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.
Pierce RL.This article focuses on obstructive diseases of the large intestine (large and small colons) caused by intraluminal bodies. Large intestinal obstructions from intraluminal bodies can be divided into the following categories: enteroliths or mineral concretions, bezoars (hair or plant material), and ingested foreign objects. Clinical presentation and treatment of obstructive diseases are presented in this article and are similar regardless of the cause.
Kelmer G.Endotoxemia is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in horses affected by colic. This article briefly reviews the pathogenesis of endotoxemia in horses with colic, reviews current established treatments, and describes new advances in the treatment of endotoxemia.
Videla R, Andrews FM.Equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS) is common in horses. A history of mild intermitted recurrent colic signs after eating is noted in many horses. Management of horses with abdominal pain caused by gastric ulcers is especially difficult, because non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, typically used to control abdominal pain, may exacerbate this condition. Effective pharmacologic agents are available to treat EGUS and eliminate abdominal pain, but more comprehensive measures of environmental and dietary management are needed to manage horses with EGUS and prevent recurrence. This article focu...
Monreal L, Cesarini C.The most common coagulopathy in horses with colic is a hypercoagulable state associated with disseminated intravascular coagulation. The intensity of this coagulopathy depends on the severity and duration of the gastrointestinal lesion, with the ischemic and inflammatory problems and peritonitis being the most frequently affected by coagulopathies. Early initiation of prophylactic therapy significantly reduces the severe hypercoagulable state in horses with intestinal conditions which are recognized to be at high risk for disseminated intravascular coagulation. In addition to the systemic coag...
Kalck KA.This article discusses types of inflammatory bowel disease in horses, including pathologic findings and proposed causes. The diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease is presented in detail, including minimum database, rectal palpation, abdominal ultrasound, abdominocentesis, biopsy procedures, and absorption tests. Treatment recommendations and prognosis are also discussed.
Chapman AM.The development of diarrhea among hospitalized horses is a major concern for equine veterinary hospitals and referral centers. It is a potential complication of hospitalization for surgical or medical procedures and can contribute to the morbidity and mortality of horses with gastrointestinal and non-gastrointestinal diseases. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of acute diarrhea or colitis, and in most cases, the specific etiologic agent is presumptive or undetermined. This article discusses the major etiologic agents of diarrhea in hospitalized horses, considers fa...
Mugnier S, Dell'Aquila ME, Pelaez J, Douet C, Ambruosi B, De Santis T, Lacalandra GM, Lebos C, Sizaret PY, Delaleu B, Monget P, Mermillod P....The mechanism of fertilization remains largely enigmatic in mammals. Most studies exploring the molecular mechanism underlying fertilization have been restricted to a single species, generally the mouse, without a comparative approach. However, the identification of divergences between species could allow us to highlight key components in the mechanism of fertilization. In the pig, in vitro fertilization (IVF) and polyspermy rates are high, and spermatozoa penetrate easily through the zona pellucida (ZP). In contrast, IVF rates are low in the horse, and polyspermy is scarce. Our objective was ...
Reinemeyer CR, Nielsen MK.Equids are hosts to dozens of species of internal parasites that infect no other domestic animals. Virtually all horses, especially those exposed to pasture, experience some level of parasitism continuously. Despite pathologic evidence of parasitic damage in various organs and tissues, few parasitisms are manifested systemically in well-managed horses. Contrary to conventional wisdom, only three common parasitisms of horses are likely to be manifested as colic: Strongylus vulgaris, Parascaris equorum, and Anoplocephala perfoliata. This article discusses the life cycles, pathophysiology, manife...
Wylie CE, Proudman CJ.Equine grass sickness (EGS) is recognized as a debilitating and predominantly fatal neurodegenerative disease affecting grazing equids. The gastrointestinal tract is the most severely affected body system, resulting in the main clinical signs of colic (acute grass sickness), weight loss, or dysphagia (chronic grass sickness). EGS predominantly occurs within Great Britain, although it is also recognized in regions of mainland Europe, and mainly affects young horses with access to pasture in the springtime. There is strong evidence of an association between EGS and the type C toxins produced by ...
