Avaliação clínico e metabólica de equinos crioulos atletas

The search for early markers of inflammation has been the focus in human and veterinary medicine during the last decades. To determine the value of the measurement of proteins in the situations described, two studies were conducted. It is believed that both the physical exercise as obesity can generate an acute phase reaction. The first study aimed to characterize the acute phase reaction and its relation to performance of horses subjected to long distance competition. Was developed during the March of Resistance of Crioulo horses, consisting of a route of 750 km traveled. Were evaluated 23 horses, of wich were divided into two groups, with the first group consisting of the top 10 in the competition and the second group comprises the 13 animals that completed the competition in lower positions. Blood samples were collected at rest (day 0) and on the last day of competition and testing polyacrylamide electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) gel were performed. The results showed that imposed physical exercise influenced significantly (p<0.0001) in serum concentrations of haptoglobin, ceruloplasmin, immunoglobulin A, acid glycoprotein and the protein with molecular weight of 23 kDa. Haptoglobin was higher in animals with low performance. The second study aimed to associate adiposity and the shape of creation of foals with blood energy profile, blood concentrations of inflammatory proteins and osteoarticular lesions in the tarsus comparing animals raised in intensive or extensive regimes. Were evaluated 40 Crioulo foals at 18 months old, 20 animals kept in extensive systems and 20 animals in intensive system. Protein electrophoresis and biochemical evaluation were performed. Measurement of fat accumulation were made by ultrasound and radiological study of the tarsus region. Higher levels of total cholesterol and LDL, blood glucose, serum amyloid A, transferrin, haptoglobin, acid glycoprotein and unidentified protein 23Kda of animals in the intensive group compared to the extensive group was observed. The intensive group also showed greater deposit of fat in the crest of the neck, retroperitoneal area and base of the tail region. In 100% of the animals in the intensive group were observed lesions compatible with juvenile osteoarthritis while 23% of the animals in extensive group showed such changes. In Fisher's exact test was observed that the animals in the intensive group had 105% more likely to develop osteoarthritis than animals from extensive group. Still, the Pearson test positive correlation between fat on the crest of the neck with the degree of joint involvement of foals was observed. We conclude that both the exercise and the overweight were able to generate an acute phase reaction, and during prolonged exercise haptoglobin were related to animal performance. Already foals in intensive farming, besides the acute phase reaction, high incidence of juvenile osteoarthritis and changes in energy metabolism was observed.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul - FAPERGSA pesquisa por marcadores precoces de inflamação tem sido o foco na medicina humana e veterinária durante as últimas décadas. Acredita-se que tanto o exercício físico quanto a obesidade sejam capazes de gerar a reação de fase aguda. O primeiro estudo teve como objetivo caracterizar a reação de fase aguda e sua relação com desempenho de cavalos submetidos a uma competição de longa distância. Foram avaliados 23 equinos os quais foram divididos em dois grupos sendo o grupo 1 composto pelos 10 primeiros colocados na competição e o grupo 2 composto pelos 13 animais que concluíram a competição em colocações inferiores. Foram efetuadas coletas sanguíneas em repouso (dia 0) e no ultimo dia de competição e foram realizados o teste de eletroforese em gel de poliacrilamida (SDS-PAGE). Os resultados demonstraram que o exercício físico imposto influenciou de forma significativa (p<0,0001) as concentrações séricas das proteínas inflamatórias. A haptoglobina foi superior nos animais com baixo desempenho. Conclui-se que o exercício prolongado é capaz de gerar reação de fase aguda e que o monitoramento da concentração de haptoglobina pode ser um sinalizador de processo inflamatório e baixo desempenho. O segundo estudo teve como objetivo associar a adiposidade corporal e a forma de criação de potros com o perfil energético sanguíneo, as concentrações sanguíneas de proteínas inflamatórias e lesões osteoarticulares no tarso comparando animais criados em regimes intensivo ou extensivo. Foram avaliados 40 potros com 18 meses de idade da raça crioula, sendo 20 animais criados em sistema extensivo e 20 animais em sistema intensivo. Foram efetuadas avaliação bioquímica e eletroforese proteica. Foram efetuadas a mensuração de acumulo de gordura através de ultrassonografia e estudo radiológico da região por tarso. Foi observado maiores níveis de colesterol total e LDL, glicemia, amiloide A sérica, transferina, haptoglobina, glicoproteina acida e proteína de 23Kda não identificada no animais do grupo intensivo com relação aos do grupo extensivo. Em 100% dos animais do grupo intensivo foram observados lesões articulares enquanto 23% dos animais do grupo extensivo apresentaram tais alterações. No teste de Fisher foi observado que os animais do grupo intensivo apresentaram 105% mais chance de desenvolver osteoartrite que os animais do grupo extensivo. Ainda, no teste de Pearson foi observada correlação positiva entre a gordura na crista do pescoço com o grau de comprometimento articular. Conclui-se que tanto o exercício quanto o sobre peso foram capazes de gerar uma reação de fase aguda, sendo que durante o exercício prolongado a haptoglobina apresentou relação com o desempenho dos animais. Já os potros em criação intensiva, além da reação de fase aguda, foi observada elevada incidência de osteoartrite juvenil e alterações no metabolismo energétic

