Functional infrared thermography imaging can be used to assess the effectiveness of Maxicam Gel® in pre-emptively treating transient synovitis and lameness in horses.
Abstract: Diagnosing and treating lameness in horses is essential to improving their welfare. In equine orthopedic practice, infrared thermography (IRT) can indirectly detect soreness. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can treat painful and inflammatory processes in horses. Using IRT, the efficacy of meloxicam (Maxicam Gel) was evaluated in pre-treating transient synovitis in horses induced by a middle carpal joint injection of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) from 055:B5 at a dose of 10 endotoxin units. Unassigned: In a cross-over design, six healthy horses were randomly assigned to receive either 0.6 mg/kg of oral Maxicam Gel (MAXVO) or a mock administration (control group, C) following a two-week washout period. IRT of the middle carpal joint, visual lameness assessment and joint circumference were recorded over time. Clinical and hematological evaluations were performed. Synovial fluid aspirates were analyzed for total nucleated cell count, total protein, and prostaglandin E. A mixed effects analysis of variance was performed for repeated measures over time, followed by Tukey's test. A multinomial logistic regression was conducted to determine whether there is a relationship between a thermography temperature change and the lameness score. Unassigned: There were no changes in joint circumference. The MAXVO group showed a lower rectal temperature 4 h after synovitis induction. The C group presented an increase in neutrophils and a decrease in total hemoglobin and hematocrit 8 h after induction. No changes were observed in the synovial fluid between groups. The horses that received meloxicam did not show clinically significant lameness at any time, while the C group showed an increase in lameness 2, 4, and 8 h after synovitis induction. Unassigned: IRT indicated that the skin surface temperature of the middle carpal joint was lower in horses who received meloxicam, suggesting a reduction in the inflammatory process induced by LPS. It was observed that the maximum temperature peaks in the dorsopalmar and lateropalmar positions can be utilized to predict the severity of lameness, particularly when the temperature rises above 34°C. Horses pre-treated with meloxicam showed either reduced or no indication of mild to moderate pain and presented a lowehr thermographic temperature, which indicates the effectiveness of Maxicam Gel as an anti-inflammatory.
Copyright © 2024 Carvalho, Del Puppo, Littiere, Sales, Silva, Ribeiro, Almeida, Alves, Gatto, Ramos and Ferraz.
Publication Date: 2024-06-11 PubMed ID: 38919154PubMed Central: PMC11197459DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1399815Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research shows that Maxicam Gel, an anti-inflammatory medication, can be used to proactively treat inflammation and pain known as transient synovitis in horses, by using infrared thermography imaging to measure its effectiveness.
Research Design and Methodology
- The study used a cross-over design, allowing each horse to function as its own control over different periods.
- Six healthy horses were randomly chosen to receive either an oral dose of Maxicam Gel or a placebo, after a two-week washout period.
- The researchers induced temporary synovitis (inflammation of the joint) by injecting lipopolysaccharides into the middle carpal joint.
- Infrared thermography was used to assess the affected joint’s temperature at specified intervals. Other measurements taken were visual lameness assessment, joint circumference, and blood tests.
- Synovial fluid, the fluid present in the joint, was sampled and analysed for total nucleated cell count, total protein, and prostaglandin E (a marker for inflammation).
- Data analysis included a repeated measures analysis of variance, Tukey’s test, and multinomial logistic regression to identify any relationship between temperature change and lameness score.
Main Findings
- No change in joint circumference was observed, suggesting the inflammation had not led to gross swelling.
- Maxicam administered horses showed a lower rectal temperature 4 hours after synovitis induction, suggesting a drop in systemic inflammatory response.
- There was an increase in neutrophils count and a decrease in total hemoglobin and hematocrit in the control group, indicating an inflammatory response.
- Synovial fluid analysis did not vary significantly between treatment groups.
- Variations in lameness were observed, with the control group showing increased lameness, while those administered meloxicam did not exhibit clinically significant lameness at any time.
- Infrared thermography revealed that horses treated with meloxicam had reduced skin surface temperature of the middle carpal joint, suggesting inflammation reduction after LPS induction.
- The work found that when the temperature exceeds 34°C at the dorsopalmar and lateropalmar positions, it could predict the severity of lameness.
- The results show pre-treatment with meloxicam efficaciously reduces or eliminates mild to moderate pain and lowers thermographic temperature, underlining Maxicam Gel’s anti-inflammatory action.
Cite This Article
APA
de Carvalho JRG, Del Puppo D, Littiere TO, de Sales NAA, Silva ACY, Ribeiro G, de Almeida FN, Alves BG, Gatto IRH, Ramos GV, Ferraz GC.
(2024).
Functional infrared thermography imaging can be used to assess the effectiveness of Maxicam Gel® in pre-emptively treating transient synovitis and lameness in horses.
Front Vet Sci, 11, 1399815.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2024.1399815 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Laboratory of Equine Exercise Physiology and Pharmacology (LAFEQ), Department of Animal Morphology and Physiology, School of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, São Paulo State University, FCAV/UNESP, São Paulo, Brazil.
- Research and Development Department, Ourofino Animal Health Company, São Paulo, Brazil.
- Laboratory of Equine Exercise Physiology and Pharmacology (LAFEQ), Department of Animal Morphology and Physiology, School of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, São Paulo State University, FCAV/UNESP, São Paulo, Brazil.
- Laboratory of Equine Exercise Physiology and Pharmacology (LAFEQ), Department of Animal Morphology and Physiology, School of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, São Paulo State University, FCAV/UNESP, São Paulo, Brazil.
- Laboratory of Equine Exercise Physiology and Pharmacology (LAFEQ), Department of Animal Morphology and Physiology, School of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, São Paulo State University, FCAV/UNESP, São Paulo, Brazil.
- Veterinary and Animal Research Centre (CECAV), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lusófona University - Lisbon University Centre, Lisbon, Portugal.
- Research and Development Department, Ourofino Animal Health Company, São Paulo, Brazil.
- Research and Development Department, Ourofino Animal Health Company, São Paulo, Brazil.
- Research and Development Department, Ourofino Animal Health Company, São Paulo, Brazil.
- Equine Sports Medicine Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, School of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, São Paulo State University, FCAV/UNESP, São Paulo, Brazil.
- Laboratory of Equine Exercise Physiology and Pharmacology (LAFEQ), Department of Animal Morphology and Physiology, School of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, São Paulo State University, FCAV/UNESP, São Paulo, Brazil.
Conflict of Interest Statement
DD, FA, BA, and IG were employed by company Ourofino Animal Health Company. The authors declare that this study received funding from Ourofino Animal Health Company. The funder was involved in the study’s design, writing of this article, and the decision to submit it for publication. The meloxicam was formulated and manufactured by Ourofino Animal Health Company for commercial use in Brazil, and the study was designed to meet Brazilian regulations. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
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