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.
Mills PC, Cross SE.The rate and regional differences for the penetration of fentanyl through equine skin was investigated in vitro using a commercial transdermal therapeutic system (TTS) or 'patch'. Skin collected from the thorax, groin and leg (dorsal metacarpal) regions of five horses was placed in diffusion cells and a fentanyl TTS applied to each skin sample. Drug penetration through each skin sample over 48 h measured using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Cumulative penetration (microg/cm2) was plotted against time (h) and used to regress the steady state flux (microg/cm2/h) of fentanyl throu...
Hamilton A, Robinson C, Sutcliffe IC, Slater J, Maskell DJ, Davis-Poynter N, Smith K, Waller A, Harrington DJ.Streptococcus equi is the causative agent of strangles, a prevalent and highly contagious disease of horses. Despite the animal suffering and economic burden associated with strangles, little is known about the molecular basis of S. equi virulence. Here we have investigated the contributions of a specific lipoprotein and the general lipoprotein processing pathway to the abilities of S. equi to colonize equine epithelial tissues in vitro and to cause disease in both a mouse model and the natural host in vivo. Colonization of air interface organ cultures after they were inoculated with a mutant ...
López ML, Olea N, Retamal CA.Freeze-fracture replicas of stallion spermatozoa, collected from the proximal caput, corpus and cauda epididymides regions, were analyzed by electron microscopy to explore the distribution and density of intramembrane particles (IMP). Conspicuous differences in density and arrangement of the IMP were observed in the different topographical domains of mature and immature spermatozoa. A reduction of IMP, especially remarkable in the post-acrosomal domain, was observed in mature epididymal spermatozoa when compared with samples collected from ductuli efferentes. Some structural species-specific d...
Gehlen H, Groner U, Rohn K, Stadler P.In the present study, a right heart catheterisation was carried out on three consecutive days in 17 healthy horses to evaluate the day-to-day variability of cardiac pressure values. Cardiac pressure values were measured in the right atrium, the right ventricle, the pulmonary artery, and the pulmonary capillaries (pulmonary artery wedge pressure). Additionally it was examined wether the cardiac pressure variability was influenced by the heart rate and if there are differences between trained and untrained horses. Beside the coefficient of variances, statistical analysis with assessment of varia...
Slivinska K.A diagnostic deworming of 21 Przewalski horses, free-living in the Chernobyl exclusion zone Ukraine, and of six stabled domestic horses, has been conducted eighteen years after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. This survey yielded 31 species (of 5 families and 3 classes, 28 species of nematodes, 1 species of cestodes, and 2 larvae of botflies). A total 29 and 19 helmith species has been recorded in the Przewalski horse and domestic horse respectively. Only six helmith species were common for the two horse species. Species from the family Strongylidae constituted the dominant helmith group. Four ...
Griss R, Simhofer H.Intraoral endoscopy is used as a standard diagnostic technique at the reporting clinics in horses presented with stomatological problems. Endoscopy of the oral cavity was performed using a chip camera, camera control unit, xenon cold light source and a rigid endoscope. In a three year period (2002 to 2004), second instars of Gasterophilus spp. were diagnosed in 14 warmblood horses 2 to 17 years of age. All horses were presented with masticatory problems or problems accepting the bit. In one horse oesophageal obstruction occurred in the course of larval migration. Oral endoscopy can not only be...
Lyons ET, Tolliver SC, Rathgeber RA, Collins SS.Foals (79), born in 2004 on three thoroughbred horse farms (C, M, and S) in central Kentucky, were fed pyrantel tartrate daily, beginning at about 3 months of age. In addition, other parasiticides [fenbendazole (FBZ), ivermectin (IVM) alone or with praziquantel (PRAZ), oxibendazole (OBZ), pyrantel pamoate (PRT), and moxidectin (MOX)] were given periodically. All treatments were administered by farm personnel. Over a 14-month period, from May 2004 to July 2005, collections (n=989) of feces were made from the foals for determination of presence of internal parasite eggs/oocysts by qualitative an...
