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Measurements of equine hooves are taken in order to assess hoof conformation, to describe changes to the hoof during disease or in relation to trimming and shoeing. Unfortunately, the terms used for the different dimensions of hoof structures differ widely. We conducted a systematic literature review with the aim of collecting terms used for hoof measurements, and to analyze the findings. Our body of literature consisted of papers and recommended reference books, written in both English and in German over the past 10 years. More than 600 scientific papers were found using the search string “TITLE-ABS-KEY ((equine OR horse) AND hoof) AND PUBYEAR > 2009 AND (LIMIT-TO (SUBJAREA, "VETE"))“ in Scopus®. Additionally, 5 handbooks were taken into account. A total of 80 Distances, 24 Angles, 34 Ratios and 16 Other measures (e.g. area of sole surface, mediolateral hoof balance) were identified. The highest number of entries (49) was recorded for the caudal angle between Pars dorsalis of the hoof and the ground line, termed often as hoof angle, dorsal hoof wall angle, or toe angle (10 English/2 German terms in total). The length of the Facies solearis, Distance between the outer extent of Pars dorsalis and dorsal cortex of Phalanx distalis; and the caudal angle between Margo solearis of Phalanx distalis and the ground line were classified as measures with highly inconsistent nomenclature (terms/entries of measure 16/25, 17/28 and 17/30, respectively). The most consistent nomenclature was recorded for the term Heel length (12/12). One should be aware of the fact that different terms might be used for the same item or that the same term might signify different measures in different publications. Established terms are not always anatomically correct. We recommend defining every used term in detail, in both written form using correct anatomical nomenclature, and in a figure. The same terms should be used in all publications of one working group. Suggestions for consistent terminology of 15 commonly used measurements in English and German are provided in the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prevalence of cardiac findings and their influence on the performance potential of warmblood sport horses is widely debated. This paper evaluates the frequency and correlation of valvular regurgitations, dimensional changes, and arrhythmias in 261 warmblood sport horses retrospectively. These horses were examined because of clinical complaints (e.g., poor performance) or due to murmurs or arrhythmias detected as an incidental finding. Frequency analysis showed that mitral valve regurgitation was the most common valvular regurgitation in our population (n = 194), followed by regurgitations of the aortic valve (n = 46). Dimensional changes of the left atrium were associated with an increased risk of atrial fibrillation (OR = 3.18, p = 0.05). Furthermore, their possible influence on performance was assessed. If the heart was detected as the cause of an exercise intolerance by exclusion of other pathologies (n = 39), atrial fibrillation was the most frequent finding. Other cardiac findings discovered frequently in horses with poor performance were severe MVI, severe TVI, AVI, and ventricular and supraventricular premature complexes. However, most horses presented for cardiac examination did not show any clinical signs of cardiac disease (n = 176), and the pathologies described were in most cases incidental findings. Therefore, we can state that mild and moderate valvular regurgitations are in most cases of little clinical relevance. However, valvular regurgitations are associated with an increased risk for the development of dimensional changes. The latter are associated with the development of atrial fibrillation, which is the cardiac finding most associated with a reduced performance potential of the horse affected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Pemoline, (RS)-2-amino-5-phenyl-1,3-oxazol-4(5H)-one, is a member of the 4-oxazolidinone group of substances and a central nervous system stimulant closely related structurally and pharmacologically to aminorex. With the increased sensitivity of equine drug testing, low concentration identifications of pemoline have increasingly been identified in horse racing. In 2009 two pemoline and one tetramisole identification in English racing were reported in horses administered levamisole, leading to suggestions that levamisole, known to metabolize to aminorex, could also metabolize to pemoline. In April 2016 the French, German, and South African horseracing laboratories reported frequent identifications of pemoline in equine urine samples, such that these laboratories had “in-house” reporting limits below which urinary pemoline identifications were not reported. In 2016 and again in 2018 the matter of potential pemoline identifications in Indiana horse racing was communicated by the Indiana Horse Racing Commission to Indiana horsemen, with requests that horsemen avoid use of levamisole. Soon thereafter, in late 2018, we became aware that plant barbarin was a potential source of equine urinary aminorex identifications. In Spring 2019 we therefore harvested flowering “Yellow Rocket” (Barbarea vulgaris), a barbarin-containing invasive plant widely distributed in North America and administered it orally to horses. Urine samples collected from these horses were found to contain aminorex. Aminorex, closely related chemically and pharmacologically to pemoline, is therefore a naturally occurring alkaloid that may be identified in equine urine, suggesting possible similar botanical origins for pemoline, now not infrequently being identified at low ng/mL concentrations in equine urine samples in Europe and elsewhere. Addressing the regulatory implications of these findings, we have therefore reviewed the pharmacological literature on pemoline in the horse and using the Toutain & Lassourd safety factor of 500 we now propose 2ng/mL of pemoline as an Irrelevant Plasma Concentration (IPC) of pemoline in horses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This case series describes three horses presented with masses in the mid and distal tail region. Cytology, histopathology and radiography identified the masses as dermal melanoma and amelanotic melanoma. In all three horses, tail amputation was performed successfully in the standing horse with sedation and an epidural anaesthesia. Two horses diagnosed with an amelanotic melanoma, showed recurrence 2 and 5 months after surgery and were euthanised. The other horse showed no recurrence six months after tail amputation. The horse was performing at previous performance level and showed no complaints of increased insect harassment. This case series describes three non-grey horses with melanocytic masses on the tail, with an amelanotic melanoma carrying a poor prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes a retrospective study of 34 mares which had been subjected to surgical elective ovariectomy using a standing laparotomy technique by two experienced veterinary surgeons at 13 different equine clinics in the Netherlands over a 9-year period (2010–2018). Of the 34 mares that underwent surgery, 74% (25/34) were Warmbloods. Fifty-nine percent (20/34) had a mass in the right ovary and 41% in the left ovary. The primary presenting signs were behavioural and fertility issues. The mean age of the horses was 10 years (5–18 years). The procedure was performed in stocks with continuous infusion sedation and analgesia. Prior to surgery the horses routinely received antibiotics and non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAID's). The surgical site was anaesthetized using an inverted L-block. The paracostal incision was performed in a “grid- or partial grid" fashion. The length of the incision varied from 15–30cm depending on the size of the mass. The affected ovary was manoeuvred into the laparotomy wound and the ovarian pedicle was infiltrated with local anaesthetic solution. Shortly thereafter the pedicle was crushed with an emasculator and ligated with absorbable suture material. The ovarian mass was removed and the stump inspected for bleeding prior to wound closure in separate layers. The mares remained hospitalized for between 5 and 7 days. The mean diameter of the operated ovaries was 18.5cm (10–25cm). Surgical pathology was not always carried out but almost all cases showed a typical granulosa (theca) cell tumour (GCT) appearance and subsequent pathology, in 3 cases, confirmed that diagnosis. All laparotomy wounds healed per primam with only minor postoperative complications (seroma) and no further complications were reported over the following 3 months; all horses returned to their normal activity. Ovariectomy via a standing flank laparotomy is a relative safe, basic, straightforward and economic surgical procedure for the removal of pathologically enlarged ovaries. The procedure requires only restraint, sedation and local anaesthesia with standard, non-specialized instruments. This approach can be considered as a viable and effective surgical option. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The objective of the paper was to present the tactics of a race depending on selected factors. To this end, the tactics were defined with the partial speeds and the average speed of a winning horse in a race. The research material consisted of the race data sheets for the thoroughbreds sourced from the official website of the Polish Jockey Club. The collected data of 347 horses which participated in 1522 races included the total race time for the winner and times for the individual sections of the track (the so-called "quarters"). The database was built considering the following factors: distance and race category, sex and age of horse and period of the racing season. Next, based on the duration and distance of the individual section of the race, the partial speeds and the average race speed were calculated. The race tactics were described with the names taken from the sets of terms used to characterize mathematical curves. Furthermore, the relation between the horses' speed over the individual race quarters was determined taking in consideration the distance of a race as the factors that determine most of the time parameters of horses during races. The data was processed with an analysis of variance for repeatable measurements. t-Tukey's test and Pearson's correlation coefficient were determined. It was found that the race tactics are largely individual, whereas the speed during its individual phases is most often interrelated. However, it is possible to establish common features for different types of tactics and assign specific levels of external factors to them. The distinguished groups can be compared to mathematical curves, e.g. a sinusoid (mainly for the races for the three-year-old and older horses and for the races for mares) or a parabola (mainly for short-distance and classic races and races during the second phase of the racing season). The knowledge of these types may help assess the racing performance in horses which will be especially helpful for trainers, riders and owners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this review was to introduce inhalation therapy as a suitable method for the consumption of medications in the therapeutic of equine respiratory diseases. Respiratory diseases can reduce the equine's athletic activities and lead to complications and deaths. Therefore, quick identification of respiratory disease and choosing the appropriate treatment method such as inhalation therapy should be prioritized. Inhalation therapy is a route for delivery drugs directly to the airways. The amount of drug deposition in the lung determines the effectiveness of inhalation therapy and pulmonary drug deposition in turn, depends on the size of produced particles. Inhalation therapy has some advantages like the direct delivery of the drug to the intended site of action, the use of a low dose of drug, lower side effects compared to parenteral administration and some disadvantages such as expense, frequency of drug administration and difficulty in determining the precise dose of a medication. Aerosol deployment within the pulmonary system is done under the influence of three main mechanisms of gravitational sedimentation, inertial impaction, Brownian diffusion. Three different types of commercially available inhalation drug delivery which is used in equine include dry powder inhalation, metered-dose inhalers, and nebulizers. Pharmacological agents used in equine inhalation therapy includes antimicrobials, glucocorticoids, mucolytic, bronchodilators and etc. In general, according to the points mentioned above, especially the existence of positive benefits, inhalation therapy in equine should be given more attention and prioritized in the treatment of respiratory diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methamphetamine is a central stimulant and an approved human therapeutic medication which is also clandestinely synthesized and marketed worldwide as a recreational substance. Users of clandestinely synthesized methamphetamine may handle and use methamphetamine in far greater amounts than medically approved dosages. Given that mucous membrane exposure of a horse to 10 milligrams of methamphetamine has produced jugular blood plasma/serum methamphetamine concentrations of 88,400 picogram/ml, inadvertent transfer of picogram/ml amounts of methamphetamine from recreational users to racing horses is a well understood process. Evaluating such picogram/ml methamphetamine identifications, the first factor to consider is that methamphetamine presents as two chemically distinct mirror image enantiomers, d-methamphetamine and l-methamphetamine. d-Methamphetamine is the more pharmacologically active enantiomer, marketed in the United States (US) as Desoxyn®, a US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Schedule II prescription medication. l-Methamphetamine is pharmacologically less active and is marketed in the US in several Over-The-Counter (OTC) nasal decongestant inhalers. Forensically correct evaluation of picogram/ml jugular blood/plasma/serum methamphetamine identifications in racing horses requires quantitative evaluation of the blood, urinary and hair concentrations of each methamphetamine enantiomer, as well as the presence or absence of the expected amphetamine metabolite. Evaluation of the regulatory significance of a jugular blood/plasma/serum concentration of methamphetamine must also take into account the fact that following oral exposure to methamphetamine jugular blood concentrations will be much higher than systemic blood concentrations, given that the jugular vein is the direct venous connection between the local high mucous membrane concentration of methamphetamine and the systemic circulation of the horse. Based on published scientific data, mucous membrane exposure of a horse to 100 micrograms of methamphetamine, a very conservative 1/1,500 of a possibly pharmacologically effective equine dose may give rise to jugular blood/plasma/serum concentrations of methamphetamine of 884 picograms/ml, a conservative guideline value for evaluating the pharmacological and forensic significance of jugular blood/plasma/serum concentrations of methamphetamine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Pferdeheilkunde is the property of Hippiatrika Verlag GmbH and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The effect of training is the continual improvement of a horse's performance and heart rate is one of the most important indicators in that process. The study proves the hypothesis that a heart rate (HR) analysis during the most important moments of an exercise unit can be useful in everyday training with horses taking part in eventing competitions which require a particularly high training workload from the rider/horse pair. The aim of this paper was to develop a preliminary version of a simple indicator to evaluate the training status of horses prepared for eventing competitions. The research included 16 horses competing in this discipline. It was carried out during a standard exercise unit, at a continuous canter at 450m/min combined with jumps over cross-country obstacles as the main elements. The HR of horses was measured using telemetry devices. An exercise unit was divided into 25 elements. HR readings were taken during subsequent exercise elements. For the design of the training level indicator, exercise elements demonstrating the highest HR progress during the warm-up, canter and jump phases and the greatest HR decrease during recovery in the trot and the walk phases were selected. To design the indicator the following elements were selected: warm-up: 11–15 minutes of trotting and 16–20 minutes of trotting; canter: 4–5 minutes of cantering and jumps 2 and 3; recovery: 2–3 minutes of trotting and 2–3 minutes of walking. Research in this area should be continued and at the moment, this can be considered as a pilot study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This case series reports the clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment of an ectopic horn formation. Three adult horses, each with an ectopic horny spur (EHS) after a chronic coronary band avulsion (occuring approximately 3 months prior), were admitted for treatment. The coronary band lesion caused ectopic epidermal germ cells to grow horn at right angles to the hoof wall at the plantaromedial or dorsolateral side of the hoof. Under general anaesthesia in all three horses the EHS and its matrix was excised followed by a reconstruction of the coronary band. The hoof was immobilised by a half limb cast for 2–3 weeks. In all horses the wound healed per primam and no recurrence occurred. