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At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1979

The role of allergy in chronic pulmonary disease of horses.

Twenty-five horses with chronic pulmonary disease were skin tested with allergenic extracts of 24 molds, 4 thermophilic actinomyces, barn dust, hay dust, soya-bean mill dust, and grain mill dust. The results were compared with those obtained on 25 normal horses. Between the 2 groups of horses, there was a highly significant difference in positive skin test results at 30 minutes and 4 hours.

Acremonium↗
PubMed1985

Pharmacology and pharmacokinetics of drugs used to treat cardiac disease in horses.

The rational therapy of cardiovascular disease in horses requires a thorough knowledge of the pharmacology and pharmacokinetics of several specific drugs (digitalis, digoxin). Calcium solutions, dopamine, and dobutamine are frequently used to treat congestive heart failure in horses. Quinidine, procainamide, lidocaine, and propranolol are used to treat a variety of supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias. Furosemide, a highly potent loop diuretic, is used to eliminate edema and promote diuresis. A thorough understanding of the applied pharmacology, dosage recommendations, toxicity, and practical considerations must be attained before these drugs can be used effectively.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1996

The pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease of horses.

Present evidence suggests that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) of horses is a delayed hypersensitivity response to inhaled antigens, particularly the thermophilic moulds and actinomycetes that grow in damp hay. Within several hours of exposing COPD-susceptible horses to such hay, neutrophils invade the lung and accumulate in the lumens of airways, particularly bronchioles. The inflammatory response is accompanied by increased levels of histamine in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, increased plasma levels of the inflammatory mediators thromboxane and 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE), and a decrease in the production of prostaglandin (PG) E2 by the airway mucosa. During acute exacerbations of COPD, airways exhibit nonspecific hyperresponsiveness and become obstructed as a result of bronchospasm and the accumulation of mucus and exudates. Bronchospasm is due largely to activation of smooth muscle muscarinic receptors by acetylcholine (ACh). Because the in vitro response of smooth muscle to ACh is unaltered, the increase in airway smooth muscle tone is probably a result of activation of airway reflexes by inflammatory mediators and decreases in inhibitory mechanisms such as the intrapulmonary nonadrenergic noncholinergic nervous system and the production of PGE2 in affected horses. The diffuse airway obstruction leads to uneven distribution of ventilation, ventilation/perfusion mismatching, and hypoxaemia. As a result of the increased respiratory drive caused by hypoxaemia and the presence of airway obstruction, horses adopt a characteristic breathing strategy in which very high peak flows at the start of exhalation rapidly diminish as exhalation proceeds.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

A survey of neurological diseases in horses.

Case records of 450 horses with signs of neurological disease are reviewed. One hundred and nineteen horses with neurological disease due to trauma were examined, of which 60 were due to spinal cord trauma, 47 to brain or cranial nerve trauma and 12 to peripheral nerve trauma. Cervical vertebral fractures/trauma were the most common injury. Basisphenoid/basioccipital bone fractures were the most common form of cranial trauma and facial nerve paralysis the most common cranial nerve injury. Eighty-nine horses with neurological disease due to malformation were examined. Cervical vertebral malformation occurred in 83 horses and congenital defects in 6 foals. Neurological disease due to inflammation or infection occurred in 30 horses. The most common disease of this type was meningitis, which occurred in 11 horses and foals. Neoplasms in the CNS caused neurological disease in 8 horses. The final category was miscellaneous neurological disease, which was diagnosed in 204 horses. Diseases in this category included neonatal (28 cases), toxic/metabolic (27 cases), idiopathic (133 cases), degenerative (3 cases) and other neurological diseases (13 cases). The most common condition was idiopathic laryngeal hemiplegia (116 cases). Where possible, diagnosis relied on a thorough neurological examination with use of ancillary tests in selected cases including rhinolaryngoscopy, radiography, myelography, ophthalmoscopy and cerebrospinal fluid analysis when indicated. In many cases necropsy and histopathological confirmation or diagnosis was necessary.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2002

Evaluation of a cranial arthroscopic approach to the stifle joint for the treatment of femorotibial joint disease in horses: 23 cases (1998-1999).

OBJECTIVE: To describe a single-portal cranial arthroscopic approach to the stifle joint in horses and to determine the clinical outcome in horses with femorotibial joint disease in which this approach was used. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 23 adult horses. PROCEDURE: Medical records were reviewed to obtain information on clinical outcome in horses in which the single-portal cranial arthroscopic approach was used. RESULTS: Twenty-nine stifle joints of 23 horses were examined arthroscopically, using the described approach. Subchondral bone cysts were treated in 19 medial femoral condyles of 12 horses. Unilateral cruciate ligament desmitis (4 horses), meniscal tearing (3), or both (2) were identified in 9 horses. Evidence of degenerative joint disease without cystic lesions or soft tissue trauma was found in 2 horses. Information on clinical outcome was obtained for 21 of 23 horses. A successful outcome was obtained in 15 of 21 horses and was defined as return to sound performance at a degree equal to or better than that prior to injury and lameness. Eight of 12 horses treated for medial femoral condylar cysts had a successful outcome. Four show horses treated for cruciate ligament lesions alone successfully returned to showing activity. None of the 3 horses with meniscal tearing were able to perform successfully. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The femorotibial joint was evaluated through a single-portal cranial arthroscopic approach, using the femoropatellar joint as the point of access. This approach was easy to perform, allowed controlled access to the femorotibial joint, avoided accidental damage to articular structures, and required fewer access portals.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Infectious agents in acute respiratory disease in horses in Ontario.

