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.
Allen ML, Baker GJ, Freeman DE, Holmes KR, Marretta SM, Scoggins RD, Constable P.To measure the amount of heat generated during 3 methods of equine dental reduction with power instruments. Methods: In vitro study. Methods: 30 premolar and molar teeth removed from mandibles of 8 equine heads collected at an abbatoir. Methods: 38-gauge copper-constantan thermocouples were inserted into the lingual side of each tooth 15 mm (proximal) and 25 mm (distal) from the occlusal surface, at a depth of 5 mm, which placed the tip close to the pulp chamber. Group-NC1 (n = 10) teeth were ground for 1 minute without coolant, group-NC2 (10) teeth were ground for 2 minutes without coolant, a...
Puchol JL, Herrán R, Durall I, López J, Díaz-Bertrana C.A 13-month-old female Andalusian was evaluated because of a congenital left deviation of the maxilla and nasal septum, which had resulted in a gross malocclusion of the maxillary incisor teeth. Surgical correction of a deviated nasal septum and premaxilla in a horse was first reported in 1978 and involved a pre-maxilla osteotomy and use of an autogenous rib graft, with a nasal septum osteotomy performed in a second surgery; to the authors' knowledge, no alternative surgical treatments have since been described. In this horse, a new surgical treatment by distraction osteogenesis without nasal s...
Murray RC, Roberts BL, Schramme MC, Dyson SJ, Branch M.Injury of the distal aspect of the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) is a recognized cause of lameness, but diagnosis is difficult. This study aimed to improve understanding of DDFT morphology and pathology using retrospective evaluation of magnetic resonance (MR) images. We hypothesized that: (1) The distal aspect of the DDFT in normal horses would have a repeatable proximal/distal pattern and symmetry between limbs and between lobes; (2) DDFT dimensions would be related to bodyweight, navicular bone dimensions and hoof size; (3) this symmetry and pattern would be lost in DDFT injury; and (4)...
Wallner B, Piumi F, Brem G, Müller M, Achmann R.Y chromosome polymorphisms such as microsatellites or single nucleotide polymorphisms represent a paternal counterpart to mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) for evolutionary and phylogeographic studies. The use of Y chromosome haplotyping in natural populations of species other than humans is still hindered by the lack of sequence information necessary for polymorphism screening. Here we used representational difference analysis (RDA) followed by a screen of a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) library for repetitive sequences to obtain polymorphic Y-chromosomal markers. The procedure was performed ...
Ramirez S, Lester GD, Roberts GR.The aim of this retrospective study was to determine the clinical usefulness of thoracic ultrasonography compared to thoracic radiography in evaluation of Rhodococcus equi pneumonia. Criteria for patient inclusion in this study were: (1) isolation of R. equi from transtracheal aspirate, (2) radiographic evaluation of the pulmonary parenchyma, and (3) sonographic evaluation of the pulmonary parenchyma. Seventeen foals met this criteria and their medical records were reviewed. Pyogranulomatous pneumonia was identified radiographically in 13 foals. Severe consolidative pneumonia with no detectabl...
Ganidagli S, Cetin H, Biricik HS, Cimtay I.Two groups of six mares aged from eight to 18 years were anaesthetised by caudal epidural injections of ropivacaine (0.5 per cent, 0.1 mg/kg) or a combination of ripovacaine (0.08 mg/kg) and fentanyl (100 microg) in a randomised study. The onset of anaesthesia was significantly more rapid (P<0.001) and it lasted significantly longer (P<0.001) in the group anaesthetised with the combination of drugs. The surgical comfort scores of the group anaesthetised with the combination were higher than those of the group anaesthetised with ropivacaine alone (P<0.001), and the quality of intraoper...
Barrett EJ, Farlam J, Proudman CJ.Two hundred and thirty-three horses were screened for the presence of roundworms by faecal egg counts (FECs) and for tapeworms by an ELISA specific for antibodies to the immunodominant 12 kDa and 13 kDa tapeworms antigen. The 62 horses were found to be infected with both parasites were treated with a combination of 0.2 mg/kg ivermectin and 1.5 mg/kg praziquantel. The treatment suppressed the median FEC of the horses to zero for 10 weeks and significantly reduced their anti-12/13 kDa antibody levels. The estimated risk of tapeworm-associated colic in these horses was halved by 12 weeks after th...
