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.
Naef S, Steiger CN, Tabard-Fougère A, Dayer R, Ceroni D.Horse-related activities are increasingly popular among young people but are frequently associated with severe injuries requiring hospital treatment. There are few data on the incidence of equestrian injuries, especially in child populations, or on means of prevention. Thus, this study's purpose was to highlight the epidemiological data on specific injuries due to equestrianism and serve as the groundwork for future studies on the prevention of equestrian accidents. Methods: A retrospective study collected data on all children younger than 16 years old who attended our regional emergency depar...
Oliveira T, Santos A, Silva J, Trindade P, Yamada A, Jaramillo F, Silva L, Baccarin R.In humans, hospitalisation, disease type, and environmental factors evidently affect the quality of sleep, further influencing patient recovery. The objective of the present study was to report the resting and lying behaviour of hospitalised horses, and whether lying behaviours differ depending on the physiological severity of joint damage. We hypothesised that the resting and lying behaviour can change during the hospitalisation and physiological severity of joint damage affect the time of rest in horses. A descriptive observational study was performed to evaluate the effect of hospitalisatio...
Puolakkainen T, Marttila E, Thorén H, Snäll J.Patients with equine-related injuries (ERI) have high rates of hospitalization and often require surgical treatment. This study aimed to clarify the injury profiles of patients sustaining ERI-related craniofacial fractures and their relationship with other severe head and neck injuries.This retrospective study included all patients with craniofacial fractures admitted to a tertiary trauma center during 2013 to 2018. Out of 3256 patients, a total of 39 patients were included in the study (1.2%). Demographic and clinically relevant variables were reported and statistically evaluated.Males repres...
Prouillac C.Antibiotic resistance has become a major concern for not only human health, but also for animal health. To preserve the efficacy of antibiotics, it has become essential to establish measures to regulate the prescription of antibiotics to ensure their prudent use. In France, these measures have been translated into regulations for animal health since 2015, with the publication of three important regulatory texts. The results obtained on a national scale in terms of reducing the use of antibiotics have been satisfactory. The aim of our study was to evaluate the differences related to the prescri...
Samuels K, Bettis A, Davenport DL, Bernard AC.Nineteen million people participate in horseback riding activities in the US, and the horse industry employs more than 460,000 full-time workers. Emergency department data suggest young female amateurs and male professionals are most at risk of death from horse-related injuries. However, there has been no investigation into factors that may increase severe injury and mortality risk in these populations. This study investigates demographics and injury pattern differences between occupational and non-occupational horse-related injuries in the US. Methods: The 2017 American College of Surgeons Na...
Gandini M, Giusto G.7 horses (3 geldings, 2 mares, and 2 stallions) were examined because of acute colic caused by small intestinal obstruction involving the aborad portion of the jejunum and orad portion of the ileum. All horses underwent a routine colic examination on arrival and had a diagnosis of strangulating obstruction of the small intestine. All horses underwent emergency exploratory laparotomy, in which the affected aborad portion of the jejunum and orad portion of the ileum were resected; in 5 horses, a hand-sewn end-to-end jejuno-ileal anastomosis was combined with a hand-sewn incomplete ileocecal bypa...
Lanci A, Ingrà L, Dondi F, Tomasello F, Teti G, Mariella J, Falconi M, Castagnetti C.Exfoliative cytology of human amniotic fluid (AF) has been extensively studied since 1940s, but no data exist in equine species. The AF compartment represents the environment in which the foetus grows and matures, and its composition changes, reflecting foetal well-being and development. The aim of this study was to describe for the first time the morphology of equine AF cells and amniotic membrane (AM) with light microscopy (LM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). AF was collected at parturition within 5 min after the appearance of the AM with a 60 mL syringe from 34 mares and sampl...
Louro LF, Robson K, Hughes J, Loomes K, Senior M.In equine anaesthesia, the recovery period is critical, accounting for most anaesthesia-related fatalities reported. Horses may recover unassisted or may be assisted, for example, using a head and tail rope recovery method. Objective: To compare the impact of head and tail rope and unassisted recovery method on quality of recovery in horses undergoing colic surgery under general anaesthesia (GA). Methods: Single centre retrospective cross-sectional study, with prospective model performance analysis. Methods: Clinical data were obtained from horses undergoing emergency exploratory laparotomy ov...
