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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.
Universal challenges for parasite control: a perspective from equine parasitology. Formulating and disseminating recommendations for parasite control is a dynamic process that requires constant interaction between parasitology researchers and the end-users in the field. Any set of guidelines requires continuous evaluation of efficacy and possible adverse effects, and adjustments are invariably needed along the way. Experience with formulating guidelines for equine parasite control illustrates that end-users struggle with striking the balance between treating too little and too much.
Chronic Pancreatitis with Acinar-Ductal Metaplasia and Ductal Dysplasia in a Horse. A 16-year-old Friesian gelding with relapsing colic was humanely destroyed during diagnostic laparotomy due to suspected abdominal neoplasia. On post-mortem examination, the pancreas appeared as a firm mass (20 × 8 × 8 cm). The cut surface had a lobular structure with multiple cavities. Histological examination revealed severe chronic fibrosing pancreatitis with acinar-ductal metaplasia and duct dysplasia, which was considered to be the cause of the recurrent colic. Formation of tubular complexes within a background of acinar-ductal metaplasia is similar to the regressive lesions detect...
Comparison of culture versus quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction for the detection of Taylorella equigenitalis in field samples from naturally infected horses in Canada and Germany. A quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction method (qPCR) was developed and tested for the detection of Taylorella equigenitalis. It was shown to have an analytical sensitivity of 5 colony-forming units (CFU) of T. equigenitalis when applied to the testing of culture swabs that mimicked field samples, and a high analytical specificity in not reacting to 8 other commensal bacterial species associated with horses. As designed, it could also differentiate specifically between T. equigenitalis and T. asinigenitalis. The qPCR was compared to standard culture in a study that included 45 swab ...
Clinical characteristics of horses and foals diagnosed with cleft palate in a referral population: 28 cases (1988-2011). The objective of this case series was to characterize the population, case presentations, and outcomes of 28 equids diagnosed with cleft palate over a 25-year period. The incidence of cleft palate was 0.04%. The median age at presentation was 2 mo (range: 1 d to 3 y). Fifty percent of the animals were < 2 mo old, 21% were ≥ 2 mo but < 1 y old, and 29% were 1 y of age or older. Males and females were nearly equally represented. Short-term outcomes included euthanasia in 50%, surgical repair in 11%, supportive care in 4%, and no treatment in 32% of cases; 46% of the animals survived to d...
Autologous vaccination for the treatment of equine sarcoids: 18 cases (2009-2014). The purpose of this retrospective case series was to assess the outcome of an autologous vaccination procedure on single and multiple sarcoid lesions, determine complication rate, and report owner satisfaction. Medical records (18 cases) from January 2009 through May 2014 were evaluated to identify horses undergoing the procedure. Signalment, number, size, anatomic location of lesions, and type of historical treatment were recorded. Follow-up was obtained via standardized owner survey, veterinary examination, and digital images. Data recorded and analyzed included ancillary therapies post-proc...
Effects of aluminum hinged shoes on the structure of contracted feet in Thoroughbred yearlings. We applied aluminum hinged shoes (AHSs) to the club foot-associated contracted feet of 11 Thoroughbred yearlings to examine the effects of the shoes on the shape of the hoof and third phalanx (P III). After 3 months of AHS use, the size of the affected hooves increased significantly, reaching the approximate size of the healthy contralateral hooves with respect to the maximum lateral width of the foot, the mean ratio of the bearing border width to the coronary band width, and the mean ratio of the solar surface width to the articular surface width. These results suggest that the AHSs corrected...
Effects of an extended photoperiod on gonadal function and condition of hair coats in Thoroughbred colts and fillies. The effects of an extended photoperiod (EP) in Thoroughbreds colts and fillies from winter at one year old to spring at two years old on the gonadal functions, coat condition, and endocrine changes were investigated. Sixty-two Thoroughbreds (31 colts and 31 fillies) reared in the Hidaka Training and Research Center (Hidaka), Japan Racing Association were used. Thirty of them (15 colts and 15 fillies) were reared under EP conditions from December 20 to April 10, and the remaining 32 horses were reared under natural light alone as a control group. For EP, a 100-watt white bulb was set near the c...
Ex-Vivo Evaluation of a Modified Teno Fix(®) Device Repair Pattern Versus a 3-Loop Pulley for Repair of Equine Flexor Tendons. To compare the load to ultimate failure, load to a 2 mm gap, mode of failure, and gap at failure (mm) of the Teno Fix(®) (TF) to the 3-loop pulley (3LP) for repair of equine tendon lacerations. The use of 4TF devices versus 5TF devices on load to ultimate failure and load to a 2 mm gap was also compared. Methods: Ex vivo biomechanical study; unbalanced incomplete block (horse) design. Methods: Cadaveric equine forelimb superficial digital flexor tendon (n = 20 paired tendons). Methods: Ten tendon pairs were selected randomly and repaired with a 3LP and 4TF pattern, and 10 tendon pairs...