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Pferdeheilkunde is the property of Hippiatrika Verlag GmbH and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Pferdeheilkunde is the property of Hippiatrika Verlag GmbH and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The surface electrocardiogram is the gold standard tool for the diagnosis of cardiac arrhythmias in horses. However, an electrocardiographic exam needs an electrocardiographic machine, cables and electrodes. Therefore, this diagnostic tool is not always available or practical in the field. Some handheld electrocardiographic devices that can transmit digitalised data have been reported in human and veterinary medicine in the last few years. The Ekuore ECG device, a novel smartphone tool, has recently shown an excellent agreement with standard base-apex electrocardiography in healthy horses. It obtained a standard electrocardiogram using traditional base-apex configuration when compared to previous smartphone devices. The aim of this case series is to report our clinical experience with the Ekuore device for heart rhythm analysis in horses referred for a cardiovascular examination. A total of 70 horses were evaluated for heart rhythm analysis using the Ekuore device. The single-lead bipolar Ekuore device allowed the diagnoses of physiological and pathological cardiac arrhythmias in all horses. One horse with atrial fibrillation was monitored by the referring veterinarian with the same device at home. In conclusion, we provide a first report on the use of the Ekuore device in clinical practice to evaluate heart rhythm in horses. The new smartphone electrocardiographic device can be more easily available in the field and might help clinicians to evaluate cardiac arrhythmias in horses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metformin is a widely prescribed oral antihyperglycemic agent and currently a first-line medication in the treatment of human type 2 diabetes, with a total of 92 million US prescriptions in 2022. The daily dose per human can be as much as 2.5 grams/day which is excreted largely unchanged into the environment. Metformin is chemically stable and a widely distributed environmental substance. Metformin therefore has the potential to be identified at trace levels in equine blood and urine samples as a result of random exposure to environmental metformin. Given these circumstances we have reviewed the scientific literature and calculated an irrelevant blood/plasma/serum concentration of metformin of 5 nanograms/ml. We now therefore propose this plasma concentration of metformin as an interim Screening Limit of Detection (SLOD) for metformin, below which concentration a blood/plasma/serum identification of metformin should not be considered appropriate for regulatory action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This case report presents the first reported identifications of 20-hydroxyecdysone in post-event blood samples from an Endurance horse and a Harness horse racing in New South Wales, Australia. 20-Hydroxyecdysone is a plant secondary metabolite structurally related to testosterone and used by plants to discourage insect predation. 20-Hydroxyecdysone is found in many plants including spinach and is not infrequently identified at low concentrations in mammalian systems including in humans. Given its steroid-related structure, 20-hydroxyecdysone has been reported to enhance athletic performance in humans, although at this time 20-hydroxyecdysone is simply being monitored by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) [31]. The Harness horse identification led the Harness Racing New South Wales (HRNSW) authorities to evaluate the home pastures of the horse in question, where they recovered at least three plants containing significant concentrations of 20-hydroxyecdysone. The HRNSW stewards were satisfied that the 20-hydroxyecdysone identification was due to “environmental contamination emanated from plants” in the trainer’s establishment and did not impose a penalty on the trainer. These findings show that the pasture plant steroid 20-hydroxyecdysone is found in pasture plants from which it is bioavailable to equines and can present as low part per billion concentrations in equine blood samples, as has also been noted in humans. Based on these Australian identifications of 20-hydroxyecdysone in pasture plants and also in equine blood samples and the HRNSW decision not to penalize the trainer involved and the likelihood of no pharmacological response to pasture plant exposure to this substance we now present 2 parts per billion in equine blood/plasma as an appropriate regulatory cut-off or Screening Limit of Detection (SLOD) for 20-hydroxecdysone in equine blood/plasma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Consistent with recently increased street availability and recreational use of the potent synthetic opioid fentanyl, there has been a parallel increase in trace level plasma identifications of fentanyl in racing horses, at times in association with trace level amounts of other human recreational substances such as the synthetic cathinone eutylone, currently classified as a designer drug. Fentanyl has three basic effects in the horse, i.e., an analgesic effect, a locomotor stimulation response and a potential endurance effect. Fentanyl is considered relatively straightforward to synthesize following a four-step procedure. Eutylone is the most frequently identified cathinone-related substance identified in the US and is considered a synthetic stimulant. Eutylone is inexpensive to produce and mimics the effects of cocaine, methamphetamine and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, commonly known as ecstasy, and is, like fentanyl, a street marketed human recreational substance. Both substances are listed in horseracing as Class 1 with Penalty Class A substances, therefore having the highest penalties for identifications in horses given their stimulant properties, according to the ARCI (Association of Racing Commissioners International). Given that racing authorities recognize the potential for substances of "human use and addiction" to inadvertently transfer to racing horses, we were asked to develop an Irrelevant Plasma Concentration (IPC) for fentanyl in horses. Additionally, the finding of a trace level of eutylone along with a trace level of fentanyl increases the likelihood that these paired trace level identifications were caused by inadvertent transfer from a human using a combination of recreational substances. With regard to fentanyl, review of the published pharmacology of fentanyl suggested that locomotor responses disappear below plasma concentrations of 5 ng/mL, with the locomotor response peaking at 50 ng/mL. Similarly, the antinociceptive effects of fentanyl require concentrations above 6.5ng/mL. An effective plasma concentration (EPC) of 25 ng/mL was therefore decided on. Dividing this EPC by 500, the conservative Toutain & Lassourd safety factor (SF) gives a 50pg/ml IPC for fentanyl in the horse. This value was not exceeded by any of the low fentanyl concentrations identified in 125,000 post-race samples in the 2018-2022 time range. Plasma concentrations of fentanyl in the sub-40pg/mL range are therefore pharmacologically irrelevant with a significant likelihood of transfer from recreational users. This IPC value is consistent with a number of recent trace level plasma fentanyl identifications in equine samples and judgements in these matters by regulatory authorities that the likely source of these trace level plasma fentanyl identifications was inadvertent transfer from human recreational users to the horses in question. The first detections of fentanyl detections in racehorses occurred in the period 1978-1983 corresponding to the introduction of sensitive radioimmunoassay screening methods. This contrasts with the more recent uptick in 2018-2022, apparently due to exposure of horses to inadvertent trace level transfers from recreational users of fentanyl. Eutylone continues to be a concern, but more information on its equine pharmacokinetics is necessary before similar development of EPC and IPC can be determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Pferdeheilkunde is the property of Hippiatrika Verlag GmbH and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The objectives of this study were to investigate the kinetics of Lawsonia intracellularis (L. intracellularis) antibodies in foals on a farm with occurrence of equine proliferative enteropathy (EPE) by immunoperoxidase monolayer assay (IPMA). 