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.
Martin BB, Beech J, Parente EJ.To evaluate results of cytologic examination of specimens obtained by means of tracheal washes (TW) in 42 horses with a history of poor performance. Methods: Cross-sectional case series. Methods: 42 horses with a history of poor performance. Methods: A TW was performed via endoscopy before and after horses exercised on a high-speed treadmill, and specimens were evaluated microscopically and graded. Results: Ten (24%) horses were considered to be clinically normal before and after exercise. Pulmonary hemorrhage was diagnosed in 8 (19%) horses. One horse had evidence of exercise-induced pulmonar...
Johnson PJ, Mrad DR, Schwartz AJ, Kellam L.Outcome and complications associated with administration of moxidectin gel to 3 foals < 4 months old are described. Two foals became comatose but survived following supportive treatment. One foal died following loss of consciousness associated with moxidectin administration. Risk of moxidectin overdose exists, because horse owners often fail to read or comprehend the package insert instructions pertaining to use of the syringe-locking mechanism. In addition, moxidectin should not be administered to foals < 4 months old, because it is likely that treated foals will become comatose.
Koenig J, Hurtig M, Pearce S, Henderson J, Morris T.Prolonged postoperative recuperation time and restricted exercise were circumvented by using ballistic shock wave lithotripsy to break up an 8-cm diameter vesical calculus and by flushing out the sand-like residue under epidural anesthesia with the horse standing. Recovery was uneventful.
Brandstetter J, Stanek C, Hinterhofer C.The use of handmade particulate reinforced alloy horseshoes (MMC metal matrix composites) was tested in a field study on 15 riding and draught horses. All horseshoes have been tempered after having been manually forged and tested concerning their surface imperfection. Forging temperature ranged between 350 degrees and 420 degrees C. Horseshoes in series A consisted of particulate reinforced wrought alloy (22% Al2O3 in alloy matrix). 11 shoeing periods with a duration of mean = 49.7 days (sd = 13.6) were evaluated. Horseshoes in series B consisted of particulate reinforced foundry alloy (20% Si...
Klug E, Sieme H.The equine virus arteritis (EVA) consistently epidemically varying throughout the different breeds of the horse breeding countries is up to now only of lower significance by means of the typical clinical manifestation as well as an abortion causing factor. The susceptibility of the sexual mature stallions against the equine arteritis virus (EAV) causes different infection response which may lead to some restrictions in their use in natural breeding especially in the artificial insemination. In a certain not precisely predictable part of the stallion population EAV infection will cause a transi...
More SJ.To develop a profile of the racing careers of Thoroughbred horses in south-eastern Queensland, and to examine factors that affect racing during the first years of racing. Methods: A longitudinal study using the racing records of a defined cohort of Thoroughbred horses that were born on or within 12 months following 1 August 1991. Data collection commenced in 1996 and will continue until all horses cease racing. In this paper two measures of performance were examined: race earnings during the first year of racing and cumulative proportion of horses still racing up to 2 years after their first s...
Cruz AM, Barber SM, Kaestner SB, Townsend HG.Anomalies of the urethra are uncommon. Urethrorectal fistula in horses has only been reported in foals and only in conjunction with other congenital anomalies. This report describes the diagnosis, surgical management, and possible etiologies of a unique case of urethrorectal fistula in a mature gelding.
Haussler KK, Stover SM, Willits NH.To describe the prevalence, characteristics, and severity of soft-tissue and osseous lesions in the caudal portion of the thoracic and lumbosacral vertebral column and pelvis in Thoroughbred racehorses. Methods: 36 Thoroughbred racehorses that died or were euthanatized at California racetracks between October 1993 and July 1994. Methods: Lumbosacral and pelvic specimens were collected and visually examined for soft-tissue and osseous lesions. Results: Acute sacroiliac joint injury was observed in 2 specimens. Signs of chronic laxity or subluxation of the sacroiliac joint were not observed in a...
Eastman TG, Honnas CM, Hague BA, Moyer W, von der Rosen HD.To determine long-term prognosis for horses with laminitis treated by deep digital flexor (DDF) tenotomy and to identify factors affecting success of the surgical procedure. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: 35 horses with laminitis treated by DDF tenotomy between 1988 and 1997. Methods: Information was obtained from individual medical records and follow-up telephone interviews with owners and referring veterinarians. Cumulative proportions of horses that survived 6 months and 2 years after tenotomy were determined. Effect of Obel grade of lameness on 6-month and 2-year survival and effec...
