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.
Viñuela-Fernández I, Jones E, Chase-Topping ME, Price J.This study compared three subjective scoring systems used to assess lameness associated with equine laminitis: (1) visual analogue scale, (2) Obel score and (3) clinical grading system (CGS). Two groups of 12 observers, consisting of equine veterinarians and final-year veterinary students, scored lameness severity after watching video footage of 14 horses on two occasions. Generalizability theory was used to investigate the reliability of the three systems and the effects of observer experience. Overall reliability across all times and observers was high. Intra-observer reliability was higher ...
Driessen B, Bauquier SH, Zarucco L.Managing pain in horses afflicted by chronic laminitis is one of the greatest challenges in equine clinical practice because it is the dreadful suffering of the animals that most often forces the veterinarian to end the battle with this disease. The purpose of this review is to summarize our current understanding of the complex mechanisms involved in generating and amplifying pain in animals with laminitis and, based on this information, to propose a modified approach to pain therapy. Furthermore, a recently developed pain scoring technique is presented that may help better quantify pain and t...
Chen JW, Uboh CE, Soma LR, Li X, Guan F, You Y, Liu Y.A novel multiplex of independent dinucleotide tandem repeat (DTR) loci was previously described that is capable of not only discriminating human and equine DNA, but of identifying a single equine source. We report a case in which a bloodstained syringe and two needles were found during inspection of a barn by inspectors of the Pennsylvania Racing Commissions. Using the multiplex and single-locus detection, all 21 equine DTR markers were detected in a suspect horse and two evidence samples, indicating the evidence samples came from the suspect animal. Only six markers were detected in the third...
Portier KG, Séna A, Senior M, Clutton RE.To examine the association between objective and subjective descriptors used for assessing recovery quality in horses after anaesthesia. Methods: Prospective clinical study. Methods: Two hundred and seventy-six equids (110 mares, 85 entire males and 81 geldings), ASA 1-5, weighing 50-850 kg and aged 1 month - 25 years. Methods: Recoveries after general anaesthesia were assisted with head and tail ropes by two anaesthetists. One scored dichotomous objective descriptors (DOD) of recovery. Two dichotomous objective scales (DOS) were then generated from those descriptors. The same individual also ...
Nath LC, Anderson GA, McKinnon AO.To evaluate the reproductive efficiency of horse farms in north-east Victoria and identify aspects of management to be targeted for improving reproductive efficiency. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Records from seven Thoroughbred (TB) and four Standardbred (STB) studs in north-east Victoria from 1990 to 2001 were reviewed; 8813 cycles in 4455 mares were analysed. TB mares were inseminated by natural mating, whereas STB mares (89%) were artificially inseminated. Results: The overall early pregnancy rate per cycle was 68.8% for TB mares and for STB mares, 68.3%. Multiple pregnancy per cy...
Jalim SL, McKinnon AO.To evaluate the surgical results and fertility of mares bred at various intervals relative to surgical management of urovagina. Methods: Sixty-one mares underwent surgery to correct vesicovaginal reflux. Surgery was performed at varying times relative to breeding and postoperative fertility was evaluated. Results: Five mares were lost to follow-up and a further four were electively not bred. Of the remaining 52 mares, seasonal pregnancy and live foaling rates were 67% (35/52) and 54% (26/48), respectively. When mares were bred in the same cycle as the surgery, the first cycle following surgery...
Wallace JC, Vogelnest LJ.A sample of fourteen horse rugs and two saddle blankets stored in south western Sydney, Australia, an area of known high dust mite prevalence in the human environment, were analysed for the presence of house dust mites. Dust samples from the rugs, blankets and 16 control sites were collected using a vacuum cleaner with a modified attachment and filter. Dust mites were extracted using an adapted floatation technique. Eight rugs and all control samples were positive for mites, which were confirmed to be house dust mites of the genus Dermatophagoides. This study confirms that exposure to house du...
