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Topic:Veterinary Care
Veterinary care in horses encompasses the medical and preventive measures taken to maintain and improve the health and well-being of equine patients. It includes a wide range of practices such as routine health examinations, vaccinations, dental care, parasite control, and management of injuries and diseases. Veterinary care also involves diagnostic procedures, surgical interventions, and therapeutic treatments tailored to the specific needs of horses. This page gathers peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore various aspects of equine veterinary care, including advancements in diagnostic techniques, treatment protocols, and health management strategies to support the well-being and performance of horses.
Comparing and Contrasting Knowledge on Mules and Hinnies as a Tool to Comprehend Their Behavior and Improve Their Welfare. Mules and hinnies are the hybrids between donkeys (Equus asinus) and horses (Equus caballus). For centuries, mankind has used them for agrarian purposes, the military, or recreation. Contrasting literature with behavioral observations, we seek a better behavioral understanding andthus comprehensive solutions for their welfare enhancement. Over the past 6 years, we have assessed physical and behavioral welfare in over 900 mules by surveying owners from Egypt, Peru, Portugal, Spain, Mexico, and the U.S. These mules participated in shows, brick kiln work, cart-pulling, packing, tourism, and cattl...
Retrospective study of the reproductive performance of Barb and Thoroughbred stallions in Algeria. The Barb horse occupies a prominent place in the history, culture, and equestrian traditions of the Maghreb (Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia). Although many studies on the breed standard and morphometry have been published, there are no studies on its fertility and reproductive potential. Thus, this work aimed to study the fertility of Barb, Arabian Purebred, and Thoroughbred horses in Algeria. Methods: A total of 168 stallions and 1202 mares at the Chaouchaoua Stud farm in Tiaret, Algeria, were included in the study. The reproductive performance during 1592 cycles over 10 consecutive mating sea...
Prevalence of adverse events and their effect on completion of high speed treadmill exercise tests at a single institution (2000-2015). Decline in high speed treadmill (HSTM) exercise testing may be attributed to the rise of over-ground endoscopy and telemetric electrocardiography, in addition to concerns of adverse events during treadmill exercise resulting in injury or inadequate testing. Objective: To describe adverse events occurring during HSTM exercise tests at a single institution and determine their effect on likelihood of completing diagnostic HSTM exercise testing. Methods: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: Pearson's chi-square test was used to determine if a significant difference in frequencies of adverse events...
The cresty neck score is an independent predictor of insulin dysregulation in ponies. Generalized obesity, regional adiposity, hyperinsulinemia and hypertriglyceridemia are all potential indicators of equine metabolic syndrome (EMS). This study aimed to assess the relationship between morphometric measurements of body condition and metabolic hormone concentrations in ponies, with and without a neck crest or generalised obesity. Twenty-six ponies were assigned a body condition score (BCS) and cresty neck score (CNS). Height, girth, and neck measurements were taken. An oral glucose test (OGT; 0.75g dextrose/kg BW) was performed and blood samples collected prior to and 2 hours pos...
Lochial and endometrial cytological changes during the first 10 days post-partum with special reference to the nature of foaling and puerperium in equine. During the puerperium, pregnancy-associated changes of the uterus need to be reversed. The duration of this process is of importance in terms of breeding efficiency and thus monitoring and treatment of the disturbed puerperium are essential. Aim of this investigation was to identify changes over time in the cellular composition of samples from endometrium and lochia in 120 mares with different obstetrical and puerperal history. In regular examinations up to 10 days post-partum the uterine involution was assessed by transrectal palpation and ultrasound. The vagina and cervix were examined using...
Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and keratinocyte differentiation in equine experimental body and limb wounds healing by second intention. The re-epithelialization process in equine wound healing is incompletely described. For epithelial cells to migrate during embryogenesis they undergo epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT); this phenotypic transition occurs during wound healing in humans and rodents, but it has not been investigated in horses. Objective: To investigate keratinocyte differentiation and EMT in equine experimental excisional limb and body wounds healing by second intention. Methods: Six adult research horses. Methods: Immunohistochemical analysis was used to detect expression of the differentiation markers cy...
