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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.
Determination of the center of pressure of the hoofs of the forelimbs of horses standing on a flat level surface. The pressure exerted on a flat level surface by recently trimmed, unshod hoofs of the front limbs of 23 sound, adult horses was measured using pressure-sensitive film and a specially built cassette. The horses were tranquilized and stood with one foot on the 2.9-cm-thick cassette and the other on a block of equal height. The hoofs were observed for motion during the measurement, and the developed film was examined for improper alignment of the film or slipping of the hoof. The center of pressure was located using the method of weighted proportions of Barrey. This static measurement system with...
Laboratory transmission of eastern equine encephalomyelitis virus to chickens by chicken mites (Acari: Dermanyssidae). Pools of adult female chicken mites, Dermanyssus gallinae (De Geer), were allowed to feed on chicks that had been inoculated with eastern equine encephalomyelitis (EEE) virus and that had a viremia level of 10(6.2)-10(6.6) plaque-forming units per milliliter of blood. Virus remained detectable by plaque assay in samples of these mites for 30 d after the infectious blood meal. Virus was not recovered from any of 151 progeny of virus-exposed female mites. Mites that had fed on viremic chicks were allowed to feed on naive chicks 3, 7, 11, 15, or 30 d later. EEE virus was transmitted to chicks by ...
Assay for endogenous heparin in plasma of livestock using a synthetic chromogenic substrate. The levels of endogenous heparin in the plasmas of horses, cows, sheep and pigs were determined with the use of synthetic chromogenic substrate benzoyl-isoleucyl-glutamyl-glycyl-arginyl-p-nitroanilide (S-2222). The lowest heparin concentrations were stated in cattle plasma, the highest ones in the plasma of pigs.
A retrospective evaluation of laminitis in horses. Case records of 202 horses treated for laminitis were reviewed with the intent of determining the long-term outcome and correlating this with digital radiographic findings and with the degree of pain associated with the laminitis. At long-term follow-up 57 horses had returned to athletic soundness (Group 1), 20 horses were intermittently lame (Group 2), 19 horses had permanent severe lameness (Group 3), 97 were dead (Group 4), and 9 were lost to follow up. Using simple regression analysis, functional outcome did not correlate with the degree of rotation (R2 = 0.004) or the presence of distal d...
In vivo tendon forces in the forelimb of ponies at the walk, validated by ground reaction force measurements. The load distribution over tendinous structures in the equine forelimb was studied by computing forces from in vivo signals of implanted liquid-metal strain gauges in 5 ponies. For validation, these tendon forces were converted to joint moments, which were summed and compared to the calculated joint moments caused by the ground reaction force. Mean peak forces per kilogram body weight (n = 5) amounted to 5.2 N/kg for the superficial digital flexor tendon, 3.8 N/kg for the deep digital flexor tendon, 7.3 N/kg for the distal accessory (check) ligament and 8.4 N/kg for the third interosseous musc...
Analgesic effects of detomidine in thoroughbred horses with chronic tendon injury. This study was undertaken to assess the analgesia provided by detomidine (20 micrograms kg-1 intravenously) in thoroughbred horses. Pain thresholds to a mechanical noxious stimulus were measured before and after a period of mild chronic pain in one foreleg. Detomidine was a good analgesic in control animals; their pain thresholds were significantly elevated for about 60 minutes. After injury, the injured leg had a significantly lower pain threshold and the intensity and duration of analgesia provided by detomidine were significantly reduced. The analgesia in the opposite (sound) leg was also r...
[The occurrence and significance of enterotoxin-producing Clostridium perfringens strains in the intestinal tract of horses]. 100 faecal samples from clinically healthy horses of different age groups and feeding habits, 50 samples of faeces from horses suffering from enteropathy accompanied by diarrhoea and small and/or large intestine from 25 horses that had died after an intestinal disease were examined for the presence of Clostridium (Cl.) perfringens. The frequency with which Cl. perfringens was detected was 22% in clinically healthy horses, 32% in horses with diarrhoea and 52% in the dead horses. In two faecal samples from the horses with diarrhoea the microbial count of Cl. perfringens was ca. 10(6) cfu/g faece...
