Omneity® Pellets
All-In-One Vitamin & Mineral Pellet
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.
Radiographic measures of bone shape in young thoroughbreds during training for racing. The aim of this study was to determine if changes in the shape of the third metacarpal bone (MC3) during the first preparation for racing in young Thoroughbred racehorses could be measured radiographically. Lateral radiographs of each MC3 were taken when the horses commenced training, every 2 weeks for 10 weeks, and again at 6 months after the start of training. The width of the dorsal cortex (DC), palmar cortex (PC), and medulla (M) were measured at a position 2.5 cm distal to the nutrient foramen before the subject of each radiograph was identified. The following ratios were calculated: z = ...
Effects of caffeine and promazine hydrochloride on plasma catecholamines in thoroughbreds at rest and during treadmill exercise. Our aim was to investigate plasma catecholamine responses to so-called 'doping' drugs and exercise in Thoroughbreds. Plasma adrenaline (Ad) and noradrenaline (NA) were determined after the administration of caffeine and promazine hydrochloride (PRZ) using a high performance liquid chromatographic method. Caffeine or PRZ was administered i.m. to Thoroughbreds and its effects on plasma catecholamines at rest and during exercise were compared with the saline control. The treadmill exercise was performed 1 h after administration. A dose of 5.0 mg/kg bwt caffeine was found to significantly increase...
Application of V200 values for evaluation of training effects in the young thoroughbred under field conditions. The purpose of this investigation was to study, under field conditions, the usefulness of an incremental exercise test to measure V200 (running velocity [V] at heart rate HR[ of 200 beats/min) for evaluation of training effects in the young Thoroughbred. Five to 112 two-year-old Thoroughbreds were used over 4 years to investigate the correlation between HR and V, the influence of the track and rider's weight to V200, reproducibility of V200 and the changes of V200 as training progresses. The high correlation coefficient between HR and V, and V200 were obtained in horses that exercised smoothly...
The effects of an endurance ride on metabolism and neutrophil function. The effects of an endurance ride on neutrophil functions in endurance-trained horses were evaluated and related to metabolic changes and changes in cortisol concentrations. Blood samples were taken from 7 horses (aged 9-15 years) one day before, and then 30-60 min, 1 day and 8 days after the ride. The race resulted in elevated serum cortisol levels (< 465 nmol/l) and an increased neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio. Immediately post race, the neutrophil ability to engulf yeast was increased. One day after the race, a decrease in leukotriene B4 production (approximately 40%) and in the respiratory b...
The kinematics of loading and fatigue in the standardbred trotter. The Standardbred trotter must pull a considerable load when racing and, consequently, draught loading is a common method of training in the Standardbred and the effects of loading and fatigue due to loading on the locomotor pattern was the purpose of this investigation. Four mature healthy Standardbred horses trotted with and without a horizontal-pulling loading of 34 kg until the horses were no longer willing to keep pace with the treadmill despite encouragement. Heart rate was monitored every min using a bipolar electrocardiogram. The kinematics for 5 consecutive strides were filmed. Horses ...
Repeated administration of frusemide does not offer an advantage over single dosing in attenuating exercise-induced pulmonary hypertension in thoroughbred horses. The objective of the present study was to ascertain whether administration of a second dose of frusemide would attenuate exercise-induced pulmonary hypertension more than a single dose. Right atrial, right ventricular and pulmonary vascular pressures were determined in 7 healthy, sound, exercise-trained Thoroughbred horses at rest and during exercise (14.2 m/s + a 3.5% uphill grade) performed at maximal heart rate (217 +/- 3 beats/min [mean +/- s.e.]). Horses were studied during the following 3 treatments in random order 7 days apart: control (no medication), frusemide single dose (250 mg i.v....
Effect of diet on thoroughbred horses with recurrent exertional rhabdomyolysis performing a standardised exercise test. Previous studies have associated recurrent exertional rhabdomyolysis (RER) with a diet high in soluble carbohydrate (CHO). The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of 3 diets on clinical and metabolic parameters in 5 Thoroughbred horses with RER and 3 healthy Thoroughbreds performing a standardised exercise test (SET). Two diets were formulated to meet energy requirements for the amount of exercise being performed in the form of CHO or fat (21.4 Mcal DE/day). The third diet was formulated to provide 135% of the DE of the other 2 diets in the form of an excessive amount of carboh...
The recovery of horses from inhalant anesthesia: a comparison of halothane and isoflurane. Recovery is one of the more precarious phases of equine general anesthesia. The quality and rate of recovery of horses from halothane and isoflurane anesthesia were compared to determine differences in the characteristics of emergence from these commonly used inhalant anesthetics. Methods: Prospective, randomized blinded clinical trial. Methods: A total of 96 Thoroughbred and 3 Standardbred racehorses admitted for elective distal forelimb arthroscopy. Methods: All horses were premedicated with intravenous xylazine, induced with guaifenesin and ketamine, and maintained on a large animal circle ...
