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.
Armengou L, Jose-Cunilleras E, Ríos J, Cesarini C, Viu J, Monreal L.Sick neonatal foals suffer from a variety of endocrine and metabolic derangements that may be related to outcome. There are several hepatic and lipid metabolism blood markers that have never been assessed in neonatal foals. Objective: Assess panel of endocrine and metabolic variables in group of sick and healthy neonatal foals in order to describe their relationship with diagnosis and survival. Methods: All neonatal foals referred to Unitat Equina-Fundació Hospital Clínic Veterinari during 3 consecutive foaling seasons and a group of healthy foals. Methods: Observational prospective study. B...
Lindahl S, Båverud V, Egenvall A, Aspán A, Pringle J.Strangles is a contagious equine-specific disease caused by Streptococcus equi subsp. equi. Unfortunately, detection of S. equi can fail in up to 40% of horses with strangles. Whereas recent molecular biologic methods and sampling techniques have improved recovery of S. equi optimal sampling methods and laboratory analyses remain ill-defined. Objective: To determine the yield of S. equi from horses with acute strangles in confirmed outbreaks by field-sampling methods subjected to culture and biochemical identification, and real-time PCR directly and after culture. Methods: Fifty-seven horses o...
Borer-Weir KE, Menzies-Gow NJ, Bailey SR, Harris PA, Elliott J.A simple, accurate test for identifying individual animals at increased risk of laminitis would aid prevention. Laminitis-prone ponies have a greater serum insulin response to dexamethasone administration than normal ponies in the summer, but the response during different seasons is unknown. Objective: To test the hypothesis that previously laminitic ponies have a greater insulin response to dexamethasone than normal ponies, which is present during all seasons. Methods: Prospective longitudinal study. Methods: Overnight dexamethasone suppression tests were performed on 7 normal ponies and 5 pr...
Meagher DM, Bromberek JL, Meagher DT, Gardner IA, Puchalski SM, Stover SM.To estimate the prevalence of radiographic abnormalities (lesions) in Thoroughbred racehorses at 2-year-old in-training sales and determine whether these lesions and 1-furlong presale workout times were associated with subsequent racing performance. Methods: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: 953 Thoroughbreds. Methods: Repository radiographs of carpal, metacarpophalangeal and metatarsophalangeal (fetlock), stifle, and tarsal (hock) joints were examined. Horses with lesions were classified by lesion type and location. Race performance variables were compared between horses with and without l...
Spaas JH, Broeckx S, Van de Walle GR, Polettini M.Stem-cell therapy represents a promising strategy for the treatment of challenging pathologies, such as large, infected wounds that are unresponsive to conventional therapies. The present study describes the clinical application of peripheral blood stem cells (PBSCs) for the treatment of four adult Warmblood horses with naturally occurring wounds, which were unresponsive to conventional therapies for at least 3 months. A visual assessment was performed, and a number of wound-healing parameters (granulation tissue, crust formation and scar formation) were evaluated. In all cases, tissue overgro...
Beard LA, Pelzel AM, Rush BR, Wright AM, Galgut BI, Hennager SG, King AO, Traub-Dargatz JL.A 7-year-old Quarter Horse gelding used for unsanctioned racing was examined because of fever and anorexia. Results: Physical examination revealed fever, tachycardia, and tachypnea. Results of a CBC indicated anemia and mild thrombocytopenia. Results of microscopic examination of a blood smear indicated piroplasms in erythrocytes, consistent with Babesia spp. Regulatory authorities were contacted, and results of serologic testing at the National Veterinary Services Laboratories confirmed acute Babesia equi infection. Results: Equids on the home premises of the index horse were placed under qua...
Espinosa P, Lacourt M, Alexander K, David F, Laverty S.To identify the prevalence of fragmentation of the proximal tubercle of the talus (FPTT) in a hospital population of horses, characterize the anatomic features of the affected area and fragments, and describe clinical findings, diagnosis, treatment, and outcome for horses with FPTT. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: 9 horses with FPTT. Methods: 2,543 radiographic views of the tarsal region of 1,526 horses that were evaluated between June 2004 and December 2010 were reviewed. Medical case records for horses with detectable FPTT were retrieved, and signalment, history, clinical signs,...
