"Horses" is a broad topic that encompasses various aspects of equine biology, behavior, and management. This category includes studies on the anatomy, physiology, and genetics of horses, as well as their behavior, nutrition, and care. Research in this area may also cover the historical and cultural significance of horses, their roles in agriculture, sport, and therapy, and the challenges associated with their conservation and welfare. The page aggregates peer-reviewed research articles and scholarly studies that explore the multifaceted relationships between humans and horses, examining both scientific and socio-economic perspectives.
Wang H, Li X, Liu BT.Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) have been rapidly increasing among animals in many countries and have been a great threat to public health. Horse riding is becoming increasingly popular worldwide; however, reports of CRE producing NDM or KPC-2, two prevalent types of carbapenemases, from horses of equestrian club are extremely scarce and KPC-2-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae in animals is still rarely characterized. In this study, we identified four NDM-5-producing Escherichia coli isolates from horses in equestrian club in Qingdao, China, and one horse possessing NDM-5-producin...
O'Neill HD, Bladon BM.Current arthroscopic approaches to the caudal pouches of the lateral femorotibial joint are challenging and risk iatrogenic nerve and cartilage injury. Objective: Describe an alternative arthroscopic approach to the caudal pouches of the lateral femorotibial joint in the horse and report intra-articular abnormalities observed during diagnostic stifle arthroscopy of these pouches. Methods: Descriptive cadaver anatomical and clinical study. Methods: An approach to the caudal pouches of the lateral femorotibial joint was developed during clinical surgery using an arthroscopic portal in the poplit...
Jones CJP, Aplin JD, Allen WRT, Wilsher S.From Day 6.5-7 post-conception until its loss around Day 22, the equine embryo is enclosed in a mucinous capsule that prevents direct intercellular interaction between the trophectoderm and uterine epithelium. The embryo is, however, bathed in glycoprotein-rich secretions. In this study, lectin histochemistry was used to characterise the distribution and glycan composition of uterine glycoproteins destined for secretion, and to ascertain the local effect of an embryo on glycosylation in the endometrium. Endometrial biopsies were taken from mares in estrus, on Days 5, 8, 12 and 15 of diestrus, ...
Mangombi JB, Roqueplo C, Sambou M, Dahmani M, Mediannikov O, Comtet L, Davoust B.Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a tick-borne disease that can be contracted by direct contact with viremic animals or humans. In West Africa, recurrent CCHF outbreaks have been constantly observed in Mauritania and Senegal. Moreover, acquisition and epidemiology of the infection in humans are correlated with the occurrence and the seroprevalence of the virus in livestock. The main objective of this study is to provide updated information on the local spread of CCHF in animals in the northern region of Senegal. Out of a total of 283 animal sera collected, CCHF-specific antibodies were...
Metzger J, Kreft O, Sieme H, Martinsson G, Reineking W, Hewicker-Trautwein M, Distl O.Warmblood fragile foal syndrome (WFFS) is a lethal condition detected in Warmblood horses. Its origin and association with performance traits and fertility among horse populations is unknown. Objective: To validate the previously identified WFFS type 1 (WFFST1)-associated missense variant PLOD1:c.2032G>A and to investigate its distribution among various horses with particular focus on Hanoverian breed, as well as its pathomorphological picture. The study aimed at identifying the origin of the mutant allele and its correlation with performance and fertility traits in Warmblood horses. Methods: ...
Millares-Ramirez EM, Picotte K, Lavoie JP.Intra-articular (IA) administration of corticosteroids is performed routinely in equine practice. The lung function of severe asthmatic horses has recently been shown to be improved by IA triamcinolone acetonide (TA). We therefore hypothesised that IA methylprednisolone acetate (MPA), another commonly used corticosteroids, would also decrease the airway obstruction in severe asthmatic horses. Objective: To compare the effects of intra-articular (IA) and intramuscular (IM) methylprednisolone acetate (MPA) administration on lung function and serum cortisol levels in horses with severe asthma. Me...
Keen JA.Pathological bradyarrhythmia is rare in horses but should be especially considered when presented with a horse that has signs consistent with episodic weakness or collapse. This paper reviews the literature describing our current knowledge of, and possible mechanisms causing, clinically significant bradyarrhythmia in horses.
