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Topic:Veterinary Medicine
Veterinary medicine for horses encompasses the study and application of medical practices to diagnose, treat, and prevent diseases in equine species. This field involves a comprehensive understanding of equine anatomy, physiology, pathology, and pharmacology. Veterinary practitioners employ a range of diagnostic tools and therapeutic interventions to address health issues in horses, including lameness, gastrointestinal disorders, respiratory conditions, and infectious diseases. Preventative care, such as vaccination and deworming programs, is also a significant aspect of equine veterinary medicine. This page gathers peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore various aspects of veterinary medicine as it pertains to horses, including advancements in diagnostic techniques, treatment protocols, and preventive health strategies.
Morphologic characteristics of equine endometrium classified as Kenney categories I, II, and III, using light and scanning electron microscopy. Pathologic changes in the endometrium of mares may be rated according to Kenney's method of classification. Category I endometrium contains healthy tissue with no or few widely scattered pathologic changes. At the opposite end, severe widespread pathologic changes are associated with category III. Uterine biopsy specimens were collected aseptically from 16 mares during the estrous and diestrous stages of the cycle. Pathologic changes were evaluated, using light microscopy, and endometrium was classified as Kenney's category I, II, or III. Endometrial tissue of category I (n = 5 mares in estrus...
Primary splenic lymphoma in a horse. A well-demarcated solitary splenic mass (20 x 20 x 15 cm in size) containing hemorrhagic and necrotic foci was observed in a 4-year-old Thoroughbred stallion. Histologically, the mass consisted of lymphoma cells of the diffuse large non-cleaved type, with a high mitotic index and scattered macrophages that formed a starry sky pattern. The lymphoma cells revealed diffuse positivity for acid phosphatase and alpha naphthyl butyrate esterase, and were also positive for intracytoplasmic IgM on occasion, and mostly for proliferating cell nuclear antigen. Ultrastructural examination revealed moderate...
[Morphologic and molecular biologic studies of the etiology of equine sarcoid]. From 932 equine skin lesions 421 were diagnosed as sarcoids (about 45%). The most common locations were the ventral body regions, head, neck and sites of thin skin. Most often the fibroblastic type, less frequently the mixed type and most infrequent the verrucous type of sarcoid were diagnosed. Detection of BPV-DNA was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using an oligonucleotide primer pair located in the E5-open reading frame. DNA of BPV 1 and BPV 2 could be differentiated by digestion with restriction endonucleases. In 97 out of 108 sarcoids BPV-DNA was detected by PCR. Most samples...
[A comparison of cardiac stroke volume determination using the thermodilution method and PW-Doppler echocardiography for the evaluation of systolic heart function in the horse]. In 14 horses without heart disease stroke volume determination were established by pulsed wave doppler echocardiography. Thermodilution and doppler echocardiography were used simultaneously. The doppler echocardiographic volume determinations were carried out in left and right outflow tracts. Echocardiographically Velocity Time Integral, Maximum Flow Velocity, Mean Flow Velocity and Acceleration Time were ascertained. To be able to compare heart volumes of horses with different body weight stroke volume was applied to 1 kg of body weight (= heart index). Heart Index determined with thermodilut...
Effect of bacterial lipopolysaccharides on sulfated glycosaminoglycan metabolism and prostaglandin E2 synthesis in equine cartilage explant cultures. The metabolic responses of equine articular cartilage to incubation with bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were studied, using explant cultures of articular cartilage obtained from the metatarsophalangeal joints of 15 horses, age of which ranged from 3 months to 20 years. For comparison, explants were also established from the metatarsophalangeal joints of 3 calves. Explants were cultured for 3 days in medium containing various concentrations of LPS from 0 (control) to 100 micrograms/ml. Glycosaminoglycan (GAG) released during the 3-day incubation was determined by a spectrophotometric assay,...
