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.
Wong DM, Alcott CJ, Wang C, Hay-Kraus BL, Buchanan BR, Brockus CW.To evaluate the effects of various flow rates of oxygen administered via 1 or 2 nasal cannulae on the fraction of inspired oxygen concentration (FIO2) and other arterial blood gas variables in healthy neonatal foals. Methods: 9 healthy neonatal (3- to 4-day-old) foals. Methods: In each foal, a nasal cannula was introduced into each naris and passed into the nasopharynx to the level of the medial canthus of each eye; oxygen was administered at 4 flow rates through either 1 or both cannulae (8 treatments/foal). Intratracheal FIO2, intratracheal end-tidal partial pressure of carbon dioxide, and a...
Alexander K, Dunn M, Carmel EN, Lavoie JP, Del Castillo JR.Glomerular filtration rate (GFR), an important parameter of renal function, is difficult to assess clinically. Serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen measurements lack sensitivity, whereas radionuclide determination of GFR is not always available and requires postinjection patient isolation. GFR can be determined using computed tomography (CT), most commonly via Patlak plot analysis. Four adult cats, two adult dogs, and a foal underwent abdominal CT under general anesthesia for various diseases of the upper urinary tract. CT-GFR was measured with a single-slice dynamic acquisition and Patlak...
Atayde L, Rocha A.It is important to get mares pregnant as early as possible after vernal transition and thus, identification signs of impending 1st ovulation of the year are warranted. To identify clinical indicators of an approaching first ovulation of the year, mares were teased with a stallion for oestrous detection starting January 3 and subjected to ultrasonographic examination. Day of first appearance of uterus oedema, follicular wall invagination, intrafollicular echogenicity, double contour of the follicle wall, increase in granulosa thickness, follicular wall hyperechogenicity and appearance of pear-s...
Dimock AN, Spriet M.The effect of the chemical shift artifact, resulting from misregistration or phase cancellation at the interface between compact and trabecular bone, on apparent bone thickness was quantified in six isolated equine limbs. Sagittal T1-weighted spin echo (SE) and in-phase three-dimensional spoiled gradient echo (SPGR) images were acquired twice with a 1.5 T magnetic resonance (MR) unit, switching the frequency encoding direction between acquisitions. Out-of-phase SPGR images were also obtained. MR images with different frequency encoding directions were compared with each other and to radiograph...
Pusterla N, Mapes S, Johnson C, Slovis N, Page A, Gebhart C.The purpose of the current study was to compare the molecular detection rate of Lawsonia intracellularis between feces and rectal swabs collected from 42 foals with suspected equine proliferative enteropathy (EPE). Fecal samples and rectal swabs were processed for DNA purification by using an automated extraction system. The purified DNA was then analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the presence of the aspartate ammonia lyase (aspA) gene of L. intracellularis. Absolute quantitation was calculated by using a standard curve for L. intracellularis and expressed as copy number...
Gong ZL, Liu GY, Xie JR, Chai HP, Zhang LY, Li ZX, Tian ZC, Wang L, Liu JG.To clone and express BC48 gene of Babesia caballi, and to establish an indirect ELISA for the diagnosis of B. caballi in equine animals. Methods: The genomic DNA of B. caballi was extracted from the infected donkey blood. BC48 gene was amplified by PCR. The PCR product was cloned into expression plasmid pET28a, and expressed in E. coli BL21 with IPTG induction. The recombinant protein was purified by Ni-NTA affinity chro-matography and was used as a diagnostic antigen to establish an indirect ELISA. The reaction conditions of the indirect ELISA were optimized. Specificity and sensitivity of th...
