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.
DOLL ER, WALLACE E, RICHARDS MG.Manninger and Csontos reported that mares inoculated with equine abortion virus developed a transient fever 2 to 4 days after pharyngeal or intravenous inoculation and that an uninoculated horse in contact with the experimentally inoculated mares contracted a febrile disease resembling equine influenza. Also, mares that had aborted virus-infected fetuses were resistant to inoculation with equine influenza virus. From these observations, they proposed that virus abortions were a manifestation of infection of pregnant mares by the equine influenza virus. In reports on equine virus abortions, Kre...
CRAWFORD M.This disease has a very long history, with the earliest written description by Vegetius in the fourth century A.D. It has many names, such as periodic ophthalmia, recurrent ophthalmia, iridocyclitis, uveitis, moon-blindness, etc. Periodic ophthalmia is perhaps the name more generally used, but I prefer to use recurrent iridocyclitis because (a) there is no definite fixed period between the recurrent attacks and (b) because the essential lesion is iridocyclitis.
Hellyer PW, Dodam JR, Light GS.Dynamic baroreflex sensitivity for increasing arterial pressure (DBSI) was used to quantitatively assess the effects of anesthesia on the heart rate/arterial pressure relationship during rapid (less than or equal to 2 minutes) pressure changes in the horse. Anesthesia was induced with IV administration of xylazine and ketamine and maintained with halothane at a constant end-tidal concentration of 1.1 to 1.2% (1.25 to 1.3 minimal alveolar concentration). Systolic arterial pressure (SAP) was increased a minimum of 30 mm of Hg in response to an IV bolus injection of phenylephrine HCl. Linear regr...
Bauer C, Bürger HJ.A paste formulation containing 14.3 per cent of oxibendazole and 44 per cent of trichlorfon was administered to 33 ponies and horses. The dose rate used was equivalent to 10 mg and 30 mg/kg bodyweight, of oxibendazole and trichlorfon respectively. After treatment 25 animals passed between one and 82 third stage larvae of Gasterophilus intestinalis in their faeces. Dosing with 0.2 mg ivermectin/kg bodyweight three weeks later resulted in six animals expelling between one and four bots. The efficacy of the oxibendazole-trichlorfon paste was on average 96.2 per cent. This drug combination given t...
Millward LM, Hamberg A, Mathews J, Machado-Parrula C, Premanandan C, Hurcombe SD, Radin MJ, Wellman ML.A 6-year-old female Rocky Mountain horse was presented for evaluation of draining tracts and distal limb subcutaneous edema on the left front and left hind limbs that had been present for 2 weeks. Direct smears of fluid collected by fine-needle aspiration of subcutaneous fluid from both limbs were highly cellular with a predominance of eosinophils accompanied by numerous, moderately atypical, variably granulated mast cells. The cytologic diagnosis was mast cell tumor (MCT) with prominent eosinophilic infiltration with a differential diagnosis of eosinophilic granuloma. Histologic evaluation of...
Testa B, Biggi M, Byrne CA, Bell A.Acquisition of magnetic resonance images of the equine limb is still sometimes conducted under general anaesthesia. Despite low-field systems allow the use of standard anaesthetic equipment, possible interferences of the extensive electronic componentry of advanced anaesthetic machines on image quality is unknown. This prospective, blinded, cadaver study investigated the effects of seven standardised conditions (Tafonius positioned as in clinical cases, Tafonius on the boundaries of the controlled area, anaesthetic monitoring only, Mallard anaesthetic machine, Bird ventilator, complete electro...
Hargis AM, Clark EG, Duclos DD, Leclerc S, West K.Over a 6-year period seven adult horses of different breeds and genders developed multifocal, exudative, oozing dermatitis characterized histologically by epidermal spongiotic vesicles and perivascular eosinophilic, neutrophilic and mixed mononuclear inflammation. Three horses were pruritic. Systemic disease was not noted. Two horses had a history of recurrent urticaria (hives) and one horse had nodules or welt-type lesions that progressed to exudative, oozing lesions. Interepithelial immunoglobulin (Ig)G was detected by avidin-biotin complex-peroxidase staining, but the pattern of staining wa...
Zynda HM, Scare JA, Steuer AE, Anderson HP, Nielsen MK.Cyathostomins are pervasive equine parasites in horses across the world, and larval stages are known to cause the deadly disease larval cyathostominosis. The mucosal digestion technique is widely used for enumeration of encysted larval stages. Previous studies have investigated the spatial variation of encysted larvae, however current protocols lack a description of a standardized area from which to take the tissue sample. This study sought to evaluate spatial variation in encysted cyathostomin larval counts among the large intestinal organs and their subsections. Following humane euthanasia, ...
van der Kolk JH, Wisse H, van Dijk S.A 20-year-old Arab crossbred gelding was examined because it had apparently suffered an overstimulation of the parasympathetic nervous system for three hours. The clinical signs consisted of hypersalivation, profuse sweating, maximal miosis, fasciculation of the muscles and lateral recumbency in combination with continuous convulsions without diarrhoea. The horse's plasma pseudocholinesterase activity was approximately 10 per cent of normal. It responded well to 10 mg atropine and 50 mg diazepam administered intravenously.
