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Topic:Horses
"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.
Antibody responses induced by experimental West Nile virus infection with or without previous immunization with inactivated Japanese encephalitis vaccine in horses. A group of horses immunized with inactivated Japanese encephalitis (JE) vaccine (JE-Immune Group) and a group of non-immunized horses (Non-Immune Group) were infected with West Nile virus (WNV). After WNV infection, neutralizing (Nt) antibody (Ab) titers to WNV were higher than those to JE virus (JEV) in the Non-Immune Group, but the NtAb titers to JEV were higher than those to WNV during most of the post-challenge observation period in the JE-Immune Group. Immunoglobulin M (IgM) Abs to WNV tested positive in the Non-Immune Group but negative in the JE-Immune Group, except for in one horse. Th...
Effect of firocoxib or flunixin meglumine on recovery of ischemic-injured equine jejunum. To determine whether treatment of horses with firocoxib affects recovery of ischemic-injured jejunum, while providing effective analgesia. Methods: 18 horses. Methods: Horses (n = 6 horses/group) received saline (0.9% NaCl) solution (1 mL/50 kg, IV), flunixin meglumine (1.1 mg/kg, IV, q 12 h), or firocoxib (0.09 mg/kg, IV, q 24 h) before 2 hours of jejunal ischemia. Horses were monitored via pain scores and received butorphanol for analgesia. After 18 hours, ischemic-injured and control mucosa were placed in Ussing chambers for measurement of transepithelial resistance and permeability to lipo...
Serum homocysteine and oxidative stress evaluation during exercise in horse. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the influence of exercise on serum homocysteine and oxidative stress in Thoroughbreds during official races. For our study, ten Thoroughbred mares, 5 years old and clinically healthy, were used. The horses were trained to take part in an official 2100 meter race. Reactive oxygen species (dROMs), antioxidant barrier (Oxy-adsorbent), thiol antioxidant barrier (SHp) and homocysteine (sHcy) were investigated. Blood samples, collected from each horse at rest, immediately after the race, and 30 and 180 min after the end of the race, were collected by jugul...
Risk factors of colic in horses in Austria. A hospital-based case study was conducted at the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna for a 1-year period. The purpose of this study was to determine possible alterable and non-alterable risk factors of equine colic in Austria. The investigated parameters were obtained from hospital medical records (individual factors, duty of the horse, deworming, change in diet and water intake), from questionnaires (feed intake, watering types, housing and pasture practices) and from http://www.orf.at (weather-related factors). Moreover, 221 collected feed samples were investigated through hygienic qual...
Molecular evidence for persistence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in the absence of clinical abnormalities in horses after recovery from acute experimental infection. Anaplasma phagocytophilum infects several mammalian species, and can persist in sheep, dogs, and calves. However, whether this organism persists in horses or induces long-term clinical abnormalities is not known. Objective: To evaluate whether A. phagocytophilum can persist in horses and to document clinical findings for 3 months after complete recovery from acute disease. Methods: Five clinically normal adult horses that had recovered spontaneously from experimentally induced acute disease caused by a Swedish equine isolate of A. phagocytophilum. Methods: Horses were monitored for up to 129 d...
Multiple oral dosing of valacyclovir in horses and ponies. The aim of the current study was to investigate whether multiple oral dosing of valacyclovir could result in plasma concentrations exceeding the EC(50)-value of acyclovir against equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV1) during the majority of the treatment period. Additionally, we wanted to determine the concentration of acyclovir in nasal mucus and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Valacyclovir was administered to four horses and two ponies, three times daily, at a dosage of 40 mg/kg, for four consecutive days. Blood was collected prior to each administration and 1 h after dosing. Nasal mucus samples and CSF wer...
Electrophysiological characterization of electrolyte and nutrient transport across the small intestine in horses. The aim of this study was to characterize the transport mechanisms of electrolytes and nutrients across the jejunum of nine healthy horses electrophysiologically. The stripped mucosa was mounted in Ussing chambers and tissue conductances (G(t)) and short circuit currents (I(sc)) were continuously monitored. After blocking the sodium and potassium channels with amiloride, tetraethylammonium chloride (TEA) and barium, chloride secretion was stimulated by carbachol and forskolin. Subsequently, chloride channels were inhibited by 4,4'-diisothiocyanato-stilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid, 5-nitro-2-(3-ph...
