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.
Scheel J, Duswald KH, Ring J, Seifert J, Scholz S, Brendel W.Eight mongrel dogs received a standard daily i.v. infusion of 20 mg/kg b.w. deaggregated horse-anti-dog-lymphocyte-globulin (ALG) and additional prednisolone (1 mg/kg b.w. daily i.v.) over a maximum period of 82 days following pretreatment with deaggregated normal horse IgG. No sensitization against horse protein was observed during therapy of afterwards as proved by lack of humoral antibodies against horse antigens, maintained lymphopenia, good compatibility, longterm prolongation of xenogeneic skin graft survival (85.6+/-20.6 days, n=8' untreated controls 12.5+/-1.3 days, n=4) and longterm s...
Orzan F, Angelini P, Oglietti J, Leachman RD, Cooley DA.Two cases of horseshoe lung are described; one was suspected and the other was diagnosed preoperatively. Both underwent successful surgical treatment. The embryology of this anomaly is briefly reviewed with reference to the closely related scimitar syndrome (anomalous venous return of right lung to inferior atriocaval junction). Diagnostic studies are discussed with stress on the need for a thorough functional evaluation of both the heart and lungs before the surgical indication is made.
Eales FA.Saffan was injected intravenously on 41 occasions in 11 horses and ponies to investigate its possible use in clinical equine anaesthesia. The optimum dose for induction was 1-90 mg per kg. This dose was divided into two halves, the first half given in five seconds and the second half, containing suxamethonium chloride 0.1 mg per kg, in the next 10 seconds. Induction was associated with excitement for up to 30 secs after the assumption of recumbency. At this dose rate anaesthesia lasted five to eight minutes. Muscle relaxation was poor. Recovery was associated with marked tactile and audible hy...
Cooper MJ.Fluprostenol (ICI 81,008) is a 16-aryloxyprostaglandin, structurally related to PGF2alpha. It is a highly potent luteolytic agent, being effective in thoroughbred mares at a single intramuscular dose of 250 mug and having a wide margin of safety in this species. A total of 941 mares have been treated with fluprostenol in an international trial, for various forms of infertility associated with abnormal persistence of luteal function. These mares were selected for treatment on the basis of clinical examination and 760 (approximately 80 per cent) responded fluprostenol by showing oestrus within s...
McKay AG, Milne FJ.A project to determine if intraarticular corticosteroid therapy was deleterious to the racing Thoroughbred was carried out in the 1971, 1972, and 1973 racing seasons. Of 22 horses available for follow-up examination, 6 had radiographic evidence of deterioration; 1 of these was destroyed because of probable corticosteroid-induced arthropathy. The remaining 16 horses did not have any evidence of deterioration. One of the 16, a stakes winner, had been given 12 injections into the left front fetlock during the 3-year period. It was concluded that if proper and careful aftercare is adhered to, intr...
Gretener P.On the basis of an examination carried out on 41 healthy horses, a correlation was established between the average breath stream strength (Vol./Time) during both inspiration and expiration and the breath volume per minute. In the range of breath volume between 45 and 200 liters per minute, it was found that there was a close linear correlation between the breath stream strength, both inspiratory and expiratory, and the breath volume per minute. Comparative examinations, carried out on 56 horses suffering from obstructive lung diseases, have shown that such diseases resulted in a reduction of t...
Nelson AM.Of 275 mares receiving prostaglandin F2alpha-Tham salt for its luteolytic effect upon the corpus luteum, 231 (84 per cent) exhibited signs of oestrus (range 73-95 per cent). Some mares not exhibiting overt oestrus may, nevertheless, ovulate and post-treatment rectal palpation of mares apparently failing to respond is suggested in these cases. Of 210 mares for which subsequent history was available. 104 (49.5 per cent) became pregnant from breeding at the post-treatment oestrus that immediately followed the induced regression of the corpus luteum (range 42.2-55.5 per cent). Fertility is compara...
