Topical administration for horses refers to the application of medication or therapeutic agents directly onto the skin or mucous membranes. This method is used to deliver drugs locally to treat conditions such as skin infections, wounds, or inflammatory disorders. Common forms of topical treatments include creams, ointments, gels, and sprays. The effectiveness of topical administration depends on factors such as the drug's formulation, the condition of the skin, and the specific area being treated. This page gathers peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and clinical applications of topical administration in equine medicine.
Collins E, Barr E, Zhang C, Steadman M, Gilger B, Henriksen ML.To describe the most efficient topical horizontally centrifuged platelet-rich fibrin (H-PRF) treatment protocol for equine ulcerative keratitis (EUK) that is easy to use, and to report the preliminary concentration of growth factors and cytokines in equine H-PRF. Unassigned: 5 client-owned horses diagnosed with EUK were enrolled over an 11-month period. Unassigned: 3 horses were geldings, and 2 were mares. The mean (± SD) age was 5.95 ± 5.01 years. The owners' main goal was to avoid surgery for EUK. Unassigned: H-PRF was used in 3 different protocols: solid H-PRF, sutured to the EUK area (n ...
Viljanto M, Cutler C, Habershon-Butcher J, Hincks P, Scarth J.The use of testosterone in racehorses is predominantly monitored using international urine and plasma concentration-based thresholds and complementary steroid ratios. To date, there has been no published pharmacokinetic study on transdermally applied testosterone products in horses and whether their use could result in adverse analytical findings. Therefore, quantitative analysis of testosterone and epitestosterone in urine and testosterone in plasma samples was performed following a pilot multi-dose transdermal Testogel administration (1 mg/kg once a day for 7 days on clipped skin) to one...
Carbonell JD, Fernández N, Escobar MJ, Álvarez MT, Sánchez L, Hernández A, Meana A.Chorioptic mange is a challenging condition to treat due to the superficial locations of the nonhematophagous mite , and while topical acaricides are recommended, the clinical feature relapses are frequent. In a double-blinded clinical trial, three randomized groups of Spanish-Breton horses ( = 32) naturally infected with on their legs were evaluated over a period of 70 days. All treatments were applied once every 14 days for three treatments. Before treatment and on Day (D)10, D25, D37, D56, and D70, each leg per animal was scored according to equine pastern dermatitis clinical presentat...
Marsella R.Antibiotic resistance is a growing concern worldwide and across species. This is especially important in horses with skin infections, as many of them are infected with Staphylococcus aureus, which can also colonize people. An increasing body of literature has documented colonization of horses with methicillin-resistant S aureus (MRSA) and transmission of MRSA between horses and veterinarians and vice versa. Colonization with MRSA does not always result in disease but has a potential impact on other horses, owners, handlers, and especially veterinarians. The WHO has published criteria to determ...
Styková E, Valocký I, Kačírová J, Fecskeová LK.Equine pastern dermatitis (EPD) is a multifactorial disease with a change in the skin microbiome. The present study monitored the influence of Weissella cibaria Biocenol™ 4/8 D37 CCM 9015 stabilized on alginite on the skin microbiota of healthy horses and model patients with EPD. Based on clinical signs, EPD lesions were identified as exudative or proliferative forms. A comparison of the initial microbial community based on 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing revealed that there was a statistically significant difference between healthy vs. exudative (R = 0.52, p = 0.003) and exudative vs. ...
de Moura Alonso J, Watanabe MJ, de Moraes Gimenes Bosco S, Apolonio EVP, de Vasconcelos AB, do Prado AC, Alves ALG, Rodrigues CA, Hussni CA.Fungal rhinitis in horses is rare, although severe, due to the progressive nasal obstruction. Aspergillus is one of the fungi most often involved in these cases. A 7-year-old Quarter Horse mare weighing 325 kg was admitted with a history of recurrent nasal discharge and bleeding, foul smell, reluctance to exercise, and abortion. Laboratory and imaging examinations revealed eosinophilia, scarring and erosion areas in the nasal mucosa, purulent and bloody secretions, and remarkable yellowish plaques. Histopathological examination revealed fungal rhinitis and bacterial culture revealed the prese...
Brys M, Den Hondt S, Saey V, Claerebout E, Chiers K.Various draft horse breeds, especially breeds with abundant feathering on the lower limbs, are known to be susceptible to chorioptic mange. Clinical signs of chorioptic mange encompass intense pruritus leading to self-mutilation and hair loss, thickening of the epidermis, and the formation of hyperkeratotic crusts and scabs. Despite the frequent occurrence and high impact of this condition, treatment options are limited, with a conspicuous absence of registered products formulated for equines, and especially foals. This limited availability of approved products highlights the necessity for alt...
