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Equine veterinary journal1978; 10(4); 249-252; doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1978.tb02273.x

Changes in the caecal flora associated with the onset of laminitis.

Abstract: Caecal fluid samples collected 8 and 24 hours after carbohydrate overload were quantitatively compared to control samples in terms of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. Concomitant increases in lactic acid-producing bacteria and decreases in Gram negative bacteria were substantiated during the onset of acute laminitis. Progressive decreases in caecal fluid pH were also quantitated. Although endotoxin assays of caecal fluid and blood were not done, the caecal flora changes suggest its presence during the onset of acute laminitis.
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Publication Date: 1978-10-01 PubMed ID: 738266DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1978.tb02273.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article investigates how certain changes in a horse’s gut bacteria, particularly in the caecum, relate to the onset of a hoof disease known as laminitis after the animal has ingested too many carbohydrates.

Objective and Methodology

  • The study aims to understand the changes in the bacterial composition (flora) of a horse’s caecum – a part of the intestine – during the initial phases of acute laminitis. Laminitis is a painful and potentially debilitating hoof disease in horses often induced by excessive carbohydrate intake.
  • Researchers obtained samples of caecal fluid from horses 8 and 24 hours after a carbohydrate overload. They compared these samples quantitatively (in terms of the number and type of bacteria present) to control samples, which are regular or normal samples.

Findings

  • The study found a notable increase in lactic acid-producing bacteria and decreases in a type of bacteria known as Gram-negative bacteria during the onset of acute laminitis.
  • This bacterial imbalance also corresponded with a progressive decrease in the pH level of the caecal fluid, indicating a rise in acidity, typically associated with increased lactic acid production.

Significance and Implications

  • While the research did not conduct endotoxin assays (tests to detect the presence of harmful bacterial substances) on the fluid and blood samples, the changes in caecal flora suggest endotoxins could be present during the onset of acute laminitis.
  • Endotoxins from Gram-negative bacteria are linked to several diseases, so their decrease might be contributing to laminitis in horses.
  • The findings enhance our understanding of laminitis, and suggest that future treatments or prevention strategies for this disease might involve maintaining or restoring a balanced gut bacteria in horses, particularly following high carbohydrate intake.

Cite This Article

APA
Garner HE, Moore JN, Johnson JH, Clark L, Amend JF, Tritschler LG, Coffmann JR, Sprouse RF, Hutcheson DP, Salem CA. (1978). Changes in the caecal flora associated with the onset of laminitis. Equine Vet J, 10(4), 249-252. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1978.tb02273.x

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 0425-1644
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 10
Issue: 4
Pages: 249-252

Researcher Affiliations

Garner, H E
    Moore, J N
      Johnson, J H
        Clark, L
          Amend, J F
            Tritschler, L G
              Coffmann, J R
                Sprouse, R F
                  Hutcheson, D P
                    Salem, C A

                      MeSH Terms

                      • Animals
                      • Cecum / microbiology
                      • Clostridium / isolation & purification
                      • Female
                      • Foot Diseases / microbiology
                      • Foot Diseases / veterinary
                      • Hoof and Claw
                      • Horse Diseases / microbiology
                      • Horses
                      • Lactobacillus / isolation & purification
                      • Male
                      • Streptococcus / isolation & purification

                      Citations

                      This article has been cited 25 times.
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