Pain management in horses involves various strategies and interventions designed to alleviate discomfort and improve the well-being of equine patients. It encompasses pharmacological approaches, such as the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), opioids, and other analgesics, as well as non-pharmacological methods like physical therapy, acupuncture, and environmental modifications. Effective pain management aims to address both acute and chronic pain conditions, which can result from injuries, surgeries, or diseases such as laminitis and arthritis. This page aggregates peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the mechanisms, efficacy, and safety of different pain management techniques in horses, contributing to the understanding and advancement of equine veterinary care.
Adams SB, Steckel R, Blevins W.Diskospondylitis was diagnosed in 5 horses admitted to the Purdue University Large Animal Clinic during a 3-year period. Each horse had evidence of cervical pain. Clinical signs and radiography were useful for identifying the diskospondylitis. Cerebrospinal fluid was normal.
König HE, Amselgruber W.The microscopic structure of the arteries was investigated in the gastro-intestinal tract of the horse. The median artery was also studied for comparative purposes. The adventitia is responsible for the holding and suspension of the visceral arteries. Disturbances in this system are considered to be a prime factor leading to chronically deficient blood flow. This is associated with pain which is generally classified as colics.
Montgomery TC, McNaughton SD.A histological study of plantar digital nerve sections cut with a carbon dioxide laser in horses was conducted. A series of nerve cuts were made with variable power densities to determine the appropriate theoretical level which would yield the most desired tissue effects. Power densities in the lower ranges used appeared to provide tissue effects judged most likely to prevent neuroma formation through increased thermal sealing of the proximal stump at the axon level. Clinical observation and follow-up of horses subjected to laser neurectomy tend to support the reported concept that the laser i...
Schneider RK, Mayhew IG, Clarke GL.The duration of anesthetic effect and the histopathologic changes resulting from a controlled freeze of the palmar and plantar digital nerves in the horse were evaluated. Two techniques were compared: (i) nerves were frozen by direct application of the cryoprobe after surgical exposure and (ii) nerves were frozen by percutaneous application of the cryoprobe to the overlying skin. Return of skin sensation and ability to detect a stimulus were used to determine return of nerve function. The duration of anesthetic effect was significantly (P less than 0.005) longer for nerves frozen after surgica...
Kamerling SG, Dequick DJ, Weckman TJ, Sprinkle FP, Tobin T.The effects of procaine, mepivacaine and phenylbutazone on pain perception in the equine were studied using two behavioral assays of nociception; the thermal evoked hoof withdrawal reflex and skin twitch reflex. Pain perception threshold was measured as the latency from onset of thermal stimuli to reflex withdrawal of the forelimb or contraction of the cutaneous musculature. Procaine 2% and mepivacaine 2% prolonged the hoof withdrawal reflex latency when administered locally by producing a block of the palmar and metacarpal nerves. Significant analgesia lasted 90 min and 210 min for procaine a...
Skarda RT, Muir WW, Ibrahim AI.The venous plasma concentrations of mepivacaine were determined in 7 adult mares (420 +/- 17.1 kg) given an injection of a 2% solution of the hydrochloride at either the sacral (S2-3 to S5-C1) epidural space or the midsacral (S2-3) subarachnoid space. An average dose of 91.4 +/- 15.7 mg (4.6 +/- 0.8 ml) was needed to produce caudal epidural analgesia (CEA) and 26.7 +/- 5.4 mg (1.3 +/- 0.3 ml) to produce caudal subarachnoid analgesia (CSA). Maximal caudal analgesia extended from spinal cord segments S-1 to coccyx during CEA and CSA. The onset of analgesia as measured by response to superficial ...
Science (New York, N.Y.)September 14, 1984
Volume 225, Issue 4667 1172-1174 doi: 10.1126/science.6089344
Lagerweij E, Nelis PC, Wiegant VM, van Ree JM.The twitch procedure in horses attenuates the increase in the heart rate evoked by pain-inducing stimuli and the reaction of the animals to such stimuli. Endorphin systems are probably involved in the effectiveness of the twitch, since its action is blocked by naloxone and its application increases plasma concentrations of immunoreactive beta-endorphin. The mode of action of the twitch cannot be explained by the generally accepted theory of divertive pain and may resemble that of classical acupuncture.
