"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.
Zolfaghari Emameh R, Purmonen S, Sukura A, Parkkila S.Foodborne parasites are a source of human parasitic infection. Zoonotic infections of humans arise from a variety of domestic and wild animals, including sheep, goats, cattle, camels, horses, pigs, boars, bears, felines, canids, amphibians, reptiles, poultry, and aquatic animals such as fishes and shrimp. Therefore, the implementation of efficient, accessible, and controllable inspection policies for livestock, fisheries, slaughterhouses, and meat processing and packaging companies is highly recommended. In addition, more attention should be paid to the education of auditors from the quality c...
Barros SC, Ramos F, Fagulha T, Duarte M, Henriques AM, Waap H, Luís T, Costa T, Amador R, Quintans S, Fevereiro M.West Nile fever (WNF) is an emergent disease in Europe, under surveillance in the European Union. Following a 5-year period of apparent silence (autumn 2010 to summer 2015), West Nile virus (WNV) reemerged in the South of Portugal, in July 2015. Here we present data from the onset, geographic location within mainland Portugal, and outcome of clinical cases of WNV infection in horses in 2015 and 2016. During the transmission seasons of 2015 and 2016, twenty-seven horses, most symptomatic (n=20) were found positive to IgM, pr-E immunoglobulins and VNT, leading to the subsequent report to Animal ...
Rochais C, Henry S, Hausberger M.Distractibility (i.e. individual distraction from his ongoing activity) is thoughts to affect daily life. The present study develops an easy way to assess inter-individual variations of distractibility of an animal model, the domestic horse. We developed the 'distractibility test' (DT), based on auditory stimuli, a major source of distraction in daily life. We hypothesized that the broadcast of unusual sounds would provide a reliable source of distraction and that the responses to these unusual sounds would yield a good estimation of a horse's level of distractibility. Validity of the DT was a...
Molento MB, Canever RJ.Cyathostomins are the most prevalent nematodes of horses, and multidrug resistance has been reported worldwide. There is a need to implement alternative drug monitoring analytical tests. The objective of this study was to determine the consistency (5 repetitions) of the larval migration on agar test (LMAT) using ivermectin, moxidectin, pyrantel or albendazole against cyathostomin infective-stage larvae in eight different concentrations. LMAT showed a strong coefficient of determination (R2 > 0.91), between the test repetitions (n=5). The average 50% effective concentration (EC50) for iverme...
Martel G, Crowley D, Olive J, Halley J, Laverty S.Extensive osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) lesions of the lateral ridge of the trochlea of the femur (LRTF), the most common OCD-affected site in the stifle, have a poor outcome with surgical debridement and can be career ending. The early detection of osteochondrosis lesions and their conservative management holds the promise to enhance outcome. We hypothesise that ultrasonography is a valuable field screening tool to detect and monitor early subclinical LRTF osteochondrosis. Objective: The goals were to 1) describe the normal ultrasonographic features of the LRTF in foals of different ages an...
Owen M, Ferjak EN, Cavinder CA, McCarty KJ, Yankey KC, Hart CG, Burnett DD, Dinh T, Lemley CO.The objective of this study was to determine the activity of steroid- and eicosanoid-metabolizing enzymes in horses with varying BCSs. The BCSs of twenty non-pregnant, anoestrous mares were determined prior to euthanasia, and tissue samples were collected from the liver, kidney, adrenal gland, ovary and endometrium. Cytochrome P450 1A (CYP1A), 2C (CYP2C), 3A (CYP3A) and uridine 5'-diphospho-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) activities were determined using luminogenic substrates. The MIXED procedure of SAS was used to test the effect of BCS on enzyme activity and differences between tissues. Activ...