Hemberg E, Lundeheim N, Einarsson S.During 1997-2001, a total of 430 Thoroughbred mares were mated by one of the two Thoroughbred stallions on a well-managed stud farm in the central part of Sweden. On arrival, a thorough gynaecological examination of all mares was performed. An early pregnancy examination was performed on days 14 and 15 after ovulation. The overall conception rates for the two stallions were 92.2 and 88.8%, and the corresponding live foal rates were 82.6 and 75.2%, respectively. The mean number of served oestrous cycles was 1.60 per mare per conception and 1.86 per live foal. The first and second cycle concepti...
Colleoni S, Luciano AM, Gandolfi F.Horse is a seasonal breeder and information on oocyte quality outside the breeding season is very limited. Ovaries obtained at the slaughterhouse are a convenient but often limited source of oocytes in this species. As the low quantity of ovaries leads to an intensive use of all available material, it would be useful to know whether ovaries collected during the non-breeding season are suitable for in vitro maturation (IVM). In an attempt to characterize the effect of season on oocyte quality, we investigated the permeability of the gap junctions (GJ) present between cumulus cells and oocytes b...
Catone G, Marino G, Mancuso R, Zanghì A.The present study describes the clinicopathological features of a mature cystic ovarian teratoma occurred in a 4 year old, cyclic, nulliparous Andalusian mare. The mass was discovered in the left ovary during a breeding soundness examination, and was hard in consistency and variously echogenic. Laparoscopy was performed to confirm the neoplastic change, followed by a unilateral laparotomic ovariectomy in the standing animal. On the cut surface the teratomatous ovary showed a large cyst filled with hair and sebaceous material and three small cysts containing mucous fluid, surrounded by solid ar...
Acosta TJ, Gastal EL, Gastal MO, Beg MA, Ginther OJ.Diameter deviation during a follicular wave is characterized by the continued growth of the developing dominant follicle and reduced growth and regression of the subordinate follicles. This study considered the hypothesis that reduced blood flow in the future largest subordinate follicle precedes the beginning of diameter deviation. The hypothesis was tested by quantifying the daily changes in blood-flow velocities and blood-flow area within the wall of follicles before and during diameter deviation in mares (n = 7). The blood-flow end points were quantified daily by transrectal color Doppler ...
Rota A, Furzi C, Panzani D, Camillo F.This study on extended, cooled stallion spermatozoa aimed to compare the ability of three extenders to maintain sperm motility during 24 h of preservation, and to describe pregnancy and foaling rates after artificial insemination (AI) of stallion spermatozoa stored and transported in the extender chosen from the in vitro study. After 6 and 24 h of preservation, motility, both subjective and evaluated by the motility analyzer (total, progressive and rapid), was lower in non-fat, dried skim milk-glucose than in both other extenders: dried skim milk-glucose added to 2% centrifuged egg yolk, and u...
Bryan A, Shapir N, Sadowsky MJ.Nonselected and natural populations of Escherichia coli from 12 animal sources and humans were examined for the presence and types of 14 tetracycline resistance determinants. Of 1,263 unique E. coli isolates from humans, pigs, chickens, turkeys, sheep, cows, goats, cats, dogs, horses, geese, ducks, and deer, 31% were highly resistant to tetracycline. More than 78, 47, and 41% of the E. coli isolates from pigs, chickens, and turkeys were resistant or highly resistant to tetracycline, respectively. Tetracycline MICs for 61, 29, and 29% of E. coli isolates from pig, chickens, and turkeys, respect...
Southwood LL.Horses with large colon volvulus (LCV) often require intensive postoperative medical management. Although early referral and surgical intervention are critical for minimal postoperative complications and a successful outcome, this is often not possible for many reasons. Endotoxemia, extensive mucosal damage with subsequent severe hypoproteinemia, and focal ischemic necrosis are the major causes of postoperative morbidity and mortality. Although fluid therapy, flunixin meglumine, and antimicrobials are still the mainstay of perioperative management, synthetic colloids are being used to maintain...