An in vitro biomechanical investigation of an equine interlocking nail. To determine the mechanical properties of Equine Interlocking Nail (EIN; JD Wheat Veterinary Orthopedic Research Laboratory, University of California, Davis) stabilized osteotomized tibiae and compare these variables with estimated in vivo loads. Methods: In vitro biomechanical investigation. Methods: Twelve adult equine cadaveric tibiae. Methods: EIN-stabilized tibiae were tested monotonically under compression, 3- and 4-point bending, and torsion. Mechanical properties were compared with estimated in vivo loads. Results: EIN-tibial composite mean compressive yield load (11 kN) and bending mo...
Sonographic observations of the peripheral vasculature of the equine thoracic limb. Investigations of the equine peripheral vascular system have been constrained by the lack of a non-invasive method of examining the arteries and veins of the limbs of the conscious horse. Precise correlations were established between the gross anatomical features of the peripheral vessels and their B-mode sonographic appearance in each thoracic limb of 35 horses. A sonographic imaging protocol was established. Additional Doppler sonographic recordings defined the arterial waveforms and demonstrated that blood flow to the foot could be evaluated in the lateral proper digital artery, distal to t...
Zymographic analysis of equine laminitis. To investigate the role of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity in the pathophysiology of equine laminitis, the techniques of in situ zymography and quantitative SDS-PAGE zymography were used to analyse the lamellae and plasma and serum of horses with carbohydrate overload-induced laminitis. The gelatinase activity localised within the epidermal lamellae of laminitic hooves did not differ significantly from normal hooves. In laminitis sections there was an increase in vascular gelatinase activity, possibly associated with the perivascular cuffing of polymorphonucleocytes. Both plasma and se...
Development of a PCR test for rapid diagnosis of contagious equine metritis. In order to establish a rapid diagnostic method for contagious equine metritis (CEM), we developed and evaluated a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. Species-specific PCR primer sets were derived from the DNA sequence of a cloned DNA fragment of Taylorella equigenitalis that did not hybridize with the genome of a taxomonically related species, Oligella urethralis. Single step PCR with primer set P1-N2 and two-step semi-nested PCR with primer sets P1-N2 and P2-N2 detected as low as 100 and 10 CFU of the bacteria, respectively. Single-step PCR detected T. equigenitalis from genital swabs of e...
Spinal cord compression secondary to hemangiosarcoma in a saddlebred stallion. Hemangiosarcoma in the spinal canal was diagnosed in a 25-year-old stallion showing progressive and symmetrical 4-limb ataxia, proprioceptive deficits, and weakness. On necropsy, an extradural mass consisting of spindle-shaped cells and numerous free erythrocytes was found at the level of C7-T1. Immunohistochemical staining confirmed a neoplasm of endothelial origin.
Veterinary vaccinology. Veterinary vaccinology is a very interesting and rapidly developing field. In fact veterinary vaccines are not only used for the prevention of infectious diseases in the animal health sector, but also help to solve problems of public health, to reduce detrimental environmental impact of the use of some veterinary drugs and prevent the emergence of resistance of micro-organisms or parasites. After a short introduction, this paper will deal with the use of vaccines for animal health and welfare, including new developments in the veterinary field such as marker vaccines and vectored vaccines, the...
Small intestinal adenomatous polyposis resulting in protein-losing enteropathy in a horse. A 4-year-old Quarter Horse gelding was presented with a history of weight loss of 6 months duration, along with extensive ventral subcutaneous edema. Clinicopathologic findings included a markedly low serum total protein (2.9 g/dl) and a low packed cell volume (24%). The mucosal surface of the distal jejunum and entire ileum were carpeted with numerous polypoid, papillary, and glandular masses comprised of pseudostratified tall columnar cells and large numbers of interspersed goblet cells. Neoplastic change was diffuse throughout the mucosa of each mass, but abrupt demarcation occurred between...
Equine sarcoid tumour treated by autogenous tumour vaccine. Twenty-one horses with sarcoid tumours were treated by bio-immunotherapy using autogenous vaccines during 1991-1997. At operation the base of the tumour was left in the skin and autovaccines were made from extirpated tumour tissue by polymerization. The horses thus formed their own internal control group. One of 12 horses having a primary tumour, and four of 9 horses suffering recurrent tumours, prior to bio-immunotherapy, developed single recurrences. Four of these five horses suffering recurrence were treated anew, leading to remission. Disease-free intervals were longer for primary (P = 0.0...
