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.
Williams KJ, Robinson NE, Lim A, Brandenberger C, Maes R, Behan A, Bolin SR.Gammaherpesviruses (γHV) are implicated in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis in humans and murine models of lung fibrosis, however there is little direct experimental evidence that such viruses induce lung fibrosis in the natural host. The equine γHV EHV 5 is associated with equine multinodular pulmonary fibrosis (EMPF), a progressive fibrosing lung disease in its natural host, the horse. Experimental reproduction of EMPF has not been attempted to date. We hypothesized that inoculation of EHV 5 isolated from cases of EMPF into the lungs of clinically normal horses would induce lung fibr...
Weese JS, Yu AA.Bacterial, dermatophilosis, and superficial ringworm infections are common skin diseases noted in equine dermatology. The ability to recognize and accurately diagnose the skin condition is key to selecting an appropriate and successful treatment regimen. Addressing underlying etiology, environmental management, and infection control play a crucial role in preventing relapse of clinical signs.
Hikasa Y, Masuda K, Asakura Y, Yamashita Y, Sato C, Kamio M, Miura A, Taniguchi T, Minamizuru N.This study aimed to pharmacologically identify and characterize α2-adrenoceptors and imidazoline (I) receptors (I1- and I2-subtype) on canine, feline, bovine, equine, murine, and leporine platelet membranes. Saturation binding studies with both (3)H-yohimbine and (3)H-clonidine showed that α2-adrenoceptors were expressed on canine, leporine, feline, and murine platelets but not on bovine and equine platelets. In competition studies, the rank order of affinity of 6 compounds for canine platelet α2-adrenoceptors was similar to that of potency at α2A-subtype reported in human platelets. Satur...
Wijnberg ID, van der Ree M, van Someren P.Short-duration electroencephalography (EEG) recordings in horses are helpful in diagnosing intracranial disorders. Potentially, long-duration ambulatory EEG (AEEG) recordings in horses will enhance the chance of detecting abnormal brain activity independent of the presence of an insult. Objective: The objective of this study was to test if AEEG recordings in unsedated horses can be acquired and benefit diagnosing abnormal brain activity. Methods: Recordings were taken from 8 adult control horses and 10 patients suspected of intracranial abnormalities. Self-adhesive electrodes and the 'Porti-5'...
Elmas CR, Koenig JB, Bienzle D, Cribb NC, Cernicchiaro N, Coté NM, Weese JS.Septic synovitis is a potentially debilitating and life-threatening disorder in horses. We hypothesized that a universal bacterial real-time PCR (RT-PCR) assay would have improved sensitivity and decreased turn-around time for detection of bacteria in synovial fluid (SF) samples. Forty-eight SF samples were collected from 36 horses that presented to two referral institutions with suspected septic synovitis. Universal RT-PCR, bacterial culture and SF analysis were performed on all samples, and an interpretation on the sample being septic or not was derived by three board certified specialists f...
Habershon-Butcher J, Bowen M, Hallowell G.A reliable method for obtaining renal ultrasonographic measurements in the horse is important for diagnosis and monitoring of clinical renal disease. The aims of this prospective study were to develop and validate a novel translumbar ultrasound technique for measuring renal dimensions in horses. Six Thoroughbred or Thoroughbred part bred horses were recruited. All horses were scheduled for euthanasia due to reasons unrelated to the kidneys. Two observers recorded renal length, width, and depth; and dimensions of the cortex, medulla, pyramids, and pelvis for both kidneys in each horse using nov...
Lohmann KL, Lopez AM, Manning ST, Marques FJ, Brownlie R, Allen AL, Sangster AE, Mutwiri G, Gerdts V, Potter A, Townsend HG.We evaluated the immunogenic and protective potential of a recombinant VapA/CpG oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) 2395 vaccine in neonatal foals undergoing experimental Rhodococcus equi challenge. Foals (n = 8) were vaccinated by intramuscular injection on days 1 and 15 of the study; control foals (n = 7) received a phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) solution. All foals were challenged by intrabronchial administration of 5 × 10⁶ R. equi 103⁺ on day 29. Bronchoalveolar lavages were done on days 15, 29, and 36 and total cell count, differential cell count, rVapA-stimulated cell proliferation and inte...
