"Random" in relation to horses refers to the application of randomization techniques and stochastic processes in equine studies. Randomization is a fundamental aspect of experimental design that helps ensure the reliability and validity of research findings by minimizing bias. In equine research, randomization can be used in various contexts, such as assigning horses to treatment and control groups in clinical trials, selecting subjects for behavioral studies, or determining sampling methods for population surveys. This approach enhances the robustness of study outcomes by ensuring that observed effects are due to the interventions or variables being tested rather than external factors. This page gathers peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the use and impact of randomization methods in equine research, highlighting their application in experimental design, data analysis, and interpretation of results.
Creighton CM, Lemke KA, Lamont LA, Horney BS, Doyle AJ.To compare the effect of xylazine bolus versus medetomidine constant rate infusion (MCRI) on serum cortisol and glucose concentrations, urine production, and anesthetic recovery characteristics in dorsally recumbent, spontaneously breathing, isoflurane-anesthetized horses. Methods: Prospective, randomized crossover study. Methods: 10 healthy Standardbreds. Methods: Horses were premedicated with xylazine or medetomidine IV. Anesthesia was induced with diazepam and ketamine and maintained with isoflurane for 150 minutes. For the xylazine treatment, end-tidal isoflurane concentration was maintain...
Kempchen S, Kuhn M, Spadavecchia C, Levionnois OL.To evaluate medetomidine as a continuous rate infusion (CRI) in horses in which anaesthesia is maintained with isoflurane and CRIs of ketamine and lidocaine. Methods: Prospective, randomized, blinded clinical trial. Methods: Forty horses undergoing elective surgery. Methods: After sedation and induction, anaesthesia was maintained with isoflurane. Mechanical ventilation was employed. All horses received lidocaine (1.5 mg kg(-1) initially, then 2 mg kg(-1) hour(-1)) and ketamine (2 mg kg(-1) hour(-1)), both CRIs reducing to 1.5 mg kg(-1) hour(-1) after 50 minutes. Horses in group MILK received ...
van Loon JP, Menke ES, Doornenbal A, Back W, Hellebrekers LJ.The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of low dose lumbosacral epidural ropivacaine in ponies. Antinociceptive effects of epidural ropivacaine were evaluated by means of mechanical nociceptive thresholds (MNTs) at several spinal levels in conscious ponies. The effects of ropivacaine on nociceptive afferent transmission to the spinal cord were also assessed by measuring spinal cord somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) in anaesthetised ponies. Ataxia scores were determined in conscious ponies to assess the effects on motor function. A randomised, placebo controlle...
Silva e Borges MB, Werneck MJ, da Silva Mde L, Gandolfi L, Pratesi R.To evaluate the efficacy of horse ridding simulator on the sitting postural control of children with spastic diplegia. Methods: Forty children were randomly divided in a group using the simulator (RS) and a group performing conventional physical therapy (CT). FScan/Fmat equipment was used to register maximal displacement in antero-posterior (AP) and medio-lateral (ML) directions with children in sitting position. At the pre and post intervention stage both groups were classified according to the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) and, after intervention, by the AUQEI questionna...
Venner M, Rödiger A, Laemmer M, Giguère S.Mass antimicrobial treatment of foals with small ultrasonographic pulmonary lesions is common on farms with endemic disease caused by Rhodococcus equi. The objectives of this study were to compare the relative efficacy of three antimicrobial protocols for the treatment of pulmonary abscesses on a farm with endemic infections caused by R. equi and to determine the frequency of spontaneous resolution of subclinical pulmonary lesions. Foals with ultrasonographic evidence of pulmonary abscesses ≥ 1.0 cm in diameter (n=128) were randomly allocated to one of four equal treatment groups. Animals wi...
Cayzer J, Hedderley D, Gray S.Lyophilised products from green-lipped mussel (Perna canaliculus[LPPC]) are used to orally treat horses with osteoarthritis (OA). However, no randomised, controlled or double-blinded studies on the efficacy of this treatment in horses have been reported to date. Objective: To investigate the effects of a unique LPPC (Biolane)(1) in improving clinical signs of OA in the fetlock. Methods: Data were analysed from 26 horses with primary fetlock lameness in a controlled, randomised and double-blinded, multi-centre clinical trial. The study design was a partial crossover with a washout period and co...
Fielding CL, Magdesian KG.Hypertonic saline solution (7.2%) (HSS) can quickly replace intravascular volume deficits. HSS more recently has been advocated in the treatment of traumatic brain injury, but its use in dehydrated patients remains controversial. Objective: Hypertonic saline solution will show a significant improvement in both clinical and laboratory hydration parameters as compared to isotonic (0.9%) saline solution (ISS). Methods: Endurance horses eliminated from the 2009 Western States 100-mile (220-km) endurance ride and requiring IV fluid therapy were eligible for enrollment in the study. Methods: Twenty-...
