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.
Amavisit P, Browning GF, Lightfoot D, Church S, Anderson GA, Whithear KG, Markham PF.A rapid polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was developed for detecting Salmonella in faeces of horses and assessed on samples from horses admitted to a veterinary hospital. Direct detection was achieved by amplification of part of ompC after extraction of DNA from faeces using a spin column method to reduce the amount of inhibitory substances in samples. An internal positive control was included to detect false negative results. While the sensitivity of the PCR assay was less than culture when assessed on faeces inoculated with Salmonella, its sensitivity on faecal samples obtained from hor...
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...
King DS, Tulleners E, Martin BB, Parente EJ, Boston R.To describe the clinical findings in 52 racehorses with axial deviation of the aryepiglottic folds (ADAF) and to report outcome in 33 of these horses after either rest or transendoscopic laser excision of aryepiglottic fold tissue. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Racehorses admitted for high-speed treadmill (HST) evaluation of poor performance. Methods: Medical records and videotapes of resting and exercising videoendoscopic examinations were reviewed. Racing performance records and owner or trainer interviews, at least 1 year after HST examination, were used to compare results after ei...
Trostle SS, Peavey CL, King DS, Hartmann FA.A 27-month-old Rocky Mountain Horse was examined because of a fracture of the proximal portion of the ulna and luxation of the humeroradial joint (Monteggia fracture). Open reduction was performed, using a mechanical distractor, and the ulnar fracture was stabilized by application of a bone plate and screws. After surgery, the horse developed an infection of the surgical site, and bacterial culture of fluid from the surgical site yielded a pure growth of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis susceptible to oxytetracycline, erythromycin, rifampin, and vancomycin. Treatment with oxyte...
Wilson PJ, Clark KA.To determine whether postexposure rabies prophylaxis (PEP) in domestic animals, as mandated by the state of Texas, has continued to be effective and to evaluate PEP and preexposure rabies vaccination failures from 1995 through 1999. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: 830 unvaccinated domestic animals (621 dogs, 78 horses, 71 cats, and 60 cattle) that received PEP and 4 animals (3 dogs and 1 horse) that had preexposure rabies vaccination failure. Methods: Zoonotic incident case reports from 1995 through 1999 were reviewed for information regarding unvaccinated domestic animals that received...
Soutullo A, Verwimp V, Riveros M, Pauli R, Tonarelli G.Three peptides derived from the equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) surface proteins were synthesized to design and validate an ELISA for EIA diagnosis. Peptides identified as gp90-I and gp90-II correspond to the N- and C-terminal part of the surface glycoprotein gp90. Peptide gp45-1 overlaps the immunodominant epitope CIERTHVFC of the transmembrane glycoprotein gp45, and includes a hydrophilic chain close to the N-terminal end of this nonapeptide loop. Serum samples from 140 naturally infected horses with EIAV and a panel of 167 non-immune equine sera obtained from non-infected animals were...
Brinsko SP.Retrograde ejaculation was diagnosed in a 10-year-old Arabian stallion. Despite behavioral signs consistent with ejaculation, the collection receptacle of an artificial vagina remained devoid of semen on numerous occasions. Catheterization of the urinary bladder yielded large numbers of spermatozoa, even when an ejaculate was obtained, whereas low numbers (< 1 X 10(6)/ml) of spermatozoa are found in the bladder of clinically normal stallions after ejaculation. Endoscopic examination of the urethra, seminal colliculus, and bladder failed to reveal abnormalities. Medical treatment with imipra...
Farnsworth KD, White NA, Robertson J.To determine the effect of intra-articular gentamicin-impregnated polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) beads inserted in the equine tarsocrural joint on the synovial fluid, synovial lining, and cartilage, and to determine the peak and sustainable gentamicin concentrations in synovial fluid and plasma. Methods: Pharmacokinetic, cytologic, and histologic study of the effect of gentamicin-impregnated PMMA on normal equine tarsocrural joints. Methods: Five healthy adult horses. Methods: Gentamicin-impregnated PMMA bead strands (3 strands each of 40 beads, with each strand containing 100 mg gentamicin) we...
