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Topic:Inflammation
Inflammation is a biological response of the horse's body to harmful stimuli, such as pathogens, damaged cells, or irritants. It is a complex process that involves the activation of immune cells, the release of inflammatory mediators, and changes in blood flow. In horses, inflammation can manifest in various forms, affecting different tissues and organs, including the joints, respiratory system, and skin. The inflammatory response is an essential component of the horse's immune system, aiming to eliminate the initial cause of cell injury, clear out damaged cells and tissues, and establish tissue repair. This topic page gathers peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the mechanisms, effects, and management of inflammation in equine health.
Airway Lipid Mediators in Horses: Baseline Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid Profiles and Effects of EPA and DHA-rich Microalgae Oil Supplementation. We investigated how dietary omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) affect airway inflammation, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) lipid mediators and red blood cell fatty acids in horses. Increased BALF neutrophils are a hallmark of airway inflammation, commonly associated with equine asthma. The long-chain n-3 PUFAs EPA and DHA are essential nutrients and precursors of specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) that regulate inflammatory responses. In this prospective field trial, we assigned horses to three diets, including...
Association between cytology and endoscopy of guttural pouches: a prospective study on 173 horses. Guttural pouch (GP) disorders are clinically important in horses, yet the relationship between endoscopic findings and GP cytology remains poorly defined. Objective: To establish reference cytological values for GP lavage fluid in horses and to investigate associations between inflammatory cytology and endoscopic findings. Methods: Asymptomatic racing horses sampled in the field and horses referred for investigation of respiratory disorders. Methods: Prospective cross-sectional study. Horses underwent clinical examination, upper airway endoscopy, and bilateral transendoscopic GP lavage. A GP i...
Surgical Management of Unilateral Maxillary Molar Teeth Impaction in a Horse. Impaction of equine permanent cheek teeth is most commonly reported in the mandible, whereas maxillary involvement is rare. This report describes an uncommon presentation of congenital impaction of 3 successive maxillary molar teeth in a 4-year-old mare. Computed tomography revealed complex spatial relationships between the impacted teeth, the sinus floor and adjacent structures, which were not fully appreciated on conventional radiography and were essential for surgical planning. Surgical extraction via a maxillary sinus bone flap permitted controlled sectioning and subsequent removal of all ...
Alpha-2-Macroglobulin-Enriched Plasma Modulates Inflammatory and Proteolytic Pathways in Experimental Equine Musculoskeletal Models. Joint inflammation and extracellular matrix degradation are major contributors to the development of equine osteoarthritis and reduced athletic performance. Alpha-2-macroglobulin is a naturally occurring broad-spectrum inhibitor of proteases and inflammatory mediators that has emerged as a promising orthobiologic therapy. This study investigated the anti-inflammatory and matrix-protective effects of alpha-2-macroglobulin-enriched plasma in complementary in vitro and ex vivo equine models. Primary equine chondrocytes and synoviocytes isolated from healthy horses were stimulated with interleukin...
From Diet to Disease: The Role of the Gut Microbiome and Microbial Metabolites in Horses. The equine gastrointestinal microbiome plays an essential role in digestion, energy metabolism, immune regulation, and maintenance of intestinal homeostasis. Increasing evidence suggests that microbial-derived metabolites provide a functional link between diet, the microbiome, and host physiology. This narrative review summarizes current knowledge on how dietary factors, including structural carbohydrates, non-structural carbohydrates, protein, and lipids, influence microbial function and metabolite production in horses. Relevant publications available up to June 2026 were identified through s...
Quantifying the Equine Pain Response to Paracetamol Administration in Horses With Chronic Lameness Already Receiving Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatories. Paracetamol is used in horses alongside non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) for multi-modal analgesia; however to date there are few studies published which have investigated its analgesic effect in the horse. Horses were recruited to this study from a population of geriatric horses at The Horse Trust. Horses were selected based on the following inclusion criteria; documented naturally occurring chronic lameness and being treated with an NSAID at the licensed dose and dosing interval. This population was assessed with a five-point subjective lameness grading system performed live by two...
Wound healing of experimental cutaneous wounds in horses: comparison between a topical formulation containing powdered coconut water and an antimicrobial ointment. Skin wounds in horses often present prolonged healing, stimulating the search for alternative topical therapies. To date, there are no experimental studies in horses evaluating topical formulations containing powdered coconut water. Objective: To compare the early macroscopic and morphometric wound-healing outcomes and the histopathological findings at day 14 in experimental cutaneous wounds in horses treated with a topical formulation containing powdered coconut water versus a reference antimicrobial ointment. Methods: Eight clinically healthy horses received two standardized circular skin wo...
