Nancy S. Loving DVM

The greatest risk factor for developing corneal abrasions correlated with lateral recumbency

High enema therapy a plausible method to assist in rehydration of horses in need, especially those not able or willing to voluntarily consume water, or where oral or intravenous replacement therapy is not possible.

Uterine cysts might contribute to infertility, and ethanol sclerotherapy is safe and successful in resolving this particular fertility issue.

The study results found value in measuring the ratio of peritoneal fluid lactate to systemic lactate.

This study showed there was no significant change in bacterial diversity or in bacterial metabolic output by moxidectin for dietary hay or oats.

The authors concluded that, “The only effect to be had from treatment with this deworming agent is its intended purpose of killing intestinal worms.”

Research showed topical treatment of occult or partly verrucous equine sarcoids with acyclovir yields any better results compared to treatment with placebo cream.

The study reported that horses receiving acyclovir ended up with less viral shedding and viremia as compared to the control group.

The time interval from initial symptoms to administration of intensive care is important to thwart the development of irreversible endotoxic shock.

Continuing educational efforts are important to provide horse-owning clients with the motivation to deworm based on scientific surveillance strategies rather than traditional methods.

A human study on intestinal bacteria could have relevance to animal species.

GI issues are the second-leading cause of death in the horse.

The take home message is that boots and bandages do provide a significant insulating layer that minimizes heat dissipation from active tendon tissues of an exercising horse.

Practitioners should take all precautions and follow all recommendations regarding horse exposure to rabies.

The type of material contaminated has a large effect on persistence or elimination of Strep equi infection, even in the face of cleaning and disinfection.

Recognizing the physiological changes that occur in response to stress—training, travel and competition—can help practitioners counsel clients on how to best manage their horses in order to reduce stress levels.

In a study of after-hours emergency calls at private practices in England, the top three reasons were colic, wounds and lameness.

Horses with suspensory ligament (SL) degeneration should be screened for PPID, and horses with PPID should be screened for SL degeneration.

An editorial column in an equine veterinary journal stresses how important it is for veterinary practitioners to embrace antimicrobial stewardship.

Stress, confinement and other management practices seem to be variables that increase the risk of EGUS in wild equids, similar to what is found in domestic horses.

While rare, hoof keratomas can be a cause of lameness in horses.

The study highlights that desensitization practices not only improve animal welfare, but also improve safety for human interaction with horses undergoing good handling practices at an early age.

Research results show that cortisol levels were suppressed in stressed horses that received lavender aromatherapy, but heart rates were not significantly changed.

Comparing horse limbs that were chilled using ice boots or were not chilled, temperature differences between the iced limb and the control limb ranged from nearly 7 minutes to as long as 22 minutes.

A British study of racehorse injuries and deaths showed that more experienced jockeys and trainers were associated with lower risks for the common adverse events in racing.

In general, the mares treated once with 1500 IU hCG ovulated within 48 hours with a 93% conception rate at Day 15, giving the best overall outcome.

"PRP produced with the E-PET system shows promising results by enhancing proliferative capacity, as well as migratory capacity after prolonged treatment of equine corneal cells in vitro."

Of 57 cases of sudden death in horses, 58% died during or near the time of a pleasure or training ride.

Since being recognized a decade ago, tooth resorption and hypercementosis (EOTRH) are frequently identified in horses.

With an increasing number of anesthetic events, the horses recovered better, with improved balance and coordination and less knuckling over. There seemed to be a learned response over each anesthetic recovery event.

Persistent endometritis can interfere with the establishment and retention of pregnancy.

UC Davis offers a DNA test for Haflingers to identify individuals with high risk for limbal squamous cell carcinoma.

37% of RDDC and 52% of NSAC patients developed at least one complication post-op.

Running a Coggins test or ELISA test on blood can quickly rule EIA in or out.

Horses can ingest infective cyathostomines larvae while in stalls.

A retrospective study at Colorado State University looked at the difference in outcomes between stapling and suturing the end-to-end anastomoses.

Bacillus subtilis shows promise as a probiotic in living horses.

This study showed that 81% of horse owners taking the survey were willing to try some sort of alternative therapy for their horses.

When and where possible, practitioners should use bacterial culture and sensitivity diagnostic procedures to obtain evidence-based information to plan an effective therapeutic strategy.

The incidence of pituitary tumors in geriatric equines is reported to be around 21%

A syndrome known as steatitis, also called yellow fat disease, is uncommon, but it can affect young horses.

Feeding schedule can affect the bioavailability of minocycline.

Minocycline and metronidazole treatments, as currently used in equine practice, could fall short of attaining MIC concentrations for B. burgdorferi.

Horses suffering from insect bite hypersensitivity have a higher risk for hyper-reactive airway and therefore might be predisposed to develop equine asthma in the future.

Could a few small strongyles in the horse actually protect them from colic?

According to these two studies, horses apparently compensated just fine no matter the presence or absence of horseshoes.

The lack of changes in heart rate and heart rate variability and only minor increase in cortisol release indicated that gynecological examination was not perceived as a major stressor by the mares.

Have you ever wondered exactly what horses stabled to a stall (box) do with their 24-hour day?