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.
Cohen ND, Parson EM, Seahorn TL, Carter GK.Medical records of 116 horses admitted to the Texas Veterinary Medical Center between Jan 1, 1984 and Dec 31, 1991 with duodenitis/proximal jejunitis (DPJ) were reviewed. The prevalence of laminitis was 28.4% (33/116; 95% confidence interval: 20.2 to 36.6%). The prevalence of DPJ and DPJ-associated laminitis did not appear to vary significantly by year during the study period. Anamnesis, physical examination, clinicopathologic data, and initial treatment recorded at the time of admission were reviewed to determine risk factors associated with development of laminitis associated with DPJ. A tre...
Chui YC, Esaw B, Laviolette B.Urine samples collected from a horse after intramuscular administration of 40 mg of azaperone were extracted at pH 10 before and after acid hydrolysis. The extracts were concentrated and analysed by LC-MS-MS. Two N-dealkylated metabolites, N-despyridinylazaperol and N-despyridinylazaperone, and a low concentration of azaperone were detected in the unhydrolysed urine. Six metabolites; hydroxyazaperol, two hydroxyazaperones, azaperol, N-despyridinylazaperol and N-despyridinylazaperone were detected in the hydrolysed urine extracts. Using XAD-2 resin extraction, three glucuronide conjugated azape...
Oki H, Willham RL, Sasaki Y.The Japan Racing Association (JRA) operates 10 national racecourses with both turf and dirt tracks. JRA formulates the rules for horseracing; registers owners, colors, and horses using foal registration; and licenses all JRA trainers and jockeys. In 1990, at the 10 racecourses there were 288 racing days, 3,353 races, and some 38,397 horses. Horse breeding is concentrated in 7 locations with 93% of the Thoroughbreds foaled each year coming from Hokkaido. Thoroughbred flat racing comprise 92% of all races held. Two year olds race together and nearly 40% of their races are run at 1200 m. Some 39%...
Hintz HF, Cymbaluk NF.The horse was domesticated around 2500 BC and has been used for work, pleasure, and companionship since that time. However, the percentage of time devoted to these endeavors has changed greatly. The number of horses in the US peaked at more than 26 million in 1918. Thereafter, the increasing use of the internal combustion engine caused a steady decline in the number of horses. By 1960, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimated that there were only about 3 million horses in the US. In the 1960s, however, the number of...
Schubert R, Flachowsky G, Bochröder B.Chopped wheat straw was homogeneously mixed with urine of horses (5.75 gN per 1, 16.88 atom-% 15N-excess) and airtightly stored in plastic containers for 6 months. Three rumen fistulated sheep and goats each were fed with untreated or urine treated straw. Concentrate was added to straw. Untreated and urine treated straw were given in nylon bags and incubated in the rumen of sheep and goats for 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours. A three compartment exponential function was used to fit the measurements of 15N-excess and 15N-amount of bag content. The curves and the calculated partial Y-values of ...
Reagan WJ, Carter C, Turek J.This study documents a case of red maple leaf toxicosis in a horse, characterized by notable changes in red blood cells, specifically the formation of eccentrocytes, following ingestion of wilted […]
Spiers S, May SA, Bennett D, Edwards GB.Isolated equine blood and articular cells were investigated for proteolytic enzyme production by means of gel filtration and analysis on 14C-acetylated collagen and casein substrates. Significant amounts of collagenase and caseinase activity were produced by cultured synoviocytes stimulated with equine interleukin 1, although large amounts of collagenase also originated from neutrophils.
Edwards GB, Proudman CJ.A retrospective study of 75 cases of pedunculated lipoma obstruction (PLO) of the intestine was conducted. Age, breed and sex distributions were compared to the non-PLO colic population. Horses in the PLO group were significantly older than in the non-PLO colic group (P < 0.001). A significant increase in risk of PLO was associated with geldings (O.R. 2.32) and with ponies (O.R. 3.75). Of the 75 PLO cases analysed, 69 were strangulating, 70 involved small intestine and 5 involved small colon. Cases of strangulation obstruction tended to have lipomas originating distant to the mesenteric border...
