (n = 4-8 mares/range). Diameter deviation between F1 and F2 began during the 20.0- to 23.9-mm range, as indicated by a greater difference in diameter between the two follicles at the 24...
Velie BD, Hamilton NA, Wade CM.Different indicators of racing performance are commonly used in the racing industry to assess the genetic superiority of racing Thoroughbreds. However, how well these indicators predict the performance of future progeny or siblings varies depending on the population and circumstances in which the indicators were recorded or achieved. Objective: To identify heritable indicators of racing performance for horses racing in Hong Kong. Methods: Heritability analysis of racing performance traits. Methods: Performance data on the population of Thoroughbreds racing in Hong Kong between 3 September 2000...
Schoster A, Weese JS, Gerber V, Nicole Graubner C.Fecal water syndrome (FWS) is long-standing and common in horses, particularly in central Europe. No large epidemiological data sets exist, and the cause remains elusive. Dysbiosis could play a role in pathogenesis. Objective: To evaluate whether dysbiosis is present in horses with FWS when compared to stable-matched control horses in spring and autumn. Methods: Fecal samples were collected from horses with FWS (n = 16; 9 mares, 7 geldings) and controls (n = 15; 8 mares, 7 geldings). Methods: The bacterial microbiome of samples collected in spring and autumn of 2016 was analyzed using high-thr...
Irvine CH.Hypothyroidism in the foal occurs as two entities because of the separate actions of thyroid hormones in regulation of metabolic rate and in cell differentiation. The hypometabolic state which results in inadequate thermogenesis and lethargy, occurs concurrently with a period when thyroid hormone secretion is inadequate. Also the severity of the concurrent symptoms is related to the degree of hormone inadequacy as measured by plasma concentrations of free T4 and T3. By contrast, the developmental lesions caused by hypothyroidism are often observed during periods when plasma thyroid hormone con...
Nyman G, Frostell C, Hedenstierna G, Funkquist B, Kvart C, Blomqvist H.The effect of selective mechanical ventilation of dependent lung regions were studied in anaesthetized horses (mean weight 486 kg) in dorsal recumbency. Blood-gas measurements were performed with the horse in the lateral position during spontaneous breathing (before selective intubation) and in dorsal recumbency during spontaneous breathing, general mechanical ventilation, and spontaneous breathing + selective mechanical ventilation. Arterial oxygen tension (PaO2) was 32.3 kPa in the lateral position during spontaneous breathing with a high inspired oxygen fraction (FlO2 greater than 92%). In ...
Welsh CE, Lewis TW, Blott SC, Mellor DJ, Stirk AJ, Parkin TD.A retrospective cohort study of distal limb fracture and superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) injury in Thoroughbred racehorses was conducted using health records generated by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) between 2000 and 2010. After excluding records of horses that had both flat and jump racing starts, repeated records were reduced to a single binary record per horse (n = 66,507, 2982 sires), and the heritability of each condition was estimated using residual maximum likelihood (REML) with animal logistic regression models. Similarly, the heritability of each condition was ...
Tóth B, Auth A, Rompos L, Bakos Z.Gastrointestinal and other systemic diseases of Equidae are often characterised by partial or complete inappetence. The catabolic processes may lead to lipid mobilisation and other metabolic disturbances. Evidence from earlier studies has revealed that during feed deprivation/inappetence, the conjugation of bilirubin is reduced causing a substantial rise of the total bilirubin and its unconjugated fraction. Objective: We hypothesised that during feed deprivation, the serum concentration of free fatty acids (FFA), triglycerides (TG), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), total bilirubin (tBIL), total bile...
Hendrix DV, Stuffle JL, Cox SK.To evaluate the pharmacokinetics of topically applied ciprofloxacin 0.3% ophthalmic solution in tears of healthy horses. Methods: Twenty healthy, adult, mixed-breed horses. Methods: Twenty study horses were confirmed free of ophthalmic disease by complete ophthalmic examination. Seventy microliters of 0.3% ciprofloxacin (Ciloxan) was placed in the ventral cul-de-sac of each eye using a microliter syringe and 19-g cannula. Population kinetics were carried out by sampling the tear film from the lower cul-de-sac of each eye with tear test strips at 5, 10, 15 and 30 min and 1, 2, 4 and 6 h post ad...
