Javma-journal of The American Veterinary Medical Association最新文献

{"title":"Isorhythmic atrioventricular dissociation detected during anesthesia in a geriatric cat.","authors":"Keisuke Sugimoto, Kanako Fujiwara, Kanako Tsuji, Masashi Miyazaki, Kosuke Kobayashi, Teppei Kanda","doi":"10.2460/javma.26.05.0378","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.26.05.0378","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":14658,"journal":{"name":"Javma-journal of The American Veterinary Medical Association","volume":" ","pages":"1-3"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148689068","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"High-dose oral pentobarbital can produce anesthesia in aggressive dogs prior to euthanasia.","authors":"Kathleen A Cooney, Sheilah A Robertson, Lori R Kogan, Gozong Zina Lor","doi":"10.2460/javma.26.04.0266","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.26.04.0266","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To determine whether PO administration of pentobarbital sodium solution at 3 times the labeled IV dose induces unconsciousness or euthanasia in dogs.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>12 dogs met the inclusion criteria. Criteria included dogs in a shelter setting scheduled for euthanasia between June 2024 and October 2025. Dogs exhibiting human and/or animal aggression and scheduled for euthanasia were selected for the study. There were no limiting factors for inclusion such as breed, sex, or age.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Pentobarbital sodium solution was injected into size 00 gelatin capsules (1-mL capacity), placed in high-reward foods, and offered to the dogs; 9 consumed the food and 3 refused. Five of the 9 dogs that ate the food containing pentobarbital capsules (≥ 255 mg/kg) achieved unconsciousness within a mean time of 25 minutes. Respiratory rates remained slow but consistent during the observation period (120 minutes). All 12 dogs required another euthanasia method to achieve death.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Ingestion of pentobarbital sodium as a euthanasia agent in dogs is unreliable. Death was not achieved 120 minutes after ingestion, and another euthanasia method was necessary.</p><p><strong>Clinical relevance: </strong>Oral administration of ≥ 255 mg/kg of pentobarbital sodium appears to be an effective pre-euthanasia anesthetic for dogs. When handling is best avoided because of behavior, veterinary and animal shelter personnel may try offering pentobarbital sodium at high doses in capsules hidden in food to fasted dogs as an anesthetic agent before euthanasia.</p>","PeriodicalId":14658,"journal":{"name":"Javma-journal of The American Veterinary Medical Association","volume":" ","pages":"1-6"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148678668","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"An artificial intelligence-enabled digital stethoscope demonstrates moderate murmur detection in dogs but not cats and unreliable arrhythmia classification in both species.","authors":"Jake H Johnson, Joshua A Stern, Teresa C DeFrancesco, Kursten V Pierce","doi":"10.2460/javma.26.05.0353","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.26.05.0353","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To prospectively evaluate the diagnostic performance of an AI-enabled digital stethoscope in detecting cardiac murmurs and arrhythmias compared to fourth-year veterinary students and experienced clinicians.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Dogs and cats presenting to a university teaching hospital were prospectively enrolled from August 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025. Each animal underwent cardiac auscultation at 4 thoracic sites with the use of an AI-enabled digital stethoscope (Core 500; EKO Health Inc), 6-lead ECG, and echocardiogram, if clinically indicated. Auscultation was performed by a cardiology resident, board-certified cardiologist, and fourth-year veterinary student.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The stethoscope demonstrated a sensitivity of 86.8%, specificity of 56.3%, and positive predictive value of 82.5% for murmur detection in dogs. There was no difference between the agreement of the AI stethoscope or students with a clinician (κ = 0.447). In cats, sensitivity was markedly lower (9.1%), with only 2 of 22 murmurs detected (κ = 0.081). The stethoscope demonstrated high sensitivity for atrial fibrillation (100%), but classified no dog as arrhythmia-free. Murmur grade was the only significant predictor of stethoscope murmur diagnosis, and high-grade murmurs (≥ 3) had significantly greater odds of detection (OR, 15.11).