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.
Blikslager AT, Wilson DA, Constantinescu GM, Miller MA, Corwin LA.A 1-year-old half-Arabian colt was referred for evaluation of a cranial cervical abnormality. Physical examination revealed the left wing of the atlas to be more ventral than the right wing. A head tilt, with the pole deviated to the left, was present because of the malpositioned atlas. Neurologic examination identified symmetrical weakness, ataxia, and proprioceptive deficits in all four limbs. Radiographs of the cranial cervical region revealed fusion of the atlas and axis, and deviation of the atlantoaxial joint to the left of the median plane. Euthanasia was elected. Necropsy confirmed the...
Busch NA, Ranu HS, Silver IA.Evidence indicating that comparison of a particular animal trace with a population average is an insufficient test of the health of a limb is presented. The methodology involves representing each of three recorded force components (vertical, lateral, and transverse) as a Fourier-Legendre series; the coefficients in the series represent the trace. A history for the horse is built by accumulating the coefficients (along with pertinent experimental data such as date, sex, weight, height, and in the case of race horses the date of last race) over a long duration. Then, on each subsequent recording...
Fernandes I, Takehara HA, Mota I.Horse immunoglobulins were obtained from normal serum defatted with dextran sulfate and precipitated with ammonium sulfate. Eight mg of this preparation was submitted to affinity chromatography with protein A-Sepharose CL-4B. Low temperature (4 degrees C) and a starting buffer at pH 8.0 were conditions required for all IgG subclasses to bind to protein A, even those with low affinity. The IgGs bound to protein A were eluted with glycine buffer at pH 2.8. The yield was about 90%. It is suggested that isolated IgG, instead of whole Igs, be used in serum therapy, reducing the amount of Igs and di...
Riley CB, Yovich JV.Fractures of the patella in the horse are infrequently reported
in the literature. Most of these have been associated with trauma
or sudden forceful contraction of the quadriceps resulting in an
avulsion fracture of the patella (Parks and Wyn-Jones 1988).
There have been few reports of fractures associated with des-
motomy of the medial patellar ligament to correct upward
fixation of the patella (Wright and Rose 1989; Gibson ef ul1989).
This paper describes one such case including the radiographic
findings before the desmotomy, after fracture of the patella and
after arthroscopic trea...
King JN, Gerring EL.Post operative ileus (POI) is a common and serious complication of colic surgery in the horse. There is a high correlation between the incidence of POI and the presence of ischaemic bowel, suggesting a role for endotoxin. 0.1 micrograms/kg endotoxin was administered intravenously to six ponies with chronically implanted gastrointestinal electromechanical recording devices. It produced profound disruption of normal fasting bowel motility patterns, with an inhibition of gastric contraction amplitude and rate, left dorsal colon contraction product and small colon spike rate. In the small intestin...
Aho R, Tala M, Kivalo M.The first identified Finnish case of equine mycotic keratitis caused by Aspergillus fumigatus is described. The clinical picture, the sampling method, the macro- and micromorphology of the causative fungus and the therapy applied are reported in detail. Therapy with natamycin (Pimafucin 2.5% eyedrops. Gist-Brocades) was successful. Mykotisk keratit hos häst orsakad av beskrivs första gången i Finland. Klinisk bild, provtagning, makroskopisk och mikroskopisk morfologi av svampen samt terapi rapporteras i detalj. Terapin med natamycin (Pimafucin® 2.5 % ögondroppar, Gist-Brocades) var effek...
Martin BB, Nunamaker DM, Evans LH, Orsini JA, Palmer SE.Circumferential wiring was used to repair 12 mid-body fractures and four large basilar fractures of proximal sesamoid bones in 15 horses. Eighteen-gauge stainless steel wire was placed around both fragments in five horses, and through the proximal fragment and around the distal fragment in 10 horses. The horses were returned to work when they were clinically sound and fracture healing was evident radiographically. Eleven horses resumed athletic performance, three horses were used as breeding animals, and one horse was retired. Five horses performed at an athletic level equal to or better than ...