Cornick-Seahorn J.There is a plethora of information regarding anesthetic management of horses; however, controlled studies of the critically ill equine patient are few. These patients should be managed like any equine anesthetic candidate but much more stringently:I. Preoperative evaluation and appropriate therapy may represent the difference between life and death during the intraoperative and recovery periods. 2. The anesthetic induction and maintenance protocol should be based on the individual situation of the veterinary facility and personnel("comfort zone"). 3. Appropriate monitoring and intraoperative s...
Hardy J.Careful planning and design of a new ICU are warranted to maximize use of the facility, minimize the risk of hospital-acquired infection, and improve overall patient outcome. In addition, personnel satisfaction improves with an improved work environment. A functional equine ICU is also tailored to the geographic area, local needs of the practice, and anticipated investment.
Corley KT.Successful treatment with inotropes and vasopressors depends on an understanding of the interplay of flow, pressure, and resistance in the cardiovascular system and an appreciation of the pathophysiologic mechanisms leading to inadequate tissue perfusion. Any treatment strategy is necessarily a compromise between the requirements of different vascular beds.Furthermore. the underlying hemodynamic derangements can change rapidly. Therefore. inotropes and vasopressors should be titrated to measures of improved hemodynamic status, and the treatments should be frequently reviewed.
Roy MF.Sepsis develops in horses when the host response to the invading pathogens is not properly balanced according to the severity of the insult. Several clinical conditions frequently encountered in equine practice may be associated with the development of sepsis and have the potential to progress to more severe forms, such as severe sepsis, MODS, and septic shock. Consequently, it is important for equine practitioners to be aware of the manifestations,pathophysiology, and treatment of sepsis. Although enormous progress has been made in recent years in our understanding of the pathophysiology of s...
Dallap BL.Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a clinicopathologic syndrome resulting from a multitude of underlying causes that manifests itself clinically as hemostatic/fibrinolytic failure. There is much debate on the definition, diagnosis, and treatment of DIC, a situation that is most likely the result of the multifaceted clinical presentation of the syndrome and the fact that patient outcome is often influenced by the underlying disease process. The fact that DIC increases morbidity and mortality in critical care patients is well established, but the exact mechanism of what specifically...
Magdesian KG.Measurements of physiologic parameters, such as blood pressure or lactate concentration, are useful to detect occult derangements, such as tissue hypoxia and dysoxia. These tools are also useful in determining the effects of therapy. Monitoring techniques are now widely available for the intensive management of critically ill horses and foals. A number of these have evolved into noninvasive or minimally invasive devices and procedures and provide information that can be used for earlier and more dynamic therapeutic intervention. The goal of increased monitoring is to improve the level of care ...
Marr CM.Cardiac disease and dysfunction can occur as a primary disorder(ie, with pathology situated in one or more of the cardiac structures) or can be classified as a secondary problem when it occurs in patients with another primary problem that has affected the heart either directly or indirectly. Primary cardiac problems are encountered in horses presented to emergency clinics; however,this occurs much less frequently in equine critical patients than cardiac problems arising secondary to other conditions. Nevertheless,if primary or secondary cardiac problems are not identified and addressed, they c...
Dunkel BM, Wilkins PA.A nutritional plan should be incorporated into every treatment plan of the critically ill patient. Weight loss and cachexia are the result of prevalence of catabolic processes over anabolic processes in addition to absolute or relative increased demands and decreased food intake.
MacKay RJ.Brain injury after impact to the head is due to both immediate mechanical effects and delayed responses of neural tissues. In horses, traumatic brain injury occurs in three main settings: (1) poll impact in horses that flip over backwards; (2) frontal/parietal impact in horses that run into a fixed object, and (3) injury to the vestibular apparatus secondary to temporohyoid osteoarthropathy. Distinct forebrain, vestibular, midbrain, hindbrain, or multifocal syndromes may be encountered in horses with traumatic brain injury. The most important components of treatment are those consistent with p...
