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.
Myrna KE, Herring IP.To assess the efficacy and kinetics of a continuous infusion modality for topical ophthalmic drug delivery via subpalpebral lavage in horses. Methods: Five ophthalmically normal horses Methods: A constant-rate continuous delivery pump was used to apply 0.01% fluorescein solution to the eyes of five ophthalmically normal horses via subpalpebral lavage. Fluorescein was applied at a rate of 0.14 mL/h for 72 h. Tear samples were collected from the ventral conjunctival fornix at regular intervals via capillary tube and tear fluorescein concentrations were determined via spectral assay. Laboratory s...
Getman LM, Ross MW, Elce YA.To report the diagnosis and outcome after surgical correction of bilateral distal ureteral anomalies in a Standardbred filly. Methods: Clinical case report. Methods: An 8-month-old, 310 kg Standardbred filly with left ureteral atresia and right ureteral ectopia. Methods: The filly was admitted for evaluation of incontinence since birth and severe urine scalding of the hindquarters. Diagnosis was made by both direct (cystoscopy and vaginoscopy) and indirect (intravenous pyelography, ultrasonography, and scintigraphy) evaluation of the ureters and bladder. The filly had left ureteral atresia, hy...
Perkins JD, Schumacher J, Kelly G, Pollock P, Harty M.To describe and evaluate subtotal ostectomy of dorsal spinous processes (DSP) performed in standing horses. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Nine adult horses. Methods: The diseased portions of the DSP were removed with the horses standing and sedated after infiltrating a local anesthetic agent around the affected DSP. Medical records of affected horses were reviewed to determine history, findings of physical and radiographic examination, surgical technique, postoperative complications, and outcome. Results: Five horses had subtotal ostectomy of DSP because of osteomyelitis, and 4 becaus...
Scherzer S, Hainisch EK.To report the use of a nylon suture system (Canine Cranial Cruciate Ligament Repair System; Securos Inc Veterinary Orthopedics) as a prosthesis for equine laryngoplasty. Methods: Experimental and prospective clinical study. Methods: Cadaver specimens (n = 5) and 7 horses with left laryngeal hemiplegia. Methods: A commercially available monofilament nylon suture system was implanted as a laryngeal prosthesis. Arytenoid cartilage abduction was achieved with a tensioning device applied to the suture prosthesis during transnasal endoscopic observation. Suture fixation was achieved with crimping cl...
Zubrod CJ, Schneider RK.When medical therapy and surgical treatments of an injured joint fail to return the animal to athletic performance or comfortable use of the limb, arthrodes is is a final option for some joints. Arthrodesis refers to the surgical fusion of a joint, resulting in bony ankylosis. Successful arthrodesis requires debridement of the articular cartilage through the calcified cartilage layer, exposing the subchondral bone; alignment of the joint into a weight-bearing position; and stabilization. The methods by which these steps are accomplished are variable, depending on the individual joint. There ar...
Walmsley JP.The accuracy of the diagnosis of ligamentous and meniscal injuries in the equine stifle has improved significantly in the last 20 years. There are, however, significant limitations in the diagnosis of stifle injuries because of the size and anatomy of the equine stifle. Treatment of soft tissue injuries to the equine stifle has been empirical,with only a few large case studies for specific conditions of stifle ligaments and menisci and only retrospective case studies of the outcome of treatment. This article describes the diagnosis and treatment of ligamentous and meniscal injuries in the equi...
Byron CR, Benson BM, Stewart AA, Stewart MC.To investigate in vitro effects of radial shock waves on membrane permeability, viability, and structure of chondrocytes and articular cartilage. Methods: Cartilage explants obtained from the third metacarpal and metatarsal bones of 6 horses. Methods: Equine cartilage was subjected to radial shock waves and then maintained as explants in culture for 48 hours. Treatment groups consisted of a negative control group; application of 500, 2,000, and 4,000 impulses by use of a convex handpiece (group A); and application of 500, 2,000, and 4,000 impulses by use of a concave handpiece (group B). Effec...
Pusterla N, Holmberg TA, Lorenzo-Figueras M, Wong A, Wilson WD.A 10-year-old Thoroughbred gelding was admitted to the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital of the University of California-Davis with a 2-week history of intermittent fever and acute onset of lethargy, anorexia, and ataxia. Although the clinical signs were nonspecific, the results of initial hematologic and biochemical analysis were consistent with a chronic inflammatory process. Thoracic radiographs revealed an increased fine reticulonodular interstitial opacity throughout the dorsal caudal lung fields. Cytologic examination of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid showed mixed inflammation wit...
Brünott A, van der Velden MA.In this case report a 20-year-old horse with unilateral eosinophilic keratitis is presented. The occurrence, clinical symptoms, histological findings and treatment of this ocular disorder are described and discussed against the background of relevant literature. Local administration of 0.1% dexamethason was successful.
