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.
You Y, Proctor RM, Guo K, Li X, Xue E, Guan F, Robinson MA.High-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) is a very powerful technology for equine doping control analysis. The more recently developed hybrid type of Orbitrap-based HRMS instrument allows for both targeted and non-targeted screening analyses in a single liquid chromatography-high resolution tandem mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS/MS) run. In the present study, an LC-HRMS/MS method was developed and validated to detect prohibited substances in equine sports. The substances were recovered from equine plasma by liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) using methyl tert-butyl ether and were separated on a C18 rev...
Hifumi T, Tanaka T, Hernandez EP, Akioka K, Yamada K, Imamura Y, Hatai H, Miyoshi N.Histopathological and genetic examinations were conducted on grayish-white solid hepatic nodules in 150 horses imported from Canada, in order to investigate larval Echinococcus multilocularis infection. Ten of the 150 horses (6.7%) were diagnosed with alveolar hydatid disease. The sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome b genes obtained from all 10 polymerase chain reaction positive samples had 99 to 100% identity with the European haplotype E1 of E. multilocularis. Therefore, we concluded that the infections likely originated in Canada. Relation entre les nodules hépatiques solides blanc-g...
Dong B, Bergman D, Holst BS.Heterophilic antibodies in serum and plasma can interfere with mammalian antibodies in immunoassays and result in false test results, usually false positive. Although studies screening for heterophilic antibodies as well as elimination studies have been conducted in dogs and cats, knowledge of the presence of heterophilic antibodies in other species in veterinary medicine is limited. In this study, a 2-site sandwich-type interference assay that detects anti-mouse antibodies was used to detect heterophilic antibodies in a population of horses treated in an animal hospital. Results: A total of 1...
Labens R, Jermyn K.To assess suspensory ligament extensor branch location and fracture gap reduction with simulation of standing and recumbent cortical bone screw repair of experimental incomplete parasagittal proximal phalanx (P1) fractures. Methods: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Twenty equine cadaver forelimbs. Methods: Simulated fractures were repaired twice in random order. A proximal cortical bone screw was placed in lag fashion with the limb unloaded (simulated recumbent repair) and loaded to 38% of body weight (range, 375-568 kg; simulated standing repair). Changes in fracture gap width were ass...
Dini P, Carossino M, Balasuriya UBR, El-Sheikh Ali H, Loux SC, Esteller-Vico A, Scoggin KE, Loynachan AT, Kalbfleisch T, De Spiegelaere W, Daels P....RTL1 (retrotransposon Gag-like 1) is an essential gene in the development of the human and murine placenta. Several fetal and placental abnormalities such as intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and hydrops conditions have been associated with altered expression of this gene. However, the function of RTL1 has not been identified. RTL1 is located on a highly conserved region in eutherian mammals. Therefore, the genetic and molecular analysis in horses could hold important implications for other species, including humans. Here, we demonstrated that RTL1 is paternally expressed and is localized...
Buchanan FR, Cardenas TC, Leede E, Riley CJ, Brown LH, Teixeira PG, Aydelotte JD, Coopwood TB, Trust MD, Ali S, Brown CVR.Large animal-related injuries (LARI) are relatively uncommon, but, nevertheless, a public hazard. The objective of this study was to better understand LARI injury patterns and outcomes. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of the 2016 National Trauma Data Bank and used ICD-10 codes to identify patients injured by a large animal. The primary outcome was severe injury pattern, while secondary outcomes included mortality, hospital length of stay, ICU admission, and mechanical ventilation usage. Results: There were 6,662 LARI included in our analysis. Most LARI (66%) occurred while riding ...
Keenan AV, Townsend WM.To describe the clinical use of ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) to evaluate equine corneal disease. Methods: Images were obtained using a 50-MHz probe ultrasound biomicroscopy system (Quantel Aviso) and Clear Scan® probe cover. Six horses with corneal disease were evaluated via UBM for lesion size, lesion depth, and continuity of Descemet's membrane. Horses were sedated and received auriculopalpebral nerve blocks and application of topical anesthetic prior to UBM. Results: Ultrasound biomicroscopy was easily performed in all cases. UBM evaluation of three cases of corneo-limbal squamous cell c...
