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.
Auvinen JRE, Kritchevsky JE, Reinhart JM, Gochenauer AE, Jannasch AS, Han-Hallett Y.Manipulation of forms of rectally administered metronidazole to improve bioavailability in horses has not been reported. Objective: Evaluate the pharmacokinetics of 3 rectal metronidazole preparations compared to nasogastric (NG) administration. Methods: Seven healthy horses. Methods: Phase 1A was a randomized, 3-way crossover, single-dose pharmacokinetic study, and Phases 1B and 2 were non-randomized, single-dose follow-up studies. Metronidazole (20 mg/kg) was administered NG and rectally in water (RW20), as a rectal gel (RG), and in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). Metronidazole (80 mg/kg) was a...
Viviani P, Ragno VM, Parker S, Montgomery JB.Endocrine disorders in horses, such as pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction and equine metabolic syndrome, rely on hormone testing for diagnosis, but seasonal and regional variabilities highlight the need for locally generated data. Objective: To characterize monthly blood concentrations of ACTH and insulin over 1 year in healthy horses in Saskatchewan. A secondary objective was to assess the association between these outcomes and the following factors: sex, age, breed, pregnancy status, level of exercise, body condition score, and cresty neck score. Methods: Sixty-eight clinically healthy, c...
Semik-Gurgul E, Ocłoń E, Zubel-Łojek J, Pędziwiatr R, Pawlina-Tyszko K.Sarcoids are locally invasive skin tumors in equids, associated with bovine papillomavirus. Objective: Address potential applications of cannabidiol (CBD) in veterinary medicine. We evaluated the response of equine sarcoid cells to CBD in vitro, focusing on viability, invasiveness, and matrix remodeling. Methods: Three primary sarcoid cell lines. Methods: Cells were treated with CBD (20, 6.75, 2.25, 0.75 μM) and incubated for 6, 24, 48, 72 hours. Cell viability, cytotoxicity, and apoptosis were assessed using the ApoTox-Glo Assay. Based on these results, further analyses were performed for ...
Massie S, Léguillette R, Jones JH, Guigand C, Sides RH, Jones KB, Warlick LM, Thueson EL, Troudt TA, Bayly WM.Maximal intensity exercise in equine athletes induces pulmonary capillary stress failure and exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH) secondary to excessive transmural pressure (Ptm). Furosemide decreases EIPH severity and pulmonary arterial (PAP) and pulmonary wedge (PAW) pressures. Objective: Assess the effects of furosemide on Ptm and EIPH during supramaximal exercise. Methods: Six fit retired Thoroughbreds with consistent EIPH Grade ≥ 2. Methods: Horses performed a controlled crossover design protocol, completing standardized treadmill tests (120%V̇O2max) before and 4 h after int...
Paulussen E, Delhaas T, Decloedt A, van Loon G, Van Steenkiste G.Twelve-lead electrocardiography (ECG) is essential in human cardiology but remains poorly investigated in equine medicine due to a lack of standardization and inconsistent findings. Objective: Describe the normal vectorcardiogram (VCG) variation in horses at rest and during exercise using Delta 12-lead ECG, including repeatability and intra- and interobserver variations. Methods: One hundred two healthy Warmblood horses, aged 3-20 years, were examined at rest, of which 30 also during exercise. Methods: Prospective, observational study. Electrocardiograms were recorded using a Δ 12-lead confi...
Bindi F, de Marchi L, Elias-Cortajarena A, Sala G, Vitale V, Spadari A, Rinnovati R, Bonelli F, Sgorbini M.Colic is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in horses, with oxidative stress implicated in its pathophysiology. Objective: Evaluate biomarkers (BIOs) of oxidative stress and antioxidant defense in healthy horses and those with non-strangulating colic (NSC) and strangulating colic (SC) and assess correlations with survival. Methods: Seventy-one adult horses: 10 healthy and 61 colic-affected (42 NSC, 19 SC) admitted to 3 veterinary teaching hospitals. Methods: Prospective, multicenter cohort study. Blood samples were collected at admission (T0) and up to 96 h post-admission. Biomarkers me...
Billmann P, Durham A, Christen G, Savioli G, Gross JJ, Gerber V, Fouché NE.Limited published data are available regarding the relationships among clinical signs associated with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID), age, and concentrations of proopiomelanocortin-derived peptides and cortisol. Objective: Identify clinical signs associated with age, beta-endorphin (β-END), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and cortisol concentrations and compare β-END and cortisol concentrations between horses with PPID and geriatric controls. Methods: A total of 113 horses aged 18-32 years. Methods: Cross-sectional study. Clinical signs were scored, plasma β-END, ACTH, an...
