Measurements of equine foot parameters show limited agreement between radiographs and low-field magnetic resonance imaging. Equine foot radiographs are commonly obtained to measure anatomical conformation parameters. Comparison of measurements between radiographs and low-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has not been extensively explored. Objective: To compare foot parameter measurements between radiographs and low-field MRI, and assess the effect of hoof wall markers on visualising the hoof capsule (during MRI) and facilitating measurements. Methods: Comparative cadaveric analytical study. Methods: Radiography and MRI of nine equine cadaver front feet were performed with and without hoof wall markers, which w...
Spinal Injuries from Equestrian Activity: A US Nationwide Study. Equestrian activities can result in spine injuries. Most studies are from single centers, and none use a national database. It was the purpose of this study to describe the demographics, injury mechanisms, and types of equestrian-associated spinal injuries using a US national ED database. The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System database was queried for equestrian-related spine injuries from 2000-2023. ED disposition was categorized as discharged or not discharged. Statistical analyses accounted for the weighted, stratified nature of the data to obtain national estimates. There we...
A comparison of the efficacy of three commercial human embryo vitrification kits for cryopreservation of in vivo produced equine embryos. Different cryoprotectants can influence the ability of embryos to successfully survive vitrification and subsequent warming before transfer. Objective: To compare pregnancy rates for embryos ≤500 μm vitrified, without puncture or aspiration of the blastocoele cavity, with one of three commercial human embryo vitrification kits containing the same penetrating cryoprotectants (DMSO and EG) but varying in their non-penetrating cryoprotectants (NPCPAs; sucrose, trehalose, dextran serum supplement [DSS], and hydroxypropyl cellulose [HPC]). Methods: In vivo experiments. Methods: Embryos (n =â...
Detection of Novel Orthobunyavirus Reassortants in Fatal Neurologic Case in Horse and Culicoides Biting Midges, South Africa. We detected Shuni virus in horses and ovine fetuses and Shamonda virus in a caprine fetus in South Africa. We identified a Shuni/Shamonda virus reassortant in a horse and Shuni/Caimito, Shamonda/Caimito, and Shamonda/Sango virus reassortants in Culicoides midges. Continued genomic surveillance will be needed to detect orthobunyavirus infections in Africa.
Tracheal collapse rates in Kenyan working cart and pack donkeys. Donkeys (Equus asinus) in East Africa are recognised as working with poorly designed harnesses and carts. The donkey cart used in regions of Africa, specifically Meru County, Kenya, appears to place the cart's weight solely on the donkey's mid-cervical region. The ventral area of the neck is vulnerable to external pressure on the trachea, which is superficially located. Objective: To compare the presence and severity of endoscopic abnormalities in the upper airway and trachea of Meru County working cart donkeys compared to pack donkeys. To determine associations between endoscopic and physical...
Multisystemic Disease and Septicemia Caused by Presumptive Burkholderia pseudomallei in American Quarter Horse, Florida, USA. We report a presumptive case of melioidosis caused by an atypical Burkholderia pseudomallei serotype in an American quarter horse in north-central Florida, USA, through archived formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded specimens dating back to 2006. This case underscores the potential pathologic impact of emergent B. pseudomallei in the Gulf region of the United States.
Indicators of mortality risk in ageing horses. Clinical care for patients with limited life expectancy often requires adjustments, prioritizing immediate benefits over long-term outcomes, as the relevance of future complications diminishes. This study identifies indicators of mortality risk in horses with chronic orthopaedic conditions to enhance individualized care and welfare. Over 3Â years, 123 chronically lame horses and 6 healthy control horses at an animal sanctuary underwent regular (every 3Â months) comprehensive health assessments and activity monitoring using wearable sensors. Data collected included body condition scores, muscul...
Plasma metabolomic profiling during peri-parturition in healthy Thoroughbred mares. Accurate prediction of the timing of parturition is crucial to ensure the health and well-being of both mares and foals. However, equine pregnancies are characterised by significant variability in gestation length, unique endocrine mechanisms, and subtle physiological changes before parturition. Objective: To investigate the characteristic changes in the peripheral metabolites of mares before and after parturition using metabolomic approaches. Methods: Longitudinal in vivo metabolic study. Methods: Plasma samples (n = 95) were collected from successfully foaling Thoroughbred mares (n =â€...
