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.
Elce YA.This article addresses the pathophysiology, diagnosis, management, and prognosis of several different infections within the equine abdomen and pelvic region. The latest advances in the diagnosis and treatment of perirectal abscesses, umbilical infections, and local and diffuse peritonitis are discussed. Emphasis is placed on recent advances in diagnostics and therapeutics with reference to human literature that may be useful in equine practice.
Pellegrini-Masini A, Livesey LC.This article provides an overview of meningitis and encephalomyelitis in horses, including diagnostic tests, treatment developments, and preventative measures reported in the equine and human medical literature of the past few years.
Frye MA.Equine urinary tract infection (UTI) most commonly occurs as a sequela to structural or functional inhibition of normal urine flow. Although it is an infrequent diagnosis in equids, the incidence of UTI in human beings is high and has inspired great investigative effort. The resultant findings with potentially broad application as well as current equine studies are reviewed here. Recent developments in the understanding of host-agent interactions and renal defense mechanisms, emerging antimicrobial resistance, and novel therapeutic alternatives to prophylactic antibiotic use are emphasized.
Vijarnsorn M, Riley CB, Shaw RA, McIlwraith CW, Ryan DA, Rose PL, Spangler E.To evaluate use of infrared spectroscopy for diagnosis of traumatic arthritis in horses. Methods: 48 horses with traumatic arthritis and 5 clinically and radiographically normal horses. Methods: Synovial fluid samples were collected from 77 joints in 48 horses with traumatic arthritis. Paired samples (affected and control joints) from 29 horses and independent samples from an affected (n = 12) or control (7) joint from 19 horses were collected for model calibration. A second set of 20 normal validation samples was collected from 5 clinically and radiographically normal horses. Fourier transfor...
Bugislaus AE, Roehe R, Willms F, Kalm E.In a genetic analysis of German trotters, the performance trait racing time per km was analysed by using a random regression model on six different age classes (2-, 3-, 4-, 5- and 6-year-old and older trotters; the age class of 3-year-old trotters was additionally divided by birth months of horses into two seasons). The best-fitting random regression model for the trait racing time per km on six age classes included as fixed effects sex, race track, condition of race track (fitted as second-order polynomial on age), distance of race and each driver (fitted as first-order polynomial on age) as ...
Adam EN, Southwood LL.Surgical site infections (SSIs) and traumatic wound management remain challenging clinical scenarios. The prevention of SSIs involves meticulous surgical technique and aftercare. Traumatic wounds require thorough evaluation to assess the involvement of synovial structures and radiographs to check for fractures. Chronic wounds can require a biopsy and histologic evaluation to obtain a diagnosis, because many underlying pathologic processes grossly appear similar but different treatment regimens are required. Early recognition and diagnosis of cellulitis and myositis enable the rapid aggressive ...
Feary DJ, Hassel DM.Enteritis and colitis remain challenging and life-threatening diseases despite many recent advances. Successful treatment is largely dependent on early recognition and directed therapy, which is facilitated by obtaining a complete history and physical examination. A number of new therapies and methods of monitoring critically ill patients have become integral components of treatment success. The critical monitoring of equine foals and adults continues to be an exciting and emerging field.
Lu KG, Morresey PR.Diagnosis, treatment, and, ultimately, prevention of reproductive disease are vital components of equine veterinary medicine. A thorough understanding of anatomy and physiology is necessary to reconcile the pathologic findings of disease. Only then can a rational treatment plan be formulated. Many recent advances in knowledge about the reproductive system of multiple species have application to the mare and stallion.
Santschi EM.The best defense against postoperative infection is to use multiple strategies to minimize wound contamination, maintain wound tissue health, and provide rational antimicrobial strategies that do not promote the development of resistant bacteria and superinfections.
