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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.
Aerosol therapy in the equine species. Inhalation therapy plays an increasing role in the management of equine respiratory disorders. This alternative to systematic treatment permits a high concentration of medication to act locally while minimizing side effects and residues. In human medicine, literature in this field is prolific and continuously renewed, whereas in veterinary medicine, applications of aerosol therapy are less extensive. This review considers the principles of action of the different types of devices used for inhalation, i.e., nebulization, metered-dose inhalation and dry powder inhalation, describes the technical...
Prospective study of equine colic risk factors. A 1 year prospective study was conducted on 31 horse farms to identify risk factors for equine colic. Farms were randomly selected from a list from 2 adjacent counties of Virginia and Maryland, USA. The association between colic and farm or individual horse risk factors related to management, housing, pasture, use, nutrition, health and events was first examined by univariate statistical analysis. Individually significant (P < = 0.25 for farm factors, P < = 0.10 for horse factors) variables were used in a stepwise multivariable forward logistic regression to select explanatory factors (P < = 0...
The effect of age and diet on the oral glucose tolerance test in ponies. To evaluate the effects of age and diet on the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in healthy ponies, OGTTs were performed on 2 groups of British native breed ponies (Group A: 7 foals [6-9 months], Group B: 7 mature individuals [6-13 years]) when maintained on either a high fibre pelleted ration only (Groups A and B) or a hay only diet (Group B). Plasma glucose response, following oral glucose administration, for Group A (basal plasma glucose concentration [Glu0] 4.6 +/- 0.4 mmol/l (mean +/- s.d.) increasing to 11.5 +/- 1.3 mmol/l at 90 min) was significantly different (P < 0.05) from that o...
Outbreak of Salmonella infantis infection in a large animal veterinary teaching hospital. During the past 11 years, there have been numerous reports of outbreaks of salmonellosis involving horses in veterinary teaching hospitals. Some of these outbreaks have been associated with Salmonella serotypes not commonly associated with infection of horses. Salmonella infantis is among the more common Salmonella serotypes isolated from human beings, and is an important pathogen in the broiler chicken industry. However, it was not commonly isolated from horses or cattle on a national basis between 1993 and 1995. In this report, we describe an outbreak of S infantis infection among large anim...
Recurrent colic in the mature horse: a retrospective review of 58 cases. The clinical features of 58 horses presenting with recurrent colic examined over a 5 year period were reviewed. The horses were categorised into 3 groups on the basis of the history of colic episodes. Recurrent transient colic Group 1 was characterised by 3 or more episodes of transient colic (of apparently similar type) occurring within one month. Recurrent transient colic Group 2 was characterised by 3 or more episodes of transient colic occurring within one year. Recurrent prolonged colic was characterised by 3 or more episodes of prolonged colic occurring within one year. Fifteen horses we...
Surgical treatment of subchondral cystic lesions of the third metacarpal bone: results in 15 horses (1986-1994). Subchondral cystic lesions (SCLs) in the condyle of the third metacarpal bone (MCIII) were surgically treated in 15 horses. The median age at presentation was 18 months (range 10 months-12 years) with 10 of 15 horses less than age 2 years. The SCLs were confined to the front limbs in all cases with 2 horses having bilateral lesions. Lesions were isolated to the medial condyle(s) of MCIII in 13 of 15 horses; a cystic lesion occurred in the lateral condyle in one horse and in the sagittal ridge in one horse. One horse with bilateral lesions had an additional cystic lesion located in the right me...
Endoscopic examination of the carpal flexor tendon sheath in horses. This study was undertaken to design a safe technique to examine the carpal flexor tendon sheath (carpal sheath) of horses endoscopically, using an arthroscope. The limbs from 15 horses were used to study the normal anatomy of the carpal sheath and related structures, establish a safe approach and endoscopic technique, and determine the normal endoscopic appearance of the sheath. Major arteries, veins and nerves, present within and around the sheath, left few 'safe' areas to insert the endoscope. Several portals were assessed and a distal lateral approach was found to be safest and to allow ade...
