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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.
Variations in systemic and pulmonary endothelin-1 in horses with recurrent airway obstruction (heaves). Recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) is an asthma-like condition of the horse that represents a major cause of morbidity and loss of performance. The exact pathogenesis of asthma in man is unclear but the role of endothelin (ET) is currently under investigation, thus sparking interest in the bronchoconstrictive and vasoconstrictive properties of endothelin in the equine-specific disease entity. In this study, we investigated the levels of ET-1 in systemic blood, as well as in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) from horses with RAO. We also studied how these values might correlate with those of lung fu...
Paranasal sinus cyst as a cause of stridor in a standardbred colt. Sinus cysts are epithelium-lined, fluid-filled cavities that can occur in the paranasal sinuses of horses. Extensive damage to the permanent tooth buds was a significant feature in this case. The sequellae of these abnormalities, although not apparent at the time of presentation, remain an important consideration for prognosis.
Effect of timing and route of administration of furosemide on pulmonary hemorrhage and pulmonary arterial pressure in exercising thoroughbred racehorses. To examine effect of pre-exercise administration of furosemide (FUR) on mean pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) during work and RBC concentration in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) collected 40 minutes after exercise. Methods: 10 adult Thoroughbreds. Methods: A modified 10 X 10 crossover design comprising 10 horses during 10 weeks was used. Each horse received each of 5 treatments twice. Treatment structure included a control plus a 2 X 2 factorial and consisted of the following: A, control; B, FUR, 250 mg, IV, 30 minutes before exercise; C, FUR, 250 mg, IV, 240 minutes before exercise; D, ...
Culture and characterization of equine terminal arch endothelial cells and hoof keratinocytes. To develop methods to isolate, culture, and characterize equine hoof endothelial cells (EC) and keratinocytes. Methods: Cells harvested from the forelimbs of 8 horses. Methods: EC were obtained via catheters placed in the palmar digital arteries of the disarticulated lower portion of the forelimbs from 4 horses that had been heparinized prior to euthanasia. Phosphate-buffered saline solution was used to remove and discard RBC from blood vessels, and collagenase was used to loosen and flush EC from the vasculature. Hoof keratinocytes were obtained from 4 recently euthanatized horses by use of d...
Effects of R and S enantiomers and a racemic mixture of carprofen on the production and release of proteoglycan and prostaglandin E2 from equine chondrocytes and cartilage explants. To examine effects of carprofen (enantiomers and a racemic mixture) on the metabolism of equine chondrocytes. Methods: Cartilage from clinically normal horses. Methods: Effects of carprofen on proteoglycan neosynthesis, glycosaminoglycan (GAG) release and prostaglandin (PG) E2 production by unstimulated chondrocyte monolayers and cartilage explants were examined, as were similar variables in monolayers and explants exposed to carprofen and recombinant human interleukin 1beta (IL-1). Carprofen (enantiomers and racemic mixture) was used alone or along with IL-1 on monolayers and explant cultures...
Micromechanics of the equine hoof wall: optimizing crack control and material stiffness through modulation of the properties of keratin. Small-scale components of the equine hoof wall were tested to determine their mechanical roles in the morphological hierarchy. Macroscale tensile tests conducted on samples of the inner wall tubules and intertubular material showed a sixfold difference in mean initial stiffnesses (0.47 and 0.08 GPa, respectively), indicating that the inner wall tubules stiffen the wall along its longitudinal axis. The similarity in material properties of tubule and intertubular samples from the mid-wall suggests that tubules in this region offer only minor reinforcement along the longitudinal axis. Microscale ...
Abdominal neoplasia (excluding urogenital tract). Neoplasia of the equine gastrointestinal tract and abdominal organs occurs predominantly in geriatric horses, although lymphoma and hepatocellular carcinoma and a few other neoplasms can be found in young horses. This article discusses diagnostics that can be used in weight-loss situations, suspicious of neoplasia, as well as tumors themselves including clinical signs, diagnostic tools, histopathologic appearance, and management.