Giusto G, Vercelli C, Gandini M.There are few guidelines for the appropriate mode of fluid administration during and after colic surgery, and is challenging to reach the right balance while avoiding overhydration. This study aimed to compare goal-directed fluid therapy (GDFT) and 'liberal' fluid regimens (LFRs) in horses undergoing small intestinal surgery. Methods: Eighteen horses subjected to small intestinal surgery were matched according to the surgical lesion, type of anastomosis, length of resection, and duration of clinical signs. Horses in the LFR group were administered intravenous (IV) fluids for at least 24 h. In ...
Floyd E, Danks S, Comyn I, Mackenzie C, Marr CM.Respiratory disease is common in critically ill neonatal foals. Traditional oxygen therapy (TOT) with nasal insufflation of oxygen is often used to provide first-line respiratory support. Mechanical ventilation is used in foals which require a greater level of support but requires specialist expertise and can be associated with significant complications. Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) enables a greater level of respiratory support without the need for intubation. High flow oxygen therapy (HFOT) is a mode of NIV commonly used in human intensive care. Objective: To describe the use of HFOT in ho...
The American surgeonOctober 13, 2021
Volume 89, Issue 4 875-880 doi: 10.1177/00031348211048836
Bhade P, Parsons A, Smiley A, Shreffler J, Nash N, Baker J, Harbrecht B, Huecker M.The potential for significant traumatic injury to individuals who interact with horses remains high due to animal size, forces applied, and unpredictability. Despite an estimated 30 million riders in the United States annually, few recent publications have addressed this patient population. Objective: This study describes characteristics of patients injured in interactions with horses, focusing on mechanism of injury and use of protective equipment. Methods: We queried our institution's trauma registry for all patients admitted for equine-related injuries (ERI) between January 1, 2013 and Dece...
Lopes MAF, Hardy J, Farnsworth K, Labens R, Lam WYE, Noschka E, Afonso T, Cruz Villagrán C, Santos LCP, Saulez M, Kelmer G.Standing flank laparotomy can be an alternative to ventral midline laparotomy in horses with colic. Standing flank laparotomy avoids general anaesthesia, provides excellent access to some regions of the abdominopelvic cavity and costs less than ventral midline laparotomy. Objective: To report a series of cases of peritoneal and intestinal diseases other than SC diseases managed with standing flank laparotomy. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Records from equids with colic subjected to standing flank laparotomy at five hospitals (2003-2020) were reviewed. Descriptive data analysis w...
Magdesian KG, Barnum S, Pusterla N. and cause significant morbidity and mortality in foals. Antemortem diagnosis of infection has been complicated by a paucity of tests available for toxin detection. Fecal PCR panels have assays for a variety of toxin gene sequences as well as for several other foal gastrointestinal pathogens. We evaluated results of a comprehensive fecal diarrhea PCR panel in 28 foals that had been presented to a referral hospital because of diarrhea. Sixteen (57%) foals were positive for and/or toxin gene sequences on fecal PCR, including 3 foals positive for NetF toxin. These foals were younger ( = ...
Lanci A, Ingallinesi M, Morini M, Freccero F, Castagnetti C, Mariella J.Hydramnios is an excessive accumulation of fluid within the amniotic compartment. It is a rare condition in mares, often associated with fetal anomalies. Hydrops of fetal membranes predisposes to the rupture of the prepubic tendon, and many authors suggest the induction of parturition to preserve mare's reproductive career. This report presents the case of a 15-year-old multiparous Quarter Horse mare, referred at 268 days of gestation for suspected hydrops. Repeated ultrasonographic exams confirmed an increase in the depth of the amniotic fluid and reduced fetal viability. During the hospitali...
Rings LM, Kamr AM, Kinsella HM, Hostnik LD, Swink JM, Burns TA, Christie K, David JB, Toribio RE.The enteroinsular axis (EIA) is an energy regulatory system that modulates insulin secretion through the release of enteroendocrine factors (incretins). Despite the importance of energy homeostasis in the equine neonate, information on the EIA in hospitalized foals is lacking. The goals of this study were to measure serum insulin and plasma incretin (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide [GIP], glucagon-like peptide-1 [GLP-1] and glucagon-like peptide-2 [GLP-2]) concentrations, to determine the insulin and incretin association, as well as their link to disease severity and outcome in ho...
