"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.
Hopf S, Buchalla R, Elhöft H, Rubarth O, Börm W.We present a rare case of a combined dislocated odontoid dens fracture type II (Anderson/D'Alonzo) and rotational atlantoaxial luxation in a 15-year-old girl who was involved in a riding accident.She fell off her horse after it had stopped suddenly, losing consciousness for a few minutes. At presentation in the hospital, she had no complaints other than limited, painful neck movement. Radiologically, a posterior dislocation of an odontoid type II fracture (Anderson/D'Alonzo) was found. Computed tomography reconstruction demonstrated a rotational, hooklike fixed luxation of the left atlantoaxia...
Gorgas D, Luder P, Lang J, Doherr MG, Ueltschi G, Kircher P.Nuclear bone scintigraphy is commonly used in the diagnosis of sacroiliac disease in horses. The aim of the present retrospective study was to determine if there was an association between radiopharmaceutical uptake pattern and radiographic appearance of the sacroiliac region in horses. Seventy-nine horses undergoing bone scintigraphy with Tc-99 m-HDP and radiography of the pelvis because of lameness or poor performance were studied. Subjective and semiquantitative methods were used to characterize and compare radiopharmaceutical uptake between horses. Ventrodorsal radiographs of the region we...
Hilton H, Puchalski SM, Aleman M.Equine temporohyoid osteoarthropathy is characterized by progressive osseous proliferation of the temporohyoid articulation and surrounding structures. The diagnosis has generally been made using radiography and endoscopy of the guttural pouch. Recently, computed tomography (CT) has been used in the diagnosis of temporohyoid osteoarthropathy. This study was performed to determine the CT imaging characteristics of temporohyoid osteoarthropathy and to compare these to radiographic and endoscopic findings. CT scans from 16 horses with a final diagnosis of temporohyoid osteoarthropathy were review...
Patel JR, Heldens JG.Since the refinement of tissue culture techniques for virus isolation and propagation from the mid 1960s onwards, veterinary virology has received much academic and industrial interest, and has now become a major global industry largely centred on vaccine development against economically important virus diseases of food animals. Bio-tech approaches have been widely used for improved vaccines development. While many viral diseases are controlled through vaccination, many still lack safe and efficacious vaccines. Additional challenges faced by academia, industry and governments are likely to com...
Santos LC, de Moraes AN, Saito ME.To compare the intraarticular (IA) analgesic effects of ropivacaine and morphine in horses with experimentally induced synovitis. Methods: Randomized, blinded cross-over design. Methods: Twelve healthy mixed breed horses between 8-15 years old. Methods: Synovitis was induced in the left radio-carpal joint with an injection of lipopolysaccharide (Escherichia coli 055:B5). Six hours later, the horses were treated with an IA injection of 40 mg of ropivacaine (ROPI), 40 mg of morphine (MOR), 20 mg of ropivacaine added to 20 mg of morphine in saline (RM) or 4 mL of saline (SAL), as control. Analges...
Schauvliege S, Van den Eede A, Duchateau L, Pille F, Vlaminck L, Gasthuys F.To compare cardiac output () measurements using lithium dilution (LiDCO) and pulse contour analysis (PulseCO) techniques in isoflurane-anaesthetized ponies before and during the administration of different inotropic/vasoactive drugs. Methods: Prospective randomized experimental cross-over trial. Methods: Six ponies aged 5.0 +/- 1.6 (4-6.5) years and weighing 286 +/- 53 (212-368) kg. Methods: After sedation (romifidine) and induction (midazolam + ketamine), anaesthesia was maintained with isoflurane in oxygen. After 90 minutes (= T0), one of four treatments was administered: saline 0.1 mL kg(-1...
Pisseri F, Bertoli A, Nardoni S, Pinto L, Pistelli L, Guidi G, Mancianti F.Dermatophytes are a group of keratinophilic and keratinolytic molds, some of which are responsible for ringworm. Among them Trichophyton equinum, which mostly infects equids, can cause extensive outbreaks in stud farms. The conventional treatment of equine trichophytosis is topic, based upon medicated shampoos to reduce the spread of infection among the animals. Nevertheless the popularity of phytotherapy is at an all-time peak, and the interest for natural alternatives or complements to conventional drug therapy is challenging both in human and veterinary field. Among herbal remedia Tea Tree ...
