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.
Martens JG, Martens RJ, Crandell RA, McConnell S, Kit S.Four pregnant mares were inoculated intranasally and/or intravenously with equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1), subtype 1 during the third trimester of gestation. One mare aborted on postinfection day 15, one mare delivered a sick, weak full term foal, and two mares delivered healthy, full term foals. EHV-1, subtype 1 was isolated from several tissues of the aborted fetus and from the thymus of the sick foal. DNA restriction endonuclease patterns of the recovered EHV-1 viruses were identical to those of the EHV-1 challenge strain, documenting the origin of the abortigenic viruses.
Roser JF, Lofstedt RM.Blood and urine samples collected from 12 mares at frequent intervals from 25 to 210 d of pregnancy were analyzed for equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG). Blood and urine samples were collected daily through two consecutive ovulatory periods from five cyclic mares for comparative purposes. Separate radioimmunoassays (RIA) were developed to detect eCG in the urine and plasma. A simple and quick commercial dipstick enzyme-linked immunospecific assay (ELISA), developed for eCG in the blood, was also utilized in this study to detect eCG in the urine. In the 12 pregnant mares, eCG concentrations in...
Nappert G, Vrins A, Breton L, Beauregard M.A retrospective study of 19 ataxic horses admitted to the College of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Montreal during the period of January 1985 to December 1988 is presented. There were 11 cases of cervical vertebral malformation, four of equine degenerative myeloencephalopathy, two of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis, one each of vertebral osteomyelitis and intervertebral disc protrusion. The clinical diagnosis of ataxia in horses requires neurological, radiographic, myelographic, and laboratory examinations.
Sertich PL.Pregnancy was established by transcervical transfer of embryos from performance mares into recipient mares. Estrus was synchronized between donor (n = 17) and recipient (n = 43) mares. After a greater than or equal to 25-mm follicle was detected, donor mares were bred artificially daily until ovulation. Day of ovulation was recorded. Uterine flushes (n = 111) were performed on donor mares 7 days after ovulation, and recovered embryos were transferred transcervically to recipient mares within 2 hours. Embryos were recovered from 40.5% of uterine flushes. Of transferred single embryos, 65.7% res...
Juzwiak JS, Brown MP, Gronwall R, Houston AE.Cephapirin (20 mg/kg of body weight, IV) was administered before and after 3 doses of probenecid (25, 50, or 75 mg/kg, intragastrically, at 12-hour intervals) to 2 mares. Clearance and apparent volume of distribution, based on area under the curve, were negatively correlated with probenecid dose. Clearance of cephapirin was decreased by approximately 50% by administration of 50 mg of probenecid/kg. Serum, synovial fluid, peritoneal fluid, CSF, urinary, and endometrial concentrations of cephapirin were determined after 5 doses of cephapirin (20 mg/kg, IM, at 12-hour intervals) without and with ...
Hamir AN, Reef VB.Gross and histopathological findings in a 9-year-old horse implanted with permanent transvenous pacing cardiac catheters, 18 and 34 months before its death, are described. Lesions consisting of extensive fibrino-haemorrhagic thrombi with large numbers of bacterial colonies were present along the electrode wires and on mural and valvular endocardial surfaces of the right heart. There was a locally extensive area of suppurative endocarditis around the attachment site of the atrial electrode, which was loosely attached by a thin band of membranous tissue to the endocardium. The ventricular electr...
Wallace KD, Selcer BA, Tyler DE, Brown J.Transrectal ultrasonography was performed on the cranial mesenteric artery and its major branches in 23 conscious adult horses. Ultrasonographically, 25 arterial segments were classified as either normal or abnormal. These ultrasonographic classifications were later compared with the gross and histologic evaluations of each artery following necropsy of each horse. In this study, transrectal ultrasonography as a diagnostic test for verminous arteritis had a 90% sensitivity for detecting normal arteries and an 86% specificity for detecting abnormal arteries, suggesting that ultrasonography may b...
Varner DD, Blanchard TL, Meyers PJ, Meyers SA.A breeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of in vitro storage time and temperature on fertilizing capacity of equine spermatozoa. Semen obtained from one stallion and diluted with skim milk-glucose extender was used to artificially inseminate 45 estrussynchronized mares. The mares were assigned to one of three treatment groups (15 mares per group): 1) insemination with fresh semen (collected within 0.5 h of use), 2) insemination with semen stored for 24 h at 20 degrees C or 3) insemination with semen stored for 24 h at 5 degrees C. The mares were inseminated daily during estrus, fr...
