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.
Rebhun WC, Del Piero F.To determine the most common ocular lesions in horses with lymphosarcoma. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: 79 horses histologically confirmed to have lymphosarcoma. Methods: Ophthalmic examinations were performed by a single individual. Results: 21 of 79 horses had lesions involving the eye or ocular adnexa. Infiltration of the palpebral conjunctiva and eyelids was the most common lesion (n = 11). Other lesions included uveitis (n = 4), corneoscleral masses (2), third eyelid masses (2), and diffuse retrobulbar infiltrates (2). Conclusions: In horses with lymphosarcoma, ocular lesions may...
Brugmans F, Venner M, Menzel D, Mischke R.The purpose of this study was to investigate the usefulness of two heat-precipitation techniques (Schalm- and Millar-method) as screening tests to measure plasma fibrinogen concentration in horses. Based on the measurement of samples from 108 different horses, the coefficient of correlation (CC) for the relationship between the results with the Schalm- and with the reference-method (Jacobsson) were much lower (r = 0.78) than between the Millar- and Jacobsson-method (r = 0.94). Furthermore the Schalm-method was less precise as reflected by the greater coefficient of variation (CV, within-run pr...
Southwood LL, Stashak TS, Kainer RA.To describe the tenoscopic anatomy of the carpal sheath of the flexor tendons (carpal sheath) viewed from a lateral approach. Methods: Tenoscopic observation of structures within the carpal sheath subsequently confirmed by dissection. Methods: 12 equine cadaveric forelimbs. Methods: The limbs were positioned lateral side up with the carpus slightly flexed. After distention of the carpal sheath, a portal for the arthroscope was made approximately 3 cm proximal to the distal radial physis and 2.5 cm caudal to the radius between the tendons of the ulnaris lateralis and lateral digital extensor mu...
Veeramachaneni DN, Sawyer HR.The presence of atypical germ cells resembling carcinoma in situ of human testis is reported for the first time in an unilaterally cryptorchid stallion. These cells were found in association with developing intratubular seminoma indicating they represented carcinoma in situ.
Ragle CA, Southwood LL, Howlett MR.To report a ventral abdominal approach and a ligating loop technique for laparoscopic cryptorchidectomy in horses. Methods: Prospective. Methods: Six horses, aged 1 to 5 years, with retained testes. Methods: One laparoscopic portal and three to four instrument portals were used for ventral abdominal laparoscopic cryptorchidectomy. Laparoscopic instruments were used to maneuver and secure the testis through a ligating loop (modified Roeder knot) that was secured from outside the abdominal cavity. Only minimal enlargement of one instrument portal was used to remove the testicle. Results: Three h...
Witham CL, Stull CL.To examine metabolic responses of chronically starved horses to refeeding with 3 isoenergetic diets. Methods: Uncontrolled clinical trial. Methods: 22 mature mixed-breed horses that were emaciated but otherwise clinically normal. Methods: Horses were fed 1 of 3 diets: alfalfa hay, oat hay, or a combination diet of half oat hay and half commercially prepared ration. Digestible energy of diets was gradually increased throughout the refeeding period. One pre- and 4 postprandial blood samples were obtained daily, and analyses included RBC count, Hct, and determination of hemoglobin, glucose, insul...
Sedrish SA, Moore RM, Kelly K, Martin GS, Burba DJ.To determine and compare the in vitro pullout strength of 5.5-mm cortical versus 6.5-mm cancellous bone screws inserted in the diaphysis and metaphysis of adult equine third metacarpal (MCIII) bones, in threaded 4.5-mm cortical bone screw insertion holes that were then overdrilled with a 4.5-mm drill bit to provide information relevant to the selection of a replacement screw if a 4.5-mm cortical screw is stripped. Methods: In vitro pullout tests of 5.5-mm cortical and 6.5-mm cancellous screws in equine MCIII bones. Methods: Two independent cadaver studies each consisting of 14 adult equine MCI...
Moens Y, Lagerweij E, Gootjes P, Poortman J.To study effects of intermittent positive-pressure ventilation (IPPV) with large tidal volumes and addition of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) on maldistribution of ventilation in anesthetized horses positioned in lateral recumbency. Methods: 6 healthy adult horses. Methods: Anesthesia was induced by i.v. infusion of thiopental sodium and guiafenesin and was maintained with supplemental doses of thiopental and i.v. infusion of chloral hydrate. Functional separation of the lungs was achieved, using a tube-in-tube intubation technique. Intermittent positive-pressure ventilation of both l...