Cook SJ, Cook RF, Montelaro RC, Issel CJ.Most in vivo studies with equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) have been performed in horses and ponies (Equus caballus) with little published information available detailing the clinical responses of donkeys (Equus asinus) to infection with this virus. Consequently, donkeys were inoculated with two strains of EIAV (EIAV(PV) and EIAV(WY)) which have been documented to produce disease in E. caballus. Four ponies, 561, 562, 564 and 567 and two donkeys, 3 and 5 were infected with EIAV(PV) and one horse (94-10) and one donkey (4) were infected with EIAV(WY). Although the horse and ponies all expe...
Orsini JA, Spencer PA.A dose-response study was undertaken of the effects of a newly developed histamine type 2 receptor antagonist, BMY-26539-01, on gastric acid secretion in 4 fasted horses. Doses of 0.1 mg/kg, 0.3 mg/kg, 0.5 mg/kg, or placebo were administered in a randomly assigned treatment sequence. Hydrogen ion concentration and pH were variable during baseline measurements in all 4 animals; however, following BMY-26539-01 administration, mean pH increased and hydrogen ion concentration decreased in a dose-related pattern. At the 0.3 mg/kg and 0.5 mg/kg dose levels, pH remained elevated for > 4 h and >...
Simpson BS.Psychotropic drugs are used by veterinary behavior specialists and general veterinary practitioners to treat behavior problems of companion animals. Dogs, cats, pet birds, horses, and zoo animals benefit from this type of therapy. However, many drugs used to treat anxiety or depression in animals were designed for use in human patients. Compounding is a critical step in adapting those medications for use in different species. Formulations that improve palatability or facilitate administration can often determine the success or failure of therapy in veterinary patients, and compounding is often...
Suzuki Y.All types of the hemagglutinin(HA) of human, pig, horse and aq. bird influenza A viruses, recognize sialyl lacto-series type I and II sugar chains(Sialic acid(SA) alpha 2-3(6)Gal beta 1-3(4) GlcNAc beta 1-) in glycoproteins and glycolipids in the target cells as common receptor molecules. Avian and equine influenza viruses preferentially binds the terminal sialic acid alpha 2-3Gal(SA2-3Gal) linkage, while human influenza viruses preferentially bind the SA2-6Gal linkage. SA distribution in animal species influence influenza virus host range. Swine trachea has both receptors for avian influenza ...
Wehrend A, Meyer W, Herfen K, Bostedt H.A case of congenital (Erythro)keratoderma variabilis in a newborn foal is described. The clinical and histological findings are presented.
Adkins AR, Yovich JV, Steel CM.To evaluate the outcome of 17 horses that underwent surgical arthrodesis of the tarsometatarsal and distal intertarsal joints for treatment of lameness due to osteoarthritis. Methods: Retrospective clinical study using client-owned animals. Methods: Horses with hindlimb lameness were diagnosed with osteoarthritis of the distal tarsal joints following relief of lameness after intra-articular anaesthesia or intra-articular corticosteroid injection. Surgery to stimulate ankylosis was performed on 27 hocks by placing 3 diverging 3.2 mm drill holes approximately 3 cm through the tarsometatarsal and...
Howe DK.To accelerate genetic and molecular characterization of Sarcocystis neurona, the primary causative agent of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM), a sequencing project has been initiated that will generate approximately 7000-8000 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) from this apicomplexan parasite. Poly(A)(+) RNA was isolated from culture-derived S. neurona merozoites, and a cDNA library was constructed in a unidirectional lambda phage cloning vector. Sixty phage clones were randomly picked from the library, and the cDNA inserts were amplified from these clones using the T3 and T7 primers that fl...
Speer CA, Dubey JP.The ultrastructure of Sarcocystis neurona schizonts and merozoites was studied in specimens derived from cell culture and from the brains of infected mice. Schizonts and merozoites were located in the host cell cytoplasm without a parasitophorous vacuole at any stage of development. Merozoites divided by endopolygeny. Fully formed merozoites had a pellicle, numerous polysomes and ribosomes, smooth and rough endoplasmic reticulum, 22 subpellicular microtubules, 9-16 dense granules, 25-75 micronemes, a plastid, a Golgi complex, 1-3 mitochondria, a conoid, 2 apical rings, 2 polar rings, 0-6 lipid...
