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.
Bailey CS, Heitzman JM, Buchanan CN, Bare CA, Sper RB, Borst LB, Macpherson M, Archibald K, Whitacre M.Early, accurate diagnosis of ascending placentitis in mares remains a key challenge for successful treatment of the disease. Doppler ultrasonography has shown promise as a tool to diagnose pregnancy abnormalities and is becoming more available to equine clinicians. However, to date, no studies have prospectively compared this technique to standard B-mode measurement of the combined thickness of the uterus and placenta (CTUP). Objective: The objective of the current study was to compare Doppler and B-mode ultrasonography for the detection of experimentally-induced ascending placentitis in mares...
Wong DM, Giguère S, Wendel MA.To compare the diagnostic performance of a point-of-care (POC) analyzer with that of established methods for the measurement of plasma IgG, total protein, and albumin concentrations in neonatal foals. Methods: Evaluation study. Methods: 100 neonatal foals < 7 days of age. Procedures-Plasma IgG, total protein, and albumin concentrations were measured with a POC analyzer via an immunoturbidimetric method. Corresponding measurements of plasma IgG, total protein, and albumin concentrations were measured by means of automated biochemical analyzers via automated immunoturbidimetric, biuret, and b...
Barnett TP, O'Leary JM, Parkin TD, Dixon PM, Barakzai SZ.To (1) assess long-term maintenance of arytenoid cartilage abduction (ACA) after laryngoplasty (LP); and (2) correlate the residual grade of ACA and postoperative abductory loss with arytenoid cartilage stability (ACS) during exercise. Methods: Case series. Methods: Horses re-examined after laryngoplasty (n = 33). Methods: Of 89 LP horses (2005-2010), 33 had historic ACA data available and upper airway endoscopy at rest and during over-ground exercise (mean, 33 months; range, 4-71 months) after surgery. ACA grade at 1 and 6 weeks postoperatively were correlated to long-term ACA grade. Effects ...
Kilcoyne I, Watson JL, Kass PH, Spier SJ.To determine the incidence of complications and identify risk factors associated with development of complications following routine castration of equids. Methods: Retrospective case series. Animals-311 horses, 10 mules, and 3 donkeys. Methods: Medical records of equids undergoing routine castration were reviewed. Age, breed, surgical techniques (closed vs semiclosed castration and use of ligatures), anesthesia method (general IV anesthesia vs standing sedation with local anesthesia) and repeated administration of IV anesthetic agents, administration of antimicrobials and anti-inflammatory dru...
Gibb Z, Morris LH, Maxwell WM, Grupen CG.Cryopreserved, sex-sorted stallion sperm has been shown to have poor fertility. During this study, the effects of cryoprotectant (glycerol [GLY] and dimethyl formamide [DMF]), cryoprotectant equilibration time (0, 30, 60, 90, or 120 minutes), and cryoprotectant concentration (2%, 3%, or 4% vol/vol) on stored sex-sorted and stored nonsorted stallion sperm were evaluated. Total motility, viability, and DNA integrity (determined using sperm chromatin structure assay) of sperm were assessed after thawing. Equilibration for 90 minutes improved total motility (33.8%) compared with 0 (28.5%) or 120 m...
Finger MA, Villalobos EM, Lara Mdo C, Cunha EM, Barros Filho IR, Deconto I, Dornbusch PT, Ullmann LS, Biondo AW.Toxoplasma gondii, the agent for toxoplasmosis, has worldwide distribution. Horses normally play a secondary role in its life cycle, but movement around urban areas, feeding on grass and the increasing use of carthorses for gathering recyclable material in some urban areas of Brazil may increase their exposure to T. gondii infection. The aim of the present study was to investigate the frequency of anti-T. gondii antibodies in carthorses in the metropolitan region of Curitiba, PR. IgG antibodies against T. gondii were detected using the indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT) (titers ≥ 64)...
Robinson C, Steward KF, Potts N, Barker C, Hammond TA, Pierce K, Gunnarsson E, Svansson V, Slater J, Newton JR, Waller AS.The detection of anti-Streptococcus equi antibodies in the blood serum of horses can assist with the identification of apparently healthy persistently infected carriers and the prevention of strangles outbreaks. The aim of the current study was to use genome sequencing data to develop an indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (iELISA) that targets two S. equi-specific protein fragments. The sensitivity and specificity of the antigen A and antigen C iELISAs were compared to an SeM-based iELISA marketed by IDvet - diagnostic Vétérinaire (IDvet). Individually, each assay compromised specifi...
