Hospitalization of horses involves the admission of equine patients to veterinary facilities for the diagnosis, treatment, and management of various medical conditions. This process is typically initiated when a horse requires intensive monitoring, specialized care, or advanced medical interventions that cannot be adequately provided in a non-clinical setting. Common reasons for equine hospitalization include surgical procedures, severe injuries, colic, respiratory disorders, and infectious diseases. During hospitalization, horses are monitored for vital signs, administered medications, and provided with supportive care tailored to their specific needs. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the protocols, outcomes, and advancements in the hospitalization of horses, providing insights into best practices and innovations in equine clinical care.
Gilbertie JM, Schnabel LV, Stefanovski D, Kelly DJ, Jacob ME, Schaer TP.Bacterial colonization of synovial structures can cause infections that are difficult to treat. Systemic and local antimicrobials and repeated joint lavages are the mainstays of therapy. However, despite aggressive treatments, infection may persist, leading to significant tissue damage or death of the patient. In order to investigate the impact of bacterial culture and antimicrobial resistance on survival to discharge, we reviewed medical records of horses admitted to the University of Pennsylvania's large animal teaching hospital from 2010-2015. Two-hundred and six cases with a definitive dia...
Ellis KE, Council-Troche RM, Von Dollen KA, Beachler TM, Bailey CS, Davis JL, Lyle SK.Hospitalized pregnant mares being held nil per os (PO) because of medical or surgical events present a dilemma for pregnancy maintenance therapy, which commonly includes oral altrenogest. Rectal administration of medications is a recognized route for achieving systemic concentrations, but there are no data on the pharmacokinetics of rectal altrenogest administration in horses. The purpose of this study was to determine the pharmacokinetics of altrenogest following PO or per rectum (PR) administration in mares. Using a randomized two-way crossover study design, six horses received altrenogest (...
Hoaglund EL, Hess AM, Hassel DM.To evaluate the role of intravenous fluid volume and electrolyte supplementation on the development of postoperative reflux (POR) in horses undergoing celiotomy for colic. Methods: Case-control study spanning 2004-2012 for horses undergoing celiotomy for colic. Methods: University teaching hospital. Methods: Sixty-seven client-owned horses >1 year of age with POR were each matched to 2 controls with similar surgical lesions that did not demonstrate POR. Results: Survival was significantly lower in cases (65.7%) than controls (96.1%). Factors found to be associated with POR included decrease...
Reig Codina L, Werre SR, Brown JA.Umbilical remnant infection and patent urachus are an important cause of morbidity for the equine neonate. Left untreated, fatal complications can develop. Identifying risk factors for post-operative complications after surgery are important for estimating prognosis. Objective: To identify risk factors associated with post-operative complications in foals undergoing umbilical remnant resection due to patent and/or infected umbilical remnants. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Foals undergoing umbilical remnant resection due to patent urachus or infected remnants at the Marion duPont...
Collins NM, Carrick JB, Russell CM, Axon JE.To evaluate hypernatraemia in foals presenting as medical emergencies to an intensive care unit (ICU) to determine the prevalence, clinical findings, primary diagnosis and outcome. Methods: Retrospective case study of records from Thoroughbred foals aged less than 3 months that presented to an ICU as medical emergencies in 2002-12. Data retrieved included signalment, clinical findings, laboratory results, primary diagnosis and outcome. Foals with hypernatraemia (serum sodium > 145 mmol/L) on admission laboratory data were identified and further evaluated. Results: A total of 39 of 171...
Crosa AT, Desjardins MR.OBJECTIVE To describe use of a modified open castration technique with a scrotal approach and primary closure in equids. DESIGN Prospective case series. ANIMALS 38 client-owned, sexually intact male equids. PROCEDURES With owner consent, elective castration was performed with a modified open technique on patients (1 pony, 1 miniature horse, and 36 horses of other breeds) under general anesthesia. The procedure included minimal dissection into the scrotal region for removal of testes, with cremaster muscles left intact and the parietal vaginal tunic closed in place. Primary closure of surgical ...
van der Kolk JH, Endimiani A, Graubner C, Gerber V, Perreten V.Acinetobacter spp. are aerobic, rod-shaped, Gram-negative bacteria belonging to the Moraxellaceae family of the class Gammaproteobacteria and are considered ubiquitous organisms. Among them, Acinetobacter baumannii is the most clinically significant species with an extraordinary ability to accumulate antimicrobial resistance and to survive in the hospital environment. Recent reports indicate that A. baumannii has also evolved into a veterinary nosocomial pathogen. Although Acinetobacter spp. can be identified to species level using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation time-of-flight mas...
