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.
Baptiste KE, Williams K, Willams NJ, Wattret A, Clegg PD, Dawson S, Corkill JE, O'Neill T, Hart CA.We determined the molecular characteristics of methicillin-resistant staphylococci from animals and staff at a small animal and equine hospital. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) identical to human EMRSA-15 was found in dogs and hospital staff. In contrast, 5 distinct MRSA strains were isolated from horses but not from hospital staff.
Navarro JC, Medina G, Vasquez C, Coffey LL, Wang E, Suárez A, Biord H, Salas M, Weaver SC.Five years after the apparent end of the major 1995 Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE) epizootic/epidemic, focal outbreaks of equine encephalitis occurred in Carabobo and Barinas States of western Venezuela. Virus isolates from horses in each location were nearly identical in sequence to 1995 isolates, which suggests natural persistence of subtype IC VEE virus (VEEV) strains in a genetically stable mode. Serologic evidence indicated that additional outbreaks occurred in Barinas State in 2003. Field studies identified known Culex (Melanoconion) spp. vectors and reservoir hosts of enzootic VEE...
Kanitz W, Schneider F, Hoppen HO, Unger C, Nürnberg G, Becker F.The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of the GnRH agonist Buserelin given on day 10 after ovulation on pregnancy rate and concentrations of progesterone and LH. Altogether 191 warmblood mares were used for two trials. Fresh or frozen/thawed semen from 27 stallions was used for A.I. In trial A 171 mares received either Buserelin (Receptal, Hoechst, Germany, 40 microg/animal) or 10 ml 0.9% NaCl (placebo). On day 16 after A.I. pregnancy diagnosis was performed by ultrasound scanning of the uterus. For statistical analysis, data were analyzed by a mixed model, with four fixed factors ...
Neves AP, Keller A, Trein CR, Möller G, Jobim MI, Castilho LF, Cardoso MR, Leibold W, Zerbe H, Klug E, Gregory RM, Mattos RC.This study compared four treatments for bacterial endometritis in mares experimentally infected with Streptococcus zooepidemicus. Twenty-five mares were used, 20 resistant and five susceptible to endometritis. Mares would be in estrus when infected. Twenty-four hours after inoculation, clinical, bacteriological and cytological examinations were performed and repeated until the first occurrence: negative cytology and no Streptococcus growth or the seventh day post-infection. All mares showed clinical signs of endometritis and were assigned to one of the following treatments: (1) intrauterine in...
Hotchkiss JW, Reid SW, Christley R.Recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) is an environmental respiratory disease affecting horses. A risk-screening questionnaire (RSQ) for RAO would provide a useful tool to investigate the epidemiology of the disease in horses; our aim in this study was to construct and validate such an instrument. Guidance for what questions to include in the RSQ came from three processes: a review of the scientific literature, a survey of equine practitioners in the UK and a consultation with 19 experts using a modified Delphi technique. The latter consultation consisted of two rounds; agreement amongst the expe...
Wagner ML, Raudsepp T, Goh G, Agarwala R, Schaffer AA, Dranchak PK, Brinkmeyer-Langford C, Skow LC, Chowdhary BP, Mickelson JR.A comparative approach that utilizes information from more densely mapped or sequenced genomes is a proven and efficient means to increase our knowledge of the structure of the horse genome. Human chromosome 2 (HSA2), the second largest human chromosome, comprising 243 Mb, and containing 1246 known genes, corresponds to all or parts of three equine chromosomes. This report describes the assignment of 140 new markers (78 genes and 62 microsatellites) to the equine radiation hybrid (RH) map, and the anchoring of 24 of these markers to horse chromosomes by FISH. The updated equine RH maps for ECA...
Cuny C, Kuemmerle J, Stanek C, Willey B, Strommenger B, Witte W.Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus has become an emerging public health problem worldwide, no longer only associated with healthcare-associated infections. With the exception of some recent reports concerning infections in cats, dogs and horses, infections with MRSA in companion animals have been infrequently reported. Here we submit findings for MRSA infections in horses in a central European university hospital.
