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.
Sod GA, Hubert JD, Martin GS, Gill MS.To compare the monotonic biomechanical properties and fatigue life of a broad, limited contact, dynamic compression plate (LC-DCP) fixation with a broad, dynamic compression plate (DCP) fixation to repair osteotomized equine 3rd metacarpal (MC3) bones. Methods: In vitro biomechanical testing of paired cadaveric equine MC3 with a mid-diaphyseal osteotomy, stabilized by 1 of 2 methods for fracture fixation. Methods: Twelve pairs of adult equine cadaveric MC3 bones. Methods: Twelve pairs of equine MC3 were divided into 3 test groups (4 pairs each) for (1) 4-point bending single cycle to failure t...
Brown KE, Nickels FA, Caron JP, Mullineaux DR, Clayton HM.To measure the acute analgesic properties of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) in horses with navicular disease using objective ground reaction forces (GRF). Methods: Prospective study. Methods: Nine client-owned horses with unilateral forelimb lameness caused by navicular disease. Methods: Horses were trotted at 3 m/s over a force plate to record pre-treatment GRF of the lame and contra-lateral forelimbs. After ESWT of the lame limb, applied with a radial unit to each of the frog and heel bulb areas with 1500 pulses at 4 bar and 10 Hz, GRF measurements were repeated at 15 minutes and 2...
Pille F, De Baere S, Ceelen L, Dewulf J, Croubels S, Gasthuys F, De Backer P, Martens A.To determine radiocarpal (RC) joint synovial fluid and plasma ceftiofur concentrations after regional intravenous perfusion (RIP) and systemic intravenous (IV) administration. Methods: Experimental cross-over study. Methods: Five normal adult horses. Methods: One RC joint was randomly selected for RIP and the contralateral RC joint was sampled to determine intrasynovial ceftiofur concentrations after IV administration. Wash-out between IV and RIP was > or = 14 days. After surgical introduction of an intraarticular catheter, ceftiofur (2 g) was administered under general anesthesia either IV or...
Piccot-Crézollet C, Cauvin ER.To report an unusual 2nd carpal bone (C2) slab fracture and its treatment, using an ultrasonographically assisted, minimally invasive arthrotomy technique, for fragment removal. Methods: Case report. Methods: An 11-year-old crossbred Warmblood gelding. Methods: A bone fragment, spanning the height of C2, identified on the palmaromedial aspect of C2 was demarcated intraoperatively using ultrasonographically guided needles and removed by arthrotomy. Results: Fracture fragment removal was achieved using a small, ultrasonographically guided arthrotomy. The horse has become sound after treatment an...
Taylor EL, Galuppo LD, Steffey EP, Scarlett CC, Madigan JE.To describe a sling recovery system (Anderson Sling) for horses and to evaluate outcome of high-risk horses recovered from general anesthesia by a sling. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Horses (n=24) recovered from general anesthesia. Methods: Complete medical and anesthetic records (1996-2003) for horses recovered from general anesthesia using the Anderson Sling system were evaluated retrospectively. Information retrieved included anesthetic protocol, surgical procedure, recovery protocol, recovery time, and quality of the recovery. Horses were recovered from anesthesia supported by th...
Castro FA, Schumacher JS, Pauwels F, Blackford JT.To evaluate the accuracy of a new technique for perineural injection of the lateral palmar nerve and to determine frequency of inadvertent injection into the carpal synovial sheath with this technique. Methods: Prospective experimental study. Methods: Thirty equine cadaver forelimbs. Methods: Each of 3 clinicians injected 0.5 mL of a 1% aqueous solution of new methylene blue as a marker at the medial aspect of the accessory carpal bone of 10 limbs. Immediately after each injection, the lateral palmar nerve was identified by dissection of and inspected for proximity of dye, and the carpal synov...
