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 Hoogmoed LM.Intestinal stasis or ileus is a significant cause of mortality and morbidity in horses and has been attributed to a variety of causes, including loss of intrinsic or extrinsic electrical activity, incoordination of contractile activity from regional stimuli, and dissociation between electrical and mechanical activity. Proposed mechanisms include systemic shock, electrolyte disturbances, persistent luminal distention, ischemia, inflammation, peritonitis, endotoxemia, and anesthesia. Because the cause of ileus is likely multifactorial, a variety of pharmaceutics have been used to target specific...
Blikslager AT.Ischemic injury is one of the most important causes of mortality in equine veterinary medicine. Although treatment of reperfusion injury has been attempted in a number of experimental trials to reduce the level of injury subsequent to an ischemic episode, this research has not resulted in the development of useful clinical treatments. Nevertheless, recent studies assessing intraluminal application of solutions containing antioxidants, nutrients, and vasodilators are promising. Furthermore, focusing on improving mucosal recovery after an ischemic event may provide an alternative method of reduc...
Divers TJ.Organ thrombosis and laminitis are life-threatening complications in horses with acute gastrointestinal disease, especially those diseases that cause disruption of the protective mucosal barrier. Prevention of these complications should be a high priority when treating horses with gastrointestinal diseases because even with proper and intensive treatments, laminitis or organ thrombosis may not be curative. Preventative therapy should include expedient and appropriate treatment of the primary disease, normalization of tissue perfusion and oxygenation, and inhibition of gut-derived toxins or the...
Jones SL.Treating inflammation in the equine gastrointestinal tract remains a challenge. Our most potent anti-inflammatory drugs, COX inhibitors and glucocorticoids, have unwanted effects on the gastrointestinal tract and host defense that often limit their use. Newer strategies targeting specific cells and molecules that regulate a subset of the events occurring during inflammation are rapidly becoming available and should allow clinicians to reduce the detrimental effects of inflammation without inhibiting the beneficial aspects.
Papich MG.Antibiotics will always be needed in horses for many types of infections, but the adverse consequences also must be considered. For the conditions described in this article, there is justification for antibiotic therapy. The intestinal problems that antibiotics can induce are among the risks from their administration to horses. Disruption of the endogenous bacterial population, colitis, and diarrhea are the most common complications from antibiotic therapy.
Love S.Since 1917, only 11 new endoparasiticides have been developed for the horse, of which five chemical classes are in common use. The selection pressure of frequent administration of deworming doses for parasite control programs has been associated with the development of resistance of small strongyle parasites to the effects of benzimidazoles and pyrantel salts. Against the background of the inevitability of the occurrence of ivermectin/moxidectin resistance, responsible use of equine anthelmintics based on the clinical pharmacology of the compounds and the biology/epidemiology of intestinal par...
Buchanan BR, Andrews FM.EGUS is a common problem in horses and foals. Acids are the important causative factors and current therapy targets the suppression of gastric HCl and creation of a permissive environment for ulcer healing. Diagnosis is based on history, clinical signs, gastroscopy, and response to treatment. Of the products available, only GastroGard (FDA approved) and ranitidine have been shown to be efficacious in the treatment of EGUS. Ranitidine is often associated with treatment failure as a result of incorrect dosing and lack of owner compliance, because of the three times daily dosing required. Also, E...
Magdesian KG.Horses with GI diseases such as colic and diarrhea are often intolerant of adequate enteral nutrition. Nutritional intervention should be an early part of therapeutic management in such cases. Protein and energy malnutrition in critically ill horses can have deleterious effects, including poor wound or incisional healing, reduced immunity, and weight loss. Early enteral or parenteral support should be provided to supply resting DE requirements in the equine ICU.
Nebbia C, Dacasto M, Carletti M.Little is known about the effects of aging on the hepatic drug metabolizing capacity of horses despite the relatively long lifespan characterizing this species. A wide array of cytochrome P450 (CYP)-dependent monooxygenases, carboxylesterases and transferases were assayed in liver microsomes from 50 female horses in an age range between less than 1 year to over 12 years. Rather unexpectedly, both the CYP content and the activity of NADPH cytochrome c reductase rose as a function of age. Accordingly, a general increasing trend was recorded in the rate of the in vitro metabolism of the substrate...