Bauer B, Blank J, Heile C, Schein E, Clausen PH.A fence of black mosquito netting of 100 cm height, pre-treated with 80 mg/m2 of deltamethrin and UV-protected, was used to shelter horses from nuisance and biting insects on pasture in northern Brandenburg. The netting material was attached to the surrounding poles of the existing fences at a height of 15 cm above ground. Three trial groups were selected grazing in spatially separated areas with comparable densities of insect populations. One paddock was completely fenced apart from a wall of 170 cm height and 70 m length. The second pasture had only partial protection with 126 m (13.4%) of f...
Carstanjen B.Effective, non-invasive bone assessment methods for screening, diagnosis and follow-up of the skeleton are more and more requested in veterinary medicine. In contrast to clinical parameters, invasive methods and imaging techniques, indices of bone turnover is a tool for bone metabolism evaluation of the whole skeleton. Biochemical bone markers therefore provide a more real-time assessment of the bone status with simple blood- or urine-analysis. This article surveys currently available biochemical marker of bone metabolism used in veterinary medicine. Additionally, information is provided about...
Snowden NJ, Helyar CV, Platt SR, Penderis J.Moxidectin is a macrocyclic lactone related to ivermectin used in horses and dogs for endoparasite treatment and prophylaxis. The clinical and neurological presentation of moxidectin toxicity in two dogs following inadvertent poisoning with a moxidectin-containing equine de-worming medication is reported here. In both the dogs, the predominant clinical signs were generalised tremors and ataxia. Moxidectin exerts its neurotoxic effects in mammals by potentiating the effect of gamma-aminobutyric acid and, consistent with this, both the dogs demonstrated a poor response to treatment with diazepam...
Duk M, Lisowska E.Rare polyagglutinable NOR erythrocytes contain unusual globoside extention products terminating with a Galalpha1-4GalNAcbeta1-3Gal- unit. This trisaccharide epitope is recognized by recently characterized antibodies naturally occurring in most human sera (Duk et al., Glycobiology, 15, 109, 2005). These antibodies represent two major types of fine specificity. All these antibodies are most strongly inhibited by Galalpha1-4GalNAcbeta1-3Gal (NOR-tri), and weakly by Galalpha1-4Gal. However, the type 1 antibodies are strongly inhibited by Galalpha1-4Galbeta1-3Gal-R and weakly by Galalpha1-4GalNAc, ...
Panzani D, Rota A, Pacini M, Vannozzi I, Camillo F.One year old fillies are able to conceive but, usually, not to give birth to a living foal. Although embryo transfer allows the production of foals from mature mares with repeated pregnancy losses, no reports are available on the use of one year old fillies as embryo donors. To evaluate this possibility, eleven 12-16 months old Haflinger mares were inseminated with fresh semen and subjected to embryo recovery. Some of the recovered embryos were non-surgically transferred into synchronized mature recipients. Pregnancies were terminated using PGF2alpha at day 25. Fillies' embryo recovery rate an...
Nygaard TK, Liu M, McClure MJ, Lei B.Heme is a preferred iron source of bacterial pathogens. Streptococcus equi subspecies equi is a bacterial pathogen that causes strangles in horses. Whether S. equi has a heme acquisition transporter is unknown. Results: An S. equi genome database was blasted with the heme binding proteins Shp and HtsA of Streptococcus pyogenes, and found that S. equi has the homologue of Shp (designated SeShp) and HtsA (designated SeHtsA). Tag-free recombinant SeShp and SeHtsA and 6xHis-tagged SeHtsA (SeHtsAHis) were prepared and characterized. Purified holoSeShp and holoSeHtsA bind Fe(II)-protoporphyrin IX (h...
