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.
Husted L, Jensen TK, Olsen SN, Mølbak L.The equine glandular stomach is commonly affected by erosion and ulceration. The aim of this study was to assess whether bacteria, including Helicobacter, could be involved in the aetiology of gastric glandular lesions seen in horses. Results: Stomach lesions, as well as normal appearing mucosa were obtained from horses slaughtered for human consumption. All samples were tested for urease activity using the Pyloritek assay, while mucosal bacterial content was evaluated using Fluorescence In Situ Hybridisation. In selected sub samples, bacteria characterisation was pursued further by cloning an...
Yang H, Ma YH, Li B, Dugarjaviin M.There is unique genetic information belonging to various kinds of living beings. Understanding of the formation process of organisms and a variety of vital movement is associated with the achievements of genome study. As horse has a notable health condition and great record of the genealogy in the world, thus it becomes a valuable model animal for studying life science. Despite of a late start, the map of the horse genome has undergone unprecedented expansion during the last few years. The current progresses of the horse genome, including genetic map, physical map, comparative genomic map, and...
Caure S, Cousty M, Tricaud C.Three groups of horses scheduled for arthroscopic surgery were premedicated with 0.025 mg/kg acepromazine, 88 microg/kg romifidine and 25 mg/kg guaifenesin, and anaesthesia was induced with 2.2 mg/kg ketamine. In group 1 (14 horses), anaesthesia was maintained by halothane vaporised in oxygen, with supplementary doses of 20 microg/kg romifidine and 0.5 mg/kg ketamine every 20 minutes. The 17 horses in group 2 were maintained as for group 1; however, an additional dose of 0.05 mg/kg butorphanol was administered before the first incision. The 14 horses in group 3 were maintained as for group 2, ...
Garrett KS, Pierce SW, Embertson RM, Stromberg AJ.OBJECTIVE-To determine the association between results of endoscopic evaluation of arytenoid function (AF) and epiglottic structure (ES) in Thoroughbred yearlings and racing performance at 2 to 4 years of age. DESIGN-Retrospective case series. ANIMALS-2,954 Thoroughbred yearlings. Procedures-Records of yearlings that had endoscopic evaluation of the larynx between 1998 and 2001 were obtained, and results were graded by use of standardized scales. A modified Havemeyer scale (grade I, II.1, II.2, III, or IV) was used to evaluate AF; ES was graded on a scale of 0 to IV. Records were annotated if ...
Lindegaard C, Thomsen MH, Larsen S, Andersen PH.To compare the analgesic effect of intra-articular (IA) and intravenous (IV) morphine in horses with experimentally induced synovitis. Methods: Eight adult horses. Methods: Randomized, observer blinded, double dummy trial with sequential crossover design. Methods: Radiocarpal synovitis was induced by IA injection of lipopolysaccharide on two occasions separated by a 3-week washout period. In one study period horses received treatment IA; morphine IA (0.05 mg kg(-1)) plus saline IV and in the other study period they received treatment IV; saline IA plus morphine IV (0.05 mg kg(-1)). Lameness an...
Brooks AC, Menzies-Gow N, Bailey SR, Cunningham FM, Elliott J.Hypoxia may enhance the deleterious effects of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the endotoxaemic horse. This study has examined some of the actions of LPS and hypoxia, alone and in combination, on cultured equine digital vein endothelial cells (EDVEC) and the signalling molecules involved. Methods: EDVEC were exposed to LPS, 5% O(2) and LPS then 5% O(2) for up to 24 h. HIF-1alpha stabilisation, neutrophil adhesion and EDVEC permeability were assessed by immunoblotting, measurement of myeloperoxidase and movement of FITC-dextran, respectively. Pharmacological inhibitors were used to assess the roles...
Kitai Y, Kondo T, Konishi E.A complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) assay was established to measure antibodies to the West Nile virus (WNV) nonstructural protein 1 (NS1) in horses. Sera collected from a WNV-infected horse mediated lysis of WNV NS1-expressing cells in a dose-dependent manner at higher percentages than sera from a Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV)-infected horse. The percentages of specific lysis for sera diluted 1:10 to 1:80 were <19.8% (assay cutoff) for almost all of the 100 JEV-infected or uninfected horses tested, in contrast to 55 to 76% in WNV-infected horses. Experimental infection revealed t...