Lane JK, Cohen JM, Zedler ST, Hollis AR, Southwood LL.To describe a novel surgical technique for management of right dorsal colitis in the horse. Methods: Clinical report. Methods: 14-year-old Warmblood gelding. Methods: The horse was referred for treatment of a stromal abscess and signs of right dorsal colitis. Plasma chemistry revealed marked hypoproteinemia. Abdominal ultrasonographic examination showed a thickened right dorsal colon (RDC). Medical treatment was unsuccessful. With the horse in left lateral recumbency under general anesthesia, an approach to the right side of the abdomen through a 16th rib resection was made. The thoracic cavit...
Han SH, Yang BC, Ko MS, Oh HS, Lee SS.we analyzed the sex chromosome-encoding ZFX-ZFY genes and tested molecular sexing using the amplification patterns of intron 9 of ZFX-ZFY in the horse. Results: the amplification of the ZFX-ZFY produced two distinct patterns, reflecting sexual dimorphism based on a length difference between the X and Y chromosomes. The amplification products from foals showed two distinct bands: one was common to all foals and mares, indicating that this band was amplified from ZFX, while the other was specific to some foals, indicating that it was from ZFY. The result based on the PCR assay was identical to t...
Guan F, Uboh CE, Soma LR, You Y, Liu Y, Li X.Androgenic and anabolic steroids (AASs) are a class of chemical substances closely related to testosterone in molecular structure. They can be abused to enhance performances in human and equine athletes, and are banned by the sports authorities. To assist with method development for doping analyses of AASs, investigations were conducted to correlate their product ion profiles with the molecular structures. Although very similar in chemical structure, AASs generated noticeably different product ion profiles from collision-induced dissociation (CID). On the basis of both outlines of the product ...
Cotugna N, Snider OS, Windish J.Athletes involved in horse racing face weight restrictions like wrestlers and dancers; however, the literature is sparse pertaining to nutritional habits of jockeys. The practice of "making weight" causes these athletes to engage in potentially unhealthy practices. A gap in nutritionally sound practices and methods used by jockeys was identified and a desire for nutrition education was expressed to Cooperative Extension of Delaware by representatives of the riders at Delaware Park Race Track. Nutrition assessment was done using the Nutrition Care Process. Twenty jockeys were interviewed using ...
Meredith L, Antoun JS.This study aimed to investigate the perceptions and experiences of New Zealand horse riding schools with regard to horse-related facial injuries. All the riding schools listed in the New Zealand electronic phonebook directory were surveyed by post. The survey questions covered riding schools' perceptions of rider profile, general and facial injury patterns and safety equipment used. The face was perceived to be the most common injury site by only 4% of respondents. Helmets were enforced in only 35% of the schools during unmounted activities. Nearly half the schools did not enforce any safety e...
Human movement scienceAugust 30, 2010
Volume 29, Issue 6 956-963 doi: 10.1016/j.humov.2010.05.010
Kang OD, Ryu YC, Ryew CC, Oh WY, Lee CE, Kang MS.The purpose of this study was to evaluate the rider position at walk and trot as a function of rider skill level by analyzing joint angles. Participants included three advanced riders and six beginners, and training was conducted for one hour, twice a week for 24 weeks. In the walk stage of the beginners' group, the elbows and shoulders sustained postures comparable to those of the advanced riders group; the trunk tilted forwards at first, but later it tilted slightly behind the vertical. The knee, ankle, and left-right angle kept stable postures after 12 weeks of training (p<.05). The fron...
Checura CM, Beg MA, Parrish JJ, Ginther OJ.The effects of FSH, LH or both on follicular growth and intrafollicular free insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 and oestradiol were investigated in mares after the beginning of deviation (largest follicle >/= 20 mm; Hour 0). A single treatment with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist (acyline) was given at Hour 3 to suppress the concentrations of FSH and LH. Five groups (n = 5 mares per group) were evaluated in the present study: (1) control; (2) acyline treated; (3) acyline + recombinant equine (re) FSH treated; (4) acyline + reLH treated; and (5) combined acyline + reFSH + reLH tr...