Scherzer S, Hainisch EK.To report the use of a nylon suture system (Canine Cranial Cruciate Ligament Repair System; Securos Inc Veterinary Orthopedics) as a prosthesis for equine laryngoplasty. Methods: Experimental and prospective clinical study. Methods: Cadaver specimens (n = 5) and 7 horses with left laryngeal hemiplegia. Methods: A commercially available monofilament nylon suture system was implanted as a laryngeal prosthesis. Arytenoid cartilage abduction was achieved with a tensioning device applied to the suture prosthesis during transnasal endoscopic observation. Suture fixation was achieved with crimping cl...
Sod GA, Hubert JD, Martin GS, Gill MS.To evaluate the effects of plate luting on the biomechanical properties of a broad limited contact-dynamic compression plate (LC-DCP) fixation to repair osteotomized equine 3rd metacarpal (MC3) bones. Methods: In vitro biomechanical testing of paired cadaveric equine MC3 with a mid-diaphyseal osteotomy, stabilized by LC-DCP fixation, with 1 of the pair luted with polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). Methods: Ten pairs of adult equine cadaveric MC3 bones. Methods: Ten pairs of equine MC3 were divided into 2 test groups (5 pairs each) for (1) palmarodorsal 4-point bending single cycle to failure testi...
Hansen N, Buchner HH, Haller J, Windischbauer G.To evaluate using strain gauges, a hoof cast with heel wedge, and a therapeutic shoe with unsupported toe for their effectiveness in redistribution of load from the dorsal hoof wall. Methods: In vitro biomechanical study. Methods: Twenty forelimb specimens. Methods: Rosette strain gauges were placed on the dorsal and lateral hoof wall of 20 normal shaped hooves. Limbs were loaded vertically using a tensile testing machine with a 1 Hz sinusoidally cycling load up to 3000 N during 15 seconds. Mean values of principal strain and direction at 2500 N load were calculated for 3 experimental conditio...
Marti M, Mevissen M, Althaus H, Steiner A.The goal of this study was to investigate the effect of bethanechol (BeCh) on contractility patterns of smooth muscle preparations of equine duodenum descendens, jejunum, caecum and pelvic flexure in vitro. Concentration-response relationships were developed for BeCh using in vitro assays with and without preincubation of muscarinic (M) receptor antagonists for M2 and M3 receptors. BeCh induced a significant, concentration-dependent increase in contractile response in equine intestine in specimens with circular orientation. The maximal effect was largest for jejunal specimens with no differenc...
Sod GA, Hubert JD, Martin GS, Gill MS.To compare the monotonic biomechanical properties of a prototype equine third metacarpal dynamic compression plate (EM-DCP) fixation with a double broad dynamic compression plate (DCP) fixation to repair osteotomized equine third metacarpal (MC3) bones. Methods: In vitro biomechanical testing of paired cadaveric equine MC3 with a mid-diaphyseal osteotomy, stabilized by 1 of 2 methods for fracture fixation. Methods: Twelve pairs of adult equine cadaveric MC3 bones. Methods: Twelve pairs of equine MC3 were divided into 3 test groups (4 pairs each) for (1) 4-point bending single cycle to failure ...
Farstvedt E, Hendrickson D.To evaluate outcome after laparoscopic closure of the nephrosplenic space in horses that had previous nephrosplenic entrapment of ascending colon (left dorsal displacement of the left colon; LDDLC). Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Horses that had previous LDDLC. Methods: Medical records of horses that had LDDLC and subsequent laparoscopic nephrosplenic space closure between 2002 and 2004 were retrieved. Follow-up information was obtained by telephone interview of owners. Preoperative versus postoperative comparisons were: incidence of LDDLC, incidence of colic signs, and incidence of ve...
Gilhooly MH, Eades SC, Stokes AM, Moore RM.To measure and compare palmar digital venous plasma nitric oxide (NO) concentrations and digital arterial blood flow after application of topical nitroglycerine (NTG). Methods: Experimental study. Methods: Healthy adult horses (n=8). Methods: Digital blood flow was measured by an ultrasonic Doppler flow probe surgically implanted around the medial palmar digital artery. Blood was collected from a catheter placed in the medial palmar digital vein for quantification of NO. NTG patches, NTG ointment or control patches were placed over the palmar digital vessels at the level of the fetlock. Two ho...
