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.
Yan W, Shin KS, Wang SJ, Xiang H, Divers T, McDonough S, Bowman J, Rowlands A, Akey B, Mohamed H, Chang YF.Clostridium (C.) difficile is a common cause of nosocomial diarrhea in horses. Vancomycin and metronidazole have been used as standard treatments but are only moderately effective, which highlights the need for a novel alternative therapy. In the current study, we prepared antiserum of equine origin against both C. difficile toxins A and B as well as whole-cell bacteria. The toxin-neutralizing activities of the antibodies were evaluated in vitro and the prophylactic effects of in vivo passive immunotherapy were demonstrated using a conventional mouse model. The data demonstrated that immunized...
Dixon PM, Loh N, Barakzai SZ.Disorders of the horizontal ramus (body) of the equine mandible are well reported, but there is minimal documentation of disorders of the angle of mandible. A retrospective examination of the records of Edinburgh University Equine Hospital (1997-2011) showed that 32 horses were referred due to swellings of the angle of the mandible. The aetiology of these swellings was identified in just 13/32 cases (41%) including fractures (n=2), traumatic, localised periosteal/cortical lesions (n=4), traumatic soft tissue lesions (n=2), neoplasia (n=3), and inflammation of the adjacent salivary gland (n=1) ...
Depecker M, Richard EA, Pitel PH, Fortier G, Leleu C, Couroucé-Malblanc A.The aim of this study was to determine whether the lung side being sampled would significantly influence bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cytological profiles and subsequent diagnosis in Standardbred racehorses. One hundred and thirty-eight French Trotters in active training and racing were included in a prospective observational study. BAL was performed using videoendoscopy in both right and left lungs during summer meetings in 2011 (64 horses) and 2012 (74 horses). Cytological data performed 24h later from right and left lungs were compared and specifically used to classify horses as affected wi...
de Linde Henriksen M, Andersen PH, Thomsen PD, Plummer CE, Mangan B, Heegaard S, Toft N, Brooks DE.To study the equine deep stromal abscesses (DSA) with focus on the duration of the corneal disease, medical treatment, season of presentation, clinical appearance, and the degree of corneal vascularization. Methods: Equine DSA diagnosed, biopsied, and surgically treated at the University of Florida Veterinary Medical Center (UFVMC) from 2004 to 2009 were identified. The medical record, clinical photographic images, and microbiology results for each case were evaluated. Frequency and prevalence calculation as well as qualitative data analysis was performed for clinical and microbiological data....
In the present study a general screening protocol was developed to detect prohibited substances and metabolites for doping control purposes in equine sports. It was based on the establishment of a unified sample preparation and on the combined implementation of liquid and gas chromatographic MS analysis. The sample pretreatment began with two parallel procedures: enzymatic hydrolysis of sulfate and glucuronide conjugates, and methanolysis of the 17β-sulfate steroid conjugates. The extracts were treated for LC-TOF-MS, GC-HRMS and GC-MS assays. The majority of the prohibited substances were ide...
Sampieri F, Vannucci FA, Allen AL, Pusterla N, Antonopoulos AJ, Ball KR, Thompson J, Dowling PM, Hamilton DL, Gebhart CJ.Lawsonia intracellularis infection causes proliferative enteropathy (PE) in many mammalian species, with porcine and equine proliferative enteropathy (PPE and EPE) known worldwide. Hamsters are a well-published animal model for PPE infection studies in pigs. There is no laboratory animal model for EPE infection studies and it is not known whether there is species-specificity for equine or porcine isolates of L. intracellularis in animal models. The objective of this study was to determine whether it is possible to generate typical EPE lesions in hamsters after inoculation with an equine strain...
Lesimple C, Fureix C, Biquand V, Hausberger M.Questionnaires are a common tool to assess people's opinion on a large scale or to sound them out about their subjective views. The caretakers' opinion about animals' "personality" has been used in many studies. The aim of the present study was to assess whether the owners' subjective evaluation was effective to detect back disorders. Back disorders have been shown to have a high prevalence in working horses. Caretakers from 17 riding schools (1 caretaker/school, 161 horses) were given a questionnaire about their horses' health status, including back disorders. Out of these 161 horses, 59 were...