Zoonoses and public healthJune 10, 2010
Volume 58, Issue 3 192-199 doi: 10.1111/j.1863-2378.2010.01338.x
McNamara SE, Abdujamilova N, Somsel P, Gordoncillo MJ, DeDecker JM, Bartlett PC.Clostridium difficile (CD), Salmonella, Campylobacter and enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) are major causes of morbidity in a variety of enteric diseases in humans and animals, but subclinical carriage in both is probably more common than are clinical cases. Little is known regarding the prevalence of these pathogens in animals raised for exhibit at Michigan county fairs or the frequency with which Michigan citizens raising these animals may have been subclinically colonized. To address these issues, 361 fecal specimens from 158 humans and 203 of their farm animals were cultured for C...
Fintl C, Hudson NP.Gastrointestinal motility disorders are a serious problem in both veterinary and human medicine and may represent a dysfunction of the neural, muscular or pacemaker components (interstitial cells of Cajal) of bowel control. The interstitial cells of Cajal are considered to be the pacemakers and mediators of certain forms of neurotransmission in the gastrointestinal tract. These cells have been implicated, either primarily or secondarily, in the pathogenesis of gastrointestinal disease processes in which there is a prominent element of disturbance to intestinal motility. In the horse, their inv...
Leise BS, Yin C, Pettigrew A, Belknap JK.Further knowledge of equine keratinocyte physiology and keratinocyte response to various stimuli is important in developing a better understanding of disease states involving the epidermis. Objective: To assess the inflammatory cytokine response of cultured equine keratinocytes to various pathogen-associated molecular pattern molecules (PAMPs) from both Gram-negative and positive bacteria likely to be present in equine sepsis. Methods: Keratinocytes were isolated from skin of 2 horses and primary cultures performed. Keratinocytes were harvested for RNA extraction after exposure to lipopolysacc...
Boehart S, Arndt G, Carstanjen B.The aim of the study was to determine morphometric values of the superficial and deep digital flexor tendon, the inferior check ligament and the suspensory ligament in the palmar metacarpal region of sound Haflinger horses using ultrasonography and to assess the influence of different factors on them. The findings were compared with the literature. A total of 30 sound Haflinger mares aged 4-20 years were used. Transverse ultrasound images were obtained with an 8-10 linear MHz transducer and the cross-sectional area, the circumference and the dorsopalmar and lateromedial width were determined f...
Crijns CP, Gielen IM, van Bree HJ, Bergman EH.A 5-year-old Rheinlander gelding was evaluated for left hindlimb stifle lameness. The lameness was localised to the stifle, but source of the lameness was not specifically diagnosed from the physical, radiographic and ultrasonographic examinations. Computed tomography (CT) and CT arthrography were therefore used for further investigation since these imaging techniques image bony structures, cartilage and soft tissues. This examination showed multiple lesions in the stifle: an osteochondrosis dissecans like lesion of the medial femoral condyle, bony fragments, cartilage trauma and caudal crucia...
Goehring LS, Wagner B, Bigbie R, Hussey SB, Rao S, Morley PS, Lunn DP.Equine herpesvirus-1 is a cause of outbreaks of abortion and neurological disease. The pathogenesis of both these diseases depends on establishment of viremia. An experiment was performed to determine the protective efficacy of two commercially available vaccines used with an optimized 3-dose vaccination regime: a modified-live viral (MLV) and a high antigen load killed vaccine licensed for abortion control. The study design was a blinded, randomized challenge trial. Three groups of 8 yearling ponies received one of three treatments: MLV vaccine (Rhinomune, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc....
Freel KM, Morrison LR, Thompson H, Else RW.Postmortem and histological examination of the hearts from two horses, a five-year-old Clydesdale gelding and a 15-year-old cob gelding, revealed changes characteristic of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy. In both cases, on gross examination, the right ventricular endocardium and interventricular septum were almost entirely replaced with a gelatinous yellow fibroareolar tissue. This tissue was histologically a combination of fibrous and adipose tissue that had replaced the normal myofibres and disrupted the Purkinje fibres.
Peterson ML, Reiser RF, Kuo PH, Radford DW, McIlwraith CW.Differences in racing times have been noted on synthetic track surfaces that appear to depend on the temperature of the track. No published study to date has considered this effect in a systematic manner. Objective: To investigate the relationship between temperature of track and speed of horses racing on a synthetic surface. Potential changes in the wax component of the synthetic track were investigated as one possible cause of changes in the track speed at the temperatures observed. Methods: At Del Mar racetrack (California, USA), the air, surface and subsurface temperatures at 4 depths in t...
