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.
BRUCE LW, SHORLAND FB.IN the liver lipids of animals which have so far been examined it has been found1 that the phospholipids, as compared with the glycerides, contain less hexadecenoic acid but more stearic and highly unsaturated C20 and C22 acids, the latter being derived from dietary linoleic and linolenic acids2. Phospholipids, moreover, are generally regarded as selecting the more highly unsaturated acids from the diet3.
Rossini JB, Rodriguez J, Bresnahan DR, Stokes JE, Carnevale EM.The clinical use of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in horses usually involves the transfer of embryos into recipient mares, resulting in substantial cost increases. This is essential when subfertile mares are oocyte donors; but some donors are fertile, with ICSI compensating for limited or poor-quality spermatozoa. Fertile oocyte donors could carry pregnancies, eliminating the need for a recipient. We assessed the potential of using oocyte donors as recipients for their own ICSI-produced embryos during the same cycle. Donors in oestrus and with large dominant follicles were administer...
Moser M, Keller R, Blaser C, Fürst AE.One of the varied tasks of the Large Animal Rescue Service Switzerland and Liechtenstein (GTRD CH/FL)® is the recovery of animals from manure and cesspools. The aim of the present retrospective study was the evaluation of the rescue protocols of the GTRD CH/FL from such operations and the documentation of a rescue procedure. In the past 25 years, a total of 176 animals have been rescued from manure and cesspools. These included 113 cattle, 51 horses and 12 pigs. All animals could be safely rescued with the animal rescue and transport net (TBTN) or the large animal vertical rescue set (GTVBS)....
Chen JW, Uboh CE, Robinson MA, Jiang Z, Soma LR.To evaluate plasma interleukin 6 (IL-6) concentration in Standardbred racehorses by means of a novel ELISA following validation of the assay for use with equine plasma samples. Methods: Plasma samples obtained from 25 Thoroughbreds for use in assay validation and from 319 Standardbred racehorses at rest 2 to 2.5 hours prior to warm-up and racing. Methods: A sandwich ELISA was developed with equine anti-IL-6 polyclonal antibody and the biotin-streptavidin chemical interaction to enhance sensitivity. The assay was validated for specificity, sensitivity, precision, and accuracy by use of both rec...
van den Boom R, Rijkenhuizen AB.Septic inflammation of the synovial fossa in the horse is a severe disorder that can lead to permanent invalidity. The synovitis can occur as a result of a perforating trauma, or via the blood (haematogenous). The latter route is rare in the adult horse. Three cases of suspected haematogenous septic synovitis are described in adult horses (older than 1 year). In two horses, timely and adequate treatment resulted in recovery, but this was followed by fatal recurrence. In one of these horses a persistent primary infection was found as cause; the other horse was not available for autopsy. The thi...
Al-Majhali SH, Khairuddin NH, Abdul Razak IS, Radzi Z, Rahman MT, Sapalo JT, Mayaki AM, Czernuszka JT.The use of a self-inflating tissue expander is a technique to stretch cutaneous tissues for potential use in reconstructive skin surgeries. This study investigates the mechanical properties of horse skin stretched by the subcutaneous implantation of anisotropic tissue expanders at the forehead, right shoulder, and dorsomedial part of the cannon region of the right forelimb in six (n = 6) horses. After 14 days of skin expansion, expanded and normal (control) skin samples were harvested and their mechanical properties of elastic modulus (EM), maximum force (MF), maximum stress (MSs) and maximu...
Matters of physical and medical rehabilitation of children with organic lesions of the nervous system, in particular, with cerebral palsy, are actual in countries around the world. Hippotherapy is neurophysiologically oriented therapy using horses. Determine whether a combination of hippotherapy as a method of rehabilitation in the aftermath of outpatient comprehensive impact on MS on a stationary phase; Study of the effect of hippotherapy as securing and preparation method for learning new postures and movements in children with spastic cerebral palsy forms; The study of the possible optimiza...
Rangel JPP, de Oliveira APL, Baiotto GC, Junior OS, Figueiró GM, Araujo AL, Rossi Junior JL.Campylorrhinus lateralis, also known as "wry nose," is a congenital malformation that mainly affects Thoroughbreds. These horses have a unilateral deviation of the maxillae that may be to one side or the other side, and it causes airway obstruction and dental malocclusion. The choice of treatment is not necessarily operation; however, the treatment of choice, which aims to repair the maxillae deviation, is surgical to improve the horse's respiratory condition and correct the dental occlusion. There are currently no reports describing the first surgical technique for such deformity described by...