Stokes SM, Stefanovski D, Bertin FR, Medina-Torres CE, Belknap JK, van Eps AW.Endocrinopathic laminitis develops in association with insulin dysregulation, but the role of insulin in the pathogenesis remains unclear. Hyperinsulinemia can cause hypoaminoacidemia, which is associated with integumentary lesions in other species and therefore warrants investigation as a potential mechanism in laminitis. Objective: Evaluate plasma amino acid concentrations in the euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp (EHC) and prolonged glucose infusion (PGI) laminitis models. Methods: Sixteen Standardbred horses. Methods: Prospective experimental study. Plasma amino acid concentrations were mea...
Zetterström SM, Boone LH, Weatherall KM, Caldwell FJ.To describe a minimally invasive technique for semitendinosus tenotomy with ultrasonographic guidance and to evaluate procedural complications. Methods: Experimental study. Methods: Cadaveric equine hind limbs (n = 16). Methods: A stab incision was performed distocaudal to the tibial insertion of the semitendinosus muscle with ultrasonographic assistance. After transection of the tendon with an arthroscopic retrograde knife, the tendon edges palpably retracted, and complete transection was confirmed by ultrasound. Limbs were dissected to confirm the degree of tendon transection and to identify...
Hawkins A, O'Leary L, Bolt D, Fiske-Jackson A, Berner D, Smith R.Injuries to the oblique (ODSL) or straight (SDSL) distal sesamoidean ligaments are a recognised cause of distal limb lameness in the horse. However, there are only limited publications addressing common diagnostic features and prognosis. Objective: (a) Report findings on ultrasonography and standing low-field magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI) in horses with ODSL or SDSL injury; (b) Identify clinical variables associated with lesion type and (c) Identify factors associated with return to soundness in horses with ODSL or SDSL injury. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Horses with a pri...
Ciani F, Maruccio L, Cocchia N, d'Angelo D, Carotenuto D, Avallone L, Namagerdi AA, Tafuri S.Assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) are widely used as a tool to improve reproductive performance in both humans and animals. In particular, in the veterinary field, ARTs are used to improve animal genetics, recover endangered animals, and produce offspring in the event of subfertility or infertility in males or females. However, the use of ARTs did not improve the fertilization rate in some animals due to various factors such as the difficulty in reproducing an anatomical and humoral substrate typical of the natural condition or due to the increase in catabolites and their difficult eli...
Wood AD, Sinovich M, Prutton JSW, Parker RA.To evaluate the accuracy of ultrasonographic guidance for injection near the ventral rami of the cervical spinal nerves (VRCSN). Methods: Ex vivo study. Methods: Ten cadavers (n = 40 injections). Methods: Left and right VRCSN at C4/5 and C5/6 were infiltrated at the intervertebral foramen (IVF) under ultrasonographic guidance. A vertically orientated 3.5-MHz curvilinear probe was used to identify the craniocaudal midpoint of the articular process joint (APJ). The probe was moved ventrally until the IVF was identified. An 18-gauge 15-cm-long spinal needle was aimed immediately below the ventral...
Yılgör Çırak V, Girişgin AO.Significant numbers of parasites such as protozoa, helminths and arthropods infest equids. Various investigations have been conducted in Turkey to detect these parasites. In this review, all parasites reported in horses, donkeys and mules have been listed. A total of 62, 52 and 21 helminths were recorded in horses, donkeys and mules, respectively. As protozoan parasites, 13 species were detected both in horses and donkeys, and 3 in mules. With regard to arthropods, 40, 23 and 6 species were detected in horses, donkeys and mules, respectively. In the recent years, various molecular diagnostic m...
Skrzypczak H, Reed R, Brainard B, Sakai D, Barletta M, Quandt J, Smyth C, Ruch M, Knych H.Matrix fentanyl patches have not been investigated in horses and may represent an effective means of providing analgesia over an extended time period without venous catheterisation. Objective: To describe the pharmacokinetics of a matrix transdermal fentanyl patch in horses. Methods: Randomised experiment, Latin-square design. Methods: Six adult horses were given each of three treatments with a 96-hour washout. For each treatment, two 100 µg/h matrix fentanyl patches were applied to the inguinal region (TXA), metacarpus (TXM) or ventral tail base (TXT) for 72 hours. Blood samples for fentan...