Bondo T, Jensen SK.This study assessed the effect of a vitamin E supplement given to pregnant mares on immunoglobulins (Ig) levels in foals. In addition, the fatty acid (FA) content and composition of the mares' milk was assessed. Milk α-tocopherol concentrations were compared between pregnant Danish Warmblood mares (n = 17) given a daily oral supplement of 2500 international units (IU) RRR-α-tocopherol in the last 4 weeks of pregnancy and a group of unsupplemented mares (n = 17) receiving 170-320 IU vitamin E daily originating from the feed. Milk α-tocopherol was higher in supplemented mares (36.7, 12.4 and ...
Ragnarsson S, Jansson A.The aim of the present study was to compare digestibility and metabolic response in Icelandic and Standardbred horses fed two grass haylages harvested at different stages of maturity. Six horses of each breed were used in a 24-day change-over design. A total collection of faeces was made on days 15-17 and 22-24. Blood samples were collected on day 24 of each period and analysed for total plasma protein (TPP), plasma urea, non-esterified fatty acids, cortisol and insulin concentration. There were no differences in digestibility coefficients of crude protein, neutral detergent fibre or energy be...
Smith MR, Wright IM.A minimally invasive arthroscopic technique for removal of fractures of the lateral malleolus of the tibia is considered to be beneficial but data to this effect are required. Objective: Arthroscopic removal of fractures of the lateral malleolus of the tibia is technically feasible, provides a comprehensive evaluation of the tarsocrural joint and enables removal of remote comminuted fragments and disrupted short collateral ligaments. The technique is associated with low patient morbidity, requires only short periods of hospitalisation and affords a good prognosis to affected horses. Methods: T...
Arrigo NC, Adams AP, Watts DM, Newman PC, Weaver SC.Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV; family Togaviridae, genus Alphavirus) is an arbovirus that causes severe disease in humans in North America and in equids throughout the Americas. The enzootic transmission cycle of EEEV in North America involves passerine birds and the ornithophilic mosquito vector, Culiseta melanura, in freshwater swamp habitats. However, the ecology of EEEV in South America is not well understood. Culex (Melanoconion) spp. mosquitoes are considered the principal vectors in Central and South America; however, a primary vertebrate host for EEEV in South America has not...
BMJ case reportsAugust 26, 2010
Volume 2010 bcr1120092444 doi: 10.1136/bcr.11.2009.2444
Thompson RN, McNicholl BP.This report describes a case of accidental needlestick injury involving a live equine vaccination, Equilis StrepE. A vet presented herself to the Emergency Department having accidentally injected herself with an equine vaccination. Her left thumb (injury site) was inflamed and had lymphangitis progressing proximally along her left arm. Her inflammatory markers were not raised. The swelling, erythma and lymphangitis had improved markedly with intravenous antibiotics. She had no sequelae at follow-up. Equilis StrepE is a vaccine for submucosal administration containing a modified live avirulent ...
Ivens PA, Matthews D, Webb K, Newton JR, Steward K, Waller AS, Robinson C, Slater JD.Strangles is the most commonly diagnosed and important infectious disease of horses worldwide. Very little is known about the temporo-spatial and molecular epidemiology of strangles. The disease is not notifiable in the UK and there are few published data on the geographical locations of outbreaks. Objective: To investigate whether typing of a surface protein (SeM) of Streptococcus equi ssp. equi (S. equi), the causative agent of strangles, is a useful epidemiological tool. Methods: The variable region of the SeM gene was amplified from 145 isolates of S. equi by PCR and sequenced. Different S...
Fowlie JG, O'Neill HD, Bladon BM, O'Meara B, Prange T, Caron JP.The conventional arthroscopic approach to the palmar/plantar aspect of the distal interphalangeal joint (DIPJ) may result in the inadvertent penetration of the digital flexor tendon sheath (DFTS) and the navicular bursa (NB). This iatrogenic communication would be undesirable subsequent to arthroscopic lavage of a septic DIPJ. Objective: A lateral/medial approach to the palmar/plantar aspect of the DIPJ will result in a significantly lower rate of inadvertent penetration of the DFTS and NB, whilst still providing adequate intra-articular evaluation. Methods: The conventional palmar/plantar app...