Alberghina D, Casella S, Giannetto C, Marafioti S, Piccione G.Serum protein electrophoresis (SPE) is a technique that could be considered one of the most useful diagnostic aids available to the clinician. The effect of storage time and temperature on the total proteins and electrophoretic fractions (albumin, α1-, α2-, β1-, β2-, and γ-globulins) was assessed in 24 healthy horses. All samples, collected by jugular vein puncture, were centrifuged and divided into 4 aliquots. The 1st aliquot was analyzed within 3 h from collection (time 0), the 2nd was refrigerated at +4°C for 24 h, the 3rd was refrigerated at +4°C for 48 h, and the last was frozen at...
Schrock P, Lüpke M, Seifert H, Staszyk C.This study investigated the hypothetical contribution of biomechanical loading to the onset of equine odontoclastic tooth resorption and hypercementosis (EOTRH) and to elucidate the physiological age-related positional changes of the equine incisors. Based on high resolution micro-computed tomography (μCT) datasets, 3-dimensional models of entire incisor arcades and the canine teeth were constructed representing a young and an old incisor dentition. Special attention was paid to constructing an anatomically correct model of the periodontal ligament (PDL). Using previously determined Young's m...
Schrock P, Lüpke M, Seifert H, Borchers L, Staszyk C.In equine dentistry, periodontal diseases are frequently found in aged horses. Excessive strains and stresses within the periodontal ligament (PDL) occurring during the masticatory cycle may be predisposing factors especially in old horses with short, worn teeth. The finite element (FE) analysis is a valuable tool to investigate such strains and stresses in biological materials but a precondition for a realistic and reliable FE analysis is accurate knowledge of material parameters. As no data exist concerning the PDL of equine incisor teeth, this study was undertaken to determine the equine sp...
Sloet van Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbaan MM, Grinwis GC.Equine sarcoidosis seems to be an emerging problem. As more horses are referred for dermatologic disease, equine sarcoidosis should be considered in any case of exfoliative and/or nodular skin disease with or without systemic involvement, including generalized granulomatous disease affecting most internal organs. Multiple breeds are affected with mares being predisposed. Affected horses are typically 3 years or older. The prognosis for generalized granulomatous disease is generally poor, whereas the prognosis for the localized cutaneous form is favorable but may require lifelong treatment.
Weese JS, Yu AA.Bacterial, dermatophilosis, and superficial ringworm infections are common skin diseases noted in equine dermatology. The ability to recognize and accurately diagnose the skin condition is key to selecting an appropriate and successful treatment regimen. Addressing underlying etiology, environmental management, and infection control play a crucial role in preventing relapse of clinical signs.
Gozalo-Marcilla M, Steblaj B, Schauvliege S, Duchateau L, Gasthuys F.Twenty adult healthy horses undergoing elective surgery were involved in this prospective, blinded, clinical study. Horses were randomly allocated to receive a constant rate infusion (CRI) of morphine or dexmedetomidine. After induction, anaesthesia was maintained with isoflurane in oxygen/air and mechanical ventilation applied. The end-tidal isoflurane concentration (FÉISO) was initially set at 0.9% and adjusted by the anaesthetist, to maintain a light surgical plane of anaesthesia, according to an objective flow-chart. The cardiopulmonary function was only minimally different between groups...
Witte TH, Wilke M, Stahl C, Jandová V, Haralambus R, Straub R.A 7-year-old 573-kg (1,261 -lb) Swiss Warmblood gelding was evaluated because of signs of acute abdominal pain. Results: Physical examination revealed a markedly distended abdomen with subjectively reduced borborygmi in all abdominal quadrants. A large, gas-distended viscus was present at the pelvic brim preventing complete palpation of the abdomen per rectum. Ultrasonographic evaluation could not be safely performed in the initial evaluation because of severe signs of abdominal pain. Results: Ventral midline celiotomy was performed, and right dorsal displacement of the ascending colon was cor...
