Veterinary research in horses encompasses the study of diseases, health management, and medical treatments specific to equine species. This field investigates various aspects of horse health, including infectious diseases, metabolic disorders, and musculoskeletal conditions. Researchers focus on understanding the pathophysiology of equine ailments, developing diagnostic tools, and evaluating therapeutic interventions. The study of horse health also involves examining preventive measures such as vaccination protocols and nutritional management to promote overall well-being. This page collects peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the diverse areas of veterinary science related to horses, providing insights into disease mechanisms, treatment strategies, and advancements in equine healthcare.
Oliver L, Hartree AS.The cystine-containing peptides of horse growth hormone were isolated and their amino acid sequences determined. Four unique half-cystine residues occur in two peptides, one containing 11 and the other, at the C-terminus of the protein, 15 amino acids. These sequences are compared with published data on growth hormones from other species.
Johnstone IB, Petersen D, Crane S.Plasma Antithrombin III (ATIII) activity was quantitated in 24 clinically normal Standardbred/Thoroughbred horses using a clotting time technique. ATIII activity ranged from 80 to 106% of the pooled reference standard plasma, with a mean of 94%. Horses presenting with impaction or spasmotic colic (n=17) had normal plasma ATIII activity, while 15 horses presenting with acute diarrhea/colitis had significantly lower plasma ATIII activity with a mean of only 74% of the reference plasma. Seven horses presenting with liver disease had significantly higher plasma ATIII activity with a range of 127 t...
Perelygin AA, Lear TL, Zharkikh AA, Brinton MA.Mammalian 2'-5' oligoadenylate (2-5A) synthetases are important mediators of the antiviral activity of interferons. Both human and mouse 2-5A synthetase gene families encode four forms of enzymes: small, medium, large and ubiquitin-like. In this study, the structures of four equine OAS genes were determined using DNA sequences derived from fifteen cDNA and four BAC clones. Composition of the equine OAS gene family is more similar to that of the human OAS family than the mouse Oas family. Two OAS-containing bovine BAC clones were identified in GenBank. Both equine and bovine BAC clones were phy...
Woodrow JS, Hines M, Sommardahl C, Flatland B, Lo Y, Wang Z, Sheats MK, Lennon EM.Equine asthma is a naturally occurring lung disease characterized by chronic, partially reversible airway obstruction, pulmonary remodeling, and lower airway inflammation. Asthma is currently divided into two major groups, mild to moderate asthma (mEA) and severe asthma (sEA), but further subtyping by phenotype (i.e., clinical presentation) and/or endotype (i.e., cellular mechanisms) may be warranted. For this study, we were interested in further investigation of cellular and inflammatory characteristics of EA, including airway mast cells. The purpose of this study was to: (1) compare mast cel...
El-Deeb WM, El-Bahr SM.A total of 30 horses were divided into two groups, one served as a control whereas other was rhabdomyolysis diseased horses. After blood collection, the resulted sera were used for estimation of the activities of creatin kinase (CK), aspartate transaminase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), lactic acid, triacylglycerol (TAG), glucose, total protein, albumin, globulin, urea, creatinine, Triiodothyronine (T(3)), calcium, sodium, potassium, phosphorus, chloride, vitamin E, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis-α (TNF-α). In addition, whole blood was used for determination of selenium, reduce...
Rossini JB, Rodriguez J, Bresnahan DR, Stokes JE, Carnevale EM.The clinical use of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in horses usually involves the transfer of embryos into recipient mares, resulting in substantial cost increases. This is essential when subfertile mares are oocyte donors; but some donors are fertile, with ICSI compensating for limited or poor-quality spermatozoa. Fertile oocyte donors could carry pregnancies, eliminating the need for a recipient. We assessed the potential of using oocyte donors as recipients for their own ICSI-produced embryos during the same cycle. Donors in oestrus and with large dominant follicles were administer...
Moser M, Keller R, Blaser C, Fürst AE.One of the varied tasks of the Large Animal Rescue Service Switzerland and Liechtenstein (GTRD CH/FL)® is the recovery of animals from manure and cesspools. The aim of the present retrospective study was the evaluation of the rescue protocols of the GTRD CH/FL from such operations and the documentation of a rescue procedure. In the past 25 years, a total of 176 animals have been rescued from manure and cesspools. These included 113 cattle, 51 horses and 12 pigs. All animals could be safely rescued with the animal rescue and transport net (TBTN) or the large animal vertical rescue set (GTVBS)....