Standing laparoscopically-aided ovariectomy in mares. Bilateral ovariectomy was performed in 11 mares and unilateral ovariectomy in 2 mares. The horses were standing and sedated for surgery. After appropriate preparation a laparoscope was inserted into the abdomen through the paralumbar fossa and the ovary was identified and anaesthetised with local anaesthetic via a custom-built needle. The ovary was then withdrawn from the abdomen through a separate flank incision and removed. The abdomen was not distended with gas before surgery. This method proved to be minimally invasive, rapid and effective.
Abscess on the lateral epicondyle of the humerus as a cause of lameness in a horse. An 18-month-old 450-kg [990-lb] sexually intact male Holsteiner was evaluated for lameness of the left forelimb of 3-months' duration. We were unable to localize the site of lameness, using intra-articular and perineural anesthesia, and radiography of the shoulder and cubital joint (elbow) did not reveal radiographic abnormalities. Nuclear scintigraphy was performed. An increase in radio-isotope uptake was evident at the lateral epicondyle of the left humerus. Radiographs of the region 3 weeks later revealed a 1.5-cm focal lucency surrounded by a 1.0-cm rim of necrotic bone. The lesion was con...
Airborne dust and aeroallergen concentrations in different sources of feed and bedding for horses. Standardized methods were used to make quantitative and qualitative assessments of respirable dust and aeroallergens in feed and bedding for horses. Concentrations of airborne dust were measured by using a Rion particle counter, and levels of major aeroallergens implicated in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were measured by using an Andersen sampler. Laboratory conditions allowed comparison of the different sources of forage, supplements, and bedding without external influences such as ventilation, external temperature and horse activity affecting the result. Grass silages of approximate...
Prospective study of equine colic incidence and mortality. A prospective study of one year was conducted on 31 horse farms to obtain population based estimates of incidence, morbidity and mortality rates of equine colic. Farms with greater than 20 horses were enrolled by randomly selecting horse owners from 2 adjacent counties of Virginia and Maryland. Descriptive information for 1427 horses was collected at the initiation of the study and updated at 3 month intervals. Time on the farm during the study was tabulated for each horse. When colic was reported by the owner, investigators visited the farm to obtain information about the colic. The crude inc...
Survey of diplomates of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons regarding postoperative intra-abdominal adhesion formation in horses undergoing abdominal surgery. To obtain information from specialists in equine surgery as to prevalence of, predisposing factors for, and methods to prevent postoperative adhesion formation in horses undergoing abdominal surgery. Methods: Survey. Methods: Surveys were mailed to 196 diplomates of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons involved in equine practice. Results: 60 (31%) surveys were returned. Most respondents (55/60) routinely informed clients of the risk of postoperative adhesion formation in horses with small intestinal lesions. When asked after which procedures they routinely used measures to prevent adhe...
Effects of omeprazole on healing of naturally-occurring gastric ulcers in thoroughbred racehorses. Seventeen Thoroughbred horses with moderate to severe gastric ulceration were purchased from a race track within 10 days of racing and were treated once daily with either omeprazole (9 horses) or vehicle (8 horses) and evaluated gastroscopically for ulcer healing. Horses were administered omeprazole (1.5 mg/kg bwt/day) or vehicle by nasogastric tube once daily. Gastroscopic examination was performed on Days 0, 4, 7, 11, 14, 17, 21, 24 and 28, until lesions healed completely. Selected images of gastric lesions were captured by computer at each endoscopic examination, with a measuring caliper in...