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The AI-enabled stethoscope demonstrated moderate murmur detection performance in dogs, comparable to fourth-year veterinary students, but performed poorly in cats. Arrhythmia classification was unreliable in both species.</p><p><strong>Clinical relevance: </strong>AI-enabled stethoscopes represent an emerging tool in veterinary medicine, but clinical validation is necessary before routine adoption. This study provides prospective performance data across small animals and examiner levels, identifying meaningful limitations regarding interpretation of this technology.</p>","PeriodicalId":14658,"journal":{"name":"Javma-journal of The American Veterinary Medical Association","volume":" ","pages":"1-8"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148678681","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Retrospective endoscopic assessment of complications associated with nasogastric intubation in horses at a referral hospital.","authors":"Alexandra S Fielding, Breanna J Sheahan","doi":"10.2460/javma.26.03.0206","DOIUrl":"10.2460/javma.26.03.0206","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To characterize the incidence of complications confirmed via endoscopy following nasogastric intubation in horses at a referral institution and determine associated risk factors.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Medical records of patients having received ≥ 1 nasogastric intubation within 3 days prior to endoscopic examination between March 2021 and March 2025 were identified. Signalment, history, clinicopathologic data, nasogastric intubation procedures, reason for endoscopy, treatment, and outcome were recorded. Complications were categorized by region (nasopharyngeal, esophageal, gastric). Clinical complications were defined as those prompting endoscopic examination, whereas subclinical complications were observed incidentally during endoscopy performed for other reasons.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>94 cases met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 25 of 94 (26.6%) had a complication observed on endoscopy, with the majority (68%) being subclinical. Horses with nasopharyngeal complications were the most likely to have clinical signs (60%), followed by those with esophageal complications (33%) and gastric complications (0%). Horses with complications had lower body weights (median, 430 kg; 95% CI, 365 to 482 kg) and increased numbers of band neutrophils than those without complications (median, 518 kg; 95% CI, 486 to 548 kg). Intubation prior to referral, number of intubations performed, and presence of an indwelling tube were not associated with complications.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Subclinical complications after nasogastric intubation occurred in a quarter of endoscopically examined cases not exposed to general anesthesia. Clinical complications were uncommon. Smaller horses may be more at risk for subclinical complications.</p><p><strong>Clinical relevance: </strong>Clinical complications are uncommon after routine nasogastric intubation; however, endoscopy after nasogastric intubation may identify incidental subclinical complications.</p>","PeriodicalId":14658,"journal":{"name":"Javma-journal of The American Veterinary Medical Association","volume":" ","pages":"1-8"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-07-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148619473","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Clinically important abnormalities are common in senior cats perceived to be healthy by owners.","authors":"Karina Herrera, Amy Nichelason, Zoe Snyder, Scott Hetzel, Gillian J McLellan, LaTasha K Crawford, Starr Cameron","doi":"10.2460/javma.26.04.0326","DOIUrl":"10.2460/javma.26.04.0326","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To describe physical examination findings, diagnostic abnormalities, and owner-reported assessments of senior cats perceived as healthy by their owners, and to evaluate agreement between owner perceptions and objective findings to inform diagnostic prioritization within a spectrum-of-care framework.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Client-owned cats aged ≥ 12 years presenting to the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine were prospectively enrolled between 2022 and 2024. Cats were included if their owners reported good health; cats with stable, chronic conditions were also eligible. Owner questionnaires, examinations, and diagnostic testing were performed. Prevalence of abnormalities and agreement between owner perceptions and findings were assessed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>129 cats were included in the study. All cats had abnormalities on physical examinations, most commonly dental (129 of 129 [100%]) and orthopedic disease (63 of 81 [77.8%]). Diagnostic testing revealed a high prevalence of previously unrecognized disease, including chronic kidney disease (49 of 80 [61.3%]), hypertension (54 of 56 [96.4%]), and hyperthyroidism (11 of 17 [64.7%]). Owner-reported mobility scores were not associated with orthopedic abnormalities. Although increased urination was associated with chronic kidney disease, 75.6% (34 of 45) of affected cats had no owner-reported change and only 1.3% (1 of 78) had reported increased thirst. Physical examination, urine specific gravity, renal parameters, total T4, and blood pressure were most informative for disease detection.