Cadby JA, David F, van de Lest C, Bosch G, van Weeren PR, Snedeker JG, van Schie HT.Injuries in energy-storing tendons are common in both horses and man. The high prevalence of reinjury and the relatively poor prognosis for returning to preinjury performance levels warrant further research, for which well characterised models would be very helpful. Objective: Given the clinical similarities in tendinopathy of energy-storing tendons, we hypothesised that a recently developed experimental model of equine tendon injury would display many of the characteristics of clinical tendinopathy and could therefore be of use for both species, thus providing comparative insight to the human...
McDowell KJ, Moore ES, Parks AG, Bush LP, Horohov DW, Lawrence LM.The hypotheses that endophyte (Neotyphodium coenophialum)-infected tall fescue (TF) seed causes vasoconstriction in horses in vivo and that ground seed would cause more pronounced vasoconstriction than whole seed were tested. Ten horses each received 1 of 3 treatments: endophyte-free ground (E-G; n = 4 horses) seed, endophyte-positive whole (E+W; n = 3) seed, or endophyte-positive ground (E+G; n = 3) seed. There were two 14-d periods, P1 and P2. During P1, animals were adapted to a concentrate (0.2% BW, as fed, twice daily) and alfalfa cubes. During P2, the seed was mixed into the concentrate ...
Vilés K, Rabanal R, Rodríguez-Prado M, Miró J.Artificial insemination (AI) involving the placing of frozen-thawed semen directly into the jenny uterine body is associated with very low pregnancy rates. This might be because of an exacerbation of the acute response of the endometrium to sperm, as seen in mares with persistent induced mating endometritis. Pregnancy rates can be increased in such mares, however, by including anti-inflammatory treatments in the insemination protocol (Bucca S, Carli A, Buckley T, Dolci G, Fogarty U. The use of dexamethasone administered to mares at breeding time in the modulation of persistent mating induced e...
Lykkjen S, Olsen HF, Dolvik NI, Grøndahl AM, Røed KH, Klemetsdal G.The pathogenesis of osteochondrosis (OC) and palmar/plantar first phalanx osteochondral fragments (POFs) is multifactorial, but specific knowledge of heritability is limited. Objective: To improve the precision of heritability estimates and to estimate the genetic correlation between tarsocrural OC and POFs in Standardbred trotters. Further aims were to examine whether the prevalence of OC/POFs was different in the American and French lineages that have contributed to the Norwegian population, and if the prevalence was affected by heterozygosity. Methods: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: C...
Magori K, Park AW.The emergence and spread of mutant pathogens that evade the effects of prophylactic interventions, including vaccines, threatens our ability to control infectious diseases globally. Imperfect vaccines (e.g. those used against influenza), while not providing life-long immunity, confer protection by reducing a range of pathogen life-history characteristics; conversely, mutant pathogens can gain an advantage by restoring the same range of traits in vaccinated hosts. Using an SEIR model motivated by equine influenza, we investigate the evolutionary consequences of alternative types of imperfect va...
Bohannon LK, Owens SD, Walker NJ, Carrade DD, Galuppo LD, Borjesson DL.Joint inflammation and septic arthritis are both potential complications of intra-articular injections of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs). Clinicians may prophylactically co-inject BM-MSCs admixed with either antimicrobials or hyaluronic acid; however, the effect of these agents on cultured BM-MSCs is unknown. Objective: To determine the effects of therapeutic levels of gentamicin, amikacin and hyaluronic acid on cultured equine BM-MSCs in vitro. Methods: In vitro experimental study. Methods: Equine BM-MSCs from 4 healthy mature horses were isolated. Cultured BM-MSCs from ...
Yokota S, Hikasa Y, Shimura I, Kusunose S.To investigate effects of various imidazoline and nonimidazoline α-adrenergic agents on aggregation and antiaggregation of bovine and equine platelets. Methods: Blood samples obtained from 8 healthy adult cattle and 16 healthy adult Thoroughbreds. Methods: Aggregation and antiaggregation effects of various imidazoline and nonimidazoline α-adrenergic agents on bovine and equine platelets were determined via a turbidimetric method. Collagen and ADP were used to initiate aggregation. Results: Adrenaline, noradrenaline, or α-adrenoceptor agents alone did not induce changes in aggregation of bov...