Trela JM, Spriet M, Padgett KA, Galuppo LD, Vaughan B, Vidal MA.Intra-arterial (i.a.) and intravenous (i.v.) regional limb perfusions (RLP) through the median artery and cephalic vein, respectively, have been previously investigated for administration of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to the equine distal limb. Limitations due to thrombosis of the arteries after i.a. RLP and poor distribution of MSCs to the foot with i.v. RLP were observed. These techniques need to be modified for clinical use. Objective: Evaluate the distribution, uptake and persistence of radiolabelled MSCs after i.a. injection through the median artery without a tourniquet and after i.v....
Cortés-Gutiérrez EI, Dávila-Rodríguez MI, López-Fernández C, Fernández JL, Crespo F, Gosálvez J.The presence of constitutive alkali-labile sites (ALS) has been investigated using a protocol of DNA breakage detection-fluorescence in situ hybridization and comet assay in spermatozoa of donkey (Equus asinus) and stallion (Equus caballus). These results were compared with those obtained using a similar experimental approach using somatic cells. The relative abundance of ALS was of the order of four times more in spermatozoa than in somatic cells. Alkali-labile sites showed a tendency to cluster localized at the equatorial-distal regions of the sperm. The amount of hybridized signal in the AL...
de Graaf-Roelfsema E.One of the principal components of equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) is hyperinsulinaemia combined with insulin resistance. It has long been known that hyperinsulinaemia occurs after the development of insulin resistance. But it is also known that hyperinsulinaemia itself can induce insulin resistance and obesity and might play a key role in the development of metabolic syndrome. This review focuses on the physiology of glucose and insulin metabolism and the pathophysiological mechanisms in glucose homeostasis in the horse (compared with what is already known in humans) in order to gain insight ...
Zhen H, Han T, Fennell DE, Mainelis G.We report here that stress experienced by bacteria due to aerosolization and air sampling can result in severe membrane impairment, leading to the release of DNA as free molecules. Escherichia coli and Bacillus atrophaeus bacteria were aerosolized and then either collected directly into liquid or collected using other collection media and then transferred into liquid. The amount of DNA released was quantified as the cell membrane damage index (ID), i.e., the number of 16S rRNA gene copies in the supernatant liquid relative to the total number in the bioaerosol sample. During aerosolization by ...
Ziegler U, Skrypnyk A, Keller M, Staubach C, Bezymennyi M, Damiani AM, Osterrieder N, Groschup MH.West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne virus of global importance. Over the last two decades, it has been responsible for significant numbers of cases of illness in humans and animals in many parts of the world. In Ukraine, WNV infections in humans and birds were first reported more than 25 years ago, yet the current epidemiological status is quite unclear. In this study, serum samples from over 300 equines were collected and screened in order to detect current WNV activity in Ukraine with the goal to estimate the risk of infection for humans and horses. Sera were tested by enzyme-linked im...
Ringer SK, Schwarzwald CC, Portier K, Mauch J, Ritter A, Bettschart-Wolfensberger R.The aim of the present study was to investigate changes in blood glucose concentration ([Glu]B), acid-base status and electrolyte concentrations during constant rate infusions (CRI) of two alpha2-adrenergic agonists in seven horses treated in a blinded, randomised, crossover design with xylazine or romifidine. An intravenous (IV) bolus of xylazine (1mg/kg) or romifidine (80 μg/kg) was administered followed by an IV CRI of xylazine (0.69 mg/kg/h) or romifidine (30 μg/kg/h) for 2h. Blood samples were collected from the pulmonary artery before and after loading doses, during the CRI, and for 1h...