Lack of detectable equine herpesviruses 1 and 2 in paraffin-embedded specimens of equine sarcoidosis. Equine sarcoidosis is a rare, multisystemic, noncaseating, granulomatous and lymphoplasmacytic disease of unknown etiology. A recent report described a horse with granulomatous skin disease displaying histologic, electron microscopic, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) findings consistent with equine herpesvirus 2 (EHV-2). Objective: To investigate the presence of EHV-2 and equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) in 8 horses with sarcoidosis. Methods: Eight horses with sarcoidosis, reported previously. Methods: Retrospective study. PCR assays of the tissues were performed to detect DNA associated with E...
Suture exostosis causing obstruction in the nasolacrimal duct in three horses. Three horses were presented with facial swelling and epiphora. Results: All horses had facial swellings and radiographic findings consistent with exostosis at the lacrimomaxillary suture, and ipsilateral epiphora. Positive contrast dacryocystorhinography demonstrated that the site of obstruction of the nasolacrimal duct was located where the duct traverses the lacrimomaxillary suture. Methods: Lacrimomaxillary suture exostosis. Conclusions: Lacrimomaxillary suture exostosis should be considered as a differential diagnosis in cases of epiphora in horses. Dacryocystorhinography, preferably retro...
Effect of administration of propofol and xylazine hydrochloride on recovery of horses after four hours of anesthesia with desflurane. To compare characteristics of horses recovering from 4 hours of desflurane anesthesia with and without immediate postanesthetic IV administration of propofol and xylazine. Animals-8 healthy horses (mean +/- SEM age, 6.6 +/- 1.0 years; mean body weight, 551 +/- 50 kg). Methods: Horses were anesthetized twice. Both times, anesthesia was induced with a combination of xylazine hydrochloride, diazepam, and ketamine hydrochloride and then maintained for 4 hours with desflurane in oxygen. Choice of postanesthetic treatment was randomly assigned via a crossover design such that each horse received an ...
Mixed inheritance of equine recurrent airway obstruction. Mode of inheritance of equine recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) is unknown. Objective: Major genes are responsible for RAO. Methods: Direct offspring of 2 RAO-affected Warmblood stallions (n = 197; n = 163) and a representative sample of Swiss Warmbloods (n = 401). Methods: One environmental and 4 genetic models (general, mixed inheritance, major gene, and polygene) were tested for Horse Owner Assessed Respiratory Signs Index (1-4, unaffected to severely affected) by segregation analyses of the 2 half-sib sire families, both combined and separately, using prevalences estimated in a representa...
Influence of bone cements on bone-screw interfaces in the third metacarpal and third metatarsal bones of horses. To compare biomechanical strength, interface quality, and effects of bone healing in bone-implant interfaces that were untreated or treated with calcium phosphate cement (Ca-cement), magnesium phosphate cement (Mg-cement), or polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) in horses. Methods: 6 adult horses. Methods: 4 screw holes were created (day 0) in each third metacarpal and third metatarsal bone of 6 horses. In each bone, a unicortical screw was placed in each hole following application of Ca-cement, Mg-cement, PMMA, or no treatment (24 screw holes/treatment). Screws were inserted to 2.82 N m torque. Hors...
Equine herpesvirus-1 consensus statement. Equine herpesvirus-1 is a highly prevalent and frequently pathogenic infection of equids. The most serious clinical consequences of infection are abortion and equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM). In recent years, there has been an apparent increase in the incidence of EHM in North America, with serious consequences for horses and the horse industry. This consensus statement draws together current knowledge in the areas of pathogenesis, strain variation, epidemiology, diagnostic testing, vaccination, outbreak prevention and control, and treatment.
Effects of intravenous administration of pirfenidone on horses with experimentally induced endotoxemia. To characterize effects of IV administration of pirfenidone on clinical, biochemical, and hematologic variables and circulating tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha concentrations in horses after infusion of a low dose of endotoxin. Methods: 18 healthy adult horses. Methods: Horses were randomly assigned to 3 groups (n = 6 horses/group) and administered an IV infusion of 30 ng of endotoxin/kg or saline (0.9% NaCl) solution during a 30-minute period. Lipopolysaccharide-pirfenidone horses received endotoxin followed by pirfenidone (loading dose of 11.6 mg/kg and then constant rate infusion [CRI] at...