Capomaccio S, Willand ZA, Cook SJ, Issel CJ, Santos EM, Reis JK, Cook RF.The genetically distinct wild horse herds inhabiting Shackleford Banks, North Carolina are probably the direct descendents of Spanish stock abandoned after failed attempts to settle mid-Atlantic coastal regions of North America in the Sixteenth Century. In a 1996 island survey, 41% of the gathered horses were discovered seropositive for Equine Infectious Anemia Virus (EIAV) with additional cases identified in 1997 and 1998. As a result of their unique genetic heritage, EIAV seropositive individuals identified in the two latter surveys were transferred to a quarantine facility on the mainland. ...
Stein F, Gilliam L, Davis J, Taylor J.In a randomized crossover design study, 10 adult horses were administered crushed metronidazole tablets rectally at 20 mg/kg. Horses' rectums were either evacuated (E) or not evacuated (NE) of manure prior to the administration of the drug. Serum samples were taken over 24 hr and plasma concentrations were determined via high pressure liquid chromatography. At 15 min post-administration, group E had a significantly higher plasma concentration (p = 0.027), but there were no concentration differences at any other time points. There was large variability in relative bioavailability in the NE...
Sander J, Cavalleri JM, Terhardt M, Bochnia M, Zeyner A, Zuraw A, Sander S, Peter M, Janzen N.Hypoglycin A (2-amino-3-(2-methylidenecyclopropyl)propanoic acid) is the plant toxin shown to cause atypical myopathy in horses. It is converted in vivo to methylenecyclopropyl acetic acid, which is transformed to a coenzyme A ester that subsequently blocks beta oxidation of fatty acids. Methylenecyclopropyl acetic acid is also conjugated with carnitine and glycine. Acute atypical myopathy may be diagnosed by quantifying the conjugates of methylenecyclopropyl acetic acid plus a selection of acyl conjugates in urine and serum. We describe a new mass spectrometric method for sample volumes of <0...
Sarin JK, Rieppo L, Brommer H, Afara IO, Saarakkala S, Töyräs J.Conventional arthroscopic evaluation of articular cartilage is subjective and poorly reproducible. Therefore, implementation of quantitative diagnostic techniques, such as near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and optical coherence tomography (OCT), is essential. Locations (n = 44) with various cartilage conditions were selected from mature equine fetlock joints (n = 5). These locations and their surroundings were measured with NIRS and OCT (n = 530). As a reference, cartilage proteoglycan (PG) and collagen contents, and collagen network organization were determined using quantitative ...
Janda J, Plattet P, Torsteinsdottir S, Jonsdottir S, Zurbriggen A, Marti E.Allergic horses react to innocuous environmental substances by activation of Th2 cells and production of allergen-specific IgE antibodies. The mechanisms leading to Th2 differentiation are not well understood. In humans and mice, epithelial cell-derived thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) plays a central role in this process. Little is known about equine TSLP (eqTSLP) and its role in allergic diseases and our current knowledge is limited to the assessment of TSLP mRNA expression. In order to be able to study eqTSLP at the protein level, the aim of the present study was to produce recombinant e...
Hontoir F, Simon V, De Raeve Y, Dumortier L, Dugdale A, Vandeweerd JM.Different modalities such as lectures, dissections, 3D models, and online learning are used for teaching anatomy. To date, online learning has been considered a useful additional didactic tool. This study aimed to compare veterinary students' performance in radiographic anatomy (radio-anatomy) after online or classroom-based teaching to assess the extent to which the two methods were interchangeable. Three strategies were compared in a cohort of 83 learners. Students were committed to online learning only, online learning with the use of specimen equine bones, or learning on conventional radio...
Barakzai SZ, Boden LA, Hillyer MH, Marlin DJ, Dixon PM.Previously, objective comparisons of surgical procedures to relieve dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP) have been limited by the presumptive basis of the diagnostic measures applied. Objective: To assess and compare the efficacy of thermal cautery surgery to conservatively treated controls in racehorses definitively diagnosed with idiopathic intermittent DDSP. Objective: Both conservative and surgical treatments have a beneficial result on racing performance in racehorses affected with DDSP. Methods: Race records were obtained for Thoroughbred racehorses definitively diagnosed with D...
Maly IP, Sasse D.Microquantitative measurements of ADH-activity were carried out on the livers of male and female rats, guinea-pigs and horses (two geldings and a mare). Lyophilized cryostat sections of liver parenchyma were microdissected the whole way along the sinusoidal length from the terminal afferent vessels to the terminal efferent venule. ADH activity in samples of about 50-150 ng was measured in a microbiochemical assay using the oil-well technique without enzymatic cycling, by direct luminometric determination of NADH. On the basis of the single measurements, mean values of total hepatic ADH activit...
