Treatments for horses encompasses a range of medical and therapeutic interventions aimed at maintaining or restoring equine health. This field involves the use of pharmaceuticals, surgical procedures, and alternative therapies to address various conditions affecting horses. Common treatments include the administration of anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, and vaccines, as well as physical therapies and nutritional management. Research in this area focuses on evaluating the efficacy, safety, and outcomes of different treatment modalities. This page collects peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the methods, advancements, and clinical outcomes associated with equine treatment practices.
Axt CW, Springer A, Besse A, Naucke TJ, Müller E, Strube C, Schäfer I.Equine granulocytic anaplasmosis (EGA) is a tick-borne disease caused by Anaplasma (A.) phagocytophilum. In Central, Northern, Western, and Eastern Europe, ticks of the Ixodes (I.) ricinus/I. persulcatus complex, in Germany mainly I. ricinus, are considered as vectors. Ixodes ricinus ticks show peaks of activity during the spring and summer months, particularly April to July. Changing climatic conditions, however, have meanwhile led to a year-round risk of tick exposure and thus infections with A. phagocytophilum. The presented case report underlines the seasonal peak phase of the infection ri...
Brunner S, Fürst AE, Jackson MA.Dermal melanoma is a common neoplastic disease in horses, which occurs particularly in gray horses. There are various local and systemic therapeutic approaches to treat this skin tumor. Vaccination with human tyrosinase, ONCEPT ® vaccine, is a newer type of systemic melanoma therapy. In this study, the effectiveness of this ONCEPT ® vaccine was retrospectively examined in eight treated horses. In half of the horses (4) a positive change in tumor growth in the sense of retardation, stagnation and, in one of these horses, even reduction in the size of the melanomas was observed. Of the rem...
Loos CMM, Zhao S, Li L, Li J, Han W, Vanzant ES, McLeod KR.The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of essential oil (EO) supplementation on insulin sensitivity (IS) and the plasma metabolome in insulin dysregulated (ID) horses. Horses were blocked by degree of IS and assigned randomly to treatment: oral daily bolus (50 mL) of either a plant derived EO supplement or carrier (CON). Mares were housed in dry lots with access to grass hay and supplemented individually twice daily with a concentrate to meet nutrient requirements for mature horses. Before and after 6 wks of treatment, mares underwent a combined glucose-insulin tolerance ...
Buschmann E, Van Steenkiste G, Vernemmen I, Demeyere M, Schauvliege S, Decloedt A, van Loon G.Myocardial sleeves of the caudal vena cava are the predilection site for atrial tachycardia (AT) in horses. Caudal vena cava isolation guided by the ablation index, a lesion quality marker incorporating power, duration and contact force, might improve outcome. Objective: Describe the feasibility and outcome of caudal vena cava isolation using ablation index-guided radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) to treat AT in horses. Methods: Ten horses with sustained AT. Methods: Records from 10 horses with sustained AT treated by three-dimensional electro-anatomical mapping and ablation index-guided...
Guest DJ, Birch HL, Thorpe CT.The suspensory ligament (SL) is a key component of the elaborate and highly adapted suspensory apparatus in the horse. In addition to contributing to stabilisation of the metacarpophalangeal joint, the SL has a spring like function to reduce the energetic cost of locomotion. Although the SL is highly prone to injury in horses of all ages and competing in a wide range of disciplines, knowledge regarding fundamental structure-function relationships in the SL is lacking, particularly compared with other injury-prone tendinous structures such as the superficial digital flexor tendon. In this revie...
Seabaugh K, Rao S, Koenig JB, Pezzanite L, Dow S, Koch TG, Russell KA, Mehrpouyan S, Alizadeh AH, Goodrich LR.Synovitis is present before and during osteoarthritis in horses and can result in performance-limiting lameness. Twenty-four horses with lameness localized to the metacarpo-/metatarsophalangeal joint or a single joint of the carpus were enrolled in this study. We evaluated the response of intra-articular injection with 10 million activated (aMSC) or non-activated (naMSC) allogeneic equine umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs). Subjective and objective lameness was assessed on Days 0, 1, 21, and 42. The treatment injection was randomly assigned and performed following th...