Sampieri F, Allen AL, Pusterla N, Vannucci FA, Antonopoulos AJ, Ball KR, Thompson J, Dowling PM, Hamilton DL, Gebhart CJ.The objective of this study was to demonstrate the susceptibility of rabbits to Lawsonia intracellularis obtained from a case of clinical equine proliferative enteropathy (EPE). This is a preliminary step toward developing a rabbit infection model for studying pathogenesis and therapy of EPE in horses. Nine does were equally assigned to 3 groups. Animals in 2 groups (Group 1 and Group 2) were orally inoculated with different doses of cell-cultured L. intracellularis. Controls (Group 3) were sham-inoculated. Feces and blood were collected before the rabbits were infected and at 7, 14, and 21 da...
Klaus CS, Vogt C, Lischer CJ.To describe a technique and the outcome of using 3.5/4.5/5.0 Metaphyseal Locking Compression Plate for corrective osteotomy of mandibular brachygnathia. Methods: Clinical report. Methods: Eight-month Thoroughbred horse. Methods: Severe mandibular brachygnathia was surgically treated by corrective osteotomy and fixation with 2 LCP 3.5/4.5/5.0 Metaphyseal plates inserted using minimally invasive technique. Results: Severe mandibular brachygnathia was treated successfully with minor complications and stable fixation after 3 months. Cosmetic outcome and owner satisfaction was excellent. Conclusion...
Torres SM, Koch SN.This article reviews various aspects of 3 clinical disorders associated with papillomavirus in horses commonly known as classical viral papillomatosis, genital papillomas/papillomatosis, and aural plaques. Classical papillomatosis is usually asymptomatic and spontaneously resolves within 1 to 9 months; therefore, treatment is often not required. Genital papillomas/papillomatosis have not been reported to spontaneously resolve, and there is increasing evidence that genital papillomas may evolve to in situ or invasive squamous cell carcinomas. Horses with aural plaques may be asymptomatic or may...
Feary DJ, Abraham S, Woolford L, Trott DJ.A 6-year-old Arabian mare had a 4-week history of a subcutaneous mass (15 × 15 cm) at the base of the neck, cranial and distal to the prescapular lymph node on the right side. The mass was solid and painful on deep palpation. Ultrasonographic examination showed a soft-tissue abscess. Purulent aspirate was submitted for bacterial culture, which showed a moderate growth of an Actinomyces species. 16S rRNA gene sequencing was performed for definitive identification. Gene sequencing demonstrated close nucleotide homology with A. denticolens. Prolonged therapeutic management resulted in resolu...
Marenzoni ML, Stefanetti V, Papa P, Casagrande Proietti P, Bietta A, Coletti M, Passamonti F, Henning K.The role of the horse in Coxiella burnetii infection has not been defined. Accordingly, a twofold approach was taken to further our knowledge on this topic: (1) conduct a systematic review of the literature to establish available evidence of C. burnetii infection in the horse; (2) undertake a biomolecular investigation of 122 cases of equine abortion, stillbirth and neonatal foal death, for the presence of C. burnetii using a PCR test targeting the IS1111 gene of C. burnetii. A review of the literature turned up seven studies that identified C. burnetii DNA in equine specimens, especially abor...
Onoda T, Yamamoto R, Sawamura K, Inoue Y, Murase H, Nambo Y, Tozaki T, Matsui A, Miyake T, Hirai N.Thoroughbred horses are seasonal mating animals, and their foals are born yearly in spring seasons. In northern regions or countries, the foals generally show a typical seasonal compensatory growth pattern, where their growth rate declines in winter and increases in the next spring. In this study, a new empirical approach is proposed to adjust for this compensatory growth when growth curve equations are estimated, by using BW of Japanese Thoroughbred colts and fillies raised in Hidaka, Hokkaido. Based on the traditional Richards growth curve equation, new growth curve equations were developed ...