Hillidge CJ, Lees P.The neuroleptanalgesic drug combination of
etorphine and acepromazine (Large Animal
Immobilon; Reckitt & Colman Ltd.) was
administered i.v. at the recommended dose rate
(24 ,ug/kg etorphine and 100 pg/kg acepromazine)
to twelve Welsh Mountain ponies of 185 to 336 kg
bodyweight. Cardiovascular measurements were
made before and at pre-determined times up to
30 min after the injection. The etorphine
antagonist, diprenorphine (Revivon; Reckitt &
Colman Ltd.), was then injected i.v. (30,ug/kg)
and further measurements were obtained.
Pronounced increases in heart rate, moderate
increase...
Milne DW, Turner AS, Gabel AA.In the horse, surgical approaches for plating fractures of the ulna, radius, metacarpus, tibia, and metatarsus involved a single curvilinear skin incision and incision of the superficial fascia in a manner to prevent postoperative dehiscence. The tension side of the bones, as well as location of nerves, arteries, veins, and muscles, were the major determinants in developing these approaches for atraumatic surgery and short operative time.
Kolthammer J.In vitro studies have shown that uncoated carbon and carbon coated with an acrylic hydrogel are capable of adsorbing drugs from horse serum at 37 degrees. Increase in the coating weight from 2 to 4% decreased the rate of adsorption but not the total capacity. In vivo data supports the concept of carbon haemoperfusion for use in the treatment of drug overdose.
Zafracas AM.This paper describes sixteen cases of Candida infection of the genital tract in Thoroughbred mares. Clinical signs and histopathological lesions of the disease are described and the results of treatment with Lugol's solution and Nystatin are given.
Rinnovati R, Spadari A, Malpighi A, Meistro F, Ralletti MV, Marcucci E, Tarasconi MA, Chiatto RL, Tommasa SD.Numerous treatment strategies have been proposed to manage osteoarthritis (OA) in sport horses. Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), is used in veterinary medicine for various purposes. Objective: This study aimed to assess the efficacy of a CMC hydrogel in reducing clinical lameness in horses with OA affecting joint. The hypothesis was that intra-articular CMC would produce a sustained reduction in lameness compared to a control treatment. Methods: Thirty client-owned horses diagnosed with OA-related lameness in the metacarpophalangeal joint were enrolled. Horses were randomly assigned to two groups...
Pluim M, Frippiat T.Polyacrylamide gel is increasingly used in equine veterinary medicine for osteoarthritis and other joint disorders. This study aimed to document the indications, treatment protocols, rehabilitation plans, outcomes, and satisfaction with intra-articular polyacrylamide gel in horses, as reported by equine veterinarians. An online questionnaire was distributed to practitioners through the European and American Colleges of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation mailing lists, social media, and direct contact. Of 197 respondents, 160 completed the survey, forming the basis for the descriptiv...
Golamgouse NN.Mauritius hosts a population of approximately 900 equids, but no investigations have delved into issues such as the prevalence of equine helminths, anthelmintic usage, and resistance emergence. This study aimed to devise a qualitative and quantitative profile of common helminthic intestinal parasites in equines at eight out of twenty-eight stables (272 horses, 29 % of local population) and to determine whether helminthic intestinal parasites in equines at one stable have developed resistance to Fenbendazole by quantitatively assessing pre-treatment faecal egg counts, post-treatment faecal egg...
Sayler B, Manship AJ, Davis J, Taylor J, Gilliam L.Chloramphenicol is a broad-spectrum antibiotic used in equine practice. It is known to produce adverse effects of hyporexia/anorexia after oral administration. Administration per rectum (PR) could mitigate the appetite suppression seen with oral administration and allow its use in horses unable to receive oral medications. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the relative bioavailability of chloramphenicol administered PR or via nasogastric tube (NGT) and determine relevant pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic parameters and metabolic ratios. Ten healthy, adult horses were administered chl...