Mutore K, Lim J, Fofana D, Torres-Reveron A, Skubic JJ.There is a paucity of evidence about traumatic injuries and their sequelae sustained due to equestrian injuries nationally. Methods: Retrospective study analyzing National Trauma Data Bank data from 2007 to 2016. Variables collected included age, sex, race, payer status, Injury Severity Score (ISS), hospital length of stay, Glasgow Coma Scale, systolic blood pressure (SBP) at presentation, discharge disposition, and mortality. Patient data were analyzed by anatomic region. Results: The most frequent type of injury was in the thorax, but head and neck injuries produced the highest mortality. In...
Santiago-Llorente I, López-San Román FJ, Villalba-Orero M.To determine demographic, preoperative and anaesthesia-related variables that may be associated with unsatisfactory recovery quality in horses undergoing emergency abdominal surgery (colic) in an equine teaching hospital. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: A total of 313 horses. Methods: The anaesthetic records of horses admitted for surgical treatment of colic between 2005 and 2018 were examined. Overall quality of recovery was assessed as dangerous, poor, fair, good or excellent. The following categories were constructed as a dichotomic variable: unsatisfactory recovery (poor and d...
Sage SE, Bedenice D, McKinney CA, Long AE, Pacheco A, Wagner B, Mazan MR, Paradis MR.To determine the impact of age on survival in horses with colitis and to elucidate whether a lower type-1/type-2 cytokine ratio or an exaggerated inflammatory state contribute to reduced survival in aged horses. Methods: Part 1: Retrospective cohort analysis. Part 2: Analytic observational study. Methods: Part 1: One hundred twenty-four adult horses with colitis. Part 2: Twenty-nine adult horses with new diarrhea onset while hospitalized. Results: Part 1: Patient signalment, select clinicopathological data, diagnoses, treatment, hospitalization length, and invoice were compared between survivo...
Mycotoxin contaminated feed has been associated with colic of horses caused by intestinal disorders. Whether such disease conditions alter the intestinal toxin metabolism and transfer across a compromised mucosal barrier is unknown. A screening approach was used to relate blood residue levels of DON, ZEN and their metabolites to the status of the horses (sick vs. healthy). A total of 55 clinically healthy horses from 6 different farms with varying feeding background served as control for sick horses (N = 102) hospitalized due to colic. ZEN, alpha-zearalenol (ZEL), beta-ZEL and DON were detecta...
Hann MJ, Mair TS, Gardner A, Mudge M, Southwood LL, Dechant JE, Barton MH, Garcia-Macias J, Parker RA, Hassel D, Archer DC.Incisional complications are a common cause of morbidity following laparotomy. Although uncommon, acute abdominal dehiscence (AAD) is a potentially fatal post-operative complication. However, few AAD cases are described in the literature. Objective: To describe common features of cases of AAD following ventral midline laparotomy, management and outcomes. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Hospital records of horses that underwent a ventral midline laparotomy at nine hospitals in the UK, Ireland and USA over a 10-year period (2009-2019) were reviewed. Data were collected for pre-, int...
Pezzanite LM, Hackett ES, McCready E, Easley JT.Bilateral sinus disease is relatively uncommon in horses, accounting for 3%-4.5% of horses with sinonasal disease, but may require bilateral paranasal surgery for complete resolution. Complications and recurrence following bilateral sinusotomy have not been reported or compared to those following unilateral procedures. To describe clinical features and outcomes in horses undergoing standing single, caudally based bilateral frontonasal sinusotomy compared to unilateral frontonasal surgery. Records of horses (n = 37) undergoing surgical treatment for sinus disease (five bilateral, 32 unilatera...
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...