Plummer AE.Impactions of the small and large intestines are frequently diagnosed as the cause of colic in horses. An impaction is an accumulation of dehydrated ingesta in a portion of the digestive tract, typically at sites where the intestinal diameter decreases. The specific pathogenesis for impactions is not fully understood, although risk factors have been identified for several types of impactions. Treatment for impactions includes withholding feed until the impaction passes, rehydrating the ingesta, and, if necessary, administering analgesic agents. In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to reli...
Kieken F, Pinel G, Antignac JP, Monteau F, Christelle Paris A, Popot MA, Bonnaire Y, Le Bizec B.Despite the worldwide existing regulation banning the use of the recombinant equine growth hormone (reGH) as growth promoter, it is suspected to be used in horseracing to improve performances. Various analytical methods previously developed to screen for its misuse have encountered some limitations in terms of detection timeframes, in particular during the first days following reGH administration. A novel strategy involving the characterization of global metabolomic fingerprints in urine samples of non-treated and reGH-treated horses by liquid chromatography-electrospray-high-resolution mass s...
Dukti S, White NA.Prognosticating survival in horses with colic is challenging because of the number of diseases and pathophysiologic processes that can cause the behavior. Although the treatment of horses with colic has improved dramatically over the years, case fatality can still be high because of the delay in recognizing the problem, the time delay inherent in receiving veterinary care, and the lack of effective treatment for the more severe diseases. Intensive case management and surgery for these horses may be expensive and emotionally draining for owners; therefore, providing an accurate prognosis is key...
Kelmer G.In recent years important advancements in colic surgery have led to improved prediction of survival rates, better survival rates, and decreased complication rates. This article describes several modalities to combat and prevent incisional hernia and intestinal adhesion formation in horses undergoing colic surgery. These modalities have had a positive impact on reducing complications in horses after surgery.
Fureix C, Pagès M, Bon R, Lassalle JM, Kuntz P, Gonzalez G.Handling is a crucial component of the human-horse relationship. Here, we report data from an experiment conducted to assess and compare the effect of two training methods. Two groups of six Welsh mares were trained during four sessions of 50 min, one handled with traditional exercises (halter leading, grooming/brushing, lifting feet, lunging and pseudo-saddling (using only girth and saddle pad) and the second group with natural horsemanship exercises (desensitization, yielding to body pressure, lunging and free-lunging). Emotional reactivity (ER) and the human-horse relationship (HHR) were as...
Wilhelm K, Darinskas A, Noppe W, Duchardt E, Mok KH, Vukojević V, Schleucher J, Morozova-Roche LA.Protein oligomeric complexes have emerged as a major target of current research because of their key role in aggregation processes in living systems and in vitro. Hydrophobic and charged surfaces may favour the self-assembly process by recruiting proteins and modifying their interactions. We found that equine lysozyme assembles into multimeric complexes with oleic acid (ELOA) at the solid-liquid interface within an ion-exchange chromatography column preconditioned with oleic acid. The properties of ELOA were characterized using NMR, spectroscopic methods and atomic force microscopy, and showed...
Shurtleff TL, Standeven JW, Engsberg JR.To determine if hippotherapy (therapy using a horse) improves head/trunk stability and upper extremity (UE) reaching/targeting in children with spastic diplegia cerebral palsy (SDCP). Methods: Pre-postoperative follow-up with a 12-week intervention and 12-week washout period after intervention. Methods: A human performance laboratory with 6 camera video motion capture systems for testing. Methods: Eleven children (age 5-13y, average 8y) with SDCP, 8 children (age 5-13y, average 8y) without disabilities. Methods: Hippotherapy intervention performed at 3 therapeutic horseback riding centers. Met...