Effects of omeprazole therapy administered via different routes on urinary parameters and selected interleukins in horses with equine gastric ulcer syndrome. Equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS) is commonly treated with proton pump inhibitors such as omeprazole, administered orally or by injection. In humans, omeprazole has been associated with acute interstitial nephritis (AIN) and acute kidney injury (AKI), potentially linked to oxidative stress, and urinary interleukins may serve as early non-invasive markers. However, this association has not been established in horses. Objective: To evaluate the effects of oral and injectable omeprazole on basic urinary parameters and selected interleukin levels, with particular emphasis on the potential risk ...
Differential Serum Cytokine Profiles in Aborting and Subclinically Infected Pregnant Mares with Equine Herpesvirus Type 1. Equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) is a major cause of reproductive loss in mares. This cross-sectional field study evaluated serum concentrations of interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-10 (IL-10), interferon-alpha (IFN-α), and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), together with the IL-10/IL-2 and IFN-γ/IL-10 ratios, in 26 vaccinated pregnant Thoroughbred mares. The analytical cohort comprised healthy, EHV-1 PCR-negative mares (HM, n = 10), EHV-1 PCR-positive mares sampled within 4 h after fetal expulsion at approximately the sixth month of gestation (AM, n = 9), and EHV-1 PCR-positive pregnant mares with...
Complications Following Nictitating Membrane Resection in Horses: 92 Eyes (2015-2024). The goal of this retrospective study is to evaluate the complications following nictitating membrane resection in horses with the aim of providing valuable information on the risks of this surgical procedure. Methods: 83 horses (92 eyes). Methods: Medical records for 83 horses that underwent nictitating membrane resection in 92 eyes between February 2015 and June 2024 were reviewed. Horses were included if they had at least 1 month of follow-up data available. Owners were contacted via telephone or email questionnaire to obtain follow-up information. Complications were recorded only when pre...
Evaluation of sequential serum amyloid A measurements for the prediction of sepsis and survival in critically ill neonatal foals. Single measurements of serum amyloid A (SAA) concentration at hospital admission has limited sensitivity for predicting sepsis and death. Objective: To determine whether differences in SAA during the first 2 days of hospitalization could predict sepsis and death in critically ill foals. Methods: One hundred twenty-seven critically ill neonatal foals, <14 days of age. Methods: Prospective cohort study. SAA was measured at hospital admission and on day 2 of hospitalization using a validated point-of-care test. Logistic regression was conducted to evaluate the predictive value of individual S...
Risk Factors for Disease in Military Working Equines. Diseases can impact Military Working Equids (MWEs) readiness and limit days in service. The objectives of this study are to categorize diseases in MWEs and evaluate potential risk factors for disease. Methods: Pathology reports from MWEs from 2005 to 2025 were retrieved from the Joint Pathology Center archives. Disease processes with ≥5 cases were evaluated for potential risk factors, including MWE breed, sex, neuter status, geographic location, and age at sampling. Results: Diagnoses included inflammation (n = 30), neoplasia/proliferation (n = 24), within normal limits (n = 12),...
Clinical outcomes of a novel flowable calcium silicate cement in equine endodontic treatment. Orthograde endodontic treatment of equine cheek teeth is performed infrequently with variable success rates of obturation with calcium hydroxide paste (CHP). A novel flowable calcium silicate cement (eCSC) formulated for use as an obturation material in equine teeth has demonstrated acceptable canal filling volumes and evidence of dentinal tubule penetration. However, clinical outcomes of eCSC-obturated equine teeth have not been reported. Objective: To report the clinical outcomes of orthograde endodontic treatment using eCSC. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Horses that underwent...
Short-term effects of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy on subjective flexion-associated lameness responses and circulating cytokines in horses with distal tarsal osteoarthritis. Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy is commonly used in equine sports medicine for its proposed anti-inflammatory effects; however, limited controlled studies have evaluated its physiologic effects in horses. Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of PEMF therapy on flexion-induced lameness and circulating cytokines in horses with radiographic evidence of distal tarsal osteoarthritis. Methods: Six mares were enrolled in a repeated-measures crossover design in which each horse served as its own control. Horses were evaluated at baseline (sham PEMF) and at ...