Becker CK, Savelberg HH, Buchner HH, Barneveld A.To evaluate clinical and biomechanical consequences of desmotomy of the accessory ligament (AL) of the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) of equine forelimbs and determine whether this procedure is a viable treatment for chronic desmitis of the AL-DDFT. Methods: 6 adult Standardbred trotters. Methods: Biomechanical recordings obtained before and 6 months after desmotomy were compared. Walk and trot joint angles, ground reaction forces, peak joint moments, and tendon forces were assessed. Results: Within 10 days after surgery, all horses were sound at a trot. Swelling, increased carpal flexion i...
Lester GD, Merritt AM, Neuwirth L, Vetro-Widenhouse T, Steible C, Rice B, Mauragis DF, Madison JB.To determine normal cecal emptying curves for liquid- and solid-phase radiolabeled markers and to further define myoelectric patterns of the ileum, cecum, and colon in healthy ponies. Methods: 6 adult ponies. Methods: A cecal cannula and 12 bipolar Ag-AgCl recording electrodes were sutured to the ileum, cecum, and right ventral colon of the ponies. Radioisotopes, indium 111-labeled diethyltriaminepentaacetic acid (111In-DTPA) and technetium 99m (99mTc)-labeled sulfur colloid bound to egg albumen, were introduced through the cannula directly into the cecal body. Movement of these markers from t...
Stanley SM, Kent S, Rodgers JP.In this study the equine metabolism of fluoxymesterone (9alpha-fluoro-11beta-17beta-dihydroxy-17alpha-meth ylandrost-4-ene-3-one) given orally has been investigated. The parent material was not detected, but two major 16-hydroxy metabolites which corresponded to a mono- and a di-hydroxylation product were evident. One of the hydroxylation positions was identified as C-16. Phase II metabolism in the form of glucuronide formation was also common. These steroids will provide target compounds for confirming abuse of this drug in the horse.
Murray MJ, del Piero F, Jeffrey SC, Davis MS, Furr MO, Dubovi EJ, Mayo JA.Of 17 foals born on a Thoroughbred breeding farm between March and April 1995, infection with equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) was associated with neonatal morbidity in 5 foals, 3 of which died or were euthanized. Morbidity and mortality were associated with pulmonary inflammation, and EHV-1 was identified in the lungs of the 3 foals that died. All neonatal EHV-1 infections occurred in foals of mares housed in the same pasture and barn. No other clinical manifestations of EHV-1 infection (e.g., abortion, neurologic disease, or respiratory disease) occurred during this outbreak. Three foals we...
Elliott J, Brady FE.Isolated equine digital veins (EDVs) which had been denuded of their endothelium were used to study adenosine receptors causing vasodilation. When the blood vessel wall tension was raised with the thromboxanemimetic, U44069 (30 nM), the order of vasodilator potency of adenosine receptor agonists was: 5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (NECA) > 2-p-(2-carboxyethyl)phenyl amino-5'-N-ethylcarboxamido-adenosine (CGS 21680) > 5'-N-methylcarboxamido-adenosine (MECA) > N6-cyclohexyladenosine (CHA) > N6-cyclopentyladenosine (CPA) > N6-2-(4-Aminophenyl)ethyladenosine (APNEA) > adenosine. ...
Méndez A, Martín de las Mulas J, Bautista MJ, Chacón F, Millán Y, Fondevila D, Pumarola M.The presence and distribution of S100 protein (alpha and beta subunits), cytokeratin polypeptides, glial fibrillary acidic protein, neurofilaments, vimentin, neuron specific enolase, synaptophysin, HLA class II DR antigen, and pituitary hormones (prolactin, adrenocorticotropic hormone and human chorionic gonadotrophin) in stellate cells were studied immunohistochemically in four normal canine pituitary glands, five canine pituitary adenomas, two canine pituitary carcinomas and two equine pituitary adenomas (with surrounding normal glandular tissue). Stellate cells of the pars distalis and pars...