Quam V.Inflammation plays a role in acute and chronic equine tendon/ligament injury; anti-inflammatories are often indicated. Local corticosteroids provide consistent and profound short-term effects on pain and inflammation across species. However, there is no demonstrated benefit in the long term, and complications can occur. Alternative biologic anti-inflammatory treatments are available and should be used in horses at risk of complications. Nonetheless, corticosteroids remain an affordable and effective anti-inflammatory that, with continued research, may be indicated on a case-by-case basis as pa...
Bianchi D, Santos RRD, Peleja PL, de Sousa ABB, da Silva Evangelista M, de Almeida Júnior JS, Barata LES, Moraes WP, Minervino AHH. (tropical horse tick) is a tick species commonly found parasitizing horses and other equids in the Amazon region, causing economic losses. Currently, tick control is based on chemical acaricides, usually in a power formulation for topical use. However, its indiscriminate use results in the emergence of resistant tick lineages. Several plant compounds have been tested for their acaricide activity. In the Amazon, several plants are used for oil extraction, resulting in the production of solid residue (waste) that may contain chemical molecules with biological activities. Thus, we aimed to test ...
Nikvand AA, Jalali SM, Bahrami S, Rahij Torfi H.Trypanosoma evansi (T. evansi) is a hemoprotozoan parasite affecting camels and equids, such as horses, mules, and donkeys, and is known to cause surra disease in these animals. Despite the worldwide distribution of T. evansi infections in equids, surra has not been reported in Arabian horses in Khuzestan Province for over 60 years. In September 2018, a 7-year-old Arabian mare was referred from a 10-horse farm in the suburbs of Ahvaz City. The mare presented with a history of weight loss, poor appetite, and proximity to a camel herd. Physical examination revealed a poor body condition score ...
Leus EK, Collins N, Gruyaert M, Kennedy RN, McConnell E, McGorum BC, Luethy D, Sanz M, Versporten A, Viljoen A, Lyle CH.Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is increasingly recognised in equine medicine. Antimicrobial use (AMU) is a key driver of AMR. Objective: To pilot a point prevalence survey (PPS), based on the Global-PPS used in human hospitals, to obtain data on antibiotic prescribing and AMR in equine hospitals and to identify targets for improvement in AMU. Methods: Point prevalence survey. Methods: Eight equine hospitals located in Australia, Belgium, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States were recruited. Data on AMU were collected from all in-patients on antibiotic treatment at 08h00 on fou...
Calle-González N, Rivero JL, Olivares J, Miró F, Argüelles D, Requena F, Munoz A.Capacitive-resistive electrical transfer (CRET) is an endogenous non-invasive technique, used as deep diathermy. We pursue to analyze the temperature changes by applying different CRET protocols in the thoracolumbar spine of horses, between thoracic vertebrae 15 and lumbar 2. Unassigned: Ten clinically sound horses without thoracolumbar pain underwent various CRET protocols applied to a standardized thoracolumbar region (T15-L2). The protocols included sham (device off), low intensity (LIP, 5%), medium intensity (MIP, 30%), and high intensity (HIP, 40%). The HIP protocol was further divided in...
Marine L, Wilfried P, Joëlle P, Justine J, Axel D, Vinciane T, Benoît V, Laurent G, Luc G, Jean-François K, Nadine A.In situ injection of mesenchymal stem cells appears as a promising treatment of tendinopathies. Tendon-derived mesenchymal stem cells (TDSCs) are widely studied and show a lot of interesting characteristics for clinical use. The aim of this study is to confirm the tenogenic potential of cryopreserved TDSCs and to confirm their ability to produce type I and/or type III collagens fibers in culture. Tendon-derived mesenchymal stem cells are harvested from the tendon no later than 72 h post-mortem. Their tenogenic potential has been assessed by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain ...