Trela JM, Spriet M, Padgett KA, Galuppo LD, Vaughan B, Vidal MA.Intra-arterial (i.a.) and intravenous (i.v.) regional limb perfusions (RLP) through the median artery and cephalic vein, respectively, have been previously investigated for administration of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to the equine distal limb. Limitations due to thrombosis of the arteries after i.a. RLP and poor distribution of MSCs to the foot with i.v. RLP were observed. These techniques need to be modified for clinical use. Objective: Evaluate the distribution, uptake and persistence of radiolabelled MSCs after i.a. injection through the median artery without a tourniquet and after i.v....
Tipton TE, Ray CS, Hand DR.To characterize superficial digital flexor (SDF) tendon lesions in the forelimbs of cutting horses and determine recurrence rate and prognosis for this condition. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: 19 cutting horses with SDF tendonitis. Methods: Medical records for horses evaluated for SDF tendonitis in 2007 through 2011 were reviewed. Data regarding age, sex, lameness grade, affected limb, and treatment were collected. Ultrasonographic images were reviewed, and lesion characteristics were recorded. Follow-up telephone interviews with owners or trainers were conducted to determine re...
Clayton HM, O'Connor KA, Kaiser LJ.The objective of this study was to compare forces and pressure profiles beneath a conventional dressage saddle with a beechwood spring tree and a treeless dressage saddle without a rigid internal support and incorporating large panels and a gullet. The null hypothesis was that there is no difference in the force and pressure variables for the two saddles. Six horses were ridden by the same rider using the conventional dressage saddle and the treeless dressage saddle in random order and pressure data were recorded using an electronic pressure mat as the horses trotted in a straight line. The da...
Upjohn MM, Pfeiffer DU, Verheyen KL.There are an estimated 112 million Equidae (horses, donkeys, mules) in the developing world, providing essential resources for their owners' livelihoods and well-being. The impoverished situation of their owners and the often harsh conditions in which they work mean that the animals' welfare is a cause for concern. A number of equine non-governmental organisations (NGOs) operate within working equid communities providing veterinary care, education and training programmes aimed at improving equine welfare. However, there is little published information available that describes monitoring and ev...
de Graaf-Roelfsema E.One of the principal components of equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) is hyperinsulinaemia combined with insulin resistance. It has long been known that hyperinsulinaemia occurs after the development of insulin resistance. But it is also known that hyperinsulinaemia itself can induce insulin resistance and obesity and might play a key role in the development of metabolic syndrome. This review focuses on the physiology of glucose and insulin metabolism and the pathophysiological mechanisms in glucose homeostasis in the horse (compared with what is already known in humans) in order to gain insight ...
Hyde RM, Lynch TM, Clark CK, Slone DE, Hughes FE.This study investigated the influence of perfusate volume on antimicrobial concentration in synovial fluid following intravenous regional limb perfusion (IVRLP) and assessed the efficacy of low volume IVRLP. The front limbs of 9 horses were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 volume groups: 10 mL (Group 1), 30 mL (Group 2), or 60 mL (Group 3). A tourniquet was applied distal to the carpus and the limbs were perfused with 500 mg genta-micin diluted to the assigned volume via a catheter placed in the lateral palmar digital vein at the level of the proximal sesamoid bones. Synovial fluid samples were col...
Ruppin MP, Dennis MM, Smith CL, Vogelnest LJ.A 2-month-old Standardbred filly was presented for examination and treatment of extensive congenital skin lesions that had a linear distribution on the left front leg extending from the dorsal midline to the metacarpal region. The lesions were surgically excised under general anaesthesia. Surgical excision was curative and there were no signs of recurrence 6 weeks after surgery. The number and distribution of lesions were more extensive than in previously reported cases of congenital papillomas, which have also been described as epidermal growth abnormalities (naevi or hamartomas). Early repor...
Klaus CS, Vogt C, Lischer CJ.To describe a technique and the outcome of using 3.5/4.5/5.0 Metaphyseal Locking Compression Plate for corrective osteotomy of mandibular brachygnathia. Methods: Clinical report. Methods: Eight-month Thoroughbred horse. Methods: Severe mandibular brachygnathia was surgically treated by corrective osteotomy and fixation with 2 LCP 3.5/4.5/5.0 Metaphyseal plates inserted using minimally invasive technique. Results: Severe mandibular brachygnathia was treated successfully with minor complications and stable fixation after 3 months. Cosmetic outcome and owner satisfaction was excellent. Conclusion...
