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Topic:Veterinary Medicine
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.
15-Ketodihydro-PGF2alpha and cortisol plasma concentrations in newborn foals after spontaneous or oxytocin-induced parturition. Hormonal changes during early neonatal life play a major role in the physiological processes underlying the maturation of several organs. Since prostaglandins and cortisol are associated with fetal organ system maturation, the aim of this study was to evaluate 15-ketodihydro-PGF(2alpha) (PGM) and cortisol plasma concentrations during the first 21 days after birth in foals born by either spontaneous (24 foals) or low-dose oxytocin (OT)-induced parturition performed after at least 320 gestational days (25 foals) since induction is often considered to be a cause of prematurity. After spontaneous ...
Partial deletion of the LAMA3 gene is responsible for hereditary junctional epidermolysis bullosa in the American Saddlebred Horse. Laminin 5 is a heterotrimeric basement membrane protein integral to the structure and function of the dermal-epidermal junction. It consists of three glycoprotein subunits: the alpha3, beta3 and gamma2 chains, which are encoded by the LAMA3, LAMB3 and LAMC2 genes respectively. A mutation in any of these genes results in the condition known as hereditary junctional epidermolysis bullosa (JEB). A 6589-bp deletion spanning exons 24-27 was found in the LAMA3 gene in American Saddlebred foals born with the skin-blistering condition epitheliogenesis imperfecta. The deletion confirms that this autoso...
Metabolic syndrome-From human organ disease to laminar failure in equids. Obesity, insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia and hypertriglyceridemia are components of an equine metabolic syndrome phenotype associated with increased laminitis risk in horses. Links between these conditions and laminitis must still be elucidated, but human medicine provides candidate mechanisms for future study, including inflammation associated with obesity, vascular compromise induced by insulin resistance, and endothelial dysfunction. Just as metabolic syndrome has been linked to cardiovascular disease in humans, studies are now required to determine the exact mechanisms responsible for...
Age-related dynamics of follicles and hormones during an induced ovulatory follicular wave in mares. An ovulatory follicular wave was induced by ablation of follicles > or =6mm and treatment with prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF) on Day 10 (ovulation=Day 0). Follicle and hormone dynamics of the induced waves were compared among three age groups: young (5-6 y, n=14 waves), intermediate (10-14 y, n=16), and old (> or =18, n=15). During the common-growth phase of the induced wave (Days 12-17), diameter of the future ovulatory follicle was not different among ages, but the young group had more (P or =10mm. The number was correlated (r=+0.7; P<0.0001) within mares between consecutive interovula...
Sepsis-From human organ failure to laminar failure. The horse with gram negative sepsis is known to be at particular risk of succumbing to laminitis. This review summarizes recent evidence indicating that similar pathologic events relating to inflammatory injury occur in laminar failure in laminitis as occur in organ injury/failure in human sepsis. The discussion also points out some important differences between the laminae and target organs in human sepsis that impact the clinical nature of the disease.
The role of leukocyte biology in laminitis. The underlying pathogenesis of laminitis clearly depends importantly on inflammatory processes that recruit leukocytes at an early stage in disease. The role of leukocytes in the initiation of laminitis, or as an intermediary factor is currently being investigated using a limited array of models, and future studies require both new reagent and model systems if we are to clearly define how leukocytes propagate this disease. The opportunities presented by this type of research could easily include new and powerful treatment and preventative modalities.
Equine laminitis: a journey to the dark side of venous. Equine laminitis is a crippling condition that continues to defy repeated efforts to delineate the precise mechanisms involved and develop effective therapeutic strategies for use in the clinic. In this article, the possible role of dysfunction of the laminar vasculature is discussed, with particular emphasis on the venous side of the laminar microvasculature and the possible role(s) that metabolic syndrome and thrombosis may play in the dysfunction observed in the laminar microvasculature during the development of laminitis.
