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.
Long JR, Mitchell L.Aspergillosis, caused by species of Aspergillus, is primarily a respiratory infection but may
occasionally be generalized (1). This genus is
distributed widely in nature and almost any
substrate supplying organic matter and moisture will support growth of the fungus. It grows
especially well on damp hay, straw and grain
that has heated during storage. Aspergillus
fumigatus is responsible for the majority of
cases of aspergillosis in animals and birds.
This organism causes acute respiratory infection
when susceptible animals are exposed to heavy
concentrations of airbqrne conidia. Alt...
Dybing O, Peoples SA.The determination of amphetamine in body fluids is of interest in veterinary toxicology because of the possible use of amphetamine in the doping of race horses. Many types of methods for its detection and determination have been developed. In the newest methods gas chromatography and mass spectrometry have been applied, making it possible to detect and identify 1 µg amphetamine in blood samples ( 1970).
Clément SF.This article discusses the clinical signs, etiology, management, and prognosis for the neonatal foal afflicted with a convulsive or allied syndrome.
Serrano-Rodríguez JM, Miraz R, Saitua A, Díez de Castro E, Ledesma-Escobar C, Ferreiro-Vera C, Priego-Capote F, Sánchez de Medina V....Cannabigerol (CBG) is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid with growing interest in veterinary medicine; however, its pharmacokinetic profile in horses remains unknown. Understanding its absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination is essential to optimizing dosing strategies and evaluating its potential for clinical use in equine patients. Unassigned: A prospective crossover study was conducted in eight healthy adult horses to assess the metabolism and the pharmacokinetics after intravenous (IV) administration at 1 mg/kg and oral administrations at 10 mg/kg with two formulations (mice...
Stäubli T, Theiss F, Bischofberger A.A total of 48 horses with unilateral (n = 44) or bilateral (n = 4) overstrain-induced complete rupture of the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) in the forelimbs were retrospectively analysed. A telephone questionnaire, carried out an average of 5,9 years post-injury, served as a long-term follow-up in 25 horses. The mortality rate associated with SDF tendonitis was 12,0 % (3/25). Superficial digital flexor tendonitis did not recur in 76,0 % (19/25) of the horses, but at least one subsequent episode occurred in 24,0 % (6/25). The results of this study indicate that it is reasonable...
Herschel TL, Pelli A, Winter K, Scharner D.Penetrating wounds of the hoof are common and potentially life-threatening injuries in equine veterinary practice. The aim of this study was the systematic data analysis of horses presenting to the clinic with a solar puncture wound.In this retrospective study, patient data from horses presented with a puncture wound to the hoof in the period from September 2008 to August 2024 were collected. The analyzed data covered signalment, intended use, and insurance status. The following were also considered: previous history including the period between injury and presentation to the clinic, affected ...
Verrinder JM, Phillips CJC.With growing understanding of animals' capabilities, and public and organizational pressures to improve animal welfare, moral action by veterinarians and other relevant professionals to address animal issues is increasingly important. Little is known about how their action choices relate to their moral reasoning on animal ethics issues. A moral judgment measure, the VetDIT, with three animal and three non-animal scenarios, was used to investigate the action choices of 619 students in five animal- and two non-animal-related professional programs in one Australian university, and how these relat...
Brennvall HM, Bjune T, Sverdrup Ø, Ráki M, Abedini S.Zoonoses are important to consider when humans become ill after being in contact with animals. In such cases thorough patient history is crucial, especially when infections have an unclear cause. We present a patient with infection-associated glomerulonephritis, where a horse was the probable source of infection. A young woman was admitted to the district general hospital in Vestfold, Norway, with infection and acute kidney failure. Renal biopsy suggested glomerulonephritis, and nasopharyngeal culture taken at admission detected Streptococcus equi. It emerged that the patient had daily contact...