Comparison of the damping effect of different shoeing by the measurement of hoof acceleration. The purpose of this study was to compare the damping effect of 16 types of shoeing by measuring hoof acceleration parameters on two trotting horses. At impact, maximal deceleration had extreme values such as 188 m/s2 (+/- 55) for the most damping combination (p < 0.01) and 746 m/s2 (+/- 14) for the steel shoe (mean = 551 m/s2 +/- 125). After the shock, the hoof was exposed to a mean vibrating acceleration at 418 Hz (+/- 84) which was progressively damped in 37.3 ms (+/- 10.5). According to these results, the damping ability of different farriery products significantly reduces (p < 0.05) ...
Kinematic gait analysis in equine carpal lameness. Gait analysis plays a major role in the clinical evaluation of equine lameness. It is generally accepted that the clinician expresses the grade of lameness as a subjective score. In this study lameness was objectively assessed using a standardized transient lameness model, in which lameness was induced by intra-articular injection of bacterial endotoxin into the radiocarpal joint of ponies. Lameness was scored by an experienced clinician, and locomotion was recorded simultaneously using a CODA-3 apparatus. The obtained kinematic gait parameters correlated well with the clinical lameness score ...
Characterization of African horsesickness virus serotype 4-induced polypeptides in Vero cells and their reactivity in Western immunoblotting. The structural and non-structural proteins induced by African horsesickness virus serotype 4 (AHSV-4) in infected Vero cells were analysed by SDS-PAGE. Twenty-two virus-induced polypeptides were detected in infected cells by comparison with the polypeptides of mock-infected cells, of which four major (VP2, VP3, VP5 and VP7) and three minor (VP1, VP4 and VP6) structural proteins and four non-structural proteins (P58, P48, P21 and P20) were shown to be virus-coded, as deduced from electrophoretic and antigenic studies of purified virions and infected cells. The proteins that elicit the major ant...
A comparison of ELISA, FAST-ELISA and gel diffusion tests for detecting antibody to equine infectious anaemia virus. Sera of sixteen horses with clinical signs of EIA from six different outbreaks and sera of 100 uninfected horses were used to validate an ELISA for EIA diagnosis. The antigen used was a recombinant protein derived from the amino-terminal portion of the transmembrane envelope protein of EIA (gp45). Reactivity between positive and negative sera could be clearly distinguished. Comparison with the traditional agar gel immunodiffusion test (commonly called the Coggins test) showed that the ELISA was superior in sensitivity. Comparison of this ELISA with the FAST-ELISA system showed that the latter ...
Stability of sorbitol dehydrogenase activity in bovine and equine sera. Serum sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH) activities in 10 cows and nine horses were measured using an automated clinical analyzer. The serum samples were divided into aliquots that were stored at room temperature (21 degrees C), refrigerated (0-5 degrees C), or frozen (-30 degrees C). The stability of the SDH activity was monitored at various intervals. SDH activity in bovine sera remained stable for at least 5 hours at room temperature, 24 hours refrigerated, and 72 hours frozen without any significant (p < 0.05) differences from the initial serum values. In equine sera, SDH activity remained st...
[Follicular growth and dynamics before and during ovulation in the mare: review for the practitioner]. Few scientists predicted the impact that echography would have on the equine breeding industry. The aim of this practical review is to give the practitioner the ability to be familiar with the ovarian echographic exam. He should be able to recognize different stages of estrous cycle in the mare, status of preovulatory follicles and to predict precisely the time of ovulation. Various specific criteria and details regarding the equine echography are studied and illustrated, using the last scientific data published after the Fifth International Symposium on Equine Reproduction in Deauville.
Recommendations for African horse sickness vaccines for use in nonendemic areas. African horse sickness (AHS), which causes mortality up to 95%, is caused by orbiviruses and is transmitted by Culicoides. The goal of a control and eradication program for AHS is to prevent the spread of the virus via the biological vector. Control measures include slaughter of infected animals, housing of suspected infected animals in insect-proof stalls, and vaccination. Vaccination has played a key role in eradication when AHS occurred outside of Africa. Both modified live vaccines (MLV) and inactivated vaccines have been used to control AHS. An acceptable vaccine should be: safe, efficaci...