Westermann CM, de Sain-van der Velden MG, van der Kolk JH, Berger R, Wijnberg ID, Koeman JP, Wanders RJ, Lenstra JA, Testerink N, Vaandrager AB....Two horses (a 7-year-old Groninger warmblood gelding and a six-month-old Trakehner mare) with pathologically confirmed rhabdomyolysis were diagnosed as suffering from multiple acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (MADD). This disorder has not been recognised in animals before. Clinical signs of both horses were a stiff, insecure gait, myoglobinuria, and finally recumbency. Urine, plasma, and muscle tissues were investigated. Analysis of plasma showed hyperglycemia, lactic acidemia, increased activity of muscle enzymes (ASAT, LDH, CK), and impaired kidney function (increased urea and creatinine). ...
Cupp EW, Zhang D, Yue X, Cupp MS, Guyer C, Sprenger TR, Unnasch TR.Uranotaenia sapphirina, Culex erraticus, and Cx. peccator were collected in an enzootic eastern equine encephalomyelitis (EEE) virus focus in central Alabama (Tuskegee National Forest) from 2001 to 2003 and analyzed for virus as well as host selection. EEE virus was detected in each species every year except 2003, when pools of Cx. peccator were negative. Most (97%) of the 130 Cx. peccator blood meals identified were from ectothermic hosts; 3% were from birds. Among blood meals from reptiles (approximately 75% of the total), 81% were from Agkistrodon piscivorus (cottonmouth); all amphibian blo...
Kettler MK, Weil MR, Mascotti K, Perryman LE.A group of diseases termed combined immunodeficiency (CID) results in a severe form of immunodeficiency. While CID in humans has two genetics bases, in Arabian it is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner. Kettler et al. (1989) determined that uric acid was significantly (p 0.05) between carrier and non-carrier horse's serum levels of hypoxanthine or xanthine. These data, combined with our previous ones suggest that an enzymatic lesion in the purine salvage pathway may occur at the urate oxidase step. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG: Serum-Hypoxanthin- und -Xanthin-Spiegel in Pferden mit Heterozygotie fÃ...
Merlo B, Iacono E, Bucci D, Spinaci M, Galeati G, Mari G.In vitro embryo production in the horse is still not as efficient as in other species. Oxidative stress negatively affects oocyte and embryo culture. To attenuate/minimize the oxidative stress, antioxidants such as low-molecular thiol compounds can be added to culture media. Beta-mercaptoethanol (BME) has been shown to improve maturation and embryo development in different species. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the addition to maturation medium of BME at common (0.1Â mM) and high (0.7Â mM) concentration could improve oocyte maturation also in the horse. Equine oocytes recove...
Lancaster LS, Bowker RM, Mauer WA.To quantify the density of primary epidermal laminae (PELs) around the solar circumference and evaluate the relationship between regional PEL density and hoof capsule morphology in horses. Methods: Forefeet from nine 3-year-old Quarter Horse cadavers. Methods: Data pertaining to gross features of hoof morphology and PEL variables, including number, density, and distribution patterns around the perimeter of the hoof wall and number of bar PELs, were collected. Tissues of the laminar junction were examined histologically. Results: No significant differences were found between left and right fore...
Tulloch PJ, Johnston JD, Barber SM, Gellert CL, Lang HM, Panizzi L.To determine degrees of flexion after arthrodesis of the antebrachiocarpal (ABC) joint, middle carpal (MC), and carpometacarpal (CMC) joints combined (MC/CMC), and carpometacarpal (CMC) joint alone. Methods: Ex vivo study. Methods: Forelimbs (n = 9) from 2- to 10-year-old Quarter Horses (5), Thoroughbred (2), and American Paint Horse (2). Methods: Using 2 locking compression plates, 3 partial carpal arthrodesis techniques were performed. Cables and deadweights were connected to limbs and each angle of flexion determined 3 times using a protractor and then averaged. Control measurements were ob...
van den Boom R, Rijkenhuizen AB.Septic inflammation of the synovial fossa in the horse is a severe disorder that can lead to permanent invalidity. The synovitis can occur as a result of a perforating trauma, or via the blood (haematogenous). The latter route is rare in the adult horse. Three cases of suspected haematogenous septic synovitis are described in adult horses (older than 1 year). In two horses, timely and adequate treatment resulted in recovery, but this was followed by fatal recurrence. In one of these horses a persistent primary infection was found as cause; the other horse was not available for autopsy. The thi...
