Atrial fibrillatory rate as predictor of recurrence of atrial fibrillation in horses treated medically or with electrical cardioversion.

Background: The recurrence rate of atrial fibrillation (AF) in horses after cardioversion to sinus rhythm (SR) is relatively high. Atrial fibrillatory rate (AFR) derived from surface ECG is considered a biomarker for electrical remodelling and could potentially be used for the prediction of successful AF cardioversion and AF recurrence.

Objectives: Evaluate if AFR was associated with successful treatment and could predict AF recurrence in horses.

Disseminated Cryptococcus deuterogattii (AFLP6/VGII) infection in an Arabian horse from Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Background: During the past decades there has been an increase in cryptococcal infections caused by the basidiomycetous yeast species Cryptococcus gattii sensu lato, among humans and animals that live in endemic regions in Australia, Europe and the Americas. Unlike human cryptococcosis, little epidemiological data are available about C. gattii sensu lato infections in horses.

Imaging diagnosis-aortic aneurysm and ureteral obstruction secondary to umbilical artery abscessation in a 5-week-old foal.

A 5-week-old foal was evaluated for fever and hematuria of 3 days duration. Cystoscopy localized the blood to be originating from the left ureter. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed left hydronephrosis, hydroureter, and omphaloarteritis of the left umbilical artery with abscess formation that communicated with an arterial structure.

Evaluation of squeeze-induced somnolence in neonatal foals.

Objective: To test the hypothesis that application of a rope restraint device would result in behavioral, electroencephalographic, and humoral changes consistent with sleep and analgesia in neonatal foals.

Animals: 8 healthy neonatal foals.

Procedures: Following acclimatization to experimental conditions, each foal underwent a series of assessments before and during or at the end of a period of restraint via application of a restraint device (soft linen rope).

Musculoskeletal Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis infection in horses: 35 cases (1999-2009).

Objective: To describe the clinical course and outcome in horses in which Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis infections were associated with musculoskeletal disease and lameness.

Design: Retrospective case series.

Animals: 35 horses.

Efficacy of an avirulent live vaccine against Lawsonia intracellularis in the prevention of proliferative enteropathy in experimentally infected weanling foals.

Objective: To determine the efficacy of an avirulent Lawsonia intracellularis vaccine in preventing proliferative enteropathy in weanling foals.

Animals: 12 healthy weanling foals.

Procedures: Foals were randomly assigned to a vaccinated, nonvaccinated, or control group.

Meningitis and meningoencephalomyelitis in horses: 28 cases (1985-2010).

Objective: To describe clinical and clinicopathologic findings and outcome of horses with meningitis and meningoencephalomyelitis.

Design: Retrospective case series.

Animals: 28 horses.

Peritonitis in horses: 55 cases (2004-2007).

Factors associated with the outcome of peritonitis in horses are seldom described. The objectives of this study were to determine the common clinical signs and clinicopathologic findings and to reveal prognostic factors associated with the outcome of peritonitis in equine patients. Data were examined in a retrospective manner in 55 horses diagnosed with and treated for peritonitis.