Cytological and microbiological findings in guttural pouch lavages of clinically normal horses with head restraint.
Abstract: To evaluate the cytological and microbiological contents of guttural pouch washes of ten randomly selected horses restrained so as to prevent them lowering their heads, and to assess the possible effects on the guttural pouch environment in these horses. Methods: Cytological and microbiological studies were performed on guttural pouch washes of ten clinically normal horses restrained in a standing position so as to prevent them from lowering their heads below normal, as would happen during transportation on long journeys. They were restrained for 12 or 24 h and cytological, bacteriological and mycological findings in guttural pouch washes were recorded. Results: The cytological gradings and neutrophil concentrations of guttural pouch washings were higher in horses that had their heads restrained for a longer period. Washings from these horses were more likely to contain cultivable bacteria and were the only washes yielding potentially pathogenic bacterial species. Conclusions: Variation in the cytological differential counts and bacterial cultures of guttural pouch lavages may be found in clinically normal horses which have had their heads restrained in an elevated position for periods from 12 to 24 h. This should be considered when examining this site and care must be taken when interpreting cytology of guttural pouch lavages in samples taken after transportation for more than 12 h. Restriction of head movement could also affect the normal pouch enviroment and predispose it to disease.
Publication Date: 2002-06-11 PubMed ID: 12054288DOI: 10.1111/j.1751-0813.2002.tb10822.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research study investigates the impact of restraining the head movement of horses on the biological makeup of their guttural pouches. The findings suggest that extended periods of head restraint lead to an increase in potentially harmful bacteria in the guttural pouches, which could predispose the horses to disease.
Study Design and Methodology
- The researchers conducted their study on ten clinically healthy horses. The horses were restrained to prevent them from lowering their heads below the normal level, which is similar to what they would experience during long-distance transportation.
- The study was designed to evaluate the potential changes in the guttural pouch environment caused by the horses’ heads being restrained for 12 or 24 hours. After the given time, the researchers collected guttural pouch washes from the horses and conducted cytological, bacteriological, and mycological examinations to understand the changes.
Major Findings
- The researchers found that the longer the horses’ heads were restrained, the higher the cytological gradings and neutrophil concentrations in their guttural pouch washes.
- The washes taken from the horses with prolonged head restraint were more likely to contain cultivable bacteria. Moreover, these washes were the only ones that yielded potentially pathogenic bacterial species, implying a connection between head restraint and the proliferation of harmful bacteria.
Conclusions and Recommendations
- The study concludes that restraining the head movement of horses for extended periods can lead to changes in the cytological counts and bacterial cultures of their guttural pouch lavages. This suggests that the ordinary position of the horse’s head plays a critical role in maintaining the guttural pouch’s health.
- The researchers recommend considering these findings when examining horses that have been transported for more than 12 hours, as their head restraint could alter the normal pouch environment, potentially predisposing it to disease.
- Additionally, extra care must be taken when interpreting the cytology of guttural pouch lavages in samples taken after such transportation due to the changes that could be present.
Cite This Article
APA
Chiesa OA, Cuenca R, Mayayo E, Guarro J, Santamaria J, Stchigel AM.
(2002).
Cytological and microbiological findings in guttural pouch lavages of clinically normal horses with head restraint.
Aust Vet J, 80(4), 234-238.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-0813.2002.tb10822.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Carrer del Forn D'Avall 5, Tarragona, Spain.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Colony Count, Microbial
- Eustachian Tube / cytology
- Eustachian Tube / microbiology
- Female
- Horses / microbiology
- Male
- Neutrophils / cytology
- Posture
- Random Allocation
- Reference Values
- Therapeutic Irrigation / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Tavanaeimanesh H, Alinia Z, Sadeghian Chaleshtori S, Moosavian H, Mohebi Z, Daneshi M. The efficacy of N-acetylcysteine in decreasing airway inflammation and mucus accumulation in horses with 18 hours of head confinement. J Vet Intern Med 2024 Mar-Apr;38(2):1224-1231.
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