Reproducibility of airway responsiveness in horses using flowmetric plethysmography and histamine bronchoprovocation. Inflammatory airway disease has a high prevalence in horses, but is often a diagnostic challenge. Flowmetric plethysmography and histamine bronchoprovocation (FP/HBP) is a simple and effective tool for diagnosis, but reproducibility of these measurements made over time has not been established. Objective: We hypothesize that the measurement of airway responsiveness in horses using FP/HBP is consistent over both short and long periods of time. Methods: Twenty-nine healthy adult horses from 2 university herds. Methods: In this prospective experimental study, airway responsiveness was determined ...
Detection and identification of rickettsial agents in ticks from domestic mammals in eastern Panama. Several outbreaks of Rocky Mountain spotted fever have occurred in recent years in Colombian communities close to the border with Panama. However, little is known about rickettsiae and rickettsial diseases in eastern Panamanian provinces, the Darien Province and the Kuna Yala, located north of the endemic area in Colombia. In 2007, 289 ticks were collected in several towns from dogs, horses, mules, cows, and pigs. DNA was extracted from 124 Dermacentor nitens, 64 Rhipicephalus sanguineus, 43 Amblyomma ovale, 35 A. cajennense, 10 Boophilus microplus, 4 A. oblongoguttatum, and 9 A. cajennense ny...
Methods and reliability of tissue Doppler imaging for assessment of left ventricular radial wall motion in horses. Noninvasive assessment of left ventricular (LV) function is incompletely studied in horses. Objective: The goals of this study were to investigate the feasibility, techniques, and reliability of tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) for characterization of LV radial wall motion in healthy horses. Methods: Three Standardbreds, 3 Thoroughbreds; age 8-14 years; body weight 517-606 kg. Methods: Repeated echocardiographic examinations were performed by 2 observers in unsedated horses using TDI. Test reliability was determined by estimating measurement variability, within-day interobserver variability, and b...
Influence of age on surfactant isolated from healthy horses maintained on pasture. Surfactant alterations are described in horses after exercise, anesthesia, and prolonged transport, in horses with recurrent airway obstruction, and in neonatal foals. The effect of horse age or bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) sample characteristics on surfactant is unknown. Objective: To evaluate surfactant phospholipid composition and function in healthy horses, and to investigate the influence of age and BALF sample characteristics on surfactant. Methods: Seventeen healthy horses 6-25 years of age maintained on pasture year-round. Methods: BALF was collected by standard procedures and w...
Changes in intramuscular amino acid levels in submaximally exercised horses – a pilot study. The time-dependent changes in intramuscular amino acid (AA) levels caused by exercise and by feeding a protein/AA supplement were analysed in nine horses. Horses were submitted to a total of four standardized exercise tests (SETs). Amino acid concentrations were determined prior to, immediately after, 4 and 18 h after exercise. The experiment was subdivided into two consecutive periods of 3 weeks. In each period two SETs were performed. In the second period, horses were given a protein/AA supplement within 1 h after exercise. Significant changes in mean plasma AA levels similar to previous stu...
Initial investigation of mortality rates and prognostic indicators in horses with colic in Israel: a retrospective study. Initial assessment of the mortality rates and prognostic indicators in horses with colic presented to a referral hospital in Israel. Objective: To determine mortality rates and to identify potential prognostic indicators in horses undergoing treatment for colic. Methods: The medical records of 208 colic cases were reviewed and mortality rates calculated including 95% confidence intervals. Mortality rates in surgical cases were calculated separately for strangulating and nonstrangulating lesions as well as for lesions of the large and small intestines. Potential prognostic indicators were ident...
Two- and three-dimensional computed tomographic anatomy of the enamel, infundibulae and pulp of 126 equine cheek teeth. Part 2: Findings in teeth with macroscopic occlusal or computed tomographic lesions. Dental disease often presents a diagnostic challenge in the horse. Computed tomography (CT) is increasingly used in the evaluation of head related disease in the horse, but the CT appearance of the most common dental diseases of horses has not yet been fully described. Objective: To describe the CT appearance of the peripheral enamel, pulp, infundibular enamel and cement in equine cheek teeth with macroscopic occlusal or CT lesions. Methods: In this study, 126 cadaveric cheek teeth with eruption ages of between 05 and 19 years were evaluated for lesions of their infundibulae, pulp and enamel u...