Rhee HS, Steel CM, Derksen FJ, Robinson NE, Hoh JF.We used immunohistochemistry to examine myosin heavy-chain (MyHC)-based fiber-type profiles of the right and left cricoarytenoideus dorsalis (CAD) and arytenoideus transversus (TrA) muscles of six horses without laryngoscopic evidence of recurrent laryngeal neuropathy (RLN). Results showed that CAD and TrA muscles have the same slow, 2a, and 2x fibers as equine limb muscles, but not the faster contracting fibers expressing extraocular and 2B MyHCs found in laryngeal muscles of small mammals. Muscles from three horses showed fiber-type grouping bilaterally in the TrA muscles, but only in the le...
Ludwig A, Pruvost M, Reissmann M, Benecke N, Brockmann GA, Castaños P, Cieslak M, Lippold S, Llorente L, Malaspinas AS, Slatkin M, Hofreiter M.The transformation of wild animals into domestic ones available for human nutrition was a key prerequisite for modern human societies. However, no other domestic species has had such a substantial impact on the warfare, transportation, and communication capabilities of human societies as the horse. Here, we show that the analysis of ancient DNA targeting nuclear genes responsible for coat coloration allows us to shed light on the timing and place of horse domestication. We conclude that it is unlikely that horse domestication substantially predates the occurrence of coat color variation, which...
Rose NS, Northrop AJ, Brigden CV, Martin JH.The aim of this study was to quantify the effects of two different 8-week stretching regimes on stride length (SL) and range of motion (ROM) in the equine trot. Eighteen horses were divided into three matched groups: a 6 days/week stretching regime (6DSR), a 3 days/week stretching regime (3DSR) and a control no-stretching regime (NSR). SL and ROM data were collected at weeks 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 for trot in-hand. Stretching had no significant effect on SL. A number of significant differences were found in joint ROM between treatments in the shoulder, stifle and hock, suggesting some negative biome...
Keeling LJ, Jonare L, Lanneborn L.The heart rates (HR) of horses and the people leading them (10 horses, 20 people), and riding them (17 horses, 17 people), were recorded in an indoor arena. The horses were Swedish leisure horses of mixed ages, sex and breed. All except two of the people were female and all were of mixed age and riding experience. Each horse-human pair walked or rode between points A and B (30m) four times on each test occasion. However, just before the fourth pass, participants were told that an umbrella would be opened as they rode, or led, the horse past the assistant. The umbrella was not opened, so this p...
Desantis S, Ventriglia G, Zizza S, De Santis T, Di Summa A, De Metrio G, Dell'aquila ME.Equine cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were analyzed by means of 13 lectins to evaluate their glycoconjugate patterns and to verify differences between COCs recovered with compact (Cp) and expanded (Exp) cumulus. Cumulus cells showed a similar staining pattern in both Cp and Exp COCs with all lectins used, except for a higher reactivity with SNA and GSA II in Cp COCs and SBA in Exp COCs. The zona pellucida (ZP) showed (1) uniform staining with MAL II, RCA(120), and SBA in both Cp and Exp COCs, (2) trilaminar binding pattern with WGA as well as higher Con A reactivity in the outer region of bot...
Moretti A, Mangili V, Salvatori R, Maresca C, Scoccia E, Torina A, Moretta I, Gabrielli S, Tampieri MP, Pietrobelli M.Babesia caballi and Theileria equi are the causative agents of equine piroplasmosis. In this preliminary epidemiological study, 412 horses reared in central and northern Italy were sampled and three diagnostic methods compared, namely, the microscopy, the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) and a PCR. Possible risk factors (such as area, season, breed, activity, sex, age, and grazing) associated with serological positivity were evaluated. A seroprevalence of 68.4% was found: 12.4% of the animals had anti-T. equi antibodies, 17.9% anti-B. caballi antibodies and 38.1% had antibodies agains...