Panciera RJ, Slusher SA, Hayes KE.Simultaneous and successive occurrence of ovarian teratoma and granulosa cell tumor is reported in 2 mares. Simultaneous occurrence of the tumors may obscure clinical diagnosis. Whereas size, unilaterality, and the cystic nature of each may be similar, differentiating features include the potentially palpable presence of bone, cartilage, or teeth in teratoma, and the hormone-induced behavioral and reproductive effects of granulosa cell tumors. Thorough examination of surgical specimens may reveal the existence of a neoplastic process, previously obscured by the more obvious presence of another...
Shoemaker RS, Martin GS, Hillmann DJ, Haynes PF, McClure JR, Schneiter HL.Two horses became acutely lame following a fall during strenuous exercise and were diagnosed as having disruption of the caudal component of the reciprocal apparatus. Clinical signs consisted of lameness of the right pelvic limb, characterized by flexion of the hock and simultaneous extension of the stifle. Radiography revealed an avulsion fracture from the supracondylar tuberosity and fossa of the distal portion of the femur in one horse. Clinical and radiographic findings indicated avulsion of the lateral origin of the gastrocnemius and superficial digital flexor muscles. Treatment consisted...
May SA, Hooke RE, Lees P.Interleukin-1 and a casein-degrading enzyme have been identified in an experimental system for studying acute inflammation in the horse. The levels of both the cytokine and the proteinase increased over the first 24 hours following initiation of the inflammatory response, and remained at high levels through to the last sample collected at 48 hours. This is in marked contrast to prostaglandin E2 concentrations which were low initially, peaked at four to eight hours and had returned to low levels by 12 to 24 hours. It is likely that interleukin-1 and various proteinases are involved in the later...
Step DL, Blue JT, Dill SG.Acute, severe hemolytic anemia occurred in a horse being treated for tetanus with intravenous penicillin and tetanus antitoxin. During treatment, the horse developed a positive direct antiglobulin test and a high titer (maximum 1:1024) of IgG anti-penicillin antibody. The horse recovered from the tetanus and penicillin induced hemolytic anemia, but later developed acute hepatic failure, probably resulting from the administration of equine origin tetanus antitoxin.
Rakestraw PC, Nixon AJ, Kaderly RE, Ducharme NG.A cranial approach to the humerus was developed for application of a compression plate for repair of comminuted humeral fractures in a weanling foal, a calf, a heifer, and a mature cow. An incision was made from the cranial portion of the greater tubercle of the humerus to the radius. The cranial aspect of the humerus was exposed by retraction of the brachiocephalicus muscle and blunt dissection between the biceps brachii and brachialis muscles. A second plate was applied laterally in the heifer and cow by retraction of the brachialis muscle and elevation of the extensor carpi radialis muscle....
Bhushan C, Müller I, Friedhoff KT.A rapid and simple method for concentrating leucocyte-free Babesia caballi-infected erythrocytes from in vitro cultures is described. Infected erythrocytes amounted to at least 95% of all red cells obtained.
Madigan JE, Hietala S, Muller N.A 2-year field study was performed to determine the capability of increasing Rhodococcus equi specific antibody in foals via plasma transfusion or mare vaccination, to determine the kinetics of R. equi (ELISA) antibody decay and to assess the protective effects of these procedures in foals on a farm endemic for R. equi. Plasma donors were vaccinated with a killed R. equi bacterin and produced high levels of anti-R. equi antibodies, which were harvested by plasmapheresis. In Experiment 1, 68 foals were given 1 litre of hyperimmune plasma intravenously (i.v.) between 1-60 days of age. Foal plasm...
May SA, Hooke RE, Lees P.The concentration of Percoll required for isolating equine peripheral blood mononuclear cells has been reinvestigated. A poor cell yield was obtained at the 60 per cent concentration already reported. It is recommended that workers specifically interested in high yields of mononuclear cells, for investigation of lymphocyte and monocyte functions, use a concentration of 65 per cent Percoll. However, workers wishing to isolate pure populations of equine neutrophils might consider a concentration of 70 per cent in the upper layer of Percoll used to retain the mononuclear cells.