Arora S, Sharma S, Goel SK, Singh US.Implementation of the recommended post-exposure prophylaxis by vaccination and specific immunoglobulin therapy for rabies is largely hampered by its high cost and inadequate production. Therefore, the development and availability of an economic preparation of rabies immunoglobulin is a high priority for India, where rabies is a major cause of death. We studied the efficacy of four different adjuvants in raising antibodies to rabies antigen in older, discarded equines. Methods: Eleven equines, 23-26 years old, were divided into 4 groups to receive four different adjuvants in small amounts (1-2 ...
History of psychiatryFebruary 18, 2006
Volume 16, Issue Pt 4 (no 64) 467-471 doi: 10.1177/0957154X05051459
Papakostas YG, Daras MD, Liappas IA, Markianos M.Anthropophagic horses have been described in classical mythology. From a current perspective, two such instances are worth mentioning and describing: Glaucus of Potniae, King of Efyra, and Diomedes, King of Thrace, who were both devoured by their horses. In both cases, the horses' extreme aggression and their subsequent anthropophagic behaviour were attributed to their madness (hippomania) induced by the custom of feeding them with flesh. The current problem of 'mad cow' disease (bovine spongiform encephalopathy) is apparently related to a similar feed pattern. Aggressive behaviour in horses c...
Orsini JA, Snooks-Parsons C, Stine L, Haddock M, Ramberg CF, Benson CE, Nunamaker DM.We retrospectively reviewed the cases of 15 foals and adult horses in which vancomycin was used, alone or in combination with an aminoglycoside, to treat methicillin-resistant staphylococcal and enterococcal infections. Signalment, presenting complaint, history (including history of treatment for the current complaint), results of bacterial culture and antimicrobial susceptibility testing, treatment, and outcome were reviewed. The average vancomycin dosage was 7.5 mg/kg q8h, administered by intravenous infusion over 30 min. The infection resolved in all 7 horses with soft tissue infections and...
The Journal of heredityFebruary 17, 2006
Volume 97, Issue 2 107-113 doi: 10.1093/jhered/esj020
Luís C, Bastos-Silveira C, Cothran EG, Oom Mdo M.Fossil records, archaeological proofs, and historical documents report that horses persisted continuously in the Iberian Peninsula since the Pleistocene and were taken to the American continent (New World) in the 15th century. To investigate the variation within the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region of Iberian and New World horse breeds, to analyze their relationships, and to test the historical origin of New World horses, a total of 153 samples, representing 30 Iberian and New World breeds, were analyzed by sequencing mtDNA control region fragments. Fifty-four haplotypes were found and...
Gall D, Nielsen K, Bermudez RM, Muñoz del Real MC, Halbert G, Groulx R, Moreno F, Chow EY, Checkley SL.An indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (IELISA) was developed for the detection of equine serum antibodies to lipopolysaccharide of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Abortusequi (LPS), a causative organism of Equine Paratyphoid. The data presented demonstrates that horses immunized with S. abortusequi LPS developed antibodies detectable by the IELISA. By comparison, the tube agglutination test (TAT) did not detect antibody to S. abortusequi LPS as consistently as the IELISA. The data suggests that the IELISA may be a more suitable test for the detection of serum antibodies to ...
Vilasi S, Dosi R, Iannuzzi C, Malmo C, Parente A, Irace G, Sirangelo I.In protein deposition disorders, a normally soluble protein is deposited as insoluble aggregates, referred to as amyloid. The intrinsic effects of specific mutations on the rates of protein aggregation and amyloid formation of unfolded polypeptide chains can be correlated with changes in hydrophobicity, propensity to convert alpha-helical to beta sheet conformation and charge. In this paper, we report the aggregation rates of buffalo, horse and bovine apomyoglobins. The experimental values were compared with the theoretical ones evaluated considering the amino acid differences among the sequen...
Garcia Lascurain AA, Sumano Lopez H, Steffey EP, Santillán Doherty P, Hernandez EN.To characterize behavioral and physiological responses to short-term, unsupplemented intravenous (IV) anesthesia in healthy horses at high altitude (2240 m), and to test the hypothesis that the dose of butorphanol modifies the response of the horse to propofol anesthesia following xylazine pre-medication. Methods: Randomized prospective butorphanol dose cross-over experimental design. Animals Eight healthy horses, 13 +/- 6 (mean +/- SD) years of age, and weighing 523 +/- 26 kg. Methods: Each horse was anesthetized three times with at least 3 weeks between each anesthesia. After collecting pre-...