Secor EJ, Gutierrez-Nibeyro SD, Clark-Price SC, Stewart MC, Kay AT.OBJECTIVE To report complication rates following elective arthroscopy in horses and determine whether postoperative complication rates are higher for outpatient procedures, compared with inpatient procedures. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. ANIMALS 357 client-owned horses that had undergone 366 elective arthroscopic procedures between January 2008 and February 2015. PROCEDURES Medical records were retrospectively reviewed. Data collected included signalment, travel time to the hospital, clinical signs, joints treated, lesions diagnosed, medications administered, anesthesia and surgery times...
O'Brien EJO, Smith RKW.Tendon/ligament mineralization is recognized in horses but information regarding its clinical significance is limited. The aims of this observational study were to report the structures most commonly affected by ultrasonographically detectable mineralization and, for these, determine frequency of diagnosis and key clinical features. Cases presented at our hospital in April 1999-April 2013 and September 2014-November 2015 were included: a total of 27 horses (22 retrospective, five prospective). Mineralizations were most common in deep digital flexor tendons (10) and suspensory ligament branches...
Isgren CM, Salem SE, Townsend NB, Timofte D, Maddox TW, Archer DC.There is limited information about bacterial isolates that are present on the equine midline incision during and following exploratory laparotomy. Objective: To investigate the bacterial species cultured from the ventral midline pre-, intra- and post- laparotomy, whether particular bacterial isolates are associated with the development of surgical site infections (SSIs) and to report the antimicrobial resistance phenotypes of these isolates. Methods: Prospective cohort study. Methods: The ventral midline of 31 horses undergoing exploratory laparotomy was sampled for bacterial culture at set ti...
Kamr AM, Dembek KA, Hildreth BE, Morresey PR, Rathgeber RA, Burns TA, Zaghawa AA, Toribio RE.Fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) and klotho are key regulators of vitamin D and parathyroid hormone (PTH) synthesis as well as phosphorus and calcium homeostasis; however, information on the FGF-23/klotho axis in healthy and hospitalised foals is lacking. Objective: The aims of this study were to measure serum FGF-23 and klotho concentrations and determine their association with serum phosphorus, total calcium (TCa), vitamin D metabolite [25(OH)D, 1,25(OH)2 D], PTH, and aldosterone concentrations, disease severity, and mortality in hospitalised foals. Methods: Prospective, multicentre, cro...
Bertin FR, Ruffin-Taylor D, Stewart AJ.Systemic inflammation is a cause of insulin dysregulation in many species, but the insulin and glucose dynamics in adult horses diagnosed with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) are poorly documented. Objective: In SIRS in horses, insulin and glucose dynamics will be altered and associated with survival. Methods: Adult horses diagnosed with SIRS admitted to a referral hospital. Methods: Prospective study enrolling horses diagnosed with SIRS in which serum insulin and glucose concentrations were measured. Horses were grouped by outcome (survival, hyperinsulinemia, and hyperglycemia)...
Stewart HL, Engiles JB, Stefanovski D, Southwood L.OBJECTIVE To describe gastrointestinal histologic findings for horses with recurrent colic and evaluate possible associations between initial clinical signs, biopsy method, histologic diagnosis, and outcome 1 year after hospital discharge. DESIGN Retrospective case series. ANIMALS 66 horses with a history of recurrent colic for which gastrointestinal specimens had been submitted for histologic examination. PROCEDURES Histologic diagnosis was categorized as inflammatory, neoplastic, ischemic, other, and undiagnosed. Relationships among initial clinical features, biopsy method, histologic diagno...
Broyles AH, Hopper SA, Woodie JB, Ruggles AJ.To describe a technique for colopexy via a left ventral paramedian incision and report postoperative clinical outcomes. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: One hundred fifty-six thoroughbred broodmares treated with a colopexy through a left ventral paramedian incision between 1999 and 2015. Methods: Medical records were reviewed for postoperative complications and survival to discharge. The survival rate at 1 year after surgery was based on the medical record, progeny record, or client telephone conversation. Progeny records were reviewed to assess reproductive performance. T tests, Ï...