Long-term prognosis for return to athletic function after interspinous ligament desmotomy for treatment of impinging and overriding dorsal spinous processes in horses: 71 cases (2012-2017). To determine the long-term return to performance of horses with impinging and/or overriding dorsal spinous processes (ORDSP) treated with interspinous ligament desmotomy (ISLD) and to determine the prognostic value of radiographic and scintigraphic grades. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Seventy-one horses with ORDSP treated with ISLD. Methods: Medical records were reviewed for signalment, physical examination, gait evaluation, and number of interspinous spaces treated. Preoperative radiographic and scintigraphic images were evaluated with grading scales. Follow-up was obtained with a t...
The Effect of Training on Stride Duration in a Cohort of Two-Year-Old and Three-Year-Old Thoroughbred Racehorses. Objective gait monitoring is increasingly accessible to trainers. A more comprehensive understanding of 'normal' gait adaptations is required. Forty two-year-old thoroughbred racehorses were recruited when entering training and followed for 22 months. Gait analysis was performed by equipping each horse with an inertial measurement unit with inbuilt GPS (GPS-IMU) mounted on the dorsum. Horses were exercised as per their regular training regimen. Data were analysed using a linear mixed model. For two-year-old horses, there was a non-linear pattern of stride duration (SD) over time ( < 0.001) ...
Fasciola hepatica in UK horses. Fasciola hepatica (liver fluke) affects grazing animals including horses but the extent to which it affects UK horses is unknown. Objective: To define how liver fluke affects the UK horse population. Methods: Descriptive, cross-sectional, observational study. Methods: An F. hepatica excretory-secretory antibody detection ELISA with a diagnostic sensitivity of 71% and specificity of 97% was validated and used to analyse serum samples. An abattoir study was performed to determine prevalence. A case-control study of 269 horses compared fluke exposure between horses with liver disease and control...
The impact of the mandatory rest period in Fédération Equestre Internationale endurance events. Endurance riding competitions are increasingly popular, with a corresponding awareness of the frequency of Failure to Qualify (FTQ) due to lameness or metabolic problems. Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) rules require a minimum number of days between competitions, known as a mandatory rest period (MRP). Objective: To analyse the impact on FTQ outcomes of MRPs which applied between January 2014 and December 2016, and model potential changes to MRPs to establish which rule change could lead to the largest further reduction in the number of FTQ outcomes. Methods: Retrospective cohort st...
Agreement among equine veterinarians and between equine veterinarians and inertial sensor system during clinical examination of hindlimb lameness in horses. Hindlimb lameness evaluation is known to be challenging. Experience is essential for the ability of equine veterinarians to detect lameness. Nevertheless, even an experienced veterinarian is still subject to bias. Objective lameness detecting methods have been established to aid veterinarians. Objective: 1) To estimate the effect of experience on the interobserver agreement and the agreement between a body-mounted inertial sensor system (BMISS) and veterinarians on detecting hindlimb lameness, and 2) to estimate the agreement between the BMISS and highly experienced veterinarians on change in ...
A high protein meal affects plasma insulin concentrations and amino acid metabolism in horses with equine metabolic syndrome. Equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) is characterized by an abnormal insulin response to a glycemic challenge but despite the known insulinotropic effects of certain amino acids, there is a paucity of data evaluating the impact of dietary protein on insulin dynamics in these horses. The objective was therefore to assess insulin and amino acid responses following intake of a high protein meal in healthy horses and those with EMS. Six mature horses diagnosed with EMS and six age-matched control horses without EMS were used. Horses were fed 2g/kg body mass (BM) of a high protein pellet (31% crude prot...
Acute fatal poisoning by spontaneous ingestion of Enterolobium contortisiliquum (Mimosidae) pods in horses. An outbreak of acute poisoning of horses by Enterolobium contortisiliquum pods is reported in the state of Goiás, Brazil. Three horses presented apathy, hyporexia, prostration, jaundice, recumbency and died in 24-48 hours. The main pathological findings were a yellowish liver with an enhanced lobular pattern, multifocal hepatic necrosis mostly in the midzones of lobules and sometimes with a random distribution across the hepatic lobes and swelling of hepatocytes. E. contortisiliquum trees has a wide distribution in South America and cases of poisoning have not been reported in horses.