Labrecque O, Sylvestre D, Messier S.Cryptococcus albidus is a saprophytic, encapsulated yeast usually found in air, both outdoor and indoor, and sometimes on human skin. It is not usually considered to be a primary pathogen. Most cryptococcal infections of humans and animals are caused by Cryptococcus neoformans. Several cases of C. albidus infection have been reported in humans over the past 20 years. In the veterinary literature, 2 equine cases have been described: genital infection and mycotic keratitis. The present report is the first documented case of C. albidus systemic infection in a dog. Veterinarians and diagnosticians...
Tharasanit T, Colenbrander B, Stout TA.Oocyte cryopreservation is a potentially valuable technique for salvaging the germ-line when a valuable mare dies, but facilities for in vitro embryo production or oocyte transfer are not immediately available. This study examined the influence of maturation stage and freezing technique on the cryopreservability of equine oocytes. Cumulus oocyte complexes were frozen at the immature stage (GV) or after maturation in vitro for 30 hr (MII), using either conventional slow freezing (CF) or open pulled straw vitrification (OPS); cryoprotectant-exposed and untreated nonfrozen oocytes served as contr...
Groover ES, Woolums AR, Cole DJ, LeRoy BE.To identify factors associated with renal insufficiency in colic- or colitis-affected horses with high serum creatinine (SCr) concentrations evaluated at a referral hospital. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: 167 colic- or colitis-affected horses (88 represented a random sample [hospital population], and 79 had high SCr concentration at initial evaluation [study population]). Methods: Medical records were reviewed. Data collected included signalment; physical examination, clinicopathologic, and diagnostic findings; and outcome. The study population was categorized on the basis of wh...
Duke T, Filzek U, Read MR, Read EK, Ferguson JG.During an 8-year period of clinic improvements, an increased incidence of postanesthetic myopathy (PAM) was observed in horses undergoing anesthesia. A request was made for an independent anesthesiologist to examine possible reasons for this increase. Routine methods used for anesthesia were then compared with new methods introduced by the anesthesiologist. Methods: Investigative observations were conducted from October 1999 to April 2000. Following premedication with xylazine or detomidine, anesthesia was induced with diazepam or guiaifenesin followed by ketamine. Maintenance of anesthesia wa...
Murphy BA, Vick MM, Sessions DR, Cook RF, Fitzgerald BP.The master mammalian pacemaker in the brain controls numerous diverse physiological and behavioral processes throughout the organism. Timing information is continually transmitted from the master clock to peripheral organs to synchronize rhythmic daily oscillations of clock gene transcripts and control local physiology. To investigate the presence of peripheral clocks in the horse, quantitative real-time RT-PCR assays were designed to detect levels of equine clock genes. Expression profiles for Per2, Bmal1 and Cry1 were first determined in a synchronized equine cell line. Subsequently, express...
Newton JR, Daly JM, Spencer L, Mumford JA.Between March and May 2003, equine influenza virus infection was confirmed as the cause of clinical respiratory disease among both vaccinated and unvaccinated horses of different breeds and types in at least 12 locations in the UK. In the largest outbreak, 21 thoroughbred training yards in Newmarket, with more than 1300 racehorses, were affected, with the horses showing signs of coughing and nasal discharge during a period of nine weeks. Many of the infected horses had been vaccinated during the previous three months with a vaccine that contained representatives from both the European (A/eq/Ne...
Labruna MB, Amaku M.The present study evaluated the engorgement and drop-off rhythms of Anocentor nitens females feeding on horses. Drop-off rhythm was evaluated at 6h-intervals (06:00, 12:00, 18:00, and 00:00 h) on horses held in stalls or in a pasture. A new method of marking feeding female ticks (the bowknot technique) was developed to evaluate ticks on horses in pasture that attached to different parts of the horse's body. This technique was highly successful, indicating no significant interference on tick engorgement rate or final tick weight, length and reproductive capability. Horses held in the pasture du...