Diagnostic ophthalmology. Corneal ulcer with severe secondary anterior uveitis in a pony. The study reports on the diagnosis and treatment of a severe case of corneal ulceration and anterior uveitis in a 1-year-old Norwegian fjord pony, which did not respond to initial […]
Equine eosinophilic enterocolitis. A 4-year-old Morgan stallion was presented with a 9-week history of diarrhea. Biopsy of nodules in the rectal mucosa yielded a diagnosis of eosinophilic enterocolitis. Treatment with steroids was instituted and the feces firmed within 2 days. Continued treatment with oral prednisone kept the feces at a normal consistency for 4 months.
[Validation of an indirect immunoenzyme assay for the detection of antibodies against Trypanosoma evansi in horses in Argentina]. An indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect antibodies against Trypanosoma evansi was evaluated using 90 different sera, obtained from naturally-infected horses. As negative controls, 218 sera from the T. evansi-free zone of Argentina, and 90 uninfected sera from the enzootic zone were used. The results of the ELISA were expressed in terms of percent positivity (PP) when compared with a positive primary reference serum, obtained from a horse experimentally-infected with T. evansi. The inter-assay coefficient of variation (CV), expressed as PP, was 44.7% for the negative con...
Gangrene in the distal extremity of all 4 limbs of a 2-week-old foal. Wet gangrene developed in all 4 limbs following repair of a rupture in the lower urinary tract in a 2-week-old foal. Dehydration and hypoxemia are suspected as the inciting causes of the necrosis.
Effect of long-term administration of an injectable enrofloxacin solution on physical and musculoskeletal variables in adult horses. To evaluate clinical safety of administration of injectable enrofloxacin. Methods: Randomized controlled clinical trial. Methods: 24 adult horses. Methods: Healthy horses were randomly allocated into 4 equal groups that received placebo injections (control) or IV administration of enrofloxacin (5 mg/kg [2.3 mg/lb], 15 mg/kg [6.8 mg/lb], or 25 mg/kg [11.4 mg/lb] of body weight, q 24 h) for 21 days. Joint angles, cross-sectional area of superficial and deep digital flexor and calcaneal tendons, carpal or tarsal osteophytes or lucency, and midcarpal and tarsocrural articular cartilage lesions wer...
Treatment of granular cell tumor via complete right lung resection in a horse. A 7-year-old warmblood mare was referred because of a respiratory tract disorder; pulmonary granular cell tumor was diagnosed. Pulmonary granular cell tumor is a locally invasive but rare type of tumor with low metastatic potential. The entire right lung was resected to ensure removal of all neoplastic tissue. The horse recovered well and has minimal difficulties functioning with one lung. Most of these tumors are diagnosed during postmortem examination. To our knowledge, this is the first report of pulmonary granular cell tumor treated by complete lung resection in a horse.
Epidemiologic analysis of factors influencing exertional rhabdomyolysis in Thoroughbreds. To determine incidence, effect on performance, and management practices associated with exertional rhabdomyolysis (ER) in Thoroughbreds. Methods: Medical records for 984 Thoroughbreds and a survey of trainers of horses with and without ER. Methods: Medical records for 984 Thoroughbreds stabled at a midwestern racetrack were examined to determine the incidence of ER during the 1995 racing season. A retrospective questionnaire was administered to trainers to determine management practices associated with ER in 59 Thoroughbreds with ER and 47 control Thoroughbreds in training. Multiple logistic r...
Human granulocytic ehrlichiosis agent infection in a pony vaccinated with a Borrelia burgdorferi recombinant OspA vaccine and challenged by exposure to naturally infected ticks. A pony was vaccinated with recombinant OspA vaccine (rOspA) and then exposed 3 months later to Borrelia burgdorferi-infected ticks (Ixodes scapularis) collected in Westchester County, N.Y. At 2 weeks after tick exposure, the pony developed a high fever (105 degrees F). Buffy coat smears showed that 20% of neutrophils contained ehrlichial inclusion bodies (morulae). Flunixin Meglumine (1 g daily) was given for 2 days, and the body temperature returned to normal. PCR for ehrlichial DNA was performed on blood samples for 10 consecutive days beginning when the pony was first febrile. This pony was...
Gastrointestinal and endocrine function during ‘foal heat diarrhoea’ in healthy foals. Gastrointestinal function was assessed in normal foals before, during and after the onset of 'foal heat diarrhoea' by haematological, biochemical, microbiological and parasitological methods, and by a combined lactose tolerance-breath hydrogen excretion test. Warmblood mares (n=11) and their foals were used. The foals were assessed according to a standard protocol after birth and at regular intervals thereafter. All except one of the foals suffered from diarrhoea that started between day 8 and day 12 after birth, which lasted for 1-4 days. Rotavirus was detected in the faeces of five foals, bu...