McGurrin MK, Physick-Sheard PW, Kenney DG, Kerr C, Hanna WJ.Conventional treatment of equine atrial fibrillation (AF) involves administration of quinidine salts. Most uncomplicated cases respond to treatment, but pharmacologic cardioversion involves a range of adverse effects, and some horses are unable to tolerate medication. A study was undertaken to develop transvenous electrical cardioversion (TVEC) as an alternative treatment. Safety issues and catheter placement techniques with catheter-integrated cardioversion electrodes were investigated, and responses to shock application were evaluated. After the premortem catheterization of elective-euthanas...
Massoni S, Vlaminck LE, Cokelaere SM, Martens AM.An 18-month-old Belgian Warmblood mare was evaluated because it had injured the outer convex aspect of the left auricle. Second intention healing of the wound area caused tissue contracture, which resulted in the tip of the ear curling backward. By use of a technique involving undermining of the skin and a flap of granulation tissue on the medial aspect of the wound area and multiple incisions of the auricular cartilage, the curling was relieved and the ear regained a more normal shape. A skin graft was applied to cover the existing wound defect in an attempt to accelerate wound healing; therm...
Lassaline ME, Brooks DE, Ollivier FJ, Komaromy AM, Kallberg ME, Gelatt KN.Amniotic membrane has antifibrotic, anti-angiogenic and antiprotease properties. This retrospective study was designed to investigate the use of equine amniotic membrane transplants (AMT) at preserving vision, maintaining the structural integrity of the globe and maximizing cosmesis in equine eyes with corneal ulceration and severe keratomalacia. Methods: Equine amnion had previously been aseptically harvested from a 12-year-old Thoroughbred mare during an elective Cesarean section. Sections of amnion were stored at -80 degrees C and thawed as needed. Records of equine cases at the University ...
Florin M, Arzdorf M, Linke B, Auer JA.To compare the mechanical properties of 4 stabilization methods for equine long-bone fractures: dynamic compression plate (DCP), limited contact-DCPlate (LC-DCP), locking compression plate (LCP), and the clamp-rod internal fixator (CRIF--formerly VetFix). Methods: In vitro mechanical study. Methods: Bone substitute material (24 tubes) was cut at 20 degrees to the long axis of the tube to simulate an oblique mid-shaft fracture. Methods: Tubes were divided into 4 groups (n=6) and double plated in an orthogonal configuration, with 1 screw of 1 implant being inserted in lag fashion through the "fr...
Klein C, Smith HJ, Reinhold P.To improve the outcome of parameters measured by the impulse oscillometry system (IOS) in horses by separate assessment of inspiratory and expiratory impedance spectra in the frequency range between 1 and 10 Hz. As basis for further studies, the influence of sedation with xylazine on respiratory impedance was also investigated. Methods: (i) The respiratory impedance of 11 horses was measured using IOS before and 6 min after sedation (xylazine; 0.6 mg/kg b.w.). (ii) The time course of impedance parameters in a period of 24 min after administration of xylazine was evaluated in 12 horses at regul...
Koenig J, Cruz A, Genovese R, Fretz P, Trostle S.The purpose of the study was to identify factors influencing the outcome and prognosis of rupture of the tendon of the peroneus tertius muscle in 27 horses. Information on history, physical examination findings, diagnosis, treatment, and final outcome was summarized from medical records. Long-term follow-up information on horses was obtained by telephone survey. A stepwise logistic regression model was used to analyze factors influencing the outcome. Rupture occurred in the midbody of the tendon in 11 horses, at the insertion site in 11 horses, and at the origin in 2 horses. Overall, 18/23 (78...
Jäggin S, Fürst A, Hässig M, Auer J.The risk of injury to veterinarians treating horses is high, particularly when performing painful procedures. The present retrospective study investigated this risk, including the frequency and severity of kick injuries, by submitting questionnaires to 700 veterinary practitioners in Switzerland. Evaluation of 216 completed questionnaires revealed that the frequency of kick injuries was affected by the professional experience of the veterinarian, veterinarians being an owner of a horse, the season, the type of procedure, the percentage of equine patients in the practice population, the treatme...
Ryan CA, Sanchez LC, Giguère S, Vickroy T.Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are a mainstay of treatment for acid-related ulceration in man and horses. Currently, only an oral preparation of omeprazole is approved for use in horses in the USA. Intravenous administration of a PPI would provide a useful therapeutic alternative for those foals in which oral medication is not feasible. Objective: To investigate the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of pantoprazole following i.v. or intragastric administration in healthy neonatal foals. Methods: Seven healthy foals age 6-12 days at the start of the study were evaluated. Treatments included ...
Sommardahl CS, Frank N, Elliott SB, Webb LL, Refsal KR, Denhart JW, Thompson DL.To determine the effects of levothyroxine sodium (L-T4) on serum concentrations of thyroid gland hormones and responses to injections of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) in euthyroid horses. Methods: 12 healthy adult mares. Methods: 8 horses received an incrementally increasing dosage of L-T4 (24, 48, 72, or 96 mg of L-T4/d) for weeks 1 to 8. Each dose was provided for 2 weeks. Four additional horses remained untreated. Serum concentrations of total triiodothyronine (tT3), total thyroxine (tT4), free T3 (fT3), free T4 (fT4), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) were measured in samples obt...