Schnellmann C, Gerber V, Rossano A, Jaquier V, Panchaud Y, Doherr MG, Thomann A, Straub R, Perreten V.Because of the frequency of multiple antibiotic resistance, Staphylococcus species often represent a challenge in incisional infections of horses undergoing colic surgery. To investigate the evolution of antibiotic resistance patterns before and after preventative peri- and postoperative penicillin treatment, staphylococci were isolated from skin and wound samples at different times during hospitalization. Most staphylococci were normal skin commensals and belonged to the common coagulase-negative group. In some cases they turned out to be opportunistic pathogens present in wound infections. M...
Aleman M, Watson JL, Williams DC, LeCouteur RA, Nieto JE, Shelton GD.Fifteen horses with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction were studied. The horses were of various breeds and between 15 and 28 years of age. Control horses matched for breed and age were studied for comparison. Evaluations included complete blood cell count and serum biochemical analysis, electromyography, and gluteus medius muscle biopsies for histochemical, morphometric, and ultrastructural analysis. No differences were found between groups of horses on routine laboratory analysis or electromyography. We demonstrated that muscle wasting in diseased horses was the result of atrophy of types ...
Gallagher LM, Crane J, Fitzharris P, Bates MN.To confirm that working with horses is an occupational respiratory hazard and observed associations are not attributable to confounding. Methods: A postal survey of the respiratory health of 659 horse trainers and a comparison group of 506 vegetable growers was conducted. Data were analysed using logistic regression. Results: Relative to vegetable growers, horse trainers reported higher rates of chronic bronchitis [odds ratio (OR) = 6.8, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.2-21.4] and organic dust toxic syndrome/farmers' lung (ODTS/FL) (OR = 3.5, 95% CI: 1.8-6.8). Grinding oats, spreading hay, and...
Verheyen KL, Price JS, Wood JL.This study's aim was to determine the effects of dam age and parity on the rate of fracture in offspring in Thoroughbred racehorses in training for flat racing. It was hypothesised that first foals and those from older mares would have a higher fracture rate than subsequent foals and those from younger mares. A two-year observational cohort study collected data from eight trainers on 335 horses that were monitored since the start of their training as yearlings. Multivariable Poisson regression analyses showed that first foals had a significantly lower fracture rate than subsequent ones (RR=0.3...
Buff PR, Messer NT, Cogswell AM, Johnson PJ, Keisler DH, Ganjam VK.The objective of this study was to determine if seasonal and/or pulsatile variations occur in plasma concentrations of thyrotropin (TSH) and leptin in mares while maintaining a constant energy balance. Blood samples were collected every 20 min during a 24h period in winter and again in summer from six Quarter Horse type mares. Plasma concentrations of TSH, leptin, and T(4) were determined by radioimmunoassay. No differences were observed in body weight between winter (388.1+/-12.5 kg) and summer (406.2+/-12.5 kg; P=0.11). Plasma concentrations of TSH were greater in the summer (2.80+/-0.07 ng/...
Staszyk C, Gasse H.Fibroblasts and cementoblasts in the periodontal ligament (PDL) of equine cheek teeth were harvested, and monocultures were obtained by means of a "selective detachment" procedure. Cells were characterized by morphological criteria and by immunostaining for vimentin, FVIII, pan-cytokeratin, smooth muscle actin, and pro-collagen. Cementogenic potential of the cells was determined by immunostaining for osteopontin and by histochemical detection of alkaline phosphatase. Equine periodontal fibroblasts (EPF) were spindle-shaped and polygonal. Equine dental cementoblasts (EDC) grew in cobblestone-li...
Bonet MA, Vallès J.The present paper deals with plants used in veterinary medicine in Montseny. An ethnobotanical survey was carried out in the Montseny massif, which is situated in north-east Catalonia (Iberian Peninsula), covers 826 km(2) and has a population of 80,000. The information was obtained through 120 ethnobotanical interviews to 180 informants. Out of 584 species reported, 351 are claimed to be used in the health field (human and veterinary medicine), 280 in human and animal food and 236 have another kind of popular use. Medicinal species represent around 16.5% of Montseny's vascular flora. In a prev...