Loy J, Sornalingam K, Cawley A, Scrivener C, Keledjian J, Noble GK.Altrenogest is a synthetic progestogen widely used in equine reproductive management. Adverse effects to altrenogest have been reported in people with cutaneous exposure reported as the highest exposure pathway. Despite these reports, there has been no quantitative research to determine the capacity for altrenogest to be absorbed through skin. This study aimed to determine if cutaneous application of oral altrenogest results in systemic absorption in mares and to evaluate the influence of application site. A randomized, two-period, two-treatment crossover study was undertaken in eight mares. M...
Barreira AP, Moreira T, Silva R, Nunes L, Lioi A, Kraus E, Altheman V, Ribeiro M, Leite C, Silva A, Almeida F, Santos Junior G, Lessa D, Alves AL.Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease that affects humans and animals worldwide. Its early diagnosis remains challenging due to subtle clinical signs and late radiographic changes. This study aimed to explore candidate biomarkers associated with spontaneous OA and to investigate their correlation with ultrasonographic scores to support early diagnosis. Clinical, radiographic, and ultrasonographic evaluations were performed on 52 equine metacarpophalangeal joints, with and without OA, allowing joint scoring and classification into osteoarthritis (OAG) and control groups. Synovial ...
Zhang C, Cai E, Ma Y, Zhong G, Gao Y, Wu Y, Liu B, Li J.This study investigated the cyathostomin species composition, anthelmintic efficacy, and potential resistance-associated mutations in Chinese grazing horses. Fecal samples were collected from 90 adult horses. Fecal egg counts (FECs) were determined using a modified McMaster method. Third stage larvae (L3) cultured from the eggs were identified to species level by PCR amplification and sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer-2 (ITS-2). The main species included and spp. However, differences in the relative abundance of less common species, including and , suggests regional variation. A...
Cerullo A, Scilimati N, Di Nicola MR, Colla L, Mazza S, Bertoletti A, Nannarone S, Gialletti R.Left dorsal displacement of the large colon (LDDLC) is a common cause of colic in horses and it is frequently associated with recurrent episodes, with significant implications for horse management, athletic performance, and owner satisfaction. Laparoscopic nephrosplenic space (NSS) ablation is a preventive surgical technique aimed at reducing recurrence in horses with a history of medically or surgically treated LDDLC. This retrospective study evaluated 48 horses that underwent laparoscopic NSS ablation in two Italian Veterinary Teaching Hospitals between 2016 and 2024. Short-term outcomes, in...
Slavik K, Underwood C, Lowndes C, Skelton G, van Eps A.To examine the effects of botulinum toxin inoculation into the deep digital flexor (DDF) muscle on foot biomechanics. Unassigned: 6 healthy horses were injected with botulinum toxin in the DDF of 1 forelimb. The opposite forelimb was untreated. Ground reaction forces (GRF) were measured using a pressure sensor in regions of interest, including the dorsal hoof wall (toe). The location of the center of pressure (COP) was measured relative to the dorsal hoof wall during static standing and at peak stance during walking. Repeat measurements 3, 7, 14, 28, and 42 days after injection were compared t...
Çortu A, Çınar H.Rectal examination is routine in equine reproduction but may trigger acute stress affecting welfare and safety. Intraocular pressure (IOP) responds rapidly to autonomic changes and may capture short-lived stress responses. Objective: To evaluate whether rectal examination acutely affects IOP and behavioral responses in mares, and whether reactions differ by reproductive status. Methods: Twenty Rahvan mares (10 pregnant, 30-40 days' gestation; 10 non-pregnant; 4-7 years) underwent transrectal examination without sedation. IOP was measured bilaterally at six time points: 2 min pre-exam (T1), dur...
Migliorisi A.The goal of this article is to provide the equine practitioners with a framework for a diagnostic algorithm for the patient presented with possible seizures/epilepsy. Using a comparative approach, a review of companion animal and human research is provided with the intention of expanding our current knowledge on seizure/epilepsy, as well as diagnostic and treatment strategies for equine patients.
Donato GG, Necchi D, Gionechetti F, Ala U, Nebbia P, Robino P, Stella MC, Vandaele H, Pallavicini A, Nervo T.In the past, bacteria detected in the mare's uterus were generally interpreted as a sign of endometritis, since the uterus was considered a sterile environment. This assumption has been challenged by the introduction of culture-independent molecular techniques, particularly 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing, which have demonstrated that healthy mares harbor an endometrial microbiota. The aim of this study was to characterize the endometrial microbiota of healthy mares and to determine whether microbial composition differs between estrus and diestrus. Endometrial samples were collected from eleven h...