Davis HA, Stanton MB, Thungrat K, Boothe DM.To describe bacteria isolated from reproductive tracts of mares and to examine the extent and patterns of resistance to antimicrobials commonly used for treatment of endometritis. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: 8,296 uterine swab, lavage, or biopsy samples obtained between January 2003 and December 2008 from 7,665 horses in central Florida. Methods: Results of bacterial culture and antimicrobial susceptibility testing were obtained for uterine swab, lavage, and biopsy samples collected from mares undergoing a routine breeding examination or examined because of a reproductive diso...
Still J.This case series describes clinical findings in 100 horses displaying pain patterns resembling the anatomical course of the gall bladder meridian. The palpatory pain (tenderness) was detected in individual points, as well as along entire sections of the meridian. A few tender points and areas were also diagnosed outside of the meridian. These data are clinically relevant in terms of the diagnosis and classification of musculoskeletal pain in horses. Therapeutic trials will be reported in a subsequent study.
Smiet E.Lately there has been a tendency to discuss Equine Cushing's disease and its related phenomena, due to the amount of recently acquired research data. The author has composed a brief overview of the present situation emphasizing relevance for practitioners.
Tofé E, Muñoz A, Castejón F, Trigo P, Castejón-Riber C, Gómez-Díez M, Riber C.The influence of hydration prior to exercise on hormonal response to exercise was investigated in horses, divided into two groups, control (n=11) and dehydrated (n=53). They were also classified according to their body weight in A (≈ 350 kg), B (351-450 kg) and C (≈ 451 kg). Horses covered 60 m on a track pulling a carriage loaded with 2, 2.25 and 2.5 times their body weight, for A, B and C. Blood samples were taken at rest, after exercise and during recovery. Electrolytes, albumin, renin, angiotensin and aldosterone concentrations were measured. Dehydrated and control horses had higher al...
Holl HM, Lear TL, Nolen-Walston RD, Slack J, Brooks SA.Chromosomal aberrations in the horse are known to cause congenital abnormalities, embryonic loss, and infertility. While diagnosed mainly by karyotyping and FISH in the horse, the use of SNP array comparative genome hybridization (SNP-CGH) is becoming increasingly common in human diagnostics. Normalized probe intensities and allelic ratios are used to detect changes in copy number genome-wide. Two horses with suspected chromosomal abnormalities and six horses with FISH-confirmed aberrant karyotypes were chosen for genotyping on the Equine SNP50 array. Karyotyping of the first horse indicated m...
Kelly PG, Reardon RJ, Johnston MS, Pollock PJ.Endoscopic examination of Thoroughbred (TB) yearlings is performed routinely to determine the suitability of horses for racing and to ensure that the conditions of sale are satisfied. However, previous research has demonstrated that resting endoscopic examination can be inaccurate in the diagnosis of functional pathology of the upper portion of the respiratory tract (URT). Objective: To investigate the feasibility of performing dynamic overground endoscopy in a group of TB yearlings and to compare the results of resting and dynamic endoscopic examination of the URT. Methods: Prospective cohort...
Gilliam LL, Carmichael RC, Holbrook TC, Taylor JM, Ownby CL, McFarlane D, Payton ME.Antivenom antibody titers following administration of rattlesnake venom for antivenom production in horses are well documented; however, antivenom antibody titers following natural rattlesnake envenomation in horses are not. Antibody titers produced in response to the commercially available rattlesnake venom vaccine are also not published. Our study objectives were to measure antivenom antibody titers in rattlesnake-bitten horses and compare them to titers in horses vaccinated with the rattlesnake venom vaccine. Additionally, titers were compared in pregnant versus nonpregnant horses to assess...