Antimicrobial resistance in bacteria isolated from diseased horses in Poland, 2010-2022. The rise of antibiotic resistance is a global health crisis affecting human and veterinary medicine, highlighted within the One Health framework. Horses, classified as both meat and companion animals, play a crucial role in facilitating resistant bacteria spread to humans. Despite increased awareness and reduced antibiotic use in livestock, data on equine antibiotic use and resistance remain limited. This retrospective study examines antimicrobial resistance in 978 bacterial isolates from horses in Poland over 12 years (2010-2022), utilizing data from the Microbiological Diagnostic Laboratory ...
Effect of Centrifugation of Stallion Semen Through a Low Density Colloid Prior to Freezing on Sperm Cryosurvival. Sperm quality is adversely affected by cryopreservation due to the increased production of reactive oxygen species, which affects the integrity of sperm membranes, motility, and DNA fragmentation. Three methods for removing seminal plasma, washing (centrifuging extended semen at 800× for 10 min) and Single Layer Centrifugation with high or low density Equicoll, were used to prepare 29 ejaculates from ten stallions for freezing. Sperm quality parameters (kinematics, plasma membrane integrity, superoxide and hydrogen peroxide production, mitochondrial membrane potential, and DNA fragmentation)...
Comparison of early and late time-controlled adaptive ventilation on pulmonary gas exchange in anesthetized horses. To compare early versus late time-controlled adaptive ventilation (TCAV) for setting airway pressure release ventilation (APRV) on arterial oxygenation in dorsally recumbent anesthetized horses. Methods: A crossover, nonrandomized, experimental study. Methods: Six healthy adult horses. Methods: Each horse underwent two anesthetics: 1) volume-controlled ventilation (VCV) began for 30 minutes before switching to APRV using the TCAV method (late TCAV, TCAV); and 2) ventilation began immediately with TCAV (early TCAV, TCAV). The study lasted 180 minutes, with arterial blood gases and respiratory m...
Haemoglobin concentration measurement agreement obtained from three different devices in anaesthetised horses. Accurate measurement of haemoglobin concentration is crucial for monitoring the oxygen-carrying capacity in anaesthetised horses. This prospective study aimed to determine the agreement in haemoglobin concentration in anaesthetised horses using the SpHb pulse co-oximeter, an Epoc® blood gas analyser, and values derived from packed cell volume (PCV), which served as the reference method in this study. The study included 34 horses undergoing elective surgeries. Blood samples were collected from each horse and divided for analysis using the microhaematocrit method to estimate haemoglobin concent...
Impact of feeding strategies on the welfare and behaviour of horses in groups: An experimental study. Finding feeding strategies that meet horses' needs without compromising health is essential for optimising welfare, particularly in group housing, where limited hay availability increases aggression and injury risks. Recently, two strategies have emerged: portioning daily intake into smaller, frequent meals using time-controlled hay racks, or slowing intake with "slow-feeders." However, the effects of such management practices on horse behaviour remain underexplored. We conducted a cross-over study with 18 mares divided into four groups to compare three feeding strategies: "traditional" (3 of ...
Evaluation of use of respiratory physiotherapy in treatment of young foals with pneumonia. Pneumonia is a common condition in young, hospitalized foals, causing accumulation of inflammatory secretions to the airways. In humans, respiratory physiotherapy is commonly used as a supplementary treatment for pneumonia with varying results regarding its efficacy, but the efficacy in foals has not been assessed to date. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of respiratory physiotherapy as a supplementary therapy method for young foals with pneumonia. Methods: A total of 44 foals with pneumonia aged under a month were used. The prospective intervention group receivi...
Donkey and Hybrid Anaesthetic Mortality in an Observational, Prospective, Multicentre Cohort Study. Equid anaesthetic mortality is of interest to practitioners. Data for donkey and hybrid mortality have not been specifically described. The main aim of this worldwide observational, prospective, multicentre cohort study was to report on mortality in the 7 days following a general anaesthetic or standing sedation in donkeys and hybrids. This study hypothesised that donkeys and hybrids would have higher mortalities compared to horses. Data were collected as part of the fourth Confidential Enquiry into Perioperative Equine Fatalities (CEPEF4). A total of 825 cases were included, with 757 donkeys ...