Wright IM, Smith MR.Removal of large chip fractures of the carpal bones and the osteochondral deficits that result, have been associated with a worse prognosis than removal of small fragments in similar locations. Objective: Reducing the articular defects by repair of large osteochondral fragments may have advantages over removal. Methods: Horses with osteochondral chip fractures that were of sufficient size and infrastructure to be repaired with small (2.7 mm diameter) AO/ASIF cortex screws were identified and repair effected by arthroscopically guided internal fixation. Results: Thirty-three horses underwent su...
Vukojević V, Bowen AM, Wilhelm K, Ming Y, Ce Z, Schleucher J, Hore PJ, Terenius L, Morozova-Roche LA.Recent evidence supports the idea that early aggregates, protein, and lipoprotein oligomers but not large aggregates like fibrils that are formed at late stages of the aggregation process are responsible for cytotoxicity. Oligomers can interact with the cellular plasma membrane affecting its structure and/or dynamics or may be taken up by the cells. In either case, disparate cascades of molecular interactions are activated in the attempt to counteract the disturbance induced by the oligomers. If unsuccessful, cell death follows. Here, we study the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying P...
O'Neill HD, Boussauw B, Bladon BM, Fraser BS.There are few published data regarding the success rates of cheek tooth (CT) removal by lateral buccotomy in the horse. Objective: A retrospective study of 114 horses admitted to 2 private equine referral hospitals over a 10 year period (1999-2009), which underwent CT removal via a lateral buccotomy. Methods: Hospital records were analysed and details including case details, presenting complaint and results of all diagnostic tests and surgical reports were documented. Information obtained during post operative reassessment was also available for analysis. Long-term follow-up information (>2 mo...
Russo D, Bombardi C, Grandis A, Furness JB, Spadari A, Bernardini C, Chiocchetti R.The distribution and chemical phenotypes of sympathetic and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons innervating the equine ileocecal junction (ICJ) were studied by combining retrograde tracing and immunohistochemistry. Immunoreactivity (IR) for tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH), neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), substance P (SP), and neuropeptide Y (NPY) was investigated. Sympathetic neurons projecting to the ICJ were distributed within the celiac (CG), cranial mesenteric (CranMG), and caudal mesenteric (CaudMG) ganglia, as well ...
Fureix C, Menguy H, Hausberger M.Experiencing acute pain can affect the social behaviour of both humans and animals and can increase the risk that they exhibit aggressive or violent behaviour. However, studies have focused mainly on the impact of acute rather than chronic painful experiences. As recent results suggest that chronic pain or chronic discomfort could increase aggressiveness in humans and other mammals, we tested here the hypothesis that, in horses, aggression towards humans (a common source of accidents for professionals) could be linked to regularly reported vertebral problems of riding horses. Results: Vertebra...
Peffers MJ, Milner PI, Tew SR, Clegg PD.SOX9 is a transcription factor that is essential for cartilage extracellular matrix (ECM) formation. Osteoarthritis (OA) is characterised by a loss of cartilage ECM. In chondrocytes SOX9 gene expression is regulated by osmotic loading. Here we characterise SOX9 mRNA regulation through static and cyclical application of hyperosmotic conditions in normal and OA monolayer equine chondrocytes. Furthermore, we investigate whether extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK)1/2 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) pathways have a role in this regulation of SOX9. Methods: Equine chondrocyt...
Burrows GE.Certain physiologic and hematologic data were determined in ponies given Escherichia coli endotoxin by three routes: single IV dose, single intraperitoneal (IP) dose, and multiple IP boluses. In all ponies, the reaction was characterized by weakness, depression, peripheral circulatory abnormalities, and pyrexia. The pyrexia was more severe and was sustained in the ponies given multiple IP bolus endotoxin. Changes in packed cell volume, peripheral blood neutrophil, lymphocyte, and thrombocyte counts, and blood glucose were noticed in the three groups. Blood lactate and beta-glucuronidase values...