Niskanen R, Lindahl J, Mokka R, Korkala O.Horse-related injuries form a notable part of sports and leisure time accidents. 54% of the injured were female riders under the age of 20 years. The most serious injuries were upper extremity ones. Over one third of the riders had suffered previously from horse-related injuries.
Gardner DG.Previously published cases of ameloblastoma in the horse are reviewed in detail for their acceptability as examples of that tumor; an additional one is described. So far, this rare equine lesion has been shown to have two histologic patterns. The first consists of islands and sheets of epithelium that exhibit the basal cell characteristics of ameloblastoma; the central cells comprise stellate reticulum. The second exhibits these basal cell features less markedly and the central cells are spindle-shaped and closely packed. The biologic behavior of the equine ameloblastoma is thought to be the s...
Guarda F, Rattazzi C.The authors describe pathologic and histopathologic findings of three cardiac aneurysms in horses, two of which in the left ventricle and one in the right ventricle. The aneurysms were always associated with multiple foci of myocardiac fibrosis. A hypothesis concerning histogenesis of the lesion is formulated.
Bathe AP.Three horses with an apparent neurological disorder resulting from nettle rash showed signs of ataxia, distress and muscle weakness, and two of them had urticaria. In each case the condition resolved within four hours, with no long term problems or recurrence.
Rohner K, Demuth D.We report cases of adverse reactions, some of which serious, of four frequently used therapeutic substances in several animal species. In order to avoid similar cases we discuss special measures or alternative therapies.
Jones DL.Medical records were reviewed for 11 horses with squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx and/or pharynx. The average age at presentation was 15.3 years. No breed or sex predilection was present. At presentation, 6 of 11 horses were dyspneic and 4 horses had inspiratory stridor. Endoscopy was performed in all cases and was more useful in demonstrating a mass in the laryngopharyngeal region than laryngeal or guttural pouch radiography. Surgical excision was attempted in 3 horses and in 1 horse alleviated clinical signs for 4 months. Ten horses were euthanatized and 1 horse died. Results of this st...
Peters SE, Wakefield AE, Whitwell KE, Hopkin JM.Genetically distinct forms of Pneumocystis carinii infect several mammalian hosts. We report the amplification of P. carinii DNA from samples of two infected thoroughbred foal lungs by using primers designed from the sequence of a P. carinii mitochondrial rRNA gene; these primers also prime the amplification of P. carinii DNA from other hosts. The nucleotide sequence of part of the mitochondrial rRNA gene amplified from P. carinii infecting one of the foals was determined and found to be distinct from that of published rat-, rabbit-, ferret-, and human-derived P. carinii sequences.
Steel CM, Collins VL, Hance SR, Adkins AR, Hitchens PL.Veterinarians are required to interpret the significance of radiographic findings for sale, soundness and future racing performance of weanling and yearling Thoroughbreds. We investigated the prevalence and radiographic appearance of slab fractures of the third (T3) and central tarsal (Tc) bones. Methods: Weanling and yearling horses with complete or incomplete T3 or Tc fracture were identified by searching a database of radiographs. The prevalence and radiographic appearance at initial diagnosis and after continued pasture turnout, as well as prognosis for racing, of fractures of T3 and Tc we...
Merson C, Navas Gonzalez FJ, Orth E, Adams A, McLean A.The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged professors and students of all disciplines to adjust quickly to remote online teaching and education platforms. In this new era of remote teaching, a greater challenge has been presented in the field of equine science; how to effectively share knowledge that is most often demonstrated by providing students access to live, in-person animal examples. Historically, students and teachers believed skill sets, which are vital for future careers in the industry (e.g., veterinarian) must be learned through hands-on experience. However, in-person methods were not av...
Coudry V, Jean D, Desbois C, Tnibar A, Laugier C, George C.Ventricular dysrhythmias are more commonly associated with myocardial disease than are supraventricular dysrhythmias. Management of arrhythmias under general anesthesia is difficult because of the dysrhythmogenic effects of the anesthetic drugs. This report describes a severe ventricular dysrhythmia observed in a pony under general anesthesia, with a severe and old myocardial fibrosis found on postmortem examination. Fibrose du myocarde chez un cheval présentant de la tachycardie ventriculaire polymorphe observée au cours d’une anesthésie générale. Les dysrythmies ventriculaires sont pl...
