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.
Tsuzuki N, Otsuka K, Seo J, Yamada K, Haneda S, Furuoka H, Tabata Y, Sasaki N.This study evaluated the therapeutic effects of a gelatin-β-TCP sponge (sponge) incorporating BMP-2 (BMP-2/sponge) on bone regeneration in equines. Six bone defects were created in third metacarpals of five thoroughbred horses, and a total of six treatments were applied in a randomized manner. The treatments were BMP-2/sponge, BMP-2/gelatin hydrogel sheet (sheet), free BMP-2, bFGF/sheet, plain sponge, and plain sheet. The defects were monitored for 16 weeks by radiography and then examined by histological analysis. Radiographic evaluation scores of bone regeneration revealed significantly gre...
Lawson JS, Bolt DM, May S, Smith AJ, Felstead CW, Weller R.Joint effusion is one of the classic radiographic signs of osteoarthritis, but no information is available regarding clinicians' ability to detect joint effusion radiographically. This study determined the accuracy and precision of experienced and inexperienced observers in detecting joint effusion of the distal interphalangeal (DIP), metacarpophalangeal (MCP) and midcarpal joints on radiographs. Fresh cadaverous forelimbs were loaded in a material testing machine to mimic a standing horse. The joints were gradually distended and lateromedial and dorsopalmar radiographs were acquired. The imag...
Butler CM, Sloet van Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbaan MM, Stout TA, van der Kolk JH, Wollenberg Lv, Nielen M, Jongejan F, Werners AH, Houwers DJ.Equine piroplasmosis (EP) has not been considered indigenous in The Netherlands. However, following the detection of an apparently indigenous subclinical Babesia caballi infection in a horse on Schouwen-Duiveland (an island in the Zeeland Province), a survey was undertaken between May and September 2010 to assess the prevalence of the causative agents of EP in the South-West of The Netherlands. Blood samples from 300 randomly selected horses were tested for specific antibodies against Theileria equi and B. caballi using an indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT), and for parasite DNA using ...
Boeta M, Zarco L.The role of eCG during pregnancy was evaluated through the study of the temporal relationships between changes in eCG and progesterone concentrations and the formation of supplementary corpora lutea (SCL) in mares impregnated with donkey semen (mule pregnancies) or with horse semen (equine pregnancies). Concentrations of eCG were higher (p<0.01) in equine than in mule pregnancies between weeks 6.5 and 13. Progesterone concentrations were higher in equine than in mule pregnancies between weeks 9 and 17. All animals developed at least one SCL, but more SCL accumulated during equine pregnancie...
Van den Eede A, Hermans K, Van den Abeele A, Floré K, Dewulf J, Vanderhaeghen W, Crombé F, Butaye P, Gasthuys F, Haesebrouck F, Martens A.Given the significance of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections for both horses and staff in equine veterinary hospitals, protocols are required to minimise the risk of nosocomial transmission, including the screening of the skin and nasal chambers of equine patients for evidence of infection. The objective of this study was to clarify the potential existence and extent of MRSA on the skin of horses requiring long-term hospitalisation (≥ 6 months). Thirty such horses were sampled at eight different locations on their skin and from their nasal chambers. MRSA was isolat...
Vosmer J, Liesegang A, Wanner M, Zeyner A, Suter D, Hoelzle L, Wichert B.The aim of the present study was to compare carbohydrate degradation of forages which store carbohydrates either predominantly as fructan or starch, in horses' hindgut. The effects of an abrupt change from hay-based feeding to green fodder-based feeding on the caecal flora were tested with the in vitro hindgut simulation technique 'Caesitec'. Six trials with different forages (English ryegrass, tall fescue, grass mixture-horses, grass mixture-cows, lucerne, white clover) were conducted. During a 4-day stabilisation period, samples were taken once a day before loading the fermenters with hay. A...
