Omneity® Pellets
All-In-One Vitamin & Mineral Pellet
Topic:Veterinary Medicine
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.
A generalized additive model using kinematic and demographic data provides an accurate and objective anesthesia recovery score in horses. To analyze kinematic data extracted from an inertial measuring unit to assess quality of recovery in horses emerging from general anesthesia. Unassigned: Horses undergoing anesthesia from February 2024 through March 2026 were enrolled in this study. Collected data from the inertial measuring unit included 3-axis acceleration, angular velocity, and orientation. Recoveries were evaluated by 3 scorers using a modified composite grading scale. The mean of the scores was used as the dependent variable. A Python pipeline was written to detect attempts to stand using the first derivative of the accel...
Plasma adrenocorticotropin concentrations vary with assay used in horses with and without pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction. Plasma adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) concentration is measured to support a diagnosis of pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID). However, baseline ACTH and ACTH concentrations after IV administration of thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) vary with season and assay used. To compare two ACTH assays (Scantibodies immunoradiometric assay [IRMA] and Immulite 2000Xpi chemiluminescent immunometric assay [CIA]) for diagnosis of PPID, ACTH was measured before and 10 minutes after administration of TRH in three groups of horses: 1) four young horses (6 ± 3 years, no hypertrichosis and a pituita...
Effect of canagliflozin treatment on β-cell responsiveness in insulin-dysregulated horses: a 4-week, multi-arm, double-blind, randomized clinical trial. The sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor canagliflozin (CAN) decreases hyperinsulinemia in insulin-dysregulated (ID) horses, but its effects on pancreatic β-cell responsiveness to glucose are unknown. Objective: Compare the effects of 2 CAN dosages (0.6 and 1.2 mg/kg) with placebo (PBO) on β-cell responsiveness to IV glucose in ID horses using a graded glucose infusion (GGI) test. Methods: Forty-two privately-owned ID horses. Methods: Randomized, multicenter, double-blind, parallel-group, multi-arm, PBO-controlled study. Horses underwent GGI testing before and after 4 weeks of...
Quantitative assessment of specific bacterial taxa of the intestinal microbiota of healthy and diarrheic horses. Alterations in intestinal microbiota composition, as determined by DNA sequencing, are reported in horses with acute colitis compared with healthy horses. Objective: Changes in specific bacterial populations can detect overall intestinal disruption of the normal intestinal microbiota. Identify bacterial taxa that indicate intestinal dysbiosis or health in horses using quantitative PCR (qPCR). Methods: Thirty horses with undifferentiated colitis, 13 with colitis associated with Salmonella spp., 14 with antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD), 52 healthy horses from Canada and 48 from the United St...
Ultrasonography of the spleen, kidneys and bladder in healthy Mangalarga Marchador horses across different life stages. This study is the first breed-specific ultrasonographic reference values for spleen, kidneys, and bladder in Mangalarga Marchador horses from different life stages. Objective: The aim of this study was to establish a normal reference range of measurements of the spleen, kidneys and bladder, as well as to describe the anatomy and sonographic characteristics of these organs in Mangalarga Marchador horses. Methods: Abdominal ultrasound examinations were performed in 88 Mangalarga Marchador horses of both sexes, aged 1, 7 and 15 days, monthly from their 1st to the 11th month of age ando n their 1s...
Cervical articular process joint versus ventral cervical stabilization in horses: A biomechanical study. To determine the biomechanical properties and modes of failure of a single level equine cervical spine immobilized with unilateral or bilateral articular process joint (APJ) stabilization, ventral cervical stabilization (VCS) and non-stabilized controls. Methods: Ex vivo experimental study. Methods: A total of 24 equine cadaver cervical spines. Methods: Cervical spinal units (C4-C5) were randomly assigned to four groups (n = 6/group): unilateral APJ stabilization, bilateral APJ stabilization, VCS using pedicle screws and rod constructs, or non-stabilized. Non-destructive testing assessed k...
Optical neuronavigation facilitates transcranial surgical access to the equine pituitary gland. To evaluate the feasibility of an optical neuronavigation-guided transcranial approach to the equine pituitary gland, compare pituitary tissue acquisition using MRI versus CT guidance, and assess an automated tissue resection device versus a standard biopsy needle. Unassigned: 13 equine cadaver heads from horses euthanized for reasons unrelated to the study were used. A fiducial array was secured to the frontal bone before imaging; 7 heads underwent CT, and 6 heads underwent MRI. Images were imported into a neuronavigation system for 3-D reconstruction, surgical planning, and registration. Eig...