Moore C, Stefanovski D, Luethy D.Antemortem definitive diagnosis of lymphoma in horses is often difficult. Thymidine kinase 1 (TK1) assay is a potentially useful biomarker for lymphoma in horses. Objective: To report the clinical performance of a commercially available TK1 assay for diagnosis of lymphoma in horses. We hypothesized that there would be no association between serum TK1 activity and a diagnosis of lymphoma in horses. Methods: Forty-two hospitalized horses, 14 with a definitive diagnosis of lymphoma, 4 with other neoplasia, and 24 with inflammatory disease. Methods: Retrospective medical record review, groups were...
Merchán A, Voss JK, Dubois MS.The satisfactory outcome of fungal osteitis in an 8-year-old American Quarter Horse is described. The horse was admitted with a grade 4 out of 5 lameness and exhibited metacarpophalangeal synovial effusion, indicative of a mild suppurative inflammation. Results of initial radiographic and ultrasonographic examination were unremarkable. Intra-articular anesthesia of the metacarpophalangeal joint allowed localization of the insult. It was not until day 6 of hospitalization when lytic changes on the axial aspect were observed on radiographic examination. Arthroscopic examination permitted identif...
Stanbouly D, Besmer AV, Chuang SK.The purpose of our study is to assess the severity of craniomaxillofacial injuries from horseback-riding accidents. Methods: This is a 20-year retrospective cross-sectional study of the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System. Injuries from the activity of horseback-riding were included if they occurred in the craniomaxillofacial complex. Study predictors were derived from both patient and injury characteristics. The study outcome was the presence or absence (probability) of hospital admission from the emergency department. A multiple logistic regression model was created to model the o...
Bedenice D, Avila B, Paradis MR.Species-related differences in the prevalence, manifestation, and outcome of neonatal illness may impact management practices of neonatal intensive care. The study aimed to elucidate similarities between disease manifestations and mortality risks of critically ill (CI) neonatal crias and foals admitted to the same referral center. Methods: A comparative, retrospective cohort evaluation of two species (camelid and equine). Methods: The study was conducted in a University hospital. Methods: Two hundred and forty-six CI neonatal crias (January 1999 to May 2016) and 356 neonatal foals (February 20...
Silva Serra AC, Júnior EC, Cruz JF, Lobo PS, Júnior ET, Bandeira RS, Bezerra DA, Mascarenhas JD, Santos Guerra SF, Soares LS. To perform a molecular analysis of rotavirus A (RVA) G3P[6] strains detected in 2012 and 2017 in the Amazon region of Brazil. Eighteen RVA G3P[6] strains were collected from children aged under 10 years hospitalized with acute gastroenteritis, and partial sequencing of each segment genome was performed using Sanger sequencing. Phylogenetic analysis showed that all G3P[6] strains had a DS-1-like genotype constellation. Two strains had the highest nucleotide identities with equine-like G3P[6]/G3P[8] genotypes. Several amino acid alterations in VP4 and VP7 neutralizing epitopes of equine-l...
Morice P, Allano M, Provost C, Fairbrother JH, Gagnon CA, Sauvé F.Genomic characterization was conducted on 2 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains isolated from 2 horses hospitalized during an overlapping period of time and 2 methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) strains isolated from 2 distinct horses. Phylogenetic proximity was traced and the genotypic and phenotypic characteristics of the antimicrobial resistance of the strains were compared. Whole genome sequencing of MRSA strains for this report was similar but differed from whole genome sequencing of MSSA strains. The MRSA strains were closely related, belonging to sequence type ...
Krause DM, Pezzanite LM, Griffenhagen GM, Hendrickson DA.Frequency of synovial sepsis in horses following intrasynovial injection has been reported, but not compared with respect to the environment in which the injection was performed. Objective: To describe occurrence of synovial sepsis following intrasynovial injections performed in ambulatory vs hospital settings. Methods: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: Records from the Colorado State University were evaluated (2014-2018) and horses receiving intrasynovial injections were identified. Patients presenting for septic synovial structures were excluded. Patient signalment, primary supervising se...