Characteristics of L-glutamine transport in equine jejunal brush border membrane vesicles. The sodium-dependent transporter system responsible for L-glutamine uptake by brush border membrane vesicles prepared from equine jejunum was characterized. Vesicle purity was ascertained by a 14- to 17-fold increase in activity of the brush border enzyme markers. Glutamine uptake was found to occur into an osmotically active space with negligible membrane binding. The sodium-dependent velocity represented approximately 80% of total uptake and demonstrated overshoots. Kinetic studies of sodium-dependent glutamine transport at concentrations between 5 microM and 5 mM revealed a single saturable...
Incarceration of the small intestine in the epiploic foramen. Report of 19 cases (1983-1992). The medical records of 19 horses referred for colic and subsequently found (18 confirmed, 1 suspected) to have small intestinal incarceration through the epiploic foramen were reviewed. These horses were of various ages and breeds; they had clinical signs of colic for an average duration of 13.5 hours before examination. Seventeen horses had nasogastric reflux, and 15 had palpable small intestinal distention. Three horses were killed during surgery because of severe intestinal damage. Of the remaining 16 horses, 13 required intestinal resection and anastomosis. The length of incarcerated small...
Structural changes in intercellular junctions during keratinization of the stratum medium of the equine hoof wall. Cells of the intertubular horn of the stratum medium of the equine hoof wall are joined by three types of junctions. Desmosomes and gap junctions were present in all strata. Septate-like junctions and an intercellular line were seen in the distal stratum spinosum subsequent to extrusion of the contents of membrane-coating granules. At a later stage of keratinization, non-membrane-bound acid phosphatase reaction product appeared to leak into the intercellular space except into areas occupied by septate-like junctions and the intercellular line. It is proposed that the formation of septate-like ...
Study on the energy and protein metabolism in horses. The present study focused on energy and protein metabolism in pregnant and lactating mares, including the suckling and weaned growing horses, in order to determine feed availability, as also the energy and protein requirements. The authors found that the feeding diets, consisting of alfalfa hay, oats and compounds, had different availability values in terms of energy and protein, according to animal physiological conditions and age. Thus, the pregnant mares utilized the metabolizable energy (ME) and digestible crude protein (DCP) intake in average proportions of 64.5 +/- 3.2%, 54.6 +/- 3.0%, r...
Etiology and pathology of equine placentitis. Placentas from aborted, stillborn, and premature foals were examined during the 1988 and 1989 foaling seasons, and 236 of 954 (24.7%) had placentitis. Microorganisms associated with placentitis were isolated or demonstrated from 162 of 236 (68.6%) placentitis cases. Leptospira spp. and a nocardioform actinomycete were 2 important, newly emerging bacteria associated with equine placentitis. Major pathogens identified in decreasing order were Streptococcus zooepidemicus, Leptospira spp., Escherichia coli, a nocardioform actinomycete, fungi, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus equisimilis, Ente...
Antagonism of a specific dopaminergic receptor agonist with metoclopramide in horses. Changes in lateral cecal arterial blood flow, mean internal carotid arterial pressure, and heart rate caused by nasogastric administration of fenoldopam (3, 6, and 9 mg/kg of body weight), a selective agonist of dopaminergic receptors, were recorded in 7 healthy horses. Cecal arterial blood flow was significantly increased within 30 minutes after administration of fenoldopam at all 3 dosages, with the peak increases from baseline (67.8 +/- 17.5 ml/min) being 125 +/- 28, 120 +/- 22, and 153 +/- 32 ml/min for 3, 6, and 9 mg/kg, respectively. Although carotid arterial pressure did not change sign...
[The importance of Lyme borreliosis in veterinary medicine]. A study of literature concerning Lyme borreliosis related to animals was done. In the research work the epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of horses, cattle and dogs affected with Lyme borreliosis have been discussed. The clinical signs of Lyme borreliosis in horses are: chronic weight loss, sporadic lameness, laminitis, low grade fever, swollen joints, muscle tenderness and anterior uvetitis. In addition to these clinical sings, neurological sings such as depression, behavioral changes, dysphagia and encephalitis can be seen in chronic cases. Cattle affected with acute Lyme b...