Burgess BA, Bauknecht K, Slovis NM, Morley PS.Salmonella enterica is an important cause of healthcare-associated infections in veterinary hospitals - with outbreaks of multi-drug resistant (MDR) Salmonella among equine cases resulting in high case fatality rates and substantial financial cost. Objective: Study objectives were to 1) investigate factors associated with shedding of MDR-Salmonella enterica and 2) evaluate the effect shedding may have on health outcomes of previously hospitalised horses and their stablemates. Methods: Retrospective case-control study with prospective cohort study. Methods: Analysis of medical records (NÂ =Â 37...
Durham AE.Therapeutic drug monitoring and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) data allow more informed use of gentamicin. Objective: To measure peak and trough serum gentamicin concentrations in horses after a 6.6 mg/kg dose of gentamicin given IV and the MIC of gentamicin of bacteria for which gentamicin might be selected. Methods: Retrospective analysis of hospital records. Peak and trough plasma gentamicin concentrations were measured after 6.6 mg/kg gentamicin IV in 339 hospitalized horses. The MIC of gentamicin was measured for 503 isolates from ambulatory practice and 33 from hospital practice....
Viu J, Armengou L, Decloedt A, Jose-Cunilleras E.Two horses referred to the Unitat Equina, Fundació Hospital ClÃnic Veterinari, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, for unrelated clinical problems, and with no previous history of cardiac disease exhibited an intermittent ventricular pre-excitation electrocardiographic pattern during hospitalization. Both animals showed decreased plasma total and ionized magnesium concentrations, but no other relevant electrolyte disturbances were detected. Altered interventricular septal motion associated with ventricular pre-excitation beats (VPBs) was detected on M-mode echocardiography in both horses. Th...
Parkinson NJ, McKenzie HC, Barton MH, Davis JL, Dunkel B, Johnson AL, MacDonald ES.Venous air embolism is a potentially life-threatening complication of IV catheter use in horses. Despite widespread anecdotal reports of their occurrence, few cases have been reported in the literature and the prognosis is currently unknown. Objective: Our objective was to describe the surrounding circumstances, clinical signs, treatment, progression, and outcome of venous air embolism in hospitalized horses. Methods: Thirty-two horses with acute onset of compatible clinical signs associated with IV catheter disconnection or damage. Methods: Multicenter retrospective study. Data extracted from...
Troy JR, Holcombe SJ, Fogle CA, Epstein KL, Woodie JB.To determine the influence of hyaluronate-carboxymethylcellulose (HA-CMC) membranes applied to intestinal anastomoses or enterotomies on postoperative complications after emergency exploratory celiotomy. Methods: Multicenter retrospective case-controlled series. Methods: Adult horses (59 in the HA-CMC group and 91 controls). Methods: Medical records from 4 referral hospitals were searched for horses ≥1 year of age, treated between 2008 and 2014 with emergency exploratory celiotomy, and surviving at least 24 hours postoperatively. Horses receiving repeat celiotomy during the same hospitalizat...
O'Connor S, Hitchens PL, Fortington LV.The most recent report on hospital-treated horse-riding injuries in Victoria was published 20 years ago. Since then, injury countermeasures and new technology have aimed to make horse riding safer for participants. This study provides an update of horse-riding injuries that required hospital treatment in Victoria and examines changes in injury patterns compared with the earlier study. Methods: Horse-riding injuries that required hospital treatment (hospital admission (HA) or emergency department (ED) presentations) were extracted from routinely collected data from public and private hospitals ...
Walther B, Klein KS, Barton AK, Semmler T, Huber C, Wolf SA, Tedin K, Merle R, Mitrach F, Guenther S, Lübke-Becker A, Gehlen H.Pathogens frequently associated with multi-drug resistant (MDR) phenotypes, including extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-E) and Acinetobacter baumannii isolated from horses admitted to horse clinics, pose a risk for animal patients and personnel in horse clinics. To estimate current rates of colonization, a total of 341 equine patients were screened for carriage of zoonotic indicator pathogens at hospital admission. Horses showing clinical signs associated with colic (n = 233) or open wounds (n = 108) were selected for microbiological examination of nost...