Dolente BA.The variety of diseases that occur in the peripartum mare require the examining veterinarian to evaluate the patient and the historical information carefullly so as to make an accurate diagnosis and begin appropriate therapy. An understanding of equine behavior, reproduction. mechanisms of shock,and gastrointestinal and reproductive physiology is requisite for accurate interpretation of the myriad of clinical signs of diseases present in this population. Attention to the unique metabolic and physiologic needs of the pregnant and lactating mare can aid the critical care clinician in providing o...
Foreman JH, Constable PD, Waggoner AL, Levy M, Eppley RM, Smith GW, Tumbleson ME, Haschek WM.The objective of this experiment was to characterize a dose-dependent toxic effect of fumonisin B1 (FB1) and to document initial neurologic signs, clinical progression, and terminal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) changes in horses administered FB1 IV. Seventeen healthy horses were administered 0.00 (n = 4), 0.01 (n = 3), 0.05 (n = 3), 0.10 (n = 3), or 0.20 mg (n = 4) of purified FB1 IV q24h. When neurologic abnormalities observed by a masked observer became severe, atlanto-occipital CSF taps were performed and CSF pressure, cell count, cytology, protein, albumin and glucose concentrations, and crea...
Assenza A, Bergero D, Tarantola M, Piccione G, Caola G.During long-distance exercise, branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) catabolism could lead to an increase in the blood tryptophan/BCAA ratio and an early onset of 'central fatigue'. Based on these considerations, we studied the modifications of blood serum BCAA and tryptophan (Try) levels in 30 endurance horses competing in rides varying in distance from 20 to 72 km. From all horses, blood samples were drawn just before and just after the end of the ride. Samples were analysed for their leucine (Leu), valine (Val), isoleucine (Iso) and Try levels. Data were processed by anova, using sampling moment...
Raz T, Hunter B, Carley S, Card C.The objective was to compare the reproductive performances associated with the first (Cycle-1), second (Cycle-2), and mid-season (MS-Cycle) ovulations of the breeding season in donor mares that were treated with equine-FSH (eFSH) in the early vernal transition. Mares (n=15) kept under ambient light were examined ultrasonographically per-rectum starting January 30. When an ovarian follicle > or =25mm in diameter was detected, twice daily eFSH treatments were initiated. The eFSH treatments ceased when a follicle > or =35mm was detected, and 36h later hCG was administered. Thereafter, mares were ...
Mullen KR, Furness MC, Johnson AL, Norman TE, Hart KA, Burton AJ, Bicahlo RC, Ainsworth DM, Thompson MS, Scrivani PV.The study was prompted by a perceived high prevalence of myelographic complications varying in severity and type, and attributed to the contrast material or the procedure. Objective: 1. Any adverse reaction (AAR) is associated with a change in CSF volume induced either by removal of CSF or addition of contrast material. 2. AAR occurs more frequently in horses with higher premyelography neurologic grade. 3. Nonspecific hyperthermia is attenuated by anti-inflammatory and osmotic agents. Methods: Horses (n = 278) that underwent myelography between 2000 and 2012 at 5 institutions: A (87), B (68), ...
Pauwels FE, Wigley SJ, Munday JS, Roe WD.A 13-year-old Thoroughbred mare was presented with a history of mild colic over 3 days. This colic had acutely exacerbated and was unresponsive to analgesic treatment, and was referred to Massey University Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Results: On examination the heart rate was 100 beats per minute, and mucous membranes were pale and tacky. A large mass was detected on transrectal palpation in the caudal abdomen to the left of midline. Explorative laparotomy revealed severe haemoperitoneum and several masses that were associated with the reproductive tract. The mare was then subject to euthana...
Diaz FA, Gutierrez EJ, Cramer E, Paccamonti DL, Gentry GT, Bondioli KR.Satisfactory pregnancy rates can now be achieved following the cryopreservation of large equine embryos. Nonetheless, its wide application might be limited by the fact that the cryopreservation of large equine embryos requires a specialized micromanipulation equipment and micromanipulation/vitrification skills. Alternatives should be developed to increase its utilization and widespread application in the commercial equine industry. To determine if large equine embryos are able to remain viable during transport from farms to specialized centers for embryo cryopreservation, we evaluated pregnanc...
