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.
Szczerbal I, Nowacka-Woszuk J, Kopp-Kuhlman C, Mackowski M, Switonski M.X monosomy is the most common disorder of sex development in horses. Although cytogenetic analysis is still the gold standard in the diagnosis of equine X monosomy, novel molecular techniques are being sought to quickly and reliably detect this chromosome abnormality. Objective: The goal of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of a novel variant of the PCR technique-namely, droplet digital PCR (ddPCR)-in the detection of X monosomy in mares. Methods: A proof of concept of the usefulness of ddPCR in diagnosing an abnormal number of X chromosomes in mares. Methods: We examined an infertile ...
Shnaiderman-Torban A, Navon-Venezia S, Dor Z, Paitan Y, Arielly H, Ahmad WA, Kelmer G, Fulde M, Steinman A. We aimed to investigate the prevalence, molecular characteristics and risk factors of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing (ESBL-E) shedding in horses. A prospective study included three cohorts: (i) farm horses (13 farms, n = 192); (ii) on hospital admission (n = 168) and; (iii) horses hospitalized for ≥72 h re-sampled from cohort (ii) (n = 86). Enriched rectal swabs were plated, ESBL-production was confirmed (Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI)) and genes were identified (polymerase chain reaction (PCR)). Identification and antibiotic susceptibility were determi...
Hernández-Avilés C, Love CC, Serafini R, Ramírez-Agámez L, Friedrich M, Ghosh S, Teague SR, LaCaze KA, Brinsko SP, Varner DD.In Experiment 1, the effects of glucose concentration in extender (0 mM, 67 mM, 147 mM, 270 mM; G0, G67, G147, and G270, respectively) and storage temperature of extended semen (5, 10, 15 and 20 °C) were evaluated after storage for up to 5 days (T0h to T120h). For all time points tested, mean total (TMOT) and progressive (PMOT) sperm motility were lower in G0 than all other treatment groups (P < 0.05). Mean curvilinear velocity (VCL) was lower in G0 than other treatment groups at all time points tested except T0h (P 0.05). Mean TMOT and PMOT, were lower for semen stored at 20 °...
MacNicol JL, Murrant C, Pearson W.G's Formula is a novel equine feed additive formulated to promote optimal GI function. The objective of this study was to determine whether the addition of a simulated digest of the composite feed additive G's Formula (FA) would alter the contractile response of gastric smooth muscle to acetylcholine (Ach). Smooth muscle strips from porcine stomachs were excised and attached to an isometric force transducer. An experiment was run to compare tissue contraction between tissue exposed to FA (FA; n = 8, simulated digest of FA was added to the bath) and control tissue (CO; n = 8, no additions m...
Sauer FJ, Gerber V, Frei S, Bruckmaier RM, Groessl M.The aim of the present study was to measure salivary cortisol concentrations of horses before and after hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis stimulation by means of liquid chromatography-tandem-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and an immunoassay (cELISA) for method comparison. Nine clinically healthy horses participated in the study. An ACTH stimulation test was performed. Saliva samples were collected before (T0) and 60 (T60) min after intravenous injection of 1 μg/kg BW synthetic ACTH1-24. LC-MS/MS was assessed for the determination of equine salivary cortisol. The results of these measur...
Saastamoinen M, Särkijärvi S.Linseed (Linum usitatissimum) and its by-products are common supplements used in equine diets and are claimed to have beneficial health effects. In this study, the effect of linseed groat-based fibrous feed supplements on diet digestibility was studied. Also, possible detrimental health effects due to continuous feeding of supplemental feeds containing linseed were examined by evaluating blood parameters. The experimental design was arranged as two balanced 3 × 3 Latin Squares. The horses were individually fed at the maintenance energy level, the forage-to-concentrate ratio being 70:30, with ...
Pieńkowska-Schelling A, Kaul A, Schelling C.Abnormalities of chromosomes are an important and well documented cause of disorders of sexual development, fertility problems and congenital anomalies in mammals. Detection of low-level 63,X/64,XX mosaicism during routine cytogenetic evaluation is a challenge because its clinical significance is not yet fully clear. This study describes the prevalence and levels of 63,X mosaicism for a cohort of fertile mares and compares the results with eight problem mares for which no clinical cause of sub-fertility was found. The study design allowed for the analysis of micronuclei which are biomarkers of...
