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.
Abraham G, Allersmeier M, Gottschalk J, Schusser GF, Hoppen HO, Ungemach FR.There are no data available regarding the systemic (adverse) effects which might be induced by topical/dermal glucocorticoids (GCs) application in the horse. Besides their widespread use for the treatment of a variety of peripheral inflammatory disorders such as atopic dermatitis, eczemas or arthritis in the horse, their surreptitious application has become a concern in doping cases in competition/performance horses. Assessing both basal and ACTH-stimulated plasma cortisol as well as basal ACTH concentrations following application of dexamethsone-containing dermal ointment is necessary to dete...
Schwint ON, Ueti MW, Palmer GH, Kappmeyer LS, Hines MT, Cordes RT, Knowles DP, Scoles GA.Antimicrobial treatment of persistent infection to eliminate transmission risk represents a specific challenge requiring compelling evidence of complete pathogen clearance. The limited repertoire of antimicrobial agents targeted at protozoal parasites magnifies this challenge. Using Babesia caballi as both a model and a specific apicomplexan pathogen for which evidence of the elimination of transmission risk is required for international animal movement, we tested whether a high-dose regimen of imidocarb dipropionate cleared infection from persistently infected asymptomatic horses and/or elimi...
Ginther OJ.Variation is the principal barrier to progress in unraveling the complexities of biological mechanisms. The resulting slow research progress is well illustrated in the chronology of events in elucidating the mechanism for regression of the corpus luteum (luteolysis) during the equine estrous cycle. Many of the underlying foundations of the female reproductive system in farm animals were developed during the 1930s to 1950s, despite the lack of methods for determining the concentrations of circulating hormones. In the 1960s, a uterine luteolysin was postulated on the basis of several experimenta...
Pfau T, Spence A, Starke S, Ferrari M, Wilson A.When animals carry loads, there is a proportionate increase in metabolic cost, and in humans this increase in cost is reduced when the load is elastically coupled to the load bearer. Major horse race times and records improved by 5 to 7% around 1900 when jockeys adopted a crouched posture. We show that jockeys move to isolate themselves from the movement of their mount. This would be difficult or impossible with a seated or upright, straight-legged posture. This isolation means that the horse supports the jockey's body weight but does not have to move the jockey through each cyclical stride pa...
Miesner T, Wilkie D, Gemensky-Metzler A, Weisbrode S, Colitz C.At The Ohio State University from 1994-2006 six of seven horses evaluated for primary orbital disease were diagnosed with extra-adrenal paraganglioma (EAPG). The horses ranged in age from 14 to 24 years, with a mean of 16.8 years. Duration of clinical signs was 1.5 years to 5 years, with a mean of 2.8 years. Clinical signs varied, but all six had non-painful exophthalmus of the right eye. Five horses had complete ocular exams reported; three of five had decreased to absent vision, two of five had pale optic nerves, and in three of five, difficulty of retropulsion of the globe was noted. Diagno...
Farmer K, Krueger K, Byrne RW.Most horses have a side on which they are easier to handle and a direction they favour when working on a circle, and recent studies have suggested a correlation between emotion and visual laterality when horses observe inanimate objects. As such lateralisation could provide important clues regarding the horse's cognitive processes, we investigated whether horses also show laterality in association with people. We gave horses the choice of entering a chute to left or right, with and without the passive, non-interactive presence of a person unknown to them. The left eye was preferred for scannin...
Fleming K, Hessel EF, Van den Weghe HF.The aim of this study was to compare different types of bedding and mucking regimens used in horse stables on the generation of airborne particulate matter <10 microm (PM10) and 3 biogenic gases (carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and especially ammonia). Three separate experiments were undertaken. The experiments were carried out in an enclosed stable (9.7 m long, 8.7 m wide, and 3.5 m high) that had 5 single boxes housing 4 horses. The measuring instruments were set up in the middle of one side of the stable. In Exp. 1, 3 types of bedding material (wheat straw, straw pellets, and wood shavings) ...