Pucket JD, Allbaugh RA, Rankin AJ, Ou Z, Bello NM.To compare efficacy and duration of effect on corneal sensitivity of 0.5% proparacaine hydrochloride, 0.5% bupivacaine hydrochloride, 2% lidocaine hydrochloride, and 2% mepivacaine hydrochloride solutions following ocular administration in clinically normal horses. Methods: 68 clinically normal horses. Methods: 60 horses were assigned to receive 1 anesthetic agent in 1 eye. For each of another 8 horses, 1 eye was treated with each of the anesthetic agents in random order with a 1-week washout period between treatments. Corneal sensitivity was assessed via corneal touch threshold (CTT) measurem...
Fugler LA, Eades SC, Moore RM, Koch CE, Keowen ML.To establish an in vivo method for matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 induction in horses via IV administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and to evaluate the ability of doxycycline, oxytetracycline, flunixin meglumine, and pentoxifylline to inhibit equine MMP-2 and MMP-9 production. Methods: 29 adult horses of various ages and breeds and either sex. Methods: In part 1, horses received an IV administration of LPS (n = 5) or saline (0.9% NaCl) solution (5). Venous blood samples were collected before and at specified times for 24 hours after infusion. Plasma was harvested and analyzed f...
Ahern BJ, Showalter BL, Elliott DM, Richardson DW, Getman LM.To compare the in vitro biomechanical properties of a 4.5 mm narrow locking compression plate (PIP-LCP) with 2 abaxially located transarticular screws and a 4.5 mm limited contact dynamic compression plate (LC-DCP) with 2 abaxially located transarticular screws using equine pasterns. Methods: Experimental. Paired in vitro biomechanical testing of 2 methods for stabilizing adult equine forelimb PIP joints. Methods: Adult equine forelimbs (n = 8 pairs). Methods: Each pair of PIP joints were randomly instrumented with either a PIP-LCP or LC-DCP plate axially and 2 parasagitally positioned 5.5 mm ...
Bosseler L, Verryken K, Bauwens C, de Vries C, Deprez P, Ducatelle R, Vandenabeele S.A 2-year-old Standardbred gelding presented with a history of fever over 1 week, anorexia and skin lesions on all four legs. The lesions were associated with severe pruritus and oedema, and there was no response to therapy. Results: The horse was in poor body condition, was lethargic and severely pruritic. Skin lesions consisted of diffuse alopecia and crusting of the distal extremities. Initially it was slightly febrile, but subsequently its temperature increased up to 40°C. Ten days after admission it developed profuse watery diarrhoea and the skin lesions progressed. Skin biopsies revealed...
Johnson RJ, Rivard C, Lanaspa MA, Otabachian-Smith S, Ishimoto T, Cicerchi C, Cheeke PR, Macintosh B, Hess T.Fructose is a simple sugar present in honey and fruit, but can also exist as a polymer (fructans) in pasture grasses. Mammals are unable to metabolize fructans, but certain gram positive bacteria contain fructanases and can convert fructans to fructose in the gut. Recent studies suggest that fructose generated from bacteria, or directly obtained from the diet, can induce both increased intestinal permeability and features of metabolic syndrome, especially the development of insulin resistance. The development of insulin resistance is driven in part by the metabolism of fructose by fructokinase...
Gibb Z, Butler TJ, Morris LH, Maxwell WM, Grupen CG.Excessive reactive oxygen species generation during sex sorting and cryopreservation of stallion sperm leads to DNA fragmentation, lipid peroxidation, and motility loss. In this study we investigated whether antioxidant supplementation during sex sorting and cryopreservation could ameliorate the effects of reactive oxygen species on stallion sperm. In experiment 1, the postthaw characteristics of stallion sperm (N = 9) cryopreserved in the presence or absence of catalase (200 U/mL), cysteine (0.2 mg/mL), or quercetin (0.15 mM) was examined. Motility and acrosome integrity were assessed at 0, 1...
Theoret CL, Wilmink JM.Impaired wound healing represents an enormous clinical and financial problem for companion animals and humans alike. Unfortunately, most models used to study healing rely on rodents, which have significant differences in the healing and scarring process and rarely develop complications. In order to better simulate impaired healing, the model should strive to reproduce the natural processes of healing and delayed healing. Wounds on the limbs of horses display similarities to wounds in humans in their epithelialization/contraction ratio, genetic influence as well as dysregulated cytokine profile...