Boswinkel M, van der Lugt JJ, Sloet van Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbaan MM.Rhodococcus equi infection occurs worldwide and is especially a problem in foals, where it often causes colitis or pneumonia. Other organs are seldom affected, and their involvement is regarded as a complication of pneumonia and/or colitis. Vertebral osteomyelitis is one such rare complication and is probably caused by haematogenous spread from inflammatory lesions in the lungs and/or intestine. In rare cases, osteomyelitis can be caused by contamination of a wound. This case study describes a foal with vertebral osteomyelitis due to R. equi in which there were only minor inflammatory changes ...
Boswinkel M, Sloet van Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbaan MM.Infection with Rhodococcus equi is an important cause of pneumonia in foals, but other organ systems may also be affected. The intracellular presence of R. equi and the formation of granulomatous and suppurative inflammatory tissue mean that prolonged treatment is needed. The pharmacological properties of the combination of erythromycin and rifampicin have improved the survival of foals infected with R. equi; however, erythromycin can cause adverse reactions in foals and mares, which has prompted the search for alternative therapies. The combination of azithromycin or clarithromycin with rifam...
Lane JG, Bladon B, Little DR, Naylor JR, Franklin SH.The reliability of diagnoses of obstructive conditions of the upper respiratory tract (URT) based on examinations performed at rest vs. at exercise is controversial. Objective: To compare diagnosis of URT by endoscopy at rest with that achieved during high-speed treadmill exercise (HSTE). Objective: Endoscopy of URT at rest, when performed in isolation from other simpler techniques is unreliable in the prediction of dynamic respiratory obstructions. Methods: Endoscopic findings of 600 Thoroughbred racehorses during quiet breathing were compared with findings during high-speed treadmill exercis...
Senior JM, Pinchbeck GL, Allister R, Dugdale AH, Clark L, Clutton RE, Coumbe K, Dyson S, Clegg PD.There is little information on the prevalence of, and risk factors associated with, post anaesthetic colic (PAC) in horses undergoing nonabdominal operations. Objective: To undertake the first prospective study of prevalence of PAC and identify risk factors in its development in nonabdominal procedures. Methods: A multicentre prospective case-control study was conducted, on every horse undergoing anaesthesia for a nonabdominal procedure between April 2004 and June 2005. Colic cases were defined as any horse with recognised signs of abdominal pain within 72 h of general anaesthesia that could n...
Schnabel LV, Bramlage LR, Mohammed HO, Embertson RM, Ruggles AJ, Hopper SA.Studies have shown that surgical removal of apical fracture fragments in Standardbred racehorses carries the best prognosis for return to racing performance, but there are no reports involving mature Thoroughbred (TB) racehorses. Objective: To describe the incidence of apical proximal sesamoid fractures in TB racehorses and determine probability and quality of racing performance after arthroscopic removal of such fractures in TB racehorses age > or = 2 years. Methods: Medical records and pre- and post operative race records of TB racehorses age > or = 2 years that underwent arthroscopic surger...
Wilsher S, Kölling M, Allen WR.A level of synchrony between embryo and uterine environment is essential for the establishment of pregnancy when performing embryo transfer. The ability to extend the acceptable degree of asynchrony would allow more efficient use of recipient mares. Objective: To establish if administration of the prostaglandin synthetase inhibitor, meclofenamic acid, to asynchronous recipient mares could widen the acceptable window of asynchrony for embryo transfer. Objective: The prostaglandin synthetase inhibitory action of meclofenamic acid may act to suppress luteolysis and thereby allow for a greater deg...
Russell TM, Maclean AA.Repair of spiral and long diaphyseal metacarpal and metatarsal fractures under anaesthesia can be problematic and associated with a high incidence of complications, including fracture propagation necessitating euthanasia. Objective: To report on a practical repair technique for which general anaesthesia is not required. Methods: Thirteen racehorses with a spiral/propagating condylar fracture had the fracture repaired using local anaesthesia and sedation, without the need for general anaesthetic. Results: Ten of the horses returned to training and 8 raced again. Two horses were retired directly...