Interaction of equine spermatozoa with oviduct epithelial cell explants is affected by estrous cycle and anatomic origin of explant. Regulation of attachment of equine spermatozoa to homologous oviduct epithelium was investigated by co-culture of spermatozoa with oviductal epithelial cell explants. Stallion spermatozoa were incubated with explants derived from the isthmus and ampulla of follicular, postovulatory, and diestrous mares. Steroid treatments (estradiol, progesterone, or control) were applied across all explant groups. Estimates of motility and total numbers of attached spermatozoa were made 0.5, 24, and 48 h after initiation of co-culture. Equine spermatozoa attached by their rostral acrosomal region to both cili...
Superior check ligament desmotomy for treatment of superficial digital flexor tendonitis in thoroughbred and standardbred horses. Bilateral superior check ligament desmotomy was performed on 31 Thoroughbred and 17 Standardbred horses as the sole method of treatment for superficial digital flexor tendonitis. Horses resumed racing between 6 and 19 months after surgery. Horses that were able to compete in 5 or more races without injury to the tendon again were considered to have had a successful return to racing. Twenty-five Thoroughbreds were suitable for later study and 13 of these (52%) raced on 5 or more occasions. Fifteen Standardbreds were suitable for later study and 10 of these (66%) raced on 5 or more occasions. Wi...
Diagnostic techniques for identification and documentation of tendon and ligament injuries. Conventional clinical examination remains of medical and economic value for diagnosis of soft tissue injuries in the equine athlete. This procedure requires concentration and rigor to establish the diagnosis, and, if possible, some experience to better evaluate the prognosis. None of the new imaging techniques can replace the physical examination, but each may provide additional information. These sophisticated methods are bringing considerable progress in the knowledge of locomotor injuries in the horse and a tremendous improvement in our ability to diagnose precisely lamenesses and limitatio...
Semi-quantitative analysis of hoof-strike in the horse. The initial forelimb loading of a horse trotting at 3.7 ms-1 on a treadmill was studied by use of an instrumented shoe, accelerometers and high-speed cinematography. At the beginning of the stance phase the forelimb was loaded successively from the hoof. This is suggested to be an important factor for effective shock force absorbency in the extremities. Shearing forces may appear in the carpus before the onset of the longitudinal loading of the limb. These forces are proposed to depend on speed, locomotion pattern and the friction and hardness of the surface. It is suggested that shearing forc...
Effect of seminal plasma on motion characteristics of epididymal and ejaculated stallion spermatozoa during storage at 5 degrees C. The objective of this experiment was to examine the effect of seminal plasma on motion characteristics of epididymal and ejaculated equine spermatozoa during storage at 5 degrees C. Epididymal spermatozoa were flushed with either seminal plasma or a skim milk-glucose extender. Ejaculated spermatozoa were collected with extender added 10 minutes after semen collection and addition of extender during ejaculation by placing 50 ml extender in the collection bottle. Semen samples were centrifuged and resuspended with a skim milk-glucose extender containing seminal plasma (0, 5 and 25%; v/v), prepar...
Genus-specific detection of salmonellae in equine feces by use of the polymerase chain reaction. Members of the genus Salmonella were identified in feces from horses, using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and genus-specific oligonucleotide primers. Feces from healthy horses were determined to be culture-negative for Salmonella spp. Fecal samples were inoculated with known numbers of colony-forming units (CFU) of S anatum, S derby, S enteritidis, S heidelberg, S newport, and S typhimurium. The DNA was extracted from fecal samples and amplified by PCR, using genus-specific primers. Sensitivity of the assay extended to 10(3) CFU of Salmonella sp/g of feces; sensitivity of microbiologic c...
Epizootiology and vectors of African horse sickness virus. African horse sickness (AHS) virus causes a non-contagious, infectious, arthropod-borne disease of equines and is enzootic in sub-Saharan Africa. The major vectors are species of Culicoides but mosquitoes and ticks may be involved. Periodically the virus makes excursions beyond its enzootic zones but until recently has not been able to maintain itself outside these areas for more than 2-3 consecutive years. This is probably due to a number of factors including the absence of a long term vertebrate reservoir, the prevalence and seasonal incidence of the vectors and the efficiency of control mea...
