"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.
Kendall A, Anagrius K, Gånheim A, Rosanowski SM, Bergström K.Recommendations for prophylactic vaccination against tetanus in horses vary greatly between countries and have scarce scientific support in the peer-reviewed literature. In human medicine, recommended booster vaccination intervals are also very variable, but are considerably longer than for horses. More information is needed about the duration of immunity induced by modern vaccines. Objective: To investigate if the duration of antibody titres previously determined to be protective against tetanus differ from what is indicated by recommended vaccination intervals for horses. Methods: Prospectiv...
Sumbria D, Das Singla L, Sharma A.A cross-sectional study was conducted in Submountain undulating, Undulating plain, Western and Western plain agro-climatic zones of Punjab province, India, to determine the prevalence, agreement between diagnostic tests and associated related risk factors of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi infection in equids (horses, donkey, mules). An overall prevalence of 14.14 and 0.0% of T. equi and B. caballi was recorded by multiplex polymerase chain reaction targeting 18S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) for both the parasites and 75 and 1.11% by competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in a representative...
Jones LE, Dyson SJ.To describe in detail the radiographic appearance of ossified ungular cartilages in horses and to evaluate the usefulness of a flexed dorsolateral-palmaromedial oblique (flexed oblique) radiographic view in evaluating the ungular cartilages. Methods: Retrospective case series. Sample-Radiographs of 1,255 front feet of horses. Methods: Ossification of the ungular cartilages was graded during evaluation of radiographs on a scale from 0 to 5; feet with cartilages with an ossification grade ≥ 2 were included (386 feet [271 horses]). The shape (straight, curved outward or inward, and dorsopalmar ...
Elfving K, Malmsten J, Dalin AM, Nilsson K.Both Rickettsia helvetica and Anaplasma phagocytophilum are common in Ixodes ricinus ticks in Sweden. Knowledge is limited regarding different animal species' competence to act as reservoirs for these organism. For this reason, blood samples were collected from wild cervids (roe deer, moose) and domestic mammals (horse, cat, dog) in central Sweden, and sera were tested using immunofluorescence assay to detect antibodies against spotted fever rickettsiae using Rickettsia helvetica as antigen. Sera with a titer ≥1:64 were considered as positive, and 23.1% (104/450) of the animals scored positi...
Miller SM, Katzwinkel RH.This case report shows that keratomas can occur in both hind feet of equine patients and should be considered as a diagnosis for long-standing, intermittent lameness localised to the hooves. A Thoroughbred racehorse presented with long-standing abscessation of the right hind hoof. Owing to the long-standing nature, the abscess draining tract was surgically explored. A focal mass was found within the solar horn. Histopathology revealed the mass to be a keratoma. A similar mass was removed from the left hind hoof a few months later after similar presenting signs. This case shows that keratomas c...
Martin Giménez T, Aguirre Pascasio CN, de Blas Giral I.Andalusian horses have been proposed as a breed predisposed to equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) phenotype [1] because they are prone to exhibiting regional, generalised adiposity and tendency to laminitis [2]. Insulin dysregulation represents the main pathophysiological cause for all the features of EMS, however there are no epidemiological studies in this breed. Objective: To assess insulin dysregulation through insulin proxies in Andalusian horses with different levels of obesity. Methods: Cross-sectional study. Methods: One hundred and sixty-four Andalusians (78 stallions and 86 mares, 2-15 ...
Lotstra RJ, van den Broek J, Power T, Marr CM, Wijnberg ID.Atrial fibrillation is a common equine arrhythmia. Quinidine alone, or with digoxin are common treatments. Studies on outcome in Warmblood populations in which duration of the AF is often unknown are limited. Objective: To identify the factors that are associated with the success of full treatment cardioversion with oral medication, and establish whether there are differences in these factors between institutions. Methods: Retrospective case series using patient records of Equine University Clinic of Utrecht University and Rossdales Equine Hospital, Newmarket. Methods: Forty-nine horses treate...
van Loon G, Lefère L, Bauwens C, Kleyn K, Broux B, De Clercq D, Deprez P.Yellow fat disease or steatitis is characterised by a local or general inflammation of fat tissue and is occasionally found in horses. Diagnosis is challenging because of the wide range of nonspecific clinical signs. Objective: To describe clinical signs, treatment, outcome and ultrasonographic findings in horses with steatitis. Methods: Retrospective study (January 2008 to January 2015). Methods: History, clinical signs, ultrasonographic findings, diagnosis, treatment and outcome were recorded. Results: Twenty cases (18 horses, 2 donkeys; 9 mares, 9 stallions, 2 geldings) were retrieved from ...
