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.
Millichamp NJ.Horses with ocular trauma frequently present as emergency cases. This article provides a succinct review of various adnexal and globe injury issues. Accurate case assessment, management, prognosis, and follow-up considerations are presented.
Münzer B, Lubczyk B.Ultrasonography in veterinary practice represents a method that nowadays is a approved component of the examination of small and large animals. Although sometimes more difficult than in small animals, ultrasonography can be often useful in horses. In the present report two cases demonstrate the possibility of sonography in the diagnostic of foreign bodies in soft tissues in horses.
McLaughlin SA, Whitley RD, Gilger BC.The lens represents a unique tissue in light of its embryologic development, retention of old cells and nuclear make-up, transparent nature, immune privileged status, and metabolic restrictions. Disorders of malformation and malposition occur, but cataract development is the most common and significant problem for owners and animals. Technologic and pharmacologic advances have allowed surgical removal of equine cataracts to become an acceptable alternative, capable of returning a visually impaired horse to a functional status. Uveal inflammation represents the greatest threat to successful sur...
Geor RJ, Weiss DJ, Burris SM, Smith CM.The effects of furosemide and pentoxifylline on blood flow properties in horses were investigated. Hematologic and rheologic changes were examined in 4 horses before and 3 minutes after administration of epinephrine (1 mg, IV). The next day, hemorheologic changes were determined before and 3 hours after administration of furosemide (1 mg/kg of body weight, IM), and after administration of epinephrine at the sampling at 3 hours. Hematologic and rheologic changes were evaluated weekly in 3 horses given pentoxifylline (8.5 mg/kg, q 12 h, PO) for 28 days. In addition, hemorheologic responses to ep...
Hinrichs K, Spensley MS, McDonough PL.To investigate a model for equine endometritis, 12 mares with normal reproductive tracts were divided into 2 groups. All mares received progesterone in oil, 250 mg im, daily. At 5 days after initiation of progesterone administration, the uteri were inoculated with 10(6) colony forming units of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The day of inoculation was designated Day 0. On Day 6, endometrial swab samples yielded P. aeruginosa in 5 mares; samples from the other 7 mares yielded heavy growth of Escherichia coli, Streptococcus zooepidemicus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter spp., Citrobacter diversus, S...
Fretz PB, Li Z.Low energy helium-neon laser irradiation was administered to full thickness skin wounds (3 cm x 3 cm) on the dorsal surface of the metacarpophalangeal/metatarsophalangeal joints and cranial surface of the tarsocrural joints of eight horses. The effects on wound healing were analyzed statistically. There were no differences (p > 0.55) observed in the rate of wound healing between the low energy laser irradiated wounds and the control wounds. There was a significant difference (p < 0.006) observed in the rate of healing between the anatomical sites. Tarsal wounds healed more rapidly than fetlock...
Palmer SE, McGill LD.Freshly harvested equine skin incised with an electrosurgical unit, a radiosurgical device, or a carbon dioxide (CO2) laser was examined by light microscopy to determine the extent of thermal injury caused by each instrument. There was no significant difference between the thermal injury caused by the electrosurgical unit in the pure-cut mode and the CO2 laser in the superpulse mode, or between the electrosurgical unit and the radiosurgical device in the fully filtered cut mode. However, thermal injury caused by the CO2 laser was significantly less than that caused by the radiosurgical device....
Dyson SJ, Kidd L.The normal gastrocnemius tendon may contain some muscular tissue proximally. This results in a patchy echogenicity ultrasonographically where it lies caudal or lateral to the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT). When it has assumed a position dorsal (cranial) to the SDFT the gastrocnemius tendon has a more uniform echogenicity and its margins are well defined. Five horses had lameness associated with lesions identified ultrasonographically in the gastrocnemius tendon in the latter region. Lameness ranged from mild to severe and was characterised by reduced hock flexion, lowered arc of foo...