Zakia LS, Gomez DE, Kenney DG, Arroyo LG.The objective of this study was to describe the clinical findings, medical management, and outcomes of horses with sabulous cystitis, and to describe a high flow bladder lavage procedure in horses that are standing or under general anesthesia. The medical records of 13 horses diagnosed with sabulous cystitis via cystoscopy between 2013 and 2020 were reviewed. Geldings (92%) and Warmbloods (46%) were overrepresented. The most common presenting complaint was urinary incontinence (69%). Complete blood cell count, serum biochemistry profile and urine cytology results were non-specific. Six (46%) h...
Goehring LS, Landolt GA, Morley PS.Because of the serious disease sequelae associated with equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) infections, awareness and control measures used to control outbreaks are important issues for all horse populations. Objective: Describe the occurrence and management of an outbreak of EHV-1 infection at a veterinary hospital. Methods: Horses hospitalized at a referral veterinary hospital. Methods: A horse with myeloencephalopathy associated with EHV-1 infection (EHM) was admitted for diagnostic evaluation and treatment under strict infection control procedures. We describe the occurrence and management o...
Murray MJ, Nout YS, Ward DL.Medical records and endoscopy images were examined for 209 horses that had gastroscopic examinations performed with a 2.5- or 3-m-long endoscope by one of the authors (MJM) during a 4-year period (1996-2000). The antrum and pylorus were viewed in 162 horses, and the duodenum was viewed in 94 horses. Of these 162 horses, the gastric squamous mucosa was seen in 157 horses and 50% or more of the glandular mucosa of the body of the stomach was seen in 156 horses. Erosions or ulcers were seen in the gastric squamous mucosa in 91 (58%) horses. Erosions or ulcers were seen in the glandular mucosa of ...
Ahern BJ, Richardson DW, Boston RC, Schaer TP.To determine the rate of postoperative infection (POI) for internal fixation repaired equine long bone fractures and arthrodeses and identify associated risk factors. Methods: Case series. Methods: Horses (n=192) with fracture repair of the third metacarpal and metatarsal bones, radius, ulna, humerus, tibia, and femur, or arthrodesis with internal fixation. Methods: Medical records (1990-2006) were reviewed for signalment, anatomic location, fracture classification and method of repair, technique and surgical duration, bacterial species isolated, postoperative care, onset of POI, and outcome. ...
Chapman AM.The development of diarrhea among hospitalized horses is a major concern for equine veterinary hospitals and referral centers. It is a potential complication of hospitalization for surgical or medical procedures and can contribute to the morbidity and mortality of horses with gastrointestinal and non-gastrointestinal diseases. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of acute diarrhea or colitis, and in most cases, the specific etiologic agent is presumptive or undetermined. This article discusses the major etiologic agents of diarrhea in hospitalized horses, considers fa...
Dembek KA, Hurcombe SD, Frazer ML, Morresey PR, Toribio RE.Medical management of critically ill equine neonates (foals) can be expensive and labor intensive. Predicting the odds of foal survival using clinical information could facilitate the decision-making process for owners and clinicians. Numerous prognostic indicators and mathematical models to predict outcome in foals have been published; however, a validated scoring method to predict survival in sick foals has not been reported. The goal of this study was to develop and validate a scoring system that can be used by clinicians to predict likelihood of survival of equine neonates based on clinica...
Hobbs GD, Yealy DM, Rivas J.A retrospective chart review was conducted to define the demographic and injury patterns of patients presenting to the emergency department (ED). The setting is a rural/small urban tertiary care center with approximately 40,000 visits per year. All patients presenting to the ED from January 1986 through December 1990 with equestrian-related injuries were enrolled in the study. Measurements included age, sex, mechanism of injury, injury or injuries diagnosed, admission to the hospital, morbidity, and mortality. A total of 142 patients met the inclusion criteria. The majority of injuries occurre...
Cohen ND, Lester GD, Sanchez LC, Merritt AM, Roussel AJ.To determine factors associated with development of postoperative ileus (POI) in horses undergoing surgery for colic. Methods: Prospective case-control study. Methods: 251 horses undergoing colic surgery, of which 47 developed POI. Methods: Signalment, history, clinicopathologic data, pre- and postoperative treatments, lesions, complications, costs, and outcome were recorded for all horses during hospitalization. Results: Variables associated with increased odds of POI included small intestinal lesion, high PCV, and increased duration of anesthesia. There was modest evidence that pelvic flexur...