Malik P, Khurana SK, Dwivedi SK.Glanders, a notifiable highly contagious disease primarily of equids, is a disease of high zoonotic importance. Caused by gram-negative bacillus, Burkholderia mallei, the disease was restricted to certain pockets of India with sporadic cases. Recently, a major outbreak of glanders occurred in India starting from Maharashtra. Following clinical signs and symptoms and laboratory investigations on serum, nasal swab and pus swab samples, it was confirmed as glanders among equines in Pune and Panchgani areas of Maharashtra. One pus sample and three nasal swabs yielded B. mallei isolates while 23 se...
Garner MG, Cowled B, East IJ, Moloney BJ, Kung NY.In August 2007, Australia which had previously been free of equine influenza, experienced a large outbreak that lasted approximately 4 months before it was eradicated. The outbreak required a significant national response by government and the horse industries. The main components of the response were movement controls, biosecurity measures, risk-based zoning and, subsequently, vaccination to contain the outbreak. Although not initially used, vaccination became a key element in the eradication program, with approximately 140000 horses vaccinated. Vaccination is recognised as a valuable tool fo...
Visser MB, Pollitt CC.Most research to date involving laminins and extracellular matrix protein function in both normal and pathological conditions involves in vitro culture of keratinocytes. Few methods are established to allow for prolonged propagation of keratinocytes from equine tissues, including the hoof lamellae. In this study we modified cell isolation and culture techniques to allow for proliferation and sub-culturing of equine lamellar keratinocytes. Additionally, the production and processing of extracellular matrix molecules by skin and lamellar keratinocytes were studied. Results: Physical and proteoly...
Nishiura H, Satou K.An outbreak of equine influenza (H3N8) occurred among fully vaccinated racehorses in Japan from August to September, 2007. To assess the potential effectiveness of public health interventions other than vaccination (i.e. movement restriction, isolation and quarantine), which started immediately on the date of detection of the first febrile case, a simple epidemiological model was developed and applied to the observed data. The epidemic curves in five racehorse facilities revealed consistent temporal patterns: (i) a sharp increase in symptom onset of cases during the first 3 days, which is thou...
Johnson AL, McAdams SC, Whitlock RH.The objective of the current retrospective study was to describe naturally occurring type A botulism in horses in the United States. In the past 10 years, the Botulism Laboratory at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Veterinary Medicine has identified 3 isolated cases and 8 outbreaks of type A botulism in horses via samples positive for Clostridium botulinum type A toxin or spores using the mouse bioassay test. Additional information was obtained by review of submission forms and by telephone or email interviews. Almost all type A cases and outbreaks occurred in the western United Stat...
Beeler-Marfisi J, Arroyo L, Caswell JL, Delay J, Bienzle D.Hepatoblastoma (HB) is an uncommon pediatric liver tumor in humans and horses. In humans, HB is most frequently diagnosed in fetuses, neonates, and young children, whereas hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) affects juvenile and adult humans. Hepatoblastoma in the horse is rare, with only 9 reported cases. Affected horses ranged in age from late-term aborted fetuses to 3 years. The current study describes 3 new cases of primary liver tumors in horses and reviews findings in relation to other reports on this condition. Tumors classified as HB were identified in a male Standardbred aborted fetus and ...
Milne EM, Pirie RS, McGorum BC, Shaw DJ.Equine dysautonomia, or grass sickness, is a frequently fatal disease of unknown etiology, manifested as poor gastrointestinal motility and colic as a result of degenerative changes in the autonomic nervous system. Examination of ileal biopsies collected at laparotomy is currently the best antemortem diagnostic method to distinguish equine dysautonomia from colic cases, which can present with similar signs, but their value has not been previously critically evaluated. Using simulated biopsies collected postmortem from 23 cases of equine dysautonomia and 11 of colic, the sensitivity and specifi...
Shelver WL, Thorson JF, Hammer CJ, Smith DJ.Three horses were dosed with dietary zilpaterol and the urine concentrations measured from withdrawal day 0 to withdrawal day 21. The analyses were carried out using both enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and an ultraperformance liquid chromatography with triple-quadrupole-tandem mass spectrometric detection (UPLC-MS/MS). The UPLC-MS/MS method was developed to provide rapid analysis with positive analyte identification by following three product ions and computing the two independent ion ratios. When urinary zilpaterol concentrations were between 0.2 and 2 ng/mL, the ELISA had interday...