Duz M, Whittaker AG, Love S, Parkin TD, Hughes KJ.Measurement of hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) concentration and pH in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) is useful for detection and monitoring of asthma in humans. In contrast, limited information on the use of these parameters for the investigation of lower airway inflammation (LAI) is available for horses. Aims of the current study were to investigate the intra- and inter-day variations of EBC H(2)O(2) concentration and pH in horses and establish any relationship(s) with LAI. Both intra- and inter-day variability of EBC H(2)O(2) concentration were large, while those of pH were small. No signific...
Manso Filho HC, McKeever KH, Gordon ME, Manso HE, Lagakos WS, Wu G, Watford M.Glutamine is concentrated within skeletal muscle, where it has been proposed to play a regulatory role in maintaining protein homeostasis. The work presented here addressed the hypothesis that glutamine would be the most abundant free alpha-AA in plasma and skeletal muscle in the foal during the first year of life. Glycine, however, was the most abundant free alpha-AA in plasma at birth and between 3 and 12 mo of age. The concentration of glutamine, the second most abundant AA at birth, increased through the first 7 d (P < 0.05) and then returned to values similar to those at birth. This re...
Paryani MR, Gilanpour H.The Caspian miniature horse is one of the rare small breeds in the north of Iran. In the present study, the position of the heart and its valves were determined topographically in 4 miniature horses. We found that Caspian miniature horses have general similarities, with certain topographical variability, with other horses.
Ginther OJ, Almamun M, Shahiduzzaman AK, Beg MA.The mechanism for a reported temporal association between ovulation and a transient disruption in the periovulatory increase in LH concentrations was studied in nine mares treated with human chorionic gonadotropin when the preovulatory follicle was >/=32mm. Examinations for ovulation detection and blood collection were done at 2-h intervals and the results were retrospectively centralized to ovulation (Hour 0). Concentrations of LH began to increase (P<0.03) rapidly at Hour -18, decreased (P<0.04) between Hours 0 and 6, and again increased (P<0.0001) after Hour 12. A progressive de...
Fennell L, Church S, Tyrell D, Forbes G, Charles J, McCowan C, Savage C.A 10-month-old Friesian filly had a presentation that was consistent with chronic left- and right-sided congestive heart failure. Clinical pathology findings included abnormal haematological and biochemical variables, abnormal blood gas values and increased serum concentration of cardiac troponin I. Echocardiography revealed cardiac chamber dilation and dextropositioning of the aorta. Radiography revealed a generally enlarged heart and pulmonary interstitial infiltration. These findings were supported at necropsy and the diagnosis of double-outlet right ventricle was confirmed. The pathologica...
Uller C, Lewis J.The ability to select the greater numerosity over another in small sets seems to stem from the calculation of which set contains more, and has been taken as evidence of a primordial representation at the roots of the primate numerical system. We tested 56 horses (Equus caballus) in a paradigm previously used with human infants and nonhuman primates. Horses saw two quantities paired in contrasts-2 versus 1, 3 versus 2, 6 versus 4 and a control for volume, 2 versus 1 big-and had to make a choice by snout touching the container holding the numerosity selected. The horses spontaneously selected th...
Clayton HM, Kaiser LJ, Nauwelaerts S.The objective of this study was to compare total force and localised pressure on horses' withers with three blanket styles (straight cut, V-shaped insert, cutback withers). Three pressure recordings, each of 5s duration, were taken in order to determine blanket pressure on the withers during standing and walking in 12 horses. Means+/-SD were calculated for the following variables and compared across blankets: total force, mean pressure, maximal pressure, and area with pressure >4 kPa. For standing trials, the blanket with the V-shaped insert had the lowest total force and smallest area with...
Violini S, Ramelli P, Pisani LF, Gorni C, Mariani P.Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been recently investigated for their potential use in regenerative medicine. MSCs, in particular, have great potential, as in various reports they have shown pluripotency for differentiating into many different cell types. However, the ability of MSCs to differentiate into tendon cells in vitro has not been fully investigated. Results: In this study, we show that equine bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs), defined by their expression of markers such as Oct4, Sox-2 and Nanog, have the capability to differentiate in tenocytes. These differentiated cell...