Kruger K, Stegmann GF, Becker PJ.To characterize the cardiorespiratory and electrocardiographic effects of the combined administration of phenylbutazone and romifidine. Methods: Prospective four-period, four-treatment, blinded, randomized, crossover trial. Methods: Five, healthy, mixed breed horses. Methods: Prior to treatment administration, a catheter was introduced into the intra-thoracic cranial vena cava via the jugular vein and a subcutaneously located carotid artery was catheterised. All treatments were administered intravenously (IV) and consisted of saline placebo (PLC), phenylbutazone (PBZ, 4.4 mg kg(-1) ) romifidin...
Elfenbein JR, Robertson SA, Corser AA, Urion RJ, Sanchez LC.Ketamine as continuous rate infusion (CRI) provides analgesia in hospitalized horses. Objective: Determine effects of prolonged CRI of ketamine on gastrointestinal transit time, fecal weight, vital parameters, gastrointestinal borborygmi, and behavior scores in healthy adult horses. Methods: Seven adult Thoroughbred or Thoroughbred cross horses, with permanently implanted gastric cannulae. Methods: Nonblinded trial. Random assignment to 1 of 2 crossover designed treatments. Ketamine (0.55 mg/kg IV over 15 minutes followed by 1.2 mg/kg/h) or lactated Ringer's solution (50 mL IV over 15 minutes ...
Wagner AE, Mama KR, Contino EK, Ferris DJ, Kawcak CE.To evaluate the sedative and analgesic effects of subanesthetic doses of ketamine in horses sedated with xylazine, with or without butorphanol. Methods: Prospective, randomized, controlled study. Methods: 10 adult horses. Methods: Each horse was sedated multiple times by administration of xylazine (treatment X), xylazine and butorphanol (treatment XB), xylazine with 1 of 2 dosages of ketamine (treatment XK1 or XK2), or xylazine and butorphanol with 1 of 2 dosages of ketamine (treatment XBK1 or XBK2). Head height and various behaviors, including responses to noise, insertion of a dental float, ...
Gerber V, Schott Ii HC, Robinson NE.Efficacy of medications for recurrent airway obstruction is typically tested using clinical, cytological and lung function examinations of severely affected animals. These trials are technically challenging and may not adequately reflect the spectrum of disease and owner complaints encountered in clinical practice. Objective: To determine if owners of horses with chronic airway disease are better able to detect drug efficacy than a veterinarian who clinically examines horses infrequently. Methods: In a double-blinded randomised controlled trial, owners and a veterinarian compared the efficacy ...
Tóth F, Schumacher J, Schramme M, Hecht S.To describe the anatomic features of the equine trochanteric bursa and to evaluate 4 techniques for bursa centesis. Methods: Prospective, randomized design. Methods: Equine cadavers (n=2) and 20 live horses. Methods: The trochanteric bursae of 2 equine cadavers were injected with latex to identify the boundaries of the bursae. Four techniques for centesis of the trochanteric bursa were evaluated by attempting to inject dye into both trochanteric bursae of 20 live horses. Techniques included injection of the bursa with the limb-bearing weight and injection with the limb nonweight bearing and su...
Watts AE, Nixon AJ, Reesink HL, Cheetham J, Fubini SL, Looney AL.To investigate the efficacy and safety of a low-volume, single-catheter, continuous peripheral neural blockade (CPNB) technique to locally deliver bupivacaine to alleviate signs of severe forelimb pain resulting from experimentally induced tendonitis in horses. Methods: Randomized controlled experimental trial. Methods: 14 horses and 5 forelimbs from equine cadavers. Methods: Horses underwent collagenase-induced superficial digital flexor tendonitis in the midmetacarpal region of 1 forelimb. To deliver analgesia, a closed-tip catheter was placed from lateral to medial, approximately 12 cm dist...
Bettschart-Wolfensberger R, Dicht S, Vullo C, Frotzler A, Kuemmerle JM, Ringer SK.To test if the addition of butorphanol by constant rate infusion (CRI) to medetomidine-isoflurane anaesthesia reduced isoflurane requirements, and influenced cardiopulmonary function and/or recovery characteristics. Methods: Prospective blinded randomised clinical trial. Methods: 61 horses undergoing elective surgery. Methods: Horses were sedated with intravenous (i.v.) medetomidine (7 μg kg(-1)); anaesthesia was induced with i.v. ketamine (2.2 mg kg(-1)) and diazepam (0.02 mg kg(-1)) and maintained with isoflurane and a CRI of medetomidine (3.5 μg kg(-1) hour(-1)). Group MB (n = 31) receive...