Nieto JE, Van Hoogmoed LM, Spier SJ, Vatistas NJ, Snyder JR, Timmerman BL.To use an extracorporeal circuit to evaluate effects of intraluminal distention on the jejunum of healthy horses. Methods: 2 jejunal segments from each of 5 horses. Methods: Jejunal segments were harvested and maintained in an extracorporeal circuit. One segment was subjected to distention (intraluminal pressure, 25 cm H2O) followed by decompression, and 1 segment was maintained without distention. The influence of distention-decompression on vascular resistance was calculated. Mucosal permeability was evaluated by measuring the clearance of albumin from blood to lumen. After distention and de...
Stojiljkovic N, Leroux F, Bubanj S, Popot MA, Paris A, Tabet JC, Junot C.There is an urgent need to implement holistic and untargeted doping control protocols with improved discriminatory power, compared to conventional methods that only target doping agents. Metabolomics, which aims to characterize all metabolites present in biological matrices, could fulfill this need. In this context, the aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of environmental factors on the ability to obtain a metabolic signature of stanozolol administration in horse doping situation. Urine samples from 16 horses breeded in two different places were collected over a one-year period, befor...
Fenwick BW, Schore CE, Osburn BI.Equine, caprine, ovine, canine and feline peripheral blood lymphocytes were evaluated in a short term dose-response study for their in vitro blastogenic responsiveness to human recombinant interleukin-2(125) (HrIL-2(125] alone or in combination with phytohemagglutinin-P, concanavalin-A, and pokeweed mitogen. HrIL-2(125) induced lymphocyte proliferation in all of the animals tested. The magnitude of the proliferative response varied among the species of animal tested. In all cases the proliferative response was dependent on the concentration of HrIL-2(125). HrIL-2(125) at a minimum concentratio...
Vergari C, Pourcelot P, Ravary-Plumioën B, Dupays AG, Jacquet S, Audigié F, Denoix JM, Laugier P, Mitton D, Crevier-Denoix N.Equine superficial digital flexor tendons (SDFT) are often injured, and they represent an excellent model for human sport tendinopathies. While lesions can be precisely diagnosed by clinical evaluation and ultrasonography, a prognosis is often difficult to establish; the knowledge of the injured tendon's mechanical properties would help in anticipating the outcome. The objectives of the present study were to compare the axial speed of sound (SOS) measured in vivo in normal and injured tendons and to investigate their relationship with the tendons' mechanical parameters, in order to assess the ...
Li CH, Chung D.Isolation of prolactin from equine pituitary glands has been described. It has a potency of 42 IU/mg in the pigeon crop-sac test and consists of 199 amino acids. The hormone has only four half-cystine residues in contrast to other mammalian prolactins which have six residues. From NH2-terminal sequence analysis and amino acid composition of cyanogen bromide fragments, the NH2-terminal disulfide loop is missing in the equine prolactin molecule. Circular dichroism spectra indicate that the alpha-helical content of equine prolactin appears to be lower (50%) than that found in the ovine hormone (6...
Littlejohn A, Bowles F.The haemoglobin concentration, the partial pressures of oxygen and carbon dioxide, the oxygen content and the pH were determined in the arterial and mixed venous blood of 5 normal and 3 horses with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) at 3 stages of an exercise distance of 1200 m. Arterial and mixed venous samples were collected simultaneously by means of an automatic technique during the walk, trot and gallop at 0-100 m, at 500-600 m and at 1100-1200 m. The standard bicarbonate and the lactic and pyruvic acid concentrations were also determined in arterial and mixed venous blood. High...
