Topic:Equine Medicine
Equine Medicine encompasses the study and application of medical practices specifically related to the health and well-being of horses. This field involves the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases and disorders affecting equine species. It covers a wide range of topics, including internal medicine, surgery, reproduction, and pharmacology. Research in equine medicine often focuses on understanding the physiological and pathological processes unique to horses, as well as developing effective therapeutic interventions. This page aggregates peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore various aspects of equine medicine, providing insights into the latest advancements and methodologies in the care and management of horse health.
Predicted efficacy and tolerance of different dosage regimens of benzylpenicillin in horses based on a pharmacokinetic study with three IM formulations and one IV formulation. Benzylpenicillin (BP) is a first-line antibiotic in horses but there are discrepancies between manufacturers and literature recommendations regarding dosing regimen. Objectives of this study were to evaluate pharmacokinetics and local tolerance of four different formulations of BP in adult horses, and to suggest optimized dosing regimen according to the formulation. Unassigned: A cross-over design was used in 3 phases for the intramuscular injection of three different products: procaine BP alone, procaine BP/ benzathine BP combination or penethamate hydriodide were administered IM in the glute...
Changes in plasma metabolite concentrations and enzyme activities in aging riding horses. In older horses, basal metabolic rate decreases, and plasma metabolite and hormone concentrations related to energy metabolism change. The occurrence of age-related diseases, which increases in old animals, may enhance inflammatory reactivity (inflammaging). Finding the appropriate treatment for inflammaging at an early stage may prevent various age-related diseases. Changes in metabolite and hormone concentrations and enzyme activities involved in energy metabolism in the plasma of clinically healthy riding horses of various ages were measured to identify biomarkers of inflammaging (persisten...
A novel approach to ear pain in the horse: A case report. During electrochemotherapy (ECT), a chemotherapeutic drug is injected into the tumor and then an electroporation is provided. In horses, ear manipulation may be very painful, and combining a loco-regional technique with sedation might be a good option to avoid anesthesia-related risks. A two-injection-point block of the internal and external pinna and acoustic meatus was described in horse cadavers, and it permitted complete stain of all three branches of the great auricular nerve (GAN), internal auricular nerve branch (IAB), lateral auricular branch (LAB), and caudal auricular nerve (CAN), su...
Effects of astaxanthin on gut microbiota of polo ponies during deconditioning and reconditioning periods. To determine the effects of astaxanthin (ASTX) supplementation on the equine gut microbiota during a deconditioning-reconditioning cycle, 12 polo ponies were assigned to a control (CON; n = 6) or supplemented (ASTX; 75 mg ASTX daily orally; n = 6) group. All horses underwent a 16-week deconditioning period, with no forced exercise, followed by a 16-week reconditioning program where physical activity gradually increased. Fecal samples were obtained at the beginning of the study (Baseline), after deconditioning (PostDecon), after reconditioning (PostRecon), and 16 weeks after the ces...
Findings and Prognosis in 149 Horses with Histological Changes Compatible with Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic disease characterized by different cell infiltrates in the intestine. The aims of this study were to report the clinical and clinicopathological findings in horses with histological changes compatible with IBD in the duodenum. Further, the clinical progression of IBD and survival were investigated. Patient records were reviewed for horses in which histological evidence of IBD was found in duodenal biopsies collected during endoscopy. The histological changes were classified as mild, moderate or severe and the predominant infiltrating cell type was ...
Three-Dimensional Segmentation of Equine Paranasal Sinuses in Multidetector Computed Tomography Datasets: Preliminary Morphometric Assessment Assisted with Clustering Analysis. The paranasal sinuses, a bilaterally symmetrical system of eight air-filled cavities, represent one of the most complex parts of the equine body. This study aimed to extract morphometric measures from computed tomography (CT) images of the equine head and to implement a clustering analysis for the computer-aided identification of age-related variations. Heads of 18 cadaver horses, aged 2-25 years, were CT-imaged and segmented to extract their volume, surface area, and relative density from the frontal sinus (FS), dorsal conchal sinus (DCS), ventral conchal sinus (VCS), rostral maxillary sinus ...
La Tène Horse Remains from Alba Iulia CX 143 Complex: A Whole Story to Tell. The present paper deals with the archaeozoological investigation carried out on a horse skeleton discovered in a Late Iron Age La Tène tomb (coded CX 143) in Alba Iulia, Romania. The paper presents all the results of the investigation, with a description of finds, adding a detailed assessment of the dentition with some interesting conclusions on the usage of a horse bit and the possible consequences of this use. The morphological features of the horse indicate a 7-8-year-old male individual, with a recalculated height of 1200-1300 mm. What is also stressed in the investigated sample is the la...