Leprêtre PM, Metayer N, Giovagnoli G, Pagliei E, Barrey E.Measurements of minute ventilation (VE) and expired oxygen and carbon dioxide fractions (FeO2 and FeCO2) were measured at rest and during exercise in seven warmblood horses performing two consecutive standardised incremental treadmill exercise tests at submaximal speed, using the portable K4b2 telemetric unit and the laboratory Quark metabolic cart in random order. Oxygen consumption (VO2) and carbon dioxide production (VCO2) were estimated using the Haldane equation. There were no significant differences between the measurements made with the two devices. However, VE was overestimated when th...
Castanheira M, Paiva SR, Louvandini H, Landim A, Fiorvanti MC, Paludo GR, Dallago BS, McManus C.The environment in which the horse is reared affects its ability to maintain thermal balance which is in turn related to thermal characteristics and regulatory physiological mechanisms. In this study a multivariate analysis of physiological traits in relation to heat tolerance in horses was carried out in the Federal District, Brazil. The aim was to test the ability of these analyses to separate groups of animals and determine which physiological traits are most important in the adaptation to heat stress. Forty adult horses (4 to 13 years) were used, ten from each of four different genetic gro...
Zedler ST, Embertson RM, Bernard WV, Barr BS, Boston RC.To report short- and long-term survival and factors affecting outcome of foals after surgical correction of gastric outflow obstruction. Methods: Case series. Methods: Foals (n=40) aged 5-180 days. Methods: Clinical signs, laboratory data, diagnostic imaging, surgical findings, surgical procedures, medical treatment, and necropsy findings were retrieved from medical records. Outcome was obtained by reviewing performance, sales, and produce records or by telephone conversations with the owners. Results: Gastric outflow obstruction was treated by gastroduodenostomy or by gastrojejunostomy with o...
Emet M, Beyhun NE, Kosan Z, Aslan S, Uzkeser M, Cakir ZG.This is a retrospective and registry-based descriptive study including animal- related injuries represented by the most crowded Emergency Department (ED) in Eastern Turkey over a period of two years. Animal-related injuries were 0.2% of all ED admittances; dominant in males and were high in summer. 68% of the subjects were exposed to mammalians. Most prominent injuries were dog bites (30%), horse (22%) and livestock-related injuries (12%). Hospitalization was significantly higher in mammalian animal injuries compared to non-mammalian injuries. The highest hospitalization rate was measured for ...
Perkins JD, Windley Z, Dixon PM, Smith M, Barakzai SZ.To evaluate the use of sinoscopy for detection and treatment of ventral conchal sinus (VCS) and/or rostral maxillary sinus (RMS) disease in horses. Methods: Case series Methods: Horses (n=60) with suspected paranasal sinus disease. Methods: Horses were evaluated by sinoscopy through a conchofrontal sinus (CFS) portal with ventral conchal bulla (VCB) fenestration. Other endoscopic sinus approaches and adjunctive diagnostic tests; oral examination, computed tomography, radiography, scintigraphy and endoscopic examination of the upper portion of the respiratory tract were used in some horses. Res...
Perkins JD, Bennett C, Windley Z, Schumacher J.To develop a reliable technique for sinoscopic examination of the ventral conchal (VCS) and rostral maxillary sinuses (RMS) of horses Methods: Descriptive study Methods: Cadaveric equine heads (n=40) Methods: The VCS and RMS were examined endoscopically using: (1) rostral trephination of the RMS (rostral RMS approach); (2) caudal trephination of the RMS (caudal RMS approach); (3) conchofrontal sinus (CFS) trephination followed by RMS trephination at a site identified by endoscopic transillumination of the maxillary bone at the most rostral aspect of the caudal maxillary sinus (CMS) (light-indi...