Cox S, Villarino N, Doherty T.The determination of the pharmacokinetic parameters of tramadol in plasma and a better characterization of its metabolites after oral administration to horses is necessary to design dosage regimens to achieve target plasma concentrations that are associated with analgesia. The purpose of this study was to determine the pharmacokinetics and elimination pattern in urine of tramadol and its metabolites after oral administration to horses. Tramadol was administered orally to six horses and its half-life, T(max) and C(max) in plasma were 10.1, 0.59 h, and 132.7 ng/mL, respectively. The half-life, T...
Gastal MO, Gastal EL, Beg MA, Ginther OJ.The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of short-term feed restriction on characteristics of the preovulatory follicle and on concentrations of systemic hormones (leptin, follicle-stimulating hormone [FSH], luteinizing hormone [LH]) and follicular fluid hormones and growth factors (leptin, estradiol, inhibin-A, activin-A, free insulin-like growth factor-1 [IGF1], insulin-like growth factor binding protein 2 [IGFBP2], vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF]). Mares were submitted to a short-term (48 h) feed restriction when the expected ovulatory follicle was > or =27 mm (Hour ...
Crowe OM, Hepburn RJ, Kold SE, Smith RK.To report long-term outcome after arthroscopic removal of fragmentation of the extensor process of the distal phalanx in horses. Methods: Case series. Methods: Adult horses (n=13). Methods: Medical records (2003-2004) of horses that had arthroscopic debridement of fragmentation of the extensor process of the distal phalanx were reviewed. Inclusion criteria included: lameness localized to the foot, fragmentation of the extensor process of the distal phalanx debrided arthroscopically, and a follow-up period of > or = 4 years. Results: Of the 13 horses, lameness was resolved in 11 (85%) initia...
Watts AE, Fortier LA, Nixon AJ, Ducharme NG.To report a technique for laser-facilitated, minimally invasive proximal interphalangeal joint (PIJ) arthrodesis in horses. Methods: Case series. Methods: Horses (n=6); 5 thoracic and 2 pelvic limb PIJ. Methods: PIJ osteoarthritis (OA) diagnosis was confirmed by radiography. A diode laser was used to apply 2000 J of energy to the joint followed by insertion of 3 parallel 5.5 mm screws in lag fashion through stab incisions to achieve PIJ arthrodesis. After anesthetic recovery, limbs were maintained in bandages (n=2) or bandage casts (5) for 3 weeks. Horses were allowed exercise or turnout by 3 ...
Pusterla N, Wattanaphansak S, Mapes S, Collier J, Hill J, Difrancesco M, Gebhart C.Equine proliferative enteropathy (EPE) is an emerging disease of weanling foals. Objective: Describe clinical, hematologic, biochemical, serologic, molecular, and ultrasonographic findings in foals experimentally infected with Lawsonia intracellularis. Methods: Eight foals. Methods: Recently weaned foals were assigned to either the challenge (n = 3), the sentinel (n = 3), or the control (n = 2) group. Foals were experimentally challenged via intragastric inoculation of 3 x 10(10)L. intracellularis organisms grown in culture. Each experimentally infected foal was housed with a sentinel foal in ...
Hackett ES, McCue PM.Glucose assessment and regulation are important factors in the treatment of hospitalized horses and foals. Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare glucose measurement by a veterinary glucometer, adjusted by code for use in horses and foals, to a reference chemistry analyzer. It was hypothesized that the veterinary glucometer and reference analyzer would yield similar results and that interpretation of glucose values obtained from a veterinary glucometer would result in clinically appropriate decisions. Methods: Fifty blood samples from adult horses and 50 blood samples from neonata...
Javsicas LH, Giguère S, Freeman DE, Rodgerson DH, Slovis NM.To determine outcome after medical or surgical treatment of postpartum mares with confirmed or presumptive uterine tears. Methods: Case series. Methods: Postpartum mares were included if foaling had occurred within 7 days and uterine tear was confirmed surgically or, in medically treated mares, by palpation or presumed based on peritonitis. Information (age, breed; physical examination, laboratory and abdominocentesis findings; treatment, survival rates, length of hospital stay, treatments costs, and breeding performance after discharge) was obtained from the medical records (1990-2007). The i...