Lotstra RJ, van den Broek J, Power T, Marr CM, Wijnberg ID.Atrial fibrillation is a common equine arrhythmia. Quinidine alone, or with digoxin are common treatments. Studies on outcome in Warmblood populations in which duration of the AF is often unknown are limited. Objective: To identify the factors that are associated with the success of full treatment cardioversion with oral medication, and establish whether there are differences in these factors between institutions. Methods: Retrospective case series using patient records of Equine University Clinic of Utrecht University and Rossdales Equine Hospital, Newmarket. Methods: Forty-nine horses treate...
Klier J, Geis S, Steuer J, Reese S, Fuchs S, Mueller RS, Winter G, Gehlen H.New therapeutic strategies to modulate immune responses in human and equine allergic airway diseases are under extensive investigation. Stimulation of Treg cells with immune modulating agents is a novel therapeutic option. Objective: The aim of this field study was to compare the effects of a nebulised nanoparticulate CpG immunotherapy (CpG-GNP) with and without specific allergens. Methods: Longitudinal clinical study comparing 2 therapeutic options. Methods: Twenty RAO-affected horses were divided into 2 treatment groups (CpG alone and CpG with allergens). Two specific allergens were selected...
Lotstra RJ, van den Broek J, Power T, Marr CM, Wijnberg ID.Atrial fibrillation is a common equine arrhythmia. Quinidine alone, or with digoxin are common treatments. Studies on outcome in Warmblood populations in which duration of the AF is often unknown are limited. Objective: To identify the factors that are associated with the success of full treatment cardioversion with oral medication, and establish whether there are differences in these factors between institutions. Methods: Retrospective case series using patient records of Equine University Clinic of Utrecht University and Rossdales Equine Hospital, Newmarket. Methods: Forty-nine horses treate...
Vanschandevijl K, Nollet H, Vercauteren G, Ducatelle R, Deprez P.Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is an electrophysiological technique used to elicit motor evoked potentials (MMEPs) to evaluate the functional integrity of the descending motor fibres in the spinal cord. Successful application of the technique was reported in horses with spinal cord compression. However, limited data are available on the correlation of TMS with histopathological changes. Objective: To determine sensitivity of TMS for assessing the integrity of the spinal cord in horses with compressive lesions of the spinal cord. Methods: Case series. Methods: The study was conducted o...
Kalamanova A, Stringer AP, Freeman SL, Burford JH.Colic is a common reason for owners to seek veterinary treatment for their working equids in Morocco. There is no information available regarding cultural, religious or educational barriers to obtaining treatment or about the typical workload of these animals which may predispose them to colic. Objective: To characterise the typical workload and feeding regimens of working equids in Morocco; to characterise the ability of owners to recognise the clinical signs and causes of colic; and to identify specific barriers to the veterinary treatment of colic. Methods: Questionnaire-based survey. Metho...
Bochnia M, Ziegler J, Sander J, Uhlig A, Schaefer S, Vollstedt S, Glatter M, Abel S, Recknagel S, Schusser GF, Wensch-Dorendorf M, Zeyner A.Hypoglycin A (HGA) in seeds of Acer spp. is suspected to cause seasonal pasture myopathy in North America and equine atypical myopathy (AM) in Europe, fatal diseases in horses on pasture. In previous studies, this suspicion was substantiated by the correlation of seed HGA content with the concentrations of toxic metabolites in urine and serum (MCPA-conjugates) of affected horses. However, seed sampling was conducted after rather than during an outbreak of the disease. The aim of this study was to further confirm the causality between HGA occurrence and disease outbreak by seed sampling during ...