Wong JKY, Chan GHM, Choi TLS, Kwok KY, Lau MY, Leung GNW, Wan TSM, Ho ENM.A high-throughput method has been developed for the doping control analysis of 124 drug targets, processing up to 154 horse urine samples in as short as 4.5 h, from the time the samples arrive at the laboratory to the reporting deadline of 30 min before the first race, including sample receipt and registration, preparation and instrument analysis and data vetting time. Sample preparation involves a brief enzyme hydrolysis step (30 min) to detect both free and glucuronide-conjugated drug targets. This is followed by extraction using solid-supported liquid extraction (SLE) and analysis using liq...
Hopster K, Soma LR, Li X, Hopster-Iversen C, Boston RC, Driessen B.Intravenous (i.v.) bolus administration of xylazine (XYL) (0.5 mg/kg) immediately followed by a continuous rate infusion (CRI) of 1 mg kg hr for 2, 4, and 6 hr produced immediate sedation, which lasted throughout the duration of the CRI. Heart rate decreased and blood pressure increased significantly (p > .05) in all horses during the first 15 min of infusion, both returned to and then remained at baseline during the duration of the infusion. Compartmental models were used to investigate the pharmacokinetics of XYL administration. Plasma concentration-time curves following bolus an...
Herbrecht V, Waldern NM, Mikkelsen SE, Kjaer M, Dittmann MT, Wiestner T, Weishaupt MA.In order to improve the four-beat-rhythm and forelimb action of the tölt in Icelandic horses (ICE), special shoeing techniques are applied particularly in the front hooves by increasing hoof length and height, or by adding weight to the distal limbs. Although regulations limit dorsal hoof wall length (LDHW) in competition ICE, their shoeing often deviates from a biomechanically optimal distal limb conformation. This study aimed to qualitatively and quantitatively describe current shoeing practices of ICE in competition. Moreover, the influence of LDHW on the occurrence of deviations from a st...
Quiñones-Pérez C, Martínez A, Crespo F, Vega-Pla JL.Contagious equine metritis is receiving renewed attention due to the continuous detection of carriers in apparent agent-free farms. Interactions of Taylorella with the seminal microflora may be the plausible cause behind these spontaneous changes of the carrier state. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to compare the differences in the seminal microbiome composition of one stallion in the contagious equine metritis carrier state and non-carrier state. Samples were cryopreserved after their extraction. Cell disruption was performed by high-speed homogenization in grinding media. Bacterial f...
Padalino B, Sandy JR, Barrasso R, Trotta A, Bozzo G, Cafarchia C.A rare case of spp. dermatitis in a horse is presented. After unrelated, previous surgery and antibiotic treatment, a saddle horse showed well-circumscribed areas of non-pruritic alopecia. Suspecting allergic skin disease, the horse was treated with corticosteroids. The skin lesion spread, and a second veterinarian was consulted. At clinical examination, the horse was lethargic, pyretic and hair was shedding/easily epilated over the head, neck, shoulders, and legs and the hind legs were swollen. Blood analysis revealed mild leucocytosis and hyperglobulinemia. Hair, skin scraping, and skin bio...
Padilla SL, Prieto K, Dohm DJ, Turell MJ, Klein TA, Fernández R, Watts DM, Lowen RG, Palacios GF, Pitt ML, Wiley MR, Nasar F.Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) is an important pathogen of medical and veterinary importance in the Americas. In this report, we present the complete genome sequences of five VEEV isolates obtained from pools of Culex (Melanoconion) gnomatos (4) or Culex (Melanoconion) pedroi (1) from Iquitos, Peru. Genetic and phylogenetic analyses showed that all five isolates grouped within the VEEV complex sister to VEEV IIIC and are members of subtype IIID. This is the first report of full-length genomic sequences of VEEV IIID.
Lewis N, Hinrichs K, Leese HJ, McGregor Argo C, Brison DR, Sturmey RG.The use of in vitro embryo production in the horse is increasing in clinical and research settings; however, protocols are yet to be optimised. Notably, the two most commonly used base media for in vitro maturation (IVM) supply glucose at markedly different concentrations: physiological (5.6 mM, M199) or supraphysiological (17 mM, DMEM/F-12). Exposure to high glucose has detrimental effects on oocytes and early embryos in many mammalian species, but the impact has not yet been examined in the horse. To address this, we compared the energy metabolism of equine COCs matured in M199-based maturat...