Colbern GT, Moore JN.A patellar fracture was identified radiographically in the right stifle of a mature Tennessee Walking Horse stallion. The horse was markedly lame (grade IV/V) on the right hindlimb. Due to the articular nature and small size of the fragment, surgical removal via arthrotomy was selected. A dorsomedial approach to the femoropatellar joint was used. The horse recovered well and has returned to training as a show horse by 8 months following surgery.
McGrath CJ.Respiratory minute volume, blood volume, RBC mass and cardiac output increase while the functional residual capacity decreases during late pregnancy. General anesthetics reach the fetus in high concentrations and tend to persist in the fetus after delivery. Use of small doses of a combination of anesthetics is recommended. Ephedrine increases vascular tone and cardiac output. Glycopyrrolate and fentanyl-droperidol are used to restrain sows for cesarean section. Morphine alone or with acepromazine works well in depressed sows. Acepromazine or xylazine, used with ketamine, is good in restraining...
Green EM, Cooper RC.A technique for continuous caudal epidural anesthesia in the horse was developed in trials involving 8 healthy adult horses. The injection site was the first intercaudal (intercoccygeal) space. A Huber point directional needle (Tuohy or Hustead) with a stylet was preplaced into the epidural space, used as a guide for an epidural catheter, and then removed, leaving the catheter in situ in the epidural space. A 2% solution of lidocaine hydrochloride was used as the anesthetic agent at an initial dose of 8 ml for an adult animal (474 kg to 560 kg). Repeated 4-ml doses were administered immediatel...
Bossut DF, Page EH, Stromberg MW.Cutaneous pain thresholds to pinprick, pinch, and heat stimuli were quantified during control and electroacupuncture trials in 23 horses. Pain thresholds for 8 areas of the body during control trials (no needles) were statistically compared with pain thresholds measured in the same areas of the same horse when given electroacupuncture treatment. Statistically significant increases of pain threshold were interpreted as induced analgesia and occurred mainly in 5 areas of the trunk, but not in the head or extremities. Analgesic efficacy varied between sexes and among 3 groups of points chosen fro...
Erickson HH, Kitchell RL.In the last 2 decades there have been substantial advances in our knowledge of the scientific basis of the mechanisms of pain. Nociceptors or pain receptors are widespread in the skin and tissues of animals; chemical mediation of nociceptor excitation may provide a key for understanding the peripheral phenomena related to pain. The expression of pain in animals involves multiple ascending and descending branches, as well as specialized pain-signaling mechanisms in the spinal cord. The importance of these different pathways varies with species and circumstances. Endogenous neural systems in the...
Turner TA, Adams SB, White NA.Fifteen horses were referred to Purdue University or to the University of Georgia because of colic. Each of these horses had small intestine incarcerated through the epiploic foramen. However, signs of pain, gastric reflux, and small intestine distention were not consistent signs, as would have been expected with small intestine strangulation/obstruction. In 10 of the 15 cases, abdominal fluid analysis provided the decisive information needed for surgical intervention. Surgery was performed in 14 cases. The small intestine was incarcerated through the epiploic foramen in a right-to-left direct...
Bowman KF, Leitch M, Nunamaker DM, Fackelman GE, Tate LP, Park MI, Boles CL, Raker CW.A total of 19 Thoroughbred horses were treated for traumatic disruption of the suspensory apparatus, using either external support of the injured limb, removal of fractured proximal sesamoid bone fragments, metacarpophalangeal arthrodesis, compression screw fixation of the fractured proximal sesamoid bones, application of a cast-brace attached to a transfixation pin inserted through the third metacarpal bone, or combinations thereof. Major complications during the treatment of traumatic disruption of the suspensory apparatus were infection (9 of 19 horses, 47%), large cast sores (10 of 14 trea...
Kalpravidh M, Lumb WV, Wright M, Heath RB.The analgesic and behavioral effects of butorphanol (0.22 mg/kg), flunixin (2.2 mg/kg), levorphanol (0.033 mg/kg), morphine (0.66 mg/kg), and xylazine (2.2 mg/kg), given IM were observed in 8 ponies. These ponies were instrumented to measure response objectively to painful superficial and visceral stimuli. Effects on the cardiopulmonary system and rectal temperature also were evaluated in 6 of these ponies. Observations were conducted before drug injection (base-line values) and after injection at 30, 60, 120, 180, and 240 minutes. Xylazine provided the highest pain threshold for the first 60 ...