Peal BT, Gagliardi R, Su J, Fortier LA, Delco ML, Nixon AJ, Reesink HL.The objectives of this study were to evaluate temporal changes in lubricin, hyaluronan (HA), and HA molecular weight (MW) distributions in three distinct models of equine joint injury affecting the carpal (wrist), tarsal (ankle), and femoropatellar (knee) joints. To establish ranges for lubricin, HA, and HA MW distributions across multiple joints, we first evaluated clinically healthy, high-motion equine joints. Synovial fluid was collected from high-motion joints in horses without clinical signs of joint disease (n = 11 horses, 102 joints) and from research horses undergoing carpal osteo...
Gold JR, Grubb TL, Green S, Cox S, Villarino NF.In humans, gabapentin an analgesic, undergoes non-proportional pharmacokinetics which can alter efficacy. No information exists on the pharmacokinetics of dosages >20 mg/kg, escalating dosages or dose proportionality of gabapentin in horses. Objective: Gabapentin exposure in plasma would not increase proportionally relative to the dose in horses receiving dosages ≥20 mg/kg. To assess the plasma pharmacokinetics of gabapentin after nasogastric administration of gabapentin at dosages of 10 to 160 mg/kg in adult horses. Methods: Nine clinically healthy adult Arabian and Quarter Horses....
Lewin AC, Liu CC, Camacho-Luna P, Alling C, Carter RT.It is currently unknown which of the two devices most commonly used in equine ophthalmology for intraocular pressure (IOP) estimation demonstrates the lowest inter-user and intra-user variation. Objective: To assess the inter-user and intra-user variation of two tonometers in sedated and unsedated horses. Methods: Randomised masked cross-over trial. Methods: Four examiners used the rebound (ICare TonoVet) and applanation (TonoPen ) tonometers to measure the intraocular pressure (IOP) in triplicate in 10 normal horses before and after sedation with xylazine. For inter-user variation, coefficien...
Valente JSS, Brasil CL, Braga CQ, Zamboni R, Sallis ESV, Albano APN, Zambrano CG, Franz HC, Pötter L, Panagio LA, Reis GF, Botton SA, Pereira DIB.Pythiosis is a rapidly progressing disease that can be lethal to affected individuals due to resistance to available therapeutic protocols. The disease affects mammals, with the largest number of reports in horses and humans. The present study investigated the activity of biogenic silver nanoparticles (bioAgNP) in the treatment of experimental pythiosis. The disease was reproduced in nine female 90-day-old New Zealand rabbits. Animals were divided into three groups: group1 (control, n = 3) daily and topically treated with a nonionized gel-based formulation and 1 ml of sterile distilled wate...
Santschi EM, Whitman JL, Prichard MA, Lopes MAF, Pigott JH, Brokken MT, Jenson PW, Johnson CR, Morrow C, Brusie RW, Juzwiak JS, Morehead JP.To describe subchondral lucencies (SCL) in the equine proximal tibia, several treatment options, and clinical outcomes. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Seventeen horses with proximal tibial SCL. Methods: Medical record and radiograph review. Follow-up was obtained via examination and radiography when possible and by telephone and race records when required. The median duration of follow-up was 20 months (range, 0-48). Results: Proximal tibial SCL were associated with lameness in 14 of 17 horses. Subchondral lucencies were primary in 11 horses and secondary to an ipsilateral medial fem...
Barrachina L, Cequier A, Romero A, Vitoria A, Zaragoza P, Vázquez FJ, Rodellar C.Antibody production after allogeneic administration of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) could impact their clinical application. Proinflammatory priming of MSCs can potentiate their regulatory ability in vivo but increased expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) might augment their immunogenicity, potentially leading to immune memory thus limiting repeated allogeneic administration. This study aimed at evaluating the production of cytotoxic allo-antibodies directed against donor's ELA (equine leukocyte antigen) in mismatched and halfmatched horses receiving repeated intraarticular ad...
Vera L, De Clercq D, Van Steenkiste G, Decloedt A, Chiers K, van Loon G.Aortic rupture is more common in Friesians compared to Warmbloods, which might be related to differences in arterial wall composition and, as such, arterial wall stiffness (AWS). Currently, nothing is known about differences in AWS between these breeds. Objective: Comparison of AWS parameters and noninvasive blood pressure between Friesians and Warmbloods. Methods: One hundred one healthy Friesians and 101 age-matched healthy Warmbloods. Methods: Two-dimensional and pulsed-wave Doppler ultrasound examination was performed of the aorta, common carotid artery, and external iliac artery to define...