Lisowski ZM, Pirie RS, Blikslager AT, Lefebvre D, Hume DA, Hudson NPH.Post-operative ileus (POI) is a serious condition which any horse undergoing abdominal surgery is at risk of developing, leading to increased hospitalisation time and resulting costs. Advances in the understanding of the development of equine POI are mainly based on human and rodent literature, where manipulation-induced inflammation has been identified as a trigger, with activation of resident muscularis externa macrophages playing a crucial role in the pathophysiology. Despite many pharmacological trials in all species, there is no single completely successful treatment for POI, highlighting...
Wolyncewicz GEL, Palmer CS, Jowett HE, Hutson JM, King SK, Teague WJ.Horse-related injuries account for one quarter of all paediatric sports fatalities. It is not known whether the pattern of injury spectrum and severity differ between children injured whilst mounted, compared with those injured unmounted around horses. We aimed to identify any distinctions between the demographic features, spectrum and severity of injuries for mounted versus unmounted patients. Methods: Trauma registry data were reviewed for 505 consecutive paediatric patients (aged<16years) admitted to a large paediatric trauma centre with horse-related injuries over a 16-year period. Patient...
Hattori K, Matsuda N, Murakami T, Ito E, Ugawa Y.A 62-year-old man with acute paraplegia was transferred to our hospital. He had flaccid paraplegia and multiple cranial nerve palsies, such as mydriasis of the left pupil, abduction palsy of the left eye, hoarseness and dysphagia, but no meningeal irritation signs. MRI of the spinal canal showed swellings of the conus medullaris and the cauda equine, and also contrast enhancement of the spinal meninges. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) showed pleocytosis and protein increment. The lymph node was swollen in his right axilla. The biopsy specimen from the right axillary lymph node revealed metastasi...
Kucera CR, Stranahan LW, Hughes F, Blikslager AT, Gonzalez LM.Progenitor cells play critical roles in epithelial repair following ischaemic injury. Protein biomarkers have been used to identify intestinal progenitor cell subpopulations. This study aims to determine if a critical number of intestinal progenitor cells can predict tissue viability and survival to discharge of large colon volvulus (LCV) cases. Objective: The objectives were to 1) identify intestinal progenitor cell subpopulations using biomarkers: proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), sex determining region Y box 9 (SOX9), phospho-histone H3 (PHH3) and Ki-67, 2) define cut-off values fo...
Kohnken R, Schober K, Godman J, Gardner A, Jenkins T, Schroeder E, Baker P, Dunbar L.A 4-week-old American Quarter Horse colt presented with a recent history of diarrhea and decreased activity level. On initial physical examination, the animal was bright and alert and major findings were limited to a loud systolic heart murmur radiating widely over both sides of the thorax. While in the hospital, the clinical condition of the foal warranted further imaging to determine the cause and extent of cardiac disease. A variety of congenital cardiac malformations were identified during echocardiographic examination and autopsy, including a double outlet right ventricle and a subpulmona...
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...
Pezzanite LM, Hackett ES.To compare survival and complications in horses undergoing large colon resection with either sutured end-to-end or stapled functional end-to-end anastomoses. Methods: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: Twenty-six client-owned horses with gastrointestinal disease. Methods: Retrospective data were retrieved from the medical records of 26 horses undergoing colectomy, including 14 horses with sutured end-to-end and 12 horses with stapled functional end-to-end anastomoses, between 2003 and 2016. Records were evaluated for signalment, medical and surgical treatments, and survival to hospital disch...
Hilderbran AC, Breuhaus BA, Refsal KR.This study was performed to determine whether sick horses have thyroid hormone (TH) alterations similar to those observed in nonthyroidal illness syndrome in other species. Objective: Horses suffering from systemic diseases have decreased THs and inappropriately low thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). Methods: Seventy-one clinically normal horses; 380 hospitalized horses. Methods: Total thyroxine (TT4), free thyroxine by equilibrium dialysis (fT4D), total triiodothyronine (TT3), free triiodothyronine (fT3), and TSH were measured in normal and hospitalized horses. Disease severity was categorize...
