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.
Pécresse B, Moiroud C, Hanne-Poujade S, Hatrisse C, De Azevedo E, Coudry V, Jacquet S, Audigié F, Chateau H.Locomotor disorders involving the spine are a major cause of impaired performance and early retirement in sport horses. Swimming is increasingly incorporated into rehabilitation protocols, but its effects on spinal biomechanics remain poorly understood. This prospective study evaluated changes in thoracolumbar mobility in sixteen sport horses diagnosed with cervical or thoracolumbar axial musculoskeletal lesions over a 12-week rehabilitation program comprising 4 weeks of land-based training followed by 8 weeks during which swimming sessions were incorporated three times per week. Weekly measur...
Morales CJ, Sykes BW, McKemie DS, Kass PH, Knych HK.Current treatment options for equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS), such as omeprazole-a proton pump inhibitor (PPI)-have notable limitations, including the need for administration on an empty stomach. Potassium-competitive acid blockers (P-CABs), such as vonoprazan, are a newer class of acid suppressants that offer several advantages over PPIs in humans and may provide similar benefits in horses. Objective: To describe the pharmacokinetics and effect of a single oral dose of vonoprazan on intragastric pH in horses. We hypothesised that vonoprazan would follow linear kinetics across the doses ...
Gandini M, Giusto G.Most studies on colic surgery outcome focus on short-term survival and complications. Long-term outcomes, particularly post-discharge morbidity, are poorly characterised despite their relevance. No standardised system has previously integrated both short- and long-term postoperative complications with survival outcomes. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate long-term survival and morbidity in horses after colic surgery using the equine postoperative complication score (EPOCS), and to assess the association between complications and survival. Methods: The medical records of horses undergoing ...
So YM, Kwok WH, Yap C, Wong COL, Smalley SGR, Forbes BS, Chow DWY, Ho ENM.This paper describes the detection and longitudinal monitoring of cyclosporine in plasma and urine after subconjunctival implant administration in a horse. Sensitive liquid chromatography tandem mass spectroscopy (LC-MS/MS) methods for detecting cyclosporine in horse plasma and urine have been developed and validated, with estimated limits of detection down to 1 pg/mL in both matrices. The developed methods enabled longitudinal monitoring of cyclosporine levels in blood and urine samples collected over 6 months from a horse that had received an ocular cyclosporine implant.
Carotenuto SE, Broussard G, Fox GA, Hayes WK.To assess the efficacy of a new equine F[ab'] antivenom (US Department of Agriculture code 6101.05) in removing serum venom and lowering the snakebite severity score (SSS) in animals suffering from naturally occurring viperid envenomation. Methods: Retrospective study, April 2020 to October 2021. Methods: Veterinary hospitals across four North American regions. Methods: Twenty-two dogs, one cat, and one horse. Methods: All patients received the new antivenom intravenously and were assessed for clinical response. Most dogs required one vial for clinical control of signs. Results: Among the dogs...
Calero IM, McKenzie EC, Johns JL.This report describes the diagnosis and successful management of a yearling filly with Coombs-positive anemia, thrombocytopenia, and fungal pneumonia. Diagnostic procedures, including thoracic ultrasonography and radiography, respiratory pathogen PCR testing, and evaluation of tracheal wash and bronchoalveolar lavage samples established multi-pathogen lower respiratory tract infection including a fungal agent. Orally administered voriconazole was a key component of treatment in this case to successfully eliminate fungal infection, alongside therapies for managing hematologic disease. This case...
Johnson A, Karam B, Schroeder O, McKaig L, Loesch K.A 12-month-old miniature horse filly was presented because of laminitis, suspected lymphangitis, and pyrexia. Although the filly's initial physical examination and diagnostic tests suggested an infectious etiology, ultrasonographic findings were suspicious for generalized steatitis. This was confirmed histopathology. The filly experienced full recovery with continued resolution of clinical signs at 18 mo after presentation. This case included aspects similar to those of previously reported clinical presentations, as well as long-term follow-up in a breed that is not overrepresented, providing...
Carvalho BVL, de Souza MCN, Avanza MFB, Teixeira RBC, Silva JRB, da Silva Cardoso T, Novais LGES, de Oliveira Monteiro FD, Viana RB, Monteiro BM....Access to the equine cecum is required for various therapeutic and experimental procedures, including decompression, fluid therapy, and transfaunation. Traditional approaches via laparotomy are highly invasive. This study aimed to describe a minimally invasive, laparoscopically assisted technique for cecal cannulation in standing horses. Unassigned: Seven horses underwent the procedure under sedation and paravertebral anesthesia. Two right flank accesses were created: a 10-mm laparoscopic port for visualization and a 2-cm minilaparotomy for cecal exteriorization. A Foley catheter was inserted ...