Jenson PW, Gaughan EM, Lillich JD, Bryant JE.To determine clinical findings in and outcome of horses with fractures of the second or fourth metacarpal or metatarsal bone that underwent segmental ostectomy, leaving the proximal and distal portions of the bone undisturbed. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: 17 horses. Methods: Medical records were reviewed, and information on signalment, affected bone, lesion type, surgical procedure, amount of bone removed, and surgical and postsurgical complications was obtained. Follow-up information was obtained through telephone conversations with owners, trainers, and referring veterinarian...
Kraus BM, Richardson DW, Nunamaker DM, Ross MW.To report the outcome of surgical treatment of comminuted fractures of the proximal phalanx in horses. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: 64 horses. Methods: Medical records and radiographs were reviewed to obtain information regarding signalment, fracture classification, and treatment. Follow-up information was obtained by telephone conversation or evaluation of production records. Results: Thirty-eight horses had moderately comminuted fractures of the proximal phalanx. Two horses were euthanatized immediately. Fractures of the proximal phalanx in 36 horses were repaired with open reducti...
Mitchell SM, Zajac AM, Davis WL, Lindsay DS.Toxoplasma gondii is an important apicomplexan parasite of humans and other warm-blooded animals. Ponazuril is a triazine anticoccidial recently approved for use in horses in the United States. We investigated the mode of action of ponazuril against developing RH strain T. gondii tachyzoites in African green monkey kidney cells. Host cells were infected with 2.0 x 10(5) tachyzoites and treated with 5 microg/ml ponazuril. Cultures were fixed and examined by transmission electron microscopy 3 days after treatment. Ponazuril interfered with normal parasite division. This led to the presence of mu...
Nixon AJ, Schachter BL, Pool RR.To determine the clinical, radiographic, ultrasonographic, and arthroscopic findings associated with tenosynovitis of the carpal synovial sheath induced by exostoses that originate from the caudal surface of the physeal scar of the distal radius and determine the results of surgical removal of those exostoses in horses. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: 10 horses. Methods: Medical records of horses with effusion in the carpal synovial sheath and lameness evaluated from 1999 to 2003 were examined. Results: All horses had a history of intermittent mild to moderate effusion of the carpal syn...
Bentley E, Murphy CJ.A thermal cautery technique was used to treat spontaneous chronic corneal epithelial defects (SCCEDs) in 9 eyes of 8 dogs and 2 eyes of 2 horses. Animals were sedated, and a topical anesthetic was applied. A handheld thermal cautery unit was then used to make multiple, small (< or = 1 mm in diameter), superficial burns throughout the affected area. The cautery unit was applied just until the slightest degree of contraction of the collagen fibrils was observed. After the stromal bed of the defect was treated, a rim of epithelium that extended approximately 1 mm around the denuded stroma was ...
van Ginneken MM, Keizer HA, Wijnberg ID, van Dam KG, Schaart G, de Graaf-Roelfsema E, van der Kolk JH, van Breda E.To investigate whether protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms are expressed in equine skeletal muscle and determine their distribution in various types of fibers by use of immunofluorescence microscopy. Methods: 5 healthy adult Dutch Warmblood horses. Methods: In each horse, 2 biopsy specimens were obtained from the vastus lateralis muscle. Cryosections of equine muscle were stained with PKC isoform (alpha, beta1, beta2, delta, epsilon, or zeta)-specific polyclonal antibodies and examined by use of a fluorescence microscope. Homogenized muscle samples were evaluated via western blot analysis. Results...
McKenzie EC, Valberg SJ, Godden SM, Finno CJ, Murphy MJ.To determine the effect of oral administration of dantrolene sodium on serum creatine kinase (CK) activity after exercise in horses with recurrent exertional rhabdomyolysis (RER). Methods: 2 healthy horses and 5 Thoroughbreds with RER. Methods: 3 horses received 2 doses of dantrolene (4, 6, or 8 mg/kg, p.o., with and without withdrawal of food) 2 days apart; 90 minutes after dosing, plasma dantrolene concentration was measured spectrofluorometrically. On the basis of these results, 5 Thoroughbreds with RER from which food was withheld received dantrolene (4 mg/kg) or an inert treatment (water ...