Cribb NC, Bouré LP.To describe laparoscopic removal of a large testicular teratoma in a standing horse. Methods: Clinical report. Methods: Thoroughbred horse (11 months) with a testicular teratoma. Methods: A unilateral cryptorchid testicle could not be removed by an inguinal approach under general anesthesia because of it s large size. After recovery from general anesthesia, ultrasound evaluation revealed a 24 x 19 cm fluid-filled testicular mass. The mass was removed by paralumbar fossa laparoscopy with the horse in a standing position. After fluid aspiration of the mass, the mesorchium and ductus deferens wer...
Janicek JC, Cook JL, Wilson DA, Ketzner KM.To adapt the multiple osteochondral autograft technique for treatment of a subchondral cystic lesion (SCL) of the proximal medial trochlear ridge (MTR) of the equine talus and assess long term outcome. Methods: Case report. Methods: Quarter horse stallion with SCL of the proximal MTR of the talus. Methods: Osteochondral autograft techniques used in dogs and humans were adapted and optimized in equine cadavers. A horse with a SCL of the MTR of the talus was treated by osteochondral autografting. Three osteochondral autografts were harvested from the distal lateral trochlear ridge of the talus i...
Carmalt JL, Delaney L, Wilson DG.To compare the biomechanical cyclic fatigue properties of 2 and 3 parallel transarticular 5.5 mm cortical screws used in arthrodesis of the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint. Methods: Randomized block design, for horse, fixation method (2 versus three 5.5 mm cortical screws), side (right, left) and end (front, hind) in cadaveric equine limbs. Methods: Cadaveric adult equine fore- and hindlimbs (n=5 pairs each). Methods: Two parallel 5.5 mm cortical screws were inserted in lag fashion, transarticularly through the PIP joint in 1 limb of a pair, and in the contralateral limb, three 5.5 mm cor...
Southwood LL, Cohen J, Busschers E, Habecker P.To report a case of multiple acquired jejunal pseudodiverticula managed successfully by resection and jejunojejunostomy. Methods: Clinical report. Methods: Arabian filly. Methods: The filly was referred for signs of acute colic of several hours duration and had a 2-week history of inappetence and weight loss. Three meters of thickened, edematous, and dilated jejunum removed during exploratory celiotomy had an intussusception and numerous diverticula; jejunojejunostomy performed. The pathoanatomic diagnosis was proliferative enteropathy with pseudodiverticula formation and jejunal muscular hype...
Lewis AJ, Sod GA, Burba DJ, Mitchell CF.To compare compression pressure (CP) of 6.5 mm Acutrak Plus (AP) and 4.5 mm AO cortical screws (AO) when inserted in simulated lateral condylar fractures of equine 3rd metacarpal (MC3) bones. Methods: Paired in vitro biomechanical testing. Methods: Cadaveric equine MC3 bones (n=12 pair). Methods: Complete lateral condylar osteotomies were created parallel to the midsagittal ridge at 20, 12, and 8 mm axial to the epicondylar fossa on different specimens grouped accordingly. Interfragmentary compression was measured using a pressure sensor placed in the fracture plane before screw placement for ...
Evans TJ.During equine gestation, ergopeptine alkaloid exposure is not uncommon, and pregnant mares are particularly sensitive to the endocrine disruptive effects of these compounds on lactogenesis and steroidogenesis. Agalactia, prolonged gestation, abortion, dystocia, and placental and fetal abnormalities are all clinical manifestations of changes in the endocrine milieu induced by the ingestion of ergopeptine alkaloid-contaminated feedstuffs by mares during late gestation. An understanding of the endocrine disruptive effects of gestational exposure to ergopeptine alkaloids is necessary for the diagn...
Finley CJ, Fischer AT.Laparoscopic removal of cryptorchid testes has been routinely reported through enlarged parainguinal incisions in dorsally recumbent horses. Outcomes following removal through an extended umbilical incision have not been previously reported. Objective: To describe the surgical technique of removing cryptorchid testes in dorsally recumbent horses through an enlarged umbilical portal after laparoscopic intra-abdominal castration. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Medical records were reviewed for horses that underwent laparoscopic removal of unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid testes ...