Rethinking Equine Cystitis: Evidence from Four Atypical Clinical Presentations. In this case series, four equines were diagnosed with cystitis, resulting in divergent clinical outcomes. Three animals achieved complete clinical resolution without recurrence, whereas one required euthanasia due to progressive clinical deterioration. All diagnoses were established through a dual-modality investigative protocol comprising cystoscopic evaluation and histopathological examination of bladder mucosal biopsies. The cohort exhibited considerable etiological heterogeneity. One case was classified as chronic idiopathic cystitis, while another was attributed to an opportunistic bacter...
Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Responses in Horses Naturally Infected with Theileria equi. Equine piroplasmosis, caused by the intraerythrocytic protozoan , is a globally distributed tick-borne disease characterized by persistent infection and variable clinical manifestations. Although oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several hemoprotozoan diseases, information regarding redox imbalance and its relationship with inflammatory responses in horses naturally infected with remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate oxidative stress, antioxidant status, inflammatory cytokines, and clinicopathological alterations in horses naturally infected with . Thirty-fiv...
Intrauterine ozone therapy reduces bacterial load in mares with mixed bacterial endometritis: a longitudinal study. Mixed bacterial endometritis poses a therapeutic challenge in mares due to the coexistence of multiple pathogens with divergent antimicrobial susceptibility profiles. This study evaluated the effects of intrauterine ozone insufflation on uterine bacterial load and endometrial inflammatory response in mares with naturally acquired mixed bacterial endometritis. Fifteen mares with mixed bacterial infection were allocated to two treatment groups: a pathological control group receiving pure medical oxygen insufflation (PC; n = 6) and an ozone-treated group receiving 42 µg/mL ozone for three c...
Technical note on cervical epidural catheterization in two adult horses: Injectate distribution and epidural space effects. To determine the caudalmost extent of diffusion of contrast media administered through a cervical epidural catheter (CEC) and to describe pathologic changes associated with maintaining an indwelling CEC for up to 17 days. Methods: Pilot study. Methods: Two mature horses. Methods: CECs were placed under ultrasound guidance in two horses. Both horses were injected with 5 mL 50% Iohexol contrast solution, followed by radiographs of catheter insertion site to confirm placement. A total volume of 15 mL contrast solution was injected in 5 mL aliquots up to 25 min post-initial injection. La...
Evaluation of Microvascular Flow Imaging and Power Doppler Ultrasonography in an Equine Model of Induced Superficial Digital Flexor Tendonitis. Superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) injuries are common in athletic horses and are associated with prolonged healing and high reinjury rates. Conventional ultrasonography provides structural information but limited physiologic assessment. This study compared microvascular imaging (MVI) and Power Doppler (PD) for evaluating vascular changes in a collagenase-induced equine SDFT injury model and assessed the effect of scanning technique on vascular signal detection. Eight adult Thoroughbred horses underwent bilateral collagenase-induced SDFT injury, with one forelimb randomly assigned to int...
The in vitro application of high-intensity laser therapy on equine platelet-rich plasma and autologous protein solution does not alter select cytokine and growth factor concentrations. To quantify the effects of high-intensity laser therapy (HILT) on the concentration of key immunomodulatory cytokines and growth factors in equine platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and autologous protein solution (APS). We hypothesized that HILT treatment of PRP and APS in vitro would increase the concentration of cytokines and growth factors compared to untreated controls. Unassigned: Whole blood was collected from 6 adult horses housed at the University of Pennsylvania in March 2025 and processed into PRP or APS using commercially available systems (Zoetis). Platelet-rich plasma and APS samples wer...
The Transcriptomic and Proteomic Molecular Signatures of Equine Multiple-System Neuropathy (Grass Sickness). Equine grass sickness (EGS or equine dysautonomia) is a predominantly fatal multi-system neuropathy affecting grazing horses, likely caused by a neurotoxic phospholipase A2 (nPLA2) derived from a plant or microorganism. We studied neuronal tissue gene and protein expression patterns in EGS to elucidate the possible mechanisms of neurotoxicity and neurodegeneration. Tissue from the cranial cervical ganglion of eight EGS horses and six controls was examined histologically and used for transcriptomic analysis. These transcriptomic data were compared with previously published EGS-related proteomic...