De Godoy RF, Filgueiras RR, Gontijo LA, Ximenes FH, De Gouvêa LV, Da Silva Pereira C, Almeida RM, Leite CR, Neto AR, Borges JR.To report repair of a right proximal tibial Salter-Harris type II fracture in a foal with a hybrid external fixator (HEF). Methods: Case report. Methods: A 5-month-old male foal. Methods: After open surgical reduction, an HEF built with wires, 2 half-rings, 3 half-threaded connecting rods, and Schanz pins was used to stabilize the fracture. Results: Immediately after surgery, the foal had relatively good weight bearing. The HEF was removed at 60 days after radiographic confirmation of healing. Conclusions: HEF can be used to stabilize a proximal tibial Salter-Harris type II fracture in a 5-mon...
Caron JP, Mehler SJ.To report a technique for incisional hernioplasty in horses using laparoscopic placement of a prosthetic mesh. Methods: Case series. Methods: Horses (n=5) with ventral median abdominal incisional hernia. Methods: A telescope and 2 instrument portals were established bilaterally, lateral to and distant from the hernia margins. After exposure of the internal rectus sheath by removal of retroperitoneal fat with endoscopic scissors and monopolar cautery, a prosthetic mesh was introduced into the abdomen and secured intraperitoneally using transfascial sutures with or without supplemental endoscopi...
Vandeweerd JM, Perrin R, Launois T, Brogniez L, Clegg PD, Desbrosse FG.To compare the precision of radiography and computed tomography (CT) preoperatively in the standing position for identification of guidelines for screw insertion in the distal phalanx, and to identify whether standing CT might improve operative time compared with preoperative radiographic planning. Methods: Experimental ex vivo study. Methods: Cadaveric equine thoracic limb pairs (n=10). Methods: Insertion of a 4.5 mm cortex screw in lag fashion into an intact distal phalanx was evaluated in 2 groups (n=10) of cadaveric equine thoracic limbs. In 1 group, the site, direction, and length of the ...
Townsend NB, Cotton JC, Barakzai SZ.To (1) describe a tangential radiographic projection of the equine temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and (2) optimize the radiographic angle and determine its use in standing sedated horses. Methods: Descriptive study. Methods: Cadaveric equine skulls (n=11); 8 horses with a history of quidding or headshaking. Methods: Tangential radiographic projections were taken of a TMJ of a cadaveric skull before and after intra-articular injection of radiographic contrast. Additional tangential radiographic projections were taken after TMJ dissection and placement of a wire along the articular surface of the...
Johnson L, Hardy VB, Martin MT.Nomarski optics were used to identify stages of the spermatogenic cycle of seminiferous tubules in sectioned tissue or in whole dispersed tubules and to characterize the equine spermatogenic wave. Embedded tissues were sectioned at 20 microns. Whole dispersed tubules were obtained by enzymatic digestion of thin slices of fresh testis. Dispersed tubules were fixed, dehydrated in graded levels of alcohol, infiltrated with Epon, and mounted in toto on glass slides. Stages of the spermatogenic cycle could be identified under Nomarski optics in both histologic sections and tubules mounted in toto. ...
Tirosh-Levy S, Steinman A, Einhorn A, Apanaskevich DA, Mumcuoglu KY, Gottlieb Y.Theileria equi Mehlhorn and Schein, 1998 (Piroplasmida: Babesiidae) is an important tick-borne pathogen of horses that is highly endemic in many parts of the world, including Israel. The present study evaluated the potential roles of five hard tick species [Hyalomma excavatum Koch, 1844; Hyalomma marginatum Koch, 1844; Rhipicephalus turanicus Pomerantsev 1936; Rhipicephalus annulatus Say, 1821; Haemaphysalis parva (Neumann, 1897) (all: Ixodida: Ixodidae)], previously found to infest horses in Israel, in acting as vectors for piroplasmosis. For this, DNA was extracted from whole ticks and, when...