Dong J, Bao H, Mang L.Rhinoestrus sp. (Diptera: Oestridae) is an economically important parasite that can cause severe nasal myiasis in equids and can also affect humans. The ultrastructure of all Rhinoestrus sp. larval instars from Mongolian horse was examined by light and scanning electron microscopy to characterize the features of Rhinoestrus. The structure of the anterior region, posterior region, and the spines of the third segment was analyzed for 10 specimens in each larval stage. Additionally, 34 third-instar (L3) larvae of Rhinoestrus sp. from Mongolian horse were subjected to molecular characterization by...
Marcatili M, Voss SJ, Pollock PJ.To describe a surgical technique for thyroidectomy in horses with thyroid neoplasia under standing sedation and local anesthesia. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Client-owned horses (n = 10). Methods: Medical records of horses with a history of thyroid enlargement were included in the study if thyroid gland enlargement was treated surgically via hemi- or bilateral thyroidectomy, with the horse standing and sedated. Data derived from follow-up clinical examination, performance level, recurrence, and cosmetic outcome were evaluated. Results: Thyroid enlargement was unilateral in 8 and...
Osthaus B, Proops L, Long S, Bell N, Hayday K, Burden F.There are clear differences between donkeys and horses in their evolutionary history, physiology, behaviour and husbandry needs. Donkeys are often kept in climates that they are not adapted to and as such may suffer impaired welfare unless protection from the elements is provided. Objective: To compare some of the hair coat properties of donkeys, mules and horses living outside, throughout the year, in the temperate climate of the UK. Methods: Longitudinal study. Methods: Hair samples were taken from 42 animals: 18 donkeys (4 females, 14 males), 16 horses (6 females, 10 males) and eight mules ...
Ben-Shlomo G.Fundus is an anatomic term referring to the portion of an organ opposite from its opening, and the fundus of the eye is the back portion of the posterior segment of the globe, including the optic nerve, retina, and choroid. Clinically, the fundus can be visualized by direct or indirect ophthalmoscopy. Understanding the normal anatomy and appearance of the equine fundus is crucial for differentiating normal variations from abnormalities. This article reviews the normal anatomy and appearance of the equine fundus and discusses basic and advanced examination techniques. It also discusses common f...
Paschalis-Trela K, Cywińska A, Trela J, Czopowicz M, Kita J, Witkowski L.Equine ocular diseases pose a medical challenge due to long-lasting and cost-consuming therapies as well as economic issues associated with potential decrease in value of affected horses. The scale of the problem is significant but difficult to precisely define because epidemiological data is limited and lacks consistency in presentation. To date, no retrospective studies specifically investigating Arabian horses have been published. Results: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the prevalence of ocular lesions and define the ocular diseases present in Arabian horses from b...
Wotman KL, Johnson AL.Many systemic diseases have ocular manifestations. In some cases, ocular abnormalities are the most obvious or first recognized sign of disease that prompts veterinary evaluation. In other cases, the systemic disease leads to secondary ocular changes that might lead to loss of vision or globe if not addressed. Therefore, recognition of ocular abnormalities that might result from systemic diseases is an essential skill for the equine practitioner. This article provides practitioners with information regarding the most common systemic diseases of horses in North America that have ocular manifest...
Scherrer NM, Lassaline M, Engiles J.To determine the characteristics of and prognosis for ocular and periocular hemangiosarcoma in horses. Methods: Six horses treated for ocular or periocular hemangiosarcoma. Methods: A retrospective review of medical records from 2007 to 2015 was performed to identify horses with a histologic diagnosis of ocular or periocular hemangiosarcoma. Signalment (age, sex, breed), duration of clinical signs, prior treatment, tumor size and location, medical and surgical treatment including postoperative chemotherapy, follow-up time, and outcome were obtained from medical records. Histopathology was revi...
Bellone RR.Advances in equine genetics and genomics resources have enabled the understanding of some inherited ocular disorders and ocular manifestations. These ocular disorders include congenital stationary night blindness, equine recurrent uveitis, multiple congenital ocular anomalies, and squamous cell carcinoma. Genetic testing can identify horses with or at risk for disease and thus can assist in clinical management. In addition, genetic testing can identify horses that are carriers and thus can inform breeding decisions. Use of genetic tests in management and breeding decisions should aid in reduci...
