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.
Hinckley KA, Fearn S, Howard BR, Henderson IW.Laminitis, a microvascular disease of the equine hoof leads to severe lameness. Exogenous iv 1-arginine and transdermal nitric oxide donors, such as GTN, applied to the pasterns improve lameness during acute laminitis. Near Infrared spectroscopy in an earlier study showed haemostasis and ischaemia in the hoof during acute laminitis, both were alleviated by 1-arginine. Quantitative NIRS in the present study shows that transdermal GTN increases blood flow in the equine hoof. It is concluded that glyceryl trinitrate enhances nitric oxide mediated perfusion within the equine hoof in normal and chr...
Gupta AK, Singh BK, Yadav MP.Fifty aborted foetus samples were diagnosed for the presence of equine herpes virus-1 (EHV-1) by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. Specific primer pair for amplification of a particular segment of EHV-1 DNA in gc region having 3 Hae III restriction endonuclease sites was used. A 409 base pair segment obtained as PCR amplification product in 9 samples was digested with Hae III to confirm the presence of EHV-1 as the infectious agent in aborted tissues. It was observed that PCR technique was more sensitive, specific and rapid than the conventional virological diagnostic methods.
Ramos-Vara JA, Ortiz-Santiago B, Segalès J, Dunstan RW.This report contains the clinical, histologic, immunohistochemical, and electron microscopic findings in two cases of equine cutaneous leishmaniasis. Nodular, sometimes crusty or ulcerated lesions were confined to the pinna and adjacent neck in both animals. The dermal inflammatory infiltrate was lymphohistiocytic in horse No. 1 and pyogranulomatous with formation of tuberculoid granulomas in horse No. 2. Numerous Leishmania organisms were found within macrophages in both animals. There was moderate to intense and specific reaction by immunoperoxidase using a polyclonal antiserum against Leish...
Kirchhof N, Scheidemann W, Baumgärtner W.Multiple neurofibromas, schwannomas, and hyperplastic enteric plexuses were observed in the distal jejunum and ileum of a 6-year-old pinto gelding. The animal was presented because of an acute episode of colic. Three meters of distal small intestine, partially incarcerated in the epiploic foramen, were surgically removed. Numerous tumor nodules up to 10 mm in diameter were found adjacent to a Meckel's diverticulum, predominantly located in the subserosa of a hypertrophic segment. Histologically, tumors were well demarcated and composed of interlacing fascicles formed by spindloid cells. Adjace...
England GC, Clarke KW.In recent years the usefulness of the alpha 2 adrenoceptor agonist drugs has been recognized in equine practice. Several agents have become available and are now licensed for use in a number of countries. The principle actions of all alpha 2 adrenoceptor agonists are similar, in that they produce a reduction in heart rate and alteration of heart rhythm, an initial hypertension followed by a prolonged hypotension, a decrease in the cardiac output and respiratory depression. For clinical purposes, these agents produce sedation and analgesia, they are useful for premedication and markedly potenti...
Estberg L, Stover SM, Gardner IA, Drake CM, Johnson B, Ardans A.To investigate the relation between several racing speed history characteristics and risk of fatal skeletal injury (FSI) in racing Thoroughbreds. Methods: 64 Thoroughbreds euthanatized during a 9-month period in 1991 at a California racemeet because of a catastrophic fracture incurred while racing (cases), identified retrospectively. For each race in which an FSI occurred, 1 control horse was randomly selected from the noncatastrophically injured participants. Methods: Racing and officially timed workout histories were obtained for each horse. Several history characteristics were calculated to...
Lyons ET, Tolliver SC, Drudge JH, Stamper S, Swerczek TW, Granstrom DE.Critical tests (91) were done between 1977 and 1992 in Shetland ponies to evaluate drug susceptibility and population dynamics (present paper) of endoparasites. The test ponies, most less than 1 year old, were from a herd where older animals were treated every 8 weeks initially with cambendazole (CBZ) (1974-1978) and then with oxibendazole (OBZ) (1978-1992). Previous field test data (1974-1992) on older ponies in the breeding herd indicated the presence of benzimidazole (BZ) resistant small strongyles. Data on population dynamics from the present critical tests indicated that 28 species of sma...