Madison JB, Gronwall RR.Three sets of paired circular and square full-thickness skin wounds were made on the dorsum of the metacarpus (n = 48) of 8 horses. Each wound was 6.25 cm2 in area. The wounds were treated topically with an ointment, nonadherent dressing, and bandaged with a snug elastic wrap. Wounds were photographed every other day until healing was complete. Wound areas were measured and exponential and linear wound healing models were applied to the wound healing data generated. Wound healing variables measured for each wound were: number of days to healing, maximal size attained, rate of wound contraction...
Bohn A, Papageorges M, Grant BD.Ultrasonography and radiography were used to diagnose bicipital tenosynovitis and humeral osteitis in a horse with a history of lameness of 7 weeks' duration. Surgical exploration confirmed the diagnosis.
Ross MW, Martin BB.Seven Standardbred horses, all pacers, with a mean age of 2.9 years (range, 2 to 4 years), had dorsomedial articular fracture of the proximal aspect of the third metacarpal bone. Fracture caused acute, unilateral, severe lameness after training or racing. Lameness was abolished by midcarpal joint anesthesia in 4 horses. Six horses had a palpable bony swelling, which caused signs of pain. Radiography revealed a nondisplaced, articular, oblique fracture extending distad toward the dorsomedial cortex for a mean distance of 28 mm (range, 15 to 40 mm). In all horses, chronic periosteal proliferativ...
Geor RJ, Becker RL, Kanara EW, Hovda LR, Sweeney WH, Winter TF, Rorick JK, Ruth GR, Hope E, Murphy MJ.Fever, limb edema, and laminitis were observed in horses 18 to 36 hours after they consumed hoary alyssum (Berteroa incana) under field and experimental conditions. Clinical signs were not observed in all horses that had ingested the plant. Diagnosis in the field cases was limited to observation of clinical signs and evidence of plant ingestion in hay or on pasture. In most cases, clinical remission was observed 2 to 4 days after empirical treatment, removal of the plant source, or both.
Baxter GM, Doran RE, Allen D.Proximal open comminuted fractures of the fourth metatarsal bone (Mt IV) in eight horses were treated by complete removal of the affected bone and antimicrobial therapy. Two horses had concurrent septic arthritis of the tarsocrural or distal tarsal articulations, and five horses had radiographic evidence of osteomyelitis and sequestration of the affected bone. Five horses became athletically sound for their intended use, two horses with septic arthritis had residual lameness but were pasture sound, and one horse was lost to follow-up. Excision of the entire bone appears to be an acceptable tre...
Ekfalck A, Rodriguez H, Obel N.LAMINITIS after abdominal surgery is a well known
complication that may occur after the horse has recovered from
colic (McIlwraith and Turner 1987). We had the opportunity to
examine a horse with post-surgical laminitis with a peracute
course whose early death made it possible to gain material from
the acute stage for histopathological investigations. We consider
that our observations may be of some value for colleagues
interested in the pathogenesis of laminitis.
Folz SD, Hanson BJ, Griffin AK, Dinvald LL, Swerczek TW, Walker RD, Foreman JH.Ceftiofur sodium was evaluated as a therapy for respiratory infections in horses. This cephalosporin antimicrobial was administered intramuscularly every 24 h and at a dose of 2.2 mg/kg (1.0 mg/lb) of body weight. The efficacy of ceftiofur sodium was compared with that of a positive control drug, ampicillin sodium (recommended dose of 6.6 mg/kg [3 mg/lb], given every 12 h). Both treatments were continued for 48 h after clinical symptoms were no longer evident (maximum of 10 days). Fifty-five (55) horses with naturally acquired respiratory infections were included in the study; 28 were treated ...