Civello ANE, Dunkel B, Summers BA, Martineau HM.A neurofibroma of granular cell subtype is described in a 7-year-old horse. The horse had a 3-month history of ataxia affecting the forelimbs and hindlimbs, suggesting a C1-C6 neuroanatomical localization. Post-mortem examination revealed an intradural mass arising from the right sixth cervical spinal nerve and compressing the spinal cord. Histologically, the mass was composed largely of wavy spindle cells (a mixture of Schwann cells, perineurial cells and fibroblasts) intimately associated with ropy collagen fibres. Approximately 25% of the spindle cells were swollen and contained densely-pac...
Greco-Otto P, Massie S, Shields E, Roy MF, Pajor E, Léguillette R.The Heavy Horse Pull is a competition where teams of two horses pull an increasingly heavy sled for a short distance. Similar to human wrestlers, some horses may undergo rapid weight change in order to enter a lower weight category. The objectives were to study the physiological effects of this practice as well as of the pulling competition in draft horses. Results: Fifty horses were divided into light-, middle- and heavyweight categories based on their arrival weights and competed 1-3 days after. Body weight was measured upon arrival and pre-competition. Blood was sampled for chemistry and h...
Townsend WM.Examination of the lens is critical, particularly when evaluating horses with visual impairment or performing prepurchase examinations. To adequately evaluate the lens, the pupil must be pharmacologically dilated. A cataract is any lens opacity. The size, density, and position of a cataract determine the impact on vision. Cataracts may be congenital or inherited or occur secondary to trauma or equine recurrent uveitis. Surgical removal is the only treatment option for vision impairing cataracts, but careful selection of surgical candidates is critical for successful outcomes.
Michau TM.Glaucoma is a multifactorial neurodegenerative ocular disease leading to progressive loss of retinal ganglion cells and their axons that form the optic nerve, causing blindness. Knowledge of the pathogenesis and development of equine glaucoma is in its infancy compared with human glaucoma. Glaucoma occurs most commonly secondary to uveitis and may be underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed in horses suffering from uveitis. Recognition and clinical diagnosis of glaucoma in the horse is improved with clinician awareness and the availability of handheld tonometers. Therapy for glaucoma is aimed at decreas...
Estell K.Periocular neoplasia is common in horses. Treatment of the periocular skin and ocular adnexal structures can be technically challenging. Common neoplastic conditions, a treatment algorithm, surgical principles, and therapeutic modalities are reviewed. Regardless of the type of neoplasia found or the treatment that is applied, success is most likely when the neoplastic tumor is small.
Lazić S, Lupulović D, Gaudaire D, Petrovic T, Lazić G, Hans A.Equine arteritis virus (EAV) is responsible for infections in equids. It can spread easily within the horse population and has a major impact on the horse breeding industry. No EAV outbreak has ever been reported in Serbia. To determine whether EAV is nonetheless circulating there, especially in the Vojvodina region, 340 horse serum samples were subjected to serology testing to detect EAV antibodies. In parallel, semen samples from three seropositive stallions were collected to evaluate their EAV status, using RT-qPCR and virus isolation on cell culture. Results: Horse sera with EAV antibodies...
Robles M, Peugnet PM, Valentino SA, Dubois C, Dahirel M, Aubrière MC, Reigner F, Serteyn D, Wimel L, Couturier-Tarrade A, Chavatte-Palmer P.Following embryo transfer (ET), the size and breed of the recipient mare can affect fetal development and subsequent post natal growth rate and insulin sensitivity in foals. Objective: To investigate placental adaptation in pregnancies where increased or restricted fetal growth was induced through ET between Pony, Saddlebred and Draught horses. Methods: In vivo experiment. Methods: Control Pony (P, n = 21) and Saddlebred (S, n = 28) pregnancies were obtained by artificial insemination. Increased pregnancies were obtained by transferring Pony (P-D, n = 6) and Saddlebred (S-D, n = 8) emb...