Sato K, Wakai T, Seita Y, Takizawa A, Fissore RA, Ito J, Kashiwazaki N.A sperm-specific phospholipase C (PLC), PLCzeta (PLCζ), is thought to underlie the initiation of calcium ([Ca(2+) ]i ) oscillations that induce egg activation in mammals. In large domestic species, only bovine, porcine and recently equine PLCζ have been cloned, and the physiological functions of these molecules have not been fully characterized. Here, we evaluated the physiological functions of equine PLCζ (ePLCζ) in mouse oocytes. ePLCζ was cloned from testis using RT-PCR. The expression of ePLCζ messenger RNA was confirmed in testis but not in other tissues. Microinjection of ePLCζ co...
Rola J, Socha W, Zmudzinski JF.Nucleotide and amino acid sequences of ORFs 5, 6 and 7 of EAV during persistent infection in the stallion of the Malopolska breed were analysed in the study. A total of 11 blood and semen samples were collected between 2004 and 2011. The titre of specific EAV antibodies in this carrier stallion was maintained at a high level throughout the study and was equal approximately 1:128. The sequence analysis of ORF5 showed 16 variable sites including 12 with synonymous substitutions and 4 with non-synonymous substitutions. The degree of nucleotide sequence identity among the strains ranged from 98.92...
Cudmore LA, Muurlink T, Whittem T, Bailey SR.Pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1β and TNFα, play a major role in activating leukocytes and endothelial cells during the systemic inflammatory response to endotoxin in the horse. β2 agonist drugs, such as clenbuterol, inhibit leukocyte activation. This study aimed to determine the effects of oral clenbuterol on clinical and leukocyte responses, including production of TNFα, in an in vivo endotoxin challenge model. In a randomised crossover design, horses received either clenbuterol or a placebo product prior to the administration of low dose endotoxin (30 ng/kg over 30 min). Clinica...
Anderson SL, Bracamonte JL, Hendrick S, Carmalt JL, Wilson DG.To compare bursting strength and failure mode between ventral median celiotomies closed with USP 7 braided polydioxanone (7PD) or USP 2 polyglactin 910 (2PG). Methods: Ex vivo experimental. Methods: Equine cadavers (n = 10). Methods: A 25 cm ventral median celiotomy was created in fresh equine cadavers. A 200 L polyurethane bladder was inserted into the abdomen. Celiotomies were closed in a simple continuous pattern with 2 sections of 7PD or 2PG. The bladder was inflated with compressed air until construct failure. The horses' signalment, body weight, suture type, failure mode (suture or abdom...
Pedersen PJ, Kanters JK, Buhl R, Klaerke DA.Cardiac repolarization, measured as QT and Tpeak to Tend (TpTe) intervals on the ECG, is important, as irregularities caused by diseases, ventricular hypertrophy, drugs and genetic defects can trigger arrhythmias which predispose human patients to syncope and sudden cardiac death. In horses, repolarization is not well described and therefore QT analysis cannot yet be used diagnostically. Therefore, we sought to describe reference values for the normal QT and TpTe intervals in Standardbreds and to determine the best method for heart rate (HR) correction. Methods: 30 Standardbreds. Methods: QT a...
Bischofberger AS, Hadidane I, Wereszka MM, Perkins NR, Jeffcott LB, Dart AJ.To determine the effect of horse age and laryngeal prosthesis location on rima glottidis area in cadaveric larynges. Methods: Experimental study. Methods: Cadaveric equine larynges (n = 40). Methods: Specimens were grouped by age: group 1, ≤5 years (n = 18); group 2, >5 to ≤10 years (n = 12); group 3, >10 years (n = 10). A cranial prosthesis was placed through the dorsal cricoid spine at 70% of the distance of the total cricoid length measured from the caudal rim. A dorsal prosthesis was placed through the caudal rim of the cricoid on the dorsal midline. A lateral prosthesis was plac...
Specht TE, Colahan PT.Medical records of 48 equids (47 horses, 1 pony) with surgical sand colic were reviewed. The diagnosis of sand colic was made if a sand impaction(s) was palpated during exploratory abdominal surgery or if a large quantity of sand was found during colotomy. Most equids did not experience a previous episode of sand diarrhea or sand colic. Clinical findings and results of clinicopathologic determinations were not diagnostic. Rectal palpation findings in 40 of 46 horses were compatible with large-colon and/or cecal distention. Impactions were palpable per rectum in only 7 horses, but emergency abd...