Zamos DT, Parks AH.Medical records of 22 horses with humeral fractures were reviewed. The horses were from 2 to 144 months old (mean, 25.8 +/- 37.3 months). Ten horses were treated with stall confinement, 3 were treated surgically, and 9 were euthanatized at the time of diagnosis. Seven of 10 horses treated nonsurgically (stall confinement) were able to be ridden 5 to 12 months after the diagnosis was made (mean, 7.5 +/- 2.6 months). One horse treated nonsurgically was euthanatized 6 months after diagnosis because of laminitis in the contralateral limb. Two horses treated nonsurgically were lost to follow-up eva...
Seahorn TL, Sams AE, Honnas CM, Schmitz DG, McMullan WC.Ultrasonography was used to confirm the tentative diagnosis of keratoma in a horse admitted for chronic progressive lameness. A definitive diagnosis of keratoma traditionally has been diagnosed by history, clinical findings, and radiographic evaluation. Confirmation of the keratoma by use of ultrasonography facilitated the formulation of a treatment plan that resolved the condition.
Cervantes C, Madison JB, Ackerman N, Reed WO.Between January 1985 and May 1989, 53 Thoroughbred horses (mean age 3.2 years) were surgically treated for dorsal cortical fractures of the third metacarpal bone (MC III). All horses were treated with cortical drilling through the fracture line (osteostixis). Diagnosis of the fractures was confirmed by xeroradiography. Lifetime racing records were obtained for all horses. Forty-seven horses returned to racing after surgery (89%). The mean time between surgery and the first race was 6.8 months. Horses had a mean of 10.9 starts before surgery and 16.1 starts after surgery. The mean earnings per ...
Chapman CB, Courage P, Nielsen IL, Sitaram BR, Huntington PJ.Procaine penicillin is a commonly used antibiotic in equine medicine but its use is associated with a substantial incidence of adverse reactions. Soluble procaine concentrations were determined by HPLC in several commercially available procaine penicillin preparations, including some that were involved in adverse reactions. The mean (+/- SEM) soluble procaine concentrations in the veterinary preparations was 20.18 +/- 5.07 mg/ml, which was higher than the concentration in the only procaine penicillin preparation for use in humans in Australia of 7.3 mg/ml. Heating the veterinary procaine penic...
Rapp HJ, Becker M, Heisse K, Stechele M.This paper reviews the literature and describes our experiences in the diagnosis and treatment of tendinitis in horses. Ultrasonography provides a sensitive tool to diagnose tendinitis and quantitate the degree of damage to the tendon; as well as provide differential diagnoses such as peritendinitis. The principles in therapy of acute tendinitis are: Immediate reduced exercise or rest, physical therapy to reduce inflammation and administration of local and systemic antiinflammatory drugs. The goal is restoration of the tensile strength of the tendon without peritendinous granulation tissue and...
Keg PR, van den Belt AJ, Merkens HW, Barneveld A, Dik KJ.The influence of regional nerve blocks on lameness resulting from tendon injury was studied in six horses. Tendonitis was induced in the midmetacarpal region of the Superficial Digital Flexor Tendon (SDF), Deep Digital Flexor Tendon (DDF) and the Suspensory Ligament (SL) through collagenase injections. The results were evaluated through sequential clinical examinations, ultrasonographic imaging and kinetic gait analysis (force plate) during a period of 144 days post injury and subsequently compared with gross and microscopic findings. The lameness corresponding to the SDF and DDF tendon lesion...
Dixon PM, McGorum BC, Long KJ, Else RW.An outdoor pony which developed severe respiratory distress in February was shown to have acute interstitial pulmonary disease (alveolitis), which was characterised by a massive exudation of eosinophil rich fluid into the airways. While antibiotic treatment before referral was ineffective, the condition rapidly responded to corticosteroid therapy. No evidence of lungworm was present and it appears that this interstitial pulmonary disease had an immune-mediated aetiology. Bronchoalveolar lavage cytology was of great value in the diagnosis and monitoring of this case.
Weber JA, Woods GL.This article reviews the capabilities of transrectal ultrasonography for determining the distribution of fluid and tissue within stallion accessory sex glands. Emphasis is placed on describing the normal ultrasonographic appearance of the accessory sex glands, excurrent ducts, and pelvic urethra of stallions during rest, after teasing, and after ejaculation and using this information to detect glandular abnormalities.