Lepage OM, DesCôteaux L, Marcoux M, Tremblay A.The purpose of the study was to determine whether there were circadian variations in serum osteocalcin in normal horses and to determine whether it was important to regulate the time of blood sampling in clinical investigations. Osteocalcin or bone Gla-protein (BGP), alkaline phosphatase, total calcium, phosphate and total protein were studied over a 24 h period. Blood samples were taken every 60 min from nine adult Standardbred horses. There was a correlation between serum levels of alkaline phosphatase (r = 0.3, p less than 0.01), phosphate (r = 0.42, p less than 0.01) and serum osteocalcin ...
Baxter GM, Adams JE, Johnson JJ.Severe hypercarbia was documented by arterial blood gas analysis in 2 adult horses anesthetized for exploratory laparotomy. Both horses appeared to be adequately anesthetized, but continued to breathe against the ventilator. In both cases, the inspiratory valve on the anesthesia machine was found to be stuck open, permitting expired CO2 to return to the inspiratory limb of the anesthetic circuit and to be inhaled with the next breath. Correction of the malfunctioning valve alleviated the hypercarbia. Problems with the flow valves of the anesthesia machine should be suspected when anesthetized ...
Bourdon R.Toxicomania and doping give rise to an increasing number of drug measurements in the body fluids. Consequently the analysts have to face, at one and the same time, ethical and analytical problems. Should the analyst participate to investigations organised in order to disclose a toxicomania in a working place? The author suggests a positive answer as long as the adduct person benefits to a social and medical care. What is the analytical meaning of a positive test? Taking into account the increasing sensitivity of the methods used, thresholds have to be established, at least for the blood concen...
Orsini JA, Dreyfuss DJ, Vecchione J, Spencer PA, Uhlman R.The effects of a potent new histamine-2 (H2) receptor antagonist, BMY-25368, were studied on gastric acid secretion in 5 foals from which food was withheld. Doses of 0.02, 0.11, 0.22, and 1.10 mg/kg of body weight were administered IM in a randomly assigned treatment sequence. Following BMY-25368 administration, hydrogen ion concentration was decreased and mean pH was higher than baseline values in a dose-response pattern. At the 0.22 and 1.10 mg/kg doses, the high pH was sustained for greater than 4 hours. The BMY-25368 thus may be useful for treating gastric ulcer disease in horses.
Bowling AT, Williams MJ.Two additional specificities (Dq and Dr) were assigned to the D system of horse red cell alloantigens following discussion of the 1989 ISAG Horse Comparison Test (HCT) results. Family and population data support 25 phenogroups defined by the enhanced battery of 17 D system factors.
Bjørn H, Sommer C, Schougård H, Henriksen SA, Nansen P.This study was undertaken to establish whether anthelmintic resistance was present in nematode parasites of horses in Denmark. Sixteen horse farms were selected for faecal egg count reduction (FECR) tests to measure the efficacy of the anthelmintic used. Resistance to benzimidazole anthelmintics was found on 13 of the 16 farms, with FECR values ranging from 80.0% to -101.3%. On the remaining 3 farms FECR was 100.0%, 99.3% and 97.2%. Results of a questionnaire study on anthelmintic usage, parasite control measures and management practices showed that horses in this study were treated on average...
Greenhaff PL, Harris RC, Snow DH, Sewell DA, Dunnett M.Six thoroughbred horses exercised on a motorised treadmill on two separate occasions at a speed of 11 or 12 m.s-1 for up to 2 min. 4 h prior to exercise each horse was given a 21 test solution of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3; 0.6 g.kg-1 body mass) or a control solution of water by nasogastric intubation, the order of administration of the two solutions was randomised. Blood samples (n = 15) were obtained before and during the 4 h after intubation, during exercise and for 30 min after exercise. NaHCO3 ingestion resulted in changes in pre-exercise acid-base status. The changes in blood lactate and...
Brown JS, Johnson MC, Sims WP, Boone LH, Swor TM, Weeks BR.A 4-year-old Quarter Horse mare was presented to the Texas A&M University Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital for evaluation of a rectal tear. On initial evaluation, rectal palpation and colonoscopy revealed a grade IIIb rectal tear. Analysis of peritoneal fluid revealed a modified transudate. Preliminary supportive care included fluid therapy and mineral oil administration via nasogastric tube. Approximately 48 hours after presentation, a second abdominocentesis was performed, and cytologic examination of the fluid revealed a marked suppurative exudate. Round clear nonrefractile material obs...
