• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.59 no.6
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• pp.15.1-15.5
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• 2017

Background: The horse intestinal tract is sensitive and contains a highly complex microbial population. A shift in the microbial population can lead to various issues such as inflammation and colic. The use of nutraceuticals in the equine industry is on the rise and curcumin is thought to possess antimicrobial properties that may help to minimize the proliferation of opportunistic bacteria. Methods: Four cecally-cannulated horses were utilized to determine the optimal dose of liposomal-curcumin (LIPC) on reducing Streptococcus bovis/equinus complex (SBEC), Escherichia coli K-12, Escherichia coli general, Clostridium difficile, and Clostridium perfringens in the equine hindgut without adversely affecting cecal characteristics. In the first study cecal fluid was collected from each horse and composited for an in vitro, 24 h batch culture to examine LIPC at four different dosages (15, 20, 25, and 30 g) in a completely randomized design. A subsequent in vivo $4{\times}4$ Latin square design study was conducted to evaluate no LIPC (control, CON) or LIPC dosed at 15, 25, and 35 g per day (dosages determined from in vitro results) for 9 days on the efficacy of LIPC on selected bacterial strains, pH, and volatile fatty acids. Each period was 14 days with 9 d for acclimation and 5 d withdrawal period. Results: In the in vitro study dosage had no effect ($P{\geq}0.42$) on Clostridium strains, but as the dose increased SBEC concentrations increased (P = 0.001). Concentrations of the E. coli strain varied with dose. In vivo, LIPC's antimicrobial properties, at 15 g, significantly decreased (P = 0.02) SBEC when compared to 25 and 35 g dosages. C. perfringens decreased linearly (P = 0.03) as LIPC dose increased. Butyrate decreased linearly (P = 0.01) as LIPC dose increased. Conclusion: Further studies should be conducted with a longer dosing period to examine the antimicrobial properties of curcumin without adversely affecting cecal characteristics.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.138-143
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• 2022

A 21-year-old female Halla Horse weighing 248 kg was referred to the Jeju National University Equine Hospital with the chief complaint of anorexia accompanied by general weakness and depression for the previous three days suspected to be related to colic. Extensive diagnostic tests were performed for the following six days, including complete blood count (CBC), serum chemistry, gastroscopy, x-rays, and ultrasound imaging. The signalment, history, symptoms, and test results strongly suggested a chronic intestinal inflammatory disease with or without an alimentary tumor; hence, an exploratory laparotomy was performed. Almost the entire small intestine wall was severely thickened with diffuse ecchymosis on the serosa and protruded nodules on the mucosa. A presumptive diagnosis of an intestinal tumor was made, and the patient was euthanized, considering the patient's welfare with poor prognosis and low expectancy. A massive part of the small intestine was collected and submitted for macroscopic and microscopic pathology evaluations. The pathologic examination, including immunohistochemistry (IHC), indicated equine intestinal lymphoma showing strong positivity for T cell marker. This report describes the clinical signs, diagnosis and pathological features of intestinal lymphoma in a Halla Horse in detail.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.351-354
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• 2009

Diaphragmatic hernias, whether congenital or acquired (traumatic), are rarely observed in the horse. Acquired diaphragmatic hernias typically occur secondary to trauma or an increase in intraabdominal pressure due to falling, heavy exercise, or parturition. Diaphragmatic herniorrhaphy is difficult to perform in adult horses and the horses with symptomatic diaphragmatic hernias usually die. A 10- year old, 340 kg, Jeju horse (crossbred) broodmare with sudden onset of gait disorder and a moderate emaciation was examined. Findings on physical examination included conjunctivitis, dehydration, shallow breathing, dyspnea, weaken heart beat, lack of auscultatable sounds from the gastrointestinal tract, and anorexia. Rectal temperature was $38.4^{\circ}C$ and respiratory rates were moderately increased. There were slight signs of acute colic. The broodmare died one day after non-specific treatment of fluids, nutriment, antibiotics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. The cause of death was strangulation of the small intestine through a diaphragmatic hernia. The rent was about 2 cm in diameter and located in the central right part of diaphragm. Around 60 cm of small intestine was protruded into thoracic cavity through the rent. The cause of the hernia could not be ascertained. The broodmare had been pastured with many other horses, and the groom had not noticed any aggressive behavior among them. It was, however, speculated that trauma by stallion's attack may have been the cause of the diaphragmatic hernia, because the new horse may be the object of behaviors ranging from mild threats to seriously aggressive kicking, squealing, rearing, and biting.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.63 no.2
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• pp.11.1-11.5
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• 2023

