Topic:Monitoring
Identification of third stage larvae of strongyles and molecular diagnosis of Strongylus vulgaris in the feces of Thoroughbred horses kept in training centers in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The aims of the present study were to identify strongyles in the feces of Thoroughbred horses based on larval morphology; to detect Strongylus vulgaris using molecular diagnosis and compare results to those of feces culture; and to determine the association between the presence of S. vulgaris with corresponding animal information (age range, gender, and anthelmintic use). Feces of horses kept in six Training Centers in Rio de Janeiro State, that showed the presence of ≥500 eggs per gram of feces (EPG) were subjected to strongyle identification. Of the 520 fecal samples collected, 35 had an E...
Classification performance of sEMG and kinematic parameters for distinguishing between non-lame and induced lameness conditions in horses. Despite its proven research applications, it remains unknown whether surface electromyography (sEMG) can be used clinically to discriminate non-lame from lame conditions in horses. This study compared the classification performance of sEMG absolute value (sEMGabs) and asymmetry (sEMGasym) parameters, alongside validated kinematic upper-body asymmetry parameters, for distinguishing non-lame from induced fore- (iFL) and hindlimb (iHL) lameness. Bilateral sEMG and 3D-kinematic data were collected from clinically non-lame horses ( = 8) during in-hand trot. iFL and iHL (2-3/5 AAEP) were induced...
Population structure and genetic diversity of Polish Arabian horses based on pedigree data. With a history tracing back to at least the 18th century and a substantial global influence on various breeds, Polish Arabian horse population is of paramount importance for both breeders and conservationists. However, its genetic makeup and the population dynamics are still not well understood. This study presents an analysis of the modern Polish Arabian horse population using pedigree data, focusing on the breed's genetic diversity and population structure. Our analysis encompassed 1 498 individuals defined as the reference population (RP) and their 11 065 ancestors, which resulted in the ...
Twenty-four hour continuous transvenous temporary right ventricular pacing in healthy horses. The ability to perform transvenous temporary cardiac pacing (TV-TP) is critical to stabilize horses with symptomatic bradyarrhythmias. Reports of successful TV-TP in horses are limited, and only briefly describe short-term pacing. Objective: To describe temporary, medium-term (24 h) transvenous right ventricular pacing in awake horses using a bipolar torque-directed pacing catheter. Methods: Six healthy adult institutional teaching horses. Methods: Prospective experimental study with 2 immediately successive TV-TP lead placements in each horse with a target location of the RV apex. One place...
Use of FreeStyle Libre for continuous glucose monitoring in adult horses. To evaluate the feasibility of using the FreeStyle Libre (a continuous glucose monitoring system [CGMS]) for instantaneous continuous monitoring of interstitial glucose in adult horses and examine the applicability and accuracy of this system in horses submitted to combined glucose-insulin test (CGIT). Methods: Laboratory measurements and continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMS) readings were analyzed using a 2 × 2 factorial statistical model with repeated measures over time. This analysis assessed the effects of the test (factor 1), group (factor 2), and their interactions (test × group,...
The genome of Przewalski’s horse ( Equus ferus przewalskii ). The Przewalski's horse ( ) is an endangered equid native to the steppes of central Asia. After becoming extinct in the wild, multiple conservation efforts convened to preserve the species including captive breeding programs, reintroduction and monitoring systems, protected lands, and cloning. Availability of a highly contiguous reference genome is essential to support these continued efforts. We used Oxford Nanopore sequencing to produce a scaffold-level 2.5 Gb nuclear assembly and 16,002 bp mitogenome from a captive Przewalski's mare. All assembly drafts were generated from 111 Gb of sequenc...
Conductivity of mammary gland secretions is a sensitive and specific predictor of parturition in mares. Accurate prediction of parturition is paramount to ensuring monitoring of delivery and preventing complications. Assessing the pH and electrolytes of the mammary gland secretions (MGS) helps detect impending parturition. As conductivity is related to electrolyte concentrations and pH, it could be a useful alternative for predicting impending parturition; however, this hypothesis warrants a critical assessment. Objective: To assess the ability of conductivity, pH, and Brix in the MGS to predict parturition and to investigate their associations. Methods: Field study. Methods: The MGS of peripart...
The first report of triple anthelmintic resistance on a French Thoroughbred stud farm. This study assessed the anthelmintic resistance in strongylid nematodes against commonly used anthelmintic (AH) drugs in a French galloping racehorse stud farm from March to December 2023. Faecal egg count reduction tests (FECRTs) were conducted in three different groups of Thoroughbred yearlings (a group of 6 males, a group of 13 females and a group of 8 females and 3 males) following the new World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology (WAAVP) guidelines. The efficacy of fenbendazole was tested in two groups once during the monitoring period (in March), the efficacy of iv...