Kalpravidh M, Lumb WV, Wright M, Heath RB.The analgesic effects of butorphanol (0.05, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.4 mg/kg), pentazocine (2.2 mg/kg), and butorphanol vehicle (0.04 ml/kg) were observed in 6 horses. These horses were instrumented to measure response objectively to painful superficial and visceral stimuli. The tested drugs were given IV according to a Latin square design. After preinjection base-line measurements were made, the analgesic effects were observed at 15 and 30 minutes and then at 30-minute intervals until postinjection minute 240. Analgesic effects of butorphanol were dose-related, with durations between 15 and 90 minutes...
Klide AM.Fifteen horses with chronic back pain for 1/2 to 9 years, who could not function normally, who did not obtain any lasting improvement from other previous treatments, were treated with acupuncture. The treatments were 20 minutes of manual acupuncture. The average number of treatments was 7.9 times administered at weekly intervals. After the acupuncture treatments were completed, 13 of the 15 horses were able to function normally.
Skarda RT, Muir WW.A new technique for producing continuous caudal epidural analgesia (CEA) and caudal subarachnoid analgesia (CSA) in adult horses (mares) without causing loss of pelvic limb function is described. A modified 17-gauge Huber-point directional needle was used to place a catheter with stylet into either the epidural or subarachnoid space at the lumbosacral intervertebral junction. The catheter was positioned at either the midsacral (S2-3) subarachnoid space or caudal portion of the sacral (S-3 to S-5) epidural space in 7 mares. The position of the catheter was confirmed radiographically. A 2% solut...
Suann CJ, Horney FD.Circumcision (or reefing operation) was performed on an aged pony stallion to remove excessive granulation tissue involving the preputial integument following an injury and subsequent paraphimosis. Postoperative swelling of the penis and prepuce was reduced daily with gentle massage. Initially, an improvised suspensory was used to support the penis postoperatively. The pony was able to voluntarily retract its penis six months following surgery.
Skarda RT, Muir WW.Six adult horses were used to compare the effects of segmental epidural analgesia (SEA) and segmental subarachnoid analgesia (SSA). A 17-gauge Huber point directional needle was used to place a catheter with stylet into the epidural space or the subarachnoid space at the lumbosacral intervertebral junction and to catheterize the thoracolumbar epidural or subarachnoid space. The position of the catheter was confirmed radiographically. A 2% solution of mepivacaine hydrochloride was used at average doses of 80 mg (4 ml) to produce SEA and 30 mg (1.5 ml) to produce SSA. Onset of analgesia in respo...
Robertson JT, Muir WW.A xylazine and butorphanol drug combination produced minimal and transient hemodynamic effects and no significant respiratory depression when administered to 6 healthy horses. Combining xylazine and butorphanol produced a synergistic analgesic effect and provided good chemical restraint for a standing surgical procedure.
Bossut DF, Leshin LS, Stromberg MW, Malven PV.Electro-acupuncture (EA) treatment of horses to induce cutaneous analgesia also increased plasma concentrations of beta-endorphin (beta-EP) and cortisol. The magnitude of these increases did not relate consistently to the degree of EA-induced analgesia. Respiration and heart rates were also markedly increased during EA treatment. Intact female horses had higher packed cell volume and plasma beta-EP as well as lower plasma total protein than castrated male horses. Plasma cortisol, heart rate, and respiration rate did not differ significantly between sexes. None of the parameters measured before...
Hackett RP.Nonstrangulated colonic displacement was diagnosed by exploratory celiotomy in 32 horses with acute abdominal pain. Clinical signs progressed slowly and included evidence of mild to moderate abdominal pain, good cardiovascular status, reduced intestinal sounds, and normal peritoneal fluid, and resembled those of colonic impaction. In most horses, rectal palpation supported a diagnosis of colonic obstruction but not a diagnosis of colonic impaction.