Jenson PW, Lillich JD, Roush JK, Gaughan EM.To test the failure strength and energy of 2 bioabsorbable implants applied to transected deep digital flexor tendons (DDFT) from adult horses. Methods: Ex vivo biomechanical experiment. Methods: Twelve pairs of deep digital flexor tendons harvested from the forelimbs of fresh equine cadavers. Methods: Poly-L-lactic acid tendon plates were custom manufactured for application to the cylindrical surface of an adult equine deep digital flexor tendon. Twelve pairs of DDFTs were transected 2 cm distal to the insertion of the distal check ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon. One tendon of eac...
Röcken M, Schubert C, Mosel G, Litzke LF.To describe surgical technique and outcome after laparoscopic closure of the nephrosplenic space for treatment of recurrent left dorsal displacement of the left colon (LDDLC) in standing horses. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Forty-four horses with LDDLC. Methods: Laparoscopic portals were located in the left flank region. After administration of etilefrin intravenously to contract the spleen, the dorsal splenic margin was sutured to the nephrosplenic ligament to obliterate the nephrosplenic space. Horses were re-examined (< or = 3 years) for history of recurrence. In addition, medical...
Dart AJ, Dowling BA, Smith CL.To report dynamic collapse of the apex of the left corniculate process under the right corniculate process into the airway at the dorsal apposition of the paired arytenoid cartilages during exercise as a cause of upper airway dysfunction in horses. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Fifteen horses with a history of poor performance and/or upper respiratory tract noise during exercise. Methods: Video recordings of all horses referred for upper airway evaluation using high-speed treadmill videoendoscopy (HSTV) between January 1998 and December 2003 were reviewed. Records of horses that devel...
Cokelaere SM, Martens AM, Wiemer P.To describe use of a polyamide tie-rap to ligate the mesovarium during standing laparoscopic ovariectomy in mares. Methods: Prospective study. Methods: Ten mares. Methods: Bilateral ovariectomy was performed in 10 mares. Standing laparoscopic ovariectomy was performed using 3 portals in the paralumbar fossa. A commercial polyamide tie-rap was prepared as a loop and marked with 4 colored lines close to the buckle, to enable us to check whether the loop was tightened securely. The ovary was grasped with forceps and after the mesovarium was minimally transected cranially and caudally, the loop of...
Getman LM, Ross MW, Elce YA.To report the diagnosis and outcome after surgical correction of bilateral distal ureteral anomalies in a Standardbred filly. Methods: Clinical case report. Methods: An 8-month-old, 310 kg Standardbred filly with left ureteral atresia and right ureteral ectopia. Methods: The filly was admitted for evaluation of incontinence since birth and severe urine scalding of the hindquarters. Diagnosis was made by both direct (cystoscopy and vaginoscopy) and indirect (intravenous pyelography, ultrasonography, and scintigraphy) evaluation of the ureters and bladder. The filly had left ureteral atresia, hy...
Garcia-Seco E, Wilson DA, Cook JL, Kuroki K, Kreeger JM, Keegan KG.To determine normal cartilage stiffness values in different weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing areas of 3 different equine joints, and to evaluate the relationship between cartilage stiffness and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and collagen content. Methods: Compressive stiffness of the articular cartilage was measured in 8 horse cadaver femoropatellar (FP), tarsocrural (TC), and metatarsophalangeal (MT) joints. Gross evaluation, collagen content, GAG content, and histologic appearance were assessed for each measurement location. Methods: Eight equine cadavers (4 intact females, 4 castrated males; ...
Rubio-Martínez L, López-Sanromán J, Cruz AM, Santos M, San Román F.To study the pharmacokinetics of vancomycin in plasma obtained from the medullary sinusoids of the proximal phalanx (P1) after intravenous (IV) and intraosseous (IO) regional limb perfusion (RLP). Methods: Experimental study. Methods: Twelve horses. Methods: IV and IO RLP were performed in 2 groups (n = 6) of horses. Vancomycin hydrochloride (300 mg in 60 mL 0.9% NaCl) was randomly infused in 1 front limb, with the contralateral limb as control (60 mL 0.9% NaCl). A hole was drilled in the lateral cortex of P1, and blood samples from the medullary sinusoids of P1 were collected before infusion,...