Radcliffe CH, Flaminio MJ, Fortier LA.Mesenchymal progenitor cells (MPCs) are often characterized using surface markers after expansion and treatment in culture. There are no studies directly comparing gene and protein markers in undifferentiated samples during the very early phases of culture. The goal of this study was to evaluate temporal gene and protein expression changes during establishment of equine MPC cultures. Bone marrow aspirate was obtained from 35 horses and processed by density gradient centrifugation. In freshly isolated bone marrow, mononuclear cells had variable expression of CD44, CD11a/CD18, CD90, and CD45RB c...
Fleischli JG, Laughlin TJ, Fleischli JW.Treatment of diabetic foot wounds remains a major health-care issue, with diabetic foot ulcers representing the most common causal pathway to lower-extremity amputation. Although several investigations have examined topical collagen-based dressings, none have specifically looked at equine pericardium. We, therefore, evaluated the effect of the equine pericardium dressing on neuropathic foot wounds. Methods: Twenty-three consecutive patients with 34 neuropathic foot wounds were evaluated as part of a pilot study. An equine pericardium dressing was applied in a standard manner, and the patients ...
Ragle CA, de Mira MC, Pearson LK, Coelho JC.A 2-year-old Quarter Horse was evaluated because of a progressive left-sided facial deformity and unilateral nasal and ocular discharge. Results: Physical examination revealed convexity of the left frontonasal region, left-sided nasal and ocular discharge, and decreased air flow through the left nares. Radiography and computed tomography revealed an extensively mineralized mass occupying most of the left paranasal sinuses. Results: The mass was surgically debulked, but complete removal was precluded because the mass was tightly adhered to the frontal and maxillary bones. Results of histologic ...
Sogaro-Robinson C, Lacombe VA, Reed SM, Balkrishnan R.To determine neurologic indications associated with abnormal results for computed tomography (CT) imaging of the head of horses affected by neurologic disorders. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: 57 horses. Methods: Signalment, history, clinical abnormalities, and clinicopathologic findings were obtained from medical records of horses examined because of neurologic disorders, and precontrast and postcontrast CT images of the head were reviewed. Data were analyzed by use of univariate and multivariate logistic regression. Results: For a horse with abnormal mentation, odds of having a...
Delfs KC, Hawkins JF, Hogan DF.2 horses and 1 pony were evaluated for right-sided (1 horse and the pony) and left-sided (1 horse) acute epistaxis of 1 day's to 1 month's duration. Results: Endoscopic examination of the 3 equids revealed that the hemorrhage originated from the right maxillary artery in 2 equids and from the left internal carotid artery in the third. Mycosis of the auditory tube diverticulum (guttural pouch) was detected in all 3 equids. Results: All 3 equids underwent surgery, and transarterial nitinol intravascular plugs were placed to occlude affected blood vessels. All equids survived for a long period (i...
Nizoli LQ, Conceição FR, Silva SS, Dummer LA, Santos AG, Leite FP.The equine piroplasmosis caused by Theileria equi is one of the most important parasitic diseases of the equine, causing damage to animal health and economic losses. In T. equi, 2 merozoite surface proteins, equi merozoite antigen EMA-1 and EMA-2, have been identified as the most immunodominant antigens. This suggests that these antigens might be used as immunobiological tools. The EMA-1 of Theileria equi was cloned and expressed in the yeast Pichia pastoris. The transformed yeast was grown at high cell density, expressing up to 389 mg x L(-1) of recombinant protein. The protein was concentrat...
Gürelli G, Göçmen B.Blepharocorys curvigula Gassovsky, 1919 found in the intestine of domestic horses (Equus caballus Linnaeus, 1758), living in the vicinity of Izmir was investigated. It was seen in nine of the thirteen horses examined (69%). This study reports the presence of Blepharocorys curvigula in the intestine of Equids for the first time in Turkey. Specimens were found to be similar to the original descriptions on the basis of morphological characters and biometric data.
McCue ME, Armién AG, Lucio M, Mickelson JR, Valberg SJ.Polysaccharide storage myopathy (PSSM) has been found in more than 35 different horse breeds through identification of abnormal storage of polysaccharide in muscle biopsies. A dominant mutation in the glycogen synthase 1 gene (GYS1) accounts for a substantial proportion of PSSM cases in at least 17 breeds, including Quarter Horses, but some horses diagnosed with PSSM by muscle histopathologic analysis are negative for the mutation. We hypothesized that a second distinct form of glycogen storage disease exists in GYS1-negative horses with PSSM. The objectives of this study were to compare the h...