Semevolos SA, Nixon AJ, Strassheim ML.To determine the mRNA expression of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-6 and -2 and a BMP antagonist (Noggin) in horses with osteochondrosis. Methods: Samples of articular cartilage from affected stifle or shoulder joints of 10 immature horses with naturally acquired osteochondrosis and corresponding joints of 9 clinically normal horses of similar age; additionally, samples of distal femoral growth plate cartilage and distal femoral articular cartilage were obtained from a normal equine fetus. Methods: Cartilage specimens were snap-frozen in liquid nitrogen, and total RNA was isolated. Adjacent ...
Adam-Castrillo D, White NA, Donaldson LL, Furr MO.To determine effects on anal pressure of horses after local injection of the external anal sphincter with Clostridium botulinum toxin type B. Methods: 11 healthy adult horses. Methods: Peak and resting anal sphincter pressures were measured with a custom-made rectal probe that was connected to a pressure transducer. Pressures were measured before treatment and after injection with botulinum toxin type B (BTB) or saline (0.9% NaCl) solution. Dose titration with 500, 1,000, 1,500, and 2,500 U of BTB was completed. Physical changes, behavior, and anal pressure were recorded for each horse. Result...
Deaton CM, Marlin DJ, Smith NC, Harris PA, Roberts CA, Schroter RC, Kelly FJ.To determine the pulmonary epithelial lining fluid (ELF) concentrations and degree of oxidation of ascorbic acid in horses affected by recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) in the presence and absence of neutrophilic airway inflammation. Methods: 6 RAO-affected horses and 8 healthy control horses. Methods: Nonenzymatic antioxidant concentrations were determined in RBC, plasma, and ELF samples of control horses and RAO-affected horses in the presence and absence of airway inflammation. Results: ELF ascorbic acid concentration was decreased in RAO-affected horses with airway inflammation (median, 0...
Sato F, Yamashita S, Kugo T, Hasegawa T, Mitsui I, Kijima-Suda I.To determine the full-length complementary DNA (cDNA) sequence of equine erythropoietin (EPO) and to develop region-specific antibodies to differentiate equine EPO (eEPO) and human EPO (hEPO). Methods: RNA and lysate extracted from renal tissues of an adult Thoroughbred. Methods: Full-length cDNA was determined by use of a reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction assay and a rapid amplification of cDNA ends method. The deduced amino acid sequence was compared with sequences of EPO reported for other species. Furthermore, 4 synthetic peptides were designed in 2 distinctive parts of the e...
Carstanjen B, Hoyle NR, Gabriel A, Hars O, Sandersen C, Amory H, Remy B.To evaluate a human assay for quantification of carboxy-terminal cross-linking telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX-I), assess the influence of age on plasma CTX-I concentration, investigate the relationship between plasma CTX-I and serum osteocalcin concentrations, and determine whether concentrations of plasma CTX-I or serum osteocalcin fluctuate in circadian manner in horses. HORSES: 75 clinically normal horses. Methods: Cross-reactivity between equine serum CTX-I and CTX-I antibodies in an automated electrochemiluminescent sandwich antibody assay (ECLIA) was evaluated via a specificity test...
Elsinghorst TA.In this fourth article of a series of papers listing first case reports of animal diseases published since 2000, the following six cases of horse diseases are discussed: Disseminated metastatic intramedullary melanoma. Lipoma of the extensor tendon sheaths. Meningoencephalomyelitis in a neonatal foal due to Salmonella agona infection. Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis. Placentitis due to Rhodococcus equi infection. Right atrial diverticulum in a foal. After a short introduction, the bibliographical data, the abstract of the author(s), and some additional information derived from the article are g...
Tamaki Y, Hirata H, Takabatake N, Bork S, Yokoyama N, Xuan X, Fujisaki K, Igarashi I.A Babesia caballi gene encoding the 134-kDa (BC134) protein was immunoscreened with B. caballi-infected horse serum. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using recombinant BC134 protein could effectively differentiate B. caballi-infected horse sera from Babesia equi-infected or noninfected control horse sera. These results suggest that the recombinant BC134 protein is a potential diagnostic antigen in the detection of B. caballi infection.
Huang X, Xuan X, Xu L, Zhang S, Yokoyama N, Suzuki N, Igarashi I.An immunochromatographic test (BeICT) for the rapid detection of antibodies against Babesia equi was developed. It clearly differentiated B. equi-infected horses from B. caballi-infected and uninfected horses. The agreement with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay results was 96.7% in the detection of field sera. The results suggest that BeICT is rapid, simple, reliable, and suitable for use to detect B. equi infection in the field.
