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.
Weis R, Carstensen H, Sattler SM, Buhl R, Hesselkilde EM.During acute myocardial infarction (AMI), the ischemia and necrosis of the infarcted tissue result in local electrophysiological changes, which bring about deviations of the ST segment and T wave. In this case report, the aim was to investigate whether these changes could be detected with a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) during acute occlusion of the coronary artery in a 15-year-old Standardbred mare (scheduled for euthanasia due to non-cardiac health problems). The left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery was occluded using an angioplasty balloon catheter guided through the carotid art...
Machin J, Brewer K, Morales-Briceno A, Fenger C, Maylin G, Tobin T.Zilpaterol is a β2-adrenergic agonist medication approved in certain countries as a cattle feed additive to improve carcass quality. Trace amounts of Zilpaterol can transfer to horse feed, yielding equine urinary "identifications" of Zilpaterol. These "identifications" occur because Zilpaterol is highly bioavailable in horses, resistant to biotransformation and excreted as unchanged Zilpaterol in urine, where it has a 5 day or so terminal half-life.In horses, urinary steady-state concentrations are reached 25 days (5 half-lives) after exposure to contaminated feed. Zilpaterol readily presen...
Sievert M, Schuler G, Büttner K, Wehrend A.The timely diagnosis of abnormalities in the passive transfer of colostral immunoglobulins is important for the health and development of newborn foals. This study investigated three different methods for measuring immunoglobulin G concentration in neonatal foals. Comparison of a commercial SNAP assay, total protein concentration determination, and total globulin calculation by subtracting the albumin fraction from total protein as an indirect parameter was performed on a quantitative ELISA, which served as a reference method. The study included 119 samples from 148 foals between the age of 1 ...
Hu Y, Jia Q, Liu J, Sun W, Bao Z, Che C, Wu G, Fan B, Jarhen , Ran D.Equid alphaherpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) is prevalent in China, and causes notable economic damage to the equine industry. However, there is no information regarding the molecular characteristics and pathogenicity of the Chinese strains. Therefore, an EHV-1 strain, named YM2019, was isolated from the lung tissue of an aborted horse fetus in Xinjiang, China, and its genome and pathogenicity were analyzed. The full genome of the isolate was 150,267 base pairs in length, with 56.7% G + C content. Genetic and phylogenetic analysis showed that strain YM2019 (GenBank: MT063054) belonged to the ORF30 N75...
Miranda ALS, Antunes BC, Minozzo JC, Lima SA, Botelho AFM, Campos MTG, Chávez-Olórtegui CD, Soto-Blanco B.Bites of brown spiders ( spp.) are responsible for dermonecrotic lesions and potentially systemic envenoming that can lead to death. The only effective therapy is the use of the antivenom, usually produced in horses. However, little is known about the consequences of the systematic use of the venom and adjuvants and of the bleedings on antivenom-producing horses. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical changes in horses in their first immunization protocol for antivenom production. Eleven healthy horses, never immunized, were evaluated in three different periods: T0 (before ...
Anttila M, Raekallio M, Valros A.A bit that fits is essential for horse welfare and good communication with the ridden, driven or led horses. The bit causes pressure on the sensitive structures of the horse mouth. The aim of this study was to investigate variation in oral dimensions related to bit fit in adult horses and ponies and to evaluate bit fit by comparing oral dimensions with the currently used bit size selected by the horse owner. The study population consisted of 554 horses and ponies, 308 geldings and 246 mares, age 5-29 years, presented for routine dental care. Oral dimensions: mouth width, distance between upper...
Boelow H, Krücken J, Thomas E, Mirams G, von Samson-Himmelstjerna G.Due to high prevalence of anthelmintic resistance in equine helminths, selective treatment is increasingly promoted and in some countries a positive infection diagnosis is mandatory before treatment. Selective treatment is typically recommended when the number of worm eggs per gram faeces (epg) exceeds a particular threshold. In the present study we compared the semi-quantitative sedimentation/flotation method with the quantitative methods Mini-FLOTAC and FECPAK in terms of precision, sensitivity, inter-rater reliability and correlation of worm egg counts to improve the choice of optimal diagn...
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...