Raspa F, Roggero A, Palestrini C, Marten Canavesio M, Bergero D, Valle E.The effects of specific feeding positions upon the horse's shape variations of the back and neck postures as well as the variations of the mandibular angle have never been objectively studied. For this reason, geometric morphometrics was applied. Six horses, aged 14 ± 8 years (mean ± standard deviation, SD), were video-recorded while using three different feeding positions: on the ground-control position (CP); neck held 15 ± 3° below withers height with low hay net position (LP); neck held 15 ± 3° above withers height with high hay net position (HP). Data were analyzed using principal co...
Isola M, Piccinotti C, Magro M, Fasolato L, Vianello F, Menandro ML, Memarian P, Rossi M, Falomo ME.The presence of bacteria of various origins on horse hoofs enables the onset of infections following trauma or even post-surgical wounds. Thus, the analysis of new antibacterial substances is of fundamental importance. In this study, the antibacterial efficacy of Iron Animals (IA), a stable colloidal suspension of iron oxide, organic acids, and detergents, was tested in vitro and in vivo. In vitro assays were performed to test the unspecific inhibitory effect of IA on both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria monitoring the microorganism growth by spectrophotometry (optical density OD600) ...
Lisowski ZM, Lefevre L, Mair TS, Clark EL, Hudson NPH, Hume DA, Pirie RS.Studies in rodents and humans have demonstrated that intestinal manipulation or surgical trauma initiates an inflammatory response in the intestine which results in leucocyte recruitment to the muscularis externa causing smooth muscle dysfunction. Objective: To examine the intestinal inflammatory response in horses undergoing colic surgery by measuring relative differential gene expression in intestinal tissues harvested from surgical colic cases and control horses. Methods: Prospective case-control study. Methods: Mucosa and muscularis externa were harvested from healthy margins of resected s...
De Silva M, Tagliavia C, Galiazzo G, Gifuni G, Caiazza M, Chiocchetti R, Grandis A.The morphometric studies of the atrioventricular valves are still limited in the horse. Objective: To investigate the anatomy of the atrioventricular valves in the horse, focusing on the morphometric features of the valvular leaflets and the tendinous cords. We hypothesised that accessory leaflets occur commonly and exist as independent structures in the atrioventricular valves of the horse. Methods: Descriptive anatomical study. Methods: Twenty normal hearts from slaughtered half-bred horses were used. The cardiac weight and circumference were recorded. The atrioventricular valves were expose...
Sedlinská M, Kabeš R, Novák M, Kološ F, Melková P.A five-month-old African jenny was presented with a history of exercise intolerance and syncopal episodes. Severe bradycardic arrhythmia due to a high-grade second-degree atrioventricular (AV) block with progression to complete AV block was diagnosed. The jenny underwent a transvenous single-chamber pacemaker implantation. The implantation procedure was performed in a lateral recumbency and the ventricular lead was inserted through the jugular vein. Positioning of the lead was guided by echocardiography. The pacemaker was programmed to VVI mode with a minimal ventricular rate of 40 pulses per ...
Slater R, Frau A, Hodgkinson J, Archer D, Probert C.Anoplocephala perfoliata is a common equine tapeworm associated with an increased risk of colic (abdominal pain) in horses. Identification of parasite and intestinal microbiota interactions have consequences for understanding the mechanisms behind parasite-associated colic and potential new methods for parasite control. A. perfoliata was diagnosed by counting of worms in the caecum post-mortem. Bacterial DNA was extracted from colonic contents and sequenced targeting of the 16S rRNA gene (V4 region). The volatile organic compound (VOC) metabolome of colonic contents was characterised using gas...
Perez-Jimenez EE, Biedrzycki AH, Morton AJ, McCarrel TM.To determine the influence of a custom 3D-printed guide for placement of cortical bone screws in the equine navicular bone. Methods: Ex vivo study. Methods: Eight pairs of normal adult equine forelimbs. Methods: A 3.5 × 55 mm cortical screw was placed in the longitudinal axis of each intact navicular bone. Screws were placed with a 3D-printed guide (3D) in one bone and with a traditional aiming device (AD) in the contralateral bone within each pair. Duration of surgery and the number of fluoroscopy images were compared between techniques. Screw placement was subjectively evaluated by gros...