Davenport-Goodall CL, Ross MW.To identify scintigraphic abnormalities in the pelvic region of horses examined because of hind limb lameness or poor performance and determine the clinical relevance of areas of abnormal radiopharmaceutical uptake (ARU) in these horses. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: 128 horses. Methods: Medical records were reviewed, and information on signalment, history, admitting complaints, physical examination findings, and results of lameness examinations was recorded. Clinical relevance of areas of ARU was determined by comparison with results of other diagnostic tests. For horses with clinica...
Dowdall SM, Proudman CJ, Klei TR, Mair T, Matthews JB.Cyathostomins are the most common parasitic nematodes of horses. Larval stages, which inhabit the intestinal wall, are particularly pathogenic and can cause severe colitis and colic. Despite their clinical importance, diagnostic techniques for the prepatent stages do not exist. A method that could estimate mucosal infection intensity would have a major impact on the control and diagnosis of cyathostominosis. Here, serum IgG(T) responses to two larval antigen complexes of 25 and 20 kDa were quantified in horses with experimental infections, natural infections and in horses that presented with c...
Nakakuki S.The lungs of five horses were examined. At present, in veterinary anatomy, the horse lung is divided into the cranial and caudal lobes by the cardiac notch on either side. In addition to these lobes, in the right lung, the accessory lobe is present. However, from the viewpoint of the bronchial ramifications, the horse lung can be divided into the cranial, middle, caudal and accessory lobes bilaterally. The horse lung has four bronchiole systems on either side, dorsal, lateral, ventral and medial. The cranial lobe is formed by the first bronchiole of the dorsal bronchiole system. The middle lob...
Young LE, Blissitt KJ, Clutton RE, Molony V, Darke PG.Transoesophageal Doppler echocardiography was performed in 7 Thoroughbred horses anaesthetised with halothane. The procedure was performed on 4 occasions under standard conditions. On one occasion dobutamine hydrochloride was infused at 4 micrograms/kg/min for 20 min. Recordings of aortic blood velocity, obtained using high pulsed repetition frequency Doppler echocardiography (HPRF), were used to derive maximum acceleration (dv/dtmax), maximum velocity (Vmax), left ventricular ejection time (ET), pre-ejection period (PEP), velocity time integral (VTI) and cardiac output (CO). The coefficient o...
Zavodovskaya R, Stover SM, Murphy BG, Katzman S, Durbin-Johnson B, Britton M, Finno CJ.Osteoporosis has been associated with pulmonary silicosis in California horses exposed to soils rich in cytotoxic silica dioxide crystals, a syndrome termed silicate associated osteoporosis (SAO). The causal mechanism for the development of osteoporosis is unknown. Osteoporotic lesions are primarily located in bone marrow-rich sites such as ribs, scapula and pelvis. Gene transcription patterns within bone marrow and pulmonary lymph nodes of affected horses may offer clues to disease pathobiology. Bone marrow core and tracheobronchial lymph node tissue samples harvested postmortem from affected...
Dean PW, Robertson JT, Jacobs RM.In 7 horses, 4 anastomoses were done in the small intestine in each, using the combinations of synthetic absorbable monofilament and multifilament suture materials with continuous- and interrupted-suture patterns in the serosubmucosal layer of a 2-layer inverting-suture technique. Horses were evaluated 30 days after the operation for adhesion formation, lumen diameter, evidence of chronic obstruction, and suture tract inflammation at the anastomosis. Postoperative obstruction occurred in 5 of the 7 horses, and 6 horses survived. One horse was euthanatized on postoperative day 6 after 48 hours ...
Ceci L, Carelli G.This paper reviews basic information on the knowledge of tick-borne diseases, babesiosis, anaplasmosis and theileriosis, in horses, cattle, sheep and goats in Italy with particular reference to the southern part of the country. It is stressed that there is limited knowledge about the parasite species present, their vectors, distribution, prevalence and impact on livestock production and there is the need to assess their epidemiology. A study carried out in the Apulia region to assess the prevalence of Anaplasma marginale infection in 1,648 cattle showed a seroprevalence of 17% using the Card A...