Miranda-de la Lama GC, Gonzales-Castro CA, Gutierrez-Piña FJ, Villarroel M, Maria GA, Estévez-Moreno LX.Every year thousands of horses from Mexico and the United States of America (USA) are transported to slaughter in Mexico, but little is known about their welfare or pre-slaughter logistics. In this study, we recorded the origin, sex, age and condition of horses (121 journeys, 2648 animals) upon arrival to an abattoir in northern Mexico, including transport details. Horse welfare was measured indirectly via individual scores for body condition, coat quality, lameness, ocular and nasal discharge, as well as reactivity to a chute restraint test, all performed shortly after unloading. The average ...
Welch-Huston B, Durward-Akhurst S, Norton E, Ellingson L, Rendahl A, McCue M.Cardiac arrhythmias are commonly auscultated during routine physical examinations in horses and determining the underlying electrical abnormality using an ECG is important. The most commonly used device is a three-lead base apex system (Televet), however few practitioners carry this for routine visits. With recognition of the utility of smartphone-based ECGs in humans, dogs and ruminants, the AliveCor single-lead bipolar smartphone-based ECG has gained popularity. The objective of this study was to determine if AliveCor and Televet ECG measurements were comparable in healthy horses using multi...
Becker AS, Friedrichs K, Stiles M, Herold K, Seibert C.With the constant evolution of science and advancing technology, future physicians must learn to navigate an ever-changing health care environment by continuous learning throughout their professional careers. Lifelong, self-directed learning is a critical component of medical education to ensure future physicians are adept at identifying knowledge gaps and seeking, analyzing, and communicating new information. To train faculty who teach case-based, self-directed learning, we designed the Clumsy Horse Case. The Clumsy Horse Case was created as part of a faculty development program for facilitat...
Grulke S, Salciccia A, Arévalo Rodríguez JM, Sandersen C, Caudron I, Serteyn D, de la Rebière de Pouyade G.Epiploic foramen entrapment (EFE) of small intestine is a severe cause of strangulating small intestinal obstruction (SSI) with long-term survival seeming lower than for other causes of SSI in horses. Different techniques via laparoscopy or laparotomy for epiploic foramen (EF) closure have been developed. This study describes a technique of peroperative mesh closure of the EF in clinical cases and their long-term follow up. In the study period of 5.5 years, 36 horses were admitted to the clinic with EFE. Of these, 17 horses had peroperative mesh closure, with resection anastomosis in 4 cases a...
Stewart HL, Werpy NM, McIlwraith CW, Kawcak CE.To describe the effects of distal limb immobilization and remobilization in the equine metacarpophalangeal joint. Methods: Randomized, prospective experimental study. Methods: Eight healthy, skeletally mature horses. Methods: One forelimb of each horse was immobilized in a fiberglass cast for 8 weeks; this was followed by 12 weeks of a treadmill-based training program after the cast had been removed. Clinical examinations, radiography, computed tomography (CT), nuclear scintigraphy, MRI, and histomorphometry were used to examine the third metacarpal (MC3), proximal phalanx, proximal sesamo...
Lancioni H, Cardinali I, Giontella A, Antognoni MT, Miglio A.In the last decades, Italy as well as other developed countries have registered a decrease in the population size of many local horse breeds. The continuous crossbreeding has determined the dilution of genetic heritage of several native breeds. The Italian Heavy Draught Horse (IHD) is the only autochthonous Italian coldblooded horse among these breeds; therefore, it represents a resource to be preserved. In 1927, the first generation of this breed was officially created by crossing different Heavy Draught horses with local mares and recorded in a Studbook. Methods: To provide the first compreh...
Loux SC, Conley AJ, Scoggin KE, El-Sheikh Ali H, Dini P, Ball BA.Steroid production varies widely among species, with these differences becoming more pronounced during pregnancy. As a result, each species has its own distinct pattern of steroids, steroidogenic enzymes, receptors, and transporters to support its individual physiological requirements. Although the circulating steroid profile is well characterized during equine pregnancy, there is much yet to be explored regarding the factors that support steroidogenesis and steroid signaling. To obtain a holistic view of steroid-related transcripts, we sequenced chorioallantois (45 days, 4 months, 6 months, 1...