Price S, Aurich J, Davies-Morel M, Aurich C.This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of storage of stallion semen in a defined milk protein extender at 5 and 15 degrees C under either anaerobic or aerobic conditions, with or without addition of the antibiotic gentamicin. Semen samples were collected from eight fertile stallions and stored for 96 h (day 0-4) and assessed daily for motility, velocity and membrane integrity (viability) using a CASA system. Samples for bacteriology assessment were taken on day 2 of storage. No significant (p > 0.05) differences in motility, velocity or viability were observed between treatmen...
Navas de Solis C.Ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) are often incidental or coincidental with systemic disease. Ventricular arrhythmias are also the most likely cause of many sudden cardiac deaths in horses. This dichotomy creates challenges in the management of horses with VAs. This review presents current knowledge of diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of VAs in horses.
Panizzi L, Vignes M, Dittmer KE, Waterland MR, Rogers CW, Sano H, McIlwraith CW, Pemberton S, Owen M, Riley CB.to determine the accuracy of infrared (IR)-based serum biomarker profiling to differentiate horses with early inflammatory changes associated with a traumatically induced model of equine carpal osteoarthritis (OA) from controls. Methods: unilateral carpal OA was induced in 9 of 17 healthy Thoroughbred fillies, while the remainder served as sham operated controls. Serum samples were obtained before induction of OA (Day 0) and weekly thereafter until Day 63 from both groups. Films of dried serum were created, and IR absorbance spectra acquired. Following pre-processing, partial least squares dis...
Chateau H, Degueurce C, Jerbi H, Crevier-Denoix N, Pourcelot P, Audigié F, Pasqui-Boutard V, Denoix JM.The purpose of this study was to quantify small amplitude rotational movements in the metacarpophalangeal joint (MPJ) of the horse and to measure the influence of asymmetric placement of the foot on these articular angles. Trihedrons, supporting kinematic markers defining a local frame, were screwed into the third metacarpal bone and the proximal phalanx of 4 isolated forelimbs. The limbs were loaded in a press, and the lateral or medial aspects of the foot were raised alternately by a 12 degrees wedge. The use of the joint coordinate system permitted the simultaneous and continuous computing ...
Hotchkiss JW, Reid SW, Christley R.Recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) is an environmental respiratory disease affecting horses. A risk-screening questionnaire (RSQ) for RAO would provide a useful tool to investigate the epidemiology of the disease in horses; our aim in this study was to construct and validate such an instrument. Guidance for what questions to include in the RSQ came from three processes: a review of the scientific literature, a survey of equine practitioners in the UK and a consultation with 19 experts using a modified Delphi technique. The latter consultation consisted of two rounds; agreement amongst the expe...
Davidson EJ, Martin BB.Wastage of performance horses because of respiratory dysfunction is common. Appropriate identification of the disease is paramount for treatment recommendations. Diagnostic modalities for upper respiratory tract dysfunction include a thorough physical examination, radiographic evaluation when appropriate, and upper respiratory tract endoscopy. Anatomical deviations or structural are easily identified during resting evaluation, while exercise testing is often necessary to assess thedynamic properties of the upper airway. Utilizing the many diagnostic tools available allows the clinician to make...
Burns SJ, Simpson RB, Snell JR.Sterile equipment was used to collect ten ejaculates from each of ten normal stallions and quantitative and qualitative bacterial counts were made within 15 min after collection. The mean bacterial population in undiluted semen was found to be 573,000 +/- 374,000 organisms/ml. The bacterial content of semen diluted with two parts sterile physiological saline, or with two parts of a cream-gelatin extender, was measured within 15 min after collection and again after 2 hr at 25 degrees C. The number of bacteria was slightly increased in the saline after 2 hr, but 1 93% and 99% reduction occurred ...
Tomlinson JE, Neff P, Boston RC, Aceto H, Nolen-Walston RD.Treatment of idiopathic headshaking in horses is complicated by an incomplete understanding of underlying pathophysiology and partially effective treatments. If an inflammatory etiology exists, corticosteroids could be beneficial. Objective: An anti-inflammatory dose of dexamethasone reduces the signs of idiopathic headshaking in a field setting. Methods: Convenience sample of 20 adult horses with idiopathic headshaking syndrome. Cases were recruited from the general population and diagnosed by attending veterinarians. Methods: Prospective, blinded clinical trial. Pulsed dosing was with oral d...