McDonnell SM, Love CC, Martin BB, Reef VB, Kenney RM.Two mature breeding stallions were evaluated because of specific ejaculatory dysfunction, and each was found to have aortic-iliac thrombosis occluding 60 to 70% of the aortic lumen. In each case, the stallion had strong libido, normal mounting, and vigorous initial thrusting. With continued exertion, thrusting became weak and dismount was awkward. Treatment aimed at maximizing sexual arousal before mounting and reducing hind limb pain and exertion during breeding allowed these stallions to continue breeding. A program of gradually increasing daily exercise also was associated with improved bre...
Hunt RJ, Baxter GM, Zamos DT.A transverse, comminuted fracture of the patella was treated surgically by combining tension-band wiring and lag-screw fixation in a horse. Partial patellectomy or smaller detached fragments of the patella was performed. Satisfactory healing of the fracture was evident 10 weeks after surgery, and there were no complications. Implants were not removed. The horse was sound at a trot 4 months after surgery and was used for pleasure riding 8 months later.
Kannegieter NJ, Ecke P.A Thoroughbred gelding was referred for treatment of a parotid duct fistula. This had developed after the referring veterinarian had excised a portion of the duct, and ligated the proximal end, as a means of treating a recurring sialocoele. This report describes the successful surgical reconstruction of the excised 15 cm portion of the parotid duct using an interposition polytetrafluoroethylene tube graft.
Montgomery K, Ortved K, DeVries J, Hackett R, Kern T, Irby N, Ducharme N.A 7-year-old Connemara stallion was presented with a 4 month history of blepharospasm, recurrent corneal ulcerations, mucopurulent ocular discharge, and keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) in both eyes unresponsive to medical therapy. Ophthalmic examination revealed lackluster corneas, axial corneal scarring and pigmentation with associated neovascularization, and absolute KCS in both eyes. Computed tomography scan and endoscopic evaluation of the upper airway and guttural pouches revealed no structural abnormalities to indicate neurogenic KCS. The stallion was diagnosed with immune-mediated dacr...
Bischoff K.Plants in the maple genus, Acer, and pistachio genus, Pistacia, have been reported to cause acute hemolysis in horses. The cause of hemolysis seems to be metabolism of gallic acids to the potent oxidant pyrogallol by enteric bacteria of the horse. Diagnosis is often tentative and circumstantial. Treatment is symptomatic and supportive and can include detoxification, fluid and electrolyte therapy, supplemental oxygen, and pain control. Corticosteroid and antioxidant therapies do not improve prognosis. Prognosis is guarded to poor but horses that survive 6 days postexposure are expected to reco...
Grzeskowiak RM, Barrett EJ, Rodgerson DH.An 11-year-old Thoroughbred mare with colic unresponsive to medical treatment underwent exploratory laparotomy. During surgery the cecum was found entrapped within the epiploic foramen from left to right. The entrapped cecum was reduced through the foramen by gentle traction. After reduction of the cecum, rupture of the portal vein was detected. Loss of a large amount of blood prompted euthanasia during surgery. Une jument Thoroughbred âgée de 11 ans atteinte de coliques ne répondant pas au traitement médical a subi une laparatomie exploratoire. Durant la chirurgie, le cæcum a été trou...
Gift LJ, DeBowes RM.Nonhealing wounds can present a frustrating clinical challenge to the veterinary practitioner. In many cases, healing is delayed by the presence of a foreign body or sequestrum; a review of wounds complicated by the presence of osseous sequestration and penetrating foreign bodies is presented. The typical signs include delayed wound healing and the presence of serous to exudative drainage, which may vary from intermittent to continuous. The use of radiographic or sonographic imaging modalities is often of value in reaching a diagnosis. Removal of the sequestra or foreign body is generally cura...