Gobeil PA, Yuan Z, Gault EA, Morgan IM, Campo MS, Nasir L.Equine sarcoids are skin tumours of horses caused by infection with BPV-1 or 2. Maintenance and replication of the viral genome depend upon the viral proteins E1 and E2. We examined the effects of an E2 specific siRNA on E2 and E1 viral gene expression, viral load and cell growth in BPV-1 transformed sarcoid-derived cells. Transfection with E2-siRNA caused a reduction in E2 and E1 mRNA expression as well as viral load, growth inhibition and decreased anchorage-independent growth. siRNA treated cells showed significantly higher apoptosis rates than control cells. Thus sequence specific targetin...
Andoh K, Kai K, Matsumura T, Maeda K.Cell lines originating from horses are necessary for isolation and propagation of equine herpesviruses (EHV). Although we established an equine-derived cell line, FHK-Tcl3, propagation ceased after fewer than 40 passages. In this study, FHK-Tcl3 cell propagation continued beyond 40 passages, achieving over 100 passages. FHK-Tcl3 cells were then cloned by limiting dilution at the 100th passage. Cloned cells were termed FHK-Tcl3.1. FHK-Tcl3.1 cells grew well and were propagated every 3 to 4 days by splitting 1:5. In addition, EHV-1, -2 and -4 showed a clear cytopathic effect (CPE) in FHK-Tcl3.1 ...
Sasaki N, Morita Y, Moriyama T, Yamada H.The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of the canine cranial cruciate ligament repair system on laryngeal hemiplegia in heavy draft horses. Twenty-four heavy draft horses diagnosed with grade 4 laryngeal hemiplegia were allocated to either the prosthetic laryngoplasty (PL) group (n=14) or a canine cranial cruciate ligament repair system (CCCLRS) group (n=10). Right to left angle quotients (RLQs) of abductions of the arytenoid cartilages were endoscopically evaluated before and after surgery. Post-operative RLQs in the CCCLRS group were significantly lower than those of the PL gro...
Ortega Ferrusola C, González Fernández L, Macías García B, Salazar-Sandoval C, Morillo Rodríguez A, Rodríguez Martinez H, Tapia JA, Peña FJ.The ability of stallion spermatozoa to produce nitric oxide (NO) before (fresh) and after freezing and thawing (FT) was evaluated by means of flow cytometry after loading the sperm suspension with the probe, 4,5-diaminofluorescenin diacetate. The presence of NO synthase (NOS) was investigated by Western blotting using anti-NOS1, anti-NOS3, or anti-universal NOS antibodies (Abs). While NO was detected both in fresh and FT sperm suspensions, its production increased after cryopreservation only when egg yolk was removed from the extender. Anti-NOS1 Ab intensively labeled a single band with an app...
Tanaka K, Asai Y, Kuwano A.At 114 ranches in the Hidaka District of Hokkaido, a total of 1,118 Thoroughbred foals that were born from January to June 2003 were examined at different times from May to September of the same year to ascertain the occurrence of clubfoot. Clubfoot was seen in a total of 179 foals (16%) at 89 ranches (78%). Also, 124 of the 179 foals (69.3%) had clubfoot of grade II or higher, and it was found that grade I was likely to be overlooked or rapidly advance. In the present study, the occurrence of clubfoot was higher than expected in the investigated region. Hence, it is necessary to establish acc...
Morrell JM, Johannisson A, Dalin AM, Rodriguez-Martinez H.The objective of the current study was to optimize the volumes of Androcoll-E and sperm sample used in various sizes of centrifuge tube to scale up single-layer centrifugation (SLC) for routine use in the field. Although sperm suspensions of equivalent quality were produced using Androcoll-E in small and large tubes, the sperm yield was much lower in the latter (P<0.001). In contrast, in 200-mL tubes (XL), the yields were approximately 25% higher than those for the small tubes. An increased volume (4.5 mL) of extended ejaculate in small tubes (SLC-Inc) or 15 to 18 mL extended ejaculate on 1...