63 foals were monitored from the age of two to 10 months at two-week intervals via physical examination and selected blood parameters. Serum was used to measure total protein and albumin concentrations as well as antibodies to L. intracellularis by IPMA. In case of hypoproteinaemia and/or hypoalbuminemia, a transabdominal ultrasonographic examination was performed to measure the wall thickness of small intestinal loops. Rectal swabs were taken from foals with suspected EPE to test for L. intracellularis by polymerase chain reaction. 55 of the monitored foals developed antibodies against L. intracellularis, only three foals developed EPE. The progressions of the individual antibody titres showed great variability, no specific pattern was observed. Foals with at least two consecutive seropositive samples considering an interval of two weeks did not develop EPE later during the observation period. Four foals showed developments of antibody titres against L. intracellularis interrupted by one or two negative serum results. Since there was no uniform titre progression and foals with and foals without EPE showed high antibody titres that were detectable for different lengths of time, it was not possible to conclude the further titre progression in foals based on the kinetics. The results illustrated that a single blood analysis is not always reliable to determine by IPMA whether a foal has been infected with L. intracellularis. Due to technical weaknesses of IPMA, the authors recommend to run all samples in duplicate in order to obtain reliable results on the foal’s exposure to L. intracellularis for further studies on the kinetics of L. intracellularis antibodies and when using the serology as a diagnostic tool for detecting L. intracellularis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Infertility in the brood mare with no clinically identifiable cause is of great concern for economic and emotional reasons. Diseases of the fallopian tube are a known cause of infertility in women; but due to the poor operational accessibility it is still an area with many unknowns in equine reproductive medicine. Previous studies indicate positive effects of catheterization and subsequent irrigation of the fallopian tube (hydrotubation) to remove cell debris and collagen masses that clog the lumen, preventing the oocyte from being fertilized or the embryos migration through the fallopian tube. As an alternative to flank laparoscopy, a hysteroscopic access using a catheter has been described, which led to increased pregnancy rates in supposedly sterile mares. With the technique described here, hysteroscopic access to the uterine papilla was possible in 22 standing, sedated mares in dioestrus. Use of an attachment cap for the endoscope and a specially developed, conical-tapered catheter with angiography guide wire made it possible to visualize the uterine papilla as well as secure access to the fallopian tube and subsequent hydrotubation. Of 22 papillae hysteroscopically controlled with a cap, 20 were successfully catheterized. The microbiological evaluation of endometrial swabs showed an increase in genital pathogens after the procedure. After completion of the hysteroscopy prostaglandin was always administered to induce oestrus. 7/9 (78 %) patient mares with unexplained sterility became pregnant in the breeding season following the fallopian tube irrigation. Endometrial biopsies from the two mares remaining barren were classified in category III (foaling probability < 10 %). The catheter system developed in this study in conjunction with the cap-assisted hysteroscopy enables safe targeting of the uterine papilla, as well as the subsequent catheterization and hydrotubation of the fallopian tube. To summarize, the minimally invasive technique described here can safely replace the surgical-operative flank access to the fallopian tube in mares with suspected obstruction of the fallopian tube lumen, and fertility was restored in 7 out of 9 mares. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gastric impactions are an uncommon cause of colic in horses, although they appear to occur more often in Friesians. The administration of cola via nasogastric tube to resolve impactions has been described, but the efficacy of this treatment has not been reported. The aim of the study was to compare the success of treatment of gastric impactions with and without the use of cola and to determine whether Friesians are more often affected by gastric impactions than other breeds. For this retrospective descriptive case series, patient records were retrieved (2003–2019) and 125 horses with gastric impactions identified. The outcome, defined as discharge from the hospital, was compared between horses that were treated with cola and those that were not. The percentage of Friesians in the group of horses with gastric impactions was compared to that in the population admitted to our clinic and treatment success in Friesians was compared to that in other breeds. Overall 72/125 (57.6 %) horses with gastric impactions were discharged from the hospital, but the likelihood of survival was significantly greater for horses treated with cola (48/58 = 82.8 % vs. 24/67 = 35.8 %, P < 0.001). In 66 cases in which the impaction was resolved an estimate was made of the number of days taken for this to occur. The average time until resolution was 2.6 days (range 1–11). Of the 125 horses with gastric impactions 39 (31.2 %) were Friesians, a significantly higher percentage than in our hospital population (9.4 %, P < 0.001). Also, Friesians treated with cola were less likely to survive (12/18 = 66.7 %) than other breeds (36/40 = 90 %, P = 0.03). In conclusion, gastric impactions in horses are more likely to be resolved when treatment includes the nasogastric administration of cola. Friesian horses are more likely to develop gastric impactions than other breeds and less likely to survive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heart rate variability (HRV) is applied in equine research as a biomarker for stress, athletic fitness, and health status. However, information on its reliability in horses is limited and improved understanding could strengthen future studies. The aim of this study was to quantify the effect of recording length and posture on the reliability of short-term HRV parameters. Fourteen horses underwent repeated night-time sessions with concurrent Holter and (infrared) video monitoring. The coefficient of variation (CV) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of time-domain and frequency domain parameters were calculated for recording lengths from 30 seconds to five minutes. The effect of posture on HRV outcomes was assessed by a mixed effects linear model. Intra-individual variability (ICC) accounted for 0.47–0.79 of overall variability for the various HRV parameters. Reliability increased with longer segment lengths. Segments shorter than 300 s were not suitable for the LF and LF/HF HRV parameters. Posture affected the absolute values of HRV parameters but the size and direction of the effect differed between parameters. Respiratory rate was not recorded and the number of days between sessions was not standardised. Segment lengths of more than five minutes might have further improved the reliability of some parameters. Fair to moderate repeatability can be achieved for HRV parameters. Segments shorter than five minutes are not suitable for frequency domain analysis. Posture affects HRV outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Subclinical endometritis has a negative impact on the reproductive performance of the mares concerned. The present article describes the diagnosis of subclinical endometritis in a 14-year-old Oldenburg brood mare with a previous reproductive history of difficulty in becoming pregnant. Uterine cotton swabs were taken and sent to the laboratory for microbiological and cytological tests. Curvularia spicifera and Escherichia coli were isolated as causative agents. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first time that Curvularia spicifera has been implicated as a causal agent of subclinical endometritis in a mare. A successful treatment was established by infusing 120 ml of 3 % hydrogen peroxide in lactated Ringer’s solution into the uterus to remove the fungi that could adhere to the luminal epithelium, followed the next day by further uterine lavage of lactated Ringer’s solution. In addition, 7.5 mg/kg oral enrofloxacin was administrated for seven days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Equine recurrent uveitis (ERU) is an ocular disease in horses of different breeds with a prevalence between 2.7 and 7.6 % in Europe and vitrectomy is a common method of treatment. The objective of the study was to evaluate the long-term retention of vision and control of uveitis after pars plana vitrectomy performed between 2005 and 2013 on eyes with a history of equine recurrent uveitis (ERU). Vitrectomy in eyes with ERU can influence the recurrent nature of the disease. Previous studies indicated success rates regarding the further absence of uveitis between 73.6 and 97.7 %. Owners of the horses were contacted and an ophthalmological reexamination including tonometry, induction of mydriasis, slit lamp biomicroscopy and direct ophthalmology was performed in 116 horses (147 eyes vitrectomized). Visual acuity was examined by the dazzle reaction and the menace response. Aspects such as gender, age and breed of the horses, as well as leptospiral status and preexisting damage of operated eyes are described. A total of 246 eyes were accessible for follow-up information, whereas 147 eyes were available for ophthalmologic reexaminations. If only the reexamined eyes are considered, an improvement of the condition was seen in 133 eyes (91 %) and 14 eyes (9 %) showed at least one uveitic recurrence after vitrectomy. A positive menace response and a positive dazzle reaction were observed in 128 of the 147 reexamined eyes (87 %). The number of episodes prior to vitrectomy, the gender of the horse and the leptospiral status of the eye showed no significant correlation with the prevalence of recurrences. Coat color, breed and age of the horse operated, and preexisting ocular alterations showed a significant influence on the chance of postoperative recurrences of uveitis. Horses with a coat color other than "chestnut" and "black and brown" had significantly more recurrences and odds ratio for these horses developing recurrences was also significantly higher. The present study shows that a large number of reexamined eyes remained visual (87 %) and a large proportion of the eyes (91 %) showed an improvement of the condition after vitrectomy. Results of this study suggest that genetic factors, age and preexisting ocular alterations influence the long-term prognosis of eyes with ERU after vitrectomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic intraocular leptospiral infection is the most common cause for recurrent uveitis in equids. History and a combination of typical ophthalmological findings can lead to suspected diagnosis ofleptospiral induced uveitis. Testing intraocular fluids had been shown to be the most valuable tool for providing evidence of an intraocular leptospiral infection. The most appropriate treatment for recurrences of leptospiral uveitis is vitrectomy, whereas vitrectomy in non-leptospiral uveitis cases is less successful in regard of avoiding further damage to effected eyes. However, in cases in which clinical and ophthalmological findings are not typical for leptospiral induced uveitis, preoperative testing of aqueous fluid can be indicated to evaluate an indication for vitrectomy. Until now, for save sampling of aqueous humour, a general anaesthesia was necessary for paracentesis of the anterior chamber, and a second was necessary for vitrectomy in case of leptospira-positive laboratory results (either antibodies using microscopic agglutination tests (MAT), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) or polymerase chain reactions (PCR) detecting LipL32). A quick ELISA test, the SNAP® Lepto, has recently been made available to detect antibodies directed against LipL32 of pathogenic leptospires in any species. In order to evaluate the SNAP® Lepto and to test whether it is effective with intraocular samples (aqueous and vitreous humour) from horses, 118 samples from equine eyes suffering from recurrent uveitis and 120 samples from equine control eyes were taken and tested with SNAP® Lepto (detecting antibodies directed against LipL32), MAT (detecting antibodies directed against ten different serovars) and PCR (detecting the LipL32 antigen). If one of these tests was positive, an intraocular leptospiral infection was assumed.The result was that SNAP® Lepto was positive in 114 out of 118 intraocular samples (97 %) from horses suffering from recurrent uveitis. SNAP® Lepto was even superior to MAT, with a sensitivity of 0.97 (MAT 0.93). PCR was positive with fluids from eyes suffering from uveitis in 70% of samples. There were no positive PCR results in any SNAP® Lepto-negative samples from uveitic eyes and the MAT was positive in four SNAP® Lepto-negative samples. On the other hand, SNAP® Lepto gave a positive result in eight MAT-negative samples from eyes with uveitis. Furthermore, none of the antibody tests was positive regarding any sample from the control eyes, and PCR was positive in one single sample from a control eye. It can be concluded that SNAP® Lepto, which gives a result within 10 minutes, is a valuable test method for detecting antibodies directed against LipL32 in intraocular fluids from horses. In the case of a negative result, MAT and PCR can be performed subsequently to reduce false negative results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colic is a common reason for both veterinary consultation and death in horses and to help decision making in such cases recentdata on the outcome of treatment and identification of prognostic indicators is important. Patient records of all horses with colic admittedto the internal medicine section of a veterinary teaching hospital (VTH) between November 2012 and October 2013 were reviewed. Age,heart rate (HR), blood lactate concentration (BLa), packed cell volume (PCV), white blood cell (WBC) count and blood pH at admission, treatmentand outcome were recorded. Results were compared to those obtained at the same institution during 2006–2007 and 1999–2000.During the present study period 867 horses were admitted and 311 (36%) of these were admitted for colic, 207/311 (67%) of these horseswere treated medically, 67/311 (22%) surgically and 37/311 (12%) were euthanized on admission. The short-term survival, defined asdischarge from the hospital, for surgically treated colic cases was 60%, while the survival for medically treated cases was 86%. When allcolic cases were analysed together HR (P<0.01), blood lactate (P<0.01), PCV (P<0.01) and pH (P<0.01) all differed significantly betweensurvivors and non-survivors. When only treated cases (medical and surgical) were included HR (P<0.01), blood lactate (P<0.01) and pH(P<0.05) were still significantly different. In the medically treated group only HR (P<0.01) and lactate (P<0.01) were significantly lower insurvivors than non-survivors, while in the surgically treated group there were no differences between survivors and non-survivors. Blood lactate(>1.5mmol/L), heart rate (>60bpm), PCV (>42%), acidosis (pH<7.35) and small intestinal lesions were associated with increasedodds of death. The number of horses admitted to the VTH was considerably lower during 2006–2007 compared to 1999–2000, butremained more or less constant from 2006–2007 until 2012–2013, as did the percentage of colic horses. The percentage of colic casestreated surgically has decreased slightly and the percentage of horses euthanized on admission increased slightly. Increased blood lactateconcentration, heart rate, PCV, acidosis and small intestinal lesions were associated with increased risk of non-survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Equine recurrent uveitis (ERU) is a frequently occurring disease, at least in horses in Germany. A vitrectomy is predominantly the course of action in cases where a chronic intraocular leptospiral infection is present. In some cases, the clinical and ophthalmological diagnosis is not conclusive and in these cases a preoperative laboratory test using anterior chamber fluid is indicated. However, false negative results occur when only MAT is used. The aim of this study was to investigate intraocular samples from horses with recurrent uveitis by using ELISA to detect anti-leptospiral antibodies and to compare the results to those of more established laboratory tests, i. e. MAT and PCR. Preliminary investigations indicated a high sensitivity of ELISA in the detection of leptospiral uveitis in horses. 