Ueno M, Kuroda N, Yahagi K, Ohtaki T, Kawanaka M.Commercial western blot (WB) assay was used to detect serum antibodies specific to Echinococcus multilocularis in 23 horses in which infection was confirmed by postmortem inspection at a slaughterhouse. Livers contained from 1 to >20 nodular lesions; foci diameter ranged from 1 to 25 mm. Antibody tests of serum from all 23 animals were negative for antigen bands at 7, 16, 18, and 26-28 kDa, which show specificity in the serum of human patients. However, sera from two infected horses with the largest nodules (diameter, 25 mm) showed positive response to one of the 22-kDa and 30-kDa antigen band...
Elliott CR, Vasey JR, Russell TM.To report on the outcome of wounds to the hindlimb of racehorses, and horses with the intended use of racing, where both the long digital extensor (LoDE) and lateral digital extensor (LaDE) tendons had been completely transected. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Records of all horses admitted with hindlimb lacerations between 2002 and 2009 were examined for cases where both the LoDE and LaDE tendons in the hindlimb had been severed, and specifically in horses intended to be used for racing. Outcome was assessed via retrieval of race records and via telephone questioning of the owne...
Holve DL.To determine the effect of sedation with detomidine on intraocular pressure (IOP) in standing horses and whether topical ocular application of anesthetic alters this effect. Methods: Clinical trial. Methods: 15 clinically normal horses. Methods: Horses were assigned to group 1 (n = 7) or 2 (8). Intraocular pressure measurements were obtained at baseline (before sedation) and 10 minutes after IV administration of detomidine (0.02 mg/kg [0.009 mg/lb]). Group 1 horses had an additional IOP measurement at 20 minutes after sedation. For group 2 horses, topical ocular anesthetic was administered 10 ...
Machado TS, Correia da Silva LC, Baccarin RY, Michelacci YM.Alternative methods to evaluate the joint condition in asymptomatic osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD) and other joint diseases may be useful. Objective: To investigate possible changes in synovial fluid composition that may lead to joint conditions in asymptomatic OCD, in mature horses. Methods: Animals aged >2 years, of different breeds, with OCD in the intermediate ridge of distal tibia, symptomatic or not, were studied. Synovial fluid samples (10 healthy; 11 asymptomatic OCD; 25 symptomatic OCD) were collected by arthroscopy from 29 horses. Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) were analysed by a comb...
Nguyen JS, Tran Y, Su SW, Nguyen HT.This paper is concerned with the design and development of a semi-autonomous wheelchair system using cameras in a system configuration modeled on the vision system of a horse. This new camera configuration utilizes stereoscopic vision for 3-Dimensional (3D) depth perception and mapping ahead of the wheelchair, combined with a spherical camera system for 360-degrees of monocular vision. This unique combination allows for static components of an unknown environment to be mapped and any surrounding dynamic obstacles to be detected, during real-time autonomous navigation, minimizing blind-spots an...
Tranquille CA, Parkin TD, Murray RC.Lateral condylar (LC) fractures of the third metacarpus (McIII) are a common reason for euthanasia in racehorses, and may be the result of repetitive overloading or cumulative pathological change. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) allows monitoring of bone and cartilage to detect pathological and adaptive changes that may be precursors of fracture. Objective: To describe bone and cartilage MRI features in the distal condyles of McIII of Thoroughbred racehorses, with and without condylar fracture. Objective: 1) A greater degree of bone and cartilage adaptation or pathology will be seen in fractu...
Niedźwiedź A, Nicpoń J, Zawadzki M, Służewska-Niedźwiedź M, Januszewska L.Transport of horses may have significant impact on serum biochemical and hematologic analytes and resistance to infection. Objective: The aim of our study was to assess the influence of transport stress on selected enzymatic antioxidants in equine blood. Methods: The study was conducted on a group of 60 horses of different breeds and ranging in age from 4 to 10 years. Venous blood was collected immediately before loading horses onto trailers for 8 hours of transport (I), immediately after unloading them from the trailer (II), and after subsequent stall rest for 24 hours (III). Hemolysates of b...