Hanson RR, Wright JC, Schumacher J, Baird AN, Humburg J, Pugh DG.To evaluate the seasonal influence, signalment, type of hay consumed, clinical examination findings, and outcome after surgery for horses with ileal impaction. Methods: A retrospective study. Results: Between 1988 and 1993, 28 horses had surgical correction of ileal impaction. There was a significantly higher rate of ileal impaction during the Fall (September-November, P = .0041 ). Mean duration of clinical signs of abdominal pain before referral was 15 hours. Transrectal palpation was used to localize the impaction in 11 horses. The ileal impaction was reduced by extraluminal massage aided by...
Armengou L, Monreal L, Tarancón I, Navarro M, RÃos J, Segura D.Septicemia is associated with a systemic inflammatory response, hemostatic activation, and disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC). Objective: Increased plasma d-dimer concentration occurs in septic neonates and can reliably detect sepsis or DIC, and predict death in ill neonatal foals. Methods: 40 septic, 41 nonseptic hospitalized foals, and 22 healthy neonates. Methods: Prospective observational clinical study. Blood samples were collected on admission, at 24-48 hours after admission, and at the time of discharge or euthanasia. Plasma d-dimer concentration, clotting times, antithrombin...
Walther B, Janssen T, Gehlen H, Vincze S, Borchers K, Wieler LH, Barton AK, Lübke-Becker A.With the rising importance of nosocomial infections in equine hospitals, increased efforts with regard to biosecurity and infection control are necessary. This even more since nosocomial infections are often associated with multi-drug resistant pathogens. Consequently, the implementation of targeted prevention programs is essential. Since nosocomial infections are usually multifactorial events, realization of only a single measure is rarely effective to overcome nosocomial spread in clinical practice. Equine patients may be colonized at admission with multi-drug resistant pathogens such as met...
Archer DC, Pinchbeck GL, Proudman CJ.Epiploic foramen entrapment (EFE) has been associated with reduced post operative survival compared to other types of colic but specific factors associated with reduced long-term survival of these cases have not been evaluated in a large number of horses using survival analysis. Objective: To describe post operative survival of EFE cases and to identify factors associated with long-term survival. Methods: A prospective, multicentre, international study was conducted using clinical data and long-term follow-up information for 126 horses diagnosed with EFE during exploratory laparotomy at 15 cli...
Scherrer NM, Lassaline M, Richardson DW, Stefanovski D.OBJECTIVE To determine interval (1-year) prevalence of and factors associated with colic in horses hospitalized for ocular or orthopedic disease. DESIGN Cross-sectional study. ANIMALS 105 horses with ocular disease and 197 horses with orthopedic disease admitted to a veterinary teaching hospital between July 1, 2011, and June 30, 2012. PROCEDURES Medical records were reviewed to determine whether colic (abnormal behavior prompting abdominal palpation per rectum or nasogastric intubation) was observed during hospitalization. Data were collected on putative risk factors for colic, including reas...
Oreff GL, Tatz AJ, Dahan R, Segev G, Berlin D, Kelmer G.To report the short- and long-term outcomes of surgical management of umbilical infection in foals. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Foals (n = 65). Methods: Medical records (2010-2015) of foals up to 1 month of age, surgically treated for an umbilical infection were reviewed. Short-term (at the time of discharge from hospital) and long-term (1 year after surgery) survival rates were obtained. Clinical variables influencing survival were assessed. Chi-square or Fisher's exact test were used to evaluate the relationship between the data retrieved and outcome. P ≤ .05 was c...
Hartman R, Hawkins JF, Adams SB, Moore GE, Fessler JF.To evaluate the management of equids undergoing cryptorchidectomy at a referral hospital. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: 604 client-owned equids. Methods: Medical records of all equids undergoing surgical treatment of cryptorchidism from 1977 to 2010 were retrospectively reviewed. Analyses of breed, location of retained testes, accuracy of palpation per rectum for determining the location of retained testes, surgical technique, and postoperative complications were performed. Results: The most frequently affected breed was the Quarter Horse (282/604 [47%]), which was significantly...