Hanlon DW, Firth EC.The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of intravaginal progesterone on the reproductive performance of transitional Thoroughbred mares on commercial stud farms. Two hundred twenty-seven (227) non-lactating transitional Thoroughbred mares aged between 4 and 18 y (mean 9.4 ± 3.2 y) located on three stud farms in the Waikato region of New Zealand were used in the study performed during four consecutive breeding seasons (2007-10). Mares were age-matched in pairs and either treated with an intravaginal progesterone releasing device (Cue-Mare, 1.72 g progesterone, 10% w/w) for u...
Sharif MB, Fitak RR, Wallner B, Orozco-terWengel P, Frewin S, Fremaux M, Mohandesan E.New Zealand has the fourth largest feral horse population in the world. The Kaimanawas (KHs) are feral horses descended from various domestic horse breeds released into the Kaimanawa ranges in the 19th and 20th centuries. Over time, the population size has fluctuated dramatically due to hunting, large-scale farming and forestry. Currently, the herd is managed by an annual round-up, limiting the number to 300 individuals to protect the native ecosystem. Here, we genotyped 96 KHs for uniparental markers (mitochondrial DNA, Y-chromosome) and assessed their genetic similarity with respect to other...
Papich MG.Antibiotics will always be needed in horses for many types of infections, but the adverse consequences also must be considered. For the conditions described in this article, there is justification for antibiotic therapy. The intestinal problems that antibiotics can induce are among the risks from their administration to horses. Disruption of the endogenous bacterial population, colitis, and diarrhea are the most common complications from antibiotic therapy.
Pille F, Martens A, Schouls LM, Peelman L, Gasthuys F, Schot CS, De Baere C, Desmet P, Vandenberghe F.Standard culturing techniques are often unrewarding in confirming diagnosis of synovial infection in the equine patient. Several human studies report the use of sensitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques for the detection of bacterial involvement in acute synovitis. However, successful extraction of bacterial DNA directly from clinical samples from horses without prior culture has not been reported yet. The goal of this study was to develop a sensitive and reliable method for molecular detection and identification of bacterial species in synovial fluid from horses with infectious syn...
Bertone AL, Stashak TS, Smith FW, Norrdin RW.In nine horses (18 forelimbs), a 3 cm section of superficial digital flexor tendon was removed and the tendons were repaired with immobilization for 6 weeks and (1) no suture (n = 6); (2) a double locking loop tenorrhaphy with carbon fiber (n = 6); or (3) a double locking loop tenorrhaphy with size 2 nylon suture (n = 6). Clinical assessment, gross evaluation, morphometry, histology, and mechanical testing were performed on two limbs from each treatment group at weeks 6, 12, and 24. At weeks 6 and 12, the unsutured tissue was less mature than the tissue sutured with nylon. By week 24, the carb...
Roy RC, Cockram MS.Concern has been expressed over the welfare of horses transported from the USA for slaughter in Canada. United States Department of Agriculture owner/shipper certificates for the year 2009 were analyzed to provide quantitative information on the patterns and durations of these journeys. In 2009, horses from 16 states in the northern USA were transported to 6 equine slaughter plants in Canada. Thirty-two percent of loads were from auction centers, 33% from feedlots, and 35% from horse collection centers. The median duration of the journey was 19 h. Thirty-six percent of horses were transported ...
de Oliveira MGC, Luna SPL, Nunes TL, Firmino PR, de Lima AGA, Ferreira J, Trindade PHE, Júnior RAB, de Paula VV.Recognising pain in donkeys is challenging because they are stoic. Objective: To identify the responses of donkeys before and after surgical pain. Methods: Prospective, short-term longitudinal pre- and post-intervention observations. Methods: Forty adult donkeys underwent surgical castration after sedation with intravenous (IV) xylazine, induction with guaiphenesin/thiopental IV and maintenance of anaesthesia with isoflurane and local anaesthetic blockade. Four hours after recovery from anaesthesia, flunixin meglumine 1.1 mg/kg, dipyrone 10 mg/kg and morphine 0.2 mg/kg IV were administered....