Mascarenhas C, Castro D, Lascola KM, Hofmeister E, Clark-Price SC.To assess the effect of two different doses of intramuscular atipamezole on head height (HH) in horses after sedation with detomidine. Methods: Randomized, blinded, triple crossover study. Methods: Eight healthy adult horses. Methods: Baseline HH was measured before detomidine (40 μg kg) was injected intravenously. HH was measured at 10 and 20 minutes after injection. Then, saline, atipamezole 60 μg kg (AT60) or 120 μg kg (AT120) was injected intramuscularly. HH measurements were repeated at 10 minutes intervals for 100 minutes. HH data were analyzed with a linear mixed model. Significance ...
Abbasi A, Nouri H, Samadi F.Cryopreservation is a crucial method for the preservation of genetic materials. Nevertheless, this technique can have adverse effects due to cryo-oxidative damage. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the cryo-protective effects of niosomal nanocarriers loaded with artemisinin (NN-Art) on the functional attributes of equine spermatozoa. The parameters examined included sperm motility and kinematics through computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA), plasma membrane integrity via the hypoosmotic swelling test, viability using the eosin-nigrosin staining technique, morphology with...
Loos C, Castelein A, Vanzant E, Adam E, McLeod KR.Insulin dysregulation (ID) is associated with an increased risk of laminitis which often necessitates the need for clinical intervention. To test the contention that the prophylactic supplementation of nutraceuticals could mitigate ID in susceptible horses, 16 mature horses with a history of ID were supplemented with either the placebo (n = 8) or nutraceutical (n = 8) once daily. Horses were housed in dry lots with ad libitum access to grass hay and fed a concentrate twice daily to provide 0.5 g starch/kg BW/meal. A combined glucose-insulin tolerance test was performed on all horses before and...
Loos C, Castelein A, Vanzant E, Adam E, McLeod KR.Insulin dysregulation (ID) is associated with an increased risk of laminitis which often necessitates the need for clinical intervention. To test the contention that the prophylactic supplementation of nutraceuticals could mitigate ID in susceptible horses, 16 mature horses with a history of ID were supplemented with either the placebo (n = 8) or nutraceutical (n = 8) once daily. Horses were housed in dry lots with ad libitum access to grass hay and fed a concentrate twice daily to provide 0.5 g starch/kg BW/meal. A combined glucose-insulin tolerance test was performed on all horses before and...
Kemp KL, Skinner JE, Bertin FR.Phenylbutazone is prescribed for laminitis-associated pain and decreases glucose and insulin responses to an oral glucose test (OGT) in horses with insulin dysregulation (ID). Objective: Investigate the effect of phenylbutazone administration on the enteroinsular axis in horses. Methods: Sixteen horses, including 7 with ID. Methods: Randomized cross-over study design, with horses assigned to treatment with phenylbutazone (4.4 mg/kg IV q24h) or placebo (5 mL 0.9% saline). On Day 9 of treatment, an OGT was conducted, followed by a 10-day washout period, administration of the alternative trea...
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...
Novotna T, Samonilova E, Klan J, Frgelecova L, Mala A, Svobodova Z, Drabkova Z.This case report describes the poisoning of two mares from the same paddock with Robinia pseudoacacia (Black locust) bark. The poisoning manifested itself by the sudden onset of weakness and fever with transient improvement after the administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and fluids. After the initial stabilisation, the mares were left unattended overnight. One of them was found dead in the morning. The surviving mare developed colic and severe encephalopathy and had to be referred to the clinic. Blood tests revealed severe hyperammonaemia. After four days of symptomatic treat...
Gomez DE, Kopper JJ, Byrne DP, Renaud DL, Schoster A, Dunkel B, Arroyo LG, Mykkanen A, Gilsenan WF, Pihl TH, Lopez-Navarro G, Tennent-Brown BS....This study aimed to describe and compare therapeutic approaches for horses with acute diarrhea in different geographic regions worldwide. Methods: Clinical information was retrospectively collected from diarrheic horses presented to participating institutions between 2016 and 2020, including fluid therapy on admission, antimicrobial drugs, probiotics, anti-endotoxic medications, anti-inflammatory drugs, gastroprotectants, digital cryotherapy, and toxin-binding agents. Seasonal and geographic differences were investigated. Results: 1438 horses from 26 participating hospitals from 5 continents w...
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...
Sundra T, Knowles E, Rendle D, Kelty E, Lester G, Rossi G.The metabolic and lipid profiles of horses treated with sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors are not well understood. This retrospective study evaluated blood parameters in hyperinsulinemic horses treated with either ertugliflozin (0.05 mg/kg) or dapagliflozin (0.02 mg/kg) orally once daily. Blood samples were collected at baseline (day 0) and after 7 and/or 30 days of treatment. Statistical analyses were conducted using Wilcoxon signed-rank, Mann-Whitney and Spearman's rank correlation tests. Thirty-four horses received dapagliflozin and 24 received ertugliflozin. Significant (p<0.05)...