Estberg L, Gardner IA, Stover SM, Johnson BJ.The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between intensive racing and training schedules and risk of either catastrophic musculoskeletal injury (CMI) or lay-up from racing in California Thoroughbreds. Thoroughbred racehorses that sustained a CMI during racing or training and either were subsequently euthanized or died on a California racetrack during 1991 and 1992 were studied using a case-crossover study design. Each study subject (case) provided its own self-matched control information in the form of 'typical' exposure frequency, determined or estimated from historic i...
Matsumura T, Kondo T, Sugita S, Damiani AM, O'Callaghan DJ, Imagawa H.The cell culture-adapted KyA strain of equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) has been found to be attenuated in young horses (Matsumura et al., 1996, Vet. Microbiol. 48, 353-365). The KyA strain lacks at least six genes in its genome, including those encoding glycoproteins gE and gI. To elucidate whether EHV-1 glycoproteins gE and gI play a role in viral virulence, we have constructed an EHV-1 recombinant that has the genes encoding both gE and gI deleted from its genome and its revertant. Growth properties of the deletion mutant virus in vitro were compared with those of the parent and the revert...
Dorchies P, de Lahitte JD, Flochlay A, Blond-Riou F.The efficacy of moxidectin 2% oral gel (Equest, Fort-Dodge) against European worm strains was studied through post-mortem worm counts and feacal egg counts (FECs) in 12 young ponies naturally infected. The animals were allocated in two groups of six ponies each: the first one was treated at 0.4 mg/kg b.w. and the second one received a placebo and served as control. All the ponies were necropsied 14 days post-treatment. The efficacy of moxidectin in reducing strongyle FECs ranged from 99.8% to 100% from 3 to 14 days after treatment. Moxidectin efficacy was 100% against Trichostrongylus axei and...
Brooks DE, Andrew SE, Dillavou CL, Ellis G, Kubilis PS.To evaluate in vitro susceptibility to topical antifungal medications, as measured by minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50%), of fungal isolates from horses with ulcerative keratomycosis in Florida; to compare results with those of other studies to identify differences in susceptibility patterns among fungi isolated from horses in different geographic regions; and to note indications of fungal resistance to drugs tested in other studies. Methods: Corneal fungal cultures from client-owned horses from Florida with ulcerative keratomycosis (n = 22). Method...
Hopper SA, Schneider RK, Ratzlaff MH, White KK, Johnson CH.To determine the ability of a full-limb transfixation pin cast to protect the distal portion of the equine forelimb from weight-bearing forces by measuring bone strain in vitro on cadaver limbs loaded in a mechanical testing machine. Methods: 6 forelimbs from 6 horses. Methods: Each limb was instrumented with 3 unidirectional metal foil electrical resistant strain gauges. Gauges were placed on the dorsal aspect of the distal portion of the radius and the mid-dorsal portion of the cortex of the third metacarpal bone and the first phalanx. Each limb was tested 3 times, once supported with a tran...
Estberg L, Stover SM, Gardner IA, Johnson BJ, Jack RA, Case JT, Ardans A, Read DH, Anderson ML, Barr BC, Daft BM, Kinde H, Moore J, Stoltz J, Woods L.To investigate relationships of several racehorse characteristics and race conditions with risk of a catastrophic musculoskeletal injury (CMI) resulting in euthanasia in Thoroughbreds during racing in California in 1992. Methods: Retrospective longitudinal study. Methods: Thoroughbreds that incurred CMI during racing and all California race entrants in 1992. Methods: Necropsy records were reviewed, and race start information was obtained. Incidence risk of CMI/1,000 race entrants was estimated. Relationships between CMI during racing and race-meet, entrant age and sex, race type and length, an...
Nickels FA, Sande R.The radiographic and arthroscopic findings in the equine stifle were compared. Survey radiography, contrast arthrography, and arthroscopy were performed on both stifles of 10 horses. Nine of the horses were euthanatized to evaluate the effects of the techniques on the joints. Techniques for double-contrast arthrography and arthroscopy were developed, and the findings were compared. Survey radiography identified only osseous structures. Double-contrast arthrography of the femoropatellar joint demonstrated articular surfaces of the trochlea, patella, and joint capsule. Those of the femorotibial ...
