Topic:Blood Analysis
Blood analysis in horses involves the examination of blood samples to assess various physiological and pathological conditions. This process provides insights into the health status of horses by evaluating components such as red and white blood cells, platelets, and various biochemical parameters. Blood analysis can help identify infections, anemia, metabolic disorders, and other health issues. Common tests include complete blood counts (CBC) and blood chemistry panels, which measure electrolytes, enzymes, and other substances. This page aggregates peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore methodologies, findings, and implications of blood analysis in equine veterinary medicine.
Prevalence and Molecular Characterization of Coxiella burnetii in Cattle, Goats, and Horses in the Republic of Korea. is an obligate intracellular zoonotic bacterium with a global distribution. This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of in different animals and to assess the potential role of these species as reservoirs of infection and transmission to humans. A total of 592 blood samples (105 beef cattle, 61 dairy cattle, 110 Korean native goats, 83 Boer goats, and 233 horses) were collected in the Republic of Korea (ROK). The DNA was detected from blood samples using the transposon-like repetitive region () by PCR method. The results showed that 22.7% of the Korean-native goats, 16.4% of t...
Serological evidence of Rickettsia in horses from a semi-arid Brazilian region. Brazilian spotted fever (BSF) is a common tick-borne disease caused by Rickettsia rickettsii. Horses are the primary hosts of the main vector, Amblyomma sculptum, and are considered efficient sentinels for circulation of Rickettsia. Therefore, the aim of this study was to detect antibodies reactive to R. rickettsii antigens in horses from a non-endemic area in the north-central region of Bahia state, Brazil. Blood samples and ticks were collected from 70 horses from the municipalities of Senhor do Bonfim, Antônio Gonçalves, Pindobaçu, and Campo Formoso. The sera obtained were tested by an i...
Speed and Blood Parameters Differ between Arabian and Žemaitukai Horses during Endurance Racing. Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) has described equine endurance racing as the second largest discipline in the world, above which is only show jumping. The Žemaitukai is an ancient indigenous Lithuanian horse breed known since the 6th or 7th century. The Arabian horse breed is one of the oldest human-developed horse breeds in the world. Compared with other race horse breeds, the muscle tissue of Arabian horses is characterized by significant differences in structure-a predominance of oxidative fiber type I is observed in Arabians, making them the prevailing breed in endurance racing...
Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR FT-IR) Spectroscopy for the Quantitative Analysis of Deuterium in Plasma: Application to Total Body Water Determination in Humans and Other Animals. Conventional methods for measuring the concentration of deuterium in body fluids are by either isotope ratio mass spectrometry or Fourier transform infrared transmission (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The latter method is often preferred as it is less expensive and time consuming; however, having a lower sensitivity means a larger sample volume is required. This study investigated an alternative FT-IR spectroscopic method, attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR FT-IR), which has the potential to provide shorter analysis times while requiring smaller sample volumes. Deu...
Colonic Health in Hospitalized Horses Treated with Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs – A Preliminary Study. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can cause right dorsal colitis, but longitudinal clinical studies are lacking. This study investigates whether NSAID treated horses develop right dorsal colonic pathology in a clinical setting. Non-gastrointestinal hospitalized horses treated with NSAIDs >4 days, and untreated hospital-owned teaching horses and non-gastrointestinal client-owned hospitalized horses were included. All horses were monitored over time with clinical examinations (focusing on presence of colic, depression, reduced appetite, unstructured feces), ultrasonographic intestin...
Impacts of DigestaWell NRG Supplementation on Post Exercise Muscle Soreness in Unconditioned Horses, a Pilot Study. Exercising horses are commonly plagued by muscle fatigue and soreness, which can result in reduced performance ability. In the present study, ten unconditioned horses were fed 200g per day DigestaWell NRG, a commercial dietary supplement containing Yucca schidigera and Trigonella foenum-graecum, two herbs shown in other species to reduce post-exercise muscle pain and soreness. A control, unsupplemented group contained ten horses of similar age, breed, and gender. Horses completed a 50 minutes, ridden standardized exercise test of moderate intensity immediately prior to (Period1) and after 28 d...
Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of a high concentration of buprenorphine (Simbadol) in conscious horses after subcutaneous administration. To determine the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of high-concentration formulation of buprenorphine (1.8 mg mL; Simbadol) following subcutaneous (SC) administration in horses. Methods: Prospective, randomized, crossover trial. Methods: A group of six healthy adult horses weighing 521-602 kg. Methods: On three occasions, Simbadol (0.005 mg kg; treatment S5), (0.0025 mg kg; treatment S2.5) or saline (treatment SAL) were administered SC at least 7 days apart in random order. Electrical nociceptive threshold (ENT) measured on the neck region, physiologic variables, locomotor activity, degree...