Ramírez A CE, Hurtado-Macías A, Talamantes R, Flores E, Ladrón de Guevara HP, Delgado JI, Estrella RA, Riestra JM, Montes JM, Esmonde-White K....Guided bone regeneration surgeries are based on grafting a scaffold in the site to be repaired. The main focus of the scaffold is to provide mechanical support to newly formed blood vessels and cells that will colonize the grafted site, achiving bone regenertation. In this regards, the aim of this study was to characterize the anatomy, structular, surface morphologycal, chemical composition, and nanomechanical properties of ostrich and equine trabecular bone. Ostrich and equine specimens were obtained from a local abattoir and bone was obtained by blunt dissection, n = 5. Tissue bone anatomy...
Vlaminck LE, Steenhault M, Maes D, Huys L, Gasthuys F.This study investigated the placement of an intra-alveolar prosthesis of bone substitute on gingival/periodontal health in 5 ponies following repulsion of cheek teeth 108 and 208. In each pony, one randomly chosen alveolus was allowed to heal by second intention while the other was filled with a non-resorbable, biocompatible bone substitute. At 6, 12 and 24-months after surgery, both maxillary arches were evaluated for wear abnormalities and for gingival health using a periodontal scoring system. Recorded changes included development of overgrowths on mandibular cheek teeth, widening of maxill...
Mieszkowska M, Holak P, Zhalniarovich Y, Mieszkowski M, Domagalska-Stomska K.A sound knowledge of horseshoe impact on blood flow parameters is required for making shoeing decisions and selecting the most appropriate types of shoes. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of horse shoeing with egg bar shoes and shoes with wedge pads on blood flow parameters in the lateral palmar digital artery measured by Doppler ultrasound. The study was conducted on 16 horses divided into two groups. Horses from group 1 were shod with egg bar shoes. Horses from group 2 were shod with shoes with wedge pads. Doppler ultrasound parameters of the lateral palmar digital artery at...
Rakotoarisoa L, Mironneau C, Sayet I, Mironneau J.Specific binding of the Ca++ antagonist desmethoxyverapamil, (-)-[3H]D888, to cell membranes of equine portal vein smooth muscle was inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner by guanosine 5'-O-(gamma-thio)triphosphate and ATP but was little affected by guanosine 5'-O-(beta-thio)diphosphate, noradrenaline or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate ester. Inhibition constants for GTP and ATP were in the range of 0.1 to 0.3 mM. From Scatchard plots and dissociation kinetic experiments, it is proposed that D888 high affinity binding sites are transferred into low affinity sites. In intact strips of ra...
Mackay RJ, Iverson WO, Merritt AM.A 4-year-old stallion was examined because of a 2-month history of inappetance and weight loss. Diarrhoea had also developed a month before presentation. Abnormal clinical findings were emaciation, diarrhoea, ventral oedema, palpable mesenteric lymph node enlargement and a large mass in the left cranial portion of the abdomen. Significant laboratory findings were anaemia (packed cell volume 0.21 litres/litre), hypoalbuminaemia (16 g/litre) and xylose malabsorption. The horse was euthanased and at necropsy a 10.5 kg pendunculated mass composed of granulation tissue was found within and attached...
Röthlisberger U, Kaegi B, Geyer H, Auer JA.The annular ligament constriction is characterized by a disproportion between the available space and the contents within the fetlock tunnel. The main symptoms are a persisting lameness, distention of the tendon sheath, a typical "notch" when the fetlock is viewed from the side and a hyperflexion pain in the fetlock. The surgical treatment consists of the transection of the fetlock annular ligament. The conservative management can be considered as a independent therapy or as a preparation for a subsequent desmotomy. The medical records of 75 horses suffering from fetlock tunnel syndrome presen...
Niyom S, Mama KR, King M, Contino E, Ferris D, Valdes-Martinez A, Frisbie DD, McIlwraith W, Zumbrunnen J.This study investigated the influence of changing recumbency and mode of ventilation over repeated anesthesias on the alveolar to arterial oxygen tension gradient (PO) and laboratory analytes in eight horses during a year-long imaging study. Anesthesia was induced with xylazine, diazepam or guaifenesin, and ketamine and maintained with isoflurane. Horses were positioned in right or left lateral recumbency for computed tomography. Ventilation was controlled during 47% of the anesthetics. Blood was sampled from an arterial catheter prior to (30 ± 5 min from connection to anesthetic circuit), wi...