Couppé C, Svensson RB, Sødring-Elbrønd V, Hansen P, Kjaer M, Magnusson SP.Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has commonly been applied to determine tendon cross-sectional area (CSA) and length either to measure structural changes or to normalize mechanical measurements to stress and strain. The ability to reproduce CSA measurements on MRI images has been reported, but the accuracy in relation to actual tendon dimensions has never been investigated. The purpose of this study was to compare tendon CSA measured by MRI with that measured in vitro with the mould casting technique. The knee of a horse was MRI-scanned with 1.5 and 3 tesla, and two examiners measured the pate...
Haase B, Signer-Hasler H, Binns MM, Obexer-Ruff G, Hauswirth R, Bellone RR, Burger D, Rieder S, Wade CM, Leeb T.Coat color and pattern variations in domestic animals are frequently inherited as simple monogenic traits, but a number are known to have a complex genetic basis. While the analysis of complex trait data remains a challenge in all species, we can use the reduced haplotypic diversity in domestic animal populations to gain insight into the genomic interactions underlying complex phenotypes. White face and leg markings are examples of complex traits in horses where little is known of the underlying genetics. In this study, Franches-Montagnes (FM) horses were scored for the occurrence of white fac...
Goraya K, Iqbal Z, Sajid M, Muhammad G, Ain QU, Saleem M.Plants have widely been used and documented for their therapeutic potential in many parts of the world. There are, however, few reports on the use of plants for the treatment of diseases of equines. To this end, participatory epidemiology and rapid rural appraisal techniques were used to document the plants having pharmacotherapeutic significance against different ailments of equines in selected population of Punjab, Pakistan. Methods: A survey was conducted to interview a total of 450 respondents (150 from each of the districts of Faisalabad, Lahore and Sargodha of Pakistan) to collect inform...
Egenvall A, Tranquille CA, Lönnell AC, Bitschnau C, Oomen A, Hernlund E, Montavon S, Franko MA, Murray RC, Weishaupt MA, Weeren vR, Roepstorff L.Orthopaedic, or other, injuries in sports medicine can be quantified using the 'days-lost to training' concept. Both the training regimen and the surface used in training and racing can affect the health of racehorses. Our aim was to associate 'days-lost to training' in elite-level show-jumpers to horse characteristics, training and management strategies, and the time spent working on various training and competition surfaces. We designed a longitudinal study of professional riders in four European countries. Data were recorded using training diaries. Reasons for days-lost were classified into...
Benhajali H, Ezzaouia M, Lunel C, Charfi F, Hausberger M.Discomfort in farm animals may be induced by inappropriate types or timing of food supplies. Thus, time restriction of meals and lack of roughage have been shown to be one source of emergence of oral stereotypies and abnormal behaviour in horses which have evolved to eat high-fibre diets in small amounts over long periods of time. This feeding pattern is often altered in domestic environment where horses are often fed low fibre meals that can be rapidly consumed. This study aimed at determining the effect of the temporal pattern of feeding on reproductive efficiency of breeding mares, One hund...
Mir IA, Kumar B, Taku A, Faridi F, Bhat MA, Baba NA, Maqbool T.Present study was undertaken to study the prevalence of β-haemolytic streptococci in equine of northern temperate region of Jammu and Kashmir, India. One hundred and forty one samples were collected in duplicate from nasopharyngeal tract of diseased (53) and apparently healthy equine (88) for isolation and direct PCR. A total of 77 isolates of streptococci were recovered from 141 samples with an overall prevalence rate of 54.60%. Out of these 77 isolates, 52 were from diseased and 25 from apparently healthy animals. Of the 77 isolates, 4 were identified as Streptococcus equi subsp. equi, 56 a...
Christen G, Gerber V, Dolf G, Burger D, Koch C.The mode of inheritance for susceptibility to equine sarcoid disease (ES) remains unknown. The objectives of this study were to analyse a large sample of the Franches-Montagnes (FM) horse population and investigate the heritability and mode of inheritance for susceptibility to ES. Horses were clinically examined for the presence of sarcoid tumours. A standardized examination protocol and client questionnaire were used and a pedigree- and subsequent segregation-analysis for the ES trait performed. To investigate the mode of inheritance, five models were evaluated and compared in a hierarchical ...