Cutler TJ, MacKay RJ, Ginn PE, Gillis K, Tanhauser SM, LeRay EV, Dame JB, Greiner EC.Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis is a common neurologic disease of horses in the Americas usually caused by Sarcocystis neurona. To date, the disease has not been induced in horses using characterized sporocysts from Didelphis virginiana, the definitive host. S. neurona sporocysts from 15 naturally infected opossums were fed to horses seronegative for antibodies against S. neurona. Eight horses were given 5x10(5) sporocysts daily for 7 days. Horses were examined for abnormal clinical signs, and blood and cerebrospinal fluid were harvested at intervals for 90 days after the first day of chall...
Dubey JP, Lindsay DS, Saville WJ, Reed SM, Granstrom DE, Speer CA.Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) is a serious neurological disease of horses in the Americas. The protozoan most commonly associated with EPM is Sarcocystis neurona. The complete life cycle of S. neurona is unknown, including its natural intermediate host that harbors its sarcocyst. Opossums (Didelphis virginiana, Didelphis albiventris) are its definitive hosts. Horses are considered its aberrant hosts because only schizonts and merozoites (no sarcocysts) are found in horses. EPM-like disease occurs in a variety of mammals including cats, mink, raccoons, skunks, Pacific harbor seals, p...
Kagawa Y, Hirayama K, Tagami M, Tsunoda N, Yoshino T, Matsui T, Furuoka H, Taniyama H.Histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations were made on four female horses aged 9-12 years with pulmonary granular cell tumours (GCTs). The tumours, which were multiple, of varying size, firm and off-white in colour, surrounded the bronchi and bronchioles. Metastatic lesions were not detected. The tumour cells had abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm filled with prominent coarse eosinophilic granules. Immunohistochemically, these tumour cells reacted uniformly with vimentin and S100 antibodies. Most were immunolabelled by antibodies against glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), myelin...
Lindsay DS, Dubey JP.Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) is a serious neurological disease of horses in the Americas. The apicomplexan protozoan most commonly associated with EPM is Sarcocystis neurona. A direct agglutination test (SAT) was developed to detect antibodies to S. neurona in experimentally infected animals. Merozoites of the SN6 strain of S. neurona collected from cell culture were used as antigen and 2-mercaptoethanol was added to the antigen suspension to destroy IgM antibodies when mixed with test sera. Mice fed sporocysts of S. speeri or S. falcatula-like sporocysts from opossums did not sero...
Mansfield LS, Schott HC, Murphy AJ, Rossano MG, Tanhauser SM, Patterson JS, Nelson K, Ewart SL, Marteniuk JV, Bowman DD, Kaneene JB.Sarcocystis neurona is a protozoan parasite that can cause neurological deficits in infected horses. The route of transmission is by fecal-oral transfer of sporocysts from opossums. However, the species identity and the lifecycle are not completely known. In this study, Sarcocystis merozoites from eight isolates obtained from Michigan horses were compared to S. neurona from a California horse (UCD1), Sarcocystis from a grackle (Cornell), and five Sarcocystis isolates from feral opossums from Michigan. Comparisons were made using several techniques. SDS-PAGE analysis with silver staining showed...
Dubey JP, Mattson DE, Speer CA, Hamir AN, Lindsay DS, Rosenthal BM, Kwok OC, Baker RJ, Mulrooney DM, Tornquist SJ, Gerros TC.An isolate of Sarcocystis neurona (SN7) was obtained from the spinal cord of a horse with neurologic signs. The parasite was isolated in cultures of bovine monocytes and equine spleen cells. The organism divided by endopolygeny and completed at least one asexual cycle in cell cultures in 3 days. The parasite was maintained by subpassages in bovine monocytes for 10 months when it was found to be non-pathogenic to gamma interferon knockout (KO) mice. Revival of a low passage (10th passage) of the initial isolate stored in liquid nitrogen for 18 months retained its pathogenicity for KO mice. Mero...