Cohausz O, Müntener CR, Trachsel D, Wimmershoff J, Eser MW.A 15 year old Oldenburger gelding was treated during 3 weeks for laminitis with the anticoagulant phenprocoumone (27 mg orally, once daily) and concurrent administration of phenylbutazone (2-4 g orally, twice daily). After this treatment the animal was presented to the Equine Clinic University of Zurich with a history of acute colic and advanced symptoms of shock. On the basis of the clinical signs and laboratory values, a diagnosis of combined drug induced coagulopathy was made. The horse was treated with the antidote Vitamine-K1 (0.5 mg/kg, subcutaneously). Eventually, the general condition ...
Miller RL, Webster JK, Mariger SC.The purposes of this study were to identify the source and frequency of agricultural injuries in Utah, and determine an injury rate for common agricultural activities. Previous studies conducted in Utah examined injury rates by utilizing emergency room logs. This study collected data directly from the source, farmers and ranchers in Utah, and included all modes of treatment. A random sample of Utah Farm Bureau members were mailed questionnaires to assess the number of injuries occurring during the past three years, the mode of treatment for the most recent injury, and the percentage of time sp...
Eddy AL, Galuppo LD, Stover SM, Taylor KT, Jensen DG.To compare mechanical properties and failure characteristics of 2 methods of fixation for repair of a transverse, midbody fracture of the proximal sesamoid bone (PSB): 4.5-mm AO cortical bone screw (AO) placed in lag fashion and 4/5-mm Acutrak (AT) self-compressing screw. Methods: An in vitro biomechanical evaluation of intact forelimb preparations and forelimb preparations with a simulated midbody PSB fracture stabilized by a bone screw. Methods: Sixteen paired and 8 unilateral cadaveric equine forelimbs. Methods: A midbody transverse osteotomy was created in the medial PSB of bilateral forel...
Tamayo-Arango LJ, Mejía-Durango MA.Gross anatomy is considered one of the most challenging subjects in teaching veterinary medicine. The use of body painting is reported in teaching surface human anatomy, but such reports are scarce in veterinary medicine. The aim of this study was to describe a practical session for teaching surface anatomy using body painting with second-semester students of veterinary medicine. Two practical sessions using live animals (equine and bovine) were offered with a focus on the locomotor and nervous systems and splanchnology. Students believed that the body painting sessions helped them to understa...
Polten B.Since the last report there have been major revisions of laws and ordinances. Deliberations on rules of Community law were also continued. On national level, the Act on the Shoeing of Horses amending the Animal Welfare Act and amendments of animal welfare provisions as well as the Deregulation Act were prepared, some of which have meanwhile entered into force. At legislative level, the work on the ratification laws for the Council of Europe conventions (Strasbourg) was concluded in order to enable Germany to adopt the revisions. They include (1) the European Convention for the protection of an...
Herb VM, Zehetner V, Blohm KO.This is the first description of Multiple Congenital Ocular Anomalies (MCOA) in a silver coat Missouri Fox Trotter determined to be heterozygous for the Silver PMEL17 missense mutation associated with MCOA and a silver coat in other breeds. The stallion was treated for meningoencephalitis and bilateral uveitis of unknown origin. A complete ophthalmic examination and ocular ultrasonography were performed. As an incidental finding, the patient exhibited bilateral cystic lesions restricted to the temporal anterior uvea consistent with the Cyst phenotype and was genotyped heterozygous for the Silv...
Beata Byczkowska , Bogumiła Pilarczyk , Agnieszka Tomza-Marciniak .The emergence of drug resistance among parasites is a side effect of the common use of chemotherapeutic agents in horses. Combating parasites typically involves routine deworming treatments twice a year (before and after the grazing season). However, in grazing farming this treatment may be insufficient. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of programs to combat the invasion of strongyles (Strongylidae) in horses in the selected stables of Western Pomerania. Coprological examination was conducted in 85 horses from three stables located in Western Pomerania. Horses from all th...
Brumbaugh GW, Thomas WP, Hodge TG.A 4-year-old Quarter Horse gelding with atrial fibrillation, mitral regurgitation, and signs of bilateral congestive heart failure was initially treated IV with digoxin and furosemide. After parenteral digitalization, a daily maintenance dose of digoxin was administered orally at a rate of 21.7 micrograms/kg of body weight. At this dosage, a steady-state serum digoxin concentration of 2.3 ng/ml was achieved without clinical signs of toxicosis. The furosemide dosage was decreased and eventually discontinued as clinical improvement occurred. Clinical signs of congestive heart failure were contro...