Detection using chamber digital PCR with a DNA extraction-free method for gene-doping control. Gene doping, which entails the administration of transgenes, poses a serious threat to the integrity of equine sports and also raises both ethical and regulatory concerns. Current methods used for the detection of such doping often necessitate the extraction of DNA from plasma, which can be time-consuming and labour-intensive. To overcome this limitation, we developed a direct chamber digital PCR (cdPCR) method that enables transgene detection in equine plasma without the need for DNA purification. Using the equine erythropoietin (EPO) transgene as a model, we validated the assay by analysing ...
First Detection of West Nile Virus (WNV) Lineage 2 in Mosquitoes in the Republic of Kosovo. West Nile virus (WNV, family Flaviviridae) is the most geographically widespread arbovirus affecting humans. It circulates between wild birds and mosquitoes, while humans and horses are dead-end hosts. In recent years, several outbreaks have been reported from European countries, including the Balkan Peninsula. In the Republic of Kosovo, a southern Balkan country, data on WNV are scarce, and neither mosquito monitoring nor WNV surveillance is established. To address this gap, we aimed to assess a first monitoring approach that should set the basis and support future large-scale activities in t...
Dual-Energy Computed Tomography for the Detection of Bone Edema-Like Lesions in the Equine Foot: Standing Horses and Cadaveric Specimens. Dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) is a promising advancement for detecting bone edema-like lesions (BME). However, its application in horses remains limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate DECT virtual-non-calcium (VNCa) imaging in the equine foot and establish which confounding factors could influence its applicability in clinical practice. The DECT VNCa map of 14 standing and 5 cadaveric (recumbent) cases with foot-related lameness was scored in consensus by two readers in comparison to MRI. Overall, 17/19 cases demonstrated BME on MRI, whereas 2 did not. Agreement between DECT V...
Equine Bone Imaging, Part 1: Establishing an Equine Nuclear Medicine Facility. While the establishment and operation of an equine nuclear medicine department share several principles with those of human nuclear medicine departments, they require an additional skill set to ensure safe and effective operation. This article explores the practical aspects of equine nuclear medicine facility location and design and details important considerations for safe and practical operation. Key considerations associated with the differences in physical and radiation safety and imaging approaches are explored. Specific adaptations of γ-camera gantries to allow either planar imaging or ...
Equine Bone Imaging, Part 2: Role of Nuclear Medicine in Racehorses. The horse racing industry, like any sport, must contend with the effects of injuries on an athlete's performance and longevity. Catastrophic fractures linked to preexisting bone fatigue can be prevented with the use of imaging technology, such as the nuclear medicine bone scan. The accessibility and affordability of imaging for racehorses remain obstacles. The conventional role of bone scintigraphy has evolved with the advent of advanced techniques, including MRI, CT, and PET. Concurrently, SPECT has expanded the role of scintigraphy in the racehorse. This article explores the conventional and...
Stress responses of horses transported long-distance by road to and from a jumping competition in a tropical climate. Long-distance road transport is known to be stressful for horses, with most research conducted in temperate climates. This study investigated horses' stress responses during long-distance transport before and after a jumping competition in a tropical environment. Ten healthy horses (aged 7.9 ± 1.9 years) were studied. Blood cortisol concentrations, haematology, and heart rate variability (HRV) were monitored during outbound (OTJ) and inbound journeys (INJ). Cortisol concentrations increased five minutes after unloading and remained elevated for up to 180 minutes in the OTJ (P < 0.05-0.001)...
Is Rifampin (Rifampicin) Essential for the Treatment of Rhodococcus equi Infections in Foals? A Critical Review of the Role of Rifampin. Rifampin is an enigma among antimicrobials. Blood and tissue compartment concentrations are a "moving target" along the treatment course due to the complex pharmacodynamic interactions within the body. Rifampin concomitant therapies are for the prevention and treatment of Rhodococcus equi infection in foals, for nearly 40 years. The necessity of rifampin concomitant therapies is based on beliefs that both antimicrobials (e.g., rifampin plus macrolide) penetrate into pulmonary abscesses and intracellular compartments above R. equi minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs), as well as better ef...