Pass rates using the FEI noseband measurement device at British Dressage 2025 Championships. Appropriate fitting of equipment provides horse comfort and avoids compromising equine welfare. In May 2025, the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) introduced an evidence-based measuring device that is passed beneath the noseband to ensure sufficient laxity. Objective: To study the use of the FEI noseband device during mandatory tack and equipment checks at British Dressage Championships. Methods: Observational. Methods: Noseband testing was observed for a total of 523 horses competing at the 2025 British Dressage National Championship, Middle Tour Championship and Area Festival Champi...
Melatonin as a daily rhythm control signal for glucose homeostasis and insulin secretion in horses. An involvement of melatonin in the regulation of glucose homeostasis and insulin secretion in pancreatic β-cells has been proposed. To evaluate the features of the daily rhythms of plasma melatonin, blood glucose, and insulin in horses, ten clinically healthy Italian Saddle geldings, 9-10 years old with a mean body weight of 490 ± 25 kg, were enrolled. The animals were housed in individual boxes under natural environmental conditions (sunrise 06:10; sunset 18:10; 12-15°C, 77% RH). All horses were cannulated the day before the start of the study for sample collection, which was perfo...
Antimicrobial stewardship priorities and prescribing in Australian equine practice. Antimicrobial resistance is a global health crisis that needs to be addressed by all areas of human and animal health sectors to safeguard effective antibiotics into the future. Understanding current antimicrobial prescribing patterns and veterinary antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) priorities is crucial for effective stewardship program design and sustainable uptake. Objective: To identify focus areas for stewardship interventions, implementation, resource allocation, and future campaign targets for equine practice. Methods: Cross-sectional study of equine veterinarians in Australia. Methods: A...
Pulled-up race outcomes as welfare-relevant surveillance indicators in United States Steeplechase horses, 2023-2025. Pulled-up race outcomes are routinely recorded but are nonspecific, potentially reflecting fatigue, poor performance, footing, rider judgment, suspected injury, or physiological compromise. We evaluated their association with subsequent participation disruption in United States steeplechase horses. Unassigned: National Steeplechase Association Race Results Reports from 2023 to 2025 were analyzed retrospectively at the horse-start level. Outcomes were time to the next later-date start, ≥60-day interruption, ≥183-day absence, and no recorded later-date start. Cox models were stratified by ra...
Novel serum biomarkers provide evidence for an involvement of the CCL3:CCL5 axis in fatal musculoskeletal injuries in Thoroughbred racehorses. Fatal musculoskeletal (MSK) injuries in Thoroughbred (TB) racehorses adversely affect equine welfare, negatively impact public acceptance of horse racing, and cause severe economic losses for the racing industry. Biomarker assays predicting the risk of MSK injuries are currently not available. Our hypothesis was that immune system and inflammatory markers are indicators of fatal MSK injuries in TB racehorses. Unassigned: Serum samples from TB racehorses with fatal (n = 44) and nonfatal injuries (63) were collected. Serum from 2- to 5-year-old TBs submitted for annual equine infectious anemia t...
Clinical Efficacy of Varying Dosages of Intravenous Phenylbutazone in a Reversible Model of Equine Foot Lameness. The objective of this experiment was to compare the clinical efficacy of various dosages of phenylbutazone (PBZ) with a negative control. The hypothesis was that higher PBZ doses would result in improved efficacy in a dose-dependent manner. Eight horses were shod with adjustable heart bar shoes on one front foot. Grade 4.0/5.0 lameness was induced every 2 to 4 weeks by tightening a set screw against the heart bar. Heart rate (HR) and lameness score (LS) were monitored at rest; every 20 min after lameness induction for 5 h; and hourly for another 8 h. One hour after lameness induction, treatmen...
Serum amyloid A alone or in combination with white blood cell count and fibrinogen is associated with inflammatory disease status in horses undergoing elective anesthesia. The objective of this study was to assess the clinical utility of common systemic inflammatory markers (WBC count [WBCC], plasma fibrinogen, and serum amyloid A [SAA]) for the detection of disease in patients undergoing general anesthesia. Unassigned: A retrospective review of 1,002 surgical case records (February 2021 to June 2023) was performed. Systemically stable equine patients undergoing elective orthopedic and soft tissue procedures and that had WBCC, fibrinogen, and SAA evaluated preoperatively were eligible for inclusion. Disease status (healthy vs disease) was recorded for each case ...
Jejunal Perforation Associated With a Horseshoe-Shaped Abdominal Contusion After a Horse Kick: A Case Report. A horseshoe-shaped abdominal contusion after a horse kick may indicate the site of underlying bowel injury. When accompanied by persistent abdominal pain or peritoneal signs, hollow viscus injury should be considered. Contrast-enhanced CT can identify free air and focal bowel abnormalities at the impact site, facilitating timely surgical management.