A study of acute respiratory disease in horses in Ontario was undertaken to determine the identity of current causative infectious agents. A nasopharyngeal swab was designed and utilized to maximize isolation of viruses, mycoplasma, and pathogenic bacteria. Serum samples were collected for parallel determination of antibody titers to equine influenza virus type A subtype 1 (H7N7) and subtype 2 (H3N8), equine rhinovirus types 1 and 2, equine herpesvirus type 1, Mycoplasma equirhinius, and Mycoplasma felis. Equine rhinovirus type 2 was recovered from 28/92 horses tested, and equine influenza virus type A, subtype 2, was recovered from 5. The mycoplasma and bacteria isolated were consistent with those commonly associated with nonspecific respiratory diseases in horses, except that Streptococcus pneumoniae capsular type 3 was isolated from 10 horses.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1991

Soft tissue- and bone-phase scintigraphy for diagnosis of navicular disease in horses.

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 not detected by radiography. Although a diagnosis of navicular disease was sometimes made when only soft tissue-phase or only bone-phase scintigraphy revealed lesions, results obtained during the 2 phases generally were similar. It was concluded that scintigraphy can be a valuable aid in diagnosing navicular disease in horses, especially when radiographic findings do not support clinical findings.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Synovial fluid gelatinase concentrations and matrix metalloproteinase and cytokine expression in naturally occurring joint disease in horses.

OBJECTIVES: To determine concentrations of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and -9 in synovial fluid; and mRNA expression of MMP-1, -13, and -3; interleukin[IL]-1alpha and beta; and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha in synovial membrane and articular cartilage from horses with naturally occurring joint disease. SAMPLE POPULATION: Synovial fluid (n = 76), synovial membrane (59), and articular cartilage (45) from 5 clinically normal horses and 55 horses with joint disease categorized as traumatic (acute [AT] or chronic [CT]), osteochondritis dissecans (OCD), or septic (S). PROCEDURE: Synovial fluid gelatinase concentrations were analyzed, using zymography. Synovial membrane and articular cartilage mRNA expression for MMP-1, -3, and -13, IL-1alpha and beta, TNF-alpha, type-II collagen, and aggrecan were analyzed, using quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Synovial fluid pro-MMP-2 concentration was significantly higher in diseased joints than normal joints. Septic joints had significantly higher concentrations of pro and active MMP-9. Stromelysin-1 was expressed in > or = 80% of synovial membrane and articular cartilage samples and was strongly influenced by age. Collagenases were rarely expressed, with MMP-13 expressed only in diseased joints. Interleukin-1beta expression was significantly higher in all OCD samples and was influenced by age. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha expression was significantly higher in cartilage from joints with AT and OCD. There was no correlation between MMP or cytokines and type-II collagen or aggrecan expression. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -3 are abundant in naturally occurring joint disease and normal joints. Interleukin-1beta and TNF-alpha may be important in the pathogenesis of OCD. Age affects MMP and IL-1beta concentrations.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Clinical and pathological studies in horses with hepatic disease.

In horses with hepatic necrosis, lipidosis, neoplasia and cirrhosis, progression of the disease was studied by serial measurements of total serum bile acid concentrations and of plasma glutamate dehydrogenase (GD) and gamma glutamyl transferase (gamma GT) and by liver biopsy. Plasma ammonia concentrations were significantly elevated compared to clinically normal horses, but such changes were not always accompanied by a decline in plasma urea concentration. A fall in plasma glucose concentration carried a guarded prognosis. These were all invaluable aids in early diagnosis and throughout the disease course. The study suggests that other factors, such as hypokalaemia, alkalosis, short chain volatile fatty acids, false and true neurotransmitters, may be important in the pathogenesis of hepatic coma in the horse.

Ammonia↗
PubMed1996

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in horses in Louisiana.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease of horses in Louisiana by assessing the signalment, history, environmental factors, clinical signs, and treatment of such horses. DESIGN: Epidemiologic mail survey. SAMPLE POPULATION: 83 of 240 veterinarians contacted by mail agreed to take part in the survey. Veterinarians contacted were listed as mixed-animal or equine practitioners in the 1991/1992 directory of the Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association or had submitted a specimen from a horse to the Louisiana Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory within the past 2 years. PROCEDURE: The survey contained 47 questions designed to elicit information from owners and veterinarians about horses reported to have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Questions were included to evaluate age, breed, sex, vaccination history, respiratory disease history, environment of primary activity, level of exercise, primary residence (pasture or stall), condition of pasture or barn, type and condition of feed, clinical signs, concurrent conditions, and treatment regimen prescribed. Information from the returned forms was analyzed by using a microcomputer program designed for epidemiologic data. RESULTS: Of the 83 veterinarians who agreed to participate, 31 returned 71 completed questionnaires for horses affected with COPD. Most affected horses were mature in age, kept on pasture, and had developed clinical signs during the summer months. The most consistent clinical signs were dry coughing, slight serous nasal discharge, labored expiratory effort, and flaring nostrils. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Summer pasture-associated obstructive pulmonary disease appears to be precipitated by factors different than those associated with the traditionally diagnosed form of COPD and, thus, successful management measures may also vary.