Dranchak PK, Valberg SJ, Onan GW, Gallant EM, Binns MM, Swinburne JE, Mickelson JR.To determine whether there was genetic linkage between the recurrent exertional rhabdomyolysis (RER) trait in Thoroughbred horse pedigrees and DNA markers in genes (the sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium release channel [RYR1] gene, the sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase [ATP2A1] gene, and the transverse tubule dihydropyridine receptor-voltage sensor [CACNA1S] gene) that are important in myoplasmic calcium regulation. Methods: 34 horses in the University of Minnesota RER resource herd and 62 Thoroughbreds from 3 families of Thoroughbreds outside of the university in which RER-affected status wa...
Carmalt JL, Gordon JR, Allen AL.It has been suggested that dental abnormalities lead to temporomandibular joint inflammation and pain that may be mitigated by regular dental care. There is considerable literature on the pathophysiology of equine joint disease including studies on cytokine profiles in diseased appendicular joints. This study examined the effects of age and dental malocclusions summarized as a dental pathology score on equine temporomandibular joint cytokine (IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, TNF alpha and TGF-beta1, -beta2, -beta3) concentrations. TGF-beta3 was not detected in any joint sample. IL-1, IL-6 and TNF alpha were ...
Staempfli S, Janett F, Burger D, Kündig H, Imboden I, Hässig M, Thun R.In this study, the effect of exercise (treadmill, riding) on scrotal surface temperature (SST) in the stallion with and without suspensory was evaluated. Experiments were carried out between September and November 2004 using 12 Franches-Montagnes stallions from the National Stud in Avenches (Switzerland). Each stallion performed a standardized incremental treadmill and a ridden test with and without suspensory. The intensity of exercise was monitored by heart rate and blood lactate concentration. For SST measurements, special thermistors were developed and affixed to the most ventral part of t...
Li JL, Shi YF, Bu RQ, Mang L.Restriction endonucleases, namely BamH I, Taq I, Hae III, Rsa I and Hinc II, were used to analyze the polymorphism of partial mtDNA Cytb gene sequences from 256 horses 6 types (Thoroughbred, Sanhe, Wuzhumuqin, Xinihe, Wushen and Pony) including the imported breed, cultivated breed and local breed. The products of endonuclease digestion were run on 8% non-denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and detected by silver staining. Results indicated BamH I and Taq I polymorphism. In all 7 restriction patterns were defected that could be sorted into 3 haplotypes, of which haplotypes I and III w...
Aurich J, Aurich C.The liberalization of European animal breeding legislation and an increasing diversity of equestrian sports have led to a constant rise in the number of horse breeds and breed registries. In addition to the trend towards more and smaller breed registries, there is another trend towards an international expansion of the bigger established sport horse breeds. Regional breeds, at least in smaller countries, may no longer be able to run an independent breeding programme. The typical horse breeder, in the future, will be a female and qualified in equestrian sports. Artificial insemination (AI) main...
Dirikolu L, McFadden ET, Ely KJ, ElkHoly H, Lehner AF, Thompson K.Clonidine is classified as a class 3 performance-enhancing agent by the Association of Racing Commissioners International and thus has the potential to influence the outcome of a race. In this study, the authors developed and validated a sensitive gas chromatograph and mass spectrometer method to determine the pharmacokinetic parameters of clonidine in equine plasma samples after IV administration of a single dose (0.025 mg/kg) of clonidine in horses. At this dose, clonidine produced rapid and profound sedation, which cold be quickly reversed with yohimbine. Clonidine was able to produce an an...
Burn JF, Franklin SH.The presence of abnormal respiratory sounds is commonly associated with obstructions of the upper respiratory tract. In order to establish their clinical significance measurements are required of both normal and abnormal respiratory sounds produced by horses exercising over-ground. Objective: To determine whether high quality recordings of respiratory sound can be made during over-ground exercise, and to develop a convenient measurement system that can be used to obtain respiratory sounds from horses exercising in field conditions. Methods: A range of prototypes was evaluated against the requi...
