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.
Peng C, Yang L, Labens R, Gao Y, Zhu Y, Li J.Equine joint disease including septic arthritis (SA) and osteoarthritis (OA) is a critical cause of equine lameness. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is one of the most popular regenerative therapies to treat equine OA, even SA, but the evidence in support of the treatment is conflicting. Objective: The aim of the study was to systematically review the current evidence on PRP products used for SA and OA, as well as the efficacy of PRP products as treatment for OA on the basis of a meta-analysis of the available literature. Methods: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: A systematic search of...
Lorello O, Rule E, Haughan J, Wang K, Niu M, Brown K, Navas de Solis C.Equine veterinarians performing chiropractic treatments are frequently asked to evaluate and treat sound horses to improve their performance and address pain associated with the axial skeleton. Studies describing the effects and mechanisms of chiropractic treatments in horses without overt lameness are scarce. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of chiropractic treatments on stride rate, length, symmetry, heart rate and rider-perceived quality of the ridden work in sport horses. Methods: A blind randomised controlled trial with crossover design. Methods: Thirty-eight horses ridd...
Bacci S, Meucci V, Sgorbini M, De Marchi L, Pirone A, Pretti C, Tognetti R, Intorre L.Antimicrobial prescriptions of the University of Pisa and their compliance with prudent use recommendations were investigated over 11 years (2011-2021). At least one antimicrobial was always prescribed in surgical prophylaxis for the suture of wounds and in 33% of horses with signs of disease of a body system. Antimicrobials were administered in monotherapy (48%) in fixed dose combinations (21%) and empirical combinations (31%). Antimicrobials were mostly (63%) administered by parenteral route, while oral and topical antimicrobials accounted for 14% and 23% of prescriptions, respectively. Gen...
Eichler F, Ehrle A, Machnik M, Jensen KC, Wagner S, Baudisch N, Bolk J, Pötzsch M, Thevis M, Bäumer W, Lischer C, Wiegard M.As a remedy against stress and anxiety, cannabidiol (CBD) products are of increasing interest in veterinary medicine. Limited data is available describing the actual effectiveness of CBD in horses. The aim of this study (part 2 of 2) was to analyze stress parameters via behavioral observation, heart rate monitoring and assessment of blood and saliva cortisol levels in healthy horses treated repeatedly with a CBD containing paste. Twelve horses were randomly assigned to a treatment or a control group. Two pastes were orally administered in a double-blinded study design, one paste containing CBD...
Parker JL, Page A, Jacob O, Stanton V, Davis B, Flythe M, Adam EN.Though generally safe, research continues to demonstrate negative side effects of antibiotic administration on the gastrointestinal (GIT) microbiota across species. In horses, antibiotic associated diarrhea (AAD) is a life-threatening condition linked to the GIT microbiota. This study tested the hypothesis that short term antibiotic administration to healthy horses would negatively impact the fecal microbiota as measured by their ability to digest nutrients and through fecal shedding of disease-associated-bacteria. Twenty-four horses were assigned to one of four treatment groups: control (CO);...
Sawesi OK, Elbaz AK, Mahmoud AS, Duro EM, Alteab AA, Milad KK, Bennuor EM.Hematological evaluation is an important step for health assessment in equine medicine. Besides biochemical tests, that evaluation could be pivotal for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment monitoring. In Libya, the horse population has drastically increased in the last years, and hitherto, no report addressed the reference hematological values for the existing equine breeds. Unassigned: This study aimed to establish the reference for hematological indices of traditional equestrian and stud-farm equine breeds in Western Libya in regard to some variables such as individual characteristics, manage...
Malaluang P, Wagner LH, Cojkic A, Spergser J, Aurich C, Morrell JM.The presence of bacteria poses a significant challenge to the quality of stallion semen used in artificial insemination. The bacterial content of insemination doses arises from various sources, such as the healthy stallion, environment, and collection equipment, and is implicated in fertility problems as well as reduced sperm quality during storage. The conventional approach of adding antibiotics to semen extenders raises concerns about antimicrobial resistance and potential negative effects on sperm characteristics, and may not be effective in inhibiting all bacteria. The objective of this st...
