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.
Bryans JT.The immunogenic potency and safety of a chemically inactivated equine herpesvirus 1 vaccine with added adjuvant was evaluated by testing serum-neutralizing and complement-fixation antibody responses of pregnant Thoroughbred mares. The vaccinated population comprised 321 pregnant mares on 7 farms; 3 in Normandy, France; 1 in Kildare, Ireland; and 3 in central Kentucky. The pattern of antibody response to vaccination was found qualitatively and quantitatively similar to that of pregnant mares previously vaccinated and determined by challenge exposure to be immune to abortigenic infection under e...
Trommershausen-Smith A.Dead or deformed foals produced by purebred parents represent an economic and emotional loss to the horse breeder. To avoid repeating production of such defective foals, the breeder may seek assistance in identifying the possible environmental or genetic causes for such animals. Only a few genetic diseases of the horse have been rigorously defined. Selected rare genetic diseases that prevent reproduction, cause the natural death or necessitate the humane destruction of a foal before it fulfills its intended purpose serve as examples for the definition of genetics of other deleterious diseases ...
Gunther JD, Foley CW, Gaverick HA, Plotka ED.Progesterone concentrations were measured in milk and blood plasma for 15 mares throughout a normal estrous cycle and early pregnancy to determine the feasibility of utilizing progesterone in milk as an indicator of pregnancy. Samples were obtained daily from foaling until diagnosis of pregnancy by rectal examination at 30 to 35 days of gestation. Progesterone in milk and blood plasma was quantified by radioimmunoassay. Mean progesterone concentrations (+/- SE) in plasma from foaling to foal heat and during estrus, luteal phase and pregnancy were .51 +/- .09 ng/ml, .53 +/- .08 ng/ml, 3.88 +/- ...
Hanák J, Jagos P.In 246 horses of the English Thoroughbred breed of several age categories, divided into four test populations, the influence was studied of age and training on the pulse rate and time intervals of ECG (PQ, QRS, QT and QTc). It was found that with the increasing age and training action slowed down gradually. Duration of the atrioventricular path (PQ) is prolonged, time of ventricular activation (QRS) and time of the electrical systole (QT) including its value corrected according to the actual pulse rate (QTC). In this way the origin of the so called sports electrocardiogram in trained race hors...
Hubbell JA, Muir WW, Sams RA.We determined the cardiopulmonary changes in horses given guaifenesin alone and in the same horses given xylazine (IV) immediately before administration of guaifenesin. In addition, plasma guaifenesin concentrations were determined in horses and 2 pregnant mares and compared with previously published values in ponies. The dose of guaifenesin necessary to produce lateral recumbency in adult horses was 134 +/- 34 mg/kg (mean +/- SD). The administration of guaifenesin caused insignificant (P less than 0.05) changes in heart rate, respiratory rate, right atrial pressure, pulmonary arterial pressur...
Donnelly J, Joyner LP, Frank C.Racehorses imported into Kuwait were tested for serum antibodies to Babesia equi and B. caballi by complement fixation (CF) and indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) tests. The prevalence of B. equi was high (77.1% by IFA) whereas that of B. caballi was much lower (11.4%). Data for B. equi showed that infection was acquired after about 6 months at risk and that in the following 12 months animals had antibody levels detectable by both CF and IFA tests by 24 months the CF reaction was no longer detectable. Estimates of incidence and inoculation rates were calculated and found to be consistent with...
Bowling AT.Dead or deformed foals produced by purebred parents represent an economic and emotional loss to the horse breeder. In order to avoid producing such defective foals in the future, the breeder may seek guidance in determining whether their origin is environmental or genetic. Only a few genetic diseases of horses have been rigorously defined. Selected, rare genetic diseases that prevent reproduction, cause the natural death, or necessitate the humane destruction of a foal before it fulfills its intended purpose serve as examples for collecting evidence to define the genetics of other deleterious ...
