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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.
Human nutritional supplements in the horse. Dehydroepiandrosterone versus androstenedione: comparative effects on the androgen profile and consequences for doping analysis. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and androstenedione are weak androgens, which need conversion to more potent testosterone in order to enhance anabolic action. Consequences of oral dosing at 1 mg/kg on the urinary and plasma androgen profile of mare and gelding have been evaluated with an analytical method involving conjugate fractionation and selective hydrolysis, group separation, and quantitation by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry with selected ion monitoring of trimethylsilyl ethers. Peak levels of testosterone total conjugates in urine (range 300-6000 microg/L) were attained a few hours...
The equine larynx. Abstract Extract A series of landmark studies on the function of the equine larynx was conducted by a group of researchers at Massey University between 1970 and 1987. These studies commenced with investigations on the normal laryngeal anatomy and physiology (Goulden et al 1976a; Anderson et al 1980; Quinlan et al 1982), and progressed to a clinical appraisal of laryngeal hemiplegia, the most important clinical disease affecting the horse's larynx (Goulden and Anderson 198 lab, 1982). The studies concluded with a series of in-depth cytological and pathological studies of the intrinsic laryngeal...
Nematodes and liver fluke in New Zealand. Abstract A general review of the epidemiology, significance and control of nematode parasitism of sheep, goats, cattle and deer in New Zealand, the emergence of anthelmintic resistance and its effects, and the search for parasite control strategies that reduce reliance on anthelmintic use, is provided. The research that has formed the basis for present levels of understanding of this complex and important topic is summarised and sources of further information are indicated. Aspects of nematode infections of horses, pigs, dogs and cats, and the history of the liver fluke, Fasciola hepatica, in ...
Fractures–a preventable hazard of racing thoroughbreds. This research article investigates the occurrence and causes of fractures in Thoroughbred racehorses, particularly those linked to stress fractures. The study further explores factors such as microdamage, remodelling and training […]
Computerized detection of supporting forelimb lameness in the horse using an artificial neural network. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether artificial neural networks could be used to determine equine lameness by computational means only. The integral parts of our approach were the combination of automated signal tracking of horses on a treadmill and the computational power of artificial neural networks (ANN). The motion of 175 horses trotting on a treadmill was recorded using the SELSPOT II system for motion analysis. Two cameras traced infrared (IR) markers on the head and on the left forehoof. The motion of the head was Fourier-transformed and further processed by a multilaye...
The equine frozen semen industry. Recent acceptance of frozen semen as a method to produce registered foals by two of the worlds largest breed associations, the American Quarter Horse and American Paint Horse, has stimulated new interest in frozen semen technology. This review will: (a) attempt to identify the major impediments to the development of the frozen semen industry, (b) suggest alternative methods for marketing and application of frozen semen, and (c) present the results of a recent study in our laboratory. The objective of which was to compare pregnancy rates of insemination with cooled and frozen semen. Major imped...
Equine sperm-oocyte interaction: the role of sperm surface hyaluronidase. The plasma membrane over the sperm head of several mammalian species has been shown to express a glycerolphosphatidylinositol-linked hyaluronidase known as PH-20. This protein has been associated with the sperm's interaction with the oocyte cumulus matrix and zona pellucida. The characteristics of PH-20 in equine sperm have not been clearly defined. In this study, ejaculated gel-free semen from five stallions and epididymal sperm from isolated epididymis from 10 stallions was used to characterize the PH-20 activity in equine sperm. Affinity purified anti-equine PH-20 polyclonal antibody was us...
Feeding practices associated with colic in horses. To determine whether specific feeding practices were associated with development of colic in horses. Methods: Prospective matched case-control study. Methods: 364 horses examined by veterinarians in private practice in Texas because of colic (cases; n = 182) or any other reason (controls; 182). Methods: Participating veterinarians were sent forms at the beginning of the study to collect information on signalment, feeding management practices, farm management practices, and preventive medical treatments. Case and control horses were compared by use of conditional logistic regression to identify...
Forelimb tendon loading during jump landings and the influence of fence height. Lameness in athletic horses is often caused by forelimb tendon injuries, especially in the interosseus tendon (TI) and superficial digital flexor tendon (SDF), but also in the accessory ligament (AL) of the deep digital flexor tendon (DDF). In an attempt to explain the aetiology of these injuries, the present study investigated the loading of the tendons during landing after a jump. In jumping horses, the highest forces can be expected in the trailing limb during landing. Therefore, landing kinematics and ground reaction forces of the trailing forelimb were measured from 6 horses jumping singl...