Lotstra RJ, van den Broek J, Power T, Marr CM, Wijnberg ID.Atrial fibrillation is a common equine arrhythmia. Quinidine alone, or with digoxin are common treatments. Studies on outcome in Warmblood populations in which duration of the AF is often unknown are limited. Objective: To identify the factors that are associated with the success of full treatment cardioversion with oral medication, and establish whether there are differences in these factors between institutions. Methods: Retrospective case series using patient records of Equine University Clinic of Utrecht University and Rossdales Equine Hospital, Newmarket. Methods: Forty-nine horses treate...
Hardeman LC, van der Meij BR, Back W, van der Kolk JH, Wijnberg ID.In cases of laminitis, an increased muscle force or contracture of the deep digital flexor muscle (DDFM) is suggested, but evidence-based research is lacking. Objective: To test if the DDFM of laminitic equines shows an increased muscle force detectable by needle-EMG including Interference Pattern Analysis (IPA). Methods: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Three groups consisted of Group 0 (control): 6 Royal Dutch Sport horses, 3 Shetland ponies and one Welsh pony (healthy, sound adults, mean ± s.d. weight 411 ± 217 kg). Group 1: 3 Royal Dutch Sport horses, one Friesian, one Haflinger...
Satchell G, McGrath M, Dixon J, Pfau T, Weller R.Infrared imaging is becoming popular as an aid to traditional diagnostic tools, its repeatability under practically relevant conditions is still discussed. Objective: We hypothesise that time of day, ambient temperature and relative humidity affect thermography readings, and that there is no difference between values from left and right side. Methods: Repeated thermography in a convenience sample. Methods: Fifteen sound horses were thermographically imaged at 3 time points in the same day (08.00, 12.00 and 16.00 h). Images were taken of the following regions: neck, carpus, distolateral thora...
Keller SA, Fürst AE, Kircher P, Ringer S, Kuemmerle JM.To report the clinical findings and outcome of locking compression plate (LCP) fixation of tarsal subluxations in horses. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Horses (n = 3) and ponies (2). Methods: All horses and ponies diagnosed with tarsal subluxations and treated with LCP fixation at our institution between 2011 and 2013 were included. Data were collected from the medical records, including all radiographic and computed tomographic (CT) studies and reviewed. Long-term (>1 year) followup examination, including owner interview, and clinical and radiographic examinations were perfo...
Allen JL, Herbert G, Muscatello G, Gilkerson JR.Bronchopneumonia caused by Rhodococcus equi is an important disease of young horses throughout the world. Although early diagnosis and treatment improves the prognosis, this also increases the amount of antimicrobial usage and therefore increases the likelihood of resistance developing. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the level of resistance to commonly prescribed antimicrobial agents of 97 virulent Rhodococcus equi isolates. Methods: Analysis of archived samples. Methods: Virulent Rhodococcus equi isolates were collected between 1991 and 2014 from clinically affected horses ...
Lotstra RJ, van den Broek J, Power T, Marr CM, Wijnberg ID.Atrial fibrillation is a common equine arrhythmia. Quinidine alone, or with digoxin are common treatments. Studies on outcome in Warmblood populations in which duration of the AF is often unknown are limited. Objective: To identify the factors that are associated with the success of full treatment cardioversion with oral medication, and establish whether there are differences in these factors between institutions. Methods: Retrospective case series using patient records of Equine University Clinic of Utrecht University and Rossdales Equine Hospital, Newmarket. Methods: Forty-nine horses treate...
Lotstra RJ, van den Broek J, Power T, Marr CM, Wijnberg ID.Atrial fibrillation is a common equine arrhythmia. Quinidine alone, or with digoxin are common treatments. Studies on outcome in Warmblood populations in which duration of the AF is often unknown are limited. Objective: To identify the factors that are associated with the success of full treatment cardioversion with oral medication, and establish whether there are differences in these factors between institutions. Methods: Retrospective case series using patient records of Equine University Clinic of Utrecht University and Rossdales Equine Hospital, Newmarket. Methods: Forty-nine horses treate...
Froydenlund TJ, Dixon PM, Smith SH, Reardon RJ.The morphology of the dorsal (DCB) and ventral (VCB) nasal conchal bullae, including their cellulae, drainage and histology, are poorly described. The recent recognition that these bullae can become infected, causing chronic unilateral nasal discharge has stimulated interest in these structures. A more complete understanding of their anatomy would be useful in the diagnosis and treatment of their disorders. Objective: To document the structure, drainage and histology of the equine DCB and VCB. Methods: Descriptive. Methods: Fourteen fresh cadaveric horse heads, were transected sagittally midli...