Koenig J, Cruz A, Genovese R, Fretz P, Trostle S.The purpose of the study was to identify factors influencing the outcome and prognosis of rupture of the tendon of the peroneus tertius muscle in 27 horses. Information on history, physical examination findings, diagnosis, treatment, and final outcome was summarized from medical records. Long-term follow-up information on horses was obtained by telephone survey. A stepwise logistic regression model was used to analyze factors influencing the outcome. Rupture occurred in the midbody of the tendon in 11 horses, at the insertion site in 11 horses, and at the origin in 2 horses. Overall, 18/23 (78...
Walsh KM, Blakeney BA.The purpose of this study was for nurses to experience equine-assisted learning and for them to describe their being in the moment with their horse. The aims of the study were to assist clinicians in recognizing their ability and skill at being present--that is, calm and centered--as they engage with horses and to determine if interaction with horses is a valid representation in recognizing presence in the participants. Methods: Descriptive phenomenology was used to explore this lived experience. Results: Five themes emerged: The Experienced Novice, Present in the Moment, Discovery of Self, Te...
Ainsworth DM, Eicker SW, Nalevanko ME, Ducharme NG, Hackett RP, Snedden K.Horses chronically-instrumented with costal diaphragmatic electromyographic electrodes were studied during exercise while unencumbered by a breathing mask. Exercise-associated changes in esophageal (Pes), gastric (Pga) and transdiaphragmatic (Pdi) pressures were measured and related to diaphragmatic electromyographic activity (CS EMG) and to left forelimb impact. In all breaths examined, CS EMG always coincided with decrements in Pes. For all exercise trials, linear increases in CS EMG, Pga and Pdi and linear decreases in Pes, as a function of exercise intensity, always occurred. During all ga...
Dixon J, Biggi M, O'Brien EJ, Farr R, Witte TH.An 8-year-old gelding was evaluated for intermittent dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP) at exercise. Standing laterolateral radiographs demonstrated an abnormal crossed appearance of the stylohyoid bones. Computed tomography (CT) confirmed abnormal positioning of the left stylohyoid bone and articulations with both the left thyrohyoid and ceratohyoid bones. Surgical treatment consisted of combined left ceratohyoidectomy and thyrohyoidectomy. Postoperatively the patient's presenting complaint resolved completely, with the horse returning to full work. Standing laterolateral radiograp...
Blakley BR, Bell RJ.The purpose of the study was to determine normal baseline levels of vitamin A and vitamin E in clinically normal horses under typical field conditions in Saskatchewan and Alberta. Heparinized blood samples were collected from approximately 400 clinically healthy horses selected from 24 locations in Alberta and Saskatchewan during a two-year period. For each horse, historical information including feed type, vitamin supplementation, time of year, sex, and age were recorded. From each blood sample, the plasma vitamin A (all-transretinol) and vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) levels were measured usin...
Weber JA, Woods GL.Accessory sex gland and excurrent duct activity of 10 stallions was visualized with transrectal ultrasonography during seminal emission and ejaculation. First and last penile urethral contractions were defined as the start (0 sec) and end of ejaculation, respectively. Duration of ejaculation (n = 63 ejaculations) averaged 6.15 +/- 2.98 sec. Penile urethral contractions occurred an average of 6.2 +/- 2.2 times per ejaculation. Right bulbourethral glands (n = 19 ejaculations) alternated repeatedly from ovoid to flattened, irregular shapes during ejaculation. Cross-sectional area of right bulbour...