Listeria keratitis in a horse. 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.
Three-dimensional kinematics of the proximal interphalangeal joint: effects of raising the heels or the toe. The proximal interphalangeal joint (PIPJ) has always been considered as a low-motion joint with an almost constant angle during loading of the limb. Until very recently, its motion was not taken into account in kinematic studies in vivo. Recent in vivo studies yielded surprisingly high ranges of motion in this joint. The aim of this study was to measure, in terms of the 3 possible rotations (flexion/extension, collateromotion and axial rotation), the movements of the PIPJ in vitro during limb loading in a neutral position (500-6000 N) and after the addition of heel and toe wedges (6 degrees an...
In vivo and in vitro heel expansion in relation to shoeing and frog pressure. The objective of this study was to validate a simple method to measure the mediolateral expansion of the heels and to apply this method in an in vivo experiment. It was also the aim to quantify the mediolateral expansion in different areas of the heel using an in vitro model. In the in vitro study, 5 right and 5 left distal forelimb specimens from 5 Standardbreds were mounted vertically in a custom-made compressive test machine. The heel expansion was measured using optical kinematic analysis and a potentiometer system. Specimens were tested unshod, with frog pressure and with the weightbearin...
Normal three-dimensional behaviour of the metacarpophalangeal joint and the effect of uneven foot bearing. 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 ...
Locomotion evaluation for racing in thoroughbreds. The potential racing and locomotory profile of a Thoroughbred yearling should be taken into account for its training programme and racing career. A gait test has been designed to assist the trainer in this task. The aim of this study was to investigate the temporal and kinetic locomotory variables of Thoroughbreds at the gallop, in relationship to their racing ability. Thirty Thoroughbred horses in race training were tested at maximal speed during a training session. The training exercise consisted of a warming-up session at trot and canter for 10 min followed by a gallop session at increasing...
Determination of hoof mass and centre of mass from morphological measurements. Determination of net joint moments and powers requires accurate measurements of mass and centre of mass (COM) for the limb segments. The objective of this research was to develop regression equations for calculating mass and COM of the hoof segment that are applicable over a wide range of hoof morphologies. Ninety-one hooves (mean +/- s.d. 0.99 +/- 0.50 kg) were weighed and the 3-dimensional COM determined using a mass balance technique. Ten morphological variables were measured and used as independent variables in linear regressions with dependent variables of mass and centre of mass. The reg...
Finite element analysis (FEA) as a model to predict effects of farriery on the equine hoof. A finite element (FE) hoof capsule was built as a small, symmetrical forelimb hoof on IDEAS* as a model for calculation and visualisation of stress and displacement of the equine hoof capsule. The model's loading was performed according to the suspension of the coffin bone within the hoof wall (pulling force) and over the sole and frog (compressing force) with a total of 3000 N. Restraints of the model's ground nodes and surface wall nodes were defined for simulation of 4 shoeing situations: a regular horseshoe, a horseshoe with a toe clip, a horseshoe with regular side clips and a horseshoe w...
Modification of a force plate system for equine gait analysis on hard road surfaces: a technical note. Studies on horseshoe materials have been limited to the analysis of kinematic data to determine slip times and distances, since equine force plate analysis is traditionally undertaken on a rubber-surfaced force plate. The purpose of this study was to modify a force plate for measuring ground reaction forces on a road surface and report preliminary data from the system. A steel-reinforced concrete top plate of 18 mm thickness and mass 23 kg, and a 12 mm thick top plate of 6 mm bituminous macadam wear coat (road surface) contained in a tray constructed of 2 mm thick steel, mass 21 kg, were const...
Components of variation of surface hoof strain with time. The relative contribution of a number of random and fixed variables to variation in surface strain magnitudes on the hoof capsule was assessed for healthy feet under normal conditions. Principal strains were recorded in vivo from 5 rosette gauges glued around the circumference of the right forefeet of 4 horses on 4 occasions over a 9 month period. Recordings were made at every other trimming and reshoeing. During each session, gauges were positioned with a template for repeatability. Strains were recorded at the trot and canter (at consistent speeds), for straight motion and turns, and before ...
Effects of heel and toe elevation upon the digital joint angles in the standing horse. Five sound mature horses, age 8-14 years, with toe angles 45.5-55.0 degrees were placed on a specially designed platform with only the left forelimb weightbearing, which allowed the successive production of 7 different conditions of foot orientation: neutral position (N), 5, 10, 15 degrees heel (H5, H10, H15) and toe (T5, T10, T15) elevation, performed according to 2 different sequences. For each condition, 2 lateromedial radiographs were taken to evaluate the metacarpophalangeal joint (MPJ) and both interphalangeal joint (PIPJ and DIPJ) angles, respectively. In addition, two-dimensional (2-D)...
