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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2021; 11(6); 1650; doi: 10.3390/ani11061650

Ultrasonography Evaluation of Umbilical Structures in Clinically Healthy Donkey Foals during the First Week of Life.

Abstract: The umbilicus is a potential access-point for pathogens in equine foal, causing umbilical infections and potentially life-threating illness. Early diagnosis based on ultrasonographic appearance and measurement is crucial to avoid severe complications and promptly implement appropriate therapy. This study ultrasonographically evaluates the umbilical remnants of donkey foals, in the first week of life. Fifteen healthy donkey foals were included in the study. The umbilical vein, arteries and urachus ultrasounds were performed at 24 h, 3 and 7 days of life, using a portable ultrasound machine and a 5-7.5 MHz multifrequency linear probe. The Kruskal-Wallis test and Dunn's multiple comparisons test were applied to verify differences in relation to time for all the umbilical remnants measured. Statistical significance was set at < 0.05. No statistical differences were observed in relation to time regarding umbilical remnant measurements. A correlation was found between body weight and the left artery at T0. The regression of the umbilical remnant during the first week of life was slower compared with what was reported in equine foals but was comparable with the results on calves. Thus, the different regression timing needs be considered when evaluating donkey foals with umbilical remnant diseases within the first week of life.
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Publication Date: 2021-06-02 PubMed ID: 34199350PubMed Central: PMC8228372DOI: 10.3390/ani11061650Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 focuses on using ultrasonography to evaluate the umbilical remnants of healthy donkey foals during their first week of life, providing crucial data for early diagnoses and treatment of potential umbilical infections.

Objective and Methodology

  • The study was aimed to use ultrasonography to monitor the umbilical remnants of donkey foals, in order to enable early detection of any potential health risks and fast application of necessary treatments. This is due to the fact that the umbilical cord can serve as an entry point for pathogens, leading to life-threatening infections in newborn equine.
  • In the study, the researchers followed fifteen donkey foals during their first week of life. The foals’ umbilical vein, arteries, and urachus were examined with ultrasound devices at three time points: 24 hours, three days, and seven days after birth.

Statistical Analysis and Findings

  • The Kruskal-Wallis test and Dunn’s multiple comparisons test were used as statistical tools to assess any differences in the umbilical remnants over time. A statistical significance level was set at less than 0.05.
  • The study did not find any statistically significant differences based on time regarding the measurements of the umbilical remnants.
  • Interestingly, a correlation was found between a foal’s body weight and the size of the left artery at the time of birth.

Comparison and Implications

  • The decline in the size of the umbilical remnants over the first week of the foals’ life was slower than what has been previously reported for horses, but similar to the results observed in calves.
  • This key finding underlines the necessity to consider the specific development timeline when evaluating donkey foals during their first week of life, particularly when signs of umbilical diseases are present.
  • The use of ultrasound technology in monitoring the umbilical remnants of foals provides crucial insights into the health status of the animals, optimizing their treatment and increasing their chances of survival.

Cite This Article

APA
Vitale V, Nocera I, Sgorbini M, Aliboni B, Laus F, Mannini A, Bazzano M. (2021). Ultrasonography Evaluation of Umbilical Structures in Clinically Healthy Donkey Foals during the First Week of Life. Animals (Basel), 11(6), 1650. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11061650

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 11
Issue: 6
PII: 1650

Researcher Affiliations

Vitale, Valentina
  • Department of Veterinary Sciences, Viale Delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
  • Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Via Livornese Snc, San Piero a Grado, 56122 Pisa, Italy.
Nocera, Irene
  • Department of Veterinary Sciences, Viale Delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
  • Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Via Livornese Snc, San Piero a Grado, 56122 Pisa, Italy.
Sgorbini, Micaela
  • Department of Veterinary Sciences, Viale Delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
  • Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Via Livornese Snc, San Piero a Grado, 56122 Pisa, Italy.
Aliboni, Benedetta
  • Department of Veterinary Sciences, Viale Delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
  • Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Via Livornese Snc, San Piero a Grado, 56122 Pisa, Italy.
Laus, Fulvio
  • School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy.
Mannini, Aurora
  • Department of Veterinary Sciences, Viale Delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
  • Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Via Livornese Snc, San Piero a Grado, 56122 Pisa, Italy.
Bazzano, Marilena
  • School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Nocera I, Bonelli F, Turini L, Madrigali A, Aliboni B, Sgorbini M. Evaluation of Ultrasound Measurement of Subcutaneous Fat Thickness in Dairy Jennies during the Periparturient Period.. Animals (Basel) 2022 May 26;12(11).
    doi: 10.3390/ani12111359pubmed: 35681823google scholar: lookup
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