A single mutation in the genome of equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) was “necessary and sufficient” to cause neurologic disease in horses in a new study, reported Cornell University researchers.

All strains of EHV-1 can cause respiratory disease and abortion, but only a subset of EHV-1 strains can cause neurologic disease said Nikolaus Osterrieder, DVM, DVM Habilitation (equivalent to PhD),

Despite the remarkable advances in understanding neurologic disease in horses, including the identification of the single genetic mutation that gives rise to the neuropathogenic form of equine herpesvirus type-1 (EHV-1), virologists continue to experience frustrations when it comes to studying EHV-1 in the experimental setting.

EHV-1 causes abortion, neonatal death, and

The number of equine herpesvirus type-1 (EHV-1) infections caused by the neuropathogenic form of the virus has been steadily increasing over the past 51 years, report researchers from the University of Kentucky.

Clinical observations suggest that neuropathogenic strains of EHV-1 (i.e., strains of EHV-1 with a single mutation in the gene that encodes the enzyme called DNA polymerase) have

Nonchemical parasite control strategies, fecal egg count monitoring, and controlled quarantine treatments all can delay the development of anthelmintic resistance (AR) in horses.

These were the recommendations made by a group of German researchers from the University of Veterinary Medicine in Bünteweg,

Special laboratory equipment is not needed to produce bacteria-free platelet concentrates (commonly referred to as platelet-rich plasma), but stringent attention to proper aseptic technique is essential.

Equine veterinarians are using platelet concentrates more often for the management of musculoskeletal disease. They can be prepared using a variety of methods, and they are often injecte

Previous studies evaluating the behavioral responses of horses to different types of bridles found that horses perform at least as well, if not better, with a bitless bridle than a jointed snaffle.

To probe deeper into the issue, Robert Cook, FRCVS, PhD, and Daniel Mills, BVSc, PhD, IL TM, CBiol MIBiol, MRCVS, tested their hypothesis that a horse’s behavior would change–for the

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a painful, debilitating joint disease with no known cure. It is characterized by heat, pain, swelling, crepitus (a crackling, crinkly, or grating feeling or sound under the skin), and a decreased range of motion in affected joints. This condition can develop suddenly (e.g., secondary to a traumatic

Abdominal tumors are only rarely diagnosed in horses, but the amount of time horses usually survive after such a finding is shockingly short. Because the signs of gastric cancer are vague, diagnosing gastric cancer in horses can be challenging. Often, even narrowing the problem down to the stomach in a timely fashion proves to be near impossible.

To better describe what a horse

Injecting glycosaminoglycan polysulfate directly into lesions of the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) significantly improves reorganization of the tendon’s collagen bundles during the healing process, report Brazilian veterinary researchers.

Tendon injuries are an important source of lameness and decreased performance in horses. Despite aggressive management, there is a high rate

The long list of diseases that humans could potentially contract after being bitten by a horse gives new meaning to the old adage, “Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.”

According to the report, “That Horse Bit Me: Zoonotic Infections of Equines to Consider After Exposure Through the Bite or the Oral/Nasal Secretions,” more than 100,000 emergency room visits per year are due t

Pirfenidone, a unique experimental drug with anti-fibrotic and anti-inflammatory properties, afforded no apparent therapeutic benefit in horses with experimentally-induced endotoxemia, leaving Cal Davis researchers rather disappointed.

“Previous studies led us to believe that pirfenidone would minimize the effects o

Neurectomy of the deep branch of the lateral plantar nerve resulted in a “profound” atrophy of the muscular portion of the proximal suspensory ligament reports researchers in the Equine Veterinary Journal.

The surgical procedure is routinely performed for the management of inflammation of the proximal suspensory ligament (proximal suspensory desmitis). Multiple retrospective

A novel equine influenza vaccine using a specialized second generation ISCOM-Matrix adjuvant has resulted in a product that is not only safe and effective, but also capable of closing the so-called “immunity gap,” reported researchers from Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health in The Netherlands.

In Europe, veterinarians traditionally administer a course of two vaccines four to

Not only can Thoroughbreds provide hours of entertainment for racing enthusiasts, they could also play an invaluable role in understanding obesity and Type 2 diabetes in humans, reports a group of Irish researchers.

“Over the past 400 years, the fastest and strongest racehorses have been selected for, resulting in the elite athletic animals we see today,” said lead researcher Emmeline