Weber EJ, Sanchez LC, Giguère S.The modified sepsis scoring system provides a method to identify sepsis in foals early in the disease process, but inconsistent results have been obtained from its clinical application in previous studies. Objective: To evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of the modified sepsis score in a larger population of foals. A secondary objective was to identify factors associated with sepsis. Methods: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: Records were retrospectively analysed for neonatal admissions to the University of Florida Large Animal Hospital from 1982 to 2008. Backwards stepwise multivaria...
Rodriguez C, Taminiau B, Brévers B, Avesani V, Van Broeck J, Leroux AA, Amory H, Delmée M, Daube G.Clostridium difficile has been identified as a significant agent of diarrhoea and enterocolitis in both foals and adult horses. Hospitalization, antibiotic therapy or changes in diet may contribute to the development of C. difficile infection. Horses admitted to a care unit are therefore at greater risk of being colonized. The aim of this study was to investigate the carriage of C. difficile in hospitalized horses and the possible influence of some risk factors in colonization. During a seven-month period, faecal samples and data relating the clinical history of horses admitted to a veterinary...
Galuppi R, Piva S, Castagnetti C, Iacono E, Tanel S, Pallaver F, Fioravanti ML, Zanoni RG, Tampieri MP, Caffara M.The present study aims to evaluate the prevalence, pattern of spread and risk factors for the transmission of cryptosporidiosis in foals and mares hospitalized in a University Equine Perinatology Unit, where a new subtype family of Cryptosporidium horse genotype was described by Caffara et al. (2013). Mares (36) and foals (37) hospitalized during the 2012 foaling season were included. Multiple sampling from each animal was performed (a total of 305 stool samples were collected). One hundred and eleven environmental samples (gauze swabs) were also collected before and after the breeding season....
Anderson ME, Lefebvre SL, Rankin SC, Aceto H, Morley PS, Caron JP, Welsh RD, Holbrook TC, Moore B, Taylor DR, Weese JS.Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an emerging veterinary and zoonotic pathogen, associated with increasing reports of disease in horses. Objective: To provide an overview of the characteristics of clinical MRSA infections in horses. Methods: A retrospective case study was performed on 115 horses admitted to 6 participating veterinary teaching hospitals in Canada and the United States between 2000 and 2006, and diagnosed with clinical MRSA infection. Descriptive statistics, univariate and multivariable analyses for community- (CA) vs. hospital-associated (HA) MRSA infections...
Traub-Dargatz JL, Salman MD, Jones RL.A study was designed to identify epidemiologic factors associated with the development and spread of salmonellae in horses in a veterinary teaching hospital, through a case-control study and a longitudinal follow-up prospective study. In the case-control study, 44 horses shedding salmonellae in feces were compared with 99 control horses not shedding salmonellae in feces; regarding breed, sex, age and initial diagnosis, none of the odds ratios for study factors was significant. The factors found to be associated with fecal shedding of salmonellae in the prospective study included diarrhea at th...
Lim J, Puttaswamy V, Gizzi M, Christie L, Croker W, Crowe P.Equestrian activities are associated with a high rate of injury. Attempts to reduce the incidence and severity of injury require accurate characterization of risk factors and pattern of injury. The present study was performed to analyse the injuries seen at an Australian centre where a large number of equestrian injuries present. Methods: Data were collected prospectively over a 3 year period on all equestrian injuries presenting to the Prince of Wales -Hospital complex. These data were compared against and combined with retrospectively collected data over the preceding 3 years at the same cen...
Dabareiner RM, White NA.Medical records from all horses with large colon impaction admitted between 1985 and 1991 were examined. Large colon impaction was diagnosed in 147 of 1,100 (13.4%) horses with colic. One hundred thirty horses were admitted for further evaluation of acute onset of abdominal pain after having been examined and treated by referring veterinarians, and 17 horses that were hospitalized for unrelated medical problems developed large colon impaction. Female horses (92/147; 62.6%) were more commonly affected than males. The age ranged from 1 to 29 years (median, 7.1 years). Mean duration of clinical s...
