Veterinary practice in relation to horses encompasses the medical care, management, and treatment of equine species. This field involves various aspects of equine health, including preventive care, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases, surgical interventions, and emergency care. Equine veterinarians employ a range of diagnostic tools and techniques such as physical examinations, imaging, and laboratory tests to assess and monitor horse health. In addition to addressing physical ailments, veterinary practice also includes nutritional management, reproductive health, and performance-related issues. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the methodologies, advancements, and outcomes in veterinary practices specific to equine health.
Owen RA, Jagger DW.Clinical observations on the use of BCG cell wall fraction in oil for treating seven horses with periocular sarcoids and five horses with sarcoids in other regions are described. Therapy was successful when used for periocular or solitary and smaller sarcoids. For sarcoids previously treated with cryosurgery, therapy appeared to be less efficient. A horse with a sarcoid on the stifle developed a septic gonitis due to necrosis of the sarcoid tissue adjacent to the joint. Sarcoids of the axilla appeared to be more aggressive than sarcoids at other locations and did not respond favourably to this...
Rolf SL, Reed SM, Melnick W, Andrews FM.Auditory brain stem response testing, using insert earphones, was performed in 10 healthy horses given general anesthesia. The procedure involved clicks of alternating polarity delivered at a rate of 25 clicks/s. Wave forms, including five peaks, were commonly identified. Latencies were measured in milliseconds for waves I through V for all intensities. Latencies of all waves decreased as stimulus intensity increased. For waves I through V, a least-squares regression line was determined for each horse, using all responses between 87-dB sound pressure level (SPL) and 136-dB SPL, inclusive. Slop...
Martin BB, Klide AM.Fifteen horses that could not train or perform their sport at an acceptable level because of chronic back pain of 2 to 24 months' duration, and that did not obtain lasting improvement from other previous treatments, were treated with acupuncture. The treatments consisted of injection of 1 ml of sterile saline (0.9% NaCl) solution, with no preservatives, at 9 acupuncture points. The horses were treated once a week for a mean of 9 treatments. The mean number of treatments before obvious improvement was 4. After treatment, 13 of the 15 horses had apparent alleviation of their signs of pain and co...
Vasey JR, Julian RJ.The distal 30 to 40 cm of the ileum cannot be exteriorized through a midline laparotomy incision because of its close anatomical association with the base of the caecum. A method was developed to deal with those cases where this segment of small intestine was involved in an avascular, necrotic process and therefore required resection. The technique involves inverting the distal stump of ileum into the lumen of the caecum and then performing a routine ileocaecal or jejunocaecal anastomosis. This avoids the risk of peritonitis if a Parker-Kerr oversew of the necrotic ileal stump should dehisce. ...
Arighi M, Ducharme NG, Horney FD, Livesey MA.Extensive resection (50-75%) of the large colon was performed in 12 horses. Indications for resection were: loss of viability due to large colon volvulus (seven), thromboembolic episode (three), impairment of flow of ingesta due to adhesions (one), or congenital abnormalities (one). The time required to correct the primary cause of abdominal pain and complete the resection ranged from 2.5 to 4.75 hours. Three horses had severe musculoskeletal problems postoperatively and were euthanized in the recovery stall. Four other horses were euthanized early in the postoperative period because of: furth...
Mason DE, Muir WW, Wade A.The effects of body position and postoperative oxygen supplementation on arterial blood gas tensions (PaO2 and PaCO2) and pH were examined in clinically normal adult horses during recovery from halothane anesthesia. Hypoxemia developed during recovery from anesthesia in spite of adequate alveolar ventilation in horses without postanesthetic oxygen supplementation. Hypoxemia developed in horses positioned in left lateral or right lateral recumbency, and in horses that were rolled to the opposite side during the recovery period. Arterial blood gas tensions were not significantly (P greater than ...
Sams RA.This article is intended to give the reader an understanding of the mathematic and conceptual framework underlying equine pharmacology. The methods by which the veterinary practitioner determines drug concentrations, disposition, and bioavailability are discussed.
Muir WW, McGuirk S.Knowledge of the dosage, rate and route of administration, and potential side effects of drugs used to treat cardiac disease in horses has been refined. The judicious use of these drugs can increase exercise capacity, improve health, and potentially prolong life. Currently, antiarrhythmics (quinidine, lidocaine), positive inotropies (digoxin), and diuretics (furosemide) are the primary agents used to treat cardiovascular disease in horses. The development of newer drugs (verapamil, milrinone, bumetanide) and their usefulness in therapy for horses with cardiovascular disease require further inv...