Heath SE, Peter AT, Janovitz EB, Selvakumar R, Sandusky GE.A 2-year-old Standardbred gelding was examined because of prolapse of the third eyelid; myoclonus of the muscles of the head, neck, and forelimbs; and persistent tail swishing. The horse had a high plasma sodium concentration but was not drinking water. The hypernatremia could not be corrected by means of IV administration of fluids, and the horse became worse and, 6 days later, died. At necropsy, a tumor was found to be compressing the neurohypophysis and the area in the brain in which the thirst centers are believed to be located. It is believed that hypernatremia in this horse was a result ...
David F, Rougier M, Alexander K, Morisset S.Coxofemoral joint pain is probably underestimated due to difficulties in identifying hip pain. The deep location of the joint and proximity of the sciatic nerve make arthrocentesis based on external landmarks a difficult and potentially risky procedure in mature horses. Objective: To describe an ultrasound-guided injection technique of the coxofemoral joint in standing horses and to evaluate its accuracy and potential difficulties/complications. Methods: Nine mature horses had both pelvic areas prepared for sterile ultrasound examination (3.5 MHz curvilinear probe). Coxofemoral joints were loc...
Seyoum Z, Zewdu A, Dagnachew S, Bogale B.A study was conducted from November 2015 to April 2016 to determine fenbendazole and ivermectin resistance status of intestinal nematodes of cart horses in Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia. Forty-five strongyle infected animals were used for this study. The animals were randomly allocated into three groups (15 horses per group). Group I was treated with fenbendazole and Group II with ivermectin and Group III was left untreated. Faecal samples were collected from each cart horse before and after treatment. Accordingly, the reduction in the mean fecal egg count at fourteen days of treatment for iverme...
Todhunter KH, Perkins NR, Wylie RM, Chicken C, Blishen AJ, Racklyeft DJ, Muscatello G, Wilson MC, Adams PL, Gilkerson JR, Bryden WL, Begg AP.A series of abortions occurred in mares in New South Wales during 2004 that involved similar and unusual findings on post mortem examination of aborted fetuses and fetal membranes. The term Equine Amnionitis and Fetal Loss (EAFL) was developed to describe the condition. This form of abortion had not been previously recognised in Australia. The pathology alone is not specific for EAFL and diagnosis requires demonstration of a combination of certain pathological and bacteriological features. The purpose of this paper is to describe patterns considered consistent with EAFL cases as a working case...
Perryman LE, Bue CM, Magnuson NS, Mottironi VD, Ochs HS, Wyatt CR.Thirty-eight foals with combined immunodeficiency (CID) received transplanted fetal liver cells, fetal liver and thymus cells, histocompatible bone marrow cells, or equine lymphocyte antigen (ELA) haploidentical bone marrow cells in an attempt to reconstitute their deficient immune systems. Engraftment was infrequent, partial, and unpredictable when fetal cells were employed. Three of five CID foals receiving ELA haploidentical bone marrow cells demonstrated partial reconstitution, but engraftment was only temporary. Administration of histocompatible bone marrow cells resulted in rapid, full a...
Pusterla N, Pusterla JB, Spier SJ, Puget B, Watson JL.The SNAP Foal IgG test (IDEXX) as evaluated for its accuracy and usefulness by measuring blood samples collected from 42 foals between 24 and 48 hours after birth. The results were compared with the single radial immunodiffusion (SRID) test as the reference method. The SNAP test was quick and easy to perform, and the results were similar to those obtained by SRID in 64 per cent of the samples. The best results were found with low ( 800 mg/dl) concentrations of immunoglobulin G, with an accuracy of 80 per cent and 89 per cent, respectively. The intermediate concentrations were usually lower whe...
Klein L, Hopkins J.4-Aminopyridine was administered in incremental IV doses to healthy horses to evaluate cardiorespiratory and behavioral effects. Doses of 100 micrograms/kg produced apparent sensory discomfort, manifested by wiggling or curling of the lips and tongue, arching or stretching the neck, snorting, squealing, and coughing. At cumulative dosages of 300 to 500 micrograms/kg, muscle tremors, a stilted gait, and signs of excitement occurred. Once signs of excitement occurred, additional administration of 4-aminopyridine resulted in prolonged excitement consisting of severe muscle tremors and exaggerated...
