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.
van Aken D, Zevenhoven-Dobbe J, Gorbalenya AE, Snijder EJ.The positive-stranded RNA genome of the arterivirus Equine arteritis virus (order Nidovirales) encodes the partially overlapping replicase polyproteins pp1a (1727 aa) and pp1ab (3175 aa). Previously, three viral proteinases were reported to cleave these large polyproteins into 12 non-structural proteins (nsps). The chymotrypsin-like viral main proteinase residing in nsp4 is responsible for eight of these cleavages. Processing of the C-terminal half of pp1a (the nsp3-8 region) was postulated to occur following either of two alternative proteolytic pathways (the 'major' and 'minor' pathways). He...
Hosaka Y, Ozoe S, Kirisawa R, Ueda H, Takehana K, Yamaguchi M.The aim of this study was to clarify whether matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2 and -9: gelatinases) and pro-inflammatory cytokines [tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha and interleukin (IL)-1beta] are induced by heat in tendon tissue in vitro and to test the hypothesis that heat exposure causes tendinocytes to synthesize pro-inflammatory cytokines and that synthesis of these cytokines, in turn, leads to up-regulation of synthesis of gelatinases. Isolated tendinocytes from equine superficial digital flexor tendons were cultured and all experiments were performed on cells passaged 3 or 4 times. In t...
Tolleson DR, Teel PD, Stuth JW, Strey OF, Welsh TH, Carstens GE.Anti-tick treatments are often applied concurrent to routine livestock management practices with little regard to actual infestation levels. Prescription treatments against ticks on grazing cattle would be facilitated by non-invasive detection methods. One such method is fecal near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Four studies utilizing cattle (Bos spp.) and one with horses (Equus caballus) fed varying diets and infested with either Amblyomma americanum, A. maculatum, A. cajennense or Dermacentor albipictus were conducted to determine the ability of fecal NIRS to identify samples from animals wit...
Stanley SM, Wee WK, Lim BH, Foo HC.Direct-injection LC-LC hybrid tandem MS methods have been developed for undertaking broad-based screening for acidic drugs in protein-precipitated plasma and neutral doping agents in equine urine. In both analyses, analytes present in the matrix were trapped using a HLB extraction column before being refocused and separated on a Chromolith RP-18e monolithic analytical column using a controlled differential gradient generated by proportional dilution of the first column's eluent with water. Each method has been optimised by the adoption of a mobile phase and gradient that was tailored to enhanc...
Cappelli K, Verini-Supplizi A, Capomaccio S, Silvestrelli M.The knowledge of molecular mechanisms of stress response in athlete horses can allow us to plan an appropriate and high-grade training to obtain better performance and to preserve horse welfare. It is well known that excessive muscular exercise can lead to a number of responses which may be associated with modification of the mRNA levels for a number of metabolic genes such as those involved in the immune response. In the present study cDNA-AFLP technique was applied to Arab endurance horses under stressing conditions to visualise variations of transcriptional profiles; 49 transcript derived f...
Fazio F, Assenza A, Crisafulli G, Piccione G, Caola G.The aim of this study was to determine the daily rhythms in the blood serum of homocysteine in horses. Ten thoroughbred horses, five athletic (trained for 1 h, 6 days a week) and five sedentary, were used. Blood samples were collected on each subject every 4 h for two days by means of the jugular vein. On each individual sample, the serum concentration of homocysteine was assessed. The results obtained during the experimental period indicated the existence of a daily rhythm of serum homocysteine in sedentary and athletic horses. They also demonstrated that in horses, physical exercise influenc...
Richards N, Hinch G, Rowe J.A survey of 72 thoroughbred trainers in several regions of NSW was conducted to better define current grain feeding practices, and the risks involved with grain feeding in the Australian thoroughbred racing industry. Results from the survey indicate that horses in the industry are currently being fed an average of 7.3 +/- 0.23 kg of grain concentrate per day, with oats, commercial pre-mixed diets and corn most commonly used. The feeding of extruded, micronised and steam flaked grains was uncommon. The results of grain and faecal sample analyses conducted during the survey indicate that incompl...