Macias A, Delvescovo B, Donaldson SF, Divers TJ, Donnelly CG.Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), a secondary bile acid (BA) with therapeutic applications, is standard therapy for cholestatic hepatopathies in humans. In recent years, its use has been increasingly explored in equine medicine for similar indications. Pharmacokinetic data for UDCA in horses are currently lacking. This study aimed to describe the pharmacokinetic parameters following a single intragastric administration of 15 mg/kg in nine healthy, fasted horses and to characterize the changes in their BA profiles. Plasma concentrations of UDCA were measured at specific time points using liquid ch...
Zhang Z, Yang Y, Ma Y, Mai Z, Fu H, Wang X, Cao X, Li T, Li J, Guo Q.With the growing popularity of equestrian sports, the incidence of athletic injuries in horses has also risen. Among these injuries, proximal sesamoid bone fracture (PSBF) and flexor tendinitis are particularly common in the forelimbs of sport horses and represent major causes of musculoskeletal impairment. A 5-year-old horse presented with obvious symptoms such as swelling at the left fetlock joint and metacarpal region after exercise. Through lameness assessment, diagnostic imaging, and hematological testing, the horse was diagnosed with PSBF complicated by flexor tendinitis. The affected ho...
Dagenais A, Juette T, Benoit-Biancamano MO, Vanore M.(1) Context: Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most prevalent ocular neoplasm in horses, with a reported 45% recurrence rate when managed by surgery alone. (2) Objective: To evaluate the effect of adjunctive cisplatin biodegradable beads (CBBs) on recurrence rates of equine corneolimbal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and to document associated adverse effects. (3) Methods: Seventeen cases of histopathologically confirmed corneolimbal SCC in horses were retrospectively identified. Masses were surgically excised by keratectomy and/or conjunctivectomy under general anesthesia, followed by impla...
Calle-González N, Rivero JL, Argüelles D, Requena F, Muñoz A.Capacitive resistive electrical transfer (CRET) is a non-invasive electromagnetic diathermic technique. The effect of its application 24 h prior to exercise, compared to a sham application performed with the device off, was evaluated in 8 Spanish Purebred dressage stallions. CRET was applied bilaterally on the neck, back, and croup. The horses wore an accelerometer fixed on the sternal area during a dressage test, and spatiotemporal stride parameters, total and dorsoventral (DVAA), longitudinal (LAA), and mediolateral accelerometric activities, as well as dorsoventral displacement, were recor...
Honkavaara JM, Karikoski NP, Palvas L, Pypendop BH, Rinne VM, Raekallio MR.The aim of the study was to determine the exposure to subcutaneously administered butorphanol in horses pre-treated with intravenous (IV) detomidine, with or without vatinoxan, a peripherally selective alpha-adrenoceptor antagonist. Five healthy, adult horses received three IV treatments 7 days apart, in a randomized, cross-over design: detomidine 20 μg/kg (DET-B), detomidine 20 μg/kg with vatinoxan 200 μg/kg (DETVAT-B) and saline (S-B), all followed by 0.1 mg/kg of butorphanol administered subcutaneously 30 min later. Venous samples were collected between 10 and 270 min after...
Young KAS, Schnabel LV, Gilger BC.Equine ocular disease is common and often challenging to treat using traditional methods. This has led to the development of new therapies. Like human medicine, veterinary medicine is adopting cellular and gene therapy as innovative approaches. Equine ocular disease is a particularly promising area for these techniques. Notably, immune-mediated diseases (such as immune-mediated keratitis and equine recurrent uveitis), ulcerative keratitis, and infectious ocular diseases are of interest. Several ocular gene therapy products are approved for use in humans, and more are currently being researched...
Rollet M, Flyps J, Vernemmen I, van Loon G, Schauvliege S.Hyperkalaemia is an uncommon complication of general anaesthesia in healthy horses. This case report describes the occurrence of life-threatening acute hyperkalaemia in a 13-year-old, female French Trotter anaesthetised for experimental right and left atrial 3D electro-anatomical mapping. Intra-operative development of hyperkalaemia (7.55 mmol/L) (Ref. 3.00-4.00 mmol/L) with atrial standstill on ECG necessitated transvenous ventricular pacing while initial treatment with insulin and glucose was initiated. Plasma potassium levels continued to increase (8.00 mmol/L) prompting adjunctive tr...