Hanggi EB, Ingersoll JF.Scotopic vision in horses (Equus caballus) was investigated using behavioral measurements for the first time. Four horses were tested for the ability to make simple visual discriminations of geometric figures (circles and triangles) under various brightness levels within an enclosed building. Measurements of brightness ranging from 10.37 to 24.12 magnitudes per square arcsecond (mag/arcsec(2); in candelas per square meter-7.70 to 2.43E-05cd/m(2)) were taken using a Sky Quality Meter. These values approximated outdoor conditions ranging from twilight in open country to a dark moonless night in ...
Fureix C, Jego P, Sankey C, Hausberger M.This study aimed to determine whether horses have a kind of memory of humans (based on previous interactions), leading to a general significance of humans revealed by their reactions to humans in subsequent interactions. Subjects were 59 adult horses used to interact daily with humans. Three types of behavioural tests involving an unknown experimenter evaluated three possibly different memorized types of human-animal interactions (not work-related, using work-related objects, unfamiliar working task). We also performed standardized observations of routine interactions between each horse and it...
Fortier G, van Erck E, Fortier C, Richard E, Pottier D, Pronost S, Miszczak F, Thiry E, Lekeux P.The objectives of this study were to estimate the prevalence and the potential role of equine herpesviruses (EHVs) detection in both bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and tracheal wash (TW). The population included a control group (CTL; 37 TW and 25 BAL) and a pathological group (PAT; 259 TW and 387 BAL), including horses either suffering from respiratory diseases including syndrome of tracheal inflammation, inflammatory airway disease, recurrent airway obstruction, or submitted to respiratory investigation because of exercise intolerance or poor performance. Each respiratory liquid was submitted t...
Chiocchetti R, Bombardi C, Mongardi-Fantaguzzi C, Venturelli E, Russo D, Spadari A, Montoneri C, Romagnoli N, Grandis A.This paper describes the morphology and distribution of the enteric nervous system (ENS) cells and fibres immunoreactive for choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), substance P (SP), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), NF200kDa (NF200), and S100 protein. The percentages of subclasses of enteric neurons in the total neuronal population were investigated by the use of anti-PGP 9.5 or anti-NSE antibodies. ChAT-IR myenteric plexus (MP) and submucosal plexus (SMP) neurons were 66+/-7% and 74+/-15%, respectively, whereas those cells expressing nNOS-IR were 38+/-7...
Heleski CR, McGreevy PD, Kaiser LJ, Lavagnino M, Tans E, Bello N, Clayton HM.Unsteady hand position can cause discomfort to the horse, potentially leading to conflict behaviours (CB) such as head tossing or tail lashing. Some instructors feel that martingales or elastic rein inserts can reduce discomfort caused by inexperienced and unsteady hands. Others consider these devices to be inappropriate 'crutches'. Four horses and nine riders were tested under three conditions in random order: plain reins, adjustable training martingales (TM), and elasticised rein inserts (RI). Rein-tension data (7s) and behavioural data (30s) were collected in each direction. Rein-tension da...
McKeever KH, Malinowski K.Six young (mean + s.e., 5.3 +/- 0.8 years, 445 +/- 13 kg bwt) and 6 old (22.0 +/- 0.4 years, 473 +/- 18 kg bwt) Standardbred and Thoroughbred mares were used to test the hypothesis that age would alter the endocrine response to exercise. All of the mares were unconditioned but accustomed to the laboratory, to standing quietly and running on a treadmill, and to the standardised incremental exercise test (SET) used in the experiment. Two weeks prior to the experiment, each horse underwent a SET to determine maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and the speeds to be used in the actual experiment. A seco...
Romagnoli SE, Momont HW, Hilbert BJ, Metz A.Two yearling, paternal half-sibling Appaloosa fillies were ovariohysterectomized for treatment of multiple uterocervical leiomyomas. The tumors recurred in both fillies, originating from cervical tissue that could not be removed at surgery. Previously reported cases of uterine leiomyoma in the mare have been of solitary tumors in older mares that were treated successfully by surgical removal.
Gleadhill A, Marlin D, Harris PA, Michell AR.Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and extracellular volume (ECFV) were measured before, during and after treadmill exercise in 5 trained Thoroughbred horses (mean weight 483 kg). GFR/ECFV was determined by plasma disappearance of Tc-DTPA and ECFV was measured independently as thiocyanate space. Resting GFR averaged 1.6 l/min (3.3 ml/kg/min) and fell by over 40% during exercise, moreover the fall was severe even during the first walk, prior to trotting. The results suggest that rather than being protected, GFR is allowed to fall, even with mild exercise and that this is probably an adaptation to...