Pleasant RS, Suagee JK, Thatcher CD, Elvinger F, Geor RJ.Increased blood insulin levels are associated with an increased risk of pasture-associated laminitis in equids. Objective: To determine the relationship between plasma insulin, leptin, and lipid levels, and measures of oxidative stress with adiposity in mature light breed horses. Methods: 300 randomly selected light breed horses, aged 4-20 years. Methods: A random sample of horses (140 mares, 151 geldings, and 9 stallions) was drawn from the VMRCVM Equine Field Service practice client list. Evaluations occurred June 15 - August 15, 2006, with all sampling performed between 0600 and 1200 hours....
Johnson AL, Morrow JK, Sweeney RW.Recent research suggests that serum : CSF titer ratios could provide the most accurate antemortem diagnosis of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) caused by Sarcocystis neurona. Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the utility of two commercially available tests, the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) and the surface antigen 2, 4/3 ELISA (SAG2, 4/3 ELISA), using archived paired serum and CSF samples. Methods: Samples were obtained from 4 types of clinical patients. Confirmed positive cases (n = 9 horses; 11 sample sets) had neurologic deficits and postmortem lesions c...
Kamali MF, Wilson AC, Acquisto NM, Spillane L, Schneider SM.Flunexin is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug approved for veterinary use in horses and cattle. Acepromazine is a phenothiazine derivative used in horses, dogs, and cats. Human exposure to these substances is rare. Methods: We report a case of a human injection of two equine medications, flunixin and acepromazine, which resulted in altered mental status, respiratory alkalosis, gastrointestinal bleeding, and elevation of liver transaminases in a 43-year-old woman who worked as a horse trainer. The patient intentionally self-injected these medications and subsequently presented to the Emerge...
Azab W, Lehmann MJ, Osterrieder N.Herpesviruses enter cells either by direct fusion at the plasma membrane or from within endosomes, depending on the cell type and receptor(s). We investigated two closely related herpesviruses of horses, equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) and EHV-4, for which the cellular and viral determinants routing virus entry are unknown. We show that EHV-1 enters equine epithelial cells via direct fusion at the plasma membrane, while EHV-4 does so via an endocytic pathway, which is dependent on dynamin II, cholesterol, caveolin 1, and tyrosine kinase activity. Exchange of glycoprotein H (gH) between EHV-1...
Ziegler U, Seidowski D, Angenvoort J, Eiden M, Müller K, Nowotny N, Groschup MH.West Nile virus (WNV) is a flavivirus that is maintained in an enzootic cycle between ornithophilic mosquitoes, mainly of the Culex genus, and certain wild bird species. Other bird species like ravens, jays and raptors are highly susceptible to the infection and may develop deadly encephalitis, while further species of birds are only going through subclinical infection. The objective of this study was to continue in years 2009-2011 the serological and molecular surveillance in wild birds in Germany (see Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis. 10, 639) and to expand these investigations for the first time a...
Evers F, Garcia JL, Navarro IT, Zulpo DL, Nino Bde S, Ewald MP, Pagliari S, Almeida JC, Freire RL.This study aimed to investigate anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies and to isolate the parasite from the brains of horses processed at slaughterhouses in Brazil. We collected brain and blood samples from 398 horses of various ages, from six Brazilian states. Serum samples were evaluated by indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT cut-off titre ≥ 1:64), and brains were submitted to mouse bioassay. Among the 398 horses, positivity for T. gondii was identified in 46 (11.6%) by IFAT and in 14 (3.5%) by mouse bioassay. In 12 of those 14 bioassays, mice were positive only by IFAT (cut-off titre ≥ ...
van der Meide NM, Roders N, Sloet van Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbaan MM, Schaap PJ, van Oers MM, Leibold W, Savelkoul HF, Tijhaar E.Insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH) is an IgE-mediated (Type I) hypersensitivity reaction induced by allergens from biting midges of the Culicoides spp. The aim of the present study was to identify, clone and express recombinant allergens from C. obsoletus, the main species found feeding on horses in the Netherlands, by sequence homology searches on the C. obsoletus specific RNA database, with previously described allergens from C. nubeculosus and C. sonorensis. BLAST searches with these described allergens resulted in similarity hits with 7 genes coding for C. obsoletus allergens. These allerg...
