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.
Leblanc MM, Pritchard EL.The effects of bovine colostrum, absorption of equine colostral immunoglobulins and age on phagocytic and serum opsonizing activity of nine clinically healthy foals were examined. Cells and serum were collected prior to suckling and at 7, 14 and 28 days of age. Seven foals had serum IgG concentrations greater than 600 mg/dl whereas two foals had less than 350 mg of IgG/dl. Phagocytic and serum opsonic activity of eight clinically ill foals with less than 400 mg of IgG/dl of serum were also examined before and after plasma transfusion. Phagocytic and serum opsonizing activities were evaluated b...
Reef VB, Levitan CW, Spencer PA.Sixty-seven horses presented with atrial fibrillation (AF) from January 1, 1980 to August 1, 1986. All horses were evaluated for the type and severity of the underlying cardiac disease and the probable duration of the arrhythmia. Fifty-two (78%) of the horses were treated with quinidine sulfate and/or digoxin. The response to treatment was assessed in each horse. Horses were followed for periods extending from 8 months to 7 years. Standardbreds, young horses, and males predominated in the study group. There were more male horses (stallions and geldings) than mares. Most horses with AF had no e...
Donaldson WL, Crump AL, Zhang CH, Kornbluth J, Kamoun M, Davis W, Antczak DF.Six monoclonal antibodies and ten alloantisera were used to precipitate cell surface molecules of approximately 44 kDa (class I MHC antigens) from radiolabelled equine peripheral blood lymphocytes. All ten antisera were raised against antigens of a single donor horse (horse 0834, ELA-A2,-A2). Four methods of producing antisera were compared: one or two pregnancies, skin allografting, and skin grafting followed by pregnancy. Immunization by pregnancy appeared to produce antibodies against class I products only, while skin grafting raised antibodies to class II antigens as well. Nine of the anti...
Kono Y.The antigenic structure of 16 viruses isolated from four horses which were inoculated with a clone of equine infectious anemia (EIA) virus was compared by the neutralization test. The antigenic structure of viruses isolated after development of neutralizing antibody differed from virus to virus. Back mutation of the antigenic structure was also demonstrated by serial passage of the virus in horses. These results suggest that EIA virus is subject to multidirectional antigenic variation. The possibility that the variants originated in the heterologous virus population in the inoculum seems to be...
Guerin G, Varewyck H, Bertaud M, Chasset P.A horse family in which a recombination occurred in the chromosome region coding for the serological specificities of the ELA complex and those of the A blood group system of a mare was further analysed by mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) and Southern blot hybridization. This family consisted of a stallion, a mare and five full sibs. The stallion and the mare were heterozygous for internationally recognized ELA specificities while only the mare was heterozygous for the A blood group system. MLR between all members of the family confirmed that the stallion possessed two different ELA haplotypes ...
Allen D, White NA, Tyler DE.The morphologic effects of induced intraluminal hydrostatic pressures (IHPs) of 0, 9, and 18 cm H2O were evaluated in 33 isolated equine jejunal segments. Fifteen segments were distended with Tyrode's solution for 1 hour and nine segments for 4 hours. Tyrode's solution was added as needed to maintain the prescribed pressures. Nine other segments were left undisturbed for 4 hours after the initial distention period. On decompression of the intestinal segments, progressive peristaltic contractions resumed in all segments. Evaluation of intestinal sections by light microscopy and transmission ele...
Hartmann E, Baumgärtner W, Hungerland C.The present report describes the clinical and pathological findings of a one year old foal presented with paralysis of the hind legs. Macroscopically and histologically, a lymphosarcoma in the vertebral body and the adjacent epidural space of T 16, in the spleen and the mesenterial lymph nodes was observed. The adjacent spinal cord showed focal degenerative changes characterized by dilatation of myelin sheaths, swollen axons and few macrophages.
Peterson RB, Goyal SM.A comparative study was carried out to determine the relative sensitivities of eight different cell culture systems to six different herpesviruses of animals. The cells used were: OFL (ovine fetal lung), ML (mink lung), FK (ferret kidney), PTK-2 (potoroo kidney), TEK (turkey embryo kidney), ED (equine dermal), BT (bovine turbinate), and PK15 (porcine kidney). The viruses tested were: PRV (pseudorabies) of swine, CPHV (caprine herpesvirus), IBRV (infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus), DN-599 strain of bovine herpesvirus type 4, EHV-1 (equine herpesvirus), and CHV (canine herpesvirus). On the...
