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OBJECTIVE To assess the prevalence of exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH) among elite endurance horses after competition in a long-distance race. ANIMALS 20 endurance horses and 12 nonexercised or minimally exercised age-, breed-, and trainer-matched horses from the same environment (control horses). PROCEDURES Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid samples collected from endurance horses at 3 to 8 days (sample A) and 36 to 38 days (sample B) after the race (100 km in 1 day [n = 3], 70 km/d for 2 days [12], or 100 km/d for 2 days [5]) were cytologically examined for the presence of hemosiderophages. Samples from control horses were collected at the same time as sample B was obtained from respective matched endurance horses and similarly examined. Horses with bronchoalveolar lavage fluid samples in which > 1% of identified cells were hemosiderophages were considered to have evidence of EIPH. RESULTS Of 20 endurance horses, 9 (45%; 95% confidence interval, 25% to 66%) and 10 (50%; 95% confidence interval, 29% to 71%) had cytologic evidence of EIPH in samples A and B, respectively. Evidence of EIPH was present in 6 of 20 (30%) horses at both sample collection times, 3 (15%) at the first sample time only, and 4 (20%) at the second sample time only. In contrast, 1 of 12 control horses had cytologic evidence of EIPH. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE The prevalence of EIPH in these elite endurance horses (45% to 50%) was higher than previously reported estimates for poor-performing endurance horses; however, differences in criteria for identification of EIPH should be considered when comparing findings between studies.

Objective To describe ocular findings associated with Rhodococcus equi bronchopneumonia in foals, and to determine whether severity of the ocular lesions is related with outcome. Animals studied Foals diagnosed with R equi infection at the VTH-UAB from January 2002 to December 2017. Procedure Rhodococcus equi infection was diagnosed by means of clinical signs, radiographic/ultrasonographic findings, and/or positive culture. In all the foals, a complete ophthalmic examination by a boarded ophthalmologist was performed and ocular signs were recorded and graded (0-4). Results Thirty-nine foals were included in the study, from which 12 showed signs of bilateral anterior uveitis (30.8%). Among these, three foals were classified as mildly uveitis-affected (MUA:7.7%) and nine as severely uveitis-affected (SUA:23.1%). Five SUA foals showed green aqueous flare (5/9;55.5%). Despite the systemic treatment, 9/39 sick foals died (23.1%), the fatality rate being different between groups: SUA (4/9;44.4%), MUA (0/3; 0%) and nonuveitis-affected foals (5/27;18.5%). Among SUA foals, only one with green aqueous flare died (1/5;20%). Conclusion Bilateral anterior uveitis is highly prevalent in foals with R equi pneumonia (30.8%). The severity of anterior uveitis might be considered a nonsurvival prognostic factor and, until proven otherwise, green aqueous flare could be taken as a strongly suggestive ocular sign of the disease. Findings of this study remark the clinical relevance of performing a complete ophthalmic examination in sick foals, in order to help in the diagnosis and prognosis of uveal diseases, as well as to guaranteeing visual soundness.

Summary Reasons for performing study: Acid-base disturbances are traditionally assessed using the Henderson-Hasselbach equation. The simplified strong ion approach describes more accurately the complex acid-base and electrolyte abnormalities present in endurance horses. Objective: To describe acid-base and electrolytes changes in fit horses competing in a FEI*** 120 km endurance race and to compare the traditional vs. strong ion approaches. Methods: Thirty horses were initially enrolled in the study. Venous blood samples were obtained before the race (n = 25), at the second (n = 29; 65.4 km) and third vet-gates (n = 23, 97.4 km) and upon race completion (n = 17). Blood gas analysis was performed to determine pH, PCO2, PO2, Na+, K+ and iCa++, and calculate HCO3-, base excess and tCO2. Packed cell volume and total protein, globulin, albumin, lactate, phosphate, glucose and creatinine concentrations, as well as muscle enzymes activities, were also determined. Calculated variables included strong ion difference (SIDm), strong ion gap (SIG) and nonvolatile buffer concentration (Atot). A longitudinal linear model using the general estimating equation methodology was used for statistical analysis. Results: Mild but significant increases in PCO2, SIDm, lactate, plasma protein, globulins and Atot, as well as a decrease in potassium concentrations were observed from the second vet-gate to race finish when compared to prerace values (P

Background: Septicemia is associated with a systemic inflammatory response, hemostatic activation, and disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC). Hypothesis: Increased plasma d-dimer concentration occurs in septic neonates and can reliably detect sepsis or DIC, and predict death in ill neonatal foals. Animals: 40 septic, 41 nonseptic hospitalized foals, and 22 healthy neonates. Methods: Prospective observational clinical study. Blood samples were collected on admission, at 24–48 hours after admission, and at the time of discharge or euthanasia. Plasma d-dimer concentration, clotting times, antithrombin activity, and fibrinogen concentration were determined. Results: On admission, d-dimer concentration values were significantly higher in septic foals (median, 25–75th percentiles; 568, 245–2013 ng/mL) compared with the nonseptic and healthy groups (386, 175–559 and 313, 152–495 ng/mL, respectively), and in septic foals at the age of 2–7 days compared with similar-age nonseptic foals. By means of samples taken at 24–48 hours of hospitalization and a cut-off value of > 2000 ng/mL, D dimer concentration was significantly associated with the diagnosis of septicemia (odds ratio [OR] = 19.6, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.9–203) and death (OR = 8.7, 95% CI 1.8–43). Owing to a high false-positive prediction rate (71%), a normal d-dimer concentration is better at eliminating the diagnosis of sepsis than an increased d-dimer concentration at predicting sepsis. Fifty percent of septic foals had a diagnosis of DIC, but d-dimer concentration was not significantly associated with the diagnosis of DIC. Conclusions and clinical importance: Septic foals showed a marked activation of coagulation and fibrinolytic systems and a high prevalence of DIC. Increased plasma d-dimer concentration is significantly associated with the diagnosis of sepsis.

Background: Mean platelet component (MPC) is a new platelet variable, measured by modern commercial complete blood count analyzers, that is reduced during platelet activation in humans and small animals. Hypothesis: MPC decreases in horses with clinical conditions that cause platelet activation and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Animals: We obtained 418 CBCs from 100 sick and 20 healthy neonates and 178 sick and 45 sound adult horses. Sick neonates were classified into septic and nonseptic, and DIC and non-DIC groups. Adults were grouped by diagnoses (systemic inflammatory disorders, gastrointestinal problems, and thrombocytopenia). Methods: MPC together with platelet count, mean platelet volume, platelet distribution width, and platelet component distribution width were measured with a commercial analyzer and compared between the different disease and control groups in neonates and in adults. Results: MPC values were significantly lower in the septic and nonseptic neonates (24.0 ± 3.5 g/dL and 26.6 ± 2.6 g/dL, respectively) than in the control group (28.1 ± 1.7 g/dL). Neonates with DIC had the lowest MPC values (23.8 ± 6.3 g/dL). MPC values in adult horses were significantly lower in the inflammatory (23.5 ± 4.7 g/dL), gastrointestinal obstruction (23.0 ± 5.0 g/dL), enteritis (23.6 ± 4.6 g/dL), ischemic (23.9 ± 5.1 g/dL), and thrombocytopenia (20.2 ± 5.7 g/dL) groups when compared with control horses (26.2 ± 3.5 g/dL). Other platelet variables were not different between the control and the disease groups. Conclusion and Clinical Importance: MPC might be a useful variable for quickly and easily detecting platelet activation in sick neonates and adult horses.