Johnstone IB, Physick-Sheard P, Crane S.Plasma antithrombin-III activity was quantitated in plasma samples obtained from 165 clinically normal horses 3 years old or younger. In the horses as a group, antithrombin-III activity ranged from 63 to 131% of a species-specific reference plasma. Thoroughbred horses had significantly higher antithrombin-III activity (103.3 +/- 18.3; mean +/- SD) than did Standardbred horses (92.3 +/- 14.2). The plasma antithrombin-III activities were significantly lower in horses younger than 16 months old when compared with those in more mature horses (3 years old). There was no statistically significant ge...
Schlater LK, Brenner DJ, Steigerwalt AG, Moss CW, Lambert MA, Packer RA.The name Pasteurella caballi is proposed for a group of organisms represented by 29 strains isolated from respiratory and other infections in horses. P. caballi strains are gram-negative, oxidase-positive, nonmotile, fermentative rods with the key characteristics of the genus Pasteurella. These strains differed from other Pasteurella species in that all were aerogenic and catalase negative, and some strains produced acid from myo-inositol and L-rhamnose. The levels of DNA relatedness of 28 P. caballi strains with labeled DNA from the proposed type strain averaged 91 and 85% (hydroxyapatite met...
Olson LE, Perkowski SZ, Mason DE, Muir WW.Strips of trachealis muscle were dissected from the mid-cervical portion of the trachea from horses that were free of respiratory tract disease. The epithelium and mucosa were removed from one group of tissues and were left intact in a second group of tissues. Each tissue was suspended in a bath filled with Krebs-bicarbonate solution that was aerated with 5% CO2 in oxygen and maintained at 37 degrees C. Isometric tension was continuously recorded. The contractile response to square-wave electrical stimulations increased as frequency (3, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 Hz), voltage (10, 15, 18, and 2...
Hutchinson GW, Abba SA, Mfitilodze MW.Longevity in faeces, migration to and survival on herbage of mixed strongyle infective larvae (approximately 70% cyathostomes: 30% large strongyles) from experimentally deposited horse faeces was studied in the dry tropical region of North Queensland for up to 2 years. Larvae were recovered from faeces deposited during hot dry weather for a maximum of 12 weeks, up to 32 weeks in cool conditions, but less than 8 weeks in hot wet summer. Translation to herbage was mainly limited to the hot wet season (December-March), except when unseasonal winter rainfall of 40-50 mm per month in July and Augus...
Olson LE, Perkowski SZ, Mason DE, Muir WW.Strips of trachealis muscle were dissected from the midcervical portion of the trachea of horses that were free of respiratory tract disease, and the overlying epithelium and mucosa were removed. Muscle strips were suspended in tissue baths that were filled with Krebs-bicarbonate solution, aerated with 5% CO2 in oxygen and maintained at 37 C. Isometric tension was continuously recorded. The increase in active isometric tension was concentration dependent when acetylcholine (10(-9) to 10(-4) M) or histamine (10(-9) to 10(-4) M) was added to the tissue baths in 0.5-logarithmic increments. When t...
Edwards WC, Edwards RM, Ogden L, Whaley M.Cantharidin content of male and female Epicauta occidentalis and E conferta was determined. Aspects of the life cycle of blister beetles, taxonomy, pheromonal and adaptive functions of cantharidin relative to the medico-legal aspects of cantharidin poisoning, prevention and control in horses are discussed.
Braverman Y.The feasibility of using infra-red thermography for early and out of season detection of summer seasonal recurrent dermatitis (sweet itch) was tested on 13 sensitive and six insensitive horses in Israel. In summer (June, July and September) six affected mares and two unaffected sensitive mares (one of them a pony) were clearly 'warmer' in the affected zones than three insensitive mares. In winter (February and March) unaffected sensitive horses could be differentiated from insensitive mares by the warm areas detected in the affected zones. Small numbers of Culicoides imicola bites may have bee...
Bukowiecki CF, van Ee RT, Schneiter HL.A comminuted scapular fracture in a foal was treated surgically by use of 2 dynamic compression plates. The plates were applied upside down, so that the convex surface of the plate faced the bone. At 5 months after surgery, the plates were removed, and the foal recovered without complications.
Allen WE, Pycock JF.Mares with persistent and recurrent endometritis are said to be susceptible to infection; in particular they are unable to resolve the acute endometritis that always follows mating. It is thought, therefore, that these mares have a local immunological defect in the uterus that impedes the elimination of bacteria. Studies on immunoglobulins, opsonins and the functional ability of neutrophils in the uterus of susceptible mares have not confirmed the presence of an impaired immune response. It is concluded that factors involved in the production and drainage of uterine fluid may be important in t...
Palmer SE.Five horses with apical and abaxial fractures of the proximal sesamoid bones were treated arthroscopically. Ipsilateral and contralateral triangulation were used to remove abaxial fragments; apical fragments were removed by ipsilateral triangulation. Excellent visibility of the fracture fragments was obtained with each method. Dissection and removal of fragments was accomplished with standard arthroscopic instruments, tendon-splitting knives, and curved scissors. Excellent functional and cosmetic results were achieved in all cases.