Malalana F.Chemotherapy is the treatment of cancerous cells through the use of cytotoxic drugs. Whilst the use of systemic (intravenous) chemotherapy in equine practice is generally limited to the management of lymphoma, cytotoxic drugs are commonly used in the treatment of accessible skin tumors, either by topical application in the form of ointments or injected intralesionally. These drugs should be employed with caution due to the risk of serious adverse effects. In addition, extreme caution should be followed when preparing, handling, administering, and disposing them, due to their carcinogenic, muta...
Trevisiol S, Popot MA, Garcia P, Boyer S, Caroff M, Drif L, Taleb W, Tendon S, Moulard Y, Bailly-Chouriberry L.The non-psychoactive cannabinoids cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) are available on the market in different forms, mostly for their anti-inflammatory and potential analgesic properties. These substances are prohibited during equine competitions. CBD and CBDA are naturally present in hemp straw, commonly used as a bedding substitute for wheat straw. Unfortunately, horses can eat it, which therefore could lead to a possible risk of positive findings for CBD/CBDA in biological samples after doping control tests. The goals of this study were, first, to provide recommendations on the...
Pratt S, Sole-Guitart A, de Klerk K, Evans E, Hume J, Palmieri C, Rainger J, Goodwin W.Post-traumatic distal limb wounds cause discomfort and heal gradually by second intention. The topical application of Tri-Solfen (lidocaine hydrochloride, bupivacaine hydrochloride, adrenaline acid tartrate and cetrimide [LBAC]) produces effective postsurgical cutaneous analgesia in lambs, calves and piglets; however, its effect on wounds in horses is unknown. The antinociceptive effect, measured by mechanical threshold (MT), and the wound healing impacts of LBAC compared with saline were investigated on surgically created 20 × 20 mm distal limb wounds in 10 horses. Treatment was applied once...
Stellmack JM, Logan AA, Higgins AH, Hoffman RM.Periods of limited activity during semester break may reduce performance during return to ridden work. This study evaluated fitness and muscling of horses when returning to work, following a 12-week period during which horses either continued (conditioned) or discontinued (non-conditioned) ridden work. It was hypothesized that non-conditioned horses would have a lower level of fitness, resulting in higher resting and peak heart rates and lower levels of muscling. Twelve mature, stock type horses aged 16 ± 5 years were assigned to either a conditioned group that maintained light-to-moderate ri...
Casado-Santos A, González-Cubero E, González-Fernández ML, González-Rodríguez Y, García-Rodríguez MB, Villar-Suárez V.Corneal ulcers are a common and potentially vision-threatening condition in horses that can be challenging to treat with conventional therapies alone. This case report describes the successful treatment of a non-healing corneal ulcer in a 28-year-old Hispano-Bretón mare using the secretome derived from adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs). Despite initial treatment with antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, and surgical debridement, the corneal ulcer failed to heal properly, exhibiting persistent epithelial defects and stromal complications. As an alternative regenerative appr...
Paranjape VV, Knych HK, Berghaus LJ, Giancola S, Cathcart J, Reed RA.Anatomical location-dependent differences in transdermal opioid penetration are well described in human patients. Although this has been investigated in horses with fentanyl, there is no literature available on location-dependent plasma buprenorphine concentrations when administered as a transdermal matrix-type patch. Unassigned: This study aims to compare the plasma concentrations achieved from the matrix-type transdermal buprenorphine patches placed at different anatomical sites (metacarpus, gaskin, and ventral tail base) in healthy adult horses. Unassigned: This is a randomized experimental...
Gandini M, Cerullo A, Giusto G.Surgical site infection (SSI) is a common complication after celiotomy in horses, leading to increased morbidity and costs. Increased concern about antibiotic resistance justifies evaluation of alternative preventive approaches, such a Manuka honey which has displayed antimicrobial properties. Pectin-Honey Hydrogels (PHH), composed by Manuka honey and pectin provide a moist wound environment and microbial growth inhibition. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of PHHs in preventing SSI in horses subjected to emergency laparotomy. Horses undergoing laparotomy were evaluated. H...
Genchi M, Kramer L, Valentini G, Allievi G, Ciuca L, Vismarra A.Numerous biting and nuisance insects are a noted cause of discomfort and stress to horses. Pyrethrins and pyrethroids have been used for many years in numerous formulations for the control of insect pests in animals, humans and environment. There are, however, few studies reporting their field efficacy in horses. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the repellent activity of a spray formulation based on prallethrin and permethrin synergized with piperonyl butoxide (BRONCO® Equine Fly Spray, Farnam Companies, Inc., USA) against annoying and harmful insects for horses in field condition...