Investigation of erythrocyte antigen frequencies in draft horse populations in Japan to assess blood donor suitability. Erythrocyte alloantigen frequencies of draft horses in Japan were investigated to assess blood donor suitability for transfusion. Here, 148 Japanese draft, 69 Percheron, and 65 Breton horses were blood-typed and subjected to an indirect antiglobulin test. Regarding the major immunogenic factors, the rates of Aa- and Qa-negative horses ranged from 0.35 to 0.49 and from 0.82 to 1.00, respectively. The rate of alloantibody-positive horses ranged from 0.12 to 0.35. Although the prevalence of alloantibodies in these horses was higher than that expected naturally, the rates of Aa- and Qa-negative ho...
The pharmacokinetics of a fentanyl matrix patch applied at three different anatomical locations in horses. Matrix fentanyl patches have not been investigated in horses and may represent an effective means of providing analgesia over an extended time period without venous catheterisation. Objective: To describe the pharmacokinetics of a matrix transdermal fentanyl patch in horses. Methods: Randomised experiment, Latin-square design. Methods: Six adult horses were given each of three treatments with a 96-hour washout. For each treatment, two 100 µg/h matrix fentanyl patches were applied to the inguinal region (TXA), metacarpus (TXM) or ventral tail base (TXT) for 72 hours. Blood samples for fentan...
Effects of storage time and temperature on thromboelastographic analysis in dogs and horses. The accessibility of thromboelastography (TEG) to general practitioners is limited by short sample storage times (30 minutes) and storage temperatures (20-23°C). Objective: We aimed to evaluate the stability of canine and equine citrated blood samples when stored for extended periods of time, both at room temperature (RT) (20-23°C) and refrigerator temperature (FT) (2-7.5°C). Methods: Citrated whole blood samples from healthy dogs and horses (n = 10 for each) were stored for 30 minutes (baseline) at RT before TEG analysis. Baseline values for TEG variables R, K, α, MA, LY30, and LY60 w...
Clock gene per 2 daily rhythm: Correlation with the serum level of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) in goat and horse. Recent studies evidenced that the circadian rhythm of Per2 is involved in adaptive thermogenesis by the modulating transcription of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1). For this purpose, we investigated the linkage between the daily rhythm of Per2 and UCP1 in ruminant and non-ruminant mammalian species. Five clinically healthy, not pregnant, and not lactating Maltese female goats and five clinically healthy, not pregnant, and not lactating Italian Saddle horses were enrolled in the study. All animals were housed under natural photoperiod (sunrise 05:05, sunset 20:55) and environmental temperature and ...
Pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of tildipirosin following intravenous and subcutaneous administration in horses. This study was designed to investigate the safety and pharmacokinetic (PK) profile of tildipirosin in horses after intravenous (i.v.) and subcutaneous (s.c.) injection of a single dose at 4 mg/kg of body weight (b.w.). A total of 12 healthy mixed breed horses were used in the study. Horses were monitored for systemic and local adverse effects, and whole blood samples were collected for hematology and plasma biochemistry analysis at time (0) and at 6, 24, and 72 h after drug administration. For PK analysis, blood samples were collected at pre-determined times before and after tildipirosin adm...
Plasma l-indospicine and 3-nitropropionic acid in ponies fed creeping indigo: Comparison with results from an episode of presumptive creeping indigo toxicosis. Creeping indigo (Indigofera spicata) toxicosis is an emerging problem among horses in Florida and bordering states. Objective: To quantify the putative toxins l-indospicine (IND) and 3-nitropropionic acid (NPA) in creeping indigo collected from multiple sites and to measure plasma toxin concentrations in ponies fed creeping indigo and horses with presumptive creeping indigo toxicosis. Methods: Experimental descriptive study with descriptive observational field investigation. Methods: Air-dried creeping indigo was assayed for IND and NPA content. Five ponies were fed chopped creeping indigo con...
Evaluation of fasting plasma insulin and proxy measurements to assess insulin sensitivity in horses. Proxies are mathematical calculations based on fasting glucose and/or insulin concentrations developed to allow prediction of insulin sensitivity (IS) and β-cell response. These proxies have not been evaluated in horses with insulin dysregulation. The first objective of this study was to evaluate how fasting insulin (FI) and proxies for IS (1/Insulin, reciprocal of the square root of insulin (RISQI) and the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI)) and β-cell response (the modified insulin-to-glucose ratio (MIRG) and the homeostatic model assessment of β-cell function (HOMA-β)...