Adams LG, Senior DF.The literal meaning of lithotripsy is the "act of breaking stones." There are two forms of lithotripsy available for use in veterinary medicine: electrohydraulic shock-wave lithotripsy (EHL) and extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL). With EHL, a shock-wave is generated immediately adjacent to a urolith within the urinary bladder. In dogs, nephroliths or ureteroliths can be successfully treated with ESWL. With ESWL, the shock-waves are generated outside the body and directed toward the urolith.
Paix BR.Horse riding is a hazardous pastime, with a number of studies documenting high rates of injury and death among horse riders in general. This study focuses on the injury experience of cross country event riders, a high risk subset of horse riders. Methods: Injury data were collected at a series of 35 equestrian events in South Australia from 1990 to 1998. Results: Injury rates were found to be especially high among event riders, with frequent falls, injuries, and even deaths. The highest injury rates were among the riders competing at the highest levels. Conclusions: There is a need for skilled...
Schumacher J, Varner DD, Crabill MR, Blanchard TL.To evaluate the effect of a shunt created between the corpus cavernosum penis (CCP) and corpus spongiosum penis (CSP) on erectile and ejaculatory function of normal stallions and to verify persistence of the shunt. Methods: The capability of stallions to develop an erection and to ejaculate was evaluated before and after creation of a corporeal shunt. Persistence of the shunt was determined by dye injection into the CCP at necropsy. Methods: Six stallions. Methods: A CCP-CSP shunt was created in five stallions. Semen was collected before and 4 to 14 weeks after surgery, before the horses were ...
Bleyaert HF, Madison JB.To describe a method for internal fixation of supraglenoid tubercle fractures in conjunction with complete tenotomy of the biceps brachii tendon. Methods: Three horses, ranging in age from 8 months to 2 years and weighing from 300 to 400 kg. Methods: Fractures were repaired by open reduction-internal fixation using bone screws placed in lag fashion and complete tenotomy of the biceps brachii tendon. Results: All three horses were sound for their intended use with a good cosmetic result 6 months after surgery. Conclusions: Complete transection of the biceps brachii tendon facilitates supragleno...
Widmer WR, Buckwalter KA, Hill MA, Fessler JF, Ivancevich S.We tested an adaptation of a technique for performing magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of human cadaver limbs in the horse. The forelimbs from a normal horse were collected, frozen, and sealed with a paraffin-polymer combination prior to imaging with either a high- or midfield magnetic resonance scanner. Each forelimb was defrosted, scanned, and refrozen on two separate occasions. A five-point scale was used to evaluate the quality of each set of sagittal and transverse, T1-weighted images of each digit. There was no difference in image quality between first and second scans of either specimen ...
Cohen ND, Woods AM.To characterize horses with acute diarrhea and determine risk factors for failure to survive. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: 122 adult horses admitted for acute diarrhea at the teaching hospital between Jan 1, 1990 and Dec 31, 1996. Methods: Medical records of horses with acute diarrhea were reviewed to abstract information regarding signalment, history, physical examination, clinicopathologic testing, treatment, and outcome. Results: 91 of 122 (74.6%) horses lived and were discharged from the hospital. Horses with history of administration of antimicrobials for a problem preceding dia...
Swiderski CE, Klei TR, Horohov DW.Quantification of cytokine mRNA using reverse transcription coupled with the polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) has become a corner stone of the study of cytokine regulation. Quantitative competitive RT-PCR (QCRT-PCR) is commonly accepted as a reliable method for quantifying differences in mRNA levels but is both labor- and reagent-intensive. A noncompetitive polymerase chain reaction method that utilizes cytokine-specific, plasmid-derived, standard curves was developed for the quantification of equine cytokine mRNA. The assay can be performed on minute samples of cellular material, utilizes s...
Lucas JM, Ross MW, Richardson DW.A retrospective study of 176 Standardbred horses that had arthroscopic surgery for carpal chip fractures over a 7 year period was done in order to determine fracture location and post operative performance. Chip fractures of the proximal third carpal bone and the distal radiocarpal bone occurred with equal frequency (49.2 and 49.6% respectively), and chip fractures involving the antebrachiocarpal joint were rare. Trotters had significantly more third carpal bone lesions than radiocarpal bone lesions when compared to pacers (P = 0.0304). Seventy-four per cent of horses made at least one start f...
