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Topic:Veterinary Research
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.
Evaluation of an in vitro sulphidoleukotriene release test for diagnosis of insect bite hypersensitivity in horses. Insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH) is an IgE-mediated allergic dermatitis caused by bites of Culicoides and Simulium species, and improved means of diagnosis are required. Objective: The cellular antigen simulation test (CAST) with C. nubeculosus and S. vittatum extracts was assessed in a population of IBH-affected and healthy horses. Variations in test results over a one year period and possible cross-reactivity between different insect extracts was studied. Methods: A total of 314 mature horses were studied using the CAST. Influence of severity of clinical signs, gender and age were evaluate...
Horses on pasture may be affected by equine motor neuron disease. Equine motor neuron disease (EMND) was diagnosed in 3 horses maintained on lush, grass-based pasture. This contrasted with North American studies which identified limited or no access to green herbage as an important risk factor for EMND. Objective: Grazing horses that have an apparently adequate intake of pasture herbage to meet normal equine vitamin E requirements can develop EMND. Methods: Owners of 32 European horses diagnosed with EMND completed a questionnaire regarding intrinsic, managemental, nutritional and environmental factors that could potentially be risk factors for EMND, and als...
Histopathology in horses with chronic palmar foot pain and age-matched controls. Part 1: Navicular bone and related structures. Causes of palmar foot pain and the aetiopathogenesis of navicular disease remain poorly understood, despite the high incidence of foot-related lameness. Objective: Abnormalities of the collateral sesamoidean ligaments (CSLs), distal sesamoidean impar ligament (DSIL), deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT), navicular bone, navicular bursa, distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint or collateral ligaments (CLs) of the DIP joint may contribute to palmar foot pain. Methods: Feet were selected from horses with a history of unilateral or bilateral forelimb lameness of at least 2 months' duration that was improv...
Qualitative and quantitative evaluation of equine respiratory mechanics by impulse oscillometry. The long-established conventional reference technique (CRT) for measuring respiratory mechanics in horses lacks sensitivity and there is a need for further refinement in new technology, such as the impulse oscillometry system (IOS). Objective: To evaluate the potential use of the IOS as a clinical respiratory function test and compare it to the current CRT in horses suffering from common upper and lower airway dysfunctions. Methods: Six healthy horses were tested before and after induction of a unilateral nasal obstruction (UNO) or transient left laryngeal hemiplegia (LLH). Six heaves-affected...
Mechanical nociceptive thresholds in the axial skeleton of horses. An objective measure of neck, back and croup pain is needed in horses with musculoskeletal injuries, vague upper limb lameness or poor performance. Objective: To establish mechanical nociceptive thresholds (MNTs) within the axial skeleton and evaluate the effects of subject status and ridden exercise. Methods: Thirty-six mature horses (10 nonridden; 26 actively ridden) were used to assess MNTs evoked by a pressure algometer (PA) with a 1 cm2 rubber plunger tip at 62 midline and bilaterally symmetrical anatomical landmarks along the axial skeleton. Pressure was applied at a uniform rate of appl...
Lawsonia intracellularis proliferative enteropathy in a filly. Proliferative enteropathy (PE) caused by the obligate intracellular bacterium Lawsonia intracellularis is a disease of high economic impact in swine worldwide. In most other species the disease occurs as a sporadic infection. This paper reports a PE caused by L. intracellularis in a 9-month-old Pura Raza Española filly with a history of profuse diarrhoea. Pathological lesions consisted of a severe proliferative enteritis associated with argyrophilic bacteria in the apical cytoplasm of proliferating crypt epithelium. Characteristic PCR products confirmed the presumptive diagnosis of L. intrace...