Horbal A, Reardon RJM, Liuti T, Dixon PM.An ex-vivo study was performed on vertically mounted equine maxillary cheek teeth that had caries of 30 infundibulae, using high and low speed contra-angle dental drills and Hedstrom files to debride infundibular food debris and carious dental tissues. This technique effectively debrided 27/30 infundibulae with a mean depth of 19mm (range 9.4-34.3mm) as assessed by computed tomographic (CT) imaging. The debrided infundibulae were treated with sodium hypochlorite, EDTA and a bonding agent, and then then filled in layers with endodontic restoration materials. Further CT imaging and direct examin...
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...
Dunne K, Brereton B, Duggan V, Campion D.Veterinary nurses report an intrinsic desire to work with animals. However, this motivation may be eroded by poor working conditions and low pay, resulting in the exit of experienced veterinary nurses from clinical practice. This study sought to quantify the level of animal-handling experience students possessed at the start of their training and to explore the factors motivating them to enter veterinary nurse training in two Irish third-level institutions. The authors had noted a tendency for veterinary nursing students to possess limited animal-handling skills, despite their obvious motivati...
Knych HK, Wilson WD, Vale A, Kass PH, Arthur RM, Jones JH.Due to the high prevalence of EIPH in racehorses and its potential impact on the horse's health, furosemide administration is permitted up to 4-h prior to post time in most North American racing jurisdictions. Anecdotal reports suggest that administration of furosemide 24-h prior to strenuous exercise may be equally effective in decreasing the severity of EIPH. Objective: To 1) compare the efficacy of furosemide in reducing the presence and severity of EIPH when administered 4- or 24-h prior to strenuous exercise 2) characterise electrolyte and blood parameters following administration of furo...
Parente EJ.Recurrent laryngeal neuropathy appears to be a simple problem that should have a simple solution, yet the complexity and dynamic nature of laryngeal function is underappreciated. This review highlights the challenges and accomplishments that work towards that greater understanding of what is necessary to find a successful solution.
Mackenzie CJ, McGowan CM, Pinchbeck G, Carslake HB.Evaluation of coagulation status is an important component of critical care. Ongoing monitoring of coagulation status in hospitalised horses has previously been via serial venipuncture due to concerns that sampling directly from the intravenous catheter (IVC) may alter the accuracy of the results. Adverse effects such as patient anxiety and trauma to the sampled vessel could be avoided by the use of an indwelling IVC for repeat blood sampling. Objective: To compare coagulation parameters from blood obtained by jugular venipuncture with IVC sampling in critically ill horses. Methods: Prospectiv...
Spence KL, O'Sullivan TL, Poljak Z, Greer AL.Horses are a highly mobile population, with many travelling locally, nationally, and internationally to participate in shows and sporting events. However, the nature and extent of these movements, as well as the potential impact they may have on disease introduction and spread, is not well documented. The objective of this study was to characterise the movement network of a sample of horses in Ontario, Canada, over a 7-month equestrian season. Horse owners (n = 141) documented their travel patterns with their horse(s) (n = 330) by completing monthly online questionnaires between May and Novemb...
Riihimäki M, Raine A, Pourazar J, Sandström T, Art T, Lekeux P, Couëtil L, Pringle J.The aim of this study was to evaluate the contribution of bronchial epithelium to airway inflammation, with focus on mRNA and protein expression of cytokines of innate immunity IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-alpha, in horses with Recurrent Airway Obstruction (RAO) during exacerbation and in remission. Results: Despite marked clinical and physiologic alterations between exacerbation and after remission in the RAO horses no differences were detected in either cytokine mRNA or protein levels. Moreover, the expression of investigated cytokines in RAO horses on pasture did not differ from controls. In compari...