Mama KR, Wagner AE, Steffey EP, Kollias-Baker C, Hellyer PW, Golden AE, Brevard LF.To evaluate the use of xylazine and ketamine for total i.v. anesthesia in horses. Methods: 8 horses. Methods: Anesthetic induction was performed on 4 occasions in each horse with xylazine (0.75 mg/kg, i.v.), guaifenesin (75 mg/kg, i.v.), and ketamine (2 mg/kg, i.v.). Intravenous infusions of xylazine and ketamine were then started by use of 1 of 6 treatments as follows for which 35, 90, 120, and 150 represent infusion dosages (microg/kg/min) and X and K represent xylazine and ketamine, respectively: X35 + K90 with 100% inspired oxygen (O2), X35 + K120-(O2), X35 + K150-(O2), X70 + K90-(O2), K15...
Oku K, Ohta M, Yamanaka T, Mizuno Y, Fujinaga T.To investigate an adequate infusion rate of propofol for total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) in horses, the minimum infusion rate (MIR) comparable to the minimum alveolar anesthetic concentration (MAC) of inhalation anesthetic was determined under constant ventilation condition by intermittent positive pressure ventilation (IPPV). In addition, arterial propofol concentration was measured to determine the concentration corresponding to the MIR (concentration preventing reaction to stimulus in 50% of population, Cp(50)). Further, 95% effective dose (ED(95)) was estimated as infusion rate for acq...
Weese JS, Rousseau J.To evaluate the efficacy of Lactobacillus pentosus WE7, an equine-origin organism with potentially beneficial in vitro properties, as a probiotic for prevention of neonatal diarrhea in foals. Methods: Randomized controlled clinical trial. Methods: 153 foals. Methods: Foals were enrolled at 24 to 48 hours of age and randomly assigned to treatment or control groups. The treatment group received approximately 2 x 10(11) CFU of freeze-dried L. pentosus WE7 orally once daily for 7 days, whereas the control group received a placebo. Clinical monitoring was performed for 14 days. Results: Probiotic a...
Raisis AL, Blissitt KJ, Henley W, Rogers K, Adams V, Young LE.Experimental studies in adult horses have shown that general anaesthesia maintained with isoflurane is associated with less depression of cardiovascular function compared with halothane anaesthesia. Adverse effects of intermittent positive-pressure ventilation (IPPV) have also been demonstrated. Nevertheless, the haemodynamic effects of these agents and the effects of differing modes of ventilation have not been assessed during clinical anaesthesia in horses undergoing surgery. Methods: The haemodynamic effects of isoflurane or halothane anaesthesia during spontaneous or IPPV were studied non-...
Kaşikçi G, Horoz H, Alkan S, Düzgün O, Aktaş M.A modified surgical technique has been developed for repairing third-degree perineal lacerations in mares. Complications of the currently used methods include rectovaginal fistula formation, urine pooling, complete dehiscence of the repair, constipation, tenesmus and difficulty of performance in the practice. The modified method is simpler and more practical. This method was performed on eight Thoroughbred mares with third-degree perineal lacerations after delivery. The rectovestibular septum was reconstructed by three lines of sutures in a transverse direction in relation to the longitudinal ...
Risberg AI, Webb CB, Cooley AJ, Peek SF, Darien BJ.A pregnant quarterhorse mare became acutely lame as a result of severe swelling of its right hind leg, thought to have been caused by a fracture or a muscle tear. Diagnostic procedures ruled out a traumatic musculoskeletal cause and a physical examination revealed chronic pastern dermatitis ('scratches'/'grease heel'). Histopathological evaluation of biopsy samples from the right hind leg was consistent with a leucocytoclastic vasculitis, and culture yielded Staphylococcus intermedius. The treatment and infectious causes of pastern dermatitis are discussed.
Ravanetti P, Kühnle C, Lechartier A, Zucca E.To date, only a few reports describe the treatment. The present report describes an extraarticular surgical approach, with the insertion of an absorbable implant, to treat a Subchondral cystic lesion (SCL) in the humeral head 3year old racing Thoroughbred & in the talus of a 11year old Arabian horse. SCLs were radiographically visible and associated with severe lameness. Scintigraphy showed focal intense radiopharmaceutical uptake in both cases, and CT scan revealed signs of osteoarthrosis associated with SCL in the talus. The use of a biocompatible, osteoinductive and osteoconductive implant ...
Manneveau GB, Robert MP, Tessier C, Bizon-Mercier C.This report describes a rare case of gastric impaction caused by a trichophytobezoar in a foal. This case highlights the difficulty in diagnosing this condition and reports surgical removal via a gastrotomy after failure of medical treatment. Ablation chirurgicale d’un trichophytobézoar gastrique chez un poulain. Ce rapport décrit un rare cas d’obstruction gastrique causé par un trichophytobézoar chez un poulain. Ce cas souligne la difficulté à diagnostiquer cette affection et fait rapport sur l’ablation chirurgicale lors d’une gastrotomie après l’échec du traitement médical...