Imposimato I, Mariella J, Freccero F, Gialletti R.Riboflavin/UV-A corneal cross-linking (CXL) has been applied to treat corneal ulcers in adult horses, but its use in critically ill neonatal foals has not been described. Five cases of hospitalized, critically ill neonatal foals that were in intensive care with corneal ulcers, the ophthalmic treatment, and their outcome up to 1 year are described. A single treatment of CXL phototherapy was performed in three of five foals (five eyes). The application of a riboflavin ophthalmic solution for 20 minutes was followed by the UV-A light irradiation at 30 mW/cm2 for 3 minutes. Topical antibiotic admi...
Heuerman J, Haiub H, Cull E, Lupatini R, Shrum B, Sidhu R.In this case report, we highlight the benefits of Medisca CopaSil application for scar healing in a horse having sustained second-degree burn injuries covering most of its back. The application of CopaSil started three months after sustaining the burn injury when silver sulfadiazine topical cream treatment showed no significant improvement. CopaSil is formulated with ingredients that may help in reducing inflammation and accelerate healing by modulating the immune response. After using CopaSil for six months, the horse's back was healed, and the hair began to regrow. The complete healing...
Minaldi MP, Fidler LE, Betbeze CM, Wills R, Fontenot RL, Telle MR.To evaluate corneal sensitivity and acute side effects following application of ropivacaine hydrochloride 0.5% and lidocaine hydrochloride 2% on the healthy equine cornea. Ropivacaine and lidocaine similarly decreased corneal sensitivity when applied topically without clinically evident short-term ocular side effects. Lidocaine may be preferable in clinical settings due to its large, multi-use vials and similar effects to ropivacaine.
Matas Riera M, Cardenas Nadal M, Martínez-Sogues L, Ferrer L.Dermatological clinical signs have been seldom reported in the literature secondary to equine leishmaniasis. This case depicts the clinical signs, treatment, and outcome of a young horse with a pink, elevated lesion on the ventromedial quadrant of the cornea. A corneal cytology was performed and revealed the presence of leishmania amastigotes reaching the diagnosis of keratitis secondary to leishmania. Surgical resection was recommended but the owner declined the procedure, and the lesion was treated with a topical antimonial for 6 weeks. The lesion reduced remarkably during the first weeks ...
Atai T, Ozmaie S, Anoushepour A.This research was performed to compare the effects of prednisolone and fluorometholone on intraocular pressure (IOP) and Schirmer tear test (STT) in the normal equine eye. Sixteen normal mares aged between 6 and 10 years were used for this study. Horses were randomly assigned to two groups. Eight horses in the first group received 0.2 mL of topical 1% prednisolone in one eye and the contralateral eye was used as control (0.2 mL of saline was instilled). The second group received 0.2 mL of 0.1% fluorometholone in a randomly selected eye and the contralateral eye served as control and received 0...
Marshall K, Marsella R.Increased antimicrobial resistance highlights the need for alternatives to antibiotics. Bacteriophages, which are benign viruses that kill bacteria, are promising. We studied the efficacy of topical bacteriophages for treating equine staphylococcal superficial pyodermas. Eight isolates were tested against a bacteriophage bank, and a cocktail consisting of two bacteriophages was prepared. Twenty horses with clinical and cytological evidence of superficial pyoderma and confirmed infection based on swabbed culture were enrolled in the study. Each horse received both the bacteriophage cocktail a...
Chevalier JM, Pearson GB.The objective of this study was to report clinical outcomes of horses with naturally occurring full-thickness skin lacerations treated with an amorphous silicate dressing. We hypothesized that wounds treated with an amorphous silicate dressing would have minimal complications and lesion resolution without formation of exuberant granulation tissue. 11 client-owned horses. Clinical records of 11 horses with distal limb wounds treated with an amorphous silicate dressing were collected from participating veterinarians across the US. Wound healing progression was monitored by the veterinarian and o...
Poh KC, Cole ZT, Smarsh DN, Springer HR, Kelly K, Kenny LB, Machtinger ET.To evaluate the safety of repeated applications of permethrin concentrations (0% control, 1.5%, 5%, and 10%) to the necks and faces of horses and assess the efficacy and longevity of permethrin as an equine tick repellent. Methods: 5 healthy adult Quarter Horses. Methods: Each treatment was applied to the neck of each horse (0.01 m2) 4 times a day, for up to 10 days. An 8-mm biopsy was taken to evaluate postexposure dermal responses. Any treatments that were not withdrawn were applied to a quadrant of the horse's face 4 times a day, for up to 5 days. For tick bioassays, a treatment was applied...