Layer-Specific Quantitative Assessment of Collagen Distribution in Equine Uteri Using Masson’s Trichrome and Digital Image Analysis: A Comparative Study. Equine endometrial fibrosis is a chronic and progressive equine uterine condition characterized by fibrosis that affects mares' fertility, with a wide range of fertility outcomes being reported for these mares. Therefore, assessing layer-specific collagen (COL) distribution is essential for a comprehensive understanding of endometrial remodelling and its impact on equine reproductive potential. Full-thickness uterine samples, including stratum functionalis (SF), stratum basalis (SB) and myometrium, were collected post-mortem from healthy control mares (Category I; n = 10) and those with mo...
Mandibular fracture with subsequent sequestrum formation and tooth-root abscess in a 3-year-old mare. A 3-year-old quarter horse cross mare was presented to the Atlantic Veterinary College (Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island) for evaluation of a persistent draining tract on the ventral aspect of the left mandible, associated with a previous fracture. Radiography and ultrasonography confirmed the presence of a chronic sequestrum separated from the parent bone. Sequestrectomy and surgical debridement of the mandible were carried out, and the horse was discharged. Three months later, the mare was presented again to the Atlantic Veterinary College, as the draining tract had not resolved. A CT sca...
Comparison of arterial blood pressure and quality of induction and recovery in horses anesthetized with diazepam or guaifenesin co-induction combined with xylazine and ketamine and maintained on isoflurane. The objective of this prospective alternating crossover study was to compare quality of induction and recovery and cardiopulmonary function in horses administered guaifenesin or diazepam as co-induction drugs. Six healthy horses were anesthetized twice to undergo an MRI and surgical biopsies, with 5 wk between treatments. Horses were sedated intravenously (IV) with xylazine, 0.6 mg/kg BW, and IV induction started 4 min later. Group G received guaifenesin, 100 mg/kg BW, over 2 min and ketamine, 2 mg/kg BW, within 1 to 2 min of starting the guaifenesin. Group D received diazepam, 0.1 mg/kg BW, w...
Proof of Concept for Open Flow Microperfusion for Intratumoural Drug Administration in Equine Cutaneous Neoplasia. Intratumoural drug delivery can achieve high local therapeutic exposure while limiting systemic effects, but heterogeneous distribution may compromise treatment efficacy and precision. This proof-of-concept study investigated open flow microperfusion (OFM) as a novel platform for local delivery of tigilanol tiglate (TT), an intratumoural antineoplastic agent with immunomodulatory and vascular-disrupting effects. Four horses with histologically confirmed cutaneous neoplasia (three sarcoids and one squamous cell carcinoma) underwent OFM using TT concentrations of 0.01-0.04 mg/mL delivered at 9 Â...
Recent Advances and Emerging Applications in Embryo Vitrification for Livestock. Vitrification has progressively supplanted conventional slow freezing as the method of choice for embryo cryopreservation in both human medicine and animal production, particularly for in vitro-produced embryos and for species or developmental stages highly sensitive to conventional freezing. By combining very high cooling and warming rates with concentrated cryoprotectant solutions and minimal sample volumes, it largely prevents intracellular ice formation and, in experienced hands, consistently yields post-warming survival and developmental rates that exceed those obtained with traditional ...
Low-Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging Features of Axial Proximal Sesamoid Osteomyelitis and Intersesamoidean Ligament Rupture in a Horse. A 7-year-old Warmblood mare used for show jumping was evaluated for progressive left hindlimb lameness of 5 weeks' duration, localized clinically to the metatarsophalangeal region. Radiography revealed ill-defined osteolysis of the axial apical regions of both proximal sesamoid bones (PSBs). Due to rapid clinical deterioration, low-field magnetic resonance imaging was performed and demonstrated aggressive axial osteomyelitis of both PSBs, partial rupture of the intersesamoidean ligament and proximal scutum with herniation of synovium of the plantar joint recess, and an occult penetrating tract...
Equine viral arteritis in horses undergoing pre-export testing in Spain (2016-2023): Seroprevalence estimates and diagnostic performance of a commercial indirect ELISA. Equine viral arteritis (EVA) is a contagious disease that affects equine reproduction and international trade. Despite its importance, epidemiological data from Spain are limited. This study aimed to assess EVA seroprevalence and evaluate the diagnostic performance of a commercial ELISA in horses before export. Methods: From 2016 to 2023, 5000 serum samples from horses across 16 Spanish autonomous communities were tested using a commercial indirect ELISA. Samples with inconclusive results, or those submitted with specific requests, underwent virus neutralisation testing (VNT). Diagnostic perfo...