Geerken C, Doreau M, Boulot S.Urea, compared with deuterium oxide (D2O) as a reference, was used as a body marker to estimate body water volume in ten 2-month old nursing foals. Plasma urea clearance was regular over 10 h and the R2 of the disappearance curve was between 0.93 and 0.98. Mean urea space was about 4% lower than D2O space, but the standard deviation of the proportion of water in body weight was higher with urea (3.8%) than with D2O (1.6%). Calculated urea entry rate was 49 mg/h/kg LW0.75.
Clem MF, DeBowes RM, Yovich JV, Douglass JP, Bennett SM.Sixty-eight cases of cortical bone sequestration in 67 equine patients were reviewed with regard to the clinical presentation, method of treatment, and outcome. All lesions were located in skeletal areas with minimal soft tissue coverage, with 53% of them in the metatarsal and metacarpal bones. At the time of admission, 60% of the patients with limb lesions were lame; the majority improved with therapy. After sequestrectomy, there was a trend for surgical wounds which could be managed by primary closure to heal more rapidly (3.8 weeks) than wounds which required second intention healing (6.4 w...
Silberzahn P, Gaillard JL, Quincey D, Dintinger T, Al-Timimi I.A single enzyme in the stallion testis was able to aromatize both testosterone and nortestosterone. This enzyme had a much lower affinity for nortestosterone than for testosterone. In contrast to human placental estrogen synthetase, this enzyme aromatized testosterone and 19-nortestosterone with similar efficiency. The differences observed (effects of monovalent cations, inhibition of androstenedione aromatization by testosterone and 19-nortestosterone and, above all, rate of norandrogen aromatization) suggest that the aromatase in the horse testis is not the same as that in the human placenta...
Jaeschke G, Wintzer HJ.This is a review on Morbus maculosus equorum (purpura haemorrhagica) on the base of literature data and of a case report on 13 own patients. It is shown, that the clinical picture of this disease has not changed within the last 150 years. Clinical main symptoms are haemorrhagic diathesis (petechiae, ecchymosis, suggillations) as well as peripheral edema and fever. The main haematological findings are neutrophilia, mostly going along with shift to the left and lymphopenia. In the last few years thrombocytopenia was also described in some cases. Basic therapeutics are glucocorticoids and penicil...
Thein P, Brown K.Infections with EHV1 can lead to manifestation at the CNS of horses followed by encephalomyelitis and "equine stroke". Horse experiments could confirm the clinical picture and gave links to the potential pathogenesis of the disease. We also have been in the position to isolate and characterize an EHV4 virus out of the brain of a horse with CNS disorders. The two viruses carry different biological properties which obviously dominate the pathogenesis. These properties as well as experimental and field cases are described and different diagnostic tests are discussed.
Traub-Dargatz JL, Bertone JJ, Gould DH, Wrigley RH, Weiser MG, Forney SD.Effects of a therapeutic dose of flunixin meglumine on gastric mucosa of horse foals were determined by endoscopy, double-contrast radiography, and gross and histologic examinations. Foals were administered 1.1 mg of flunixin meglumine/kg of body weight, PO/day for 30 days in an encapsulated form that was divided into 2 doses/day (group 1; n = 3) or by IM injection once a day (group 2; n = 7). Three control foals (group 3; n = 3) were administered capsules (n = 1) containing dextrose powder or IM injections (n = 2) of vehicle solution without flunixin meglumine. All 3 groups-1 foals given flun...
Rapp HJ.During the combination of oral and intravenous application of saline solution for treatment of the COPD of horses the level of hydraemia basing on the total protein concentration in the serum, the urine production and the specific weight of urine was determined. Additionally the development of serum concentration and of renal excretion rates of potassium, calcium and magnesium were ascertained. The level of hydraemia resulting from the combined method is almost identical with the solely intravenous performed hyperinfusion therapy. Due to the excessive application of fluid an extremely high lev...
Vogelsang MM, Kreider JL, Bowen MJ, Potter GD, Forrest DW, Kraemer DC.A series of experiments was conducted to develop a procedure for consistent, repeatable collection of oocytes from the preovulatory follicle of the mare. In one experiment, in situ follicular aspiration with a needle and syringe was performed on 19 mares. From 37 aspirations, four oocytes were recovered (10% recovery rate). In a second experiment, ovaries were visualized via standing flank laparotomy during which two different aspiration techniques were used. Use of a needle and syringe as in the first experiment resulted in successful oocyte recovery in one of seven (14%) attempts. Aspiration...