Gross and ultrasonographic anatomy of the carpal flexor tendon sheath in horses. This study was undertaken to establish the gross anatomy and the ultrasonographic appearance of the carpal digital flexor tendon sheath (carpal sheath) and the palmar carpal region in normal horses. The isolated forelimbs from 15 horses were used to study the morphology of the sheath and associated structures, including a detailed study of the location of the main blood vessels and nerves in that region. These limbs and the forelimbs of five live, sound horses were also examined ultrasonographically. The examination yielded good soft tissue detail of the tendons and ligaments, synovial and per...
Clinical trial of moxidectin oral gel in horses. A clinical trial carried out over 98 days was done to evaluate treatment of horses with moxidectin gel for efficacy as measured by (1) reduction in the production of parasite ova post treatment, (2) a comparison of the posttreatment parasite egg count suppression of moxidectin to ivermectin, and (3) assessment of the field safety, animal acceptance of the moxidectin formulation, and the utility of the moxidectin delivery device. One hundred and fifty Standardbred horses with naturally acquired parasite infections were used in the study. Moxidectin had more prolonged and greater suppressive inf...
Laryngoplasty with or without ventriculectomy for treatment of left laryngeal hemiplegia in 230 racehorses. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of laryngoplasty on racing performance and to determine if any of the following variables had a significant effect on outcome: breed (Thoroughbred v Standardbred), endoscopic grade of laryngeal function, ventriculectomy versus no ventriculectomy, type of prosthetic suture used, and number of prostheses placed. Methods: Retrospective study of laryngoplasty with or without ventriculectomy for treatment of left laryngeal hemiplegia in racehorses between 1986 and 1993. Methods: 230 horses (174 Thoroughbreds, 56 Standardbreds). Methods: The med...
Paralumbar fossa laparoscopic ovariectomy in horses with use of Endoloop ligatures. The purposes of this study were to develop a technique of paralumbar fossa laparoscopic ovariectomy using Endoloop ligatures and to avoid a laparotomy incision for ovary removal by using a 33-mm diameter muscle spreader trocar-cannula unit. Methods: Seven mares. Methods: Bilateral laparoscopic ovariectomy was performed under general anesthesia in two horses and under neuroleptanalgesia and local anesthesia in five standing mares. Ovaries were approached from the ipsilateral paralumbar fossa through two portal sites located in the paralumbar fossa and a third between the 17th and 18th ribs. Ins...
Intrinsic, management, and nutritional factors associated with equine motor neuron disease. To identify intrinsic, management, nutritional, and environmental risk factors associated with equine motor neuron disease (EMND) and to determine whether epidemiologic evidence supports oxidative stress as a risk factor for developing EMND. Methods: Case-control study. Methods: 87 horses with EMND and 259 control horses. Methods: Information concerning each horse's history of exposure to multiple environmental factors prior to developing EMND was obtained by means of a questionnaire or personal interview. Exposure histories of horses with EMND and control horses were compared, and the associa...
Evaluation of a test for identification of Arabian horses heterozygous for the severe combined immunodeficiency trait. To determine whether a recently developed test would correctly identify horses heterozygous for the severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) trait. Methods: Case series. Methods: 17 healthy Arabian horses that had previously produced foals with SCID, 1 healthy Arabian foal whose dam and sire had produced foals with SCID, 4 foals with SCID, and 1 healthy non-Arabian foal. Methods: DNA was extracted from leukocytes or fibroblasts, amplified by means of polymerase chain reaction, and hybridized with probes specific for the normal and mutant alleles of the catalytic subunit of DNA-dependent protein...
Complications associated with use of a one-hole subpalpebral lavage system in horses: 150 cases (1977-1996). To determine type and frequency of complications associated with use of a one-hole subpalpebral lavage (SPL) system in horses. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: 150 horses with 156 SPL systems. Methods: Signalment, primary complaint, method used for placement, time SPL system was in place, and complications were retrieved from medical records. Results: Complications were not associated with placement, maintenance, or removal of 66 of 156 (42%) SPL systems. A minor complication was reported in association with 53 (34%) SPL systems, and a serious complication was reported in association wit...