Betbeze CM, Dray SM, Fontenot RL.To develop a protocol for subconjunctival enucleation and orbital implant placement in standing horses and to document short- and long-term complications, cosmesis, and client satisfaction. Methods: 20 horses with nonneoplastic ocular disease requiring enucleation. Methods: A standardized protocol of surgical suite cleaning, patient preparation, sedation, local nerve blocks, surgical procedure, and postoperative care was performed. Owners were required to provide follow-up information at 1 year after surgery during a phone questionnaire. Additionally, some owners provided follow-up information...
Joongpan W, Tongsangiam P, Poochipakorn C, Charoenchanikran P, Chanda M.Horses were provided full-time housing in unfamiliar vector-protected facilities during the African horse sickness (AHS) outbreak in Thailand. This study aimed to investigate the impact of this housing arrangement on the equine stress response. Nine healthy horses were housed in both a traditional barn and a vector-protected barn. Equine behavior and stress response data were collected in association with the housing environment and time of day. The mean behavioral score of horses housed in the vector-protected barn was lower at night than during the day. In addition, the horses' mean heart ra...
Sigurdsson SF, Olstad K, Ley CJ, Björnsdóttir S, Griffiths DJ, Fjordbakk CT.Osteochondrosis occurs due to failure of the blood supply to growth cartilage. Osteochondrosis lesions have been identified in small tarsal bones and suggested to cause distal tarsal osteoarthritis; however, it has not been determined whether distal tarsal osteochondrosis lesions were the result of vascular failure. Objective: To perform post-mortem arterial perfusion and micro-computed tomography (CT) of the central (CTB) and third tarsal bones (TIII) of fetuses and foals up to 5 months old, to describe tarsal development and any lesions detected. Methods: Descriptive, nonconsecutive case se...
Stasiak K, Dunowska M, Trewick S, Rola J.Equid herpesvirus 5 (EHV-5) is one of two γ-herpesviruses that commonly infect horses worldwide. The objective of the study was to estimate the genetic variability within EHV-5 viruses circulating among horses in Poland. Partial glycoprotein B (gB) sequences from 92 Polish horses from 13 studs throughout Poland were compared to each other and to three EHV-5 sequences from other countries. Despite the overall high level of conservation, considerable variability was observed around the putative furin cleavage site. Based on phylogenetic analysis, the viruses clustered within two major lineages ...
Huber L, Giguère S, Hart KA, Slovis NM, Greiter ME, Dailey CA, Cohen ND.To compare soil concentrations of macrolide- and rifampicin-resistant strains (MRRE) on horse-breeding farms that used thoracic ultrasonographic screening (TUS) to identify foals with subclinical pneumonia combined with subsequent administration of macrolides and rifampin to affected foals (TUS farms) versus soil concentrations on farms that did not (non-TUS farms), determine whether the combined use of TUS and antimicrobial treatment of subclinically affected foals was associated with soil concentration of MRRE, and assess whether there were temporal effects on soil concentrations of MRRE du...
Boorman S, Boone LH, White A.To characterize the clinical features, treatment, and outcome of aural hematomas in horses. Methods: 7 horses with 1 or 2 aural hematomas (8 ears in total) treated at a veterinary teaching hospital in 2008 through 2019. Methods: Data retrieved from medical records included signalment, pertinent historical information, clinical signs, diagnostic procedures (including dermatologic assessment), and treatments. Case outcome was determined from documentation in the medical record or via telephone communication with owners or referring veterinarians. Results: 3 horses were presented after recurrence...
Ortiz-Rodriguez JM, Nerozzi C, Bucci D, Mislei B, Mari G, Tamanini C, Peña FJ, Spinaci M, Galeati G.Sperm are redox-regulated cells, and deregulation of their redox status is considered to affect male fertility and to reduce their fertilizing ability following biotechnological procedures, such as cryopreservation. Cystine (CysS), after incorporation in sperm via SLC7A11 antiporter, has been demonstrated to increase intracellular GSH content, the most important non enzymatic antioxidant. This study was aimed at investigating the role of SLC7A11 antiporter on frozen-thawed stallion sperm ability to respond to in vitro capacitating environment after post-thaw incubation with CysS and/or Sulfas...