Leclere M, Lefebvre-Lavoie J, Beauchamp G, Lavoie JP.Orally administered prednisolone and dexamethasone are used commonly in the treatment of recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) in horses. However, the efficacy of prednisolone in improving pulmonary function during continuous antigen exposure has not been evaluated critically and there is little evidence supporting the efficacy of low-dose oral dexamethasone in the same conditions. Objective: Oral prednisolone and dexamethasone improve pulmonary function in RAO under conditions of continuous antigen exposure, and dexamethasone is more effective than prednisolone at commonly used dosages. Methods:...
Pavone S, Mandara MT.The interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) play a key role in the control of intestinal motility and have been implicated in several human gastrointestinal dysmotility syndromes, in equine grass sickness and in other intestinal disorders where a significant reduction in ICC density was observed. Objective: To investigate the density of ICC in clinically normal horses, ICC c-Kit expression was evaluated by image analysis in order to obtain numerical data. Methods: Intestinal samples from the jejunum to small colon from 5 clinically normal horses were studied. Immunohistochemical labelling of ICC was...
Dyson S, Pool R, Blunden T, Murray R.There is limited knowledge about the interpretation of alterations in the distal sesamoidean impar ligament (DSIL) detected using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and their correlation with histopathology. Objective: There would be: 1) a correlation between histopathology and MRI findings; and 2) a relationship between MR abnormalities at the origin and the insertion of the DSIL, between insertion and body; and origin and body. Methods: Fifty limbs from 28 horses were examined using high-field MRI and histopathology. MR abnormalities of the DSIL, its origin on the navicular bone and its insert...
Litva A, Robinson CS, Archer DC.Crib-biting/windsucking behaviour has important consequences for equine health and welfare. Lay perceptions of health and illness are of interest to medical sociologists, providing important information to medical practitioners, but have infrequently been applied in veterinary research. Objective: To demonstrate how lay epidemiology can be applied within veterinary research by exploring the lay perceptions regarding the causes of crib-biting/windsucking behaviour in horses. Methods: Informants were recruited from professional and amateur horse owners who had or had not owned/cared for a horse ...
Menzies-Gow NJ.Certain individual animals appear predisposed to recurrent pasture-associated laminitis, but the exact mechanisms underlying their predisposition remain a fundamental question in laminitis research. The risk of endocrinopathic laminitis can be reduced if steps are taken to improve insulin sensitivity and reduce inflammation using strategies based on exercise and diet. Exercise has been shown to reduce insulin resistance and suppress inflammation, and dietary manipulation can significantly affect insulin sensitivity.
Haralambus R, Burgstaller J, Klukowska-Rötzler J, Steinborn R, Buchinger S, Gerber V, Brandt S.Sarcoids are nonmetastasising, yet locally aggressive skin tumours that constitute the most frequent neoplasm in equids. Infection by bovine papillomaviruses types 1 and 2 (BPV-1, BPV-2) has been recognised as major causative factor in sarcoid pathogenesis, but a possible correlation of intralesional virus load with disease severity has not been established thus far. Objective: Given the pathogenic role of BPV-1 and BPV-2 in sarcoid disease, we suggest that intralesional viral DNA concentration may reflect the degree of affection. Methods: Severity of disease was addressed by recording the tum...
Gere I, Dixon PM.Peripheral caries (PC) of equine teeth is a poorly described disorder that can cause serious clinical problems if it progresses. Objective: To assess the prevalence, sites and severity of PC in a population of Swedish horses. Methods: A post mortem study of 510 equine skulls was performed in 2 Swedish equine abattoirs. Results: PC only affected the cheek teeth (CT) and was present in 6.1% (31/510) of skulls. It affected mainly the peripheral cementum, and 87% of PC in the 29 affected mature horses occurred in the 3 caudal CT (Triadan 09-11). Concurrent infundibular caries involving most maxill...