Bosman LM, Logan MG, Miszewski A, Pepper MS.Translational regenerative medicine, integrating human and veterinary approaches within the "One Health" framework, increasingly uses horses as models for human musculoskeletal conditions due to shared anatomical and functional features. Osteoarthritis and tendon disorders affect both species, often resulting from high-impact or repetitive strain activities. Regenerative medicine offers therapeutic opportunities by promoting tissue repair and modulating inflammation. Cellular orthobiologics such as mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) show promise for treating osteoarthritis and tendon injuri...
Fernandes MD, Ribeiro GSN, Joaquim JGF, Ferraz SM, Fonteque JH.In equine husbandry, oral cavity procedures are commonly performed and may be associated with complications, including extraoral diseases, potentially resulting from bacterial contamination and inadequate antisepsis. Bacterial resistance to antimicrobials is a major issue for healthcare professionals, including veterinarians that may misuse these pharmaceuticals. Therefore, developing novel methods for antisepsis is desirable. This study aims to test the effectiveness of a 100 µg/ml ozonized injectable water solution versus 0.12% chlorhexidine mouthwash. Fifty adult equines had swab samples...
Equine chronic degenerative endometritis (CDE) is a progressive process characterized by endometrial fibrosis that could be responsible for alterations of uterine environment and foetal-maternal communication. Objective: The aim of this study was to try to restore this communication by intrauterine administrations of amniotic cell-derived extracellular vesicles (AMC-EVs) in a case series. Methods: Twelve mares were selected on the basis of their reproductive history of early embryonic loss or abortion and clinical suspicion of CDE subsequently verified with histopathological examination of end...
Faugier C, Snyder LBC, Hyun M, Schroeder C.To evaluate sedation in horses following pharmacopuncture with dexmedetomidine at acupoint Governing Vessel 24 (GV-24) compared to aquapuncture at GV-24 or an equivalent dose of dexmedetomidine administered via IV or SC routes. Unassigned: 10 adult mares received 4 treatments in a blinded, randomized, crossover design: (1) dexmedetomidine administered at GV-24 (DexmedGV24; 1 μg/kg); (2) saline administered at GV-24 (SalineGV24; 1.5 mL); (3) dexmedetomidine administered SC on the lateral neck (DexmedSC; 1 μg/kg); or (4) dexmedetomidine administered IV (DexmedIV; 1 μg/kg). Sedation scores (fa...
Whitelock A, Goodwin W, Dryburgh L, Mshelbwala PP, Rae L, Marwedel L, Lok T, Kemp K, Stewart AJ.To describe Australian practices and attitudes regarding equine analgesia. Methods: Cross-sectional anonymous, voluntary survey of Australian veterinarians treating equine patients. Methods: Australian veterinarians in equine or mixed practices completed a six-section, 60-question survey between November 2019 to August 2020. Information was gathered on demographics, analgesia prescription, pain assessment and attitudes surrounding specific analgesics. Respondents assigned a pain score ranging from 0 to 10 for various conditions; these were averaged to give each respondent an "average pain scor...
Dos Santos TS, Dillmann JB, Giovelli M, Elias GO, Lima RK, Cescon S, Stainki DR, Dos Santos RC, Corrêa C, Monteiro SG.This study reports the successful use of maggot therapy in four horses with traumatic wounds caused by wire fences, treated in veterinary clinics and under field conditions in southern Brazil. All lesions showed tissue necrosis, purulent discharge, and foul odor, indicating infection and delayed healing. Sterile Lucilia cuprina larvae (L1 stage) were applied directly to the wounds for 48 hours. Rapid improvement was observed, with marked reduction of necrotic tissue, exudate, and odor, and stimulation of granulation tissue in three cases. Complete wound closure occurred between 10 and 60 days ...
Nocera I, Cingottini D, Di Franco C, Sala G, Bindi F, Spadari A, Rinnovati R, Vitale V, Jose-Cunilleras E, Sgorbini M.Several studies investigated risk and prognostic parameters for horses with colic; however, the consensus is still debated. The present work aimed to investigate colic outcomes and to identify risk factors in horses referred for colic. In this multicenter retrospective study, 236 clinical records of equids referred for colic at three different equine centers were reviewed. The following data were collected: history, signalment, physical examination at the time of admission, hematological and biochemical analysis, diagnosis, SIRS status and 0-6 point-scale SIRS score, colic type, treatment atte...
Boger B, Naraian M, Hernandez E, Eaton A, Rockburn R, Tillman I, Payne S, Yob C, Panek C, Manfredi JM.Resistance bands used while horses are exercised with their handlers have shown benefits, but it is unknown if whole-body resistance bands used independently have therapeutic benefits. This study hypothesized that horses with varying gait asymmetries would experience improvements in lameness, muscular function, range of motion, posture, and cortisol following short-term use of a whole-body resistance band wrap (RBW). In this study, nine lame adult horses were evaluated with and without the RBW. The assessment included: objective gait analysis, acoustic myography, postural analysis, gait kinema...