Capomaccio S, Willand ZA, Cook SJ, Issel CJ, Santos EM, Reis JK, Cook RF.The genetically distinct wild horse herds inhabiting Shackleford Banks, North Carolina are probably the direct descendents of Spanish stock abandoned after failed attempts to settle mid-Atlantic coastal regions of North America in the Sixteenth Century. In a 1996 island survey, 41% of the gathered horses were discovered seropositive for Equine Infectious Anemia Virus (EIAV) with additional cases identified in 1997 and 1998. As a result of their unique genetic heritage, EIAV seropositive individuals identified in the two latter surveys were transferred to a quarantine facility on the mainland. ...
Mallicote M, House AM, Sanchez LC.Diarrhoea is among the most common clinical complaints in foals. Aetiologies, diagnostic testing and recommended interventions for specific causes of enterocolitis are summarised. Many mild to moderately affected foals can be managed in an ambulatory setting, while others will benefit from more intensive care at a referral centre.
Barbić L, Lojkić I, Stevanović V, Bedeković T, Starešina V, Lemo N, Lojkić M, Madić J.Equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) is a worldwide spread pathogen of horses. It can cause abortion, respiratory and neurological disease and consequentially significant economic losses in equine industries. During 2009, two outbreaks of EHV-1 were confirmed in two stud farms in Eastern Croatia. The first outbreak occurred in February following the import of 12 horses from USA, serologically negative to EHV-1 before transport. Four mares aborted in the late stage of pregnancy and one perinatal death was recorded. Other six mares showed clinical signs of myeloencephalopathy with fatal end in four...
Vairo S, Vandekerckhove A, Steukers L, Glorieux S, Van den Broeck W, Nauwynck H.Equine viral arteritis (EVA) is an infectious disease with variable clinical outcome. Outbreaks, causing important economic losses, are becoming more frequent. Currently, there is a shortage of pathogenesis studies performed with European strains. In the present study, eight seronegative ponies were experimentally inoculated with the Belgian strain of equine arteritis virus (EAV) 08P178 (EU-1 clade) and monitored daily for clinical signs of EVA. Nasopharyngeal swabs, ocular swabs, bronchoalveolar cells and blood were collected for virological and serological testing. Two ponies were euthanized...
Urschel KL, Geor RJ, Hanigan MD, Harris PA.Stable isotope infusion methods have not been extensively used in horses to study protein metabolism. The objectives were to develop infusion and sampling methodologies for [1-(13)C] phenylalanine and apply these methods to determine whether the addition of supplemental amino acids to a control diet affected whole-body phenylalanine kinetics in mature horses. Arabian geldings were studied using a 6-h primed (9 μmol/kg), constant (6 μmol · kg(-1) · h(-1)) i.v. infusion of L-[1-(13)C] phenylalanine, with blood and breath sampled every 30 min, to measure whole-body phenylalanine kinet...
Weaver MP, Wilant L.A postal survey of the owners of Clydesdale horses in the UK and USA was conducted to obtain information on tarsocrural effusion ('bog spavin') as an indicator of osteochondrosis from 935 horses. Additional information requested included details of how this condition was investigated and treated. The reported tarsocrural effusion incidence was 10 per cent. The majority of respondents believed the condition to be of concern to Clydesdale owners, but only a minority were aware of the implications of tarsocrural effusion, suggesting that owner education would be of benefit.
Wang D, Shi L, Griffith JF, Qin L, Yew DT, Riggs CM.Surface-based morphometry method is advantageous in its objectivity and increased capability in detecting focal morphological changes, but has not been applied in bone-related research. Orthopedics research in human has confirmed the association of the bone geometry in proximal femur and its fracture. In this study, surface-based morphometry is used to test the hypothesis that there is relationship between bone geometry and fracture risk of the proximal sesamoid bone (PSB) in forelimbs of Thoroughbred racehorses. The PSB surfaces were extracted from CT images of nonfractured forelegs (i.e., ri...