Hallamaa RE.Summer eczema, allergic dermatitis of the horse, was studied on 275 affected horses in Finland in 1997-2007. Features of the horses, clinical signs of the disease and owners' opinions of aggravating factors were recorded. Differences, especially, between two of the native Scandinavian horse breeds, the Finnhorse and the Icelandic horse, were evaluated. The study was based on clinical examination and information from the owners. Of the horses, 50% were Finnhorses, 26% Icelandic horses and 24% consisted of different breeds of ponies and other horses. Of the Finnhorses, 76% had summer eczema by t...
Moyaert H, Pasmans F, Decostere A, Ducatelle R, Haesebrouck F.Helicobacter equorum colonizes the caecum, colon and rectum of horses. The agent is highly prevalent in <6-month-old foals. In adult horses, the prevalence of H. equorum seems to be rather low, but these animals may harbour low, subdetectable numbers of this microorganism in their intestines. So far, no association could be made between the presence of H. equorum and clinical disease or intestinal lesions in adult horses. Further research is necessary to elucidate the pathogenic potential of this bacterial species towards young foals. Helicobacter equorum DNA was not detected in human faece...
Heise A, Kähn W, Volkmann DH, Thompson PN, Gerber D.The use of epididymal stallion spermatozoa for routine artificial insemination can secure easy future use of valuable genetics after unforeseen death or injury of a valuable stallion. The aims of this study were to (1) directly compare pregnancy rates for fresh and frozen-thawed stallion epididymal and ejaculated spermatozoa after conventional artificial insemination and (2) to investigate the effect of seminal plasma on the fertility of epididymal spermatozoa after insemination. Twenty-one mares were randomly assigned to three stallions. Mares were inseminated at five consecutive oestrous per...
Hamza E, Torsteinsdottir S, Eydal M, Frey CF, Mirkovitch J, Brcic M, Wagner B, Wilson AD, Jungi TW, Marti E.Insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH) is an IgE-mediated dermatitis of horses caused by bites of Culicoides spp. IBH does not occur in Iceland where Culicoides are absent. However, following importation into continental Europe where Culicoides are present, >or=50% of Icelandic horses (1st generation) develop IBH but
Proops L, McComb K.Recent research has shown that domestic dogs are particularly good at determining the focus of human attention, often outperforming chimpanzees and hand-reared wolves. It has been suggested that the close evolutionary relationship between humans and dogs has led to the development of this ability; however, very few other domestic species have been studied. We tested the ability of 36 domestic horses to discriminate between an attentive and inattentive person in determining whom to approach for food. The cues provided were body orientation, head orientation or whether the experimenters' eyes we...
Parkinson NJ, McKenzie HC, Barton MH, Davis JL, Dunkel B, Johnson AL, MacDonald ES.Venous air embolism is a potentially life-threatening complication of IV catheter use in horses. Despite widespread anecdotal reports of their occurrence, few cases have been reported in the literature and the prognosis is currently unknown. Objective: Our objective was to describe the surrounding circumstances, clinical signs, treatment, progression, and outcome of venous air embolism in hospitalized horses. Methods: Thirty-two horses with acute onset of compatible clinical signs associated with IV catheter disconnection or damage. Methods: Multicenter retrospective study. Data extracted from...
Kaminogawa S, McKenzie HA, Shaw DC.The amino acid sequence of equine alpha-lactalbumin has been determined with the aid of an automatic sequencer. The protein chain consists of 123 amino acids and has a Mr of 14218. Elucidation of the structure involved sequence determination of native protein (residues 1-32), cyanogen bromide fragments, and tryptic, chymotryptic and S. aureus V8 proteolytic peptides. Approximately 67% of the residues are identical with corresponding residues of bovine alpha-lactalbumin B, and there is close homology with alpha-lactalbumin of other species.
The Journal of physiologyAugust 1, 1971
Volume 216, Issue 3 659-682 doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.1971.sp009546
Comline RS, Silver M.1. The content and output of adrenaline and noradrenaline from the equine adrenal medulla has been investigated under different conditions in foetuses, foals and adult mares.2. In the foetus only small amounts of both amines were secreted in response to stimulation of the peripheral ends of the splanchnic nerves to the gland; during anoxia the adrenal discharge was far greater and was independent of any nervous mechanism.3. Whereas in the ruminant a direct adrenal response to low P(O2) is confined to the noradrenaline cells during foetal life only, the adrenal medulla of the foetal foal secret...