Wilkes EJA, Heller J, Raidal SL, Woodgate RG, Hughes KJ.Information regarding parasite control practices currently used on Thoroughbred and Standardbred studs in Australia is lacking. Anthelmintic resistance (AR) is a global problem which has implications for equine health and welfare. Objective: To identify parasite control practices currently used on horse studs in Australia and investigate the frequency of use of management factors that have been associated with the likelihood of promoting or delaying AR. Methods: Questionnaire study of equine parasite control on Thoroughbred and Standardbred studs in Australia. Methods: An online questionnaire ...
Van Den Wollenberg L, Vandendriessche V, van Maanen K, Counotte GHM.Straightforward testing procedures to enable the diagnosis of insulin dysregulation (ID) in horses that are suitable for use in daily veterinary practice are needed because of the risk that ID could result in laminitis. In our study (that included 90 horses), we compared the proportion of horses classified as ID-positive, ID-suspect, and ID-not diagnosed according to the basal insulin concentration (BIC) with the proportion of horses classified as ID-positive or ID-negative according to a practical and feasible version of an oral sugar test (OST). Furthermore, BIC, basal glucose concentration,...
MacKechnie-Guire R, MacKechnie-Guire E, Fairfax V, Fisher M, Hargreaves S, Pfau T.There is a paucity of evidence on the effect that rider asymmetry has on equine locomotion. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of rider asymmetry on equine locomotion by using a novel approach to induce rider asymmetry. Ten nonlame horses were recruited for this study. Joint center markers were used to capture 2D kinematics (Quintic Biomechanics) of the horse and rider and horses were equipped with seven inertial sensors positioned at the fifth (T5) and eighteenth (T18) thoracic vertebrae, third lumbar (L3) vertebra, tubera sacrale (TS), and left and right tubera coxae. Rider asy...
Olomski F, Fettelschoss V, Jonsdottir S, Birkmann K, Thoms F, Marti E, Bachmann MF, Kündig TM, Fettelschoss-Gabriel A.Insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH) is the most common seasonal pruritic allergic dermatitis of horses occurring upon insect bites. In recent years, a major role for IL-31 in allergic pruritus of humans, monkeys, dogs, and mice was acknowledged. Here, we investigate the role of IL-31 in IBH of horses and developed a therapeutic vaccine against equine IL-31 (eIL-31). IL-31 levels were quantified in allergen-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and skin punch biopsies of IBH lesions and healthy skin from IBH-affected and healthy horses. The vaccine consisted of eIL-31 covalently ...
Devick IF, Leise BS, McCue PM, Rao S, Hendrickson DA.Determining if ovariectomy will abolish unwanted behaviors can be challenging in mares without ultrasonographic ovarian abnormalities and/or endocrine values not consistent with a granulosa cell tumor. The objective of the study was to identify mares that have a positive improvement in unwanted behaviors after elective standing laparoscopic ovariectomy and to determine if the change is associated with any pre- and post-operative endocrine profiles and/or with ovarian histological findings. During the study period 27 mares underwent a bilateral standing laparoscopic ovariectomy. Pre- and post-o...
Satoh M, Higuchi T, Inoue S, Miyakoshi D, Kajihara A, Gotoh T, Shimizu Y.Recent studies have assessed the cricoarytenoideus dorsalis muscle (CAD) using transoesophageal ultrasonography in equine recurrent laryngeal neuropathy (RLN). We assessed the CAD using the external transcutaneous ultrasound technique, which may constitute an easier method in horses. Objective: To evaluate ultrasonographic imaging of the left cricoarytenoideus dorsalis muscle (LCAD) and right cricoarytenoideus dorsalis muscle (RCAD) as a diagnostic tool for RLN using the transcutaneous ultrasound technique. Methods: Cross-sectional study. Methods: The axial plane thickness, cross-sectional are...
Karakka Kal AK, Perwad Z, K Karatt T, Nalakath J, Subhahar M.Recently, an increased tendency to use various metals has been observed in the sports competition fields. Many of these metals and their organic complexes reportedly have good pharmacologic, therapeutic and performance-enhancement uses; they are banned or recommended as controlled medications in competitive sports. The objective of this research was to determine the concentration of pharmacologically relevant metals in urine samples collected from racehorses at various sport events, develop a method and assess the concentrations of above metals using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometr...