Outcome of tenoscopically guided palmar/plantar annular ligament desmotomy for the treatment of palmar/plantar annular ligament constriction without concurrent intrathecal soft-tissue injury in a UK horse population. To determine the outcome of tenoscopically guided palmar/plantar annular ligament (PAL) desmotomy to treat PAL constriction without concurrent intrathecal soft-tissue injury, notably of the digital flexor tendons and manica flexoria. Methods: Retrospective multicenter cohort study. Methods: Sixty-five horses. Methods: Horses from four UK equine hospitals, with digital flexor tendon sheath (DFTS) tenosynovitis, which underwent tenoscopically guided PAL desmotomy for treatment of PAL constriction between 2017 and 2022 were included. All horses had lameness isolated to the DFTS/PAL, and PAL const...
Retrospective evaluation of the effects of a single intraoperative dose of dexamethasone in horses undergoing exploratory laparotomy for small intestinal lesions (2008-2019): 240 cases. To determine the effect of a single intraoperative dose of dexamethasone on the risk of postoperative reflux (POR) in horses undergoing small intestinal surgery and to investigate its association with incisional complications and short-term survival. Methods: Retrospective cohort study over an 11-year period (2008-2019). Methods: UK-based private referral center. Methods: Two hundred and forty client-owned horses >6 months of age undergoing exploratory laparotomy for treatment of a small intestinal lesion. Methods: Ninety-seven horses received a single intraoperative dose of dexamethasone ...
Survey-based investigation of sports and leisure horse owners’ approaches to, and expectations of, equine veterinary care. Client satisfaction depends on the balance between expectations and service experience. Previous research identified seven aspects of equine veterinary professional conduct that are important for client satisfaction: quality of care, quality of service, horsemanship, transfer of knowledge, financial aspects, interpersonal skills and professionalism. Methods: By employing a cross-sectional study design through a survey-based investigation, horse owners' initial contact preferences and their perceptions of the importance of various aspects of veterinary care in different scenarios were explored....
Neck pain but not neurologic disease occurs more frequently in horses with transposition of the ventral lamina from C6 to C7. To determine reasons for horses to have neck radiographs performed, the incidence of transposition of the ventral lamina of C6 onto C7 (TC67), and the final diagnoses for all horses. Our hypotheses were to find a similar incidence of TC67, as has been previously reported, and an increased incidence of neck pain and dysfunction in horses with TC67. Methods: 135 horses. Methods: Retrospective observational study. Medical records of 135 horses with cervical vertebral column radiographs between 2020 and 2022 were assessed. Patient signalment, reasons for radiographs, radiographic findings, and dia...
Comparison of inhaled salbutamol and salmeterol for the treatment of arterial hypoxaemia in anaesthetized horses: a randomized clinical trial. To compare the efficacy of inhaled salbutamol with salmeterol for the treatment of arterial hypoxaemia in anaesthetized horses. Methods: Prospective, randomized, clinical study. Methods: A total of 108 client-owned horses (American Society of Anesthesiologists status I-V) anaesthetized for elective and emergency procedures. Methods: Horses were premedicated with acepromazine [intramuscularly 0.1 mg kg or intravenously (IV) 0.05 mg kg] and xylazine (0.6 mg kg IV). Midazolam (0.06 mg kg IV) and ketamine (2.2 mg kg IV) were combined to induce anaesthesia, and isoflurane in oxygen/air mixture (ins...
Opinions regarding equine veterinarian attire and attributes: results of a horse owner survey. To investigate potential equine clients' perceptions of equine veterinarians based on attire. Methods: 763 horse owners/lessees. Methods: Participants were invited to complete a survey shared mainly via equestrian social media pages between August and October 2022.1-3 Survey participants were shown pictures of a male veterinarian and a female veterinarian in 7 outfits ranging from casual to business attire and were asked to score the veterinarian on 7 traits: easygoing attitude, friendliness, compassion, trustworthiness, professionalism, competence, and cost of services. The survey asked which...
Vascularity evaluation of the equine tarsocrural and proximal intertarsal joint septum, and comparative analysis of two arthroscopic transection techniques. To evaluate vascularity of the synovial membrane covered septum (SMS) separating the tarsocrural (TC) and proximal intertarsal (PIT) joints (Part 1) and compare two methods of transection, electrosurgical or Ferris Smith rongeur (FS rongeur) (Part 2). Methods: Experimental study. Methods: Part 1, 10 SMS (n = 5 horses). Part 2, six horses (n = 12 tarsi). Methods: In part 1, SMS harvested postmortem were each divided into eight regions of interest (ROIs), processed for histology, and immunostained with anti-α-actin antibody for blood vessel identification. Vascular density was calculate...