Fernández-Varón E, Ayala I, Marín P, Carrión A, Martos N, Escudero E, Cárceles CM.Danofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone developed for veterinary medicine showing an excellent activity. However, danofloxacin pharmacokinetics profile have not been studied in horses previously. Objective: To study the pharmacokinetics following i.v., i.m. and intragastric (i.g.) administration of 1.25 mg/kg bwt danofloxacin to 6 healthy horses. Methods: A cross-over design was used in 3 phases (2 x 2 x 2), with 2 washout periods of 15 days (n = 6). Danofloxacin (18%) was administered by i.v. and i.m. routes at single doses of 1.25 mg/kg bwt. For i.g. administration an oral solution was prepared an...
Smith LJ, Mellor DJ, Marr CM, Mair TS.Septic digital tenosynovitis is a serious problem in the horse, with a poor prognosis being reported for recovery. Objective: The occurrence of septic digital tenosynovitis would significantly reduce the likelihood of a horse returning to its previous level of athletic function. Methods: Medical records of 90 horses treated for septic digital tenosynovitis were reviewed. Data retrieved included age, sex, location of inciting cause of sepsis, time from onset of clinical signs to presentation for treatment, and whether the horse survived to be discharged. Long-term outcome was determined through...
Andersen MS, Clark L, Dyson SJ, Newton JR.Post anaesthetic colic is a recognised risk of general anaesthesia (GA), but causes are poorly understood. Objective: To identify risk factors for development of colic following GA for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or nonabdominal surgery and to test whether the use of perianaesthetic morphine was associated with an increased risk of post anaesthetic colic. Methods: A total of 553 anaesthetic and clinical records of 500 horses anaesthetised at the Animal Health Trust were analysed, 342 (62%) involved MRI and 211 (38%) nonabdominal, predominantly orthopaedic surgery. Multivariable logistic r...
Dukti SA, Perkins S, Murphy J, Barr B, Boston R, Southwood LL, Bernard W.Prevalence of gastric ulcerations differs widely according to breed and circumstances of management. Further study of the biological variables involved is required in order to identify more exactly the reasons for the reported range. Objective: The objectives of this present study, which do not appear to have been addressed previously in the literature, were 1) the prevalence of gastric ulceration in horses with abdominal pain. 2) difference in prevalence in horses responding to medical therapy and those requiring surgical intervention. 3) whether gastric ulceration is associated with any part...
Changoor A, Hurtig MB, Runciman RJ, Quesnel AJ, Dickey JP, Lowerison M.To improve osteochondral graft reconstruction of subchondral cystic lesions in the medial and lateral femoral condyles by matching the material properties of donor and recipient sites. Objective: To measure biomechanical and biochemical parameters that influence the function and healing of osteochondral grafts used to reconstruct subchondral cystic lesions. Objective: Suitable donor sites are available within the stifle joint for reconstructing the femoral condyles, despite considerable regional property variation. Methods: Fifty-six osteochondral cores were harvested from 6 distal femurs for ...
Wilmink JM, van den Boom R, van Weeren PR, Barneveld A.The acceptance of skin grafts in horses is unpredictable and the final cosmetic result can be disappointing. Besides movement and infection, graft failure is often caused by chronic inflammation, inherently present during second intention healing of limb wounds in horses. In human burns affected by infection and inflammation, the acceptance of the island skin grafts of the modified Meek technique appeared to be better than meshed sheet skin grafts. Objective: The percentage take of Meek micrografts is higher than of other techniques; and rates of both wound contraction and epithelialisation ar...
de Grauw JC, van de Lest CH, van Weeren R, Brommer H, Brama PA.Joint pain is one of the most common causes of lameness in the horse but its pathogenesis is poorly understood. Objective: To investigate which synovial fluid markers may be related to the presence of clinically detectable joint pain in the horse. Methods: Concentrations of structural (CPII, C2C, GAG) and inflammatory markers (PGE2, LTB4, CysLTs, bradykinin and substance P) were measured in fetlock joint fluid from 22 horses in which lameness was localised to the fetlock region by perineural anaesthesia. Levels of these markers were then compared in horses that responded (n = 15) to those that...