Klei TR, Torbert BJ.The controlled test method was used to evaluate the antiparasitic efficacy of IM inoculated 22,23-dihydroavermectin B1 (ivermectin) against gastrointestinal parasites of horses (ponies). Parasite infections were naturally acquired in southern Louisiana. Dose levels of the drug tested were 0.2 mg/kg, 0.3 mg/kg, and 0.5 mg/kg. Ivermectin at all dose levels tested had an efficacy greater than 97% (P less than 0.05) against Gasterophilus intestinalis larvae, Trichostrongylus axei, Oxyuris equi larvae, Strongylus vulgaris, S edentatus, 15 species of small strongyles, and small strongyle larvae. Pon...
Frincke JM, Henderson GL.Fentanyl, a potent, synthetic narcotic analgesic, has reportedly been used to "dope" racehorses. Urine was collected from a horse dosed with 70 mg of [3H]fentanyl, and the primary metabolite, a water-soluble, amphoteric compound, was isolated by high-pressure liquid chromatography and identified by spectroscopic analysis. This metabolite was found to be N-[1-(2-phenethyl-4-piperidinyl)] malonanilinic acid.
Maxwell MH.A series of experiments is described in which attempts were made to produce an avian eosinophilia using various agents. Although none of the experiments was decisive, two demonstrated a slight rise in the eosinophil counts. In one experiment horse serum was injected into a group of fowls on alternate days for 42 days. No eosinophils were seen in any blood smears after this treatment. After a rest period of eight days the birds received further injections for 10 days. The mean eosinophil count rose to over 4 per cent with a range of 1 to 11 per cent. It is considered that this type of response ...
van Veenendaal JC, Moffatt RE.Eight cases of sessile, intra-articular soft tissue masses originating from the cranio-dorsal attachment of the capsule of the fetlock joint of horses are presented. In 4 of these cases an osteochondral fracture of the first phalanx was also present. Clinically the condition closely resembled villonodular synovitis; however the microscopic changes did not correspond to those reported. The clinical signs included lameness after exercise, joint effusion and pain on manipulation. The offending masses were surgically resected and their histology indicated a chronic proliferative synovitis. The res...
Fowden AL, Barnes RJ, Comline RS, Silver M.Insulin secretion and the factors influencing beta-cell function were investigated in the chronically catheterized fetal foal and mare during the second half of gestation. The response of the fetal beta cells to exogenous glucose was also examined. The mean concentration of insulin in the fetal foal was 7.5 +/- 0.5 (S.E.M.) microunit./ml (n = 20) which was significantly less than the corresponding maternal value of 49.0 +/- 5.0 microunit./ml (n = 20, P < 0.01). The insulin concentration in non-pregnant horses was 24.5 +/- 1.5 microunit./ml (n = 5) which was significantly less than the value...
Downey BR.Neuroendocrine and endocrine factors involved in the regulation of reproductive cycles in domestic animals are discussed. Although research data from many species are considered, emphasis is placed on their relevance for the cow, sow, ewe and, to a lesser extent, the mare. Literature cited is not designed to be complete, but rather to be representative of the large volume of material which has been written on the subject.Gonadotropin-releasing hormone is synthesized and secreted in response to various exteroceptive stimuli, but both its release and its effects on the anterior pituitary are mod...
Singh S, Kumar B, Dilbaghi N, Devi N, Prasad M, Manuja A.Isometamidium chloride (ISM) is a trypanocide for the prophylactic and therapeutic use against vector-borne animal trypanosomosis (mainly Surra caused by ) and African animal trypanosomosis caused by //). ISM was found to be an efficient trypanocide for therapeutic/prophylactic use against trypanosomosis; however, it produces some local and systemic detrimental effects in animals. We synthesized isometamidium chloride-loaded alginate gum acacia nanoformulation (ISM SANPS) to lessen the detrimental side effects of isometamidium chloride (ISM) while treating trypanosomal diseases. We intended to...
Eto D, Yamano S, Hiraga A, Miyata H.There is little information about the muscle fibre recruitment pattern during sloped and flat track running in Thoroughbred horses. Objective: To examine the glycogen depletion pattern of each muscle fibre type during running on a flat and sloped treadmill. Methods: Thirteen Thoroughbred horses (3-9 years old) were used. They were initially subjected to incremental exercise tests on a treadmill at 10 and 0% inclines in each horse to determine running speed at 90 and 60% VO2max. Needle biopsy samples were obtained from the middle gluteal muscle immediately after the running at 90% VO2max for 4 ...
