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Topic:Veterinary Medicine
Veterinary medicine for horses encompasses the study and application of medical practices to diagnose, treat, and prevent diseases in equine species. This field involves a comprehensive understanding of equine anatomy, physiology, pathology, and pharmacology. Veterinary practitioners employ a range of diagnostic tools and therapeutic interventions to address health issues in horses, including lameness, gastrointestinal disorders, respiratory conditions, and infectious diseases. Preventative care, such as vaccination and deworming programs, is also a significant aspect of equine veterinary medicine. This page gathers peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore various aspects of veterinary medicine as it pertains to horses, including advancements in diagnostic techniques, treatment protocols, and preventive health strategies.
Findings in cerebrospinal fluids of horses infected with West Nile virus: 30 cases (2001). To evaluate CSF in horses with confirmed West Nile virus encephalomyelitis. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: 30 horses. Methods: Results of CSF analyses from horses with acute neurologic signs attributed to West Nile virus infection that was confirmed by immunoglobulin M antibody capture ELISA were reviewed and analyzed. Results: Among 30 CSF samples, findings in 8 (27%) were within reference ranges and in 22 (73%) were abnormal. Among the 22 abnormal samples, mononuclear pleocytosis was found in 16 (73%) and high protein concentration with nucleated cell count within reference range was...
Common variable immunodeficiency in a horse. A 12-year-old Quarter Horse mare that was nonresponsive to medical treatment was evaluated for chronic respiratory disease and hepatobiliary disease. Serum immunoglobulin concentrations were measured by use of radial immunodiffusion that revealed trace to nondetectable concentrations of IgG, IgG(T), IgM, and IgA. Use of serum protein electrophoresis confirmed agammaglobulinemia by the absence of the expected peak in the gamma region. In addition, vaccination with tetanus toxoid did not result in specific immunoglobulin production. Flow cytometric analysis of blood lymphocyte subpopulations rev...
Postoperative infection with Actinobacillus spp in horses: 10 cases (1995-2000). To determine features of postoperative wound infection caused by Actinobacillus spp in horses undergoing clean, elective surgery and to evaluate bacterial susceptibility profiles of bacteria isolated. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: 10 horses. Methods: Data were retrieved from medical records and the microbiology laboratory database. Results: 1,604 horses underwent clean, elective surgical procedures during the study period. Of these, 23 (1.43%) had postoperative wound infections, and Actinobacillus spp was isolated from 10 of these 23 (43%). Surgical procedures in these 10 horses inclu...
Use of a condylar screw plate for repair of a Salter-Harris type-III fracture of the femur in a 2-year-old horse. A 2-year-old sexually intact male Paint horse weighing 427 kg (940 lb) was admitted for examination and treatment of intermittent non-weight-bearing lameness of the right hind limb of 1 week's duration. Radiography revealed a displaced Salter-Harris type-III fracture of the right femoral condyle with the sagittal component of the fracture line located in the intercondylar space and the transverse component exiting on the medial aspect of the femur. The fracture was repaired with a condylar screw plate designed for repair of femoral condylar fractures in humans. The owner reported by telephone ...
Stable and long-lasting immune response in horses after DNA vaccination against equine arteritis virus. Equine arteritis virus (EAV) is the causative agent of the equine viral arteritis. It is a small RNA virus with a linear, non-segmented plus RNA genome. EAV is a member of the Arteriviridae family that includes porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRSSV), simian haemorrhagic fever virus (SHFV) and lactate dehydrogenase virus (LDV). The viral transmission is via respiratory and reproductive routes. Clinical signs in horses vary, and severe infection can lead to abortions in pregnant mares or neonatal foal death. The aim of this study was to investigate the development of the imm...
Factors affecting gestation length in the Thoroughbred mare. In order to assist in the accurate prediction of the timing of parturition in the mare true gestation length, along with the potential effect of a number of factors, was investigated. Data from 433 Thoroughbred foal pregnancies were used. Sequential ultrasonic scanning allowed the true gestation length (fertilisation-parturition) to be ascertained, as apposed to previous work, which used the mating-parturition interval. An average gestation length of 344.1 +/- 0.49 days was evident. Colt foal pregnancies were significantly (P < 0.001) longer (346.2 +/- 0.72) than fillies (342.4 +/- 0.65). M...