Bachmann I, Staﾬher M.Out of a representative sample of 1861 Swiss horse yards, 622 horse keepers (35.2%) with 2536 horses, ponies and donkeys sent back a questionnaire about general farm characteristics, their horse-specific training, horse stock, housing conditions, intraspecific social contacts, feeding, ability to move freely, use of the horses and management. 83.5% of horses were kept individually (thereof 18.3% tethered, 32.3% in a loose box indoors, 28.4% in a loose box outdoors, and 4.5% in a loose box with permanent access to a paddock or an individual pasture), and 16.5% lived in group housing systems. 36...
Ben Said M, Belkahia H, Héni MM, Bouattour A, Ghorbel A, Gharbi M, Zouari A, Darghouth MA, Messadi L.The aim of the present study was to determine the seroprevalence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in 343 well maintained horses belonging to 11 horse stables located in northern Tunisia with indirect immunofluorescence test. Overall, 16.3% (56/343) of tested animals were positive. Anti-A. phagocytophilum antibodies were present in horses located in all studied governorates except the governorate of Ben Arous. Nine horse stables out of 11 contained positive animals, the seroprevalence of each one varied from nought to 50%. Seroprevalence varied according to gender, breed and type of activity, contr...
Coppelman EB, David FH, Tóth F, Ernst NS, Trumble TN.Osteoarthritis (OA) of the distal intertarsal (DIT) and tarsometatarsal (TMT) joints occurs commonly. Synovial fluid (SF) biomarkers of collagen and bone turnover have potential clinical value. Objective: To measure SF biomarker concentrations from DIT and TMT joints in adult horses and determine if they correlate with radiographic OA severity and are higher in joints with radiographic OA compared to controls. Methods: Cross-sectional. Methods: Radiographic OA of DIT and TMT joints was evaluated from adult horses (5-35 years old). Overall radiographic scores divided horses into those with mil...
Bouckaert S, Voorspoels J, Vandenbossche G, Deprez P, Remon JP.Quinidine is the drug of choice for the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias in horses. The plasma concentrations vs. time profiles following oral administration of two formulations of quinidine sulphate, an oral solution and an oral suspension paste, were evaluated in nine horses. They received multiple administrations of the oral solution under fed and non-fed conditions and of the paste under non-fed conditions. A loading dose of 20 mg.kg-1 and a maintenance dose of 10 mg.kg-1 quinidine with dosing interval of 6 h were used. The relative bioavailability of the oral solution under fed conditions...
Williams TL, Archer J.Pseudothrombocytopenia secondary to platelet clumping is a common cause of preanalytic error for platelet counts in dogs, cats, and horses. In human beings, it is suggested that prewarming blood samples to 37°C prior to hematology analysis will reduce platelet clumping. Objective: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of prewarming EDTA blood samples to 37°C on measured platelet counts and other hematologic variables. Methods: The EDTA blood samples from dogs, cats and horses submitted to the clinical pathology laboratory at the University of Cambridge were included. Complete b...
Ducharme NG, Cheetham J, Sanders I, Hermanson JW, Hackett RP, Soderholm LV, Mitchell LM.The success rate of prosthetic laryngoplasty is limited and may be associated with significant sequelae. Nerve muscle pedicle transplantation has been attempted but requires a year before function is restored. Objective: To determine the optimal parameters for functional electrical stimulation of the recurrent laryngeal nerve in horses. Methods: An experimental in vivo study was performed on 7 mature horses (2-21 years). A nerve cuff was placed on the distal end of the common trunk of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN). In 6 horses the ipsilateral adductor branch of RLN was also transected. T...