Kallmyr A, Giving EM, Moen LO, Øverlie M, Holm T, David F.To describe a resection technique of the alar folds in the standing horse. Methods: Retrospective case study. Methods: Eight Standardbred racing trotters. Methods: Horses in which alar fold collapse had been diagnosed between 2017 and 2018 were included in this study. All horses underwent alar fold resection under standing sedation and regional anesthesia with a bipolar electrosurgical open sealer/divider device (LigaSure). Intraoperative and postoperative complications were recorded. A Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare differences in median prize money earning pre-surgery and post...
Reproductive traits have a major influence on the economic effectiveness of horse breeding. However, there is little information available. We evaluated the use of reproductive traits as selection criteria in official breeding programs to increase the reproductive efficiency of breeding studs, analysing 696 690 records from the pedigree data of eight Spanish horse populations, with different breeding purposes. The reproductive parameters studied in both sexes were age at first foaling (AFF), age at last foaling, average reproductive life and generational interval. In the females, the average ...
The renal resistive index (RRI) is used as a measurement of downstream resistance in arteries. The aim of this study was to assess the RRI of the arcuate arteries by pulsed-wave Doppler ultrasonography in healthy conscious horses and donkeys, and to verify any differences related to age, breed, bodyweight (BW) or body condition (BCS). Thirty-three healthy conscious horses and nine donkeys had their systolic and diastolic flow velocities at the level of the arcuate arteries estimated by pulsed-wave Doppler ultrasound, and the RRI was calculated. The relationship of RRI with age, breed (Trotters...
Rijckaert J, Raes E, Buczinski S, Dumoulin M, Deprez P, Van Ham L, van Loon G, Pardon B.Spinal cord dysfunction/compression and ataxia are common in horses. Presumptive diagnosis is most commonly based on neurological examination and cervical radiography, but the interest into the diagnostic value of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) with recording of magnetic motor evoked potentials has increased. The problem for the evaluation of diagnostic tests for spinal cord dysfunction is the absence of a gold standard in the living animal. Objective: To compare diagnostic accuracy of TMS, cervical radiography, and neurological examination. Methods: One hundred seventy-four horses ad...
Souto MTM, Fantoni DT, Hamaji A, Hamaji M, Vendruscolo CP, Otsuki DA, Pinto ACB, Ambrósio AM.To develop a technique for ultrasound-guided continuous median and ulnar peripheral nerve block in horses. Methods: Anatomical and prospective experimental study. Methods: A total of 16 thoracic limbs from horse cadavers and 18 adult horses. Methods: This study was conducted in three phases. Phase 1: Dissection of median and ulnar nerves in the antebrachial region of two cadaver limbs to identify localizing landmarks. Description of sonoanatomy in 14 cadaver limbs using ultrasound-guided perineural infiltration of a combination of cellulose gel (5 mL), contrast medium (4 mL) and methylene blue...
Schott HC, Esser MM.Clinicopathologic evaluation of renal function and renal disease in sick adult horses remains grounded in detection of azotemia, assessment of serum and urine electrolyte concentrations, and evaluation of urinalysis findings, including specific gravity, reagent strip analysis, and sediment examination. Because increases in serum or plasma urea nitrogen and creatinine concentrations are insensitive indicators of a decreased glomerular filtration rate, there is considerable interest in identifying novel biomarkers of renal function or injury in blood and urine, with serum symmetric dimethylargin...
Menarim BC, Gillis KH, Oliver A, Mason C, Werre SR, Luo X, Byron CR, Kalbfleisch TS, MacLeod JN, Dahlgren LA.Synovial inflammation is a central feature of osteoarthritis (OA), elicited when local regulatory macrophages (M2-like) become overwhelmed, activating an inflammatory response (M1-like). Bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMNC) are a source of naïve macrophages capable of reducing joint inflammation and producing molecules essential for cartilage metabolism. This study investigated the response of BMNC to normal (SF) and inflamed synovial fluid (ISF). Equine BMNC cultured in autologous SF or ISF (n = 8 horses) developed into macrophage-rich cultures with phenotypes similar to cells native to no...