Effect of sperm treatment with lysolecithin on in vitro outcomes of equine intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in horses is currently employed for clinical and commercial uses, but the protocol could be optimized to improve its efficiency. We have hypothesized that destabilization of plasma and acrosomal membranes prior to injection would positively impact the developmental potential of equine zygotes generated by ICSI. This study evaluated effects of the sperm treatment with lysolecithin on plasma and acrosomal membranes and on oocyte activation ability, initially following heterologous ICSI on bovine oocytes and subsequently employing equine oocytes. The effect...
Using infrared thermography for the evaluation of road transport thermal homeostasis in athletic horse. This study aimed to evaluate changes in body temperature in athletic horses during two different road transport distances. Six Italian Saddle horses were subjected to a 100 and 300 km transport during different times of day (am and pm). Rectal and cutaneous temperatures were recorded before (T0), immediately (following 5 min- T1) and 1 hour (T2) after transport by means of a rectal digital thermometer and a thermal infrared camera (FLIR T440) respectively, for the evaluation of left and right side of four body regions: jugular, shoulder, croup and inner thigh. There were no differences between...
ECEIM consensus statement on equine kidney disease. The aim of this consensus statement is to summarize and appraise scientific evidence and combine this with the clinical experience of a panel of experts to optimize recommendations on how to recognize and manage kidney disease in horses.
Dermoid cysts formation is a complication of wound pinch grafting in a horse: A case report. To describe dermoid cyst formation as an uncommon complication of the pinch grafting technique in horses. Methods: Case report. Methods: A 8 year old Arabian gelding. Methods: Clinical presentation, imaging, treatment, and histopathology records were reviewed. The horse originally presented due to delayed healing of a laceration to the distal aspect of the metatarsus. The wound was treated initially with debridement and it was allowed to fill with healthy granulation tissue prior to pinch grafting. Two months after grafting, the horse started to show self-mutilation behavior targeting the woun...
Operational Radiation Safety Considerations During Equine Superficial Radiation Treatment Using Portable X-Ray Devices. Veterinary personnel exposure due to scattered x rays, when present during superficial radiation treatment (SRT), was evaluated. Veterinary personnel presence is needed during SRT to minimize the degree of required aesthesia to horses. Animal treatment was simulated, and exposure rates determined for 50, 70, and 100 kV x rays using eight different SRT applicators. Exposure rates at the surface of a solid water phantom (SWP) phantom ranged from 3.9 mR h-1 to 396 mR h-1 for 50 kV, from 41 mR h-1 to 2,880 mR h-1 for 70 kV, and from 235 mR h-1 to 7,500 mR h-1, for 100 kV, respectively. A horse pha...
Non-Targeted Detection of Synthetic Oligonucleotides in Equine Serum Using Liquid Chromatography-High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry. There is great concern in equine sport over the potential use of pharmaceutical agents capable of editing the genome or modifying the expression of gene products. Synthetic oligonucleotides are short, single-stranded polynucleotides that represent a class of agents capable of modifying gene expression products with a high potential for abuse in horseracing. As these substances are not covered by most routine anti-doping analytical approaches, they represent an entire class of compounds that are not readily detectable. The nucleotide sequence for each oligonucleotide is highly specific, which m...
Molecular cytogenetic screening of sex chromosome abnormalities in young horse populations. Chromosomal abnormalities occur in the equine population at a rate of approximately 2%. The use of molecular cytogenetic techniques allows a more accurate identification of chromosomal abnormalities, especially those with a low rate of abnormal metaphases, demonstrating that the actual incidence in equine populations is higher. Objective: Estimation of the number of carriers of karyotypic abnormalities in a sample from a population of young horses of various breeds, using molecular cytogenetic techniques. Methods: Cross-sectional. Methods: Venous blood samples were collected from 500 young hor...
Risk assessment in equine anesthesia: a first evaluation of the usability, utility and predictivity of the two-part CHARIOT. An accurate risk score that can predict peri-anesthetic morbidity and mortality in equine patients could improve peri-operative management, outcome and client communication. Unassigned: Three hunded horses underwent pre-anesthetic risk assessment using the American Society of Anesthesiologists-Physical Status augmented with equine-specific diseases (ASA-PS-Equine), a multifactorial 10-part rubric risk scale (10-RS), and a combination of both, the Combined horse anesthetic risk identification and optimization tool (CHARIOT). Intra-and post-anesthetic complications, the recovery phase and mortal...
