Large or Food Animal and Equine Medicine Commons^™

Pilot Study: Effects Of Whole Body Vibrational Therapy On Equine Epaxial Muscle Soreness, Riley Leibeck

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Projects

Whole body vibrational therapy (WBV) is well-studied in people, but there is a paucity of research of its effect on horses. It is suggested that WBV use in horses increases performance, aids in recovery, and stimulates nerves, bones, and muscles in ways that normal exercise does not. The purpose of this pilot study was to determine if frequent WBV therapy sessions affect back soreness in horses using pressure algometry. Most sporthorses will experience back soreness in their careers, and it is regarded as one of the most common causes of poor performance in equine athletes. Five horses were measured for …

Ethyl Pyruvate Failed To Reduce Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines Release Following In Vitro Stimulation In Dairy Calves' Whole Blood., Vincent Dore

Doctoral Dissertations

Recent developments in sepsis treatment showed that control of the late mediator of inflammation, High Mobility Box group-1 (HMGB1), improves survival in animal models of endotoxemia. Ethyl pyruvate is a small-molecule inhibitor that has been shown to reduce the systemic release of HMGB1 during experimental treatment of systemic inflammation in different species. The objectives of this body of work were 1) to explore ethyl pyruvate's ability to modulate early pro-inflammatory cytokines production and immune effector function in treated calves, 2) to evaluate the safety of an administration of ethyl pyruvate infusion in neonatal calves, and 3) to explore ethyl pyruvate's …

Identifying Barriers To Data Use On U.S. Beef Cow-Calf Operations And Developing Solutions To Improve Cow-Calf Record-Keeping, William Isaac Jumper

Theses and Dissertations

Cattle health and production records (CHPR) are data collected by cattle producers and veterinarians in the form of measurements, observations, counts of events over time, and physiologic attributes that describe individual and group-level health and production. These data are useful to both veterinarians and cattle producers for making evidence-based decisions on cow-calf operations. Currently, there are no uniform, industry-wide methods of capturing and recording CHPR in the U.S. cow-calf industry. Although many cow-calf producers in the U.S. are thought to collect some form of CHPR, it is believed that relatively few are doing so in an electronic manner that facilitates …

Pharmacokinetics Of Single Feeding Of Cannabidiol In Cattle: A Pilot Study, Haley Cornette

Honors College Theses

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a substance that has been used in complementary medicine for many years. However, modern medicine has little knowledge of how this substance is utilized and metabolized in ruminant animals. Regulations on quality assurance and use in animals are lacking, and CBD supplementation in livestock is not approved. If CBD supplements can be shown to be safe and effective, detection in the animal will be important for determining regulation of use. A withdrawal period can then be established to allow time for deterioration of product to safe levels before livestock products enter human markets. This study sought to …

Equine Fecal Microbiota Response To Short Term Antibiotic Administration, Jordan Lacey Parker

Theses and Dissertations--Veterinary Science

Though generally regarded as safe, research continues to demonstrate negative side effects of antibiotic administration on the gastrointestinal (GIT) microbiota across species. In horses, antibiotic associated diarrhea (AAD) is a life-threatening side effect linked to the GIT microbiota. This study tested the hypothesis that short term antibiotic administration to healthy horses would negatively impact the fecal microbiota as measured by their ability to digest nutrients and produce short chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Twenty-four horses were assigned to one of four treatments: control (CO); potassium penicillin/gentamicin sulfate (KPG); ceftiofur crystalline free acid (EX); trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (SMZ); and treated for 4 days. Fecal …

Rumen-Protected Methionine Supplementation Improves Lactation, Oxidative Status, And Immune Response During A Subclinical Mastitis Challenge In Lactating Dairy Cows., Anita Paz Lopez

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Mastitis is a significant problem in the dairy industry, posing numerous challenges for dairy farmers worldwide. Mastitis refers to the inflammation of the mammary gland, primarily caused by bacterial infections. This condition affects the health and well-being of dairy cows and has severe economic implications for farmers and overall dairy production. The prevalence of mastitis substantially threatens milk quality, productivity, and profitability, making it a top concern in the dairy industry. Preventing mastitis in cows is crucial for maintaining the herd's health and ensuring highquality milk production. Nutritional strategies have recently gained greater attention due to a direct impact on …

Effects Of High-Speed Training On Messenger Rna Expression In Two-Year-Old Thoroughbred Racehorses, Mackenzie Grace Johnson