Ford TS, Freeman DE, Ross MW, Richardson DW, Martin BB, Madison JB.The case records of 26 horses with ileocecal intussusception over a 7-year period were reviewed to determine clinical features of the disease and response to treatment. The median age of horses with ileocecal intussusception was 1 year and ranged from 2 weeks to 19 years. There was no apparent gender or breed predisposition to this disease. An acute form of ileocecal intussusception was diagnosed in 19 horses with signs of moderate to severe abdominal pain of less than or equal to 24 hours' duration, and a chronic form was diagnosed in 7 horses with signs of intermittent, mild to moderate abdo...
Sherman RA, Morrison S, Ng D.Hoof disease and injuries are common and serious problems for equines. Maggot debridement therapy (MDT) has been used to treat problematic wounds in humans, but has been used only rarely in other animals. US veterinarians who had employed MDT were surveyed to investigate their reasons for the choice of this treatment and their clinical experiences with it. Between 1997 and 2003, 13 horses were treated by eight veterinarians who used MDT to control infection or debride wounds, which could not easily be reached surgically or were not responding to conventional therapy. Seven animals were lame, a...
McKibbin LS, Cheng RS.This study showed that subcutaneous injection of a solution of D-amino acids produced effective analgesia in horses. It is postulated that systemic D-phenylalanine and D-leucine may become one of the safe, effective and nonaddictive drugs for acute and chronic pain treatment. These D-amino acids cause analgesia by presumably preserving brain endorphins. They may bind reversibly to enkephalinases and prevent enzymatic degradation of enkephalins.
Luo J, Wang Z, Tang C, Yin Z, Huang J, Ruan D, Fei Y, Wang C, Mo X, Li J, Zhang J, Fang C, Li J, Chen X, Shen W.Tendinopathy is a common motor system disease that leads to pain and reduced function. Despite its prevalence, our mechanistic understanding is incomplete, leading to limited efficacy of treatment options. Animal models contribute significantly to our understanding of tendinopathy and some therapeutic options. However, the inadequacies of animal models are also evident, largely due to differences in anatomical structure and the complexity of human tendinopathy. Different animal models reproduce different aspects of human tendinopathy and are therefore suitable for different scenarios. This rev...
Merrifield-Jones M, Tabor G, Williams J.Back pain is a significant factor for horses and is challenging for professionals to diagnose, with assessment frequently using subjective tools such as manual palpation. Reliable and valid objective measures are required and use of a pressure algometer (PA) has been investigated as an assessment tool; however, it has limitations, and other more realistic methods may be better suited for the task. The aim of the study was to establish inter- and intra-rater reliability for PA, FlexiForce Sensor (FFS), and manual palpation for equine epaxial soft tissue, measuring mechanical nociception thresho...
Grewal JS, McClure SR, Booth LC, Evans RB, Caston SS.To characterize the normal ultrasonographic appearance of the podotrochlear apparatus in horses by use of standardized measurements and identify soft tissue changes associated with navicular syndrome. Methods: Prospective study. Methods: 7 clinically normal horses and 28 horses with navicular syndrome. Methods: The feasibility of identifying and measuring the soft tissue structures of the podotrochlear apparatus ultrasonographically via the transcuneal approach was assessed in 2 additional horses without navicular syndrome; both horses were euthanatized, and the structures identified ultrasono...
Ruíz-López P, Morgaz J, Quirós-Carmona S, Navarrete-Calvo R, Domínguez JM, Gómez-Villamandos RJ, Granados MM.Autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity can modify cardiovascular parameters in response to nociceptive stimuli or drugs in anesthetized animals. The aim of this study was to determine if a surgical nociceptive stimulus and morphine, ketamine, and dobutamine administration would modify ANS activity observed as a change in the mean parasympathetic tone activity (PTAm) in anesthetized horses. In 20 anesthetized horses, heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and PTAm were monitored before and 1, 3, and 5 min after surgical incision, and before and 10 min after the administration of morphi...
Ehrle A, Ressel L, Ricci E, Singer ER.Pain related to the osseous thoracolumbar spine is common in the equine athlete, with minimal information available regarding soft tissue pathology. The aims of this study were to describe the anatomy of the equine SSL and ISL (supraspinous and interspinous ligaments) in detail and to assess the innervation of the ligaments and their myofascial attachments including the thoracolumbar fascia. Ten equine thoracolumbar spines (T15-L1) were dissected to define structure and anatomy of the SSL, ISL and adjacent myofascial attachments. Morphological evaluation included histology, electron microscopy...