Linford RL.Quantitated locomotion analysis is increasingly being used during assessment and treatment of gait disorders in human beings. Locomotion analysis is also thought to have potential for enhancing the assessment of lameness in horses. Availability of high-speed video recording systems has simplified the process of quantitated locomotion analysis; however, the high cost of such systems has limited their use for routine clinical assessment in horses. The temporal resolution of 500- to 1,000-images/s (Hz) recording systems is beyond what has been considered necessary for precise quantitation of shor...
Nannarone S, Gialletti R, Veschini I, Bufalari A, Moriconi F.Alpha-2 agonists are synthetic drugs which cause sedation, analgesia and myorelaxation due to their interaction with alpha-2 adrenoreceptors, widely distributed throughout bodily systems. Because of these actions such drugs are generally used in veterinary practice: to tranquilize animals (pharmacologic restraint) for the safety of both veterinar-ians and cooperators. Such properties facilitate diagnostic examinations or minimally in-vasive and poorly painful surgical procedures, as well as limiting stress factors to the patients. The aim of this study is to find out the minor dosage able to m...
Oldenhof H, Blässe AK, Wolkers WF, Bollwein H, Sieme H.The aim of this study was to determine the osmotic tolerance limits of stallion sperm as well as the osmotic behavior of different sperm subpopulations, including viable and non-viable cells as well as viable cells of different average sizes. A flow cytometric approach was used for simultaneous assessment of cell volume and permeability of the plasma membrane for the fluorescent dye propidium iodide while exposing the cells to media with different solute concentrations. Equine spermatozoa have limited osmotic tolerance limits: exposure to hypotonic conditions below approximately 240 mOsm kg(-1...
Pellegrini F, Buonavoglia A, Omar AH, Diakoudi G, Lucente MS, Odigie AE, Sposato A, Augelli R, Camero M, Decaro N, Elia G, Bányai K, Martella V....Massive sequencing techniques have allowed us to develop straightforward approaches for the whole genome sequencing of viruses, including influenza viruses, generating information that is useful for improving the levels and dimensions of data analysis, even for archival samples. Using the Nanopore platform, we determined the whole genome sequence of an H3N8 equine influenza virus, identified from a 2005 outbreak in Apulia, Italy, whose origin had remained epidemiologically unexplained. The virus was tightly related (>99% at the nucleotide level) in all the genome segments to viruses identif...
Murphy CJ, Lavoie JP, Groff J, Hacker D, Pryor P, Bellhorn RW.Bilateral swelling of upper and lower eyelids was caused by lymphocytic infiltration in an 8-year-old Thoroughbred mare. The condition worsened with pregnancy and became associated with subcutaneous dissemination of lymphosarcoma at distant sites.
Bossut DF, Page EH, Stromberg MW.Cutaneous pain thresholds to pinprick, pinch, and heat stimuli were quantified during control and electroacupuncture trials in 23 horses. Pain thresholds for 8 areas of the body during control trials (no needles) were statistically compared with pain thresholds measured in the same areas of the same horse when given electroacupuncture treatment. Statistically significant increases of pain threshold were interpreted as induced analgesia and occurred mainly in 5 areas of the trunk, but not in the head or extremities. Analgesic efficacy varied between sexes and among 3 groups of points chosen fro...
Anderson SL, Panizzi L, Bracamonte J.An 8-month-old Andalusian filly was treated for jejunal perforations due to ingestion of a porcupine quill. During exploratory laparotomy, 2 separate stapled side-to-side jejunojejunal resection and anastomoses were performed. Post-operative complications after 2 years follow-up included mild incisional herniation following incisional infection and chronic intermittent colic. Perforation jéjunale causée par l’ingestion d’une aiguille de porc-épic chez un cheval. Une pouliche d’Andalousie âgée de 8 mois a été traitée pour des perforations jéjunales causées par l’ingestion d’...