Modulation of Serum Protein Electrophoretic Pattern and Leukocyte Population in Horses Vaccinated against West Nile Virus. This study aimed to evaluate the hematological and serum protein electrophoretic profiles of horses after inactivated West Nile virus (WNV) vaccine administration. Blood samples were collected from 10 horses before (T0), after 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, 1 week, 2 weeks and 3 weeks (T1, T2, T3, T4, T5 and T6) from the first WNV vaccine-dose administration, before the vaccine-booster (TPRE), and after 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, 1 week, 2 weeks and 3 weeks (T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, T6) from the WNV vaccine-booster. There was a significant increase in lymphocytes and a decrease in neutrophils after both the first vaccin...
Antinociceptive effects of levomethadone in standing horses sedated with romifidine. To evaluate the antinociceptive effect of a bolus of intravenous levomethadone administered to horses during romifidine constant rate infusion (CRI). Methods: Prospective, randomized, masked, crossover experimental study. Methods: A group of eight adult Warmblood horses (seven geldings, one mare) aged 6.6 ± 4.4 years, weighing 548 ± 52 kg [mean ± standard deviation (SD)]. Methods: Levomethadone 0.1 mg kg or an equivalent volume of saline (control) was administered intravenously to standing horses 60 minutes after starting a romifidine CRI. Blood samples to quantify romifidine and levomethad...
Systemic detectability of dexamethasone and prednisolone after eye drop application in horses. Equine sport agencies list steroids as prohibited substances for competing horses. Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate if the controlled substances dexamethasone and prednisolone are detectable in equine serum and urine samples during and after treatment with eye drops and if this can generate a positive doping test. Methods: Prospective cohort study. Methods: The study cohort included 11 horses. One eye of the horses was treated with either dexamethasone (Maxitrol 0.1%, n = 5 eyes) or prednisolone (Pred forte 1%, n = 6 eyes) eye drops 3 times daily for 14 days. Dexa...
Investigation of the effects of orally administered trazodone on intraocular pressure, pupil diameter, physical examination variables, and sedation level in healthy equids. To investigate the effects of orally administered trazodone on intraocular pressure (IOP), pupil diameter measured in the vertical plane (ie, vertical pupil diameter [VPD]), selected physical examination variables, and sedation level in healthy equids. Methods: 7 horses and 1 pony. Methods: Food was withheld for 12 hours prior to drug administration. After baseline (time 0) sedation scoring, physical examination, and measurement of IOP and VPD, equids received 1 dose (approx 6 mg/kg) of trazodone orally. Examination and measurement procedures were repeated 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 hours aft...
The Positive Impact of Increasing Feeding Frequency on Feed Intake, Nutrient Digestibility, and Blood Metabolites of Turkmen Horses. To determine the effects of feeding frequency on nutrient digestibility and blood metabolites in horse, 16 Turkmen horses were used with weight of 430 ± 46 kg and age of 7 ± 1.8 years. Four feeding frequencies with 2 (M2), 4 (M4), 6 (M6), and 8 (M8) meals per day were used for a period of 28 days. The ratio of hay to concentrate was 70:30 in the experimental diet. Acid insoluble ash was used as internal marker to determine digestibility. On the 27th day of experiment, the blood was collected on 13 time points throughout the day. The results of this experiment showed that feed intake was not ...
The contraceptive efficacy of a self-assembling intra-uterine device in domestic mares. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the contraceptive efficacy of a self-assembling uterine device (iUPOD™) in the mare. In addition, the effects of iUPODs on oestrous cyclicity, uterine health and circulating concentrations of cortisol were evaluated. Methods: Domestic mares underwent oestrous monitoring and artificial insemination. After subsequent ovulation, mares underwent either placement (n = 7) or sham placement (n = 7; controls) of an iUPOD device. Devices were left in place for at least 3 months. Pregnancy diagnoses were carried out 14 days post-ovulation, with any pr...
Stress response after race and endurance training sessions and competitions in Arabian horses. Assuring a high level of animal welfare is a critical aspect of contemporary animal husbandry. Equine athletes begin their careers at a very young age when they are still developing and they are both physically and mentally immature. Lack of scientific knowledge of the stress related to horse racing impedes the development of optimal training programs to attain equilibrium between the best sport results and optimal welfare. This study aimed to determine the influence of the intensity and type of physical activity on peripheral blood cortisol concentration. Thirty untrained Arabians, 9 enduranc...
Glucagon, insulin, adrenocorticotropic hormone, and cortisol in response to carbohydrates and fasting in healthy neonatal foals. The endocrine pancreas and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPAA) are central to energy homeostasis, but information on their dynamics in response to energy challenges in healthy newborn foals is lacking. Objective: To evaluate glucagon, insulin, ACTH, and cortisol response to fasting and carbohydrate administration in healthy foals. Methods: Twenty-two healthy Standardbred foals ≤4 days of age. Methods: Foals were assigned to fasted (n = 6), IV glucose (IVGT; n = 5), PO glucose (OGT; n = 5), and PO lactose (OLT; n = 6) test groups. Blood samples were collected frequently for 210 min...