Munday JS, Grant K, Orbell G, Vaatstra BL.A 6-year-old Thoroughbred mare developed multiple flat plaques, < 1 cm in diameter, on the left front fetlock. These were treated topically using 5-fluorouracil and resolved after 4 weeks. However, additional similar plaques developed on the left front pastern 5 months later. These lesions resolved within 3 months without treatment. Unassigned: One plaque that developed initially and one plaque that developed later were examined histologically. Both consisted of well-demarcated foci of moderate epidermal hyperplasia. Scattered throughout both plaques were cells showing evidence of papillo...
Song Y, Day CM, Afinjuomo F, Tan JE, Page SW, Garg S.While the global market for veterinary products has been expanding rapidly, there is still a lack of specialist knowledge of equine pharmaceutics. In many cases, the basic structure of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and integumentary system of the horse shares similarities with those of humans. Generally, the dosage form developed for humans can be repurposed to deliver equine medications; however, due to physiological variation, the therapeutic outcomes can be unpredictable. This is an area that requires more research, as there is a clear deficiency in literature precedence on drug delivery...
Helal IE, Al-Abbadi HA, El-Daharawy MH, Ahmed MF.Delayed healing associated with distal limb wounds is highly challenging in equine clinical practice. This study aimed to evaluate healing rates between chronic non-granulating wounds of horse distal limbs that were treated with maltodextrin/ascorbic acid gel alone or in combination with povidone-iodine 1% solution and those treated with povidone-iodine 1% only throughout the study period (35 days) in clinical settings. The study was conducted on 18 adult horses (3-15 years old). Based on the treatment regimen utilized, the horses were divided into three groups (n = 6), with each group having ...
Mirzaeei S, Faryadras FB, Mehrandish S, Rezaei L, Daneshgar F, Karami A.Prolonging the drug release can be a suitable approach to overcome the challenges related to topical ophthalmic administration of drugs especially the ones prescribed for chronic ailments. The sustained delivery of the drug would reduce the required frequency of administration which could extremely improve patient compliance and feeling of well-being. This study aimed to develop nanofibrous inserts for sustained ophthalmic delivery of timolol maleate (TIM) for the treatment of glaucoma. Unassigned: Polycaprolactone-based nanofibers containing TIM were prepared using pure polycaprolactone or a ...
Ekstrand C, Michanek P, Gehring R, Sundell A, Källse A, Hedeland M, Ström L.Atropine is an essential part of the treatment protocol for equine uveitis. Topical atropine administration has been associated with decreased intestinal motility and abdominal pain in horses. Experimental studies have indicated that frequent dosing is associated with a higher risk than dosing every 6 h. Unfortunately, no quantitative pharmacodynamic data for inhibition of the equine gut are published. Unassigned: Eight standardbred horses were assigned to receive either atropine or saline (control) to be infused over 30 min in a two-treatment cross-over design. Atropine concentrations in plas...
Quéré E, Chahory S.Painful eye conditions are a therapeutic challenge in horses. Subpalpebral lavage (SPL) treatment systems allow topical aqueous medications to be conveniently, safely, and frequently administered to the ocular surface. The aim of this retrospective study was to describe the outcomes and the complications associated with the location of the SPL treatment systems, in the superior or inferior eyelid in horses in a university practice. Clinical records of all horses admitted to the National Veterinary School of Alfort between January 2004 and October 2021, in which a SPL treatment system was used ...
Maldonado-Cabrera B, Sánchez-Machado DI, López-Cervantes J, Osuna-Chávez RF, Ibarra-Zazueta C, Robles-Zepeda RE.Consultation was requested for a 7-year-old Gypsy Vanner male horse with a 2-year history of foreskin injury. Upon revision, an ulcer, 153 cm2 in size, with yellowish granules was observed; a RESVECH 2.0 evaluation revealed a score of 32/35 points. Medical history confirmed multiple failed deworming, anti-inflammatory, and antibiotic treatments with different topical therapies and recurrence in summer. Laboratory results confirmed elevated total proteins (8.8 g/dL) and globulins (5.5 g/dL), negative bacterial and fungal cultures, as well as negative coproparasitoscopic findings, and finally, i...