Martínez B, Celda MF, Anastasio B, García I, López-Mendoza MC.Fifty-five bovine, 50 equine, 60 ovine, and 50 porcine carcasses were sampled in a slaughterhouse in eastern Spain. Two samples were taken from each carcass, one using the excision method and the other using the swabbing method. Four different materials were used for swabbing: cellulose, polyurethane, or viscose sponges, and medical gauze. Samples were collected at the end of the process by four different people before the carcasses were taken to the cooler. The samples were examined for total viable bacteria counts (TVCs) and Enterobacteriaceae counts (ECs). The mean TVC for all species sampl...
Hernandez J, Hawkins DL.To compare financial returns between pinhooked yearling horses (ie, bought and trained for approximately 5 months with the goal of selling the horse at "2-year-olds in training" sales) that had mild or severe training failure and horses that had planned versus nonplanned training failure. Methods: 40 Thoroughbred pinhooked yearling horses. Methods: During the period from September 1998 through and April 1999, 20 horses had mild training failure (1 to 11 days lost), and 20 horses had severe training failure (13 to 108 days lost). Horses were assigned to these 2 groups on the basis of frequency ...
Aleman M, Costa LRR, Crowe C, Kass PH.Neuroglycopenia refers to a shortage of glucose in the brain resulting in neuronal dysfunction and death if left untreated. Presumed neuroglycopenia has not been described in horses. Objective: To report neurological signs in horses with presumed neuroglycopenia as the result of severe hypoglycemia. Methods: Ninety horses (hours to 28 years of age) diagnosed with hypoglycemia (blood glucose concentration < 75 mg/dL [< 4.2 mmol/L]). Methods: Retrospective study. Electronic medical records were searched. Signalment, history, complaint, clinical signs, laboratory findings including CSF analysis, ...
Klimas NG, Caldwell KE, Whitney PL, Fletcher MA.Membrane glycoproteins from horse, sheep, goat and bovine erythrocytes were solubilized and purified. These glycoproteins could be placed in three groups based on their degrees of glycosylation: The major bovine erythrocyte glycoprotein (BGII) had 77% sugar, the minor bovine glycoprotein (BGI) had 27% sugar and the others had approximately 50% sugar. Four of the glycoproteins aggregated in a uniform way in aqueous solution--one, BGII, did not. Four had similar subunit sizes of 25-34,000 daltons, but BGII was larger--55,000 daltons. Receptor functions (for plant and invertebrate lectins, antibo...
Allen K, Franklin S.The effect of palatal instability (PI) on measures of ventilation and gas exchange is not well understood. Objective: To assess to what degree different severities of naturally occurring palatal dysfunction affect ventilation and gas exchange during strenuous exercise. Methods: A retrospective study was performed using data collected from 40 Thoroughbred racehorses diagnosed with naturally occurring dynamic palatal dysfunction during high speed treadmill exercise. Upper airway videoendoscopic recordings were made concurrently with measurements of ventilation and gas exchange. Three categories ...
Easton C, Fuentealba NA, Paullier C, Alonzo P, Carluccio J, Galosi CM.Equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) is a major cause of epidemic abortion, neonatal mortality, respiratory disease and neurological disorders in horses. In South America, the virus has been isolated in Brazil, Argentina and Colombia. In Chile pathological findings from one aborted foetus have been reported, and in Uruguay only serological data about EHV-1 activity have been found. Some pathological findings were reported in Uruguay several years ago, but these data have never been officially confirmed. The present work describes the relevant findings of a study of EHV-1 infections in the Uruguayan eq...