MacHarg MA, Foerner JJ, Phillips TN, Barclay WP.The medical management of three horses with simple and strangulating small intestinal obstructions was unsuccessful and was therefore supported by surgical bypasses. Jejunocecostomies were used to treat horses with postoperative paralytic ileus that was unresponsive to medical management. These horses had abdominal pain, gastric distention, heart rate elevations greater than 60/minute, and small intestinal distention on rectal palpation. Two horses experienced weight loss which responded to bypass removal. The bypass effectively decreased the need for intravenous fluid administration and repea...
Kline KH, Bechtel PJ.1. Cross sections from the middle of the gluteus medius were removed from 10 adult horses and used to evaluate changes in histochemically determined muscle fiber type and biochemically determined metabolic enzyme activities as a function of sample depth. 2. Muscle fiber types determined using histochemical methods for myosin ATPase (pH 9.4) and succinic dehydrogenase (SDH) activity indicated percent fast-twitch glycolytic (FG) muscle fibers decreased and slow-twitch oxidative (SO) fibers increased as a function of increasing sampling depth. 3. Percent histochemically determined fast-twitch oxi...
van den Hoven P, Meijer AE, Breukink HJ, Wensing T.Muscle biopsies from six horses with clinical histories of muscle atrophy, muscle tremors, myopathic symptoms, unsteadiness of pelvic limbs and progressive ataxia were examined. Muscle biopsies were studied with enzyme histochemical techniques to evaluate the diagnostic values of these methods in cases suspected of suffering from neuromuscular disorders. Hypertrophy, atrophy, fibre splitting, waxy degeneration, phagocytosis and necrosis were seen in haematoxylin eosin stained sections of the different cases. Fibre type predominance and fibre type grouping were seen in the calcium ion stimulate...
Gibson KT, Trotter GW, Gustafson SB.Uroperitoneum as a sequela to urethral calculus in an adult gelding was successfully managed by use of subischial urethrotomy and abdominal drainage. Necrosis of bladder mucosa was seen endoscopically, but a tear or rupture was never identified. Peritonitis developed but was controlled with antibacterial treatment. Although uroperitoneum is usually a sequela to bladder rupture and the ideal treatment is surgical repair, conservative management may be warranted in selected cases.
Houghton E, Dumasia MC.1. After intramuscular administration of [4-14C]testosterone to two cross-bred gelded horses, 45% of the radioactivity was excreted in urine in 96 h. Small amounts of urinary activity could still be detected at 200 h. 2. Neutral metabolites obtained after both enzyme and acid hydrolysis of urine samples have been investigated by g.l.c.-mass spectrometry. 3. 5 alpha-Androstane-3 beta, 17 alpha-diol was found only in the enzyme-hydrolysable extract and testosterone only in the acid-hydrolysable extract. 5 alpha-Androstane-3 beta, 17 beta-diol and 3 beta-hydroxy-5 alpha-androstan-17-one were foun...
Scherzer J.Reproductive performance in mares can be enhanced by various techniques. Protocols hastening the onset of follicular development help establish pregnancy in mares and ensure that foals are born early in the year. The time spent breeding mares can be reduced by synchronizing estrus and inducing ovulation. After successful fertilization of the oocyte, the developing embryo can survive in the uterus only if postbreeding endometritis, if present, is treated.
Löfqvist L, Pinzke S.The horse industry in Sweden has rapidly expanded in recent years. This increasing number of horses implies a greater need for more farriers. Shoeing a horse is hard physical work, and includes awkward work postures and repetitive movements. It is well known that hard physical work increases the risk of injuries and musculoskeletal problems. The risk is especially high for musculoskeletal disorders when certain movements are constantly repeated. Heavy or repeated unilateral loads lead to considerable stress on the muscles, which can lead to rupture and fatigue that can cause long term problems...
Reiwald D, Riond JL.The copper and zinc contents of 25 rations for adult horses were evaluated. The total amount of copper and zinc daily ingested was obtained by adding the amount of each element contained and added of the commercial feed to the amount contained in ingested hay and oats. The total amount of copper and zinc ingested daily was compared with the official recommendations for the maintenance of an adult horse of 550 kg. The results show that a traditional ration oats/hay does not contain a sufficient amount of copper and zinc in order to cover their respective requirements. Furthermore, many rations ...
Horohov DW, Keadle TL, Pourciau SS, Littlefield-Chabaud MA, Kamerling SG, Keowen ML, French DD, Melrose PA.Intense exercise affects various parameters of the immune system. The overall effect of exercise on immune function is dependent upon the physical condition of the subject, the intensity and duration of the exercise period, and the immune parameter assessed. Unconditioned horses subjected to a single bout of intensive exercise exhibit multiple alterations in immune function, including an augmentation of lymphokine activated killer (LAK) cell function. This increase in LAK cell activity is not due to an increase in circulating LAK precursors. While peripheral blood mononuclear cells from exerci...