Mönki J, Saastamoinen M, Karikoski N, Rajamäki M, Raekallio M, Junnila J, Särkijärvi S, Norring M, Valros A, Oranen Ben Fatma S, Mykkänen A.Bedding materials affect stable air hygiene, and thus the development and exacerbation of equine asthma. There is limited knowledge concerning the effects of different types of bedding material on equine lower airway inflammation. The objective of our study was to investigate the effects of bedding materials on respiratory signs, tracheal mucus score, and lower airway cytology in healthy adult horses. The study design was a prospective controlled study, and the subjects were healthy adult riding school horses (n = 32) from a single stable. Wood shavings were compared to peat, which was used as...
Gutierrez-Nibeyro SD.Several cell-based therapeutic options to treat musculoskeletal injuries in horses are commercially available. The current literature supports the use of cell-based therapies to treat equine musculoskeletal injuries. Researchers continue to search for more effective cell-based therapies to provide practitioners with optimal treatment tools for musculoskeletal injuries in horses. Cell-based therapies require specialized facilities and technical competencies that might not be available or economically justifiable in many private practices. This review provides a summary of current commercially a...
Costa-Paz M, Aponte-Tinao L, Muscolo DL.To assess prospectively the incidence, nature, and severity of injuries to polo riders competing in the 1996 Argentine High Polo season. Methods: Assessment, documentation, and provision of care for all injuries sustained during the 1996 season by one of the authors. Riders were also surveyed retrospectively for their previous polo injuries. Results: 34 riders took part in the study. Nine injuries were sustained prospectively and 55 injuries were reviewed retrospectively (64 total). The injuries were categorised as minor (10), moderate (13), and major (41). Twenty five (39%) injuries occurred ...
Williams JH, van Niekerk S, Human S, van Wilpe E, Venter M.Since 2007, West Nile virus (WNV) has been reported in South African horses, causing severe neurological signs. All cases were of lineage 2, except for one case that clustered with lineage 1 viruses. In the present study, gross and microscopic lesions of six South African lineage 2-infected horses and the one lineage 1 case are described. Diagnoses were confirmed by real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) of central nervous system (CNS) tissue and one by RT-PCR of a brain virus isolate. The CNS of all cases was negative by RT-PCR or immunohistochemistry (IHC) for Afr...
de Grauw JC, Visser-Meijer MC, Lashley F, Meeus P, van Weeren PR.Intra-articular (IA) injection of corticosteroids with or without hyaluronate (HA) has been used for decades in equine practice for treatment of noninfectious synovitis and osteoarthritis. However, to date, no large-scale randomised equine field trials have been reported that address the supposed superior clinical efficacy of the combination of corticosteroid + HA compared with IA injection of corticosteroid alone. Objective: To compare the clinical efficacy of IA triamcinolone acetonide (TA, 12 mg) compared with IA TA (12 mg) + high molecular weight HA (20 mg) in horses with clinical jo...
Miranda-de la Lama GC, Gonzales-Castro CA, Gutierrez-Piña FJ, Villarroel M, Maria GA, Estévez-Moreno LX.Every year thousands of horses from Mexico and the United States of America (USA) are transported to slaughter in Mexico, but little is known about their welfare or pre-slaughter logistics. In this study, we recorded the origin, sex, age and condition of horses (121 journeys, 2648 animals) upon arrival to an abattoir in northern Mexico, including transport details. Horse welfare was measured indirectly via individual scores for body condition, coat quality, lameness, ocular and nasal discharge, as well as reactivity to a chute restraint test, all performed shortly after unloading. The average ...
Olaleye OD, Oladosu LA, Omilabu SA, Baba SS, Fagbami AH.Sixty-two sera horse collected from two stables at Lagos, Nigeria, were tested for complement fixing antibody to 8 arbovirus antigens; Chikungunya, Igbo-Ora, Yellow fever, Wesselsbron, West Nile, Potiskum, Uganda S and Rift Valley fever. Ten per cent of the horse sera examined contained CF antibody to one or more of the test antigens and indicated considerable arbovirus activity in the two stables. Reactions with flavivirus antigens were most common and the highest antibody titres were obtained with Wesselsbron and Yellow fever viruses. Eleven per cent of the sera tested reacted with alphaviru...
