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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.
An evaluation of the effect of reagent modification on routine laboratory coagulation tests. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of modifying commercial reagents for the laboratory evaluation of several haemostatic parameters in normal, non-pregnant mares. The routine coagulation screening assays, namely, the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and the one-stage prothrombin time (PT), and the specific coagulation assays for the determination of the biological activity of Factors VII, VIII:C and IX, are discussed.
[The appearance of stress on the movement apparatus in dressage, jumping and versatility horses]. Jumping and military (three days events) horses are exposed, during sports activities, to a particularly high stress especially in the region of the extremities (limbs). The genesis of tendon, joint and bone diseases are traced in accordance to the centers of the load during movement sequence. A special statistics on injuries concerning the German competition horses does not exist yet. Out of the available statistics about the German competition horses it is not obvious that as a result of its use as sports horses a particular high loss occur among these horses.
Atresia coli in the foal: a review of six cases. Physical examination and exploratory celiotomy were performed on five neonatal foals presented with signs of acute colic. Atresia coli was confirmed in each foal during surgery. The most consistent finding on physical examination was the absence of meconium staining following repeated enemas. The large, transverse and/or small colon were involved in all foals. One eight month aborted foetus was submitted for necropsy and diagnosed as having atresia coli and congenital hydrocephalus. Atresia coli should be considered for neonatal foals with signs of acute colic.
Domestic animal models of severe combined immunodeficiency: canine X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency and severe combined immunodeficiency in horses. This review describes the clinical, immunologic and pathologic features of two naturally-occurring models of severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) in domestic animals that represent different forms of human SCID. Canine X-linked SCID (XSCID) has an X-linked recessive mode of inheritance and, as such, represents a model for the most common form of human SCID in the United States. Affected dogs have normal percentages of circulating B cells and low to normal percentages of phenotypically mature, but nonfunctional T cells. Severe combined immunodeficiency in the horse is an autosomal recessive ...
Rotavirus serotype G3 predominates in horses. Foal fecal group A rotavirus strains were characterized by electropherotype, serotype, and subgroup and shown to be distinctly different from rotaviruses of other mammals. Of 86 strains that were electropherotyped, 98% had similar profiles, with gene segments 3 and 4 close together and segments 7, 8, and 9 widely spaced. Of 70 strains that had sufficient detectable VP7 antigen to be serotyped by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), 63% were serotype G3 (39% were subtype G3A and 24% were subtype G3B), 4% were serotype G13, and 33% were untypeable. Serotypes G1, G2, G4, G5, G6, G9, G10, ...
Preliminary studies on the vascular anatomy of the equine superficial digital flexor tendon. The vascular and microvascular anatomy of normal equine superficial digital flexor tendons was studied by dissection of vinyl-perfused specimens and by microangiography on high detail film. The presence of an extensive intratendinous vascular latticework was confirmed, and a 'nutrient artery' described closely associated with the accessory ligament of the superficial digital flexor tendon (proximal check ligament). Circumferential stripping of the paratenon from the tendon to eliminate afferent vessels was performed bilaterally in three horses and unilaterally in a fourth, followed by a treadm...
Pathogenesis of equine herpesvirus-1 in specific pathogen-free foals: primary and secondary infections and reactivation. Six specific pathogen-free foals shown to be free of equine herpesvirus-1 and 4 (EHV-1 and -4) and lacking in maternally-derived antibodies were used to investigate the pathogenesis of EHV-1 in horses. Following primary intranasal inoculation with EHV-1 all foals showed signs of a mild, self-limiting upper respiratory tract infection. A leucopenia was observed, comprising both a lymphopenia and neutropenia. Virus was isolated from nasal mucus and buffy coat cells over several days during the clinical episode and after the animals became clinically normal. Notwithstanding the mildness of the cl...
[Useful life, departure rates and causes in sport horses]. A review of the operational life, attrition and lethality rates, major causes of attrition and death for thoroughbred and standardbred race horses and competition horses is given. Because of the lack of data, it was not possible to supply answers for all the sport disciplines. The operational life in sports for thoroughbred race horses was 3.3 years, for standardbred horses 4.1 and for competition horses 5.5 years. Attrition and lethality rates could be determined only for the thoroughbred race horses. The yearly rates of attrition and lethality were 30% and 2% respectively. The major causes o...
[Horse racing and animal welfare]. Intensive strain of racing-horses during training and race is not an end in itself but should be understood from the social task to create exceptionally efficient horses. This roughness in sports obliges the responsible associations to issue rigorous regulations for the protection of horses. In this paper, some physical and psychical disorders of racing-horses are described. Improved keeping conditions as well as performance-adapted training methods will help to avoid defects. The aids being used during training and races are critically investigated on their effects according to the regulation...