Art T, Desmecht D, Amory H, Delogne O, Buchet M, Leroy P, Lekeux P.The variability of the post-exercise values (PEV) of blood lactate and of some other blood constituents were studied in 8 healthy and fit jumpers through 5 national competitions of equal difficulty. The effects of factors such as the individual, performance and competition on these PEV were analysed. Venous blood was sampled immediately after the 5 show-jumping contests and was analysed for packed cell volume (PCV), blood lactate, blood glucose (GLU), total plasma protein (TPP), bicarbonate (HCO3-), sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), chloride (Cl-), calcium (Ca2+), serum activities of lactate dehyd...
Wondimagegnehu K, Leta S, Amenu K, Negussie H.Respiratory disease is the most common presenting complaint at veterinary clinics and a priority concern for equid owners and veterinary practitioners in Ethiopia. This study aimed to report the molecular detection of EHV-2 and EHV-5 and to assess the risk factors associated with infection in working equids in central Ethiopia. Nasopharyngeal swabs were collected from 58 horses and donkeys to detect EHV-2 and EHV-5 using PCR targeting the conserved region of glycoprotein B (gB) genes. From 58 equids, EHV-5 and EHV-2 were detected in 20 (34.5%) and 19 (32.8%) equids, respectively. Concurrent in...
Lindroth KM, Lindberg JE, Johansen A, Müller CE.Free faecal liquid (FFL) in horses is characterised by the excretion of faeces in two phases (one solid and one liquid), which may cause dermatitis on the hindlegs. The causes of FFL are not known. Results from previous studies have indicated that feed ration composition and management factors may play important roles in the occurrence of FFL. A case-control study was therefore performed in which data on feed rations, feeding practices and management factors were compared between horses with (case) and without (control) FFL on 50 private farms in Sweden and Norway. The comparisons show that ca...
Souto EPF, Maia LA, Olinda RG, Galiza GJN, Kommers GD, Miranda-Neto EG, Dantas AFM, Riet-Correa F.Two cases of nasal pythiosis are reported in horses from the semi-arid region of northeastern Brazil. From January 1986 to December 2015, the Laboratory of Animal Pathology, Federal University of Campina Grande received 830 equine samples, 156 (18.79%) of which were diagnosed with pythiosis. Of these, two horses (1.28%), a male and a female adult cross-breed, had lesions in the nasal cavity. Both horses had access to water reservoirs. Clinically, they had swelling in the rhinofacial region and a serosanguineous nasal discharge. Macroscopically, in case 1, the lesion affected the nasal vestibul...
Ruby RE, Janes JG.A variety of infectious agents including viral, bacterial, and fungal organisms can cause equine abortion and placentitis. Knowledge of normal anatomy and the common pattern distribution of different infectious agents will assist the practitioner in evaluating the fetus and/or placenta, collecting appropriate samples for further testing, and in some cases, forming a presumptive diagnosis. In all cases, it is recommended to confirm the diagnosis with molecular, serologic, or microbiological testing. If a causative agent can be identified, then appropriate biosecurity and vaccination measures ca...
Spaas JH, Gomiero C, Broeckx SY, Van Hecke L, Maccatrozzo L, Martens A, Martinello T, Patruno M.Several cytokines and growth factors play an essential role in skin regeneration and epithelial-like stem cells (EpSCs) have beneficial effects on wound healing in horses. However, there are no reports available on the expression of these growth factors and cytokines after EpSC therapy. Methods: Wounds of 6 cm(2) were induced in the gluteus region of 6 horses and treated with (i) autologous EpSCs, (ii) allogeneic EpSCs, (iii) vehicle treatment or (iv) untreated control. Real time polymerase chain reaction was performed on tissue biopsies taken 1 and 5 weeks after these treatments to evaluate...