Haussler KK.Manual therapy includes a diverse array of techniques, such as touch therapies, massage, physical therapy, osteopathy, and chiropractic, that were originally developed for use in humans and have been gradually applied to horses. All forms of manual therapy have variable reported levels of effectiveness for treating musculoskeletal issues in humans, but mostly only anecdotal evidence exists in horses. This article explores the scientific literature for evidence of efficacy, safety, and common mechanisms of action of the different forms of manual therapies for potential use in managing acute or ...
King MR, Seabaugh KA, Frisbie DD.Back pain and inflammation of the epaxial musculature is a significant problem in all equine athletes. Treatment of back pain can be challenging and often requires a multimodal approach. In humans, bio-electromagnetic energy regulation therapy (BEMER) has been reported to be effective in pain modulation. With its increased use in people comes a similar robust application in veterinary medicine unfortunately, there is unsubstantiated evidence for this type of therapy in horses. Objectives of this study were to assess analgesic responses and biomechanical outcome variables using a bio-electromag...
Carlson A, Johnson PJ, Lei Z, Keegan KG.Soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) inhibitors are novel anti-inflammatory and analgesic agents that could improve pain management in horses. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the anti-nociceptive effect of a single-dose intravenous administration of the sEH inhibitor trans-4-{4-[3-(4-trifluro-methoxy-phenyl)-ureido]-cyclohexyloxy}-benzoic acid (t-TUCB) using an adjustable heart bar shoe (a-HBS) model of lameness. We hypothesized that t-TUCB would improve objective and subjective lameness measures compared to the control. Methods: Reversible lameness was induced in 8 horses for 24...
Pezzanite LM, Chow L, Phillips J, Griffenhagen GM, Moore AR, Schaer TP, Engiles JB, Werpy N, Gilbertie J, Schnabel LV, Antczak D, Miller D, Dow S....Rapid development of antibiotic resistance necessitates advancement of novel therapeutic strategies to treat infection. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) possess antimicrobial and immunomodulatory properties, mediated through antimicrobial peptide secretion and recruitment of innate immune cells including neutrophils and monocytes. TLR-3 activation of human, canine and equine MSC has been shown to enhance bacterial killing and clearance in vitro, in rodent Staphylococcal biofilm infection models and dogs with spontaneous multi-drug-resistant infections. The objective of this study was to determi...
Price J, Catriona S, Welsh EM, Waran NK.To develop a method for objective assessment of equine post-operative pain. Methods: Prospective nonblinded clinical study. Methods: Twelve adult horses: Group 1 (G1, n = 6), admitted for arthroscopy (under general anaesthesia, with multimodal analgesia); Group 2 (G2, n = 6), 'pain free' controls. Methods: Horses were filmed continuously (CVI, time-lapse video recorder) over 72 hours, from 24 hours pre-surgery (PS) to 48 hours post-recovery (PR) (G1), and over 24 hours (G2). Activity budgets were determined from 24 to 0 hours PS, 0-24 and 24-48 hours PR (G1) and for 24 hours (G2). Using direct...
McReynolds CB, Yang J, Guedes A, Morisseau C, Garcia R, Knych H, Tearney C, Hamamoto B, Hwang SH, Wagner K, Hammock BD.There are few novel therapeutic options available for companion animals, and medications rely heavily on repurposed drugs developed for other species. Considering the diversity of species and breeds in companion animal medicine, comprehensive PK exposures in the companion animal patient is often lacking. The purpose of this paper was to assess the pharmacokinetics after oral and intravenous dosing in domesticated animal species (dogs, cats, and horses) of a novel soluble epoxide hydrolase inhibitor, EC1728, being developed for the treatment of pain in animals. Results: Intravenous and oral adm...
Peyron JG.Viscosupplementation (restoring the rheological properties of a tissue matrix) by injection of hyaluronan into the joints has been in use for 2 decades, mostly for osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee, using doses of 20-25 mg of hyaluronan of 500,000 to 2,500,000 M(r), in sequences of 2 to 10 weekly injections. Pain relief appears in a few days, progresses over a few weeks, and often lasts several months. Some data suggest the benefit can last 6 months to one year. Tolerance is universally reported as very good. Those responding to hyaluronan are 65-80%, compared to 30-35% responding to control. Co...