Engeli E, Yeager AE, Erb HN, Haussler KK.The purpose of this study was to establish the normal percutaneous ultrasonographic appearance of anatomic structures within the equine sacroiliac region. Percutaneous ultrasonography was performed in a cranial-to-caudal direction in 10 normal adult live horses. The following structures were examined in detail: supraspinous ligament, lumbar and sacral spinous processes, thoracolumbar fascia and its caudal extension, tubera sacralia, ilial wings, dorsal and lateral portions of the dorsal sacroiliac ligaments, lateral part of the sacrum, and the lateral sacral crest. After ultrasonography, all a...
Weekes JS, Murray RC, Dyson SJ.In recent years, pain arising from the proximal metacarpal and metatarsal regions has become well recognized as a cause of lameness and various disease entities have been identified. However, our knowledge of normal patterns of radiopharmaceutical uptake is limited, making interpretation of images problematic. It is therefore important to characterize normal patterns of radiopharmaceutical uptake at specific sites to ensure valid interpretation of images in clinical cases with subtle lesions. The purpose of this study was to describe the pattern of radiopharmaceutical uptake in the proximal me...
Kornas S, Nowosad B, Skalska M, Bołoz T.The studies were carried out in 2001 and 2002 on horses from riding clubs in Krakow area. On the basis of McMaster method EPG (eggs per gram) and prevalence of infection (%) was evaluated. The most common parasites were strongyles (Strongylidae). In the first year of study in dynamics of strongyles eggs output of horses kept on paddocks two peaks were observed: in May (450 EPG) and January (427 EPG), in comparison with horses under pasture system where the highest level of strongyles eggs output were in May (832 EPG), from August (420 EPG) to October (385 EPG) and in March (482 EPG). In the se...
Hedberg Y, Dalin AM, Forsberg M, Lundeheim N, Hoffmann B, Ludwig C, Kindahl H.Ovariectomized mares and mares with inactive ovaries may show signs of estrus. The reason behind this phenomenon is not clear; however, steroid hormones of adrenal origin have been suggested. Moreover, aberrant adrenal hormone production has been implied as a reason why some intact mares may change behavior. In the present study, the effect of ACTH on plasma levels of cortisol, progesterone, androstenedione and testosterone was investigated in intact mares with normal estrous behavior ('controls', n=5) and intact mares that according to their owners showed deviant estrous behavior ('problem' m...
Kuzmina TA, Kuzmin YI, Kharchenko VA.Experimental studies on the survival of infective stage larvae of horse strongyles and their ability to overwinter on pasture were carried out in central Ukraine (Poltavska oblast). Faecal pats (1.5 kg each) of naturally infected horses were placed on pasture, and samples of faeces and surrounding vegetation (10 g each) were collected each month, excluding the winter months, from November 2002 until April 2004. The number of infective third stage larvae was calculated in each sample and compared with that from the control faecal samples cultivated in the laboratory. In the control samples, the...
Skedros JG, Dayton MR, Sybrowsky CL, Bloebaum RD, Bachus KN.This study examined relative influences of predominant collagen fiber orientation (CFO), mineralization (% ash), and other microstructural characteristics on the mechanical properties of equine cortical bone. Using strain-mode-specific (S-M-S) testing (compression testing of bone habitually loaded in compression; tension testing of bone habitually loaded in tension), the relative mechanical importance of CFO and other material characteristics were examined in equine third metacarpals (MC3s). This model was chosen since it had a consistent non-uniform strain distribution estimated by finite ele...
Rathbone MJ, Macmillan KL, Jöchle W, Boland MP, Inskeep EK.This paper describes the estrus cycles of a number of livestock breeds and reviews the controlled-release drug delivery systems that are currently available for the purpose of controlled breeding. The bovine estrus cycle is reviewed in detail, and the estrus cycles of other species are described in a manner that highlights similarities and differences between species. Pertinent formulation and pharmacokinetic information about current drug delivery systems is presented and discussed, and recent advances in this area are also described.