Wright IM, McMahon PJ.The paper describes a series of cases with longitudinal tears in the superficial or deep digital flexor tendons within the digital flexor tendon sheath. This appears to be a previously unreported condition. Twenty cases are described, one horse was affected bilaterally. Nineteen defects involved the deep digital flexor tendon and in 2 horses the manica flexoria of the superficial digital flexor tendon was torn. All affected horses were lame and there was marked distension of the digital flexor tendon sheaths. Ultrasonography revealed nonspecific signs of chronic tenosynovitis but not the cause...
Wilmink JM, Stolk PW, van Weeren PR, Barneveld A.Second-intention healing of deep wounds was studied in 5 horses and 5 ponies. Standardised wounds were created on the distal limbs and hind quarters. Wounds on the metatarsi extended onto the metatarsal bone; the depth of the wounds in the femoral biceps muscle was 18 mm. The wound margins were marked by tattoos. Photographs were taken at weekly intervals to determine the wound area. The relative contribution of contraction and epithelialisation to wound closure was quantified by means of the tattoos. Swelling of the limbs was measured; and regularity and aspect of the granulation tissue were ...
Siedek EM, Whelan M, Edington N, Hamblin A.Equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) causes respiratory disease, abortion and myeloencephalopathy in horses. As with other herpesviruses, cell-mediated immunity is considered important for both recovery and protection. Although virus-specific T-cell proliferation and cytotoxicity can be detected following in vivo infection, little is known about the role of antigen presenting cells such as dendritic cells (DCs) in these processes. Peripheral blood DCs were shown to express the viral glycoprotein gB perinuclearly following exposure to EHV-1 in vitro, demonstrating EHV-1 replication within them. Co...
Eales FA.Saffan was injected intravenously on 41 occasions in 11 horses and ponies to investigate its possible use in clinical equine anaesthesia. The optimum dose for induction was 1-90 mg per kg. This dose was divided into two halves, the first half given in five seconds and the second half, containing suxamethonium chloride 0.1 mg per kg, in the next 10 seconds. Induction was associated with excitement for up to 30 secs after the assumption of recumbency. At this dose rate anaesthesia lasted five to eight minutes. Muscle relaxation was poor. Recovery was associated with marked tactile and audible hy...
Carelle MS, Galuppi R, Ragaini L, Tampieri MP.The authors report, for the first time in Italy, a case of dermatitis of "hypopodes" origin in a horse. The hypopodes are a particular nymphal stage of mites of the suborder Astigmata. The "hypopus" is non-feeding, lacks a mouth and has a ventral suctorial plate with suckers and conoids for attaching itself to insects as a mode of dispersal. Some of these larval stages can enter into the hair follicles and into the subcutaneous layers causing lesions similar to mange. There are few reports of dermatitis in horses specifically associated with the presence of hypopodes and these have been attrib...
Amann RP, Bowen JM, Pickett BW, Berndtson WE, Stashak RS, Voss JL.Twenty stallions were used to determine if the anthelmintic cambendazole affected seminal characteristics, spermatogenesis, concentration of testosterone in blood serum, or weights of the reproductive orgrans. With minor exceptions, significant differences were not found between values for 10 control and 10 stallions treated with a single oral dose (40 mg/kg body weight) of cambendazole. The treatment did not affect reproductive function and it was concluded that the drug should have no effect on the fertility of stallions.
Mebarki M, Kaidi R, Azizi A, Basbaci M.Ultrasonographic fetal sexing is of utmost economic importance for horse breeders. Relatively, a few studies have been conducted to determine fetal sex in mare using transrectal Doppler ultrasound. This study aimed to compare two sexing techniques, two-dimensional (2D) mode and color Doppler ultrasonography. Methods: The study was conducted on 39 mares under field conditions. Examinations were performed using the ultrasonic model device (Medison SonoAce Pico, South Korea), equipped with real-time 3-7 MHz convex multifrequency transducer. Fetal sex diagnosis was carried out in two periods of pr...
Müller EMT, Ehrle A, Pozzi A, Lasarzik de Ascurra J, Lischer CJ, Kümmerle JM.To describe open reduction and surgical stabilization of a coxofemoral luxation in a pony using a modified toggle pin technique and prosthetic joint capsule reconstruction without osteotomy of the greater trochanter. Methods: A 2-year-old Shetland pony with a bodyweight of 167 kg. Methods: Case report. Methods: Radiographic examination confirmed craniodorsal luxation of the left coxofemoral joint. An open reduction with the aid of a pulley system was performed. A toggle pin was inserted through a bone tunnel extending from the level of the femoral shaft through the femoral head and the cente...