Identification of pulmonary T-lymphocyte and serum antibody isotype responses associated with protection against Rhodococcus equi. Rhodococcus equi infects and causes pneumonia in foals between 2 and 4 months of age but does not induce disease in immunocompetent adults, which are immune and remain clinically normal upon challenge. Understanding the protective response against R. equi in adult horses is important in the development of vaccine strategies, since those mechanisms likely reflect the protective phenotype that an effective vaccine would generate in the foal. Twelve adult horses were challenged with virulent R. equi and shown to be protected against clinical disease. Stimulation of cells obtained from bronchoalve...
Dorsal displacement of the soft palate in 92 horses during high-speed treadmill examination (1993-1998). To evaluate the occurrence of dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP) during high-speed treadmill (HSTM) exercise in racehorses, and determine treatment efficacy relative to the endoscopic findings observed during resting and HSTM endoscopic examination. Methods: Retrospective study. Animals-Ninety-two racehorses (74 Thoroughbreds, 18 Standardbreds). Methods: The signalment, history (clinical and race), treatments, and video recordings made during resting and HSTM endoscopy were reviewed in 92 racehorses that developed DDSP during HSTM exercise. Only horses that completed 3 starts before...
Pituitary responsiveness to GnRH in mares following deslorelin acetate implantation to hasten ovulation. The present experiment characterized the pituitary responsiveness to exogenous GnRH in the first 10 d after ovulation following commercially available deslorelin acetate implantation at the normal dosage for hastening ovulation in mares. Twelve mature, cyclic mares were assessed daily for estrus and three times weekly for ovarian activity starting May 1. Mares achieving a follicle at least 25 mm in diameter or showing signs of estrus were checked daily thereafter for ovarian characteristics. When a follicle >30 mm was detected, mares were administered either a single deslorelin acetate impl...
Quantification and distribution of equine oocyte cortical granules during meiotic maturation and after activation. In vitro fertilization (IVF) is being routinely used in humans and several domestic species, however, limited success has been achieved in the horse. Although immature equine oocytes are capable of completing meiosis in vitro, subsequent fertilization, and embryonic development of those oocytes are questionable. The lack of development of these oocytes could be attributed to an impaired cytoplasmic maturation. In the horse, the study of oocyte cytoplasmic maturation and post-fertilization development has been hindered by the lack of progress in IVF. In mammalian oocytes, migration of cortical ...
Biomarkers of exposure to cyanogens in horses with grass sickness. To test the hypothesis that equine grass sickness may be associated with the ingestion of cyanogenic glycosides from white clover (Trifolium repens), the concentrations of whole blood cyanide, and plasma and urinary thiocyanate, the main metabolite of cyanide, were measured in 12 horses with acute grass sickness and 10 horses with subacute grass sickness, and in 43 control horses, of which 21 were co-grazing with cases of acute grass sickness, 12 grazed pastures where grass sickness had not been reported, and 10 were stabled horses. The healthy horses which grazed with cases of acute grass sic...
Do regional variations in flexor tendons predispose to site-specific injuries? Partial rupture occurs most often to the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) of the forelimb at the mid-metacarpal level. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that the mid-metacarpal region of the SDFT has the smallest cross sectional area (CSA) and a similar collagen content to other regions and, therefore, represents a weak point in the tendon. The SDFT was collected from the forelimbs of 9 horses. Each tendon was marked at 7 different levels from the origin of the accessory ligament to the phalangeal region. The CSA, water content and collagen content was measured at each level. The...
Exercise-induced pulmonary perfusion redistribution in heaves. This study aimed to compare exercise-induced pulmonary perfusion redistribution in healthy vs. 'heavey' horses using scintigraphy, a minimally invasive technique. Six healthy (A) and 5 'heavey' horses in remission (B(I)) and during clinical signs of disease (B(II)) were investigated. Dimensions of the exercising pulmonary perfusion (QE) images were expressed in percent of the resting perfusion (QR) images. Computed QE to QR ratios (QE/QR) images enabled the definition of the region more perfused at exercise than at rest (R1). In all groups, exercise induced a major enlargement of the Q image b...