Hélie P, Ammann VJ, Kervern I.A 6-year-old, standardbred mare was presented for colic of 12 h duration. Transrectal palpation revealed intestinal distension of unknown cause. The mare was euthanized. At necropsy, segmental jejunoileal incarceration and strangulation through an opening in the spleen was observed. This opening was considered to be a congenital defect.
Ennulat D, Brown CA, Brown SA.To evaluate the effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) on canine and equine mesangial cell (MC) proliferation in vitro. Methods: Third- through eighth-passage canine and equine MC were obtained from explant outgrowth after differential sieving of glomeruli isolated from the kidneys of clinically normal dogs and horses. Methods: Mitogenic effects of serum, insulin, EGF, and PDGF were evaluated in MC by induction of DNA synthesis, measured as stimulation of [3H]thymidine incorporation and increase in cell numbers. Results: Epidermal growth factor was a...
Linford N, MacKechnie-Guire R, Cassar M.The aim of this trial project was to identify whether buried archaeological remains may have an influence on equine locomotion, through comparison with a non-invasive Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) survey. This study was conducted at the world-renowned Burghley Horse Trials site, near Stamford, City of Peterborough, U.K. that has a diverse range of heritage assets throughout the wider park land centred on the Grade 1 listed Elizabethan Burghley House. The initial aim of the research was to first use geophysical survey to identify and characterise archaeological remains, and then to determine a...
Bischoff K, Moiseff J.Feed as a cause of poisoning in horses can occur on small or large scales. It is challenging to work up cases of suspected feed contamination, but there are resources available to veterinarians and owners. Feed contamination can be chemical or biological. This article focuses on and provides examples of chemical feed contamination including misformulation, adulteration, and natural contaminants. Additionally, recommendations for feed sampling and diagnostic submission, including legal documentation, are included.
Lloyd KC, Koblik P, Ragle C, Wheat JD, Lakritz J.In 4 adult horses, simple, nondisplaced, incomplete fracture of the proximal extremity of the third metacarpal bone (MC3) was identified radiographically only on the dorsopalmar projection. Lameness was slight to moderate. Although nerve blocks of the foot and fetlock did not alter the lameness, high palmar regional nerve block improved the gait in 1 of the 2 horses on which it was performed. Pain on palpation or swollen distal accessory (inferior check) ligament, flexor tendons, and suspensory ligament were not found in any horse. The fracture was localized to the palmar surface of the proxim...
Becsek A, Schweizer A, Knutti B, Bollwein H.The aim of this study was to compare transrectal two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound examination with regards to required time and accuracy of fetal sex determination in early pregnant mares. Methods: For this purpose 47 mares were examined transrectally once between days 58 and 115 of gestation. Initially, the fetal sex was determined by identifying the location of the genital tubercle (GT) or external genitalia using 2D-ultrasound. Subsequently, the ultrasound machine was switched to 3D-mode to obtain images for later computer-based evaluation. Results: The gestational...
Jose-Cunilleras E, Wijnberg ID.Reference values for quantitative electromyography (QEMG) in shoulder and hindlimb muscles of horses are limited. Objective: To determine normative data on QEMG analysis of supraspinatus (SS), infraspinatus (IS), deltoideus (DT) and biceps femoris (BF) muscles. Methods: Experimental observational study and retrospective case series. Methods: Seven adult healthy Royal Dutch sport horses underwent quantitative motor unit action potential analysis of each muscle using commercial electromyography equipment. Measurements were made according to published methods. One-way ANOVA was used to compare qu...
Stashak TS, Adams OR.Autogenous bone grafts were obtained from the tuber coxae of 9 horses. The method used involved an oblique incision to expose the lateral aspect of the tuber coxae. The periosteum was incised and reflected in order to make a 5- by 2.5-cm opening in the lateral cortex for graft retrieval. The method provided good visualization, ample grafting material, and freedom from postsurgical complications.