Kuchler M, Zeyner A, Susenbeth A, Kienzle E.Renal energy losses of horses are high in comparison with other species. In the present study, more data were obtained on this parameter to improve predictive equations for renal energy losses. Four adult ponies (247-344 kg body weight [BW]) were fed with eight different diets based on first cut hay, second cut hay, early first cut fresh grass, late cut herbs-grass mix, early cut clover-grass mix, sugar beet pulp, rice bran and straw. Feed intake was measured, and urine and faeces were quantitatively collected for 3 × 12 hr at daytime and afterwards 3 × 12 hr at nighttime. Feed was an...
Hurcombe SD, Morris TB, VanderBroek AR, Habecker P, Wulster K, Hopster K.Horses underwent either cervical epidural space (CES) catheterization or subarachnoid space (SAS) catheterization while restrained in stocks, under deep sedation (detomidine and morphine) and local anesthesia (mepivacaine 2%) block. Catheters were placed under ultrasound guidance with visualization of the dura, SAS, and spinal cord between the first (C1) and second (C2) cervical vertebrae. Following sedation and sterile skin preparation, operator 1 placed under ultrasound guidance, a 6- or 8-inch Tuohy needle with the bevel oriented caudally. For CES, a 6-inch Touhy needle was used with the ha...
Martinez CR, Santangelo KS, Olver CS.Whole transferrin receptor (TfR) is present in reticulocyte exosomes. Soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) is cleaved from whole TfR in human plasma, with the remnant cytoplasmic domain (cTfR) remaining membrane associated. In humans, sTfR is a biomarker that can detect iron deficiency in the presence of inflammatory disease. This condition is still a diagnostic dilemma in veterinary species. We aimed to (1) confirm the presence of exosomes and exosome-associated TfR in the serum of dogs, cats, and horses; and (2) to assess and compare the proportion of cTfR to total (cTfR + whole) in exoso...
Schedlbauer C, Blaue D, Raila J, Vervuert I.Vitamin A, vitamin E and retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) are a focus of current obesity research in humans. The impact of body weight (BW) gain on fat-soluble vitamins and its associated parameters in equines has not been previously reported. Ten Shetland ponies and 9 Warmblood horses, all adult geldings, non-obese and healthy, were fed an excessive energy diet for 20 months to induce BW gain. Serum α-tocopherol (vitamin E), retinol (vitamin A), retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) and retinol/RBP4 ratio were analysed before BW gain induction and at six timepoints during the BW gaining period. ...
Torpiano P, Nestorova N, Vella C.Streptococcus equi subsp. equi is a group C β-hemolytic streptococcus, and is an invasive pathogen with a very restricted host, causing the equine infection known as 'strangles'. It is a poor colonizer in horses, preferentially causing invasion and infection, compared with its ancestor Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus, which is considered an opportunistic commensal of the equine upper respiratory tract. In humans, S. equi subsp. equi causes invasive infections in immunocompromised hosts, often following close contact with horses. Such infections are associated with a high mortality, as...
Hesselkilde E, Linz D, Saljic A, Carstensen H, Kutieleh R, Jespersen T, Sanders P, Buhl R.Three-dimensional electroanatomical mapping is of potential interest in equine cardiology to identify arrhythmia mechanisms, characterise electroanatomical substrates and guide ablation strategies. Objective: To describe three-dimensional electroanatomical mapping in standing horses. Methods: Research methodology, proof of concept study. Methods: Four Standardbred horses (2 geldings, 2 mares, median age 4.5 [4-9] years, mean bodyweight 485 [440-550] kg) were sedated and placed in stocks. Via the jugular vein, a high-density multipolar grid catheter (Advisor™ HD Grid Mapping Catheter with E...
Suliman Y, Becker F, Tuchscherer A, Wimmers K.Horses are seasonal breeders with a natural breeding season beginning in spring and extending through midsummer. In this study, quantitative and qualitative parameters of chilled stallion semen were compared between fertile and subfertile stallions and between the breeding and the non-breeding season. Semen quality parameters compared included ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, total sperm number, sperm morphology, and computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA)-derived sperm movement characteristics obtained from two groups of warmblood stallions ( ; four fertile stallions and four subfert...