Allen GK, Campbell-Beggs C, Robinson JA, Johnson PJ, Green EM.Six, clinically healthy horses, of mixed age and sex, were infused via a jugular venous catheter with 100 ml of pyrogenfree sterile saline (PFSS; 0.9% NaCl). Animals were infused with Escherichia coli O55:B5 endotoxin (total dose = 50 ng/kg bwt), 24 (LPS-1) and 48 h (LPS-2) after PFSS infusion. Blood was collected before, and every 15 min after, each infusion for the first 8 h and then every 2 h for the following 14 h. Clinical responses (rectal temperature, heart rate, respiration rate and blood pressure) were determined before and every 4 h after each infusion for 20 h. Geometric mean anti-e...
Multigner L, Magistrini M, Ducot B, Spira A.Several reports have suggested that human semen quality has declined throughout the world over the last few decades. Chemicals in the environment acting as endocrine disrupters have been implicated as a possible cause. If this is indeed the case, then similar effects may be observed in animals. We analyzed 1489 ejaculates collected from 390 Breton draught stallions between 1981 and 1996. Semen was collected from all the stallions at a single center, according to standardized semen collection protocols and laboratory methods. Semen volume decreased slightly but significantly and there was an in...
Fultz L, Giguère S, Berghaus LJ, Davis JL.Current labelling for the use of ceftiofur crystalline free acid (CCFA) in horses states that 2 i.m. doses must be administered 4 days apart to provide 10 days of therapeutic coverage. A 10 day treatment regimen is not sufficient for the long-term treatment of horses with severe lung consolidation or pleuropneumonia. There are currently no data to guide an appropriate dosing interval when a longer treatment regimen is warranted. Objective: To determine steady-state plasma and pulmonary epithelial lining fluid (PELF) concentrations of desfuroylceftiofur acetamide (DCA) after weekly i.m. adminis...
The study evaluated the effectiveness of a commercially available polyherbal dewormer to control intestinal strongyles in naturally infected donkeys. The animals were allotted to two groups: treated with the herbal dewormer (n=8) according to manufacturer recommendations and untreated control group (n=6). Fecal samples were taken from each animal on days 0 (day of treatment), 14, 21 (day of second additional treatment), 35, and 42. Faecal egg count reduction tests showed very negligible or no reduction in number of strongyle eggs for donkeys in the phytotherapeutic treatment group compared to ...
Sams AE, Weldon AD, Rakestraw P.Three horses were diagnosed as having esophageal inclusion cysts. Clinical signs included dysphagia, swelling of the cervical esophagus, and salivation. Surgical removal of the cyst was attempted in two horses. Both horses survived, but multiple complications occurred, including esophageal fistulation and neurovascular damage. Marsupialization of the cyst was performed in the third horse. The stoma closed 3 weeks after surgery without complications, and endoscopic examination revealed a grossly normal esophagus. Marsupialization may be preferable to surgical removal for treatment of selected e...
Kelley D, LeBlanc MM, Warren LK, Mortensen CJ.Supplementation with L-arginine can increase uterine arterial blood flow and vascular perfusion of the preovulatory follicle in mares. Increased vascular perfusion of the preovulatory follicle has been correlated with successful pregnancy in mares. The objective of this study was to determine if supplemental L-arginine would increase ovarian arterial blood flow, vascular perfusion of the preovulatory follicle, and embryo recovery rates in mares. Mares were blocked by age and breed and assigned at random within block to L-arginine supplementation or control groups. Mares were fed L-arginine beg...
Davidson HJ, Pinard CL, Keil SM, Brightman AH, Sargeant JM.The ocular effects of latanoprost ophthalmic solution were evaluated in two studies, with eight horses in each study. One eye of each horse was treated with latanoprost ophthalmic solution once daily for 5 days, and the opposite eye received a control solution of sterile eyewash. Intraocular pressure and pupillary diameter were measured daily for 5 days after treatment. Latanoprost had no significant effect on intraocular pressure or pupillary diameter in normal horse eyes compared with control eyes in these studies. Placement of an eyelid nerve block resulted in significantly lower intraocula...