MacFarlane PD, Mosing M.This case series is the first report of the use of CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) ventilation in adult horses. Two horses and 3 ponies anesthetized for orthopedic procedures in lateral recumbency received 10 cm H(2)O CPAP. During anesthesia, arterial oxygen partial pressure tended to increase and arterial carbon dioxide pressure tended to increase despite increased minute ventilation index. The measured cardiovascular parameters were within physiologic limits. Cette série de cas est le premier rapport sur l’utilisation de la ventilation spontanée en pression positive continue ...
Zakia LS, Arroyo LG, Gomez DE, Boerlin P, Surette MG, Lillie BN.Equine enterotyphlocolitis is an inflammatory process of the intestinal tract of horses that is associated with multiple etiologic agents and risk factors. Most clinical cases do not have an etiologic diagnosis. We describe here the pathogens detected and the histologic lesions found in horses with enterotyphlocolitis in Ontario that were submitted for postmortem examination, 2007-2019. We reviewed the medical records of 208 horses that fulfilled inclusion criteria. Cultures were positive in 67 of 208 (32%) equids for Clostridium perfringens, in 16 of 208 (8%) for Clostridioides difficile, and...
Kuuranne T, Thomas A, Leinonen A, Delahaut P, Bosseloir A, Schänzer W, Thevis M.Insulin is a peptide hormone consisting of two peptide chains (A- and B-chain) that are cross-linked by two disulfide bonds. To obtain improved pharmacokinetic onset of action profiles of insulin treatment in diabetic patients, recombinant long-, intermediate-, and rapid-acting insulin analogs are produced, in which the C-terminal end of the B-chain plays an especially important role.A review of the veterinary literature reveals the low prevalence of equine type I diabetes mellitus, which indicates that the therapeutic use of insulin in racing horses is unlikely. Although there is no unequivoc...
De-Simone SG, Nascimento HJ, Prado IC, Aguiar AS, Melgarejo AR, Pina JLS, Ferreira PF, Provance DW.The availability of purified antibodies is a prerequisite for many applications and the appropriate choice(s) for antibody-purification is crucial. Numerous methods have been developed for the purification of antibodies from different sources with affinity chromatography-based methods being the most extensively utilized. These methods are based on high specificity, easy reversibility and biological interactions between two molecules (e.g., between receptor and ligand or antibody and antigen). However, no simple techniques have yet been described to characterize and purify subclasses of immunog...
Hopster K, Jacobson B, Hopster-Iversen C, Rohn K, Kästner SBR.Inappropriate mechanical ventilation can lead to ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI). Aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of inhalation anaesthesia and ventilation with and without recruitment (RM) and PEEP titration on alveolar integrity in horses. Twenty-three horses were divided into 4 groups (group OLC ventilated with OLC, group IPPV ventilated with intermittent positive pressure ventilation, group NV non-ventilated, and group C non-anaesthetized control group). After sedation with xylazine and induction with diazepam and ketamine anaesthetized horses were under isoflurane anae...
Oberhaus EL, Thompson DL, Kerrigan LE, Chapman AM.Stress or excitement is a concern when performing endocrine tests on fractious horses. Sedation may be a solution; however, perturbation of test results may preclude useful information. Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) is a known stimulator of prolactin, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH), and ACTH. Thyrotropin-releasing hormone-induced ACTH is a diagnostic tool for the assessment of endocrinopathies such as pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction. It is unknown if drugs commonly used for sedation alter endocrine responses. The objective of this study was ...
Zeng X, Trask C, Kociolek AM.Horse riding is common in many occupations; however, there is currently no research evaluating exposure to whole-body vibration and mechanical shock on horseback. Methods: Whole-body vibration was measured on a cattle rancher during two 30 min horseback rides using a tri-axial accelerometer mounted on a western saddle. Vibration was summarized into standardized metrics, including the 8 hr equivalent root-mean-squared acceleration (A[8]) and the daily 4th power vibration dose value (VDV). The resulting exposures were compared to the exposure limit and action values provided by European Unio...