Sancler-Silva YFR, Papa FO, Esteller-Vico A, Silva-Junior E, Oliveira TES, El-Sheikh Ali H, Boakari YL, Freitas MSE, Ball BA.This study evaluated the effects of oral pentoxifylline on testicular biometry, histology, and gene expression in stallions subjected to scrotal heat stress. Fourteen stallions were divided into three groups: Control (CRL, n = 4), Testicular Degeneration (DEG, n = 5), and Testicular Degeneration Treated with Pentoxifylline (DEG + PTX, n = 5). Testicular degeneration was induced by scrotal insulation, twice daily, over two consecutive days (D-1 and D0). Starting the next day (D1), oral pentoxifylline (17 mg/kg) was administered every 12 h for 30 days. Testicular biometry was measured ...
Neville EK, Neville CC, Hicks H.The size, strength, and unpredictability of horses, makes any interaction a potential situation for minor to severe injury. Despite this, horses continue to be popular for work and recreational activities. There have been five recent Australian publications that have examined various aspects of horse-related trauma, but none have been conducted in regional New South Wales (NSW). This study aims to report on the pattern of horse-related trauma that met the Institute of Trauma Injury Management's (ITIM) Trauma Registry criteria for people who presented to the emergency department at a regional N...
Sánchez A, Durán G, Cerdas M, Gutiérrez J, Segura Á, Herrera M, Vargas M, Sánchez A, Sánchez P, Solano G, Villalta M, Moscoso E, Umaña D....Recent research suggests that a polygeneric immunogen made from the venoms of the most medically important viperid and elapid snakes in sub-Saharan Africa could elicit a broader antibody response in horses compared to the current EchiTAb-plus-ICP antivenom, especially against neurotoxic elapid venoms. To test this, 25 horses that have been regularly immunized to produce this antivenom were reimmunized with an immunogen containing 22 venoms from various snake species from the genera , , , and both spitting and non-spitting . The plasma collected from these horses was processed using the capryli...
Apolonio EVP, Gobbo LL, Woiblet NG, Dinau FC, Pyles MS, Ferrari LC, de Moura Alonso J, Alves ALG.Vascular hamartoma is an abnormal development of endothelial tissue that rarely affects horses. Histopathological examination remains the gold standard for definitive diagnosis, yet the presence of abnormal vascular structures must be carefully differentiated from other vascular anomalies and neoplasms. This report describes two cases of vascular proliferation affecting the skin on the lateral side over the left tarsus and the dorsolateral region over the fetlock joint of two fillies. The clinical history, presentation, and radiographic and sonographic findings in both patients suggested a neo...
Resende AM, Miranda BA, Silva LB, Oliveira AB, Castro MB, Macêdo IL, Dallago BSL, Barud HS, Borges MAC, Ribeiro CA, Dias DS, Campebell RC.Background/Objectives: Skin injuries are common in the equine clinical practice, requiring effective treatment to support natural healing. Bacuri butter is gaining attention for its potential in wound healing and its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties. Natural polymers such as onion (Allium cepa) bioplastics have been investigated for their potential as occlusive dressings and for tissue regeneration. Methods: This study evaluated the healing process of experimentally induced skin wounds on horses treated with bacuri butter, washed onion film, and unwashed onion film....
Sidwell AE, Duz M, Khan A, Bodnàr R, Hole SL.The translocation of gingival commensals resulting in measurable systemic inflammation has been described in humans and non-equine veterinary species with dental disorders, particularly periodontal disease. Routine odontoplasty does not result in increased serum amyloid A (SAA) concentration in horses, but a measurable increase in SAA concentration in horses undergoing dental extractions could suggest that local inflammation resulting from more severe dental disease has potential for wider, systemic consequences that warrants further study. To determine whether SAA increases in horses undergoi...
Kwak YB, Seo SA, Kim M, Yoon J.Ethyl pyruvate (EP) has emerged as a promising compound with potential therapeutic benefits attributed to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. This study aimed to understand the effects of EP on plasma metabolites and immune cells in horses, utilizing advanced liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS)-based metabolomics, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and blood chemistry analyses. Our comprehensive analysis detected 2,366 ions, and 126 metabolites were accurately identified. Remarkably, EP administration induced significant changes in 28 metabolites at 1 h a...
