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.
Ambache N, Killick SW.1 Graded motor responses were elicited in isolated, desheathed, thin strips of dog, horse, pig and sheep retractor penis (RP) muscles by field stimulation with trains of 0.2 ms pulses at 10 hertz. These twitches were shown to be neurogenic in all four species, by their prompt extinction in tetrodotoxin.2 alpha-Adrenoceptor blocking drugs abolished the contractile response to noradrenaline and to tyramine in all four species.3 Motor transmission was wholly adrenergic in the horse as in the dog RP because phentolamine rapidly abolished the electrically induced twitches in both these species; but...
Klingeborn B, Dinter Z.Antibody to equid herpesvirus 1, which mediates single radial hemolysis, is that responsible for neutralization. Hemagglutination inhibition antibody is not necessarily involved in neutralization or hemolysis.
Purdy CW, Porter RC, Ford SJ.Immunogenicity and safety of an equine herpesvirus 1 (ehv-1) vaccine were studied in 111 foals varying in age from 1 to 122 days. Each of 88 principals was given 1 im injection of vaccine. Five of the 88 foals were revaccinated; 69 of the vaccinated principals and 23 nonvaccinated foals (serving as controls) were challenge exposed intranasally with virulent ehv-1.
The vaccine failed to cause adverse local or systemic reaction in 88 principals with serunirneutralization (sn) titers against ehv-1 varying between 0 to 1:256 at time of vaccination. After vaccination, the foals' body temperature...
Fujita K, Suzuki I, Ochiai J, Shinpo K, Inoue S, Saito H.We found that aloe extract contains a lectin-like substance which reacts with serum proteins of various animals. Furthermore, in human serum 2 proteins, alpha2-macroglobulin and alpha1-antitrypsin, were shown to be reactive with aloe extract.
Benson JA, Dawson FL, Durrant DS, Edwards PT, Powell DG.A serum agglutination and antiglobulin test is described for the detection of antibodies to the contagious equine metritis organism. A provisional interpretation of the test is proposed and using this interpretation the results of 66 such tests are discussed.
Roberts MC, Groenendyk S, Kelly WR.A 4 month old foal with right sided maxillary enlargement and considerable upper airway obstruction had an ameloblastic odontoma in the right maxillary sinus. This odontogenic tumour, probably congenital in nature, had extensively distorted the structure and contours of the sinus, and displaced the adjacent turbinates and nasal septum.
Odberg FO.The ability of 10 horses to hear frequencies between 14 and 25 Kc/s was tested. The horses appeared to perceive ultrasounds by showing either fright reactions or Pryer reflexes to all of the 12 frequencies. The highest frequencies were heard less by older animals, and elicited more reactions in geldings than in mares.
Davies ME.A detailed study was made of 194 equine strains of E. coli, involving biochemical and serological characters. In these, the equine strains closely resembled E. coli from other sources, and shared antigenic characters with strains isolated from different animal species.
Edwards GB.Results of the clinical and radiographic examination of 8 lame horses with tarsal sheath distension are described. In chronic cases pathological exostoses were identified radiographically in the sustentaculum tali and were demonstrated at post mortem in 4 of the horses which were destroyed. The prognosis and the feasibility of treatment are discussed in the light of these changes and the associated damage found at post mortem in the deep flexor tendon and its sheath. Trauma to the hock was known to have occurred in half the cases and was suspected in the others.
Vanselow B, McCarthy M, Gay CC.The occurrence and timing of heart sounds were examined from phonocardiograms taken from the mitral, aortic and tricupsid recording areas in each of 18 horses. 10 sound events could be identified with each cardiac cycle. Atrial contraction produced up to 3 sound events. The first heart sound consisted of 4 components whereas the second sound was single. Two sound events were associated with the 3rd heart sound in early diastole. The occurrence of third and fourth heart sound components varied between horses and between recording areas. The mitral recording area was considered most satisfactory...
Fuentes VO.Combinations of promaxine HCl and ketamine HCl were used to produce short term dissociative anaesthesia in the horse under normal clinical conditions. Premedication with 1 mg/kg promazine HCl followed 5 min later by a rapid i.v. injection of 2 mg/kg ketamine HCl, induced dissociative anaesthesia of 16 +/- 1 min. When 1 mg/kg promazine HCl and a 2 mg/kg ketamine HCl were given simultaneously by rapid i.v. injection, a state of dissociative anaesthesia was induced with a mean duration of 17.1 +/- 2 min. Both treatments permitted minor surgery in the horse.