Rüegg SR, Torgerson PR, Doherr MG, Deplazes P, Böse R, Robert N, Walzer C.Piroplasmosis has been identified as a possible cause of mortality in reintroduced Przewalski's horses (Equus ferus przewalskii) in the Dsungarian Gobi (Mongolia). A cross-sectional and a longitudinal study were conducted in a representative sample (n = 141) of the resident domestic horse population and in 23 Przewalski's horses to assess the prevalence of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi. Piroplasms were detected in blood by light microscopy in 6.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.6-12.2%) of the domestic horse samples. Antibody prevalence was 88.6% (95% CI: 82.4-92.9%) for T. equi and 75....
Hobo S, Niwa H, Anzai T.The reactivity of synthesised peptide sets for the M-like proteins SeM and SzPSe with sera from horses infected with Streptococcus equi or Streptococcus zooepidemicus, or control horses, was investigated by an ELISA. Seventeen horses were infected experimentally with S equi or S zooepidemicus, convalescent sera were obtained from 25 horses and control sera were obtained from 1945 horses. The serum antibody responses of individual horses to the peptide sets were highly variable. Some of the peptide sets for SeM reacted strongly with the sera from the horses infected experimentally with S equi, ...
Lankveld DP, Driessen B, Soma LR, Moate PJ, Rudy J, Uboh CE, van Dijk P, Hellebrekers LJ.Ketamine (KET) possesses analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity at sub-anesthetic doses, suggesting a benefit of long-term KET treatment in horses suffering from pain, inflammatory tissue injury and/or endotoxemia. However, data describing the pharmacodynamic effects and safety of constant rate infusion (CRI) of KET and its pharmacokinetic profile in nonpremedicated horses are missing. Therefore, we administered to six healthy horses a CRI of 1.5 mg/kg/h KET over 320 min following initial drug loading. Cardiopulmonary parameters, arterial blood gases, glucose, lactate, cortisol, insulin, non...
Tsujimura K, Yamanaka T, Kondo T, Fukushi H, Matsumura T.To develop a live vaccine for equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1), two EHV-1 mutants containing no heterogeneous DNA, DeltagI and DeltagE, were constructed with deletions in the open reading frame of either glycoprotein I (gI) or E (gE), respectively. In equine cell culture, deletion mutants formed smaller plaques than the parental and revertant viruses, but the one-step growth patterns of the deletion mutants and the parental strain were approximately the same. These results suggest that both gI and gE contribute to the ability of EHV-1 to spread directly from cell-to-cell, but that these glyco...
McEwan Jenkinson D, Elder HY, Bovell DL.Sweating has a variety of functions in mammals including pheromone action, excretion of waste products and maintenance of the skin surface ecosystem. In a small number of mammalian species, which includes humans and the Equidae, it also has an important role in thermoregulation. This review is focused specifically on the thermoregulatory role of sweat in Equidae and the causes of sweating failure (anhidrosis). The first part describes the glandular appearance, sweat composition, and output rates; and considers the latest theories on the glandular control and secretory mechanisms. It is conclud...
Womble A, Giguère S, Murthy YV, Cox C, Obare E.The objectives of this study were to determine the serum and pulmonary disposition of tilmicosin in foals and to investigate the in vitro activity of the drug against Rhodococcus equi and other common bacterial pathogens of horses. A single dose of a new fatty acid salt formulation of tilmicosin (10 mg/kg of body weight) was administered to seven healthy 5- to 8-week-old foals by the intramuscular route. Concentrations of tilmicosin were measured in serum, lung tissue, pulmonary epithelial lining fluid (PELF), bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cells, and blood neutrophils. Mean peak tilmicosin conc...