Pinnell EF, Her J, Gordon D, Kinsella HM, Langston CE, Toribio RE.An adult American Quarter Horse mare presented for pigmenturia and lethargy of 12 hours' duration and was diagnosed with silver maple leaf toxicity. The mare had intravascular hemolysis and azotemia. The mare was treated with a transfusion of whole blood, fluids administered IV, antibiotics, oxygen insufflation, and supportive care. The azotemia persisted despite conventional medical management and hemodialysis was elected. After 2 intermittent hemodialysis treatments over 3 days, the azotemia almost resolved, clinical signs improved, and the mare was discharged. The blood urea nitrogen, c...
Townsend WM, Langohr IM, Mouney MC, Moore GE.Based on the current literature, neither medical, surgical nor combination therapy adequately controls equine glaucoma for many horses. Aqueous shunts have been useful in other species to control glaucoma. Objective: To determine whether aqueous shunts in normal equine eyes significantly reduce intraocular pressure (IOP) without causing vision threatening complications. Methods: Prospective experimental trial. Methods: Aqueous shunts were placed in 7 normal eyes of 4 horses. The shunts were placed dorsotemporally. Examinations were initially performed daily for 7 days and after that every 3 da...
Knickelbein KE, Lassaline ME.Immune-mediated ocular inflammation is a common clinical diagnosis reached for horses with keratitis and uveitis. This diagnosis is made as a diagnosis of exclusion following a thorough effort to rule out an underlying cause for the inflammation, most importantly infectious and neoplastic disease. Practically, response to ophthalmic and systemic anti-inflammatory or immunomodulatory medications is used to support a diagnosis of immune-mediated ocular inflammation; however, such medications are often contraindicated in the face of infection or neoplasia. This article will summarize our current ...
Easton-Jones CA.Primary immune mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) and thrombocytopenia (IMTP) are rare in horses with the conditions more commonly occurring secondary to underlying disease. Several case reports have suggested a link between neoplasia and immune-mediated destruction of platelets and red blood cells. Diagnostic investigations should therefore focus on identifying possible underlying causes such as infections and neoplasia. Immunosuppressive therapy with corticosteroids and azathioprine is the mainstay of treatment but should be used cautiously in cases where underlying infection has not been excl...
Still J.This study reports on clinically significant relief of pain along the gall bladder meridian in 15 sport horses. Both local and distant points were needled in this study. Pain relief was marked not only locally but also in remote areas along the gall bladder meridian. Clinical improvement was observed in all 15 horses within 30 seconds to 2 minutes after the treatment had started. Twelve horses and three horses were rated as "cured" and "improved", respectively, when they were re-examined 1-8 days after the treatment. The relief of somatic pain was often associated with improved riding perfor...
Mudge MC, Green E.Radiotherapy is a valuable treatment option for equine tumors that have a high rate of recurrence or where complete surgical resection may damage vital structures. Teletherapy, brachytherapy, and plesiotherapy have been used successfully for the treatment of a variety of tumors and locations in the horse. Radiobiology, treatment protocols, side effects, and patient management are reviewed, with a focus on linear accelerator-based teletherapy. There is evidence of good success rates for treatment of periocular sarcoids and squamous cell carcinoma but teletherapy treatment is often limited to tu...
Johns I.This article discusses the reported paraneoplastic syndromes (PNSs) in horses, including the possible pathogenesis, diagnostic methods, and any treatment options. The more commonly reported PNSs in horses include cancer anorexia and cachexia, fever and increased acute phase protein concentrations, and hypercalcemia and monoclonal gammopathy. As these conditions can often be more commonly diagnosed in non-neoplastic conditions, the diagnosis of a PNS and the accompanying neoplasia can be challenging. As signs of a PNS may precede signs of the underlying neoplasia, it is important that the clini...