Crevier-Denoix N, Ravary-Plumioën B, Vergari C, Camus M, Holden-Douilly L, Falala S, Jerbi H, Desquilbet L, Chateau H, Denoix JM, Pourcelot P.The incidence of superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) injuries is one of the highest of all equine musculoskeletal conditions. Horses with SDFT injuries commonly show no improvement of lameness on soft ground, unlike those suffering from distal bone or joint lesions. The aim of this study was to compare the SDFT loading in five horses at the walk and trot on asphalt and sand using a non-invasive ultrasonic tendon force measurement device. Three horses were equipped with the ultrasonic device, whereas the other two horses were equipped with the ultrasonic device and a dynamometric horseshoe...
Best C, Coe JB, Hewson J, Meehan M, Kelton D, Black B.OBJECTIVE To explore referring equine veterinarians' expectations of equine veterinary referral centers and specialists. DESIGN Qualitative, focus group interview-based study. SAMPLE 6 focus groups comprised of equine practitioners with experience in referral of clients and patients to equine specialists or referral centers (48 referring veterinarians [rDVMs]). PROCEDURES Focus group sessions were conducted independently and followed a standardized discussion guide consisting of open-ended questions and follow-up probes. Discussions were recorded, and thematic analysis was performed on the con...
Segura D, Monreal L.Template bleeding time (TBT) is considered to be a useful test for detecting platelet function disorders and the effect of platelet-activating drugs, but studies in human medicine have concluded that the test has poor reproducibility and sensitivity. Objective: TBT has poor reproducibility in horses and has insufficient sensitivity to detect the effect of etamsylate on platelet function. Methods: Twenty healthy horses. Methods: TBT was determined and repeated 2 hours and 30 days later. TBT was also performed 2 hours after IV administration of etamsylate. Results: Although no statistical differ...
Henckel P, Ducro B, Oksbjerg N, Hassing L.The objectivity of two of the most widely used methods for differentiation of fibre types, i.e. 1) the myosin ATP-ase method (Brooke and Kaiser, 1970a,b) and 2) the combined method, by which the myosin ATP-ase reaction is used to differentiate between fast and slow twitch fibres and NADH-tetrazolium reductase activity is used to identify the subgroups of fast twitch fibres (Ashmore and Doerr, 1970, Peter et al., 1972), was assessed in muscle samples from horses, calves and pigs. We also assessed the objectivity of the alpha-amylase-PAS preparation for the visualisation of capillaries (Andersen...
Lorenzo PL, Liu IK, Carneiro GF, Conley AJ, Enders AC.Epidermal growth factor (EGF) has been shown to have a positive effect during oocyte in vitro maturation in several species. This study was performed to establish the capacity of equine oocytes to undergo nuclear maturation in the presence of EGF and to localise its receptor in the equine ovary by immunohistochemical methods. Oocytes were obtained by aspiration and subsequent scraping from equine follicles (15-25 mm diameter) and cultured in 3 different treatment groups for 36 h: control Group (modified TCM 199 with 0.003% BSA), EGF Group (TCM-199 supplemented with 50 ng/ml EGF) and EMS Group ...
Xu C, Wei Z, Tan F, Liu A, Yu F, Zhao A, Zhang L, Qi M, Zhao W.Cryptosporidium is a protozoan parasite causing diarrhoea in humans and animals. Although Cryptosporidium has been found in domestic horses (farmed or kept at pasture), there has been only one published study of Cryptosporidium infections in Chinese racehorses, which was restricted to a very small geographical area. Objective: To investigate the presence of Cryptosporidium spp. in the faeces of racehorses in China and to perform molecular characterisation of the parasite. Methods: Cross-sectional. Methods: A total of 621 fresh faecal samples were collected for DNA extraction from racehorses at...
van Hoogmoed L, Snyder JR, Pascoe JR, Olander HJ.This report describes the evaluation of uniformity of morphological injury of the large colon following severe colonic torsion in 17 horses presented to the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. In 16 horses, twist occurred at the colonic base and in 1 at the sternal and diaphragmatic flexure. Eleven of the 17 horses were subjected to euthanasia at surgery and 6 of 17 following surgical correction within 4 days postoperatively. The objective of this study was to determine if the degree of histological changes present at the pelvic flexure were uniformly distributed throughout the regions of th...