Lotstra RJ, van den Broek J, Power T, Marr CM, Wijnberg ID.Atrial fibrillation is a common equine arrhythmia. Quinidine alone, or with digoxin are common treatments. Studies on outcome in Warmblood populations in which duration of the AF is often unknown are limited. Objective: To identify the factors that are associated with the success of full treatment cardioversion with oral medication, and establish whether there are differences in these factors between institutions. Methods: Retrospective case series using patient records of Equine University Clinic of Utrecht University and Rossdales Equine Hospital, Newmarket. Methods: Forty-nine horses treate...
Johns I, McParland T, Mair T.Pleural effusion (PE) is reported to occur most commonly secondary to bacterial pneumonia or lung abscesses, with neoplastic effusions contributing the minority of cases. The majority of these reports originate from America and Australia, where long distance transport of horses, a recognised risk factor, appears to occur more frequently. Anecdotally, neoplastic PE is more commonly diagnosed in the UK. Objective: To describe the causes of PE in horses resident in the UK, and to identify potential markers that can help differentiate between infectious and neoplastic causes of PE. Methods: Retros...
Lotstra RJ, van den Broek J, Power T, Marr CM, Wijnberg ID.Atrial fibrillation is a common equine arrhythmia. Quinidine alone, or with digoxin are common treatments. Studies on outcome in Warmblood populations in which duration of the AF is often unknown are limited. Objective: To identify the factors that are associated with the success of full treatment cardioversion with oral medication, and establish whether there are differences in these factors between institutions. Methods: Retrospective case series using patient records of Equine University Clinic of Utrecht University and Rossdales Equine Hospital, Newmarket. Methods: Forty-nine horses treate...
Toombs-Ruane LJ, Riley CB, Rosanowski SM, Kendall AT, Benschop J.Decreased efficacy of veterinary antimicrobials and increased prevalence of multi-drug resistance (MDR) is of concern, but little is known of antimicrobial resistance encompassing the New Zealand (NZ) equine population. Recent concerns have arisen over the emergence of multi-resistant bacteria [1], especially on NZ stud farms where antibiotics are frequently used for respiratory disease without veterinary input [2]. Objective: To describe bacterial culture and antimicrobial sensitivity results from respiratory samples submitted of young horses (4 weeks to 3 years old). Methods: Retrospective s...
Delesalle CJ, Callens C, Van Colen I, Lefebvre RA.Selective 5-HT4 receptor agonists such as prucalopride are used as human prokinetics, since activation of 5-HT4 receptors on intestinal cholinergic neurons facilitates acetylcholine release. 5-HT4 receptors, linked to adenylyl cyclase, act via generation of cAMP. None of the 4 in vitro studies on 5-HT in horses provided evidence for neuronal 5-HT4 receptors, but none used the protocol as described in human studies [1-4]. Objective: To investigate whether functional 5-HT4 receptors are present in the equine small intestine. Methods: In vitro organ bath set up, applying electrical field stimulat...
Tavanaeimanesh H, Dezfouli MR, Vajhi A, Rostam A, Akbarinejad V, Sadeghian Chaleshtori S, Corley KT.The cardiovascular effects and duration of action of hypertonic saline are not yet fully understood in the horse. Objective: To determine the effects of hypertonic saline on cardiac measurements derived from echocardiography over a period of 90 min after infusion in euvolaemic and healthy horses. Methods: Experimental study. Methods: Five healthy conscious euvolaemic horses were infused with 5 ml/kg bwt hypertonic saline via a jugular catheter over 1 h. Immediately prior to infusion and at 0, 20, 40, 60 and 90 min after the completion of the infusion, echocardiographic images were obtained fro...
Bardell DA, Archer DC, Milner PI.Colic remains a life-threatening condition in the horse. Ischaemia and reperfusion following correction of small intestinal strangulation may produce oxidative stress. The ability to withstand oxidative stress depends on antioxidant levels and may be linked to horse survival. Objective: To measure peripheral antioxidant levels in horses undergoing exploratory laparotomy with small intestinal strangulation. Methods: Case-control study. Methods: Blood and plasma were collected from horses undergoing exploratory laparotomy for small intestinal strangulation and stored at -80°C. Controls involved...