Boland CJ, Morris RS.A survey by means of a postal questionnaire was undertaken to investigate the patterns of work and the need for information of veterinary practitioners in New Zealand. Of the 670 eligible veterinarians, 399 practitioners (60 per cent) participated in the survey. Of these, 38 per cent were in large animal practice (less than 20 per cent of work devoted to cats and dogs) and 31 per cent were in small animal practice (more than 80 per cent of work with cats and dogs). The remaining 31 per cent were in mixed practice, with a workload intermediate between the other two groups. Across the entire sam...
Lavoie JP, Spensley MS, Smith BP, Mihalyi J.The uptake of colostral IgG and IgM, their serum half-lives, and the rates of endogenous synthesis of IgG and IgM were evaluated in 6 newborn foals fed bovine colostrum (principals) and 6 foals allowed to suckle their dams (controls). The principal foals were fed 400 ml of bovine colostrum (IgG, 10,000 mg/dl and IgM, 200 mg/dl) at 2-hour intervals, from 2 to 20 hours after foaling (total dose, 4 L). Serum IgG and IgM concentrations were determined by single radial immunodiffusion from birth to 98 days of age. At foaling, principal foals had no detectable serum equine IgG, but 1 control foal ha...
Stadler P, Van Amstel SR.Commercially available Escherichia coli 055: B5 lipopolysaccharide was administered intravenously experimentally at a dosage of 10 micrograms/kg to 2 horses. Various clinical and clinico-pathological parameters were monitored before and after the endotoxin administration. Because of a hopeless prognosis, and for humane reasons, euthanasia was applied on both horses 6 h after administration. Values recorded for the different parameters, including the blood lactate level, were consistent with a lethal condition. It would appear that an intravenous dose of 10 micrograms/kg of endotoxin is potenti...
Cahill JI, Goulden BE.Evidence for a central nervous system component of the distal axonopathy associated with equine laryngeal hemiplegia was found in this survey of 33 horses (control, 15; subclinical, 8; clinical, 10). Significantly higher numbers of axonal spheroids were present in sections of the lateral cuneate nuclei in layngeal hemiplegic horses than in those unaffected by the disease.
Mason DE, Muir WW, Olson LE.Smooth muscle strips from the midcervical portion of the trachea and bronchial smooth muscle strips from third-generation airways of horses were placed in tissue baths, and isometric contractile force was measured. Active force was measured in response to electrical stimulation and exogenous acetylcholine. Square-wave electrical stimuli were applied at various voltages (10, 12, 15, 18, 20, 25 V), frequencies (3, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 Hz), and pulse durations (0.2, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 ms). Isometric contractile force increased as voltage, frequency, and pulse duration increased. Maximal contract...
Burbidge HM, Kannegieter N, Dickson LR, Goulden BE, Badcoe L.Iohexol, a water soluble non-ionic contrast agent, was evaluated for myelography in the horse. Both 300 and 350 mg iodine/ml iohexol gave diagnostic cervical myelograms. Pathological changes were limited to extradural oedema and an increase in the number of white blood cells and specific gravity in the cerebrospinal fluid two days after myelography. This increase in white blood cells in the cerebrospinal fluid was, however, much less than that recorded by other authors using metrizamide and iopamidol contrast media. These findings indicate that iohexol is a less irritant myelographic contrast ...
Tulamo RM, Bramlage LR, Gabel AA.Infectious arthritis was induced experimentally in one tarsocrural joint of six horses by intra-articular injection of 1 ml Staphylococcus-saline suspension containing 9 x 10(4) to 3 x 10(6) organisms. The corresponding contralateral joint was injected with 1 ml of saline and served as a control. The progression of the induced infectious arthritis was assessed over a nine-day period by clinical examination and sequential synovial fluid analysis with pH and lactate measurements. Changes in synovial fluid were present before clinical signs of infectious arthritis were manifested. The diagnostic ...
Gibson KT, Curtis CR, Turner AS, McIlwraith CW, Aanes WA, Stashak TS.Medical records of 210 horses that survived ventral midline celiotomy for at least 4 months were examined and owners were queried to determine factors contributing to incisional hernia formation. The incidence rate of incisional hernias within 4 months was 16%. Factors significantly associated with occurrence of incisional hernias were incisional drainage, closure of the linea alba with chromic gut suture material, previous midline celiotomy, excessive incisional edema, castrated male sex, postoperative leukopenia, and postoperative pain (colic). Factors not significantly associated with occur...
Sánchez-Pacheco UA, Bahena-Mondragón BM, Hernández-Piedras FR, Soria-Osorio R, Meneses-Acosta A.The immunotherapy agents derived from horses are biological products that allow the neutralization of clinically relevant immunogens, such as the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19, or the neutralization of toxins present in the venoms of snakes, spiders, and other poisonous animals. Due to their importance, detecting adventitious viruses in equine hyperimmune serum (raw material in industrial processes) is a critical step to support the safety of products for human use, and, in consequence, it is a requirement for commercialization and distribution. The safety of the finished product is ba...
