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.
Bakała A, Karlik W, Wiechetek M.The aim of the study was to establish the optimal methods for hypothermic storage of equine isolated hepatocytes. Viability of equine isolated hepatocytes after hypothermic storage was dependent on the type of storage medium as well as on the cell density in the storage suspension and the preservation period. Hepatocytes stored at 4 degrees C in Hanks' Balanced Salt Solution (HBSS) and Williams' Medium E (WE) for 24 h showed very low viability, numerous cell membrane blebs, very low attachment rate (11.9 +/- 6.5% and 34.8 +/- 19.1%, respectively) and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenylte...
Kutasi O, Vörös K, Biksi I, Szenci O, Sötonyi P.This paper presents the embryological and pathological features as well as the terminology and classification of common atrioventricular canal, a type of endocardial cushion defect. The authors give a complete description of an extremely rare congenital cardiac malformation in an equine neonate. The diagnosis of a complete, balanced common atrioventricular canal of type C in Rastelli's classification scheme was based on two-dimensional, contrast and colour Doppler echocardiography and subsequent postmortem gross pathology. To support our diagnosis and study the pathophysiological effect of the...
Kusch S, Oechsner H, Jungbluth T.Experiments on methanogenesis from horse dung were conducted in laboratory-scale batch reactors in order to determine the substrate performance in a solid-phase digestion process, more specifically in terms of potential energy recovery and suitable process technology. Dung from a horse stable with straw bedding was used. The temperature was kept in the mesophilic range. In the percolation process (with process water sprinkled over the stacked biomass) a proportion of 10-20% of solid inoculum (pre-digested horse dung) was found to be suitable. Comparative experiments with both percolation and f...
Bergh A, Ridderstråle Y, Ekman S.No studies have been published on effects of treatment with a defocused beam carbon dioxide (CO2) laser on equine skin histology. A better understanding of this will help to define how lasers should be used, in order to reduce potential side effects. Objective: To describe the acute effects of different doses of defocused CO2 laser, ranging from therapeutic to surgical levels, on equine skin. Methods: Defocused CO2 laser was administered to the skin in the hamstrings (91 J/cm2), fetlock (137 J/cm2) and loin (450 J/cm2) areas of 13 Standardbred horses. The acute effects on skin histology were e...
Landolt GA.Acute poisoning and envenomation often represent a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Although identification ultimately may benefit the affected animal, treatment frequently must commence before an etiologic diagnosis is established. Therefore, the goals for the management of acutely intoxicated horses must be focused on emergency intervention and stabilization of the patient, prevention of further exposure, and aggressive decontamination. This article reviews the treatment steps that should be considered during the management of horses experiencing poisoning or envenomation.
Palmer JE.Cardiac arrest in foals is generally secondary to other serious systemic diseases. Although it can often be anticipated, a clear plan is vital to success. Establishing cardiac output through chest compressions is the most important first step. This step should be followed by ventilation, drug therapy, identifying the nonperfusing cardiac rhythm, and following a preplanned treatment algorithm. Birth resuscitation requires special treatment considerations. The clinician should be prepared to perform resuscitation any time a birth is attended.
Marsh PS.Although not common in horses, fire and smoke inhalation trauma may require veterinary assistance at several levels. Most commonly, the equine clinician is called on to provide care of potentially complex and emotionally charged cases. Thermal injury, along with smoke inhalation, can cause local and diffuse lesions. Massive tissue edema may occur, which can be a challenge to manage as well as creating organ dysfunction at distant sites. Further complications of severely affected patients are varied and include life-threatening sepsis. This article reviews some of the important features of this...
Seedorf J, Schröder M, Köhler L, Hartung J.Bedding material in stables has an important influence on air hygiene and information on the suitability of biocompost and wood shavings is incomplete. Objective: To compare the suitability and benefit of biocompost and wood shavings as bedding in horse stables and to determine key air factors for the evaluation of the potential impact of these materials on respiratory health. Methods: The study was conducted in a naturally ventilated stable with 4 horses. Air hygiene parameters were measured 24 h/day for 7 days with each bedding type: ammonia (NH3), inhalable and respirable dust, endotoxins, ...