Fagre AC, Mayo CE, Pabilonia KL, Landolt GA.Detection of is difficult as a result of intermittent leptospiruria and brief leptospiremia. Hence, diagnosis relies heavily on serologic testing, the reference method of which is the microscopic agglutination test (MAT). In horses, clinical leptospirosis has been associated with abortion, recurrent uveitis, and sporadic cases of hepatic and renal disease. Little information exists on the seroprevalence of antibodies to in equids in the United States; past nationwide studies suggest that the seroprevalence in some areas is as high as 77% (reciprocal titer ≥ 100). We tested sera from 124 ...
Mollenhauer HH, Rowe LD, Cysewski SJ, Witzel DA.Ultrastructural studies were made of myocardium, diaphragm, appendicular muscle, liver, and kidney of 3 ponies acutely poisoned with a single oral dose of monensin (4 mg/kg of body weight). These ponies developed severe signs of toxicosis and were killed 28 to 72 hours after treatment. Severe mitochondrial damage (swelling) and lipoidosis in myocardial tissues were observed in 2 of the 3 ponies; similar, but less severe, changes were observed in the 3rd pony. The hepatocytes of the 3 ponies were characterized by increased amounts of smooth endoplasmic reticulum, large numbers of lipid droplets...
Walker C, Love DN, Whalley JM.The mouse models of the respiratory and abortion forms of equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) infection have been used to investigate the vaccine potential of various EHV-1 immunogens, the effect of antiviral agents on EHV-1 infection and the pathogenicity of EHV-1 strain variants and deletion or insertional mutants. This review examines the similarities and differences in the pathogenesis of primary EHV-1 infection in the natural host, the horse, and in the mouse by comparing tissue tropism, clinical signs of infection, the effects of EHV-1 on pregnancy, haematological changes following infection, v...
Relave F, David F, Leclère M, Alexander K, Hélie P, Meulyzer M, Lavoie JP, Marcoux M.To validate the use of the LigaSure™ Vessel Sealing System (LVSS) to perform thoracoscopic lung tissue biopsies in heaves-affected horses. Methods: Prospective clinical study. Methods: Heaves-affected horses (n=12). Methods: Lung biopsies (n=34) were collected with the LVSS (2-4 biopsies/horse) in horses with and without clinical signs of heaves. Thoracoscope (13th intercostal space [ICS]) and 2 instruments (between the 12-15th ICS) portals were used. Selected clinical and arterial blood gas variables were monitored. Postoperative pneumothorax was evaluated. Depth of thermal injury to the su...
Wolfsberger WW, Ayala NM, Castro-Marquez SO, Irizarry-Negron VM, Potapchuk A, Shchubelka K, Potish L, Majeske AJ, Oliver LF, Lameiro AD....Since the first Spanish settlers brought horses to America centuries ago, several local varieties and breeds have been established in the New World. These were generally a consequence of the admixture of the different breeds arriving from Europe. In some instances, local horses have been selectively bred for specific traits, such as appearance, endurance, strength, and gait. We looked at the genetics of two breeds, the Puerto Rican Non-Purebred (PRNPB) (also known as the "Criollo") horses and the Puerto Rican Paso Fino (PRPF), from the Caribbean Island of Puerto Rico. While it is reasonable ...
Laha R, Sasmal NK.Diagnosis of Trypanosoma evansi infection in a horse stable of Eastern Region of India on the basis of examination of Giemsa stained blood smears have been done. A high percentage (12.74%) of horses of this stable was found suffering from T evansi infection. This high prevalence of T evansi in horses, in this area could be considered as an alarming situation which has never been explored previously in horses of Eastern Region of India. After a period of 2 months and 18 days of treatment with quinapyramine sulphate and quinapyramine chloride, reinfection with T evansi in treated horses of this ...
Aharonson-Raz K, Steinman A, Bumbarov V, Maan S, Maan NS, Nomikou K, Batten C, Potgieter C, Gottlieb Y, Mertens P, Klement E.During 2008-2009 in Israel, equine encephalosis virus (EEV) caused febrile outbreaks in horses. Phylogenetic analysis of segment 10 of the virus strains showed that they form a new cluster; analysis of segment 2 showed ≈92% sequence identity to EEV-3, the reference isolate. Thus, the source of this emerging EEV remains uncertain.