Schlote MT, Drozdzewska K, Ehrle A, Lischer C, Gehlen H.This case report describes the use of computed tomography for the diagnosis and surgical planning in a horse with bilateral nephrolithiasis. An adult Warmblood stallion (460 kg) was presented with chronic weight loss, hypercalcemia and azotemia. Ultrasonographic examination identified hyperechoic masses in both kidneys and dilation of the right renal pelvis. A solid mass was evident upon transrectal examination on the left side. Computed tomography (CT) of the caudal abdomen was performed and provided good quality images that facilitated exact determination of the size, position and extent of ...
Pelli A, Schütrumpf L, Büttner J, Blomeyer S, Gerlach K, Troillet A.Feeding disorders in horses may have various underlying causes. A thorough clinical examination of the oral cavity is essential for clarification and is often supplemented by imaging techniques such as oral endoscopy, radiography, and computed tomography (CT) of the head. Sonographic examinations of the head and oral cavity are less commonly described diagnostic methods for the investigation of feeding disorders. This case report describes 2 horses presented to the clinic due to impaired feed intake. In both cases the radiographic examination of the head did not reveal any abnormalities relate...
Chaipokam J, Rojnuckarin P.In Thailand, stem cell transplantation and horse antithymocyte globulin (ATG) are not accessible for most adult aplastic anemia (AA) patients. Alternative therapies are required. We conducted a cohort study of 110 adult AA patients treated with oxymetholone alone for at least 30 days from 2013 to 2023. Response at month 6 and prognostic factors were evaluated. The mean age was 63.4 years old and 58.2% were female. Severe and very severe AA (SAA/VSAA) comprised 64.5% and 3.6%, respectively. The initial oxymetholone daily dose was 150 mg in 66.4%. The overall response was 56.4% (50.7% for SAA/V...
Pluim M, Reynolds A, McClure S.High-power laser therapy and extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) can be safely used to treat tendon and ligament injuries in horses, and the potential beneficial effects have been described. The power of low level lasers is not sufficient for treatment of tendon and ligament injuries in horses. ESWT is used more often to treat tendon and ligament injuries than it is for any other type of condition in horses, but there is limited supporting scientific evidence. Further research should focus on establishing dosage and treatment protocols for both laser therapy and ESWT in horses with clinic...
Connard SS, Schnabel LV.This review explores the use of biologics in the treatment of tendon and ligament injuries in horses, focusing on current and emerging therapies aimed at enhancing tissue repair and regeneration. It discusses the role of scaffold-based therapies, growth factors, blood-derived and tissue-derived biologics, and gene therapy as biologic regenerative therapies for improving healing outcomes. The review evaluates the mechanisms, efficacy, and challenges of biologics in clinical applications, highlighting recent advances and clinical studies. It provides an overview of current trends and future dire...
Collins E, Barr E, Zhang C, Steadman M, Gilger B, Henriksen ML.To describe the most efficient topical horizontally centrifuged platelet-rich fibrin (H-PRF) treatment protocol for equine ulcerative keratitis (EUK) that is easy to use, and to report the preliminary concentration of growth factors and cytokines in equine H-PRF. Unassigned: 5 client-owned horses diagnosed with EUK were enrolled over an 11-month period. Unassigned: 3 horses were geldings, and 2 were mares. The mean (± SD) age was 5.95 ± 5.01 years. The owners' main goal was to avoid surgery for EUK. Unassigned: H-PRF was used in 3 different protocols: solid H-PRF, sutured to the EUK area (n ...
Huang X, Deng R, Huang H, Xie H, Chen A.This case report detailed a rare co-infection of and in a 9-year-old warmblood mare, leading to severe cellulitis and secondary lymphangitis following traditional hoof blood-letting therapy. The mare exhibited acute limb swelling, fever, cutaneous ulceration, lymphatic dysfunction and unknown anemia. Comprehensive diagnostics, including bacterial culture, whole-genome sequencing, anti-elastin antibody (AEAb) ELISA, and diagnostic imaging, confirmed the pathogens causing cellulitis and secondary lymphangitis. AEAb levels were elevated, correlating with lymphatic degradation, while radiography...