Taylor SE, Smith RK, Clegg PD.The goal in the therapeutic use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in musculoskeletal disease is to harness the regenerative nature of these cells focussing on their potential to grow new tissues and organs to replace damaged or diseased tissue. Laboratory isolation of MSCs is now well established and has recently been demonstrated for equine MSCs. Stem cell science has attracted considerable interest in both the scientific and clinical communities because of its potential to regenerate tissues. Research into the use of MSCs in tissue regeneration in general reflects human medical needs, however...
McConnico RS.There is no way to prepare for every situation that arises in a disaster. By working closely with other producers and agricultural leaders, however, horse owners can lessen the impact of a disaster on their operation. Preparation and detailed planning are the most important aspects of flood-related injury prevention. Encouraging animal owners and caretakers to have an evacuation plan and dispersing knowledge about local and regional disaster authorities are critical for a successful disaster response. Educational programs on future disaster response empower communities to care for their people...
Joyce J.Injuries to synovial structures are common in horses and may be life threatening or career ending if severe. Early recognition and initiation of aggressive treatment in the form of appropriate systemic and local antimicrobial therapy and surgical treatment improve the likelihood of a good outcome. Chronic injuries and delayed treatment may result in progression of infection into tendons, bone, and other structures, thus complicating treatment and resulting in a poorer prognosis for return to function.
Proudman CJ, Edwards GB, Barnes J.Horses requiring different methods of intestinal anastomosis during equine colic surgery may have differences in mortality and morbidity. Objective: Horses requiring side-to-side jejunocaecal anastomosis have a higher mortality and morbidity rate than those requiring end-to-end jejunojejunal anastomosis. Morbidity and mortality of handsewn vs. stapled side-to-side jejunocaecal anastomoses are not significantly different. Methods: A prospective, nonrandomised, observational study was conducted. Clinical and surgical details were recorded during hospitalisation and survival data acquired by peri...
Hassel DM.Thoracic trauma represents an important cause of morbidity in mortality after injury in human beings and animals. After any form of suspected chest wall trauma, initial emergency management should include assurance of a patent airway and adequate ventilation, along with treatment for shock if present. As with any open wound, tetanus prophylaxis should be instituted. Types of trauma to the thoracic region of the horse include pectoral and axillary lacerations, penetrating chest wounds, flail chest, fractures of the ribs, blunt thoracic trauma, and several potential sequelae that include pneumot...
Hassel DM.Thoracic trauma represents an important cause of morbidity in mortality after injury in human beings and animals. After any form of suspected chest wall trauma, initial emergency management should include assurance of a patent airway and adequate ventilation, along with treatment for shock if present. As with any open wound, tetanus prophylaxis should be instituted. Types of trauma to the thoracic region of the horse include pectoral and axillary lacerations, penetrating chest wounds, flail chest, fractures of the ribs, blunt thoracic trauma, and several potential sequelae that include pneumot...
Soffler C.Oxidative stress refers to the cellular injury and pathologic change that occurs when there is an imbalance favoring oxidants over antioxidants within a living organism. In human medicine, oxidative stress has been implicated in numerous disease processes, which has led to further research into the clinical benefits and efficacy of antioxidant therapy. The evaluation of oxidative stress in the horse has been limited primarily to ischemia-reperfusion injury of the gastrointestinal tract, recurrent airway obstruction, exercise, osteoarthritis, equine motor neuron disease, and pituitary pars inte...
Schaer BD.The emergency clinician is frequently in the position of receiving, evaluating, and initiating treatment on horses with ophthalmic emergencies or orbital trauma. In the best of circumstances, an ophthalmologist is available to guide initial therapy and ultimately assume responsibility for the management of the patient during the remainder of its hospitalization, but this is not always the case. The information presented here is meant to provide the emergency clinician with basic guidelines for the initial assessment and management of horses sustaining ocular injuries or presented with an ophth...
Mudge MC, Bramlage LR.Emergency management of distal limb and skull fractures in horses is vital to the successful outcome of these cases. Distal limb fractures, in particular, require careful assessment and counseling of the owner as well as adequate stabilization or coaptation of the fracture. Horses with limb or skull fractures may also have concurrent pain, blood loss, and other fluid losses that can result in shock requiring fluid therapy before definitive treatment of the fracture. Proper emergency fracture stabilization, initial treatment in the field, and patient transport are discussed.