Weese JS, Sabino C.Antimicrobials had been administered to 38/55 (69%) racing standardbred and Thoroughbred horses with poor performance, subsequently diagnosed with nonseptic inflammatory airway disease. Horses with cough were more commonly treated (P = 0.02). In almost all cases, no clinical signs suggested that bacterial infection was present. Inappropriate use of antimicrobials was common. Des antimicrobiens ont été administrés à 38/55 (69 %) chevaux standardbreds et chevaux pursang affichant une piètre performance, diagnostiqués par la suite avec une maladie inflammatoire aseptique des voies respirat...
Maitho TE, Lees P, Taylor JB.The disposition of phenylbutazone (4.4 mg/kg), administered intravenously to six Welsh Mountain ponies, was described by a two-compartment open model. Pharmacokinetic parameters were not significantly different after morning dosing in comparison with afternoon dosing. When phenylbutazone (4.4 mg/kg) was administered orally to the same ponies, marked variations in time to peak concentrations were produced with different feeding schedules. When access to hay was permitted before and after dosing, the mean time to peak concentration was 13.2 +/- 1.2 h and double peaks in the plasma concentration-...
Maher JK, Tresnan DB, Deacon S, Hannah L, Antczak DF.Down-regulation of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes by trophoblast cells is considered to be a primary mechanism preventing maternal immune rejection of the fetal-placental unit in mammalian pregnancy by rendering these cells, which form the primary barrier between mother and fetus, relatively non-antigenic. In situ hybridization with probes encoding human and horse MHC class I genes was used to characterize the pattern of MHC class I mRNA expression in the various forms of horse trophoblast. Strong hybridization signals were observed in the invasive trophoblast cells of chorionic ...
Herd HR, Sula MM, Starkey LA, Panciera RJ, Johnson EM, Snider TA, Holbrook TC.This report describes 2 genetically related paint mares, case Nos. 1 and 2, presented to the Oklahoma State University Boren Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital for chronic weight loss and abnormal gait, respectively. Notable findings in both cases included marked persistent eosinophilia and multiple intramuscular lateral thoracic masses. Histologic examination of masses revealed eosinophilic, centrally necrotic granulomas and marked eosinophilic myositis. Granulomas in case No. 1 also contained intralesional Sarcocystis sp material, and adjacent muscle fibers contained intact protozoal cysts...
Shepherd ML, Pleasant RS, Crisman MV, Werre SR, Milton SC, Swecker WS.The objective of this study was to determine the effects of high and moderate non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) hay on insulin, glucose, triglyceride, and leptin concentrations in overweight Arabian geldings. Eight adult overweight (average BCS 7 [9-point scale]) Arabian geldings were fed each of two orchardgrass hays, high NSC (18% DM) and moderate NSC (12% DM), in a cross over design during two 28-day periods. Body weight and body condition score assessment along with blood sampling to measure insulin, glucose, leptin, and triglyceride concentrations were performed on days 0, 7, 14, 21 and ...
Redgate SE, Cooper JJ, Hall S, Eady P, Harris PA.Choice feeding is often used to investigate an animal's nutritional requirements and dietary preferences. A problem with this approach is that animals with long gut transit times, such as the horse, may find it difficult to associate a chosen food with its nutritional consequence when alternative foods are presented simultaneously. One solution is to present foods singly for a period of time before a simultaneous choice session to allow the development of learned associations. This method was used to determine if horse's voluntary intake and feeding behavior was influenced by the macronutrient...
Hansen RA, Savage CJ, Reidlinger K, Traub-Dargatz JL, Ogilvie GK, Mitchell D, Fettman MJ.An 18-week feeding trial was performed to investigate the effects of an omega-3 (n-3) fatty acid-enriched ration on plasma fatty acid concentrations and platelet aggregation in healthy horses. Flaxseed oil served as the source of the n-3 fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). Twelve horses were fed dietary maintenance requirements using a complete pelleted ration (80%) and timothy grass hay (20%) for a 2-week acclimation period before being randomly assigned either to a treatment (group 1) or control (group 2) group. Group 2 horses (n = 6) were fed the diet described in the acclimation period,...