Advances in the Clinical Diagnostics to Equine Back Pain: A Review of Imaging and Functional Modalities. Back pain is common in ridden horses. Back diseases in horses include Impinging Dorsal Spinous Processes, Ventral Spondylosis, Osteoarthritis of Articular Process, Intervertebral Discs Disease, Vertebral Fractures, Conformational Abnormalities, Desmopathy of the Supraspinous Ligament, Desmopathy of the Intraspinous Ligament, and Longissimus Muscle Strain. Back pain may also develop as a result of lameness (particularly hindlimb lameness). A poorly fitting saddle and an unbalanced rider are also considered important factors influencing the development of back pain in horses. The conventional di...
Equine brucellosis in Iran: serological, bacteriological and molecular analysis. Equine brucellosis significantly impacts the health and functionality of horses, leading to complications such as bursitis infection, septic tenosynovitis, septic arthritis, and non-specific lameness resulting from joint infections. In the present study, we used the Rose Bengal plate agglutination test (RBPT), serum agglutination test (SAT), and the 2-mercaptoethanol (2-ME) assays to find equine brucellosis. From June 2018 to September 2022, 876 blood samples were randomly taken from apparently healthy racing horses in certain parts of Iran, such as Kerman, Isfahan, Tehran, Qom, and Kurdistan....
Pharmacokinetic study of osilodrostat and identification of mono-hydroxylated metabolite in equine plasma for the purpose of doping control. Osilodrostat is an inhibitor of 11-beta-hydroxylase (CYP11B) and is used for the treatment of Cushing's disease but also categorized as an anabolic agent. The use of osilodrostat is prohibited in horseracing and equestrian sports. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first metabolic study of osilodrostat in equine plasma. Methods: Potential metabolites of osilodrostat were identified by differential analysis using data acquired from pre- and post-administration plasma samples after protein precipitation with liquid chromatography electrospray ionization high-resolution mass spectrometry (...
Use of quantitative mass spectrometry-based proteomics and ELISA to compare the alpha 2 macroglobulin concentration in equine blood-based products processed by three different orthobiologic devices. Alpha 2 macroglobulin (A2M), a multi-functional protein in the plasma protease inhibitor class, regulates proinflammatory cytokines and the clearance of chondrodestructive enzymes in cases of joint injury and osteoarthritis (OA). The purpose of this study was to compare A2M concentrations in equine plasma samples processed by three commercial devices developed for stall-side regenerative joint therapy. Unassigned: Plasma samples were obtained from healthy adult horses ( = 13). Mass spectrometry analysis was used to determine the concentration of protein analytes in each sample. Selected re...
Detection of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation preceding persistent atrial fibrillation in a horse using an implantable loop recorder with remote monitoring. Implantable loop recorders (ILRs) are increasingly used in equine cardiology to detect arrhythmias in the context of collapse, poor performance or monitoring for recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF). However to date, the ILR has never been reported to be used with a remote monitoring functionality in horses, therefore the arrhythmia is only discovered when a clinician interrogates the ILR using dedicated equipment, which might delay diagnosis and intervention. This case report describes the use of an ILR with remote monitoring functionality in a horse with recurrent AF. The remote monitoring...
Fetal maceration and partial retention of fetal bones in 2 mares. Pregnancy loss after Day 40 in mares usually results in the expulsion (abortion) of the fetus and placental membranes. However, fetal retention within the uterus is also a possible outcome, leading to either fetal mummification or maceration. Fetal maceration is septic decomposition of fetal tissues within the uterus following failure of expulsion. It requires the presence of bacteria and oxygen within the uterus, likely originating from an open cervix, and results in tissue autolysis, leaving only fetal bones remaining in the mare. Fetal maceration is a rare complication of pregnancy in mares...
Plasma relaxin, estrogens and progestogens concentration in coldblooded and hot-blood mares in the second half of gestation. Monitoring estrogens, progestogens, and relaxin plasma concentration can be important for determining pregnancies at risk of failure in mares. However, significant breed-related differences in values of reproductive hormones are known, and data concerning coldblooded (CB) mares are missing. The aim of the study was to determine and compare serum relaxin, estrone sulphate (E1S), estradiol-17β (E2), and progestogens concentration in pregnant CB and hot-blood (HB) mares during the second half of gestation. Blood samples obtained from 94 healthy mares in the second half of gestation with known ma...