Roepstorff L, Drevemo S.To further develop objective methods in the field of gait analysis a force-measuring horseshoe (FM shoe) has been developed. The ground reaction forces were determined by measuring the degree of displacement between the two solid parts of the shoe. This was done by three removable measuring units (MUs) that were equipped with strain gauges and placed in the toe and in each of the quarter parts. Before performing force recordings the sensors were calibrated with the actual MUs mounted on the shoe. This can be done in the field with a specially developed equipment. The shape of the signal genera...
Spurlock GH.The prognosis for returning horses with open joint injuries to athletic function is most closely related to the duration of the injury prior to treatment. Prompt diagnosis and appropriate therapy should yield a favorable result. Delayed diagnosis or inappropriate therapy that allow the wound to progress to an infected state makes the likelihood of return to athletic function poor. Refractory joint infection can occur despite early diagnosis and prompt appropriate therapy. The development of these infections is undoubtedly increased by tissue loss and gross contamination. Appropriate antibiotic...
van den Wollenberg L, Sloet van Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbaan MM.Since it has become possible to make an ante-mortem diagnosis of gastric ulceration in horses by means of endoscopy, interest in the presence and treatment of this syndrome has increased. Several endoscopic surveys have indicated that the frequency of gastric ulceration in Thoroughbreds in training is fairly high. Less is known about other breeds and horses that are kept under different (training) conditions. The equine stomach is covered by two different kinds of mucous membranes: squamous and glandular. These two areas differ from one another in the incidence and aetiology of ulceration and,...
Alexander K, Dunn M, Carmel EN, Lavoie JP, Del Castillo JR.Glomerular filtration rate (GFR), an important parameter of renal function, is difficult to assess clinically. Serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen measurements lack sensitivity, whereas radionuclide determination of GFR is not always available and requires postinjection patient isolation. GFR can be determined using computed tomography (CT), most commonly via Patlak plot analysis. Four adult cats, two adult dogs, and a foal underwent abdominal CT under general anesthesia for various diseases of the upper urinary tract. CT-GFR was measured with a single-slice dynamic acquisition and Patlak...
Norton JL, Nolen-Walston RD, Underwood C, Slack J, Boston R, Dallap BL.Central venous pressure (CVP) customarily has been measured in veterinary patients with water manometry. However, many institutions are now using stallside electronic monitors in both anesthesia and intensive care units for many aspects of patient monitoring. Objective: Electronic stall side monitoring devices will agree with water manometry for measurement of CVP in horses. Methods: Ten healthy adult horses from the university research herd. Methods: Central venous catheters were placed routinely, and measurements were obtained in triplicate with each of the 3 methods every 12 hours for 3 day...
Hülskötter K, Aurich C, Köhne M, Baumgärtner W, Wohlsein P.Adenomatous hyperplasia of the equine allantoic epithelium (EAAH) is an infrequently observed nodular or plaque-like change in the placenta of the mare which is presented as a case description. EAAH is most frequently diagnosed in cases of aborted fetuses and is associated with inflammatory changes of the placenta. Histologically, different degrees of EAAH may be distinguished; however, these are not associated with specific clinical signs, degree of inflammation, a particular pathogen, or the frequency of abortions. It is assumed that EAAH represents a secondary, reactive change and has per s...
Koren L, Stahl S, Rovitsky A, Peled E.Amputation of fingers with tendon avulsion occurs through a traction injury, and most occur through a ring avulsion mechanism. Usually the flexor digitorum profundus is torn out with the amputated finger. Replantation usually is recommended only when the amputation is distal to the flexor digitorum superficialis insertion. Animal bites are relatively common, with a decreasing order of frequency of dogs, cats, and humans. Horse bites are relatively infrequent but are associated with crush injuries and tissue loss when they occur. This article describes a 23-year-old man with amputation of his m...
