Oropharyngeal botryomycosis in a geriatric mare

Botryomycosis is an uncommon chronic bacterial infection that can have cutaneous and visceral involvement. This report describes an 18‐year‐old mixed‐breed mare presented with dysphagia, dyspnoea and an upper respiratory noise that developed secondary to oropharyngeal botryomycosis. Histological examination of the mass showed a granulomatous formation with Splendore–Hoeppli phenomenon surrounding Gram‐positive bacteria. This report describes the clinical signs, approach and management of an oropharyngeal Staphylococcus aureus granuloma in a geriatric mare.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Procalcitonin in healthy and endotoxemic horses

Procalcitonin (PCT) seems to be an early marker of bacterial infection. The increase of its concentration is due to bacterial endotoxin and inflammatory cytokines. In horses’ GI diseases, hypersecretion of fluid, motility disturbances, altered microbial flora and impaired mucosal barrier may lead to absorption of endotoxin and/or bacterial products through the compromised mucosa. The aim of this work was to evaluate the plasmatic PCT concentration in healthy horses and those with acute GI diseases, in order to evaluate the differences between the two groups. Plasma PCT concentration was evaluated in 45 horses referred to three different University Teaching Hospitals, and in 16 healthy horses that underwent similar management conditions. The following data were recorded in order to divide horses in healthy (N = 16), less than two criteria met, and clinical endotoxemic horses’ group (N = 45), two or more criteria met: neutropenia and/or toxic changes, increased PCV and TP, tachycardia, tachypnea, abnormal mucous membrane status and capillary refill time. Plasma PCT concentrations were measured with an equine PCT ELISA assay. Results were expressed as mean and standard deviation. T-test for unpaired data was performed between healthy and suspected endotoxemic horses’ group. PCT concentration in healthy and clinical endotoxemic horses’ group was 22.3 21.4 and 182.5 83.9 pg/mL, respectively. T-test showed differences between the two groups (P < 0.0001). Our results showed an increase in plasma PCT concentration in clinical endotoxemic horses as reported in human medicine. PCT could be used in the equine practice for early therapy planning, in order to improve prognosis and restrain therapy costs

Characteristics of equine summer eczema with emphasis on differences between Finnhorses and Icelandic horses in a 11-year study

Summer eczema, allergic dermatitis of the horse, was studied on 275 affected horses in Finland in 1997–2007. Features of the horses, clinical signs of the disease and owners' opinions of aggravating factors were recorded. Differences, especially, between two of the native Scandinavian horse breeds, the Finnhorse and the Icelandic horse, were evaluated. The study was based on clinical examination and information from the owners. Of the horses, 50% were Finnhorses, 26% Icelandic horses and 24% consisted of different breeds of ponies and other horses. Of the Finnhorses, 76% had summer eczema by the age of 5 years, but in the Icelandic horses born in Finland the average age at onset was 7 years. The vast majority of the horses, 75%, had moderate clinical signs, while 16% showed severe and 9% mild. The severity of clinical signs did not depend on the duration of the disease nor was it related to the age at onset. The only linkage to severity was the breed of the horse or import from Iceland; New Forest ponies and imported Icelandic horses showed severe clinical signs significantly more often than Finnhorses. Of the owners, 38% regarded insects as the only aggravating factor, 24% mentioned several simultaneous factors, including grass fodder and sunlight, while 22% could not specify any. In Finland, a typical horse breed suffering from summer eczema is the Finnhorse and the characteristics of the disease are mainly uniform with the other breeds affected. Equine summer eczema seems to be aggravated by various combinations of environmental factors

Quantitative motor unit action potential analysis of supraspinatus, infraspinatus, deltoideus and biceps femoris muscles in adult Royal Dutch sport horses

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Reference values for quantitative electromyography (QEMG) in shoulder and hindlimb muscles of horses are limited.\n\nOBJECTIVES: To determine normative data on QEMG analysis of supraspinatus (SS), infraspinatus (IS), deltoideus (DT) and biceps femoris (BF) muscles.\n\nSTUDY DESIGN: Experimental observational study and retrospective case series.\n\nMETHODS: Seven adult healthy Royal Dutch sport horses underwent quantitative motor unit action potential analysis of each muscle using commercial electromyography equipment. Measurements were made according to published methods. One-way ANOVA was used to compare quantitative motor unit action potential variables between muscles, with post hoc testing according to Bonferroni, with significance set at P15% polyphasic motor unit action potentials in SS and IS muscles.\n\nCONCLUSIONS: Differences between muscles should be taken into account when performing QEMG in order to be able to distinguish normal horses from horses with suspected neurogenic or myogenic disorders. These normal data provide the basis for objective QEMG assessment of shoulder and hindlimb muscles. Quantitative electromyography appears to be helpful in diagnosing neuropathies and discriminating these from myopathies

Heart rate variability in newborn foals and its association with illness: a pilot study