Ketamine, Telazol, xylazine and detomidine. A comparative anesthetic drug combinations study in ponies. This study was designed to assess the effects of 5 anesthetic drug combinations in ponies: (1) ketamine 2.75 mg/kg, xylazine 1.0 mg/kg (KX), (2) Telazol 1.65 mg/kg, xylazine 1.0 mg/kg (TX), (3) Telazol 2 mg/kg, detomidine 20 micrograms/kg (TD-20), (4) Telazol 2 mg/kg, detomidine 40 micrograms/kg (TD-40), (5) Telazol 3 mg/kg, detomidine 60 micrograms/kg (TD-60). All drugs were given iv with xylazine or detomidine preceding ketamine or Telazol by 5 min. Heart rate was decreased significantly from 5 min to arousal after TD-20 but only at 60 and 90 min after TD-40 and TD-60 respectively. Respirato...
Equine thyroid function tests: a preliminary investigation. A similar and significant (P less than 0.001) increase in plasma thyroxine (T4) concentration was seen in seven clinically normal thoroughbred horses 2 h after the intravenous administration of either 2.5 iu or 5 iu of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) with a peak response around 4 h after administration. The intravenous administration of 0.2, 0.5 or 1 mg thyrotrophin releasing hormone (TRH) resulted in a significant (P less than 0.01) increase in T4 concentration in three groups of animals; six thoroughbreds in full work, five thoroughbreds at rest and four ponies at rest. The peak response w...
Metallic foreign bodies in the mouth or pharynx of horses: seven cases (1983-1989). Seven horses with metallic foreign bodies in the mouth or pharynx were examined at the Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital from 1983 to 1989. The horses had variable clinical signs, such as purulent nasal discharge, swelling of the throatlatch area, and dyspnea. Most of the horses had clinical signs for more than 2 weeks, and had no or only temporary improvement with conservative medical treatment (antibiotics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). The definitive diagnostic test in all of the cases was radiography, which also aided in the plan for surgical removal of the fo...
Determination of the early age of onset of equine recurrent laryngeal neuropathy. 2. Nerve pathology. The left and right recurrent laryngeal nerves and peroneal nerves from two groups of foals, one less than 1 month of age and the other 6 months of age, were examined by light and electron microscopy. While there was no evidence of fiber loss on light microscopy, occasional onion bulbs, regenerating clusters and swollen axons were seen in the recurrent laryngeal nerves. To quantitate these changes, total counts of the main pathological structures were performed using the electron microscope. In all the foals the most common abnormality seen in the laryngeal nerves were Bungner bands, which were...
Organic structures of the hypercalcified peritubular matrix in horse dentine. EDTA-insoluble organic structures of the hypercalcified peritubular matrix (PM) in horse dentine were observed by scanning electron microscopy. The PM was enveloped in double cylindrical structures composed of fibrillar sheaths in the inner and outer peripheries. Between the outer fibrillar sheath and intrinsic fibrils of the intertubular matrix, a calcified cementing membrane existed. Within the PM, warped cone-shaped structures of fibrillar sheaths, overlapping at intervals of 4-6 microns and semiconcentrically surrounding the dentinal tubule, extended from the inner fibrillar towards the ou...
Hepatoencephalopathy and hypocalcemia in a miniature horse mare. A pregnant, miniature horse mare had clinical signs of hepatoencephalopathy and concurrent hypocalcemia. The signs included dullness, inappetence, blindness, head pressing, weakness, muscle fasiculations, uveitis, and urinary incontinence. Hepatic dysfunction and hypocalcemia were confirmed by serum biochemical analysis. The mare was treated successfully with a continuous infusion of Ringer solution, calcium gluconate, dextrose, B-complex vitamins, sodium ampicillin, and flunixin meglumine; topical administration of ophthalmic ointments; and decompression of the urinary bladder. Histologic exa...
Medical and surgical management of small-colon impaction in horses: 28 cases (1984-1989). Medical records of 28 horses with impaction of the small colon were reviewed; 20 horses were admitted during the winter months. Diagnosis of small-colon impaction was made in 21 horses by rectal examination, and in 7 horses at exploratory celiotomy. Ten horses were treated medically, and 18 were treated surgically. Horses that were treated surgically were more likely to have abdominal distention than were those that responded to medical treatment (P less than 0.025). Signs of greater degree of abdominal pain and higher heart rate were seen in horses treated surgically, but these values were no...
Spermatozoal head defect as a cause of infertility in a stallion. A 9-year-old Arabian stallion with a 3-year history of infertility was evaluated for breeding soundness. Both testes were small. Ultrasonography revealed a small amount of free fluid between the tunics of both testes. Results of cytologic examination of the fluid were unremarkable. On semen examination, progressive motility was 10%, and total number of spermatozoa in the ejaculate was 6.6 x 10(9), of which 92% were abnormal. Predominant abnormalities were head defects (75%): 57% of the heads had single or multiple vacuoles, and 60% also had midpiece swelling or bending.