Schediwy M, Mevissen M, Demuth D, Kupper J, Naegeli H.This retrospective study evaluated the frequency, etiology, therapy and prognosis of animal poisoning registered from 2003 to 2012. The relevant cases reported to the Swiss Toxicological Information Center (STIC) were compared with those from previously examined periods. Human medicines not approved for animals and pesticides represented the most common causes of poisoning in dogs. Novel cases occurred as a consequence of the exposure of dogs to ricinus fertilizers, grape residues from wineries, pepper lachrymatory spray and dry bouillon. Cats are still freequently poisoned by pyrethroid drugs...
Clayton HM.Time magnification in motion photography allows the observation of events in the stride cycle that normally are beyond the resolution of the human eye. Quantitative analysis goes a stage further by measuring the stride in terms of timing, distance, and angular variables. Motion analysis is a good technique for detecting left-right asymmetries of gait, and the nature of the asymmetries has some value in locating the site of a lameness. Repeated analyses of the same horse allow an objective assessment of the effects of local anesthesia, surgical treatment, or medication. It is anticipated that t...
Fugazzola MC, Wever KE, van de Lest C, de Grauw J, Salvatori D.Animal models continue to be used to investigate cartilage repair strategies. Adequate anaesthesia and pain management are essential in order to guarantee acceptable animal welfare as well as reproducible experimental results. This systematic review evaluates reporting of anaesthesia and pain management in surgical large animal models (horse, pig, dog, goat and sheep) of (osteo)chondral repair. Manuscripts published between 2015 and 2020 were included after a comprehensive search strategy. Data were evaluated using descriptive statistics and qualitative review. Out of 223 eligible studies, 220...
Tou K, Cawley A, Bowen C, Sornalingam K, Fu S.The conventional detection of exogenous drugs in equine doping samples has been used for confirmation and subsequent prosecution of participants responsible. In recent years, alternative methods using indirect detection have been investigated due to the expanding number of pharmaceutical agents available with the potential of misuse. The monitoring of endogenous biomarkers such as hydrocortisone (HC) has been studied in equine urine with an international threshold of 1 μg/ml established; however, there is no current threshold for equine plasma. The aim of this research was to investigate pl...
Stokes SM, Stefanovski D, Bertin FR, Medina-Torres CE, Belknap JK, van Eps AW.Endocrinopathic laminitis develops in association with insulin dysregulation, but the role of insulin in the pathogenesis remains unclear. Hyperinsulinemia can cause hypoaminoacidemia, which is associated with integumentary lesions in other species and therefore warrants investigation as a potential mechanism in laminitis. Objective: Evaluate plasma amino acid concentrations in the euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp (EHC) and prolonged glucose infusion (PGI) laminitis models. Methods: Sixteen Standardbred horses. Methods: Prospective experimental study. Plasma amino acid concentrations were mea...
Romagnoli SE, Momont HW, Hilbert BJ, Metz A.Two yearling, paternal half-sibling Appaloosa fillies were ovariohysterectomized for treatment of multiple uterocervical leiomyomas. The tumors recurred in both fillies, originating from cervical tissue that could not be removed at surgery. Previously reported cases of uterine leiomyoma in the mare have been of solitary tumors in older mares that were treated successfully by surgical removal.
Gleadhill A, Marlin D, Harris PA, Michell AR.Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and extracellular volume (ECFV) were measured before, during and after treadmill exercise in 5 trained Thoroughbred horses (mean weight 483 kg). GFR/ECFV was determined by plasma disappearance of Tc-DTPA and ECFV was measured independently as thiocyanate space. Resting GFR averaged 1.6 l/min (3.3 ml/kg/min) and fell by over 40% during exercise, moreover the fall was severe even during the first walk, prior to trotting. The results suggest that rather than being protected, GFR is allowed to fall, even with mild exercise and that this is probably an adaptation to...
Carnevale EM, Maclellan LJ.Assisted reproductive techniques have been developed to obtain pregnancies from subfertile mares and stallions and to salvage gametes after death. In recent years, these procedures have been used for clinical cases with repeated success. Although new developments occur, the basis for the success and future development of assisted reproductive techniques is our ability to collect and handle the equine oocyte successfully. This article focuses on important clinical aspects of oocyte collection and evaluation and briefly discusses the clinical use of assisted reproductive procedures in the horse....