Fine AH, Andersen SJ.The field of human-animal interactions and, more specifically, animal-assisted interventions and equine assisted interactions (equine assisted interactions have significantly evolved over the past half century. The primary purpose of this paper is to provide a brief commentary of both fields and the challenges they are presently experiencing as they move forward in their future. More specifically within this commentary, attention will be given to highlighting some of the directions taken in both fields, including clarifying their terminology as it applies to scope of practices, trends in resea...
Töpfer-Petersen E, Ekhlasi-Hundrieser M, Kirchhoff C, Leeb T, Sieme H.Seminal plasma proteins are secretory proteins originating mainly from the epididymis and the accessory sex glands. They are involved in the remodelling of the sperm surface which occurs during sperm transit through the male genital tract and continues later at ejaculation. During this process, collectively called post-testicular sperm maturation, the spermatozoa acquire the ability to fertilise an egg. Seminal plasma proteins have been shown to contribute to early and central steps of the fertilisation sequence, e.g. the establishment of the oviductal sperm reservoir, modulation of capacitati...
Ferris RA, Frisbie DD, McCue PM.Current treatments for Persistent mating-induced endometritis such as uterine lavage and oxytocin therapy focus on aiding the uterus in removal of inflammatory products, but these treatments do not modulate the inciting inflammatory response. Biological treatments, such as autologous conditioned serum (ACS) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), have been used in human and veterinary medicine for immunomodulation for over 10 years. The objectives of this project were to evaluate the ability of ACS or MSCs to modulate the inflammatory response to spermatozoa after breeding. Two experiments were pe...
Gonzalez LM, Schramme MC, Robertson ID, Thrall DE, Redding RW.Lameness originating from the metacarpo(tarso)phalangeal (MP) joint has a significant effect on the use and athletic competitiveness of a horse. The identification of the cause of lameness originating from the MP joint can be challenging, given the limitations of radiography, ultrasonography, and nuclear scintigraphy. Our purpose was to describe the injury types and incidence in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies from 40 horses with lameness attributable to the MP joint region where it was not possible to reach a clinically plausible diagnosis using other imaging modalities. Horses were ...
Hinchcliff KW, Rush BR, Farris JW.To evaluate plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine concentrations and serum cortisol concentration in horses with colic and assess the relationship of these variables with clinical signs, routinely measured clinicopathologic variables, and outcome in affected horses. Methods: Prospective observational study. Methods: 35 horses with colic. Methods: Blood samples were collected within 30 minutes of arrival at the veterinary hospital from horses referred because of colic. Plasma and serum samples were analyzed for cortisol, epinephrine, norepinephrine, lactate, and electrolyte concentrations and a...
Morris DD, Moore JN, Crowe N.Over a 24-month period, serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF) activity was determined in 289 horses with colic attributable to gastrointestinal tract disease. Serum TNF activity was quantitated by use of a modified in vitro cytotoxicity bioassay, using WEHI 164 clone-13 murine fibrosarcoma cells. Causes for colic, determined by clinical and laboratory evaluation, exploratory celiotomy, or necropsy included: gastrointestinal tract rupture (GTR); ileal impaction; small intestinal strangulating obstruction (SIO); proximal enteritis (PE); transient small intestinal distention; large-colon displacement...
Mack M, Kowalski E, Grahn R, Bras D, Penedo MCT, Bellone R.A unique eye color, called tiger-eye, segregates in the Puerto Rican Paso Fino (PRPF) horse breed and is characterized by a bright yellow, amber, or orange iris. Pedigree analysis identified a simple autosomal recessive mode of inheritance for this trait. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) with 24 individuals identified a locus on ECA 1 reaching genome-wide significance ( = 1.32 × 10). This ECA1 locus harbors the candidate gene, (), (), with known roles in pigmentation in humans, mice, and zebrafish. Humans with compound heterozygous mutations in have oculocutaneous albinism (OCA) type...
Gerlach T, Aurich JE.This review considers seasonal reproduction in male animals with emphasis on the stallion, ram and hamster. The pineal hormone melatonin is the common link between photoperiod and reproduction. An increase in the daily diurnal period of melatonin secretion is associated with a decrease in GnRH release in long-day breeders, but an increase in GnRH release in short-day breeders. Melatonin influences GnRH release within or close to the mediobasal hypothalamus in rams; whereas melatonin receptors have not been found in the hypothalamus of horses. Prolactin release is positively correlated with day...