Kiryu K, Kaneko M, Satoh H.Histopathololgical observations were performed on the heart and cardiac nervous system of 5 horses affected with wandering pacemaker. The histopathological lesions common to all the animals were as follows: (1) Focal fibrosis in the atrial myocardium just beneath the subendocardium and/or in the endo- and subendocardium, and existence of atrial Purkinje-like fibers within the fibrotic lesions, (2) Microvascular altetation, characterized by edematous-loosening and/or fibrous swelling of the walls of the small and minute arteries, in both the atria, (3) Edema in the intracadiac nerves of both th...
Kallfelz FA, Whitlock RH, Schultz RD.Whole blood containing 59Fe-labeled erythrocytes (RBC) and unlabeled serum was transfused from a donor horse on 2 occasions into each of 6 recipient horses. Survival of transfused cells was monitored in the recipients as a function of time after transfusion by measuring RBC radioactivity in the recipients. After the 1st transfusion, RBC concentration of 59Fe remained at 60% to 100% of the transfused dose for 4 days, after which radioactivity values dropped to less than 10% of the dose by 6 days in 3 horses. In the 3 other horses, RBC radioactivity dropped immediately after transfusion, reachin...
Murray DR, Ladds PW, Johnson RH, Pott BW.Extensive subcutaneous phycomycosis of the lower hindlimb developed over a period of 8 months in a Thoroughbred filly. There was no response to treatments such as trichlorphon, sodium iodide, or etisazole. Extension of the limb lesion over the following 3 months was associated with an enlarged inguinal lymph node, which was removed. Characteristic phycomycotic lesions were observed in the node, and a fungus having the morphologic features of Hyphomyces destruens was isolated from both the limb and nodal lesions.
Costa G, Labadia A, Garcia-Sacristan A.The effects of verapamil, a calcium antagonist agent, were studied on smooth muscle preparations of the lower urinary tract of horses. Verapamil (2 X 10(-4) to 2 X 10(-8) M) relaxed the ureter, urethra and urinary bladder preparations contracted by potassium (127 mM), L-noradrenaline (2 X 10(-5) M), histamine (2 X 10(-5) M) and acetylcholine (2 X 10(-5) M). These results allow the conclusion that verapamil has a dose-dependent relaxing effect on smooth muscle of the lower urinary tract.
Waldern NM, Kubli V, Dittmann MT, Amport C, Krieg C, Weishaupt MA.In Icelandic horses (ICE), high, long hooves with added weights are often used to improve gait quality in competitions. From a biomechanical point of view, excessively long hooves can be problematic as they increase forces acting on the distal limb. The study aimed to determine if hoof capsule size and angle of ICE at competitions are comparable to those of Warmblood horses (WB) requiring shoeing. Hoof dimensions and balance were quantified in 13 horses of each breed at the beginning of a shoeing period (BSP), allowing a baseline comparison between breeds, as well as for WB at the end of a sho...
Zhang XY, Zhu FX, Robinson NE.To investigate the effects of changes in intracellular cAMP on alpha 2-adrenoceptor (AR)-induced inhibition of airway acetylcholine (ACh) release, we examined the effects of the alpha 2-AR agonist clonidine on electrical field stimulation-evoked ACh release from equine tracheal parasympathetic nerves before and after treatment with 8-bromo-cAMP or forskolin. We also tested whether charybdotoxin (ChTX)- or iberiotoxin (IBTX)-sensitive Ca(2+)-activated K+ channels mediate alpha 2-AR-induced inhibition by examining the effect of clonidine in the absence and presence of ChTX or IBTX on ACh release...
Olive J, Vila T, Serraud N.To compare navicular bone marrow lesion (BML) conspicuity in the feet of horses as determined via 2 fat-suppressed MRI techniques, including standard short tau inversion recovery (STIR) and inversion recovery gradient echo (IRGE). Methods: Feet (n = 150) of horses with lameness referable to the distal portion of the digit. Methods: STIR and IRGE sequences were obtained prospectively in all feet with a standing low-field equine MRI system. Presence of a BML was ascertained by identification of a characteristic combination of marrow alterations in T1-weighted, T2*-weighted, T2-weighted, and STIR...
Weatherall KM, Boone LH, Munsterman A, Hanson RR.To determine the compressive effect of abdominal bandages after ventral midline celiotomy closure in horses. Methods: Ex vivo, experimental study. Methods: Equine cadavers (n = 18), six per group. Methods: A 20-cm ventral midline celiotomy was created in each of 18 equine cadavers. A 200-L inflatable bladder was placed in the abdomen, and the linea alba was apposed. Horses were randomly assigned to no bandage (C), elastic (E), or Velcro inelastic (I) bandage groups for testing. Circumferential bandages were placed with a subbandage pressure monitoring system over the incision. The bladder was ...