Stewart AJ, Hackett E, Bertin FR, Towns TJ.Plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and serum cortisol concentrations increase with illness-associated stress. Dynamics of plasma ACTH and serum cortisol concentrations in adult horses with systemic illness are undocumented. Objective: To determine whether ACTH and cortisol concentrations and the ACTH/cortisol ratio vary with survival, the presence of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), or ischemic gastrointestinal lesions at admission, or throughout hospitalization. Methods: One hundred fifty-one adult horses. Methods: Prospective study measuring serum cortisol and plasma AC...
Isgren CM, Edwards T, Pinchbeck GL, Winward E, Adams ER, Norton P, Timofte D, Maddox TW, Clegg PD, Williams NJ.This study investigated changes over time in the epidemiology of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) producing Escherichia coli within a single equine referral hospital in the UK. Faecal samples were collected from hospitalised horses in 2008 and 2017, processed using selective media and standard susceptibility laboratory methods. A novel real-time PCR with high resolution melt analysis was used to distinguish bla and bla within CTX-M-1 group. Results: In 2008, 457 faecal samples from 103 horses were collected, with ESBL-producing E. coli identified in 131 samples (28.7, 95% CI 24.6-33.1). I...
Dembek KA, Onasch K, Hurcombe SD, MacGillivray KC, Slovis NM, Barr BS, Reed SM, Toribio RE.The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPAA) and their interactions during illness and hypoperfusion are important to maintain organ function. HPAA dysfunction and relative adrenal insufficiency (RAI) are common in septic foals. Information is lacking on the RAAS and mineralocorticoid response in the context of RAI in newborn sick foals. Objective: To investigate the RAAS, as well as HPAA factors that interact with the RAAS, in hospitalized foals, and to determine their association with clinical findings. We hypothesized that critical illness i...
Sanders RK, Martyn B, Joseph R, Peacock ML.In a two-year study of 322 conservatively treated, consecutive cases of tetanus in a rural hospital (all over twelve months old), intrathecal administration of 200 units of antitetanus serum (A.T.S.) (horse) reduced the overall mortality of 4-5% (5/110) compared with 14-5% (16/111) in the control series. 200 units intrathecal A.T.S. (horse) gave better results than 1500 units A.T.S. (horse). The results with lumbar and cisternal administration did not differ. It is suggested that tetanus is a polysystemic condition requiring polysystemic therapy. A regimen in which intrathecal A.T.S. is given ...
Milner PI, Bardell DA, Warner L, Packer MJ, Senior JM, Singer ER, Archer DC.To determine risk factors involved in survival to hospital discharge of cases of synovial sepsis. Objective: Investigate pre-, intra- and post operative factors involved in short-term survival of horses undergoing endoscopic treatment for synovial sepsis. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Clinical data were obtained for horses (>6 months old) undergoing endoscopic surgery as part of management for synovial sepsis over a 7-year period in a single hospital population. Descriptive data were generated for pre-, intra- and post operative variables. Multivariable logistic regression analy...
Rohrbach BW, Buchanan BR, Drake JM, Andrews FM, Bain FT, Byars DT, Bernard WV, Furr MO, Paradis MR, Lawler J, Giguère S, Dunkel B.To create a mathematical model to assist in early prediction of the probability of discharge in hospitalized foals < or= 7 days old. Methods: Prospective study. Methods: 1,073 foals. Methods: Medical records from 910 hospitalized foals < or = 7 days old for which outcome was recorded as died or discharged alive were reviewed. Thirty-four variables including historical information, physical examination findings, and laboratory results were examined for association with survival. Variables associated with being discharged alive were entered into a multivariable logistic regression model. A...
Hinchcliff KW, Rush BR, Farris JW.To evaluate plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine concentrations and serum cortisol concentration in horses with colic and assess the relationship of these variables with clinical signs, routinely measured clinicopathologic variables, and outcome in affected horses. Methods: Prospective observational study. Methods: 35 horses with colic. Methods: Blood samples were collected within 30 minutes of arrival at the veterinary hospital from horses referred because of colic. Plasma and serum samples were analyzed for cortisol, epinephrine, norepinephrine, lactate, and electrolyte concentrations and a...