Monahan CM, Chapman MR, Taylor HW, French DD, Klei TR.Two dosages of moxidectin oral gel were evaluated and compared to a therapeutic dose of ivermectin oral paste in the control of a spectrum of gastrointestinal parasites of ponies naturally infected in southern Louisiana or Mississippi. Thirty-two mixed-breed ponies ranging in age from one to 21 years were used in this controlled test. Eight weeks prior to the experiment, ponies grazing on contaminated pasture were moved to a paddock and fed a pelleted ration, thus reducing or eliminating the potential for additional infection and ensuring the existence of a population of encysted larvae. Ponie...
Elia G, Lanave G, Lorusso E, Parisi A, Trotta A, Buono R, Martella V, Decaro N, Buonavoglia C.Equine hepacivirus is the closest homologue of hepatitis C virus. Limited data on the clinical features of this infection are available. We report the identification of a horse with high-titre viremia by equine hepacivirus. Over a 15-month follow-up, the clinical signs and the viremic status persisted, suggesting a chronic evolution.
van Duijkeren E, Wannet WJ, Heck ME, van Pelt W, Sloet van Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbaan MM, Smit JA, Houwers DJ.We studied 232 Salmonella strains from horses with salmonellosis in The Netherlands, isolated in the period from 1993 to 2000 in order to provide insight in the dynamics of sero-, phage types (pt) and antibiotic susceptibilities over time. The strains were tested for susceptibility to seven antimicrobial agents using the agar diffusion method. In addition, the isolates were sero typed and Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica Typhimurium and Enteritidis strains were further phage typed. S. Typhimurium strains of phage type 506 and 401 (both classified as DT 104 in the English phage typing sy...
Koterba AM, Kosch PC, Beech J, Whitlock T.To investigate the mechanism underlying the polyphasic airflow pattern of the equine species, we recorded airflow, tidal volum, rib cage and abdominal motion, and the sequence of activation of the diaphragm, intercostal, and abdominal muscles during quiet breathing in nine adult horses standing at rest. In addition, esophageal, abdominal, and transdiaphragmatic pressures were simultaneously recorded using balloon-tipped catheters. Analysis of tidal flow-volume loops showed that, unlike humans, the horse at rest breathes around, rather than from, the relaxed volume of the respiratory system (Vr...
Mellor PS.1. 903 horses were examined at 3 abattoirs in South East England. 10(22–7%) of the horses at the London Colney abattoir, 23(13–9%) of those at the Braintree abattoir, Essex, and 90(12–9%) of those at the Islington abattoir, London, were infected with O. cervicalis. All 105 horses examined in Southern Ireland were found to be negative.
2. The adult worms of O. cervicalis were found without exception, in the ligamentum nuchae of infected horses. The suspensory ligaments of the fetlock and flexor tendons were always negative.
3. The microfilariae of O. cervicalis concentrate along the...
Parry BW, Anderson GA, Gay CC.The individual merit of the use of 43 variables to assess the prognosis of equine colic cases was examined. The following variables revealed highly significant (P less than 0.001) differences between cases which survived and those which died: blood pressure; heart rate; oral mucosal capillary refill time; degree of mental depression; venous haemoglobin concentration, haematocrit, erythrocyte count, urea concentration and lactate concentration; peritoneal fluid lactate concentration; and haematocrit/plasma protein and serum protein concentration ratios. Thus, in general, variables which assesse...
Paillot R, Ellis SA, Daly JM, Audonnet JC, Minke JM, Davis-Poynter N, Hannant D, Kydd JH.Equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) is a ubiquitous pathogen of horses, which continues to cause respiratory and neurological disease and abortion, despite the widespread use of vaccines. Cell mediated immunity (CMI) is thought to play a major role in protection against infection with EHV-1. The aim of this study was to characterise the virus-specific CMI response in ponies vaccinated with vP1014, a vaccinia-based construct (NYVAC) coding for the immediate early gene (gene 64) of EHV-1. This gene product is a CTL target protein for an equine MHC class I allele expressed on the A3 haplotype. EHV-prime...
Womble A, Giguère S, Lee EA.The objective of this study was to determine the disposition of orally administered doxycycline in foals. Six healthy 4- to 8-week-old foals were used. Doxycycline was administered to each foal via the intragastric (IG) route at dosages of 10 and 20 mg/kg, in a cross-over design. After the first 10 mg/kg dose, five additional doses were administered at 12-h intervals. A microbiological assay was used to measure doxycycline activity in serum, urine, peritoneal fluid, synovial fluid, cerebrospinal (CSF), pulmonary epithelial lining fluid (PELF), and bronchoalveolar (BAL) cells. Following adminis...