Prevalence of musculoskeletal injuries associated with lameness in Australian campdraft horses. Campdrafting is a unique Australian cow horse sport, which evolved from mustering cattle and is one of Australia's fastest growing equine sports. This discipline is associated with its own unique set of musculoskeletal injuries yet to be reported. Objective: To describe the prevalence, anatomical location, and diagnostic modality used to localise lameness in campdrafting horses to better assist efficient orthopaedic management of the campdraft horse. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Medical records were examined from one private practice equine group and one university veterinary h...
Computed tomographic myelography of the cranial cervical spine in Warmblood horses with no spinal pathology-Inter- and intravertebral ratios and distribution of contrast columns in neutral and flexed cervical spine. Computed tomographic myelography (CTM) and radiographic myelography (RxM) are diagnostic for extradural spinal cord compression, but knowledge about the contrast distribution in flexion and normal position of nonaffected horses is lacking. Objective: (1) To determine the inter- and intravertebral ratios at C3-C4 of CTM in neutral and flexed positions in Warmbloods. (2) To compare the diameters of the spinal cord and the contrast columns at C3-C4 between neutral and flexed positions in CTM and RxM. (3) To evaluate the variability of measurements. Methods: Terminal in vivo method-comparison stud...
A Pilot Study on Blood Concentration of β-Amyloid (40 and 42) and Phospho-Tau 181 in Horses. In humans, aging is often accompanied by cognitive decline, as seen in Alzheimer's disease. In contrast, the aging process in horses remains poorly characterized. This study aims to explore the presence of blood-based biomarkers associated with cognitive degeneration in this species. Twenty-three Arabian horses were enrolled, and 5 mL of blood was collected from each to measure serum levels of β-amyloid peptides (Aβ40 and Aβ42) and phosphorylated tau protein (pTau181), both considered reliable indicators of cognitive impairment in other species. Aβ42 was undetectable in all samples, while ...
Novel primers for the detection and differentiation of S. zooepidemicus and S. equi by PCR. Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus (S. zooepidemicus) is a commensal opportunistic bacterium associated with outbreaks of equine respiratory disease alongside a diverse range of diseases in various species. The closely related Streptococcus equi subspecies equi (S. equi) is the causative agent of 'strangles', the most frequently diagnosed contagious equine disease. Despite differing clinical signs, the two subspecies share approximately 97Â % DNA homology and respectively present serious equine health and welfare concerns. Currently there are few PCR assays targeting unique regions of...
Bilateral testicle teratoma in an equine fetus: a rare case. Fetal loss in mares can result from a range of causes, including infectious agents or noninfectious conditions such as neoplasia, which may originate from either the fetus or the dam. Among neoplastic conditions, teratomas are rarely reported and, to date, have not been described in the equine fetal testis. Teratomas arise from the partial differentiation of pluripotent germ cells and may occur in young and adult horses, typically in cryptorchid testes. Their gross and histopathological features vary widely between cases. This report describes a rare case of bilateral fetal testicular teratoma...
Using Tennessee youth hippology contest results as a needs assessment for 4-H horse project members and development of a train-the-trainer program for Tennessee extension agents. Land-Grant Institutions and Cooperative Extension Services seek to disseminate information to the public; however, Extension agents differ in areas of expertise, leaving some counties with minimal ability to provide 4-H horse project members with sufficient content knowledge while agents in other counties are more well versed in equine-specific areas. Results from the 2021 and 2023 Tennessee regional and 2022 Eastern National 4-H Hippology contests were used to determine areas of knowledge deficiency. Nutrition, tack, selection, health, and breeds were categories identified as areas in which 4...
Equine Veterinarian Perspectives on Mucocutaneous Tumors in Horses: A Survey-Based Study in Portugal. This study explores equine veterinarians' clinical practices regarding mucocutaneous tumors, based on a survey conducted among members of the Portuguese Association of Equine Veterinarians, and examines their perceptions of owner and buyer concerns regarding these tumors. Veterinarians expressed significantly greater concern about squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) during routine examinations ( < 0.001) compared to sarcoids and melanomas. Concern over sarcoids was significantly greater during pre-purchase evaluations compared to routine clinical exams ( = 0.03). For melanomas, a trend toward increa...
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