Monteiro SO, Lepage OM, Theoret CL.To evaluate the effect of platelet-rich plasma on wounds on the distal aspect of the forelimb in horses. Methods: 6 mixed-breed 10- to 15-year-old mares. Methods: 3 wounds were created on metacarpal regions in each of 6 horses (n = 36 wounds total). Eighteen wounds were treated with platelet-rich plasma and bandaged, whereas 18 control wounds were similarly bandaged with no prior topical treatment. Decrease in wound surface area and the required number of excisions of exuberant granulation tissue were recorded until complete healing. Tissue specimens were taken from wounds at 1 week for histol...
Akerreta S, Calvo MI, Cavero RY.To collect, analyze and evaluate the ethnoveterinary knowledge about medicinal plants in a northern Iberian region (Navarra, 10,421 km(2), 620,377 inhabitants). Methods: Field work was conducted between 2003 and 2007, using semi-structured questionnaire and participant observation as well as transects walks in wild herbal plant collection areas. We performed semi-structured interviews with 667 informants (mean age 72; 55.47% women, 44.53% men) in 265 locations, identified the plant reported and analyzed the results, comparing them with those from other territories. Results: Out of 287 species ...
Clode AB, Davis JL, Salmon J, Michau TM, Gilger BC.To determine penetration of topically and orally administered voriconazole into ocular tissues and evaluate concentrations of the drug in blood and signs of toxicosis after topical application in horses. Methods: 11 healthy adult horses. Methods: Each eye in 6 horses was treated with a single concentration (0.5%, 1.0%, or 3.0%) of a topically administered voriconazole solution every 4 hours for 7 doses. Anterior chamber paracentesis was performed and plasma samples were collected after application of the final dose. Voriconazole concentrations in aqueous humor (AH) and plasma were measured via...
Weber LA, Meißner J, Delarocque J, Kalbitz J, Feige K, Kietzmann M, Michaelis A, Paschke R, Michael J, Pratscher B, Cavalleri JV.Equine malignant melanoma (EMM) is a frequently occurring dermoepidermal tumor in grey horses. Currently available therapies are either challenging or inefficient. Betulinic acid (BA), a naturally occurring triterpenoid, is a promising compound for cancer treatment. To evaluate the potential of BA as a topical therapy for EMM, its anticancer effects on primary equine melanoma cells and dermal fibroblasts and its percutaneous permeation through isolated equine skin were assessed in vitro. Results: BA showed antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects on both primary equine melanoma cells and fibrob...
Bischofberger AS, Dart CM, Horadagoda N, Perkins NR, Jeffcott LB, Little CB, Dart AJ.To investigate the effect of 66% Manuka honey gel on the concentrations of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 and TGF-β3, bacterial counts and histomorphology during healing of contaminated equine distal limb wounds. Methods: In this experimental study of 10 Standardbred horses, five full-thickness skin wounds (2 × 1.5 cm) were created on one metacarpus and six similar wounds were created on the contralateral metacarpus. Wounds were assigned to three groups: non-contaminated control wounds; contaminated control wounds; contaminated wounds treated daily with 1 mL Manuka honey gel to...
Fink MK, Giuliano EA, Tandon A, Mohan RR.To evaluate the safety and efficacy of Pirfenidone (PFD) in the treatment of equine corneal fibrosis using an in vitro model. Methods: Healthy donor equine corneas were collected and used to generate primary equine corneal fibroblasts (ECFs) by growing cultures in minimal essential medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum. Equine corneal myofibroblasts (ECMs), used as a model of equine corneal fibrosis, were produced by growing ECF cultures in serum-free medium containing transforming growth factor β1 (1 ng/mL). Trypan blue viability assays and changes in ECF morphology were utilized t...
Scott EM, Arnold C, Dowell S, Suchodolski JS.Next generation sequencing (NGS) studies have demonstrated a rich and diverse ocular surface-associated microbiota in people that was previously undetected by traditional culture-based methods. The ocular surface microbiome of horses has yet to be investigated using NGS techniques. This study aimed to determine the bacterial composition of the ocular surface microbiome in healthy horses, and to identify whether there are microbial community changes over time and following topical antibiotic use. One eye of 12 horses was treated 3 times daily for 1 week with neomycin-polymyxin-bacitracin ophtha...