Carnevale EM, Maclellan LJ.Assisted reproductive techniques have been developed to obtain pregnancies from subfertile mares and stallions and to salvage gametes after death. In recent years, these procedures have been used for clinical cases with repeated success. Although new developments occur, the basis for the success and future development of assisted reproductive techniques is our ability to collect and handle the equine oocyte successfully. This article focuses on important clinical aspects of oocyte collection and evaluation and briefly discusses the clinical use of assisted reproductive procedures in the horse....
Fortier LA, Goodrich LR, Ribitsch I, Schnabel LV, Shepard DO, Van de Walle GR, Watts AE, Whealands Smith RK.Regenerative medicine is commonly used in human and equine athletes. Potential therapies include culture expanded stem cells, stromal vascular fraction of adipose tissue, platelet-rich plasma, bone marrow concentrate, or autologous conditioned serum. The purpose of this manuscript is to disseminate findings from a workshop on the development of translational regenerative medicine in the equine field. Five themes emerged: stem cell characterization and tenogenic differentiation; interactions between mesenchymal stem cells, other cells and the environment; scaffolds and cell packaging; blood- an...
van der Meulen KM, Nauwynck HJ, Pensaert MB.Equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) is an important pathogen of horses, causing abortion and nervous system disorders, even in vaccinated animals. During the cell-associated viremia, EHV-1 is carried by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), mainly lymphocytes. In vitro, monocytes are the most important fraction of PBMC in which EHV-1 replicates, however, mitogen stimulation prior to EHV-1 infection increases the percentage of infected lymphocytes. The role of the cell cycle in viral replication and the role of cluster formation in cell-to-cell transmission of the virus were examined in mitogen-s...
Blikslager AT, Bowman KF, Haven ML, Tate LP, Bristol DG.The medical records of 17 horses that were evaluated and treated because of colic caused by pedunculated lipomas between 1983 and 1990 were reviewed. The mean age of the horses was 16.6 +/- 3.9 years (range, 10 to 26 years), which was significantly greater than that of the population of horses evaluated because of colic (control population) during the same period. There were significantly more geldings (76.5%), compared with the control population. Nasogastric reflux ranged from 1 to 16 L in 8 horses and was not obtained in 9 horses. Abdominal palpation per rectum revealed small intestinal dis...
Giudicelli J, Emiliozzi R, Vannier C, de Burlet G, Sudaka P.A horse kidney neutral alpha-D-glucosidase (alpha-D-glucoside glucohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.20) was purified about 580-fold with a yield of 33% by an affinity chromatography technique using the p-aminophenyl-beta-D-maltoside, a substrate derivative, as ligand. The purified enzyme, homogeneous in polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, was a glycoprotein with a molecular weight of 280 000 as calculated by gel filtration and its isoelectric focusing points was found to be pH 4.1. The purified enzyme was able to hydrolyze various substrates having (alpha-1,2), (alpha-1,3), (alpha-1,4), and (alpha-1,6) glu...
Van Galen G, Amory H, Busschers E, Cassart D, De Bruijn M, Gerber V, Keen J, Lefere L, Pitel CM, Marr C, Müller JM, Pineau X, Saegerman C....Atypical myopathy is an acute, severe rhabdomyolysis occurring in grazing horses. In the beginning of October 2009, a new outbreak occurred in several European countries. Geographic, demographic and clinical data of the reported cases in the month October 2009 are described. Results: The survival rate in this outbreak was 25%. The most frequently observed clinical signs were congested mucous membranes, dyspnea, tachycardia, depression, weakness, stiffness, recumbency, trembling, sweating, and myoglobinuria. Nonsurvivors were significantly more likely to be recumbent than survivors. Prognostic ...
Ainsworth DM, Erb HN, Eicker SW, Yeagar AE, Viel L, Sweeney CR, Lavoie JP.To determine whether results of physical or radiographic examination or biochemical analyses in adult racehorses with primary lung abscesses were associated with ability to race following treatment. Methods: Multiple-center retrospective study. Methods: 25 Standardbreds and 20 Thoroughbreds. Methods: Medical records of horses with a primary lung abscess that were admitted to any of 4 veterinary teaching hospitals were reviewed. Results of physical examination, laboratory testing, and thoracic radiography were reviewed. Racing performance after treatment was compared with performance before ill...