Zarski LM, Giessler KS, Jacob SI, Weber PSD, McCauley AG, Lee Y, Soboll Hussey G.Equine herpesvirus-1 is the cause of respiratory disease, abortion, and equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM) in horses worldwide. EHM affects as many as 14% of infected horses and a cell-associated viremia is thought to be central for EHM pathogenesis. While EHM is infrequent in younger horses, up to 70% of aged horses develop EHM. The aging immune system likely contributes to EHM pathogenesis; however, little is known about the host factors associated with clinical EHM. Here, we used the "old mare model" to induce EHM following EHV-1 infection. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC...
Kern-Godal A, Arnevik EA, Walderhaug E, Ravndal E.Keeping substance use disorder patients actively engaged in treatment is a challenge. Horse-assisted therapy (HAT) is increasingly used as a complementary therapy, with claimed motivational and other benefits to physical and psychological health. This naturalistic study aimed to assess HAT's impact on the duration and completion of treatment for young substance users at Oslo University Hospital. Methods: Discharge and other data were derived from the Youth Addiction Treatment Evaluation Project (YATEP) database for patients (n = 108) admitted during an 18-month period. An intention-to-treat ...
Cursino AE, Vilela APP, Franco-Luiz APM, de Oliveira JG, Nogueira MF, Júnior JPA, de Aguiar DM, Kroon EG.Equine infectious anemia (EIA) has a worldwide distribution, and is widespread in Brazil. The Brazilian Pantanal presents with high prevalence comprising equine performance and indirectly the livestock industry, since the horses are used for cattle management. Although EIA is routinely diagnosed by the agar gel immunodiffusion test (AGID), this serological assay has some limitations, so PCR-based detection methods have the potential to overcome these limitations and act as complementary tests to those currently used. Considering the limited number of equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) seque...
Costa LR, Johnson JR, Baur ME, Beadle RE.To describe the seasonal pattern of clinical exacerbation of summer pasture-associated recurrent airway obstruction (SPA-RAO) in relation to climate and aeroallergens in horses. Methods: 19 horses with SPA-RAO and 10 nonaffected horses. Methods: Daily examinations were performed on all horses while they were kept on pasture for 3 years. Onset and progression of clinical exacerbation based on a clinical score of respiratory effort were evaluated in relation to changes in maximum temperature, minimum temperature, mean temperature, maximum dew-point temperature, minimum dew-point temperature, and...
Ogbourne CP.Observations have been made on the development and survival of the free-living stages in faeces deposited out of doors at different times of year, and on the migration of infective larvae to the surrounding herbage. Laboratory experiments were performed to assist in the interpretation of the field observations. Studies were made on the rate of development to the infective stage in faeces kept at different temperatures. The rates at which eggs and larvae of Strongylus vulgaris, S edentatus, S. equinus and Trichonema nassatum developed on faecal-agar cultures at different temperatures were compa...
Halpin K, Graham K, Durr PA.Hendra virus (HeV) is a high consequence zoonotic pathogen found in Australia. The HeV vaccine was developed for use in horses and provides a One Health solution to the prevention of human disease. By protecting horses from infection, the vaccine indirectly protects humans as well, as horses are the only known source of infection for humans. The sub-unit-based vaccine, containing recombinant HeV soluble G (sG) glycoprotein, was released by Pfizer Animal Health (now Zoetis) for use in Australia at the end of 2012. The purpose of this study was to collate post-vaccination serum neutralising anti...
Morotomi M, Yuki N, Kado Y, Kushiro A, Shimazaki T, Watanabe K, Yuyama T.Lactobacillus equi sp. nov. is described on the basis of 18 strains isolated as one of the predominant intestinal lactobacilli from horse faecal specimens. These 18 strains were isolated from 10 horses of 6 different farms out of 20 horses of 10 farms examined. They were gram-positive, facultatively anaerobic, catalase-negative, non-spore-forming, non-motile, lactic-acid-homofermentative rods. The DNA G+C content was 38.9+/-0.8 mol %. DNA-DNA hybridization failed to associate these strains closely with any of the validly described type strains used. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence of re...