Pentalogy of Fallot in a Crioulo Foal

Background: Cardiac anomalies account for 3.5% of congenital defects in horses. Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is characterized by ventricular septal defect, pulmonary stenosis, dextroposition the aorta and right ventricular hypertrophy secondary.Pentalogy of Fallot (POF) is a variation and is characterized by a defect in the right atrioventricular valve or persistence of the ductus arteriosus, in addition to the other defects observed in tetralogy. Affected animals usually have stunted growth,exercise intolerance, weakness, lethargy, cyanosis, dyspnea and syncope. The aim of this study was to describe a case of POF, as diagnosed in a Crioulo foal in southern Brazil.Case: Clinical signs were observed at the ffth day of life and were characterized by cyanosis, intense tracheal stertor, tachycardia, marked heart murmur, HR 160 bpm, RR 80 breaths/min, T 39.8°C and syncope. These signs worsened with physical activity. Endoscopic evaluation of the upper airways revealed no anatomical conformation changes or tissue dysfunction. A cardiac ultrasound showed a loss of continuity of the interventricular septum, right ventricular wall thickening, and a hyperechoic appearance of the area where the right atrioventricular valve (tricuspid) should be. The crises have become more severe and more frequent, the animal began to show signs of ischemia, such as loss of motor coordination and limited mobility. The foal died at 15 days old. At necropsy the liver was congested and had a nutmeg appearance, there was foam in the trachea, and the lungs were edematous. There was hydropericardium, and the heart was increased in size with a globoid shape. The heart had thickening of the walls of the right and left ventricle and pulmonary artery stenosis. There was also an oval orifce 2.5 cm in diameter in the interventricular septum connecting the ventricles (ventricular septal defect), an overriding aorta and aplasia of the tricuspid valve. Histologically the liver had centrilobular to mediozonal necrosis, and there was pulmonary edema and congestion.Discussion: The diagnosis of pentalogy of Fallot was based on the clinical signs, the ultrasound results and the macroscopic lesions observed at necropsy. Tetralogy of Fallot is one of the most common congenital cardiac malformations observed in horses, however, in a study of congenital malformations in this species, only 3.5% had cardiac malformations out ofthe 608 foals examined. The prevalence of heart defects in horses compared with other domestic species is relatively low (0.1% - 0.5%). In this case, the malformation was probably sporadic because the foal was the only animal to be born with this malformation on the farm. In the Crioulo breed, congenital defect reports are scarce. In a retrospective study of equine diseases in southern Brazil over a period of 35 years, malformations were not observed in 708 horses of this breed, whichis the predominant breed in the region. In the present case, the fact that the mare had another three healthy foals with the same stallion reduces the possibility that this was a case of hereditary origin. It is likely that this case is of a sporadic nature with no chance of determining the cause. The differential diagnoses in animals with lethargy, cyanosis, and exerciseintolerance or syncope include complicated or multiple cardiac defects. There are no previous reports of TOF and POF in the Crioulo breed in Brazil.Keywords: Pentalogia de Fallot, cardiac ultrasound, cardiac malformation, horse