Rahman A, Uzal FA, Hassebroek AM, Carvallo FR.Pneumonia is a significant disease of horses. Although pneumonia has traditionally been studied in racehorses, little information is available for non-racing horses. Non-racing horses that died with pulmonary lesions ( = 156) were available from cases submitted for autopsy from January 2015 to June 2020. Bronchopneumonia (35%), interstitial pneumonia (29%), embolic pneumonia (21%), granulomatous pneumonia (13%), and pleuritis (2%) were observed in the examined horses. Seventy-four horses died or were euthanized because of pulmonary diseases, and 82 horses died or were euthanized because of...
Young N, Corletto F, Wright I.To identify prognostic factors for return to racing after lag screw repair of condylar fractures and develop a predictive model for return to racing. Methods: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: A total of 356 horses referred to a single referral hospital in the UK with a third metacarpal/metatarsal condylar fracture between January 1999 and December 2018. Methods: Age, sex, fracture site, fracture characteristics, surgery related variables and complications were retrieved from case records. Data were divided into two sets for model training and model validation. Univariable analyses were per...
Dybkjær E, Steffensen KF, Honoré ML, Dinesen MA, Christophersen MT, Pihl TH.Up-to-date and hospital-specific knowledge of prognoses for horses with various forms of colic is essential for helping to guide owners' decisions on costly treatments, and for assessing the continuous development of standards of care in the hospital. This study aimed to determine the short-term survival rates of horses admitted with colic to the University Hospital for Large Animals (UHLA), University of Copenhagen, Denmark, from 2010 to 2018, and to compare these to a previous local study as well as recent, comparable international studies. Short-term survival rates were calculated for horse...
Barton CK, Sandow CB, Rodgerson DH.To describe an arthroscopic technique for the removal of osteochondral fragments located within the condylar fossa of the third metacarpal/tarsal bone. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Thoroughbred yearlings (n = 11). Methods: Osteochondral fragments located within the condylar fossa of the third metacarpal/tarsal bone identified during presale radiographic examination were removed via arthroscopy, assisted with ultrasonography in select cases. Complete fragment removal was confirmed by intraoperative radiography. Results: Fragments were successfully removed using rongeurs following di...
Mashin VV, Sergeev AN, Martynova NN, Oganov MD, Sergeev AA, Kataeva VV, Zagidullin NV.Equine blood plasma/serum and intermediates must be monitored for the presence of live viruses pathogenic in humans during production of equine immunoglobulins. Information concerning low-cost and simple methods for the detection of live horse viruses pathogenic and non-pathogenic to humans was gained using data of modern domestic and foreign literature. These methods are based on cultivation of these viruses on sensitive biosystems. The presented information can be used to set up blood plasma/serum control of horses at different stages of immunoglobulin production, i.e., when taking blood fro...
Walker VA, Tranquillle CA, MacKechnie-Guire R, Spear J, Newton R, Murray RC.Walking over poles is a commonly employed training and rehabilitation tool and it is crucial to understand its effect on equine locomotion, particularly joint range of motion (ROM). The study aimed to compare the effect of ground poles (GP) and raised poles (RP) on limb kinematics and poll, wither and pelvic ROM at walk. It was hypothesized that walking over poles would increase joint ROM but have no effect on poll, wither and pelvic ROM compared to no poles (NP). Forty-one horses were walked in-hand over NP, GP (10 cm) and RP (26 cm) in a crossover design. Limb kinematics were determine...
Gehlen H, Rutenberg D, Simon C, Reinhold-Fritzen B, Drozdzewska K.The aim of this review is to describe general guidelines of hygiene measures in the horse stable as well as to provide current recommendations for an outbreak of a common infectious disease. General cleanliness, hand hygiene, avoidance of stress, regular deworming, and vaccinations belong to the basic hygiene measures in a horse herd. All new or returning equids should be submitted to a quarantine period as an important prevention measure. Repeated washing and disinfection of hands may prevent spreading of infectious agents to people and horses.The conception of a hygiene plan, including gener...
Oesch S, Kaiser-Thom S, Vidondo B, Gerber V.Equine pastern dermatitis has a high prevalence in the equine population, especially in draft breeds. This skin condition is difficult to treat, and it is suspected that owners often decide on a treatment without consulting a veterinarian. The objectives of this study were to describe owner-reported clinical signs, severity, and reasons to consult a veterinarian. Moreover, we inquired about preventive measures and treatments, both instituted by owners without previous consultation or prescribed by their veterinarians. A total of 123 horses (owners recruited over social media) were included in ...
