Evaluation of a Chinese herbal supplement on equine squamous gastric disease and gastric fluid pH in mares.

Background: Wei Le San (WLS) is a Chinese herbal formula comprised of 9 herbs selected for their putative anti-inflammatory effects.

Objectives: To evaluate the effects of WLS administration in horses with nonglandular gastric ulcers.

Animals: Ten mixed breed mares (aged 7-21 years, 401-567 kg body weight).

The effect of foot-and-mouth disease vaccination on early pregnancy loss in beef heifers in Argentina.

The threat of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in South America has global economic implications and retaining a FMD Free status under the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) remains a top priority. In Argentina the Servicio Nacional de Sanidad y Calidad Agroalimentaria (SENASA), the national service of agri-food health and quality, requires cattle located in the Pampean region of the Salado River basin to receive two foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccinations per year, which results in one vaccination coinciding with beef cattle breeding season. While the vaccination program remains necessary, there is a growing concern amongst food animal veterinarians, that the overlap of FMD vaccination with the first 35 days of the breeding season is associated with early pregnancy loss (EPL).

Equine motor neuron disease in 2 horses from Saskatchewan.

Two horses from Saskatchewan were presented with signs of sweating, muscle fasciculations, weight loss, and generalized weakness. The horses were diagnosed with equine motor neuron disease (EMND), by histological assessment of a spinal accessory nerve or sacrocaudalis dorsalis medialis muscle biopsy. This is the first report of EMND in western Canada.

Detection of Neorickettsia risticii, the agent of Potomac horse fever, in a Gypsy Vanner stallion from Manitoba.

A horse with colitis from Manitoba referred to the Veterinary Medical Centre, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, was diagnosed with Potomac horse fever (PHF). Polymerase chain reaction analysis of the feces confirmed Neorickettsia risticii infection. This is the first reported case of PHF in Manitoba.

Effect of rider experience and evaluator expertise on subjective grading of lameness in sound and unsound sports horses under saddle.

The primary objective of this study was to investigate whether rider experience influences the assessment and grading of lameness in horses based on under-saddle gait analysis. Thirteen adult sports horses in active training were included in the study. After a baseline lameness and neurologic examination by the principal investigators, horses were videotaped while being ridden by an experienced and a less experienced rider.

Failure of a VapA/CpG oligodeoxynucleotide vaccine to protect foals against experimental Rhocococcus equi pneumonia despite induction of VapA-specific antibody and interferon-γ response.

We evaluated the immunogenic and protective potential of a recombinant VapA/CpG oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) 2395 vaccine in neonatal foals undergoing experimental Rhodococcus equi challenge. Foals (n = 8) were vaccinated by intramuscular injection on days 1 and 15 of the study; control foals (n = 7) received a phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) solution. All foals were challenged by intrabronchial administration of 5 × 10⁶ R.

Investigation of a progressive facial deformity and stridor in an adult horse with a bone sequestrum and subsequent sinonasal abscess.

Advanced diagnostic imaging and histopathological investigation were performed in an adult horse with chronic facial swelling due to a bone sequestrum and abscessation. In contrast to other cases, there were no draining tracts, difficulty eating, weight loss, head shaking, or fistula formation between the oral cavity and the maxillary sinus.

Pemphigus foliaceus in a juvenile Cashmere goat, and outcome after prednisolone and methylprednisolone therapy.

A juvenile Cashmere goat was evaluated and treated for generalized pustular and crusting dermatitis. A diagnosis of pemphigus foliaceus was made based on histopathology and immunohistochemistry. Treatment with prednisolone resulted in resolution of the lesions.

Respiratory distress due to retropharyngeal and neck swelling in a horse with mediastinal lymphosarcoma.

A 9-year-old, 1494-lb (679-kg) Quarter horse gelding in good body condition was admitted to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM), University of Saskatchewan, for evaluation and treatment of acute respiratory distress. On a trail ride 26 days before presentation, the gelding had been exposed to a horse with clinical signs of an upper respiratory tract infection. The gelding performed well on the trail ride but, 4 days later, developed a mild swelling in the retropharyngeal area and a slight bilateral mucoid nasal discharge.