A multicenter evaluation of the effectiveness of Quest Gel (2% moxidectin) against parasites infecting equids. Controlled trials with a common protocol were conducted in Idaho, Illinois and Tennessee to evaluate anthelmintic effectiveness of Quest Gel (QG; 2% moxidectin) against lumenal parasites in horses. Candidate horses were required to have naturally acquired nematode infections, as confirmed by presence of strongylid eggs in feces. At each site, 24 equids were blocked on the basis of pretreatment strongyle fecal egg counts (EPG) and randomly assigned to treatments within blocks. Within each block of two animals, one received QG on Day 0 at a dosage of 0.4 mg moxidectin/kg b.w. and one was an untr...
Absence of viral envelope proteins in equine herpesvirus 1-infected blood mononuclear cells during cell-associated viremia. In vitro studies demonstrated that most equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1)-infected peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) do not expose viral envelope proteins on their surface. This protects them against antibody-dependent lysis. We examined whether viral envelope proteins are also undetectable on infected PBMC during cell-associated viremia. Further, surface expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-I was examined, since MHC-I assists in making infected cells recognizable for cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTL). Four ponies, previously exposed to EHV, and two ponies that had no contact wi...
Histopathology in horses with chronic palmar foot pain and age-matched controls. Part 2: The deep digital flexor tendon. Causes of palmar foot pain and the aetiopathogenesis of navicular disease remain poorly understood, despite the high incidence of foot-related lameness. Objective: Abnormalities of the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) may contribute to palmar foot pain; ageing degenerative changes may be seen in horses free from lameness; and horses with lameness are likely to have a greater severity of abnormalities than age-matched horses with no history of foot pain. Methods: Feet were selected from horses with a history of uni- or bilateral forelimb lameness of at least 2 months' duration. Histology of th...
Pressure algometry for the detection of induced back pain in horses: a preliminary study. Pressure algometry (PA) is a potential modality for objectively measuring mechanical nociceptive thresholds (MNTs) in horses. Its ability to differentiate musculoskeletal pain sites from nonpain sites is unknown and must be assessed prior to its clinical application. Objective: To assess the ability of PA to detect induced musculoskeletal pain. Methods: Twenty clinically normal mature horses (2 groups of 10 horses, over 2 years) were used to measure MNTs before and after implantation and removal of 2 fixation half-pins in the dorsal spinous processes of 2 adjacent vertebrae. To assess hyperalg...
In vitro comparison of two techniques for suture prosthesis placement in the muscular process of the equine arytenoid cartilage. To compare in vitro the load necessary for a partial and complete rupture of the muscular process arytenoid cartilage when a suture prosthesis is positioned by a bone trocar versus a trocar point needle and to compare failure mode. Methods: Experimental using cadaver specimens. Methods: Larynges from 18 Thoroughbred race horses, aged 2-20 years. Methods: Arytenoid cartilages were separated randomly into 2 groups: group 1-suture prosthesis inserted directly through the muscular process using a curved trocar point needle and group 2-suture passed through a hole predrilled with a 3 mm bone trocar...
Use of scintigraphy for diagnosis of equine paranasal sinus disorders. To describe and analyze subjective and objective scintigraphic findings in horses with paranasal sinus disorders. Methods: Horses with suspected disorders of the paranasal sinuses or cheek teeth (n = 48) and control horses (n = 30). Methods: 99Technetium-methylenediphosphate (99Tc-MDP; 7500 MBq) was administered for scintigraphic examination of the skull. Abnormal patterns of increased radionuclide uptake (IRU) were identified and subjectively described. Scintigrams and radiographs were blindly assessed by 2 clinicians and the accuracy of the imaging modalities was compared. Objective analysis...
Use of plasma ionized calcium levels and Ca2+ substitution response patterns as prognostic parameters for ileus and survival in colic horses. Hypocalcaemia is a common finding in horses with enterocolitis and severe gastrointestinal disorders. The aims of this study were to investigate in colic horses 1)the parameters related to hypocalcaemia, 2)the influence of hypocalcaemia on outcome and 3)the possible beneficial effect of Ca2+ substitution. Methods: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: Intensive care unit. Methods: One hundred forty-four horses that were admitted with an acute abdomen during a 1.5 year period were enrolled and daily evaluated for clinical criteria and whole blood ionized Ca2+ levels. Colic horses with hypocalca...