Milligan M, Kukanich B, Beard W, Waxman S.Lidocaine is administered as an intravenous infusion to horses for a variety of reasons, but no study has assessed plasma lidocaine concentrations during a 12-h infusion to horses. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the plasma concentrations and pharmacokinetics of lidocaine during a 12-h infusion to postoperative horses. A second purpose of the study was to evaluate the in vitro plasma protein binding of lidocaine in equine plasma. Lidocaine hydrochloride was administered as a loading dose, 1.3 mg/kg over 15 min, then by a constant rate IV infusion, 50 microg/kg/min to six postoperativ...
Driessen B, Nann L, Benton R, Boston R.To study whether hemodynamic function in horses, particularly mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), is better maintained with sevoflurane than isoflurane, thus requiring less pharmacological support. Methods: Prospective randomized clinical investigation. Animals Thirty-nine racehorses undergoing arthroscopy in lateral recumbency. Methods: Horses were assigned to receive either isoflurane (n = 20) or sevoflurane (n = 19) at 0.9-1.0 minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) for maintenance of anesthesia. Besides routine clinical monitoring, cardiac output (CO) was measured by lithium dilution. Hemodyn...
Constantinescu MA, Alfieri A, Mihalache G, Stuker F, Ducray A, Seiler RW, Frenz M, Reinert M.Laser tissue welding and soldering is being increasingly used in the clinical setting for defined surgical procedures. The exact induced changes responsible for tensile strength are not yet fully investigated. To further improve the strength of the bonding, a better understanding of the laser impact at the subcellular level is necessary. The goal of this study was to analyze whether the effect of laser irradiation on covalent bonding in pure collagen using irradiances typically applied for tissue soldering. Pure rabbit and equine type I collagen were subjected to laser irradiation. In the firs...
Vengust M, Anderson ME, Rousseau J, Weese JS.To evaluate the prevalence of methicillin-resistant staphylococcal (MRS) colonization in clinically normal dogs and horses in the community. Results: Three hundred clinically normal horses and 200 clinically normal dogs were enrolled. One nasal swab was collected from each horse. Two swabs were taken from each dog: (i) from an anterior nare, and (ii) a combination of the perineal area and 0.5 cm into the anus. Enrichment cultures were performed. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was not identified. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus intermedius (MRSI) was isolated from the n...
Ben-Menahem D, Grotjan HE.Chorionic gonadotropins (CG) are unique because they have a carboxyl terminal peptide (CTP) extension on their beta subunits that prolongs circulatory survival. CGbeta genes from the human being and horse have evolved from ancestral luteinizing hormone (LH) beta genes by different pathways that involve deletions that change the reading frames and yield a CTP. Here we further review our previous analysis, aimed at determining whether LHbeta genes in non-primate, non-equid species inherently possess DNA sequences that encode CTP-like domains. In multiple mammalian species, simple frame-shift mut...
Orsini JA, Moate PJ, Kuersten K, Soma LR, Boston RC.The safety and pharmacokinetics of fentanyl, delivered transdermally at a dosage of 60-67 microg/kg, were investigated in six healthy adult horses. Three transdermal fentanyl patches (Duragesic), each containing 10 mg of fentanyl citrate, were applied to the mid-dorsal thorax of each horse and left in place for 72 h. Plasma fentanyl concentrations were periodically measured throughout this period and for 12 h after patch removal. After an initial delay of approximately 2 h, the plasma fentanyl concentration rose rapidly in a fairly linear fashion, reaching a peak at around 12 h; thereafter, it...
Mealey RH, Lee JH, Leib SR, Littke MH, McGuire TC.Although CTL are critical for control of lentiviruses, including equine infectious anemia virus, relatively little is known regarding the MHC class I molecules that present important epitopes to equine infectious anemia virus-specific CTL. The equine class I molecule 7-6 is associated with the equine leukocyte Ag (ELA)-A1 haplotype and presents the Env-RW12 and Gag-GW12 CTL epitopes. Some ELA-A1 target cells present both epitopes, whereas others are not recognized by Gag-GW12-specific CTL, suggesting that the ELA-A1 haplotype comprises functionally distinct alleles. The Rev-QW11 CTL epitope is...