Gemensky-Metzler AJ, Wilkie DA, Kowalski JJ, Schmall LM, Willis AM, Yamagata M.To determine effects of topical antimicrobial and antimicrobial-corticosteroid preparations on the ocular flora of horses. animals: 40 horses. Methods: One eye was treated 3 times daily for 2 weeks with one of the following ointments: (1) neomycin-bacitracin-polymyxin B, (2) 0.6% prednisolone-0.3% gentamicin, (3) neomycin-polymyxin B-0.05% dexamethasone, or (4) treated (artificial tears) control. Contralateral eyes of treated control eyes served as untreated control eyes. Corneal and conjunctival specimens for bacterial and fungal cultures were collected prior to initiation of treatment, after...
Wise LM, Bodaan CJ, Stuart GS, Real NC, Lateef Z, Mercer AA, Riley CB, Theoret CL.Bandaging of limb wounds in horses leads to formation of exuberant granulation tissue (EGT) that retards healing due to protracted inflammation, aberrant vascularisation and delayed epithelialisation. EGT is not observed if wounds are left undressed or when wounds are on the body. A previous study showed that short-term administration of proteins derived from orf virus dampened inflammation and promoted epithelialisation of open wounds in horses. Here, we investigated the impact of orf virus interleukin-10 and vascular endothelial growth factor-E on the development and resolution of EGT. Excis...
Nogueira SA, Torres SM, Malone ED, Diaz SF, Jessen C, Gilbert S.Imiquimod is an immune response modifier with potent antiviral and antitumour activity. The objective of this pilot study was to evaluate the efficacy of an imiquimod 5% cream (Aldaratrade mark: 3M, Saint Paul, MN, USA) as a topical treatment for equine sarcoids. Fifteen horses with a total of 19 tumours were enrolled, including mixed (7), fibroblastic (5), flat (3), verrucous (2), and nodular (2) types. Baseline data included history, physical examination, tumour location, measurement and digital photography. Imiquimod was applied by the owners three times a week until complete resolution of ...
Olofsson TC, Butler É, Lindholm C, Nilson B, Michanek P, Vásquez A.In the global perspective of antibiotic resistance, it is urgent to find potent topical antibiotics for the use in human and animal infection. Healing of equine wounds, particularly in the limbs, is difficult due to hydrostatic factors and exposure to environmental contaminants, which can lead to heavy bio-burden/biofilm formation and sometimes to infection. Therefore, antibiotics are often prescribed. Recent studies have shown that honeybee-specific lactic acid bacteria (LAB), involved in honey production, and inhibit human wound pathogens. The aim of this pilot study was to investigate the e...
Bigbie RB, Schumacher J, Swaim SF, Purohit RC, Wright JC.Equine amnion and live yeast cell derivative were evaluated as a biological dressing and as a topical wound medicament respectively, in the treatment of granulating wounds of the distal portion of the limbs of horses. Wounds measuring 2.5 x 2.5 cm were created on the dorsomedial aspect of the metacarpal and metatarsal region of all 4 limbs of 9 horses. Each wound was assigned randomly to 1 of 3 treatment groups: group C, treated with a nonadherent bandage as a control; group A, treated with amnion beneath a nonadherent bandage; and group L, treated with live yeast cell derivative beneath a non...
Tracey AK, Alcott CJ, Schleining JA, Safayi S, Zaback PC, Hostetter JM, Reinertson EL.Topical oxygen therapy (TOT) has been used in human medicine to promote healing in chronic wounds. To test the efficacy and safety of TOT in horses, an experimental wound model was created by making 1 standardized dermal wound on each limb of 4 healthy horses (n = 16). Each wound was fitted with an oxygen delivery cannula and covered with a bandage. One limb of each front and hind pair was randomly assigned to the treatment group (fitted with an oxygen concentrator device), with the contralateral limb assigned to the control group (no device). Wound area, epithelial area, and contraction were ...
Berry DB, Sullins KE.To determine whether povidone iodine ointment or 2 forms of silver sulfadiazine applied topically to wounds of the distal aspect of the limbs in horses affect the rate of second intention healing and to evaluate the additional influence of bandaging with these antimicrobials on granulation tissue formation. Methods: 6 healthy adult horses. Methods: Six standardized 2.5-cm2 skin wounds/horse were distributed between the dorsomedial surfaces of the metacarpi and metatarsi. One of the following 6 treatments was applied to each wound: 1% silver sulfadiazine cream with bandage, 1% silver sulfadiazi...
Song Y, Day CM, Afinjuomo F, Tan JE, Page SW, Garg S.While the global market for veterinary products has been expanding rapidly, there is still a lack of specialist knowledge of equine pharmaceutics. In many cases, the basic structure of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and integumentary system of the horse shares similarities with those of humans. Generally, the dosage form developed for humans can be repurposed to deliver equine medications; however, due to physiological variation, the therapeutic outcomes can be unpredictable. This is an area that requires more research, as there is a clear deficiency in literature precedence on drug delivery...