Metabolic evaluation of crioulo horses undergoing equestrian competitions

The Crioulos breeding horses of Brazil has been growing in recent years, however there is still a dearth of information about this breed. To characterize the physical conditioning of Crioulo horses in training for the Freio de Ouro , as well as the metabolic response of Crioulo horses subjected to Marcha de Resistencia . We written The first study aimed to determine the anaerobic threshold or limiar (V4) of Crioulo horses during training, for this 22 healthy horses were evaluated. The selected animals were submitted to a performance test on track. It consisted of three stages with increasing speed of 6m/s, 8m/s and 10m/s with five minutes duration for each step, until blood lactate concentration reached 4mmol/dL. Blood lactate concentrations increased from the exercise speed of 6,0 m/s and 90% (n=20) of the animals reached 4mmol/dL of lactate at 6-8 m/s with an average heart rate ranging from 121 to 140 bpm. Our results demonstrate that the V4 of Crioulo horse is between the speeds of 6 - 8m/s and heart rate between 121 and 140bpm.The second study aimed to characterize the metabolic responses occurring during the Marcha de Resistencia in which are traversed or running 750km in 15 days of competition. We evaluated 11 Crioulo horses, two males and nine females . Blood samples were performed 24 hours before the test and at 4, 9, 11, 14 and 15 days of competition. Were evaluated CK, AST, LDH, glucose, lactate, urea, creatinine, sodium, potassium, chloride, magnesium, total calcium, ionized calcium, total protein, hematocrit and leukocyte count. At the end of the competition mean values of serum AST were 1151 ± 358 IU/ L,the mean LDH values were 7418 ± 1695 IU/L and CK was 13,867 ± 3998UI /L. There was significant increase in urea, creatinine and lactate (p <0.0001).Was observed decrease in the mean values of chloride, sodium, potassium, total and ionized calcium (p ≤ 0.0002). The evaluation of the hematologic values found indicate increased total leukocytes and segmented (p ≤ 0.0002) and decreased values of hematocrit, plasma protein and total lymphocytes (p ≤0.0003). The values of glucose, on average remained constant. Based on these data we conclude that the competition "Marcha de Resistencia" determined high muscular demand, energy and electrolyte depletion, and suggests an inflammatory process in the animals evaluated.criação de equinos da raça Crioula vem crescendo em todo Brasil nos últimos anos, porém ainda há uma escassez de informações sobre esta raça. Para caracterizar o condicionamento físico de cavalos Crioulos em treinamento para o Freio de ouro, assim como a resposta metabólica quando submetidos a Marcha de Resistência, foram realizados experimentos que estão apresentados em dois artigos. O primeiro experimento teve como objetivo determinar o limiar anaeróbico (V4) de cavalos Crioulos em treinamento para prova Freio de ouro. Foram avaliados 23 animais submetidos a testes de desempenho composto por três etapas de velocidade progressiva de 6m/s, 8m/s e 10m/s com duração de cinco minutos cada etapa até que fosse atingida a concentração de 4mmol/dL de lactato sanguíneo. As concentrações de lactato sanguíneo elevam-se a partir da velocidade de exercício de 6,0m/s sendo que 90% (n=20) dos animais atingiram 4 mmol/L de lactato em uma velocidade entre 6 8m/s com uma média de frequência cardíaca que variou de 121 a 140bpm nessas velocidades. Concluiu-se que a V4 do cavalo Crioulo está entre as velocidades de 6 8m/s e frequência cardíaca entre 121 e 140bpm. O segundo experimento teve como objetivo caracterizar as respostas metabólicas ocorridas durante a Marcha de Resistência na qual são percorridos 750km em 15 dias de competição. Foram avaliados 11 animais, sendo dois machos e nove fêmeas da raça Crioula. Foram efetuadas coletas de sangue 24h antes da prova e no 4º, 9º, 11º, 14º e 15º dias de competição. Foram avaliados CK, AST, LDH, glicose, lactato, uréia, creatinina, sódio, potássio, cloreto, magnésio, cálcio total, cálcio iônico, proteínas totais, hematócrito e leucograma. Ao final da competição os valores médios de AST sérica foram de 1151±358 UI/L, os valores médios de LDH foram de 7418±1695 UI/L e de CK foi de 13867±3998UI/L. Houve aumento significativo nos valores de uréia, creatinina e lactato (p<0,0001). E uma diminuição nos valores médios de cloreto, sódio, potássio, cálcio total e iônico (p≤0,0002). Quanto a avaliação hematológica foi constatada elevação nos valores de leucócitos totais e segmentados (p≤0,0002) e diminuição nos valores de hematocrito, proteína plasmática total e linfócitos (p≤0,0003) .Os valores de glicose, em média mantiveram-se constantes. Com base nesses dados conclui-se que a competição Marcha de Resistência determinou elevada exigência muscular, com depleção energética e eletrolítica, além de sugerir um processo inflamatório nos animais avaliados