Magdesian KG, Fielding CL, Rhodes DM, Ruby RE.To evaluate selected hemodynamic, blood gas, and biochemical responses to mild to moderate acute blood loss in standing, awake horses. Methods: Prospective study. Methods: 7 healthy mares. Methods: Each horse was restrained in standing stocks, and its head was maintained in a neutral position; sedatives and tranquilizers were not administered. During a 1-hour period, blood was collected into collection bags by use of a suction pump. The rate of blood collection was approximately 16 mL/kg/h (7.3 mL/lb/h). Thirty minutes after blood collection, the blood was readministered at the same rate. Cent...
Infernuso T, Watts AE, Ducharme NG.Septic epiglottic chondritis with abscessation diagnosed in 2 Thoroughbred racehorses. Infected cartilage removed videoendoscopically followed by systemic antibiotics. The infectious process was successfully controlled, but permanent dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP) with a shortened, deformed epiglottic cartilage developed. Surgery for the DDSP using bilateral partial sternothyroidectomy or laryngeal tie-forward failed. Chondrite septique abcédée de l’épiglotte chez 2 jeunes chevaux de course Thoroughbred. Une chondrite septique abcédée de l’épiglotte a été diagnostiqu...
Léguillette R, Lavoie JP.To evaluate whether bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) alters respiratory mechanics of horses with recurrent airway obstruction (ie, heaves) over a 48-hour period. Methods: 6 horses affected with heaves. Methods: Horses were subjected to a complete BAL procedure, which included sedation with xylazine and butorphanol, intratracheal administration of lidocaine, and instillation and aspiration of two 250-mL boluses of saline (0.9% NaCl) solution through an endoscope (study 1). To evaluate the effects of saline solution, horses were subjected to the same procedure without saline solution instillation an...
Andrews FM, Buchanan BR, Smith SH, Elliott SB, Saxton AM.To compare the effects of hydrochloric acid (HCl) and various concentrations of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) on tissue bioelectric properties of equine stomach nonglandular (NG) mucosa. Methods: Gastric tissues obtained from 48 adult horses. Methods: NG gastric mucosa was studied by use of Ussing chambers. Short-circuit current (Isc) and potential difference (PD) were measured and electrical resistance (R) and conductance calculated for tissues after addition of HCl and VFAs (5, 10, 20, and 40 mM) in normal Ringer's solution (NRS). Results: Mucosa exposed to HCl in NRS (pH of 1.5 and, to a less...
Wolf P, Kamphues J.Nutritional disorders in domestic or pet animals depend not seldom on special situations, for example when different influences coincide concerning keeping, housing and offering of feed or water. These lead suddenly to high-risk situations, that can cause sometimes the death of the animal. The following case report deals with two ponies, that were kept on a so-called "petting zoo" and showed repeatedly colic symptoms (always after a weekend). During surgery in the stomach light yellow balls were found, that can be explained by ingestion of 1.0 to 1.5 kg wheat. This cereals consist--depending o...
Ollivier FJ, Kallberg ME, Plummer CE, Barrie KP, O'Reilly S, Taylor DP, Gelatt KN, Brooks DE.The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness and effectiveness of permanent amniotic membrane transplantation as an adjunctive treatment to superficial keratectomy alone or combined with strontium-90 irradiation for treatment of equine corneolimbal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) to decrease corneal scarring and recurrence rate. Methods: The retrospective case study included 11 horses (n = 12 eyes) diagnosed and treated for ocular SCC that involved the limbus and cornea. Nine of those horses (n = 9 eyes) were treated between 2002 and 2006, with superficial lamellar keratectomy alone ...