Hernandez JA, Scollay MC, Hawkins DL, Corda JA, Krueger TM.To evaluate horseshoe characteristics and high-speed exercise history as risk factors for catastrophic musculoskeletal injury in Thoroughbred racehorses. Methods: 377 horses (37,529 race starts). Methods: Shoe characteristics included material, toe grab height, heel traction device, pads, and rim shoes. Racing variables were obtained from a computerized database. Forty-three horses that had a musculoskeletal injury and then failed to race or train for 6 months (cases) and 334 noninjured horses from the same race in which a horse was injured (controls) were compared regarding risk factors. Resu...
Nath LC, Elliott AD, Weir J, Curl P, Rosanowski SM, Franklin S.Atrial fibrillation (AF) impacts performance and horse and jockey safety. Understanding the outcomes of AF identified postrace will better inform regulatory policy. Objective: To investigate the outcomes after episodes of AF identified postrace and determine whether affected horses are at increased risk of additional episodes compared to the general racing population. Methods: Total of 4684 Thoroughbred racehorses. Methods: Race records for Thoroughbred horses racing in Hong Kong from 2007 to 2017 were reviewed. Horses that performed below expectation were examined by cardiac auscultation and ...
Dart AJ, Perkins NR, Dart CM, Jeffcott LB, Canfield P.To evaluate the effect of a non-occlusive dressing incorporated in a 3-layer bandage on second intention healing of wounds of the distal portion of the limb. Methods: Untreated wounds in 33 adult horses used in four studies using the same wound-healing model conducted over 5 years. Methods: Standardised, full-thickness wounds were made in the skin overlying the dorsomedial aspect of the mid-metacarpus; 17 horses were bandaged with a non-occlusive dressing covered by gauze-coated cotton wool that was compressed with adhesive tape; 16 horses were left unbandaged. Wounds were photographed weekly ...
von Rechenberg B, Guenther H, McIlwraith CW, Leutenegger C, Frisbie DD, Akens MK, Auer JA.To define the release of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and the neutral metalloproteinases (NMPs) in horses with subchondral cystic lesions (SCL) and to study bone resorption triggered by conditioned media of fibrous tissue of SCL in vitro. Methods: Equine explant cultures of fibrous tissue of SCL, and synovial membrane and articular cartilage of normal horses and horses affected with moderate and severe osteoarthritis were performed. NO, PGE2, and NMP concentrations of media samples were measured, and osteoclast formation and activation was studied in vitro. Methods: Experiment 1...
Chaffin MK, Cohen ND, Martens RJ, O'Conor M, Bernstein LR.To determine the chemoprophylactic effect of gallium maltolate on the cumulative incidence of pneumonia caused by Rhodococcus equi infection in foals. Methods: 483 foals born and raised on 12 equine breeding farms with a history of endemic R equi infections. Methods: Group 1 foals were treated with a placebo and group 2 foals were treated with gallium maltolate (approx 30 mg/kg, PO, q 24 h) during the first 2 weeks after birth. Foals were monitored for development of pneumonia attributable to R equi infection and for adverse effects of gallium maltolate. Results: There were no significant diff...
Kuemmerle JM, Theiss F, Okoniewski MJ, Weber FA, Hemmi S, Mirsaidi A, Richards PJ, Cinelli P.Although several tendon-selective genes exist, they are also expressed in other musculoskeletal tissues. As cell and tissue engineering is reliant on specific molecular markers to discriminate between cell types, tendon-specific genes need to be identified. In order to accomplish this, we have used RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to compare gene expression between tendon, bone, cartilage and ligament from horses. We identified several tendon-selective gene markers, and established eyes absent homolog 2 () and a G-protein regulated inducer of neurite outgrowth 3 () as specific tendon markers using RT-...
Dini P, Troch L, Lemahieu I, Deblende P, Daels P.The objective of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of a novel, portable device (iSperm Equine for assessing concentration and motility of stallion semen). In the first experiment, semen concentration was determined by the iSperm Equine (Aidmics Biotechnology), Androvision (Minitube) and NucleoCounter SP-100™ (ChemoMetec). The total motility and progressive motility were determined by the iSperm Equine and the Androvision using the manufacturer's guidelines. Frozen/thawed semen samples (n = 33) at various dilutions were analysed for concentration and motility with the above-mentioned ...