Connelly C, Norton NA, Hurley DJ, Hart KA, Meichner K, Gogal RM.Peripheral blood is commonly sampled to assess the health status of human and veterinary patients. Venous blood collection is a minimally invasive procedure, and in the horse, the common collection site is the jugular vein. Post blood collection, sample processing for leukocyte enrichment can vary by research laboratory with the potential to yield different effects on the enriched cells and their function. The focus of the present study was to compare a common blood dilution-leukocyte enrichment technique using a Histopaque gradient medium (His) to a modified leukocyte buffy coat syringe-lymph...
Haga HA, Dolvik NI.To determine whether the bispectral index (BIS) can be used as an indicator of degree of CNS depression in isoflurane-anesthetized horses. Methods: 10 Standardbred and 6 Norwegian cold-blooded trotter stallions admitted for routine castration. Methods: A 2-channel referential electrode configuration was used to record EEG for calculation of BIS by the EEG monitor. The BIS was calculated before (awake) and after (sedated) administration of detomidine (0.01 mg/kg of body weight, IV) and butorphanol (0.01 mg/kg, IV). Anesthesia was induced with ketamine hydrochloride (2.5 mg/kg, IV) and diazepam ...
Allen WR, Wilsher S.Over the past 50 years, per season pregnancy rate in Thoroughbred mares have risen from 70 to >90% and foaling rates from 55 to >80%. Some of the significant pharmacological treatments and diagnostic methods which have driven this marked improvement in breeding efficiency are reviewed. They include the application of artificial lighting to hasten the onset of ovulatory oestrous cyclicity in early Spring, rapid steroid hormone assays to aid in determining the stage and normality of the mare's cycle, prostaglandin analogues, synthetic progestagens and Gonadotrophin-releasing Hormone (GnRH) anal...
Starke SD, Robilliard JJ, Weller R, Wilson AM, Pfau T.Walking and running are two mechanisms for minimizing energy expenditure during terrestrial locomotion. Duty factor, dimensionless speed, existence of an aerial phase, percentage recovery (PR) or phase shift of mechanical energy and shape of the vertical ground reaction force profile have been used to discriminate between walking and running. Although these criteria work well for the classification of most quadrupedal gaits, they result in conflicting evidence for some gaits, such as the tölt (a symmetrical, four-beat gait used by Icelandic horses). We use established pattern recognition meth...
Rosas CT, Tischer BK, Perkins GA, Wagner B, Goodman LB, Osterrieder N.The immunogenicity in horses of a recombinant equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) vaccine expressing West Nile virus (WNV) prM and E proteins was studied. To construct the recombinant EHV-1, two-step en passant mutagenesis was employed for manipulation of a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) of vaccine strain RacH. Recombinant EHV-1 stably expressed the WNV prM and E proteins as demonstrated by indirect immunofluorescence and Western blotting. In addition, growth properties in vitro of the EHV-1/WNV recombinant were found to not be significantly different from those of the parental virus. To ...
Dyson S, Murray R, Schramme M, Branch M.The differential diagnosis of foot pain has long proved difficult and the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offers the opportunity to further the clinical understanding of the subject. Objective: To determine the incidence of deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) injuries in a series of 75 horses with lameness associated with pain localised to the digit, with no significant detectable radiographic or ultrasonographic abnormalities, using MRI; and to describe a variety of lesion types and relate DDF tendonitis with anamnesis, clinical features, response to local analgesic techniques and nucle...
Kelmer G, Bell GC, Martin-Jimenez T, Saxton AM, Catasus C, Elliot SB, Meibohm B.Previous studies have shown that regional limb perfusion (RLP) using the palmar digital (PD) vein delivers therapeutic concentration of amikacin to the distal limb. Our hypothesis was that using the cephalic and saphenous veins for RLP will enable delivery of therapeutic concentrations of amikacin to the distal limb. Nineteen healthy horses participated in the study. The cephalic, saphenous, or PD vein was used to perfuse the limb with amikacin. Two grams of amikacin was used for RLP using the saphenous and the cephalic veins, and one gram was used in the PD vein. Synovial samples were collect...