Lind EO, Christensson D.In the last few years stud farms have experienced increasing problems with Parascaris equorum infections in foals despite intensive deworming programs. This has led to the question as to whether the anthelmintic drugs used against this parasite are failing. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of ivermectin, fenbendazole and pyrantel on the faecal output of ascarid eggs of foals. Methods: A Faecal Egg Count Reduction Test (FECRT) was performed on nine large studs in Sweden. Anthelmintic drugs were given orally and faecal samples were examined for ascarid eggs on the day of deworming an...
Szczerbal I, Nowacka-Woszuk J, Kopp-Kuhlman C, Mackowski M, Switonski M.X monosomy is the most common disorder of sex development in horses. Although cytogenetic analysis is still the gold standard in the diagnosis of equine X monosomy, novel molecular techniques are being sought to quickly and reliably detect this chromosome abnormality. Objective: The goal of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of a novel variant of the PCR technique-namely, droplet digital PCR (ddPCR)-in the detection of X monosomy in mares. Methods: A proof of concept of the usefulness of ddPCR in diagnosing an abnormal number of X chromosomes in mares. Methods: We examined an infertile ...
Sild E, Värv S, Kaart T, Kantanen J, Popov R, Viinalass H.The maternal and paternal genetic variation of horse breeds from the Baltic Sea region, including three local Estonian breeds, was assessed and compared with that of Altai and Yakutian horses. In the mtDNA D-loop region, 72 haplotypes assigned to 20 haplogroups in the nine breeds were detected. In Estonian local breeds, 38 mtDNA haplotypes were found, and five of them were shared by the three breeds. More than 60% of all identified haplotypes were rare. Compared with the Estonian Native and Estonian Heavy Draught breeds, a higher haplotypic diversity was found in the Tori breed (h = 0.969). ...
de Roodt AR, Lanari LC, Lago NR, Bustillo S, Litwin S, Morón-Goñi F, Gould EG, van Grootheest JH, Dokmetjian JC, Dolab JA, Irazú L, Damin CF.Samples of Apis mellifera mellifera venom from different hives in two regions of the Buenos Aires province and its pool were analyzed for their lethal potency, myotoxic, defibrinogenating, hemolytic and inflammatory-edematizing activity and for the histological alterations they produce in the heart, lungs, kidneys, skeletal muscle and liver of mice. In vitro studies focused on the venom's hemolytic activity in different systems and species (horse, man, sheep and rabbit), the cytotoxicity in cellular lines, and on the proteolytic and coagulant activity in plasma and fibrinogen. Hemolytic activi...
Hadush B, Ameni G, Medhin G.Therapeutic effects of Sodium Iodide (NaI), Potassium Iodide (KI), ground berries of "Endod" (Phytolacca dodecandra) and Penstrip were evaluated on 70 cases of equine hitoplasmosis (EH). Response to each treatment was assessed using clinical examination of the lesions. Statistically significant difference (P = 0.0036) in therapeutic effect was observed among the different remedies. Cases treated either with a combination of NaI and Penstrip (F = 6.34, P = 0.004) or "Endod" and Penstrip (F = 3.64, P = 0.031) demonstrated significant response. The difference in response to treatment between earl...
Matsuda H, Koyama H, Oikawa M, Yoshihara T, Kaneko M.Addition of sera, collected from Thoroughbred horses after sprint exercise, induced significant neurite outgrowth from chick embryo dorsal root ganglia after a 24-hour culture. The nerve growth factor (NGF)-like activity was detected in sera collected immediately, or 1 hour or more, after the exercise. These findings suggest a possible role of serum NGF-like activity under stress conditions (running exercise) of horses.
Pass DA, Bolton JR.Four cases of chronic eosinophilic gastroenteritis in horses are described. The disease was manifested clinically by weight loss, malabsorption and diarrhea of soft, formless feces. A chronic inflammatory reaction, with diffuse and focal eosinophilic infiltrates, was present in the esophagus, stomach, small and large intestine, and mesenteric lymph nodes. The cause of the lesion was not determined but was thought to the due to an ingested allergen, as the lesion is indicative of an on-going, immediate hypersensitivity reaction. One horse had generalized acanthosis, hyperkeratosis, and ulcerati...