Effects of mild forelimb lameness on exercise performance. Mild lameness is considered a performance-limiting problem that may escape detection until it worsens, and is considered the primary reason for reduced racing performance. The kinematics changes associated with a lame horse at the trot have been demonstrated previously, but the metabolic cost of these alterations in their gait have not been demonstrated. Six fit Thoroughbred horses with an established VO2max participated in 4 trials using a randomised cross-over design study, separated by 10-14 days. The horses were tested with one of 4 trial conditions: lead forelimb lameness (LL); off-lead f...
The effect of coat clipping on thermoregulation during intense exercise in trotters. The aim of this study was to study the physiological, especially thermoregulatory, responses during intense exercise in the clipped horse compared to the horse with winter coat. Six Standardbred trotters were studied before and after clipping. They performed an inclined incremental high intensity treadmill exercise test and were monitored during recovery. The clipped horse differed significantly (ANOVA) during exercise as compare to coated: less increase in central venous blood temperature, higher skin surface temperature, greater difference skin to ambient temperature and higher rate of nonev...
Effect of body incline on cardiac performance. Maximal cardiac performance is improved in man during upright compared to supine exercise. Whether cardiac performance in quadrupeds is dependent upon body position is unknown. Therefore, we undertook the present investigation to determine if peak cardiac output (Qpeak) would be influenced by body inclination in the Thoroughbred horse. To test the hypothesis, four Thoroughbred horses performed an incremental exercise protocol (speed increased by 1 m/s/min to fatigue) on both a level (L) and inclined (I: 6 degrees) treadmill. Specifically, we hypothesised that Qpeak would be increased on the in...
Plasma aldosterone concentration and renal sodium excretion are altered during the first days of training. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether the training-induced hypervolaemic response seen in the horse is associated with aldosterone-mediated renal mechanisms affecting sodium conservation during the first days of training. Five healthy, Standardbred mares (weight 450-500 kg, age 4-8 years) that were unfit, but accustomed to running on the treadmill, were used to test the hypothesis that repeated submaximal exercise would alter plasma aldosterone (ALDO) concentration and renal excretion of electrolytes in horses within the first 3 days of training. The experiment consisted of...
EIPH: postrace endoscopic evaluation of Standardbreds and Thoroughbreds. The incidence and severity of exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH) in the 2 most commonly raced horse breeds, Thoroughbreds (TB) and Standardbreds (STD), were studied, with particular interest in the possible influence of frusemide (F) and/or the breed (or running gait) on EIPH. The appearance of blood within the trachea was semi-quantified using a published 5-point system, with zero assigned when no blood was observed, and numbers 1-4 assigned with increasing amounts of blood. Considering each endoscopic examination as a separate event, approximately 75% of the postrace endoscopic ex...
Plasma carnosine concentration: diurnal variation and effects of age, exercise and muscle damage. This study was undertaken as part of a larger investigation into carnosine metabolism and function in the Thoroughbred horse. More specifically, we wished to evaluate plasma carnosine concentration as a potential indicator of muscle carnosine status. In contrast to man, carnosine is present in equine plasma where its presence is consistent with the absence of plasma carnosinase. A significant effect of age on plasma carnosine concentration in resting Thoroughbred horses was observed. Values in horses age 3 years and older were 113-14.1 micromol/l, whereas concentrations in foals and yearlings ...
Effects of weight carrying, exercise and a myo-anabolic supplement on growth and muscle. Weight training is commonly used by human athletes to increase strength and fitness. This study was performed to examine the effect of weight-carrying and nutritional supplementation on muscle development and growth in young horses. This study examined the effect of weight-carrying and nutritional supplementation on muscle development and growth. Seventeen horses were divided into 3 groups: controls exercised in a free-flow exerciser, a weight group that performed the same exercise, carrying progressively increasing weight up to 45 kg, and a weight-supplement group, that also received a myo-an...