Van Hoogmoed LM, Galuppo LD.To evaluate use of ENDO-GIA staples and ENDO-Catch pouches for ovariectomy in mares and to evaluate the efficacy of epidural morphine analgesia. Methods: Randomized clinical trial. Methods: Mares (n = 10) with normal ovaries. Methods: An Endo-GIA II stapler (United States Surgical Corp., Norwalk, CT) was used to amputate the ovaries bilaterally, in standing mares, and Endo-Catch II pouches (United States Surgical Corp.) were used for retrieval. Epidural morphine was used in 5 mares, and procedure duration, volume of lidocaine required to desensitize the ovarian pedicle, and sedation were compa...
Morsy TA, Salem HS, Haridy FM, Rifaat MM, Abo-Zenadah NY, Adel el-Kadi M.To continue the study on fascioliasis in Tamyia Center, some farm animals were investigated for natural infection with Fasciola species by stool examination. The results showed 40% infection in sheep, 20% in buffalos, 6.7% in donkeys and zero% in horses. The overall percentage of infection was 25.5. The sheep (total dose 1800mg) and the donkey (total dose (4500 mg.) were successfully treated with Mirazid. On the other hand, one buffalo was successfully treated by a total dose 7500mg, the seconds one did not cured, but the eggs deposited per gm markedly decreased.
Rosskopf U, Noeske K, Werner E.This paper describes a double antigen ELISA (DAE) for rapid, specific and reliable assessment of the antitetanus immune status of horses and sheep. Compared with the indirect ELISA, the double antigen ELISA has the advantage of species-independent testing of sera. Thanks to its test design, it is more specific since the detected antibodies are forced to bind tetanus toxoid twice. In addition, it is very sensitive to tetanus antibodies, enabling the detection of low antibody titres, in range which is relevant for the assessment of the protective status (tetanus toxin neutralising antibodies). T...
de Graaf-Roelfsema E, Tharasanit T, van Dam KG, Keizer HA, van Breda E, Wijnberg ID, Stout TA, van der Kolk JH.To determine the effects of short-term IV administration of hydrocortisone or equine growth hormone (eGH) or long-term IM administration of eGH to horses on tissue sensitivity to exogenous insulin. Methods: 5 Standardbreds and 4 Dutch Warmblood horses. Methods: The euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp technique was used to examine sensitivity of peripheral tissues to exogenous insulin 24 hours after administration of a single dose of hydrocortisone (0.06 mg/kg), eGH (20 microg/kg), or saline (0.9% NaCl) solution and after long-term administration (11 to 15 days) of eGH to horses. The amounts of m...
Robertson TP, Peroni JF, Lewis SJ, Moore JN.To determine the effects of induction of capacitative Ca2+ entry on tone in equine laminar arteries and veins. Methods: Laminar arteries and veins from 6 adult mixed-breed horses. Methods: Arteries and veins were isolated and mounted on small vessel myographs for the measurement of isometric tension. Capacitative Ca2+ entry was induced by incubating the vessels with the specific Ca2+-ATPase inhibitor thapsigargin (100nM) in a Ca2+-free physiologic salt solution. Capacitative Ca2+ entry-associated contractile responses were determined by the subsequent addition of 2mM Ca2+ to the solution bathi...
Farley J, Sirois J, MacFarlane PH, Kombé A, Laverty S.To characterize expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 (mPGES-1) and regulation of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production by equine articular chondrocytes. Methods: Articular cartilage from the metacarpophalangeal joints of 7 adult horses. Methods: Equine chondrocyte monolayer cultures were stimulated with different concentrations (2.5, 5, 10, and 20 ng/mL) of recombinant human interleukin-1beta (rhIL-1beta) for 24 hours and then with rhIL-1beta (5 ng/mL) for 3, 6, 9, 12, and 24 hours. Concentration of PGE2 in the media was measured via radioimmunoassay. T...