Faulkner JE, Broeckx BJG, Martens A, Raes E, Haardt H, Vanderperren K.Metal artifacts in CT negatively impact the evaluation of surgical implants and the surrounding tissues. The aim of this prospective experimental study was to evaluate the ability of a single energy metal artifact reduction (SEMAR™, Canon) algorithm and virtual monoenergetic (VM) dual-energy CT (DECT) scanning techniques to reduce metal artifacts from stainless steel screws surgically inserted into the equine proximal phalanx. Seven acquisitions of 18 cadaver limbs were performed on a Canon Aquilion One Vision CT scanner (Helical +SEMAR, Volume +SEMAR, Standard Helical, Standard Volume and V...
Fortier LA, Goodrich LR, Ribitsch I, Schnabel LV, Shepard DO, Van de Walle GR, Watts AE, Whealands Smith RK.Regenerative medicine is commonly used in human and equine athletes. Potential therapies include culture expanded stem cells, stromal vascular fraction of adipose tissue, platelet-rich plasma, bone marrow concentrate, or autologous conditioned serum. The purpose of this manuscript is to disseminate findings from a workshop on the development of translational regenerative medicine in the equine field. Five themes emerged: stem cell characterization and tenogenic differentiation; interactions between mesenchymal stem cells, other cells and the environment; scaffolds and cell packaging; blood- an...
van der Meulen KM, Nauwynck HJ, Pensaert MB.Equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) is an important pathogen of horses, causing abortion and nervous system disorders, even in vaccinated animals. During the cell-associated viremia, EHV-1 is carried by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), mainly lymphocytes. In vitro, monocytes are the most important fraction of PBMC in which EHV-1 replicates, however, mitogen stimulation prior to EHV-1 infection increases the percentage of infected lymphocytes. The role of the cell cycle in viral replication and the role of cluster formation in cell-to-cell transmission of the virus were examined in mitogen-s...
Clayton HM, O'Connor KA, Kaiser LJ.The objective of this study was to compare forces and pressure profiles beneath a conventional dressage saddle with a beechwood spring tree and a treeless dressage saddle without a rigid internal support and incorporating large panels and a gullet. The null hypothesis was that there is no difference in the force and pressure variables for the two saddles. Six horses were ridden by the same rider using the conventional dressage saddle and the treeless dressage saddle in random order and pressure data were recorded using an electronic pressure mat as the horses trotted in a straight line. The da...
Blikslager AT, Bowman KF, Haven ML, Tate LP, Bristol DG.The medical records of 17 horses that were evaluated and treated because of colic caused by pedunculated lipomas between 1983 and 1990 were reviewed. The mean age of the horses was 16.6 +/- 3.9 years (range, 10 to 26 years), which was significantly greater than that of the population of horses evaluated because of colic (control population) during the same period. There were significantly more geldings (76.5%), compared with the control population. Nasogastric reflux ranged from 1 to 16 L in 8 horses and was not obtained in 9 horses. Abdominal palpation per rectum revealed small intestinal dis...
Stull CL, Holcomb KE.Every state in the United States has regulations prohibiting acts of neglect and cruelty against animals. Local law enforcement and animal control agencies are responsible in many communities to enforce these statutes. As society's perception of horses has changed from their origin as livestock to companion animals in modern times, owners have transitioned their care and management. The goal of this study was to identify the role and capacities of local animal control services in the United States that investigate equine neglect, cruelty, and abandonment investigations and to identify challeng...
Giudicelli J, Emiliozzi R, Vannier C, de Burlet G, Sudaka P.A horse kidney neutral alpha-D-glucosidase (alpha-D-glucoside glucohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.20) was purified about 580-fold with a yield of 33% by an affinity chromatography technique using the p-aminophenyl-beta-D-maltoside, a substrate derivative, as ligand. The purified enzyme, homogeneous in polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, was a glycoprotein with a molecular weight of 280 000 as calculated by gel filtration and its isoelectric focusing points was found to be pH 4.1. The purified enzyme was able to hydrolyze various substrates having (alpha-1,2), (alpha-1,3), (alpha-1,4), and (alpha-1,6) glu...