Posukonis MN, Daglish J, Wright IM, Kawcak CE.To evaluate bone mineral content patterns between fracture configurations using novel CT image analysis. Methods: CT images from 97 Thoroughbred racehorses with third metacarpal/tarsal condyle fractures provide the case population for analysis. Methods: Fractures were grouped by radiographic appearance. Image analysis objectively measured area of highly attenuating pixels (aHAP), areal density of highly attenuating pixels (dHAP) utilizing novel convex hull analysis, and subjective assessment of apparent attenuation intensity ranking (AAIR) for each fracture. Differences between fracture config...
Cullen TE, Semevolos SA, Stieger-Vanegas SM, Duesterdieck-Zellmer K.This study describes clinical and ultrasonographic findings and outcomes of horses with lameness associated with muscle tears. Records of horses diagnosed with muscle tears were retrospectively evaluated. Horses in which one or more muscle tears were confirmed ultrasonographically and lameness was associated with the tear were included in the study ( = 14). Eight horses had tearing of a single muscle, 6 horses had 2 or more muscles involved. Twelve of 14 horses survived to discharge and were alive at follow-up (8 to 90 months). Recovery time ranged from 6 to 52 weeks (mean: 19.8 weeks); 6 to 1...
Conner ME, Gillespie JH, Schiff EI, Frey MS.A total of 142 equine fecal samples (93 field fecal and 49 experimental fecal specimens) were examined for rotavirus using direct electron microscopy (EM) and the Rotazyme test. Eighty-six stool specimens were diarrhea samples. The Rotazyme test sensitivity and accuracy as compared to EM was determined by the visual (color reaction) and spectrophotometric methods. The overall agreement was 94.8% and 92.3% between EM and Rotazyme visual and spectrophotometric methods, respectively when suspect reactions (1 + color reaction or net absorbance between 0.05 and 0.1) were not included. The Rotazyme ...
Jackson BF, Lonnell C, Verheyen K, Wood JL, Pfeiffert DU, Price JS.Injuries to the skeleton are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in racehorses and age, gender and season have all been shown to influence risk of injury. Objective: To use biochemical markers of bone cell activity to establish to whether cellular processes in bone underlie these described effects. Methods: Blood samples were collected monthly from 2-year-old horses in race training between November 1998 and September 1999. Mean age at the start of the study was 20 months (range 18-23 months), with no significant difference in average age between colts (n = 84) and fillies (n = 63). Three...
Derisoud E, Jouneau L, Dubois C, Archilla C, Jaszczyszyn Y, Legendre R, Daniel N, Peynot N, Dahirel M, Auclair-Ronzaud J, Wimel L, Duranthon V....Breeding a mare until she is not fertile or even until her death is common in equine industry but the fertility decreases as the mare age increases. Embryo loss due to reduced embryo quality is partly accountable for this observation. Here, the effect of mare's age on blastocysts' gene expression was explored. Day 8 post-ovulation embryos were collected from multiparous young (YM, 6-year-old, N = 5) and older (OM, > 10-year-old, N = 6) non-nursing Saddlebred mares, inseminated with the semen of one stallion. Pure or inner cell mass (ICM) enriched trophoblast, obtained by embryo bise...
Lassaline-Utter M, Cutler TJ, Michau TM, Nunnery CM.To review the signalment, clinical characteristics, and outcome of horses with nonhealing corneal ulcers treated with diamond burr debridement (DBD); and to evaluate the role of ulcer duration, size and location, and bandage contact lens (BCL) placement on healing. Methods: From January 2012-April 2013, 60 horses were diagnosed with ulcers classified as nonhealing based on the presence of raised epithelial margins and duration of at least 7 days. Methods: Retrospective record review. Results: Average age of included horses was 14.68 years, SD 8.17 years. There were three times as many males (4...
Lindsay WA, Pascoe PJ, McDonell WN, Burgess ML.Wick catheters were used to measure intracompartmental muscle pressures (ICMP) within the long heads of the triceps brachii and extensor carpi radialis muscles of 8 horses maintained under halothane anesthesia while their breathing was controlled by intermittent positive-pressure ventilation. Blood gas, cardiac output, and blood pressure determinations were monitored to maintain a stable plane of anesthesia. The horses were positioned in left lateral recumbency and were placed sequentially on each of 4 contact surfaces for 1 hour. The 4 surfaces used for each horse were concrete, foam rubber, ...