Bertone AL, Bramlage LR, McIlwraith CW, Malemud CJ.To compare articular cartilage from horses with naturally developing osteochondrosis (OC) with normal articular cartilage and healing cartilage obtained from horses with experimentally induced osteochondral fractures. Methods: 109 specimens of articular cartilage from 78 horses. Methods: Morphologic characteristics, proteoglycan (PG), and type II collagen were analyzed in articular cartilage of OC specimens (group 1), matched healing cartilage obtained 40 days after experimentally induced osteochondral fractures (group 2), and matched normal cartilage from the same sites (group 3). Results: 79...
Spadavecchia C, Arendt-Nielsen L, Andersen OK, Spadavecchia L, Schatzmann U.To investigate the action of a single IV administration of romifidine on the thresholds of the nociceptive withdrawal reflex (NWR) and temporal summation in conscious horses. Methods: 10 adult horses. Methods: Single electrical stimulations were applied on the digital nerves to evoke NWR from the left forelimb and hind limb. Repeated electrical stimulations (10 stimuli, 5 Hz) were given to obtain temporal summation. Surface electromyographic reflex activity was recorded from the common digital extensor and cranial tibial muscles. After baseline assessment of NWR and temporal summation threshol...
Yamada ALM, do Prado Vendruscolo C, Marsiglia MF, Sotelo EDP, Agreste FR, Seidel SRT, Fülber J, Baccarin RYA, da Silva LCLC.Combined chondroitin sulfate (CS) and glucosamine (GlcN) has been widely used in oral formulations to prevent and treat osteoarthritis. CS is effective for controlling pain in osteoarthritic patients, whereas GlcN can stimulate glycosaminoglycan synthesis, thus reducing extracellular matrix degradation. Although several studies have been published on this topic, the effectiveness of treatment with oral CS and GlcN remains uncertain. The objective of this study was to analyze the progression of experimentally induced osteoarthritis in horses and verify the effectiveness of an oral compound base...
Wagner AE, Mama KR, Contino EK, Ferris DJ, Kawcak CE.To evaluate the sedative and analgesic effects of subanesthetic doses of ketamine in horses sedated with xylazine, with or without butorphanol. Methods: Prospective, randomized, controlled study. Methods: 10 adult horses. Methods: Each horse was sedated multiple times by administration of xylazine (treatment X), xylazine and butorphanol (treatment XB), xylazine with 1 of 2 dosages of ketamine (treatment XK1 or XK2), or xylazine and butorphanol with 1 of 2 dosages of ketamine (treatment XBK1 or XBK2). Head height and various behaviors, including responses to noise, insertion of a dental float, ...
Weiss S, Janett F, Burger D, Hässig M, Thun R.The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of various centrifugation methods on sperm loss and quality of frozen-thawed semen. From at a total of 8 Warmblood stallions of the National Stud Farm in Avenches, 3 ejaculates each were collected and seminal plasma was removed using 3 different centrifugation regimes. In method I (reference method) centrifugation occurred by a speed of 600 x g during 10 minutes. In method II 1000 x g was used during 2 minutes while in method III centrifugation was performed by 2000 x g during 2 minutes. After centrifugation 90%, of the supernatant ...
Holland JL, Kronfeld DS, Meacham TN.To test the hypothesis that dietary fats may improve tractability of horses, the effects of four total mixed diets on behavior were compared. The control diet (CON) contained chopped hay, corn, oats, beet pulp, molasses and a mineral mix; the three test diets contained an additional 10% (by weight) corn oil (CO), soy lecithin-corn oil (SL-CO), or soy lecithin-soy oil (SL-SO). Eight horses were fed each diet in random order for four 3-wk periods. Behavior was observed during the last week of each feeding period. Spontaneous activity was evaluated using a pedometer and was less in horses fed SL-...