Buss DG, Giuliano E, Sharma A, Mohan RR.To determine if hybrid adeno-associated virus serotype 2/5 (AAV5) vector can effectively deliver foreign genes into the equine cornea without causing adverse side effects. The aims of this study were to: (i) evaluate efficacy of AAV5 to deliver therapeutic genes into equine corneal fibroblasts (ECFs) using enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) marker gene, and (ii) establish the safety of AAV5 vector for equine corneal gene therapy. Methods: Primary ECF cultures were harvested from healthy donor equine corneas. Cultures were maintained at 37°C in humidified atmosphere with 5% CO(2). Metho...
Stadler S, Kainzbauer C, Haralambus R, Brehm W, Hainisch E, Brandt S.Based on the anecdotally reported eradication of a sarcoid using aciclovir cream, the curative potential of this ointment was investigated in 22 sarcoid-affected horses referred to the Equine Clinic Tillysburg, Austria, between 2006 and 2009. Sarcoid disease was diagnosed by clinical examination and bovine papillomavirus types 1 and 2 from intact skin and tumour tissue. As nine horses had more than one lesion, a total of 47 sarcoids were treated by daily topical application of aciclovir 5 per cent cream for a period of two to six months; in four horses, surgical tumour ablation was performed b...
Dart AJ, Cries L, Jeffcott LB, Hodgson DR, Rose RJ.To evaluate the effect of a commercially available 25% propylene glycol hydrogel preparation (Solugel; Johnson and Johnson Medical, North Ryde, Australia) on healing of full-thickness skin wounds on the distal aspect of the limb in horses. Methods: Experimental. Methods: Eight Standardbred horses. Methods: Standardized (2.5 x 2.5 cm) full-thickness skin wounds were created over the mid-dorsomedial aspect of both metacarpi in 8 horses. One wound in each horse was dressed with saline solution (0.9% NaCl) soaked gauze, and one was treated with Solugel under dry regular gauze; wounds were then ban...
Robin M, Archer D, McGowan C, Garros C, Gardès L, Baylis M.African horse sickness (AHS) is a vectorborne disease spread by Culicoides biting midges. The UK's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs currently suggests using topical deltamethrin for AHS control; however, no data are available regarding its efficacy in the horse. The aims of this study were to investigate the effect of topical deltamethrin on blood feeding by Culicoides on horses and to investigate which Culicoides species blood fed on horses. Three pairs of horses were placed in partially enclosed cages that allowed samples representing the Culicoides interacting with individ...
Brooks DE, Andrew SE, Dillavou CL, Ellis G, Kubilis PS.To evaluate in vitro susceptibility to topical antifungal medications, as measured by minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50%), of fungal isolates from horses with ulcerative keratomycosis in Florida; to compare results with those of other studies to identify differences in susceptibility patterns among fungi isolated from horses in different geographic regions; and to note indications of fungal resistance to drugs tested in other studies. Methods: Corneal fungal cultures from client-owned horses from Florida with ulcerative keratomycosis (n = 22). Method...
Fleischli JG, Laughlin TJ, Fleischli JW.Treatment of diabetic foot wounds remains a major health-care issue, with diabetic foot ulcers representing the most common causal pathway to lower-extremity amputation. Although several investigations have examined topical collagen-based dressings, none have specifically looked at equine pericardium. We, therefore, evaluated the effect of the equine pericardium dressing on neuropathic foot wounds. Methods: Twenty-three consecutive patients with 34 neuropathic foot wounds were evaluated as part of a pilot study. An equine pericardium dressing was applied in a standard manner, and the patients ...
Frisbie DD, McIlwraith CW, Kawcak CE, Werpy NM, Pearce GL.To assess the clinical, biochemical, and histologic effects of topically administered diclofenac liposomal cream (DLC) in the treatment of horses with experimentally induced osteoarthritis. Methods: 24 horses. Methods: Osteoarthritis was induced arthroscopically in 1 middle carpal joint of all horses. Eight horses treated with DLC were given 7.3 g twice daily via topical application. Eight horses treated with phenylbutazone were given 2 g orally once daily. Eight control horses received no treatment. Evaluations included clinical, radiographic, magnetic resonance imaging, synovial fluid, gross...