Love EJ, Taylor PM, Murrell J, Whay HR, Waterman-Pearson AE.The aim of this randomised, observer-blinded, crossover study was to compare the effects of four treatments, administered intravenously to six horses: saline and saline; 10 µg/kg detomidine and 7.5 µg/kg buprenorphine; 20 µg/kg detomidine and 7.5 µg/kg buprenorphine; and 20 µg/kg detomidine and 10 µg/kg buprenorphine. Sedation was subjectively assessed and recorded on a visual analogue scale. Peak sedation and duration of sedation were investigated using a univariate general linear model with post-hoc Tukey tests (P<0.05). Increasing the dose of detomidine from 10 to 20 µg/kg increas...
Love EJ, Taylor PM, Murrell J, Whay HR, Waterman-Pearson AE.The aim of this randomised, observer-blinded, crossover study was to compare the effects of six treatments, administered intravenously to six horses: saline and saline (S/S); detomidine and saline (D/S); detomidine and 5 µg/kg buprenorphine (D/B5); detomidine and 7.5 µg/kg buprenorphine (D/B7.5); detomidine and 10 µg/kg buprenorphine (D/B10); and detomidine and 25 µg/kg butorphanol (D/BUT). The detomidine dose was 10 µg/kg for all treatments in which it was included. Sedation was subjectively assessed and recorded on a visual analogue scale. Peak sedation, duration of sedation and the are...
Davis JL, Messenger KM, LaFevers DH, Barlow BM, Posner LP.The purpose of this study was to determine the pharmacokinetics of buprenorphine following intravenous (i.v.) and intramuscular (i.m.) administration in horses. Six horses received i.v. or i.m. buprenorphine (0.005 mg/kg) in a randomized, crossover design. Plasma samples were collected at predetermined times and horses were monitored for adverse reactions. Buprenorphine concentrations were measured using ultra-performance liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Following i.v. administration, clearance was 7.97±5.16 mL/kg/min, and half-life (T(1/2)) was 3.58 h (ha...
McClure S, Sibert G, Hallberg J, Bade D.The efficacy and safety of sustained release ceftiofur administered twice, 4 days apart, for treatment of horses with naturally acquired Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus (Strep. zoo.) pneumonia was evaluated in a multicenter, placebo-controlled, double-blinded, randomized clinical trial. The study included 373 horses (278 treated and 95 placebos) with naturally acquired pneumonia. Inclusion in the statistical analyses for treatment efficacy for Strep. zoo. required recovery of ≥10(4) CFU/mL of Strep. zoo. on the primary isolation plate which resulted in 201 cases (145 treated and 56 p...
Klöppel H, Leece EA.To compare alfaxalone with ketamine for total intravenous anaesthesia in ponies undergoing castration. Methods: Prospective, randomised, blinded clinical study. Methods: Forty-two, 12-month-old Welsh Mountain ponies. Methods: Ponies were assigned randomly to receive ketamine or alfaxalone. After administration of romifidine 100 μg kg(-1) and butorphanol 50 μg kg(-1) intravenously (IV), sedation and response to tactile stimulation were scored. If sedation was insufficient, romifidine 30 μg kg(-1) was administered IV. Anaesthesia was induced with ketamine 2.2 mg kg(-1) or alfaxalone 1 mg kg(-...
Crane MA, Khallaayoune K, Scantlebury C, Christley RM.Gastro-intestinal parasitism has been identified as a significant cause of disease in working equids in many countries. This randomized triple-blind trial was designed to assess the impact of an anthelmintic treatment programme (using oral ivermectin and fenbendazole) comparing treated and placebo control populations of working donkeys, mules and horses in field conditions in Morocco. In particular, we assessed animal body weight and condition score, together with a questionnaire-based owner evaluation of number of subjective animal health parameters. Faecal worm egg count was also measured. R...
Gardner RB, White GW, Ramsey DS, Boucher JF, Kilgore WR, Huhtinen MK.To determine whether sublingual detomidine gel administration to horses would be effective in providing an appropriate degree of sedation and restraint to facilitate completion of veterinary and husbandry procedures under field conditions. Methods: Multicenter, prospective, randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled clinical study. Methods: 270 client-owned horses known to require sedation or strong restraint to enable veterinary and husbandry procedures to be performed. Methods: Horses randomly received a single dose of detomidine gel (0.04 mg/kg [0.018 mg/lb]) or placebo gel administered sublin...