Jeanes EC, Koll-Hampp S, Dawson C, Dunkel B, Tetas Pont R.A rhomboid blepharoplasty can be used to achieve functional and cosmetic eyelid reconstruction at the medial canthus in the horse. Combination of a rhomboid blepharoplasty with cryotherapy is a treatment option for eyelid ocular squamous cell carcinomas.
Jaskólska M, Adamiak Z, Zhalniarovich Y, Przyborowska P, Peczyński Z.Deep digital flexor tendinopathy is a common problem in horses of different athletic disciplines. Nowadays, the use of magnetic resonance imaging is considered to be a noninvasive and superior choice for recognizing bone and soft tissue pathologies especially related to difficult to access structures within the hoof capsule.
Reesink HL.Foals are susceptible to many of the same types of fractures as adult horses, often secondary to external sources of trauma. In addition, some types of fractures are specific to foals and occur routinely in horses under 1 year of age. These foal-specific fractures may be due to the unique musculoskeletal properties of the developing animal and may present with distinct clinical signs. Treatment plans and prognoses are tailored specifically to young animals. Common fractures not affecting the long bones in foals are discussed in this article, including osteochondral fragmentation, proximal ses...
Lindsay WA.Topical medications and bandages play an important role in the management of equine wounds. Certain water-soluble antibacterial ointments (povidone-iodine, polymixin-neosporin-bacitracin) may be appropriate for use on contaminated wounds. A well-designed equine bandage is usually composed of primary, secondary, and tertiary layers. Because so many different products are available, the practitioner is advised to become familiar with the handling characteristics of a few. Because of the irregular contours of the equine limb, only products that stretch and conform should be used. Bandages should ...
Turner AS, Gabel AA.Avulsion fractures of the posteromedial eminence of the 2nd phalanx were repaired, using an ASIF cortex screw in 3 reining Quarter Horses. Within 9 and 11 months, respectively, 2 horses were sound and back in competition as reining horses. The other horse was sound for pleasure class showing at 7 months after surgery.
Wilson DA.A 28-year-old Pinto mare was evaluated for multiple recurrences of a perianal squamous cell carcinoma. Clinical signs included lethargy, inappetence, weight loss, dyschezia, and hematochezia. The tumor involved the proximal portion of the vulvar labia, the perineum, and the anus, and there was a rectal fistula just left of the anus. Permanent end-on colostomy without further treatment of the carcinoma was the management option chosen. The colostomy functioned satisfactorily, and the mare's condition was stable for the next 14 months. Recurrence of lethargy and inappetence and development of we...
Gregory MW, Longstaff JA, Giles CJ.Ciliates resembling Polymorphella ampulla (Dogiel, 1929) were found in large numbers in the crypts and lamina propria of the caecum and colon of a one-year-old Thoroughbred gelding that had shown recurring bouts of chronic diarrhoea and weight loss over a 5-month period. A heavy burden of helminths, mainly cyathostomes (trichonemes) was present at post-mortem examination and no significant bacterial pathogens were recovered. It was considered that the Polymorphella (which is normally a commensal organism) had in this case assumed a secondary pathogenic role.
Hutchins DR, McClintock SA, Brownlow MA.THE technique of partially immersing a horse in a tank of normal saline was originally suggested by Smith (1978) and subsequently used in the management of clinical cases by Smith (1981) and J. R. Biffin (1980, personal communication) as a means of providing long term confinement and effective weight reduction. The term flotation is not strictly accurate because the patient is not made to float but is merely partially immersed to cause a predetermined reduction of its effective weight. The technique has potential clinical application in any situation where a conventional sling may have been us...
Littlewood HF.A technique for implanting carbon fibre into sprained flexor tendons in horses is described. Insertion of the fibres through paravertebral needles which passed through the affected region of the tendon was considered to be preferable to direct implantation into the surgically opened tendon. The results of the eight cases treated to date are dealt with briefly, together with a discussion as to how this form of treatment could be further evaluated.
Goble DO.With recent advances in diagnostic techniques associated with equine lameness, there is a tendency to reduce our reliance on the most important part of purchase evaluation of the horse-the hands-on physical examination. This article stresses the importance of the physical examination and advises less dependence on involved diagnostic procedures.