Caron JP, Kaneene JB, Miller R.To determine the patterns of use and perceived efficacy of polysulfated glycosaminoglycan (PSGAG) for the treatment of degenerative joint disease in horses. Methods: Cross-sectional mail survey. Methods: 1,522 equine practitioners. Methods: Information was obtained on frequency and route of administration of PSGAG for the treatment of each of 4 forms of degenerative joint disease, the efficacy of PSGAG, and its efficacy compared with that of sodium hyaluronate. Data were analyzed by nonparametric and multivariate regression methods. Results: Response rate was 40.5%. Of practitioners responding...
de la Rúa-Domènech R, Wiedmann M, Mohammed HO, Cummings JF, Divers TJ, Batt CA.The cDNA encoding the equine copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD1) was cloned from leukocyte total RNA from healthy horses and its nucleotide (nt) sequence was determined. We further sequenced the SOD1 gene from 16 horses diagnosed with equine motor neuron disease (EMND) and eight unrelated, clinically normal horses to determine if this disease, similar to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in humans, is linked to SOD1 mutations. The 465-bp SOD1 coding region in the horse encodes 153 amino acid (aa) residues. Equine SOD1 exhibited 81.8 and 79.9% sequence identity to the human homolog at the...
Dow SM, Wilson AM, Goodship AE.Horses with acute injuries of the superficial digital flexor tendon were treated with a course of seven intramuscular injections of 500 mg of polysulphated glycosaminoglycan at four-day intervals. Clinical assessments of the lesions were made by a veterinary surgeon at the time of each injection and 14 and 28 days after the last injection. A total of 150 courses of the drug were administered and adequately completed assessment forms were returned for 80 cases. Long-term follow-up data were obtained for 19 cases. The subjective assessments by the veterinary surgeons showed that in 80 per cent o...
Van Hoogmoed L, Snyder JR.Four horses were evaluated for clinical signs consistent with small intestinal disease. During exploratory surgery, primary hematomas in the mesentery were found in 2 horses. The third horse developed a hematoma secondary to a mesenteric rent, whereas in the fourth horse, a hematoma developed secondary to strangulation of the bowel by a mesenteric lipoma. Two horses were euthanatized at surgery, because the extensive nature of the hematoma precluded ligation and there was substantial risk of continued hemorrhage postoperatively. The remaining horses recovered from surgery but developed complic...
Yamashita K, Yonezawa K, Izumisawa Y, Kotani T.The antagonistic effects of atipamezole (20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 micrograms/kg i.v.) on medetomidine (10 micrograms/kg i.v.)-induced sedation were evaluated in horses. Although 20 and 40 micrograms/kg of atipamezole were not sufficient to reverse the sedation, 60 micrograms/kg did effectively reverse the sedation. Atipamezole at 80 micrograms/kg was more potent, and significantly shortened the duration of sedation without any apparent side effects, but a higher dose of 100 micrograms/kg was not more effective than 80 micrograms/kg. The possible use of atipamezole as a reversal agent may enhanc...
Devriese LA, Ieven M, Goossens H, Vandamme P, Pot B, Hommez J, Haesebrouck F.Enterococcus faecium strains with vanA-mediated glycopeptide resistance were isolated by enrichment culture from the intestines and feces of several animal species, mainly horses and dogs (8% positive), chickens (7% positive), and pigs (6% positive). Other vanA-positive enterococcal strains were identified as E. durans in gallinaceous birds, E. faecalis in a horse, and E. gallinarum in a pheasant. Samples from pigeons, cage birds, and ruminants were negative. It was concluded that vancomycin resistance is widespread among isolates from farm and pet animals.
Van Hoogmoed L, Snyder JR, Christopher M, Vatistas N.To characterize, in mares, changes in peritoneal fluid that occurred within the first 7 days after routine foaling. Methods: Prospective observational trial. Methods: 15 mares. Methods: Abdominocentesis was performed within 10 days before foaling and again 12 hours, 3 days, and 7 days after each horse foaled. Data recorded for each sample included total nucleated cell count, differential cell count, specific gravity, fibrinogen concentration, and total protein concentration. Smears of each sample were examined by a single clinical pathologist. Results: There were not any significant difference...