Characterization of the cDNA Encoding alphaIIb and beta3 in normal horses and two horses with Glanzmann thrombasthenia. Glanzmann thrombasthenia (GT) is an inherited, intrinsic platelet defect characterized by a quantitative or qualitative change in the platelet glycoprotein complex IIb-IIIa (integrin alpha(IIb)beta3). The subunits are encoded by separate genes and both subunits must be expressed for a stable complex to form on the platelet surface; therefore, a defect in either gene can result in GT.
Borrelia burgdorferi infections with special reference to horses. A review. This review discusses the literature on B. burgdorferi infections in view of the rising incidence of this infection in general and the increasing concerns of horse owners and equine practitioners. Lyme disease, the clinical expression of Borrelia infections in man is an important health problem. The geographic distribution of B. burgdorferi infections in equidae should resemble that of human cases because the vector tick involved, Ixodes ricinus, feeds on both species and, indeed, the infection has been established many times in horses. However, a definite diagnosis of the disease "Lyme borrel...
Structural and haemovascular aspects of placental growth throughout gestation in young and aged mares. This investigation was carried out to study the equine placenta from early gestation to near term, with special reference to morphological changes associated with the development of the vasculature of the fetal component of the microcotyledons. Pregnant uteri were removed post mortem from five Thoroughbred mares between 110 and 309 days of gestation, two of which were aged, multiparous animals suffering age-related degenerative changes in their endometrium (endometrosis), while the other three were young, and had primigravid normal healthy uteri. Pieces of endometrium with placenta attached we...
Equine endometrial fibrosis correlates with 11beta-HSD2, TGF-beta1 and ACE activities. Endometrial periglandular fibrosis (EPF) contributes to embryonic and fetal loss in mares. Equine EPF correlates inversely with conception and successful gestation. In the modified Kenney endometrial biopsy classification system, EPF categories I, IIA, IIB, and III correspond to minimal, mild, moderate, and severe fibrosis (+/-inflammation), respectively. Paraffin sections of biopsy specimens were stained with H&E, and picrosirius red (specific for fibrillar collagens types I and III), to determine %EPCVF. Endometrial ACE-binding activity, TGF-beta1 and 11beta-HSD2 activities were also mea...
Diversity of the infracommunities of strongylid nematodes in the ventral colon of Equus caballus from Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. Nematodes from the ventral colon of 31 adult horses, 24 males and 9 females, in the metropolitan region of the state of Rio de Janeiro were analysed. There were 53,444 (86.4%) adults of the total recovered strongylid nematodes. They belonged to 21 species of Cyathostominae and seven of Strongylinae. Larval forms made up 13.6% (8407) of the total recovered, and 49% of the strongylid nematodes were observed in ventral colon. The most prevalent and abundant species were Cyathostomum tetracanthum, Cylicocyclus nassatus, Cylicostephanus minutus, Cylicostephanus longibursatus, Cylicostephanus leptos...
Can a membrane oxygenator be a model for lung NO and CO transfer? To model lung nitric oxide (NO) and carbon monoxide (CO) uptake, a membrane oxygenator circuit was primed with horse blood flowing at 2.5 l/min. Its gas channel was ventilated with 5 parts/million NO, 0.02% CO, and 22% O2 at 5 l/min. NO diffusing capacity (Dno) and CO diffusing capacity (Dco) were calculated from inlet and outlet gas concentrations and flow rates: Dno = 13.45 ml.min(-1).Torr(-1) (SD 5.84) and Dco = 1.22 ml.min(-1).Torr(-1) (SD 0.3). Dno and Dco increased (P = 0.002) with blood volume/surface area. 1/Dno (P < 0.001) and 1/Dco (P < 0.001) increased with 1/Hb. Dno (P = 0.01...