Henderson AR, Valverde A, Côté N, Sanchez A, Arroyo LG, Gu Y, Johnson R.To compare cardiopulmonary variables and recovery scores in isoflurane-anesthetized horses undergoing arthroscopy using two different intravenous (IV) lidocaine constant rate infusions (CRIs; 50 or 100 μg kg minute) under intermittent positive pressure ventilation (IPPV) or spontaneous ventilation (SV). Methods: Prospective, randomized, clinical study. Methods: A group of 30 client-owned horses, 8-156 months old (range), with body masses of 280-550 kg. Methods: Anesthesia protocol consisted of xylazine, ketamine and diazepam, and maintenance with isoflurane and a CRI of dexmedetomidine. All g...
Keller J, Hassenstein MJ, Jung K, Geburek F.Ground reaction forces are accepted as gold standard for objective assessment of weightbearing lameness but measurements at the hoof are limited to experimental devices. This study aimed to evaluate whether innovative instrumented hoof boots (IHBs) could detect and monitor lameness in horses during diagnostic anaesthesia. Twenty-six horses referred for lameness examination (15 front limbs, 17 hindlimbs) were equipped with IHBs and body mounted inertial sensors. Data were collected simultaneously before and after diagnostic anaesthesia until objectively considered positive. Recorded IHB data i...
Barrantes Murillo DF, Camillo G, Souza Serrano B, Almeida Luciano LP, Castilho Bichara GV, Chaves Vás CA, Furlan Gouvêa FH, Brandini Nespoli PE....Facial abnormalities and brain defects in aborted equine fetuses are rarely reported, and the causes that predispose the occurrence of this condition are difficult to identify. This work reports the morphological and tomographic findings of a case of cryptophthalmia, microphthalmia, oronasal malformation, and hydrocephalus in an aborted equine fetus with umbilical cord torsion in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil, from a primiparous Quarter Horse female, with 7 months of gestational age. The occurrence of miscarriage was associated with compromised maternal-fetal blood flow due to umbilical cor...
Lopez Cruz C, Gonzalez LM, McKinney-Aguirre CA, Hepworth-Warren KL, Roessner HA, Burke M, Fogle CA.To describe the methodology used to identify the contributors to a perceived sudden increase in exploratory celiotomy surgical site infections (SSI) and complications at the North Carolina State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital (NCSU VTH) between 2019 and 2020 and evaluate the effect of the designed intervention up to 4 years after its implementation. Methods: Case-control retrospective study over a five-year period. Methods: A total of 448 horses that underwent exploratory celiotomy for the treatment of acute abdominal pain were included. Methods: Medical records of horses that under...
Enkhtuul B, Khurtsbaatar O, Lkham B, Agiimaa T, Unenbat J, Buyanbadrakh B, Ninjbulgan S, Liushiqi B, Suzuki Y, Kimura T, Batbaatar V.Glanders, a zoonotic disease caused by , has re-emerged in Mongolia after decades of control. We conducted nationwide serosurveillance from 2021 to 2024 to assess the prevalence and geographic distribution of glanders. Using random 3-stage cluster sampling, we collected 3,001 horse serum samples from 332 herds. Those herds were in 46 soums (administrative districts equivalent to counties) in 13 provinces and in 3 districts in Ulaanbaatar. Sera were tested using the complement fixation test, and positive results were confirmed by immunoblotting and ELISA. Overall seroprevalence was 1.03% (95% C...
Loublier C, Taminiau B, Seidel L, Moula N, Tano C, Cesarini C, Costa M, Lecoq L, Daube G, Amory H.Faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) and probiotics are used in equine practice. Understanding veterinarians' perceptions and practices is crucial for effective implementation. Objective: (1) Evaluate the prevalence, usage patterns and perceived effectiveness of probiotics and FMT among equine veterinarians in France and Belgium. (2) Assess their knowledge, practices and influencing factors across demographics and settings. (3) Explore links between FMT protocols and treatment satisfaction. Methods: Cross-sectional survey. Methods: An online survey collected demographic data and responses o...
Häussling MPP, Steinberg T, Büttner K, Hannig C, Hannig M, Lemke L, Zierau O, Staszyk C.Destructive lesions of the peripheral and infundibular cementum are increasingly recognized in equine dentistry. While similarities to human caries have been noted, current evidence does not conclusively support this classification. This study aims to assess the prevalence, distribution, and potential risk factors associated with these lesions in a defined horse population. Unassigned: A total of 114 horses from northern Germany underwent standardized oral examination between 2021 and 2023. Clinical data on peripheral and infundibular lesions, diastemata, and influencing factors such as age an...
Minamijima Y, Kuroda T, Maeda Y, Narita S, Yamashita S, Yamada M.Medetomidine, an α₂-adrenergic agonist, is widely used as a sedative in horses. While its pharmacological effects are established, limited data exist on elimination of its metabolites, 3'-hydroxy medetomidine (HMD) and 3'-carboxy medetomidine (CMD), which are of regulatory interest. HMD is currently targeted in plasma and urine under International Screening Limits (ISLs) established by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA). In this study, seven Thoroughbreds received 6.3 μg/kg of medetomidine intravenously. Blood and urine were collected for 96 h and analyzed b...