Elfenbein JR, Giguère S, Meyer SK, Javsicas LH, Farina LL, Zimmel DN, Sanchez LC.Hepatic failure is one of the more common complications in foals requiring blood transfusion to treat neonatal isoerythrolysis. Iron intoxication is likely the cause of hepatic injury. Objective: To determine the effects of deferoxamine on iron elimination in normal foals. Methods: Thirteen neonatal foals. Methods: Randomized-controlled trial. At 1-3 days of age, foals received either 3 L of washed packed dam's red blood cells (RBC) or 3 L of saline IV once. Foals were treated with deferoxamine (1 g) or saline (5 mL) SC twice daily for 14 days. Foals were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 gr...
Devisscher L, Schauvliege S, Dewulf J, Gasthuys F.To evaluate the effects of a constant rate infusion (CRI) of romifidine on the requirement of isoflurane, cardiovascular performance and recovery in anaesthetized horses undergoing arthroscopic surgery. Methods: Randomized blinded prospective clinical trial. Methods: Thirty horses scheduled for routine arthroscopy. Methods: After premedication (acepromazine 0.02 mg kg(-1), romifidine 80 microg kg(-1), methadone 0.1 mg kg(-1)) and induction (midazolam 0.06 mg kg(-1) ketamine 2.2 mg kg(-1)), anaesthesia was maintained with isoflurane in oxygen. Horses were assigned randomly to receive a CRI of s...
McClure SR, Miles K, Vansickle D, South T.The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of variable waveform low-intensity ultrasound on the healing of a fracture gap of the fourth metacarpal bone in horses. A randomized, blinded, controlled trial was conducted in eight healthy adult horses. In each horse, a 1-cm osteotomy of the fourth metacarpal bone was created. One randomly selected metacarpal gap was treated daily with a 40-min session of ultrasound and the opposite gap was managed similarly with an inactive transducer. The fourth metacarpal bones were radiographed weekly. Fluorescent markers were administered at 14, 28...
Marcilla MG, Schauvliege S, Duchateau L, Gasthuys F.To evaluate the cardiopulmonary effects of two different constant rate infusions (CRI) of dexmedetomidine (1 and 1.75 microg kg(-1 )hour(-1)) in experimental ponies. Methods: Six healthy ponies (mean 306 +/- SD 71 kg, 7.0 +/- 1.6 years). Methods: Prospective, randomized, experimental study. Methods: After premedication with intravenous (IV) dexmedetomidine (3.5 microg kg(-1)), anaesthesia was induced (T0) with ketamine (2.2 mg kg(-1) IV) and midazolam (0.06 mg kg(-1) IV) and maintained with isoflurane (Fe'ISO 1.50%) in 55% oxygen for 150 minutes. Normocapnia was maintained using artificial ven...
Bischofberger AS, Brauer T, Gugelchuk G, Klohnen A.Incisional complications are a major post operative challenge following ventral midline exploratory celiotomy for abdominal pain in horses. They lead to discomfort, prolonged hospitalisation, longer recovery times and increased cost; therefore, investigation of preventative procedures are warranted. Objective: To determine the clinical effect of antibacterial (triclosan) coated 2-0 polyglactin 910 suture material on the likelihood of incisional infections when used for closure of subcutaneous tissue following ventral midline celiotomies in horses. Methods: One hundred horses undergoing explora...
Herrero P, Asensio A, García E, Marco A, Oliván B, Ibarz A, Gómez-Trullén EM, Casas R.Although hippotherapy treatment has been demonstrated to have therapeutic effects on children with cerebral palsy, the samples used in research studies have been very small. In the case of hippotherapy simulators, there are no studies that either recommend or advise against their use in the treatment of children with cerebral palsy. The aim of this randomised clinical study is to analyse the therapeutic effects or the contraindications of the use of a commercial hippotherapy simulator on several important factors relating to children with cerebral palsy such as their motor development, balance...
Schauvliege S, Gozalo Marcilla M, Duchateau L, Martens A, Vlaminck L, Pille F, Declercq J, Levet T, Gasthuys F.No studies have been reported on the effects of enoximone in anaesthetised colic horses. Objective: To examine whether enoximone improves cardiovascular function and reduces dobutamine requirement in anaesthetised colic horses. Methods: Forty-eight mature colic horses were enrolled in this prospective, randomised clinical trial. After sedation (xylazine 0.7 mg/kg bwt) and induction (midazolam 0.06 mg/kg bwt, ketamine 2.2 mg/kg bwt), anaesthesia was maintained with isoflurane in oxygen and a lidocaine constant rate infusion (15 mg/kg bwt, 2 mg/kg/h). Horses were ventilated (PaCO2 < 8.00 kPa)...