Gutiérrez-Cepeda L, Fernández A, Crespo F, Ramírez MÁ, Gosálvez J, Serres C.Variability among stallions in terms of semen cryopreservation quality renders it difficult to arrive at a standardized cryopreservation method. Different extenders and processing techniques (such us colloidal centrifugation) are used in order to optimize post-thaw sperm quality. Sperm chromatin integrity analysis is an effective tool for assessing such quality. The aim of the present study was to compare the effect of two single layer colloidal centrifugation protocols (prior to cryopreservation) in combination with three commercial freezing extenders on the post-thaw chromatin integrity of e...
Blunden AS, Smith KC, Binns MM, Zhang L, Gower SM, Mumford JA.Equid herpesvirus 4 (EHV-4) infection was diagnosed as the cause of interstitial pneumonia in a 6-week-old conventionally reared Welsh pony foal, by cocultivation and immunolabelling with specific monoclonal antibodies, EHV-4 specific amplification of viral DNA, and immunohistological examination of infected tissues. The case was novel in that replication of the EHV-4 isolate in endothelial cells and in the synovial epithelium was a feature. Restriction digests of this isolate were compared with those of seven respiratory and one abortigenic EHV-4 isolate, and no differences in restriction pat...
Ginther OJ.Recent findings on the development and natural outcome of twins from Day 17 (immediately after fixation) to Day 40 are reviewed. Incidence of embryo reduction was increased significantly when the vesicles became fixed unilaterally, rather than bilaterally, and when the vesicles were unequal in diameter. Of 68 mares with twins on the day of fixation, post fixation embryo reduction occurred in 41 (60 per cent). The incidence of reduction was 41 of 48 (85 per cent) following unilateral fixation; reduction occurred in all of 22 mares with vesicles of dissimilar size (4 mm or more difference in dia...
Bland SD, Venable EB, McPherson JL, Atkinson RL.The horse intestinal tract is sensitive and contains a highly complex microbial population. A shift in the microbial population can lead to various issues such as inflammation and colic. The use of nutraceuticals in the equine industry is on the rise and curcumin is thought to possess antimicrobial properties that may help to minimize the proliferation of opportunistic bacteria. Methods: Four cecally-cannulated horses were utilized to determine the optimal dose of liposomal-curcumin (LIPC) on reducing complex (SBEC), K-12, general, , and in the equine hindgut without adversely affecting ce...
Fouché N, Graubner C, Howard J.Various assays have been used as an aid to diagnose failure of passive transfer (FPT) of immunoglobulins in neonatal foals, but often lack sensitivity as screening tests, or are time consuming to perform and impractical as confirmatory tests. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether measurement of serum total globulins (TG; i.e. total protein minus albumin) can be used to estimate the electrophoretic gamma globulin (EGG) fraction in hospitalised neonatal foals with suspected FPT. Sample data from 56 foals were evaluated retrospectively. The coefficient of rank correlation was 0.84....
du Toit N, Rucker BA.Changes in normal equine dental anatomy with age result in dental disease specific to the geriatric horse. The culmination of dental disease throughout the life of a horse often results in advanced dental disease. Treatment of specific dental disease conditions has to be adapted for older horses to compensate for reduction in reserve crown and occlusal enamel. Ensuring oral comfort and maximizing masticatory ability are the mainstays of geriatric dental treatment. Recognition of dental disease common to older horses ensures that correct treatment is applied. Older patients often require long-t...
Johnson KA, Smith FW.Lag screw fixation using single 4.5 mm cortical bone screws is a recommended technique for repair of mid-sagittal plane fractures of the distal phalanx in adult horses. However, implant infection and technical difficulties in obtaining adequate interfragmentary compression have made this surgical procedure somewhat controversial. We hypothesized that use of larger diameter screws would result in increased axial compression and improved stability of this fracture. Paired distal phalanges from the forelimbs of 10 adult horses were collected at necropsy and divided in half in the midsagittal plan...