Sanders-Shamis M, Bukowiecki CF, Biller DS.Medical records of 7 adult horses with single or multiple ligament failure of the femorotibial ligaments were reviewed to evaluate signalment, history, diagnostic and treatment methods, outcome, and long-term follow-up information. Acute onset of lameness was recorded for most of the horses. Horses with multiple ligament injury had more severe clinical signs than did horses with single ligament injury. Horses with single ligament injury generally required manipulative tests to localize the lameness to the stifle. In all horses, radiography of the stifle assisted in the diagnosis. Horses either...
Shirer HW, Erichsen DF, Orr JA.Previous reports indicate that intravenous infusion of HCl can alter breathing and blood pressure even if reductions in systemic arterial pH are prevented. To extend these findings, as well as to determine whether other acids elicit comparable results, this report compares the cardiopulmonary response between right atrial infusion of lactic acid and HCl in awake ponies. Lactic acid, infused at a dose of 1.5 mmol/kg over 18 min, lowered systemic and pulmonary arterial pH 0.062 and 0.092 U, respectively, and increased pulmonary arterial pressure (delta Ppa, 4 mmHg), heart rate (HR, 4/min), and t...
Di Pietro R, Arroyo LG, Leclere M, Costa M.Bacterial imbalances are observed in intestinal diseases and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has been used to restore the intestinal microbiota of horses. However, there is evidence that the current methods proposed for FMT in horses have limited efficacy. The objective of this study was to concentrate the bacteria present in the donor stool by centrifugation, and to test the effect in horses with antibiotic-induced dysbiosis. One healthy 11-year-old horse was selected as a fecal donor and 9 horses were given trimethoprim sulfadiazine (TMS) for 5 days to induce dysbiosis. Horses receive...
Diaz F, Bondiolli K, Paccamonti D, Gentry GT.Pregnancy rates after cryopreservation of large equine blastocyst stage embryos have remained lower than other domesticated livestock species. It is generally accepted that the embryonic capsule is the primary barrier to cryoprotectant entry into the embryo proper and techniques need to be developed to circumvent this obstacle. Therefore, the objective of this study was to develop an efficient Day 8 equine embryo cryopreservation protocol through blastocyst micromanipulation and vitrification. Grade 1 and 2 embryos recovered from mares (n = 15) 8 days after ovulation were used in these experim...
Barrett MF, Manchon PT, Hersman J, Kawcak CE.Injury to the proximal suspensory ligament is a common cause of lameness in cutting horses. Radiographic and ultrasonographic imaging of lesions responsible for lameness can provide ambiguous results. MRI provides the most comprehensive diagnostic imaging evaluation of lesions specifically affecting cutting horses. Objective: To describe the distribution and severity of bone and soft tissue lesions present in the proximal metacarpus of Quarter Horse cutting horses and to assess the impact of these lesions on return to competition. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Retrospective anal...
Bertone AL, Bramlage LR, McIlwraith CW, Malemud CJ.To compare articular cartilage from horses with naturally developing osteochondrosis (OC) with normal articular cartilage and healing cartilage obtained from horses with experimentally induced osteochondral fractures. Methods: 109 specimens of articular cartilage from 78 horses. Methods: Morphologic characteristics, proteoglycan (PG), and type II collagen were analyzed in articular cartilage of OC specimens (group 1), matched healing cartilage obtained 40 days after experimentally induced osteochondral fractures (group 2), and matched normal cartilage from the same sites (group 3). Results: 79...
McClure SR, Sonea IM, Evans RB, Yaeger MJ.To identify the duration and potential mechanisms of analgesia following extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) and radial pressure wave therapy (RPWT) in limbs of horses and sheep. Methods: 6 horses and 30 sheep. Methods: An electrical stimulus was used to identify the nociceptive threshold for each horse daily for 3 days before treatment (baseline) with ESWT or RPWT, 8 hours after treatment, and at 24-hour intervals for 7 days after treatment. Testing was conducted for the treatment field (midmetacarpus or midmetatarsus) and nerve field (medial and lateral forelimb heel bulbs) distal to a ...