Prutton J, Tucker R.Neoplasia has been reported to involve the majority of the urinary system of the horse, with tumors affecting the kidneys and bladder most comprehensively described. Primary tumors of the external genitalia are relatively common in the horse and are easily identified on clinical examination while primary tumors of the upper urogenital tract are uncommon. This article will highlight the common tumors, their clinical presentations, and discuss potential medical and surgical treatment options available. The less common neoplasms will be mentioned but not discussed in depth.
Thompson AC, Mochal-King C.Hypoparathyroidism is an uncommon endocrine disorder in the horse characterized by a transient or permanent parathyroid hormone insufficiency. Hypoparathyroidism is associated with hypocalcemia and hyperphosphatemia, primarily presenting with clinical signs consistent with hypocalcemia. This case report describes clinical presentation and treatment of a horse with severe hypocalcemia due to primary hypoparathyroidism. A 17-year-old, 542 kg Quarter Horse gelding presented for shaking and tremors. Significant findings include generalized muscle fasciculations, synchronous diaphragmatic flutter, ...
Castro D, Clark-Price S.Pre-existing muscle disorders in horses can often be subtle and may only become evident during or after anesthesia. Advancements in veterinary medicine, along with increased knowledge and research in this field, help minimize anesthesia-related problems. Adequate preanesthesia assessment, early disease diagnosis, and proper management are crucial in minimizing risks to the neuromuscular system during general anesthesia.
Morales CJ, Costa LRR.Exercise intolerance, chronic cough, and hyperpnea are the clinical hallmarks of equine asthma. Diagnosis of severe equine asthma in horses is multistep; determination of the phenotype will help guide future recommendations. Management of equine asthma is largely reduction/elimination of triggering agents/conditions. Immunosuppressive therapies and bronchodilators are the mainstay of treatment of equine asthma. Rescue therapy with short-acting bronchodilators is the first goal when managing a horse with hyperpnea. The second goal is to control/reduce inflammation and airway remodeling. Immunos...
Ikeda Y, Kuroda T, Mita H, Tamura N, Ohta M.We compared the antihistamine effect of four new antihistamines with olopatadine, which is used to treat equine allergic diseases. Six healthy Thoroughbred horses received oral doses of olopatadine (50 mg), levocetirizine (50 mg), bilastine (200 mg), rupatadine (100 mg), and desloratadine (50 mg) at >2-week intervals. The effects were investigated by measurement of the wheal area induced by histamine intradermal injection, and inhibition rate was compared with positive and negative controls. The maximum wheal inhibition rate (mean ± SD) of olopatadine (85.3% ± 7.7%) was significantly higher ...
Valberg SJ.Although horses most commonly develop exertional rhabdomyolysis, there are numerous causes for nonexertional rhabdomyolysis (nonER) that pose a serious health threat to horses. Their etiologies can be broadly categorized as toxic, genetic, inflammatory/infectious, nutritional, and traumatic and a variety of diagnostic tests are available to discern among them. This study discusses causes of nonER as well as diagnostics and treatments that are specific to each etiology. General treatment of acute rhabdomyolysis is covered in detail in the study in this issue on sporadic and recurrent exertional...
Lotstra RJ, van den Broek J, Power T, Marr CM, Wijnberg ID.Atrial fibrillation is a common equine arrhythmia. Quinidine alone, or with digoxin are common treatments. Studies on outcome in Warmblood populations in which duration of the AF is often unknown are limited. Objective: To identify the factors that are associated with the success of full treatment cardioversion with oral medication, and establish whether there are differences in these factors between institutions. Methods: Retrospective case series using patient records of Equine University Clinic of Utrecht University and Rossdales Equine Hospital, Newmarket. Methods: Forty-nine horses treate...
McKenzie E.The equine muscle system is complex and prone to a large range of hereditary and acquired diseases that often have overlapping clinical signs with orthopedic, neurologic, and other disorders. Obtaining a clinical history that fully outlines the client concerns and any known information about the disorder and following with a comprehensive physical examination and screening clinical pathology tests are fundamental to achieve definitive diagnosis. A methodical and comprehensive approach aids accurate diagnosis and development of an optimal treatment and management plan. This article describes th...