80 eyes of 72 diseased horses were included in the study. The patients' history was taken and a thorough ophthalmologic examination was performed. Intraocular fluids were obtained by diagnostic anterior chamber paracentesis (n=29) or therapeutic vitrectomy (n=80) and submitted for MAT, ELISA and PCR to detect leptospiral antibodies and/or DNA. The ELISA allowed the separate determination of the immunoglobulin classes M, G and A. For statistical evaluation Cohen's kappa and the chi-square tests were applied and a p-value of 0.05 or less was considered to be significant. 22 healthy horses (n=42 eyes) served as controls. 78% of vitreous samples from horses with ERU and 10% of healthy controls reacted positively in the MAT, whereas in the ELISA it was 85% and 0%, and in the PCR it was 61% and 0%, respectively. Specific IgA was detected in 84% of the vitreous samples from horses with ERU, and in 11% of cases, IgA was solely detectable. Differences were highly significant (p<0.001). None of the aqueous samples in the control group contained leptospiral antibodies. Up to 64% of aqueous humour specimens that were obtained for diagnostic purposes yielded a positive result in the MAT. For the ELISA, it was even 89%. Anti-leptospiral IgA was the most frequently detected immunoglobulin class. There was a high level of agreement in the MAT and ELISA results. However, ELISA provided a greater number of positive results. The detection of IgA against leptospires proved to be especially sensitive for an intraocular leptospiral infection and, thus, important for the laboratory diagnosis of leptospiral uveitis in horses. Looking at the cost involved in laboratory tests, it would be reasonable to start with an IgA ELISA. Only if there are negative results, additional tests could be performed. In single IgA negative cases there might be positive reactions using MAT, PCR or ELISA for IgG or IgM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to find out whether a change from a grain-rich concentrated feed to a grain-free, fibre- and fatenriched concentrated diet (FFD), leads to an improvement in gastric ulcers in horses. The experiment was conducted as a prospective experimental study. Thirty-four adult horses with gastric lesions – six mares and 28 geldings – fulfilled the inclusion criteria of this study. The average age was 11±4 (mean±SD) years and the horses weighed between 358kg and 697kg. Twenty horses were fed the FFD, while 14 horses were controls (C) and received their usual concentrated feed. Each horse underwent gastroscopy twice, at an interval of eight weeks. An independent evaluation of the examination and the scoring of the lesions, using the Equine Gastric Ulcer Council 0–4 scoring system for equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS), was performed by an experienced gastroscopist. The horses with EGUS scores ≥3 received additional omeprazole at the recommended dosage for 14 days. The horses of the FFD group were adapted to the new diet whereas the control group received their usual concentrate. In the control group, only the amounts of hay and concentrate were adjusted to the requirement of the respective horse. After the change of the ration, the starch intake (FFD 0.09±0.05g/kg BW; C 1.38±0.62g/kg BW) was significantly different. However, there was no difference concerning the hay intake (FFD 21.2±3.5g/kg BW/day; C 23.3±5.1g/kg BW/day), the Ca intake (FFD 0.129±0.034g/kg BW/day; C 0.112±0.019g/kg BW/day), the Mg intake (FFD 0.042±0.009g/kg BW/day; C 0.042±0.011g/kg BW/day) or the intake of the praecaecal digestible protein (FFD 1.42±0.38g/kg BW/day; C 1.58±0.39g/kg BW/day). The prevalence and severity of the mucosal lesions significantly decreased in the FFD group (p<0.001). No significant correlation between the EGUS and the other risk factors, such as workload, behaviour or typical symptoms was found in this study.The change of the concentrated feed to FFD improved the gastric ulcerations in both squamousandglandular mucosa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate whether a stress response to exercise increases the serum amyloid-A (SAA) production in purebred Arabian race horses. Eleven healthy Arabian horses aged 3 to 5 years were examined. All the horses were subjected to the same effort test consisting in 1200m gallop at a speed typical for the daily training programme. Four venous blood samples were collected, namely: at rest (T0), immediately after the end of the exercise (T1), after 30 minutes of rest (T2), and after 24 hours from the first sampling (T3). Serum levels of ACTH, cortisol, and SAA were estimated by the ELISA method. To evaluate a relative intensity of exercise, the plasma lactate (LA) concentration and serum lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) activity were determined. The results obtained revealed that the type of exercise used caused a statistically significant short-term increase in the LA and LDH values. Similarly, the exercise induced a HPA axis response by a significant increase in ACTH and cortisol at T1 (P≤0.01). Then, the LA and hormones concentrations decreased significantly over one of the post-training sampling periods (T2) (P≤0.05 and P≤0.01, respectively). No statistically significant differences were observed in the SAA serum level during the respective steps of the experiment (T0–T3). In conclusion, the exercise-induced stress clearly affected the HPA axis response in horses by transient raising the ACTH and cortisol concentration. In contrast, the routine training session did not promote significant changes in the SAA level in studied horses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim was to verify the efficiency of different glycerol concentrations (1%, 3%, and 5%) for cryopreservation of stallion semen. After semen collection, sperm cells were evaluated for motility and acrosin activity. The semen was divided into three equal parts and resuspended in freezing diluent without glycerol in a 1:1 proportion and were incubated for 20 minutes at room temperature. Immediately after centrifugation for 10 minutes at 600g and discarding the supernatant, each pellet was diluted with the same diluent and further centrifuged for 10 minutes. After the second centrifugation, each pellet received freezing glycerol-containing diluent under concentrations of 1%, 3%, and 5% and was loaded in 4mL macro-tubes. These macro-tubes were placed in liquid nitrogen vapor for 15 minutes for immediate immersion in liquid nitrogen and storage at -196°C. After thawing at 50°C for 40 seconds, semen samples were initially evaluated for sperm motility and acrosin activity. Moreover, semen was also incubated at 37ºC and evaluated for sperm motility after 60 and 120 minutes in a thermoresistance test (TRT). Immediately after thawing and during the TRT, both progressive and total sperm motility was lower in 1% glycerol (P0.05) between these two later concentrations. The acrosin activity in fresh semen was only greater (P0.05) between these later glycerol concentrations. In conclusion, based on sperm motility and acrosin activity, that 3% and 5% glycerol concentrations are suitable for stallion semen cryopreservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, parameters indicative of adrenocortical and sympathoadrenal function were determined in foals (n=43). Foalswere assigned to the following groups: Healthy home (n=10, born and kept at their home stud), Healthy clinic (n=11, born to mareshospitalized for surveillance of foaling), Colostrum (n=4, received colostrum by bottle or nasogastric tube, no signs of disease), Failure ofpassive transfer (n=8, received hyperimmune serum, no signs of disease), Sepsis (n=5) and Prematurity (n=5). Saliva for cortisol analysiswas