Koch DW, Ericksen KA, Easley JT, Hackett ES.To report the clinical outcomes of horses with chronic guttural pouch infection characterized by accumulation of mucopurulent material following transpharyngeal diode laser fenestration. 13 client-owned horses. Horses undergoing diode laser fenestration for chronic guttural pouch infection were identified by medical record search. Signalment, disease history, presence of mucopurulent empyema or chondroids, and pre- and postoperative therapy were recorded. Owners were contacted for follow-up information at a minimum of 6 months following surgery. 13 horses underwent laser fenestration for chron...
Holmes TQ, Brown AF.Equestrian sports, including racing (e.g., flat, steeple-chasing, harness or donkey derby); show-jumping; cross-country; dressage; polo; polocrosse; endurance; carriage driving; vaulting and hunting; are hugely popular in the UK, and they involve a significant number of people, both as participants and spectators, and tens of thousands of equids. In this paper, we discuss animal welfare as a complex and disputed issue, clarifying what the term means and how it can be measured. We review many aspects of welfare risk to equids used for sport, addressing issues encountered throughout their lives,...
Soza-Ossandón P, Rivera D, Allel K, González-Rocha G, Quezada-Aguiluz M, San Martin I, García P, Moreno-Switt AI.Healthcare-associated infections caused by Staphylococcus, particularly Staphylococcus aureus, represent a high risk for human and animal health. Staphylococcus can be easily transmitted through direct contact with individual carriers or fomites, such as medical and non-medical equipment. The risk increases if S. aureus strains carry antibiotic resistance genes and show a phenotypic multidrug resistance behavior. The aim of the study was to identify and characterize methicillin resistant coagulase-positive staphylococci (MRSA) and coagulase-negative staphylococci (MRCoNS) in equine patients an...
Garrett KS, Embertson RM, Hopper SA, Woodie JB, McQuerry KJ.To compare ultrasonographic and computed tomographic findings in neonatal foals prior to surgical repair of rib fractures as well as postoperative outcomes in foals with and without preoperative thoracic computed tomography (CT). Study design Retrospective cohort study. Sample population 43 neonatal foals undergoing surgical treatment of rib fractures between 2013 and 2021. Methods: Medical records were reviewed for age, sex, delivery method, comorbidities, presurgical anesthetic time, surgical time, number and location of fractured ribs identified with ultrasound and CT, number and location o...
White SA, Canada NC, Carmalt JL, Schumacher J, Amitrano FN, Ortved K, Henry TJ, Brounts SH, Arnold CE.There are no reports describing the long-term outcome of sport horses undergoing unilateral mandibular condylectomy with meniscectomy (UMC) for treatment for severe temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disease (TMD). Whether horses undergoing UMC require a specialized diet, can return to riding with a bit, or return to intended function after surgery is unknown. Unassigned: To determine the long-term outcome of horses undergoing UMC for treatment of severe TMD. Unassigned: A multi-institutional, retrospective study. Unassigned: Medical records obtained from seven equine referral hospitals of horses w...
Aurich C, Kaps M.The behaviour of mares is often detrimental to their performance resulting in frequent demand for methods to suppress gonadal function. In addition, prevention of unintended reproduction especially in feral horse populations may require methods for suppression of gonadal function. Surgical ovariectomy is a safe method but not an acceptable approach in feral mares and undesired in mares where future breeding is considered. There are different approaches for artificial prolongation of the luteal phase resulting in transient inhibition of oestrus and ovulation. Among those, treatment with natural...
Löfgren M, Ekman S, Ekholm J, Engström M, Fjordbakk CT, Svala E, Holm Forsström K, Lindahl A, Skiöldebrand E.Autologous conditioned serum (ACS) is used to treat osteoarthritis in horses, although its effects are not fully investigated. Objective: To investigate the effects of equine serum and conditioned serum on chondrocytes stimulated with interleukin (IL)-1β and cartilage explants with mild osteoarthritis. Methods: In vitro experimental study. Methods: The effect of three different serum preparations (unincubated control [PS], serum incubated 24 h [PS24h], and serum incubated 24 h in ACS containers [PCS]) pooled from lame horses were tested in two in vitro models. IL-1β and IL-1 receptor antagon...