Mazzarella J, Heathcock JC. Children with upper extremity neuromotor impairments often have decreased participation in life activities. Hippotherapy and rehabilitation in the equine environment might be effective in targeting participation, given the community context and natural activity involvement. This randomized controlled feasibility trial assessed recruitment, retention, treatment fidelity, and acceptability of rehabilitation using hippotherapy and the equine environment, targeting upper extremity function and participation for children with neuromotor impairments to inform a larger trial. This 6-month trial occ...
Charles A, Peeters X, Verbrugghe C, Vandersmissen M, Evrard L, Busoni V.The Pivot Point (PP) method is commonly used in the radiographic assessment of carpal deformities in young foals, as the range of deviation may influence treatment choice. The aims of this study were to assess the intra- and interobserver reproducibility of the PP method and subjective radiographic evaluation without line drawing to establish the anatomical site responsible for carpal deviation in foals and to evaluate the agreement between these two techniques. Unassigned: Anonymized radiographs of foals presented for investigation of carpal deformity or prematurity were retrospectively and i...
Lensing R, Wirth C, Thünker F, Merle R, Barton AK.Gastric pH is a key factor in the development of equine squamous gastric disease (ESGD). Although acid injury is unlikely the primary cause of equine glandular gastric disease (EGGD), low pH may promote mucosal damage. Gastric pH is influenced by roughage uptake, as chewing increases the alkaline saliva production. The proton pump inhibitor omeprazole is currently recommended by the American/European College of Veterinary/Equine Internal Medicine (ACVIM/ECEIM) for ESGD and EGGD. We hypothesized that dental disorders decrease saliva production and gastric pH, predisposing horses to EGUS. Gastro...
Willette JA, Tsoi M, Frobish D, VanderBroek AR.The objectives of the study were to describe a standing percutaneous adhesion induction model in the digital flexor tendon sheath (DFTS) of horses and to evaluate the effect of intrathecal administration of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor enalapril on tendon healing and adhesion formation. Methods: Randomized, blinded, controlled experimental study. Methods: Eight healthy horses. Methods: A collagenase-induced adhesion model was implemented in the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) of both forelimbs under standing ultrasonographic guidance. Daily intrathecal injections of 5 ...
Giotis D, Konstantinidis C, Plakoutsis S, Vardakas D, Panagiotopoulos V.The purpose of this study was to demonstrate a rare case of pelvic ring injury in a healthy man without a history of high energy damage. A 43-year-old man presented to the emergency with local pain in pubic symphysis and difficulty walking after horseback riding. The patient did not report any fall or injury during this recreational activity, and apart from tachycardia, he was hemodynamically stable with normal blood pressure. Additionally, no deficit of neurological function was observed. The radiological imaging demonstrated an injury of the pelvic ring APC II with a diastasis of pubic symph...
Sousa LN, Winter IC, Varela DD, Luvison EZ, Guzmán JFC, Machado AMV, Figueiredo RDV, Pena GT, Dos Santos ACS, Faleiros RR, Carvalho AM.The present study involved seven horses in a randomized crossover clinical trial to evaluate the effect of lidocaine on horses with induced endotoxemia. Horses received intravenous lidocaine (1.5 mg/kg bolus, followed by 0.05 mg/kg bwt/min) or placebo (0.9% sodium chloride at the same manner) one hour before LPS administration (0.03 μg/kg, IV infusion over 30 min). We monitored clinic and hematologic parameters, abdominal auscultation, ultrasound, and pain over time. No relevant clinical differences existed between treatments regarding peristalsis, abdominal pain, or any other parameters befo...
Berg EL, Gooch M, Feldmann LM, Knight B, Verlaine J, Bach-Gorman A.Characteristics of individuals with disruptive behavior disorders often include elevated externalizing behaviors such as impulsivity, defiance of authority and antagonism of social norms. Evidence shows that adolescents diagnosed with these types of disorders are particularly challenging to treat; however, therapies incorporating horses have shown some success. We examined the impact of an equine-assisted intervention compared to a non-manualized cognitive behavioral therapy in youth between 12- and 18-years old living in a residential childcare facility. Upon admittance, youth were administer...
Nyman G, Frostell C, Hedenstierna G, Funkquist B, Kvart C, Blomqvist H.The effect of selective mechanical ventilation of dependent lung regions were studied in anaesthetized horses (mean weight 486 kg) in dorsal recumbency. Blood-gas measurements were performed with the horse in the lateral position during spontaneous breathing (before selective intubation) and in dorsal recumbency during spontaneous breathing, general mechanical ventilation, and spontaneous breathing + selective mechanical ventilation. Arterial oxygen tension (PaO2) was 32.3 kPa in the lateral position during spontaneous breathing with a high inspired oxygen fraction (FlO2 greater than 92%). In ...