Rosanowski SM, Chang YM, Stirk AJ, Verheyen KLP.The incidence of race-day injuries in Great Britain (GB) is higher on all-weather (AW) surfaces than on turf. However, to date no studies have focused on identifying risk factors for injury specific to AW racing. Therefore, the objective of the current study was to determine risk factors for fatality, distal limb fracture (DLF) and episodes of epistaxis in flat racing Thoroughbreds racing on AW surfaces in GB. Data included all flat racing starts on AW surfaces (n=258,193) and race-day veterinary events recorded between 2000 and 2013. Information on additional course-level variables was gather...
Oliver A, Conrado FO, Nolen-Walston R.Equine granulocytic anaplasmosis is a clinically significant and common disease of equids that has a broader prevalence than was once thought. The most common clinical signs include high fever and edema, with mild to mderate thrombocytopenia and lymphopenia typically noted on complete blood count. Subclinical cases are reported and many are self-limiting. Rare clinical presentations include neurologic disease, vasculitis, dysphagia, rhabdomyolysis, or bicavitary effusion. Most cases resolve rapidly with appropriate antimicrobial intervention.
Farstvedt E, Hendrickson D.To evaluate outcome after laparoscopic closure of the nephrosplenic space in horses that had previous nephrosplenic entrapment of ascending colon (left dorsal displacement of the left colon; LDDLC). Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Horses that had previous LDDLC. Methods: Medical records of horses that had LDDLC and subsequent laparoscopic nephrosplenic space closure between 2002 and 2004 were retrieved. Follow-up information was obtained by telephone interview of owners. Preoperative versus postoperative comparisons were: incidence of LDDLC, incidence of colic signs, and incidence of ve...
Roepstorff L, Johnston C, Drevemo S, Gustås P.According to riding texts, draw reins are supposed to support increased collection. This has not been measured objectively. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine whether a horse ridden with draw reins would relatively increase weightbearing of the hindquarters while worked with the draw reins compared to a normal rein. Ground reaction forces were measured in 8 horses at the slow trot over a force plate in 3 different experimental set-ups: 1) riding with only a draw rein (DR); 2) riding with the combination of a normal and a draw rein (NR-DR) and 3) riding with a normal rein (...
Pakula PD, Halama A, Al-Dous EK, Johnson SJ, Filho SA, Suhre K, Vinardell T.Exercise-induced hemolysis occurs as the result of intense physical exercise and is caused by metabolic and mechanical factors including repeated muscle contractions leading to capillary vessels compression, vasoconstriction of internal organs and foot strike among others. We hypothesized that exercise-induced hemolysis occurred in endurance racehorses and its severity was associated with the intensity of exercise. To provide further insight into the hemolysis of endurance horses, the aim of the study was to deployed a strategy for small molecules (metabolites) profiling, beyond standard molec...
Hepworth-Warren KL, Nelson N, Dembek KA, Young KAS.Thoracic ultrasonography (TUS) is widely used in equine practice but comparison to radiography is limited in horses. Unassigned: To validate a novel, objective scoring system for TUS in adult horses and to compare ultrasonographic and radiographic findings. Unassigned: 13 healthy horses and 9 with confirmed bacterial pneumonia. Unassigned: Prospective study in which TUS and radiography were performed on healthy horses and those with bacterial pneumonia confirmed by clinical signs and results of transtracheal wash analysis. Ultrasonography was scored utilizing a novel scoring system evaluating ...
Ueno D, Yabuki A, Obi T, Shiraishi M, Nishio A, Miyamoto A.We investigated the effect of bradykinin (BK) on isolated equine basilar arterial rings with and without endothelium. BK induced concentration-dependent contraction of resting arterial rings and no relaxation when the rings were precontracted by prostaglandin F(2alpha). The maximal response and pD(2) value were 161.2 +/- 28.1% (to 60 mm KCl-induced contraction) and 8.24 +/- 0.25 respectively. The cumulative concentration-response curve for BK was not shifted to the right by des-Arg(9)-[Leu(8)]-BK (a B(1)-receptor antagonist), HOE140 (a B(2)-receptor antagonist) or NPC567 (another B(2)-receptor...