Ujvari S, Schwarzwald CC, Fouché N, Howard J, Schoster A.Point-of-care (POC) diagnostic tests with good sensitivity and specificity are needed for diagnosing failure of transfer of passive immunity (FTPI) in foals. Turbidimetric immunoassays (TIA) have these characteristics and provide quantitative results. A commercially available TIA-based POC test (POC-TIA) has not been validated in horses. Objective: To validate a POC-TIA and compare results of POC-TIA, a POC-ELISA, and radial immunodiffusion (RID). Methods: Heparinized blood samples (n = 127) from 48 hospitalized foals (<12 hour to 48 days). Methods: Prospective validation study. IgG concentrat...
Górniak W, Cholewińska P, Szeligowska N, Wołoszyńska M, Soroko M, Czyż K.Exercise significantly affects the body of both animals and humans, including the composition of the digestive microbiome. This study aimed to determine the changes in the composition of the most numerous bacterial phyla (Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes, as well as the level of the family) in the digestive system of horses under the influence of physical effort. The study included a group of 17 Thoroughbred racehorses at the age of 3 years, fed the same forage, from whom feces samples were collected individually before and 48 h after physical effort. The obtained samples were subjected to DNA is...
Georgescu SE, Manea MA, Dudu A, Costache M.The existence of the Hucul horse on Romanian territory has been documented from the very distant past; today Hucul is a unique breed that is part of the FAO Program for the Preservation of Animal Genetic Resources. We compared Hucul with several primitive European and Asiatic breeds in order to elucidate the origin of these horses. We analyzed a 683-bp mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) D-loop fragment in a population of Hucul horses and compared the polymorphic sites with sequences from other primitive breeds, including Exmoor, Icelandic Pony, Sorraia, Przewalski Horse, Mongolian Wild Horse, Konik, an...
Villagómez DA, Lear TL, Chenier T, Lee S, McGee RB, Cahill J, Foster RA, Reyes E, St John E, King WA.We described the clinical, cytogenetic and molecular findings of 17 clinical equine cases presented for abnormal sexual development and infertility. Six horses with an enlarged clitoris had an XX, SRY-negative genotype, which displayed male-like behavior (adult individuals). Bilateral ovotestes were noted in 2 of those cases, while another case showed increased levels of circulating testosterone. Six horses with a female phenotype, including normal external genitalia, had an XY, SRY-negative genotype. These individuals had small gonads and an underdeveloped internal reproductive tract. Four ho...
Longland AC, Barfoot C, Harris PA.The aim of this study was to determine the amounts of water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC), WSC constituents and protein leached from a range of U.K. hays soaked according to common practice. Initial hay WSC content ranged from 123 to 230 g/kg dry matter (DM). Soaking the hays for up to 16 hours in water at a mean temperature of 8°C resulted in a mean loss of 27 per cent (range 6 to 54 per cent) of hay WSC. The mean percentage losses of WSC constituents were 24 per cent (range 14 to 31) for fructan, 41 per cent (range 21 to 70) for fructose, 45 per cent (range 28 to 100) for sucrose and 56 per ce...
Karabatsos N, Lewis AL, Calisher CH, Hunt AR, Roehrig JT.A virus, strain 64A-1519, isolated from the brain of a horse dying of encephalitis in Florida in 1964, was identified as western equine encephalomyelitis (WEE) virus. Recently, we used polyclonal and monoclonal immune reagents to identify this isolate by comparing it to 2 strains of WEE virus and to Highlands J (HJ) virus in hemagglutination-inhibition, immunofluorescent antibody, and plaque-reduction neutralization tests. These tests demonstrate that strain 64A-1519 is a strain of HJ virus distinct from WEE virus.
Li D, Mattoo P, Keller JE.Hyperimmune monovalent antitoxins to botulinum neurotoxin serotypes A and B have been produced by immunizing horses with newly developed formalin toxoids. After primary immunization, horses developed acceptable prophylactic antibody titers (1-5 IU/mL). Three horses received additional toxoid booster injections to induce hyperimmune antibody titers with antitoxin-A and antitoxin-B titers reaching peaks of approximately 2000 IU/mL and 150-625 IU/mL, respectively. Titers were quantified throughout the process by antigen-capture ELISA and by in-vivo neutralization. ELISA titers and neutralization ...