Kung N, Mackenzie S, Pitt D, Robinson B, Perkins NR.An outbreak of equine influenza (EI) caused by influenza A H3N8 subtype virus occurred in the Australian states of Queensland and New South Wales in August 2007. Infection in the Australian horse population was associated with the introduction of infection by horses from overseas. The first case of EI in Queensland was detected on 25 August 2007 at an equestrian sporting event. Infection subsequently spread locally and to other clusters through horse movements prior to the implementation of an official standstill. There were five main clusters of infected properties during this outbreak and se...
Johansson M, Anlér EL.A quantitative method for the analysis of flunixin, 2-(2-methyl-3-trifluoromethylanilino) nicotinic acid, in equine urine by gas chromatography with nitrogen-phosphorus detection has been developed. Flunixin and the internal standard, mefenamic acid, N-(2,3-xylyl) anthranilic acid, were analysed after extractive methylation of the carboxylic acid group using methyl iodide. The extraction and alkylation conditions of flunixin and mefenamic acid have been studied. The detection limit of the method was 0.25 mumol/l flunixin in urine (74 ng/ml). Flunixin was found to be conjugated to 96.5% in equi...
Nagel C, Ille N, Erber R, Aurich C, Aurich J.Invasive procedures in animals are challenging for veterinary students who may perceive a gynaecological examination of mares as stressful. Simulator-based training may reduce stress. In this study, students received equine gynaecology training 4 times either on horses (group H; n = 14) or a teaching simulator (group SIM; n = 13). One day and 14 days thereafter, their diagnostic skills were tested on horses (skills tests 1 and 2). During the skills tests, the students' stress response was analysed by heart rate, heart rate variability (HRV) parameters SDRR (standard deviation of beat-to-b...
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...
Rho JR, Srygley RB, Choe JC.We investigated mutual grooming by Jeju pony (Equus caballus) foals to determine whether male foals preferentially interact with potential future sexual partners or competitors. We predicted that relative to female foals, male foals would exchange grooming more frequently with young mares and that in general, foals would mutually groom more frequently with the opposite sex rather than the same sex. Observing 53 foals between April and October 1998, we recorded 113 mutual grooming events. Male foals exchanged grooming with yearling mares more frequently than with their mother, while female foal...
Franzén Lindgren E, Hammarqvist F, Ahl Hulme R.Horse-riding is practiced on a regular basis by 500,000 people in Sweden. It is reputed to be one of the most dangerous sports. On average, there were 1756 acute injuries and three fatalities each year between 1997 and 2014 in Sweden related to horses. The primary aim of this study was to outline the injury spectrum related to equestrian activities cared for at a large Swedish trauma centre. The secondary aim was to identify trends in clinical outcomes and to investigate the association between age and such outcomes. Methods: The electronic medical records system at Karolinska University Hosp...
Dahl E.During a 2-year period all Casualty Department data charts with the diagnosis "animal bite" were reviewed as part of internal quality control. Of 1,051 recorded episodes, 503 (48%) were women and 147 (14%) children under 16 years of age. 951 (90%) wounds were treated without closure. Half of the patients were not given antibiotics on the first visit, whereas one third were given penicillin. Tetanus status had been evaluated on 1,015 (97%) charts. Most bites were caused by dogs (76%), cats (17%), and horses (2%). Children were the victims of 118 (15%) dog bites, eight (4%) cat bites, and ten (5...
Mettenleiter EM.In this presentation, normal sonoanatomy of the horse eye will be introduced and biometrical data of 30 healthy eyes along optical axis will be presented. We used the ultrasound system Philips Diagnost R 1200 in connection with a 5 MHz linear transducer. With this equipment it is possible to visualize and measure at the unaltered eye the cornea, the anterior chamber of the eye, ciliary body, iris, lens, vitreous body, wall of the posterior globe (retina, choroid, sclera) and retrobulbar structures (optical nerve, retrobulbar muscles, orbital fat pad, bony orbita). The echographical examination...