Boyle AG, Rankin SC, D￮ L, Boston RC, Wheeler-Aceto H.Bacterial culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays for the detection of Streptococcus equi in nasopharyngeal washes (NPW) and guttural pouch lavage (GPL) samples have low sensitivity. In human diagnostics, processing of samples with flocked swabs has improved recovery rates of bacterial agents because of improved surface area and elution factors. Objective: For S. equi subsp. equi (S. equi) detection in NPW and GPL samples we hypothesized that: direct-PCR would be more reliable than flocked swab culture (FS culture); flocked swab PCR (FS-PCR) would be equivalent to direct-PCR; and FS...
Rogers CW, Firth EC, McIlwraith CW, Barneveld A, Goodship AE, Kawcak CE, Smith RK, van Weeren PR.No data exist on the intensity of exercise required or on possible harmful effects of increasing exercise in foals over the natural level when free at pasture. Objective: To investigate whether an increase in workload over free pasture exercise in the period from directly after birth to the start of training is tolerated by Thoroughbred (TB) foals without increasing injury rate or producing other undesired side effects. Methods: Thirty-three TB foals were allocated to one of 2 exercise groups directly after birth. One group (PASTEX) was raised on pasture and the other (CONDEX) kept under ident...
Powell DM.Successful management of captive populations of wild animals requires effective control of reproduction. Contraception is one tool for controlling reproduction of animals in zoos; however, the options available to the animal manager are limited. Contraceptives vary in efficacy, reversibility, and side effects, and thus may not be suitable for widespread use. One consideration when selecting a contraceptive is its potential for side effects on behavior, especially given the fact that reproduction plays such a prominent role in the biology of any species. To date, there have been few evaluations...
Zapf F, Schein E.The development of the piroplasm Babesia equi was studied by light microscopy in the gut and the haemolymph of three different Hyalomma species during and after the nymphs had engorged on parasitaemic horses. The stock of B. equi used was isolated from a horse imported from Turkmenistan (CIS) in 1991. The existence of gamogony was identified by the occurrence of gamonts and gametes in the gut contents of the nymphs at between 3 and 4 days after infestation of the nymphs, before the ticks dropped off the experimentally infected horses. Zygotes and kinetes were observed in the intestinal cells f...
Tung JT, Venta PJ, Caron JP.To determine the effects of recombinant equine IL-1beta and a number of antiinflammatory compounds on the expression and activity of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in cultured equine chondrocytes. Methods: RT-PCR methods were used to amplify a portion of the equine iNOS message to prepare an RNA probe. Northern blot analysis was used to quantify the expression of iNOS in first passage cultures of equine articular chondrocytes propagated in the presence or absence of recombinant equine interleukin-1beta (reIL-1beta), dexamethasone (DEX), polysulfated glycosaminoglycan (PSGAG), hyalurona...
Depuydt E, Broeckx SY, Van Hecke L, Chiers K, Van Brantegem L, van Schie H, Beerts C, Spaas JH, Pille F, Martens A. Tendon injuries are very common in horses and jeopardize the athletic performance, and due to the high risk of reinjury may lead to early retirement. The use of mesenchymal stem cells for the treatment of equine tendon disease is widely investigated because of their regenerative potential. The objective of this study is to investigate the safety and efficacy of equine allogeneic tenogenic primed mesenchymal stem cells (tpMSCs) for the management of tendinitis in horses. A core lesion was surgically induced in the superficial digital flexor tendon of both forelimbs of eight horses. After 7 da...
Crouch CF, Daly J, Henley W, Hannant D, Wilkins J, Francis MJ.In horses, natural infection confers long lasting protective immunity characterised by mucosal IgA and humoral IgGa and IgGb responses. In order to investigate the potential of locally administered vaccine to induce a protective IgA response, responses generated by vaccination with an immunostimulating complex (ISCOM)-based vaccine for equine influenza (EQUIP F) containing A/eq/Newmarket/77 (H7N7), A/eq/Borlänge/91 (H3N8) and A/eq/Kentucky/98 (H3N8) using a systemic prime/mucosal boost strategy were studied. Seven ponies in the vaccine group received EQUIP F vaccine intranasally 6 weeks after...