McDonald GK.A six year old Percheron mare was presented with a history of spontaneous unilateral epistaxis of 24 hours duration. The blood one stage prothrombin and partial thromboplastin times were markedly prolonged. A diagnosis of moldy sweetclover poisoning was made on the basis of the history and clinical and laboratory findings. A single whole blood transfusion and four daily intravenous injections of vitamin K(3) proved to be a successful treatment.
Matas Riera M, Donaldson D, Priestnall SL.The aim of this article was to describe Descemet's membrane detachment (DMD) following phacoemulsification in five equine eyes and to review the human literature on this topic. In the last decade, there has been increased reporting of DMD in the human literature, in particular following cataract surgery. The natural history of DMD remains unknown and although various medical and surgical treatments have been advocated there is no recognized 'gold standard' treatment for DMD. This case series reports the diagnosis of DMD in four horses (5 eyes) in association with phacoemulsification surgery. T...
Adams SB.A fractured right supraglenoid tubercle in a 15-month-old Thoroughbred gelding was repaired by partial biceps brachii tenotomy, interfragmentary compression, and tension band wiring. The horse is currently being ridden daily and has remained sound for 4 years.
Sack WO, Ferraglio S.A study method has been devised to review clinically important structures of the equine hock joint on a fresh specimen. The review can be done alone; dissection takes about 2 hours; special tools or materials are not required.
Munsterman AS, Hanson RR.Bullet wounds in horses can cause a wide array of injuries, determined by the type of projectile, the energy of the bullet on entry, and the type of tissue the bullet encounters. Treatment includes identification of all structures involved, debridement of the permanent cavity, and establishing adequate drainage. Bullet wounds should be treated as contaminated, and broad-spectrum antibiotics, including those with an anaerobic spectrum, are indicated. Although musculoskeletal injuries resulting from gunshots are most common in horses, they carry a good prognosis for survival and return to functi...
Szenci O, Németh F, Stollár Z, Brydl E.Stability of ionized calcium (Ca2+) concentrations and pH values in equine venous samples (n = 12 in each group) stored at 4 C for 3, 9, 24, and 48 hours (blood, plasma, and serum) or for 240 hours (plasma and serum), and at -20 C for 240 hours (plasma and serum), was studied. Storage of equine blood, plasma, and serum samples at 4 C for up to 48 hours and of serum samples at 4 C for up to 240 hours, despite appreciable pH changes, was associated with < 1.5% change in blood, plasma, and serum Ca2+ concentrations. Therefore, Ca2+ concentration in equine blood, plasma, and serum samples store...
Squires EL.Most equine embryos are collected from the donor mare and transferred immediately as fresh embryos or shipped cooled to a recipient station for transfer within 24 hours. Very few equine embryos are frozen despite the numerous advantages of embryo cryopreservation. There are 2 major hurdles: Only the small embryos (<300 μm) provide good pregnancy rates after freezing/thawing and transfer. Also there is no good procedure for superovulating mares; thus, extra embryos for freezing are not readily available. Using either a slow cool or a vitrification method, pregnancy rates of small equine e...
Marzok M, Kandeel M, Babiker H, Alkhodair KM, Farag A, Ibrahim H, El-Ashker M, Alghuwainem Y, El-Khodery S.The purpose of this study was to provide a systematic meta-analysis on echocardiographic measurements in normal Thoroughbred and Standardbred horses. The current systematic meta-analysis followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). All the available published papers on the reference values of echocardiographic assessment via M-mode echocardiography were searched, and fifteen studies were finally selected for analysis. In both fixed and random effect, the confidence interval (CI) for the interventricular septum (IVS) was 2.8-3.1 and 4.7-7.5; for the ...
Williams J, Miyabayashi T, Ruggles A, Yamamoto J, Takiguchi M.A 2.5-year-old female Thoroughbred horse was referred to the veterinary teaching hospital for right front limb lameness of 1 year duration. Physical examination and diagnostic nerve blocks failed to localize the origin of the lameness. Scintigraphy with 99mTc-MDP suggested increased radionuclide uptake in the palmar metacarpal soft tissues of the right front limb. Ultrasonographic examination revealed hypoechoic lesions in the superficial digital flexor tendon and the suspensory ligament, suggesting tendinitis and desmitis. Combined imaging modalities improved detection and characterization of...