Jean D, Picandet V, Macieira S, Beauregard G, D'Anjou MA, Beauchamp G.Previous studies have shown that in man ultrasonography is more accurate than radiography for detecting rib fractures. Objective: To describe clinical, radiographic and ultrasonographic findings related with rib fractures in newborn foals in an equine critical care unit; and to compare diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography to radiography. Methods: A prospective ultrasonographic study was performed on 29 foals presented to the emergency unit. This study was performed at the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vétérinaire (CHUV), University of Montreal. Physical examination as well as radiograph...
Parsons CS, Orsini JA, Krafty R, Capewell L, Boston R.To identify risk factors for development of acute laminitis in horses during hospitalization for illness or injury. Methods: Retrospective case-control study. Methods: 73 horses that developed laminitis (case horses) and 146 horses that did not develop laminitis (control horses) during hospitalization. Methods: Case and control horses were matched in a 2:1 ratio by the date on which each horse was evaluated. Potential risk factors investigated included age, breed, and sex; highest and lowest values recorded during hospitalization for fibrinogen concentration, WBC count, PCV, and total solids c...
Cihocki LM, Divers TJ, Johnson AL, Warren AL, Schramme M, Rassnick KM, Scott DW.This case report describes a rare epitrichial sweat gland ductal carcinoma in a 14-year-old horse and is the first report of multiple carcinomas of this type in horses. Although several tumours developed, mostly on the distal extremities, over a 2-year period, the horse remained otherwise healthy. Topical treatment with imiquimod was successful for many of them.
Hart JC, Smith C, Mogg TD.A 12-day-old Standardbred filly foal was presented with an acute onset hindlimb lameness of 24 hours duration. Initial ultrasonographic evaluation of the right gluteal region revealed oedematous change to the muscle architecture. Conservative therapy consisting of antimicrobials and stall rest was initiated. Forty-eight hours after admission a localised gluteal pyomyositis had developed. This was drained twice by percutaneous aspiration. Four days after admission the foal was euthanased. Necropsy examination revealed a septic proximal femoral physis with no grossly apparent joint involvement.
Boyer S, Garcia P, Popot MA, Steiner V, Lesieur M.A sensitive and specific method has been developed to detect semi-quantitatively testosterone in horse hair samples. The method involved a washing step with sodium dodecylsulfate aqueous solution. The mane and tail hair samples (100mg) were dissolved in 1 mL of sodium hydroxide for 15 min at 95 degrees C in the presence of d3-boldenone used as internal standard. The next three steps involved diethyl ether extraction and a solid phase extraction on Isolute C18 (EC) cartridges eluted with methanol. The residue was derivatized by adding 100 microL of acetonitrile and 30 microL of PFPA then incuba...
Burgess BA, Morley PS.There is a recognizable standard of practice for infection control in veterinary medicine. Effort must be given to control and prevention of infectious disease transmission within a facility and among animal populations. In the critical care setting, patients typically have a high degree of systemic illness and immune compromise, are commonly subjected to invasive procedures and placement of indwelling devices, and frequently receive antimicrobials and gastric protectants. Every equine critical care unit is distinctive in its physical and operational features and the types of patients that are...
Milne EM, Woodman MP, Doxey DL.Forty-five cases of chronic grass sickness were given scores for selected clinical measurements when they were first examined, to assess their value in predicting survival. Sixteen cases survived. The clinical scores for the degree of dysphagia, appetite, colic and the degree of reduction in gut sounds were significantly lower in the survivors than in the non-survivors. In addition, only the non-survivors had severe rhinitis. Ponies were significantly less likely to survive than cob types.
Carson K, Wood-Gush DG.Thoroughbred foals were found to nurse in bouts of nursing activity delimited by intervals of non-nursing activity lasting 27 secs or longer. Nursing activity included nosing, sucking and interval behaviour. During the first week after birth, foals nursed, on average, seven times an hour with a mean bout duration of 147 secs but were not successful at sucking during all nursing bouts. Time spent nursing decreased as the foals grew older until before weaning, at 24 weeks of age, the foals were nursing once an hour with a mean bout duration of 74 secs. The dams hindered their foals' nursing acti...
Slusher SH, Freeman KP, Roszel JF.In a review of specimens from 80 mares with concurrently collected endometrial biopsy and cytology preparations, eosinophils were found in 33 specimens from 27 mares. In 22 of 27 mares, there were conditions predisposing to pneumovagina, which presumably led to pneumouterus. Thirty-two of the 80 mares also had conditions predisposing to pneumovagina but no eosinophils in the uterine specimens. Experimental introduction of air into the uterus of 3 mares resulted in eosinophils in their uterine specimens.