Equid herpesvirus 2-associated oral and esophageal ulceration in a foal. A case of a 1-month-old Thoroughbred foal with dysphagia, salivation, pyrexia, oral mucosal pustules, and esophageal ulceration is reported. Swabs from the ulcerated lesions yielded Equid herpesvirus 2 (EHV-2) in virus isolation assays, and histopathology of a biopsy from the esophageal lesion identified nuclear inclusions suggestive of herpesviruses. Immunohistochemical staining with antibodies specific for EHV-2 was positive for epithelial cells in the vicinity of the ulcer but not in more distant mucosa. Electron microscopic evaluation of the biopsy showed herpesviral particles in epithelia...
Leukocyte-derived and endogenous matrix metalloproteinases in the lamellae of horses with naturally acquired and experimentally induced laminitis. Inflammation and dysregulation of endogenous matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) production are implicated in the development of equine laminitis. In this study, we examine quantitative relationships among levels of leukocyte-derived proMMP-9 and MMP-9, lamellar proMMP-2 and MMP-2, and expression of proMMP-2 processing enzymes, MT1-MMP/PACE4, as steps towards determining whether inflammation and dysregulation of endogenous MMP production are independent or co-dependent processes. Methods: Archived samples of lamellae from horses with naturally acquired laminitis (n = 12), and from horses administer...
Extracellular matrix, leukocyte migration and laminitis. The structure and dynamic nature of extracellular matrix is discussed in the context of healthy and diseased tissues particularly the equine digital laminae.
Role of p38 MAPK in LPS induced pro-inflammatory cytokine and chemokine gene expression in equine leukocytes. Endotoxemia occurs when bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the blood induces a dysregulated inflammatory response, resulting in circulatory shock and multi-organ failure. Laminitis is a common complication in endotoxemic horses and is frequently the reason for humane euthanasia of these cases. Blood leukocytes are a principal target of LPS in endotoxemia leading to activation of multiple signal transduction pathways involved in the induction of a number of pro-inflammatory genes. In other animal models, the p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway has been associated with induced...
Temporal aspects of laminar gene expression during the developmental stages of equine laminitis. The results of recent studies indicate that inflammatory responses occurring in the early stages of equine laminitis lead to downstream events that eventually result in failure of the bond between the hoof wall and the distal phalanx. In order to gain further insights into the molecular mechanisms involved in the development of laminitis, an equine-specific cDNA microarray consisting of transcripts for more that 3000 genes was used to assess temporal changes in gene expression in laminar tissues at 1.5, 3 and 12 h after administration of either a laminitis-inducing agent (black walnut heartwoo...
Abortion in a horse following Neorickettsia risticii infection. A pregnant 18-year-old Quarterhorse mare presented with fever, anorexia, tachycardia, tachypnea, and gastrointestinal hypermotility at day 68 of gestation. Potomac horse fever was diagnosed based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of whole blood and a high antibody titer to Neorickettsia risticii. The mare made a rapid clinical recovery following antibiotic therapy, but aborted 98 days later. Necropsy on the aborted fetus revealed lymphohistiocytic colitis, lymphadenitis, myocarditis, and hepatitis. The placenta was grossly and histologically normal. Formalin-fixed lymph node, thymus,...
Endotoxin-induced activation of equine digital vein endothelial cells: role of p38 MAPK. The endothelium plays a major role in the pathogenesis of endotoxemia. Binding of endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide; LPS) to endothelium initiates a range of signalling events, including activation of p38 mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs) that are involved in the initiation of inflammatory responses. In the present study we have examined whether clinically relevant concentrations of LPS can activate p38 MAPK in equine endothelial cells and have investigated the role of the kinase in neutrophil adhesion and mediator release. Cultured equine digital vein endothelial cells (EDVEC) were expose...