Werners AH, Bull S, Vendrig JC, Smyth T, Bosch RR, Fink-Gremmels J, Bryant CE.The inter- and intra-species differences in the response to lipopolysaccharides (LPS) are well recognised in mammalian species. It has been hypothesized that these differences can be attributed to genetic polymorphisms in the components involved in LPS signal transduction. These components include the cluster of differentiation factor 14 (CD-14), a membrane bound protein on the surface of mononuclear cells that recognises LPS and a receptor complex consisting of Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4) and myeloid differentiation factor-2 (MD-2). Sequencing of these three proteins in humans and mice revea...
Cogger N, Perkins N, Hodgson DR, Reid SW, Evans DL.Musculoskeletal injuries (MSI) in racehorses have been identified as the most common cause of lost training days and weeks spent resting at pasture. Several training-, track- and horse-related risk factors have been identified. However, there is no clear understanding of the inter-relationship between these factors. The aim of this longitudinal cohort study was to investigate risk factors for MSI in 2-year-old Thoroughbred racehorses. Australian Thoroughbred trainers were convenience sampled and enrolled in a 27-month longitudinal cohort study. The study population consisted of all 2-year-old ...
Holmes MA, Townsend HG, Kohler AK, Hussey S, Breathnach C, Barnett C, Holland R, Lunn DP.Horses are commonly vaccinated to protect against pathogens which are responsible for diseases which are endemic within the general horse population, such as equine influenza virus (EIV) and equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1), and against a variety of diseases which are less common but which lead to greater morbidity and mortality, such as eastern equine encephalomyelitis virus (EEE) and tetanus. This study consisted of two trials which investigated the antigenicity of commercially available vaccines licensed in the USA to protect against EIV, EHV-1 respiratory disease, EHV-1 abortion, EEE and tetan...
Kydd JH, Townsend HG, Hannant D.Equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) is an alphaherpesvirus which infects horses, causing respiratory and neurological disease and abortion in pregnant mares. Latency is established in trigeminal ganglia and lymphocytes. Immunity to EHV-1 lasts between 3 and 6 months. Current vaccines, many of which contain inactivated virus, have reduced the incidence of abortion storms in pregnant mares but individual animals, which may be of high commercial value, remain susceptible to infection. The development of effective vaccines which stimulate both humoral and cellular immune responses remains a priority. Uti...
Coombs DK, Patton T, Kohler AK, Soboll G, Breathnach C, Townsend HG, Lunn DP.Protecting equids against equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) infection remains an elusive goal. Repeated infection with EHV-1 leads to protective immunity against clinical respiratory disease, and a study was conducted to measure the regulatory cytokine response (IFN-gamma and IL-4) in repeatedly infected immune ponies compared to non-immune ponies. Two groups of four ponies were established. Group 1 ponies had previously been infected on two occasions, and most recently 7 months before this study. Group 2 ponies had no history no vaccination or challenge infection prior to this study. Both groups w...
Weerasinghe CU, Learmonth GS, Gilkerson JR, Foote CE, Wellington JE, Whalley JM.The envelope glycoprotein D of EHV-1 (EHV-1 gD) is essential for virus infectivity and entry of virus into cells and is a potent inducer of virus-neutralizing antibody. In this study, truncated EHV-1 gD (gDt) was expressed with a C-terminal hexahistidine tag in E. coli using a pET vector. Western blot analysis using an anti-gD monoclonal antibody demonstrated the presence of gDt bands at 37.5, 36, 29.5 and 28 kDa. The immunogenicity and protective efficacy of partially purified gDt was compared with gD expressed in insect cells by a recombinant baculovirus (Bac gD) using a BALB/c mouse model o...
Verheyen KL, Newton JR, Price JS, Wood JL.Few epidemiological studies have investigated risk factors for musculoskeletal injury occurring in Thoroughbred racehorses during training, although it is the major cause of wastage in the racing industry. We recently conducted a large-scale epidemiological study to estimate the incidence of fracture in racehorses in training in the UK and to identify associated risk factors. Thirteen racehorse trainers provided data on horses in their care, with daily recording of training information and provision of details on any fractures incurred. Data were collected for 2 years, including two consecutiv...