Nogradi N, Magdesian KG, Whitcomb MB, Church M, Spriet M.A 5-week-old foal was evaluated for fever and hematuria of 3 days duration. Cystoscopy localized the blood to be originating from the left ureter. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed left hydronephrosis, hydroureter, and omphaloarteritis of the left umbilical artery with abscess formation that communicated with an arterial structure. Computed tomography (CT) revealed a large aortic aneurysm within the center of the abscess. An exploratory celiotomy was performed and the infection was nonresectable. The prognosis for life was grave; therefore the colt was euthanized. Necropsy findings confirmed ...
Becerra P, Valdés Vázquez MA, Dudhia J, Fiske-Jackson AR, Neves F, Hartman NG, Smith RK.This study aimed to investigate immediate cell survival and distribution following different administration routes of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into naturally occurring tendon injuries. Ten million MSCs, labeled with technetium-99m hexamethylpropyleneamine oxime, were implanted into 13 horses with naturally occurring tendon or ligament injuries intra-lesionally, intravenously and by regional perfusion, and traced for up to 48 h using planar gamma scintigraphy. Labeling efficiencies varied between 1.8% and 18.5% (mean 9.3%). Cells were retained in the damaged area after intra-lesional adm...
Chandriani S, Skewes-Cox P, Zhong W, Ganem DE, Divers TJ, Van Blaricum AJ, Tennant BC, Kistler AL.Theiler's disease is an acute hepatitis in horses that is associated with the administration of equine blood products; its etiologic agent has remained unknown for nearly a century. Here, we used massively parallel sequencing to explore samples from a recent Theiler's disease outbreak. Metatranscriptomic analysis of the short sequence reads identified a 10.5-kb sequence from a previously undescribed virus of the Flaviviridae family, which we designate "Theiler's disease-associated virus" (TDAV). Phylogenetic analysis clusters TDAV with GB viruses of the recently proposed Pegivirus genus, altho...
Borges AM, Silva LG, Nogueira MF, Oliveira AC, Segri NJ, Ferreira F, Witter R, Aguiar DM.Serum samples collected from 547 equids in the Pantanal region of Brazil were evaluated for antibodies to Equine Infectious Anemia Virus (EIAV) by the agar gel immunodiffusion test. Risk factors associated with EIAV seropositivity were evaluated and spatial dependence investigated using a Spatial Lag Model. EIAV prevalence on farms in the Pantanal was 52.0% (13/25) with adjusted prevalence between equids of 31.5% (17.4-48.8% 95% CI). Intra-herd prevalence ranged from 5.0 to 77.0%. Statistical analysis demonstrated that farms and animals in regularly flooded areas had respectively 60 and 146 fo...
Lucia JL, Coverdale JA, Arnold CE, Winsco KN.Nineteen weanling Quarter Horses (225 to 380 kg) were used in a randomized complete block design to investigate the effects of intra-articular lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce acute joint inflammation in young horses. Horses were blocked by age, BW, and sex and were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatments for a 35-d experiment. Treatments included intra-articular injection of 0.25 ng (n = 7) or 0.50 ng (n = 6) of LPS obtained from Escherichia coli O55:B5 or sterile lactated Ringer's solution (n = 6; control) into the radial carpal joint. Synovial fluid was obtained at preinjection h 0 and 2, ...
Valencia NA, Thompson DL, Mitcham PB.Six insulin-sensitive and 6 insulin-insensitive mares were used in a replicated 3 by 3 Latin square design to determine the pituitary hormonal responses (compared with vehicle) to sulpiride and thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), 2 compounds commonly used to diagnose pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) in horses. Mares were classified as insulin sensitive or insensitive by their previous glucose responses to direct injection of human recombinant insulin. Treatment days were February 25, 2012, and March 10 and 24, 2012. Treatments were sulpiride (racemic mixture, 0.01 mg/kg BW), TRH (...