Oikawa MA, Nambo Y, Miyamoto M, Miura H, Kikuchi M, Ohnami Y.A broodmare showed mild signs of abdominal discomfort and anemia after normal delivery. Ultrasonographic examination revealed a massive hematoma within the broad ligament adjacent to the uterine horn. Internal bleeding into the peritoneal cavity (hemoabdomen) was not seen. Following treatment, the clinical signs improved. Hemorrhage caused by rupture of the arteries within the broad ligament of the uterus may be a cause of hematoma. Prepartum and postpartum rupture of the arteries supplying the reproductive organs in the mare, which is not uncommon, can be fatal if severe hemoabdomen occurs. I...
Clayton HM, Hoyt DF, Wickler SJ, Cogger EA, Lanovaz JL.Net joint powers and energies have been described in walking horses during the swing phase of the stride in the fore- and hindlimb (Clayton et al. 2001). During trotting, swing phase net joint powers have been described in the forelimb but not in the hindlimb. The effects of velocity on power profiles and energy patterns are important in relation to locomotor energetics. The objective of this study was to evaluate velocity-dependent changes in hindlimb net energy profiles of the swing phase during trotting. Inverse dynamic analysis was used to calculate net joint energies at the hindlimb joint...
Lennard SN, Stewart F, Allen WR.Placentation in equids involves two types of trophoblast: a minor invasive component, the chorionic girdle, that gives rise to transient endocrine structures known as endometrial cups, and a major non-invasive component, the allantochorion, that forms the diffuse, microcotyledonary placenta. Growth factors are likely to be important in controlling these complex events at implantation and this study describes the use of in situ hybridization and northern blotting techniques to monitor expression of insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) in the fetus and placenta of the horse (Equus caballus), u...
van den Burg MM, Eizema K, de Graaf-Roelfsema E, van Breda E, Wijnberg ID, van der Kolk JH, Everts ME.To investigate the effects of acute exercise and long-term training on Na(+),K(+)-ATPase content, mRNA isoforms, and protein concentration in equine muscle. Methods: 6 Standardbreds. Methods: Horses performed a bout of exercise on a treadmill before and after 18 weeks of combined interval and endurance training. Muscle biopsy specimens were obtained from vastus lateralis muscle (VLM) and pectoralis descendens muscle (PDM) before and after exercise. The Na(+),K(+)-ATPase content, mRNA isoforms, and protein concentrations were determined by use of [(3)H]ouabain binding, real-time PCR assay, and ...
Edwards DJ, Brownlow MA, Hutchins DR.A series of blood and urine samples was collected from each of eight normal foals between birth and eight weeks. Blood chemistry relating to renal function was evaluated as well as physical and chemical characteristics of urine. During the first 4d of life it was impractical to suggest meaningful normal values due to wide variation among foals and with time. Serum urea and plasma creatinine fell markedly to levels less than those previously reported for normal adult horses, while urine, mildly hypersthenuric at birth, rapidly became hyposthenuric. There was also a marked proteinuria during the...
Conde Ruiz C, Cruz Benedetti IC, Guillebert I, Portier KG.This prospective blinded randomized study aimed to determine whether the timing of morphine and phenylbutazone administration affects the breathing response to skin incision, recovery quality, behavior, and cardiorespiratory variables in horses undergoing fetlock arthroscopy. Ten Standardbred horses were premedicated with acepromazine (0.04 mg kg(-1) IM) and romifidine (0.04 mg kg(-1) IV). Anesthesia was induced with diazepam (0.05 mg kg(-1)) and ketamine (2.2 mg kg(-1)) IV at T0. Horses in group PRE (n = 5) received morphine (0.1 mg kg(-1)) and phenylbutazone (2.2 mg kg(-1)) I...