Johnston JK, Divers TJ, Reef VB, Acland H.Ten horses with clinical signs consistent with cholelithiasis were evaluated. Fever, icterus, mild intermittent colic, and weight loss were reported. Clinical laboratory abnormalities included leukocytosis, hyper-proteinemia, and hyperfibrinogenemia. Gamma glutamyltransferase and liver isoenzyme of lactate dehydrogenase activities also were high. Choleliths were observed via ultrasonography of the liver in 5 of the 8 horses evaluated, and increased echogenicity of the hepatic parenchyma and dilated bile ducts were observed in all horses. Seven horses were treated medically, 5 of which died or ...
Gerstenberg C, Allen WR, Stewart F.Immunohistochemical detection of the proliferation marker Ki-67 antigen was used to monitor mitotic activity in the endometrium of mares. The monoclonal antibody MIB1 was validated for use on equine tissues by demonstrating its reaction with activated peripheral blood lymphocytes, and endometrial biopsies were recovered from 26 non-pregnant mares at selected stages during the reproductive cycle. The proportion of positively stained nuclei was counted in five random areas on each histological section to determine the percentage and type of proliferating cells. Multiplication rates in the types ...
Wilmink JM, van den Boom R, van Weeren PR, Barneveld A.The acceptance of skin grafts in horses is unpredictable and the final cosmetic result can be disappointing. Besides movement and infection, graft failure is often caused by chronic inflammation, inherently present during second intention healing of limb wounds in horses. In human burns affected by infection and inflammation, the acceptance of the island skin grafts of the modified Meek technique appeared to be better than meshed sheet skin grafts. Objective: The percentage take of Meek micrografts is higher than of other techniques; and rates of both wound contraction and epithelialisation ar...
Craig DR, Shivy DR, Pankowski RL, Erb HN.Obstructive esophageal disorders in 61 horses included feed or foreign body impaction (27 horses), strictures (18 horses), perforations (11 horses), and diverticula (5 horses). Horses with feed impaction were treated nonsurgically (25 horses) or by esophagotomy (2 horses). Survival to discharge was 78%, and 37% of these had persistent chronic obstruction at home. Long-term survival was 52%. Long-term survival of nine horses treated nonsurgically for esophageal strictures was 22%; for nine horses treated surgically it was 44%. Long-term survival of horses treated nonsurgically was significantly...
Nishiura H, Satou K.An outbreak of equine influenza (H3N8) occurred among fully vaccinated racehorses in Japan from August to September, 2007. To assess the potential effectiveness of public health interventions other than vaccination (i.e. movement restriction, isolation and quarantine), which started immediately on the date of detection of the first febrile case, a simple epidemiological model was developed and applied to the observed data. The epidemic curves in five racehorse facilities revealed consistent temporal patterns: (i) a sharp increase in symptom onset of cases during the first 3 days, which is thou...
Pérez-Nogués M, Vaughan B, Phillips KL, Galuppo LD.To determine the safety and efficacy of caudal cervical articular process joint arthroscopy by using needle arthroscopy in standing sedated horses. Methods: Prospective experimental case series. Methods: Six adult horses. Methods: Three horses underwent exploration of bilateral C5-6 vertebral articular process joints and three bilateral C6-7 articular process joints by using a 1.2 × 65-mm needle arthroscope under standing sedation. The 16-gauge arthroscopic trocar and canula assembly was inserted in the desired articular process joint under ultrasonographic guidance without distention of ...
Cequier A, Romero A, Vázquez FJ, Vitoria A, Bernad E, Fuente S, Zaragoza P, Rodellar C, Barrachina L.Immunomodulation and immunogenicity are pivotal aspects for the therapeutic use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Since the horse is highly valuable as both a patient and translational model, further knowledge on equine MSC immune properties is required. This study analysed how inflammation, chondrogenic differentiation and compatibility for the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) influence the MSC immunomodulatory-immunogenicity balance. Equine MSCs in basal conditions, pro-inflammatory primed (MSC-primed) or chondrogenically differentiated (MSC-chondro) were co-cultured with either autolo...