Lischer CJ, Ringer SK, Schnewlin M, Imboden I, Fürst A, Stöckli M, Auer J.The objective of the present clinical report was to investigate the short- and long-term outcomes of chronic proximal suspensory desmitis (PSD) treated with Extracorporeal Shockwave Treatment (ESWT). Fifty-two horses with chronic PSD in the forelimb (34 cases) or hindlimb (22 cases) were included in the study. Three horses had lesions in both hindlimbs and one in both forelimbs. The origin of the suspensory ligament was treated every three weeks for a total of three treatments using 2000 impulses applied by a focused ESWT device (Equitron) at an energy flux density of 0.15 mJ/ mm2. This treatm...
Butters A.A 4-day-old, male, American paint foal was presented for abdominal distention, respiratory distress, and diarrhea. Bladder rupture and uroperitoneum were diagnosed following abdominal ultrasonography and abdominocentesis. The defect in the dorsocranial part of the bladder wall was surgically repaired. Un poulain American Paint mâle âgé de quatre jours est présenté pour ballonnement abdominal, détresse respiratoire et diarrhée. Une rupture de la vessie et un uropéritoine sont diagnostiqués après une échographie et une paracentèse abdominale. Le défaut dans la partie dorso-crânial...
Puigdemont A, Arboix M, Gaspari F, Bortolotti A, Bonati M.The protein binding of propafenone in vitro was assessed in plasma of mouse, rat, rabbit, dog, sheep, man, cow, and horse at two concentration levels. In all species and at both concentrations propafenone was found highly bound (86-99%) to plasma proteins. No significant relationship was found between free propafenone and the plasma protein fractions. A concentration-dependency was seen in plasma of mouse, sheep, man, and horse, in which the free fraction of propafenone became larger on raising the concentration. Qualitative and quantitative differences were observed in the protein plasma prof...
Munsterman AS, Hanson RR.To develop a direct method for measuring intra-abdominal pressures in the standing horse, identify a reference interval for direct intra-abdominal pressures, compare these pressures to indirect intra-abdominal pressures measured from the bladder, and determine the optimal bladder infusion volume for indirect pressure measurement. Methods: Prospective, experimental study. Methods: A university-based equine research facility. Methods: Ten healthy adult horses, 5 males and 5 females. Methods: Direct intra-abdominal pressures were measured through an intraperitoneal cannula and zeroed at the heigh...
Kirschvink N, Art T, Smith N, Lekeux P.To test whether isoprostanes could be used as markers of oxidative stress in horses, their concentration was determined in plasma and in pulmonary epithelial lining fluid (PELF) in 3 models of oxidative stress: (1) strenuous exercise, (2) acute COPD crisis and (3) exercise combined with COPD crisis. Four horses were investigated twice, once in crisis and once in remission. The animals underwent a standardised treadmill exercise test. Isoprostane assessment was performed in plasma and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid 24 h before and 1 h after exercise and in plasma also immediately after exercise. ...
van der Velden MA, Klein WR.Seventy horses surgically treated for colic caused by disorders of the small intestine were included in a randomized blind trial to determine the effects of cisapride (0.1 mg/kg bw intramuscularly at 8-h intervals) on the post-operative restoration of gut motility. Cisapride appeared to reduce the incidence of post-operative ileus. It accelerated the restoration of bowel motility, reducing the period of post-operative intensive care. It is concluded that cisapride is an effective and useful drug in the post-operative treatment of horses after surgery of the small intestine.
Adamu SG, Hassan M, Ardo MB.A cross-sectional survey was conducted to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors influencing the presence of Brucella spp. antibodies in donkeys in Yobe south senatorial zone, Nigeria. The study was aimed at determining the importance of Brucella spp. infection in donkeys (Equus asinus). A total of 200 sera samples from of 105 males and 95 female donkeys were collected and screened for brucellosis using the rose bengal plate test (RBPT) and the indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (iELISA). Data obtained were analyzed to determine associations and risk factors. The analysis reveal...