Bischofberger AS, Brauer T, Gugelchuk G, Klohnen A.Incisional complications are a major post operative challenge following ventral midline exploratory celiotomy for abdominal pain in horses. They lead to discomfort, prolonged hospitalisation, longer recovery times and increased cost; therefore, investigation of preventative procedures are warranted. Objective: To determine the clinical effect of antibacterial (triclosan) coated 2-0 polyglactin 910 suture material on the likelihood of incisional infections when used for closure of subcutaneous tissue following ventral midline celiotomies in horses. Methods: One hundred horses undergoing explora...
O'Meara B, Bladon B, Parkin TD, Fraser B, Lischer CJ.There is limited information regarding the number of races and the period for evaluation of outcome which is critical for assessment of SDF tendonitis treatments. Objective: To evaluate the re-injury rate and racing performance of Thoroughbred racehorses that sustain SDF tendonitis in relation to matched controls in terms of number of races post treatment and maximum racing performance ratings before and after injury. Methods: Clinical records and racing histories of 401 racehorses with a first occurrence of SDF tendonitis diagnosed by ultrasonography. Controls were of the same age, sex and we...
Cheetham J, Riordan AS, Mohammed HO, McIlwraith CW, Fortier LA.There is no consensus on objective outcome measures that can be used to determine if a medical or surgical treatment affects race performance. Objective: To determine the association between 2 commonly used outcome measures (total starts and total earnings) and age, sex, gait and race surface. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed using the race performance data for all Thoroughbred horses age 2, 3, 4 and 5 years racing in the United States, and Standardbred horses of the same ages racing in the United States and Canada during the year 2006. Median earnings and starts were determined ...
Byström A, Rhodin M, von Peinen K, Weishaupt MA, Roepstorff L.The kinematics of the saddle and rider have not been thoroughly described at the walk. Objective: To describe saddle and rider movements during collected walk in a group of high-level dressage horses and riders. Methods: Seven high-level dressage horses and riders were subjected to kinematic measurements while performing collected walk on a treadmill. Movements of the saddle and rider's pelvis, upper body and head were analysed in a rigid body model. Projection angles were determined for the rider's arms and legs, and the neck and trunk of the horse. Distances between selected markers were use...
Bacigalupo MA, Meroni G, Secundo F, Scalera C, Quici S.Highly luminescent Eu(3+) and Tb(3+) complexes of 10-[4-(3-isothiocyanatopropoxy)benzoylmethyl]-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7 triacetic acid Eu(3+) is a subset of 1 and Tb(3+) is a subset of 1 were conjugated with a goat anti-rabbit IgG and a rabbit anti-mouse IgG, respectively, and applied as markers in a time resolved immunoassay for simultaneous quantitative determination of anabolic compounds clenbuterol (CL) and hydrocortisone (HC). The assay was performed in horse urine, using a monoclonal antibody specific to CL and a rabbit polyclonal antibody specific to the free HC. These lant...
Dengler F, Sternberg F, Grages M, Kästner SB, Verhaar N.Intestinal ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) is a frequent complication of equine colic. Several mechanisms may be involved in adaptation of the intestinal epithelium to IRI and might infer therapeutic potential, including hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) 1α, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2), and induction of autophagy. However, the mechanisms supporting adaptation and thus cellular survival are not completely understood yet. We investigated the activation of specific adaptation mechanisms in both no and low flow ischemia and reperfusion si...
McChesney SL, England JJ, McChesney AE.An agent lethal to embryonated chicken eggs was isolated from lung tissues of a quarter horse mare with a fatal respiratory disease. The lesions induced in embryonated chicken eggs, the tinctoral properties, the ultrastructural morphology, the resistance of the organism to sodium sulfadiazine, and the presence of a chlamydial complement fixing antigen, identify this isolate as a member of the family Chlamydiaceae and suggest the agent to be Chlamydia psittaci. Two Shetland ponies experimentally infected with the isolated agent developed subclinical infection as demonstrated by an increase in c...