Hummer EV, Soares JHN, Crockett DC, Aguiar AJA, Tran MC, Cronin JN, Brosnan RJ, Braun C, Formenti F.The possibility of accurately and continuously measuring arterial oxygen partial pressure (PaO2 ) in horses may facilitate the management of hypoxaemia during general anaesthesia. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of a novel fibreoptic sensor to measure PaO2 (PaO2Sensor ) continuously and in real time in horses undergoing ventilatory manoeuvres during general anaesthesia. Methods: In vivo experimental study. Methods: Six adult healthy horses were anaesthetised and mechanically ventilated in dorsal recumbency. A fibreoptic sensor was placed in one of the facial arteri...
Crowhurst RC.Diseases of the back of horse and man are not comparable owing to the great difference in anatomy and posture. Veterinary surgeons, particularly in the United Kingdom, are often requested to account for a poor performance due to suspected "back trouble" but a complete examination of the horse's back is most difficult and care must be taken first to exclude any limb or foot lesions. Diseases of the bones, nerves and muscles are briefly discussed. Diagnosis must be improved by new radiographic and biochemical tests before the significance of back lesions can be assessed or even treated.
Albanese V, Munsterman AS, DeGraves FJ, Hanson RR.To measure intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) in horses that crib and compare it with IAP in horses that do not have this vice. Methods: Cohort study. Methods: Healthy cribbing horses (cribbing cohort, n = 8) and 8 healthy noncribbing horses (noncribbing cohort). Methods: A microsensor catheter was introduced into the peritoneal cavity through the right paralumbar fossa, using local anesthesia, for measurement of IAP. These pressures were recorded in 1-minute intervals for 2 hours, while the horses were standing tied in a stall. IAPs of cribbing horses were compared to the noncribbing cohort...
Graper M, Fischer AT.Practicing at a referral center makes one aware of the necessity for consistent clear communication with the referring veterinarians. The referring veterinarian is ultimately the primary client of the referral center and should be respected as such. Once the necessary care has been provided, the client and horse should be returned to the care of the referring veterinarian. It is important that the referring veterinarian stay involved in the case and communicate if they wish for more or less contact with the referral center.
Hoskinson JJ, Tucker RL, Lillich J, Bertone JJ.While many equine diagnostic imaging procedures can be done in field, some procedures require specialized facilities, equipment or expertise which are generally only available in referral or specialty practices. As client awareness of the availability and advantages of these diagnostic procedures increases, veterinarians are faced with the increasing opportunity to utilize these services to provide optimal patient care. A working knowledge of the value and limitations of these methods is required to help guide veterinarians and clients in the selection of additional, and sometimes costly, diag...
Lacroix G, Lacroix C.This article discusses equine associate employment agreements from the employer's perspective. It should also be of interest to prospective equine associates. The substantive issues and questions are the same, and neither employers nor employees are likely to get far unless they "walk a mile in the other's moccasins".
Silva CA, Merkt H, Bergamo PN, Barros SS, Barros CS, Santos MN, Hoppen HO, Heidemann P, Meyer H.Excessive iodine supply of at least 700 mg inorganic iodine in foals and of more than 350 mg iodine in pregnant and lactating mares cause a high incidence of goitres in the newborn and disorders in the long leg bones of foals. Elevated phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase content in the blood may indicate a severe disturbance in the bone metabolism. Of 39 pregnant mares 17 aborted and some of the mares also showed goitres. After withdrawal of the iodine supply normalization took place. Foals born more than 6 weeks later showed normal conditions. The goitres in the mares and the high blood level...
Cabler P, Geddes LA, Rosborough J.Ultrasonic energy, provided by a commercially available water vaporizer, was used to vaporize methoxyflurane, halothane, and chloroform. The vaporizer was placed directly in the respiratory line, and the anaesthetic liquid was vaporized one drop at a time. Anaesthesia was maintained for periods up to 6 hr in horses, ponies, calves, sheep, dogs, and one pig. This method of vaporizing liquids is applicable to a wide variety of anaesthetics. It is easily controlled, and the same vaporizer can be used with a wide range of sizes of subjects. The vaporizer can be placed directly in the respiratory c...