Werner CA, Wimmer-Scherr CM, Schwarz BC.Equine laryngeal dysplasia (ELD) is the umbrella term for various malformations of laryngeal structures that arise from the 4th and 6th branchial arches during embryogenesis. The disease is rare and may be subclinical. In symptomatic patients with clinical signs, the clinical presentation is highly variable and is the result of functional limitations of the larynx as well as of the esophageal sphincter. The spectrum of signs may range from respiratory changes such as abnormal respiratory noise, coughing, and at times dyspnea all the way to poor performance, dysphagia, aerophagia, and colic. Th...
Toddy T, Ledbetter EC, Knickelbein KE.To describe the demographics and treatment outcomes of horses definitively diagnosed with epithelial or stromal immune-mediated keratitis (IMMK) by use of in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) and/or histopathology. Unassigned: Medical records of horses presented to the Cornell University Equine Hospital definitively diagnosed with epithelial or stromal IMMK with IVCM and/or histopathology between 2020 and 2024 were reviewed. Patient signalment, affected eye(s), diagnostics, treatments, and outcomes were assessed. Unassigned: 22 horses met the inclusion criteria. The mean age was 16.9 years (SD, ...
Mählmann K, Lischer CJ.This technical note describes the use of a manual graphic roadmap (MGR) to assist fluoroscopic guidance during transarterial coil embolization (TACE) for guttural pouch (GP) arterial hemorrhage. Horses underwent MGR-assisted TACE at the Equine Clinic, Free University of Berlin, between 2012 and 2024. Surgery was performed under general anesthesia with fluoroscopic guidance. Following the initial angiogram, a transparent foil was secured to the fluoroscopy monitor, and an assistant traced the vascular anatomy with a waterproof marker to create the MGR, which then served as a guide for catheter ...
Campos Schweitzer A, Mespoulhes-Rivière C, Perkins JD, Ducharme NG, Piercy RJ, Lynch N, Rossignol F.To evaluate functional and histopathologic outcomes of standing selective laryngeal reinnervation using the spinal accessory nerve (SAN) in horses with experimentally induced recurrent laryngeal neuropathy (RLN). Methods: Five Thoroughbred mares. Methods: Prospective cohort study. Methods: The horses underwent left recurrent laryngeal neurectomy followed 8 weeks later by selective laryngeal reinnervation using the SAN. Follow-up evaluations at 4.5, 6, 8, and 12 months included treadmill exercising endoscopy, ultrasonography of intrinsic laryngeal muscles, and percutaneous electrical stimul...
Díaz-Alvarado T, Alcala-Canto Y, Elghandour MMMY, Salem MZM, Mariezcurrena-Berasain MD, Salem AZM.Gastrointestinal endoparasitic diseases, particularly those caused by some strongyles, represent one of the main health challenges in equine production. The prolonged use of synthetic anthelmintics has led to the development of resistance, which has prompted the search for more sustainable therapeutic alternatives. However, plant extracts rich in secondary metabolites are emerging as a promising option. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the in vitro anthelmintic activity of aqueous extracts and bioactive compounds (total phenols and saponins) from Azadirachta indica and Cn...
Strugava L, Serighelli-Júnior G, Stadler LM, Flores LADS, Minozzo GA, Dornbusch LPTC, Moreno JCD, Dornbusch PT.Rectal amputation is a surgical approach indicated for the management of severe rectal lacerations or extensive rectal prolapse when transmural compromise or primary repair is unfeasible. These conditions, although uncommon, present substantial challenges in equine practice due to the anatomical complexity of the pelvic region and the potential for life-threatening complications if not adequately addressed. This study aimed to describe and standardize a reproducible surgical technique for rectal amputation in horse cadavers. Six equine cadavers (mean body mass, 441.83± 66.84 kg) were position...
Aleman M, Morales CJ.Idiopathic trigeminal-mediated headshaking is a painful neuropathic disorder characterized by sudden, violent, predominantly vertical head movements of unknown etiology. Clinical signs may be seasonal or persistent and triggered by light, sound, exercise, or tactile nasal stimulation. The pathophysiology is multifactorial, involving abnormal trigeminal nerve excitability influenced by hormonal, environmental, and dietary factors. Treatment is challenging and typically multimodal, aiming to reduce trigeminal hypersensitivity and improve quality of life.