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Clinically important abnormalities are common in apparently healthy senior cats. Reliance on owner-reported changes underestimated disease burden. Physical examination revealed most abnormalities, with urine specific gravity, renal values, total T4, and blood pressure abnormalities being prevalent.</p><p><strong>Clinical relevance: </strong>These findings support routine screening and a prioritized diagnostic approach, particularly when constraints limit comprehensive evaluation.</p>","PeriodicalId":14658,"journal":{"name":"Javma-journal of The American Veterinary Medical Association","volume":" ","pages":"1-10"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-07-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13472236/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148620067","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Favorable survival of horses with guttural pouch mycosis following hospital-based treatment.","authors":"Nicole A I Phillips, Rebecca C McOnie, Barbara Delvescovo, Rolfe Radcliffe, Norm G Ducharme, Eileen S Hackett","doi":"10.2460/javma.26.04.0248","DOIUrl":"10.2460/javma.26.04.0248","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To report the clinical outcomes and survival time in horses undergoing treatment of guttural pouch mycosis.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Client-owned horses with guttural pouch mycosis admitted between 2005 and 2024 for evaluation and treatment were identified by medical record search. Signalment, disease history, and surgical and treatment details were recorded. Owners were contacted for follow-up information.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>41 horses with guttural pouch mycosis were identified, of which 28 had epistaxis or a history of epistaxis on presentation. Thirty-five horses underwent surgical treatment, and the procedures included balloon catheter arterial occlusion, arterial embolization, arterial ligation, and pharyngeal fenestration. Six horses died or were euthanized in hospital, and 35 horses were discharged alive. Median time to follow-up was 377 weeks. Twenty-four of 35 horses discharged from the hospital were alive at follow-up, and 5 horses were euthanized for guttural-pouch-mycosis-related disease within 60 days of disease confirmation. The other 6 horses died of causes unrelated to guttural pouch mycosis. Epistaxis did not negatively impact survival. Horses with dysphagia on admission did not have lower survival time, and time to resolution of dysphagia varied from 6 to 12 months.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The findings suggested that guttural pouch mycosis carries a good prognosis for short-term survival and fair to good prognosis for long-term survival following hospital-based treatment.</p><p><strong>Clinical relevance: </strong>Treatment for horses with guttural pouch mycosis should not be withheld based on prognosis related to concurrent epistaxis or dysphagia.</p>","PeriodicalId":14658,"journal":{"name":"Javma-journal of The American Veterinary Medical Association","volume":" ","pages":"1-6"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-07-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148620112","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Echinococcus species in North America: an increasing concern for domestic animals, wildlife, and humans.","authors":"Kayla B Garrett, Christopher A Cleveland, Casey G Dukes, Sierra M D Tresner, Ethan P Barton, Michael J Yabsley","doi":"10.2460/javma.26.04.0328","DOIUrl":"10.2460/javma.26.04.0328","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Echinococcus multilocularis and Echinococcus canadensis (genotypes G8 and G10) are emerging parasites of concern across North America. Historically confined to northern and western regions, both species have been detected with increasing frequency in new geographic areas in wildlife, domestic dogs, and humans. Both Echinococcus spp have indirect life cycles involving carnivore definitive hosts (domestic and wild canids) and either herbivore intermediate hosts (for E canadensis) or rodents (for E multilocularis). For E multilocularis, domestic dogs