collected four times daily and heart rate for analysis of heart rate variability (HRV) was recorded once daily during the first 5 days oflife. On day 1, cortisol concentration was elevated (p<0.001), reflecting the demands of neonatal adaptation, but did not differ amonggroups. On days 2–5, cortisol concentration in premature foals, was higher (p<0.05) than in all other groups, indicating adrenal maturation.Cortisol concentration did not differ between foals that required frequent examination and treatment and healthy foals. This indicatesthat handling was not perceived as stressful. In none of the foal groups, salivary cortisol concentration was reduced compared to healthyfoals. Heart rate in septic foals was elevated throughout the observation period (p<0.05) but this was not associated with a poor outcome.Heart rate was not influenced by handling of the foals. The HRV did not differ among groups and sepsis was not associated with decreasedHRV, at least if treatment is initiated early. In conclusion, adrenocortical and sympathoadrenal function of foals was neither consistently activatednor depressed by neonatal sepsis. Increased cortisol release in premature foals in the first days of life may reflect maturational processes that occur already shortly before birth in term foals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The work was aimed to evaluate testicular alterations induced by administration of immunocastration vaccine in Donkeys. Atotal of 12 adult Donkeys from the Northeast breed of Brazil were randomly distributed into control group (CG; n=04) and immunocastrationgroup (IG; n=08). Donkeys from IG received two doses of Bopriva® administered in an 30-day interval (Days 0 and 30). Bloodsamples were collected for testosterone dosage in this 30-day interval, when donkeys were weighted and measured for testicular biometry(testicular volume and tone). At the end of the experiment (Day 120), all donkeys were subjected to surgical castration in order to obtaintesticular samples for histopathological analysis and from epididymis for evaluation of sperm cells. There was no difference in live weight(P>0.05) within CG and IG groups during the experiment, however testosterone concentrations in IG donkeys were significantly (P<0.05)lower after 30 and 60 days after the first vaccine, remaining in such levels until the end of the experiment. The CG did not show variationsin testosterone levels during the experiment. No evidence of functional sperm cells was found in testisof IG donkeys, despite normal gametogenesisin CG. Testis from IG donkeys showed alterations in consistency and volume, suggesting a degenerative process, further confirmedby typical histopathological alterations of such pathology. Donkeys from the CG did not display these alterations. In IG donkeys, theductal lumen of the epididymis ductal was dilated, filled with proteinaceous and eosinophilous content alongside with acidofilous germcells. Furthermore, azoospermia was found in 75% of IG donkeys, while remaining animals showed extremely low sperm concentrationand no visible motility. Finally, immunocastration is an effective approach for male donkey castration due to its low cost and ease execution with no interference on animal welfare principles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of adropin on energy metabolism in horses is still not fully known. We aimed to evaluate the effect of exercise on blood plasma adropin concentrations in horses. A total of 28 horses were included in the study. Twenty three-year-old purebred Arabian horses were involved in race training and eight Polish Konik stallions aged five to ten years were used as draft horses. The race horses were investigated both during the gallop at a speed 6–7m/s and 10–12m/s. The draft horses worked in harness at a speed of 1.6m/s. Blood samples were collected at four instances: during rest, immediately post-exercise, and then 30 minutes and five hours after the end of exercise. Plasma adropin and lactate concentrations (LA) were assessed. Only the intensive exercise significantly reduced the circulating level of adropin when compared with pre-exercise values (p=0.001). Plasma adropin concentration was significantly reduced in response to high-intensive exercise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

: NSAIDs are commonly used in colic therapy. Especially in the post-operative stage, dysmotility is a severe complication. Literature provides evidence of an effect on the contractility of the gastrointestinal tract through NSAIDs. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of NSAIDs on the equine small intestine and, in particular, to accurately examine the effects on the injured intestine. Included were horses with a healthy intestine which had been subject to a median laparotomy with two consecutive experimental ischemias and reperfusions. In the first experiment, an in vitro application of the NSAIDs flunixin and firocoxib was carried out. In the second experiment, the respective NSAID was administered to the probands in vivo and the samples were examined by means of a measurement of the contractility in vitro. The in vitro application of the non-selective COX inhibitor flunixin had significant inhibitory effects on the contractility of the equine jejunum in vitro. These inhibitory effects occurred in comparison to all other samples. In vitro application of firocoxib had no significant effects on the contractility in vitro but showed a slight insignificant increasing effect, especially on the frequency of contractions of the circular musculature. After intravenous in vivo application, subsequent sample taking and examination, the results of the measurements of contractility in vitro were clearly more heterogenous. This, for example, led to a significant increase in frequency of contractions of the longitudinal musculature of the samples, damaged by ischemia and reperfusion, after intravenous application of flunixin, and to a significantly higher amplitude of contractions of the longitudinal musculature of the samples, damaged by ischemia and reperfusion, after intravenous application of firocoxib. These inconsistent effects and the deviations to the effects after in vitro application probably indicate a toxicological effect after in vitro application of the agents and an altered initial situation in the second experiment due to a panenteric occurrence (resulting from previous damage through the first experiment). The explanation would be an overdosage and, therefore, an intoxication of the tissue after in vitro application of the agents because the inhibitory effects of flunixin only occurred in high concentrations. Based on the examinations of the current study, significant differences between the in vitro application of flunixin and firocoxib on the in vitro contractility of the equine jejunum could be determined. The inhibitory effects of flunixin were dependent on its concentration and only appeared in high concentrations (2.7×10-5M). Although the dosages applied in vitro, were oriented towards plasma concentrations of the agents after intravenous application or concentrations used in other studies, it was not clear whether these concentrations corresponded to the actually reached tissue concentrations after intravenous or oral application of the agents. Due to high plasma protein bindings, the actual tissue concentration after intravenous or oral application could be much lower. In the current study, also merely the in vitro contractility was examined and conclusions regarding in vivo motility could not be drawn absolutely. The clinical relevance of the inhibitory effect of flunixin on the contractility in vitro after in vitro application cannot be estimated due to the current study. Also it is not clear to which extent the type of application (in vitro application and intravenous in vivo application) actually had an influence on the results. In the future, studies have to follow that examine the effects of selective and non-selective NSAIDs on the contractility and motility of the equine intestine after intra [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To achieve the desired reproduction rate of one foal per year per mare and to optimize the reproductive potential of mares that are embryo donors, foal heat should be utilized as a tool for improvement of fertility. The mare is the only domestic animal showing ovulatory estrus shortly after foaling. The uterine involution and the ovarian activity (post partum