Goodman LB, Wagner B, Flaminio MJ, Sussman KH, Metzger SM, Holland R, Osterrieder N.Equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) is a ubiquitous alphaherpesvirus of horses which causes rhinopneumonitis, abortion and myeloencephalopathy. To test the efficacy of commercial vaccines in protection against neurological EHV-1 challenge, groups of five horses were immunized with modified-live virus or an inactivated vaccine, or received placebo. Horses were challenged by aerosol with a recent virus isolate obtained from a case of paralytic EHV-1. The duration of fever decreased significantly in the modified-live virus vaccine group. Three animals in each of the inactivate and control groups sh...
Pownder SL, Koff MF, Shah PH, Fortier LA, Potter HG.Post operative imaging in subjects with orthopaedic implants is challenging across all modalities. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is preferred to assess human post operative musculoskeletal complications, as soft tissue and bones are evaluated without using ionising radiation. However, with conventional MRI pulse sequences, metal creates susceptibility artefact that distorts anatomy. Assessment of the post operative equine patient is arguably more challenging due to the volume of metal present, and MRI is often not performed in horses with implants. Novel pulse sequences such as multiacquisi...
Taulescu M, Palmieri C, Leach J, Nagy A, Ober C, Cernea M, Catoi C.This case report describes the pathological findings of multiple congenital cardiac defects in a 2-year-old female Shetland pony with clinical signs of chronic respiratory distress. Persistent truncus arteriosus (PTA) type IV, interventricular septal defect, overriding aorta, pulmonary trunk agenesis, pulmonary arteries arising from the descending aorta, and compensatory right ventricular hypertrophy were observed.
Denys M, Thomas-Cancian A, Tortereau A, Josson-Schramme A, Buff S.Premature udder development constitutes an alarm signal in pregnant mares. The objective of this clinical case report is to highlight the importance of transabdominal ultrasound examination of the fetus in these cases and to report a unique case of prenatal diagnosis of obstructive uropathy based on the observation of severe fetal hydronephrosis and megacystitis in utero. A 4-year-old French chaser primiparous mare was referred for evaluation of premature udder development during the ninth month of pregnancy. The mare had clinical signs within normal limits, a developed and sensitive udder wit...
Widders PR, Stokes CR, David JS, Bourne FJ.The effect of cycle stage on immunoglobulin and albumin levels in serum, follicular fluid, oviductal, uterine and vaginal secretions was measured. There was no variation in serum immunoglobulin levels during the oestrous cycle, although IgM levels were elevated in cyclic mares compared to non-cyclic (immature and anoestrous) animals. Similarly, there was no cyclical variation in follicular or oviductal protein concentrations. In the uterus, IgG and IgA levels relative to total protein were higher in oestrogenic than in progestagenic secretions, while the trend in relative IgM concentrations wa...
Mehl ML, Sarkar DK, Schott HC, Brown JA, Sampson SN, Bayly WM.Eight mature mares were exercised for 20 min at 60% VO2max and to fatigue at 95% VO2max. Plasma beta-endorphin (EN) concentrations were determined before exercise, after a 10 min warm-up, and at the end of each exercise test. Mean +/- s.e. beta-endorphin concentrations were significantly (P < 0.05) higher following work at 95% VO2max when compared to that at 60% VO2max (420.0 +/- 102.7 vs. 269.9 +/- 30.69 pg/ml). Pre-exercise samples were collected between 1000 and 1500 h. In order to evaluate whether any cyclic changes in EN secretion effects may have influenced results, a subsequent study...
Heinze H.A method of endoscopic examination of the internal genital (pelvic) organs of the mare is described. Special emphasis is placed on the induction of artificial pneumoperitoneum and the installation of an endoscopic peritoneal fistula device for prolonged observation. The potential of pelviscopy in the mare as a diagnostic aid, a new device for research in equine reproduction and as an auxillary aid to teaching is discussed.
Borges LM, Oliveira PR, Lisboa CL, Ribeiro MF.The objective of this study was to investigate some aspects of horse resistance to natural infestations of Anocentor nitens and Amblyomma cajennense over a 2-year period. Free-living stages of A. nitens were used to evaluate the influence of season of the year on horse resistance. Every 2 weeks, 10 selected engorged females, weighing 150-329 mg, were removed from naturally infested horses and were individually placed into glass tubes closed with a cotton stopper, and maintained in an incubator. The biological parameters evaluated varied according to the season of the year, i.e., reproductive e...