can serve as both definitive hosts, shedding eggs into the environment, and aberrant intermediate hosts that can develop severe, often fatal alveolar echinococcosis (AE). Clinical presentations in dogs with AE include hepatic masses, abdominal distension, anorexia, and hematological abnormalities. Intestinal Echinococcus spp infections in canids can be treated with products that contain praziquantel, but treatment of canine AE cases is complicated and has a poor prognosis. Intestinal infections can be diagnosed by fecal examinations and detection of eggs; however, importantly, the eggs are morphologically indistinguishable from Taenia spp. Molecular testing is therefore essential to definitively determine the parasite species. Given expanding parasite ranges, the close human-dog bond, and the severity of disease in both dogs and people, enhanced surveillance programs and routine veterinary testing and treatment protocols are important to minimize the risk of infection. Because diagnosis is important to prevent infection, the companion Currents in One Health by Garrett et al, AJVR, July 2026, investigates different methods of detection using fecal testing.</p>","PeriodicalId":14658,"journal":{"name":"Javma-journal of The American Veterinary Medical Association","volume":" ","pages":"1270-1278"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-07-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148561985","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Clinical trial reveals limited clinical and microbiome effects following oral fecal microbiota transplantation in dogs with chronic enteropathy responsive to tylosin.","authors":"Mohsen Hanifeh, Mirja Huhtinen, Holly H Ganz, Romy M Heilmann, Wenyi Huang, Thomas Spillmann, Jan S Suchodolski","doi":"10.2460/javma.26.03.0178","DOIUrl":"10.2460/javma.26.03.0178","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To evaluate clinical response and fecal biomarkers in dogs with tylosin-responsive enteropathy (TRE) treated with oral fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (conducted between August 1, 2020, and December 31, 2022), 14 client-owned dogs with confirmed tylosin-responsive enteropathy entered the treatment phase. Dogs received oral FMT (n = 7) or placebo (7) for 4 weeks; 1 placebo-treated dog was excluded (pyometra), leaving 7 FMT-treated and 6 placebo-treated dogs for analysis. Canine Chronic Enteropathy Clinical Activity Index, fecal consistency, and fecal biomarkers (dysbiosis index, core bacteria, bile acids, short-chain fatty acids, lactate, and calprotectin) were assessed at pretreatment and posttreatment visits. Intestinal permeability was evaluated with serum iohexol. Analyses were limited to pre- and posttreatment comparisons.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Relapse occurred in 2 of 7 FMT-treated dogs (28.6%) and 3 of 6 placebo-treated dogs (50.0%). The dysbiosis index decreased over time in both groups, with no treatment effect. Faecalibacterium spp increased, with higher posttreatment values in the FMT group, whereas Turicibacter spp increased in both groups. Peptacetobacter hiranonis increased over time without between-group differences. Bile acid conversion was observed in a subset of dogs without group differences. Other biomarkers showed no consistent treatment-specific effects.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Oral FMT was associated with variable microbiome changes and inconsistent clinical response, with no clear treatment-specific effects compared with placebo. These findings support further evaluation of optimized microbiome-based therapies in larger studies.</p><p><strong>Clinical relevance: </strong>Oral FMT may serve as an adjunctive strategy for microbiome modulation in dogs with chronic enteropathy; however, clinical benefits were inconsistent and optimized protocols may be required.</p>","PeriodicalId":14658,"journal":{"name":"Javma-journal of The American Veterinary Medical Association","volume":" ","pages":"1314-1324"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-07-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148561965","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Distally centered osteotomies, but not joint inspection, are associated with increased radiographic patellar tendon thickness at short-term follow-up after tibial plateau leveling osteotomy in dogs.","authors":"Darby D Toth, Martin Hamon, Cristina B Márquez, Ashley Pritchard, James K Roush, Walter C Renberg, Pierre P Picavet","doi":"10.2460/javma.26.03.0229","DOIUrl":"10.2460/javma.26.03.0229","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To radiographically evaluate patellar tendon thickness (PTT) following tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) performed with or without joint inspection, and to assess the effect of osteotomy positioning (distally centered osteotomy [DCO] vs ideally centered osteotomy [ICO]) on PTT.