Nascimento C, Saraiva MVA, Pereira VM, de Brito DCC, de Aguiar FLN, Alves BG, Roballo KCS, de Figueiredo JR, Ambrósio CE, Rodrigues APR.The regenerative therapies with stem cells (SC) has been increased by the cryopreservation, permitting cell storage for extended periods. However, the permeating cryoprotectant agents (CPAs) such as dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) can cause severe adverse effects. Therefore, this study evaluated equine mesenchymal stem cells derived from adipose tissue (eAT-MSCs) in fresh (Control) or after slow freezing (SF) in different freezing solutions (FS). The FS comprise DMSO and non-permeating CPAs [Trehalose (T) and the SuperCool X-1000 (X)] in association or not, totalizing seven different FS: (DMSO; T; X;...
Buschmann E, Van Steenkiste G, Duytschaever M, Boussy T, Vernemmen I, Ibrahim L, Schauvliege S, Decloedt A, van Loon G.Recently, treatment of equine atrial tachycardia by three-dimensional electro-anatomical mapping (3D EAM) and radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) has been described. Myocardial sleeves in the caudal vena cava and pulmonary veins are a potential trigger for initiation and perpetuation of atrial tachycardia and atrial fibrillation in the horse. Isolation of these myocardial sleeves by RFCA may be an effective treatment for these arrhythmias. Objective: To describe the feasibility of 3D EAM and RFCA to isolate caudal vena cava and pulmonary veins in adult horses using 3D mapping and a contact...
Troillet A, Hildebrand J, Stoffel MH, Schwabe S, Winter K, Brehm W.The purpose of the study was to determine the histo-morphological effects on villous synovium after synovectomy using two different motorized synovial resectors and two different intensities ex-vivo. Thirty-three (n=33) equine metacarpophalangeal/metatarsophalangeal joints were used. Synovectomy was performed along the dorsomedial/dorsolateral synovium (n=66) using two motorized synovial resectors (aggressive full radius resector, AFRR, used at two intensities: single treatment, n= 24 vs. triple treatment, n= 21 vs. aggressive meniscus side cutter, AMSC, n=21). Arthroscopic images were evaluat...
Pimenta J, Dias C, Cotovio M, Saavedra MJ.Considering the increasing antibiotics resistance, there has been a propensity to replace them with antiseptics when it comes to wound management and treatment. Nevertheless, in recent years, there have been reports regarding resistance to antiseptics by some bacterial strains. There is also concern about the environmental impact of these substances. The aim of this study was to compare the antimicrobial efficacy of antiseptics and eucalyptus essential oils on bacterial strains from horse's wounds. We used twelve Escherichia coli, eight Staphylococcus aureus, two Staphylococcus pseudintermediu...
Halvarsson P, Grandi G, Hägglund S, Höglund J.A relatively new method to study the species richness and diversity of nematode parasites in grazing animals is to perform deep sequencing on composite samples containing a mixture of parasites. In this work, we compared species composition of strongyles in two groups of horses as a function of egg count and age, based on a DNA barcoding approach. Faecal egg counts and larval cultures were obtained from nearly 300 horses, i.e., domestic horses (n = 167) and trotters (n = 130) sampled nationwide. The second internal transcribed spacer region (ITS2) of strongyle nematodes in the larval cultu...
Pereira MF, Ribeiro G, Gonzales A, Arantes JA, Dória RGS.Although arthroscopy is the treatment of choice for horses with osteochondritis dissecans (OCD), it is not yet known whether intra-articular therapies in the postoperative period can bring any benefit to the recovery of these animals. This study evaluated the effects of the intra-articular application of platelet-rich plasma (PRP), hyaluronic acid (HA) or lactated Ringer's solution (LR) in horses with OCD undergoing arthroscopy. Eighteen male and female Brazilian Sport horses aged between 2 and 6 years were evaluated. All animals presented OCD fragments in the middle crest of the tibia. Ten da...
Westman S, Cullen TE, Bergstrom TC, Edwards LA, Garcia TC, Stover SM.To evaluate the effect of the application of a novel fiberglass-glue cast (FGC) on the fracture gap width in experimentally created type III distal phalanx fractures in cadaveric specimens under simulated physiologic loads. Methods: Ex vivo biomechanical laboratory study. Methods: Nine unilateral adult equine cadaver forelimbs. Methods: Type III distal phalanx fractures were created in forelimb specimens, which maintained distal components of the passive stay apparatus. The fracture gap was measured at 5%, 20%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 95% of fracture length (palmar articular border to solar margin)...