Hirayama K, Okamoto M, Sako T, Kihara K, Okai K, Taharaguchi S, Yoshino T, Taniyama H.Histopathologic and immunohistochemical examinations were performed to determine the origin of host cells parasitized by Eimeria in the small intestines collected from five foals. Eimeria organisms at various stages (mainly microgametes and macrogametes) were frequently found in the cytoplasm of hypertrophied host cells in the lamina propria at the tips of villi of the jejunum and ileum. The cytoplasm of the host cell was immunohistochemically positive for cytokeratin AE1/AE3 and cytokeratin 13 and was negative for vimentin, desmin, alpha-smooth muscle actin, chromogranin A, neuron-specific en...
Cappai MG, Taras A, Cossu I, Cherchi R, Dimauro C, Accioni F, Boatto G, Deroma M, Spanu E, Gatta D, Dall'Aglio C, Pinna W.Trace element status and metabolic milieu are sometimes overlooked in common veterinary clinical practice across animal species. The evaluation of requirements of trace elements, in fact, may be useful to prevent the perturbation of tissue-specific metabolic impair. In particular, essential trace elements in the diet play key roles within sub-cellular metabolic patterns with macro effects at the systemic level, like blood cell stability and semen quality. This effect was studied in breeding stallions, in which semen quality and haemogram are important for reproduction. A case-control feeding t...
Cihocki LM, Divers TJ, Johnson AL, Warren AL, Schramme M, Rassnick KM, Scott DW.This case report describes a rare epitrichial sweat gland ductal carcinoma in a 14-year-old horse and is the first report of multiple carcinomas of this type in horses. Although several tumours developed, mostly on the distal extremities, over a 2-year period, the horse remained otherwise healthy. Topical treatment with imiquimod was successful for many of them.
Baintner K, Csapó J.Mare's colostrum was collected and examined for the presence of trypsin inhibitors. It was found to contain a low level of trypsin inhibitor which could be denatured by 2.5% trichloroacetic acid and, therefore, it clearly differs from the acid-resistant colostral inhibitor of Artiodactyla and Carnivora. This finding is exceptional for a species that concentrates IgG in the colostrum and whose newborn absorbs colostral proteins non-selectively by the gut. It appears that the presence of colostral trypsin inhibitor is not essential for the transmission of maternal immunity via the colostrum and ...
Chin WW, Maizel JV, Habener JF.The sizes of the human and subhuman alpha-subunits of the glycoprotein hormones differ by four amino acids (hCG alpha, 92 amino acids; murine, equine, bovine, and ovine alpha, 96 amino acids). The shortening of the human alpha-subunit has been attributed to posttranslational proteolysis. We have recently determined the nucleotide sequences of the mRNAs encoding the precursors of the alpha-subunit of mouse TSH and rat gonadotropins using recombinant DNA techniques. In this report, we have compared these nucleotide sequences and their deduced amino acid sequences with those of the pre- alpha-sub...
Boakari YL, Alonso MA, Riccio AV, Fernandes CB.In equine management, it is important to predict the approximate foaling date of mares to monitor parturition and allow early identification and intervention of problems during the perinatal period. There are no studies comparing accurate gestational length (GL) when mares are carrying mule foals and no controlled comparisons between GL of mares pregnant with equine or mule foals. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to compare GL of mares pregnant with equine or mule foals and establish normal reference values for GL of mares pregnant with male and female mules. Gestational length of ...
Degueurce C, Chateau H, Jerbi H, Crevier-Denoix N, Pourcelot P, Audigié F, Pasqui-Boutard V, Geiger D, Denoix JM.The proximal interphalangeal joint (PIPJ) has always been considered as a low-motion joint with an almost constant angle during loading of the limb. Until very recently, its motion was not taken into account in kinematic studies in vivo. Recent in vivo studies yielded surprisingly high ranges of motion in this joint. The aim of this study was to measure, in terms of the 3 possible rotations (flexion/extension, collateromotion and axial rotation), the movements of the PIPJ in vitro during limb loading in a neutral position (500-6000 N) and after the addition of heel and toe wedges (6 degrees an...