Lea KM, Smith SR.Central Kentucky horse pastures contain significant populations of tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinacea (Schreb.) Dumort) infected with an endophyte (Epichloë coenophialum (Morgan-Jones and Gams) Bacon and Schardl) known to produce several ergot alkaloids, with ergovaline in the highest concentration. While most classes of horses are not adversely affected by average levels of ergovaline in pastures, late term pregnant mares have a low tolerance to ergovaline and the related ergot alkaloids. Endophyte-infected tall fescue has been known to cause prolonged gestation, thickened placenta, dystoc...
Cooper JJ.Training can best be explained as a process that occurs through stimulus-response-reinforcement chains, whereby animals are conditioned to associate cues in their environment, with specific behavioural responses and their rewarding consequences. Research into learning in horses has concentrated on their powers of discrimination and on primary positive reinforcement schedules, where the correct response is paired with a desirable consequence such as food. In contrast, a number of other learning processes that are used in training have been widely studied in other species, but have received litt...
Anderson SL, Bracamonte JL, Hendrick S, Carmalt JL, Wilson DG.To compare bursting strength and failure mode between ventral median celiotomies closed with USP 7 braided polydioxanone (7PD) or USP 2 polyglactin 910 (2PG). Methods: Ex vivo experimental. Methods: Equine cadavers (n = 10). Methods: A 25 cm ventral median celiotomy was created in fresh equine cadavers. A 200 L polyurethane bladder was inserted into the abdomen. Celiotomies were closed in a simple continuous pattern with 2 sections of 7PD or 2PG. The bladder was inflated with compressed air until construct failure. The horses' signalment, body weight, suture type, failure mode (suture or abdom...
Martin GS, McIlwraith CW, Turner AS, Nixon AJ, Stashak TS.A retrospective study was made of 21 horses in which proximal interphalangeal arthrodesis had been performed. The right hindlimb was the most often affected (52%). Acute trauma was the most common reason for performing the surgery (62%). Follow-up data were obtained from the owners regarding return to serviceability . When available, follow-up radiographs and clinical examinations were reviewed. Of the 20 horses on which follow-up information was available, 16 were serviceable . Of the horses in which a hindlimb was arthrodesed , 86% were serviceable , whereas 67% of the horses affected in the...
Knickelbein KE, Scherrer NM, Lassaline M.To compare corneal sensitivity and tear production in horses with keratitis to horses with other ocular disease. Methods: Retrospective medical record review was used to identify equine patients presented during a 1-year period for an ocular complaint who had Schirmer Tear Test (STT) or Corneal Touch Threshold (CTT) measured. Variables studied included patient age and sex; affected eye; category of presenting ocular complaint (keratitis vs. other ocular complaint); STT; and CTT. Patients with a complaint of ulcerative keratitis, immune-mediated keratitis, and stromal abscess were categorized i...
Hanche-Olsen S, Matiasek K, Molín J, Rosati M, Hahn C, Hultin Jäderlund K, Gröndahl G.Acquired equine polyneuropathy (AEP), formerly also known as Scandinavian knuckling syndrome, is one of the most prevalent polyneuropathies in equids in Norway and Sweden, with more than 400 cases registered since first observations in 1995. Despite geographical clustering and an association to forage feeding, its aetiology remains unknown. Clinically AEP is characterized by knuckling due to dysfunction of metatarsophalangeal extensor muscles. This neuropathological study aimed to gain further insights in the pathobiology of AEP and its underlying aetiopathogenesis. We thereby confirmed that a...
West JB, Mathieu-Costello O.Exercise induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH) is a serious problem in the Thoroughbred industry. The condition apparently occurs essentially in all Thoroughbreds in training but the mechanism has proved elusive. There is now strong evidence that the condition is caused by mechanical failure of the walls of the pulmonary capillaries when the pressure inside them rises to very high levels. It is well known that pulmonary capillaries have extremely thin walls to allow rapid exchange of respiratory gases across them. Recently we have shown that the wall stresses are very large when the capillary t...