Intratumoral para-toluenesulfonamide as a tumor-ablative therapy for equine cutaneous tumors: a case series of three horses. Equine neoplasia, including sarcoids, melanomas, and squamous cell carcinomas, presents therapeutic challenges due to recurrence and limitations of conventional treatments. Para-toluenesulfonamide (p-TLS) is a tumor-ablating agent that is associated with localized tumor necrosis and subsequent lesion resolution. It has been evaluated in human clinical settings as an intratumoral treatment of malignant airway obstruction caused by non-small cell lung cancer. This study aimed to describe the clinical outcomes and tolerability of intratumoral p-TLS in equine neoplasia. Three equine cases, includi...
Anatomopathological aspects of osteoarticular lesions associated with Rhodococcus equi infection in two foals. Rhodococcus equi is an important bacterium that affects foals up to six months of age, especially those that are immunocompromised. The main manifestation is pyogranulomatous pneumonia; nevertheless, extrapulmonary lesions have not only been reported, but are not uncommon, including arthritis and osteomyelitis. Despite the widespread occurrence of rhodococcosis, the macro- and microscopic lesions in the musculoskeletal system are still poorly understood, and a detailed study is needed to better understand the pathogenic potential of the organism. The aim of this report is to present the anatom...
Limited Effects of High-Intensity Laser Therapy on Clinical and Radiographic Outcomes in Three-Year-Old Arabian Racehorses with Dorsal Metacarpal Disease. Dorsal metacarpal disease (DMD) is a common musculoskeletal injury in young racehorses, and effective non-invasive treatments remain of clinical interest. This study aimed to evaluate whether high-intensity laser therapy (HILT), which was applied as the sole intervention in horses retired from training, reduces the clinical signs of DMD compared with untreated controls. During the 2023-2024 racing seasons, 15 Arabian racehorses diagnosed with DMD were enrolled; 9 received HILT and 6 served as controls without laser therapy. The treatment protocol consisted of five daily HILT sessions followed ...
Clinical and microbiota alterations in performance horses undergoing long-distance transport. Transport-associated pneumonia contributes substantially to morbidity, impaired welfare, and economic loss in high-performance horses and may be associated with alterations in the respiratory microbiota. Objective: Examine the effect of long-distance transport on the respiratory microbiota and correlate changes in microbiota diversity and composition with systemic and airway inflammation. Methods: Seventeen client-owned performance horses transported from New England to Florida under optimized trailering conditions, and 12 non-traveling horses. Methods: Physical examination, blood testing, nas...
Gastroscopic Evaluation of Gastric Mucosa in Horses Treated With Flunixin Meglumine or High-Dose Firocoxib: A Descriptive Pilot Study. Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS) is common in horses, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are a known risk factor for gastrointestinal ulceration. Although COX-2 selective NSAIDs such as firocoxib theoretically offer a better safety profile, endoscopic evidence for their mucosal safety at high off-label doses is lacking. Objective: To compare the effects of label-dose flunixin meglumine and high-dose firocoxib on the gastric mucosa of a small selected group of horses using serial gastroscopy and histopathology in a descriptive pilot study. Methods: Twenty mixed-breed horses w...
Validation of an improved insect bite hypersensitivity severity score for allergic equine insect bite hypersensitivity in horses. Insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH) is the most common allergic skin disease in horses, but existing clinical scoring systems lack extensive validation, limiting standardized disease monitoring and therapeutic evaluation. Objective: Develop and validate a standardized, sensitive, and reproducible clinical scoring system for IBH in horses. Methods: Forty-four privately-owned horses with clinically diagnosed IBH examined under field conditions in Switzerland. Methods: In this prospective field validation study, the equine IBH severity score (EqIS) integrates a lesion severity score and an area sc...
Synovial fluid oxidative stress index as a biomarker for arthritis severity in thoroughbred racehorses. Arthritis is a major cause of lameness in racehorses. Even when lameness improves, it may recur after training resumes, making it difficult to determine the disease state and when to end treatment. This retrospective observational study examined whether oxidative stress in synovial fluid could assess arthritis status in racehorses. Synovial fluid samples obtained during routine clinical practice from horses with arthritis and control samples obtained from horses without clinical or radiographic evidence of carpal joint disease were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 72 Thoroughbreds in Japan...
Humoral immune response to equine mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs): MHC compatibility has more influence than inflammatory priming or chondrogenic differentiation. Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) hold great potential for treating various conditions, but their effectiveness and safety in allogeneic therapies can be affected by the recipient's immune response, among other factors. Allogeneic MSC administration has been associated with immune recognition in different species, including horses. These animals are both veterinary patients and translational models, offering valuable insights into how allogeneic MSCs interact with the immune system in vivo. Factors such as inflammation, chondrogenic differentiation, and major histocompatibility complex (MH...