Snyder JR, Pascoe JR, Holland M, Kurpershoek CJ.Measurements of jejunal, ileal, and large colon (pelvic flexure) surface O2 tension (PSO2) were made in halothane-anesthetized horses with a nonheated miniature oxygen polarographic electrode. Assisted ventilation with 100% O2 was used to maintain PaCO2 tension at 50 +/- 8 mm of Hg while mean arterial blood pressure was maintained greater than or equal to 70 mm of Hg. Mean +/- SD PSO2 for the intestinal segments were: jejunum (horses 1 to 4), 71 +/- 20 mm of Hg; ileum (horses 1 to 4), 61 +/- 8 mm of Hg; and pelvic flexure of the large colon (horses 1 to 10), 55 +/- 13 mm of Hg. The response of...
Geor RJ, McCutcheon LJ, Hinchcliff KW.To compare effects of low and high intensity warm-up exercise on oxygen consumption (VO2) and carbon dioxide production (VCO2) in horses. Methods: 6 moderately conditioned adult Standard-breds. Methods: Horses ran for 2 minutes at 115% of maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max), 5 minutes after each of the following periods: no warm-up (NoWU); 10 minutes at 50% of VO2max (LoWU); or 7 minutes at 50% VO2max followed by 45-second intervals at 80, 90, and 100% VO2max (HiWU). Oxygen consumption and VCO2 were measured during exercise, and kinetics of VO2 and VCO2 were calculated. Accumulated O2 deficit ...
Goodarzi N, Zehtabvar O, Tohidifar M.This study was conducted to present a comprehensive and integrative computed tomography (CT) - anatomical cross sections atlas of skull, volumetric properties of the paranasal sinuses, and morphometric values for surface cranial nerves in the adult Arabian horse. Ten heads of Arabian horse breed were used. The different structures in the nasal, oral and cranial cavities were determined and labelled in the anatomical sections and their corresponding CT scan images. Three paranasal sinuses namely maxillary, conchofrontal and sphenopalatine sinuses were identified in the CT scan images. The cauda...
Peeters LM, Janssens S, Brebels M, Buys N.Genetic factors involved in susceptibility to insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH) in Belgian Warmblood horses (BWP) were investigated. Data relating to 3409 horses were collected using a questionnaire, administered to owners during sport competitions, BWP breeding days, breeder visits and after phone calls. Horses were classified as IBH-affected or unaffected, based on two 'disease classifiers': a lifetime record, based on owner information (life_status) and another based on whether or not the horse was showing clinical signs at the time of questioning (clin_status). IBH prevalence was 10% base...
Wilkins PA, Marsh PS, Acland H, Del Piero F.Listeria monocytogenes septicemia was diagnosed in a 6-day-old Thoroughbred foal. Primary clinical signs included fever, depression, diarrhea, and respiratory distress. Hematologic abnormalities included leukopenia, neutropenia, degenerative left shift, and hyperfibrinogenemia. Clinical chemistry and blood gas abnormalities included metabolic acidosis, hypoxemia, hypocapnia, hypoglycemia, and hyponatremia. Despite aggressive therapeutic intervention and intensive care, the foal died within 12 hours of admission. A postmortem examination was performed, and the primary gross lesion was bilateral...
de Cock HE, Affolter VK, Wisner ER, Larson RF, Ferraro GL.Early diagnosis of chronic progressive lymphoedema (CPL) may result in more effective interventions and provide a basis for further investigation of whether early diagnosis could be used as a means of eliminating potential genetic influences by cessation of breeding from affected individuals. Objective: Lymphoscintigraphy may be useful in draught horses to differentiate early lesions of CPL from other conditions in the pastern region. Methods: Forelimbs of 2 normal and 5 CPL-affected draught horses were evaluated with lymphoscintigraphy. Results: Lymphoscintigraphy showed clearly the presence ...