Kempchen S, Kuhn M, Spadavecchia C, Levionnois OL.To evaluate medetomidine as a continuous rate infusion (CRI) in horses in which anaesthesia is maintained with isoflurane and CRIs of ketamine and lidocaine. Methods: Prospective, randomized, blinded clinical trial. Methods: Forty horses undergoing elective surgery. Methods: After sedation and induction, anaesthesia was maintained with isoflurane. Mechanical ventilation was employed. All horses received lidocaine (1.5 mg kg(-1) initially, then 2 mg kg(-1) hour(-1)) and ketamine (2 mg kg(-1) hour(-1)), both CRIs reducing to 1.5 mg kg(-1) hour(-1) after 50 minutes. Horses in group MILK received ...
Faghihi H, Rajaei SM, Mehrazin H, Golabdar S, Brooks DE.The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of topical 1% tetracaine hydrochloride on the intraocular pressure (IOP) in ophthalmologically normal horses. Thirty eyes of 15 clinically normal horses were used for this study. The animals were randomly assigned to two groups (treatment and control). Prior to the instillation of 1% tetracaine or placebo, the baseline IOPs (T0) of each animal were recorded in both groups. Then one drop of tetracaine was instilled randomly into one eye of each horse in the treatment group (8 horses). In the control group (7 horses), one drop of artificial tear w...
Samimi AS, Molaei MM, Azari O, Rezaei MA, Hashemian A.The present study aimed to compare the sedative and analgesic effects of caudal epidural administration of lidocaine alone or in combination with four different α-adrenergic agonists in Mediterranean miniature donkeys. A total of ten clinically healthy (five males and five females) Mediterranean miniature donkeys with an age of 5 ± 1 years, a weight of 100 ± 2 kg and a height at the withers of 0.8 ± 0.06 m (mean ± standard deviation) were used in experimental, crossover (Latin square), randomized, and blinded study. Animals were assigned to five treatment groups including lidocaine alone ...
Carmalt JL, Townsend HG, Allen AL.To evaluate the effect of dental floating on the position of the mandible relative to the maxilla (a measure of rostrocaudal mobility [RCM] of the mandible) during extension and flexion of the head of horses. Methods: Randomized controlled blinded trial. Methods: 59 horses housed in 1 barn. Methods: Horses were formally randomized into a treatment (n = 33) or control (26) group. All horses were sedated, and the distance between rostral portions of the upper and lower incisor arcades were determined with the head fully extended and flexed at the poll (the difference in measurements represented ...
Ural K, Ulutas B, Kar S.The purpose of this prospective, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial was to investigate the efficacy of topical eprinomectin for the treatment of psoroptic mange infestation in horses. 24 privately owned hunter/jumper and dressage horses were diagnosed with psoroptic mange infestation based on physical findings and skin scraping results were enrolled and randomly assigned to either topical eprinomectin pour-on solution (at a dose of 500microg/kg body weight weekly once for four applications) treatment group or a placebo group (purified water). Clinical evaluations and skin scrapi...
Bonneau S, Maynard L, Tomczuk K, Kok D, Eun HM.In this blinded randomized and controlled study, the anthelmintic efficacy of a tablet formula of ivermectin-praziquantel was evaluated in horses experimentally infected with three species of Strongylus larvae. Eighteen previously dewormed horses were inoculated on study day 0 with third-stage larvae of Strongylus vulgaris, Strongylus equinus, and Strongylus edentatus. The horses were randomly allocated to three groups (n = 6): test-drug (tablet formula), positive-control (reference gel), and negative-control (placebo tablet). On day 56, the horses were treated once with the respective drugs. ...
Wolkowski DD, McCarthy RD, Schoonover MJ, Taylor JD, Eastman TG.Evaluate effects of acellular equine liquid amnion allograft (ELAA) injected into healthy equine joints. Methods: Randomized, blinded, controlled experiment. Methods: Eight healthy adult horses. Methods: One intercarpal joint (ICJ) of each horse was randomly assigned to be injected with 1.5 ml of ELAA (treatment) while the contralateral ICJ was injected with 1.5 ml of 0.9% NaCl (control). Subjective lameness evaluation, force plate analysis, and synovial fluid analysis, including interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) analysis, were performed before (day 0) and at days 1, 3, 5, and 10. S...
Garcia Lascurain AA, Sumano Lopez H, Steffey EP, Santillán Doherty P, Hernandez EN.To characterize behavioral and physiological responses to short-term, unsupplemented intravenous (IV) anesthesia in healthy horses at high altitude (2240 m), and to test the hypothesis that the dose of butorphanol modifies the response of the horse to propofol anesthesia following xylazine pre-medication. Methods: Randomized prospective butorphanol dose cross-over experimental design. Animals Eight healthy horses, 13 +/- 6 (mean +/- SD) years of age, and weighing 523 +/- 26 kg. Methods: Each horse was anesthetized three times with at least 3 weeks between each anesthesia. After collecting pre-...
