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Equine veterinary journal2006; 38(5); 433-438; doi: 10.2746/042516406778400646

Validity of a behavioural measure of heat stress and a skin tent test for dehydration in working horses and donkeys.

Abstract: Dehydration and heat stress are serious welfare issues for equids working in developing countries. There is a lack of any standardised method or validated interpretation of the skin tent test in horses and donkeys. Owners of dehydrated and heat-stressed animals often depend on veterinary examination for identification of these conditions, leading to delays in treatment and unnecessary reliance on external sources to effect welfare improvement. Objective: To validate a standardised skin tent test for dehydration and a behavioural measure of heat stress in working equids; and to examine the effect of heat stress and dehydration on tripping and staggering behaviour. Methods: The study was carried out on 130 working horses and donkeys in Pakistan. Associations between skin tent and blood parameters (packed cell volume [PCV], serum total protein [TP], serum osmolality), clinical parameters, resting and drinking behaviour were examined. Heat stress behaviour (increased respiratory rate and depth, head nodding, flared nostrils, apathy) was observed in conjunction with rectal temperature. Tripping and staggering were assessed using a simple obstacle course. Results: In both species, heat stress behaviour was significantly associated with increased rectal temperature (P<0.001). A positive skin tent test was not significantly associated with PCV or TP, although in donkeys it was significantly associated with lower serum osmolality (P15 years had a positive skin tent than those in younger age groups (P = 0.037). Very thin horses were more likely to have a positive skin tent than those in thin or moderate condition (P = 0.028). There was no significant correlation between skin tent and tripping or staggering in either species. Conclusions: Heat stress behaviour is related to increased body temperature in working horses and donkeys. Owners may use this to make judgements regarding rest and cooling, precluding the need to seek veterinary attention. The skin tent test for dehydration used in this study did not show a significant relationship with PCV or TP. However, the use of blood parameters to validate the skin tent test may be confounded by anaemia, hypoproteinaemia or electrolyte depletion. Alternative methods are needed to confirm or refute the validity of the skin tent test in working equids.
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Publication Date: 2006-09-22 PubMed ID: 16986604DOI: 10.2746/042516406778400646Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Validation Study

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 investigates methods of recognizing heat stress and dehydration in working horses and donkeys, particularly in developing countries. It verifies the correlation between outward signs of heat stress and increased body temperature while finding inconsistencies with the standard skin tent test for dehydration.

Research Context

  • Dehydration and heat stress in working horses and donkeys, which predominantly occur in developing countries are severe animal welfare issues. The lack of validated methods for identifying these conditions often results in delayed treatment and excessive reliance on veterinary examinations.
  • The research aims to validate a behavioral measure of heat stress along with a standardised skin tent test for dehydration. Furthermore, the research explores how dehydration and heat stress could affect tripping and staggering behavior in horses and donkeys.

Methodology

  • The study was conducted on 130 working horses and donkeys in Pakistan. The association between skin tent, blood parameters, clinical parameters, and resting and drinking behavior were investigated.
  • Heat stress behaviors such as increased respiratory rate and depth, head nodding, flared nostrils, and apathy were monitored alongside rectal temperature. Tripping and staggering were evaluated through a basic obstacle course.

Results

  • The study indicates a significant correlation between heat stress behavior and increased rectal temperature. This correlation applies to both horses and donkeys.
  • The skin tent test did not show a significant correlation with packed cell volume (PCV) or total protein (TP). However, in donkeys, a positive skin tent test has been associated with lower serum osmolality.
  • The research revealed that older animals (>15 years) and very thin horses were more likely to show a positive skin tent test.
  • No significant correlation was discovered between skin tent test results and tripping or staggering in either species.

Conclusion

  • The findings validate that heat stress behavior is linked to an increased body temperature in working horses and donkeys. This information could help animal owners make decisions about resting and cooling their animals before needing to seek veterinary help.
  • The skin tent test used in this study for identifying dehydration didn’t show a strong correlation with PCV or TP. Therefore, it indicates a need for alternative methods to confirm or refute the validity of the skin tent test in working horses and donkeys.

Cite This Article

APA
Pritchard JC, Barr AR, Whay HR. (2006). Validity of a behavioural measure of heat stress and a skin tent test for dehydration in working horses and donkeys. Equine Vet J, 38(5), 433-438. https://doi.org/10.2746/042516406778400646

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 0425-1644
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 38
Issue: 5
Pages: 433-438

Researcher Affiliations

Pritchard, J C
  • Department of Clinical Veterinary Science, University of Bristol, Langford, UK.
Barr, A R S
    Whay, H R

      MeSH Terms

      • Age Factors
      • Animal Welfare
      • Animals
      • Behavior, Animal / physiology
      • Body Temperature / physiology
      • Body Weight / physiology
      • Case-Control Studies
      • Dehydration / diagnosis
      • Dehydration / pathology
      • Dehydration / veterinary
      • Drinking
      • Equidae
      • Female
      • Heat Stress Disorders / diagnosis
      • Heat Stress Disorders / physiopathology
      • Heat Stress Disorders / veterinary
      • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
      • Horse Diseases / pathology
      • Horses
      • Hypovolemia / diagnosis
      • Hypovolemia / physiopathology
      • Hypovolemia / veterinary
      • Male
      • Osmolar Concentration
      • Pakistan
      • Respiration
      • Skin / pathology
      • Species Specificity
      • Work

      Citations

      This article has been cited 13 times.
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