Franzan BC, Coelho IDS, de Souza MT, Santos MMM, de Almeida FQ, Silva VP.Sudden changes in horses' diet have been previously associated with gastrointestinal disease. This study evaluated the effects of a sudden change of diet composed exclusively of Coastcross hay (CHD) to a complete extruded diet (CED) on the fecal microbiome of horses. A completely randomized design with repeated measurements was used. The study started with eight adult horses randomly split into group A, fed with CHD, and group B, fed with CED. After 34 days of diet adaptation, the diets were abruptly changed between the groups. Fecal samples were collected at 0, 24, and 96 hours after the diet...
Raffin JP, Thebault MT.1. AMP deaminase from thoroughbred horse muscle was purified to apparent homogeneity and its regulatory properties were determined at pH 6.5 and 7.4. 2. The results are discussed in relation to the potential role of muscle AMP deaminase during exercise and the existence of two molecular forms depending on the pH.
Villasante A, Araneda OF, Behn C, Galleguillos M, Adarmes H.In order to determine oxidative stress in equine joints with degenerative processes, we analyzed synovial fluid (SF) antioxidant capacity and the concentration of oxidative damage biomarkers in healthy and chronically damaged metacarpophalangeal joints. SF samples were collected from joints of thirty 2-5 year-old crossbreed male equine, macroscopically classified at post mortem inspection and later histologically confirmed. The antioxidant capacity was determined measuring uric acid and the concentration of sulfhydryl groups and the total radical trapping antioxidant potential (TRAP). The oxid...
Godber LM, Walker RD, Stein GE, Hauptman JG, Derksen FJ.Once-daily administration of aminoglycosides may be a safe and effective therapeutic regimen, on the basis of the microbiologic and pharmacokinetic characteristics of these antibiotics. This study was designed to determine serum and tissue concentrations following i.v. administration of gentamicin, at dosages of 6.6 mg/kg of body weight, every 24 hours, and 2.2 mg/kg, every 8 hours, for 10 days in adult horses. Nephrotoxicosis from these dosage regimens also was compared, and microbiologic effects, including postantibiotic effects, were determined with various concentrations of gentamicin agai...
Hendrickson D, Virgin J.The rate and outcome of wound healing are determined by many factors,some of which are already in effect when the horse is first presented to the veterinarian. A thorough understanding of wound healing principles,coupled with clear client communication, should enable the practitioner to minimize the number of additional factors that may exacerbate the initial situation.
Du Cheyne C, Martens A, De Spiegelaere W.Exuberant granulation tissue (EGT) is a frequently encountered complication during second intention healing in equine distal limb wounds. Although it is still unknown what exactly triggers the formation of this tissue, previous research has revealed a persistent inflammatory response in these wounds. In this preliminary study we examined this inflammatory response in EGT-developing wounds as well as in experimental induced wounds. Immunohistological stainings were performed to detect primary inflammatory immune cells (MAC387 staining) as well as pro-resolution immune cells (CD163 staining). Ou...
Behrendt D, Burger D, Gremmes S, Szunyog K, Röthemeier S, Sieme H.Stallion-like or aggressive behaviour in mares affected by unilateral granulosa theca cell tumour (GTCT) is well-known, but use of a GnRH-vaccine as an alternative to surgical removal of the neoplastic ovary has not been investigated. Objective: To determine the effect of immunisation against GnRH on ovarian size, testosterone concentration, Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) concentration, and owner-reported behaviour in four mares affected by unilateral GTCT. Methods: Retrospective case report. Methods: A presumptive diagnosis of GTCT was made in four mares based on clinical signs, behavioural ch...