Cox A, Wood K, Coleman G, Stewart AJ, Bertin FR, Owen H, Suen WW, Medina-Torres CE.To assess the efficacy of an herbal spray combining various essential oils, with a claim of mast cell stabilisation, antipruritic, anti-inflammatory, and insect repellent effects on the clinical presentation of insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH) in horses. Methods: Double-blinded, placebo-controlled, randomised, cross-over clinical trial. Methods: Twenty adult horses with clinical IBH were treated with a daily application of herbal spray or placebo for 28 days in a randomised, cross-over fashion, separated by a>28-day washout period. Horses were examined and scored prior to and after the co...
Punzón E, García-Castillo M, Rico MA, Padilla L, Pradera A.Mesenchymal stem cells are multipotent cells with a wide range of therapeutic applications, including, among others, tissue regeneration. This work aims to test the safety (EUC-MSC) of intra-articular administration of equine umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells in young healthy dogs under field conditions following single and repeated administration. This was compared with the safety profile of allogenic canine adipose derived mesenchymal stem cells (CAD-MSC) and placebo in order to define the safety of xenogeneic use of mesenchymal stem cells when administered intra-articular. Twenty-four p...
Derossi R, Miguel GL, Frazílio FO, Nunes DB, Kassab TA.Bupivacaine is available as a racemic mixture of its enantiomers, d-bupivacaine and l-bupivacaine (LB). The aim of this randomized, double-blind study was to investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of S(-)-bupivacaine compared with standard racemic bupivacaine (RB) in horses under caudal epidural analgesia. Two treatments were administered to each horse, with a 2-week interval between subsequent treatments. Treatment 1 consisted of 0.5% LB at a dose of 0.06 mg/kg of body weight, and treatment 2 consisted of 0.5% RB at a dose of 0.06 mg/kg of body weight. Epidural injections were given in ...
Noble GK, Li X, Zhang D, Sillence MN.Tryptophan (TRP) is marketed as a calmative for horses despite reservations about its efficacy. The aim of this study was to measure the effect of oral TRP administration on the reaction speed of horses. Sixty mature horses were used in a two stage randomised, blind, cross-over study, receiving a placebo and an oral dose of TRP (30, 60 or 120 mg/kg body weight), before undergoing a reaction speed test. Blood samples were taken up to 96 h after TRP administration, to identify signs of acute haemolytic anaemia. Plasma TRP concentrations were increased (P <0.001) by the administration of...
Thomas J, Narkowicz C, Peterson GM, Jacobson GA, Narayana A.The efficacy of an ointment containing kunzea oil for the treatment of horses with localised acute or chronic pastern dermatitis was assessed. Thirty-seven horses were randomly allocated to treatment with an ointment containing either 20 per cent kunzea oil (test) or 2 per cent ketoconazole (control). Only 21 of the horses completed the study. The severity of the lesions was assessed before and after seven days of treatment. The kunzea oil formulation resulted in a significant decrease in the median total area of the lesions from 40 cm(2) (range 3 to 252 cm(2)) to 0 cm(2) (range 0 to 34 cm(2))...
Mason ME, Voris ND, Ortis HA, Geeding AA, Kaplan RM.To compare larvicidal regimens of fenbendazole and moxidectin for reduction and suppression of cyathostomin fecal egg counts (FEC) in a transient herd of embryo transfer-recipient mares. Methods: Randomized, complete block, clinical trial. Methods: 120 mares from 21 states, residing on 1 farm. Methods: An initial fecal sample was collected from each mare; mares with an FEC ≥ 200 eggs/g were assigned to treatment groups. Eighty-two horses received fenbendazole (10.0 mg/kg [4.5 mg/lb], PO, q 24 h for 5 days) or moxidectin (0.4 mg/kg [0.18 mg/lb], PO, once); FEC data were analyzed 14, 45, and 9...
Yamashita K, Muir WW, Tsubakishita S, Abrahamsen E, Lerch P, Hubbell JA, Bednarski RM, Skarda RT, Izumisawa Y, Kotani T.To compare the analgesic and cardiopulmonary effects of medetomidine and xylazine when used for premedication of horses undergoing general anesthesia. Methods: Randomized clinical trial. Methods: 40 horses. Methods: Twenty horses were premedicated with medetomidine (10 microg/kg [4.5 microg/lb], i.m.) and the other 20 were premedicated with xylazine (2 mg/kg [0.9 mg/kg], i.m.). Horses were then anesthetized with a combination of guaifenesin and ketamine; anesthesia was maintained with halothane. Additional doses of medetomidine or xylazine were given if horses were not sufficiently sedated at ...