The Application of Infrared Thermography in the Assessment of BEMER Physical Vascular Therapy on Body Surface Temperature in Racing Thoroughbreds: A Preliminary Study. The study aimed to evaluate the impact of BEMER (Physical Vascular Therapy) on body surface temperature using infrared thermography (IRT) in the distal parts of the forelimbs in Thoroughbreds. The study tested the hypothesis that BEMER therapy leads to an increase in body surface temperature and blood vessel diameter in the distal parts of the forelimbs. The study involved 16 horses, split into 2 groups: active BEMER ( = 8) and sham ( = 8). The active BEMER group had BEMER boots applied to the distal parts of the forelimbs, whereas the sham group had BEMER boots applied without activation of t...
The application of a single session of capacitive resistive electric transfer 24 h before exercise modifies the accelerometric pattern in standardbred racing trotters. It has been reported that capacitive resistive electric transfer (CRET) increases blood circulation, hemoglobin oxygenation and temperature in muscles. The attributed benefits of these changes have been linked to improved athletic performance, enhanced muscle flexibility and fastening recovery from exercise-induced fatigue. For all of this, the present research aims to investigate whether the application of CRET 24 h before exercise affects the accelerometric pattern in horses during exercise. Six sound Standardbred trotters were subjected to a CRET session of 40 min of duration, applied on ...
Case report: Equine metacarpophalangeal joint partial and full thickness defects treated with allogenic equine synovial membrane mesenchymal stem/stromal cell combined with umbilical cord mesenchymal stem/stromal cell conditioned medium. Here, we describe a case of a 5-year-old show-jumping stallion presented with severe lameness, swelling, and pain on palpation of the left metacarpophalangeal joint (MCj). Diagnostic imaging revealed full and partial-thickness articular defects over the lateral condyle of the third metacarpus (MC3) and the dorsolateral aspect of the first phalanx (P1). After the lesion's arthroscopic curettage, the patient was subjected to an innovative regenerative treatment consisting of two intra-articular injections of equine synovial membrane mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (eSM-MSCs) combined with umbilic...
Strongylids of Domestic Horses in Eastern Slovakia: Species Diversity and Evaluation of Particular Factors Affecting Strongylid Communities. This study aimed to examine the species diversity and structure of the strongylid community in domestic horses in Eastern Slovakia. Also, an analysis of the impact of age, sex, and collection location factors on the strongyid communities was performed. Methods: Twenty-seven horses 1.5-21 years old from two farms in eastern Slovakia with different horse-management conditions were studied. Strongylids were collected after horse treatments with Noromectin (0.2 mg ivermectin); 66,170 specimens were collected and identified. Faecal egg count reduction test (FECRT) was performed following fenbendaz...
Equine Talocalcaneal subluxation. A Quarter horse filly was evaluated for a two-week old wound of the right hind cannon bone after the mare stepped on her. A sequestrum was noted radiographically and was surgically debrided. After continued follow-up a left hind varus deformity was noted and was corrected with a lateral transphyseal screw in the distal left tibia. After the varus deformity was improved, a lateromedial radiograph was taken of the distal left tibia and tarsus and talocalcaneal subluxation was seen. The same view was taken of the right tarsus and the same deformity was noted. After finding no case reports on the ...
The Best Protocol to Treat Equine Skin Wounds by Second Intention Healing: A Scoping Review of the Literature. Equine skin wound treatment continues to be a challenge for veterinarians. Despite being a frequent practice, it remains difficult to choose an evidence-based treatment protocol. This study aimed to comprehensively explore the literature and provide a scoping review of therapeutic strategies for equine skin wounds and identify knowledge gaps and opportunities for future research. This review was conducted using specific criteria to select literature that described methods to manage second intention wound healing. After removing duplicates and screening papers for suitability, 81 manuscripts we...
Salivary analysis to unveil the paradigma of stress of domestic horses reared in the wild. Horse welfare is the product of multiple factors, including behavioral and physiological adjustments to cope with stressful situation regarding environment and housing condition. Collectively, it is supposed that a horse kept in the wild has a lower level of stress than other housing system, and the aim of the present study was to investigate the level of stress in domestic horses reared in the wild and then moved to human controlled housing, through saliva analysis. Twelve clinically healthy Catria (Italian local breed) mares, usually reared in the wild, were moved into collective paddocks fo...
Ultrasonographic measurement of diaphragm muscle activity for assessment of respiratory function in horses. Ultrasonographic imaging of the diaphragm is a non-invasive alternative for respiratory function evaluation in horses. This study aimed to measure diaphragm thickness, thickening (change in thickness with contraction) and thickening fraction in healthy adult horses during tidal breathing and forced vital capacity. Correlation between body weight (≤400 kg and >400 kg) and diaphragm thickness was investigated. To that purpose, 20 adult horses, weight 409±50 kg, height 1.47±0.05 m, and age 16±6 years were included in the study. Diaphragm thickness was measured at end-inspiration and end-e...