Barua S, Macedo A, Kolb DS, Wynne-Edwards KE, Klein C.Milk-fat globule epidermal growth factor (EGF) 8 protein (MFGE8), also known as lactadherin, promotes cell adhesion in an Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD)-dependent modus via integrins. In the present study, the expression of MFGE8 was examined in equine endometrium during oestrus and at Days 12 and 16 after ovulation in pregnant and non-pregnant mares and in mares during the 5th month of gestation. Results demonstrated that MFGE8 is expressed at the embryo- and fetal-maternal interface in equine pregnancy. In non-pregnant endometrium its expression was upregulated by oestrogen, a finding that was confirmed ...
Riddin MA, Venter GJ, Labuschagne K, Villet MH.An upsurge in African horse sickness (AHS) in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, from 2006 led to an epidemiological reassessment of the disease there. Light trapping surveys carried out near horses, donkeys and zebras in 2014-2016 collected 39 species of Culicoides midge (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) that are potential vectors of AHS. To establish if these midges fed on equids, DNA sequences were obtained from the gut contents of 52 female midges (35 freshly blood-fed, 13 gravid and four parous), representing 11 species collected across 11 sites. Culicoides leucostictus fed on all three equids. Cul...
Strobach A, Kotschwar A, Mayhew IG, Peham C, Licka T.Equine ataxia is routinely evaluated subjectively by clinicians; however, objective measurements of the movement and coordination of ataxic horses have not been reported. Objective: To document the movement pattern of ataxic horses and compare the results to the movement of neurologically sound horses with, and without, sedation. Methods: Seventeen ataxic horses were evaluated walking and trotting on a treadmill using a 3D high speed video system. From the horizontal movement of hoof markers the autocorrelation function (ACF) of the left forelimb and the cross correlation function (CCF) betwee...
Crispe EJ, Lester GD, Robertson ID, Secombe CJ.Ambient temperature has been identified as a risk factor for exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH) in racing Thoroughbreds. This warranted a more expansive investigation of climatic conditions on the incidence and severity of EIPH. The impact of other variables such as the type of bit used, tongue ties and nonstandard shoes has not been reported and also warrant investigation. Objective: To examine the effect of various climatic variables as contributing risk factors for EIPH. Other previously uninvestigated variables as well as standard track and population factors will also be examin...
Thampi P, Samulski RJ, Grieger JC, Phillips JN, McIlwraith CW, Goodrich LR.With an intrinsically low ability for self-repair, articular cartilage injuries often progress to cartilage loss and joint degeneration resulting in osteoarthritis (OA). Osteoarthritis and the associated articular cartilage changes can be debilitating, resulting in lameness and functional disability both in human and equine patients. While articular cartilage damage plays a central role in the pathogenesis of OA, the contribution of other joint tissues to the pathogenesis of OA has increasingly been recognized thus prompting a whole organ approach for therapeutic strategies. Gene therapy metho...
Lyons ET, Tolliver SC, Collins SS, Drudge JH.Research carried out during the last 4 years (1996-1999) of an 11-year study of the prevalence of internal parasites naturally transmitted to horse foals born on the same pasture on a farm in central Kentucky is presented here. Horses in this herd were not treated with any antiparasitic compound for over 20 years except for a replacement stallion in 1994. A total of 22 species, including 12 species of small strongyles, were recovered in the 4-year period. Transmission patterns of all species (n=35) of endoparasites recovered are compared for the 11-year study. Some of the changes were an incre...
O'Neill HD, Boussauw B, Bladon BM, Fraser BS.There are few published data regarding the success rates of cheek tooth (CT) removal by lateral buccotomy in the horse. Objective: A retrospective study of 114 horses admitted to 2 private equine referral hospitals over a 10 year period (1999-2009), which underwent CT removal via a lateral buccotomy. Methods: Hospital records were analysed and details including case details, presenting complaint and results of all diagnostic tests and surgical reports were documented. Information obtained during post operative reassessment was also available for analysis. Long-term follow-up information (>2 mo...