Plasma potassium measurement with a new reagent carrier (Reflotron): comparison with ion-selective electrode results. Potassium concentrations were measured in the plasma of 336 animals with a new reagent carrier (Reflotron; Boehringer Mannheim) K+ and with an ion-specific electrode system: results were highly correlated (r = 0.991; y = 0.993 x + 0.02) and day-to-day coefficient of variation of the new reagent measurements was lower than 2.5 per cent. This system offers a good alternative to the ion-selective electrode system for plasma potassium measurement in veterinary practice.
Haematological parameters of the Polish Primitive Horses. Average values of chosen haematological parameters have been described in a population of 90 clinically normal Polish Primitive Horses. The comparison of the results with values given in literature for horses as a whole and for other breeds enabled us to state that Polish Primitive Horses' blood is characterized by relatively low values of RBC, PCV, segmented neutrophils and monocytes, and high percentage of lymphocytes. It was demonstrated that values of some blood parameters of examined animals are similar to typical results obtained for primitive and cold-blooded horses. Moreover, it was pr...
A preliminary study of transitions between the walk and trot in dressage horses. The object of this study was to determine the limb support sequence during the transitions from walk to trot and from trot to walk in dressage horses under saddle and to test the null hypothesis that the limb support sequence during the transitions is not related to the level of training. Sixteen dressage horses training at novice to FEI Grand Prix level were videotaped performing an average of 9 transitions each from walk to trot and from trot to walk. The 30-Hz videotapes were viewed in slow motion, and based on the limb support sequence the transitions were categorized into two types. In ty...
Mal seco, a grass sickness-like syndrome of horses in Argentina. Mal seco is a grass sickness-like syndrome of horses which has mainly been observed in Patagonia, Argentina, although some reports indicate that the disease may exist in other Argentinian provinces and in the south of Chile. The aetiology of mal seco remains unknown but the disease seems to be restricted to animals grazing on natural pastures and not receiving supplementary feeding. Mal seco is clinically characterized by total or partial bowel stasis and the main findings at post-mortem examination are almost exclusively restricted to the bowel. The most striking histopathological changes fou...
[Comparison of the career profiles of racehorses over three decades]. To compare the career profiles of thoroughbred racehorses in Germany in different decades all horses which raced for the last time in the years 1966/67, 1976/77 and 1986/87 were selected from the annual report of the German Thoroughbred Racing Association. The number of racing horses increased within decades while the percentage of the horses which raced for the last time was equal in all years. It amounted yearly to about 30%. Most of the horses finished racing at three and four years of age. In 1966, 1967, 1976 and 1977 more than 50% of the horses began their career at the age of two years, ...
Detection of humoral antigen and antibody by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in horses with experimentally induced Ehrlichia equi infection. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect antigen in plasma and antibody in serum of 3 horses inoculated with Ehrlichia equi. Clinical signs, including rectal temperature, were correlated with the antigen and antibody detection. ELISA was very efficient in detection of serum antibody. Antigen detection using monoclonal antibodies to E. equi and ELISA should be considered as a diagnostic method.
Motor neuron degeneration in a horse. A 9-year-old Quarter Horse mare was examined because of progressive weight loss, weakness, muscle atrophy and tremors, and behavioral change. Selenium and glutathione peroxidase assays, blood lead analysis, erythrocyte transketolase analysis, pseudorabies and Borrelia burgdorferi serology, electromyography, and CSF analysis were performed. Motor neuron degeneration was diagnosed by microscopic examination of neural tissues. The cause of the disease was not substantiated, but several possibilities were excluded via diagnostic testing. Diagnosis of motor neuron degeneration in horses may be made...
Multi-body modelling and simulation of animal locomotion. Multi-body models of musculoskeletal systems can be used to determine internal forces from measured external forces and movements ('inverse dynamics') and to perform simulations of movements using muscle forces or activations as input ('direct dynamics'). Examples of 'direct' simulations of movements in the horse are presented. With a model of the equine hindlimb, the function of the 'passive stay apparatus' could be explained. A model of the forelimb was used to determine force distributions in the digital flexor tendons, and to experiment with various methods to change the force distribution...