Kaese HJ, Valberg SJ, Hayden DW, Wilson JH, Charlton P, Ames TR, Al-Ghamdi GM.Five horses were examined because of signs of muscle stiffness, colic, or both. All 5 had been exposed to Streptococcus equi within 3 weeks prior to examination or had high serum titers of antibodies against the M protein of S equi. Horses had signs of unrelenting colic-like pain and focal areas of muscle swelling. Four horses were euthanatized. The fifth responded to treatment with penicillin and dexamethasone; after 3 weeks of treatment with dexamethasone, prednisolone was administered for an additional 10 weeks. Common hematologic and serum biochemical abnormalities included neutrophilia wi...
Mosing M, Rysnik M, Bardell D, Cripps PJ, MacFarlane P.Hypoxaemia is a common problem during equine anaesthesia. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is a ventilation mode routinely employed in man to overcome hypoxaemia but has not been objectively assessed in horses. Objective: To test the effects of CPAP on oxygenation and its indices in anaesthetised horses in a clinical setting. Methods: Twenty-four healthy horses requiring anaesthesia in dorsal recumbency were anaesthetised using a standard protocol. Following orotracheal intubation and connection to an anaesthetic machine capable of applying CPAP, horses were randomly allocated to ven...
Lawless SP, Cohen ND, Lawhon SD, Chamoun-Emanuelli AM, Wu J, Rivera-Vélez A, Weeks BR, Whitfield-Cargile CM.Distal limb wounds are common injuries sustained by horses and their healing is fraught with complications due to equine anatomy, prevalence of infection, and challenges associated with wound management. Gallium is a semi-metallic element that has been shown to possess antimicrobial properties and aid in wound healing in various preclinical models. The effects of Gallium have not been studied in equine wound healing. Therefore, the objective of this study was to compare healing rates between gallium-treated and untreated wounds of equine distal limbs and to demonstrate the antimicrobial effect...
Bickers RJ, Blackford JT, Eiler H, Rohrbach B.To compare bursting strength, time of construction, and cost of a closed one-stage, stapled functional end-to-end jejunojejunostomy (FEE) with a stapled side-to-side jejunojejunostomy (STS). Methods: Experimental, randomized block design. Methods: Seven adult horses without gastrointestinal disease. Methods: The jejunum was isolated, and three FEE, three STS, and three control segments were created in each horse using a randomized block design. Anastomosis time was recorded. The intraluminal pressure at failure and mode of failure were recorded. Length at failure was measured on digitized imag...
Carmalt JL, Pimentel KL.Definitive diagnosis of equine temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJ-OA) may require advanced diagnostic imaging. Arthroscopy is a modern, minimally invasive, diagnostic, and treatment modality. Standing arthroscopic treatment of joint disease is a relatively recent advance in equine surgery, despite which there are few published comparisons between the available arthroscopic systems. Unassigned: To compare and contrast two arthroscopic systems for assessing the equine temporomandibular joint compartments in cadavers and standing horses. Unassigned: Experimental study. Unassigned: Phase ...
Dirikolu L, Lehner F, Nattrass C, Bentz BG, Woods WE, Carter WG, Karpiesiuk W, Jacobs J, Boyles J, Harkins JD, Granstrom DE, Tobin T.Diclazuril (4-chlorophenyl [2,6-dichloro-4-(4,5-dihydro-3H-3,5-dioxo-1,2,4-triazin-2-yl)pheny l] acetonitrile), is a benzeneacetonitrile antiprotozoal agent (Janssen Research Compound R 64433) marketed as Clinacox . Diclazuril may have clinical application in the treatment of Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis (EPM). To evaluate its bioavailability and preliminary pharmacokinetics in the horse we developed a sensitive quantitative high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for diclazuril in equine biological fluids. MS/MS analysis of diclazuril in our HPLC solvent yielded mass spectral ...