Musculoskeletal system neoplasia. Tumors of the musculoskeletal system are rare in horses; however, they must be taken seriously. Diagnosis requires observation of clinical signs, radiographic findings, and histological examination. Veterinarians must realize prognosis is not favorable for most tumors; however, some of these tumors can be treated or at least ameliorated. Tumors discussed in this article include: osteoma and osteosarcoma; osteoblastoma; chondrosarcoma; fibroma and fibrosarcoma; plasma cell myeloma; synovioma; rhabdomyosarcoma and tumors metastatic to the musculoskeletal system.
Radiation therapy in the horse. This article covers the principles and applications of radiation therapy in horses. The goal in treating tumors by irradiation is tumor control with minimum treatment complications. Various treatment techniques are available to achieve this goal. The prognosis depends on many factors such as the extent and location of the tumor, tumor type and tumor cell proliferation. Radiation therapy is a very effective treatment modality for equine tumors but logistical reasons limit its impact in equine oncology.
Urinary tract neoplasia. This article is a review of reports on neoplasia of the equine urinary tract. Clinical signs associated with equine patients with urinary tract neoplasia are summarized along with a description of diagnostic methods used in such patients. The prognosis for treatment of urinary tract neoplasia is guarded. A review of the limited treatments that have been reported to date are also provided in this article.
Paraneoplastic syndromes. The importance of paraneoplastic syndromes is often underestimated in the horse. Clinically, paraneoplastic syndromes can cause greater morbidity than the actual physical presence of the malignant tumor. The appearance may be the first sign of a malignancy and may be so severe that appropriate therapy for the underlying cancer is not initiated. This article reviews some of the most common paraneoplastic syndromes that are likely to occur in the horse.
Tumors of the central nervous system. Neoplasia of the central nervous system (CNS) can be divided into two main categories: nonpituitary CNS neoplasia and pituitary adenomas. Nonpituitary CNS neoplasias are generally compressive in nature, although some are also invasive. The majority of reported CNS tumors are secondary with only a few originating from nervous tissue. Pituitary adenomas predominantly occur in the pars intermedia of the older horse. Clinical signs, diagnostic testing, and possible treatments are discussed.
Neoplasia of the female reproductive tract. Granulosa cell tumors of the ovary and SCC and melanoma of the external genitalia are the most common neoplasms in the mare. Tumors of the tubular reproductive tract and the mammary gland are rare.
Equine sarcoids. Sarcoids, the most common tumor of the horse, are fibroblastic, wart-like skin lesions that show variable manifestations. They are often invasive and recurrent, although they do not fulfill all criteria of malignancy. Due to their anatomic location, these tumors can sometimes cause loss of use of the horse. There is very strong evidence that sarcoids are caused by viruses closely related or identical to bovine papilloma viruses, and genetic studies have shown associations between genes in or near the equine major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and susceptibility to sarcoid. Several types of ...
Intralesional and topical chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Surgery is the mainstay of treatment for equine tumors. Conservative treatment approaches which preserve function and appearance are increasingly used in clinical practice. This article covers the principles and applications of two conservative treatment modalities including local chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The therapeutic benefit of local chemotherapy is based on the direct drug delivery to tumor tissue, i.e., topical and intratumoral administration of cytotoxic agents in slow release formulation. This treatment modality is very effective for cutaneous tumors and does not result in any p...
Dermatologic tumors (excluding sarcoids). Cutaneous neoplasia represents a clinical problem with which veterinarians are commonly challenged. This article addresses equine cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, squamous cell papilloma, melanoma, mastocytosis, and lymphosarcoma. Current concepts regarding the origin, pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of each neoplasm is emphasized.
Tumors of the eye and ocular adnexal tissues. This article reviews options in dealing with tumors of the cornea and conjunctiva, nictitating membrane neoplasms, and eyelid neoplasms. Orbital tumors, optic nerve and other intraocular tumors are also discussed.
A comparison of porosity, fabric and fractal dimension as predictors of the Young’s modulus of equine cancellous bone. The purpose of this study was to compare the structural parameters of fabric and fractal dimension as predictors of the Young's modulus of equine cancellous bone. Eight 15 mm cubes of cancellous bone were obtained from three equine third metacarpal bones. Young's modulus was determined for the three orthogonal directions. The fabric and fractal dimension were calculated for each of the six exposed faces of each cube. Fractal dimension plus porosity provided a higher explanatory power for Young's modulus (R2 = 78.7%. P < 0.0001) than fabric plus porosity (R2 = 69.2%, P < 0.0001). Fractal ...
