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.
McGuire TC.Isolated equine immunoglobulin (Ig)G(T) antibodies to equine infectious anemia virus P26 antigen did not precipitate with antigen when the ratio of antibody to antigen was high. However, at lower ratios of antibody to antigen precipitation occurred. In addition, complement-fixation by IgG and P26 antigen was inhibited by high concentrations of IgG(T). The unusual reaction pattern noted with IgG(T) antibodies was still detectable by the immunodiffusion test for equine infectious anemia virus. In situations of nonprecipitability by IgG(T), the adjacent positive control line was inhibited, and th...
Silvestri R.A macromethod and a semimicromethod were developed to measure erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase activity in cattle, sheep, goats, horses, dogs, and swine, and to measure plasma cholinesterase activity in horses, dogs, and swine. Comparison of the 2 methods with erythrocytes of sheep, cattle, goats, and horses indicated both methods gave similar results. They can be done in a shorter time and are more sensitive than Michel's method. Normal deltapH values per minutes, with standard deviations for blood cholinesterase activity of animals of different ages, sexes, breeds, and species, were: 0.76 +/...
Shively JA, Van Sickle DC.The scanning electron microscopy of synovial membrane from the radiocarpal and intercarpal joints near the lateral and medial borders of the tendon of the extensor carpi radialis muscle was studied in 5 ponies. Three different morphologic types of synovial membrane were observed. Type 1 synovial membrane was folded and had a surface mat of fibers separated by 1- to 5-micron-diameter holes. The 2nd and 3rd types of synovial membrane were both villous. The surface of type 2 synovial membrane was fibrillar but the surface of type 3 synovial membrane was cellular. The type of synovial membrane pre...
Mulhern FJ.There is an increasing need for the veterinary profession to meet the new challenges brought about by increased and intensified livestock production. These challenges consist of control and eradication of diseases, the humane treatment of animals and the prevention of transmission of disease from animals or animal products to man. Examples are given of the contribution which regulatory medicine activities have made to the prevention/control/eradication of screw worm, foot-and-mouth disease, Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis, Newcastle disease, bovine brucellosis, hog cholera, and certain oth...
Allen WE, Newcombe JR.The condition of anoestrus in the mare is described and the various causes of this syndrome are discussed. A regimen for examining systematically the clinically anoestrus mare is proposed, and methods of treatment are suggested.
Pipers FS, Hamlin RL.Echocardiograms were obtained from 25 standing, clinically normal horses, using an ultrasonic recording device. The echobeam penetrated the right thoracic wall in the area of the 4th to 5th intercostal space, with a frequency of 2.5 mHz. Measurements of left ventricular wall thickness generated a mean value of 3.2 +/- 0.18 (SEM)cm, whereas the left ventricular chamber diameter in diastole was 9.3 +/- 0.30 cm and in systole was 5.7 +/- 0.23 cm. The aortic root dimensions had a mean of 7.7 cm, with a SEM of 0.16. Mitral valve closing slope (E-F) was calculated to be 17.7 +/- 0.87 mm/second, and ...
Webbon PM.The results of a survey are presented in which 589 limbs from 206 horses were dissected. In174 of the limbs lesions were found in either the superficial (131) or deep (43) digital flexor tendons. Changes occurring with age were also recorded. The sites of the abnormalities and their macroscopical appearance are described and the value of the results is considered in relation to the diagnosis and the treatment of clinical lesions.
Archer BG, Crawford TB, McGuire TC, Frazier ME.Equine infectious anemia (EIAV) is shown to have an associated RNA-instructed DNA polymerase similar in its cofactor requirements and reaction conditions to the RNA tumor virus DNA polymerases. Demonstrating this DNA polymerase activity requires a critical concentration of a nonionic detergent, all four deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates, and a divalent metal ion. The reaction is sensitive to RNase, and a substantial fraction of the FNA synthesized is complementary to viral RNA. The detection of a complex of tritium-labeled polymerase product DNA-template RNA, which sedimented at 60S to 70S, pr...
