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.
Carroll JF, Schmidtmann ET.The American dog tick, Dermacentor variabilis (Say), was the only ixodid tick found feeding on horses in Montgomery County, Md., from May to August. Average tick burdens were low (less than one tick per horse per week), but >80% of 33 horses examined weekly were exposed to tick feeding during the summer. Of the 98 ticks collected, 78% were attached to the tail and 12% were present in the mane. Host-seeking adult D. variabilis were active on vegetation in pastures from May to early August, with most specimens along hedgerows, woods margins, and horse paths.
Trim CM, Hanson RR.The intravenous administration of xylazine (1.1 mg/kg bodyweight) in six ponies resulted in a significant increase in urine output over two hours, with maximum flow occurring between 30 and 60 minutes after injection. Urine specific gravity, osmolality and glucose concentration decreased. Renal clearance of endogenous creatinine was unchanged. Significant increases in the excretion of potassium and chloride occurred. Plasma glucose concentration was increased 30 minutes after the administration of xylazine by a mean value of 37 per cent. Serum osmolality and sodium, potassium and chloride conc...
Hird DW, Casebolt DB, Carter JD, Pappaioanou M, Hjerpe CA.A case-control study to identify risk factors associated with isolation of Salmonella was accomplished, using data from records of horses hospitalized in the period July 1971 through June 1982. Horses in which nasogastric tubes were passed were at 2.9 times greater risk of having Salmonella isolated, compared with horses that did not undergo this procedure. Horses treated with antibiotics parenterally were at 6.4 times greater risk, and those treated with antibiotics orally and parenterally were at 40.4 times greater risk of developing salmonellosis, compared with horses not receiving such tre...
Dyson S.The results of a detailed investigation of 58 horses with suspected shoulder lameness are described. Lameness was found to originate distal to the shoulder region in 22 horses. No diagnosis was reached in five horses. Genuine shoulder problems occurred in 29 horses. The clinical signs of shoulder lameness are described and contrasted with lower limb lameness. The limitations of currently available diagnostic techniques are discussed. Problems identified in the shoulder region included osteochondritis dissecans, subchondral bone cysts, arthrosis, fracture, luxation, septic arthritis and soft ti...
Black HE.Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs represent the most heavily prescribed and used class of drugs in human medicine. Most are derivatives of either salicylates, propionic acid, indoleacetic acid, anthranilic acid, pyrazolone, or oxicams. They depress the synthesis of prostaglandins from arachidonic acid by reversible inhibition of the enzyme cyclooxygenase. In the kidney, prostaglandins PGE2 and PGI2 modulate the vasoconstrictor effects of angiotensin II, norepinephrine, and vasopressin. In the presence of volume contraction, anesthesia, or disease states associated with high levels of these...
Hawkins KL.Bilateral salpingitis, hydrosalpinx and oophoritis were diagnosed in a mare with concurrent lymphosarcoma. Salpingitis, hydrosalpinx and oophoritis are rare in the mare (1,2,3,5,8,9,11-13). Bilateral salpingitis is an important cause of infertility in all species and is most often due to ascending infection (3-5,10,11). The source of salpingitis in this mare probably was ascending infection from the uterus after parturition. The apparent infertility of the mare was attributed to debilitation from the lymphosarcoma and multiplicity of genital pathoses.
Wood JM, Mumford J, Schild GC, Webster RG, Nicholson KG.Single-radial-immunodiffusion (SRD) provides a sensitive and reproducible in vitro assay for haemagglutinin (HA) concentration in inactivated influenza vaccines. The use of SRD for human influenza vaccine standardization and application for equine and avian influenza vaccines is discussed. In clinical trials, vaccine HA concentration measured by SRD has been shown to be directly related to antibody responses and to protection against challenge. The use of SRD may considerably reduce the usage of animals for potency testing of veterinary influenza vaccines.
Magnuson N, Perryman L, Wyatt C, Mason P.Severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) occurs in horses of the Arabian breed and is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait1. Affected foals are severely lymphopenic with an absence of functional B and T lymphocytes.2 The few lymphocytes that can be found in affected foals resemble large granular lymphocytes (LGL) and can be grown long-term with media containing interleukin-2 (IL-2).3 The disorder is restricted to the lymphoid system, as other leukocytes are functionally and quantitatively normal.4
Tschudi P.The use of the ECG to separate the different phases of the heart cycle registering other physiological signals, to evaluate the fitness and state of training of a horse and to detect a pregnancy of a mare is reported and illustrated in this text.