This study aimed to investigate differences in heart rate variability (HRV) between healthy and sick neonatal foals with a variety of diagnosis and to verify whether some HRV parameters could be associated with sepsis and/or survival. Twenty-one foals were included in the study: nine were healthy and 12 were sick. Retrospectively, sick foals were divided into sub-groups (non-septic vs. septic and non-survivor vs. survivor) for statistical analysis. Heart rate was recorded daily for 20 min and a 5-min period was used for heart rate variability analysis. Data on HRV variables were analysed using a linear model. Least-square means with their standard errors were reported, and treatment effects were declared significant at p <.05. To isolate the group that differed from the others, Tukey’s test was used as a multiple comparison procedure. Pearson’s correlations between variables were calculated, to estimate their relationship. Standard Deviation of the RR intervals and Standard Deviation 2 by the Poincaré plot was significantly lower in sick foals compared with healthy subjects, but there were no differences between survivors and non-survivors. Healthy foals presented a significantly lower Sample Entropy and heart rate compared with sick foals. HRV analysis is a non-invasive, rapid, and economical measurement tool that can be added to other parameters to improve the accuracy of predicting in-hospital mortality in foals. Further studies should be conducted with a larger sample of foals to confirm these findings and to evaluate the clinical usefulness of HRV analysis during neonatal diseases.Highlights This study investigated differences in heart rate variability (HRV) between sick and healthy neonatal foals Standard Deviation of the RR intervals was significantly lower in sick compared with healthy foals, but there were no differences between survivors and non-survivors. HRV analysis is a non-invasive, rapid, and economical tool that can be added to other parameters to improve the accuracy of predicting mortality in foals

Acid base imbalances in ill neonatal foals and their association with survival.

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Acid-base imbalances observed in human paediatric patients are associated with outcome. Likewise, neonatal foals may have different acid-base imbalances associated with diagnosis or prognosis. OBJECTIVES: To determine acid-base imbalances by the quantitative method in ill neonatal foals and to assess their association with diagnosis and prognosis. STUDY DESIGN: Observational prospective clinical study. METHODS: This study included 65 ill neonatal foals (32 septic, 33 non-septic) admitted to an equine referral hospital from 2005 to 2011with acid-base parameters determined on admission and a control group of 33 healthy neonatal foals. Blood pH, pCO2 , sodium, potassium, chloride, L-lactate, albumin and phosphate concentrations were determined. Bicarbonate, globulin, measured strong ion difference (SIDm ), non-volatile weak buffer concentrations (Atot ), base excess and its components were calculated. ANCOVA and multiple linear regression statistical analyses were performed. Results are summarised as mean +/- s.d. for normally distributed variables and median [25-75th percentiles] for non-normally distributed ones. RESULTS: Sixty-three per cent of ill foals had respiratory alkalosis and 58.5% had SIDm acidosis. The combination of both alterations was detected in 21 of 65 ill foals and abnormal pH was found in 24 of 65. Compared to healthy foals, ill foals had significantly lower SIDm (non-septic 31.6 +/- 6.3 (p<0.01) and septic 32.0 +/- 6.4 (p<0.01) vs. control 40.3 +/- 3.1 mmol/L), potassium (non-septic 3.5 [3.3-3.8] (p<0.01) and septic 3.6 [3.2-4.3] (p = 0.01) vs. control 4.2 [3.8-4.5] mEq/L) and higher L-lactate (non-septic 5.1 +/- 4.2 (p = 0.01) and septic 5.0 +/- 3.7 (p = 0.03) vs. control 2.5 +/- 1.3 mmol/L). Significantly higher L-lactate and venous pCO2 were found in non-surviving (6.4 +/- 3.5 mmol/L (p = 0.04) and 51 +/- 13 mmHg (p<0.01)) compared to surviving foals. CONCLUSIONS: The most common acid-base imbalances observed in ill foals were respiratory alkalosis, SIDm acidosis or mixed respiratory alkalosis with strong ion acidosis. Increased venous pCO2 and blood L-lactate concentration were associated with poor outcome. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

Enteral fluid therapy in 108 horses with large colon impactions and dorsal displacements.

To assess the effect of enteral fluid therapy (EFT) in horses with colic, 78 adult horses with colon impactions and 30 with left dorsal colon displacements received an isotonic electrolyte solution via a nasogastric tube at a rate of 8 to 10 l every two hours until resolution of clinical signs. Clinical progression was monitored closely, and plasma biochemistry was evaluated before, during and after treatment. Volume of fluids, time to resolution, and outcome were also recorded. EFT was well tolerated by 102 of 108 horses and was an effective method to resolve 99 per cent of colon impactions and 83 per cent of displacements. For both groups, the mean (sd) time to resolution was 20.2 (5.2) hours and the volume of fluid administered was 118.6 (34.5) l. No relevant abnormalities were observed in most plasma biochemistry parameters during treatment, except for a mild haemodilution effect in 63 per cent of horses