The Veterinary clinics of North America. Equine practice
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Vet. Clin. North Am. Equine Pract. · Apr 1999
Review Historical ArticleBack problems. Historical perspective and clinical indications.
This article is presented as an introduction to the complex subject of back pain and its management in horses. It considers some of the historical perspectives and deals with some of the limiting factors when attempting to evaluate back pain. The clinical indications of a back problem are considered, as is the important distinction of primary versus secondary back pain. Finally, a list of considerations capable of causing back pain and impaired performance is included.
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Vet. Clin. North Am. Equine Pract. · Apr 1998
ReviewThermoregulatory adaptations associated with training and heat acclimation.
The large metabolic heat load generated as a consequence of muscular work requires activation of thermoregulatory mechanisms in order to prevent an excessive and potentially dangerous rise in body temperature during exercise. Although the horse has highly efficient heat dissipatory mechanisms, there are a number of circumstances in which the thermoregulatory system may be overwhelmed, resulting in the development of critical hyperthermia. The risk for development of life-threatening hyperthermia is greatest when (1) the horse is inadequately conditioned for the required level of physical performance; (2) exercise is undertaken in hot and particularly, in hot and humid ambient conditions; and (3) there is an impairment to thermoregulatory mechanisms (e.g., severe dehydration, anhidrosis). ⋯ Although physical training in a cool environment improves physiologic responses to exercise at high ambient temperatures, a 2-week period of moderate exercise training in these more adverse conditions is necessary for optimization of thermoregulatory function and physical performance. 3. Heat acclimation does not reduce the need for close monitoring of horses during training and competition in the heat. This is particularly true in hot, humid ambient conditions, where the biophysical limitations to sweat evaporation can result in development of severe hyperthermia, regardless of the state of training or heat acclimation.
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Vet. Clin. North Am. Equine Pract. · Dec 1997
ReviewInhaled medications and bronchodilator usage in the horse.
The advantages of aerosol medications include the direct, topical application to the target organ (airways); rapid effect; and low systemic availability. There are now more efficient methods for aerosol delivery that facilitate the use of increasingly sophisticated aerosol drugs. This article reviews the principles of aerosol deposition and the pharmacology of current medications.
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Vet. Clin. North Am. Equine Pract. · Aug 1997
ReviewAdjunctive methods in equine gastrointestinal surgery.
The medical management of postoperative abdominal disorders remains a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge for the equine clinician. Recent advances in the development of techniques and medications to offset or attenuate ischemia-reperfusion injury, endotoxemia, and ileus are encouraging and potentially will decrease the incidence of additional complications.
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Vet. Clin. North Am. Equine Pract. · Dec 1994
ReviewMedical and surgical emergencies of the nervous system of horses: diagnosis, treatment, and sequelae.
Trauma to the nervous system in horses may involve the brain, brainstem, spinal cord, or peripheral nerves. Trauma may occur to any part of the nervous system with or without a fracture.