Spoormakers TJ, Heim C, Vermunt L, Fürst A, Rovel T.To describe clinical and imaging features and surgical treatment of equine mandibular aneurysmal bone cysts (ABCs) with β-tricalcium phosphate (TCP). Methods: 3 horses (cases 1, 2, and 3) and 1 pony (case 4) with histologically confirmed ABC. Methods: All cases had mandibular swelling with intact adjacent skin. Cases 1 to 3 had a body condition score of 3/5 and case 4 had 2/5 and showed quidding during mastication and, at oral examination, large interdental spaces and loose elements adjacent to the swelling. Radiography or CT was performed in all cases. In cases 1, 3, and 4, an expansile sept...
Patterson-Kane JC, Bain FT, Donahue JM, Harrison LR.A neonatal Thoroughbred foal was presented with rib fractures and left forelimb lameness secondary to dystocia. Results: The foal developed a head tilt, seizures and watery diarrhoea during hospitalisation and died at 7 days of age. Histological examination of the brain and spinal cord revealed a suppurative meningoencephalomyelitis with vasculitis, and numerous intralesional, gram-negative bacilli. Similar microscopic lesions were noted in the lungs, renal medullary interstitium, and umbilicus. Bacilli in the brain, spinal cord and umbilicus were identified immunohistochemically as Salmonella...
Riley CB, Cruz AM, Bailey JV, Barber SM, Fretz PB.Many uncomplicated umbilical hernias have been managed successfully in foals by the application of a hernia clamp. Isolated reports of complications following clamp application have led some authors to suggest that it is an unsuitable method of treatment. Little information has been published comparing the complication rates associated with the use of hernia clamps and herniorrhaphy in the treatment of umbilical hernias. The purpose of this retrospective study was to report the characteristics of clinical cases of umbilical hernia and to compare the complication rates following these 2 treatme...
Carter BG, Schneider RK, Hardy J, Bramlage LR, Bertone AL.Fractures of the humerus were diagnosed in horses at The Ohio State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Twenty-four horses (44.4%) were destroyed after radiographic assessment (mean age of 5.0 years). Surgical treatment was elected in 13 horses (24.1%, mean age of 0.42 years). Conservative management, consisting of prolonged stall rest, was chosen for 17 horses (31.5%, mean age of 2.2 years). In the surgically treated group, 3 foals (23.1%) all less than 2 months of age at the time of fracture and treated with intramedullary stack pinning, survived and became athletically sound. After con...
Carstanjen B, Lepage OM, Hars O, Langlois P, Duboeuf F, Amory H.The purpose of this longitudinal in-field study was to evaluate the influence of exercise, age, and gender on superficial cortical bone of the third metacarpal bone (MC III) in young Thoroughbreds by measuring speed of sound (SOS) values with an axial transmission technique (Omnisense, Sunlight Ltd, Israel). Both MC III of 75 racehorses, 2 to 4 years old, were monitored with SOS measurements in 5- to 7-week intervals during a 9- month physical exercise period. Medical data and training programs (slow gallop, canter, and high-speed work) of each horse were recorded. SOS measurements began befor...
Beelitz P, Gothe R.In this epidemiological study 127 horses from five breeding farms in Upper Bavaria were included. The horses were coproscopically examined in intervals of four weeks over a 16-month period. Since 1992 in all farms regular prophylactic treatments with anthelmintics have been carried out. In 127 horses at least five species were established, such as Parascaris equorum, Anoplocephala perfoliata, Gasterophilus intestinalis and small strongyles, whose third stage larvae were characterized by eight or twelve intestinal cells. Infections with small strongyles occurred most frequently, followed by G. ...