Systemic candidiasis in four foals. Four foals were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit in the first 2 days of life with problems related to birth hypoxia (neonatal maladjustment syndrome, renal failure, necrotizing enterocolitis) and sepsis. Foals were hospitalized for an extended period (35 to 70 days) and received treatment with several broad spectrum antimicrobial agents. Invasive monitoring and treatment procedures included intravenous catheterization, urinary catheterization, and parenteral nutritional and ventilatory support. In each foal, infections of undetermined cause developed, and systemic candidiasis was d...
Comparative aspects of Na(+)-K+ and Ca(2+)-Mg2+ ATPase in erythrocyte membranes of various mammals. This work is a comparative study of Na(+)-K+ and Ca(2+)-Mg2+ ATPase associated with the erythrocyte plasma membranes in different mammals. The method used to test the activity of these enzymes is based on quantitative measurements of ADP released during the reaction with HPLC: the chromatographic type is an Ion-Pair Reversed Phase. We have found that the levels of Ca2+ stimulated ATPase are higher than those of Na(+)-K+ ATPase in red blood cells of all the different mammalian species, with the only exception being lamb erythrocytes where the values of both the ATPase activities are almost equa...
Molecular weight alterations of alpha-1 proteinase inhibitor in equine bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. The equine alpha-1 proteinase inhibitor (alpha 1PI) system differs from that of man in that the equine system consists of four closely-linked genes (Spi1-Spi4) whereas in man, a single gene encodes for alpha 1PI. We have previously found differences in the proportion of the Spi proteins in equine serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). We therefore wished to determine whether, as reported in man, there was any molecular weight difference between the Spi proteins in serum and BALF. alpha 1PI and albumin from equine BALF migrated further towards the anode compared with serum alpha 1PI on ...
Long-term fate and effects of exercise on sternal cartilage autografts used for repair of large osteochondral defects in horses. Bilateral osteochondral defects (10 mm2 x 3 mm deep) were created on the distal articular surface of the radial carpal bone of ten, 2- to 3-year-old horses. One defect of each horse was repaired, using a sternal cartilage autograft (treated), and the other was left untreated (control). The horses were exercised on a high-speed treadmill at incrementally increased speed and duration over the course of 12 months. Horses were evaluated arthroscopically at 6 to 7 weeks, and clinical examinations were conducted weekly at exercise. Twelve months after surgery, carpuses of each horse were radiographe...
Substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide-like immunoreactive nerve fibers in lungs from adult equids. Distribution of pulmonary nerves immunoreactive for either substance P or calcitonin gene-related peptide was determined, using immunohistochemical methods on healthy lungs from adult equids. The overall patterns of distribution of substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide-like immunoreactivity were similar. Distribution of immunoreactive nerves was not uniform throughout the lungs; nerve fibers immunoreactive for these peptides were more frequently observed near the hilus of the lung than in the caudal lobes or in the periphery of the lung. Nerve fibers immunoreactive for substance P or...
Congenital abnormalities of tendons and ligaments. Congenital deformities of tendons and ligaments are not uncommon in foals. The vast majority of hyperextension deformities are treated successfully with exercise management and extended heel shoes. Successful treatment of contractural deformities depend on the site and severity of the deformity and on the appropriate use of medical, physical, and, possibly, surgical therapy.
The pathobiology and repair of tendon and ligament injury. Injury of the collagenous structures comprising tendons and ligaments, either from acute trauma or from repetitive strain lesions, results in protracted periods of disability. The resolution of such injuries often fails to restore the normal morphologic and functional characteristics of the structure and, therefore, either compromises the future performance of the individual or predisposes to an increased risk of recurrent injury.
Measurements of blood flow and xanthine oxidase activity during postischemic reperfusion of the large colon of ponies. To assess right colic artery blood flow and relevance of xanthine dehydrogenase/xanthine oxidase after experimentally induced strangulation obstruction and reperfusion of the colon, 5 ponies were subjected to 2.5 hours of complete ischemia of the left dorsal and ventral colons, allowed to recover from surgery, and monitored during a 48-hour reperfusion period. Five ponies were subjected to sham surgery and served as controls. All ponies had a Doppler ultrasound blood flow monitor implanted on the right colic artery near the pelvic flexure 10 to 14 days prior to the ischemic period. Colic arter...