Evidence of an association between inflammatory airway disease and EIPH in young Thoroughbreds during training. In an epidemiological study of risk factors for exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH) in young Thoroughbreds in the UK, in which 148 horses contributed 1614 horse-months of data, there were 64 (4%) episodes of endoscopically visible tracheal bleeding and 824 (51%) episodes of increased quantities of haemosiderophages in tracheal washes. There were increases in prevalence and risk of EIPH by both definitions with age from or = 4 years, season of sampling from winter (Nov-Jan) to autumn (Aug-Oct) and several different measures of airway inflammation, including tracheal mucus, neutrophil...
Changes in skeletal muscle GLUT4 content and muscle membrane glucose transport following 6 weeks of exercise training. This study examined changes in skeletal muscle GLUT4 content and glucose transport in isolated muscle membranes (GT) from horses before and 2 min after standardised submaximal exercise tests (SET) prior to and after completion of 6 weeks of training. Seven horses, age 3-9 years, body mass mean +/- s.e. 530 +/- 19 kg, and sedentary for at least 4 months, completed 6 weeks of training on a treadmill. An initial SET (UT) was performed on a 4 degree incline at a speed equivalent to 55% of pretraining VO2max and was repeated post-training at the same absolute workload (ABS). A third SET (REL) was p...
Metabolic responses to submaximal field exercise tests and relationships with racing performance in pacing Standardbreds. This study was undertaken to invesigate the application of submaximal field tests in assessment of performance. A submaximal field exercise test consisting of 2 bouts of pacing for 1600 m, with 5 min rest or walking between runs was performed on Standardbred racehorses at 2 training centres (A and B). Performance indices were compiled for each horse: number of race starts, number of race wins, number of race placings (1, 2 or 3), and lifetime earnings. Regression analysis was conducted to describe the relationship between plasma lactate concentrations and speed for tests one, 2 and pooled resu...
Forelimb skeletal scintigraphy responses in previously untrained Thoroughbreds undergoing initial treadmill training. Scintigraphy has been used in numerous clinical settings to examine horses to determine the origin of lameness problems, but it has not been used previously to monitor prospectively the skeletal responses of a group of similarly-trained racehorses. Our hypothesis was that in naïve Thoroughbred (TB) racehorses, initial treadmill training induces increased radiopharmaceutical uptake in high-motion joints and in the dorsal third metacarpal bone (MC3). Eight previously-untrained TB racehorses underwent sequential skeletal scintigraphic examinations as they exercised daily for 9 weeks on an inclin...
Effect of dorsal displacement of the soft palate on ventilation and airflow during high-intensity exercise. Dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP) is one of the most common obstructive conditions of the upper respiratory tract in the racehorse. The present study was conducted to determine the effects of intermittent dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP) on ventilation and respiratory airflow during high intensity exercise. Videoendoscopic recordings were made of the nasopharynx and larynx simultaneously with measurements of airflow and respiratory gas exchange, during high-speed treadmill exercise in 9 horses with confirmed intermittent DDSP admitted for clinical investigation of poor...
Chronic nodular panniculitis in a three-year-old mare. The clinical signs of chronic nodular panniculitis in a three-year-old mare were consistent with a diagnosis of sterile nodular panniculitis, but the mare had histopathological signs of both generalised steatitis and sterile nodular panniculitis. The mare was deficient in vitamin E and selenium.
Effects of ageing and training on maximal heart rate and VO2max. The purpose of this study was to test the hypotheses that ageing would result in a decline in maximal heart rate (HRmax) and maximal aerobic capacity (VO2max) and, secondarily, that those effects would be reversible with training. Eighteen, healthy, unfit Standardbred mares representing 3 age groups: young (Y = mean +/- s.e. 6.8 +/- 0.4 years, n = 6); middle-aged (MA = 15.2 +/- 0.4 years, n = 6); and old (O = 27.0 +/- 0.2 years, n = 6) were used. HRmax, VO2max and oxygen pulse at VO2max (OPmax) and the velocities producing HRmax (VHRmax) and VO2max (VVO2max) were measured during pretraining an...