Magnarelli LA, Van Andel AE, Ijdo JW, Heimer R, Fikrig E.To diagnose granulocytic ehrlichiosis in horses, compare results of indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) staining procedures with those of immunoblot analysis, and compare serologic test findings with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) results. Methods: 69 horses with high rectal temperatures (> or = 39 C) and lethargy, anorexia, or limb edema. Methods: 43 convalescent serum samples obtained from 38 horses 2 to 18 weeks after onset of illness were analyzed by use of immunoblot procedures and IFA staining methods, using the NCH-1 or BDS ehrlichial strains. Blood samples from 69 acutely ill horse...
Noguera Cender A, Mählman K, Lischer CJ.To describe and evaluate an alternative technique for tenoscopic resection of the manica flexoria (MF). Methods: Descriptive study. Methods: Equine cadaver forelimbs and hind limbs (n = 36). Methods: Three surgeons varying in experience resected the MF in 12 limbs. The procedure was divided into six steps, including resection of the lateral/medial borders of the MF with a hook knife and resection of the proximal border with a micro scalpel. Outcomes compared between surgeons included completeness of resection, appearance of the margins of resection, appearance of the resected MF, collateral da...
Marly-Voquer C, Schwarzwald CC, Bettschart-Wolfensberger R.Five horses were presented for treatment of atrial fibrillation by transvenous electrical cardioversion (TVEC). A dexmedetomidine infusion was administered for sedation during positioning of the cardioversion catheters, and continued during general anesthesia. Shocks were applied until return to sinus rhythm. Dexmedetomidine infusion provided excellent conditions for TVEC catheter placement and procedure. Utilisation d’une perfusion continue de dexmedetomidine lors de cardioversion électrique transveineuse chez le cheval: une série de cas. Cinq chevaux présentant une fibrillation atriale ...
Parente EJ, Russau AL, Birks EK.Mild lameness is considered a performance-limiting problem that may escape detection until it worsens, and is considered the primary reason for reduced racing performance. The kinematics changes associated with a lame horse at the trot have been demonstrated previously, but the metabolic cost of these alterations in their gait have not been demonstrated. Six fit Thoroughbred horses with an established VO2max participated in 4 trials using a randomised cross-over design study, separated by 10-14 days. The horses were tested with one of 4 trial conditions: lead forelimb lameness (LL); off-lead f...
Craig TM.Internal parasites of horses are ubiquitous but that does not suppose that the level of infection does not vary with climatic conditions. Climate determines the limits of where a parasite species can survive the external environment and weather determines the transmission pattern within the climatic bounds [Levine, N.D., 1963. Adv. Vet. Sci. 8, 215-261]. Arid areas have a more limited exposure potential to important parasites but the level of exposure can nonetheless lead to disease. It must be remembered that, even in arid areas, it does rain and irrigation, overflow from water troughs, dew d...
Jacob RJ.Preliminary experiments have revealed that several laboratory and wild-type strains of the equine herpesvirus (EHV) triad were temperature-sensitive for growth when assayed at 39 degrees C. The efficiencies of plating (EOP) observed were 10(-2) for both EHV 1 and 2, and 1 X 10(-6) for EHV 3. The EOPs were determined by plaque assays which compared titrations at 34 degrees C and 39 degrees C on equine fetal dermal fibroblast cells. Growth yield experiments, assayed at 34 degrees C, reflected those EOP's, but did not indicate any difference in yields when infected cultures were incubated at 34 d...
Plummer CE, Kallberg ME, Ollivier FJ, Barrie KP, Brooks DE.To describe and evaluate a surgical technique utilized for the therapy of deep corneal stromal abscesses (DSA) in horses. The DSA is excised and replaced with a partial thickness corneal lamellar allograft. Methods: A retrospective clinical study describing the indications for the surgical technique utilized and the outcomes of this procedure in 10 eyes of 10 horses. Results: Each affected eye had a discrete DSA within the posterior stroma. An initial partial thickness semicircular corneal incision was made at the limbus, followed by anterior stromal lamellar dissection over the lesion. After ...
de Moura AB, da Silva MO, Farias JA, Vieira-Neto A, de Souza AP, Sartor AA, Fonteque JH, Bunn S.The aims of this study were to determine occurrences of Neospora spp. IgG antibodies in horses from two geographical regions of the state of Santa Catarina, southern Brazil, and identify risk factors for infection. Analyses were performed on 615 samples using the immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT ≥ 1:50). Out of the 615 samples, 25 (4.1%) were positive for Neospora spp. The titers for Neospora spp. were distributed as follows: 1:50 (13), 1:100 (eight), 1:200 (three) and 1:400 (one). Out of the 311 samples taken in the mountain region, eight were positive (2.6%). Among the samples from th...