Theses and Dissertations--Veterinary Science

Accumulating high-speed exercise has been identified as a significant risk factor for catastrophic injuries in racing Thoroughbreds. Injuries, regardless of severity, are a main cause of withdrawal from the racing industry, raising animal welfare concerns and resulting in significant economic losses. While most of the current literature focuses on catastrophic injuries incurred during racing rather than training, the present study aims to help fill this gap as well as discuss the associated risk factors. The evaluation of messenger RNA (mRNA) expression changes provides an efficient and straightforward approach to identifying horses at risk for catastrophic injury. While alternative injury risk …

Equine Kinesiology Tape Application To Equine Hock Joints: Impact On Lameness And Movement Evaluation, Kiara Jones

Honors College Theses

Discomfort in the hocks of horses can cause lameness, resulting in poor performance. Diagnosis by veterinarians typically includes evaluating movement or use of ultrasound or radiography to evaluate tendons, ligaments, or bones. Treatment methods and times vary depending on diagnosis, but often include joint injections, medications, and stall rest. Treatments can be costly both financially and regarding time off from practice or competition. Alternative practices such as using equine kinesiology tape to support joints may improve comfort and movement for lower cost. The objective of this project was to evaluate the ease of use and effects of equine kinesiology tape …

Seroprevalence And Titer Concentration Testing For Leptospirosis In Equine, Ashley Himmelsbaugh

Honors College Theses

The most common best management practice used to combat diseases in horses is vaccination, which can decrease the incidence or severity of illness. However, the duration of immunity will vary for each vaccination and must be considered for revaccination purposes. Titer concentration, which evaluates antibodies in the blood, may be a helpful way of determining how long an animal has immunity to a disease. Leptospirosis, a zoonotic, bacterial disease, can result in uveitis, potentially leading to blindness, and abortion in mares. One serovar, Leptospirosis pomona (L. pomona), is associated with most cases of clinical disease in horses in North America. …

Isolation Of Drug-Sensitive Eimeria Species From Wild Turkey Feces And Development Of A Model Bioshuttle Program For Eimeria Meleagrimitis For Domestic Turkeys, Maria Carolina Trujillo Peralta

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this thesis was to determine the anticoccidial profile of Eimeria spp. derived from wild turkeys. These drug-sensitive Eimeria spp. have potential to be used as vaccine candidates to control coccidiosis in commercial turkeys. Chapter two consists of a brief literature review focused on coccidiosis in turkeys. Chapter three addresses the methodologies utilized to isolate, recover, and speciate Eimeria recovered from wild turkey feces in the eastern two-thirds of the United States. From this, we successfully obtained single oocyst-derived stocks for E. meleagrimitis, E. dispersa, E. meleagridis, E. gallopavonis, and E. adenoeides. Chapter four describes the experiment conducted …

Ex Vivo Biomechanical Comparison Of A Novel Compression Screw Fastener And Traditional Ao Cortical Bone Screw For Fixation Of A Simulated Slab Fracture In The Equine Third Carpal Bone, Allison Salinger

Theses and Dissertations

Frontal plane slab fractures account for the majority of third carpal bone (C3) fractures in performance horses. Treatment is stabilization with an AO cortical screw. Complications are fragment splitting, fragment spinning, and irritation of dorsal soft tissue structures. A novel, headless, cannulated screw with interlocking threads (the Headless Compression Screw Fastener, HCSF) has been developed to resist multidirectional forces. Simulated C3 slab fractures were created in nine paired equine carpi. HCSF or AO cortical screws were loaded in shear to failure. Stiffness, maximum load to failure, and yield load was assessed in linear mixed models. No significant difference was detected …

Intra-Articular Buprenorphine In Horses, Gabriel Castro-Cuellar Dr

LSU Master's Theses

Opioid drugs have the potential of provide local analgesia in inflamed joints. To date, morphine is the only opioid that has been tested for intra-articular (IA) administration in horses. Having an alternative drug, other than morphine, could widen the therapeutic options, particularly in cases of drug shortages or inaccessibility to specific drugs. The work presented in this dissertation reports the cytotoxic effects of buprenorphine on cultured equine chondrocytes, and the pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic and analgesic effects, of IA administered buprenorphine in horses with experimentally induced synovitis.