Taylor DD, Hood DM, Potter GD, Hogan HA, Honnas CM.To evaluate patterns of digital cushion (DC) displacement that occur in response to vertical loading of the distal portion of the forelimb in horses. Sample Population-Forelimbs from 10 horses with normal feet. Methods: Patterns of DC displacement induced by in vitro vertical limb loading were determined. Load-induced displacement of the DC was defined as the magnitude and direction of displacement of 6 radio-dense, percutaneously implanted markers in specific regions of the DC. The effects of solar support and nonsupport on displacement of the DC were compared. Results: Regional displacement ...
Stefaniuk-Szmukier M, Ropka-Molik K, Piórkowska K, Bugno-Poniewierska M.One of the most significant reason of economic loss on race track performance is lame in performed horses. Primarily, due to the failure within proper bone maintenance during conditioning in young horses. The training overload causes bone turnover disturbances in homeostasis between bone resorption and bone formation which promote the bone loss. Within our study we investigated training induced changes in transcript abundance of genes (NFATc1, CTSK, DAP12, CLEC5A, IL6ST, VAV3) involved in osteoclastogenesis hence bone resorption, in whole blood of Arabian horses. The expression pattern of all ...
Silver M, Fowden AL, Taylor PM, Knox J, Hill CM.Blood amino acids were measured in twelve chronically catheterized mares and fetuses between 250 and 310 days gestation. The concentrations of the majority of individual amino acids were similar in maternal and fetal arterial blood and no gestational changes were detected. Only methionine, phosphoserine, 3-methyl-histidine and glutamine were consistently higher in the fetus than the mare, whilst certain other amino acids were higher in the maternal blood. Fasting the mares for 36 h led to significant falls in plasma glucose and rises in urea and maternal free fatty acids (FFA). Small but signi...
Hjortkjaer RK, Svendsen CK.Experimental closed loop small intestinal volvulus was studied in the anesthetized horse. Volvulus was simulated by ligation of the mesenterial veins to a segment of small intestine. Physical signs and hemodynamic, hematologic, clinical chemical, bacteriologic and peritoneal fluid values were examined. Compared to conscious horses anesthesia highly delayed and modified the clinical signs of shock (changes in mucosal colour, dehydration, decreased skin temperature, elevated pulse rate, low blood pressures) and of small intestinal volvulus (altered peristalsis, gastric dilation). Plasma glucose ...
Kamerling S, Wood T, DeQuick D, Weckman TJ, Tai C, Blake JW, Tobin T.Narcotic analgesics produce pharmacological effects by interacting with specific opiate receptors. At least five major types of opiate receptors have been recognised. These include mu (morphine) and kappa (ethylketazocine) receptor types. Narcotic analgesics which interact with mu receptors produce locomotor and autonomic stimulation at doses that produce little or no analgesia. Therefore, use of these drugs as analgesics in equine medicine has not been very satisfactory. Theoretical considerations suggested that the role of kappa agonists in equine analgesia be investigated. Using a pure kapp...
Warhonowicz M, Staszyk C, Gasse H.The hypsodont equine cheek tooth erupts continuously throughout life. The collagen fibers of the periodontal ligament (PDL) have to remodel constantly to allow the tooth to move in an occlusal direction. Remodeling of the collagen fiber bundles needs to be well-coordinated in order to maintain functional tooth support. The aim of this study was to examine the role of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) in the collagen remodeling of the equine PDL under physiological conditions. Specimens containing the PDL interposed between the dental cementum and the alveolar bone were taken from nine Warmblo...
Anwer MS, Gronwall RR, Engelking LR, Klentz RD.Bile acid pool size and synthesis rate were determined by both isotope-dilution and washout methods in ponies with chronic external biliary fistulas. Bile acid pool size (10.9 mumol/kg) and synthesis rate (11.2 mumol/day per kg) estimated by the isotope-dilution method did not differ significantly from pool size (9.4 mumol/kg) and synthesis rate (9.5 mumol/day per kg) estimated by washout method. Bile acid-dependent and -independent fractions of bile flow, determined by a method that circumvents any inevitable correlation of flow to bile acid secretion due to common factors in both parameters,...