Davis DM, McClure JR, Bertone AL, Cazayoux CA, Vice JD.A 16-year-old stallion was presented to the Louisiana State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital for evaluation of acute abdominal pain. Physical examination and diagnostic procedures indicated a strangulating obstruction of the small intestine. At exploratory celiotomy, a strangulating incarceration of the jejunum through the epiploic foramen was found. The incarcerated small intestine was reduced, then resection of the nonviable bowel and anastomosis performed. After surgery, the horse exhibited clinical signs and laboratory findings associated with hypoglycemia and died in spite of emerg...
Protection against infectious diseases can be obtained with vaccines generating immunogenic response through a combination of humoral and cellular immunity. In this study haematological and serum protein electrophoretic profiles of horses vaccinated against herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) and 4 (EHV-4) were evaluated. Blood samples were collected from 16 horses before (T0), after 24h, 48h, 72h, 1st week, 2nd week and 3rd week (T1I, T2I, T3I, T7I, T14I and T21I) from the first EHV vaccine-dose administration as well as before (TPRE), and after 24h, 48h, 72h, 1st week, 2nd week, 3rd week and 4th week (T1I...
Jansen WL, van der Kuilen J, Geelen SN, Beynen AC.The hypothesis tested was that the intake of extra fat at the expense of an isoenergetic amount of nonstructural carbohydrates reduces fibre utilisation in horses. In a crossover trial with feeding periods of 42 days each, 6 mature trotting horses (age 4-12 years, bodyweight 340-476 kg) were given either a control or test diet. The test concentrate was formulated to contain 37% of net energy in the form of soybean oil. The control concentrate contained an isoenergetic amount of corn starch plus glucose. The concentrates were fed in combination with the same amount of hay so that the control an...
Nolf M, Maninchedda U, Belluco S, Lepage O, Cadoré JL.A 5-year-old mare was treated for recurrent colic and weight loss by surgical removal of an intraluminal cecal mass. Microscopic examination revealed vascular hamartoma. A 6-month follow-up showed an improvement in the general condition of the mare. Vascular hamartoma should be one of the differential diagnoses for weight loss and colic. Une jument de 5 ans a été traitée pour coliques récurrentes et perte de poids par exérèse chirurgicale d’une masse caecale intraluminale. L’examen microscopique a révélé un hamartome vasculaire. Un suivi de 6 mois a montré une amélioration de l...
Løowenstein H, Markussen B, Weeke B.Three major allergens of horse hair and dandruff have been isolated. The fractionation procedures involved various combinations, described in detail, of ethanol precipitation below --5degreesC, cation- and anion-exchange chromatography, and gel filtration. UV absorption, quantitative immunoelectrophoresis and RAST inhibition were used to monitor the separations. Protein impurities constituted less than 5% in all cases. The molecular weights of the isolated proteins were 1.9 X 10(4), 5.1 X 10(4) and 3.1 X 10(4) daltons, respectively. The pIs were determined as 4.1, 3.8 and 3.9, respectively. Th...
Perris EE.Insect hypersensitivity is the most common cause of equine pruritus. It is a seasonal, highly pruritic dermatosis that is caused by the salivary antigens of biting insects. The most common insects are discussed in terms of the area of the horse affected, clinical signs, therapy, and preventative strategies.
Stock KF, Hamann H, Distl O.Factors associated with the prevalence of osseous fragments (OF) in fetlock and hock joints were investigated in a population of young Hanoverian Warmblood horses selected for sale at auction from 1991 to 1998. The study was based on results of a standardized radiological examination of 3127 horses. The prevalences of OF in the two joints were significantly dependent on the date, type and quality of the auction, the region of origin and on the anticipated suitability of the horses for dressage and/or show-jumping. The probability of finding OF increased with wither-height. Furthermore, there w...
Ball BA, Shin SJ, Patten VH, Garcia MC, Woods GL.Pony mares which were detected pregnant by transrectal ultrasonography received a single intrauterine infusion of either sterile saline (control, n = 12 mares) or 10(6)Candida parapsilosis (treated, n = 12 mares) between Days 11 to 14 postovulation. Subsequent embryonic loss was studied by daily ultrasonography of the mare's uterus, by serum progesterone levels, by endometrial swabs for cytologic and microbiologic examination and by endometrial biopsies that were taken after embryonic loss was detected. Significantly fewer (P<0.01) embryonic losses occurred in control than in treated mares (4 ...