Balkaya I, Simsek S.Cystic echinococcosis (CE), caused by hydatid cysts, is a widespread and hazardous disease in humans and animals worldwide. The disease is very common in Turkey, causing serious economic losses and public health problem. In this study, the seroprevalence of equine CE was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Methods: Partially purified cyst fluid antigen from sheep hydatid cyst fluid was used as antigen in ELISA. A total of 250 equids consisting of 206 donkeys and 44 horses from various regions of Erzurum province of Eastern Turkey. Results: Anti- Echinococcus granulosus ant...
Schnabel LV, Bramlage LR, Mohammed HO, Embertson RM, Ruggles AJ, Hopper SA.Studies on arthroscopic removal of apical proximal sesamoid fracture fragments in Thoroughbred (TB) horses age > or = 2 years have reported a high success rate. However, there are no reports documenting the racing prognosis of TB horses that undergo such surgery as weanlings or yearlings. Objective: To describe the incidence of apical proximal sesamoid fractures in immature TB horses, age < 2 years and determine probability and quality of racing performance after arthroscopic removal of such fractures in 151 TB weanlings and yearlings. Methods: The medical records of TB horses age < 2 years th...
Frye MA, Johnson JS, Traub-Dargatz JL, Savage CJ, Fettman MJ, Gould DH.To determine historical, physical examination, clinicopathologic, and postmortem findings in horses with putative uremic encephalopathy. Design-Retrospective study. Animals-5 horses with renal failure and neurologic disease not attributable to abnormalities in any other organ system. Methods: Medical records from 1978 to 1998 were examined for horses with renal disease and neurologic signs not attributable to primary neurologic, hepatic, or other diseases. Signalment, history, physical examination findings, clinicopathologic data, renal ultrasonographic findings, and postmortem data were revie...
Schneider ST, Meemken D, Gehlen H, Merle R, Langkabel N.In Europe, equines destined for human consumption (hereafter called slaughter equines) are subject to the same restrictions of usage of veterinary drugs as other food-producing animals, with amendments regulated in the so-called 'positive list', Regulation (EC) No. 1950/2006. Due to the complex legal requirements for drug administration in slaughter equines, it might be that specific knowledge regarding the legislation of slaughter equines may be insufficient among veterinarians, equine owners, and equine keepers. To study this assumption, three target group-specific surveys were conducted in ...
Pressanto MC, Pepe M, Coomer RPC, Pilati N, Beccati F.The purpose of this prospective study was to investigate the prevalence and severity of radiographic abnormalities of the interspinous spaces (ISSs) in the thoracolumbar vertebral column of unbroken yearlings and to compare these findings with a group of older trained Thoroughbred horses without perceived back pain. Yearlings (n = 47) and trained horses (55); 102 total. Each horse underwent a digital radiographic study of the thoracolumbar vertebral column (T7-L3) and each space graded for narrowing of the ISSs, increased opacity, radiolucency, and modeling of the cranial and caudal margins of...
Garré B, Baert K, Nauwynck H, Deprez P, De Backer P, Croubels S.The aim of the current study was to investigate whether multiple oral dosing of valacyclovir could result in plasma concentrations exceeding the EC(50)-value of acyclovir against equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV1) during the majority of the treatment period. Additionally, we wanted to determine the concentration of acyclovir in nasal mucus and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Valacyclovir was administered to four horses and two ponies, three times daily, at a dosage of 40 mg/kg, for four consecutive days. Blood was collected prior to each administration and 1 h after dosing. Nasal mucus samples and CSF wer...
Rumbaugh GE, Carlson GP, Harrold D.Total daily 24-hour urinary output was obtained from 11 healthy horses fed alfalfa hay with free access to salt during periods of high environmental temperatures. Daily urinary volume averaged 15.6 L, with mean specific gravity of 1.028, osmolality of 1,040 mOsm/kg, and urinary flow rate of 1.24 ml/kg/hr. Total 24-hour sample collections of urine were also obtained from horses held without access to feed or water for periods of 24, 48, and 72 hours during high environmental temperatures. Average urine production under these conditions was 6.3 L during the 1st day; 3.2 L, the 2nd day; and 3.0 L...