Ferguson JA, Reeves WC, Hardy JL.Serologic studies in 24 ponies indicated that prevaccination antibodies to Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis (VEE) virus (strain TC-83) had no influence on hemagglutination-inhibition (HI) antibody stimulation by western equine encephalomyelitis (WEE) or eastern equine encephalomyelits (EEE)-WEE vaccines. However, studies of the effects of VEE neutralizing antibodies on neutralizing antibody stimulation by the heterologous alphavirus vaccines were inconclusive. The VEE, WEE, and EEE antibody responses were studied in 18 VEE-vaccinated (strain TC-83) animals (13 ponies and 5 horses) at 9 to 1...
Hill G, Atkins R, Littlejohn A, Kruger JM, Bowles F.A robust low cost portable radiotelemetry system is described for the horse and its method of operation and advantages briefly discussed. The equipment consisted of 2 electrodes forming a bipolar lead, a transmitter, a receiver and a writing device. The sitting, application and immobilising of the electrodes was a most important factor in obtaining good quality recordings. ECGs were recorded at all paces and also while jumping and the results proved satisfactory.
Scheel J, Duswald KH, Ring J, Seifert J, Scholz S, Brendel W.Eight mongrel dogs received a standard daily i.v. infusion of 20 mg/kg b.w. deaggregated horse-anti-dog-lymphocyte-globulin (ALG) and additional prednisolone (1 mg/kg b.w. daily i.v.) over a maximum period of 82 days following pretreatment with deaggregated normal horse IgG. No sensitization against horse protein was observed during therapy of afterwards as proved by lack of humoral antibodies against horse antigens, maintained lymphopenia, good compatibility, longterm prolongation of xenogeneic skin graft survival (85.6+/-20.6 days, n=8' untreated controls 12.5+/-1.3 days, n=4) and longterm s...
Orzan F, Angelini P, Oglietti J, Leachman RD, Cooley DA.Two cases of horseshoe lung are described; one was suspected and the other was diagnosed preoperatively. Both underwent successful surgical treatment. The embryology of this anomaly is briefly reviewed with reference to the closely related scimitar syndrome (anomalous venous return of right lung to inferior atriocaval junction). Diagnostic studies are discussed with stress on the need for a thorough functional evaluation of both the heart and lungs before the surgical indication is made.
Sato K, Miyake M, Yoshikawa T, Kambegawa A.Concentrations of progesterone and oestrogens were determined by radioimmunoassay in the peripheral blood of 22 Percheron and Breton breed mares from the 6th day of oestrus to the 150th day of pregnancy. Periodical variation patterns for the mean values of oestrone, oestradiol 17beta and total oestrogens in the cycling mares were found, with two peaks on the third day before and the 15th day after ovulation, and one depression on the 6th day of oestrus. In pregnant mares, the concentrations of oestrone and oestradiol 17beta increased rapidly (P less than 0.05) after Day 105 of gestation. Proge...
Littlejohn A, Kruger JM, Bowles F.The relationship of velocity (v) to heart rate (HR)and of kinetic energy (KE) to heart rate, were investigated in 6 normal horses and in 6 horses with chronic obstructive pulmonary, disease (COPD). Radiotelemetry was used to determine the heart rate while subjects were ridden on a 400m track. Velocity was measured by stop-watch between 2 markers 50 m apart at the end of the track. Kinetic energy was calculated from the formula KE =1/2 Mv2, where M = mass of horse, rider, saddle and bridle (KG) and V = velocity (metres per second). In all subjects, the relationship of velocity to heart rate was...
Rogger P, Herrmann N, Ottiger H.The registration of adverse events after the use of immunological veterinary medicinal products (VMP) is the aim of the vaccinovigilance reporting system in Switzerland. Adverse events comprise suspected adverse reactions and lack of expected efficacy. Since the Institute of virology and immunology (IVI) is the competent authority for the regulation of immunological VMP in Switzerland, the reporting system is administrated by the IVI. In 2018, 162 reports concerning authorized immunological VMP were received. While most of the reports were submitted by the marketing authorization holders (79%)...