Schlacher C, Peham C, Licka T, Schobesberger H.Mechanical properties of the equine back are the bases for realistic modelling of the back, which is recognised as an important step towards improved understanding of the pathogenesis of equine back conditions. Objective: The stiffness of the equine back depends on the direction of the applied force and on the position of the spine. Methods: Fourteen dissected spines were tested in a tensile testing machine. In 3 different positions, simulating dorsoventral, laterolateral and dorsoventral-30 degree rotated movement, force was applied on the dorsal spinous process of T12 to reach an excursion o...
Vatistas NJ, Meagher DM, Gillis CL, Neves JW.Twenty-two horses were examined because of firearm injuries. Nine had been shot with .22-caliber bullets, 2 with BB pellets, 6 with buckshot, 1 with a .35-caliber bullet, and 1 with an airgun pellet. Injury was confined to the skin or skeletal muscles in 8 horses. Of these, 7 returned to their previous use. In 14 horses, injuries to additional structures were incurred, including the sinus and pharynx (n = 2), mandible (n = 1), tooth (n = 1), aorta (n = 1), eye (n = 3), tibia (n = 1), gastrointestinal tract (n = 3), joint (n = 1), and trachea (n = 1). The 3 horses that had only eye injuries wer...
Barth AD, Barber SM, McKenzie NT.A two month old Thoroughbred filly was presented with signs of depression, grinding of the teeth, frothing of the mouth and abdominal pain. These signs had persisted for two weeks despite treatment with mineral oil, dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate, meperidine and antibiotics. A variety of diagnostic tests were done, the only abnormal finding was a stress leukon. On exploratory laparotomy the stomach was dilated with fluid and gas and the pyloric canal was constricted. Pyloroplasty resulted in correction of the condition. The etiological possibilities are discussed. This is believed to be the fir...
Lohmann KL, James CR, Higgins SN, Howden KJ, Epp T.This retrospective study describes the detection of equine infectious anemia (EIA) during Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) disease investigations in Canada, examines aspects of importance for disease control, and evaluates potential animal-level risk factors for EIA in high-risk horses. Based on review of all EIA-positive samples and all samples collected during disease investigations (N = 4553) over a 4-year period (2009 to 2012), 409 EIA cases were detected. Horse owners with EIA cases owned between 1 and 60 affected animals, and 49 horses seroconverted during a disease investigation p...
de Backer P, Vandecasteele-Thienpont LM, Jonckheere JA, Belpaire FM, Debackere M, de Leenheer AP.Bromhexine was administered orally (2 mg./kg.) and intravenously (i. v.) (1 mg./kg.) in 3 horses. Plasma levels were measured and the pharmacokinetic behaviour and bioavailability were estimated. The half-life of elimination after i. v. administration ranged from 3.1 to 4.4 hours. The mean values of the apparent volume of distribution and the volume of distribution of the central compartment amounted to 16.2 and 3.3 1./kg., respectively. A very high plasma clearance, ranging from 49.8 to 59 ml./kg./min., was found.
One hour after oral administration, a mean peak plasma level of about 14 ng....
O Morris D, Lindborg S.Sixteen healthy horses with no history of skin or respiratory disease were used for an intradermal testing (IDT) threshold study, in order to determine the concentrations of 13 commercial allergenic insect extracts most appropriate for IDT. Five dilutions of each extract were used, which included the manufacturer's recommended concentrations for equine IDT, plus one dilution higher and three lower than these standard concentrations. Allergens tested included caddisfly (Trichoptera spp.), mayfly (Ephemeroptera spp.), horsefly (Tabanus spp.), deerfly (Chrysops spp.), fire ant (Solenopsis invicta...
Rigg DL, Reinertson EL, Buttrick ML.Splenectomy was performed electively on 80 ponies, horses, and donkeys for preparation in collecting Babesia antigens. Access to the abdomen was by resection of the sixteenth left rib and incision of the diaphragm. The technique afforded good exposure of the splenic vessels and attachments. Closure was facilitated by preservation of the periosteum of the resected rib. Difficulty was encountered both in surgical technique and postoperative complications in obese animals. The transthoracic approach was found to be a useful technique for equine splenectomy.