Mudge MC, Walker NJ, Borjesson DL, Librach F, Johns JL, Owens SD.Post-transfusion survival of allogeneic RBCs has been reported to be much shorter in horses than in other species. We hypothesized that post-transfusion survival of biotinylated allogeneic equine RBCs would be greater than the survival previously reported from studies using radioactive RBC-labeling techniques. Objective: The study objective was to determine post-transfusion survival of N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS)-biotin-labeled allogeneic equine RBCs transfused into adult horses. Methods: Horses were adults and included 5 donors and 5 recipients. All horses were blood-typed, and donors were pai...
Steinman A, Zimmerman T, Klement E, Lensky IM, Berlin D, Gottlieb Y, Baneth G.The prevalence of Theileria equi infection as well as the environmental and demographic risk factors for infection was studied in 590 healthy horses from 46 farms in Israel. The prevalence of T. equi DNA was assessed using a polymerase chain reaction for a segment of the Theileria 18S rRNA gene. The overall prevalence was 26.4% (156/590). There was a significant geographical variation in the prevalence of T. equi infection, ranging from 9.3% (25/270) in the central lowlands to 81.7% (49/60) in the Golan Heights. The prevalence of T. equi infection was found to be significantly associated with ...
Adrian AM, Koene M, Roberts S, Doughty P, Bolas N, Kinns J, Brehm W, Gerlach K.The extent of fat suppression using short tau inversion recovery (STIR) imaging is variable between horses. Our aim was to determine if patient's age and/or hoof temperature have an influence on the T(1) relaxation time of bone marrow in the equine distal limb, thereby affecting the suppression of fat signal. Magnetic resonance imaging was conducted on standing horses and cadaver samples using a low-field magnet (0.27 T). The hoof temperature was measured at the lateral side of the coronary band. A modified inversion recovery fast spin-echo (IR-FSE) sequence was used to measure the signal inte...
Stumpf G, Fietz D, Ezer J, Litzke LF, Bergmann M.Surgically removed testicular tissue in cryptorchid stallions is sometimes difficult to identify because of morphological and histological malformation. Therefore, a sure method to characterise the removed tissue is required. A 2-year-old Haflinger stallion was castrated after diagnosis of cryptorchidism to remove the left intra-abdomnial testis. Intra-operative exploration of the abdominal cavity revealed a firm, dysmorphic structure, which could not be identified as testis based on macroscopic anatomy. The removed tissue was Bouin-fixed and paraffin-embedded for histological examination. We ...
Schemann K, Firestone SM, Taylor MR, Toribio JA, Ward MP, Dhand NK.In August 2007, Australia experienced its first-ever outbreak of equine influenza, a highly infectious respiratory disease of horses. Although the outbreak spread over a large geographic area, it was eradicated within 5 months following a substantial disease control effort led by federal and state animal health authorities. Despite its timely control, this large-scale outbreak caused severe impacts on horse owners and industry participants. This study aimed to describe the perceptions of horse owners and managers, impacted by outbreak control measures, regarding the state government's animal h...
Mattar S, Komar N, Young G, Alvarez J, Gonzalez M.We prospectively sampled flavivirus-naïve horses in northern Colombia to detect West Nile virus (WNV) and St. Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV) seroconversion events, which would indicate the current circulation of these viruses. Overall, 331 (34.1%) of the 971 horses screened were positive for past infection with flaviviruses upon initial sampling in July 2006. During the 12-month study from July 2006-June 2007, 33 WNV seroconversions and 14 SLEV seroconversions were detected, most of which occurred in the department of Bolivar. The seroconversion rates of horses in Bolivar for the period of M...
Edwards DJ, Brownlow MA, Hutchins DR.Urine and blood samples were taken at the same time from normal adult horses presented for routine investigations to establish reference values for a variety of parameters reported to be useful in the clinical evaluation of renal function. Blood biochemical values were consistent with previous studies and had well-defined normal ranges. Parameters representing urine concentration and electrolyte excretion however, varied widely reflecting the ability of the healthy kidney to change the composition of urine in response to differences in environment and management. Percent creatinine clearance r...
