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.
Downing DT, Colton SW.Skin surface lipids from the sides of male and female horses (Equus caballus) were collected in acetone and analyzed by thin layer chromatography and gas liquid chromatography. The sole components in both sexes were cholesterol, cholesteryl esters and the lactones of 32-, 32- and 36-carbon omega-hydroxy acids, each including a methyl group in the n-1 position. Most of the lactones were monounsaturated (either n-8 or n-10), but small amounts of saturated and dienoic species were present. A pooled sample of the skin surface lipids contained 14% cholesterol, 38% cholesteryl esters and 48% lactone...
Roberts MC, Kelly WR.Granulomatous enteritis was diagnosed in a 4-year-old Standarbred mare suffering from chronic weight loss, depression, dependent oedema but not diarrhoea. There was hypoproteinaemia (hypoalbuminaemia), lymphocytopaenia and neglibible carbohydrate absorption from the small intestine. Pathological changes in almost the entire small intestine included proprial infiltration resulting in partial villous atrophy, and granuloma formation beneath the muscularis which was most severe in the ileum. Slight infiltration occurred in the stomach and the colon. The cells were predominantly lymphocytes and hi...
Fernie DS, Batty I, Walker PD, Platt H, Mackintosh ME, Simpson DJ.The vaccination of four ponies on two occasions with a formolised culture of Haemophilus equigenitalis produced a high circulating antibody titre to the organism in each pony. Three out of four vaccinated and all of three unvaccinated ponies developed typical symptoms of contagious equine metritis (CEM) when subsequently challenged with a vaginal exudate containing H equigenitalis. Similarly, three ponies which had previously been infected with H equigenitalis and which had recovered spontaneously also developed contagious equine metritis when rechallenged with the organism. The clinical and b...
Miller R, Pott B.A case of subcutaneous phycomycosis of a horse from which Basidiobolus haptosporu was isolated is described. Although some clinical signs were similar to the disease caused by Hyphomyces destruens, the gross and microscopic pathology were different in several respects. Main characteristics of the histopathology were the narrow eosinophilic sleeve around wide, frequently septate hyphae scattered throughout the affected tissue and found commonly at the advancing border of the lesion. A retrospective study of 63 cases of phycomycosis diagnosed at this laboratory since 1970 indicated a further 11 ...
Auer J.Degenerative joint disease is the most frequently diagnosed problem of the carpus. Horses afflicted with this disease should not be injected with corticosteroids, but should be rested for several months. Swimming exercise and intra-articular injections of hyaluronic acid during this time help to restore the integrity of the involved joints. Chip fractures of the various carpal bones and the distal radius are commonly diagnosed as the cause of the lameness. Not all horses with carpal fractures are candidates for surgery. It is important that the severity of the problem be realized and that the ...
Gibbons DF.Salmonellosis in Equidae occurs sporadically throughout the world; the incidence recorded ranges from less than 1 per cent to as much as 27 per cent. In 1976 there was a significant increase in disease and mortality caused by salmonellosis in horses in Britain and treatment was less successful than with other species. Data revealed a general progressive shift away from species specific salmonella serotypes towards the ubiquitous but less discerning strains of Salmonella typhimurium. The role of predisposing causes is assessed and treatment, prevention and zoonitic importance commented upon.
Wester PW, Franken P, Häni HJ.Both clinical and pathological features of seven horses suffering from a squamous cell carcinoma of the stomach are presented. The main complaints in the horses, aged six years or more, were loss both of weight and of condition. Metastases had often developed. The diagnostic difficulties and possibilities are discussed.
Thomas KW, Pemberton DH.Components of plasma or serum, including immunoglobulins, were concentrated two-fold by freezing then collecting 40-50% of the initial volume during thawing. This concentrated plasma (or serum) was administered intravenously to treat hypogammaglobulinaemic foals and calves. An adaptation of this method suitable for field use is described.
Wester PW, Franken P, Häni HJ.Summary Both clinical and pathological features of seven horses suffering from a squamous cell carcinoma of the stomach are presented. The main complaints in the horses, aged six years or more, were loss both of weight and of condition. Metastases had often developed. The diagnostic difficulties and possibilities are discussed.
Grandy JL, McDonell WN.The pH, osmolality, stability, and bacteriostatic characteristics of 5%, 10%, and 15% solutions of guaifenesin were studied. In vitro and in vivo experiments were done to determine the hemolytic potential of the more concentrated solutions on equine blood, as compared with the recommended 5% solution. The primary objective was to determine whether more concentrated solutions could be used clinically. The secondary objective was to determine the optimal diluent (water, 0.9% saline, or 5% dextrose). It was concluded that a 10% solution of guaifenesin made in sterile distilled water was most suit...
Henderson WM.An attempt is made to review the validity of the claim that more equine research is required with the conclusion that the problems in the equine field that would respond to research must be listed and each assigned a degree of priority according to suggested criteria. Future action will then depend upon identifying or stimulating scientific initiative and seeking the required financial support noting that self help from the equine industry has not been adequately utilised.
Duncan JL, McBeath DG, Preston NK.The efficacy of a fenbendazole divided dose regime against immature stages of Trichonema spp, Strongylus vulgaris and Strongylus edentatus was evaluated. A group of 8 naturally infected 30 to 36-month-old ponies was divided into 2 equal groups on the basis of previous treatment and faecal egg counts, one group being treated with 7.5 mg/kg bwt of fenbendazole daily for 5 days. This treatment regime removed 80 per cent of migrating S vulgaris larvae, 100 per cent of migrating S edentatus larvae and 95 per cent of the mucosal stages of Trichonema spp. In addition, a virtual 100 per cent eliminati...
Pashen RL.Levels of the major circulating metabolite of prostaglandin F-2 alpha, 13, 14 dihydro-15-oxo-prostaglandin F-2 alpha (PGFM) were measured during the induction of foaling using small (2.5-10 iu) intravenous doses of oxytocin. PGFM levels rose rapidly in all animals within 15 min of injection and were associated with typical signs of second stage labour. Because these small doses of oxytocin are effective in successfully triggering parturition it is suggested that higher doses (40-120 iu) used to induce birth in other studies are unnecessary and could be potentially dangerous to the foetal foal....
Monzón CM.An indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect antibodies against Trypanosoma evansi was evaluated using 90 different sera, obtained from naturally-infected horses. As negative controls, 218 sera from the T. evansi-free zone of Argentina, and 90 uninfected sera from the enzootic zone were used. The results of the ELISA were expressed in terms of percent positivity (PP) when compared with a positive primary reference serum, obtained from a horse experimentally-infected with T. evansi. The inter-assay coefficient of variation (CV), expressed as PP, was 44.7% for the negative con...
Stadler P.The anterior enteritis syndrome in the horse is reviewed with reference to the aetiology, pathogenesis, clinical findings, laboratory findings, diagnosis, treatment, prognosis and post mortem findings.