Respiratory oscillometry testing in relation to exercise in healthy and asthmatic Thoroughbreds. Racehorses may experience exercise-induced bronchodilation or bronchoconstriction, with potential differences between healthy and asthmatic individuals. Objective: To identify exercise-related lung function variations by oscillometry in racehorses, compare lung function between healthy and mild equine asthma (MEA) horses, assess oscillometry's potential as a predictor of racing fitness. Methods: Prospective case-control clinical study. Methods: Fourteen Thoroughbred racehorses (5 healthy, 9 MEA) underwent a protocol including respiratory oscillometry at rest, exercise with fitness monitoring, ...
Development, refinement, and validation of an equine musculoskeletal pain scale. Musculoskeletal disease is a common cause of chronic pain that is often overlooked and inadequately treated, impacting the quality of life of humans and horses alike. Lameness due to musculoskeletal pain is prevalent in horses, but the perception of pain by owners is low compared with veterinary diagnosis. Therefore, this study aims to establish and validate a pain scale for chronic equine orthopaedic pain that is user-friendly for horse owners and veterinarians to facilitate the identification and monitoring of pain in horses. The newly developed musculoskeletal pain scale (MPS) was applied t...
Development and evaluation of a test strip for the rapid detection of antibody against equine infectious anemia virus. Equine infectious anemia (EIA) is a contagious disease of horses caused by the equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV). The clinical signs at the acute phase include intermittent high fever, thrombocytopenia, hemorrhage, edema, and anemia. The clinical signs at chronic and relapsing subclinical levels include emaciation and progressive weakness. Surviving horses become lifelong carriers because of the integration of the viral genome into that of the host, and these horses can produce and transmit the virus to other animals. This increases the difficulty of imposing practical control measures to ...
Clinical effect of torsemide in a horse with congestive heart failure and atrial fibrillation. In this case report, a high dose of torsemide (6mg/kg, every 12 hours for 3 days followed by 12mg/kg, every 12 hours for 4 days) was administered orally to a horse with congestive heart failure (CHF) and atrial fibrillation. Blood samples for measurement of plasma torsemide concentrations were obtained one hour after each drug administration. Pharmacodynamic effects of oral torsemide were evaluated by daily physical examination, electrocardiography, and serum biochemistry. The horse tolerated administration of torsemide. A decrease in ventral oedema and venous congestion was subjectively noted...
Comparative molecular epidemiology, subtype distribution, and zoonotic potential of Blastocystis sp. in Equus animals (horses, donkeys, and mules) in northwestern Iran. A total of 500 fecal samples were collected from Equus animals in six different cities (Ardabil, Namin, Nir, Meshginshahr, Germi, and Khalkhal) of Ardabil Province, northwestern Iran, with 200 samples from horses, 200 from donkeys, and 100 from mules. Of the horse samples, 100 were from racing horses under special monitoring and care, while the remaining 100 were from non-racing horses, including those used for herding or in rural areas. All fecal samples were examined for the presence of Blastocystis sp. using PCR amplification of the SSU rRNA gene's barcode region after DNA extraction. The m...
Validation of a novel clinical tool for monitoring distal limb stiffness. To validate a novel technique to measure limb stiffness in a clinical setting. Unassigned: Three horses and three ponies owned by the Royal Veterinary College. Unassigned: Limb stiffness indices for both forelimbs were first derived using the gold standard of kinematic analysis. Using the same animals, limb stiffness indices were then calculated using portable floor scales to record weight and an electrogoniometer to record changes in metacarpophalangeal joint angle. The two techniques were then assessed for correlation and repeatability. Unassigned: The repeatability of limb stiffness measure...
Behavioral observations, heart rate and cortisol monitoring in horses following multiple oral administrations of a cannabidiol containing paste (part 2/2). As a remedy against stress and anxiety, cannabidiol (CBD) products are of increasing interest in veterinary medicine. Limited data is available describing the actual effectiveness of CBD in horses. The aim of this study (part 2 of 2) was to analyze stress parameters via behavioral observation, heart rate monitoring and assessment of blood and saliva cortisol levels in healthy horses treated repeatedly with a CBD containing paste. Twelve horses were randomly assigned to a treatment or a control group. Two pastes were orally administered in a double-blinded study design, one paste containing CBD...