Kern-Godal A, Arnevik EA, Walderhaug E, Ravndal E.Keeping substance use disorder patients actively engaged in treatment is a challenge. Horse-assisted therapy (HAT) is increasingly used as a complementary therapy, with claimed motivational and other benefits to physical and psychological health. This naturalistic study aimed to assess HAT's impact on the duration and completion of treatment for young substance users at Oslo University Hospital. Methods: Discharge and other data were derived from the Youth Addiction Treatment Evaluation Project (YATEP) database for patients (n = 108) admitted during an 18-month period. An intention-to-treat ...
Van den Eede A, Hermans K, Van den Abeele A, Floré K, Dewulf J, Vanderhaeghen W, Némeghaire S, Butaye P, Gasthuys F, Haesebrouck F, Martens A.The increased incidence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection in equine hospitals highlights the need for infection control protocols based on optimal patient screening. In horses, the deep ventral meatus of the nasal cavity is the principal site sampled to detect MRSA. However, in humans, the anterior nares are the preferred sampling site. The objective of this study was to determine the optimal sampling location in the nasal chambers for MRSA in horses by comparing the results obtained from three different locations (the vestibulum, diverticulum and ventral meatus) ...
Galuppi R, Piva S, Castagnetti C, Sarli G, Iacono E, Fioravanti ML, Caffara M.This paper describes the transmission of a zoonotic subtype of Cryptosporidium parvum between two foals hospitalized in an Equine Perinatology Unit (EPU) linked to an outbreak of cryptosporidiosis in veterinary students. Fecal specimens of 36 mares (105 samples) and 28 foals (122 samples) were subjected to Ziehl-Neelsen staining, nested PCR of 18S rDNA. Two foals tested positive for Cryptosporidium; PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis and subtyping by nested PCR of the 60kDa glycoprotein (gp60) gene revealed C. parvum subtype IIdA23G1. The introduction of Cryptospo...
Schwarz BC, van den Hoven R, Schwendenwein I.The myeloperoxidase index (MPXI) was investigated as a diagnostic indicator of systemic inflammation in a retrospective study using data from 859 hospitalised horses. A reference interval of 8.5-10.4 for the MPXI was established. In horses with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), the MPXI was significantly lower than in healthy horses, those with localised inflammation and those with sepsis. The MPXI in horses with sepsis was also significantly lower than in healthy animals and those with localised inflammation. Horses in the SIRS group with leucopenia, white blood cell (WBC) count...
Ernst NS, Hernandez JA, MacKay RJ, Brown MP, Gaskin JM, Nguyen AD, Giguere S, Colahan PT, Troedsson MR, Haines GR, Addison IR, Miller BJ.To estimate prevalence of and identify risk factors for fecal Salmonella shedding among hospitalized horses with signs of gastrointestinal tract disease. Methods: Cross-sectional study. Methods: 465 hospitalized horses with gastrointestinal tract disease. Methods: Horses were classified as positive or negative for fecal Salmonella shedding during hospitalization by means of standard aerobic bacteriologic methods. The relationship between investigated exposure factors and fecal Salmonella shedding was examined by means of logistic regression. Results: The overall prevalence of fecal Salmonella ...
Morton AJ, Blikslager AT.Although short-term survival rates following small intestinal resection reportedly range from 48-88%, there is little information on predicting which horse may or may not survive small intestinal (SI) resection and anastomosis. The aim of this study was to identify factors that contribute to nonsurvival in horses following small intestinal resection. Medical records of horses which recovered from anaesthesia following SI resection were reviewed. Clinical and surgical variables were evaluated for their association with short-term survival using logistic regression and were reported as odds rati...
Maddox TW, Williams NJ, Clegg PD, O'Donnell AJ, Dawson S, Pinchbeck GL.The increasing prevalence of antimicrobial resistance in bacteria represents a considerable problem for human and veterinary medicine, causing complications in the treatment of infections. Resistance in Escherichia coli from horses has been documented in commensal and pathogenic strains, but little information exists regarding the prevalence of such bacteria in hospitalised horses or associated risk factors. A longitudinal cohort study was conducted of 103 horses admitted to a referral equine hospital for more than 48 h, with faecal samples collected on hospital admission and subsequently ever...
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...