Cecocolic and cecocecal intussusception in horses: 30 cases (1976-1996). To determine the prognosis in horses with cecocolic or cecocecal intussusception. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: 30 horses with cecocolic intussusception or cecocecal intussusception. Methods: Information on history, physical examination findings, and laboratory values was summarized from the medical records. Laboratory data included results of hematologic examination, serum biochemical analysis, and peritoneal fluid color, total nucleated cell count, and total protein concentration. A one-year follow-up via the telephone was used to determine long-term survival. Results: Horses ranged...
Asthma and allergy in New Zealand farmers. To examine the prevalence of symptoms of asthma and allergy in different farming groups in New Zealand. Methods: A postal questionnaire was sent to a random sample of 2,500 farmers throughout New Zealand. Results: The response rate was 77% (1,706 of 2,203 eligibles). The 12-month period prevalence of current asthma was 11.8% overall, compared with 15% in the general population. Asthma prevalence was higher for horse breeders/groomers (16.5%), pig farmers (18.2%), poultry farmers (17.4%), and those working with oats (17.4%). Asthma was also significantly elevated among those working with cleani...
Biochemical markers of bone metabolism in draught and warmblood horses. Concentrations of the cross-linked carboxyterminal telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP) and osteocalcin (OC) have been determined in the serum of one hundred clinically healthy adult Draught or Warmblood horses. The correlation between these two markers has been evaluated and the influence of gender, age and type of horse described. No significant variations were observed between animals of different sex, but a significant inverse correlation (P < 0.0001) with age was observed for both measured parameters. After correction for age, serum levels of OC were found to be lower in Draught [adju...
Evaluation of equine infectious anemia virus core proteins produced in a baculovirus expression system in agar gel immunodiffusion test and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) core proteins (Gag and p26) obtained from a baculovirus expression system were used in agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) antigens to test seventy-six horse sera. Those sera showed false-positive reaction in AGID test using Nisseiken antigen. However, none of them showed false-positive reaction with both of the expressed antigens. The 76 horse sera were also tested by ELISA. The sera gave a high background in ELISA using Nisseiken antigen. Gag and p26 reacted strongly against positive sera from horses immunized wi...
Effect of regular training on the myocardial and plasma concentrations of taurine and alpha-amino acids in thoroughbred horses. Exercise induces significant changes in the free intracellular amino acid pool in skeletal muscle but little is known of whether such changes also occur in cardiac muscle. In this study the effect of regular exercise on the size and the constituents of the free amino acid pool in the hearts and in the plasma of thoroughbred horses was investigated. The total free intracellular amino acid pool in the hearts of control horses was 30.9 +/- 1.2 mumol/g wet weight (n = 6). Glutamine but not taurine was present at the highest concentration (13.5 +/- 0.9 and 7.7 +/- 0.69 mumol/g wet weight for glutam...
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detection of anti-Trypanosoma evansi equine antibodies. The standardization of ELISA for the detection of anti-Trypanosoma evansi antibodies in naturally and experimentally infected horses is described. Bayesian analysis was used to establish the cutoff between positive and negative sera. In order to determine the assessment of the ELISA test, the results obtained were compared with those from an IFA. A relative sensibility of 98.39%, a specificity of 95.12% and a predictive value of 96.83% were determined. The standardized technique was used to evaluate the antibody production against trypanosome in an experimentally infected equine, in which the ...
Exercise affects digestibility and rate of passage of all-forage and mixed diets in thoroughbred horses. Most digestibility studies in horses have been conducted with idle horses confined to metabolism stalls. The values obtained from such studies are used for all classes of horses, including the performance horse. It has not been clearly established whether exercise affects digestibility. Olsson and Ruudvere (1955), summarizing a number of earlier studies, suggested that digestion may be affected in horses by work or exercise in such a way that it is improved by light exercise and inhibited by heavy work.
Orton et al. (1985) reported reduced retention time of a particulate marker in yearling ...