Dart AJ, Little CB, Hughes CE, Chu O, Dowling BA, Hodgson DR, Rose RJ, Johnson KA.Recombinant equine growth hormone (reGH) has recently been evaluated for effects on body condition and wound healing. It has the potential to influence articular cartilage via stimulation of IGF-1. Objective: To investigate effects of administration on synovial joint metabolism. Methods: Six mature horses were given 20 microg/kg bwt reGH daily for 8 weeks by i.m. injection. Three control horses were injected with sterile water. Serum and synovial fluid samples were collected at 6, 8, 11 and 16 weeks for GH and IGF-1 assays. Articular cartilage harvested at week 16 was evaluated by Western anal...
Hipp B, Südekum KH, Zeyner A, Goren G, Kienzle E.The prediction of renal energy excretion is crucial in a metabolizable energy system for horses. Phenolic acids from forage cell walls may affect renal energy losses by increasing hippuric acid excretion. Therefore, the relationships were investigated between renal energy, nitrogen (N) and hippuric acid excretion of four adult ponies (230-384 kg body weight (BW)) consuming diets based on fresh grass, grass silage, grass cobs (heat-dried, finely chopped, pressed grass), alfalfa hay, straw, extruded straw and soybean meal. Feed intake was measured; urine and faeces were quantitatively collected...
Barnett KC, Blunden AS, Dyson SJ, Whitwell KE, Carson D, Murray R.The case histories described each presented with a visual deficit, varying from permanent total blindness with ophthalmoscopic evidence of optic atrophy to variable and transient visual disturbances, including occasional blindness, but with absence of ophthalmoscopic or any other ocular abnormality. Methods: Three horses of widely different age and type, but all with an original history of upper respiratory tract infection. Methods: All three cases were examined by a specialist veterinary ophthalmologist. In addition, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and, where possible, postmortem and histopa...
Kramer J, Coates JR, Hoffman AG, Frappier BL.To describe surgical approaches to the equine cranium and brain for limited craniectomy. Methods: Descriptive anatomic study. Methods: Equine cadavers (n=7). Methods: Head and neck sections from cadavers were used to establish techniques for exposing areas of the equine brain. Three basic approaches were used: rostrotentorial, suboccipital, and transfrontal. Techniques were adapted from small animal descriptions and modified to account for anatomic differences. Results: Descriptions of the rostrotentorial, suboccipital, and transfrontal approaches to the equine cranium and brain were defined. ...
Madigan JE.This article reviews epizootiology, public health considerations, antibody testing, and molecular biology of Lyme borreliosis. Correlation of clinical signs with titer response is discussed.
Yovich JV, Powers BE, Stashak TS.The intervertebral disks and adjacent vertebral bodies of the 2nd to 7th cervical vertebrae from 17 horses (3 months to 19 years of age) were examined grossly and by light microscopy. In each specimen, the disk tissue was fibrocartilagenous centrally and became more fibrous peripherally, but without a distinct demarcation between the nucleus pulposus and anulus fibrosus. Demarcation between the anulus fibrosus and the dorsal longitudinal ligament was not apparent. With increasing age of the horses, cellularity of the central fibrocartilagenous portion of the disk decreased. The caudal end plat...
Bermúdez VM, Miller RB, Rosendal S, Fernando MA, Johnson WH, O'Brien PJ.The cytopathic effects induced by five strains of Mycoplasma equigenitalium for cells of equine uterine tube explants were tested by measuring changes in cellular and extracellular concentrations of calmodulin (CaM). Calmodulin concentrations in samples of total homogenate (TH) and total homogenate supernates (THS) of the infected equine uterine tube explants were significantly lower than respective measurements on noninfected controls. In tissue culture medium fractions (TCM) of some infected explants, CaM concentrations were significantly higher than noninfected controls (p > 0.95). The r...
Fontaine-Rodgerson G, Rodgerson DH.Transabdominal ultrasonography is frequently used to diagnose small intestinal intussusceptions in foals. We demonstrate that transabdominal ultrasonography also provides a rapid and accurate diagnosis of small intestinal intussusception in adult horses. A detailed description of the ultrasonographic appearance is provided.