Schwarz BC, Sallmutter T, Nell B.A 6-year-old 680-kg (1,496-lb) German Warmblood gelding was evaluated because of bilateral blepharospasm and head shaking. Results: Moderate blepharospasm was evident bilaterally, and both eyes had hyperemic and edematous conjunctivas and lusterless corneas. For each eye, the Schirmer tear test value was only 7 mm/min. The horse's nasal mucosa was dry. Abnormal behaviors included mild repetitive vertical movement of the head, snorting, and flehmen response (classic signs of head shaking). Touching the horse's nostrils and face revealed paresthesia and dysesthesia with slight nasolabial muscle ...
Bertone AL.Exuberant granulation tissue is common in large, lower limb wounds of horses, particularly horses of large body size. Methods of control include chemical cautery, cryogenic surgery, and surgical resection. Surgical resection is preferred because it is easy to perform, provides tissue for histologic evaluation, and preserves the epithelial margin. Effective treatments to prevent the formation of granulation tissue include leaving granulating wounds open to the air or, possibly, bandaging with topical steroids. Bandaging or casting may promote exuberant granulation tissue in wounds in which it h...
Papadopoulos E, Rowlinson M, Bartram D, Carpenter S, Mellor P, Wall R.An in vitro assay was used to assess the efficacy of the proprietary pyrethroid insecticide cypermethrin applied to horses (Deosect spray, 5.0%, w/v Fort Dodge Animal Health) against the biting midge Culicoides nubeculosus (Meigen) (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) and the mosquitoes Aedes aegypti Linneaus and Culex quinquefasciatus Say (Diptera: Culicidae). Hair was collected from the back, belly and legs of the horses immediately prior to treatment and 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35 days after treatment, and also from untreated controls. In laboratory assays groups of 10 adult female C. nubeculosus, Ae. aegy...
Zak A, Siwinska N, Slowikowska M, Borowicz H, Szpot P, Zawadzki M, Niedzwiedz A.Capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin are alkaloids with analgesic effects in humans and animals. When used locally, both of them minimalise pain sensation by defunctionalising nerve endings. According to the Federation Equestrian International Prohibited Substances List, these are substance banned in horse competitions. The aim of the study was to determine the detection time of capsaicin in both plasma and serum after long-term use of a gel recommended for commercial use and applied as intended. The objective of the study was to select the best material for the detection of capsaicin as a doping su...
Chen T, Ward DA.To determine tear volume, turnover rate, and flow rate in ophthalmologically normal horses by use of fluorophotometry. Methods: 12 mares free of ophthalmic disease. Methods: 2 microL of 10% sodium fluorescein was instilled onto 1 eye of each horse, and tear samples were collected via microcapillary tubes from the inferonasal conjunctival culde-sac at 0, 2, 4, 6, 10, 15, and 20 minutes after instillation. Collected tear samples were then measured for fluorescein concentrations with a computerized scanning ocular fluorophotometer. A decay curve plot of concentration changes over time was used to...
Tóth T, Broström H, Båverud V, Emanuelson U, Bagge E, Karlsson T, Bergvall K.Treatment and protection of wounds in horses can be challenging; protecting bandages may be difficult to apply on the proximal extremities and the body. Unprotected wounds carry an increased risk of bacterial contamination and subsequent infection which can lead to delayed wound healing. Topical treatment with antimicrobials is one possibility to prevent bacterial colonization or infection, but the frequent use of antimicrobials ultimately leads to development of bacterial resistance which is an increasing concern in both human and veterinary medicine. Methods: Standardized wounds were created...
Gokbulut C, Cirak VY, Senlik B, Aksit D, Durmaz M, McKellar QA.Pour-on formulations of endectocides decrease the risk of injury for both user and animal, and are particularly convenient for animal owners who can apply the product. This study was designed to investigate the plasma disposition and efficacy of ivermectin (IVM) following pour-on, per os and intravenous administrations. Eighteen female horses weighing 510-610 kg were used in this study. The animals were allocated into three groups (per os, pour-on and intravenous groups). The equine paste, bovine pour-on and bovine injectable formulations of IVM were administered orally, topically and intraven...
Wilmink JM, Ladefoged S, Jongbloets A, Vernooij JCM.The effect of dressings saturated with either a standardized suspension of probiotic bacteria or saline on healing of traumatic distal limb wounds in horses was evaluated for 24 days, and the systemic inflammatory effect was assessed. The wounds were divided in two groups based on the phase of healing: wounds with an incomplete (ICGB) or a complete granulation bed (CGB). The wound area was expressed as percentage of the wound area at day 0 and defined as relative wound area. The mean relative wound area decreased faster in probiotic than saline treated wounds. The difference was most obvious i...