Thromboxane and isoprostanes as inflammatory and vasoactive mediators in black walnut heartwood extract induced equine laminitis. Inflammation and vascular dysfunction occur concurrently during the prodromal stages of equine laminitis. The aim of this study was to provide insights into the role that thromboxane and isoprostanes may play in the development of black walnut heartwood extract (BWHE)-induced laminitis. Horses were divided into two groups, either control or BWHE-administered horses. Plasma concentrations of thromboxane increased transiently after administration of BWHE and coincided with the nadir in white blood cell counts, whereas plasma concentrations of iso-prostaglandin PGF(2alpha) (iso-PGF(2alpha)) did n...
p38 mitogen-activated kinase (MAPK) is essential for equine neutrophil migration. Equine laminar tissues do not contain resident neutrophils and have less superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity than other equine tissues, which makes them inherently more vulnerable to damage induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by neutrophils that enter the tissues. In the advanced clinical stages of acute laminitis, pathologic events in affected feet include a breakdown in the basement membrane, neutrophil infiltration, and platelet-neutrophil aggregates in laminar dermal veins, highlighting the contribution of neutrophils to the pathophysiology of the disease. The aim of this stu...
Fibropapilloma of the glans penis in a horse. An 18-year-old Arabian stallion was presented for recent onset of stranguria. Physical examination of the distal portion of the glans penis revealed multiple, smooth, glistening, grayish-pink, variably sized, exophytic, nodular masses circumferentially surrounding the external urethral orifice. Partial penile amputation was performed, and the entire specimen was submitted for histological evaluation. Microscopically, the masses consisted of abundant amounts of loosely arranged fibrovascular stroma with low numbers of spindloid to stellate fibrocytes. The overlying epithelium was mildly to mode...
Indices of inflammation in the lung and liver in the early stages of the black walnut extract model of equine laminitis. The liver and lung are not only described as "target organs" in sepsis in most species, but are purported to be sources of circulating inflammatory mediators central to the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). As we have recently reported an inflammatory response in the laminar tissue in laminitis similar to that described in "target organs" in human sepsis, we investigated the inflammatory response of the lung and liver in the black walnut extract (BWE) model of equine laminitis to determine (1) if a similar systemic inflammatory response occurs in this laminitis model as described...
Herpesvirus-associated neurological disease in a donkey. A 4-year-old donkey was evaluated for progressive neurological abnormalities consisting of depression, stupor, weakness, and recumbency. Diagnostic evaluation for viral involvement identified an asinine herpesvirus in DNA extracted from deep pharyngeal swabs. Specific primers were designed based on comparison with equine herpesviral DNA polymerase sequences and yielded an 875-base pair product from the donkey. This sequence had complete identity with short sequences of asinine herpesvirus previously identified in donkeys with interstitial pneumonia. Amino acid analysis of the entire sequence i...
A long-term study of apicoectomy and endodontic treatment of apically infected cheek teeth in 12 horses. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term results of apicoectomy and retrograde endodontic treatment in 12 horses with apical cheek teeth infections. The affected apices were removed using a diamond bur mounted on a dental drill, and after pulp removal the root canals were filed with Hedstrøm files and then alternately flushed with sodium hypochlorite, hydrogen peroxide and alcohol. The pulp canals were dried and filled with endodontic cement and gutta-percha points. An undercut was made in the apical aspect of the root canals that were then sealed with self-curing glass ionomer cem...
Cyclooxygenase-2 expression in equine tumors. The enzyme cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is expressed in some tumor and stromal tissues, and catalyzes production of prostaglandins with growth stimulatory, antiapoptotic, proangiogenic, and immunosuppressive properties. Pharmacologic inhibition of COX-2 is associated with antitumor activity in various human and canine malignancies. The purpose of this study was to assess COX-2 expression in a series of equine sarcoids, melanomas, and squamous-cell carcinomas (SCC). COX-2 expression was assessed in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues from 14 sarcoids, 11 melanomas, and 37 SCC that represent va...
Gross anatomy of the female genital organs of the domestic donkey (Equus asinus Linné, 1758). Although donkeys play an important role as companion or pack and draught animals, theriogenological studies and anatomical data on the genital organs of the jenny are sparse. To provide anatomical descriptions and morphometric data, the organa genitalia feminina, their arteries and the ligamentum latum uteri of 10 adult but maiden jennies were examined by means of gross anatomical and morphometric techniques. In comparison with anatomical data of horses obtained from literature the genital organs of jennies appear to be more voluminous in relation to the body mass and the position of the ovari...