Cuervo-Arango J, Mateu-Sánchez S, Aguilar JJ, Nielsen JM, Etcharren V, Vettorazzi ML, Newcombe JR.The objective of this study was to determine the effect of the interval from induced luteolysis to ovulation on fertility of mares from two different farms. At farm 1, 215 mares were inseminated with frozen/thawed semen during 513 estrous cycles over seven consecutive breeding seasons. Estrus was induced with analogues of PGF2α in 179 cycles. At farm 2, 375 embryo flushings were performed in 65 donor mares inseminated with fresh semen; of which, 327 were performed following artificial insemination after PGF-induced luteolysis. In both farms, the intervals from PGF treatment to ovulation (ITO)...
Kraft CN, Urban N, Ilg A, Wallny T, Scharfstädt A, Jäger M, Pennekamp PH.The connection between morphologic changes of the spine and the intensity of training has been assessed for a number of sport activities. The influence of horseback riding on the spine has only rarely been evaluated. The aim of our study was to evaluate to what degree horseback riders suffer from back pain and whether there is an association between this parameter and the category i. e. the intensity of horseback riding. Furthermore we wanted to judge whether riding may have a positive effect on pre-existent back pain. Methods: 508 horseback riders (63.2 % females; 36.8 % males) competing in e...
Barsnick RJ, Hurcombe SD, Dembek K, Frazer ML, Slovis NM, Saville WJ, Toribio RE.Resistance to the somatotropic axis and increases in ghrelin concentrations have been documented in critically ill human patients, but limited information exists in healthy or sick foals. Objective: To investigate components of the somatotropic axis (ghrelin, growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor-1 [IGF-1]) with regard to energy metabolism (glucose and triglycerides), severity of disease and survival in critically ill equine neonates. It was hypothesised that ghrelin and growth hormone would increase and IGF-1 would decrease in proportion to severity of disease, supporting somatotropic...
Buchholz BM, Murdock A, Bayly WM, Sides RH.The antifibrinolytic, 6-aminohexanoic acid, also named aminocaproic acid (ACA), has been used empirically as a treatment for exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH) on the unsubstantiated basis that transient coagulation dysfunction may contribute to its development. Objective: To assess the effect of ACA on bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) erythrocyte counts in horses performing treadmill exercise at an intensity greater than that needed to reach maximal oxygen consumption. Methods: Eight Thoroughbreds were exercised to fatigue 3 times on a 10% inclined treadmill at a speed for which...
Clark L, Clutton RE, Blissitt KJ, Chase-Topping ME.To investigate the effects of peri-operative morphine on the quality and duration of recovery from halothane anaesthesia in horses. Methods: Prospective randomized study. Methods: Twenty-two client owned horses, ASA category I or II. Methods: Horses undergoing elective surgical procedures were divided into two groups and paired according to procedure, body position during surgery, body mass and breed. Group M+ received morphine by intravenous injection (0.15 mg kg(-1)) before induction of anaesthesia and then by infusion (0.1 mg kg(-1) hour(-1)) during anaesthesia. Group M- received the same a...
Klei TR, Chapman MR, Torbert BJ, McClure JR.An indirect fluorescent antibody assay (IFA) was developed using Strongylus vulgaris third stage larvae (L3) as antigens. Observations using the IFA indicate that a species-specific antibody response to S. vulgaris L3 develops in S. vulgaris-infected ponies and that some surface L3 antigens are shared by adult worms. Sequential antibody levels against S. vulgaris were measured in strongyle-naive and in immune ponies following initial and challenge infections using the IFA and an indirect hemagglutination assay (IHA). Antibody levels measured by IFA increased faster following initial infections...