Caprile KA, Short CR.Rational drug therapy in the foal requires a sound knowledge of the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of various drugs as well as a thorough understanding of the physiologic differences that exist between the neonate and the adult and that may serve to alter drug disposition and, therefore, drug response. A summary of these physiologic factors with emphasis on the foal is presented and is followed by recommendations regarding the applied therapeutics of various antimicrobial agents.
Beech J.The emphasis of this article is on the clinical application of drugs in therapy for treatment of disorders of the lower respiratory tract. Medications discussed include those used to enhance clearance of secretions and those employed to prevent and/or alleviate bronchoconstriction. Antimicrobial agents and respiratory stimulants are briefly mentioned.
Davis LE.Adverse drug reactions occasionally occur in the horse. The majority can be anticipated and avoided. The practicing veterinarian should understand the various types of adverse reactions as well as their mechanisms so that should such a reaction occur, the practitioner can promptly recognize the problem and institute corrective measures.
Hirsh DC, Jang SS.Rational choice of an antimicrobial agent requires that the condition for which the drug is prescribed contain an infectious agent and, if so, knowledge of the susceptibility of the microorganism to antimicrobial drugs. Unfortunately, most infectious conditions necessitate the use of an antimicrobic drug before data from the microbiology laboratory are available. The data presented are meant to serve as a guide in the choice of antimicrobic drugs for treatment of infectious processes of the horse before knowledge of the nature of the microorganism isolated as well as its susceptibility to anti...
von Segesser L, Jornod N, Faidutti B.The risk of repeat sternotomy is higher than that of the initial sternotomy, especially if the pericardial sac was left open at the first intervention. In 200 consecutive patients with a pericardial defect after open heart operations, the pericardium was closed with a glutaraldehyde-preserved equine pericardial patch. Precardiac adhesions at reoperation were assessed in four groups of patients on a scale of 6, ranging from 0 (no adhesions) to 5 (calcified or ossified adhesions). Group I comprised 13 patients in whom the pericardium was left open at the first operation and an equine pericardial...
Thurmon JC, Benson GJ.The purpose of this article is to review the use of selected anesthetics and anesthetic adjuncts in horses. Emphasis is placed on the pharmacologic bases of their use.
DiPietro JA, Todd KS.The common anthelmintics used to treat parasitic infections of horses are described. Dosage, anthelmintic spectrum, formulation and administration, mode of action, toxicity contraindications, and resistance of parasites to anthelmintics are included.
Barclay WP, McCracken RJ, Phillips TN, Foerner JJ.Chronic nongranulomatous intestinal inflammation was found during laparotomy in 7 horses. The clinical signs consisted of recurrent abdominal pain in all horses. Anti-inflammatory agents (corticosteroidal and nonsteroidal agents) appeared to be effective for controlling the signs. Surgical removal of the involved intestine also was effective. Nonocclusive or temporary mesenteric ischemia was proposed as a cause of the intestinal lesions.
Baggot JD, Prescott JF.The success of antimicrobial therapy depends on administration of an agent to which the pathogenic microorganisms are susceptible at the concentrations attained at the site of infection. The route of administration, size of the dose and dosing interval must be appropriate for the drug preparation selected. With penicillins in particular, dosage can be tailored to the severity of the infection and quantitative susceptibility of the microorganism. This approach cannot be applied to aminoglycosides because their relatively narrow margin of safety limits the amount which can be administered. In se...
Firth EC.The site of occurrence of 490 bone sequestra in horses and cattle was investigated. Most sequestra occurred in the proximal half of the third metatarsal bone and the third metacarpal bone. The most common clinical features included swelling, presence of a draining tract, impaired function and delayed wound healing. These diagnostic features, and the preferred time to confirm the diagnosis by radiological examination are discussed. The surgical treatment is relatively simple and the prognosis favourable in most cases. It is suggested that soft tissue injury and the presence of infection are of ...
van der Velden MA, van der Gaag I.Automatic suturing instruments were tested in two ponies and two horses. The TA stapler was used for bowel closure (enterotomies and gut transection) and for end-to-end 'triangulation' anastomoses. The GIA stapler was used for making side-to-side anastomoses. In one horse several enterotomies were made at different stages and the results of suturing by hand and with a stapler were compared. The utility of both types of staplers is discussed in relation to clinical evaluations and macroscopical and microscopical findings post mortem.