Cook AG, Buechner-Maxwell V, Morrow JK, Ward DL, Parker NA, Dascanio JJ, Ley WB, Cooper W.Horses that are exposed to Sarcocystis neurona, a causative agent of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis, produce antibodies that are detectable in serum by western blot (WB). A positive test is indicative of exposure to the organism. Positive tests in young horses can be complicated by the presence of maternal antibodies. Passive transfer of maternal antibodies to S. neurona from seropositive mares to their foals was evaluated. Foals were sampled at birth (presuckle), at 24h of age (postsuckle), and at monthly intervals. All foals sampled before suckling were seronegative. Thirty-three foals f...
Marsh AE, Johnson PJ, Ramos-Vara J, Johnson GC.Little information is available about antigenic variation of Sarcocystis neurona isolated from horses with equine protozoal myeloencephalitis, nor is there much information available on the specific antibody pattern to S. neurona antigens of horses from different geographic regions where S. neurona isolates have been obtained. This communication reports on the characterization of a new S. neurona isolate, SN-MU1. The isolate was obtained from a 3-year old Thoroughbred that had asymmetrical neurological signs and localized skeletal muscle atrophy. This S. neurona isolate is similar to other S. ...
Venugopal CS, Moore RM, Holmes EP, Koch CE, Seahorn TL, Beadle RE.To compare responses of bronchial rings obtained from healthy horses and horses affected with summer pasture-associated obstructive pulmonary disease (SPAOPD) to selected mediators of airway hyperreactivity in vitro. Methods: Bronchial rings from 6 healthy horses and 6 horses affected with SPAOPD. Methods: Bronchial rings obtained from each group of horses were mounted in organ baths and attached to force transducers interfaced with a polygraph. After applying 2g of tension, each ring was allowed to equilibrate for 45 minutes in Tyrode's solution at 37 C. Cumulative concentration-response rela...
Bourée P.Hydatidosis is a widespread zoonosis infecting a large number of animals and humans. Echinococcus granulosus has the smallest taenia adult of the cestodes but with the largest larva. Its morphologic and biologic features were identified with DNA analysis. Different strains were separated according to the intermediate hosts: sheep, cattle, pigs, horses, camels. Definitive host are canids, mostly dogs, where the worm grows to adulthood in several months. The eggs are scattered in the pasture by wind and water and are ingested by various hosts. The larvae migrate through the intestinal wall and p...
Merkies K, Chenier T, Plante C, Buhr MM.Viability of spermatozoa can be assessed by numerous methods, but many are slow and poorly repeatable, and subjectively assess only 100 to 200 spermatozoa per ejaculate. We collected two ejaculates from each of 4 stallions, and extended them to 50x10(6) sperm/mL in a nonfat dried milk solids glucose extender (EZ Mixin). Half the ejaculate was freeze-killed by immersing in liquid nitrogen for 10 min. Aliquots using appropriate volumes of live and freeze-killed spermatozoa provided the following ratios of live:dead spermatozoa: 100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75, 0:100. We determined the viability of ea...
Powell DG.Examples of equine disease surveillance at the local, regional, national and international level are discussed in this article. Reporting systems at each level are also considered, and the increasing importance of laboratory confirmed diagnoses is emphasized. The need to develop national disease reporting systems is addressed, particularly with respect to conforming to international trading standards.
Timoney PJ.In an era of increasing globalization, the risk of spread of infectious diseases in humans and animals, including equids, has never been greater. International movement of equids and trade in semen are the most important factors responsible for the dissemination of various equine pathogens. Other factors that can or do have the potential to influence the global distribution of equine infectious diseases include: multinational trade agreements, emergent diseases, mutation of pathogens, climate related phenomena, migration of amplifying/reservoir hosts or vectors, availability of new vectors, va...
Kirker-Head CA, Loeffler D, Held JP.Malignant melanoma in a 21-year-old, gray, Arabian gelding was manifested by rapidly deteriorating lameness of the right pelvic limb. A melanotic, cutaneous mass of small dimensions was identified in the left jugular furrow. Exploratory laparoscopy revealed widespread infiltration of melanotic masses into the structures of the abdominal cavity. Necropsy indicated the lameness to have resulted from infiltration of neoplastic cells into the sacral nerves, dorsal root ganglia, proximal ischiatic nerve, and gluteal muscle fibers. The primary tumor could not be identified.