The Journal of physiologyOctober 6, 2000
Volume 528 Pt 1, Issue Pt 1 209-219 doi: 10.1111/j.1469-7793.2000.00209.x
Fowden AL, Taylor PM, White KL, Forhead AJ.1. Using the Fick principle and tracer methodology, the metabolic rates of chronically catheterized fetal foals (n = 24) were measured at different gestational ages during the second half of gestation and in response to maternal fasting for 36 h in late gestation (n = 4, term approximately 335 days). 2. Absolute rates of umbilical blood flow, fetal glucose utilization and umbilical uptake of oxygen (O2) and glucose increased from mid-gestation to 300 days and then plateauxed until term. The absolute rate of umbilical lactate uptake was significant after, but not before, 280 days of gestation. ...
Sykes CA, Uzal FA, Mete A, Ochoa J, Filigenzi M, Poppenga RH, Asin J.A presumptive postmortem diagnosis of oleander () poisoning is made based on the histological observation of cardiomyocyte degeneration and necrosis, which is considered to be a reliable diagnostic marker, and can be confirmed via the detection of oleandrin in tissues or fluids. However, cardiac lesions may not be present in every case, and autolysis can often preclude the identification of subtle changes in the cardiomyocytes. Several studies of experimental oleander poisoning have noted the presence of renal lesions in multiple mammalian species, and case studies of accidental exposure have ...
Magnarelli LA, Ijdo JW, Van Andel AE, Wu C, Fikrig E.To develop and evaluate a polyvalent ELISA incorporating a highly specific recombinant antigen (p44) for diagnosis of granulocytic ehrlichiosis in dogs and horses. Methods: 32 dogs and 43 horses. Methods: Results of the ELISA were compared with results of indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) staining and western immunoblotting incorporating whole-cell antigen. Results: For the canine and equine samples, percentages of samples with positive IFA staining, western immunoblotting, and ELISA results were similar. For 29 (91 %) canine samples and 30 (70%) equine samples, results of IFA staining, west...
Dicken M, Gee EK, Rogers CW, Mayhew IG.To examine the gestation lengths and occurrence of daytime foaling of Standardbred mares foaling outdoors at stud farms in Southland, New Zealand (latitude 45˚S). Methods: Data were collected prospectively at two commercial Standardbred stud farms (Farms A and B), during the 2008/9 and 2009/10 breeding seasons (October to February). For each foaling, the identity of the mare, date and time of foaling, gender of foal, time the mare passed the fetal membranes, time the foal stood, and foaling problems including dystocias, were recorded. The effect of farm, season, gender of foal, month of artif...
Koenig JB, Westlund A, Nykamp S, Kenney DG, Melville L, Cribb N, Oberbichler D.The accuracy of using radiographs to diagnose cervical facet osteoarthritis (CFA) in horses is undetermined. Further investigation is required to determine the clinical significance of radiographic evidence of CFA, the prevalence of radiographic changes in horses without clinical signs, and the long-term efficacy of intra-articular CFA treatment. The objectives of this study is to compare degenerative changes of the cervical facet joints of the cervical vertebrae on radiographs of horses with clinical signs of CFA with healthy cohort-matched horses, to compare clinical findings between groups,...
Mendoza FJ, Perez-Ecija RA, Monreal L, Estepa JC.Coagulation disorders are frequently diagnosed, especially in hospitalized equidae, and result in increased morbidity and mortality. However, hemostatic reference intervals have not been established for donkeys yet. Objective: To determine whether the most common coagulation parameters used in equine practice are different between healthy donkeys and horses. Methods: Thirty-eight healthy donkeys and 29 healthy horses. Methods: Blood samples were collected to assess both coagulation and fibrinolytic systems by determination of platelet count, fibrinogen concentration, clotting times (prothrombi...