McGreevy PD, Griffiths MD, Ascione FR, Wilson B.Recent studies have cast doubt on the effectiveness of whipping horses during races and this has led to questions concerning its continuing justification. Furthermore, it has been argued that whipping tired horses in racing is the most televised form of violence to animals. The present study used de-identified data from a recent independent Australian poll (n = 1,533) to characterise the 26% of respondents (113 females and 271 males) who support the whipping of racehorses and the 10% of racing enthusiasts in the sample (44 females and 63 males) who would stop watching races and betting on them...
Kavak A, Lundeheim N, Aidnik M, Einarsson S.Evaluation of testicular measurements and daily sperm output (DSO) yields valuable information for predicting the reproductive capacity of stallions. The present study evaluated testicular measurements (height, length, width and circumference) and DSO of eight Tori and eight Estonian breed stallions. One ejaculate of semen was collected daily for 10 subsequent days from each stallion. The gel-free volume of semen was measured with a graduated glass cylinder and the sperm concentration was assessed with a Chorjajev chamber. The volume of gel-free fraction was multiplied by the sperm concentrati...
Griffin RA, Baker M, Aitken RJ, Swegen A, Gibb Z.Stallions experience lower per-cycle conception rates compared to other livestock species, largely because they are selected for breeding based on athletic prowess and not reproductive fitness. Mares are seasonal breeders, and pregnancies cannot be detected until 10-14 days post cover via transrectal ultrasonography. This means the detection of stallion fertility fluctuations is delayed by at least 2 weeks, which within the short breeding season employed by the thoroughbred horse breeding industry, can prove quite costly. For these reasons, there is increased demand for robust laboratory assay...
Bhardwaj A, Nayan V, Legha RA, Bhattacharya TK, Pal Y, Giri SK.Equines' ability in racing and riding as well as gaitedness have influenced the human civilization. Aim of this study was to identify and characterize the novel polymorphisms or SNPs in gene in Indian horse and donkey breeds. In this study, the gene was sequenced and characterized in 72 Indian horses' and 33 Indian donkeys' samples. One SNP (A > C) at 878 was found in studied horses while identical SNPs (A > C) at two different nucleotide positions i.e., 878 and 942 in gene (chromosome 23) were observed in studied Indian donkey breeds. Horses and donkeys both have a non-synony...
Lentz LR, Valberg SJ, Mickelson JR, Gallant EM.To determine whether increased sensitivity to pharmacologic agents was a general property of equine exertional myopathies, including polysaccharide storage myopathy (PSSM) in Quarter Horses. Methods: 5 adult Quarter Horses with exertional rhabdomyolysis and abnormal polysaccharide accumulation in skeletal muscle and 4 clinically normal adult Quarter or Quarter-type horses. Methods: Twitch time course measurements and contracture responses to various concentrations of caffeine and halothane for small bundles of intact external intercostal muscle fibers were measured in all horses. Results: Caff...
Silva ESM, Cuervo-Arango J, de Ruijter-Villani M, Klose K, Oquendo PS, Stout TAE.Field data indicate that a longer period of estrus prior to ovulation correlates positively with fertility. To test the hypothesis that the duration of exposure to estrogens prior to progesterone dominance influences endometrial function, we used anestrous mares to simulate varying durations of estrus (3 groups of 5 mares): long (LE), short (SE), and no estrus (NE), as determined by the duration of estradiol priming prior to progesterone treatment: 7, 2 and 0 days for the LE, SE and NE, respectively. Endometrial biopsies were recovered 4 days after progesterone administration in all groups for...
Peroni JF, Harrison WE, Moore JN, Graves JE, Lewis SJ, Krunkosky TM, Robertson TP.Equine laminitis purportedly involves haemodynamic dysfunction at the level of the laminar vasculature. However, to date, no studies have been performed characterising the function of laminar arteries and veins during the prodromal stages of equine laminitis. Objective: That the prodromal stages of laminitis are associated with contractile dysfunction of the equine laminar vasculature. Objective: To assess contractile function of laminar arteries and veins to phenylephrine (PE) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT). Methods: Horses were administered black walnut heartwood extract (BWHE) or water (con...