Sławomirski J, Głuszak J.The studies performed on spinal cords of two horses revealed that cells of the nucleus of the own dorsal horn are present in all segments of lumbo-sacral part of the spinal cord. The nucleus is composed of two parts: basal and marginal. Basal part is composed of large and medium size cells situated in 2/3 of the lower part of the grey substance of the dorsal horn. The marginal part of the described nucleus is composed of elongated and spindle shaped cells situated along the dorsal margine of the grey substance of the dorsal horn. Continuity of the nucleus in lumbo-sacral part of the spinal cor...
Barton MH, Hallowell GD.The list of medical causes of acute or chronic colic in horses is extensive. The purpose of this article is to review 4 medical causes of equine colic with a focus on newer trends in treatment. The 4 topics selected include gastric impaction, gastric glandular disease, colon displacement, and inflammatory bowel disease.
Savelberg HH, Buchner HH, Becker CK.The recovery process of the equine locomotor system after desmotomy of the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon (AL-DDFT) was investigated by studying the movement patterns and joint moments in 6 horses before and 10 days and 6 months following surgery. Using a modified CODA-3 system the joint angles and angular velocities of the lower limb were assessed in the operated forelimb as before the operation. Simultaneously ground reaction forces were measured and joint moments calculated. At 10 days and 6 months after the operation the carpal joint started to bend earlier in the sta...
Tumblin DL.There are several options to value a veterinary practice (market approach, asset approach, and income approach) and several methods within these approaches. Examples of an income-based approach include excess earnings, discounted future returns, and single period capitalization of earnings. A qualified valuator will use his or her professional opinion and experience to determine the most appropriate method for one's practice situation. This article outlines the excess earnings method for which where the principal components of value are net assets and goodwill.
O'Brien T, Hunt RJ.In all surgeries with the patient standing under chemical and physical restraint, patient compliance is of the utmost importance. All fractures of the third metacarpal or metatarsal condyles and sagittal fracture of the first phalanx are not amenable to internal fixation with the horse standing, and young unhandled horses may not have a suitable disposition for standing surgical treatment of septic pedal osteitis, or implantation and removal of transphyseal screws. Previous operator experience in performing the procedure or technique under general anesthesia is beneficial. Appreciation of appr...
Kwok KY, Chan GHM, Kwok WH, Wong JKY, Wan TSM.Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) are chemicals that possess the anti-oestrogenic activities that are banned 'in' and 'out' of competition by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) in human sports, and by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) in horseracing. SERMs can be used as performance-enhancing drugs to boost the level of androgens or to compensate for the adverse effects as a result of extensive use of androgenic anabolic steroids (AASs). SERMs have indeed been abused in human sports; hence, a similar threat can be envisaged in horseracing. Numerous an...
Curcio Bda R, Pereira GR, Antunes LI, Boff AN, dos Santos FC, Lucas T, Nogueira CE, Corcini CD, Liu I, Deschamps JC.In vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures are limited by the inability to mature equine oocytes on in vitro methods. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate structural integrity of equine oocytes subjected to vitrification with a synthetic polymer (PVA). Methods: The effect of eGH and its relationship with IGF-I on in vitro maturation (IVM) were evaluated. Compact cumulus oocytes complexes (n=122) were cultured in TCM-199 with eGH, IGF-I or eGH+IGF-I for 30h at 38.5C in air with 5 % CO2. Oocytes were fixed after IVM or subjected to the vitrification protocol. Cryopreserved oocytes were ...
Hameury L, Delavous P, Leroy C.Hippotherapy uses relationships with horses as a mediation method. The care treatment aims to act on the psychological functioning of children affected by relational disorders, especially in order to help the development of communication and emotions. A partnership has been established between the paedopsychiatric university centre at the CHRU in Tours (37) and a horse-riding centre.