Aalsburg AM, Erdman MM.Taylorella equigenitalis is the etiologic agent of contagious equine metritis (CEM), a venereal disease of horses. A total of 82 strains of T. equigenitalis isolated in the United States were analyzed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) after digestion of genomic DNA with restriction enzyme ApaI. Twenty-eight of those strains isolated from horses in the 2009 U.S. outbreak (CEM09) were further analyzed with NotI and NaeI enzymes. When ApaI alone was used for analysis, the 82 isolates clustered into 15 different genotypes that clearly defined groups of horses with known epidemiological co...
Louro LF, Milner PI, Bardell D.Opioid epidural analgesia has been shown to provide effective analgesia in horses. There is a lack of evidence regarding the effect of opioid epidural analgesia on quality of recovery in horses. Objective: Identify whether opioid epidural analgesia influences quality of recovery in horses undergoing general anaesthesia required for management of hindlimb synovial sepsis. Methods: Single-centre retrospective cross-sectional study. Methods: Data were obtained from the clinical records of horses which had undergone arthroscopic or tenoscopic surgery for management of hindlimb synovial sepsis over...
Changoor A, Garon M, Quenneville E, Bull SB, Gordon K, Savard P, Buschmann MD, Hurtig MB.We aimed to demonstrate that electroarthrography (EAG) measures streaming potentials originating in the cartilage extracellular matrix during load bearing through electrodes adhered to skin surrounding an articular joint. Equine metacarpophalangeal joints were subjected to simulated physiological loads while (1) replacing synovial fluid with immersion buffers of different electrolyte concentrations and (2) directly degrading cartilage with trypsin. An inverse relationship between ionic strength and EAG coefficient was detected. Compared to native synovial fluid, EAG coefficients increased ( &l...
Dubey JP, Mattson DE, Speer CA, Hamir AN, Lindsay DS, Rosenthal BM, Kwok OC, Baker RJ, Mulrooney DM, Tornquist SJ, Gerros TC.An isolate of Sarcocystis neurona (SN7) was obtained from the spinal cord of a horse with neurologic signs. The parasite was isolated in cultures of bovine monocytes and equine spleen cells. The organism divided by endopolygeny and completed at least one asexual cycle in cell cultures in 3 days. The parasite was maintained by subpassages in bovine monocytes for 10 months when it was found to be non-pathogenic to gamma interferon knockout (KO) mice. Revival of a low passage (10th passage) of the initial isolate stored in liquid nitrogen for 18 months retained its pathogenicity for KO mice. Mero...
Troedsson MH, deMoraes MJ, Liu IK.The relationship between histologic lesions in endometrial biopsy specimens and susceptibility to chronic uterine infection (CUI) in mares was investigated. Mares were allotted to 4 groups on the basis of degree of endometrial lesions. Mares in group 1 (n = 6) had no pathologic changes, mares in group 2 (n = 5) had only mild pathologic changes, group-3 mares (n = 7) had moderate changes, and group-4 mares (n = 7) had severe inflammatory and fibrotic endometrial changes. Susceptibility to CUI was determined by the inflammatory response to intrauterine inoculation of 5 x 10(6) Streptococcus zooe...
McGuire TC, Crawford TB.Equine fibroblasts persistently infected with equine infectious anemia virus acquire a new cell membrane antigen demonstrable by indirect radioimmunoassay, using infected horse serum as an antibody source.
Piccione G, Bertolucci C, Grasso F, Guidice E.The effect of storage temperature and time on blood gas and acid-base values has been investigated intensively in cattle and dogs; however, data are lacking in other species. Objective: The aim of our study was to evaluate changes in gas composition and acid-base values in venous blood stored at different temperatures and for different times in 4 domestic species in Italy. Methods: Blood samples from Comisana sheep (n = 10), Maltese goats (n = 10), Ragusana donkeys (n = 10), and Thoroughbred horses (n = 10) were analyzed after storage at 23 degrees C (room temperature) for 15 minutes (group I)...
Lauková A, Styková E, Kubašová I, Strompfová V, Gancarčíková S, Plachá I, Miltko R, Belzecki G, Valocký I, Pogány Simonová M.The effects of non-authochtonous Enterococcus faecium AL41 = CCM 8558, enterocin M-producing and probiotic strain were tested on the microbiota, phagocytic activity, hydrolytic enzymes, biochemical parameters and dry matter in horses based on its previous benefits demonstrated in other animals. E. faecium CCM 8558 sufficiently colonized the digestive tract of horses. At day 14, its counts reached 2.35 ± 0.70 CFU/g (log 10) on average. The identity of CCM 8558 was confirmed by means of PCR after its re-isolation from horse faeces. The inhibition activity of CCM 8558 was demonstrated a...