Nowicka B, Torres A, Polkowska I, Jackow-Nowicka J, Przewozny M, Jackow-Malinowska J.Chronic tendon and ligament diseases are commonly encountered in both athletic humans and animals, especially horses. Distal limb diseases, including suspensory ligament (SL) pathology due to anatomical, histological, and biomechanical properties, can be considered a model for tendon and ligament pathologies in humans. The appropriate selection of therapy is often crucial in optimising the healing process. One decisive factor influencing the possibility of returning to pre-disease training levels appears to be the utilisation of physical activity, including controlled movement, during the reha...
Faulkner JE, Joostens Z, Broeckx BJG, Hauspie S, Mariën T, Vanderperren K.Evolution of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in horses with sagittal groove disease (SGD) of the proximal phalanx is relatively sparsely described. This retrospective, descriptive, longitudinal study describes the findings of sequential low-field MRI fetlock examinations in horses with SGD of the proximal phalanx using a classification system. Twenty-nine horses were included, predominantly warmbloods used for show jumping (79%). For 29 limbs re-examined during the initial rehabilitation period, classification remained constant (n = 18), increased (n = 2), decreased (n = 7), and fluc...
Della Tommasa S, Brehm W, Farì G, Bernetti A, Imperante A.The utilization of Autologous Conditioned Serum (ACS) for treating osteoarthritis (OA) in horses has seen a notable increase in recent years. In vitro studies have consistently identified ACS as a promising therapy for OA joints, contributing to its growing popularity in OA treatment. Despite this, there is a noticeable absence of systematic reviews focused solely on the clinical data of OA patients treated with ACS, excluding the in vitro perspective. This study aims to address this gap by systematically reviewing the latest literature, concentrating solely on clinical data in in vivo studies...
Rigby BR.Repeated stresses applied to the rider may contribute to the documented physical and psychosocial outcomes from equine-assisted services. In this brief review, a summary of neuroendocrine markers of stress, including immunoglobulin A, serotonin, cortisol, progesterone, and oxytocin, is presented within the context of the physiology of stress modulation. Results are mixed with regard to the effects of these hormones on rider physiology before, during, and after equine-assisted services. However, some results from existing studies are promising with regard to the attenuation of stress. Future re...
Simões J, Tilley P.Decision making consists of gathering quality data in order to correctly assess a situation and determine the best course of action. This process is a fundamental part of medicine and is what enables practitioners to accurately diagnose diseases and select appropriate treatment protocols. Despite severe equine asthma (SEA) being a highly prevalent lower respiratory disease amongst equids, clinicians still struggle with the optimization of routine diagnostic procedures. The use of several ancillary diagnostic tests has been reported for disease identification and monitoring, but many are only s...
López-Martínez MJ, Lamy E, Cerón JJ, Ayala I, Contreras-Aguilar MD, Henriksen IH, Muñoz-Prieto A, Hansen S.Equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS) is currently one of the more frequent diseases in horses. We aimed to identify changes in the salivary proteome in horses with EGUS at diagnosis and after successful treatment by using gel proteomics. Saliva samples were collected from nine horses with EGUS before and after treatment and nine matched healthy controls. SDS-PAGE (1DE) and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DE) were performed, and significantly different protein bands and spots were identified by mass spectrometry. Horses with EGUS had increases in proteins such as adenosine deaminase (ADA)...
Hobbs KJ, Young KAS, Nannarone S, Luethy D, Hopster-Iversen C, McKenzie HC, Ludwig EK.Over-the-wire (OTW) catheter placement is performed frequently in horses. Intravascular loss of a guidewire has been anecdotally reported, but there is limited information regarding the treatment and outcome of horses that have experienced this complication of OTW catheter placement. Objective: Describe the clinical and diagnostic features, treatment, and outcome of horses experiencing IV guidewire loss at the time of OTW catheter placement. Methods: Thirteen horses. Methods: Multicenter retrospective study to identify horses with IV guidewire loss. Horses of all ages were considered for inclu...
Canonici F, Marcoccia D, Bonini P, Monteleone V, Innocenzi E, Zepparoni A, Altigeri A, Caciolo D, Tofani S, Ghisellini P, Rando C, Pechkova E, Rau JV....Subchondral bone cysts in horses represent one of the main causes of lameness that can occur in different anatomical locations. The study describes the treatment in regenerative therapy of the intracystic implantation of adipose tissue mesenchymal stromal cells (AMSCs) included in platelet-rich plasma (PRP). The ability of AMSCs to differentiate in osteogenic cells was tested in vitro and in vivo. Given the aim to investigate the application of AMSCs in bone defects and orthopedic pathologies in horses, a four-year-old male thoroughbred racing horse that had never raced before was treated for ...