Jindra C, Kamjunke AK, Jones S, Brandt S.Bovine papillomavirus types 1 and 2 (BPV1 and BPV2) are accepted aetiological agents of equine sarcoids. Recently, genetically similar BPV13 has been identified from equine sarcoids in Brazil. Objective: To determine whether BPV13 DNA can be also found in sarcoid-affected horses in Austria, and donkeys in Northern Italy and the UK, and should hence be considered in the context of vaccine-mediated sarcoid prevention. Methods: Cross sectional study. Methods: A total of 194 archival, equine and asinine DNA isolates derived from confirmedly delta-BPV-positive tumours were subjected to quality cont...
Morgan SJ, Stromberg PC, Storts RW, Sowa BA, Lay JC.Histological and morphometric evaluation of equine cranial mesenteric arteries was performed on 239 and 89 arteries, respectively. Histological examination revealed that thrombosis and the severity of inflammation varied on a seasonal basis and were directly associated with larval presence. Intimal and adventitial fibrosis were generally of greater severity than medial fibrosis. Fibrosis of the vasa vasorum was less frequent than fibrosis of the artery itself. Morphometry revealed a significant increase in intimal, adventitial and, to a lesser extent, medial area in affected as compared with n...
Andersson MG, Faverjon C, Vial F, Legrand L, Leblond A.In this work we propose the adoption of a statistical framework used in the evaluation of forensic evidence as a tool for evaluating and presenting circumstantial "evidence" of a disease outbreak from syndromic surveillance. The basic idea is to exploit the predicted distributions of reported cases to calculate the ratio of the likelihood of observing n cases given an ongoing outbreak over the likelihood of observing n cases given no outbreak. The likelihood ratio defines the Value of Evidence (V). Using Bayes' rule, the prior odds for an ongoing outbreak are multiplied by V to obtain the post...
Bruschetta G, D'Ascola A, Medica P, Ferlazzo AM.Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine [5-HT]) may induce metabolic effects in different cell types, including leukocytes. In horses, 5-HT is involved in physiological and behavioral functions. Physical exercise is known to increase the amounts of 5-HT both in brain and periphery, but so far, the signal mechanism in response to exercise is not known. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of a racehorse intensive training session on plasma 5-HT levels, serotonin transporter (SERT), 5HT, 5-HT, 5-HT, 5-HT receptor, interleukin-1 beta, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha expression in horse perip...
Gerger H.Several forms of chronic pulmonary disease in the horse can be differentiated, to some extent, by simple means within the scope of every clinician. The proposed diagnostic system permits more precise diagnoses, which are supported by histopathological evidence. Such diagnoses justify a reasonably accurate prognosis of a horse's chance of recovery. They also have been used as a basis for constructing a pathogenetic model.
Among the factors involved in the pathogenesis of chronic pulmonary disease, ageing has probably been overrated.
Climatic changes influence the symptomatology and the co...
Steiss JE, Yuill GT, White NA, Bowen JM.A force plate system for measurement of the vertical component of the force applied by a horse's limb on ground contact was modified. The modifications included use of steel supporting posts for improved durability and an additional strain gauge on each arm of the Wheatstone bridge for increased sensitivity and temperature compensation. Data from clinically normal horses are provided to indicate the performance obtained with these modifications of the force plate system.
Durando MM.Horses have a high prevalence of resting arrhythmias, cardiac murmurs, and valvular regurgitation, and training can increase the prevalence. This makes it challenging for equine veterinarians who are asked to evaluate horses for poor performance to determine the clinical relevance of some findings. In addition, cardiac disease has the potential to cause collapse or sudden death, putting both the horse and rider at risk. Further diagnostics, such as echocardiograms and resting and exercising ECGs can help to sort out the impact of an abnormality found on resting physical examination. However un...
Mills PC, Smith NC, Harris RC, Harris P.Allopurinol was administered to six horses in a cross-over study to determine the relative contribution of xanthine oxidase (XO) activity to the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the horse during intense exercise. Exercise increased the mean (SEM) plasma lipid hydroperioxide concentration to a maximum of 492.7 (33.4) microM within one minute of exercise completion and maximum levels of both oxidised glutathione (GSSG) in haemolysates of red blood cells and the glutathione redox ratio (GRR) occurred 20 minutes after exercise (87.2 [12.2] microM and 8.9 [0.9] per cent, respectively)....