Graham AE, Carslake HB, Malalana F.Evidence for optimal location of subpalpebral lavage (SPL) systems is lacking. Objective: To compare the rate and types of complications with SPL systems located in central upper- compared with medial lower-eyelid in hospitalised patients. Methods: Prospective, randomised treatment trial. Methods: Horses admitted for ophthalmic treatment using an SPL system from February 2015 to January 2024 were included if ocular pathology did not necessitate SPL system placement in a specific location. Coin toss was used to determine location. SPL systems were monitored at least daily, and complications wer...
Pál Z, Tuska P, Vásárhelyi G, Hangody L, Hurtig M, Kaposi AD, Bodó G.To evaluate the clinical application of equine mosaic arthroplasty for joint surface repair, including outcomes and complications. Methods: Retrospective clinical study. Methods: A total of 31 horses diagnosed with subchondral bone cysts (SBCs) in the femoral condyle (22/31), distal metacarpus (7/31), or metatarsus (2/31). Methods: Medical records of horses that underwent autologous or allogeneic osteochondral graft transplantation were reviewed. Follow-up lasted at least 12 months. Success was determined in terms of improvements in lameness and post-surgical athletic performance, classified...
Rossi HS, Mykkänen AK, Teppo AM, Junnila JJT, Hyytiäinen HK.Pneumonia is a common condition in young, hospitalized foals, causing accumulation of inflammatory secretions to the airways. In humans, respiratory physiotherapy is commonly used as a supplementary treatment for pneumonia with varying results regarding its efficacy, but the efficacy in foals has not been assessed to date. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of respiratory physiotherapy as a supplementary therapy method for young foals with pneumonia. Methods: A total of 44 foals with pneumonia aged under a month were used. The prospective intervention group receivi...
Knudsen AR, Marsh JS, Pye JL.To describe reproductive performance in Thoroughbred broodmares post-large colon resection and to compare to performance post-colopexy. Methods: A single-institution retrospective study. Methods: A total of 29 client-owned horses: post-large colon resection (LCR) n = 19, post-colopexy: n = 10. Methods: Thoroughbred broodmares that survived until discharge following LCR (Group R) or colopexy (Group P) between 2006 and 2023 were included. Clinical data were collected from clinical records. Breeding and foaling data were collected from the Australian and New Zealand Studbooks. Statistical...
Elane GL, Blikslager AT, Mair TS.The COVID-19 pandemic represented a significant source of anxiety and stress for equine veterinarians and clients, with the potential for measurable effects on caseload and owner economics. Unassigned: To compare the number of horses presenting for emergency colic evaluation and treatment, as well as costs at two equine referral hospitals. Unassigned: Retrospective cohort. Unassigned: Medical records of horses admitted to North Carolina State University (NCSU) and Bell Equine Veterinary Clinic (BEVC) were compared. Total equine accessions, number of horses referred for colic, and patient age w...
Cordonnier T, Germon V, Lemé C, Jouve JL, Launay F, Pesenti S.Despite benefits in children, sport practice has been reported with higher risk of fractures. Our objective was to report the characteristics of sport-related fractures in children and to compare them to fractures sustained in a domestic context. Our hypothesis was that sports-related fractures more frequently required surgical treatment, and could therefore be considered more severe METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study including patients under 16 years old, diagnosed with a fracture at the emergency department, excluding skull and face fractures. Demographic data, context of inj...