The effect of ertugliflozin on serum insulin and glucose in healthy horses receiving dexamethasone. Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT-2i) can be used to manage insulin dysregulation (ID). Their effect on corticosteroid-induced ID is unknown. Objective: Evaluate effects of ertugliflozin on serum insulin and glucose concentrations in horses receiving dexamethasone (DEX). We hypothesized that DEX would induce ID and ertugliflozin coadministration would mitigate that effect. Methods: Seven healthy horses. Methods: Randomized crossover design; horses received DEX (0.06Â mg/kg IV q48h; DEX)or ertugliflozin (0.05Â mg/kg PO q24h) plus DEX (SGLT-2i group) for seven days. Oral sugar (OST...
Predicting outcomes in equine peritonitis: Multivariable analysis of admission and post-admission data from a UK hospital population. Peritonitis is life-threatening, and limited information exists regarding outcomes and predictors of survival. Objective: To report short- and long-term outcomes in horses diagnosed with peritonitis and identify factors associated with survival. Methods: Retrospective observational. Methods: Data were obtained for horses admitted to a UK referral hospital between 2010 and 2024 diagnosed with peritonitis (peritoneal fluid nucleated cell count >10 × 10/L). Short- and long-term morbidity and mortality were assessed. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors associated w...
Effect of volume for injection of the 15th to 16th thoracic interspinous space: An ex vivo study. Impinging (overriding) spinous processes (ISPs) are commonly identified in horses with back pain. Diagnostic analgesia is widely used as the clinical reference standard for confirming association with clinical signs of back pain, but the specificity of dorsal spinous region diagnostic analgesia remains poorly understood. Objective: To evaluate the specificity of a midline thoracic interspinous space injection in cadaveric horses using three injectate volumes, assessed by computed tomography (CT) and anatomical dissection. Methods: Ex vivo experimental study. Methods: The T15-T16 interspinous s...
Validation of a novel instrumented hoof boot with pressure sensors using force plate gait kinetics in horses at walk and trot. Force plates (FP) are considered the gold standard for quantitative equine gait evaluation but are limited to experimental use. An instrumented hoof boot (IHB) with pressure sensors and an inertial measurement unit would allow clinicians to objectively assess kinetic parameters and gait symmetry. Objective: To validate the IHB by comparing kinetic parameters with obtained FP data. Methods: In vivo experiments. Methods: Twenty-seven horses were measured with IHBs on FPs at walk and trot. Mean value kinetic parameters recorded were: (1) peak vertical force (PVF) [N/kg]/peak vertical pressure (PV...
Liposomal bupivacaine local analgesia reduces systemic inflammatory responses following equine laparoscopic surgery. Liposomal local anesthetics have been shown to extend analgesia duration and improve pain scores dose-dependently in horses. Our objective was to assess concurrent impact on systemic inflammatory markers. Unassigned: 18 mares (age, 2 to 20 years) with normal ovarian anatomy were enrolled. Laparoscopic bilateral ovariectomies were performed standing with sedation. Local analgesia was: 80 mL bupivacaine hydrochloride (BHCl; n = 6), 30 mL 0.75% BHCl + 20 mL (low-dose) liposomal bupivacaine (LB) expanded to 80 mL with saline (LB20, n = 6), or 30 mL 0.75% BHCl + 40 mL (high-dose) LB expanded to equ...
Effect of erythromycin and colistin ophthalmic ointment on post-race keratitis in Thoroughbred racehorses. This study investigated the prophylactic efficacy of administering an ophthalmic ointment containing erythromycin and colistin (EC ointment) after racing to prevent post-race keratitis in Thoroughbred racehorses. Methods: The incidence of post-race keratitis following turf and dirt races was compared between treatment groups (non-ointment group: eye flushing only; ointment group: eye flushing and application of EC ointment) and between two randomly assigned groups (non-antimicrobial group: application of ophthalmic white petrolatum; antimicrobial group: application of EC ointment). Results: Af...
Multisystemic and cerebral infection associated with Halicephalobus gingivalis in Brazilian Criollo horses. Halicephalosis is a rare cosmopolitan disease affecting equids, cattle, and humans, manifesting as meningoencephalitis. This study reports the detection of Halicephalobus gingivalis infection in two adult horses with neurological clinical signs in Rio Grande do Sul state, in the Southern Brazil. It underscores the pathological main findings and phylogenetic analyses. In both cases, the horses exhibited severe neurological manifestations and were euthanized due to poor prognosis. Pathological findings revealed gross brain lesions, in addition, alterations in the kidneys and lymph nodes. Histopa...