Schwarzwald C.Heart murmurs and arrhythmias are common in horses. Assessment of their clinical relevance concerning health, performance, safety and longevity of sports horses is of highest importance. A comprehensive cardiovascular examination is crucial for diagnosis and assessment of the severity of disease. Recently, an expert panel of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) and the European College of Equine Internal Medicine (ECEIM) developed a consensus statement containing recommendations for sports horses with heart disease. This article summarizes the most relevant recommendati...
Allen D, Swayne D, Belknap JK.The clinical signs, medical and surgical management, and pathological findings are described for a ganglioneuroma, an atypical intestinal tumor, that caused colic because of small intestinal obturation.
Carney NJ, Squires EL, Cook VM, Seidel GE, Jasko DJ.Donor mares of mixed, light-horse breeds, maintained at Colorado State University, provided 104 embryos for immediate transfer (fresh embryos). One hundred and thirty-six additional embryos were collected on various breeding farms in the United States and were shipped to Colorado State University via commercial airlines (cooled embryos). Embryos were harvested 7 d after ovulation, graded, and either transferred into a mare immediately (<1 h) or placed in Ham's F-10 medium plus 10% fetal calf serum in an atmosphere of 5% CO2, 5% O2, 90% N2 and packaged in a passive cooling unit (Equitai...
Cohen ND, Loy JK, Lay JC, Craig TM, McMullan WC.A 3-year-old Quarter Horse gelding admitted for evaluation of weight loss, signs of depression, and dermatitis of the coronary bands was found to have eosinophilic gastroenteritis. Intralesional nematodes identified as Strongylus edentatus were seen in multiple microscopic sections of the small colon, suggesting a parasitic cause of the disease.
Kerr DD, Jones EW, Holbert D, Huggins K.A 3-way Latin square design was used to compare the sedative and preanesthetic effects of xylazine given intravenously (i.v.) (1.1 mg./kg.) and given intramuscularly (i.m.) (2.2 mg./kg.) and acetylpromazine maleate (0.66 mg./kg.) given i.v. in the horse. Physiologic responses were recorded and clinical observations were made. Intravenous administration of xylazine and atropine sulphate (0.011 mg./kg.) appeared to have superior sedative properties, without having adverse effects on cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Both the i.v. and the i.m. administrations of xylazine prior to induction ...
Cascardo B, Bernardes C, de Souza GN, Silva KM, Pires NR, de Alencar NX, Lessa DAB.Lower airway cytology has been proposed as a complementary diagnostic method to confirm the presence and quantifying the severity of exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH). Bronchoalveolar lavage is usually preferred over tracheal wash (TW), yet the need for sedation imposes as a limitation for active sport horses in addition to be a highly invasive technique. This study aims to evaluate the diagnostic value of TW with Total Hemosiderin Score (THS) for monitoring EIPH in active Thoroughbred racehorses. A sampling of 47 randomly selected Thoroughbreds were endoscopically examined for EIPH...
Farquhar VJ, McCue PM, Carnevale EM, Nett TM, Squires EL.Following induction of ovulation with deslorelin acetate (Ovuplant), gonadotrophin concentrations are reduced in the subsequent cycle, leading to increased interovulatory intervals in some mares. This study determined whether implant removal after 2 days prevented the decrease in gonadotrophin concentrations and follicular growth during the ensuing cycle. Twenty-four mares were randomised equally into 3 groups. Group 1 ovulated spontaneously, Groups 2 and 3 received the deslorelin implant to induce ovulation. Two days after treatment, the implant was removed from Group 3. On Day 10 postovulati...
Lattimer J, Roberts H, Barnard M, Paterson A, Bell I, Hepple R, Holland S, George A.In early 2019, four stallions in the south of England tested positive for equine viral arteritis following routine prebreeding screening. Here, a team from Defra and the APHA describe the epidemiological investigation that was carried out to determine the origin of infection and the potential for its transmission across the country.
Goff LM, Jeffcott LB, Jasiewicz J, McGowan CM.Pain originating from the sacroiliac joint (SIJ) in horses has long been associated with poor performance, yet specific diagnosis of sacroiliac dysfunction (SID) has been difficult to achieve. Clinical presentation of SID appears to fall into two categories. The first, presenting as pain and poor performance, is responsive to local analgesia of periarticular structures with poorly defined pathology. The second presents primarily as poor performance with bony pathological changes as a result of chronic instability. Diagnostic tests based on biomechanics as well as manual provocation for SIJ pai...