Caballeros JE, Camacho C, Cazales N, Estradé MJ, Fiala-Rechsteiner S, Jobim MIM, Mattos RC.Rapid endometrial adaptations occur with the embryo entering the uterus to create a receptive uterine environment, which is essential for the conceptus' development. The aim of this study was to demonstrate ultrastructural and histological changes of the endometrium at day 5 after ovulation in cyclic and inseminated mares. Mares were daily examined by transrectal palpation and ultrasonographic examination of the reproductive tract until ovulation was detected. In the first cycle, endometrial biopsies from 10 cyclic mares (Cyclic group) were collected on day 5 post-ovulation. In the second cycl...
Underwood C, Collins SN, van Eps AW, Allavena RE, Medina-Torres CE, Pollitt CC.There are no experimentally validated pharmacological means of preventing laminitis; however, locally acting pharmaceutical agents with the potential to prevent laminitis have been identified. Demonstrating therapeutic drug concentrations in lamellar tissue is essential for evaluating the efficacy of these agents. The aim of this study was to develop an experimental technique for repeatedly sampling lamellar interstitial fluid. A technique for placing ultrafiltration probes was developed in vitro using 15 cadaver limbs. Subsequently, lamellar ultrafiltration probes were placed in one forelimb ...
Riis RC, Jackson C, Rebhun W, Katz ML, Loew E, Summers B, Cummings J, de Lahunta A, Divers T, Mohammed H.The characteristics of the ocular manifestations of equine motor neuron disease (EMND) are described. Forty-two horses with histories, clinical signs and necropsies compatible with EMND were the subjects of this study. Ophthalmoscopic lesions that varied in severity were found in 40 of 42 horses and appeared as a distinct pigmented reticulated pattern at the tapetal-nontapetal junction or throughout the fundus, depending upon severity. The pattern colours ranged from yellow brown to black. Areas of hyperreflectivity formed mosaic patterns in the tapetal fundus. ERG B-wave amplitudes were usual...
Duncan SG, Meyers KM, Reed SM.This study was designed to test the efficacy of heparin anticoagulant therapy in the horse and its effect on the formed elements of blood. Nine clinically normal, nontraumatized adult horses were subjected to 4 different heparin maintenance regimens (dosages of 320, 240, 160, and 40 U/kg of body weight). Porcine intestinal mucosa heparin (20,000 U/ml) was injected subcutaneously every 12 hours for 96 hours (total 9 times). A loading dose of one-third the maintenance dose was given IV just before the first heparin injection. Three control horses were given an equivalent volume of 0.9% saline so...
Bowker RM, Brewer AM, Vex KB, Guida LA, Linder KE, Sonea IM, Stinson AW.Two types of sensory receptors were located in the equine foot, using anatomic techniques. Histologic examination of stained hoof sections revealed lamellated corpuscles in the hoof dermis, which had many of the morphologic characteristics of Pacinian corpuscles. These sensory receptors were restricted to the palmar (caudal) aspects of the solar dermis of the heel. A second type of receptor was detected by use of immunocytochemistry, indicating apparently naked nerve endings containing the neuropeptide calcitonin gene-related peptide-like immunoreactivity in skin, solar dermal tubules, and the...
Nicholl TK, Fregin GF, Gerber NH.The literature on exercise physiology in the horse with special reference to swimming is briefly reviewed. The use of a pool for swimming horses is described and a technique discussed for the collection of haematologic and haemodynamic data using this form of exercise.
Cognie J, Freret S, Lansade L, Parias C, Barriere P, Gesbert A, Reigner F, Deleuze S.The impact of very early castration of foals has not yet been studied despite the many positive effects observed in dogs and cats. Objective: The objective of the study was to compare castration at 3 days and 18 months and assess their subsequent morphological and behavioural development. Methods: This was a randomised, blinded clinical study. Methods: Twenty-two Welsh ponies underwent either early (3-day old, EC group, n = 11) or traditional (18-month old, TC group, n = 11) castration. Animals were followed up to 3 years of age. All ponies were castrated using a primary closure techn...