Guan F, You Y, Li X, Robinson MA.Bioactive peptides possess pharmacological effects and can be illicitly used in sports. To deter such misuse, an untargeted method using high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) has been developed for comprehensive detection of multitudinous exogenous peptides in equine plasma and urine. Forty-four peptides were extracted using mixed-mode solid-phase extraction (SPE) from plasma and urine, separated with a hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) column, and detected on an HRMS instrument. Ammonium formate as a mobile phase additive had effects on HILIC retention and charge state ...
Watts EJ, Rose MT.Horses are more prone to complications in the wound healing process than other species, and problems such as chronic inflammation, delayed epithelialization, poor wound contraction, and exuberant granulation tissue are commonly seen, particularly in wounds on the distal limbs. In comparison, wounds of the oral mucosa heal rapidly in a scarless fashion with a high degree of wound contraction. The effect of platelet-derived growth factor BB (PDGF), insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1, and transforming growth factor beta1 (TGFbeta1) on the contraction of a fibroblast-populated collagen matrix (FPC...
Clayton HM, MacKechnie-Guire R.Not too long ago, tack often fell into the "one size fits all" category but, fortunately, times have changed. In recent years, tack has become not only more functional but also a fashion statement. This article describes scientific concepts of the saddle, bridle, and bit with emphasis on clinical signs associated with ill-fit or incorrect use.
Kamel M, Pavulraj S, Osterrieder K, Azab W.Primary infection and pathogenesis of equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) require an intricate interaction of virus with the mucosal epithelium, mononuclear cells and the vascular endothelium. Studies on EHV-1 have been facilitated by the development of different models that recapitulate the tissue complexity. The available assays can be categorized into (i) models mimicking the epithelium-peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) interaction, which include mucosal (nasal and vaginal) explants and equine respiratory epithelial cells (EREC) cultures; and (ii) PBMC-endothelium mimicking models,...
Giorgi M, De Vito V, Poapolathep A, Rychshanova R, Sgorbini M, Owen H.Flupirtine (FLU) is a non-opioid analgesic drug, with no antipyretic or anti-inflammatory effects, used in the treatment of a wide range of pain states in human beings. It does not induce the side effects associated with the classical drugs used as pain relievers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetic profiles of FLU after IV and PO administration in healthy horses. Six mixed breed adult mares were randomly assigned to two treatment groups using an open, single-dose, two-treatment, two-phase, paired, cross-over design (2 × 2 Latin-square). Group 1 (n = 3) received ...
Kingston JK, Bayly WM, Sellon DC, Meyers KM, Wardrop KJ.To investigate the effects of formaldehyde fixation on equine platelets using flow cytometric methods to evaluate markers of platelet activation. Methods: Blood samples from 6 Thoroughbreds. Methods: The degree of fluorescence associated with binding of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-conjugated anti-human fibrinogen antibody and FITC-annexin V in unactivated and adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-, platelet activating factor (PAF)-, and A23187-activated platelet samples in unfixed and 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0% formaldehyde-fixed samples was assessed by use of flow cytometry. Results: In samples incubated...
Smyth GB, Dagley K.To obtain information on the types of Australian horses, how they are kept and their activities. Methods: An invitation to participate in an opt-in, internet-based survey was sent to 7000 people who had registered an email address to receive information from the Australian Horse Industry Council Inc. Results: There were 3377 (48%) useable responses from owners of 26,548 horses. Most horses were kept on small properties (usually 2-8 ha) in paddocks in rural areas of Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. Most horses were female or geldings and the most common of 54 different activities was...
Stewart AJ, Boothe DM, Cruz-Espindola C, Mitchum EJ, Springfield J.To determine the pharmacokinetics of tramadol and its metabolites O-desmethyltramadol (ODT) and N-desmethyltramadol (NDT) in adult horses. Methods: 12 mixed-breed horses. Methods: Horses received tramadol IV (5 mg/kg, over 3 minutes) and orally (10 mg/kg) with a 6-day washout period in a randomized crossover design. Serum samples were collected over 48 hours. Serum tramadol, ODT, and NDT concentrations were measured via high-performance liquid chromatography and analyzed via noncompartmental analysis. Results: Maximum mean ± SEM serum concentrations after IV administration for tramadol, ODT, ...