Rumbaugh GE, Adamson PJ.Blood was collected from healthy Quarter Horse and Appaloosa foals at birth and at intervals until 18 weeks of age and then was processed in an automated system for serum chemical analysis, grouping the results by age. The test values were markedly different from those normally expected in adult horses. The greatest differences were in alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, glucose, and total bilirubin measurements. It was concluded that serum biochemical test results be compared with age-specific normal values before diagnoses are made in cases of illness.
Lees P, Tavernor WD.1. In horses anaesthetized with halothane the intravenous administration of suxamethonium chloride, at a dose level of 0.2 mg/kg, produced a short-lived period of hypoventilation, which was associated with increases in arterial blood PCO(2) levels and in plasma concentrations of bicarbonate, sodium and potassium ions, and reductions in arterial blood pH and PO(2) values.2. The respiratory depressant action of suxamethonium chloride 0.2 mg/kg was accompanied by increases in blood pressure and heart rate. Doses of suxamethonium chloride 0.4 mg/kg produced similar but quantitatively greater chang...
Bergh A, Ridderstråle Y, Ekman S.No studies have been published on effects of treatment with a defocused beam carbon dioxide (CO2) laser on equine skin histology. A better understanding of this will help to define how lasers should be used, in order to reduce potential side effects. Objective: To describe the acute effects of different doses of defocused CO2 laser, ranging from therapeutic to surgical levels, on equine skin. Methods: Defocused CO2 laser was administered to the skin in the hamstrings (91 J/cm2), fetlock (137 J/cm2) and loin (450 J/cm2) areas of 13 Standardbred horses. The acute effects on skin histology were e...
Best C, Coe JB, Hewson J, Meehan M, Kelton D.Little is known about the veterinary referral process and factors that contribute to positive outcomes. Objective: To investigate equine referring veterinarians' (rDVMs') satisfaction with their most recent referral experience and compare rDVM and specialist perspectives. Methods: 187 rDVMs and 92 specialists (referral care providers). Methods: Cross-sectional observational study. An online survey was administered to both rDVMs and specialists. Referring veterinarian satisfaction with their most recent referral experience was evaluated. Both rDVMs and specialists were asked to identify factors...
Thomas KW, Pemberton DH.Components of plasma or serum, including immunoglobulins, were concentrated two-fold by freezing then collecting 40-50% of the initial volume during thawing. This concentrated plasma (or serum) was administered intravenously to treat hypogammaglobulinaemic foals and calves. An adaptation of this method suitable for field use is described.
Hinckley KA, Fearn S, Howard BR, Henderson IW.The present study applies near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to the haemodynamics of the pedal circulation in normal and laminitic horses. NIRS is a noninvasive technique which uses changes in light absorption at 4 wavelengths to provide information on the changes in cytochrome aa3 (cyt aa3) reduction-oxidation (redox) status, and changes in the tissue concentration of oxyhaemoglobin (O2Hb), deoxyhaemoglobin (HHb) and therefore total haemoglobin (tHb). Other studies have shown NIRS to be sensitive to changes in tissue oxygenation and perfusion in human cerebral and limb circulation. In this stu...
Brooks SA, Bailey E.Inflammatory damage to the digital laminae, a structure responsible for suspension of the distal skeleton within the hoof capsule, results in a painful and often life-threatening disease in horses called laminitis. There can be many diverse causes of laminitis; however, previous work in the horse has suggested that in each case, the inflammation and resulting tissue damage is consistent with the action of mediators released from mast cells (MC), as well as the downstream consequences of their activation. The recent development of molecular genetics tools to characterize cells based on their tr...
Scott EA, Todhunter R.In 2 cases of chronic intestinal intussusception in horses, one involved jejunum and the other, ileum. The only clinical signs observed were intermittent colic. Surgery was performed on both horses, with successful outcomes.
Hopster K, Watkins AR, Hurcombe SD.To compare the antinociceptive effects of morphine administered via cervical epidural catheter to intravenously administered morphine using a thermal threshold (TT) testing model in healthy adult horses. Methods: Prospective, randomized, blinded experimental study. Methods: A total of six university-owned adult horses. Methods: Horses were instrumented with a cervical (C1-C2) epidural catheter and TT testing device with probes at withers and thoracic limb coronary bands. All horses underwent three TT testing cycles including cervical epidural morphine administration (treatment EpiM; 0.1 mg kg-...