García-Alfonso C, Martínez-Galisteo E, Llobell A, Bárcena JA, López-Barea J.1. Purification of horse-liver glutathione reductase was obtained by affinity chromatography on N6-(6-aminohexyl)-adenosine-1'5'-bisphosphate Sepharose (N6-2'5'-ADP-Sepharose) and Reactive Red-120-Agarose, and chromatography on DEAE-Sephadex and Sephacryl S-300. 2. The final preparation had 248 U/mg specific activity after 11,174-fold purification with 47% final recovery, and was homogeneous by SDS-electrophoresis. It showed charge heterogeneity in non-denaturing electrophoresis and chromatofocusing, with several peaks of pI between 5.7 and 6.7. 3. The enzyme was homodimeric (107,000 native MW...
Tozaki T, Ohnuma A, Kikuchi M, Ishige T, Kakoi H, Hirota KI, Hamilton NA, Kusano K, Nagata SI.Gene doping is prohibited in horseracing and equestrian sports. In previous studies, we developed non-targeted transgene and genome editing detection methods based on whole genome resequencing (WGR) using genomic DNA extracted from whole blood. In this study, we aimed to develop a WGR method using DNA extracts from hair roots. Hair roots are a preferred substrate because their collection is less invasive than blood collection. Hair is also easier to store for long periods of time. Although almost all genomic DNA extracted from hair root samples stored for years at room temperature was degraded...
Nagel C, Melchert M, Aurich J, Aurich C.Cortisol is involved in the initiation of parturition and we hypothesized that increased maternal cortisol release advances the onset of foaling. Transport is a stressor for horses and induces an increase in cortisol release. To determine stress effects on the time of foaling, late-pregnant mares were transported by road for 3 hours (n = 12) or remained in their stable as controls (n = 4). Starting on day 325 of gestation, saliva and blood samples were taken for cortisol and progestin analysis, respectively. Fetomaternal electrocardiograms were recorded repeatedly. Mares were checked for im...
MacKay RJ, Lester GD.Because hepatocyte-stimulating factor/interleukin 6 (IL-6) is the principal inducer of acute-phase protein synthesis in the liver, quantification of its activity in blood provides an early and sensitive assessment of the acute-phase response. Circulating IL-6 activity was monitored in 4 adult horses for 72 hours after IV administration of endotoxin. In 4 experiments performed at weekly intervals and in randomized order, each horse was given endotoxin--1,000 30, 1, and 0 ng/kg of body weight. Plasma IL-6 activity was quantified as the ability to promote growth of the IL-6-dependent B-cell hybri...
Bond SL, Greco-Otto P, Sides R, Kwong GPS, Léguillette R, Bayly WM.A prospective, randomized, controlled study was designed to determine relative aerobic and anaerobic (lactic and alactic) contributions at supramaximal exercise intensities using two different methods. Thoroughbred racehorses ( = 5) performed a maximal rate of oxygen consumption (V̇o) test and three supramaximal treadmill runs (105, 115, and 125% V̇o). Blood lactate concentration (BL) was measured at rest, every 15 s during runs, and 2, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 min postexercise. In , oxygen demand was calculated for each supramaximal intensity based on the V̇o test, and relative aerobi...
Cercone M, Jarvis JC, Ducharme NG, Perkins J, Piercy RJ, Willand MP, Mitchell LM, Sledziona M, Soderholm L, Cheetham J.Controversy exists over the effects of functional electrical stimulation (FES) on reinnervation. We hypothesized that intramuscular FES would not delay reinnervation after recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLn) axonotmesis. RLn cryo-injury and electrode implantation in ipsilateral posterior cricoarytenoid muscle (PCA) were performed in horses. PCA was stimulated for 20 weeks in eight animals; seven served as controls. Reinnervation was monitored through muscle response to hypercapnia, electrical stimulation and exercise. Ultimately, muscle fiber type proportions and minimum fiber diameters, and RLn...