Labens R, Raidal S, Borgen-Nielsen C, Pyecroft S, Pant SD, De Ridder T.Topical wound treatments rely on carrier formulations with little to no biological impact. The potential for a common vehicle, a propylene glycol (PG) gel, to affect wound healing measures including microbiota is not known. Microbiome characterization, based on next generation sequencing methods is typically performed on tissue or directly obtained wound fluid samples. The utility for primary wound dressings to characterize equine wound microbiota in the context of topical treatments is currently unknown. This investigation reports the topical effect of an 80% PG based gel on wound healing and...
Pinnell EF, Hostnik LD, Watts MR, Timko KJ, Thriffiley AA, Stover MR, Koenig LE, Gorman OM, Toribio RE, Burns TA.5'-adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) agonists, particularly resveratrol (RES), have not been extensively evaluated for their effect on insulin dysregulation (ID) in horses. Objective: Evaluate the effects of treatment with RES (10 mg/kg PO q12h), metformin (MET; 30 mg/kg PO q12h), and aspirin (ASP; 20 mg/kg PO q24h) on experimentally induced ID. Methods: Thirty-three healthy, adult, light-breed horses. Methods: Unblinded, placebo-controlled, experimental trial evaluating effects of AMPK agonists (RES, MET, and ASP) on experimentally induced ID. Horses were randomly ...
Jeong S, Bond SL, Sole-Guitart A.Dynamic nasopharyngeal collapse (NPC) is an obstructive upper airway disease that affects mainly the inspiratory phase of respiration in horses undergoing strenuous exercise. It occurs when the neuromuscular activity of the nasopharynx is overwhelmed by the intense negative pressures generated during exercise. This leads to collapse of at least one of the four components of the nasopharynx which is comprised of the two lateral walls, the dorsal roof and the ventral soft palate. As a result, the airway diameter and thus airflow become compromised. Even small changes in the airway diameter produ...
Gonzalez-Castro RA, Carnevale EM.Phospholipase C Zeta 1 (PLCZ1) is considered a major sperm-borne oocyte activation factor. After gamete fusion, PLCZ1 triggers calcium oscillations in the oocyte, resulting in oocyte activation. In assisted fertilization, oocyte activation failure is a major cause of low fertility. Most cases of oocyte activation failures in humans related to male infertility are associated with gene mutations and/or altered PLCZ1. Consequently, PLCZ1 evaluation could be an effective diagnostic marker and predictor of sperm fertilizing potential for in vivo and in vitro embryo production. The characterization ...
Eichler F, Ehrle A, Jensen KC, Baudisch N, Petersen H, Bäumer W, Lischer C, Wiegard M.Cannabidiol (CBD) products have been proposed to exert stress- and anxiety-relieving effects in animals. Despite the increasing popularity of CBD for veterinary use, the available research detailing the effects of CBD in horses is limited. The aim of this study (part 1 of 2) was to analyze stress parameters via behavioral observations and heart rate monitoring in healthy horses following single oral administration of a CBD containing paste in different doses. Study products were two pastes for oral administration, one containing CBD and one containing no active ingredient. Pastes were applied ...
Narinx F, Sauvage A, Ceusters J, Grulke S, Serteyn D, Monclin S.To establish the safety of subconjunctival injections of autologous muscle-derived mesenchymal stem cells (mdMSCs) in healthy horses and to evaluate their effect in four horses (six eyes) with severe chronic equine immune-mediated keratitis (IMMK) that was unresponsive to medical treatments. Methods: MdMSCs were cultured from minimally invasive muscle biopsies. In the safety group, four healthy horses received two subconjunctival injections of 2.5 and 5 million cells, respectively, at 1-month interval, to the same eye. Ocular side effects were monitored for 1 month following each injection. ...