Nelson NC, Zekas LJ, Reese DJ.As availability increases and cost decreases, digital radiograph systems become more common in equine practice. Technological advances provide an array of choices for the equine practitioner considering purchase. Two classes of systems are available: computed radiography and flat-panel systems (direct radiography). Image processing encompasses all manipulations performed on an image at acquisition and can have a profound effect on the final digital radiograph. Consideration should be given to the type of display monitor because many options are now available. The type of display monitor and th...
Booth TM, Clegg PD.An 8-year-old show-jumper gelding was referred for examination as a result of a purchase dispute for reported back pain. Clinical examination identified back pain and atrophy of the left semimembranosus and semitendinosus muscles, but no lameness. Standing pelvic radiography demonstrated a chronic nonunion fracture of the left ischium, the clinical significance of which was uncertain. The apparent back pain was thought to be probably unrelated to the pelvic lesion. We conclude that chronic ischial fracture in the horse can lead to specific atrophy of the semimembranosus and semitendinosus musc...
Farr AC, Hawkins JF, Baird DK, Moore GE.To characterize features of diagnosis, treatment, and outcome in horses with foreign bodies, exclusive of enteric, inhaled, and foot-penetrating foreign bodies. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: 37 horses with foreign bodies. Methods: The incidence of equine foreign bodies from 1990 through 2005 was determined by review of data from veterinary schools participating in the Veterinary Medical Database (VMDB). Medical records of horses with foreign bodies at Purdue University were reviewed, and the following information was retrieved: clinical history; signalment; results of physical, ...
Rutherford DJ, Textor J, Fretz PB.A 4-week-old Thoroughbred filly presented with lameness of acute, severe onset of the left foreleg (LF) of 3 days' duration. Results: Diffuse swelling was present around the distal radius and carpus of the LF. Carpal varus that could be reduced manually was present. Radiographs revealed an intra- articular frontal-plane fracture in the distal radial epiphysis, which continued cranially through the distal radial physis (DRP). The lateral aspect of the DRP was wider than expected. Latero-medial carpal instability was resolved by placement of a lag screw from the dorsal midline through the epiphy...
Danton CA, Peacock PJ, May SA, Kelly DF.A 16-year-old showjumping gelding was examined because of a non-painful, slowly progressive caudal thigh swelling, which was associated with 2/10th lameness at the trot. Radiography, real time beta-mode ultrasonography and gamma-scintigraphy of the caudal thigh for the presence of chip fractures, sequestrum formation and, or, abscessation were inconclusive. Radiographic examination of the chest revealed multifocal, nodular cannon ball-like opacities throughout the entire lung fields from which a diagnosis of a primary soft tissue tumour with metastasis to the thorax was made. An anaplastic sar...
Hallebeek JM, Beynen AC.The hypothesis was tested that feeding ponies a diet containing medium-chain triacylglcyerols (MCT) instead of soya bean oil causes an increase in the production of plasma triacylglycerols, which, under steady-state conditions, is associated with an increased clearance of triacylglycerols. Six ponies were fed rations containing either MCT or an isoenergetic amount of soya bean oil according to a cross-over design. The concentration of MCT in the total dietary dry matter was about 13%. When the ponies were fed the diets for 3 weeks, plasma triacylglycerol concentrations were 0.42 +/- 0.09 and 0...
Warren LK, Whelen A.The gruelling race schedules maintained by horses competing in chuckwagon racing raises concern for the horses' ability to recover quickly and continue to perform at a high level. The amount of bodyweight lost and the time required for recovery of this weight loss have been used to assess the level of stress imposed on horses competing in various multiple-day events. In this study, bodyweights were obtained from 40 Thoroughbred geldings (mean +/- s.e.; bodyweight 521.5 +/- 4.4 kg) before and after racing during a 5 day chuckwagon race meet. Body condition score (BCS) was determined on the firs...
Cribb NC, Arroyo LG, Bouré L.The use of a laparoscopic suction-irrigation device in 2 standing horses for lavage of the abdomen for the treatment of primary suppurative peritonitis is reported. Two horses were presented with a 1- to 2-week history of weight loss. Abdominocentesis revealed highly elevated total nucleated cell count. Peritoneal lavage systems were placed in both horses, but complications prevented adequate lavage. Both horses underwent standing laparoscopy; the dorsal abdomen was explored and the abdomen was profusely lavaged, using a suction-irrigation device. The procedure was efficient and allowed adequa...