Burgess BA, Lohmann KL, Blakley BR.Sudden deaths and an outbreak of diarrhea in horses occurred in southern Saskatchewan in 2006. Five horses died while survivors presented with diarrhea and, in 1 case, acute neurologic signs attributed to hyponatremia. Diagnostic testing of affected horses and environmental testing suggested poor water quality, specifically high salinity and high sulfate concentration as the cause. Des morts soudaines et une éclosion de diarrhée se sont produites chez des chevaux du Sud de la Saskatchewan en 2006. Cinq chevaux sont morts tandis que les survivants ont présenté de la diarrhée et, dans 1 ca...
Niedźwiedź A, Jaworski Z, Filipowski H, Zawadzki M, Wrzosek M, Służewska-Niedźwiedź M, Nicpoń J.Establishment of reference intervals (RI) for serum biochemical analytes is important for monitoring the health of different breeds of horses. Objective: The aim of this study was to measure and report RI for serum biochemical analytes of the Polish Konik horse. Methods: Blood samples were collected from 74 clinically healthy Polish Konik horses living under controlled natural conditions. These were adult primitive horses, aged 3-15 years, including 28 males (21 stallions, 7 geldings) and 46 mares. Serum analytes were measured and analyzed using a commercial automated analyzer. Results: The fo...
Edwards-Milewski ML, Morello SL, Zhao Q, Mattan-Bell C.To compare the gross and histological effects of intravenous regional limb perfusion (IVRLP) using amikacin sulfate on second intention healing of distal limb wounds in adult horses with healing in untreated wounds. Methods: In vivo experimental study. Methods: Adult horses (n = 7). Methods: Two full thickness wounds (2.5 × 2.5 cm) were created aseptically on the dorsal aspect of each metacarpus and maintained under sterile bandages. One forelimb was randomly selected from each horse for IVRLP on days 2, 3, and 4 post-wounding. Sequential biopsies were taken from 1 wound on each limb to evalu...
Gallastegui A.Over the past 5 years, advancements in diagnostic imaging technology have led to improvement of radiographic technique and development of standing computed tomography (CT) and PET-CT scanners. Although these modalities are in their initial stages of development and clinical applications, they are meant to revolutionize the diagnosis and management of diseases of the foot in the standing patient, in particular detecting subclinical lesions, and the establishment of computer-assisted surgical suits. This article also reviews the improved radiographic projections of the equine foot and benefits ...
Barstow A, Pfau T, Bolt DM, Smith RK, Weller R.The ability to recognize lameness in the horse is an important skill for veterinary graduates; however, opportunities to develop this skill at the undergraduate level are limited. Computer-aided learning programs (CALs) have been successful in supplementing practical skills teaching. The aim of this study was to design and validate a CAL for the teaching of equine lameness recognition (CAL1). A control CAL was designed to simulate learning by experience (CAL2). Student volunteers were randomly assigned to either CAL and tested to establish their current ability to recognize lameness. Retesting...
Slocombe JO, McCraw BM, Pennock PW, Ducharme N, Baird JD.A preliminary investigation was made into the effect of fourth-stage Strongylus vulgaris larvae sequestered in the tunica media of ileocolic arteries of pony foals treated with ivermectin. The foals had been reared parasite-free, inoculated with infective larvae and given orally a placebo or ivermectin paste. Two foals received subsequently one or two further inoculations with larvae and treatment with ivermectin. Arteriography was used to identify the lesions in the ileocolic artery following inoculation and their regression following treatment. At necropsy, foals were examined for lesions an...