Knobbe MG, Maenhoudt C, Turner RM, McDonnell SM.2 Standardbred racehorses that had been winning races while competing as mares underwent postrace drug testing and had serum testosterone concentrations above the acceptable limit for female racehorses. Results: Initial physical examinations by the referring veterinarian revealed ambiguous external genitalia and suspected intra-abdominally located testes leading to a preliminary diagnosis of male pseudohermaphroditism. Horses were referred for further evaluation of sex. Physical examination of the external genitalia confirmed the findings of the referring veterinarian. Transrectal palpation an...
Mosing M, Kuemmerle JM, Dadak A, Moens YP.A case of a pony with severe cyanide intoxication as a result of cherry ingestion is presented. General anaesthesia was performed for colic surgery. Severe metabolic lactate acidosis in combination with a high arterial oxygen partial pressure and clinically good peripheral perfusion parameters were the remarkable signs during anaesthesia. Severe hypothermia was obvious during recovery. Ten hours post-surgery the pony was euthanized as a result of neurological signs. The diagnosis of cyanide intoxication was made post-mortem. Conclusions: Cherry ingestion can lead to lethal cyanide intoxication...
Fox J, Duncan R, Friday P, Klein B, Scarratt W.A 12-month-old American Miniature horse colt was presented to the Virginia Tech Veterinary Teaching Hospital with a 7-month history of progressive ataxia. Physical examination revealed a head intention tremor, base-wide stance, and ataxia. Necropsy findings were confined to the brain. There were bilateral areas of liquefactive necrosis and cavitation corresponding to the dorsal accessory olivary and lateral (accessory) cuneate nuclei. Cerebellar folia of the dorsal vermis were thin. Microscopically, the cerebellar cortex was characterized by patchy areas of Purkinje cell loss with associated v...
Panos KE, Morgan K, Gately R, Wilkinson J, Uden A, Reed SA.Farriery can impact gait symmetry and lameness outcomes, but there is limited scientific data documenting these effects. We hypothesized that shoeing previously barefoot horses with plain stamp shoes on the hind hooves would increase gait symmetry, alter hock angles and increase range of motion, and improve lameness scores more than shoeing with traditional fullered shoes. At the start of the study, gait symmetry via wireless inertial motion sensors (IMS), kinematic gait analysis (hock angle and range of motion), and American Association for Equine Practitioner's (AAEP) lameness scoring were c...
Spooner HS, Nielsen BD, Schott HC, Harris PA.Excessive sweat loss during endurance exercise may lead to electrolyte disturbances and previous research suggests dietary factors may affect hydration status. While investigating the effect of dietary fibre type on hydration status, sweat samples were collected which allowed for the evaluation of sweat composition in horses consuming forage-based, low sodium (Na) rations. Objective: To investigate sweat composition in Arabian horses performing endurance type exercise while fed forage-based, rations low in Na. Methods: Six 2-year-old Arabian horses were fed, according to a replicated 3 × 3 La...
Evans DL, Rose RJ.A rapid incremental treadmill exercise test was used to determine the repeatability of the following measurements in exercising horses: maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), maximal heart rate (HRmax), velocity at a heart rate of 200 beats/min (V-200), oxygen consumption at a heart rate of 200 beats/min (VO2-200), oxygen consumption at HRmax (VO2-HRmax), work rate at a heart rate of 200 beats/min (W-200), work rate at HRmax (W-HRmax) and treadmill velocity at HRmax (V-HRmax). Six Standardbred geldings were exercised on three separate occasions on a treadmill set at an inclination of 6 degrees. ...
Kempchen S, Kuhn M, Spadavecchia C, Levionnois OL.To evaluate medetomidine as a continuous rate infusion (CRI) in horses in which anaesthesia is maintained with isoflurane and CRIs of ketamine and lidocaine. Methods: Prospective, randomized, blinded clinical trial. Methods: Forty horses undergoing elective surgery. Methods: After sedation and induction, anaesthesia was maintained with isoflurane. Mechanical ventilation was employed. All horses received lidocaine (1.5 mg kg(-1) initially, then 2 mg kg(-1) hour(-1)) and ketamine (2 mg kg(-1) hour(-1)), both CRIs reducing to 1.5 mg kg(-1) hour(-1) after 50 minutes. Horses in group MILK received ...