Slusarewicz M, Slusarewicz P, Nielsen MK.Fecal egg counts are the primary diagnostic tools of equine parasitology and use of the McMaster test and its variants in clinical practice is widely recommended. Manual counting is, however, prone to various sources of human error. For example, in real-world situations analysts can be under significant pressure to process high numbers of samples in a limited time. This practice could affect test result quality, but yet no studies have determined whether this is the case. This study's purpose was to assess the effect of shortened counting duration (from either restricting counting time or coun...
Matsuda M, Miyazawa T, Ishida Y, Moore JE.The genomic DNA of eight strains of Taylorella equigenitalis, isolated from seven Norwegian Trotters and a Norwegian pony with contagious equine metritis in Norway, was examined by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis after separate digestions with two restriction enzymes, namely, ApaI and NotI. The respective electrophoretic profiles of the fragments were essentially identical but differed from those of T. equigenitalis NCTC11184T and Kentucky 188. They also exhibited slight differences from profiles obtained from Japanese isolates. These results may possibly suggest a common genotype and a commo...
Pospischil A, Lieb A, Corboz L.In Switzerland during the foaling season 1988 and 1989 the cause of abortion in 60 foals was investigated. Special attention was paid to infections with equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV 1). Diagnosis were based on post-mortem, histopathological, bacteriological and immunofluorescence investigation. The results confirm data from other countries, that EHV 1 is the most prevalent viral (20%) cause of abortion, followed by various bacterial agents (12%). Other causes were umbilical torsion, twin pregnancy and malformations. In 18% of the cases the investigation of fetuses did not give any results as to t...
Ma Y, Wen X, Hoshino Y, Yuan L.Group A equine rotavirus (ERV) is the main cause of diarrhea in foals and causes severe economic loss due to morbidity and mortality on stud farming worldwide. Molecular evolution of equine rotaviruses remains understudies. In this study, whole-genomic analysis of 2 group A ERV, FI-14 (G3P[12]), H-2 (G3P[12]) isolated from American, and FI23 (G14P[12]) from British was carried out and genotype constellations were determined as G3-P[12]-I6-R2-C2-M3-A10-N2-T3-E2-H7 for FI-14; G14-P[12]-I2-R2-C2-M3-A10-N2-T3-E2-H7 for FI23; and G3-P[12]-I6-R2-C2-M3-A10-N2-T3-E2-H7 for H-2, respectively. With the ...
Mair TS, Wills JM.Nasal and conjunctival swabs were obtained from 300 horses and Chlamydia psittaci was isolated from 15 of them (5 per cent). Eleven nasal swabs and six conjunctival swabs were positive on culture, but there was no association between the isolation of the organism and the presence of clinical ocular or respiratory disease. Six ponies were challenged with an equine isolate of C psittaci into the eye, nasal cavity or bronchial tree. The organism could be isolated from nasal and conjunctival swabs taken from the ponies for up to 17 days after challenge, but there was no clinical evidence of diseas...
Hunter BG, Schlipf JW, Cebra C.The transverse facial venous sinus (TFVS) can be used for blood collection in horses, but information on the validity of blood values from this site is limited. Objective: To determine if packed cell volume (PCV), total solids (TS) and blood lactate concentrations in blood drawn simultaneously from a TFVS and jugular vein of critically ill horses are correlated and determine the effect of serial TFVS sampling on the same parameters in healthy horses. Methods: Prospective observational study. Methods: Critically ill horses had simultaneous blood samples drawn from a TFVS and jugular vein. Blood...
Beelitz P, Göbel E, Gothe R.In this epidemiological study of endoparasites 37 donkeys and 23 horses were included, which were examined coproscopically in regular intervals over a 15 month period. The animals derived from ten farms, in which regular prophylactic treatments with anthelmintics had been practiced at least for two years before this investigation. This study revealed the presence of at least twelve parasite species in donkeys, Eimeria leuckarti, Gasterophilus intestinalis, Fasciola hepatica, Anoplocephala perfoliata, Strongyloides westeri, Parascaris equorum, Dictyocaulus arnfieldi, Trichostrongylus axei and s...