Saudek V, Boyd J, Williams RJ, Stefani M, Ramponi G.A complete range of two-dimensional NMR experiments was used for the assignment of the 1H-NMR spectrum of horse muscle acylphosphatase. Firstly the spin systems of some easily identifiable amino acid side chains were assigned. These side chains involved all the aromatic residues and all the leucine, valine, isoleucine, threonine, alanine, proline as well as some of the glycine residues. Analysis of nuclear Overhauser enhancement spectra in our previous work had identified the sequential and long-range patterns characteristics for secondary structure elements. This result had also provided the ...
Zak A, Siwinska N, Slowikowska M, Borowicz H, Szpot P, Zawadzki M, Niedzwiedz A.Capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin are alkaloids with analgesic effects in humans and animals. When used locally, both of them minimalise pain sensation by defunctionalising nerve endings. According to the Federation Equestrian International Prohibited Substances List, these are substance banned in horse competitions. The aim of the study was to determine the detection time of capsaicin in both plasma and serum after long-term use of a gel recommended for commercial use and applied as intended. The objective of the study was to select the best material for the detection of capsaicin as a doping su...
Ons E, Van Brussel L, Lane S, King V, Cullinane A, Kenna R, Lyons P, Hammond TA, Salt J, Raue R.The efficacy of Zylexis®, an immunomodulator in horses based on inactivated Parapoxvirus ovis (iPPVO), was assessed using an equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) challenge model in the presence of a natural infection with Streptococcus equi equi (S. equi). Eleven horses were treated with iPPVO and twelve were kept as controls. Six horses were challenged with EHV-1 and commingled with the horses on study. Animals were dosed on Days -2, 0 (just before commingling) and Day 7. On Day 11 significantly less nasal discharge, enlarged lymph nodes, EHV-1 shedding and lower rectal temperatures were observ...
Mama KR, Steffey EP, Pascoe PJ.This study provides baseline information on the potential use of propofol as a general anesthetic for horses. Using a Latin square design, propofol (2, 4, and 8 mg/kg) was administered intravenously on three separate occasions to six mature horses. Information about anesthetic induction, duration, and recovery was recorded along with results of rectal temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, pHa, PaCO2 and PaO2. Statistical analysis included a mixed model analysis of variance, a general linear model analysis and least square means test for post hoc comparisons. A P < .05 was considered si...
Aleman M, Shapiro K, Sisó S, Williams DC, Rejmanek D, Aguilar B, Conrad PA.Recent reports of Sarcocystis fayeri-induced toxicity in people consuming horse meat warrant investigation on the prevalence and molecular characterization of Sarcocystis spp. infection in horses. Sarcocysts in skeletal muscle of horses have been commonly regarded as an incidental finding. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of sarcocysts in skeletal muscle of horses with neuromuscular disease. Our findings indicated that S. fayeri infection was common in young mature horses with neuromuscular disease and could be associated with myopathic and neurogenic processes. The number of in...
Vercruysse EM, Narinx FP, Rives ACM, Sauvage AC, Grauwels MF, Monclin SJ.To describe bacterial isolates and associated antibiotic resistance from horses with ulcerative keratitis in Belgium. Methods: Medical records from horses with ulcerative keratitis presented to the ophthalmology service of the Veterinary teaching hospital of Liege, Belgium, between 2014 and 2021 were evaluated. Bacterial isolates were identified and VITEK® 2 (Biomérieux) provided antimicrobial susceptibility testing and resistance detection. Results: Two hundred eyes of 196 horses were sampled. Ninety-seven eyes had a positive bacterial culture (48.5%) and 139 bacterial isolates were identif...
Morrice-West AV, Hitchens PL, Walmsley EA, Whitton RC.Little is known about the types of surfaces used during training of Thoroughbred racehorses or methods of exercise used in addition to ridden track-work. Our aims were to (1) describe the types of surfaces used in the training of Thoroughbred racehorses and to (2) identify alternative approaches used to exercise horses in addition to, or in place of, ridden overground track-work. Information regarding surface and alternative exercise methods was collected as part of an in-person survey of training practices of 66 registered Thoroughbred trainers in Victoria, Australia. Sand and synthetic surfa...