Bischofberger AS, Brauer T, Gugelchuk G, Klohnen A.Incisional complications are a major post operative challenge following ventral midline exploratory celiotomy for abdominal pain in horses. They lead to discomfort, prolonged hospitalisation, longer recovery times and increased cost; therefore, investigation of preventative procedures are warranted. Objective: To determine the clinical effect of antibacterial (triclosan) coated 2-0 polyglactin 910 suture material on the likelihood of incisional infections when used for closure of subcutaneous tissue following ventral midline celiotomies in horses. Methods: One hundred horses undergoing explora...
Yim VW, Yeung JH, Mak PS, Graham CA, Lai PB, Rainer TH.Professional horse riding-related injuries have not been studied before in Hong Kong, although horse racing takes place very regularly in the territory. In addition, the equestrian events of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games will come to Hong Kong. This study analysed the pattern of horse-related injury among patients who presented to a trauma centre in a teaching hospital in Hong Kong. Methods: Information from the trauma centre database was analysed retrospectively. The database includes trauma patients who had sustained potentially severe injuries that warranted initial assessment and resuscit...
Frazer GS, Perkins NR, Blanchard TL, Orsini J, Threlfall WR.A retrospective investigation was performed to determine the population characteristics of horses presented for dystocia at 2 equine referral hospitals and the types of fetal maldispositions among these horses. The study population consisted of a similar number of Thoroughbreds (25%), Standardbreds (24%) and draft horses (22%). Most of the current literature pertaining to equine obstetrics is based on a predominately draft horse population (63%). The latter population appeared to have more transverse presentations (P = 0.06), possibly because of the higher number of draft mares. In our study, ...
Hoeberg E, Sånge A, Saegerman C, Bohlin A, Nostell K, Durie I, Husted L, Öhman A, Jacobsen S, Berg L, Laursen SH, van Galen G.Serum amyloid A (SAA) has been reported to hold promise as diagnostic and prognostic marker in foals. This has not been investigated thoroughly. Objective: Evaluate admission SAA concentrations as predictor of sepsis and outcome. Methods: Five hundred and ninety hospitalized foals <14 days old. Methods: Retrospective multicenter study. Foals were scored with sepsis and survival scores, grouped according to health category (septic, sick but nonseptic, uncertain sepsis status) and outcome; septic foals were further categorized according to severity (normal sepsis, severe sepsis, and septic sho...
Hessler C, Eckert V, Meiners J, Jürgens C, Reicke B, Matthes G, Ekkernkamp A, Püschel K.Horse riding is associated with a high rate of injuries. The possibilities of prevention are limited because of deficient knowledge about the causes and mechanisms of equine-related accidents. In the present study 198 equine-related accidents were analyzed and based on these data risk groups were identified and guidelines to improve safety in horse riding were formulated. Methods: In this 2-center study the accidents of 169 riders over a period of 12 months were analyzed. Data on equine-related patterns of injury and the resulting treatment were collated from the clinical records. Additionally...
Schoster A, van Spijk JN, Damborg P, Moodley A, Kirchgaessner C, Hartnack S, Schmitt S.Fourth-generation cephalosporins can select for extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae in horses, but it is unknown to what extent this occurs compared to penicillin/gentamicin combination treatment. The objective was to evaluate the effect of different antimicrobial treatments on faecal shedding and diversity of ESBL-producing Escherichia coli (ESBL-EC) in horses. Upon hospital admission, 86 horses in need of antimicrobial treatment or prophylaxis were randomly allocated to receive penicillin and gentamicin (PG) or cefquinome (CEF). Untreated horses were included a...
Dallap Schaer BL, Aceto H, Caruso MA, Brace MA.Colic has been associated with shedding of Salmonella. Horses with salmonellosis typically develop diarrhea, fever, and leukopenia. Overlooking additional predictors may result in failure to detect shedding horses and increase environmental contamination. Objective: Evaluate associations between signalment and clinicopathologic data during early hospitalization and Salmonella shedding in horses treated for acute colic. Methods: Horses with acute colic admitted to a referral hospital. A total of 59 horses shedding Salmonella compared to 108 Salmonella-negative horses. Methods: Retrospective cas...