Collins SN, Murray RC, Kneissl S, Stanek C, Hinterhofer C.The finite element (FE) method is the most powerful modelling technique available to explicate the biomechanics of the digit. It has already proved to be of high value in human podiatry. However, accurate models of the complex anatomy of the horse and donkey digit are currently lacking. Objective: To develop FE models of the horse and donkey digit from computed tomography data, including all functionally relevant anatomy, and to perform simulations to replicate prestrain in the flexor tendons and quasistatic weightbearing. Methods: Computed tomography data of the front right digits were obtain...
Jaussaud P, Courtot D, Guyot JL, Paris J.The main metabolite of flunixin, a hydroxylated product, has been identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and 1H NMR spectroscopy in equine urine and plasma. The method also permits the qualitative monitoring of the urinary elimination of the drug and its metabolite. The two products are detected up to 175 and 54 h, respectively, after a single intravenous administration at the dose of 1 mg/kg. Simultaneous detection of the two compounds increases the reliability of anti-doping control analysis.
Troedsson MH, Liu IK, Thurmond M.The validity of measuring concentrations of immunoglobulins in undiluted uterine secretions was established. The concentrations of IgG, IgA, and cleavage factor C3 of the complement system in uterine secretions were compared in mares with different resistance to chronic uterine infection (CUI). The uteri of mares susceptible (n = 6) and resistant to CUI (n = 5) were inoculated with 5 x 10(6) Streptococcus zooepidemicus when the mares were in estrus. Uterine secretions were sampled, and sampling was immediately followed by a uterine lavage at 5 and 24 h after bacterial inoculation. During a sub...
Zúñiga MP, Badillo E, Abalos P, Valencia ED, Marín P, Escudero E, Galecio JS.Rhodococcus equi is responsible for foal pneumonia worldwide, with a significant economic impact on the production and breeding of horses. In Chile, the first case was reported in 2000, and since then, its incidence has been increasing. Distinctive characteristics of R. equi as an intracellular pathogen in macrophages, emergence of virulence plasmids encoding surface lipoprotein antigens, and appearance of antibiotic resistance against macrolides and rifampicin have significantly complicated the treatment of R. equi pneumonia in foals. Therefore, in vitro susceptibility studies of first-line a...
Łagowski D, Nowicka B, Nowakiewicz A, Polkowska I, Gnat S.Penile prolapse is a disease manifested by an inability to retract the penis into the preputial sheath. It is reported in a variety of animal species, especially in young and intact males. However, penile prolapse in horses is commonly caused by trauma, sexual activity, pseudohermaphroditism, or neurological deficits, and less often by an infectious background. The present case report aimed to determine the etiological factor of penis infection associated with penile prolapse in a stallion in Poland. Our report indicates that the infectious background of penile prolapse was related to the Burk...
Pallarols NB, Lamuraglia R, Guglielminetti A, Ortiz de Elguea MF, Carossino M, Funcia JP.Xylazine and remifentanil in constant rate infusion (CRI) could be used for sedation in horses without adverse effects. The objective was to evaluate behavioral and cardiopulmonary effects of an intravenous (IV) infusion of xylazine and remifentanil for sedation in horses. Xylazine (0.8 mg/kg IV) followed after 3 minutes by a CRI of xylazine and remifentanil (0.65 mg/kg/h and 6 μg/kg/h, respectively) was administered in 10 healthy horses for 60 minutes. Sedation, ataxia, and cardiopulmonary, hematological, and blood gases variables were evaluated. Heart rate decreased significantly durin...
Abutarbush SM.The objective of this observational study is to describe clinical, haematological and serum biochemical findings of horses affected with alfalfa dodder (Cuscuta campestris) toxicity. Twenty horses naturally exposed to alfalfa dodder toxicity were examined and information was collected on history and clinical signs. Physical examination was done on horses in the premises (n=20), and venous blood samples of 12 horses were submitted for haematology and serum biochemical examination for each horse. Abnormal clinical signs started around 36 hours after horses were fed the contaminated alfalfa. Abno...
Olivier A, Steenkamp G, Petrick SW, Gottschalk RD.Repair of parotid duct lacerations in 2 horses is described using intraluminal silastic tubing as a stent. The duct was lacerated traumatically at the facial vessel notch (incisura vasorum facialium) in the 1st horse, and iatrogenically after removal of an intraluminal sialolith after development of infection within the duct in the 2nd horse. In both cases, a silastic tube was passed retrograde into the duct via the salivary papilla, past the wound until the end lay rostroventral to the parotid salivary gland. The severed salivary ducts and the wounds were sutured. The external portion of the ...