Whitlock F, Grewar J, Newton R.The epidemiology of equine influenza (EI) in the United Kingdom has not been systematically described since the 2019 epidemic. Objective: To summarise UK EI surveillance (2020-2024), quantify outbreak seasonality and assess movement-related sources. Methods: Retrospective observational analysis of national surveillance and horse importation data. Methods: Epidemiological data for laboratory-confirmed EI cases in the United Kingdom were collated. Outbreaks (EI-infected premises) were defined as one or more laboratory-confirmed cases on the same premises within a 4-week period. Monthly outbreak ...
de Luna Paiva TD, de Melo Lopes AR, Silva ÁJC, Figueiredo MAF, da Cunha Nogueira SS, Nogueira-Filho SLG.Medical ozone is used in various treatments due to its oxidising properties. Objective: We aimed in this study to evaluate the impact of intrarectal ozone therapy on haematological and biochemical parameters, as well as the pain induced by the procedure in sport horses. Methods: In vivo experiment with 12 Quarter Horses (3 males and 9 females) used as their own controls to assess the effects of ozone therapy. Methods: Blood samples were collected before treatment (Control), 24 h after ozone therapy (24 h post-treatment), and 7 days after the last day of ozone therapy (7 days post-treatment). ...
Letourneau AR, Butler BA, Martinez PS, da Costa Martins B, Monk CS, Plummer CE.To describe a medial canthoplasty surgical procedure in two horses for correction of euryblepharon, secondary to microphthalmia, and following excision of retrobulbar fat prolapse. Methods: A 1 year old thoroughbred mare was presented for small globes and chronic ocular discharge bilaterally. Ophthalmic examination revealed microphthalmos, euryblepharon, medial canthal pocket syndrome, and dacryocystitis bilaterally with no visual impairments. A 2 year old Appaloosa gelding was presented for evaluation of a smooth, subconjunctival mass anterior to the right globe in the medial canthus. Oph...
Rogers CM, Ledbetter EC, Reid AM, Scott EM, Knickelbein KE.Use of photodynamic therapy (PDT) for the treatment of immune-mediated keratitis (IMMK) in horses is becoming common. The safety and morphologic impact on the normal equine cornea have not been investigated, and the mechanism of its efficacy is unknown. Objective: To investigate the morphologic effects and safety of in vivo PDT on healthy equine corneas. Methods: In vivo experiment. Methods: Six university-owned horses underwent unilateral corneal PDT with intrastromal infracyanine green (EmunDo®) and photoactivation with an 810 nm diode laser (500 mW for 2.5 min = 75 Joules). Compl...
Arroyo LG, Borges AS, Baird JD, Perry BD, Rikihisa Y, Greiman SE.Equine neorickettsiosis (EN) is an infectious, non-contagious systemic disease of horses caused by the closely related obligatory intracellular bacterial species Neorickettsia risticii and N. findlayensis. Clinical cases are considered endemic in multiple regions across the United States and Canada, as well as in parts of South America, including Uruguay and Brazil. Neorickettsia spp. are obligate endosymbionts of digenean trematodes, which have complex life cycles involving a molluscan first intermediate host, a wide range of invertebrate or vertebrate second intermediate hosts, and a vertebr...
Rosa MCB, Campos MEST, Albuquerque AS, Braz MS, Mapele RO, de Oliveira MCG, Toma HS, Ferraz PFP, Pereira RN, Raymundo DL.Skin wounds in horses, particularly in the distal extremities, often heal slowly due to mechanical stress, compromised perfusion, and excessive fibroplasia. This study evaluated the effects of topical Croton lechleri (CL) cream, alone or in combination with nitroglycerin, on the healing of skin wounds in the metatarsal region of horses. Six mares received six standardized wounds in each region and were treated with: saline solution, nitroglycerin (0.1 or 1 mg/mL), CL (1 or 10 µg/mL), or CL + nitroglycerin (10 µg/mL + 1 mg/mL). Wound contraction, histology, and bacterial culture were evaluate...
Brandt S.Sarcoids are benign, yet locally aggressive skin tumours that commonly affect horses and other equid species. The lesions are induced by bovine papillomavirus types 1, 2, and probably 13 in conjunction with other factors including trauma and a genetic predisposition. Although sarcoids have a substantial impact on the health and welfare of affected equids, information on the immune response to bovine papillomavirus infection and resulting sarcoids is limited. However, there is evidence that sarcoid disease is associated with an impaired immune response to bovine papillomavirus infection. This o...