Newman SJ.Equine pancreatic disease is considered rare, and successful treatment is limited. Additionally, antemortem diagnosis of equine pancreatitis is difficult because of the lack of definitive diagnostic tests. Although a paucity of information exists on this entity in the horse, pancreatic disease has typically been shown to be secondary to other gastrointestinal, hepatic, and endocrine conditions. No predisposition based on age, sex, or breed appears to exist, but several conditions predispose a horse to pancreatitis, including grain overload, endocrine disease, and parasite migration. A retrospe...
Rijkenhuizen AB, de Graaf K, Hak A, Fürst A, ter Braake F, Stanek C, Greet TR.A multicentre study of 285 cases was performed to enhance the management of distal phalangeal fractures on the basis of clinical evidence. The outcome after treatment was available for 223 of the cases. Horses with a non-articular type I fracture had a better prognosis (91.7%) for return to original or expected level of use than horses with an articular type II or III fracture (69.6% and 74.1%, respectively). The prognosis for types IV and V fractures was fair (57.7% and 57.1%, respectively) and for type VI good (80%). Horses with a hindlimb fracture had a significantly greater chance of a suc...
Bravo-Barriga D, Serrano-Aguilera FJ, Barrasa-Rita R, Habela MÁ, Chacón RB, Ezquerra LJ, Martín-Cuervo M.Endurance is an increasingly popular equestrian sport. However, in southern Europe, there is a high prevalence of horses that are asymptomatic carriers of equine piroplasmosis (EP), a tick-borne disease that could affect their performance. This study aimed to evaluate the impact and influence of EP on the performance of endurance horses. Blood samples were collected from 40 horses in Extremadura, Spain, before and after a race, in different national elite horse endurance competitions. Hematological and biochemical parameters and EP seroprevalence were analysed by competitive enzyme-linked immu...
Rodrigues NL, Doré M, Doucet MY.In order to study the evolution of histopathological and immunohistochemical changes in the gastric mucosa of horses with EGUS (equine gastric ulcer syndrome), a feasible, useful, valid and safe in vivo gastric biopsy technique is required. Objective: To determine the average gastric mucosal healing time following endoscopic gastric biopsy sampling, and evaluate the feasibility, safety and usefulness of samples obtained by this method for histopathological analysis. Methods: Six mature mares from the Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire research herd were used. Transendoscopic gastric biopsy wa...
Mosing M, Senior JM.In the first edition of this journal, Barbara Weaver wrote a review titled 'Equine Anaesthesia', stating that, at that time, it was quickly becoming accepted practice that many horses were being anaesthetised 'by essentially similar procedures, i.e. premedication, induction and then maintenance by controlled inhalation'. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first edition of this journal, this review covers the development of understanding and practice of inhalational anaesthesia and controlled ventilation in horses over the last 50 years. We review how the perceived benefits of halothane ...
Grubb TL, Foreman JH, Benson GJ, Thurmon JC, Tranquilli WJ, Constable PD, Olson WO, Davis LE.Calcium gluconate was administered to conscious horses at 3 different rates (0.1, 0.2, and 0.4 mg/kg/min for 15 minutes each). Serum calcium concentrations and parameters of cardiovascular function were evaluated. All 3 calcium administration rates caused marked increases in both ionized and total calcium concentrations, cardiac index, stroke index, and cardiac contractility (dP/dtmax). Mean arterial pressure and right atrial pressure were unchanged; heart rate decreased markedly during calcium administration. Ionized calcium concentration remained between 54% and 57% of total calcium concentr...
Cox JH, DeBowes RM, Leipold HW.Two cases of congenital malignant melanomas in horses are described in this report. In each case, wide surgical excision of the mass was performed; no recurrence or metastasis was detected after a minimum of 15 months' follow-up. Melanomas are among the most common neoplasms of horses, but they typically develop in gray horses greater than 6 years old.