Puotunen-Reinert A, Huskamp B.A retrospective study on surgical cases of colic in horses (n = 216) revealed that 42 (19.4%) developed post-surgical diarrhoea. Salmonella spp. were isolated in 6 (16.2%) of the cases (n = 37) exhibiting diarrhoea. In 35.7% of the cases (n = 42) recovery from surgery was disturbed by other complications; 23.8% (10/42) died, 2 of which from primary acute diarrhoea due to salmonellosis. Most of the outbreaks of diarrhoea occurred in winter and spring. From the associated variables examined, the duration of colic signs revealed a significant difference between the cases which developed acute pos...
Wagner IP, Hood DM.To evaluate the effect of prolonged water exposure on tissue mass and solutes of outer and inner layers of the stratum medium, sole, frog, and the stratum medium (SMZA) zona alba layer of horses' hooves. SPECIMEN POPULATION: 10 hooves from 10 horses without foot abnormalities. Methods: Hoof wall tissue specimens were obtained and immersed for 10 days in distilled deionized water. Serial changes in mass were recorded during the immersion period. Subsequently, osmolarity and Na+, K, Cl-, and protein concentrations of the immersion solution were quantified. Results: Fully cornified outer hoof wal...
Kibler ML, Pendell DL, Costanigro M, Traub-Dargatz J.Equine injury and disease cause two types of costs for those financially responsible for treating and caring for the infected horse(s); direct costs of treating the horse and indirect cost of lost use of the horse for a period of time to the user of the horse (daily horse use). Indirect costs are more difficult to estimate but pose significant financial implications for equine-owners/caregivers. Additionally, there exists a gap in existing research regarding the valuation of infectious treatment options in horses. Objective: To estimate the value a US horse-owner/caregiver places on daily hors...
Bampidis V, Azimonti G, Bastos ML, Christensen H, Fašmon Durjava M, Kouba M, López-Alonso M, López Puente S, Marcon F, Mayo B, Pechová A....Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of a tincture from the fruit (pericarps and seeds) of Hook f. (star anise tincture) when used as a sensory feed additive for all animal species. The product is a ■■■■■ solution, with a dry matter content of approximately 1.86%. The product contained on average 0.2588% polyphenols (of which 0.0229% were flavonoids, including 0.0036% rutin), anethole (0.018%) and estragole (0.00039%). The Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP)...
Owen M, Ferjak EN, Cavinder CA, McCarty KJ, Yankey KC, Hart CG, Burnett DD, Dinh T, Lemley CO.The objective of this study was to determine the activity of steroid- and eicosanoid-metabolizing enzymes in horses with varying BCSs. The BCSs of twenty non-pregnant, anoestrous mares were determined prior to euthanasia, and tissue samples were collected from the liver, kidney, adrenal gland, ovary and endometrium. Cytochrome P450 1A (CYP1A), 2C (CYP2C), 3A (CYP3A) and uridine 5'-diphospho-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) activities were determined using luminogenic substrates. The MIXED procedure of SAS was used to test the effect of BCS on enzyme activity and differences between tissues. Activ...
Trout DR, Hornof WJ, O'Brien TR.Radiography and soft tissue- and bone-phase scintigraphy were performed on 14 clinically normal horses and 35 horses in which definite, probable, or possible navicular disease had been diagnosed. The specificity of radiography and scintigraphy in revealing signs of navicular disease were nearly equal; however, the sensitivity of scintigraphy appeared to be greater than that of radiography. The greatest sensitivity and specificity were achieved when the results of radiography and scintigraphy were evaluated together. Differences in sensitivity were greatest when scintigraphy revealed lesions no...
Villa R, Cagnardi P, Belloli C, Zonca A, Zizzadoro C, Ferro E, Carli S.The selective COX-2-inhibitor nimesulide is used extra-label in equine veterinary practice as an anti-inflammatory agent. However, there are no data on which to base the rational use of the drug in this species. Objective: To determine the effective COX selectivity of nimesulide in the horse, and suggest a suitable dosing schedule. Methods: The pharmacokinetics of nimesulide in the horse after oral administration (1 mg/kg bwt), and oral and i.v. administration (1.5 mg/kg bwt) were investigated, effects of feeding status on bioavailability determined, and plasma protein binding of the drug and ...