Thompson RL, Gunn AJ, Stephen CP, Ip H, Brookes VJ.Uterine luminal pH has been demonstrated to be a valid indicator of uterine health in species such as cattle and sheep. However, research regarding uterine luminal pH in equines is lacking. The objectives of this study were to assess uterine luminal pH in mares during the estrous cycle, and evaluate the effect of dilute vinegar lavage on both uterine luminal pH and endometrial health. The study was conducted using a randomized block design in which eight mares (four Thoroughbred and four Standardbred) were aged matched then randomly assigned to two groups. Endometrial biopsies were taken from ...
Lo Feudo CM, Stucchi L, Conturba B, Alberti E, Zucca E, Ferrucci F.Equine squamous gastric disease (ESGD) may require prolonged treatments with acid suppressants; therefore, interest in nutraceutical supplements with anti-ulcerogenic properties has increased. This study aims to investigate the efficacy of Trophogast pellet for the treatment of ESGD in endurance horses. Methods: Fifteen endurance horses were included based on their gastroscopic examination and randomly assigned to a treatment group, receiving Trophogast pellet for 30 days together with management changes, or to a control group, only subjected to management modifications. At the end of treatmen...
Gaustad G, Dolvik NI, Larsen S.To compare effects of intra-articular injection of 2 ml of 0.9% NaCl solution with rest alone for treatment of horses with traumatic arthritis. Methods: 38 Standardbred horses with moderate to severe lameness that resulted from traumatic arthritis. Methods: Horses were stratified on the basis of number of affected joints. In each stratum, horses were allocated randomly to treatment groups (intraarticular injection of 2 ml of 0.9% NaCl solution vs rest only). Treatment was for a period of 3 weeks. Horses were inspected weekly with a final examination 2 to 4 weeks after completion of treatment. ...
McClure S, Sibert G, Hallberg J, Bade D.The efficacy and safety of sustained release ceftiofur administered twice, 4 days apart, for treatment of horses with naturally acquired Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus (Strep. zoo.) pneumonia was evaluated in a multicenter, placebo-controlled, double-blinded, randomized clinical trial. The study included 373 horses (278 treated and 95 placebos) with naturally acquired pneumonia. Inclusion in the statistical analyses for treatment efficacy for Strep. zoo. required recovery of ≥10(4) CFU/mL of Strep. zoo. on the primary isolation plate which resulted in 201 cases (145 treated and 56 p...
Hubbell JA, Muir WW.The ability to shorten the duration of sedation would potentially improve safety and utility of detomidine. Objective: To determine the effects of tolazoline and atipamezole after detomidine sedation. Objective: Administration of tolazoline or atipamezole would not affect detomidine sedation. Methods: In a randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind, descriptive study, detomidine (0.02 mg/kg bwt i.v.) was administered to 6 mature horses on 4 separate occasions. Twenty-five mins later, each horse received one of 4 treatments: Group 1 saline (0.9% i.v.) as a placebo control; Group 2 atipamezole...
Alonso B, Carregaro A, Cuypers C, Michielsen A, Gasthuys F, Schauvliege S.To evaluate the effects of detomidine or romifidine on cardiovascular function, isoflurane requirements and recovery quality in horses undergoing isoflurane anaesthesia. Methods: Prospective, randomized, blinded, clinical study. Methods: A total of 63 healthy horses undergoing elective surgery during general anaesthesia. Methods: Horses were randomly allocated to three groups of 21 animals each. In group R, horses were given romifidine intravenously (IV) for premedication (80 μg kg), maintenance (40 μg kg hour) and before recovery (20 μg kg). In group D2.5, horses were given detomidine IV f...
Tofflemire KL, Whitley EM, Flinn AM, Dufour VL, Ben-Shlomo G, Allbaugh RA, Griggs AN, Peterson CS, Whitley DR.To compare the effect of commercially available solution and compounded ointment formulations of dorzolamide(2%)-timolol(0.5%) on intraocular pressure (IOP) of normal horses. Methods: Eighteen clinically normal horses. Methods: A randomized, masked prospective design was used with horses divided into two equal groups. One eye of each horse was selected for topical ophthalmic treatment with either 0.2 mL of dorzolamide(2%)-timolol(0.5%) solution or 0.2 g of dorzolamide(2%)-timolol(0.5%) ointment every 12 h for 5 days. The contralateral eye of horses in both groups was untreated. Rebound tonomet...