Yamada M, Kinoshita K, Kurosawa M, Saito K, Nakazawa H.Nandrolone (17beta-hydroxy-4-estren-3-one, NAD) is an endogenous steroid hormone; thus, the detection of its metabolites is not conclusive of NAD doping in racehorses. NAD doping control in male horses is based on the threshold, namely, the concentration ratio of 5alpha-estran-3beta,17alpha-diol (ETA) to 5(10)-estren-3beta,17alpha-diol (ETE). The ETA/ETE ratio of 1/1 was determined based on statistical data of authentic horses in International Federation of Horseracing Authorities. To individuals with complex metabolic disorders, however, such a threshold might not be applicable. The aim of th...
Gómez-Cabrera K, Salas-Romero J, Sifontes JA, de la Torre Cánova R, Salas JE, Nielsen MK.For the past several decades, selective anthelmintic therapy (SAT) has been recommended in temperate climate countries for controlling gastrointestinal parasites in horses. However, the feasibility of this approach in tropical climates remains unknown, given the very different parasite transmission patterns and a larger representation of working equids. The aim of this study was to evaluate the bio-economic feasibility of SAT in horses kept under tropical conditions of Camagüey, Cuba. Fecal egg counts were determined from 794 adult horses and used for evaluating three different putative treat...
de Vries A, Thomson S, Taylor PM.To compare intravenous (IV) midazolam and diazepam administered with ketamine for induction of anaesthesia in ponies, already sedated with detomidine, undergoing field castration. Methods: Prospective, randomised, 'blinded', clinical study. Methods: Twenty Welsh pony yearlings. Methods: After IV injection of detomidine (20 μg kg(-1) ) and phenylbutazone (4.4 mg kg(-1) ) ponies were allocated to receive either IV midazolam (group M) or diazepam (group D) (both 0.06 mg kg(-1) ) with ketamine (2.2 mg kg(-1) ) for induction of anaesthesia. Using simple descriptive scales, quality of sedat...
Taylor M, Agho K, Stevens G, Raphael B.This short report summarises data on the prevalence of high psychological distress in horse industry participants during the 2007 Australian equine influenza (EI) outbreak and the statistical analysis undertaken to identify the factors associated with this high psychological distress. In addition, follow-up data collected 1 year later are reported briefly.
Nishita T, Matsushita H.A sensitive sandwich enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for measuring equine carbonic anhydrase III (CA-III) was established using a microplate as a solid-phase and peroxidase as a labelling enzyme. The assay can detect concentrations as low as 5 ng/ml using 20 microliters of sample sera. Within-run coefficients of variation obtained using standard equine CA-III were less than 5 per cent. CA-III levels in equine serum ranged from 5 to 50 ng/ml (n = 370), and apparently abnormal levels of CA-III from 100 to 1900 ng/ml (n = 27) were observed. The concentrations of immunoreactive CA-III in the extracts of ...
Carter SW, Robertson SA, Steel CJ, Jourdenais DA.Six healthy foals underwent instrumentation for measurement of the cardiopulmonary effects of sedation with 1.1 mg/kg bodyweight xylazine hydrochloride given intravenously. Responses to xylazine in foals at 10 and 28 days of age were not significantly different. Foals became sedate and markedly ataxic, and four of the six foals became recumbent. Heart rate decreased significantly but no arrhythmias were detected. Arterial blood pressure increased initially and then fell significantly below pre-injection values. Changes in respiratory airflow, upper airway obstruction and respiratory noise were...
Ninomiya S, Anjiki A, Nishide Y, Mori M, Deguchi Y, Satoh T.In stabled horses, behavioral responses to frustration are often observed, especially around feeding time. These behavioral responses are a useful indicator of their welfare. In this study, we investigated the association between this behavioral indicator and DRD4 gene polymorphisms in stabled horses. Twenty one horses housed in two stables were used. The horses were observed for approximately 4 h around feeding over three or more days using focal-sampling and instantaneous-sampling. Horses were genotyped for the A-G substitution in the DRD4 gene. The effects of the A-G substitution (with or w...