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Medical records of client-owned dogs following TPLO between January 1, 2023, and December 31, 2023, were reviewed retrospectively. Joint intervention was categorized as mini medial arthrotomy (MA) or no arthrotomy (NA). Patellar tendon thickness was measured radiographically preoperatively, postoperatively, and at recheck examination. Analysis of covariance models were used to compare outcomes between groups.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>91 stifles underwent MA, and 54 stifles had NA. Postoperative PTT was greater following MA than NA, with least-squares mean values of 7.42 mm (95% CI, 7.02 to 7.83 mm) and 5.44 mm (95% CI, 5.03 to 5.90 mm), respectively. No difference between groups was identified at recheck examination. Ninety-five stifles were classified as ICO and 50 as DCO. Osteotomy positioning was not associated with postoperative PTT. At recheck examination, DCO cases demonstrated greater PTT than ICO cases, with least-squares mean values of 7.81 mm (95% CI, 6.86 to 8.89 mm) and 6.55 mm (95% CI, 6.00 to 7.14 mm), respectively.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Joint inspection was associated with increased PTT immediately postoperatively, but this effect did not persist at recheck examination. Distally centered osteotomy was associated with greater PTT at recheck examination compared to ICO.</p><p><strong>Clinical relevance: </strong>Mini medial arthrotomy may contribute to transient postoperative patellar tendon thickening following TPLO. Distally centered osteotomy may predispose dogs to persistent radiographic patellar tendon thickening.</p>","PeriodicalId":14658,"journal":{"name":"Javma-journal of The American Veterinary Medical Association","volume":" ","pages":"1-8"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-07-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148421199","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Combined treatment with valacyclovir and heparin reduced the incidence of equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy and improved survival in naturally occurring equine herpesvirus-1 outbreaks.","authors":"Megan Marchitello, Krista Estell, Elsa K Ludwig, Abby M Sage, Nathaniel A White","doi":"10.2460/javma.26.02.0118","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.26.02.0118","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Describe the effects and outcomes of valacyclovir and heparin administration in equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1)-exposed horses.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A multicenter retrospective study identified 111 horses naturally exposed to EHV-1 from August 2017 to March 2018. Equine herpesvirus-1 infection was confirmed via blood or nasal secretion PCR. Horses that developed neurologic signs were diagnosed with equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM). Clinical signs, treatment, and survival were reported. A subset of horses was treated with valacyclovir and heparin. Prophylactic medication administration was performed prior to development of EHV-1 clinical signs (temperature > 38.6 °C, limb edema, nasal discharge, or neurologic deficits). Medication administration to clinical cases was defined as metaphylactic. Survival and EHM incidence were assessed between horses that received valacyclovir and heparin and horses that did not.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>22 horses were diagnosed with EHV-1, with 9 developing EHM. Fourteen EHV-1-positive horses received metaphylactic valacyclovir and heparin, with 5 developing EHM. Five EHV-1-positive horses received prophylactic valacyclovir and metaphylactic heparin, with 1 developing EHM. Four EHV-1 horses were not treated with valacyclovir or heparin; all developed grade 5/5 ataxia and were euthanized. All horses treated with valacyclovir and heparin survived.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>EHV-1 treatment with valacyclovir and heparin reduced the incidence of EHM and improved survival compared to horses that did not receive these medications.</p><p><strong>Clinical relevance: </strong>In confirmed EHV-1 outbreaks, the administration of valacyclovir prior to the development of EHV-1 clinical signs and the administration of heparin after the development of clinical signs may improve patient survival.</p>","PeriodicalId":14658,"journal":{"name":"Javma-journal of The American Veterinary Medical Association","volume":" ","pages":"1-6"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-07-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148421264","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}