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Summary Equine coital exanthema (ECE), caused by Equid alphaherpesvirus 3 (EHV‐3), is a highly contagious, venereally transmitted mucocutaneous disease, characterised by the formation of papules, vesicles, pustules and ulcers on the external genital organs of mares and stallions. The infection is endemic worldwide, and the virus is transmitted mainly through direct contact during sexual intercourse and by contaminated instruments during reproductive manoeuvres in breeding facilities. The only known biological reservoir of EHV‐3 is the latently infected horse; it is well‐known that, as for other herpesviral infections, periods of reactivation from latency, with production and shedding of infectious virus, are the source of infection for other comingling susceptible animals. Episodes of reactivation and shedding, either with or without clinical manifestation, and together with variable levels of serum antibodies, have been observed. Although the disease is relatively benign and does not result in systemic illness, infertility or abortion, it does have a negative impact on the equine industry, as it forces to temporarily withdraw affected animals, consequently disrupting mating activities in breeding enterprises. Thus, outbreaks of ECE continue to be a major problem for the equine industry, mostly in those facilities with heavily scheduled breeding calendars during reproductive seasons. For affected stallions, such disruptions may translate into significant end‐of‐season decreases in the mare‐book size. Similarly, affected mares may miss breeding opportunities. In artificial insemination and embryo transfer centres, affected mares may be reluctant to be inspected, inseminated or transferred, with the consequent loss of opportunities to become pregnant. In both scenarios (natural mating or artificial insemination), delayed foaling dates or reduced pregnancy rates may occur in mares that miss breeding opportunities because of the disease. In the interest of reducing the negative impact of EHV‐3 infections on breeding centres, advances have been made during the last years as to diagnostic methodologies, treatment and prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Rotaviral infection is the most common cause of foal diarrhoea, leading to severe dehydration and electrolyte derangements, which, left untreated, can be rapidly fatal. Until 2021, equine rotaviruses of group A (ERVA) were considered to be the only rotaviruses affecting horses; however, equine rotavirus group B (ERVB) has recently been identified in association with neonatal foal diarrhoea outbreaks. ERVA has been observed globally in many countries with large equine industries. Equine rotaviruses (ERV) are extremely contagious. Foals as young as 12 hours of age can show clinical signs. These clinical signs include inappetence, dullness, colic and characteristic watery diarrhoea that can be orange‐yellow to reddish‐brown in colour. Nowadays diagnosis relies mainly on qPCR—a test limited by the fact that PCR is a directed test requiring a priori knowledge of a pathogen's genome. The mainstay of therapy for rotaviral diarrhoea is supportive care since treatment directly targeting the virus itself is not available. Prevention relies on proper biosecurity protocols and, in the case of ERVA, vaccination of mares. Currently, researchers at the University of Kentucky are working on developing a vaccine for ERVB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: In 2019, a Swedish outbreak of equine herpes virus type 1 (EHV‐1) led to varying neurological symptoms also known as EHM (equine herpes myeloencephalopathy). Nineteen of the 39 exposed horses developed EHM. EHM outbreaks have become more common in recent decades and can result in large economic losses for the horse industry in addition to clear welfare implications. However, there is limited information about the estimated time to recovery from EHM and return to previous level of performance and there is limited published information regarding neurological rehabilitation in horses. Our objective was to describe and evaluate the potential benefit of implementing individual rehabilitation plans for horses recovering from EHM. Four horses with EHV‐1 and with clinical signs of neurological dysfunction were selected. All horses were initially hospitalised at an intensive care unit between 4 and 9 days and approximately 3 months after the outbreak they were considered sufficiently recovered to start a rehabilitation programme. The programs mainly focused on regaining proprioception, core stability and strength with consideration given to fatigue in the horse and risk to the handlers. A repeated neurological examination was performed six times over the first year and the rehabilitation programs were modified accordingly. The owners considered the horses 'normal', both mentally and physically, between 6 and 8 months after the outbreak. All horses were back to their previous level of performance after 8–11 months. A limitation of the study was a small study population with no control group. Our conclusions are that horses suffering from severe EHM may return to an acceptable athletic function given time and an individually adapted rehabilitation program. To potentially show that an individually adapted rehabilitation plan brings the horse back to acceptable function faster than nonspecific rehabilitation, a case‐control study would be required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Equine herpesvirus type‐1 (EHV‐1) and equine arteritis virus (EAV) are infectious agents that cause serious health risks to horse populations and are disbursed worldwide, which can lead to significant financial losses. In addition to being responsible for abortion and neonatal death, these viruses are associated with respiratory illness. Although previous research and reviews have been written on these viruses, both viruses still affect horse populations around the world and the vaccines currently available are not completely protective, especially against EHV‐1 and equine herpes myeloencephalopathy (EHM). Moreover, EAV is considered a threat to the $102 billion equine industry in the United States. As a result, these viruses represent a huge threat