Gomez-Perretta C, Armas-Portela R, Stockert JC, Tato A, Ferrer JM.The acidophilic reaction of eosinophil leucocyte granules from human, pig and horse blood smears was investigated by using May-Grünwald-Giemsa staining after previous treatment with EDTA and sodium citrate solutions. The same peak at 530 nm, but absorption values considerably higher than those of controls, were found in eosinophil granules after application of chelating agents, indicating that removal of metal cations could unmask basic groups in these structures.
Rando A, Di Gregorio P, Masina P.Horse DNA samples digested with PstI and probed with the rabbit beta 1 globin gene show three phenotypes determined by one fragment of variable length (about 5.1 or 3.3 kb). Family data demonstrate that these fragments segregate as Mendelian alleles. The frequencies of the two alleles are 0.66 for the 3.3-kb fragment and 0.34 for the 5.1-kb one. Another polymorphism has been detected with BamHI. Again three phenotypes determined by two alleles (fragments of 7.5 and 3.8 kb) have been observed. Allelic frequencies of the 7.5- and 3.8-kb fragments are 0.24 and 0.76 respectively. The two polymorph...
Wyn-Jones G, May SA.Over a period of seven years, 30 horses were treated by surgical arthrodesis for lameness resulting from osteoarthrosis of the proximal intertarsal, distal intertarsal and tarsometatarsal joints (bone and occult spavin). Twenty-five horses were affected in one hock only and five were affected bilaterally. Four different techniques for achieving arthrodesis were used. Fourteen out of 18 horses (78 per cent) with involvement of the distal intertarsal and tarsometatarsal joints only and six out of 11 horses (55 per cent) in which the proximal intertarsal joint was also involved became sound follo...
Kalinskiĭ MI, Kamenetskaia OV, Skorik LG, Tishchenko GN.The paper deals with possibility to regulate in a proper direction the acid-base state in race horse blood administering carbostimulin at rest and under physical exercises. The preparation is shown to favour an increase in alkaline blood reserves in race hours at rest and to prevent acidotic changes caused by physical exercises. The results obtained show a promising use of carbostimulin for the directed correction of the acid-base state of blood in race horses aimed at increasing the efficiency of the training process.
Moore JN, Hardee MM, Hardee GE.Two cyclooxygenase inhibitors (flunixin meglumine and phenylbutazone) and a selective thromboxane synthetase inhibitor were assessed in the management of experimental equine endotoxemia. Drugs or saline solution were administered to 16 horses 15 minutes before administration of a sublethal dose of endotoxin (Escherichia coli 055:B5). Plasma concentrations of thromboxane B2 (TxB2), prostacyclin (6-keto PGF1 alpha), plasma lactate, and hematologic values and clinical appearance were monitored for 3 hours after endotoxin administration. Pretreatment with flunixin meglumine (1 mg/kg of body weight...
Frymus T, Kita J, Woyciechowska S, Ganowicz M.On 6 farms with a history of EHV-1 abortions the overall prevalence of losses due to abortion, stillbirth and neonatal foal mortality during 5 foaling seasons preceding the introduction of vaccination against EHV-1 were compared with corresponding data for 8 subsequent seasons in which all horses were immunized with a modified live EHV-1 vaccine. Although both sporadic and epizootic EHV-1 abortions occurred in immunized mares, the numbers of foetal and neonatal foal losses decreased significantly (chi 2 = 15.75; p less than 0.001) from 11.8% (343 of 2897 pregnancies) during the seasons 1969-19...
van Gurp M, Schamhardt HC, Hartman W, Crowe A.A dynamic model is developed to describe the swing phase of the hindlimb of a normally walking horse. The limb was represented by four rigid segments constrained to move in a sagittal plane only. The mathematical equations of motion of this four-element pendulum were formulated using Lagrange's theorem. The morphometric parameters from the hindlimb segments of 3 horses were determined using high-speed film analysis. Five muscle groups were incorporated in the model. Muscle activity was derived from earlier EMG measurements. Optimization of muscle moments resulted in a simulated swing movement ...
Meredith D, Elser AH, Wolf B, Soma LR, Donawick WJ, Lazary S.Frequencies of equine leukocyte antigen distribution were determined by complement-mediated cytotoxicity testing among populations of Thoroughbred and Standardbred horses, including animals affected with equine sarcoid and laminitis. A highly significant association is described between the presence or history of sarcoid lesions in Thoroughbreds and the expression of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-encoded antigens, W3 and B1. No association was found between antigenic expression frequencies and laminitis in either breed. These findings suggest that a strong relationship exists betw...