Ülke ÇG, Deniz SI, Nureddin Ç.Metacarpal tendon diseases are important problems that may cause a decrease in performance and even may finish sport life in equine athletes. In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the ratio of return to races and the time of staying away from races and also to detect the prognostic value of ultrasonographic findings in Thoroughbred and Arabian racehorses with metacarpal flexor tendon injury or peritendonitis. Of 120 cases, 84 (70.0%) returned to races. Among these, 82.1% had tendonitis (69/84) and 17.9% peritendonitis (15/84). Among the cases being unable to return to races, 91.7% had tendon...
Brumbaugh GW, Sumano López H, Hoyas Sepúlveda ML.Each horse with laminitis is presented to the veterinarian at a different stage in progression of the condition and with varying severity. The pathogenic timing is often unknown and is difficult to determine. Because timing and severity are related to both the lesion's severity and responsiveness to treatment, these factors are critical to treatment selection and success. It is erroneous to assume that each horse with laminitis should receive each treatment. It is therefore important to ascertain as logically and objectively as possible the pathophysiological stage of development of each horse...
Weaver BM, Lunn CE, Staddon GE.Muscle perfusion was studied in conscious and anaesthetised horses by monitoring the clearance of a locally injected bolus of saline containing radioactive xenon (133Xe). The mean of all the measurements made from the brachiocephalicus and semimembranosus muscles in conscious subjects was 1.29 ml/min/100 g while in anaesthetised subjects it was 0.40 ml/min/100 g. The significance of these results is discussed in relation to the clinical occurrence of post anaesthetic myositis.
Thomson P, Toro J, Lara F, Hernández D, Aros K, Valenzuela-Lopez N.We present the first case of rhinopharyngitis due to Aspergillus fumigatus in a purebred Chilean horse. Clinically, manifested mucopurulent discharge from both nostrils, inflammation of the nasal, ocular, and ear mucosa; associated with decay and hyporexia. Based on the clinical signs and analysis of the mycological and molecular transtracheal aspirate sample, the present case was diagnosed as Aspergillus fumigatus rhinopharyngitis. After the antifungal susceptibility test, oral itraconazole treatment was maintained for 45 days, showing no clinical sign.
Bulak K, Łopuszyński W, Lutnicki K, Pomorska-Zniszczyńska A, Śmiech A, Jodłowska-Jędrych B.Granular cell tumor (GCT) is a soft tissue neoplasm characterized by abundant intracellular eosinophilic granules. The majority of GCTs are benign, although some display malignant behavior. Furthermore, GCTs may mimic other neoplasms. The clinical course and biology of GCTs are poorly understood. Regarding the histogenesis of GCT, a Schwann cell origin is currently favored in light of immunohistochemical and ultrastructural analyses. However, based on literature data, some of the primitive GCTs show non-neural origin; therefore, the histogenesis of this tumor has remained enigmatic. Granular c...
Raś A, Otrocka-Domagała I, Raś-Noryńska M.Genital malignant neoplasms in mares are relatively rare. The treatment involve surgical removal of the tumour masses, chemotherapy or both. Methods: Two elderly warmblood mares, aged 16 and 20 were presented in University Clinic with the lumpy lesions at the region of perineum and left labia. Surgical removals of tumour masses were performed on standing animals. Removed tissues were subjected to histopathological examination which confirmed SCC. Conclusions: Clinical and ultrasound examination of reproductive organs in both mares showed no inflammatory or neoplastic changes. Both mares healed...
Siciliano PD, Kawcak CE, McIlwraith CW.Twelve Quarter Horses, 18 to 24 mo of age and having an average body weight of 460+/-12 kg, were randomly assigned to one of two exercise treatments (control and exercise) to study the effect of initiation of exercise training in young horses on vitamin K status. The control treatment consisted of hand-walking the horses 7 min/d and 5 d/wk for 180 d. Exercise consisted of the following treadmill exercise regimen: 2 min at 4.5 to 5.4 m/s, 3 min at 13.4 to 14.3 m/s, and 2 min at 4.5 to 5.4 m/s on 5 d/wk for 180 d. Both groups were allowed free access to brome grass hay (273 mg of phylloquinone/1...