Tel OY, Arserim NB, Keskin O.In order to assess the level of Rhodococcus equi infection in southeast Turkey, 679 sera from healthy foals and adult horses and 78 sera from donkeys were tested by indirect ELISA using a R. equi reference strain (ATCC 33701) as antigen. Eighty (11.7%) sera from horses and 9 (11.5%) sera from donkeys with titres >0.85 were positive. The prevalence of seropositive horses in Sanliurfa Province was higher than in Diyarbakir Province; 56 (13.9%) horses in Sanliurfa Province and 24 (8.7%) horses in Diyarbakir Province were defined as seropositive. In Sanliurfa Province 14.5% of female (n=343) an...
Ricketts SW.A safe and simple technique of endometrial biopsy is described which the results suggest is a useful adjunct to the diagnosis of suspected pathological conditions of the uterus. In conjunction with other clinical data and a knowledge of the breeding history, histopathological findings form a basis for prognosis and treatment of the subfertile mare. A system of classification is presented as a basis for continuing work on the correlation of endometrial histopathology with fertility and breeding potential.
Mejía JAB, Jaramillo JAN, Corrales NU.The current stable housing of Colombian Creole Horses severely restricts the animals' locomotion and natural behaviors. In addition, their feed consists of a combination of high-energy concentrates with considerably little forage which potentially leads to locomotor or oral stereotypies. This study aimed to report the frequency of locomotor and oral stereotypies in Colombian Creole Horses in Girardota (Antioquia, Colombia) and associated risk factors. Unassigned: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted from 2019 to 2020, in which 102 stabled horses aged 28 months and older participat...
Goodrowe KL, Heath E.Bielanski and Kaczmarski (1979) reported the presence of microtubules in the neck region of mature stallion spermatozoa. It was hypothesized that these microtubules are derived from the manchette (a microtubular organelle present during spermiogenesis). In order to test this hypothesis, testes from 15 mature stallions were collected, perfused with 2% phosphate-buffered glutaraldehyde, and prepared for transmission electron microscopy. Spermatozoa from the caudae epididymides of each stallion were prepared in a similar manner. Spermiogenesis was observed in general, and the presence of a microt...
Pires MS, Santos TM, Santos HA, Vilela JA, Peixoto MP, Roier EC, Silva CB, Barreira JD, Lemos ER, Massard CL.The objective of this study was to evaluate factors associated with infestation by Amblyomma cajennense on horses in two microregions of the state of Rio de Janeiro. Horses on 62 farms in the municipalities of the Itaguaí and Serrana microregions were evaluated between January and May 2009. The animals were examined to determine the presence of ticks and infestation level. The animals' rearing and management were assessed on each farm property using an epidemiological questionnaire. Out of the 635 horses evaluated, 41.6% were infested with A. cajennense. It was observed that farms in low-alti...
Heinonen E, Nyman G, Meriläinen P, Högman M.Dependent atelectatic lung areas open towards the end of inspiration when the lung opening pressure increases, and recollapse during expiration. We hypothesized that inhaled nitric oxide (NO) counteracts hypoxic vasoconstriction in these collapsing lung areas, resulting in increased pulmonary shunt perfusion. Methods: We administered NO as a pulse and varied the pulse timing during inspiration in equine anaesthesia, where atelectasis develops regularly. Six spontaneously breathing standard breed trotters were studied under isoflurane anaesthesia in lateral recumbency. NO pulsed into the first ...
Hinchcliff KW, McKeever KH.We speculated that frusemide would attenuate the acidosis associated with intense exertion, and that weight carriage would mitigate this effect. Therefore, in each of 2 experiments we measured pulmonary artery and systemic arterial blood pH, PCO2, PO2 and pulmonary artery temperature in 9 horses during exertion on a treadmill after each of 3 treatments. The treatments were: 1) injection of saline solution (C), 2) injection of frusemide (1 mg/kg bwt, i.v. 4 h before running) (FU) and 3) injection of frusemide (F) as for FU and the horses carried weight equal to that lost in the 4 h after frusem...