Sannajust K, Spriet M, Anishchenko S, Beylin D.Maximal standardized uptake values (SUV ) are commonly used for the interpretation of PET studies. Limited information regarding the SUV of F-NaF PET in horses is currently available in the literature. The goals of this retrospective secondary analysis study were to provide reference values for F-NaF SUV in the equine distal extremity and assess the effect of attenuation correction. Nonattenuation corrected (NAC) and CT-based attenuation corrected (CTAC) SUV were obtained from 19 feet and 19 fetlocks. Twenty regions of interest (ROIs) were defined for the foot and 22 for the fetlock. Areas p...
White NA, Wheat JD.Proximal tibial epiphyseal fractures in 2 foals were reduced and stabilized by expansion and compression between 2 transversely placed Steinman pins, one on each side of the fracture. A Charnley apparatus or turnbuckles placed between the pins on each side of the fracture provided the mechanical advantage for repositioning the fracture fragments and achieving rigid fixation during healing. A light cast was applied over the fixation apparatus, keeping the limb in an extended position. The cast and fixation apparatus were removed after 4 weeks. The technique allowed rapid healing and adequate am...
Murray MJ, Grodinsky C, Cowles RR, Hawkins WL, Forfa RJ, Luba NK.Gastroendoscopic examinations were conducted on thirty-two 2- to 60-day-old Thoroughbred foals on 5 breeding farms. Repeat gastroendoscopic examinations were performed 35 to 135 days after the initial examination, with the age of foals ranging from 39 to 190 days. On initial endoscopic examination, lesions consisting of ulcers and/or erosions were most prevalent in the stratified squamous epithelial mucosa adjacent to the margo plicatus along the greater curvature of the stomach (15 of 32 foals), and were observed much less frequently at other sites within the stomach. In addition to ulcers an...
Jeffcott LB, Colles CM.The clinical uses and side-effects of phenylbutazone in man, horses, and other animals are reviewed. The blood dyscrasias commonly described in man have not been reported in the horse, although several of the more minor side-effects have occasionally been seen (e.g. water retention, depression, transient staggering and phlebitis). Despite the lack of documented evidence, the toxicity of phenylbutazone in the horse is considered to be lower than that in man. This may be associated with the lower dose rates normally used, the more rapid plasma clearance rate and the comparatively younger age of ...
Welch RD, Auer JA, Watkins JP, Baird AN.A 2-year-old Thoroughbred colt was referred for evaluation of effusion within the tarsal sheath and associated lameness of the right hind limb. Conservative treatment consisting of needle aspiration and pressure bandaging had been unsuccessful. Radiography of the right tarsus revealed proliferative periosteal reaction along the distal caudal border of the sustentaculum tali and medial aspect of the calcaneus. The owners elected conservative treatment, using a local injection of corticosteroid and pressure bandaging the tarsus. Five months later, the severity of the effusion and lameness had in...
Dühlmeier R, Gück T, Deegen E, Busche R, Sallmann HP.To investigate the influence of overweight and dietary fat supplementation on lipid and insulin glucose metabolism of Shetland ponies, eight Shetland pony geldings were fed a hypercaloric (30 MJ DE/150 kg bwt. and day) fat diet (10% fat as soybean oil) or a carbohydrate control diet for nine months until ponies gained an overweight of 15%. Afterwards oral glucose tolerance tests (oGTT; 5, 6 mmol/kg bwt.) were performed after a 12 hour fast and after a fast which led to an increase of plasma triglyceride concentrations to a threshold of 3 mmol/l (36-65 hrs.). Plasma concentrations of glucose, i...