Evaluation of a continuous glucose monitoring system for use in veterinary medicine. With the emergence of continuous glucose monitoring systems being used to provide a detailed glucose picture in humans, a commercially available system (CGMS(R), Medtronic Minimed, Northridge, CA) was examined for use in veterinary species. Methods: Adult, clinically normal horses (n = 7), cats (n = 3), dogs (n = 4), and cows (n = 5) were studied. Cats (n = 4), dogs (n = 5), and one horse with diabetes were included in the study. Several of the normal horses, including the horse with diabetes, and one cow were subjected to an intravenous glucose tolerance test. The CGMS was attached to each an...
Agreement in histologic assessments of the pituitary pars intermedia in aged horses. To evaluate concordance among veterinary pathologists in the assessment of histologic findings in the pars intermedia of pituitary gland sections from aged horses with mild signs suggestive of pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID). Sample Population-10 pituitary glands from aged horses. Methods: 7 pathologists were provided with signalment, clinical signs, and a single H&E-stained pituitary gland section from 10 aged horses with mild signs suggestive of PPID. Pathologists described histologic findings for each section and stated whether findings were consistent with PPID. Agreement ...
Use of gyroscopic sensors for objective evaluation of trimming and shoeing to alter time between heel and toe lift-off at end of the stance phase in horses walking and trotting on a treadmill. To determine whether a shoe with an axialcontoured lateral branch would induce greater lateral roll of the forelimb hoof during the time between heel and toe lift-off at end of the stance phase (breakover). Animals-10 adult horses. Methods: A gyroscopic transducer was placed on the hoof of the right forelimb and connected to a transmitter. Data on hoof angular velocity were collected as each horse walked and trotted on a treadmill before (treatment 1, no trim-no shoe) and after 2 treatments by a farrier (treatment 2, trim-standard shoe; and treatment 3, trim-contoured shoe). Data were converte...
In vitro degradation of equine keratin by dermatophytes and other keratinophilic fungi. Keratinolytic properties of two dermatophytes (Microsporum gypseum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes) and three moulds (Scopulariopsis brevicaulis, Alternaria alternata, Geotrichum candidum) isolated from diseased equine hooves were examined to improve the understanding of pathogenic mechanisms leading to equine onychomycosis. Equine hoof horn material and skin, as well as hoof keratin and dermal keratin extracted from corresponding tissues, were used as sole carbon and nitrogen sources in five test tubes for each fungus. Within 18 days, supernatants of all tubes were repeatedly examined for kerati...
Detection of recombinant epoetin and darbepoetin alpha after subcutaneous administration in the horse. A direct detection method for anti-doping control of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) abuse in racehorses is proposed. This method involves screening of plasma (or serum) by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay specific for human EPO and confirmation in urine samples by characterization of the urinary EPO isoelectric profile. This method was tested on horses that were administered epoetin alpha (rHuEPO) and the hyper-glycosylated form of this drug (darbepoetin alpha).
Hendra and Nipah viruses: pathogenesis and therapeutics. Within the past decade a number of new zoonotic paramyxoviruses emerged from flying foxes to cause serious disease outbreaks in man and livestock. Hendra virus was the cause of fatal infections of horses and man in Australia in 1994, 1999 and 2004. Nipah virus caused encephalitis in humans both in Malaysia in 1998/99, following silent spread of the virus in the pig population, and in Bangladesh from 2001 to 2004 probably as a result of direct bat to human transmission and spread within the human population. Hendra and Nipah viruses are highly pathogenic in humans with case fatality rates of 40...
Molecular variability in different Indian isolates of equine herpesvirus-1. Three abortigenic Indian isolates of equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) (Tohana, Hisar and Bikaner), along with two exotic abortigenic isolates (AB4 and V592) and another EHV-1 isolate (Jind) obtained from a case of perinatal foal mortality, were studied for variability. For this purpose, PCR and restriction endonuclease (RE) digestion techniques were used simultaneously as a DNA fingerprinting system. Nine different regions of EHV-1 virus were amplified by PCR using primer pairs specific for the regions and the products obtained from these regions were subsequently subjected to various restriction ...