Lochner HL, Hutchinson ML, Wilson ML, Bianco AW, Johnston LJ, Prigge JL, Martinson KL.Recent changes in rendering availability for chemically-euthanized animals have created a need to explore composting as an equine mortality management method. The objectives of this study were to evaluate equine mortality composting in the Upper Midwest during fall and spring, document sodium pentobarbital concentrations throughout the process, and determine nutrient content of finished compost. During each season, four horses were euthanized by intravenous administration of sodium pentobarbital. Carcasses were positioned at the center of a woodchip and shavings base and covered with a 2:1 mix...
Peckle M, Santos H, Pires M, Silva C, Costa R, Vitari G, Camilo T, Meireles N, Paulino P, Massard C.Experimental studies have demonstrated that () transmits to horses. However, the degree and dynamics of this protozoan infection in the vector's organism have not been fully elucidated. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the infection rate and parasitic load of in , the infection dynamics in this arthropod during experimental infestation in a horse chronically infected with , and to evaluate the trans-stadial and intrastadial transmission competence of by . The experimental infestation period of on the horse was 33 days, but males were found on the animal up to 60 days post-infestat...
Broms L, Boije Af Gennäs K, Radmann A, Hedenborg S.Todays' online media landscape facilitates communication on how sports practitioners can develop in their sport. Hence, sports and educational institutions need to recognize the increased role of the individual as "a facilitator of knowledge" through (ICT). For sport organizations and educational institutions to effectively reach out with knowledge and research, they need to know how individuals assess, value, and trust information sources. This article aims to increase the knowledge and understanding of how the traditional culture in equestrianism meets the contemporary media user. It is bas...
Cohen ND, Flores-Ahlschewde P, Gonzales GM, Kahn SK, da Silveira BP, Bray JM, King EE, Blair CC, Bordin AI.Diagnostic accuracy of real-time, quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays to quantify virulent Rhodococcus equi using rectal swab samples has not been systematically evaluated. Objective: To evaluate the accuracy of qPCR of rectal swab samples to differentiate foals with pneumonia from healthy foals of similar age from the same environment. Methods: One hundred privately owned foals born in 2021 from 2 farms in New York. Methods: An incident case-control study design was used. Rectal swabs were collected from all foals diagnosed with R. equi pneumonia at 2 horse-breeding farms (n = 47). Eligible pneu...
Liu IK, Troedsson MH.Diagnosis and treatment of endometritis in the mare has been controversial and mostly empirical. The lack or inability of researchers to establish or develop a model that can serve as a standard or control makes this area of equine reproduction difficult to address scientifically. However, major advances have been made, particularly with the demonstration of the importance of uterine contractility in the elimination of bacteria, fluid, and inflammatory products from the uterus after breeding. This review provides a historical perspective of what has been done, and where we are now, in the appr...
Sandmeyer LS, Kingsley NB, Walder C, Archer S, Leis ML, Bellone RR, Bauer BS.To characterize clinical manifestations, measure frequency, and evaluate risk factors for equine recurrent uveitis (ERU) in Appaloosa horses in western Canada. Methods: 145 Appaloosa horses. Methods: Ophthalmic examinations were completed and eyes were classified as having no or mild clinical signs, or moderate, or severe damage from ERU. Clinical signs, age, sex, base coat color, and pattern were recorded. Whole blood and/or mane hair follicles were collected for DNA extraction, and all horses were tested for the leopard complex (LP) spotting pattern allele. Pedigree analysis was completed on...
Rothschild CM, Oaks JL, Schaupp JK, Rurangirwa FR, Sellon DC, Hines MT.Helcococcus ovis, a recently described organism cultured from sheep, was isolated in pure culture from a pulmonary abscess in a horse. This is the first report of this organism in horses and the first report in veterinary medicine to clearly demonstrate a pathogenic role for this organism.
Pollard D, Wylie CE, Newton JR, Verheyen KLP.Euthanasia is a complex topic, with animal owners using multiple factors to shape their decision-making process. Previous epidemiological studies have described causes of equine mortality in specific populations, but there is limited evidence regarding factors contributing specifically to equine euthanasia in Great Britain (GB). This observational study used a prospective cohort design: the objectives were to describe owner-reported reasons for euthanasia, estimate the rate of euthanasia and identify associated factors in horses/ponies enrolled in a web-based epidemiological study of laminitis...