Mechanical properties of subchondral bone in the distal aspect of third metacarpal bones from Thoroughbred racehorses. To characterize the mechanical properties of subchondral bone (SCB) of the distopalmar aspect of the condyles of the third metacarpal bone (MC3) and their correlations with structural aspects of MC3s in Thoroughbred racehorses. Methods: 12 pairs of MC3s from Thoroughbred racehorses euthanized for various reasons. Methods: MC3s were collected from horses with mild (n = 6) and with severe (6) SCB changes, as determined by micro-computed tomography (CT). Specimens of SCB plate and trabecular bone were cut from the distopalmar aspect of condyles and sagittal ridge and examined with 3-dimensional m...
Factors associated with survival of neonatal foals with bacteremia and racing performance of surviving Thoroughbreds: 423 cases (1982-2007). To identify factors associated with short-term survival in bacteremic neonatal foals, evaluate the racing performance of Thoroughbred survivors, and evaluate changes in causative organisms and their antimicrobial susceptibility. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: 423 bacteremic foals. Methods: Medical records of foals that were hospitalized in 1982 through 2007 were reviewed, and those with bacteremia were included in the study. Data retrieved included signalment, physical examination and clinicopathologic findings at admission, localized infections, concurrent illnesses, duration of...
Structural characterization of subchondral bone in the distal aspect of third metacarpal bones from Thoroughbred racehorses via micro–computed tomography. To characterize the microstructure of subchondral bone (SCB) plate and trabecular bone (TBB) of the distopalmar aspect of the condyles of third metacarpal bones (MC3s) from Thoroughbred racehorses at 2 different stages of SCB disease via micro-computed tomography (CT). Methods: 12 pairs of MC3s from Thoroughbred racehorses euthanized for various reasons. Methods: MC3s were collected from horses with mild (n = 6) or severe (6) SCB disease, as determined via micro-CT. Cubic (6 x 6 x 6-cm) specimens of SCB plate and TBB were cut from the palmar aspect of condyles and sagittal ridges and examined ...
Assessment of platelet growth factors in supernatants from rehydrated freeze-dried equine platelets and their effects on fibroblasts in vitro. To determine whether platelet growth factors are preserved in supernatants obtained from rehydrated trehalose-stabilized, freeze-dried (lyophilized) equine platelets and whether those growth factors stimulate fibroblast proliferation and migration and enhance fibroblast-associated contraction in a collagen gel assay. Methods: 6 clinically normal adult horses. Methods: Blood samples were obtained from 6 horses, and washed platelets were prepared via differential centrifugation. Washed platelets were freeze-dried in a physiologic buffer with a mixture of trehalose and polyethylene glycol 4000. R...
Associations of sex, breed, and age with cervical vertebral compressive myelopathy in horses: 811 cases (1974-2007). To determine sex, breed, and age distributions in a population of horses with cervical vertebral compressive myelopathy (CVCM), compared with contemporaneous control horses. Methods: Retrospective case-control study. Methods: 811 horses with CVCM and 805 control horses. Methods: The Veterinary Medical Database was searched to identify horses with CVCM and contemporaneous control horses registered between July 1974 and August 2007. Admission date, admitting institution, sex, breed, age at the time of registration in the database, weight, and discharge status (alive, died, or euthanized) were re...
Spermatozoa morphology during the breeding season in Thoroughbred stallions in Japan. The morphology of spermatozoa of modern Thoroughbred stallions in Japan was investigated during the breeding season. A total of 299 semen samples were collected from the penises of 16 stallions immediately after service. The rate of abnormalities in sperm heads and tails, spermatozoa with cytoplasmic droplets and slides with medusa cells to total observed slides in each stallion were 3.9 +/- 2.1%, 11.5 +/- 5.9%, 2.4 +/- 2.6% and 20.1%, respectively. The values for the area, length, width and aspect ratio of the stallion sperm head were 12.54 +/- 1.34 microm(2), 5.93 +/- 0.40 microm, 2.69 +/- 0...