Yildirim A, Okur M, Uslug S, Onder Z, Yetismis G, Duzlu O, Ciloglu A, Simsek E, Inci A.Horses might play an important role as reservoir hosts in the epidemiology of Enterocytozoon bieneusi, which is one of the most important zoonotic microsporidian pathogens, with a wide range of hosts. Nevertheless, limited information is available on the infection rates and genotypes of E. bieneusi in horses, and no data are available on the occurrence and molecular characteristics of E. bieneusi in horses in Turkey. We determined the prevalence of E. bieneusi among horses raised on farms from two provinces of Central Anatolia Region, by amplification of the partial small subunit ribosomal RNA...
David F, Levingstone TJ, Schneeweiss W, de Swarte M, Jahns H, Gleeson JP, O'Brien FJ.An unmet need remains for a bone graft substitute material that is biocompatible, biodegradable and capable of promoting osteogenesis safely in vivo. The aim of this study was to investigate the use of a novel collagen-hydroxyapatite (CHA) bone graft substitute in the clinical treatment of a mandibular bone cyst in a young horse and to assess its potential to enhance repair of the affected bone. A 2 year-old thoroughbred filly, presenting with a multilobulated aneurysmal bone cyst, was treated using the CHA scaffold. Post-operative clinical follow-up was carried out at 2 weeks and 3, 6 and...
McFarlane D.Despite there being only 2 common endocrine diseases in horses, pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) and equine metabolic syndrome (EMS), diagnosis is still confusing. Failing to consider horse factors and treating based on laboratory results only have caused many animals to receive lifelong drug treatment unnecessarily. Increased plasma ACTH, baseline or TRH stimulated, supports a diagnosis of PPID; however, breed, age, thriftiness, illness, coat color, geography, diet, and season also affect ACTH concentration. Insulin dysregulation, the hallmark of EMS, can result from insulin resis...
Emenius G, Larsson PH, Wickman M, Härfast B.The objective was to establish an ELISA to detect horse allergen in ambient air and settled dust. Methods: Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) were produced against extracts of horse antigen. Two mAbs were selected and used in a sandwich ELISA. By the aid of portable pumps, air samples were collected in one stable and in the ambient air surrounding this stable. Furthermore, settled dust was collected by wiping spots with pieces of fabric, at sites within 500 m of the stable. Results: Extracts of horsehair could be extensively diluted and still be positive. Extracts of cat and dog allergen failed to b...
Schvartz G, Edery N, Moss L, Hadad R, Steinman A, Karniely S.We report the isolation of Equid herpesvirus 8 from a rescued donkey that suffered severe postcastration complications. Despite intensive treatment, the donkey deteriorated and was euthanized. Postmortem virologic analysis revealed the isolation of a herpesvirus that is closely related to herpesviruses reported from donkeys and horses in Australia, China, and Ireland, causing respiratory disease in donkeys and abortion in mares. To our knowledge, this is the first report of this equid herpesvirus in Israel. The potential significance of this herpesvirus to the equid population in Israel needs ...
Smith HJ.A group of seven ponies naturally infected with large numbers of small strongyles and raised under conditions to minimize reinfection were treated periodically over a three year span with thiabendazole at the rate of 44 mg/kg body weight. Based on the absence of worm eggs in the feces following each treatment, thiabendazole removed the adult strongyles present with a new population subsequently developing by maturation of inhibited larvae. It took as many as four or five treatments to eliminate or reduce significantly the worm burdens present in the ponies under the conditions of this study. S...
O'Rourke KI, Perryman LE, McGuire TC.Antibody responses in horses with equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) were examined to determine their cross-neutralizing capacity. Antibodies induced by infection with any of six biologically cloned variants of EIAV cross-neutralized multiple variants from the group. Anti-EIAV antibody was found in both the IgG and IgG(T) subclasses in plasmas with virus-neutralizing activity and the majority of antiviral antibody was of the IgG(T) subclass. Depletion of IgG(T) did not increase the neutralization indexes of either neutralizing or non-neutralizing plasma samples.