Williams MR, Arnoczky SP, Pease AP, Stick JA.To determine the microvascular anatomy of the suspensory ligament of the forelimb of horses. Methods: 17 cadaveric forelimbs from 9 adult horses with no known history of forelimb lameness. Methods: The median artery of the forelimb was cannulated proximal to the antebrachiocarpal joint and injected with contrast medium for CT evaluation of the gross vasculature (n = 2) or India ink to evaluate the microvasculature (12). Routine histologic evaluation was performed on an additional 3 forelimbs to confirm the microvascular anatomy. Results: The vascular supply of the suspensory ligament of the fo...
The Journal of nutritionDecember 30, 1998
Volume 128, Issue 12 Suppl 2698S-2703S doi: 10.1093/jn/128.12.2698S
Harris PA.In the first part of this century, there was little advancement in horse nutrition and little research was undertaken. However, in the last few years, there has been a great increase in interest in this whole area. This review surveys some of the more recent developments and how they have influenced feeding practices and also compares these with those feeding practices found at the start of this century. The review concentrates on the nutrition of the adult horse in work, exploring in particular what they are fed and how the nutrient value of these feeds is evaluated.
Riley CB, McCallum S, MacDonald JA, Hill KE.To determine the period prevalence of needlestick injury (NSI) at the Massey University Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH) and to identify handling and disposal practices that may contribute to the risk of NSI. Methods: Observations of personnel were conducted in the equine (EVH) and companion animal (CAH) clinics of the VTH during scheduled clinical activities over 9- and 10-day periods, respectively. The number and type of NSI incidents, needle uncapping, capping and disposal events were recorded for veterinarians, nurses and other personnel (visitors and students). The number of needle-rela...
Sarratt SM, Hood DM.To describe architectural changes along the dorsal laminar interface of the equine foot. Methods: 6 macroscopically normal forefeet obtained from 6 equine cadavers. Methods: Histologic sections of 8 evenly spaced, proximal to distal, samples of the dorsal laminar interface were photographed, digitized, and examined for differences in architecture. Laminar depth; secondary laminar density; number and consistency of bifurcations occurring within the secondary laminae, and areas composed of primary dermal lamina, primary epidermal lamina, and secondary laminar interface were recorded. Data were e...
Düsterdieck-Zellmer KF.Systemic administration of tiludronate or clodronate decreases lameness in some horses suffering from navicular syndrome within 2-6 months of treatment. In horses that fail to respond to the first treatment, a follow-up treatment may still improve the lameness. Horses with a lameness duration of less than 6 months have better odds of experiencing improvement in lameness. Bisphosphonate (BP) treatment can result in renal damage, and it is recommended to assess renal function prior to and after treatment. Horses with pre-existing renal compromise should not be treated with BP, as this may promot...
Gaschen L, Burba DJ.Adaptive and nonadaptive stress remodeling in Thoroughbred racehorses leads to most of their musculoskeletal injuries, and imaging plays an important role in its detection. Bone scintigraphy is important for detecting stress remodeling and stress fractures and aids in decision making when more than one lesion is present on MRI or radiographic examinations. MRI likely represents the best modality for the assessment of osteoarthritis of the metacarpophalangeal and metatarsophalangeal joints. Ultrasonography remains important as the first modality for the assessment of tendon and ligamentous inju...
Klingberg J, Cawley A, Shimmon R, Fu S.The constant evolution of the illicit drug market makes the identification of unknown compounds problematic. Obtaining certified reference materials for a broad array of new analogues can be difficult and cost prohibitive. Machine learning provides a promising avenue to putatively identify a compound before confirmation against a standard. In this study, machine learning approaches were used to develop class prediction and retention time prediction models. The developed class prediction model used a naïve Bayes architecture to classify opioids as belonging to either the fentanyl analogues, AH...