Korosue K, Murase H, Sato F, Ishimaru M, Kotoyori Y, Tsujimura K, Nambo Y.To test the usefulness of measuring pH and refractometry index, compared with measuring calcium carbonate concentration, of preparturient mammary gland secretions for predicting parturition in mares. Methods: Evaluation study. Methods: 27 pregnant Thoroughbred mares. Methods: Preparturient mammary gland secretion samples were obtained once or twice daily 10 days prior to foaling until parturition. The samples were analyzed for calcium carbonate concentration with a water hardness kit (151 samples), pH with pH test paper (222 samples), and refractometry index with a Brix refractometer (214 samp...
Marsh MV, Caldwell J, Sloan TP, Smith RL, Horner M, Moss MS.14C-Fenclofenac (2-(2'-4'-dichlorophenoxy)-phenylacetic acid) was administered orally to horses, and urinary metabolites investigated by chromatography. Fenclofenac was rapidly absorbed and eliminated, with a plasma half-life (t1/2) of 2.3 h, with 83.2 and 85.8% of the dose being recovered in the urine in 0-24 h. The major urinary metabolite was the ester glucuronide (58.8, 70.0% dose), and evidence is presented that this metabolite undergoes a structural rearrangement to give beta-glucuronidase-resistant isomers. The other 14C-labelled components in horse urine were unchanged fenclofenac (13....
Guillaume D, Chavatte-Palmer P, Combarnous Y, Duchamp G, Martinat N, Nagy P, Daels PF.The aim of this study was to compare the effects of treatment with repeated injections of sulpiride (a dopamine D2 antagonist) on prolactin secretion and induced lactation in ovariectomized and intact adult mares and to verify if this induction was possible at the beginning and at the end of the birth season. Two experiments were carried out in September [experiment (expt) 1], and in March (expt 2), in France (48 degrees N). In expt 1, three groups of five mares were tested: intact-control, intact-treated and ovariectomized-treated mares. In expt 2, mares previously subjected to artificial pho...
Takahashi T, Kai M, Hada T, Eto D, Muka K, Ishida N.It has been reported that a small decrease in the strain in the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) occurs if the toe is raised during walking. Although walking on a slope appears similar to raising the toe, it is unclear whether uphill exercise decreases the strain in the SDFT. Because the force or strain on tendons is one of the important factors leading to tendon stress injury, we hypothesised that reducing the force in the SDFT during exercise may prevent tendinitis. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of treadmill inclination on the force in the SDFT in the walking...
Den Hartog SM, Back W, Brommer H, van Weeren PR.Insight into the loading pattern of the articular cartilage surface during the complete stride is important as biomechanical factors play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of joint trauma and osteoarthritis (OA). Objective: To determine the loading pattern in the equine MCP articulation in vitro during simulated walk. Methods: Eight cadaveric limbs from mature Dutch Warmblood horses were loaded in a pneumatic loading device in 6 different positions (A1-A6). The pressure distribution on the articular surface of the proximal phalanx (P1) was measured at 7 sites (S1-7) using intra-articularly pl...
Kumar P, Timoney JF.The stratified squamous epithelium of the lingual tonsil of five young horses was infiltrated with CD4 and CD8 positive cells, which were very numerous in the crypt reticular epithelium along with macrophages and IgGb and IgA positive cells. Lymphoid follicles of the lamina propria mucosae consisted of a parafollicular area, corona and germinal centre. The parafollicular area was populated by large numbers of CD4 and CD8 positive lymphocytes as well as macrophages, inter-digitating cells, and a few B-lymphocytes. The germinal centre contained mainly IgGb and IgG(T) positive cells, plasma cells...
Hetherington VJ, Kawalec JS, Dockery DS, Targoni OS, Lehmann PV, Nadler D.One means of treating osteoarthritis is with autologous or allogeneic osteochondral grafts. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the innate immunological response in humans toward xeno-derived osteochondral grafts that have been partially or entirely treated by the photooxidation process. Methods: The antigens tested included bovine, porcine, ovine and equine osteochondral samples that have been treated in successive steps of photooxidation. ELISPOT assays were used to evaluate the production of IL-1, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12 and TNF-alpha by human monocytes in response to the antigens. R...