Manohar M, Goetz TE, Hassan AS.Strenuously exercising horses exhibit arterial hypoxemia and exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH), the latter resulting from stress failure of pulmonary capillaries. The present study was carried out to examine whether the structural changes in the blood-gas barrier caused by a prior bout of high-intensity short-term exercise capable of inducing EIPH would affect the arterial hypoxemia induced during a successive bout of exercise performed at the same workload. Two sets of experiments, double- and single-exercise-bout experiments, were carried out on seven healthy, sound Thoroughbred h...
Thorsteinsdóttir L, Jónsdóttir S, Stefánsdóttir SB, Andrésdóttir V, Wagner B, Marti E, Torsteinsdóttir S, Svansson V.Two types of gammaherpesviruses (γEHV) are known to infect horses, EHV-2 and EHV-5. Foals become infected early in life, probably via the upper respiratory tract, despite maternal antibodies. In this study, we analyzed samples from a herd of mares and their foals. The foals were followed from birth to 22 months of age and the dams during the first 6 months postpartum. Blood and nasal swab samples were taken regularly for evaluation of antibody responses, virus isolation and viral load by qPCR. EHV-2 was isolated on day 5, and EHV-5 on day 12, earlier than previously reported. γEHV specific a...
Marley SE, Hutchens DE, Reinemeyer CR, Holste JE, Paul AJ, Rehbein S.Modern anthelmintic use in horses has decreased the prevalence of the large strongyles, which has in turn shifted the focus of parasitologists to the pathogenic importance of the small strongyles, tapeworms, and other parasites. These studies show that a combination product containing ivermectin and praziquantel allowed efficacious treatment of horses for nematode, cestode, and bot infections. The use of this combination product may be of special benefit to horses that are mainly kept outdoors and on grazing pastures.
Aristizabal FA, Nieto JE, Guedes AG, Dechant JE, Yamout S, Morales B, Snyder J.Regional limb perfusion (RLP) in horses has proven to be a simple and effective technique for the treatment of synovial and musculoskeletal infections in the distal portion of the limbs. The ideal tourniquet time needed to achieve therapeutic synovial concentrations remains unknown. The pharmacokinetic effects of general anesthesia (GA) versus standing sedation (SS) RLP on synovial amikacin concentrations are not completely understood. This study investigated the pharmacokinetic effects of RLP under general anesthesia (GA) versus standing sedation (SS) on synovial amikacin concentration follow...
Henninger RW.Severe hemorrhagic diathesis caused by hemophilia A (factor VIII:C deficiency) was diagnosed in 2 related Quarter Horse colts. Clinical signs consisted of dyspnea and dysphagia attributable to cranial cervical hematoma in one colt and to intra-abdominal hemorrhage resulting in death of the second colt. Factor VIII:C deficiency, a defect of the intrinsic coagulation pathway, is suggested by results of coagulation studies--prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time, normal prothrombin time, and normal primary bleeding time. The diagnosis was confirmed by results of factor VIII:C assays. Hem...
Jinks MR, Fontenot RL, Wills RW, Betbeze CM.To compare the efficacy and duration of effect of three local anesthetics on corneal sensitivity when administered subconjunctivally in horses. Methods: Eight healthy adult horses. Methods: A randomized, masked, crossover study design was used, with a two-week washout period between trials. The subconjunctival space of the randomly selected eye was injected with 0.2 mLs of bupivacaine (0.5%), lidocaine (2%), mepivacaine (2%), or saline. All horses received each medication once. The contralateral eye served as a control. The corneal touch threshold (CTT) was measured in both eyes with a Cochet-...
Winther MF, Haugaard SL, Pihl TH, Jacobsen S.Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is produced in response to inflammation in horses, but it has not yet been investigated as a biomarker in horses with the abdominal disease. Objective: To investigate NGAL in serum and peritoneal fluid in horses with the abdominal disease. Methods: Retrospective clinical study. Methods: Data from medical records of 270 horses admitted with acute abdominal disease (simple obstructions [n = 43], strangulating obstructions [n = 104], inflammatory abdominal disease [n = 99], non-strangulating intestinal infarction [NSII, n = 24]) and 9 heal...