Björkman C.1. Comparative data are presented of the activities of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex and acetyl-CoA synthetase and of the acetate content in homogenates from ventral grey matter in spinal cord from cows and two non-ruminant species, pigs and horses. The methods used in the study are evaluated and discussed. 2. The total pyruvate dehydrogenase complex activity was 24.9-29.9 mU/mg protein and did not differ between the species. The part of the complex that was in active form at the sampling occasion was 60, 85 and 95% in cows, pigs and horses, respectively. 3. Acetyl-CoA synthetase activity dif...
Jansen S, Heitmann A, Lühken R, Leggewie M, Helms M, Badusche M, Rossini G, Schmidt-Chanasit J, Tannich E.The continuous circulation of West Nile virus (WNV) in Central, South and East Europe and its recent detection in several dead birds and two horses in Germany highlights the need for information on WNV vector competence of mosquitoes from Central Europe. Therefore, three common Culex species (Culex pipiens biotype pipiens, Culex pipiens biotype molestus and Culex torrentium) from Germany were orally infected with WNV and kept at 18 °C, 21 °C, 24 °C or 27 °C for 14 or 21 days post infection (dpi). Thereafter viable WNV was present in the saliva in all tested taxa, but only at incubation tem...
Al-Majhali SH, Khairuddin NH, Abdul Razak IS, Radzi Z, Rahman MT, Sapalo JT, Mayaki AM, Czernuszka JT.The use of a self-inflating tissue expander is a technique to stretch cutaneous tissues for potential use in reconstructive skin surgeries. This study investigates the mechanical properties of horse skin stretched by the subcutaneous implantation of anisotropic tissue expanders at the forehead, right shoulder, and dorsomedial part of the cannon region of the right forelimb in six (n = 6) horses. After 14 days of skin expansion, expanded and normal (control) skin samples were harvested and their mechanical properties of elastic modulus (EM), maximum force (MF), maximum stress (MSs) and maximu...
Mar Htun Z, Laikul A, Pathomsakulwong W, Yurayart C, Lohnoo T, Yingyong W, Kumsang Y, Payattikul P, Sae-Chew P, Rujirawat T, Jaturapaktrarak C....Pythium insidiosum causes a life-threatening infection termed pythiosis in humans and other animals. The organism has been identified in tropical and subtropical environments worldwide. Since 1985, human pythiosis has been increasingly reported from Thailand. Seroprevalence studies estimated that 32,000 Thai people had been exposed to the pathogen. In 2018, the first animal pythiosis case in Thailand was diagnosed in a horse. Here, we investigated the seroprevalence of anti-P. insidiosum antibodies in the Thai equine population. Methods: We surveyed serum anti-P. insidiosum antibodies in 15...
Barakzai SZ, Dixon PM.To correlate resting and exercising endoscopic grades of laryngeal function in horses undergoing high-speed treadmill endoscopy (HSTE) using the Havemeyer grading system. To correlate dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP) seen at rest with palatal function during exercise. Methods: Records of horses that underwent HSTE examination (1999-2009) were reviewed. Resting laryngeal function score and other abnormalities noted on resting endoscopy were recorded as were results of HSTE. Results of resting and exercising endoscopic findings were correlated. Results: 281 horses underwent HSTE. Th...
Häni H, Lang J, Ueltschi G.During archaeological excavations of the former knackers yard in Emmen (Canton Lucerne) skeletons and individual bones of more than 700 animals were recovered. 110 bone samples had lesions and were examined macroscopically and radiologically, 100 were from horses, 9 from dogs and only one from cattle. According to morphological and etiopathogenetical criteria, lesions are presented in the following groups: tooth irregularities (10), degenerative changes in bones and joints due to overload and aging (80), trauma and infection (10), other lesions (10). Over 80% of pathological bone samples prese...
Lebis C, Bourdeau P, Marzin-Keller F.Allergic diseases are often diagnosed clinically in the horse without performing diagnostic tests. The purpose of this work was to contribute to the validation of intradermal skin tests in the horse. Eighty-three horses, 14 showing skin or respiratory signs of supposed allergic origin, were subjected to an intradermal skin test using 6 different allergens, positive and negative controls. The tests were read for all animals after 20 min, and for 29 horses after 1 and 4 h. Additionally, 19 horses were tested a few months apart. The comparison after 20 min of the cutaneous reactions to allergens ...