McD○ LA, Stover SM, Taylor KT.To determine the monotonic mechanical properties of osteotomized adult equine tibiae stabilized with two dynamic compression plates (DCP) and to compare the mechanical properties with those of intact tibiae and in vivo loads. Methods: The compressive, bending, and torsional mechanical properties of plated and intact tibiae were assessed in vitro. Methods: Twelve pairs of adult equine tibiae. Methods: Tibiae were loaded in axial compression, craniocaudal 3-point bending, or torsion in external rotation in a single cycle to failure. Mechanical properties were determined from load-displacement da...
Caprile KA, Short CR.Rational drug therapy in the foal requires a sound knowledge of the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of various drugs as well as a thorough understanding of the physiologic differences that exist between the neonate and the adult and that may serve to alter drug disposition and, therefore, drug response. A summary of these physiologic factors with emphasis on the foal is presented and is followed by recommendations regarding the applied therapeutics of various antimicrobial agents.
Rothers KL, Hackett ES, Mason GL, Nelson BB.A 17-year-old Quarter Horse mare was evaluated for colic of 24-hour duration. Clinical signs and diagnostic evaluation were consistent with duodenitis-proximal jejunitis. The horse's clinical condition deteriorated despite medical treatment and was euthanized. Aerobic culture collected from small intestinal ingesta was positive for subsp. serovar Hadar. sp. is commonly implicated in nosocomial infections in equine veterinary hospitals usually through feces containing the organism. Considering sp. was cultured from the jejunal luminal contents and the large volume of nasogastric reflux that...
Perryman LE, McGuire TC, Hilbert BJ.Selective immunoglobulin M deficiency was diagnosed in 5 foals, on the basis of reduced serum immunoglobulin M concentrations (more than 2 standard deviations below the normal mean). All 5 foals had clinical signs or lesions involving the respiratory tract. Lkebsiella sp was isolated from joint fluids, bronchial lymph nodes, or tracheal washings from the 3 foals in which such samples were available for microbiologic evaluation.
Krüger MU, Wünschmann A, Ward C, Stauthammer CD.Pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum, rudimentary tricuspid valve, hypoplastic right ventricle, and right-to-left atrial shunting were identified in a four-day-old, male Arabian foal with clinical signs of cyanotic heart disease. Pulmonary blood flow was apparently derived from a ductus arteriosus. Echocardiographic evaluation revealed the majority of cardiac abnormalities and also findings compatible with right-sided congestive heart failure. Congenital cardiac defects have a high incidence in this breed, and this is the first description of this combination of congenital cardiac ...
Hutchens DE, Paul AJ, DiPietro JA.Routine anthelmintic treatments are one of the most important components of an equine wellness program used by horse owners and veterinarians today. Thirteen different compounds are available in the United States in the treatment of gastrointestinal parasites, most of which are available over the counter. As a result, there is a decreased reliance on the veterinarian to perform routine tube dewormings. Therefore, the future of the veterinarian's role in the management of gastrointestinal parasites is likely to be in the consultation and design of parasite control programs. With this in mind, t...
Sanchez S, Studer M, Currin P, Barlett P, Bounous D.Listeria monocytogenes is ubiquitous in the environment but is rarely reported as a cause of keratitis in animals. In this case, a mare was presented with epiphora and evidence of pain in the right eye. Listeria monocytogenes was isolated from a corneal lesion, and bacteria were also seen in the cytologic evaluation. This is the first reported case of ulcerative keratitis associated with L. monocytogenes in a horse.
Richards AJ, Kelly DF, Knottenbelt DC, Cheeseman MT, Dixon JB.This report summarises clinical and pathological observations on Fell pony foals with a range of signs that included ill thrift, anaemia, respiratory infection, glossal hyperkeratosis and diarrhoea. Some of the foals had normochromic, normocytic anaemia and some had low levels of plasma proteins, including immunoglobulin G. Antibiotic and supportive treatment was ineffective and all affected foals died or were killed on humane grounds. Postmortem examination of 12 foals and tissues from 2 other foals revealed a range of lesions that included glossal hyperkeratosis, typhlocolitis, intestinal cr...