Ekström PM, Short CE, Geimer TR.This study was done to compare the electroencephalographic (EEG) response evoked by orthopedic surgery in halothane- and isoflurane-anesthetized horses. Eight horses scheduled for bilateral arthroscopic surgery of the stifle were premedicated with detomidine (20 micrograms/kg) intravenously and five minutes later induced to anesthesia with ketamine (2.2 mg/kg) intravenously. Anesthesia was maintained with either halothane or isoflurane. Assignment of inhalation anesthetic was done randomly. The multiple of minimal alveolar concentration (MAC) of halothane required for anesthesia was significan...
Bauquier J, Tudor E, Bailey S.Doramapimod, a p38 MAPK inhibitor, is a potent anti-inflammatory drug that decreases inflammatory cytokine production in equine whole blood in vitro. It may have benefits for treating systemic inflammation in horses. Objective: To determine whether doramapimod is well tolerated when administered IV to horses, and whether it has anti-inflammatory effects in horses in a low-dose endotoxemia model. Methods: Six Standardbred horses. Methods: Tolerability study, followed by a blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled cross-over study. Horses were given doramapimod, and clinical and clinicopathologica...
Menzies-Gow NJ, Bailey SR, Katz LM, Marr CM, Elliott J.Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) infusion reduces digital perfusion, but the mediators responsible remain undetermined. Objective: To identify vasoconstrictor mediators released following LPS infusion and relate their appearance in plasma to digital blood flow alterations. Methods: Blood flow in the lateral digital vessels of 6 Thoroughbred horses, following a 30 min infusion of LPS (E. coli 055:B5; 30 ng/kg), was measured using Doppler ultrasonography. Concomitant measurements of hoof wall and coronary band surface temperatures (HWST and CBST) were made. Serial blood samples were collected and plasma...
Lucassen A, Finkler-Schade C, Schuberth HJ. () fermentation products (SCFP) are used in animal husbandry as pre- and postbiotic feed supplements. A variety of immunomodulatory effects are noted in many species. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that horses fed with SCFP containing feed additive Olimond BB display a modulated early immune response after influenza vaccination. Six horses received Olimond BB pellets (OLI) and five horses were fed placebo pellets (PLA) for 56 days. On day 40 all horses were vaccinated with a recombinant influenza A/equi-2 vaccine. At the day of vaccination, the groups did not differ in t...
Went HA, Scare JA, Steuer AE, Nielsen MK.Recommendations for control of equine strongylid parasites are based on regular determination of fecal egg counts to identify high strongylid shedders and to evaluate treatment efficacy. The McMaster technique has long been used as the standard egg counting technique in equine veterinary practice in most parts of the world, but recent work has found the Mini-FLOTAC technique to perform with significantly better accuracy and precision. The Mini-FLOTAC system comes with a homogenizing device, termed the Fill-FLOTAC, and it has been hypothesized that this device might have a significant impact on...
Begg AP, Johnston KG, Hutchins DR, Edwards DJ.A survey of 2 horse populations was done to detect the number of asymptomatic faecal excretors of Salmonella sp. 1201 faecal samples from 250 horses hospitalised at the University of Sydney were cultured. Three serotypes, S. typhimurium (4 horses), S. anatum (2) and S. tennessee (1) were isolated from 7 horses (2.8%). None was detected in 75 mares similarly examined at a thoroughbred stud farm. In retrospect, S. typhimurium was also the most common (70%) of the 19 serotypes recovered from 171 horses with clinical salmonellosis seen at Camden, 1969 to 1986. Forty cases occurring since 1983 were...