Ellis JA, Steeves E, Wright AK, Bogdan JR, Davis WC, Kanara EW, Haines DM.The objective of this study was to determine whether the administration of modified-live equine herpesvirus (EHV-1) to young horses with residual maternal antibodies stimulated EHV-specific cytolytic responses, and whether these responses were crossreactive between EHV-1 and EHV-4. Eighteen clinically normal Belgian cross-foals were used in the study and were commingled in two adjacent pens. Skin biopsies were harvested from 16 foals within 24 h of birth and fibroblast cultures were established, expanded and cryopreserved. Beginning at approximately 10 weeks of age, 10 randomly chosen foals we...
Van Galen G, Amory H, Busschers E, Cassart D, De Bruijn M, Gerber V, Keen J, Lefere L, Pitel CM, Marr C, Müller JM, Pineau X, Saegerman C....Atypical myopathy is an acute, severe rhabdomyolysis occurring in grazing horses. In the beginning of October 2009, a new outbreak occurred in several European countries. Geographic, demographic and clinical data of the reported cases in the month October 2009 are described. Results: The survival rate in this outbreak was 25%. The most frequently observed clinical signs were congested mucous membranes, dyspnea, tachycardia, depression, weakness, stiffness, recumbency, trembling, sweating, and myoglobinuria. Nonsurvivors were significantly more likely to be recumbent than survivors. Prognostic ...
Bradley C, Grundon R, Sansom PG.Uveitis is reported to be a leading cause of blindness in horses. Little work has been undertaken to date to investigate whether donkeys are affected by a similar disease prevalence. Objective: To investigate the disease prevalence of uveitis in a population of donkeys in the UK. Methods: Descriptive observational study. Methods: An ophthalmic examination was performed on each donkey, in a darkened stable. Each donkey underwent slit lamp biomicroscopy, and direct and/or indirect ophthalmoscopy. Fluorescein staining, STT1 and IOPs were measured when deemed clinically necessary. Pharmacologica...
Ainsworth DM, Erb HN, Eicker SW, Yeagar AE, Viel L, Sweeney CR, Lavoie JP.To determine whether results of physical or radiographic examination or biochemical analyses in adult racehorses with primary lung abscesses were associated with ability to race following treatment. Methods: Multiple-center retrospective study. Methods: 25 Standardbreds and 20 Thoroughbreds. Methods: Medical records of horses with a primary lung abscess that were admitted to any of 4 veterinary teaching hospitals were reviewed. Results of physical examination, laboratory testing, and thoracic radiography were reviewed. Racing performance after treatment was compared with performance before ill...
Lea KM, Smith SR.Central Kentucky horse pastures contain significant populations of tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinacea (Schreb.) Dumort) infected with an endophyte (Epichloë coenophialum (Morgan-Jones and Gams) Bacon and Schardl) known to produce several ergot alkaloids, with ergovaline in the highest concentration. While most classes of horses are not adversely affected by average levels of ergovaline in pastures, late term pregnant mares have a low tolerance to ergovaline and the related ergot alkaloids. Endophyte-infected tall fescue has been known to cause prolonged gestation, thickened placenta, dystoc...
Perkins NR, Reid SW, Morris RS.To describe characteristics of Thoroughbred training stables in Matamata and in all other locations in New Zealand combined, over two 19-month time periods in 1996-1997 and 1998-1999, representing equal length periods immediately prior to and after the construction of a new training surface at the Matamata Racing Club. Methods: Retrospective records covering all horses training and racing in New Zealand during two 19-month time periods (1996-1997 and 1998-1999), covering 161 locations, were obtained from New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR). Outcome variables included whether a horse was rac...
Rossi TM, Moore A, O'Sullivan TL, Greer AL.Infectious respiratory disease is common in young horses and can impact athletic performance and long-term health. Significant variation in the duration of clinical disease has been observed, even in the absence of secondary complications. The determination of factors associated with disease chronicity may facilitate clinical decision-making and the development of improved biosecurity protocols. Objective: To investigate contact network characteristics, and demographic variables associated with time to clinical recovery from Equine Rhinitis A virus respiratory disease. Methods: Prospective coh...
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...