Salmonella typhimurium abscess as a postoperative complication in a horse with colic. An 11-year-old, 430-kg fox-trotter stallion was referred for evaluation of colic. A right-sided inguinal hernia was diagnosed. At exploratory laparotomy, the ileum was found to be herniated through the right inguinal canal. Compromised small intestine was resected, jejunocecal anastomosis was performed, and the horse was castrated. Three days after surgery, the stallion would not bear weight on the left hind limb. The musculature of the left thigh region became swollen. Aspiration of the left thigh region yielded serosanguineous fluid from which Salmonella typhimurium was isolated. Ultrasonogr...
Standing laparoscopic surgery. Laparoscopic procedures can replace many more invasive procedures. Guided visceral biopsy, cryptorchid castration, ovariectomy, and limited abdominal exploration may be done laparoscopically in the standing horse.
[Therapeutic riding for persons with somatic disabilities]. Therapeutic riding for somatic disabled has been established as one of the treatment modalities at Beitostølen Health Sports Centre ever since it opened in 1970. The accumulated experience indicates positive effects of the treatment, on empirical grounds, but there is a need of further evaluation and controlled studies. The authors briefly review the principle of the treatment and present the results of a study on the level of pain in patients with Bechterew's disease before and after treatment.
Epidemiology of equine rotavirus infection among foals in the breeding region. Rotavirus is one of causative agents for acute diarrhea in infants of several animal species including humans [1]. Detection or isolation of rotavirus from the feces of foals with diarrhea has been reported in England [2], the U.S.A. [3, 5, 6], Australia [14] and Japan [10, 12]. It has been shown through serological surveys in Japan [4, 8, 9] and the U.S.A. [3, 13] that rotavirus is widespread among horses and foals. However, there have been few detailed reports on the occurrence of foal diarrhea caused by rotavirus. This report focuses on the occurrence of foal diarrhea and the isolation of r...
Mesenteric tears of the descending (small) colon as a postpartum complication in two mares. Segmental ischemic necrosis of the descending colon associated with discrete tears of the mesocolon were diagnosed in 2 mares following foaling. After foaling, both mares had a slow onset of signs of abdominal pain and gradual deterioration of clinical status. Increases in peritoneal fluid total protein concentration and WBC count and a palpable impaction of the descending colon on examination per rectum were useful diagnostic aids. Surgical intervention was successful in one mare, but not in the other.
The pharmacology of local anesthetics. Understanding of the pharmacology of local anesthesia is important for selection of a local anesthetic for use in equine standing surgery. In general, the action potential is inhibited by local anesthetics by preventing the influx of sodium ions across the axonal membrane. The physicochemical properties of each local anesthetic determine the onset of action, potency, and duration of action. Procaine, chlorprocaine, lidocaine, and mepivacaine are the local anesthetics still used clinically in horses; lidocaine is the most widely used. The future of equine local anesthesia may see the introducti...
Furosemide-induced changes in plasma and blood volume of horses. The effect of furosemide administration (1 mg/kg body weight, i.v.) on plasma and blood volumes in 6 intact and 4 splenectomized horses was measured using Evans blue dye dilution, hematocrit, and hemoglobin and plasma total solids concentrations. Body weight decreased by 33.6 +/- 3.3 and 33.7 +/- 0.8 g/kg 4 h after furosemide administration to intact and splenectomized mares, respectively. Plasma volume, estimated by Evans blue dye dilution, was reduced by 8.3 +/- 3.3% (mean +/- SE) 4 h after furosemide administration. The reduction in plasma volume was first detectable 5-10 min after furosemi...
Standing rectal and tail surgery. A variety of rectal, perirectal, and coccygeal surgeries can be performed in the standing equine patient if appropriate chemical and physical restraints are available and adequate regional anesthesia can be achieved. Some rectal tears and most rectal prolapses, mass lesions, perirectal abscesses, rectal biopsies, and selected injuries of the tail can be managed without prohibitive difficulty. Severe injuries that compromise the small colon cranial to the peritoneal reflection may require flank laparotomy, midline celiotomy, or humane euthanasia to manage the disease process effectively and app...
Standing musculoskeletal surgery. Indications for performing orthopedic surgery on the standing horse include inability to tolerate general anesthesia, risk of worsening an injury during recovery from anesthesia, and cost. The surgeon should be aware that performing surgery in the standing horse can be more demanding and require more experience than the same procedures when the time and convenience of general anesthesia are available. Improved sedatives and analgesics have allowed more latitude because the horses now are more tolerant than when older agents were used. Common sense should be applied to each situation before the...