Horohov DW, Keadle TL, Pourciau SS, Littlefield-Chabaud MA, Kamerling SG, Keowen ML, French DD, Melrose PA.Intense exercise affects various parameters of the immune system. The overall effect of exercise on immune function is dependent upon the physical condition of the subject, the intensity and duration of the exercise period, and the immune parameter assessed. Unconditioned horses subjected to a single bout of intensive exercise exhibit multiple alterations in immune function, including an augmentation of lymphokine activated killer (LAK) cell function. This increase in LAK cell activity is not due to an increase in circulating LAK precursors. While peripheral blood mononuclear cells from exerci...
Yamagata M, Wilkie DA, Gilger BC.Eosinophilic keratoconjunctivitis was diagnosed in 7 horses at The Ohio State University between 1976 and 1994. All horses had moderate-to-severe blepharospasm, chemosis, and conjunctival hyperemia; epiphora; and extensive yellow-to-white caseous mucoid discharge. Corneal ulcers associated with this disease were perilimbal and extended centrally. All ulcers were covered with a white necrotic plaque firmly attached to the underlying cornea. Other ophthalmic abnormalities were not detected. Corneal scrapings examined cytologically contained numerous eosinophils interspersed between epithelial ce...
Gerard MP, Bowman KF, Blikslager AT, Tate LP, Bristol DG.To determine whether complete cecal bypass, by jejunocolostomy or ileocolostomy, is an effective treatment for horses with cecal impaction. Methods: Retrospective analysis of medical records. Methods: 9 horses with cecal impaction managed by jejunocolostomy (3) or ileocolostomy (6) performed with or without typhlotomy for evacuation of cecal contents. Methods: Information on age, breed, gender, duration of medical treatment, preoperative abnormalities, surgical procedure, and postoperative complications was retrieved from the medical records. Follow-up data were obtained via telephone intervie...
Pazzi KA, Kraegel SA, Griffey SM, Theon AP, Madewell BR.Wild type equine p53 was amplified between exons 2 and 9 by the polymerase chain reaction using primers designed from conserved regions in other species. An 828 base pair region, corresponding to codons 25-313 of human p53, was sequenced in both directions. Human and equine amino acid sequences were 87% homologous in this region and 96% homologous in conserved domains II-V. Of eight equine cutaneous or mucocutaneous squamous cell carcinomas directly sequenced from exons 5-8, two had p53 point mutations resulting in single amino acid substitutions.
Haider W, Brehm W, Keller H.An apparently unilateral cryptorchid stallion was referred to the clinic with a history of colic. In the course of laparotomy an ileus caused by strangulation of the small intestine was found and the horse was euthanized because of poor prognosis. During autopsy strictures and ectasia of the jejunum were found as well as hermaphroditism along with male phenotype. The frequency of cryptorchidism in the case of intersexuality is discussed.
Rose PL, Watkins JP, Auer JA.A comminuted, mid-diaphyseal femoral fracture was diagnosed radiographically in a 4-month-old Quarter Horse colt. Disruption of the distal blood supply was suspected, as evidenced by coolness and diminished pulses of the distal portion of the limb. The fracture was repaired by compression plating but the foal's condition continued to deteriorate. A femoral arteriogram of the affected limb was obtained. Positive contrast agent was visible only as far as the mid-shaft of the femur. The foal was euthanatized and the postmortem examination revealed a transected popliteal artery accounting for isch...
Tannus RJ, Thun R.A total of 259 normally fertile mares were examined gynecologically by means of rectal palpation and ultrasonography in order to record the presence of uterine cysts and pregnancy. The incidence of endometrial cysts was 22.4%. Of the 95 cysts observed during the trial, 87.4% were located in the middle and posterior segments of both uterine horns. The size of all endometrial cysts ranged between 3 and 48 mm. When all mares were assigned to three age groups, A 14 years (n = 26), a significant (P < 0.01) increase in the number of endometrial cysts was observed with advancing age (4.3%, 29.1% ...