Boero MJ, Schneider JE, Mosier JE, Guffy MM, Butler HC, Leipold HW.A 1 cm defect was created in the proximal medial cortex of 12 tibiae, cancellous bone was removed from the site, and the bones were fractured by loading in torsion. The fractures did not occur through the donor sites and the fracture patterns and loads to fracture were similar for the treated tibiae and their untreated mates. Cancellous bone was harvested from the proximal medial aspect of both tibiae in nine adult horses. The soft tissue wounds were monitored for more than 10 days in seven horses and healing of the osseous defects was evaluated radiographically at regular intervals to month 6...
Palmer JE.Many sick neonatal foals have respiratory failure secondary to perinatal hypoxia, sepsis, or pneumonia. These foals require ventilatory support to prevent respiratory embarrassment and other complications associated with chronic hypoxia and hypercapnia. This article discusses practical aspects of ventilatory therapy, such as choosing a candidate for mechanical ventilation, choosing the proper ventilatory mode, placing a foal on a ventilator, maintaining a foal on mechanical ventilation, and weaning from mechanical ventilation. This article details some of the techniques that have been develope...
Starke SD, May SA.A large number of lameness indicators have been suggested for the visual equine lameness assessment. However, it remains unknown which of these are commonly used by experts. Twenty-four expert lameness assessors from 10 leading UK institutions viewed 28 video clips of sound and mildly lame horses (median score 2/10). Horses were shown at trot in a straight line (rear and front view) and circle (side view, left and right rein). Eye tracking data were collected at 60 Hz while participants evaluated each clip. A questionnaire captured contextual information. During assessment on the straight lin...
Arnhold S, Elashry MI, Klymiuk MC, Geburek F.Adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) offer a promising cell source for therapeutic applications in musculoskeletal disorders. The appropriate selection of ASCs from various fat depots for cell-based therapy is challenging. The present study aims to compare stemness and multipotency of ASCs derived from retroperitoneal (RP), subcutaneous (SC), and lipoma (LP) fat to assess their usefulness for clinical application. Equine ASCs from the three fat tissue sources were isolated and characterized. The cell viability, proliferation, and self-renewal were evaluated using MTT, sulforhod...
Greenaway EC, Sepulveda MF, Cunningham FM, Goode NT.Eosinophils have been implicated in the pathogenesis of the seasonal equine allergic skin disease, sweet itch. Protein kinase C (PKC) is involved in regulating eosinophil function and antigen challenge has been reported to alter PKC isotype expression in blood eosinophils from allergic human subjects. Here we have compared the pattern of PKC isotype expression in eosinophils from sweet itch ponies with that in cells from normal ponies both during the active and inactive phases of the disease. A role for PKC in histamine-induced eosinophil activation was also investigated. Conventional PKCs alp...
Bai Y, Tong TG, Zhang WJ, Xu SL, Wang Q, Liu GL, Wu DL.To develop a quantitative ELISA by measuring interferon (IFN-gamma) of equine lymphocytes. Methods: Sandwich ELISA for equine IFN-gamma was developed using mAb A5 as a capture antibody and biotinylated mAb SB10 as a detection antibody. Results: The detection limit of the sandwich ELISA for equine IFN-gamma was 1 microg/L and did not show cross-reactivity with recombinant equine IL-18. Equine IFN-gamma was detected by ELISA in culture medium of the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) stimulated with ConA or PMA/Ionomycin. Conclusions: This method can be used to help understand the role o...
Shideler RK, Voss JL, Aufderheide WM, Hessemann CP, Squires EL.Twenty mares were assigned to 1 of 4 groups: no altrenogest; altrenogest at 0.044 mg/kg BW; altrenogest at 0.132 mg/kg BW; or altrenogest at 0.220 mg/kg BW. Treatment was administered daily for 86 days. No signs of illness attributable to feeding altrenogest were observed during the trial. Treatment had no effect (P greater than .05) on the following parameters: WBC, differential WBC, platelet number, creatinine, LDH, CPK, total bilirubin, cholesterol, globulin, BSP, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. When comparing values over time with pretreatment means or among treatment groups, there wer...
Scilimati N, Pepe M, Pressanto MC, Angeli G, Beccati F.A 4-month-old Thoroughbred filly was referred for evaluation of severe left forelimb lameness of 24 hours duration. Radiographic projections of the shoulder revealed mild irregularity and sclerosis of the proximal humeral apophysis. Ultrasonographic examination showed a moderate increase in the amount of anechogenic synovial fluid within the intertubercular bursa and scapulohumeral joint, and irregularity of the ossifying bone surface of the intermediate tubercle of the humerus. Computed tomographic (CT) examination revealed a circular hypoattenuating area at the level of the proximal apophysi...