Age Distribution↗
PubMed2005

Regulated expression of the beta2-toxin gene (cpb2) in Clostridium perfringens type a isolates from horses with gastrointestinal diseases.

Recent epidemiological studies suggested that cpb2-positive Clostridium perfringens isolates are associated with gastrointestinal (GI) diseases in horses. These putative relationships, indicated by PCR genotyping, were tested in the present study by further genotyping and phenotyping of 23 cpb2-positive C. perfringens isolates from horses with GI disease (referred to hereafter as horse GI disease isolates). Our beta2-toxin (CPB2) Western blot analyses demonstrated that all of the tested isolates were unable to produce detectable levels of CPB2. However, Southern blot and nucleotide sequencing analyses identified intact cpb2 open reading frames in all of our surveyed horse GI disease isolates. Furthermore, reverse transcriptase PCR and Northern blot analyses showed that cpb2 genes in all of our surveyed horse GI disease isolates were transcriptionally active, i.e., an approximately 1.2-kb cpb2-specific mRNA was identified in total RNA from our surveyed isolates. The levels of cpb2 mRNA in CWC245 (a high-CPB2-producing pig strain) and our surveyed horse GI disease isolates differed to such an extent (35-fold) that this difference could be considered as a major cause of the difference in levels of CPB2 production by CWC245 and horse GI disease isolates. This finding received further support from our observation that the complementing strain 106902(pMRS140), which produced significantly higher levels of mRNA than strain 106902, produced high levels of CPB2. Collectively, our results indicated that there is a positive correlation between cpb2 transcription levels and the amount of CPB2 produced by a C. perfringens cell and that decreased transcription and/or message instability may be involved, at least in part, in the low CPB2 production noted for horse GI disease isolates in comparison to that noted for pig GI disease isolate CWC245.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Antibacterial activity of cefquinome against equine bacterial pathogens.

Cefquinome is known for its use as an antibacterial drug in cattle and pigs. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial activity of cefquinome against equine pathogenic bacteria. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of cefquinome was determined for a total of 205 strains, which had recently been isolated in Europe from diseased horses (respiratory infection, foal septicaemia). The bactericidal activity was tested against 19 strains using the time killing method. The post-antibiotic effect (PAE) and post-antibiotic sub-MIC effect (PA SME) were determined against 12 strains. Cefquinome showed high activity against Actinobacillus equuli and streptococci (MIC(90) of 0.016 and 0.032microg/mL), Enterobacteriaceae (MIC(90)=0.125microg/mL) and staphylococci (MIC(90)=0.5microg/mL). The activity was limited against Rhodococcus spp. and Pseudomonas spp. Cefquinome was shown to be a time dependent bactericidal antibiotic against the target pathogens, killing occurring at a concentration close to the MIC. A PAE of 0.5-10h was calculated against streptococci whereas no PAE was observed for Escherichia coli. A longer PA SME was determined for streptococci (3.3 to >24h with a killing effect) and E. coli (0.5-13.9h). Cefquinome was shown to have a broad spectrum of activity which covers many equine pathogens.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Identification of noncytopathic equine rhinovirus 1 as a cause of acute febrile respiratory disease in horses.

Equine rhinovirus 1 (ERhV1) is a recognized cause of acute febrile respiratory disease in horse, although the virus is rarely isolated from such animals, despite seroprevalence rates as high as 50% in some horse populations. Recently, ERhV1 has been shown to be most closely related to foot-and-mouth disease virus, raising questions as to its disease associations in horses. We report that ERhV1 infection was the likely cause of two separate outbreaks of severe febrile respiratory disease which involved more than 20 horses. Attempts to isolate ErhV1 from nasopharyngeal swabs by conventional cell culture methods were unsuccessful, in that cytopathology was not observed. Viral antigen was detected by immunofluorescence assay in the cytoplasm of cells infected with 10 of 15 nasopharyngeal swab samples, indicating the presence and presumably replication of ERhV1. A rise in serum neutralizing antibody titer between acute- and convalescent-phase sera confirmed that ERhV1 was causatively associated with one of the outbreaks. ERhV1 RNA was detected in nasopharyngeal swabs collected from all horses during the acute phase of disease by reverse transcription-PCR. Nucleotide sequencing of amplified products showed that within each outbreak a single strain of ERhV1 was involved but that distinct viruses were involved in each outbreak. A retrospective study of samples from nine other outbreaks of respiratory disease in horses suggested ERhV1 etiology in at least two of these. We conclude that the relative importance of ERhV1 as a cause of acute febrile respiratory disease in horses has been underestimated due to failure in many instances to isolate virus by conventional cell culture methods.

Acute Disease↗