Robertson SA, Sanchez LC.Identification and alleviation of visceral pain is a frequent concern for the equine owner and veterinarian. This article discusses sources, methods for identification and quantitation, and options for treatment of visceral pain in horses.
O'Banion MP, Sundman E, Edmonds M, Davis J.Dipyrone is a non-opioid, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug with antipyretic and analgesic properties commonly used in horses. Dipyrone is rapidly hydrolyzed to the primary active metabolite 4-methylaminoantipyrine (4-MAA). The purpose of this study was to determine the pharmacokinetic profile of 4-MAA following repeated and escalating doses of intravenously administered dipyrone. Twenty-six horses were randomly allocated to five treatment groups (one placebo group and four dipyrone groups [30 mg/kg q8h, 30 mg/kg q12h, 60 mg/kg q8h, and 90 mg/kg q12h]) and treated for nine consecutive da...
Leach DH, Oliphant LW.The ultrastructure of cells of the secondary epidermal lamellae from the hoof wall of 8 adult horses was described. Stages of progressive keratinization were not observed in this cell population. The morphologic features of cells of the secondary epidermal lamellae indicated that these lamellae were composed of nonmobile populations of cells and that primary epidermal lamellae moved past the secondary lamellae by breaking of the desmosomes connecting these 2 cell populations. Seemingly, debris present in the intercellular space between primary and secondary lamellae was a by-product of this re...
McCue PM, LeBlanc MM, Squires EL.Equine follicle stimulating hormone (eFSH) has been used to induce follicular development in transitional mares and problem acyclic mares, as well as superovulate cycling mares. The most efficacious protocol is to administer 12.5 mg eFSH, intramuscularly, twice daily beginning 5 to 7 days after ovulation when the diameter of the largest follicle is 20 to 25 mm. Prostaglandins are to be administered on the second day of eFSH therapy. Treatment with eFSH is continued for 3 to 5 days until follicle(s) are >or=35 mm in diameter. The mare is subsequently allowed to 'coast' for 36 h, after which hum...
Dutton DM, Watkins JP, Walker MA, Honnas CM.To determine outcome for foals with incomplete ossification of the tarsal bones and to determine whether clinical and radiographic abnormalities at the time of initial examination were associated with outcome. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: 22 foals. Methods: Information on signalment, history, owner's initial complaint, clinical findings, whether tarsus valgus was evident, and radiographic abnormalities was obtained from medical records. Radiographic lesions were classified as type I (i.e., incomplete ossification with < 30% collapse of the affected bones) or type II (incomplete ossif...
Eberhardt C, Mitchell KJ, Schwarzwald CC.The mechanical function of the left atrium (LA) plays a pivotal role in modulation of left ventricular filling. Assessment of LA function might be a clinically useful prognostic tool for horses with mitral regurgitation or atrial fibrillation. However, the most accurate, reliable, and clinically useful methods to assess LA myocardial function are yet to be determined. The objective of this study was to describe the methods for quantification of LA wall motion using two-dimensional speckle tracking (2DST) echocardiography in healthy Warmblood horses to quantify measurement variability, to calcu...
van der Laan M, Raes E, Oosterlinck M.During diagnostic evaluation of hindlimb lameness in horses the tibial nerve block is traditionally performed based on anatomical reference points, but it can be difficult to achieve effective local anaesthesia using this blind technique. Ultrasound (US)-guided injection could increase the accuracy of injection. The aim of this study was to compare the accuracy of both techniques. Twenty-one paired sets of cadaver hindlimbs were injected with 1 mL methylene blue using the blind or US-guided technique. There was no significant difference in stain width and length and in coloured nerve length be...