Hosny OH, Abd-Elkareem M, Ali MM, Ahmed AF.Ulcerative keratitis is a common disease in horses which may cause blindness. To prevent secondary bacterial and fungal infections and promote quick re-growth of the epithelial layer, different treatment approaches have been employed. This study aimed to examine the effects of advanced platelet-rich fibrin (A-PRF) gel on the healing process of experimentally induced corneal ulcers in donkeys. Nine healthy adult donkeys were used for the study. The donkeys were divided into two groups: the control group, where no medication was applied to the corneal ulcer, and the A-PRF gel group, where A-PRF ...
de Laat MA, Fitzgerald DM, Harris PA, Bailey SR.High plasma concentrations of insulin can cause acute laminitis. Ponies and horses with insulin dysregulation (ID) exhibit marked hyperinsulinemia in response to dietary hydrolyzable carbohydrates. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), an incretin hormone released from the gastrointestinal tract, enhances insulin release, and is increased postprandially in ponies with ID. The aim of this study was to determine whether blocking the GLP-1 receptor reduces the insulin response to a high glycemic meal. Five adult ponies were adapted to a cereal meal and then given two feed challenges 24 h apart of a me...
Sweeney CR, Soma LR, Bucan CA, Ray SG.Thoroughbreds with a confirmed history of exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH) were treated pre-exercise with atropine sulfate, cromolyn, ipratropium or furosemide. Atropine prevented EIPH in 3 of 3 trials in 1 horse, while having no significant effect on bleeding status in the other 2 horses. Pre-exercise treatment with cromolyn had no significant effects in the 3 horses. Pre-exercise treatment of ipratropium was apparently responsible for preventing EIPH in 17 out of 18 trials in 2 horses. The pharmacologic properties of ipratropium in the horse have not been studied, but based on hu...
Komáromy AM, Andrew SE, Brooks DE, Detrisac CJ, Gelatt KN.A periocular nodular sarcoid of the right upper and lower eyelids was diagnosed in an 11-year-old Thoroughbred mare. Computed tomography scan revealed the extent of the tumor. The mass was surgically debulked under general anesthesia, and the affected periocular region was injected intralesionally with Bacillus of Calmette and Guerin (BCG). An emulsion of cell wall fractions was used, which has been modified to reduce the toxic and allergic effect, but retain the antitumor activity. In total, five injections were performed at 2-week intervals. At follow-up 7 months after the last BCG injection...
Goulden BE, Anderson LG.During the years 1971-1979, 127 horses with left laryngeal hemiplegia were studied. The physical characteristics and clinical signs observed in this study were recorded in Part I and Part II of ths series of papers. Of these 127 horses, 81 were treated by the laryngoplasty procedure. Complications of surgery are described and the effects of the operation on respiratory noise and performance are evaluated. In 54.8% of horses the chronic respiratory noise observed during exercise was apparently diminished or eliminated post-operatively. The performance of 44% of horses was apparently improved af...
Cavalero TMS, Segabinazzi LGTM, Scheeren VFC, Canuto LEF, Gobato MLM, Papa FF.A 7-year-old Quarter Horse stallion was admitted at the hospital with a history of ejaculatory failure for 12 months. The stallion revealed no physical or psychological abnormalities, as well as, normal libido and erection. In addition, there were no abnormalities in accessory sex glands or the aorta artery detected by transrectal ultrasonography. Based on clinical findings, the stallion was diagnosed with an idiopathic ejaculatory dysfunction; therefore, alternative attempts of semen collection were performed. Thermal compress on the basis of the stallion's penis, semen collection on the gro...
Wolfsdorf KE.Methods to manage twins after fixation include natural reduction,dietary reduction, transvaginal ultrasound-guided aspiration,surgical removal, craniocervical dislocation, and transabdominal ultrasound-guided injection. Of these, results have been inconsistent with regard to producing a single healthy foal, except for craniocervical dislocation. This new technique enables the twin to be reduced before complete placenta formation has occurred, allowing the remaining fetus to use the entire endometrial surface and grow to its full potential.
Humber KA, Beech J, Cudd TA, Palmer JE, Gardner SY, Sommer MM.Azathioprine, a thiopurine antimetabolite used in the treatment of immune-mediated thrombocytopenia in human beings and dogs, was used in 2 cases of immune-mediated thrombocytopenia in horses that failed to respond to corticosteroid therapy alone. Platelet counts were increased to acceptable values in both horses. One horse returned to a successful racing career, and the other was euthanatized after developing renal disease and mild laminitis.