A human-animal relationship can be developed through subsequent interactions, affected by the positive or negative emotional valence of the proceeding one. Horses implement a process of categorization to classify humans with whom they interact as positive, negative, or neutral stimuli by evaluating the kind of approach and the nature of the contact. In these terms, human-animal interactions are emotionally charged events, eliciting specific emotional states in both subjects involved. Although the human-horse relationship has been mainly investigated through behavioral analysis, physiological i...
Pritchard JC, Barr AR, Whay HR.Dehydration and heat stress are serious welfare issues for equids working in developing countries. There is a lack of any standardised method or validated interpretation of the skin tent test in horses and donkeys. Owners of dehydrated and heat-stressed animals often depend on veterinary examination for identification of these conditions, leading to delays in treatment and unnecessary reliance on external sources to effect welfare improvement. Objective: To validate a standardised skin tent test for dehydration and a behavioural measure of heat stress in working equids; and to examine the effe...
Kaneene JB, Ross WA, Miller R.A prospective study was designed to document the frequencies of equine health problems in the state of Michigan, USA. A total of 2469 horses from a random sample of 138 equine operations were monitored in the study in two 12-month periods: 1992-1993 and 1993-1994. All the major breeds of horses in the state were proportionately represented in the sample. Using weighted annual incidence densities as measures of disease frequencies, the 10 most frequently observed groups of health problems were (from most to least frequent) leg lameness, dermatological problems, respiratory problems, hoof and fo...
Costa GL, Cristarella S, Quartuccio M, Interlandi C.To evaluate the anti-nociceptive and sedative effects of slow intravenous (IV) injection of tramadol, romifidine, or a combination of both drugs in ponies. Methods: Within-subject blinded. Methods: Twenty ponies (seven male, 13 female, weighing mean ± SD 268.0 ± 128 kg). Methods: On separate occasions, each pony received one of the following three treatments IV; romifidine 50 μg kg(-) (R) tramadol 3 mg kg(-1) given over 15 minutes (T) or tramadol 3 mg kg(-1) followed by romifidine 50 μg kg(-1) (RT). Physiologic parameters and caecal borborygmi (CB) were measured and sedation ...
Rickards KJ, Thiemann AK.Donkeys suffer from the same respiratory diseases as horses; however, owing to their nonathletic nature many conditions can present in a more advanced state before becoming clinically apparent. Anatomically, their respiratory tract is similar to the horse, with certain species-specific differences that are important to be aware of. Often donkeys do not receive the same level of routine care as horses, so many are not vaccinated against respiratory pathogens such as influenza or herpesviruses. Donkeys can act as a reservoir for certain infectious and parasitic respiratory diseases and the inter...
Science (New York, N.Y.)May 26, 1975
Volume 188, Issue 4189 738-740 doi: 10.1126/science.1168366
Carter CD, Kimbrough RD, Liddle JA, Cline RE, Zack MM, Barthel WF, Koehler RE, Phillips PE.Tetrachlorodibenzodioxin was identified as the apparent cause of an outbreak of poisoning in humans, horses, and other animals. Exposure was related to the spraying of contaminated waste oil on riding arenas for dust control. The contamination resulted from improper disposal of a toxic industrial waste. The pathologic effects and chemical identification of tetrachlorodibenzodioxin are described.
Lloyd S, Smith J, Connan RM, Hatcher MA, Hedges TR, Humphrey DJ, Jones AC.One hundred and fifty horse owners, primarily private owners and riding schools, replied to a questionnaire concerning the practices they used to control parasites. Twenty-seven had experienced a parasite problem. Faecal samples from 188 horses selected at random showed that worm control practices were generally successful; however, many owners were not following recommendations for slowing the development of resistant parasites. In 1996, 86 per cent of the owners were using either three or two classes of anthelmintic a year, and they used a median of six doses with a range from one to 11. App...
Giunta K, Donnell JR, Donnell AD, Frisbie DD.Proximal suspensory desmitis (PSD) is a frequent cause of lameness in the performance horse. Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (EST) and platelet rich plasma (PRP) have become common treatments for PSD yet clinical data on efficacy is limited. The main objective of this randomized, prospective clinical study was to compare long-term effectiveness of EST and PRP in Western performance horses. One hundred horses with lameness localized to the proximal suspensory ligament received treatment with either PRP or EST following baseline ultrasonographic evaluation. A veterinarian and agent evaluated th...