Lisowski ZM, Pirie RS, Blikslager AT, Lefebvre D, Hume DA, Hudson NPH.Post-operative ileus (POI) is a serious condition which any horse undergoing abdominal surgery is at risk of developing, leading to increased hospitalisation time and resulting costs. Advances in the understanding of the development of equine POI are mainly based on human and rodent literature, where manipulation-induced inflammation has been identified as a trigger, with activation of resident muscularis externa macrophages playing a crucial role in the pathophysiology. Despite many pharmacological trials in all species, there is no single completely successful treatment for POI, highlighting...
Pezzanite LM, Easley JT, Bayless R, Aldrich E, Nelson BB, Seim HB, Nout-Lomas YS.Further development of surgical techniques for equine cervical stabilisation is necessary to make the procedure less technically demanding, reduce complications and improve outcomes. Objective: To describe clinical outcomes and owner reports in horses undergoing placement of an interbody fusion device and polyaxial pedicle screw and rod construct for cervical vertebral fusion in horses with cervical vertebral compressive myelopathy. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Data were retrieved from medical records of 10 horses undergoing cervical vertebral fusion (2015-2019). Records were e...
Nelson BB, Lordan EE, Hassel DM.Gastrointestinal dysfunction occurs commonly following elective anaesthesia. Identification of risk factors may allow implementation of preventative measures to reduce the prevalence of colic following elective anaesthetic procedures. Objective: To examine risk factors associated with gastrointestinal dysfunction or post anaesthetic colic for horses undergoing elective surgical or diagnostic procedures under general anaesthesia. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Medical records were collected from adult horses undergoing general anaesthesia from 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2010 us...
Kopper JJ, Willette JA, Kogan CJ, Seguin A, Bolin SR, Schott HC.Rates of detecting ≥1 potential enteric pathogens (PEP) or toxins (PEP-T) in feces, blood, or both of horses ≥6 months of age with enteric disease and impact of multiple detections on outcome of horses with colitis has not been reported. Objective: To determine detection rates of PEP/PEP-T in feces, blood, or both of horses with enteric disease and effect of detecting multiple agents on outcome of horses with colitis. Methods: Thirty-seven hundred fifty-three fecal samples submitted to IDEXX Laboratories and 239 fecal and blood samples submitted to Michigan State University's Veterinary D...
O'Brien EJO, Smith RKW.Tendon/ligament mineralization is recognized in horses but information regarding its clinical significance is limited. The aims of this observational study were to report the structures most commonly affected by ultrasonographically detectable mineralization and, for these, determine frequency of diagnosis and key clinical features. Cases presented at our hospital in April 1999-April 2013 and September 2014-November 2015 were included: a total of 27 horses (22 retrospective, five prospective). Mineralizations were most common in deep digital flexor tendons (10) and suspensory ligament branches...
Schneider RK, Milne DW, Kohn CW.Twenty-seven cases of acquired inguinal hernia in the horse were reviewed. The history, clinical signs, treatment, and complications were summarized. Mortality was 25.9%. Only 13 or the 27 cases were diagnosed prior to admission. With early diagnosis and treatment, mortality should approach zero. In 24 of these cases, the hernia was strangulated. In each case, the signs were colic, a firm slightly enlarged testicle in the scrotum, and small intestine displacement through the inguinal ring, as determined via rectal palpation. In was concluded that palpation of the scrotum and inguinal rings sho...
Colbath AC, Hackett ES, Lesser CS, Hendrickson DA.To develop a novel technique for left paralumbar laparoscopic bilateral ovariectomy in standing, sedated mares. Methods: Prospective descriptive clinical study. Methods: Twelve client-owned mares. Methods: Healthy mares with normal ovarian palpation and ultrasonographic appearance were enrolled. Horses were restrained in standing stocks and administered a variable rate infusion of sedation. A left paralumbar bilateral ovariectomy was performed with 1 laparoscopic and 3 instrument portals. Access to the right ovary was facilitated by retracting the descending colon and associated mesentery with...
Stewart HL, Engiles JB, Stefanovski D, Southwood L.OBJECTIVE To describe gastrointestinal histologic findings for horses with recurrent colic and evaluate possible associations between initial clinical signs, biopsy method, histologic diagnosis, and outcome 1 year after hospital discharge. DESIGN Retrospective case series. ANIMALS 66 horses with a history of recurrent colic for which gastrointestinal specimens had been submitted for histologic examination. PROCEDURES Histologic diagnosis was categorized as inflammatory, neoplastic, ischemic, other, and undiagnosed. Relationships among initial clinical features, biopsy method, histologic diagno...