Ferrucci F, Zucca E, Croci C, Di Fabio V, Ferro E.The severity of the erosive and ulcerative lesions of the squamous gastric mucosa in 10 standardbred racehorses in training was classified according to a standard scoring system. Each horse was then treated orally for 30 days with 50 g/100 kg bodyweight daily of a pectin-lecithin complex mixed into the feed. At the end of the period of treatment, the gastric lesions were re-evaluated gastroscopically and the scores were compared with those assigned at the previous evaluation. In three of the horses the gastric ulcerations had healed completely, and in six others the lesions had improved signif...
Selberg K, Easley JT.Dental and sinus disorders are relatively common and of major clinical importance in equine medicine. Advanced diagnostic imaging has become an integral part of equine veterinary medicine. Advanced imaging has progressed the understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of dental- and sinus-related diseases. As a clinician, it is important to realize the value of advanced diagnostic imaging. Although computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are both significantly more expensive compared with other diagnostic tools, the financial cost of inaccurate diagnosis and treatment can often result i...
Beech J.This article discusses the history and signalment, clinical signs, differential diagnosis, pathology, etiology and pathogenesis, and treatment and prevention of equine degenerative myeloencephalopathy.
van Spijk JN, Beckmann K, Wehrli Eser M, Boxler M, Stirn M, Rhyner T, Kaelin D, Saleh L, Schoster A.Polymyxin B (PolyB) is used to treat endotoxemia in horses; neurologic and nephrogenic adverse effects occur in humans. Objective: To describe PolyB adverse effects in horses. Methods: Five healthy horses (ataxia 0/5), 1 horse with cervical osteoarthritis (ataxia 1/5). Methods: Prospective blinded randomized cross-over trial; 3-weeks wash out. Horses received PolyB (PolyB 6000 IU/kg IV, 7 doses q12h, n = 6) and PolyB/gentamicin (PolyB 6000 IU/kg IV, q12h 7 doses; gentamicin 10 mg/kg IV q24h 4 doses n = 4, or q12-24 h 5 doses because of an additional erroneous dose, n = 2). Daily n...
Browning AP, Collins JA.Combinations of romifidine and butorphanol were used to sedate 55 horses for a variety of surgical, therapeutic and diagnostic procedures. Eighteen of the horses were given the drugs separately, romifidine first followed by butorphanol four minutes later, and 37 were given the drugs together. The levels of sedation and ataxia were assessed and graded, and there were no statistically significant differences between the two methods of administration. The side effects were typical of the alpha-2 agonists, including bradycardia, heart block and some sweating. Box-walking was observed in one horse....
Sosa León LA, Hodgson DR, Carlson GP, Rose RJ.To test effectiveness of an electrolyte paste in correcting fluid, electrolyte and acid base alterations in response to furosemide administration. Methods: 6 Standardbreds. Methods: Horses received electrolyte paste or water only (control). The paste was given orally 3 hours after furosemide administration (1 mg/kg of body weight, IM). Water was given ad libitum soon after the paste and 3 hours after furosemide administration to treated and control groups, respectively. Paste Na+, K+, and Cl- composition was approximately 2,220, 620, and 2,840 mmol, respectively. The PCV and plasma concentrati...
Eustace RA, Caldwell MN.This paper describes the treatment of 10 horses suffering from acute laminitis using the heart bar shoe and a dorsal hoof wall resection technique. All cases had progressed to prolapse of the tip of the pedal bone covered by solar corium through the horny sole; in one case the exposed tip of the distal phalanx became visible. Nine cases of distal phalangeal rotation and one case of distal displacement of the distal phalanx (sinking) are described. Two animals were destroyed because of the degree of lameness, one remains slightly lame at the trot and the remaining seven have returned to their p...
Janicek JC, Cook JL, Wilson DA, Ketzner KM.To adapt the multiple osteochondral autograft technique for treatment of a subchondral cystic lesion (SCL) of the proximal medial trochlear ridge (MTR) of the equine talus and assess long term outcome. Methods: Case report. Methods: Quarter horse stallion with SCL of the proximal MTR of the talus. Methods: Osteochondral autograft techniques used in dogs and humans were adapted and optimized in equine cadavers. A horse with a SCL of the MTR of the talus was treated by osteochondral autografting. Three osteochondral autografts were harvested from the distal lateral trochlear ridge of the talus i...