To evaluate the potential cytotoxic effects on equine cartilage, chondrocytes were obtained from normal equine …

The Effect Of Intra-Articular Corticosteroids On The Systemic Messenger Rna Response In An Equine Experimental Inflammation Model, Emma Elaine Partridge

Theses and Dissertations--Veterinary Science

Intra-articular (IA) corticosteroids are regularly used in equine athletes for the control of joint inflammation. The goal of this study was to utilize an acute synovitis inflammation model to determine the residual effects of IA betamethasone and triamcinolone acetonide on various inflammatory parameters and lameness.

Five mixed-breed, 2-year-old horses were randomly allocated to an IA treatment of the radiocarpal joint with 9 mg of either betamethasone or triamcinolone acetonide. Two weeks following treatment, horses were injected with 1μg of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) diluted in 1 mL of 0.9% sterile saline. Following LPS injection, horses were crossed-over and both sets of injections …

Pets And Problems: Exploring Community Patterns In Calls For Animal Services, Paige Dejarnett

Sociology and Criminology Undergraduate Honors Theses

Pets have historically been viewed as family members, children, property, or economic resources. However, research surrounding animal maltreatment has expressed this issue as an individually-based problem, rather than a community-based phenomenon. Correlations have been found between animal cruelty, antisocial behaviors, and future interpersonal violence, whether this correlation be a predictive relationship, or a resultant relationship. Past research has also found correlations between animal treatment practices and the rural/urban differences of this behavior. However, there are many community-based indicators that have not been explored to understand the distribution of animal maltreatment. This study aims to explore these ideas by analyzing the …

Therapeutic Intervention Or Rider Influence On The Electromyographic Activity And Kinematics Of Horses, Karen L. Shaw

Masters Theses

Core strengthening and postural stability are desired outcomes of certain therapeutic exercises performed in horses. This study aimed to quantify changes in muscle activation at a walk and trot in horses traveling over eight consecutive ground poles evenly spaced (at 30 inches for walk and 48 inches for trot) in parallel fashion in a straight line, and with hindquarter and abdominal elastic resistance bands applied at 25% stretch. Surface electromyography (sEMG) data were collected for the longissimus dorsi and rectus abdominus muscles in six horses. A 2x2 repeated measures ANOVA was performed for each muscle to test for significant differences …

Embryo Development And Reproductive Parameters Of Aluteal Cycles In Mares, Chun Kuen Mak

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Progestagen is crucial for regulating early pregnancy in most mammalian species, including the horse. This dissertation research sought to elucidate the effect of endogenous and exogenous progestagens on the early development of equine embryos and to characterize reproductive parameters in the subsequent estrus using a prostaglandin F_2α-induced hypoluteal environment, namely the aluteal pregnancy model. The first chapter reviewed the life cycle of the corpus luteum and its progesterone secretory function in mares. The existing literature supports the notion that the early developing corpus luteum is responsive to prostaglandin F_2α, and complete luteolysis or prevention of luteal …

Effects Of Strong Oxidants Present In Acer Spp. On Hemolysis Methemoglobin Production In Equine Erythrocytes, Gabrielle Mcgeorge, Jeffrey Lehman

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Projects

Maple toxicosis is a deadly condition affecting equines after they have ingested wilted leaves of the genus Acer (i.e., maple species). It is characterized by hemolytic anemia and methemoglobinemia. Although the toxins responsible for causing toxicosis have not been identified, they are thought to be strong oxidants. The objective of this study is to determine the effect of eight compounds (galloyl derivatives) found in Acer spp. on hemolysis and methemoglobin production in bioassays with equine erythrocytes. Seven of the compounds are known constituents of Acer spp. that are commercially available. One of the compounds--acertannin--was isolated and characterized from leaf extracts …

Determinación De La Presencia De Leptospira Sp. En Yeguas Criollas Colombianas Del Municipio De Neiva, Huila Por Medio De Técnicas Serológicas Y Moleculares, Jorge Luis Salcedo Bahamon

Maestría en Ciencias Veterinarias

Estudio se realizó en el municipio de Neiva, Huila en hembras equinas de grupo racial Criollo Colombiano, estabuladas, en intervalos de edades a partir de los 28 meses de vida en adelante con la alimentación suministrada teniendo como base heno y alimentos concentrados comerciales según selección de propietarios y la suplementación de sales mineralizadas según voluntad de propietarios , realizando un manejo en la cría y doma de esta raza, en lo sanitario según establece profesional que lo supervisa y atiende medicamente, siendo evidente la situación en la encuesta realizada en los predios y pesebreras de la Asociación Huilense de …