Bauquier JR, Boston RC, Sweeney RW, Wilkins PA, Nolen-Walston RD.Gentamicin is an aminoglycoside antimicrobial commonly used in horses at 6.6 mg/kg IV once daily. Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) can confirm desired peak concentration is reached for common bacterial isolates, and detect toxicosis associated with high trough values. Objective: Determine the relationship between gentamicin dose and plasma concentration in hospitalized horses, and identify a starting dose range to achieve peaks > 32 μg/mL. Methods: Sixty-five horses (2002-2010) receiving once-daily gentamicin with TDM performed (N = 99 sets). Methods: Retrospective study. Data from hospit...
Lopes MA, White NA.Parenteral nutrition is advocated for sick foals and horses, although there is no report which has critically evaluated its benefits in this species. Therefore, the hypothesis that parenteral nutrition (PN) is beneficial for horses with severe gastrointestinal disease was investigated in a retrospective study. Records from 79 treatment courses in horses with gastrointestinal disease were reviewed for the years 1992-2000. The fatality rate (48.1%) was attributed to the severity of the primary disease. Complications due to PN were recorded and hyperglycaemia was the most common complication asso...
Ewart SL, Schott HC, Robison RL, Dwyer RM, Eberhart SW, Walker RD.To determine sources of Salmonella organisms in a veterinary teaching hospital, compare bacterial culture with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing for detection of Salmonella organisms in environmental samples, and evaluate the effects of various disinfectants on detection of Salmonella organisms on surface materials. Methods: Prospective study. Methods: Fecal samples from 638 hospitalized horses and 783 environmental samples. Methods: Standard bacterial culture techniques were used; the PCR test amplified a segment of the Salmonella DNA. Five disinfectants were mixed with Salmonella suspe...
Hartmann FA, Callan RJ, McGuirk SM, West SE.Salmonella anatum was isolated from horses treated at a private veterinary clinic or at a university veterinary medical teaching hospital. All isolates were resistant to most commonly used antibiotics. Because of the severity of disease resulting from outbreaks of infections with drug-resistant strains of S anatum, an epidemiologic investigation was conducted. Enteric bacteria, including S anatum, that were resistant to most antibiotics were isolated from the private veterinary clinic environment. Salmonella anatum was not isolated from the university teaching hospital environment. To prevent ...
Voigt A, Saulez MN, Donnellan CM, Gummow B.The most common causes of gastrointestinal colic at an equine referral hospital in South Africa were determined following retrieval of the medical records of horses admitted during a 10-year study period. The study included 935 horses of which 28% were admitted after hours. Most horses were Thoroughbreds (54%), male (57%), with a mean age of 8.2 years and originated from the Gauteng Province (81%). Heart rate (98%), mucous membrane colour (95%) and auscultation of the abdomen (91%) were the clinical data commonly obtained at admission. Packed cell volume, total serum protein and white cell cou...
Schoster A, Amsler M, Kirchgaessner C, Saleh L, Schwarzwald C, Schmitt S.The optimal dosage regimen of gentamicin in horses is still under investigation. The objectives of this study were to determine gentamicin plasma concentrations in hospitalized horses treated with 10 mg/kg gentamicin (IV, q 24 h) and to determine whether a plasma concentration to minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ratio of 10:1 is reached for equine pathogens using this dose. Methods: Prospective clinical observational study; retrospective study on MICs of 131 gram-negative bacteria isolated from horses (2012-2015). Methods: University teaching hospital. Methods: Ninety-eight horses >...
Schröttner P, Schultz J, Rudolph W, Gunzer F, Thürmer A, Fitze G, Jacobs E.We report on the isolation of Actinobacillus equuli ssp. haemolyticus from wound smears of a 2-year-old girl who was admitted to the hospital due to partial amputation of the distal phalanx of her right middle finger caused by a horse bite. A. equuli typically causes diseases in horses and only very few reports describing human infections (mostly associated with wounds) are available in the literature. Interestingly, although the bacteria could be found in consecutive samples taken at different points in time, there were no signs of advancing infection or inflammation. Moreover, the fingertip ...