Shibahara T, Kuwano A, Ueno T, Katayama Y, Ohya T, Taharaguchi S, Yamamoto S, Umemura T, Ishikawa Y, Kadota K.Studies of equine intestinal spirochetes have long focused on intestinal contents alone, but intestinal spirochetosis has been reported recently in a 21-month-old Thoroughbred colt in Japan. To define the clinical and pathological significances of intestinal spirochetosis in several horses, an epizootiologic survey with histologic, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural methods was conducted for Brachyspira antigen-containing intestinal spirochetes in 12 diseased or injured Thoroughbred horses, aged from 35 days to 17 years. Brachyspira antigen-containing spirochetes were found in 7 of 12 ho...
Regnier A, Martin C, Semin MO, Lienard E, Geffre A, Douet JY, Raymond-Letron I.An 18-month-old Arabian-English filly resident in southwest France was referred for evaluation of a conjunctival mass in the right eye (OD). A pink, solid, and mobile nodular formation, measuring approximately 1.2 × 0.8 cm was found under the superior nasal bulbar conjunctiva during an ophthalmic examination that was otherwise normal. The mass was surgically removed using a standing procedure. Cytological examination of fine-needle aspirates from the mass revealed a mixed eosinophilic-lymphocytic inflammation. Histological examination confirmed the dense and diffuse eosinophilic-lymphocyti...
Whelchel DD, Tennent-Brown BS, Coleman AE, Rapoport GS, Blas-Machado U, Maisenbacher HW, Credille BC, Giguère S.To describe the treatment of persistent supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) in a young horse in endurance training. Methods: A 6-year-old Arab gelding in endurance training presented for a dysrhythmia and decreased performance. SVT was diagnosed and conversion to a normal sinus rhythm was achieved following administration of a constant rate infusion of amiodarone. However, reversion to SVT occurred shortly after initiation of ridden exercise. A second attempt to convert the dysrhythmia with amiodarone failed, but normal sinus rhythm was achieved with transvenous electrical cardioversion (TVEC)....
Alm YH, Sukjumlong S, Kindahl H, Dalin AM.Sex steroid hormone receptors have been identified in the adrenal gland of rat, sheep and rhesus monkey, indicating a direct effect of sex steroids on adrenal gland function. Methods: In the present study, immunohistochemistry using two different mouse monoclonal antibodies was employed to determine the presence of oestrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) and progesterone receptor (PR) in the mare adrenal gland. Adrenal glands from intact (n = 5) and ovariectomised (OVX) (n = 5) mares, as well as uterine tissue (n = 9), were collected after euthanasia. Three of the OVX mares were treated with a sing...
Cillán-Garcia E, Taylor SE, Townsend N, Licka T.To report a surgical technique that allows decompression and anatomic re-alignment for management of subluxation of the atlantoaxial articulation. Methods: Clinical report. Methods: Four-year-old Welsh Section B pony gelding. Methods: Attempts at closed reduction of subluxation of the atlantoaxial articulation under general anesthesia were unsuccessful, so a ventral surgical approach allowing partial ostectomy of the dens of the axis was used to facilitate reduction. Results: Recovery from surgery was uneventful and the pony remained comfortable without neurologic deficits. Both neck stiffness...
Johnson SA, Richards RB, Frisbie DD, Esselman AM, McClure SR.Over the past three decades, electrohydraulic extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) as a treatment modality for equine orthopaedic disorders has sparked exponential interest among practitioners, but its clinical applications are quickly evolving and a current review highlighting modernised equine clinical use is lacking. The objective of this review is to summarise the most current ESWT technology, evidence for its use, proposed mechanisms of action and clinical applications in horses while also highlighting the areas requiring further investigation. The three ways to generate a shock wave ...
Epstein V, Hodge D.Multiple cutaneous lymphosarcomas were diagnosed in an 8-year-old Thoroughbred stallion presented for evaluation of lumps on its scrotum. Histological examination of skin biopsy samples showed a homogenous pattern of lymphoid tissue suggestive of a T-cell lymphosarcoma. Immuno-histochemical tests showed a positive reaction to Rabbit/Anti-Human T-Cell, CD3 antibodies confirming T-cell lymphosarcoma. The animal was not treated and was subsequently euthanased.