Factors Influencing the Popularity of Artificial Insemination of Mares in Europe. The purpose of this review was to analyze factors affecting the popularity of artificial insemination of mares in Europe in the context of sperm quality. Taking into account the prices of stallion semen on the world market, efficiency is important for the profitability of its use in artificial insemination programs in Europe. To increase the efficiency of a semen insemination facility, it is necessary to correctly and objectively assess the quality of semen. The available range of tools allows an effective evaluation of the potential fertility of a stallion. For several years, artificial insem...
Malignant Mesothelioma of the Vaginal Tunic and Peritoneum in a Young Stallion. Mesothelioma is a rare malignancy in horses. This report describes a case in which marked hemoperitoneum, moderate anemia, and moderate dependent edema were the presenting clinical signs in a 2-year-old Standardbred stallion with mesothelioma of the vaginal tunic. On necropsy, approximately 40 L of dark red fluid distended the abdomen. A dark red mass infiltrated and effaced the right pampiniform plexus, and red nodular masses were present multifocally on the parietal and visceral peritoneal surfaces. Histopathologically, the masses were composed of malignant spindle cells with a sarcomatoid ...
Clinical efficacy of clodronic acid in horses diagnosed with navicular syndrome: A field study using objective and subjective lameness evaluation. Navicular syndrome, a common cause of equine forelimb lameness, is associated with pathological changes in the navicular bone. Consequently, administration of bisphosphonates (BPs) has been advocated in order to modify the rate of bone turnover. The present study aimed to assess the clinical efficacy of intramuscularly administered clodronic acid for the treatment of 11 horses with clinical and radiographic findings compatible with navicular syndrome. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed in 5 of the 11 horses. The animals were treated with an intramuscular dose of clodronic acid of 765 m...
Controlled delay of the expulsive phase of foaling affects sympathoadrenal activity and acid base balance of foals in the immediate postnatal phase. Stress at foaling has been demonstrated to delay birth. In this study, we followed the hypothesis that even a short delay of foaling increases catecholamine and cortisol release in foals, induces acidosis and impairs neonatal adaptation. Foaling was prolonged for 5 min by transferring mares to an unfamiliar environment at rupture of the allantochorion (group delay, n = 6) while control mares (n = 5) were left undisturbed. In their foals, times from birth to first standing and first suckling, heart rate, heart rate variability (HRV) and salivary cortisol concentration were analysed. B...
Fetal Death Associated With Premature Mammary Gland Development and Lactation in a Mare Treated With Weekly Injections of Long-Acting Progesterone. A 14-year-old, 530-kg, multiparous, pregnant Quarter Horse mare was referred for evaluation of premature mammary gland development and lactation. The mare was in the seventh month of gestation. The mare had a history of subfertility and was receiving weekly injections of long-acting progesterone, prescribed by the referring veterinarian. The last dose had been administered four days before presentation. Upon presentation, the mare had vital signs within normal limits, a moderately developed, nonpainful udder with galactorrhea, and no vulvar discharge. Transrectal palpation revealed a well-tone...
Assessment of Noninvasive Low-Frequency Ultrasound as a Means of Treating Injuries to Suspensory Ligaments in Horses: A Research Paper. Therapeutic ultrasound is a noninvasive technique, which is well tolerated by horses, does not need sedation, and can easily be performed in a routine clinical setting. Twenty-three client-owned sport horses were recruited at Clinica Equina San Biagio and included in this case study. Treatment of the injured suspensory ligament apparatus was administered using an EQ Pro, low-frequency therapeutic unit (38 kHz). The noninvasive treatment consisted of massaging the injured area in combination with a traditional ultrasound gel while maintaining the head of the device in direct contact with the i...
Outcome of Pelvic Fractures Identified in 75 Horses in a Referral Centre: A Retrospective Study. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability of fracture location and horse sporting discipline as prognostic indicators after a pelvic fracture in a referral centre caseload. Methods: Data were collected for the short- and long-term follow-up of all cases with a diagnosis of pelvic fracture in a 7-year period. Information was obtained for 75 horses through a postal and internet survey. The proportion of horses returning to competition following fractures was compared between groups according to the competition discipline and the characteristics of the fracture. Results: Fort...