Saadi, A, Tavassoli, M, Dalir-Naghadeh, B, Samiei A.Dictyocaulus arnfieldi is a lungworm commonly found in equids; however, relatively little is known about it. The aim of the present study was to establish the prevalence of equine lungworms in naturally-infected working and sporting horses, donkeys and mules in rural areas of Urmia, northwest Iran. The fecal samples were collected from 299 working horses, 57 sporting horses, 66 donkeys and 37 mules during the period March 2014 to June 2016. The collected fecal samples were processed within 48 hours following rectal sampling. The larval count/g (LPG) of feces was determined using the Baermann t...
Fowler AL, Hayes SH, Crum AD, Lawrence LM.Titanium dioxide has been used as a marker for determining diet digestibility indirectly, but some authors have expressed difficulty in measuring TiO2 concentrations in fecal material. We developed an accurate and precise method to determine TiO2 concentrations in equine feces. The method includes dry-ashing samples, digestion with (NH4)2SO4 in concentrated sulfuric acid, followed by the addition of H2O2 to produce a yellow to orange color that can be read spectrophotometrically. Accuracy was tested by spike recovery, and precision was tested by examining the coefficient of variation (CV) betw...
Magdesian KG.Horses with GI diseases such as colic and diarrhea are often intolerant of adequate enteral nutrition. Nutritional intervention should be an early part of therapeutic management in such cases. Protein and energy malnutrition in critically ill horses can have deleterious effects, including poor wound or incisional healing, reduced immunity, and weight loss. Early enteral or parenteral support should be provided to supply resting DE requirements in the equine ICU.
Stewart AJ, Pettigrew A, Cochran AM, Belknap JK.The liver and lung are not only described as "target organs" in sepsis in most species, but are purported to be sources of circulating inflammatory mediators central to the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). As we have recently reported an inflammatory response in the laminar tissue in laminitis similar to that described in "target organs" in human sepsis, we investigated the inflammatory response of the lung and liver in the black walnut extract (BWE) model of equine laminitis to determine (1) if a similar systemic inflammatory response occurs in this laminitis model as described...
Watson ED, Sertich PL.Endometrial biopsy specimens (4 or 5 on each occasion) were collected from 7 mares 2, 3, or 4 times over a 50-day period prior to breeding. Four of the collection days were within 6 days of breeding. Six of the 7 mares were diagnosed as pregnant by use of ultrasonography at day 14 after ovulation. This pregnancy rate was the same as that achieved by these mares when they were bred at estrus before the start of the study. It appeared that repeated collection of multiple endometrial biopsy specimens from genitally normal mares did not adversely affect pregnancy rate.
Prutton JS, Marks SL, Aleman M.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...
Rose RJ, Hodgson DR, Kelso TB, McCutcheon LJ, Bayly WM, Gollnick PD.Changes in blood gases, ions, lactate, pH, hemoglobin, blood temperature, total body metabolism, and muscle metabolites were measured before and during exercise (except muscle), at fatigue, and during recovery in normal and acetazolamide-treated horses to test the hypothesis that an acetazolamide-induced acidosis would compromise the metabolism of the horse exercising at maximal O2 uptake. Acetazolamide-treated horses had a 13-mmol/l base deficit at rest, higher arterial Po2 at rest and during exercise, higher arterial and mixed venous Pco2 during exercise, and a 48-s reduction in run time. Ar...
Johnston AS, Riggs CM, Cogger N, Benschop J, Rogers CW, Rosanowski SM.Many racing jurisdictions monitor race-day musculoskeletal injury (MSI) but fail to evaluate injuries occurring during training. Additionally, previous risk factor analyses have failed to explore temporal trends in injury occurrence. Objective: To use time-series analysis techniques to identify trends, cyclicity and peaks in MSI incidence, in racehorses training and racing at the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) from July 2010 to June 2018. Methods: Retrospective longitudinal study. Methods: The monthly incidence of all MSI, superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) injury, suspensory ligament inju...