Folmar CN, Cywes-Bentley C, Bordin AI, Rocha JN, Bray JM, Kahn SK, Schuckert AE, Pier GB, Cohen ND.The bacterium Rhodococcus equi can cause severe pneumonia in foals. The absence of a licensed vaccine and limited effectiveness of commercial R. equi hyperimmune plasma (RE-HIP) create a great need for improved prevention of this disease. Objective: Plasma hyperimmune to the capsular polysaccharide poly-N-acetyl glucosamine (PNAG) would be significantly more effective than RE-HIP at mediating complement deposition and opsonophagocytic killing (OPK) of R. equi. Methods: Venipuncture was performed on 9 Quarter Horses. Methods: The ability of the following plasma sources to mediate complement com...
Kawcak CE, Frisbie DD, Trotter GW, McIlwraith CW, Gillette SM, Powers BE, Walton RM.To evaluate the effects of arthroscopic surgery, osteochondral fragmentation, and treatment with IV administered hyaluronate on histologic, histochemical, and biochemical measurements within the carpal joints of horses. Methods: 12 clinically normal horses, 2 to 7 years of age. Methods: Horses had an osteochondral fragment created at the distal aspect of the radiocarpal bone of 1 randomly chosen middle carpal joint to simulate osteochondral fragmentation. Horses were treated with 40 mg of hyaluronate or saline solution (placebo) intravenously once a week for 3 consecutive weeks (days 13, 20, a...
Webb PA, Monath TP, Reif JS, Smith GC, Kemp GE, Lazuick JS, Walton TE.Epidemiologic evaluations were made of farm personnel on vesicular stomatitis-affected premises along the front range of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado during the 1982 epizootic. A similar antibody prevalence was noted to that of veterinarians and research and regulatory personnel who were involved with the same epizootic. Risk of infection resulted from intimate physical contact with infected horses or cows. Incidence and infection rates in horses were 45%; rates in cows were much lower, only 5%. Some epidemiologic clues were gained by a detailed study of an equine ranch. The pasture was inc...
Funk RA, Wooldridge AA, Stewart AJ, Behrend EN, Kemppainen RJ, Zhong Q, Johnson AK.Equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) is an increasingly recognized problem in adult horses. Affected horses are often obese and predisposed to the development of laminitis, especially in the spring and summer months. In addition, in the summer and fall months, increases in endogenous insulin concentrations, a marker of EMS, have been reported. Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate seasonal changes in results of the combined glucose-insulin tolerance test (CGIT), a diagnostic test for EMS. Methods: Nine healthy, aged horses with no history of laminitis and no clinical signs of EMS. Me...
Gilger BC, Reeves KA, Salmon JH.To measure the ocular surface area, scleral thickness, and the aqueous and vitreous humor volumes in the canine and equine eye. Animals studied Fourteen canine and 16 equine cadaver eyes. Methods: Eyes were measured either fresh or following fixation in formalin. Ocular surface area was calculated using the fluid displacement method. Globes were hemisected and aqueous and vitreous humor were collected and quantitated. Scleral thickness was measured by digital caliper, by image projection, and by ultrasonic biomicroscopy (UBM). Results: Mean +/- standard deviation (SD) scleral surface areas in ...
Xu Y, Zhang S, Huang X, Bayin C, Xuan X, Igarashi I, Fujisaki K, Kabeya H, Maruyama S, Mikami T.The prevalence of equine piroplasmosis caused by Babesia equi and Babesia caballi in northeast China has remained unknown, although the People's Republic of China is recognized as an endemic country for the diseases. In the present study, we investigated the prevalence of equine piroplasmosis in Jilin province, a part of northeast China. A total of 111 serum samples were taken from horses in eastern Jilin, and examined for diagnosis of B. equi and B. caballi infections by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays with recombinant antigens, equi merozoite antigen-1 and P48, respectively. Of the 11...
Davis JL, Little D, Blikslager AT, Papich MG.Ussing chambers have been used to study the mucosal permeability of drugs in humans, rats and other species. This data can then be used to develop in vitro/in vivo correlations (IVIVC) for drugs based on the Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS). Due to the poor oral bioavailability of many drugs in the horse, this method may be useful for screening drugs before development to determine if they warrant further study. Cephalexin (CPX), marbofloxacin (MAR), metronidazole (MTZ) and fluconazole (FCZ) were chosen for this study based on the wide range of physicochemical properties and bioava...