Garcia-Collao MR, Curtiss AL, Hogan PM.To describe the outcomes of arthroscopic debridement of third carpal bone (C3) incomplete slab fractures (ISF) in racehorses. Methods: Retrospective case study. Methods: Horses undergoing arthroscopic debridement of ISF of C3. Methods: The medical records of horses surgically treated for ISF of C3 were reviewed. Age, sex, breed, limb, fracture configuration, preoperative radiographs, arthroscopic findings, postoperative intraarticular therapies, and exercise recommendations were recorded. Racing performance was obtained from online databases. Univariable analyses were used to determine associa...
Murase H, Wachi S, Matsuyama R, Makita K, Sato F.Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) is an age-related disease considered to have a negative impact on fertility. To understand the true impact of PPID on fertility, the influence of age must be considered. Objective: This study aimed to assess the impact of PPID on fertility while accounting for the effect of aging. Methods: A total of 332 Thoroughbred mares aged 10-20 years and managed across 137 private farms in Hidaka, Hokkaido, Japan were classified as PPID, equivocal, or non-PPID based on plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone concentration in 2019 and 2020. The prevalence of PPID an...
Pimenta J, Cotovio M.This study explores equine veterinarians' clinical practices regarding mucocutaneous tumors, based on a survey conducted among members of the Portuguese Association of Equine Veterinarians, and examines their perceptions of owner and buyer concerns regarding these tumors. Veterinarians expressed significantly greater concern about squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) during routine examinations ( < 0.001) compared to sarcoids and melanomas. Concern over sarcoids was significantly greater during pre-purchase evaluations compared to routine clinical exams ( = 0.03). For melanomas, a trend toward increa...
Fielding CL.To describe the signalment, diagnosis, treatment, and laboratory characteristics of horses with hyperchloremia and identify factors associated with the magnitude of the increased chloride concentration. Unassigned: Horses with a chloride concentration greater than 108 mEq/L were included in this retrospective study. Descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression analysis were used to identify associations between diagnosis, treatment, and laboratory variables and the magnitude of hyperchloremia. Unassigned: 134 horses met the inclusion criteria for this study. Creatinine was a significa...
Vicenti C, Cercone M, Nieman G, Habashi NM, Andrews P, Satalin J, Velarde P, Mitchell KJ, Louie EW, Albano V, Ali H, King A, Staffieri F, Gleed R....To compare early versus late time-controlled adaptive ventilation (TCAV) for setting airway pressure release ventilation (APRV) on arterial oxygenation in dorsally recumbent anesthetized horses. Methods: A crossover, nonrandomized, experimental study. Methods: Six healthy adult horses. Methods: Each horse underwent two anesthetics: 1) volume-controlled ventilation (VCV) began for 30 minutes before switching to APRV using the TCAV method (late TCAV, TCAV); and 2) ventilation began immediately with TCAV (early TCAV, TCAV). The study lasted 180 minutes, with arterial blood gases and respiratory m...
Sanchez-Arjona R, Lopez Cruz C, Hague BA, Jayawickrama J, Kamm JL.To evaluate the outcomes of diode laser-facilitated (DLF) ankylosis using different surgical techniques to treat distal tarsal osteoarthritis (OA) in horses. Methods: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: A total of 64 client-owned horses with distal tarsal OA treated with DLF ankylosis between 2011 and 2021 in a referral hospital were included. Methods: DLF ankylosis techniques included: intra-articular diode laser (L), diode laser with periarticular drilling (L + D) and diode laser with cuboidal bone fenestration (L + F). Horses requiring a second surgery formed a fourth group (T). Ou...
Kooy S, Constant J, Cole R, Boone L.Clinical use of blood-derived intra-articular therapies, such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP), have increased in equine athletes due to their proposed disease-modifying effects. Need for a shelf-stable, allogeneic PRP product with known composition for standardized treatment exists. The objective of this study was to compare systemic and local effects of a single intra-articular injection of equine leucoreduced allogeneic pooled freeze-dried PRP (alloPRP) to a placebo control (saline) in normal, healthy equine joints. Unassigned: Twelve healthy horses were randomly assigned to either control (sa...