Growth patterns, metabolic indicators and osteoarticular status in the Lusitano horse: A longitudinal study. Development of a healthy musculoskeletal system is of high concern for horse breeders and users. A longitudinal field study was performed in order to: (i) evaluate growth patterns and long-term changes on bone quality, bone metabolism, growth factors and metabolic variables in the Lusitano horse; and (ii) retrospectively assess whether these changes were related with radiographic findings regarding osteochondrosis-like lesions (OC) at the onset of training. Thirty-four Lusitano foals born and raised at four stud-farms, were periodically weighed (BW), and measured (withers height-WH) from birth...
Erratum: Sigurjónsdóttir, H.; Haraldsson, H. Significance of Group Composition for the Welfare of Pastured Horses. Animals 2019, 9, 14. The authors wish to make the following correction to their paper [...].
Effects of pentoxifylline supplementation to semen extender on post-breeding inflammation response assessed by endometrial cytology and vascular perfusion in mares. The aim was to evaluate effects of addition of pentoxifylline to skimmed milk semen extender on uterine inflammatory response. Thirty-six estrous cycles of 15 mares were randomly divided into five groups for artificial insemination (AI): Control: mimicking the AI procedure (n = 7); Extender: deposition of skimmed milk based extender (n = 7); Extender + PTX: skimmed milk based extender plus pentoxifylline (7.18 mM; n = 8); Semen: semen diluted with extender without pentoxifylline (n = 7), and Semen + PTX: semen diluted with extender containing pentoxifylline (n = 7). M...
Analysis of the equine “cumulome” reveals major metabolic aberrations after maturation in vitro. Maturation of oocytes under in vitro conditions (IVM) results in impaired developmental competence compared to oocytes matured in vivo. As oocytes are closely coupled to their cumulus complex, elucidating aberrations in cumulus metabolism in vitro is important to bridge the gap towards more physiological maturation conditions. The aim of this study was to analyze the equine "cumulome" in a novel combination of proteomic (nano-HPLC MS/MS) and metabolomic (UPLC-nanoESI-MS) profiling of single cumulus complexes of metaphase II oocytes matured either in vivo (n = 8) or in vitro (n = 7). Re...
Equine glandular gastric disease: prevalence, impact and management strategies. Equine glandular gastric disease (EGGD) is an increasingly recognized disease of the glandular mucosa of the equine stomach. Diagnosis is confirmed by gastric endoscopy and scored based upon one of several different endoscopic scoring systems. Prevalence appears to be variable, depending upon breed and discipline. Primary identified risk factors include exercise frequency, and stress; therefore, management strategies are focused on reducing exercise and stress. Limiting grain intake and increasing pasture turnout may also be helpful preventative measures. Pharmacologic treatment consists prima...
Restoration of arterial oxygen tension in horses recovering from general anaesthesia. Arterial hypoxaemia is common in anaesthetised horses, but little information exists regarding restoration of arterial oxygen tension (PaO ) during recovery from anaesthesia, or if intra-operative management factors exert any longer-term effect. Objective: To evaluate PaO in horses recovering from general anaesthesia up to 1 h after resuming standing. Methods: Prospective observational clinical cohort study. Methods: Systemically healthy adult horses undergoing inhalational general anaesthesia for elective surgical procedures were studied. Arterial blood samples were obtained anaerobically pr...
Evaluation of four techniques for injection of the proximal interphalangeal joint in horses. To describe a dorsoproximal midline (DPM) standing technique for proximal interphalangeal joint (PIPJ) injection and to compare it to established dorsolateral flexed (DLF), palmaroproximal (PP), and dorsolateral standing (DLS) techniques. Methods: Ex vivo study. Methods: Sixty cadaver equine thoracic limbs. Methods: Limbs were divided into four groups (n = 15 each group), DLF, DPM, PP, and DLS. For each technique, three operators injected radiopaque contrast and methylene blue into the PIPJ in five limbs. The number of attempts required was recorded. Successful injection was confirmed by radio...