Biegel U, Mevissen M, Schuller S, Ruess K, Christen O, Ayrle H, Koch C, Walkenhorst M.Cancer is a common disease in humans and in companion animals and treatment is challenging. The aim of this systematic review was to identify and assess the potential use of Viscum album L. extracts (VAE) for treatment of neoplastic diseases in companion animals. Peer-reviewed animal, in vivo and in vitro studies were included, considering the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement and A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR). Overall, 6,148 references were identified. Following a predefined protocol, 114 full-text references were ...
Shadomy HJ, Dixon DM.An unusual fungus, probably traumatically introduced into the eye of a horse while grazing, was studied on various mycological media. Upon examination of colonies the organism produced bulbils and clearly exhibited the characteristics of a new species of Papulaspora, P. equi Shadomy & Dixon.
Topczewska J, Krupa W, Sokołowicz Z, Lechowska J.The aim of the study was to determine whether experience related to horse age and number of starts in championships influences stress level, measured by salivary cortisol concentration. The study involved 18 clinically healthy Hucul mares who participated in the Polish Championships for Hucul Horses. Evaluation of performance value was carried out in accordance with the guidelines specified in the breeding and genetic resources conservation program for this breed. The championship lasted two days, consisting of conformation evaluation, endurance, and Hucul path. Saliva was collected at baselin...
Alvarez AV, Schumacher J, DeGraves FJ.OBJECTIVE To determine whether addition of epinephrine to a lidocaine solution would prolong and potentiate the efficacy of a palmar digital nerve block (PDNB) in horses. ANIMALS 6 adult horses with naturally occurring forefoot lameness. PROCEDURES Initially, a PDNB with a 2% lidocaine solution was performed on the affected foot of each horse. Three days later, the PDNB was repeated with a 1% lidocaine solution or a 1% lidocaine solution containing epinephrine (dilution, 1:200,000). After another 3-day washout period, the PDNB was repeated with the treatment opposite that administered for the ...
Contino EK, Barrett MF, Werpy NM.To determine the effect of limb positioning on the radiographic appearance of the distal and proximal interphalangeal joint spaces of the forelimbs of horses during evaluation of dorsopalmar radiographs. Methods: Evaluation study. Methods: 14 forelimbs from 9 adult horses. Methods: Each horse was in standing position with its forelimbs positioned on blocks. Dorsopalmar radiographs of each foot were obtained with the forelimbs positioned squarely (the metacarpus of both forelimbs was perpendicular to the ground as determined by visual examination [abducted 0°]; baseline) and abducted 5° and 1...
Ryder OA, Sparkes RS, Sparkes MC, Clegg JB.1. Through the use of isoelectric focusing and peptide analysis, the hemoglobins of Przewalski's horse. Equus przewalskii and the domestic horse, E. caballus have been compared. 2. Przewalski's horses have two separate alpha-globin chain polymorphisms similar to domestic horses. Each hemoglobin phenotype could be accurately determined by isoelectric focusing. 3. Confirmation of the electrofocusing hemoglobin determinations was made by comparison to amino acid composition analyses of purified tryptic peptides and by analysis of the rare hemoglobins phenotypes observed in a family of Norwegian t...
Greppi GF, Casini L, Gatta D, Orlandi M, Pasquini M.Changes in the plasma biochemistry of 12 stallions were studied over seven 24 h periods. Twelve healthy male horses of 4 different breeds (Thoroughbred [TB], Anglo-Arabo-Sardo [AAS], Avelignese [Av] and Maremmano [M]) were divided into 3 experimental groups and fed with an isoenergetic maintenance ration with different protein levels. The same amount of food was given daily at 0730 and 1930 h. After 20 days of pretrial, a series of 6 blood samples were collected daily from the jugular vein every 4 h for 7 days. The samples were analysed for packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin, plasma glucose...
Curran S, Urven L, Ginther OJ.Eighteen equine embryos, 3 each on Days 20, 22, 24, 26, 28 and 30 post ovulation, were collected transcervically by uterine lavage, fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde and embedded in paraffin wax. Ten micron serial sections were stained to determine alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity in the cells. Positive cells were counted and their approximate location determined. The cells were approximately 8 microm in diameter and the entire cell, except the nucleus, stained strongly with many small round areas of intense staining in the cytoplasm. The cells varied from round to elongated in shape and pseudopo...