Richards SL, Cawley AT, Cavicchioli R, Suann CJ, Pickford R, Raftery MJ.Over recent years threats to racing have expanded to include naturally occurring biological molecules, such as peptides and proteins, and their synthetic analogues. Traditionally, antibodies have been used to enable detection of these compounds as they allow purification and concentration of the analyte of interest. The rapid expansion of peptide-based therapeutics necessitates a similarly rapid development of suitable antibodies or other means of enrichment. Potential alternative enrichment strategies include the use of aptamers, which offer the significant advantage of chemical synthesis onc...
Gleeson LJ, Coggins L.Twenty-one pregnant mares were inoculated with EHV1. Nineteen became infected as evidenced by clinical signs and/or viremia but only one mare aborted a virus-infected fetus. The viremias were leukocyte-associated and appeared to be non-productive, latent infections of these cells. Infectivity, detectable by cocultivation, persisted in the circulating leukocytes for as long as 9 days without resulting in abortion. The data suggest that it is extremely difficult to evaluate the efficacy of vaccines in preventing EHV1 (Rhinopneumonitis) abortion due to the paucity of non-exposed mares, lack of te...
Bani Hassan E, Mirams M, Ghasem-Zadeh A, Mackie EJ, Whitton RC.To gain a better understanding of the aetiology of articular surface collapse in horses with palmar osteochondral disease. Objective: To determine whether acceleration of focal bone resorption associated with reduced physical activity contributes to articular surface collapse in racehorses with palmar osteochondral disease. Methods: Cross-sectional study comparing metacarpal bones from horses at varying stages of race training. Methods: Metacarpal bones from 36 racing Thoroughbred horses were examined with high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography to determine the proportion ...
Moreau P, Lavoie JP.To evaluate effects of thrombophlebitis of 1 or both jugular veins on athletic performance of horses. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: 91 horses with jugular vein thrombophlebitis. Methods: Medical records of horses with jugular vein thrombophlebitis examined between 1988 and 2005 were reviewed for signalment, history, clinical signs, diagnosis, and treatment. Performance was evaluated in 2 ways. A questionnaire was used to obtain a subjective assessment from the owner or trainer of the horse's performance after thrombophlebitis, compared with the performance before thrombophlebiti...
Minervino AHH, Torres AC, Moreira TR, Vinholte BP, Sampaio BM, Bianchi D, Portela JM, Sarturi C, Marcili A, Barrêto Júnior RA, Gennari SM....The State of Pará has one of the largest herds of equids (horse, donkey and mule) in Brazil, most of these animals are found on cattle farms. Equine theileriosis is a tick-borne disease caused by the parasite Theileria equi and is characterized by fever, anaemia, icterus, intravascular haemolysis, haemoglobinuria, spleen and hepatomegaly, and even death. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of antibodies against T. equi in equids in the western region of the State of Pará, Brazil, and to identify potential risk factors associated with parasite infection. A cross-sectional stu...
Vitari GLV, Costa RL, Abreu APM, Peckle M, Silva CB, Paulino PG, Pires MS, Massard CL, Santos HA.Equine piroplasmosis stands out among the diseases that affect Equidae in Brazil and the world. It is caused by the protozoa Theileria equi and Babesia caballi. The objective of the present study was to carry out the molecular characterization of T. equi using equine blood samples collected in the 5 geographic regions of Brazil. Samples from all over the country were tested for the presence of T. equi by real-time PCR. The 18S rRNA sequences (∼1,600 bp) obtained from 23 samples taken from naturally infected horses were characterized by sequencing and analyzed to identify the genotypes and th...
Lee H, Lee SH, Lee YR, Kim HY, Moon BY, Han JE, Rhee MH, Kwon OD, Kwak D.Enterocytozoon bieneusi is a microsporidian pathogen. Recently, the equestrian population is increasing in Korea. The horse-related zoonotic pathogens, including E. bieneusi, are concerns of public health. A total of 1,200 horse fecal samples were collected from riding centers and breeding farms in Jeju Island and inland areas. Of the fecal samples 15 (1.3%) were PCR positive for E. bieneusi. Interestingly, all positive samples came from Jeju Island. Diarrhea and infection in foals were related. Two genotypes (horse1, horse2) were identified as possible zoonotic groups requiring continuous mon...