Walker WT, Kawcak CE, Hill AE.To characterize medial femoral condyle (MFC) morphometrics and subchondral bone density patterns in Thoroughbred racehorses and to determine whether these variables differ between left and right limbs. Methods: Stifle joints harvested from 6 Thoroughbred racehorses euthanized for reasons other than hind limb lameness. Methods: The distal portion of the left and right femurs of each cadaver was scanned via CT. Hounsfield units were converted to dipotassium phosphate equivalent densities through use of a phantom on each specimen. Medial femoral condyle width, length, height, and curvature; subch...
Holm AW, Bjørnstad G, Ruohoniemi M.The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the nature of ossification of the cartilages in the front feet of young, about 2-year-old Norwegian coldblooded horses, and to compare offspring of different sires in this respect. Dorsopalmar radiographs of the front feet of 392 horses (187 female and 205 male) were evaluated for ossification at the base of the cartilage and for separate centres of ossification. The horses were offspring of 45 different sires. Ossification extending above the navicular bone and separate centres of ossification were considered as significant. Minimal to mild oss...
Domeneghini C, Radaelli G, Arrighi S, Bosi G, Dolera M.The small and large intestine of adult horses were histochemically and immunohistochemically investigated in order to evidence components of the intramural nervous system. The general structural organization of the intramural nervous system was examined by using Nissl-thionin staining as well as the anti-neurofilament 200 (NF200) immunoreaction, which demonstrated the presence of neurons in the submucous as well as myenteric plexuses. The additional presence of subserosal ganglia was shown in the large intestine. Acetylcholinesterase (AChEase) activity was observed in both the submucous and my...
Gunnarsdottir H, Van der Stede Y, De Vlamynck C, Muurling F, De Clercq D, van Loon G, Vlaminck L.The aim of the study was to determine if horses with large colon impaction were more severely affected by oral pathology than control cases and to relate faecal particle size distribution to dental pathology in both study groups. A prospective study included 39 horses with large colon impaction and 72 control horses from a hospital-based population. An oral pathology score (OPscore) and periodontal disease index (PDI) were assigned to all horses and faecal samples were collected for estimating faecal particle size and analysis of particle size distribution. Horses with large colon impactions w...
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 ...
Vernemmen I, Van Steenkiste G, Dufourni A, Decloedt A, van Loon G.Transvenous electrical cardioversion (TVEC) is 1 of the main treatment options for atrial fibrillation (AF) in horses. Large-scale studies on factors affecting success and prognosis have primarily been performed in Standardbred populations. Objective: To determine factors affecting cardioversion success, cardioversion difficulty and recurrence in a predominant Warmblood study sample. Methods: TVEC records of 199 horses. Methods: Retrospective study of TVEC procedures of horses admitted for AF without severe echocardiographic abnormalities. Horse and procedural factors for success and cumulativ...
Takai S, Yoda A, Sasaki Y, Kakuda T, Suzuki Y, Oikawa M.Tracheal washing fluid was collected from 170 foals at 28 and 35 d old from February to July in a foaling season on horse-breeding farms with sporadic rhodococcosis in Japan and was investigated by quantitative culture. The history of the 170 foals followed up for the next few months. The proportion of R. equi-positive foals at 28 and 35 d old was significantly increased according to the birth month. Furthermore, the mean number of R. equi in the tracheal washing fluid of each month group increased according to their birth month with the rise in outside temperature. During the follow-up observ...
Kim TW, Della Rocca G, Di Salvo A, Ryschanova R, Sgorbini M, Giorgi M.To determine the pharmacokinetics of cimicoxib and to assess the inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX) after a 5 mg/kg, single oral administration in horses that were fasted or fed. Methods: The study was conducted using an open, single dose (5 mg/kg), two treatment (fasted and fed), two-period, crossover design with a 2-week interval between dosages. Six healthy mares received 5 mg/kg of cimicoxib via nasogastric tube after fasting for 12 hours, or 2 hours after feeding. After administration, blood samples were collected for up to 24 hours and plasma used for pharmacokinetic analysis. Addi...