to the horse industry and efforts geared towards preventing the outbreak of the disease are strongly encouraged. For this reason, updates about these viruses are necessary and require more and more discussion on the nature and characteristics of these viruses to know how to overcome them. Prevention and control of abortion and neonatal foal death caused by each of the two viruses depend on appropriate management strategies coupled with prophylactic vaccination. This review presents the latest detailed information on EHV‐1 and EAV from several aspects such as transmission, clinical signs, pathogenesis, latest developments on the treatment of the diseases, vaccination, and finally challenges and future perspectives. The information presented herein will be useful in understanding EHV‐1 and EAV and formulating policies that can help to limit the spread of these viruses within horse populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: A 3‐year‐old Thoroughbred filly presented with a several‐month history of weight loss, polydipsia and polyuria, intermittent diarrhoea and behavioural changes and intermittently uncoordinated gait. Neurological examination revealed hyperexcitability, bilaterally reduced pupillary light reflexes and quadrilateral ataxia with proprioceptive deficits more obvious in the forelimbs than in the hindlimbs. A multifocal neurological lesion was suspected. The laboratory finding of a persistent hyperchloraemia and an apparent negative anion gap prompted measurement of serum bromide concentration and subsequently confirmed bromide intoxication. Further questioning of the trainer revealed that the filly had been administered oral potassium bromide for behavioural modification over several months. Clinical signs of bromide intoxication resolved within 20 days following the last bromide administration, without specific medical intervention. This case report describes the risk of inadvertent bromide overdosing in horses and highlights the need for control of bromide use in the equine industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Abortion in mares can be a financially devastating event to horse owners and the equine industry. In this case report, we describe the gross, histopathological and microbiological findings associated with an abortion caused by Salmonella enterica subsp. arizonae, which should be considered in cases of abortion and metritis. Gross and histopathological evaluation of fetal and placental tissue were consistent with ascending septic placentitis resulting in fetal septicaemia. S. enterica subsp. arizonae was isolated from the placenta, lung and fetal gastric contents. Diagnosis was confirmed by MALDI‐TOF MS. To our knowledge, this subspecies of S. enterica has not been previously reported as an isolate in a case of late‐term equine abortion. A retrospective search of abortion cases at our institution was done, and no similar cases were identified for comparison. This case demonstrates S. enterica subsp. arizonae, although not previously reported as a cause of abortion in pregnant mares and uncommonly isolated from equids in the literature, may cause late‐term abortions in susceptible animals. This pathogen should be considered in cases of abortion outbreaks on a farm and merits investigation of the carrier status of mares within a herd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AVMA data show that in 2021, there were 18.6 jobs for every veterinarian jobseeker across the country ([7], AVMA). Meanwhile, the AVMA predicts a rise in the number of horses in the United States to just over 7 million in 2030 from their current estimate of 6.97 million present in 2020, with a concomitant rise in demand for equine veterinarians (AVMA Veterinary Workforce Dashboard, [2]). AVMA data show that new graduates who enter equine practice directly after veterinary school are offered salaries almost half of those who enter companion animal practice (Bain, [4]). [Extracted from the article]

Use of transabdominal ultrasonography in the acute abdomen: Has it really revolutionised our colic work-ups? The equine practitioner is familiar with the routine colic work-up, which generally at minimum includes a physical exam, rectal exam and nasogastric intubation. Although not the aim of the study, the authors did observe that horses having primary large-intestinal lesions did have large colon walls that were subjectively more distended and hyperechoic as compared with clinically normal horses; however, at that time they stated that other than for nephrosplenic entrapments, abdominal ultrasonography was non-diagnostic for primary large colon lesions. They concluded that ultrasonography can help to distinguish between small and large intestinal lesions: finding small intestinal loops that are completely distended (round shape) and lacking motility is highly related to a definitive diagnosis of strangulating obstruction, while finding partially distended small intestinal loops (square shape) with reduced or normal contractility is related to a large intestinal lesion. [Extracted from the article]

Congenital hypothyroidism and dysmaturity syndrome ( CHD) in neonatal foals was first described in western Canada in 1981 and remains an important problem for the western Canadian horse industry. This syndrome is characterised by hyperplasia of the thyroid gland, increased gestational length and multiple congenital musculoskeletal abnormalities. This case series describes the first confirmed cases of CHD in Europe and challenges contemporary opinion which suggests that this syndrome is distinct from congenital hypothyroidism associated with visible goitre. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When rigorously tested, novel therapies demonstrate superiority over standard care only a little more than half the time and only a few new treatments are substantially better than their predecessor (Djulbegovic I et al i . In pre - post treatment studies with no control group, attribution of a treatment effect may be due to regression to the mean, selection bias or simply an animal that was going to improve on its own. New therapies are based on plausible theoretical evidence that the therapy will improve the condition which it addresses. [Extracted from the article]