Schmucker N, Schatzmann U, Budde K, Gundel M, Jäggin CE, Meier H.The aim of this study was to determine the blood flow in the carotid artery during halothane anaesthesia by means of duplex-sonography. Seventeen warm blood horses were evaluated in dorsal and lateral recumbency and the results were compared with the values of the same horses resting and under sedation. The cross sectional area of the vessels, the time-averaged maximal blood velocity, time-averaged maximal blood flow and the resistance index were determined and the flow profile was evaluated. During halothane anesthesia the total blood flow shows a significant increase which is not dependent o...
Merritt AM, Bolton JR, Cimprich R.Pertinent questions regarding the history of a horse with diarrhoea are listed, as are diagnostic procedures that might be included in a complete clinical work-up. For purposes of discussion, diarrhoea is regarded as "acute" or "chronic" wherein the former concerns cases where the features of the disease are severe with progressive electrolyte imbalance, dehydration, toxaemia, or other life-threatening manifestations and the latter refers to cases that have been prolonged for a month or more. Patterns of disease, including results of diagnostic techniques, are stressed. In the "acute" category...
Brown JA, Murphy BG, Clapp KS, LaDouceur EEB.Hypercementosis is infrequently reported to affect the cheek teeth of horses and presents as mineral deposits either attached (peripheral) or solitary ovoid (nodular) structures in the tooth bearing region. There is overlap between radiological and histological appearance of hypercementosis, cementoma, and equine odontoclastic tooth resorption and hypercementosis (EOTRH). The clinical presentation, imaging features, surgical management, and histological findings of nine horses that presented for dental lesions and associated hypercementosis of cheek teeth are reported. Horses were 4-15 years o...
Moss AL, Acutt EV, Ullal T, Applegate TJ, Hackett ES.To describe the ureteropyeloscopic removal of a nephrolith in a horse. Methods: A 19 year old Hanoverian gelding with history of urolithiasis requiring surgical intervention. Methods: Case report METHODS: The horse presented with signs of abdominal straining and stranguria. A proximal urethral calculus was palpable externally within the perineal urethra. Perineal urethrostomy (PU) at the location of the urethral calculi was performed to remove the urethral obstruction. Left nephrolithiasis was then treated by endoscopic retrieval, inserting the endoscope through the PU. The procedures were per...
Machida N, Tanaka Y, Taya K, Nakamura T.A case of congenital ovarian interstitial cell hamartoma in a thoroughbred foal that died of apparent nutritional myopathy (white-muscle disease) 14 h after birth is described. An incidental finding at necropsy was a pale brown, mushroom-shaped, pedunculated mass (6 x 4 x 3 cm) attached to the left ovary. On the cut surface, the mass had a peripheral rim of dense parenchyma (3-5 mm wide), surrounding a pale gelatinous core. Histologically, the mass consisted of a peripheral zone of densely packed large cells that were quite similar, morphologically, to fetal ovarian interstitial cells, and a c...
Norman WM, Court MH, Greenblatt DJ.To evaluate changes in the pharmacokinetic disposition of diazepam in foals from 4 to 84 days of age. Methods: 4 male and 2 female full-term mixed-breed foals. Methods: Diazepam terminal half-life, volume of distribution, clearance, free fraction, unbound volume of distribution, free clearance, peak desmethyldiazepam concentration, and area under the desmethyldiazepam concentration-time curve were determined after i.v. administration of 0.25 mg of diazepam/kg of body weight to foals at 4, 21, 42, and 84 days of age. Results: Disposition of diazepam was best described using a two-compartment mo...
Darien BJ, Potempa J, Moore JN, Travis J.Antithrombin-III (AT-III) activity was measured at the time of admission in 46 horses referred with colic. Differences in AT-III activities between animals treated medically or surgically and survivors or non-survivors were compared. The mean AT-III values for the horses treated medically (76.2 per cent), surgical survivors (69.5 per cent) and surgical non-survivors (55.9 per cent) were significantly different from the reference value for healthy adults (92 to 108 per cent). The mean AT-III activity of the survivors was significantly (P less than 0.01) greater than that of the nonsurvivors. Th...