Webb HJ, Weston JF, Norman EJ, Cogger N, Bolwell CF, Rogers CW.Training measures, particularly those that examine the interactions between training volume, speed, and recovery, can improve understanding of training practices that contribute to success and avoid adverse horse welfare outcomes in endurance competitions. This study describes the training of Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) 100-160 km level horses in New Zealand. A convenience sample of 16 participants and 25 horses were surveyed before commencement of training. Participants then reported daily data for an entire nine-month season of training and competition. Participants began the...
Rivolta AA, Pittman DC, Kappes AJ, Stancil RK, Kogan C, Sanz MG.The efficacy of Rhodococcus equi-specific hyperimmune plasma (HIP) is usually evaluated in vitro. Anticoagulants (AC) used for plasma collection can negatively impact bacterial replication but their effect on R. equi growth has not been evaluated. The aim of this study was to establish the effect that AC routinely used in veterinary medicine (ACD, KEDTA, Li Heparin, and Na Citrate) have on in vitro R. equi growth. To assess this, in vitro assays commonly used to test HIP efficacy (direct effect on microorganism and macrophage infection), were performed using each AC and non-treated bacteria. R...
Pearce SG, Firth EC, Grace ND, Fennessy PF.To evaluate standing, percutaneous, ultrasound-guided, transthoracic liver biopsy in mares, and transabdominal laparoscopically-guided, liver biopsy under general anaesthesia in foals, as techniques for obtaining tissue for assessment of copper status. The techniques were evaluated with respect to ease of use and effect on the animal. Methods: Twenty of 24 Thoroughbred mares and 21 of their foals were biopsied. The animals were part of a larger study of the effect of copper supplementation on copper status and the prevalence of developmental orthopaedic disease. Livers were also collected from...
Fujiwara Y, Kusakabe KT, Baba K, Sasaki N.Currently, treatment for peripheral nerve injuries in horses primarily relies upon physical therapy and anti-inflammatory drugs. In humans, various treatments using mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are being attempted. Therefore, in this study, Schwann-like cell differentiation cultures of equine MSCs were prepared using fetal bovine serum (FBS) and equine platelet lysate (ePL). ePL increased the platelet count to 1 × 10/μl, the optimal concentration for culture. In both groups, an elongated morphology at both ends, characteristic of Schwann cells, was observed under the microscope. Real-time...
Lassaline-Utter M, Gemensky-Metzler AJ, Scherrer NM, Stoppini R, Latimer CA, MacLaren NE, Myrna KE.To describe the clinical presentation, treatment, and outcome of a corneal dystrophy in Friesian horses and to analyze affected horses' pedigrees to investigate its heritability. Methods: Nine Friesians with bilateral disease were identified. Methods: Retrospective medical record review was used to identify Friesian horses exhibiting bilateral symmetric corneal lesions. Variables identified from medical records included patient sex and age at diagnosis; location, depth and size of corneal lesions; medical and surgical therapy instituted; and visual outcome. A four-generation pedigree for each ...
Kennedy R, Lappin DF, Dixon PM, Bennett D, Riggio MP.Equine periodontitis is a common and painful condition. However, the disease often goes unnoticed by owners and is thus a major welfare concern. The aetiopathogenesis of the condition remains poorly understood and has been investigated in few studies. The innate immune system is known to play an important role in human periodontitis, but its role in equine periodontitis has not been examined. Objective: To quantify the messenger (m)RNA levels of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and cytokines in gingival tissue from orally healthy horses and those affected by periodontitis. Methods: Observational stu...
Oquendo PS, Silva ESM, Oquendo FMG, Cuervo-Arango J, Beletti ME.The effect of three different hormonal protocols to prepare anestrous recipient mares on embryo survival was evaluated. The first group consisted of only progesterone administration (NE) 4 days before embryo transfer, while the recipients from the other two groups received a single administration of 2.5 mg of oestradiol benzoate (SE) 2 days earlier or 8 mg of oestradiol split in increasing doses for 5 consecutive days (LE) ending 3 days before progesterone treatment. The likelihood of recovering an embryo 2 days after transfer was 46.1% (6/13), 62.5% (5/8) and 85.7% (6/7) for recipie...