Tetens J, Tulleners EP, Ross MW, Orsini PG, Martin BB.Tympany of the auditory tube diverticulum was treated in 2 Standardbred foals by fenestrating the median septum, using an endoscopically placed Nd:YAG laser. Recurrence in 1 foal was treated by enlarging the fenestration, using a modified Whitehouse approach, and the pharyngeal opening of the auditory tube. Use of the Nd:YAG laser eliminates the risk of inadvertent cranial nerve damage associated with incisions into the auditory tube diverticulum. The procedure can be performed with the horse sedated or anesthetized. Clinical signs can recur in the fenestration heals closed or if the condition...
Finding EJT, Elliott J, Harris PA, Menzies-Gow NJ.Previously laminitic (PL) ponies are reported to have higher blood pressure than non laminitic (NL) ponies. This relative hypertension may be related to endothelial cell dysfunction, similar to humans with metabolic syndrome. To investigate the relationship between laminitis predisposition and endothelial dysfunction, the effect of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibition on the change in circulating nitric oxide (NO) concentrations and systemic blood pressure (BP) was determined. An intravenous NO sensor was used to measure changes in blood NO concentration during and after intravenous infusion...
Douglas HF, Stefanovski D, Southwood LL.To evaluate, following colic admission during pregnancy, (1) broodmare survival; (2) the frequency of recurrent colic in broodmares and its associated variables, and (3) pregnancy outcome and the variables associated with a negative pregnancy outcome. Methods: Ambidirectional observational cohort study. Methods: One hundred and four client-owned broodmare admissions. Methods: Admissions of pregnant mares from June 2010 until October 2016 were included. Data were collected until November 2017. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was performed to evaluate variables associated with brood...
Laitinen J, Remes E, Hänninen O, Alanko M, Simanainen V.The milk progesterone profiles of four mares were followed daily for four to five weeks after foaling. Progesterone was determined by direct radioimmunoassay using iodinated progesterone as the labelled antigen. The milk progesterone concentration varied from 1 to 5 nmol/1 (0·3 to 1·6 μg/1) during the first 10 days after foaling. The first ovulation took place at about the tenth day. During the luteal phase milk progesterone levels rose dramatically, reaching a maximum level of 30 to 45 nmol/1 (9·4 to 14·2 μg/1) within five to 10 days, and then fell to low levels unless pregnancy followe...
Castelijns HH.Domesticated horses need hoof care, because it is rare for wear and growth of the hooves to be in perfect equilibrium. During the shoeing interval, the hoof grows downwards and forward in the direction of the horn tubules, losing some degree of angle. Few horses have perfect limb conformation. The shape of a hoof of a limb with conformation defects adapts in a predictable way. If, for therapeutic or performance reasons, the hoof-shoe combination is modified, there is a not a lot of leeway in the trim of a particular foot, whereas the applied shoe type, placement, and adjustments provide endles...
Kujawa TJ, van Doorn DA, Wambacq WA, Hesta M, Pellikaan WF.The in vitro gas production technique (IVGPT) has been a valuable tool in ruminant nutrition research for decades and has more recently been used in horse nutrition studies to investigate fermentation activities of the equine hindgut though primarily using feces as inoculum. This study was conducted to evaluate the use of equine rectal content in the IVGPT system as a viable inoculum that can be considered representative of the activities throughout the equine hindgut. Additionally, the study was conducted to measure the effects on fermentation kinetics and end-product production using inoculu...
Chan CC, Munroe GA.Chronic septic tenosynovitis with concurrent, associated focal osteomyelitis of the lateral proximal sesamoid bone was diagnosed in a seven-year-old thoroughbred gelding. Surgical management of this case consisted of open annular ligament desmotomy and curettage of the affected sesamoid. Following lavage of the digital sheath the incisional wound was closed but a 2 cm gap was left distally to allow for postoperative open drainage. The distal limb was bandaged and the horse treated with antibiotics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories. Sepsis resolved and the horse made a gradual return to ful...