Thane K, Uricchio C, Frank N.Diagnosis of pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) using the thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) stimulation test requires blood collection 10 minutes after TRH injection; it is unknown if small differences in timing affect test results. Objective: To determine whether early or late sampling results in a significant (≥10%) difference in plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) concentration compared to standard 10-minute sampling. Methods: Twenty-four healthy adult horses with unknown PPID status. Methods: In this prospective study, subjects underwent a single TRH stimulation test, ...
Bautista AC, Tahara J, Mete A, Gaskill CL, Bryant UK, Puschner B.Two separate incidents of monensin exposure in horses resulting in toxicosis provided insight into the diagnostic value and interpretive criteria of various biological samples. In case 1, 25 horses broke into a shed and ingested feed that was supplemented with 800 g/ton (880 µg/g) of monensin. Within 48 hr, 1 horse had died, 2 developed cardiac arrhythmias, lethargy, and recumbency, and another was euthanized due to severe deterioration. Minimal histologic lesions were noted in the horse that died peracutely, while another showed characteristic lesions of acute cardiomyocyte degeneration and ...
Irvine CH, McKeough VL, Turner JE, Alexander SL, Taylor TB.Our objectives were to determine whether repeated administration of prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) to simulate the endogenous mode of secretion would be more effective than a single injection in inducing luteolysis and enable use of smaller doses less likely to cause adverse side effects. The main study comprised 43 dioestrous mares, who were given im. either a single 10 mg dose of natural PGF2alpha (n = 22) or 2 doses of 0.5 mg PGF2, 24 h apart (n = 21). The intensity of side effects was assessed in 8 dioestrous mares given 5, 1.5, 0.5 or 0 mg PGF2alpha in consecutive cycles. Two doses of ...
Moiroud CH, Coudry V, Denoix JM. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability of fracture location and horse sporting discipline as prognostic indicators after a pelvic fracture in a referral centre caseload. Methods: Data were collected for the short- and long-term follow-up of all cases with a diagnosis of pelvic fracture in a 7-year period. Information was obtained for 75 horses through a postal and internet survey. The proportion of horses returning to competition following fractures was compared between groups according to the competition discipline and the characteristics of the fracture. Results: Fort...
Vajs T, Nekouei O, Biermann NM.The tarsus is one of the most common areas of traumatic injury with associated synovial involvement (SI) in horses. The aim of this retrospective study was to describe the clinical presentation, diagnostic procedures, management (emphasizing the type, duration, and route of antimicrobial administration), and outcome of cases with acute soft tissue trauma to the tarsal region. The presenting clinical features, the results of diagnostic modalities, and the initial response to therapy were assessed for their usefulness to predict SI. Medical records of 72 cases were included and SI was diagnosed ...
Schaer BD.The emergency clinician is frequently in the position of receiving, evaluating, and initiating treatment on horses with ophthalmic emergencies or orbital trauma. In the best of circumstances, an ophthalmologist is available to guide initial therapy and ultimately assume responsibility for the management of the patient during the remainder of its hospitalization, but this is not always the case. The information presented here is meant to provide the emergency clinician with basic guidelines for the initial assessment and management of horses sustaining ocular injuries or presented with an ophth...
Robinson P, Williams KJ, Sullins KE, Arnoczky SP, Stick JA, Robinson NE, de Feijter-Rupp H, Derksen FJ.Trans-endoscopic laser surgery, such as unilateral laser-assisted ventriculocordectomy (LVC), has gained popularity in the treatment of RLN because a laryngotomy incision or general anaesthesia are not required. However, removal of the vocal fold and ventricle takes considerable laser energy and could cause collateral tissue damage, including injury to the adjacent laryngeal cartilages. Objective: To document the histological effects of laser surgery on laryngeal tissues in horses that have undergone LVC for the treatment of laryngeal hemiplegia (LH). Methods: Six horses were used: 4 with expe...
Trim CM.Hemorrhagic myelopathy or myelomalacia is an uncommon cause of failure to stand after general anesthesia. Affected horses are usually young and have been anesthetized for relatively short times in dorsal recumbency. Clinical signs involve the hind limbs and include loss of deep pain perception. Etiology of this condition is not known. Differentiation from other forms of neuropathy and myopathy is important to the prognosis.