Characteristics of follicular dynamics and reproductive hormone profiles during oestrous cycles of jennies over an entire year. Although donkeys have been domesticated for over 6,000 years, limited information is available concerning their reproductive physiology, especially under intensive rearing conditions. The aims of this experiment were to study follicular dynamics and reproductive hormone variation in jennies during the inter-ovulatory interval in different seasons. A total of 12 continuous cycles of six Dezhou Black (DB) donkey jennies were examined in four different seasons. The diameters of the six largest follicles of each jenny were measured daily by ultrasonography, and blood samples were collected at fix...
Effect of Pen Size on Stress Responses of Stall-Housed Horses Receiving One Hour of Daily Turnout. Group turnout provides important socializing opportunities for horses, particularly those that are primarily stalled. A high percentage of equine injuries occur during group turnout, which could partly be due to the physical constraints of fencing. To investigate appropriate paddock sizes for group turnouts, horses (n = 12) from a single herd were divided into groups of 4, stalled for 24 hours, and then turned out for 1 hour into one of three differently sized pens: 342, 263, and 184 m per horse. Groups rotated through pens across 3 days, receiving one treatment per day. Blood was sampled ...
Effect of Meperidine on Equine Blood Histamine, Tryptase, and Immunoglobulin-E Concentrations. To evaluate changes in immunological parameters following subcutaneous (SC) and intramuscular (IM) administration of meperidine in horses through quantitative analysis of plasma tryptase, histamine, and IgE levels. Six adult horses were enrolled in a prospective randomized crossover design. Horses were administered one treatment per day, with a seven day washout period: (a) meperidine 1 mg/kg IM, saline 6 mL SC; (b) saline 6 mL IM, meperidine 1 mg/kg SC; (c) saline 6 mL SC, saline 6 mL IM. Blood samples were obtained for plasmatic histamine (baseline, 5, 10, 15, 30, and 60 min) via LC-MS/MS ...
Assessment of platelet biology in equine patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome. In addition to maintaining hemostasis, platelets have an important role in modulating innate and adaptive immune responses. A low platelet count has been found to be a negative prognostic factor for survival in humans and horses with critical illnesses, such as sepsis or systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). Decreased platelet aggregation, caused by in vivo activation, has been found in human patients with severe sepsis. In our prospective controlled study, we assessed platelet biology in blood samples from 20 equine SIRS cases and 120 healthy control horses. Platelet variables such ...
Evaluation of the efficiency of TaqMan duplex real-time PCR assay for non-invasive pre-natal assessment of foetal sex in equine. Accurate diagnosis of foetal sex in pregnant mare is helpful for many breeders, both for private or commercial purposes. In this study, in order to pre-natal foetal sexing in equine, we used TaqMan duplex real-time PCR to detect the specific regions of SRY and TSPY genes on extracted cell-free foetal DNA from maternal blood. Peripheral blood samples from 50 pregnant Arabian mares with singleton foetuses were collected. Cell-free foetal DNA was extracted from maternal plasma, and duplex real-time PCR assays were performed with TaqMan probes and primers. Amplification of glyceraldehyde-3-phospha...
Metabolic changes induced by oral glucose tests in horses and their diagnostic use. Little is known about the implications of hyperinsulinemia on energy metabolism, and such knowledge might help understand the pathophysiology of insulin dysregulation. Objective: Describe differences in the metabolic response to an oral glucose test, depending on the magnitude of the insulin response. Methods: Twelve Icelandic horses in various metabolic states. Methods: Horses were subjected to 3 oral glucose tests (OGT; 0.5 g/kg body weight glucose). Basal, 120 and 180 minutes samples were analyzed using a combined liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry and flow injection analysis ...
Concentrations of Circulating Irisin and Myostatin in Race and Endurace Purebred Arabian Horses-Preliminary Study. Skeletal muscle is considered to be the largest endocrine organ determining the maintenance of energy homeostasis. Adaptive changes in skeletal muscles in response to physical exercise influence the production as well as secretion of myokines, which are bioactive factors that play a crucial role in energy expenditure processes. The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of two different types of exercise on the circulating level of two of these, myostatin and irisin, in trained horses. Twenty purebred Arabian horses were involved in the study: 10 three-year-old horses trained on the ra...
Asymmetric dimethylarginine-A potential cardiac biomarker in horses. Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) is a cardiac biomarker in humans, symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) a renal biomarker in humans, cats, and dogs. The purpose of this prospective study was to investigate if measuring serum ADMA and SDMA concentrations via ELISA allows detection of cardiac disease in horses in a routine laboratory setting. In this context, reference values in horses were established. Methods: Seventy-eight horses with no known medical history were compared to 23 horses with confirmed structural cardiac disease with/or without arrhythmias. Horses underwent physical examination,...