Theelen MJP, Beukers M, Grinwis GCM, Sloet van Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbaan MM.Iron toxicosis is rarely reported in horses and chronic excessive oral iron intake has not been reported to cause clinical symptoms in equids. Objective: This case series describes 21 genetically unrelated horses and one donkey with chronic iron overload causing haemochromatosis and hepatopathy. Methods: Case series. Methods: All equids showing clinical signs compatible with chronic liver disease presented to Utrecht University and diagnosed with iron overload and haemochromatosis based on histopathological evaluation of liver tissue and/or blood transferrin saturation levels of >80% and proof...
Williams ZJ, Velez-Irizarry D, Gardner K, Valberg SJ.Myofibrillar myopathy in humans causes protein aggregation, degeneration, and weakness of skeletal muscle. In horses, myofibrillar myopathy is a late-onset disease of unknown origin characterized by poor performance, atrophy, myofibrillar disarray, and desmin aggregation in skeletal muscle. This study evaluated molecular and ultrastructural signatures of myofibrillar myopathy in Warmblood horses through gluteal muscle tandem-mass-tag quantitative proteomics (5 affected, 4 control), mRNA-sequencing (8 affected, 8 control), amalgamated gene ontology analyses, and immunofluorescent and electron m...
Kay BH, Pollitt CC, Fanning ID, Hall RA.Eleven weanling horses were inoculated with Murray Valley encephalitis and Ross River viruses either by intravenous injection or by the bite of Culex annulirostris or Aedes vigilax mosquitoes infected orally. Five of the 11 horses circulated trace amounts of MVE virus for 1 to 5d and they infected 7/408 Cx annulirostris which subsequently fed on them. Haemagglutination-inhibiting antibody persisted at detectable levels for the 24-week observation period. With Ross River virus, only one of 11 horses inoculated developed a viraemia detectable by inoculation of suckling mice but 5 horses containe...
Mueller MK, Sween C, Frank N, Paradis MR.OBJECTIVE To assess relationships between horse owners (or lessees) and geriatric or nongeriatric horses and to investigate factors influencing veterinary care decision-making. DESIGN Descriptive, cross-sectional, survey-based study. SAMPLE 2,879 people who owned or leased ≥ 1 horse. PROCEDURES Participants were recruited through social media and online horse forums to participate in an online survey about their horses, including measures of attachment, veterinary care decision-making, and experiences surrounding the death of a horse. Data were collected for primary horses (those respondents...
Kupczyk P, Rykala M, Serek P, Pawlak A, Slowikowski B, Holysz M, Chodaczek G, Madej JP, Ziolkowski P, Niedzwiedz A.The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is composed of cannabinoid receptors type 1 (CBR1) and type 2 (CBR2), cannabinoid-based ligands (endogenous chemically synthesized phytocannabinoids), and endogenous enzymes controlling their concentrations. Cannabinoid receptors (CBRs) have been identified in invertebrates and in almost all vertebrate species in the central and peripheral nervous system as well as in immune cells, where they control neuroimmune homeostasis. In humans, rodents, dogs, and cats, CBRs expression has been confirmed in the skin, and their expression and tissue distribution become di...
Castejón F, Trigo P, Muñoz A, Riber C.There is limited understanding of the uric acid response to endurance races. Objective: To demonstrate uric acid increments and its relationship to diverse biochemical and performance parameters, in horses subjected to a prolonged effort, with and without presentation of metabolic alterations. Methods: Blood samples were taken from horses the day before, and 5-10 mins after, successfully finishing a 121 km (Assay 1, n = 24) or 164 km endurance race (Assay 2, n = 17), and from 19 animals eliminated by metabolic disorders during several endurance races (Assay 3). Plasma was obtained and determin...
Collins J, Hanlon A, More S, Duggan V.The equine industries in Ireland are vibrant and growing. They are broadly classified into two sectors: Thoroughbred racing, and sports and leisure. This paper describes these sectors in terms of governance, education and training in equine welfare, and available data concerning horse numbers, identification, traceability and disposal. Animal welfare, and specifically equine welfare, has received increasing attention internationally. There is general acceptance of concepts such as animal needs and persons' responsibilities toward animals in their care, as expressed in the 'Five Freedoms'. As y...
Webb AI, Weaver BM.Seventeen horses were dissected and their organs and tissues weighed. The results of these dissections are presented together with comparisons of the data with that already available in the literature. Predictive equations for organs and tissue weights are also given which were derived by comparison of linear and allometric regression models using 4 different body weight indices.