Go LM, Barton AK, Ohnesorge B.In equine athletes, dynamic stenotic disorders of the upper airways are often the cause for abnormal respiratory noises and/or poor performance. There are hypotheses, that head and neck flexion may influence the morphology and function of the upper airway and thus could even induce or deteriorate disorders of the upper respiratory tract. Especially the pharynx, without osseous or cartilaginous support is prone to changes in pressure and airflow during exercise. The objective of this study was to develop a method for measuring the pharyngeal diameter in horses during exercise, in order to analy...
Panzani D, Fanelli D, Camillo F, Rota A.In industrialized countries, the donkey population had a dramatic decrease during the last century and this has brought almost all European donkey breeds to risk. Embryo technologies have already been employed as a tool for the conservation of endangered equid species (e.g. Equus Przewalskii). Today it is possible to obtain pregnancies after the transfer of donkey embryos in synchronized recipients, even though embryo transfer is not widely used as a reproductive technique in this species. So far, very few foals are born after transfer of cryopreserved embryos. To date, no pregnancies have bee...
Bridges TS, Davidson TR, Chamberlain CS, Geisert RD, Spicer LJ.The objective of the present study was to evaluate changes in equine follicular fluid insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP) proteolytic activity as well as steroid, IGF, and IGFBP concentrations during follicular development in the mare. Mares (n = 14) were classified as either in the follicular phase (n = 8) or luteal phase (n = 6). Follicles (n = 92) were categorized as small (6 to 15 mm; n = 54), medium (16 to 25 mm; n = 23), or large (> 25 mm; n = 15), and follicular fluid was collected. Estradiol and androstenedione levels in follicular fluid were greater (P < 0.05), an...
Martin-Downum K, Yazwinski T, Tucker C, Fincher M, Ralph J, Hamilton J.Commercial preparations of fenbendazole (Safe-Guard, Intervet), ivermectin (Eqvalan, Merial) or moxidectin (Quest, Fort Dodge) were administered once to horses scheduled for routine parasiticide treatment. In total, 93 horses from six cooperating farms were used in the study. Computer generated, random allocation of horses to treatment group was conducted at each farm. Fecal egg counts were determined for all horses on trial days 0, 56, 84 and 112, with corresponding calendar dates that were unique to each farm. Only strongyle egg counts from animals which were positive at day 0 were used for ...
Douglas RH, Ginther OJ.Several experiments indicated that prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) has luteolytic and abortifacient properties in mares. A single subcutaneous injection of 1-25 mg PGF2alpha on Day 6 of dioestrus was as effective as 10 mg PGF2alpha in inducing luteolysis. Oestrus and ovulation appeared to be synchronized when a single injection of 1-25 mg PGF2alpha was given on Days 7, 10 or 13 after ovulation but not on Days 1 or 4 after ovulation or on Day 2 of oestrus. Intramuscular administration was as effective as subcutaneous administration and 1-25 mg PGF2alpha was the minimal effective systemic dose...
Madigan JE, Valberg SJ, Ragle C, Moody JL.Severe muscle cramping not associated with exercise was observed in 5 horses. Focal muscle groups in various regions underwent intermittent visible contraction. Intermittent prolapse of the third eyelid, sweating, pawing, muscle tremors, and muscle fasciculations also were observed. Clinical signs often were misconstrued as signs of colic. Percussion of muscle induced contraction of muscle groups. Concentrations of serum electrolytes and the acid-base balance were within reference limits, but activities of creatine kinase and aspartate transaminase were moderately high. Muscle biopsy revealed ...
Loftus JP, Williams JM, Belknap JK, Black SJ.Laminitis is a crippling disease of horses characterized by an inflammatory response in the tissue that suspends the axial skeleton within the hoof. Pain is a common feature of laminitic pathology and its management is an important component of the treatment regime for this disease. Systemic lidocaine administration is commonly utilized to manage pain in equine laminitis; however, the potential anti-inflammatory effects of this drug during the treatment of equine laminitis have not been investigated. Here, we sought to determine if lidocaine concentrations achieved in the plasma (therapeutic c...