Understanding hind limb lameness signs in horses using simple rigid body mechanics. Hind limb lameness detection in horses relies on the identification of movement asymmetry which can be based on multiple pelvic landmarks. This study explains the poorly understood relationship between hind limb lameness pointers, related to the tubera coxae and sacrum, based on experimental data in context of a simple rigid body model. Vertical displacement of tubera coxae and sacrum was quantified experimentally in 107 horses with varying lameness degrees. A geometrical rigid-body model of pelvis movement during lameness was created in Matlab. Several asymmetry measures were calculated and c...
Introduction of the use of thermography and thermometry in the diagnosis of uveitis in horses: a pilot project. To date assessment of changes in ocular temperature, as a hallmark of uveitis in horses has not been determined. Therefore the aim of the current study was to determine whether ocular temperature is increased in acute uveitic eyes compared with non-uveitic eyes, and to compare an affordable thermometry device with a thermography device. Methods: Ocular temperatures of both eyes of five horses with acute unilateral uveitis and 10 normal horses were measured using thermometry and thermography. Presence and absence of acute uveitis were diagnosed through a complete ophthalmological examination. A...
Development of a clonal equine myoblast cell line capable of terminal differentiation into mature myotubes in vitro. To produce a clonal equine myoblast cell line that retains the ability to divide for multiple passages and differentiate into multinucleated myotubes during specific conditions. Methods: Cultured primary equine skeletal muscle-derived cells from a healthy Thoroughbred. Methods: Cell cultures were transfected by electroporation with a plasmid (pNIT) that expresses the temperature-sensitive simian vacuolating virus 40 large T antigen (TAg), which can be controlled by a doxycycline-responsive promoter. Cells that stably integrated the TAg were selected and expanded to passage 25. For each passage...
Racehorses are getting faster. Previous studies have concluded that thoroughbred racehorse speed is improving very slowly, if at all, despite heritable variation for performance and putatively intensive selective breeding. This has led to the suggestion that racehorses have reached a selection limit. However, previous studies have been limited, focusing only on the winning times of a few elite races run over middle and long distances, and failing to account for potentially confounding factors. Using a much larger dataset covering the full range of race distances and accounting for variation in factors such as ground softnes...
Endoscopic Balloon Dilation of Esophageal Strictures in 9 Horses. Medical treatment of esophageal strictures in horses is limited and the use of balloon dilatation is described in few cases. Long-term follow up after balloon dilatation and the use of intralesional corticosteroids has not been evaluated. Objective: To describe the use of endoscopic guided, esophageal balloon dilatation in horses for cervical and thoracic esophageal strictures and administration of intralesional corticosteroids at the time of dilatation. Methods: Nine horses from the hospital population with benign esophageal strictures. Methods: Retrospective study: Medical records were revie...
Saddles and girths: What is new? Several studies have shown that there is a high prevalence of ill-fitting saddles. Many riders do not have saddle fit professionally assessed on at least an annual basis. Back dimensions can change considerably over the period of a year and therefore saddle fit should be assessed several times yearly, especially if work intensity has been altered. Saddle fit should be evaluated before and after exercise because back dimensions can change during work. Ideally, horses should be ridden in individual purpose-fitted saddles, rather than the same saddle being used on several horses. There remains li...
Computed Tomographic Tenography of Normal Equine Digital Flexor Tendon Sheath: An Ex Vivo Study. Aim of this study was to document the normal computed tomographic tenography findings of digital flexor tendon sheath. Six ex vivo normal equine forelimbs were used. An axial approach was used to inject 185 mg/mL of iopamidol in a total volume of 60 mL into the digital flexor tendon sheaths. Single-slice helical scans, with 5 mm thickness, spaced every 3 mm, for a pitch of 0.6, and with bone algorithm reconstruction, were performed before and after injections of contrast medium. To obtain better image quality for multiplanar reconstruction and 3D reformatting, postprocessing retrorecon...
Complete Mitochondrial genome of an equine intestinal parasite, Triodontophorus brevicauda (Chromadorea: Strongylidae): the first characterization within the genus. The complete mitochondrial (mt) genome sequence of Triodontophorus brevicauda, an intestinal equine nematode parasite was determined for the first time. The circular T. brevicauda mt genome is 14,305 bp in length and contains 36 genes, of which 12 code for protein, 22 for transfer RNA, and two for ribosomal RNA, and lacks atp8 mtDNA gene. Phylogenetic analysis based on the concatenated amino acid sequence of the 12 protein-coding genes was performed using three different tree-building methods. The Strongyloidea cluster divides into two large branches, and each nematode family included in our s...
Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of five bisphosphonates in equine urine and plasma. Bisphosphonates are used in the management of skeletal disorder in humans and horses, with tiludronic acid being the first licensed veterinary medicine in the treatment of lameness associated with degenerative joint disease. Bisphosphonates are prohibited in horseracing according to Article 6 of the International Agreement on Breeding, Racing and Wagering (published by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities). In order to control the use of bisphosphonates in equine sports, an effective method to detect the use of bisphosphonates is required. Bisphosphonates are difficult-to-de...
Teaching of diagnostic skills in equine gynecology: simulator-based training versus schooling on live horses. Transrectal palpation and ultrasonography of the genital tract in mares are first-day skills for equine veterinarians. In this study, the learning outcome in equine gynecology after four times training on horses (group H4, n = 8), training on horses once (group H1, n = 9), and four times simulator-based training (group Sim, n = 8) was assessed in third-year veterinary students with two tests in live mares 14 days apart. The students of group H4 always scored better for transrectal palpation than students of group Sim and H1 (P < 0.05). Overall, the students reached better results for palpat...
Acupuncture Treatment of Pain along the Gall Bladder Meridian in 15 Horses. 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...
Characterization of Equine Infectious Anemia Virus Integration in the Horse Genome. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 has a unique integration profile in the human genome relative to murine and avian retroviruses. Equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) is another well-studied lentivirus that can also be used as a promising retro-transfection vector, but its integration into its native host has not been characterized. In this study, we mapped 477 integration sites of the EIAV strain EIAVFDDV13 in fetal equine dermal (FED) cells during in vitro infection. Published integration sites of EIAV and HIV-1 in the human genome were also analyzed as references. Our results demonstrat...
Treatment of equine metabolic syndrome: A clinical case series. Treatment of equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) is essential to improve insulin sensitivity and reduce the risk of laminitis. Calorie restriction and increased exercise are the mainstays of treatment but there is potential for poor owner compliance. Objective: To determine whether significant weight loss accompanied by improvements in measures of insulin sensitivity can be achieved in horses and ponies with EMS managed by their owners in their normal environment under veterinary guidance. Methods: Retrospective clinical case series. Methods: Horses and ponies attending 2 university hospitals for ...
Cladophialophora bantiana as an Emerging Pathogen in Animals: Case Report of Equine Endometritis and Review of the Literature. We present an unusual equine endometritis case associated with Cladophialophora bantiana in a 15-year-old mare. The mare displayed infertility and uterine fluid accumulation with numerous black, hairy granules. Microscopically, the fluid revealed numerous septate, dark fungal hyphae and conidia in chains. Culture yielded C. bantiana (CBS 138271); the species was confirmed by internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequencing. Treatment was unsuccessful. C. bantiana causes cerebral phaeohyphomycosis in humans, while animal cases are rare. Animal cases are reviewed.
Twenty years later: a single-centre, repeat retrospective analysis of equine perioperative mortality and investigation of recovery quality. To determine the mortality rates associated with equine anaesthesia for elective and emergency (colic and non-colic) cases in one equine, university teaching hospital and to investigate the effect of several horse- and anaesthetic-related variables on anaesthetic recovery quality. Methods: Retrospective data analysis. Unassigned: In total, 1416 horses undergoing anaesthesia between May 2010 and December 2013. Methods: Patient information and details of the anaesthetic, recovery period and immediate complications were extracted from an archiving database. Statistical evaluation of factors affec...
Surgical treatment and a unique management of rostral mandibular fracture with cerclage wire in a horse. A 3-year-old Arabian colt was presented for a major gingiva wound at the right rostral part of mandible. After clinical assessments, rostral mandibular fracture was determined. Stabilization of fractured region was achieved via cerclage wire application under general anesthesia. Fixation wires were left in place for 6 weeks. A 3 -month follow up revealed complete fracture healing. The purpose of this case report was to give clinical information about rostral mandibular fractures and treatment of these fractures and nutrition protocol in a horse, as this fracture is of the most common type of j...
Subjective analysis of exercise-induced changes in back dimensions of the horse: The influence of saddle-fit, rider skill and work quality. Recommendations concerning saddle-fit are empirical rather than based on scientific information. A saddle needs to fit the horse in motion, but there has been no investigation of whether the thoracolumbar region changes in dimensions in association with exercise. The objectives of this study were to quantify exercise-induced back dimension changes and to describe the association with work quality, saddle-fit and rider skill. Sixty-three sports horses in regular work were assessed prospectively in a non-random, cross-sectional survey. Thoracolumbar dimensions/symmetries were measured at predete...