Walter J, Seeh C, Fey K, Bleul U, Osterrieder N.Equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM) is a severe manifestation of equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) infection. Prevention and treatment of EHM during EHV-1 outbreaks is critical, but no reliable and tested specific medication is available. Due to the thromboischemic nature of EHM and due to the fact that EHV-1 entry in cells is blocked by heparin, it was hypothesized that this compound may be useful in reduction of EHM incidence and severity. Therefore, during an acute EHV-1 outbreak with the neuropathogenic G/D Pol variant, metaphylactic treatment with heparin to prevent EHM was initiated....
Riva MG, Sobrero L, Menchetti L, Minero M, Padalino B, Dalla Costa E.Horses with a low level of tameness are at higher risk for transport-related disease and injury; hence, European regulations for the protection of animals during transport (EC 1/2005) are stricter for unhandled (unbroken) horses. However, the regulation does not provide adequate tools for unhandled horse identification. The Broken/Unbroken Test (BUT) was developed and validated to easily identify whether a horse is broken (handled) or not. As a further validation step, the aim of this study was to assess whether there is any correspondence between the BUT classification and the behavioral resp...
Haynes PF, Snider TG, McClure JR, McClure JJ.Chronic chondritis of the arytenoid cartilage was diagnosed in 7 male Thoroughbred horses examined for obstructive upper airway disorders. The history of the cases was characterized by a 3- to 6-month progression of exercise intolerance and inspiratory dyspnea during exercise. Endoscopy revealed marked asymmetry of the rima glottidis, partial or complete inability to abduct the involved cartilage, and axial displacement of the involved arytenoid cartilage. In less severe cases, the disorder was confused with laryngeal hemiplegia. Focal elevated lesions of the involved cartilage, which were fre...
Ensink JM, Bosch G, van Duijkeren E.Tissue chambers, implanted subcutaneously in the neck in six ponies, were inoculated with Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus in order to determine the clinical efficacy of prophylactic administration of trimethoprim/sulfadiazine (TMP/SDZ) against this infection. The TMP/SDZ treatment consisted of one intravenous (i.v.) injection of 5 mg/kg TMP and 25 mg/kg SDZ and the same dose of TMP/SDZ per os (p.o.), both given 3 h before inoculation. The oral dose was then repeated every 12 h for 5 days. TMP/SDZ concentrations in tissue chamber fluid (TCF) were above 10 times MIC at the moment of inoc...
Symonds KD, MacAllister CG, Erkert RS, Payton ME.To evaluate the musculoskeletal analgesic effect of etodolac administered PO every 12 or 24 hours in chronically lame horses by use of force plate analysis. Methods: 22 horses with navicular syndrome. Methods: Horses received etodolac (23 mg/kg, PO, q 12 h; n = 7), etodolac (23 mg/kg, PO, q 24 h; 8), or corn syrup (20 mL, PO, q 24 h; control treatment; 7) for 3 days. Combined forelimb peak vertical ground reaction force (PVF) was measured via force plate analysis before the first treatment (baseline) and at 6, 12, 24, and 36 hours after the last treatment. Differences in mean PVF (mPVF) betwee...
Mirbahar KB, McDonell WN, Bignell W, Eyre P.Pulmonary function tests were performed in seven conscious, standing horses. Changes in pulmonary mechanics and ventilation volumes were measured after inhalation challenge with saline (baseline), histamine (1% w/v solution for 5 min) and carbachol (0.5% w/v solution for 3 min). Comparisons between baseline and posthistamine values revealed a significant (P less than 0.05) increase in nonelastic work of breathing (Wb), maximum change in transpulmonary pressure (max delta Ppl), and pulmonary resistance (RL), while dynamic compliance (Cdyn) decreased (P less than 0.05). Tripelennamine completely...
Humber KA, Beech J, Cudd TA, Palmer JE, Gardner SY, Sommer MM.Azathioprine, a thiopurine antimetabolite used in the treatment of immune-mediated thrombocytopenia in human beings and dogs, was used in 2 cases of immune-mediated thrombocytopenia in horses that failed to respond to corticosteroid therapy alone. Platelet counts were increased to acceptable values in both horses. One horse returned to a successful racing career, and the other was euthanatized after developing renal disease and mild laminitis.