Vinardell T, Dejica V, Poole AR, Mort JS, Richard H, Laverty S.The mechanisms leading to degeneration of articular cartilage in osteoarthritis (OA) are complex and not yet fully understood. Cathepsin K (CK) is a cysteine protease which can also cleave the triple helix of type II collagen. This exposes a neoepitope that can now be identified by specific antibodies. The aim of this study was to obtain evidence suggesting a role for CK in naturally occurring equine OA in both lesional and peri-lesional regions. Methods: Articular cartilages (n=12 horses; 5 healthy, 7 OA) were harvested from animals postmortem. A gross macroscopic examination, histologic (Saf...
Fortin JS, Hetak AA, Duggan KE, Burglass CM, Penticoff HB, Schott HC.Equine pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) is a common endocrine disease of aged horses that shows a similar pathophysiology as Parkinson's Disease (PD) with increased levels of α-synuclein (α-syn). While α-syn is thought to play a pathogenic role in horses with PPID, it is unclear if α-syn is also misfolded in the pars intermedia and could similarly promote self-aggregation and propagation. Consequently, α-syn was isolated from the pars intermedia from groups of healthy young and aged horses, and aged PPID-afflicted horses. Seeding experiments confirmed the prion-like properties...
Foley JE, Spier SJ, Mihalyi J, Drazenovich N, Leutenegger CM.To characterize isolates of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis from horses, cattle, and sheep in Colorado, Kentucky, Utah, and California in samples collected during perceived epidemics of infection (increased numbers of cases identified) in 2002 and 2003, and determine how closely isolates were related and their possible source. Methods: 54 isolates of C pseudotuberculosis from 49 horses, 4 cattle, and 1 sheep. Methods: Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay, PCR assay for the gene encoding the phospholipase D (PLD) toxin, biochemical analyses, and tests...
Voss B, Mohr E, Krzywanek H.The objectives of the present study were to investigate the effects of Aquatraining of horses (aqua-treadmill exercise; treadmill manufactured by Equitech - L.u.S. Equipment, Warendorf, Germany) on selected blood parameters [lactic acid concentration (mmol/l), haemoglobin content (g/l)] and on heart-rate variability (HRV) [heart rate (beats per min; b.p.m.), standard deviation of all NN-intervals (SDNN; ms), normalized power of the low and high frequency band (LFnorm, Hfnorm; au), % recurrence, % determinism and ratio(corr)]. Seven horses performed six exercise tests with different work loads ...
MacAllister CG, Sifferman RL, McClure SR, White GW, Vatistas NJ, Holste JE, Ericcson GF, Cox JL.A multicentre, blinded, randomised complete-block, field trial was conducted with 140 horses and foals age 4 weeks-28 years to determine if omeprazole paste is effective and safe in promoting healing of spontaneous gastric ulcers under a variety of field conditions and in different breeds and ages of horses. Horses in the study had gastric ulceration as determined by gastroscopy and were divided into replicates of 4 or 5 animals. One horse in each replicate was assigned randomly to receive an empty omeprazole syringe (sham-dosed control) and the remaining horses received omeprazole paste once ...
Hébert L, Moumen B, Duquesne F, Breuil MF, Laugier C, Batto JM, Renault P, Petry S.Taylorella equigenitalis is the causative agent of contagious equine metritis (CEM), a sexually transmitted infection of horses. We herein report the genome sequence of T. equigenitalis strain MCE9, isolated in 2005 from the urethral fossa of a 4-year-old stallion in France.
Takai S, Kawazu S, Tsubaki S.An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to diagnose Corynebacterium (Rhodococcus) equi infection in foals. In tests done with different antigen-extraction procedures (sodium dodecyl sulfate, sodium deoxycholate, polyoxy-ethylene [9] p-tert-octylphenol, polyoxy-ethylene [9-10] p-tert-octylphenol, sonification, homogenization, and heat treatment at 121 C), Tween 20 was a satisfactory reactive antigen. Using hyperimmune rabbit sera or infected foal sera, we investigated the specificity and the sensitivity of the ELISA with the Tween 20 antigen of the different serotypes or of the is...