Maturation Of Equine Proximal Sesamoid Bones In Thoroughbred Horses, Angela Maria Mangine

Theses and Dissertations--Veterinary Science

Proximal sesamoid bone (PSB) injuries account for approximately 50% of all fatal catastrophic musculoskeletal injuries in Thoroughbred racehorses. In addition, PSB fractures are not uncommon in Thoroughbred foals and yearlings as a result of energetic or intense free exercise. The ability to interpret some PSB pathology assessments, however, is more difficult given the limited information published on the normal development and maturation of these paired sesamoid bones. In addition, the level of normal variation in PSB morphological and structural parameters within the Thoroughbred population as a function of age, body size, gender, and inter-animal variation are not well documented, complicating …

Muscle Mass And Immune Function In The Senior Horse, Alisa Christina Herbst

Theses and Dissertations--Veterinary Science

Senior horses (≥ 15 years) represent up to one-third of the global equine population, and the proportion of old horses (≥ 20 years) in the U.S. has been steadily increasing. Aging is associated with a loss of skeletal muscle mass in horses, and while age-related muscle loss is comparingly well characterized in humans, little is currently known concerning underlying mechanisms, adverse outcomes, or the prevalence of low muscle mass in senior horses. One factor proposed to play a role in the development of age-related muscle atrophy in humans is inflamm-aging, a low-grade inflammation that affects elderly people and that has …

Structural Adaptation Of Equine Proximal Sesamoid Bones To High-Speed Exercise, Kathryn Mary Babiarz

Theses and Dissertations--Veterinary Science

Proximal sesamoid bone (PSB) fractures are one of the most commonly reported catastrophic musculoskeletal injuries (CMI) in Thoroughbred racing. Despite the seriousness of these injuries, an understanding of the structural changes that occur normally within PSBs in response to the biomechanical forces of high-speed exercise and how they relate to pathological events leading to fracture remain limited. To address this critical knowledge gap, PSBs from Thoroughbred horses were analyzed with both computed tomography (CT) and microcomputed tomography (µCT) to assess their morphological and structural parameters. Comparisons were made using samples from the left and right forelimbs of Thoroughbreds of both …

Science-Based Regulation Of Pharmacological Substances In Competition Horses, Jacob Machin

Theses and Dissertations--Toxicology and Cancer Biology

Current testing methodologies within equine forensic toxicology focus on arbitrary thresholds and zero-tolerance policy. Modern analytical chemistry’s limits of detection are low enough that oftentimes femtogram-per-milliliter amounts of a substance can readily be identified in both blood and urine of a horse. For most pharmacologically relevant compounds, these concentrations have no relevance to pharmacological effect. It is therefore crucial that testing methodologies to determine appropriate thresholds and cut-offs be developed that are driven by biological activity rather than arbitrary limits of detection. This dissertation looks to address this by suggesting a system of calculated Effective Plasma Concentrations by which a …

An Assessment Of The Carrier State And A Novel Marker Of Leptospira And Abortion In Central Kentucky Horses, Gloria Louise Gellin

Theses and Dissertations--Veterinary Science

Leptospirosis is a reemerging zoonotic infection of worldwide importance and affects all mammals. The bacterium is transmitted to animals and humans by urine, fetal membranes and body fluids. Leptospira shedding in the urine contaminates both soil and water, exposing both humans and animals to the bacterium. Leptospirosis in horses can cause abortion and is one of the etiologies of equine recurrent uveitis which can lead to blindness. Equine leptospiral abortion in Central Kentucky is primarily caused by serovar Pomona, with occasional cases attributed to serovar Grippotyphosa. There are a few reports in the literature attributing abortion to serovar Bratislava in …

Predicting Tomorrow: Optimizing The Early Detection Of Disease And Disease Recovery In Dairy Calves Using Precision Technologies, Melissa Cantor

Theses and Dissertations--Animal and Food Sciences

The leading causes of morbidity and mortality in preweaned dairy calves are diarrhea and bovine respiratory disease complex (BRD). The delayed detection of these diseases in calves can also delay intervention and disease recovery. The overarching objective of this dissertation was to follow a cohort of calves daily for the first 90 days of life for naturally occurring clinical BRD bouts and diarrheal bouts. The objective answered if feeding behaviors and activity levels were different in at-risk calves during BRD development and BRD recovery from an antimicrobial intervention. Furthermore, the potential of colostrum replacer as a feeding intervention strategy to …