Gordon D, Clark-Price S, Keating S, Schaeffer DJ, Lascola KM.This study evaluated the effects of various flow rates and fractions of oxygen on arterial blood gas parameters and on the fraction of inspired oxygen (FO) delivered to the distal trachea. Oxygen was administered to 6 healthy, conscious, standing, adult horses via single nasal cannula positioned within the nasopharynx. Three flow rates (5, 15, 30 L/min) and fractions of oxygen (21, 50, 100%) were delivered for 15 minutes, each in a randomized order. FO was measured at the level of the nares and distal trachea. Adverse reactions were not observed with any flow rate. FO (nares and trachea) and P...
Powers JD, Powers TE, Varma KJ, Gabel AA, Spurlock SL.Quantification of the clinical manifestations of a disease has been a serious problem particularly as related to clinical trials or drug efficacy studies. Historically, this quantification has been limited to categorizing each patient into one of three or four groups, e.g. worse, no improvement, improved. This problem becomes serious when an investigation utilizes an experimentally induced animal disease model. A health index, which quantifies the clinical state of horses which have an experimentally induced beta-hemolytic streptococcal infection, is described. Aspects of experimental design a...
Nasir L, Reid SW.An evolutionary conserved 1.3 kb fragment corresponding to the horse p53 tumour suppressor gene was PCR amplified, cloned and the nucleotide sequence determined. The p53 fragment encoded exons 5 to 9 and the intervening introns. The nucleotide sequence and the predicted aminoacid sequence showed a high level of homology with human and donkey p53 sequences.
Beccati F, Pepe M, Antinori L, Pascucci L, Chiaradia E, Mandara MT.The aim of this study was to delineate the pattern of sympathetic innervation in the suprasesamoidean region of the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) in horses with tendinopathy by immunohistochemical labelling for tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and α-1 adrenergic receptor (α1-AR). Twelve forelimbs were obtained from 10 horses with DDFT tendinopathy and six feet obtained from six horses were used as healthy controls. Post-mortem radiographic, ultrasonographic and gross examinations were performed on the suprasesamoidean area of the DDFT to assess the presence of tendinopathy. Longitudinal section...
Meurice A, Pujol R, De Fourmestraux C, Coquillon M, Tessier C.Surgical approaches to the equine rectum and perirectal area are described in the literature. However, surgeries in this region can be challenging. Objective: To describe the surgical anatomy of the presacral space and to evaluate its access using a retroperitoneoscopic approach. Methods: Ex vivo experiment. Methods: Preliminary dissections were performed in two cadavers to define the boundaries of the presacral space and to determine portal locations for the surgical approach. After that, nine cadavers were used for experimental presacral retroperitoneoscopic procedure in a standing position....
Freeman DE.Wounds of the esophagus and trachea are uncommon, but closed wounds can be difficult to diagnose and treat. Esophageal wounds are the more serious and can be life-threatening; however, appropriate surgical and medical treatment applied without delay can be successful in some cases, especially in full-thickness longitudinal wounds. Tracheal wounds are usually less severe, but the high risk of iatrogenic injuries to the trachea should be recognized. Also, tracheal injuries can limit the athletic potential of a horse.
Schumacher J, Taintor J, Schumacher J, Degraves F, Schramme M, Wilhite R.The role of the communicating branch between the medial and lateral palmar nerves of horses (i.e. the ramus communicans) in conveying sensory impulses proximally should be determined to avoid errors in interpreting diagnostic anaesthesia of the palmar nerves. Objective: Sensory nerve fibres in the ramus communicans of horses pass proximally from the lateral palmar nerve to merge with the medial palmar nerve, but not vice versa. Objective: To determine the direction of sensory impulses through the ramus communicans between lateral and medial palmar nerves. Methods: Pain in a thoracic foot was c...
Colles CM.This paper describes the application of foil strain gauges to the hoof wall, and the use of measuring equipment to monitor weightbearing and changes in hoof shape in shod and unshod horses. It concludes that the systems can detect hoof movement and that results are reproducible. It is also concluded that the use of a conventional nailed on iron shoe restricts flexion and spreading of the hoof wall at the ground surface, but has little effect on the degree of expansion of the heels of the foot.
Calixto LC, Martinez JR.Cortisol is a hormone secreted by the adrenal glands that is stimulated by physiological and pathological factors and has been studied widely in equids, but not in mules. The objectives of this study were to obtain a reference value for serum cortisol in mules destined for agricultural activities and to identify age- and gender-related differences in the value. The concentration was obtained in blood samples using a commercial sandwich ELISA specific for cortisol. The concentration was 96.3 ± 40.6 ng/ml and similar between age groups and genders.