Kay PH, Dawkins RL, Bowling AT, Bernoco D.Plasma or serum samples from 12 Arabian and 181 standardbred horses have been typed using an immunofixation technique to determine electrophoretic polymorphism of equine third complement component (C3). Six distinctly different electrophoretic patterns of equine C3 have been recognized thus far. SDS PAGE analysis of equine C3/anti C3 complexes revealed that the submolecular structure comprised an alpha chain and beta chain of molecular weights approximately 118,000 and 63,000 daltons respectively. The molecular weights of the alpha and beta chains were similar in all electrophoretic variants t...
Diaw OT, Bayssade-Dufour C, Pino De Morales LA, Albaret JL, Vassiliades G.Cercarial chaetotaxy of Gastrodiscus aegyptiacus (Paramphistomoidea), parasite of the Horse, is described. Cercariae were shed by experimentally infected Bulinus forskalii. This description is the first one of a Gastrodiscidae. The cercarial chaetotaxy of the Gastrodiscidae is quite different from those of Paramphistomoidea and Diplodiscidae.
Timoney JF.An R antigen of the group C streptococcus S. equi that cross reacts with a similar antigen of S. zooepidemicus has been identified and characterized. It is acid, heat and trypsin resistant, but pepsin sensitive and has an isoelectric point of 4.8. The amino acids in highest concentration are glutamic, aspartic, alanine, leucine, and valine. Bacterial components released in a French Press contain large amounts of R antigen, which is present also in culture supernatants and acid extracts. It has a molecular weight of about 82,000. Trypsin extraction of cells yields molecules of predominantly 56,...
Cervantes CC, Brown MP, Gronwall R, Merritt K.Each of 5 healthy mares was given 5 consecutive IM injections of ceftiofur sodium (2 mg/kg of body weight; 50 mg/ml) at 12-hour intervals. Ceftiofur concentrations were measured serially in serum, synovial fluid, peritoneal fluid, and urine, and were measured in CSF and endometrial tissue after the fifth dose. Mean elimination rate constant was 0.354 +/- 0.101 h-1 and elimination half-life was 2.49 +/- 0.49 hour. Mean serum ceftiofur concentrations peaked approximately 1 hour after each injection. The highest mean ceftiofur concentration was 5.09 micrograms/ml at 1 hour after the fifth dose fo...
Kutara K, Ono T, Hisaeda K, Inoue Y, Henmi C, Sho K, Ohnishi A, Ohzawa E, Une Y, Iwata E, Shibano K, Asanuma T, Kitagawa H.Noma horses have the smallest body size among native Japanese horses and are classified as pony breeds by their size. Additionally, the Japanese horse breeds are classified into a single lineage, which includes Mongolian horses. Great intraspecific differences reportedly exist in the head shapes of domesticated horses, which have been investigated in various horse breeds. The present study aimed to evaluate the size of the nasal conchal bullae, and the paranasal sinuses of Noma horses in relation to the skull dimensions using computed tomography. Reconstructed images of the heads of five adult...
Allen D, Korthuis RJ, Clark ES.Microvascular permeability characteristics were evaluated in digits of 7 adult horses. After capillaries were isolated and an extracorporeal perfusion circuit for the digit was established, a lymphatic vessel draining the distal portion of the phalangeal region was cannulated at the level of the coronary band. Venous pressure was increased in a stepwise manner, and lymph flow, lymph protein concentration (Cl), and plasma protein concentration (Cp) were determined after measured variables were allowed to reach steady state. Lymph-to-plasma protein concentration ratios (Cl/Cp) and lymph and plas...
Whitcomb RW, Schneyer AL, Roser JF, Hughes JP.Using a LH radioligand receptor assay (RRA) previously validated for use in serum and an equine monoclonal RIA, we have distinguished a subset of subfertile stallions with an elevated RRA/RIA ratio. After purification of the active moiety by anion exchange chromatography and immunoprecipitation with the equine LH (eLH) monoclonal antibody, RRA activity remained in the supernatant. This activity was also recognized by a polyclonal LH antibody (GDN 15) with wide cross-species recognition. This active fraction was further purified by gel filtration chromatography and shown to displace labeled eLH...
McCarthy PH.A detailed description is given of the structures forming the borders of Viborg's triangle and those structures contained within and adjacent to the triangle. Changes in the size, shape and prominence of these structures with changes of head and neck posture of the horse are also described.
Meier HP.In 1828, the Society of Swiss Veterinarians (GST) raised a prize question in regard to the symptoms, etiology and prophylaxis of polyarthritis in the foal. The treatise of Matthias Anker on this subject was treated with distinction and published in 1830. His statements answered both the questions to the clinical aspects and referred also to epidemiological, pathological, economical and ethical issues as well as husbandry and relations with the breeders. The comprehensive article of Anker in a lucid language and obliging views still finds great interest today, as the septicemia is one of the bi...