Pham HC, Lasserre B, Tronche P, Couquelet J, Dossou-Gbete V, Palhares de Miranda AL.The effects of 3-dimethylamino 5-(2',6'-dichlorobenzylidene) 6-methyl (4H)-pyridazine (PC 89) on the biosynthesis of PG I2 and TX A2 using horse aorta and horse platelet microsomes as sources of enzymes and arachidonic acid as substrate, were investigated. PC 89 (1.10(-6) M- 1.10(-3) M) dose-dependently - enhanced the biosynthesis of PG I2: the AD50 was 6.8 X 10(-6) M +/- 1.2 X 10(-9) M, the Vmax did not vary significantly with concentrations: PC 89 increased the affinity of enzyme for substrate - but inhibited TX A2 biosynthesis (ID50 = 3.31 X 10(-3) M +/- 4.8 X 10(-7) M): this inhibiting act...
Bowling AT.Dead or deformed foals produced by purebred parents represent an economic and emotional loss to the horse breeder. In order to avoid producing such defective foals in the future, the breeder may seek guidance in determining whether their origin is environmental or genetic. Only a few genetic diseases of horses have been rigorously defined. Selected, rare genetic diseases that prevent reproduction, cause the natural death, or necessitate the humane destruction of a foal before it fulfills its intended purpose serve as examples for collecting evidence to define the genetics of other deleterious ...
White KL, Thomson DL, Wood TC.An indirect immunofluorescence assay was used to detect the presence of H-Y antigen on equine blastocysts. A total of 33 blastocyst stage horse embryos were collected 6 to 7 days post-ovulation by trans-cervical flush and were immediately evaluated for the presence of H-Y antigen. Additionally, 17 embryos, were collected and cultured for 72 h to the expanded blastocyst stage and similarly evaluated. Embryos were placed in medium containing monoclonal antibodies to H-Y antigen followed by incubation in medium containing 1/10 (v/v) fluorescein isothiocyanate conjugated goat anti-mouse IgM Fc spe...
Radcliffe RM, Messiaen Y, Irby NL, Divers TJ, Dewey CW, Mitchell KJ, Schnabel LV, Bezuidenhout AJ, Scrivani PV, Ducharme NG.To report a transnasal, endoscopically guided ventral surgical approach for accessing the cranial and caudal segments of the sphenopalatine sinus for mass removal in a horse. Methods: Case report. Methods: Adult horse with acute onset blindness referable to a soft tissue mass within the sphenopalatine sinus. Methods: A 7-year-old Warmblood gelding presented with a history of running into a fence and falling. No neurologic signs were identified at initial examination but acute blindness was noted 3 weeks later. On computed tomography (CT) the sphenopalatine sinus was filled with a large homogen...
Wormstrand A.An immunological gel-diffusion test for the diagnosis of pregnancy in the mare is described. 56 blood samples from 50 different mares were tested. Control tests were made both by the Ashheim-Zondek method and by clinical examination. The accuracy of the immunological method was 96.4 %. No false positive reactions were observed. It is recommended to draw the blood sample at approximately 45 days or more after the last service. The immunological method is simple, cheap and accurate and is recommended as a routine test for the diagnosis of pregnancy in mares.
Vos JH, Deleu SA, Heling W, de Vries AR, Zeeuwen AA.The most relevant results of a written questionnaire among veterinarians in the Netherlands are presented and discussed. The inquiry was performed by MarketResponse Nederland BV. The objective was to get an overview of the current perception and the future view of the profession. The response was 37%. Most respondents (66%) were practitioners, 7% were active in research or teaching institutions, 5% were governmental employees, 5% were employed in industry, and 17% did not belong to any of these categories (retired, unemployed etc.). Forty-seven per cent of the veterinarians practised mainly sm...