Montgomery JB, Duckett WM, Bourque AC.A 6-year-old mare was presented for evaluation of dysuria and pollakiuria. A pelvic mass, which caused obstruction of urinary outflow, was identified. Evidence of renal failure was also present. Due to poor prognosis the mare was euthanized. A postmortem examination revealed a pelvic lymphoma that surrounded and compressed the urethra. Lymphome pelvien comme cause de compression urétrale chez une jument. Une jument âgée de 6 ans est présentée pour évaluation de dysurie et de pollakiurie. Une masse pelvienne qui causait l’obstruction de l’écoulement d’urine a été identifiée. Des...
Matthews NS, Lindsay SL.Minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) for halothane was measured before and after administration of intravenous butorphanol (0.022 and 0.044 mg/kg in bodyweight in nine yearling Shetland ponies. Arterial blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, expired CO2 and rectal temperature was also measured. Even though mean MAC values decreased 10 and 9 per cent after the low and high doses respectively, they were not statistically different from those measured prior to butorphanol. Halothane MAC values increased after butorphanol in two ponies, both animals increasing locomotor activity and demonst...
Richardson DW, Dodge GR.The complete nucleotide sequence of equine type II procollagen has not been previously reported, and equine-specific probes have not been available. We report the complete sequence and discuss the molecular characteristics of equine type II procollagen mRNA which was cloned from a cDNA library prepared from mRNA isolated from equine articular chondrocytes. The coding sequence (4257 bp) was 92.4% homologous to the cDNA of the human sequence, and the propeptide was 97% identical to the human sequence. We demonstrated that when equine chondrocytes are grown in phenotypically-maintained cultures, ...
Thirumalapura NR, Livengood J, Beeby J, Wang W, Goodrich EL, Goodman LB, Erol E, Tewari D.Neorickettsia risticii, an obligate intracellular bacterium, is the causative agent of Potomac horse fever (PHF). Diagnosis of PHF is based on demonstration of serum antibodies, isolation of N. risticii, and/or detection of nucleic acid by a PCR assay. An existing real-time PCR assay targeting the N. risticii 16S rRNA has been validated using blood samples from horses with colitis, and snails; to our knowledge, the performance of the assay for other sample types has not been reported. We describe here a modification of the 16S rRNA gene assay by the addition of a set of primers and probe targe...
Petzoldt K, Merkt H, Müller E, Kirpal G.Over the last years the percentage of foals lost by EHV at term or close to term seems to be higher than in former years. Furthermore, the pathological findings seem to shift from liver to lung. So far there has been no explanation for this phenomenon.
Sullins KE.Common equine upper respiratory conditions are diagnosed via endoscopy. Endoscopic surgery facilitates correction of many conditions without general anesthesia or laryngotomy, reducing the morbidity and cost of the procedures. Modalities of endoscopic surgery include the Nd-YAG laser or electrosurgery, which may be complementary. The least expensive method is electrosurgery, and instruments are available that can be passed through the biopsy channel of the endoscope. Conditions amenable to such procedures include entrapped epiglottis, rostral displacement of the palatopharyngeal arch, pharynge...
Berghuis GA, Wesselink HG.Twenty nine mares with retained fetal membranes were treated IV with an oxytocine infusion. Within two hours the placenta released in 24 mares (83%). Twenty six (90%) mares got pregnant during the same season.
Physick-Sheard PW, Morris WI, Genner D.To evaluate the clinical application of a semiorthogonal lead system for use in the horse, an inexpensive means of recording and storing the ECG was required which would allow the subsequent vectorcardiographic analysis to be computerized. In investigating the various options for the system the basic requirements for the digitization of analogue data were reviewed and previous studies examined. The system subsequently developed used an 8080 microprocessor and a multichannel 8-bit analogue to digital converter. This unit was signal-level compatible with the laboratory recorder used in the study...
Nash RA, Nunamaker DM, Boston R.To evaluate stiffness and bone-pin interface stress for a transcortical tapered-sleeve pin (TSP) that incorporates bilateral tapered sleeves over a transcortical pin. Methods: 14 third metacarpal bones (MCIII) collected from adult horses of various breeds. Methods: Each MCIII was cut in half to provide 2 test specimens. Pins (conventional and TSP) of 3 diameters (6.35, 7.94, and 9.50 mm) were inserted in specimens (3 specimens for each diameter and each type of pin). The test fixture simulated a typical sidebar-span skeletal fixation device for horses. Single cycle load-deflection tests were p...