Giles C, Ndi O, Barton MD, Vanniasinkam T.Rhodococcus equi is a respiratory pathogen which primarily infects foals and is endemic on farms around the world with 50% mortality and 80% morbidity in affected foals. Unless detected early and treated appropriately the disease can be fatal. Currently, there is no vaccine available to prevent this disease. For decades researchers have endeavoured to develop an effective vaccine to no avail. In this study a novel human adenoviral vector vaccine for R. equi was developed and tested in the mouse model. This vaccine generated a strong antibody and cytokine response and clearance of R. equi was d...
Herd RP, Majewski GA.Studies on a Thoroughbred breeding farm in Ohio were done to: (1) compare the effects of daily administration of pyrantel tartrate feed pellets with monthly administration of a pyrantel pamoate paste to yearling horses (21 January-3 September); (2) assess the effects of daily pyrantel tartrate given strategically in spring/summer to foaling mares (1 April-16 August) and given for a prolonged period to barren mares (21 January-3 September); (3) determine if strategic medication of foaling mares with daily pyrantel tartrate protected their foals until weaning. There were no differences in cyatho...
Sato T, Itou T, Sato G, Kobayashi Y, Endo H, Sakai T.In order to investigate the utilization of glucose in equine skeletal muscle, we determined the coding and proximal promoter sequences of the hexokinase type II (HKII) gene in thoroughbred horse, Grevy's zebra and Hartmann's mountain zebra. The deduced amino acid sequence of thoroughbred horse HKII showed 100, 100, 94.4, 92.7 and 92.6% identities with Grevy's zebra, Hartmann's mountain zebra, human, mouse and rat HKIIs, respectively. In equine HKIIs, specific amino acid substitutions, Ile 159 and Arg 610, were found in the potential binding site for glucose. In addition, the nucleotide sequenc...
Ekstrand C, Michanek P, Gehring R, Sundell A, Källse A, Hedeland M, Ström L.Atropine is an essential part of the treatment protocol for equine uveitis. Topical atropine administration has been associated with decreased intestinal motility and abdominal pain in horses. Experimental studies have indicated that frequent dosing is associated with a higher risk than dosing every 6 h. Unfortunately, no quantitative pharmacodynamic data for inhibition of the equine gut are published. Unassigned: Eight standardbred horses were assigned to receive either atropine or saline (control) to be infused over 30 min in a two-treatment cross-over design. Atropine concentrations in plas...
Francesca Martelli, Sue Kidd and Joanna Lawes of the APHA discuss surveillance findings relating to Salmonella isolates from horses, and also the antimicrobial resistance patterns being seen.
Camargo CE, Rechsteiner SF, Macan RC, Kozicki LE, Gastal MO, Gastal EL.The aim of this study was to compare the embryonic and early fetal development of horse embryos between recipient mules and mares from day 10-60 of pregnancy, in addition to hormonal (eCG and progesterone), ovarian, and uterine characteristics for approximately 4 months. Embryo donor mares (n = 5) and two groups of recipients (acyclic mules, n = 7; cyclic mares, n = 7) were used. Donor mares were monitored daily by transrectal ultrasonography and inseminated using fresh semen. Cyclic recipient mares were synchronized with the donor's ovulation using PGF2α and deslorelin acetate. M...
Green DA.One hundred and four animals aged 13-18 months were measured at monthly or two monthly intervals, as were comparable numbers of animals 19-36 months old. Height, girth and circumference of the cannon bone below the knee were recorded, measurements for colts and fillies are shown separately. The average height at 18 months was 148 cm (15.01/2 h.h.) and at 36 months 156 cm (15.31/2 h.h.).