follicular dynamic) in the early puerperium go through brief periods of time. Fetal expulsion at physiological delivery occurs within a short time and the placenta is expelled few hours later. Such events in the intra- and peri-partal period may be also related to the type of histological tissue that composes the cervix in these animals. The mare's cervix (muscular type) has a fantastic speed related to uterine involution, unlike the other species in domestic animals (cervix fibro-cartilaginous type) (more resistant requesting more time to involute). Nonetheless, fertility during foal heat is reported to be by some authors better or similar or even lower than fertility during heat outside this period. There are still some controversies on this matter, so we hypothesized that non-lactating mares have a greater potential for pregnancy rate than that lactating mares in foal heat, because the uterine involution is already finalized and ovarian activity is basically normalized in non-lactating mares, opening greater possibilities to became pregnant. In Southern Brazil, the Criollo breed (an original cross between Andalusian and Berber breeds) is a well stablished and widely used breed of horse, as it adapted well to the features of the Brazilian climate under field conditions, and developed two useful abilities (too much for work, and sports). To improve the reproduction mainly in Criollo horses, this study aimed to compare the pregnancy rate (PR) and other reproductive parameters (parturition-artificial insemination interval; parturition-ovulation interval; diameter of preovulatory follicle; artificial insemination-ovulation interval) between lactating mares in early puerperium and non-lactating mares artificially inseminated (AI) ≥180 days postpartum. This study took place at a stud farm in Southern Brazil between September and December (breeding season). Thirty-one mares Criollo breed, multiparous with mean age 9.6 years (range 6–14) and body condition score (BCS) 3.1 (1=thin, 5=obese) were divided into two groups: lactating mares (LMs) subjected to AI<10 days postpartum (n=16) and non-lactating mares (NLMs) AI≥180 days postpartum (n=15). The mares were selected based on clinical criteria (absence of clinical endometritis or abnormal uterine discharge and by parturition date). Both groups had the same environment and nutritional conditions. The ovaries were examined by ultrasonography every other day; after detection of a follicle ≥30mm in diameter (= the sum of the larger and smaller diameter divided by 2), the examinations with ultrasonography were conducted daily. After the detection of follicles ≥35mm, uterine edema, and open cervix, both groups received 1500 IU of human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG). After 24 hours, AI was performed (fresh semen from two fertile stallions. After 15 days, pregnancy diagnosis was performed. The models were fitted in the Statistical Analysis System software (SAS). To evaluate (in LMs and NLMs) the influence of treatment on the diameter of the preovulatory follicle and on insemination-ovulation interval, the General Linear Model procedure for analysis of variance (ANOVA) with the F-test was carried out. Additionally, the correlations among the animal's age, parturitionovulation interval, and the diameter of the preovulatory follicle were estimated to verify their possible influence on one another. The correlation was estimated by the CORR procedure in SAS. Finally, the data were presented as mean ±standard error, and the significance level was set to 5% for all the statistical tests. The parturition-insemination interval and parturition-ovulation interval were 7.8 and 9.3 days, respectively (in LMs). All the mares ovulated and the average of every parameter analyzed can be seen on table 1. The average diameter of the preovulatory follicle was 45.0 and 44.5mm in LMs and NLMs, respectively. The insemination-ovulation interval was 38.8 and 46.3 hours (P=0.04), and the PR was 56.2 and 46.6% (P>0.05) in LMs and NLMs, respectively. The hypothesis that NLMs have a greater pregnancy rate than do LMs was not confirmed. On the contrary, the LMs showed a slightly better pregnancy rate than NLM did, suggesting that foal heat can be used for breeding of Criollo mares. In conclusion, no difference in the PR was found between mares inseminated at the early postpartum period and other estruses. LMs showed a shorter insemination-ovulation interval (P<0.05) than NLMs did. No correlation was observed among the diameter of the preovulatory follicle, age, and PR in either group. Furthermore, no correlation was found between age and the foaling-ovulation interval and between the diameter of the preovulatory follicle and foalingovulation interval. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to summarize and evaluate clinical appearance, laboratory parameters, special ancillary diagnostic tests, treatments and post-mortem pathological findings of chronic gastric impaction and dilatation in horses. Chronic gastric impaction and dilatation is a rare, progressive disease, which is usually detected in its advanced stage. Its aetiology has not yet been fully clarified. Acute primary gastric impaction (from excess volume intake) and secondary gastric impaction (from reflux from the small intestine) must be differentiated from chronic gastric impaction and dilatation. Suspected causes of chronic gastric impaction and dilatation include pyloric stenosis, gastric ulcers, gastric tumours, indigestible feed, feed with high fibre content and dental problems. Motility disorders with resulting gastric impaction and dilatation have also been described in the context of liver diseases. Additional theories suggest damage to the vagus nerve or the intramural nervous system of the stomach and aplasia of the autonomous ganglia of the myenteric and submucosal plexus. It is a retrospective case study of four cases of chronic gastric impaction and dilatation between 2010 and 2013 concerning clinical appearance, laboratory parameters, ancillary diagnostic tests, treatment options and post-mortem pathological findings. For comparison, an additional case of delayed gastric emptying with successful conservative treatment is presented. In one case, nerve degeneration was confirmed and could possibly explain the chronic gastric impaction. A recurrent finding was the adaptive enlargement of the stomach with significant thinning of the muscularis, which was evident in all cases. This is likely to be the result of chronic dilation with a gradually prolonged filling of the stomach leading to ‘stretching' of the stomach wall and therefore also a loss of motility, which could be equated to dilated cardiomyopathy, where cardiac output volume decreases with dilation. Gross pathology revealed greatly enlarged stomachs with dry impacted feed material of 43kg, 46kg and 108kg. The treatment options for the disease, whether conservative or surgical depend on the severity and cause of the gastric impaction, and are said to have a very poor or unfavourable prognosis. Chronic gastric impaction can lead to a rupture of the stomach and therefore the prognosis is generally suspected to be grave. Perhaps early identification of delayed gastric emptying and chronic gastric impaction via repetitive gastroscopy could allow for a more successful treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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A 15-year old draft horse mare was presented to the University Clinic for evaluation of lethargy, anorexia, ptyalism, weight loss and ventral oedema. Clinical examination and rectal palpation revealed generalised lymphadenopathy and numerous firm subcutaneous and abdominal masses of various sizes. Transcutaneous ultrasonography revealed significant bilateral pleural fluid accumulation and a single hypoechoic structure in the abdomen lateral to the liver. Blood analysis showed several abnormalities including a marked leucocytosis with an increased number of segmented neutrophils, atypical lymphocytes and monocytosis, suggestive of leukaemic lymphoma. A significant hyperproteinaemia with a hypoalbuminemia and a monoclonal gammopathy was identified. At necropsy myriad masses presented through the whole body. Histology confirmed the suspicion of lymphoma, which was classified as a T-cell rich B-cell multicentric lymphoma. This article describes the clinical and pathologic findings of this case of leukaemic lymphoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]