Harmon CCG, Hawkins JF, Li J, Connell S, Miller M, Saenger M, Freeman LJ.OBJECTIVE To determine the effects of 3 topically applied treatments (1% silver sulfadiazine cream [SSC], triple antimicrobial ointment [TAO], and hyperosmolar nanoemulsion [HNE]) on microbial counts, exuberant granulation tissue (EGT) development, and reepithelialization of contaminated wounds at the distal aspect of the limbs of horses. ANIMALS 8 healthy adult horses. PROCEDURES A 2.5 × 2.5-cm, full-thickness, cutaneous wound was created at the dorsal aspect of each metacarpus and metatarsus (1 wound/limb/horse), covered with nonadhesive dressing, and bandaged. Wounds were inoculated with b...
Waitt LH, Cebra CK.To characterize signalment, clinical signs of disease, and clinical response to insulin in equids with hypertriglyceridemia. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: 20 horses, 17 ponies, and 7 donkeys with hypertriglyceridemia. Methods: For analysis of medical record data, horses, donkeys, and ponies with multiple serum or plasma triglycerides measurements were separated into groups. Hypertriglyceridemic equids that were (HT-I; n = 14) or were not (HT-N; 10) treated with insulin consisted of equids with an initial triglycerides concentration > 44 mg/dL but < 500 mg/dL. Equids with an init...
Nizolek DJ, White KK.Degenerative arthrosis is perhaps the most common debilitating disease of performance horses. Treatment should be based upon a knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of normal joints and upon an understanding of the processes of degeneration and repair. These topics are briefly reviewed. Although rest is probably, the most beneficial therapy, physical and pharmaceutical treatments are often employed in an effort to speed recovery. The effects and relative benefits of intrasynovial injections of corticosteroids, hyaluronica cid, and Arteparon are considered in detail. Although local corticoste...
Platt JP, Simon BT, Coleman M, Martinez EA, Lepiz MA, Watts AE.Although rare, 70% of equine fatalities during recovery from general anaesthesia (GA) are due to catastrophic fractures from poor recovery quality. Objective: To determine the effect of repeated GA recovery on GA recovery quality. Methods: Experimental blinded trial. Methods: Eight adult horses underwent six GA events on sevoflurane for distal limb MRI examination over a 14-week period. Prior to GA recovery, xylazine was administered. Randomly ordered video-recorded GA recoveries were scored by three blinded board certified veterinary anaesthesiologists, unaware of patient identity or GA event...
Valk N, Doherty TJ, Blackford JT, Abraha TW, Frazier DL.The effect of phenylbutazone on gastric emptying in horses was determined by measuring serum concentrations of acetaminophen. Gastric emptying was determined in normal fasted horses (n = 6), horses given endotoxin intravenously (n = 6), horses given intravenous phenylbutazone (n = 6), and horses given intravenous phenylbutazone plus endotoxin (n = 6). The mean time to reach maximum serum acetaminophen concentration (Tmax), the maximum serum concentration (Cmax), and the area under the serum acetaminophen concentration versus time curve (AUC) were compared among treatment groups. Phenylbutazone...
van Duijkeren E, Ensink JM, Meijer LA.The distribution of trimethoprim (TMP) and sulfadiazine (SDZ) into subcutaneously implanted noninfected tissue chambers was studied in healthy adult ponies. Six ponies were given an oral TMP/SDZ paste formulation at a dose of 5 mg/kg TMP and 25 mg/kg SDZ at 12 h intervals for 2 days in order to reach steady-state concentrations. Plasma concentrations and tissue chamber fluid (TCF) concentrations of both drugs were measured at regular intervals during a period commencing 24 h after the last oral administration. The peak concentration of TMP (mean +/- SD) was 2.92 +/- 0.86 microg/mL for plasma a...
Baggot JD, Love DN, Rose RJ, Raus J.The disposition kinetics and bioavailability of streptomycin, kanamycin and neomycin were determined following their administration as parenteral preparations to horses. Single doses (10 mg/kg) of each aminoglycoside were given by the intravenous (i.v.) and intramuscular (i.m.) routes and, at a later time, seven intramuscular doses were injected at 12-h intervals. The pharmacokinetic behaviour of the three aminoglycosides was similar, in that a rapid distribution phase was followed by a relatively short half-life. The half-life (mean +/- SD, n = 6) of kanamycin (1.80 +/- 0.17 h) was significan...
Deniaud M, Tee E.Corneal ulceration is a common ophthalmic condition in horses. It is frequently caused by trauma to the corneal surface, followed by secondary infection by commensal or pathogenic organisms including Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus spp. Emerging antimicrobial resistance amongst these organisms has raised the need for appropriate antimicrobial therapy selection, to optimise treatment efficacy while minimising further antimicrobial resistance. Medical records of 38 horses presented at the University Veterinary Teaching Hospital Camden for ul...