Söbbeler FJ, Kästner SB.To evaluate the transdermal local anaesthetic effect of lidocaine or lidocaine combined with prilocaine or tetracaine in horses. Methods: Experimental, randomized study. Methods: A total of five healthy adult warmblood horses. Methods: Horses were clipped bilaterally at the withers, cranial saddle area and caudal saddle area. Baseline measurements for mechanical superficial sensation via von Frey filaments and nociceptive thermal thresholds were performed. A 5% lidocaine patch (12 hour exposure, treatment L), a lidocaine/prilocaine cream (each 2.5%, treatment LP) and a lidocaine/tetracaine cre...
Decourt C, Caraty A, Briant C, Guillaume D, Lomet D, Chesneau D, Lardic L, Duchamp G, Reigner F, Monget P, Dufourny L, Beltramo M, Dardente H.Kisspeptin has emerged as the most potent gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) secretagogue and appears to represent the penultimate step in the central control of reproduction. In the sheep, we showed that kisspeptin could be used to manipulate gonadotropin secretion and control ovulation. Prompted by these results, we decided to investigate whether kisspeptin could be used as an ovulation-inducing agent in another photoperiodic domestic mammal, the horse. Equine kisspeptin-10 (eKp10) was administered intravenously as bolus injections or short- to long-term perfusions to Welsh pony mares, ei...
Russell TM, Kearney C, Pollock PJ.To report a technique for surgical treatment of septic jugular thrombophlebitis unresponsive to medical treatment. Methods: Case series. Methods: Horses (n=9) with septic jugular thrombophlebitis unresponsive to medical treatment. Methods: Jugular vein thrombectomy was performed under standing sedation and local anesthesia. The contents of the affected portion of vein were removed by multiple incisions in the vein, with the incisions left open to drain and heal by second intention. Results: The technique was curative in all instances, although 2 horses required a 2nd procedure. One horse requi...
Quist EM, Dougherty JJ, Chaffin MK, Porter BF.A 1.5-year-old Quarter Horse gelding with a history of chronic nasal discharge and leukocytosis presented with signs of increased lethargy and muscular pain. The horse quickly became recumbent and unable to rise and was euthanized due to a poor prognosis. At necropsy, severe bilateral guttural pouch empyema was observed, as well as numerous well-demarcated areas of pallor within the skeletal muscles of all major muscle groups. Polymerase chain reaction testing of the guttural pouch exudate confirmed an infection with Streptococcus equi subsp. equi, and an S. equi-associated immune-mediated rha...
Wada S, Ode H, Hobo S, Niwa H, Katayama Y, Takatori K.To describe a case of superficial keratomycosis caused by Mortierella wolfii (M. wolfii) in a horse. Methods: A thoroughbred filly was presented with painful right eye of 2 days' duration. A superficial corneal ulcer was observed ventrally together with multifocal punctuate opacities axially. Samples were collected by swabbing and scraping the ulcerated lesion and submitted for microbiologic and cytologic examination. Results: Microscopic evaluation of debrided corneal tissue revealed the presence of nonseptate fungal hyphae, and culture of a corneal swab yielded fungal growth. Medical treat...
Miller C, Utter ML, Beech J.To determine effects of age and pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) on corneal sensitivity in horses. Methods: 20 adult horses allocated into 3 groups (PPID group, old [> 15 years old] horses with PPID [n = 5]; old group, old [> 15 years old] horses without PPID [9]; and young group, young [≤ 10 years old] horses without PPID [6]). All horses with PPID had hirsutism and abnormal fat deposition or laminitis; none of the old or young horses had hirsutism, abnormal fat deposition, or laminitis. Methods: A Cochet-Bonnet aesthesiometer was used to measure the corneal touch threshold (CTT...
Kim NY, Son JK, Cho IC, Shin SM, Park SH, Seong PN, Woo JH, Park NG, Park HB.Temperament can be defined as a type of behavioral tendency that appears in a relatively stable manner in responses to various external stimuli over time. The aim of this study was to estimate genetic parameters for the records of temperament testing that are used to improve the temperament of Jeju crossbred (Jeju×Thoroughbred) horses. Methods: This study was conducted using 205 horses (101 females and 104 males) produced between 2010 and 2015. The experimental animals were imprinted and tamed according to the Manual for Horse Taming and Evaluation for Therapeutic Riding Horses and evaluated ...