Alitalo I, Kärkkäinen M.Ataxia caused by a focal compression of the cervical spinal cord was diagnosed in four young standardbred trotting horses. Diagnosis was verified by myelography. Changes in the cervical vertebral column were studied using microradiographic and histologic methods. In the vertebrae involved, there was irregularity of the cartilaginous growth zone, cracks with a loose fragment and disturbance in the enchondral ossification. These changes resemble osteochondrosis. Porous appearance in lateral and ventral funiculi as well as mural calcified plaques in the small vessels of the white matter were foun...
Miyazawa T.Diseases caused by animal retroviruses have been recognized since 19th century in veterinary field. Most livestock and companion animals have own retroviruses. To disclose the receptors for these retroviruses will be useful for understanding retroviral pathogenesis, developments of anti-retroviral drugs and vectors for human and animal gene therapies. Of retroviruses in veterinary field, receptors for the following viruses have been identified; equine infectious anemia virus, feline immunodeficiency virus, feline leukemia virus subgroups A, B, C, and T, Jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus, enzootic na...
Touratier L.There is increasing interest in many parts of the world in trypanosomoses other than those transmitted by tsetse flies, as shown by numerous research projects and field studies. The refinement of techniques for studying the behaviour of trypanosomes (techniques of molecular biology) in axenic culture or in the parasitised host has led to progress in diagnosis and immunology, and a rational approach to chemotherapy and chemoprophylaxis of these infections. Field trials of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays in Africa, Asia and South America have shown that these tests may now be regarded as reli...
Sahmi F, Nicola E, Price CA.The objective was to establish a cell line-based bioassay for FSH in horse serum for screening samples with high eCG bioactivity. A cell line (HEK293) was transiently cotransfected with an FSH reporter expression plasmid and a cAMP-responsive β-galactosidase reporter plasmid. Cells were bulk frozen, and thawed for assay purposes. This assay was specific for FSH, with no cross-reaction with LH or insulin-like growth factor-1. Standard curves (eCG) and serum samples from pregnant mares passed parallel line bioassay validity tests (linearity and parallelism). Estimates of bioactivity with this b...
Timoney PJ, Dillon PB, Geraghty VP, McArdle JF.Aspects of experimental transmission of the causal bacterium of contagious equine metritis (CEM) to albino Swiss mice were investigated. Whereas infection was established in the majority of female mice, the organism was recovered from only a limited number of male mice after challenge. No clinical evidence of infection was observed in the experimental mice. There was only one instance of presumptive venereal transmission of the CEM bacterium. One third of infected females conceived and had normal litters.
Simon O, Laverty S, Bouré L, Marcoux M, O Szöke M.To describe the outcome after arthroscopic electrosurgical excision of axial osteochondral (OC) fragments of the proximal plantar aspect of the 1st phalanx (P1) in horses. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Twenty-three Standardbred racehorses. Methods: Medical records of Standardbred racehorses that had arthroscopic dissection of axial OC fragments of the proximal plantar aspect of P1 with electrocautery probes were reviewed. Horses were positioned in dorsal recumbency; a 1.5% glycine solution was used to maintain joint distension. The arthroscope portal was in the proximal plantar joint ...
Dutton DM, Honnas CM, Watkins JP.To determine the outcome of horses with suprascapular nerve injury treated with stall rest alone. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: 8 horses. Methods: Information on signalment, history, limbs affected, severity of lameness, degree of muscle atrophy, gait abnormalities, and results of radiography and electromyography was obtained from medical records. All horses were treated with stall rest. Follow-up information on severity of lameness, gait abnormalities, degree of muscle atrophy, time between injury and resolution of gait abnormalities, and outcome was obtained during reexaminati...
Cremonesi F, Anderson K, Lange-Consiglio A.TWO METHODS HAVE BEEN DESCRIBED TO RECOVER OOCYTES FROM EQUINE FOLLICLES IN EXCISED OVARIES: aspiration and scraping. Aim of this work was to develop an effective method for collecting equine oocytes using Tuohy needle and comparing this technique to aspiration and scraping, with or without tunica albuginea removal. This hollow hypodermic needle, usually employed for inserting epidural catheters, is designed with a slightly curved tip, shaped similar to a small curette. In unpeeled ovaries, the recovery rates of Tuohy needle group was higher (P < .05) than in the 16 g needle aspiration and ...