Inui T, Haneda S, Sasaki M, Furuoka H, Ito M, Yanagawa M, Hiyama M, Tabata Y, Sasaki N.In human cartilage tissue engineering, three-dimensional zirconia substrata have the potential advantage of producing many uniform cell clusters of controlled size without xenobiotic material, allowing easy clinical application. The objective of this study was to evaluate the possibility of using zirconia porous three-dimensional microwell substrata for chondrogenic differentiation of equine bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) in vitro. In regular medium, 8 × 10, 2 × 10, and 5 × 10 equine BMMSCs from five thoroughbred horses were cultured on zirconia microwell su...
Carr EA, Holcombe SJ.Nutritional supplementation is becoming the standard of practice in equine medicine, although there are minimal data on nutritional support in critically ill horses and its association or effect on morbidity and mortality or length of hospital stay. Horses can be fed orally and when that is not possible, intravenously or parenterally. Enteral feeding is less expensive, more physiologic, improves immunity, and is easier and safer. This article reviews available information on the development of a nutritional plan for critically ill horses, and describes methods for and complications of enteral ...
Thomasy SM, Mama KR, Whitley K, Steffey EP, Stanley SD.In order to evaluate its potential as an adjunct to inhalant anaesthesia in horses, the pharmacokinetics of fentanyl must first be determined. Objective: To describe the pharmacokinetics of fentanyl and its metabolite, N-[1-(2-phenethyl-4-piperidinyl)maloanilinic acid (PMA), after i.v. administration of a single dose to horses that were awake in Treatment 1 and anaesthetised with isoflurane in Treatment 2. Methods: A balanced crossover design was used (n = 4/group). During Treatment 1, horses received a single dose of fentanyl (4 microg/kg bwt, i.v.) and during Treatment 2, they were anaesthet...
Clay CM, Squires EL, Amann RP, Pickett BW.To investigate the influence of daylength on the seasonal reproductive cycle of stallions, 21 stallions were assigned to one of three treatments: control, ambient (natural) photoperiod; S-L, 8 h light and 16 h dark (8:16) for 20 wk beginning July 16, 1982 then 16:8 from December 2, 1982 until March 5, 1984; S-S, 8:16 from July 16, 1982 until March 1984. Temperature was not controlled and was similar for all groups. Total scrotal width (TSW) was measured every 4 wk throughout the experiment. During 10 periods, semen was collected and evaluated every other day for 3 wk and sexual behavior was as...
Stock KF, Distl O.Results of mare performance tests in the field (MPT-F) of 10,949 mares, mare performance tests at station (MPT-S) of 1,712 mares, and inspections of horses intended for sale at riding horse auctions (AU) of 4,772 horses were used to investigate genetic correlations between corresponding performance traits. Mare performance tests were held in 1995 to 2004 and auction inspections in 1999 to 2004. Scores on a scale from 0 to 10 were given for gaits under rider (walk, trot, canter), rideability (evaluated by judging commission and test rider), free-jumping (ability, style, total), and character. R...
Murray RC, Dyson SJ, Schramme MC, Branch M, Woods S.Chronic laminitis is a severe disease affecting the equine digit. It was hypothesized that magnetic resonance (MR) imaging would improve visualization of structures within the foot and pathology associated with chronic laminitis. This study aimed to describe the MR imaging findings in chronic laminitis, compare different pulse sequences for visualization of pathology, and to compare MR imaging with standard radiography. Twenty (10 forelimb, 10 hindlimb) cadaver limbs from 10 horses clinically diagnosed with chronic laminitis (group L) and 10 limbs without laminitis (group N) were used. Laterom...
Plevin S, McLellan J.Osteochondral fragmentation of the proximal phalanx (DPP1 fragment) is a common finding in the racehorse. Whilst radiographic assessment has been reported to lack diagnostic sensitivity, ultrasonographic examination has been documented to be extremely sensitive for identification of bone fragments in the metacarpophalangeal joint. Objective: To determine the sensitivity and specificity of ultrasonography as an imaging modality for diagnosis of DPP1 fragmentation and to compare it with radiography in the Thoroughbred racehorse. Methods: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: Medical records (radi...
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...
