Veterinary science and horses encompass the study and application of medical, surgical, and therapeutic practices to maintain and improve the health and welfare of equines. This field addresses a wide range of topics, including disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, as well as nutrition, reproduction, and behavior. Research in veterinary science for horses often involves understanding the pathophysiology of equine-specific diseases, developing advanced diagnostic techniques, and improving treatment protocols. This page gathers peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore various aspects of veterinary science related to horses, providing insights into the latest advancements and methodologies in equine healthcare.
Philpott M.This review summarizes the major infectious diseases of the three major agricultural species (cattle, sheep and pigs) and horses, and presents the evidence for and against the possibility of infectious agents being transmitted between animals via the venereal route or by the use of semen or early embryos in commercial artificial insemination (AI) or embryo transfer (ET). Cattle feature most prominently in the widespread distribution of frozen semen, and national and international organizations have set out guidelines to work towards disease-free bull studs with semen free from potential pathog...
Godber LM, Brown CM, Mullaney TP.A 13-year-old American Saddlebred mare was presented with a 4-day history of anorexia. Physical examination revealed increased inspiratory effort and bony enlargement of the distal limbs. Radiographs indicated a thoracic mass and periosteal proliferations on the distal limbs consistent with hypertrophic osteopathy. Gastric endoscopy revealed distal esophageal and gastric ulceration, and functional pyloric stenosis. Abdominal ultrasonographic examination revealed multiple large, cystic structures associated with the liver. A percutaneous biopsy indicated the thoracic mass to be a granular cell ...
Kordula T, Dubin A, Schooltink H, Koj A, Heinrich PC, Rose-John S.Horse blood leucocytes contain an elastase inhibitor (HLEI) belonging to the serpin family. Poly(A)+RNA isolated from these cells was used to construct a cDNA library in lambda gt10, which was first screened with a synthetic degenerate oligonucleotide probe corresponding to the amino acid sequence of the reactive centre of the inhibitor. Three clones were obtained covering the entire coding region of the protein. Sequencing of these clones showed identity with the amino acid sequence obtained from Edman degradation of the elastase inhibitor. The coding sequence of the HLEI cDNA was cloned into...
Lindner A, Bauer S.The effect of storage duration at different storage temperatures on the plasma ammonia concentration of equine EDTA whole blood, EDTA plasma and heparin plasma samples was investigated. Further, the effect of jugular vein compression before and during blood sampling on the plasma ammonia values was evaluated. In EDTA whole blood kept at 4 degrees C there was no significant increase of ammonia content after 6 hours of storage, whereas the increase was already significant 3 hours after collection if the EDTA whole blood was kept at 20-22 degrees C. EDTA plasma samples stored at 20-22 degrees C, ...
Eckert J.Selected ectoparasitoses of animals are reviewed with special reference to the situation in Switzerland. The review contains information on the parasitoses leishmaniasis of dogs, parafilariasis of equines and cattle, onchocercosis of cattle and horses, ixodiosis, demodicosis of dogs and scabies of domestic animals, fly infestation, myiasis, and infestation with fleas and black flies (simuliidiosis). In addition to information on prevalence, biology and pathogenic effects of ectoparasites, the review provides indications on diagnosis and control.
Nakakuki S.The lungs of five horses were examined. At present, in veterinary anatomy, the horse lung is divided into the cranial and caudal lobes by the cardiac notch on either side. In addition to these lobes, in the right lung, the accessory lobe is present. However, from the viewpoint of the bronchial ramifications, the horse lung can be divided into the cranial, middle, caudal and accessory lobes bilaterally. The horse lung has four bronchiole systems on either side, dorsal, lateral, ventral and medial. The cranial lobe is formed by the first bronchiole of the dorsal bronchiole system. The middle lob...