Bessonnat A, Hélie P, Grimes C, Lavoie JP.There is a remodeling of the central airways in horses with severe asthma but whether a similar process occurs in horses with the mild or moderate asthma (MMA) is unknown. Objective: To evaluate lesions affecting the central airways of horses with MMA. Methods: Twelve horses with MMA and 8 control horses. Methods: Case-control retrospective study of horses classified as MMA affected or controls based on history and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cytology. Endobronchial biopsies were analyzed using histomorphometry and a semiquantitative histologic scoring system. Results: Histomorphometry identi...
Vernemmen I, De Clercq D, Decloedt A, Vera L, Van Steenkiste G, van Loon G.The number of atrial premature depolarisations (APDs) is a known risk factor for atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence in humans. Objective: To evaluate if the number of APDs over a 24-h period 5 days post cardioversion predicts AF recurrence within 1 year in horses, taking the multifactorial nature of AF into account. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Eighty horses met these inclusion criteria: first AF episode, no AF recurrence within 5 days post cardioversion, cardioversion by transvenous electrical cardioversion (TVEC), 24-h ECG recording and echocardiographic examination 5 da...
Wearn JG, Suagee JK, Crisman MV, Corl BA, Hulver MW, Hodgson DR, Geor RJ, McCutcheon LJ.Equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) is a condition of obese horses characterized by insulin resistance, systemic inflammation, and an increased risk of laminitis. The pathogenesis of EMS is thought, in part, to be due to inflammatory proteins produced by adipose tissue. Reducing inflammation may decrease the incidence of laminitis in horses with EMS. Pioglitazone hydrochloride, a thiazolidinedione, has efficacy to reduce obesity associated inflammation in humans. Eight normal, adult, horses were administered 1mg/kg pioglitazone for 14 days, and eight horses served as controls. Physical examination...
Hinrichs K, Spensley MS, McDonough PL.To investigate a model for equine endometritis, 12 mares with normal reproductive tracts were divided into 2 groups. All mares received progesterone in oil, 250 mg im, daily. At 5 days after initiation of progesterone administration, the uteri were inoculated with 10(6) colony forming units of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The day of inoculation was designated Day 0. On Day 6, endometrial swab samples yielded P. aeruginosa in 5 mares; samples from the other 7 mares yielded heavy growth of Escherichia coli, Streptococcus zooepidemicus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter spp., Citrobacter diversus, S...
Colic horses show systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) clinical signs. Procalcitonin (PCT) showed increased circulating levels in sick horses. This study compares plasma PCT concentrations in healthy vs. SIRS negative/positive colic horses over time, and evaluates PCT and SIRS score potential correlation, to verify the usefulness of PCT for the evaluation of SIRS severity. Ninety-one horses were included; 43/91 were healthy, on basis of physical examination, blood work and SIRS score (score = 0), while 48/91 were sick colic horses, classified as SIRS-negative (score < 2) and posit...
Mealey KL, Matthews NS, Peck KE, Burchfield ML, Bennett BS, Taylor TS.To compare plasma disposition of the R(-) and S(+) enantiomers of carprofen after IV administration of a bolus dose to donkeys and horses. Methods: 5 clinically normal donkeys and 3 clinically normal horses. Methods: Blood samples were collected from all animals at time 0 (before) and at 10, 15, 20, 30, and 45 minutes and 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 24, 28, 32, and 48 hours after IV administration of a bolus of carprofen (0.7 mg/kg). Plasma was analyzed in triplicate via high-performance liquid chromatography to determine the concentrations of the carprofen enantiomers. A plasma concent...
Düttmann C, Flores B, Kadoch Z N, Bermúdez C S.We document the species of ticks that parasitize livestock in Nicaragua. The study was based on tick collection on cattle and horses from 437 farms in nine departments. Of 4841 animals examined (4481 cows and 360 horses), 3299 were parasitized, which represent 68 % of the bovines and 67 % of the equines in study: 59 cows and 25 horses were parasitized by more than one species. In addition, 280 specimens of the entomological museum in León were examined. The ticks found on cattle were Rhipicephalus microplus (75.2 % of the ticks collected), Amblyomma mixtum (20.8 %), A. parvum (2.6 %), A....