Hennemann S, de Abreu MR.Degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis is the most frequent cause of low back pain and/or sciatica in the elderly patient. Epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations and testing are reviewed in a wide current bibliographic investigation. The importance of the relationship between clinical presentation and imaging study, especially magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), is emphasized. Prior to treatment indication, it is necessary to identify the precise location of pain, as well as the differential diagnosis between neurological and vascular lameness. Conservative treatment combining medic...
Porcello A, Gonzalez-Fernandez P, Jordan O, Allémann E.Hyaluronic acid (HA) constitutes a versatile chemical framework for the development of osteoarthritis pain treatment by means of injection in the joints, so-called viscosupplementation. Without appropriate physico-chemical tuning, such preparations are inherently hindered by prompt in vivo degradation, mediated by hyaluronidases and oxidative stress. To prolong hydrogel residence time and confer optimized product functionality, novel thermoresponsive nanoforming HA derivatives were proposed and characterized. Combined use of sulfo-dibenzocyclooctyne-PEG4-amine linkers and poly(N-isopropylacryl...
Dixon PM, Ceen S, Barnett T, O'Leary JM, Parkin TD, Barakzai S.Cheek teeth diastemata are a common cause of painful periodontal disease in horses, but there is limited objective information on their treatment. Objective: To assess the long-term response to diastema widening in clinically affected horses. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Medical records from cases of cheek teeth diastemata treated by diastema widening referred to the University of Edinburgh Equine Hospital from 2008 to 2011 were analysed. Results: During this period, 302 horses were diagnosed with clinically significant cheek teeth diastemata, of which 202, median age 11 years, with ...
Espinosa-Mur P, Spriet M, Manso-Diaz G, Arndt S, Perez-Nogues M, Roman JL, Garcia-Mata R, Katzman SA, Galuppo LD.To assess the value of 18F-sodium fluoride (18F-NaF) positron emission tomography (PET) for imaging the tarsus and proximal metatarsus and compare it with CT and lameness evaluation. Methods: 25 horses with lameness localized to the tarsal and proximal metatarsal regions that underwent 18F-NaF PET/CT between 2016 and 2021. Methods: 18F-NaF PET and CT images were retrospectively independently evaluated by 3 observers. Standardized uptake values (SUV) were used to characterize 18F-NaF uptake. Correlation between PET and CT findings with subjective and objective maximum (Max-D) and minimum pelvic...
Sheta E, Ragab S, Farghali H, El-Sherif A.Electroacupuncture analgesia was used for surgery in horses and donkeys. A KWD-808 electrical stimulator was used to incrementally induce a dense, dispersed wave output at frequencies from 20 to 55 Hz, which was maintained at a frequency of 55 Hz, and to change the amplitude of the wave to the best grading number for the suggested operation in each animal. Induction of analgesia lasted for 20-30 minutes, and the effect of analgesia was maintained for 20-45 minutes depending on the type of surgery performed. The exhibited clinical signs, physical examination data, and the responses of all ani...
Duz M, Marshall JF, Parkin TD.There is little knowledge of the prescription of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and whether their prescription varies between countries. Objective: To describe prescription practices of NSAIDs in equids in the United Kingdom (UK), United States of America (USA) and Canada. Methods: Descriptive observational study. Methods: Free-text electronic medical records from 141,543 equids from 10 equine practices in the UK, 255,777 equids from 7 equine practices with 20 branches from the USA and 2 practices with 7 branches from Canada were evaluated. A validated text-mining technique was ...
Nemeth F.Within the framework of the series 'Papers of yesterday and today', two articles on neurotomy by Moubis (1876 and 1878) are used to evaluate the present status of neurectomy. In 1800 neurotomy was replaced by neurectomy because of the reinnervation which occurred after several weeks. On the basis of a literature review and clinical experience in the Department of Large Animal Surgery the indications, conditions, anatomy, operative techniques, complications and results of neurectomy are discussed. Post-operative neuroma formation is the most important complication following palmar digital neure...