Paweska JT, Barnard BJ.This paper reports the first serological evidence of exposure of donkeys to equine arteritis virus. Seven hundred and thirty-four serum samples collected between 1989 and 1992 from donkeys in different areas of South Africa were examined for the presence of antibodies against this virus by a microneutralization test. Seventeen percent of serum samples tested positive. The distribution of seropositive animals varied from none in the western Cape Province and the Transvaal Highveld to 30% in the northern Transvaal. The country-wide distribution of serologically positive donkeys suggests a longst...
Thein P, Essich G.An investigation was carried out upon occurrence and course of infectious and non infectious diseases as well as the mortality in foals born and raised at the State Stud Marbach/Lauter between 1982 and 1991. The foals have been investigated from birth to weaning, they consisted of 177 Thoroughbred Arabians and 285 German Warmblood foals (total 462 foals). The diseases were divided into pre-, peri- and postnatal according to their known or assumed cause and onset. There was a preponderance of prenatal diseases (11.25%) whereas the perinatal rate was 1.30% and the postnatal rate of diseases was ...
Szalai G, Bailey E, Gerber H, Lazary S.The genetic diversity at the ELA DQ beta locus was investigated using polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing. Based upon serological methods 16 class II homozygous animals were selected and their genomic DNA was used. A DQ beta gene from an equine cDNA library was also sequenced. Our methodology and the similarity between the genomic and the cDNA sequences suggest that the studied locus is expressed on equine lymphocytes. In the predicted amino acid sequence the most extensive variation is located at residues 56-60. The pattern of these five amino acids is strongly correlated to the sero...
Steel JW.The kinetics of avermectin disposition and metabolism in ruminant livestock and horses are reviewed with particular emphasis on the influence of route of administration and formulation on persistence of residues in tissues and excretion in faeces. Because information is not publicly available on other compounds in this class currently under development (e.g. moxidectin, doramectin), ivermectin only is considered. The biological half-life of ivermectin in plasma is similar in cattle and sheep but because of a larger volume of distribution, plasma clearance is more rapid in sheep. However, injec...
Dougherty DM, Lewis P.Using horses, we investigated the control of operant behavior by a tactile stimulus (the training stimulus) and the generalization of behavior to six other similar test stimuli. In a stall, the experimenters mounted a response panel in the doorway. Located on this panel were a response lever and a grain dispenser. The experimenters secured a tactile-stimulus belt to the horse's back. The stimulus belt was constructed by mounting seven solenoids along a piece of burlap in a manner that allowed each to provide the delivery of a tactile stimulus, a repetitive light tapping, at different locations...
Merkens HW, Schamhardt HC, van Osch GJ, Hartman W.Ground reaction force (GRF) patterns from 20 clinically sound Dutch Warmbloods were recorded at the right fore-leading canter, and a standard horse was composed. These GRF data for the standard can be used for evaluation of jumping horses. The GRF patterns were asymmetric for all 4 limbs. The leading right forelimb decelerated the body. The trailing left forelimb propelled the body and decelerated it slightly. The trailing left hind limb propelled, and the leading right hind limb contributed to deceleration and propulsion. Referred to the maximal vertical load of the leading right forelimb, th...
Edens LM, Morris DD, Prasse KW, Anver MR.Protein C is a vitamin K-dependent serine protease with anticoagulant and profibrinolytic activity which is synthesized in the liver. Decreased protein C activity was detected in a Thoroughbred colt with clinical and histopathologic evidence of recurrent venous thrombosis. Although protein C activity was reduced, protein C antigen concentration was normal. Consumptive coagulopathies produce a decrease in both the functional and antigenic concentrations of protein C, thus a defect in protein C synthesis was suspected. Inhibition of gamma-carboxylation secondary to vitamin K antagonism results i...
Schambardt HC, Merkens HW, Vogel V, Willekens C.Using a force plate, ground reaction force (GRF) patterns at take-off and landing between the hooves and the ground were recorded for all limbs of 5 Dutch Warmbloods jumping a 0.8-m vertical fence from the right-leading canter. Distribution of the GRF and force impulses over the 4 limbs at take-off and landing were considerably different from those recorded at the normal canter. At take-off, the propulsory GRF of the hind limbs were 3 to 5 times higher than at the normal canter, depending on the jumping technique of the horse. At landing, the propulsory GRF were mainly increased in the trailin...