Sloet van Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbaan MM, Grinwis GC.Equine sarcoidosis may present as a generalized or localized exfoliative dermatitis and/or as a granulomatous inflammation of multiple organs. Objective: To report the clinical signs, diagnosis, treatment and outcome for 22 horses with histologically confirmed sarcoidosis. Methods: Twenty-two horses of different breeds, between 3 and 17 years of age. Methods: Diagnosis was based on clinical signs and histopathological findings. Results: The following three forms of equine sarcoidosis were identified: generalized (13.6%), partially generalized (18.2%) and localized (68.2%). High-dose systemic c...
Hunt RJ.Underrun heels are common and involve hoof capsule distortion in which the horn tubules of the heels undergo bending and lengthening, resulting in decreased strength and functionality. The syndrome varies in clinical presentation, depending on duration, severity of distortion, presence of secondary problems, and presence of lameness. Primary treatment goals are to maintain soundness and functional integrity of the foot and to establish a normal hoof capsule. Resolution of the problem is generally not achieved in horses in a heavy work schedule, and realistic goals in this situation are to main...
Camillo F, Marmorini P, Romagnoli S, Cela M, Duchamp G, Palmer E.The aim of this study was to test whether low dose oxytocin i.v. injection once a day to mares diagnosed as being ready for birth by mammary secretion calcium strip test measurements could be used as a reliable method to induce parturition and/or predict the mare would not foal during the following night if parturition did not occur within 2 h of treatment. Fifty-one near-term Haflinger mares were used and a single injection of 2.5 iu oxytocin was given between 1700 and 1900 h, including 10 mares used as controls which were administered a placebo. Administration of oxytocin resulted in the del...
Kilcoyne I, Dechant JE.To report the clinical findings, incidence of complications, and outcome associated with perineal urethrotomy in equids. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Equids (n = 27). Methods: Medical records (January 2000 to December 2010) of equids that had a perineal urethrotomy were reviewed. Data retrieved and evaluated were breed, age, surgical technique, use of general anesthesia, complications, time from surgery to development of complications and their management, and outcome. Results: Perineal urethrotomy was performed for urolithiasis (n = 22), for treatment of urethral rents...
Knych HK, Stanley SD, Seminoff KN, McKemie DS, Kass PH.Methocarbamol (MCBL) is commonly used in performance horses for the treatment of skeletal muscle disorders. Current regulatory recommendations for show horses and racehorses are based on a single oral dose of 5 g, although doses in excess of this are often administered. The goal of the current study was to characterize the disposition of MCBL following higher dose administration and administration in combination with another commonly used drug in performance horses, phenylbutazone (PBZ). Exercised Thoroughbred horses were administered various doses of MCBL as a sole agent and MCBL in combinat...
Loomes K, Louro LF.The recovery phase after equine general anaesthesia (GA) is a time of considerable risk and therefore has been the subject of extensive research over the last 20 years. Various pharmacological interventions have been developed and studied with the objective of improving recovery quality and reducing anaesthetic-related mortality and morbidity. Nevertheless, some controversy remains regarding the influence of anaesthetic protocol choice on recovery quality from GA and its implications for recovery-related mortality and morbidity. A systematic review of the literature investigating the influenc...
McConnico RS, Copedge K, Bischoff KL.Increased popularity during the past decade of brodifacoum, an anticoagulant rodenticide, has led to an increase in cases of accidental poisoning in nontarget species, including pets and farm animals. Pharmacokinetics of second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides such as brodifacoum are substantially different from those of first-generation anticoagulant rodenticides such as warfarin. This difference dramatically influences management of exposure in terms of duration and cost of treatment and may affect outcome. The National Poison Control Center reports that approximately 50 cases of brodif...
Allison N, Gillis JP.Enteric pythiosis was diagnosed in a 2-year-old Quarter Horse gelding. The horse had signs of colic, which appeared to be alleviated by administration of mineral oil and analgesics, but only temporarily. Intestinal distention developed after initial examination. At surgery, a thick stenotic area was observed in the middle portion of the jejunum. The thick intestine and associated mesentery contained multiple firm nodules of gritty caseous material. Histopathologic findings included sclerosing eosinophilic granulomatous enteritis and peritonitis. Although the lesion resembled a response to migr...