Nemeth F.Within the framework of the series 'Papers of yesterday and today', two articles on neurotomy by Moubis (1876 and 1878) are used to evaluate the present status of neurectomy. In 1800 neurotomy was replaced by neurectomy because of the reinnervation which occurred after several weeks. On the basis of a literature review and clinical experience in the Department of Large Animal Surgery the indications, conditions, anatomy, operative techniques, complications and results of neurectomy are discussed. Post-operative neuroma formation is the most important complication following palmar digital neure...
Johnston AM.Respiratory disease is one of the commonest medical reasons for referring a horse to the Royal Veterinary College, with coughing the main presenting sign. Investigation requires the taking of a detailed history, clinical examination, the use of appropriate diagnostic aids and noting response to medication and management changes. On arrival the horse is stabled in a minimal dust environment, remaining there until discharge. The use of a dust-free box frequently produces a favourable response without the use of medication which in itself is diagnostic. The problem of a horse which is asymptomati...
Kraft W.Neurological examination in equine practice, physiological findings and pathological disturbances are described. Because of the sizes of the horse the neurological examination is more difficult than in small animals. The examination of cerebrospinal fluid is a worthful completion and is able to refer to the etiology of a certain disease. The technique of the puncture of cerebrospinal fluid is described.
Bedenice D.One of the fundamental skills required for practicing evidence-based medicine is the development of a well-built clinical question, which specifies the patient group or problem, intervention, and outcome of interest. For this purpose, various "levels of evidence" have been developed in the human literature, which rank the validity of evidence. Our established conclusions and advice are thus supported by specific "grades of recommendations," which are intended to give an indication of the "strength" of a clinical recommendation. This article was compiled with these principles in mind.
Haussler KK, Holt TN.There is a growing body of evidence to support the use of spinal mobilization and manipulation techniques in equine practice. Outcome parameters reported across studies include measures of joint motion, nociception, muscle tone, and performance. Spinal examination procedures include static and dynamic assessments of the quantity and the quality of both active and passive movements. Tiered treatment approaches are recommended to stage the application of various therapies based on ease, cost, and efficacy.
Lawrence RJ, Butterell MJ, Constable JD, Daniel M.Laryngomalacia is the most common cause of stridor in infants. Dynamic airway collapse is also a well-recognised entity in horses and an important cause of surgical veterinary intervention. We compare the aetiology, clinical features and management of human laryngomalacia with equine dynamic airway collapse. Methods: A structured review of the PubMed, the Ovid Medline and the Cochrane Collaboration databases (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systemic Reviews). Results: There are numerous equine conditions that cause dynamic airway collapse defined specifical...
Osbaldiston GW, Coffman JR, Stowe EC.Clinical pathological investigations in a case of equine isoerythrolysis are reported. Plasma and milk from the dam strongly agglutinated the foal's red blood cells at fifth day post partum. Red blood cells from one liter of the mare's blood were separated from plasma and after three successive washings with saline were successfully transfused into the foal. Elevated plasma transaminase activity, hypoglycemia, hypogammaglobinemia, and renal embarrassment were observed in this foal. The changes in the various plasma constituents are discussed.
Lloyd KC, Kelly AB, Dunlop CI.A foal born 3 weeks prematurely was treated for respiratory distress, using a combination of oxygen therapy and mechanical ventilatory assistance. Clinical response and arterial blood gas tensions were monitored regularly. Continuous positive-airway pressure and intermittent positive-pressure ventilation administered via a nasotracheal tube were effective in improving arterial oxygenation and ventilatory function.
Smith DF.The pathophysiology, diagnostic evaluation and medical management of the horse with intestinal obstruction is outlined. Emphasis is on early and accurate determination of the need for surgery and on providing optimal preoperative medical support.
Beroza GA, Donawick WJ, Topkis VA.A technique of nasoduodenal (N-D) intubation and intestinal decompression was developed and used in the horse to explore the prevention of gastric and intestinal distention after abdominal surgical operation. Three styles of tubes (2 single-lumen tubes and 1 double-lumen tube) were positioned in the duodenum of 12 mature horses (10 experimental and 2 clinical) during laparotomy (without enterotomy), and an iatrogenic occlusion at the small intestine was created and later released in the 10 experimental horses. The 2 clinical horses had an exploratory laparotomy to correct a natural obstruction...