Park RD.Radiographic examinations of the equine head can be performed with portable x-ray machines. The views comprising the examination depend on the area of the head being examined. With a knowledge of radiographic anatomy and radiographic signs of disease, valuable diagnostic information can be obtained from the radiographic examination. In addition, the radiographic information can also be used to develop a prognosis and determine the most appropriate therapy.
Gaughan EM, DeBowes RM.Many questions concerning heritability arise when a veterinarian is asked to supervise and treat disease of congenital origin. Genetic counseling, ethics, and legality are often confronted in discussions between animal health professionals and laymen in animal industry. Guidelines have been offered as in the 1984 statement of the Judicial Council of the American Veterinary Medical Association: "Performance of surgical procedures in all species for the purpose of concealing genetic defects in animals to be shown, raced, bred, or sold as breeding animals is unethical. However, should the health ...
MacDonald MH.Examination of the equine head should be a routine part of any complete physical examination. It can be performed rapidly and efficiently while providing important information about the health and function of several major body systems.
van der Kolk JH, van der Wijden MW, Jongejan F.Equine granulocytic ehrlichiosis (EGE) has been observed in the U.S.A., Brazil, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland and possibly in Great Britain. The causative agent is rickettsia Ehrlichia equi, identified for the first time in 1969. The clinical features of the disease are anorexia, fever, depression, (limb) oedema, icterus, ataxia, petechiae and orchitis. Hematologic changes are leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia and cytoplasmic inclusion bodies in the neutrophils and eosinophils. Vasculitis may be observed at autopsy. Following a positive hematological diagnosis (Giemsa stained blood smear) of...
Sisken BF, Zwick M, Hyde JF, Cottrill CM.This review covers the development and maturation of the cerebellum of the horse and compares this developmental sequence with that of man, mouse and chicken. These comparisons attempt to correlate morphological and neurochemical features, developmental time and functional performance necessary for survival at birth. Although there is great disparity between these 3 species, the basic anatomical structures of the cerebellum are present as are specific cellular groups, synapses and neurochemical markers. In addition to this structural homogeneity, other attributes of the cerebellum are its easi...
Freestone JF, Seahorn TL.Nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism is associated with horses that are fed diets with an imbalance of calcium and phosphorus or diets containing oxalates. Clinical signs include a shifting lameness, with tenderness of the joints, reluctance to move, or a stiff, stilted gait. Some horses may have broadening of the nasal bones, enlargement of the maxilla and/or the mandible, or a ridge over the nasal bones. Diagnosis may include physical examination findings; analysis of feed; and clinical pathologic data, which may include normocalcemia, normal to increased serum phosphorus, and increased...
Cancedda M.In this paper some considerations on the environment of the 42 Kmq of the volcanic-basaltic Giara tableland are discussed. Conditioning by the environment and its effect on the distribution of a population of 712 horses is illustrated in view of their social and behavioural organization.
HABEEB AF, SMITH DB.Horse globill and its conlponent polypeptide chains obtained by fractional
precipitation and column chroinatography have been ailalyzed for their con- stituent amino acids. The principal difference between the two chains is that
the valyl-leucyl chain is rich in serine and threonine and poor in glutamic acid
and tryptophan compared to the \-alyl-glutaininyl chain.
Asbury AC.Medical examination of the reproductive system of mares or stallions relevant to purchase is complex, imprecise, and potentially hazardous legally. In these ways it does not differ from other examinations of animals in which purchase is the objective. It is the responsibility of the veterinary profession to undertake these assignments and complete them as conscientiously as possible. After the examination is completed, communication with the principals and documentation of the procedures are essential to success and to the satisfaction of all involved.