Hematological reference values of horses in Western Libya and their relationship to breed, age, and management. Hematological evaluation is an important step for health assessment in equine medicine. Besides biochemical tests, that evaluation could be pivotal for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment monitoring. In Libya, the horse population has drastically increased in the last years, and hitherto, no report addressed the reference hematological values for the existing equine breeds. Unassigned: This study aimed to establish the reference for hematological indices of traditional equestrian and stud-farm equine breeds in Western Libya in regard to some variables such as individual characteristics, manage...
Thermoregulation during Field Exercise in Horses Using Skin Temperature Monitoring. Hyperthermia and exertional heat illness (EHI) are performance and welfare issues for all exercising horses. Monitoring the thermoregulatory response allows for early recognition of metabolic heat accumulation during exercise and the possibility of taking prompt and effective preventative measures to avoid a further increase in core body temperature (T) leading to hyperthermia. Skin temperature (T) monitoring is most used as a non-invasive tool to assess the thermoregulatory response pre- and post-exercise, particularly employing infrared thermographic equipment. However, only a few studies ha...
Successful caudal vena cava and pulmonary vein isolation in healthy horses using 3D electro-anatomical mapping and a contact force-guided ablation system. Recently, treatment of equine atrial tachycardia by three-dimensional electro-anatomical mapping (3D EAM) and radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) has been described. Myocardial sleeves in the caudal vena cava and pulmonary veins are a potential trigger for initiation and perpetuation of atrial tachycardia and atrial fibrillation in the horse. Isolation of these myocardial sleeves by RFCA may be an effective treatment for these arrhythmias. Objective: To describe the feasibility of 3D EAM and RFCA to isolate caudal vena cava and pulmonary veins in adult horses using 3D mapping and a contact...
Blood and hoof biodistibution of some trace element (Lithium, Copper, Zinc, Strontium and, Lead) in horse from two different areas of Sicily. Biological monitoring of trace element horses is a well-known tool for investigating potential bioaccumulation in urbanized and industrialized geographical areas. Some biomaterials such as hoof are considered as an important indicator of environmental pollution. Hooves can store trace elements for a long time compared to blood and this represents a scientific key to long-term monitoring of exposure to environmental pollutants. In the present study, samples of equine hoof and blood were taken from an experimental group of horses living in an industrialized area of Sicily (Italy) and from a cont...
Investigating the suitability of a transponder-based birth monitoring system attached to the vulva of a mare. In horse breeding, birth monitoring is an important factor in minimizing losses during parturition. Although different birth monitoring systems are available for this purpose, the current literature lacks systematic suitability analyses. This study aimed to address this gap in the literature. In order to achieve this, we examined a large number of foaling mares to assess the suitability of a transponder-based birth monitoring system attached to the vulva. Unassigned: Seventy warmblood mares were observed during foaling, and 86 foals were born during the foaling seasons of 2021 and 2022. Video ...
Short communication: Retrospective analysis of obligatory testing results for Equine virus arteritis reveals a decrease of its seroprevalence in stallions used for artificial insemination. Equine viral arteritis (EVA) can induce a persistent carrier state in stallions which then shed the virus via semen. About 30 years ago, obligatory EVA testing of stallions used for artificial insemination (AI) was implemented in the European Union. Information on the efficacy of these regulations on the prevalence of EVA in stallions are not yet available. Therefore, we retrospectively analyzed results of serological and virus antigen testing for EVA in sires of different age and breed referred to Vetmeduni Vienna for semen preservation or veterinary diagnostic procedures between 2001 and 202...
Decision Making in Severe Equine Asthma-Diagnosis and Monitoring. Decision making consists of gathering quality data in order to correctly assess a situation and determine the best course of action. This process is a fundamental part of medicine and is what enables practitioners to accurately diagnose diseases and select appropriate treatment protocols. Despite severe equine asthma (SEA) being a highly prevalent lower respiratory disease amongst equids, clinicians still struggle with the optimization of routine diagnostic procedures. The use of several ancillary diagnostic tests has been reported for disease identification and monitoring, but many are only s...
Changes in the saliva proteome analysed by gel-proteomics in horses diagnosed with equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS) at diagnosis and after successful treatment. Equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS) is currently one of the more frequent diseases in horses. We aimed to identify changes in the salivary proteome in horses with EGUS at diagnosis and after successful treatment by using gel proteomics. Saliva samples were collected from nine horses with EGUS before and after treatment and nine matched healthy controls. SDS-PAGE (1DE) and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DE) were performed, and significantly different protein bands and spots were identified by mass spectrometry. Horses with EGUS had increases in proteins such as adenosine deaminase (ADA)...