The Surveillance Of Gastrointestinal Parasitic Nematodes Of Northwest Arkansas Dairy Cattle Using Traditional And Genetic Parasitological Identification Procedures, Eva M. Wray

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Traditional and genetic parasitological identification procedures were compared using naturaland artificial nematode parasite infections in Holstein steer calves. The traditional parasitological procedures measured fecal egg counts, coprocultures with subsequent larval collection and adult nematodes collected at necropsy. The genetic identification procedures measured ITS-2 sequences extracted from different stages of nematode development: raw feces, concentrated nematode eggs, third stage larvae and adults. The primary nematodes observed were Cooperia oncophora, Cooperia punctata and Ostertagia ostertagi. The traditional techniques were not significantly different from one another, while the genetic sequencing showed variation amongst the different procedures. The raw feces sequences showed the most …

The Effects Of Music On Dairy Production, Anneliese Kemp

Honors College Theses

The purpose of this research is to find which genre of music dairy cows produce the most milk to in order to aid dairy farmers in yielding maximum product while also keeping their cattle as comfortable as possible. During each lactation a different genre of music will play, basic vital signs, and behavioral observations of the cows will be taken, then the amount of milk produced during that genre will be measured. First, no music will be played, base line vitals will be taken, and milk yield will be measured. This will give an estimate to how positively or negatively …

Evaluation Of Anthelmintic Therapies In A Fall Calving Beef Cowherd, Laine Zammit

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Internal parasitism inevitability prompts economic loss in beef cattle production by decreasing growth performance and reproductive traits. Today, the most widely used class of anthelmintic used to treat parasitism, is the macrocyclic lactone. Many studies have conflicting results on the efficacy of macrocyclic lactones (ML) efficacy against internal parasitism. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of moxidectin and eprinomectin, two of the MLs, on cow performance. Multiparous fall calving, crossbred beef cows (n = 106) were allocated randomly to 1 of 3 anthelmintic treatments: 1) Negative control (CON), in which cows did not receive an anthelmintic, …

Use Of Diatomaceous Earth And Copper Oxide Wire Particles To Control Gastrointestinal Nematodes In Lambs, Olivia Jones

Animal Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

Abstract

Anthelmintic resistance (AR) urges alternatives to control gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN). Copper oxide wire particles (COWP) are more efficacious when used with other dewormers and little is known on efficacy of diatomaceous earth (DE) to control gastrointestinal parasites. The objective was to examine the effects of DE and COWP on GIN control. Katahdin lambs (n = 32; ~150 d of age; 25.0 ± 1.8 kg) were randomly assigned to receive: 1) DE fed at an estimated 2% dry matter intake (with the assumption of moderate consumption of bermudagrass forage and provided supplement), 2) 1g COWP, 3) both 2% DE and …

The Efficacy Of Extended-Release Eprinomectin For The Reduction Of Horn Flies, Face Flies, And Fecal Egg Counts Of Parasitic Nematodes In Replacement Beef Heifers, Sophia F. Landers

Animal Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of extended-release eprinomectin against horn flies, face flies, and fecal egg counts of parasitic nematodes in crossbreed replacement beef heifers. Fifty-four heifers were randomly placed into three treatment groups (N=18 heifers/treatment). Group 1 was administered the labeled dosage of extended-release eprinomectin on day 0. Group 2 acted as the negative control. Group 3 received the anthelmintic injection once a quarter of the heifers in the group reached the threshold treatment level for horn flies (N=200 flies/animal; day 41). Nematode infections were measured via fecal egg counts while horn and face …

The Effect Of Grooming And Therapeutic Riding By Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder On Equine Salivary Cortisol Concentrations, Morgan Shields

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Projects

The use of horses in therapeutic riding programs, especially for adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), has grown, yet the impact of grooming and riding on equine stress levels remains unknown. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of grooming and therapeutic riding on salivary cortisol concentrations of 10 horses in a therapeutic riding program. Samples were taken pre and post over two control and grooming days and over two series of nine therapeutic riding lessons for adolescents with ASD. On grooming days, each horse was groomed using a set protocol. On riding days, horses were ridden …