Niedzwiedz A, Jaworski Z.Systemic oxidative stress in horses with recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) is poorly characterized. Objective: The goal of this study was to investigate whether equine RAO is associated with systemic disturbances in the oxidant-antioxidant equilibrium. Methods: Seven healthy horses and 7 horses with symptomatic RAO. Methods: A prospective study. Healthy and RAO-affected horses were exposed to a 48-hour challenge with moldy hay and straw to induce clinical exacerbation of RAO. Venous blood was collected and the activities of the superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidas...
Brown JA, Mapes S, Ball BA, Hodder AD, Liu IK, Pusterla N.To determine the incidence of equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) infection among Thoroughbreds residing on a farm on which the virus was known to be endemic. Methods: Prospective cohort study. Methods: 10 nonpregnant mares, 8 stallions, 16 weanlings, 11 racehorses, and 30 pregnant mares and their foals born during the 2006 foaling season. Methods: Blood and nasopharygeal swab samples were collected every 3 to 5 weeks for 9 months, and placenta and colostrum samples were collected at foaling. All samples were submitted for testing for EHV-1 DNA with a PCR assay. A type-specific EHV-1 ELISA was used t...
Love EJ, Taylor PM, Murrell J, Whay HR, Waterman-Pearson AE.The aim of this randomised, observer-blinded, crossover study was to compare the effects of six treatments, administered intravenously to six horses: saline and saline (S/S); detomidine and saline (D/S); detomidine and 5 µg/kg buprenorphine (D/B5); detomidine and 7.5 µg/kg buprenorphine (D/B7.5); detomidine and 10 µg/kg buprenorphine (D/B10); and detomidine and 25 µg/kg butorphanol (D/BUT). The detomidine dose was 10 µg/kg for all treatments in which it was included. Sedation was subjectively assessed and recorded on a visual analogue scale. Peak sedation, duration of sedation and the are...
The study evaluated the intra- and inter-observer measurement variability of an osteophytosis metacarpophalangeal joint scoring system. Ten () dorso/palmar, latero/medial, and oblique views of equine metacarpophalangeal joints affected by osteoarthritis were examined. Nine assessment points were graded (scale: 0-3) twice by five veterinary students (inexperienced group, I) and four equine veterinary surgeons (expert group, E). The grades for each of the nine factors were summed to obtain the osteophytosis score. The variability between the two measurements was -2.04 ± 3.5, 95% CI -3.04 to -1....
Kikuchi N, Iguchi I, Hiramune T.A survey of K. pneumoniae was performed on cervical swabs, feces and nasal swabs of mares and on samples from the genital tract of stallions from 1980 to 1986 in south-western Hokkaido, Japan. K1 was the predominant type (79 of 88, 89.8%) in the metritis cases due to K. pneumoniae in mares of racing breeds. The same type was isolated from semen and swabs of the fossa glandis of 6 of 20 (30.0%) of the stallions of racing breeds. Heavily encapsulated and less heavily encapsulated K1 strains were isolated from the stallions. Mares bred to stallions carrying heavily encapsulated strains developed ...
Baird A, Dominguez Falcon N, Saeed A, Guest DJ.Horses, like humans, can experience bone fractures and due to their large size and the need to bear weight on all limbs during the recovery period, they can be difficult to treat. Surgical techniques to improve fracture repair are improving, but to date, regenerative medicine technologies to aid fracture healing are not commonly applied in horses. We have previously demonstrated that equine induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) can be differentiated into bone forming osteoblasts in 2D culture. In this study, we report on the use of a thermoplastic, 3D-printed polymer to provide a scaffold for...
Pradel J, Chalvet Monfray K, Molia S, Vachiéry N, Rousteau A, Imbert D, Martinez D, Sabatier P, Lefrançois T.In Guadeloupe, West Nile virus (WNV) activity was first observed in equids in 2002, and a high seroprevalence was found in 2003. The objective of our study was to determine individual and environmental factors associated with the risk of WNV seropositivity during 2002-2003. Fieldwork was conducted to retrospectively determine the location of equids at the time of virus circulation and to collect information regarding environmental and individual variables. Sera were collected from 369 equids out of an estimated total population of less than 500. Thirty-four environmental and individual variabl...