Gatewood DM, Douglass JP, Cox JH, DeBowes RM, Kennedy GA.A 9-year-old American Saddlebred mare was referred because of abdominal distention and signs of abdominal pain. Copious peritoneal fluid obtained by abdominocentesis appeared to be frank blood. Rectal and ultrasonographic evaluation of the abdomen revealed a large mass at the distal tip of the right uterine horn. The mare was euthanatized and necropsied and the mass was determined to be a granulosa-thecal cell neoplasm. The most common clinical sign of granulosa-thecal cell neoplasm is infertility or abnormal sexual behavior. Hemoperitoneum is infrequently associated with neoplasms in horses.
Penell JC, Bonnett BN, Pringle J, Egenvall A.Computerized diagnostic information offers potential for epidemiological research; however data accuracy must be addressed. The principal aim of this study was to evaluate the completeness and correctness of diagnostic information in a computerized equine clinical database compared to corresponding hand written veterinary clinical records, used as gold standard, and to assess factors related to correctness. Further, the aim was to investigate completeness (epidemiologic sensitivity), correctness (positive predictive value), specificity and prevalence for diagnoses for four body systems and cor...
Passantino A, Giannetto C, Passantino L, Piccione G.The Council of Europe's activities in the field of animal welfare are particularly noteworthy and comprise the elaboration of several norms for the protection of animals. Concerning the specific European Directive, Regulations or Convention for the protection of animals, the Authors underline the missing of specifics recommendations concerning the welfare of sport horses and especially of trotters. Guidelines are reported by regulation of equestrian sports. The paper's purpose is to give practical elements to individuate the welfare state and to promote a clear regulation on welfare, care and ...
Seahorn JL, Slovis NM, Reimer JM, Carey VJ, Donahue JG, Cohen ND.To identify factors significantly associated with an epidemic of fibrinous pericarditis during spring 2001 among horses in central Kentucky. Methods: Case-control study. Methods: 38 horses with fibrinous pericarditis and 30 control horses examined for other reasons. Methods: A questionnaire was developed to solicit information regarding a wide range of management practices and environmental exposures from farm owners or managers. Results: The following factors were found in bivariate analyses to be significantly associated with an increased risk of pericarditis: being from a farm with mares an...
Viel L.Equine allergic small airway disease is a highly prevalent respiratory condition among the stabled horse population. With the assistance of new diagnostic tools such as bronchoalveolar lavage, the condition can be recognized in young performing horses. The pathophysiological and clinical features resemble an earlier stage of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as determined by the appearance of specific inflammatory cells. Although environmental management is paramount in controlling the disease, proper selective therapeutic regimens are as important to reduce the concurrent inflammation and...
Wilson DG, Reinertson EL.A modified parainguinal approach was used to castrate 119 abdominal cryptorchid horses. The operative time ranged from 10 to 30 minutes. Follow-up information was obtained for 107 horses. Swelling, more severe than that expected in routine castrations, was reported in six horses. An incisional abscess had to be drained in one horse and one horse died of unexplained causes 3 days after the surgery.
Calero Rodriguez A, de Grauw JC, van Loon JPAM.To determine the effect of fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO) on intrapulmonary shunt fraction as measured by F-shunt in ponies during isoflurane anaesthesia. Methods: Prospective, randomized clinical study. Methods: A group of 23 adult Shetland ponies undergoing a total of 32 anaesthetic procedures. Methods: Ponies were premedicated intravenously (IV) with detomidine (0.01 mg kg) and either morphine (0.1 mg kg) or butorphanol (0.02 mg kg). Anaesthesia was induced with ketamine (2.2 mg kg) and midazolam (0.07 mg kg) administered IV. Ponies were randomly allocated to maintenance of anaesthesia w...
Abushhiwa MH, Elmeshreghi TN, Alrtib AM, Bennour EM, Oheida AH.Orthopedic diseases involving the forelimb fetlock joint of horses other than those used in professional racing have not been widely reported in the literature. One of these problems is the exostosis on the proximal forelimb phalanx (P1), which has not been reported previously in Western Libya. The study aimed to investigate the prevalence of P1 exostosis in traditional equestrian horses (known locally as Sarj horses) of different breeds in Libya that participated in a special social event and described its clinical findings radiographic appearance. The current study involved 60 horses admitte...