Hu Z, Wu X, Ge J, Wang X.Type I interferons (IFNs) play important roles in the defense of host cells against viral infection by inducing the expression of a diverse range of antiviral factors. IFNs from different animals likely share similar features with human IFNs, and some of them have cross-species activities. Equine IFN-α was proved effective in both equine and human cells. However, the previous studies mostly focused on the inhibition of virus induced cytopathic effects. In this study, we used virus-specific assays to demonstrate the antiviral activities of equine IFN-α1 in both equine and human cells. Equine ...
Houpt KA, Wolski TR.The dominance hierarchy of a herd of 10 Thoroughbred mares was determined twice, at an interval of 18 months, using paired feeding tests. Each mare's rank was correlated significantly between the 2 tests. This indicated that the hierarchy within the herd was stable. The offspring of dominant and subordinate mares were also tested for dominance in their own age groups. The offspring of dominant mares tended to be near the top of the hierarchy while those of middle and low ranking mares were not consistently found in the middle or bottom of their own hierarchies. Paired feeding tests were carrie...
Bezdekova B, Wohlsein P, Venner M.The clinical findings and outcome associated with chronic severe equine pyloric lesions have not been well described previously. Objective: To describe the history, clinical signs, endoscopic and ultrasound results, laboratory data, treatment, pathological findings and survival of horses with chronic severe pyloric lesions. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Medical records from horses treated at clinics in Czech Republic and Germany in which chronic severe pyloric lesions were confirmed endoscopically and/or on post-mortem examination were reviewed. Results: Forty-seven horses were ...
Fernández-Távora L, Rico P, Martín S.This open clinical study was designed to investigate the occurrence of adverse reactions of specific immunotherapy (SIT) with horse dander and to recognize signs of efficacy regarding horse-induced cutaneous and respiratory symptoms. Methods: Twenty-four patients attending our Outpatient Clinic in Huelva (Spain) with horse-induced allergy were selected for receiving a standardized extract of horse dander (Alutard SQ). Results: Local and systemic reactions (five adverse reactions in four patients) were observed during the induction phase of treatment when administering the doses with the highes...
Witonsky SG, Ellison S, Yang J, Gogal RM, Lawler H, Suzuki Y, Sriranganathan N, Andrews F, Ward D, Lindsay DS.Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) due to Sarcocystis neurona infection is 1 of the most common neurologic diseases in horses in the United States. The mechanisms by which most horses resist disease, as well as the possible mechanisms by which the immune system may be suppressed in horses that develop EPM, are not known. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to determine whether horses experimentally infected with S. neurona developed suppressed immune responses. Thirteen horses that were negative for S. neurona antibodies in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were randomly assig...
Wong DM, Moore RM, Brockus CW.Oxygen is essential to aerobic life, but it is also associated with the production of highly reactive compounds that can pose danger to physiologic systems when the oxygen concentration is excessive. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are required for normal physiologic processes, but when produced in excess, they can overwhelm endogenous antioxidants, resulting in significant cellular damage and, eventually, cell death. Ischemic events can initiate numerous pathophysiologic mechanisms leading to increased production of ROS, loss of cellular energy production, and lipid peroxidation. Although reper...
Kummer M, Theiss F, Jackson M, Fürst A.To describe a motorized morcellator technique for laparoscopic removal of granulosa-theca cell tumors (GCT) in standing mares and to evaluate long-term outcome. Methods: Case series. Methods: Mares (n=7) aged 4-15 years, with unilateral GCT. Methods: Tumor size was determined by transrectal palpation and ultrasonography. Standing sedated mares had 3 laparoscopic portal sites in the paralumbar fossa. After laparoscopic observation of the GCT, the mesovarium was desensitized, the ovarian pedicle transected with a LigaSure device, and the ovary grasped with forceps and cut in cylindrical tissue b...