Shchurova EN, Khudiaev AT.Temperature sense and pain appreciation has been studied in the dermatomes of cauda equine roots in patients with lumbar intervertebral disc hernia before treatment, in the immediate and long-term periods of observation after disc hernia elimination. Temperature sense and pain appreciation has been determined to be disordered not only in the dermatome of compressed root, but in the dermatomes located proximally and distally as well. The manifestation of negative changes was observed to a greater extent during temperature sense examination. After disc hernia elimination the recovery of temperat...
Specht TE, Nixon AJ, Colahan PT, Moore BG, Brown MP.Four horses with subchondral cyst-like lesions in the medial radial facet of the distal portion of the radius were examined. Joint effusion and signs of pain from flexion of the antebrachiocarpal joint were not observed, but lameness was observed in 3 of the 4 horses. Regional nerve blocks and intra-articular anesthesia were used to localize the lesions, and conservative treatment resulted in soundness for performance.
Bowker RM, Sonea IM, Vex KB, Caron JP.Substance P (SP) immunocytochemistry and receptor autoradiography were used to define the innervation of the equine synovial membrane of joints equivalent to the wrist and knuckle of man. SP-immunoreactive fibers were mainly concentrated around blood vessels in the subsynovial layer, although not exclusively, while in the more distal joint, SP fibers were more frequently seen in the synovial surface layer. Iodinated SP receptor autoradiography studies revealed silver grain concentrations in the advential layer of blood vessels associated with the vasa vasorum, on the vascular endothelium and i...
Lewis N, Racklyeft DJ.The clinical course of toxic envenomation of a mare and her foal after an attack by a swarm of bees in the Upper Hunter Valley of New South Wales is described. Early agitation and urticaria were followed by more severe systemic clinical signs within 18 h. There was severe, generalised angioedema, rhabdomyolysis, hypovolaemia, gastrointestinal stasis and renal injury. A particular feature in the mare was almost maniacal behaviour during the first 48 h. Clinical pathological examination showed evidence of haemoconcentration, intravascular haemolysis, thrombocytopenia, azotaemia, rhabdomyolysis a...
Wennerstrand J, Johnston C, Roethlisberger-Holm K, Erichsen C, Eksell P, Drevemo S.Earlier studies have developed a clinical tool to evaluate objectively the function of the equine back. The ability to differentiate horses with back pain from asymptomatic, fully functioning horses using kinematic measures from this tool has not been evaluated. Objective: To compare the kinematics of the back at walk and trot in riding horses with back dysfunction to the same parameters in asymptomatic sport horses. Methods: The kinematics of the back in 12 horses with impaired performance and back pain were studied at walk and trot on a treadmill. Data were captured for 10 sees at 240 Hz. Ra...
Knych HK, Weiner D, Harrison L, McKemie DS.Intra-articular corticosteroids, such as isoflupredone acetate, are commonly used in the treatment of joint inflammation, especially in performance horses. Following administration in a non-inflamed joints blood concentrations of isoflupredone were low and detectable for only a short period of time post-administration compared to synovial fluid concentrations. For some drugs, inflammation can affect pharmacokinetics, therefore, the goal of the current study was to describe the pharmacokinetics of isoflupredone acetate following intra-articular administration using a model of acute synovitis. S...
Eichler F, Poźniak B, Machnik M, Schenk I, Wingender A, Baudisch N, Thevis M, Bäumer W, Lischer C, Ehrle A.Cannabidiol (CBD) products gain increasing popularity amongst animal owners and veterinarians as an alternative remedy for treatment of stress, inflammation or pain in horses. Whilst the use of cannabinoids is banned in equine sports, there is limited information available concerning CBD detection times in blood or urine. The aim of this study was to determine the pharmacokinetic properties of CBD following oral administration in the horse to assist doping control laboratories with interpreting CBD analytical results. Part 1: dose escalation study: Single oral administration of three escalatin...
Klide AM, Martin BB.Horses with chronic back pain of 2 to 108 months' duration were treated using acupuncture (n = 15), laser acupuncture (n = 15), or injection acupuncture (n = 15). Horses were treated once a week for 8 treatments (mean) with needle acupuncture, 11 treatments with laser acupuncture, or 9 treatments with injection acupuncture. After treatment, 37 horses had alleviation of clinical signs of pain and could train and compete: 13 horses treated with needle acupuncture; 11 horses treated with laser acupuncture; and 13 horses treated with injection acupuncture. Seemingly, the 3 types of acupuncture wer...