A seven-month pregnant four-year-old Thoroughbred mare with colic weighing 600 kg was referred to the Jeju National University Equine Hospital. A physical examination and ultrasound suggested epiploic foramen entrapment. The patient underwent ileum resection and end-to-side jejunocecostomy. After surgery, the horse showed a consistent pain when introduced to feeding. A repeat laparotomy was performed to enlarge the stoma size with side-to-side jejunocecostomy. The repeat laparotomy was successful, and the mare gave birth uneventfully. This report describes a case of small intestinal epiploic foramen entrapment and the clinical outcomes of the 2 consecutive laparotomies a Thoroughbred mare in late gestation.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.123-126
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• 2024

A seven-month pregnant 15-year-old Thoroughbred mare presented with acute abdominal pain to Jeju National University Equine Hospital. At presentation, a nasogastric intubation revealed 10 L of gastric reflux; rectal palpation and ultrasound revealed dilated loops and thickening of the walls of the small intestine. An exploratory laparotomy revealed strangulation of the small intestine due to a large abdominal mass. The mass was double-ligated and resected blindly due to the short pedicle. An enterectomy was not performed as intestinal motility was detected following the mass removal. Histopathological examination confirmed that the mass was a lipoma, measuring 24 cm × 16 cm × 16 cm in size. On day 8 post-surgery, the mare was discharged without complications. This case report describes the diagnosis and treatment of strangulation of the small intestine by a pedunculated lipoma, thus providing useful information on lipoma in horses.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.121-124
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• 2004

Horses that have been retired from racing or imported from abroad are retired as broodmares. Whether at private farms or government institutes they are bred to stallions with the aim of improving fertility and enhancing the breed. Accidental deaths as a result of surgical or obstetrical complications lead to decreased productivity and economic losses to the horse breeding industry. Intussusception of the uterine horn is a frequent complication of the equine and bovine species, but rarely seen in other species. The most common causes are thought to be tearing of the placenta which is suspended from the uterus and ovaries and the weight of the placenta. Expulsion of the embryonic membranes is also thought to be a contributing factor. If symptoms are minor and treatment affected quickly, the problem will likely resolve itself. In more severe cases the uterus will prolapse completely. This case study was observed in a Thoroughbred broodmare. After treatment of dystocia, the broodmare could not stand up. She became dehydrated, collapsed, suffered colic and was euthanised. In this case was observed serious swelling vulva and perineal region by morphology, and there was seldom ascites and unusual view in thoracic and abdominal cavity after opening abdomen. However, intussusception of uterine horn involuted left uterine horn into the uterine body was observed.

• Journal of Practical Agriculture & Fisheries Research
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.117-123
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• 2018

The purpose of this report is to describe the diagnosed case of a large colonic impaction in an adult donkey. An adult female donkey (Equus africanus asinus; 6-years-old) was admitted to the Equine Hospital of Jeju Race Park with signs of anorexia, which had started 1 day previously. Clinical examination revealed: weak gut sounds, dehydration, and severe abdominal distension, but normal respiratory and heart rates and no signs of pain. Transrectal palpation identified an impaction in the colon. The patient was treated with nasogastric siphonage, fluid therapy, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Over the course of a day, her condition worsened; she started trembling, could not stand, and 2 hours later she died. Upon necropsy, a vast amount of ingesta was found in the large colon, particularly in the left ventral colon. The cecum and small colon were normal. Eleven days prior to presentation, the stable management and diet of the donkey had changed. We suspect that the change of feed, reduced water consumption, and lack of exercise precipitated the illness. However, the exact cause of the sudden death of the donkey requires further investigation.