The effect of shoe material on the kinetics and kinematics of foot slip at impact on concrete. Previous studies on shoeing have demonstrated that shoe material alters the time taken from foot impact to the foot stopping sliding (slip time) and the distance slid. These are assumed to reflect differences in the craniocaudal ground reaction force (GRF) between the shoe and the ground during foot slip. This study tested the hypothesis that the slip time and distance are reflected in the resistance to slippage of the foot after impact. The forefeet of 8 horses were shod in horseshoes constructed of steel, plastic and rubber. Each horse was trotted for 8 placements per forefoot in each shoe t...
Wedge-shaped conformation of the dorsolateral aspect of the third tarsal bone in the Thoroughbred racehorse is associated with development of slab fractures in this site. Anecdotal evidence suggested that many cases of third tarsal bone (T3) fracture encountered clinically were associated with an abnormal shape to this bone. The radiographs of 10 normal horses and 10 horses affected with slab fracture of T3 were therefore examined to ascertain if any pre-existent radiological abnormality was present in cases of fracture. Measurement of the maximum and minimum width between the proximal and distal articular surfaces of the dorsolateral aspect of this bone was carried out on a standardised dorso-50 degrees medial-palmarolateral radiographic projection of the tars...
Effect of romifidine on gastrointestinal motility, assessed by transrectal ultrasonography. A technique of transrectal ultrasonography was developed to investigate the effects of romifidine 80 and 120 microg/kg bwt on intestinal motility in the horse. Motility of the small intestine, caecum and left ventral colon were assessed following injection of romifidine and a saline control, using a blinded, cross-over study design in 6 horses. Measurements were taken at 15, 30, 60, 120, 180 and 240 min after drug administration. There was a slight nonsignificant decrease in motility in the control group over the 4 h study period. Both doses of romifidine produced a marked decrease in gastroin...
Measurement of serum amyloid A in the neonatal foal using a latex agglutination immunoturbidimetric assay: determination of the normal range, variation with age and response to disease. This paper describes the use of a latex agglutination assay to measure serum amyloid A (SAA) in the neonatal foal. The normal range and response to clinical disease was determined. This retrospective study evaluated SAA concentrations over the first 3 days postpartum of 226 Thoroughbred foals judged to be clinically healthy. The normal range for each day was determined; levels were found to be significantly highest on Day 2 (Day 1 vs. Day 2 P<0.0001). The 95th percentile for Days 1-3 was 27.1 mg/l. Clinical records of 133 foals, presented as first or second opinion cases, were evaluated. Fo...
Extravascular lung water in the exercising horse. Seven Standardbred horses were exercised on a treadmill at speeds (approximately 12 m/s) producing maximal heart rate, hypoxemia, and a mean pulmonary arterial pressure of approximately 75 mmHg. Extravascular lung water was measured by using transients in temperature and electrical impedance of the blood caused by a bolus injection of cold saline solution. Lung water was approximately 3 ml/kg body wt when standing but did not increase significantly with exertion. We conclude that any increase in fluid extravasation from the pulmonary hypertension accumulates in the lung at a level that is less...
Diagnosis of equine piroplasmosis in Brazil by serodiagnostic methods with recombinant antigens. Serum samples from horses in the States of Sao Paulo and Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil were examined for diagnosis of equine piroplasmosis by both the latex agglutination test (LAT) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with recombinant antigens. Of the 47 samples analyzed, 38 (81%) and 42 (90%) samples were positive for B. equi infection and B. caballi infection, respectively. In addition, 35 (75%) samples were positive for both B. equi and B. caballi infections. These results indicate that equine piroplasmosis is widespread and therefore a cause for serious concern in the States of Sao ...
Case reports. Six cases of infection due to Trichophyton verrucosum. Dermatophyte infections due to Trichopkyton verrucosum are not frequent in Europe. Six cases observed in Italy in the period 1995-99 are reported. Two were cases of tinea barbae, two of tinea corporis and two of tinea capitis, one of which had been preceded by tinea faciei. In three cases the source of contagion was horses, in two it was cattle and in one case it was another person. The two cases of tinea barbae were initially interpreted and treated as bacterial infections, a diagnostic error reported with increasing frequency in the literature regarding dermatophytosis due to T. verrucosum.