Dória RGS, Reginato GM, Hayasaka YB, Fantinato Neto P, Passarelli D, Arantes JA.Percutaneous decompression of the cecum is a procedure that could be considered for horses with cecal gas distension. The aim of this study was to identify complications such as peritonitis and clinically relevant peritonitis (CRP) after transabdominal cecal trocarization in healthy horses using a cattle trocar and a cecal needle. Mixed breed horses were assigned to three groups (n = 6): horses that underwent trocarization with a cecal needle (G1) or a cattle trocar (G2), and a control group (CG) without cecal trocarization. The same horses were used in each group, respecting a three-month was...
Spurlock GH, Landry SL, Sams R, McGuirk S, Muir WW.Plasma volume, extracellular fluid volume (ECFV), and total body water (TBW) were measured before and after endotoxin (Escherichia coli) administration in 6 conscious adult horses. Evan's blue dye, sodium thiocyanate, and antipyrine were the test substances used to estimate plasma volume, ECFV, and TBW, respectively. Pharmacokinetic analysis of plasma concentration vs time was used to determine changes in body fluid compartments. The pathophysiologic effects of endotoxin were monitored by clinical evaluation, blood chemical changes, and blood gas determinations. All horses became dyspneic with...
Marland A, Sarkar P, Leavitt R.A method for the extraction of diazepam and its metabolites (nordiazepam, temazepam, and oxazepam) from equine urine and serum and their quantitation and confirmation by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry is presented. Valium, a formulation of diazepam, was administered at a dose of 10 mg intramuscularly to four standard-bred mares. Diazepam is extensively metabolized in the horse to nordiazepam, temazepam, and oxazepam. Diazepam urinary concentrations were found to be less than 6 ng/mL. Nordiazepam was found to be mainly in its glucuronide-conjugated form and was measured out to a...
Driver AJ, Barr FJ, Fuller CJ, Barr AR.Tearing of the medial palmar intercarpal ligament (MPICL) has been recognised as a cause of lameness in the Thoroughbred, but diagnosis is difficult due to the nonspecific clinical signs, and can be achieved only by performing arthroscopy on the mid carpal joint (MCJ). It would be beneficial to be able to image the MPICL using ultrasonography to determine whether pathology is present in the ligament in order to aid diagnosis and prognosis. Objective: To determine whether the MPICL could be imaged using ultrasound from the dorsal aspect of the MCJ, and to describe the technique and normal ultra...
Auer DE, Ng JC, Seawright AA.Free radical oxidation products, namely conjugated dienes, ultraviolet fluorescence (excitation 325 nm, emission 395 nm) and visible fluorescence (excitation 360 nm, emission 460 nm) were measured in equine synovial fluid exposed to free radicals in vitro and in the plasma and synovial fluids of horses with synovial effusions. The synovial effusions were induced by intra-articularly administered carrageenin (0.3 ml, 1%), which rarely resulted in clinical lameness. The free radicals were generated in vitro by mixtures of iron and ethylene diamine tetra acetate (Fe/EDTA) or mixtures of hypoxanth...
Janett F, Aebi L, Burger D, Imboden I, Hässig M, Kindahl H, Thun R.The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) vedaprofen (Quadrisol) on quality and freezability of stallion semen. Experiments were performed using 22 Franches Montagnes stallions from the National Stud in Avenches (Switzerland) randomly divided into a control and test group. Vedaprofen was given orally to all stallions of the test group at the recommended therapeutic dose (initial dose of 2mg/kg followed by 1mg/kg body weight every 12h) for 14 days. Control animals received the same amount of carrier substance. During treatment, bl...
Hernandez D, Yeo WM, Brooks MB, Ness SL, Divers TJ, Stokol T.OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of treatment of horses with standard platelet inhibitors on ex vivo inhibition of platelet activation by equine herpesvirus type I (EHV-I). ANIMALS II healthy adult horses. PROCEDURES In a double-blinded, placebo-controlled crossover study, horses were treated orally for 5 days with theophylline (5 mg/kg, q 12 h), pentoxifylline (10 mg/kg, q 12 h), clopidogrel bisulfate (4 mg/kg, q 24 h), acetylsalicylic acid (20 mg/kg, q 24 h), or placebo. Horses received all treatments, each separated by a 3-week washout period. Platelet-rich plasma was prepared from citrate...