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Use of Antibiotics in Equines and Their Effect on Metabolic Health and Cecal Microflora Activities.
Abstract: In the race against deadly diseases, multiple drugs have been developed as a treatment strategy in livestock. Each treatment is based on a specific mechanism to find a suitable drug. Antibiotics have become a fundamental part of the equine industry to treat bacterial diseases. These antibiotics have specific doses and side effects, and understanding each parameter allows veterinarians to avoid or limit the adverse effects of such drugs. Use of antibiotics causes microbial imbalance, decreased microbial diversity and richness in both cecal and fecal samples. Antibiotics reduced metabolites production such as amino acids, carbohydrates, lipids, and vitamins, increased multi-resistant microbes, and gives opportunity to pathogenic microbes such as Clostridium perfringens and Salmonella spp., to overgrow. Therefore, appropriate use of these antibiotics in equine therapy will reduce the adverse consequence of antibiotics on cecal microbiota activities.
Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier Inc.
Publication Date: 2021-07-17 PubMed ID: 34607682DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2021.103717Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
- Review
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.
This research study investigates the impact of antibiotic use in horses on their metabolic health and the activity of cecal microflora (intestinal bacteria). The study points out that while antibiotics are essential in treating bacterial diseases in horses, they also have side effects, such as causing imbalances in the horse’s gut bacteria, giving rise to pathogenic microbes, and reducing the production of vital metabolic substances.
Understanding the Role of Antibiotics
- The study underscores the importance of antibiotics in the treatment of bacterial illnesses in horses. These medications work through specific mechanisms to combat various diseases.
- However, it’s critical for veterinarians to understand the dosage and potential side effects of each antibiotic to minimize negative outcomes.
Impact on the Cecal Microbiota
- Excessive or improper use of antibiotics can disrupt the natural balance of microorganisms in the cecum, the part of a horse’s large intestine. This leads to diminished diversity and richness of the microflora both in the cecal and fecal examples.
- The antibiotics also give rise to multi-resistant microbes, providing a breeding ground for harmful bacteria such as Clostridium perfringens and Salmonella spp. These pathogens can cause serious health issues in horses
Effects on Metabolic Health
- The analysis indicates that antibiotics interfere with the production of important metabolites, including amino acids, carbohydrates, lipids, and vitamins. Such substances are crucial for maintaining horses’ overall health and wellness.
Conclusion
- While antibiotics are critical in managing bacterial diseases in the equine industry, it’s equally important to use them appropriately to minimize their destabilizing effects on horses’ cecal microflora and metabolic health.
- Veterinarians are therefore advised to understand the dosages and potential side effects of these drugs for more effective disease management in equines.
Cite This Article
APA
Jiménez BLM, Elghandour MMMY, Adegbeye MJ, Tirado González DN, Tirado Estrada G, Salem AZM, Pacheco EBF, Pliego AB.
(2021).
Use of Antibiotics in Equines and Their Effect on Metabolic Health and Cecal Microflora Activities.
J Equine Vet Sci, 105, 103717.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2021.103717 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Faculty of Sciences, Autonomous University of the State of Mexico, Toluca, Edo de México, Mexico.
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Zootechnics, Autonomous University of the State of Mexico, Toluca, Edo de México, Mexico. Electronic address: mmohamde@uaemex.mx.
- Department of Animal Production and Health, Federal University of Technology Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria.
- National Center of Disciplinary Research Familiar Agriculture (CENID AF), National Institute for Forestry, Agriculture and Livestock Research (INIFAP), Ojuelos de Jalisco, Jalisco, Mexico.
- Postgraduate and Research Division (DEPI), Technological Institute of El Llano Aguascalientes (ITEL), National Technological Institute of Mexico (TecNM), El Llano, Aguascalientes, Mexico.
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Zootechnics, Autonomous University of the State of Mexico, Toluca, Edo de México, Mexico.
- Academic Unit of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Autonomous University of Guerrero, Iguala de la Independencia, Guerrero, Mexico.
- Faculty of Sciences, Autonomous University of the State of Mexico, Toluca, Edo de México, Mexico. Electronic address: albertobarbabosa@yahoo.com.mx.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Anti-Bacterial Agents / adverse effects
- Cecum
- Clostridium perfringens
- Feces
- Gastrointestinal Microbiome
- Horses
Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- Zhao X, Ye W, Xu W, Xu N, Zheng J, Chen R, Liu H. Changes in the Diversity and Composition of Gut Microbiota of Red-Crowned Cranes (Grus japonensis) after Avian Influenza Vaccine and Anthelmintic Treatment. Animals (Basel) 2022 May 5;12(9).
- Ullah A, Geng M, Chen W, Zhu Q, Shi L, Zhang X, Akhtar MF, Wang C, Khan MZ. Effect of Parasitic Infections on Hematological Profile, Reproductive and Productive Performance in Equines. Animals (Basel) 2025 Nov 14;15(22).
- Chow L, Kawahisa-Piquini G, Bass L, Hendrickson D, Patel A, Rockow M, Dow S, Pezzanite LM. Correlation of fecal microbiome dysregulation to synovial transcriptome in an equine model of obesity associated osteoarthritis. Ann Transl Med 2024 Dec 24;12(6):112.
- Meng Q, Tang Z, Yang F, Shi J, Liu T, Cheng S. Functional analysis of microorganisms and metabolites in the cecum of different sheep populations and their effects on production traits. Front Microbiol 2024;15:1437250.
- Kabir A, Lamichhane B, Habib T, Adams A, El-Sheikh Ali H, Slovis NM, Troedsson MHT, Helmy YA. Antimicrobial Resistance in Equines: A Growing Threat to Horse Health and Beyond-A Comprehensive Review. Antibiotics (Basel) 2024 Jul 29;13(8).
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