DE SALES JF, JANSEN J.Xenodiagnosis for habronemosis was 96,6% positive in 87 stud horses at Instituto Oswaldo Cuz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from July-November, 1944. The A A. were unable to identify the Habronema larvae obtained from parasitider fly maggots. Measurements and drawings of the larvae are presented.
Klein WR, Rutten VP, Steerenberg PA, Ruitenberg EJ.Horses with sarcoids, cows with ocular squamous cell carcinoma and dogs with mammary tumors were treated with intralesional injection of Bacillus Calmette Guérin. This treatment appeared to be effective in most cases of equine sarcoids, in 50 - 60% of the cows with ocular squamous cell carcinoma and was not effective in dogs with mammary tumors.
of surveillance testing, April to June 2017International disease occurrence in the second quarter of 2017These are among matters discussed in the most recent quarterly equine disease surveillance report, prepared by Defra, the Animal Health Trust and the British Equine Veterinary Association.
Jaraiz MV, Rodriguez C, San Andres MD, Gonzalez F, San Andres MI.Suxibuzone (SBZ), a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, was administered to 6 horses at a dose rate of 7.5 mg/kg bwt by intravenous (i.v.) route. Plasma and synovial fluid concentrations of suxibuzone and its main active metabolites, phenylbutazone (PBZ) and oxyphenbutazone (OPBZ), were measured simultaneously by a sensitive and specific high-performance liquid chromatographic method. The pharmacokinetic parameters were determined by noncompartmental analysis. Plasma SBZ concentrations rapidly decreased and were not detectable beyond 20 min after treatment. The parent drug was not detected in...
Clutton RE, Chase-Topping M, Squires R, Lawson H, Minard H, Rose S.The dimensions of anaesthetised hobbled horses during suspension and transfer onto the operating table are unknown. These data are required for the cost-effective construction of equine surgical facilities. Objective: To measure the distance from the toe to dependent back margin (Bsusp) and poll (Psusp) of anaesthetised suspended horses and correlate them with readily obtained measures from standing animals. Methods: Digital photographs of suspended horses were taken in the anaesthesia induction box at a fixed position that allowed trigonometric determination of Bsusp and Psusp. These values w...
Lyons ET, Drudge JH, Tolliver SC.In 1 experiment, a prepatent period of 8 or 9 days was recorded for Strongyloides westeri in 4 pony foals raised worm-free but infected with parasitic 3rd stage larvae in the postpartum milk of a mare via gastric intubation. This is about 2 to 6 days less than the usual age that eggs of S westeri appear in the feces of naturally infected suckling foals, in central Kentucky.
In other studies, mares were treated with cambendazole or thiabendazole at 0 to 2 days after parturition and continued for 7 to 16 days. Appearance of S westeri eggs in feces of foals nursing treated mares was prevented ...
Gardner SY, Sweeney RW, Divers TJ.Serum concentrations of cefotaxime and desacetylcefotaxime were measured in 1-week-old pony foals after IV administration of a single dose of cefotaxime. The cefotaxime disposition data conformed to a two-compartment model with elimination half-life of 0.60 hour. The combined cefotaxime and desacetylcefotaxime data was best described by a four-compartment model. The apparent half-life describing the disappearance of desacetylcefotaxime was 1.69 hours. Dosage of 40 mg/kg of body weight given IV every 4 to 6 hours for neonatal foals with gram-negative septicemia and every 2 hours for foals with ...
Allen WE.Plasma concentrations of sodium benzylpenicillin were measured following intrauterine infusion at a dose rate of 22,000 u/kg (250,000 u/ml). The reproductive status of the mare at the time of infusion did not appear to influence plasma concentrations of penicillin, but preswabbing the endometrium for bacteriological culture resulted in peak plasma concentrations which were nearly twice those found in unswabbed mares.
Bittmar A, Kosiniak K.Experiments conducted on the freezability of 400 ejaculates collected from 64 stallions demonstrate the possibility of predicting the semen's ability to withstand the freezing/thawing process. If the sperm concentration, AspAT activity and total protein content in the seminal plasma of raw ejaculates are determined before freezing, the effects of freezing may be forecast in about 80% of the ejaculates.
Evers P, Hoffmann B.This paper describes the use of hormone analysis in the diagnosis of adrenal cortex dysfunction in the dog, cat and horse. Analytical problems concerning the determination of corticosteroid levels are discussed and the pathology of adrenal dysfunction is briefly presented. The paper focuses on the problems in establishing physiological norms for adrenal function based on the established assays. Own experiences and other reported data are referred to.