Senior JM.General anesthesia in horses carries an increased risk of morbidity and mortality compared with other species. In recent years the number and complexity of epidemiologic studies in equine anesthesia has increased. The ability to interpret such studies and understand epidemiologic terminology is vital for veterinarians for them to make potential improvements to their anesthetic practice and to allow them to communicate effectively the findings of such studies to colleagues and owners. This article provides the equine clinician with a basic understanding of the methodologies that can be used in ...
Firth EC, Rogers CW, van Weeren PR, Barneveld A, McIlwraith CW, Kawcak CE, Goodship AE, Smith RK.Exercise or lack of it in early life affects chondro-osseous development. Two groups of horses were used to investigate the effects of age and exercise regimen on bone parameters of diaphyseal, metaphyseal, epiphyseal and cuboidal bones of the distal limb of Thoroughbreds. One group had exercised only spontaneously from an early age at pasture (PASTEX group), while the other group of horses were exposed to a 30% greater workload through additional defined exercise (CONDEX). Longitudinal data from peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) were obtained from eight scan sites of the left...
Brosnahan MM, Paradis MR.To describe the demographic and clinical characteristics, management practices, and owner perception of a population of geriatric horses, and to compare these data with findings in a group of younger horses. Methods: Original study. Methods: 218 horses. Methods: Data were collected via a survey tool from owners of 165 horses that were > or = 20 years of age and 53 horses that were < 20 years of age. Results: Compared with young horses, the geriatric group included a significantly greater number of ponies; geriatric horses were also more likely to have a history of colic, dental disease, ...
Gonçalves S, Julliand V, Leblond A.Many factors have been identified as risk factors for colic in horses in several epidemiological studies. The aim of our paper was to review the results of 12 epidemiological studies, in order to assess the impact of each risk factor for colic. According to the literature, the factors that increase the risk of colic are feeding practices (type and quality of food, type and changes of feeding), the intrinsic factors of horses (sex, age and breed), management (type and changes of housing and activity), medical history (a previous colic, administration of a medical treatment) and parasite control...
Smith MR, Wright IM.Until recently, the pathogenesis of noninfected tenosynovitis of the digital flexor tendon sheath (DFTS) has been considered obscure. With the advent of tenoscopy some inciting causes have been described, but to date few cases with a precise diagnosis have been reported. Objective: Tenoscopic surgery enables accurate diagnosis and facilitates treatment of noninfected tenosynovitis of the DFTS. Methods: The case records of all horses with noninfected tenosynovitis of the DFTS admitted to a referral clinic over a 7-year period were evaluated retrospectively. Follow-up information was obtained by...
Raphel CF, Soma LR.Thoroughbred horses (n = 191) were examined with a flexible fiberoptic endoscope within 2 hours of racing on a dirt track; 147 (75.4%) had evidence of exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH), and 13 (9.0%) had blood at the nostrils. Of 107 Thoroughbreds examined within the same period after breezing, 41 (38.3%) had evidence of EIPH. One horse (2.4%) of this group had blood at the nostrils. Statistical analysis of frequency data showed that a relationship existed between EIPH and the horse's age or distance raced or breezed. Relationship did not exist between EIPH and sex or finishing posi...
Wilsher S, Clutton-Brock A, Allen WR.A total of 78 day 10 horse embryos were transferred non-surgically to recipient mares that had ovulated 9, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 or 1 day after (negative asynchrony), on the same day (synchronous), or 2 or 4 days before (positive asynchrony) the donor (n=6 or 8 mares per group). Pregnancy rates between 100% (6/6) and 63% (5/8) were seen in recipient mares that were between +2 and -6 days asynchronous. Embryo survival to the heartbeat stage declined in recipients that were -7 days asynchronous and no embryos survived in recipients that were -9 days asynchronous. Irrespective of uterine asynchrony, c...
Newton AM, Nielsen AM.The literature contains many studies on the types of injuries sustained in horseback riding incidents. Most advocate the use of equestrian helmets to prevent head trauma. However, information is limited on other specific prevention strategies. Methods: A 4-year, retrospective, and prospective review of medical records pertaining to horse-related injuries in a southwestern Colorado hospital yielded a sample of 85 patients who had been injured while riding or tending to horses. In addition to the record review, patients were interviewed during ED discharge, inpatient treatment, or in a follow-up...