Bouré LP, Pearce SG, Kerr CL, Lansdowne JL, Martin CA, Hathway AL, Caswell JL.To assess the efficacy of laparoscopic adhesiolysis in the treatment of experimentally induced adhesions in foals. Methods: 8 healthy pony foals. Methods: Celiotomy was performed and adhesions created at the jejunoileal junction and at sites 0.5 and 1 m proximal to this junction, using a serosal abrasion method. Ten days after celiotomy, exploratory laparoscopy was performed. Laparoscopic adhesiolysis was performed in the treatment group only (4 foals, randomly selected). Thirty days after the exploratory laparoscopy, a final laparoscopic examination was performed, and the foals were euthanati...
Nolan AM, Hall LW.The use of propofol, solubilised in a non-ionic emulsifying agent, for the induction and maintenance of anaesthesia in experimental ponies was assessed. Pilot studies revealed that premedication with xylazine (0.5 mg/kg bodyweight [bwt]) intravenously (iv) followed by propofol (2.0 mg/kg bwt) iv provided a satisfactory smooth induction. Two infusion rates (0.15 mg/kg bwt/min and 0.2 mg/kg bwt/min) were compared for maintenance of anaesthesia. An infusion rate of 0.2 mg/kg/min produced adequate anaesthesia in these ponies. Cardiovascular changes included a decrease in arterial pressure and card...
Townsend NB, Cotton JC, Barakzai SZ.To (1) describe a tangential radiographic projection of the equine temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and (2) optimize the radiographic angle and determine its use in standing sedated horses. Methods: Descriptive study. Methods: Cadaveric equine skulls (n=11); 8 horses with a history of quidding or headshaking. Methods: Tangential radiographic projections were taken of a TMJ of a cadaveric skull before and after intra-articular injection of radiographic contrast. Additional tangential radiographic projections were taken after TMJ dissection and placement of a wire along the articular surface of the...
Weller R, Livesey L, Maierl J, Nuss K, Bowen IM, Cauvin ER, Weaver M, Schumacher J, May SA.Scintigraphy, with 99mTechnetium methylenediphosphonate (99mTc-MDP) and 99mTc-labelled leucocytes, was compared to radiography in the diagnosis of dental disease in the horse in a prospective case-controlled study, comprising 30 horses with clinical signs of dental disease and 30 control horses. In each case, right and left lateral, ventral and dorsal soft tissue and bone phase scintigraphic images were obtained after i.v. injection of 1 GBq/100 kg bwt 99mTc-MDP, using a gamma camera. The same views were acquired in 10 horses with clinical signs of dental disease and 12 control horses after in...
Lee WL, Epstein KL, Sherlock CE, Mueller PO, Eggleston RB.To compare in vitro physical and mechanical characteristics of 1-layer and 2-layer end-to-end jejunoileostomy. Methods: In vitro experimental study. Methods: Adult horses (n = 6). Methods: Harvested equine jejunum and ileum was used to create 1- and 2-layer end-to-end jejunoileostomy specimens. Construction time, bursting pressure, and relative lumen diameter (anastomosis diameter expressed as a percentage of the lumen diameter of adjacent jejunum and ileum) were compared. Construction time and relative lumen diameters were compared using a paired t-test. Bursting pressure for anastomoses and ...
Canè V, Botti P, Farneti D, Soana S.The effect of pulsing electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) on bone repair was studied in principal metacarpal bones of eight adult male horses: Six horses were treated with PEMFs, and two horses were untreated. In treated horses, Helmholtz coils were applied during a 60-day period to the left metacarpal bones, bored with eight holes of equal diameter and depth, from the middiaphysis toward the distal metaphysis. Eight equal holes bored in the right metacarpal, surrounded by unactivated Helmholtz coils, were taken as controls. The two untreated horses were taken as additional control. The results of ...
Del Rosario-Montejo O, Molina-Rueda F, Muñoz-Lasa S, Alguacil-Diego IM.Equine therapy, an intervention method that has been practiced for decades around the world, is used to treat patients susceptible to psychomotor delays. Objective: We examine development of gross motor function compared to other psychomotor skills in patients undergoing this therapy, and analyse how this improvement affects general health status and quality of life. Methods: The study includes 11 children with delayed psychomotor development (aged 8.82 ± 3.89; 6 boys, 5 girls). The main study variables were gross motor function (GMFM-88) and perceived quality of life (Pediatric Quality of ...