Pagan JD, Valberg SJ.Many myopathies in horses can be managed by exercise regimes and dietary modifications. This includes modifying the amount of nonstructural carbohydrate, fat, amino acids, vitamin E, and selenium based on the horse's specific myopathy, metabolic status, exercise program, and optimal body weight. Because dietary recommendations differ substantially between myopathies, it is imperative to establish a specific diagnosis. A nutritionist will help practitioners select from the myriad of offered products to ensure a balanced diet. This article provides detailed recommendations for a variety of myopa...
Bordoni T, Dini FM, Morini M, Rinnovati R, Spadari A, Galuppi R.Mycetoma is a fungal chronic skin proliferative lesion rarely encountered in horses and often associated with fungi such as Scedosporium spp., Madurella spp., Phialophora spp., Curvularia spp., and less frequently with Aspergillus spp. A case of subcutaneous mycetoma in the cervical region in a 7-year-old male Quarter Horse, diagnosed through cytological, histological, cultural and molecular methods, is reported. Aspergillus nidulans, usually implicated in guttural pouch mycosis, was identified. This unusual case represents the second case report of mycetoma caused by Aspergillus nidulans in t...
Ellis KL, Giancola S.Rehabilitation for tendon/ligament injury requires a multimodal approach to reduce pain, restore range of motion, improve proprioception/neuromotor control, and improve strength/endurance. Multiple tools are available to accomplish these goals. The rehabilitation program must be tailored to the individual patient regardless of injury type in order to return the horse to full athletic activity and reduce the risk of reinjury.
Slavik K, Whitlock R, Johnson A.Botulism is a severe and often fatal disease in equine patients worldwide. Clostridium botulinum is a ubiquitous soil organism which produces a potent neurotoxin resulting in neuromuscular blockade and flaccid paralysis in affected animals. Definitive diagnosis is often impractical or impossible, leading to diagnosis and treatment based on clinical experience and presenting signs. Delay in case identification and treatment results in rapid deterioration of the patient. Treatment of recumbent equine botulism cases presents challenges due to patient size and requires intensive nursing care. This...
Repciuc CC, Oros NV, Mureșan ȘMC, Sevastre B, Joaquim JGF, Oana LI.Limb wounds in horses represent a significant therapeutic challenge due to poor vascularization, reduced skin elasticity, and high risk of complications such as exuberant granulation tissue. Conventional treatments sometimes fail to provide satisfactory healing outcomes, leading to prolonged recovery and increased costs. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of topical ozone therapy using the bagging method in promoting the epithelialization and contraction of chronic distal limb wounds in horses refractory to conventional management. Eight horses, aged 3-21 years, with chronic wounds aver...
Dropsy H, Husson JC, Degorce-Rubiales F, Cochet-Faivre N.A 9-year-old gelding Quarter Horse with a lesion on the right upper eyelid was diagnosed with cutaneous lupus erythematosus. Clinical resolution and control of UV-induced flares were achieved with topical tacrolimus and a UV-blocking mask without adverse effects over the following 3 years.
Morales CJ, Costa LRR.The practice of medicine has always been associated with complications. In fact, in its early stages, these complications contributed to the understanding of certain diseases and advancement of the medical field. In equine practice, virtually every procedure carries an associated risk. In fact, even procedures that would have minimal risk in human medicine may pose significant risk in equine practice owing to the unique nature of the horse. For instance, a simple rectal palpation could result in a rectal tear following an unexpected movement of the patient. Thus, extrapolations of complication...
Radke S, Finley E.This article provides an overview of several agricultural and industrial toxicants that are most likely to be encountered by horses. Overviews include brief backgrounds of the agents in question, potential sources of intoxication, mechanisms of action, clinical signs, lesions, diagnostic considerations, and treatment options.