Hammer EJ, Tulleners EP, Parente EJ, Martin BB.To evaluate laryngeal function by means of videoendoscopy during high-speed treadmill exercise in racehorses with grade-III left laryngeal hemiparesis at rest and to determine outcome of treatment. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: 26 racehorses. Methods: Videoendoscopy of the larynx was performed while horses were at rest and exercising on a treadmill. Horses were classified as having grade-IIIA, -IIIB, or -IIIC laryngeal hemiparesis on the basis of the degree of arytenoid cartilage abduction maintained during exercise. Postoperative racing performance was determined by evaluating race r...
Scrivani PV, Barthez PY, Léveillé R, Schrader SC, Reed SM.Three patients (1 dog, 2 horses) are described where myelography was complicated, purportedly by injection of contrast medium into the meninges superficial to the subarachnoid space. Contrast medium injected in this location in a cadaver tended to accumulate dorsally within the vertebral canal, deep to the dura mater but superficial to the subarachnoid space. The ventral margin of the pooled contrast medium had a wavy or undulating margin and the dorsal margin was smooth. Pooled contrast medium was believed to be sequestered within the structurally weak dural border cell layer between the dura...
Watts AE, Dabareiner R, Marsh C, Carter GK, Cummings KJ.OBJECTIVE To determine the effect of resveratrol administration in performance horses with lameness localized to the distal tarsal joints. DESIGN Randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial. ANIMALS 45 client-owned horses with lameness localized to the distal tarsal joints. PROCEDURES All horses received injections of triamcinolone acetonide in the centrodistal and tarsometatarsal joints of both hind limbs. A placebo or a supplement containing resveratrol was fed twice daily by owners for 4 months. Primary outcomes were horse performance as determined by rider opinion (better, worse...
Taylor PM, Browning AP, Harris CP.Combinations of detomidine (mean dose rate 13 micrograms/kg) and butorphanol (mean dose rate 26 micrograms/kg) were used to sedate 61 horses for a variety of surgical or diagnostic procedures in general equine practice. Three horses were sedated on more than one occasion. The degree of sedation was graded from 3 to 0 (deep sedation to no effect) and any side effects were recorded. Forty-three per cent of the horses were graded 3, 46 per cent were graded 2, 8 per cent were graded 1 and 3 per cent were graded 0. Bradycardia and ataxia were the major side effects. The combination was judged to be...
Young N, Barker W, Minshall G, Wright I.To describe an arthroscopically guided technique for lag screw placement across subchondral bone cyst (SBC) in the medial femoral condyle (MFC) and to compare postoperative racing performance with corticosteroid injection and cyst debridement. Methods: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: One hundred twenty-three horses with 134 MFC SBCs undergoing treatment at a single referral hospital in the UK between January, 2009, and December, 2020. Methods: Sex, age, limb affected, radiographic cyst dimensions, preoperative and postoperative lameness, surgical technique (lag screw placement, cyst debr...
Hollis AR.Melanomas are very common in older gray horses, with 80% of gray horses having at least 1 melanoma by 15 years of age. Historically considered a benign disease, it is now known that up to 66% of lesions will eventually metastasize. Melanomas may also cause local problems due to abscessation, ulceration, and interference with function of the affected areas. Treatment can be limited by size and location, but surgical resection, where possible, is likely to be the treatment of choice.
Monclin SJ, Farnir F, Grauwels M.There is a clinical impression that tetracaine hydrochloride (THCl) eyedrops is a suitable topical anaesthetic in horses. Objective: To determine the duration of corneal anaesthesia following instillation of multiple doses and 2 concentrations of THCl in 10 healthy horses. Methods: The corneal touch threshold (CTT) was determined, in both eyes, before (basal CTT) and after application of one drop of 0.5% THCl, 2 drops at a 1 min interval of 0.5% THCl or one drop of 1% THCl. CTT was measured in mm every 5 min until complete recovery of the basal CTT. Treatments were separated by an interval of ...
Ginther OJ.One of the most profound theriogenology applications of transrectal diagnostic ultrasonography in mares involves the imaging of ovarian follicles and corpora lutea. The resolving capabilities (frequency) and quality of the scanner directly affect the minimal size of a structure that can be imaged and the quality of the image. High-frequency scanners (5 or 7.5 MHz) of good quality can image a 2-mm follicle and the corpus luteum throughout its functional life. A low-frequency scanner (3 or 3.5 MHz) can image a 6-mm follicle and the corpus luteum for several days after ovulation. Equine follicles...