Plasma disposition of amikacin and interactions with gastrointestinal microflora in Equidae following intravenous and oral administration. Amikacin was detectable (> 0.02 micrograms/ml) in plasma for 12 h in horses and donkeys and for 8 h in ponies following intravenous (i.v.) administration at a dose rate of 6 mg/kg bodyweight. The elimination half-life (harmonic mean) of amikacin was 2.8, 1.6 and 1.9 h in horses, ponies and donkeys, respectively, and the mean body clearance was relatively slow (45.2, 82.4 and 58.0 ml/h.kg, respectively). A suitable dosage interval for the i.v. administration of amikacin sulphate to horses, ponies and donkeys, at a dose rate of 6 mg/kg, would be every 8 h in horses, and every 6 h in ponies an...
[Eimeria leuckarti infections in foals and their mothers in upper Bavaria]. In this epidemiological study 30 mares and their foals from seven farms in Upper Bavaria were investigated. Eimeria-leuckarti-oocysts were found in 24 foals (80%), but only in one mare. Oocysts were first detected 28 days post partum at the earliest and 191 days post partum at the latest. In foals, excretion of oocysts usually occurred intermittently with coproscopically negative intervals of up to 15 weeks, and was most frequent in June (8 foals), July (17 foals), and August (10 foals). With the exception of two animals which had mild diarrhoea, the oocyst-shedding foals showed no clinical si...
Characterization of monoclonal antibodies specific for equine homologues of CD3 and CD5. Two monoclonal antibodies (mAb), UC F6G-3 and UC F13C-5, were characterized as being specific for the apparent equine homologues of CD3 and CD5, respectively. Both antibodies exhibited characteristics of pan-T-lymphocyte markers based upon immunohistology and two-colour flow cytometry. UC F6G-3 precipitated a complex of proteins (up to seven) with molecular weights ranging from 18,000 to 42,000, similar to the human and murine CD3 complex. Upon further dissociation of the precipitated complex, two proteins were identified with molecular weights of 22,000 and 27,000. Immobilized UC F6G-3 was ef...
Treatment of superficial digital flexor tendinitis. This article reviews the research and clinical findings relevant to the treatment of acute tendinitis in the horse. The goals of treatment are to reduce inflammation, minimize scar tissue formation, and promote restoration of normal tendon function. A wide variety of treatments have and still are being used to treat tendinitis, which indicates that there is no uniformly successful way to return a horse to full athletic function after injury. Therapy depends on the severity of tendinitis and duration of injury and can be divided into treatment during the inflammatory, repair, and maturation pha...
A subpopulation of morphologically normal, motile spermatozoa attach to equine oviductal epithelial cell monolayers. Attachment of spermatozoa to oviductal epithelial cells (OEC) may be a prefertilization event in some species. We tested the hypothesis that spermatozoa that attach to equine OEC monolayers are a selected subpopulation of the initial inseminate, containing a higher proportion of morphologically normal, motile cells than the inseminate. Washed stallion spermatozoa were cocultured with monolayers of OEC or monolayers of Vero cells, and controls were incubated in wells coated with basement membrane extract (Matrigel [Mgel]) or in plastic (uncoated) wells. Unattached spermatozoa were removed by ri...
Practical management of superficial digital flexor tendinitis in the performance horse. The authors of this section represent a broad range of practice experience with horses that perform in rigorous and varied sport competitions. Each breed and performance application represent unique challenges of diagnosis and uncompromising demands on rehabilitated tendon injuries. This article will serve to guide, stimulate, and encourage veterinarians to apply scientific criteria to the evaluation of tendinitis therapy in the years to come so that we can arrive at a more valid consensus as to the "best" means of tendon and ligament injury management.