Andersen C, Jacobsen S, Walters M, Lindegaard C.Osteoarthritis (OA) is a significant health issue in humans as well as horses. Experimental models of equine carpal OA have been used to investigate OA pathogenesis and potential therapeutic candidates. A 5-scale scoring system (OARSI) for macroscopic pathological cartilage changes already exists, but there is a need for a scoring system with better differentiation of severity. The aim of this study was therefore to develop and validate such a scoring system. Results: New scoring system were developed for cartilage erosions (Copenhagen Equine Total Cartilage Score, CEqTCS) along with synovial ...
Patruno M, Martinello T.In order to treat frequently occurring conditions such as traumatic rupture or over-strain tendinopathies, the techniques of tissue engineering and cell-based therapies have become an accepted modus operandi since other available remedies appear to be ineffective in restoring the original structure and function of the injured tissue. However, the mechanisms accounting for the effectiveness of novel regenerative approaches in treating equine tendon and ligament injuries remain poorly characterised. In this review we summarize and discuss the most significant results of our research regarding bi...
Walliser U, Fenner A, Mohren N, Keefe T, deVries F, Rundfeldt C.The benefit of pre and post-operative administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for the relief of post-operative pain and control of inflammation in horses following orthopaedic surgery has not been previously investigated in controlled clinical field trials, and the utility of such treatment is a matter of ongoing dispute. Recently the utility of post-operative pain management was emphasized. It was therefore our aim to determine the efficacy of meloxicam in horses following partial resection of fractured splint bones. This condition was selected since the limited extent of the ...
Bertone AL, Turner AS, Park RD.Correction was attempted in 27 foals (41 limbs) with angular deformities at the carpal region (35 limbs), metatarsophalangeal region (5 limbs) and distal end of the tibia (1 limb) by hemicircumferential transection of the periosteum (HCTP) and periosteal stripping (PS). Successful outcome was determined by straight limbs and soundness, which was achieved in 81.5% of the cases, with 60% of the horses in performance training. Follow-up evaluation for all foals was completed at various times after physiologic closure of the physes. In none of the limbs was the deformity overcorrected. Owners of f...
Vanschandevijl K, Gielen I, Nollet H, Vlaminck L, Deprez P, van Bree H.An 8-year-old warmblood mare was evaluated following an acute onset of neurologic abnormalities. Results: Computed tomography of the head revealed large masses in both lateral ventricles, and a presumptive diagnosis of cholesterinic granuloma was made. Results: Freehand biopsy of the intracranial masses was performed under computed tomographic guidance, and histologic examination of biopsy specimens confirmed the diagnosis. No adverse effects associated with the brain biopsy procedure were encountered. Clinical signs resolved, and long-term follow-up did not reveal any recurrence of neurologic...
Paz CF, Magalhães JF, Mendes HM, Rocha Junior S, Belknap JK, Alves GE, Faleiros RR.We examined the hypothesis that the palmar digital nerves (PDNs), but not the dorsal branches (DBs) of the digital nerves, innervate the sensitive dorsal laminae of the equine foot by evaluating the effects of perineural anaesthesia of the PDNs and DBs separately on pain sensation evoked via mechanical stimulation of the dorsal laminae and other regions of the equine foot. Six clinically normal mares were used in a crossover design. A portable dynamometer was used to evaluate mechanical nociceptive thresholds at different points on the dorsal laminae, bulbs of the heel, coronary band and sole ...
Ravanetti P, Lechartier A, Hamon M, Zucca E.In the last 30 years, several treatments have been proposed to treat subchondral cystic lesions (SCLs) but there have been no randomised studies to compare different methods and there is no consensus as to the optimal treatment. Objective: To evaluate a biocompatible absorbable implant for the treatment of SCLs in young horses in different anatomical locations. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Horses with SCLs were treated with debridement through a trans-cortical extra-articular approach and an absorbable implant was inserted in the cavity. Clinical and radiographic follow-up was...
Khairullah AR, Sudjarwo SA, Effendi MH, Ramandinianto SC, Widodo A, Riwu KHP.Livestock-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (LA-MRSA) was first discovered in horses in 1989. Since then, LA-MRSA has begun to be considered an important strain of pathogenic bacteria in horses, which can cause LA-MRSA infection and colonization in humans with public health impacts. The anterior nares are the primary site of LA-MRSA colonization in horses, although LA-MRSA colonization may also occur in the gastrointestinal tract in horses. LA-MRSA-infected horses typically exhibit clinical infection or may not exhibit clinical infection. There are two potential risks asso...