Pharmacokinetics of detomidine administered to horses at rest and after maximal exercise. Increased doses of detomidine are required to produce sedation in horses after maximal exercise compared to calm or resting horses. Objective: To determine if the pharmacokinetics of detomidine in Thoroughbred horses are different when the drug is given during recuperation from a brief period of maximal exercise compared to administration at rest. Methods: Six Thoroughbred horses were preconditioned by exercising them on a treadmill. Each horse ran a simulated race at a treadmill speed that caused it to exercise at 120% of its maximal oxygen consumption. One minute after the end of exercise, h...
Effects of different forms of exercise on post inhibitory rebound and unwanted behaviour in stabled horses. It is unknown if different locomotor activities are equally effective at meeting the stabled horse's need for exercise and if they attenuate unwanted behaviour. Objective: Alternative forms of exercise influence the intensity of locomotor activities during a period of turn-out (the so-called rebound effect) and the occurrence of unwanted or undesirable activities during standard handling situations. Methods: Twenty-four horses kept in stables were randomly assigned to one of 4 exercise regimes (walker, treadmill, turn-out and riding) for 4 consecutive days. Because these forms of exercise prov...
Two- and three-dimensional computed tomographic anatomy of the enamel, infundibulae and pulp of 126 equine cheek teeth. Part 1: Findings in teeth without macroscopic occlusal or computed tomographic lesions. Dental disorders are of major clinical importance in equine practice; however, the knowledge of normal dental anatomy, especially that of the pulp remains incomplete. Computed tomography (CT) is being used increasingly in the diagnosis of dental disease, although the normal 2- (2D) and 3-dimensional (3D) CT anatomy has not yet been fully described. Objective: To describe the 2D and 3D CT appearance of the enamel, infundibulae and pulp of normal equine cheek teeth. Methods: One-hundred-and-twenty-six cadaveric cheek teeth with eruption ages of 0.5-19 years were evaluated; CT scans of each tooth...
Ultrasonographic assessment of the superficial digital flexor tendons of National Hunt racehorses in training over two racing seasons. It is important to ascertain the prevalence of superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) injuries and to improve methods of predicting injury in National Hunt (NH) racehorses. Objective: To establish: 1) the prevalence of SDFT tendinopathy in NH horses; 2) whether routine ultrasonography can be used to predict SDFT injuries; 3) whether previous tendinopathy predisposes to reinjury; 4) a normal range for the SDFT cross-sectional area (CSA); and 5) the effects of gender, age, background (ex-flat or ex-store), limb, training and rest periods on SDFT CSA. Methods: Routine ultrasound assessment of t...
Influence of the position of the foot on MRI signal in the deep digital flexor tendon and collateral ligaments of the distal interphalangeal joint in the standing horse. Hyperintense signal is sometimes observed in ligaments and tendons of the equine foot on standing magnetic resonance examination without associated changes in size and shape. In such cases, the presence of a true lesion or an artifact should be considered. A change in position of a ligament or tendon relative to the magnetic field can induce increased signal intensity due to the magic angle effect. Objective: To assess if positional rotation of the foot in the solar plane could be responsible for artifactual changes in signal intensity in the collateral ligaments of the distal interphalangeal ...
Short-term outcome of equine emergency admissions at a university referral hospital. Obtaining data on emergency admission survival rates is important to provide clients with an estimate of prognosis and to identify areas in which improvements in case management can be achieved. Objective: To determine the short-term outcome of equine emergency admissions to a university referral hospital during a 12 month period. Methods: Short-term outcome was defined as survival to discharge or died/euthanasia during hospitalisation. The overall death (euthanasia) rate was calculated; and rate for horses with different categories of: age; admission month, day and time; presenting complaint ...
Crib-biting in US horses: breed predispositions and owner perceptions of aetiology. Crib-biting is an equine stereotype that may result in diseases such as colic. Certain breeds and management factors have been associated. Objective: To determine: breed prevalence of crib-biting in US horses; the likelihood that one horse learns to crib-bite from another; and owner perceptions of causal factors. Methods: An initial postal survey queried the number and breed of crib-biting horses and if a horse began after being exposed to a horse with this habit. In a follow-up survey, a volunteer subset of owners was asked the number of affected and nonaffected horses of each breed and the e...