Schnuelle ML, Hopster K, Toribio RE, Hurcombe SD.To compare the effects of 7.2% hypertonic and 0.9% isotonic saline (sodium chloride) solutions on cardiovascular parameters and plasma arginine vasopressin (AVP) concentrations in healthy, isoflurane-anesthetized horses. Methods: 8 healthy horses. Methods: In a prospective, randomized, crossover study, horses were anesthetized with isoflurane twice with a 14-day washout period between anesthetic episodes. While anesthetized, horses received a bolus (4 mL/kg) of 7.2% hypertonic saline solution (HS) or 0.9% isotonic saline solution (IS). Heart rate; systolic, mean, and diastolic arterial blood p...
Elfenbein JR, Giguère S, Meyer SK, Javsicas LH, Farina LL, Zimmel DN, Sanchez LC.Hepatic failure is one of the more common complications in foals requiring blood transfusion to treat neonatal isoerythrolysis. Iron intoxication is likely the cause of hepatic injury. Objective: To determine the effects of deferoxamine on iron elimination in normal foals. Methods: Thirteen neonatal foals. Methods: Randomized-controlled trial. At 1-3 days of age, foals received either 3 L of washed packed dam's red blood cells (RBC) or 3 L of saline IV once. Foals were treated with deferoxamine (1 g) or saline (5 mL) SC twice daily for 14 days. Foals were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 gr...
Wright BD, Hildebrand SV.To compare arterial oxygen and carbon dioxide tensions in apneic and spontaneously ventilating horses recovering from anesthesia. Methods: Randomized clinical trial. Methods: Forty-two healthy horses averaging 466 ± 106 kg and 6 ± 5 years of age. Methods: Anesthetized horses undergoing a variety of surgical procedures and receiving positive pressure ventilation (IPPV) were divided into two equal groups. One group was allowed to return to spontaneous ventilation prior to disconnection from the anesthetic circuit (weaned). The other group remained apneic during transport to a recovery stall. A...
Widmer WR, Blevins WE, Jakovljevic S, Levy M, Teclaw RF, Han CM, Hurd CD.A prospective clinical trial comparing adverse postmyelographic effects and myelographic quality of metrizamide and iohexol was conducted. Using a predetermined, randomized assignment, 24 horses exhibiting neurologic signs were administered either metrizamide (180 mgl/ml) or iohexol (180 mgl/ml) via cerebellomedullary puncture. Each horse was evaluated postmyelographically for adverse effects. Myelographic quality was assessed by a numerical scoring method. Adverse effects were observed more frequently with metrizamide (21) compared with iohexol (6) myelography (p < 0.05). Seizures, intensific...
Parkinson SD, Zanotto GM, Maldonado MD, King MR, Haussler KK.Neck pain and stiffness are increasingly recognized in horses and often treated using multimodal pharmaceutical and rehabilitation approaches. In humans, deep tissue heating is reported to reduce neck pain and increase flexibility. The objective of this project was to determine the effects of capacitive-resistive electrical therapy on neck pain and stiffness in horses. A blinded, randomized, controlled clinical trial with 10 horses assigned to active and 10 horses assigned to sham treatment groups. Neck pain, stiffness, and muscle hypertonicity were assessed by manual palpation. Forelimb postu...
Munsterman AS, Kottwitz JJ, Reid Hanson R.To determine the efficacy of adhesion barriers in horses using quantitative statistical analysis. Methods: Meta-analytical review. Methods: A search using PubMed/MEDLINE and Google Scholar was performed, followed by secondary searches of veterinary trade journals, bibliographies of relevant articles, manufacturer websites, and technical reference guides. Randomized experimental trials in healthy horses were considered that included both a treatment and control group. The endpoint required was euthanasia or laparoscopy to identify adhesion formation. A meta-analysis was performed using a random...
Fielding CL, Magdesian KG.Hypertonic saline solution (7.2%) (HSS) can quickly replace intravascular volume deficits. HSS more recently has been advocated in the treatment of traumatic brain injury, but its use in dehydrated patients remains controversial. Objective: Hypertonic saline solution will show a significant improvement in both clinical and laboratory hydration parameters as compared to isotonic (0.9%) saline solution (ISS). Methods: Endurance horses eliminated from the 2009 Western States 100-mile (220-km) endurance ride and requiring IV fluid therapy were eligible for enrollment in the study. Methods: Twenty-...
Fitzharris LE, Hezzell MJ, McConnell AK, Allen KJ.Limited information exists regarding changes in the size of respiratory and locomotor muscles in response to exercise training in the Thoroughbred racehorse. Objective: To describe and compare the responses of the respiratory and locomotor muscles to conventional exercise training and inspiratory muscle training (IMT). Methods: Prospective randomised controlled trial. Methods: Thoroughbred racehorses, in training for competition in National Hunt races, were recruited from two training establishments. Ultrasonographic images were obtained for selected muscles of the upper airway, diaphragm, acc...