Fenger CK, Granstrom DE, Langemeier JL, Stamper S.To determine the clinical findings, course of treatment, and long-term outcome of horses on a farm in central Kentucky during an epizootic of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM). Methods: Cohort study. Methods: 21 horses on a farm in central Kentucky, 12 of which developed clinical signs of EPM. Methods: Horses on the farm were serially examined for signs of neurologic disease and serum and CSF antibodies to Sarcocystis neurona. Horses were considered to have EPM if they had neurologic signs and positive test results for antibodies to S neurona in CSF. Blood values were monitored for evid...
Meyer A, Messer L, De Briel D, Moreau P.The field of zoonoses changes constantly. Streptococcus equi subsp. ruminatorum is a group C Streptococcus subspecies first identified in 2004. The first case of human infection with this agent was reported in 2007. Here, we report a second case. A 70-year-old man had acute spondylodiscitis and endocarditis involving the anterior mitral valve leaflet. S. equi subsp. ruminatorum was identified in the blood cultures. Antibiotic therapy was successful in eradicating the infection. The workup showed hypogammaglobulinemia with stage I myeloma. He reported frequent contacts with horses including tw...
Mählmann K, Koch C, Bodó G.To compare the practicability, visualization of structures, and iatrogenic damage of direct and transthecal approaches to the navicular bursa for diagnostic needle endoscopy. Methods: Descriptive study. Methods: Equine cadaver forelimbs (n = 30). Methods: Direct and transthecal approaches for insertion of a needle endoscope into the navicular bursa were performed. Video recordings of endoscopic procedures were assessed to determine all structures visualized within the navicular bursa. Number of attempts to gain access to the navicular bursa and total time for insertion and examination were...
Sprekeler N, Müller T, Kowalewski MP, Liesegang A, Boos A.In many species, the small intestine is the major site of calcium (Ca(2+)) absorption. The horse differs considerably from most other species with regard to the physiology of its Ca(2+) metabolism and digestion. Thus, this study was performed to get more information about the transcellular Ca(2+) absorption in the horse.Two mechanisms of intestinal Ca(2+) absorption are described: the passive paracellular pathway and the active, vitamin D-dependent transcellular pathway. The latter involves the following elements: vitamin D receptors (VDR), transient receptor potential vanilloid channel member...
Ginther OJ, Castro T, Baldrighi JM, Wolf CA, Santos VG.Five mares that developed idiopathic persistent corpus luteum (PCL) were compared with 5 mares with apparently normal interovulatory intervals (IOIs). Progesterone (P4) and a metabolite of prostaglandin F2α (PGFM) were assayed daily beginning on the day of ovulation (Day 0). Transition between the end of an initial progressive P4 increase and the beginning of a gradual decrease in P4 occurred on mean Day 6. The gradual decrease in P4 between Days 6 and 12 was less (approached significance, P < 0.06) in the PCL group than in the IOI group. The P4 concentration on Day 12 (before luteolysis i...
McClellan NR, Santschi EM, Hurcombe SD, Litsky AS.To (1) develop a model of cyclical adduction force on an abducted left arytenoid cartilage that mimics swallowing or coughing; (2) determine if arytenoid abduction by a clamp before knot tying will improve the maintenance of abduction under cyclical adduction testing. Methods: Experimental. Methods: Cadaveric equine larynges (n = 14). Methods: Left laryngoplasty performed using a single suture of #5 Ethibond with (n = 7) and without (n = 7) abducting the arytenoid with a clamp before knot tying. Each laryngoplasty was loaded cyclically from 2 to 26 N at 0.5 Hz for 5000 cycles i...
Allen WE.THE accumulation of a gross excess of fluid in the amniotic or
allantoic cavities is not uncommon in bovidae, although the
latter occurs most frequently. The resulting pathological
conditions are usually referred to as hydrops amnii and
hydroallantois, respectively. They are often associated with
abnormalities of the foetus in cattle (Vandeplassche el ul1965;
Roberts 1971) and hydro-allantois is quite common in twin
pregnancies (Roberts 1971).
This article describes two cases of excess foetal fluid in the
mare, both of which were associated with abnormal
pregnancies.