Metabolic evaluation of Crioulo horses participating in competitions of 750 km

The Crioulo breed of horses performs in one of the most physically demanding equestrian competitions, the Marcha de Resistência, which is a contest in which the horses run 750 km in 15 days. The study's aim was to characterize the metabolic responses during this period. We evaluated eleven Crioulo horses in the competition, specifically, two males and nine females. Blood samples were collected 24 hours before the contest and on the 4th, 9th, 11th, 14th and 15th days of competition. We evaluated CK, AST, LDH, glucose, lactate, urea, creatinine, sodium, potassium, chloride, magnesium, total calcium, ionized calcium, total protein, hematocrit and the white blood cell count. At the end of the competition, the mean values of serum AST were 1151±358 IU/ L the mean LDH values were 7418±1695 IU/L and CK was 13,867±3998UI /L. There was a significant increase in urea, creatinine and lactate (p<0.0001). A decrease in the mean values of chloride, sodium, potassium, and total and ionized calcium was observed (p&#8804;0.0002). An evaluation of the total leukocytes and segmented neutrophils (p&#8804;0.0002) revealed their increased values, and decreased values were observed for hematocrit, plasma protein and total lymphocytes (p&#8804;0.0003). The values of glucose, on average, remained constant. Based on these data, we conclude that the Marcha de Resistência competition necessitated a high muscular demand and the depletion of energy and electrolytes, suggesting an inflammatory process in the animals evaluated

Pentalogy of Fallot in a Crioulo Foal

Background: Cardiac anomalies account for 3.5% of congenital defects in horses. Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is characterized by ventricular septal defect, pulmonary stenosis, dextroposition the aorta and right ventricular hypertrophy secondary.Pentalogy of Fallot (POF) is a variation and is characterized by a defect in the right atrioventricular valve or persistence of the ductus arteriosus, in addition to the other defects observed in tetralogy. Affected animals usually have stunted growth,exercise intolerance, weakness, lethargy, cyanosis, dyspnea and syncope. The aim of this study was to describe a case of POF, as diagnosed in a Crioulo foal in southern Brazil.Case: Clinical signs were observed at the ffth day of life and were characterized by cyanosis, intense tracheal stertor, tachycardia, marked heart murmur, HR 160 bpm, RR 80 breaths/min, T 39.8°C and syncope. These signs worsened with physical activity. Endoscopic evaluation of the upper airways revealed no anatomical conformation changes or tissue dysfunction. A cardiac ultrasound showed a loss of continuity of the interventricular septum, right ventricular wall thickening, and a hyperechoic appearance of the area where the right atrioventricular valve (tricuspid) should be. The crises have become more severe and more frequent, the animal began to show signs of ischemia, such as loss of motor coordination and limited mobility. The foal died at 15 days old. At necropsy the liver was congested and had a nutmeg appearance, there was foam in the trachea, and the lungs were edematous. There was hydropericardium, and the heart was increased in size with a globoid shape. The heart had thickening of the walls of the right and left ventricle and pulmonary artery stenosis. There was also an oval orifce 2.5 cm in diameter in the interventricular septum connecting the ventricles (ventricular septal defect), an overriding aorta and aplasia of the tricuspid valve. Histologically the liver had centrilobular to mediozonal necrosis, and there was pulmonary edema and congestion.Discussion: The diagnosis of pentalogy of Fallot was based on the clinical signs, the ultrasound results and the macroscopic lesions observed at necropsy. Tetralogy of Fallot is one of the most common congenital cardiac malformations observed in horses, however, in a study of congenital malformations in this species, only 3.5% had cardiac malformations out ofthe 608 foals examined. The prevalence of heart defects in horses compared with other domestic species is relatively low (0.1% - 0.5%). In this case, the malformation was probably sporadic because the foal was the only animal to be born with this malformation on the farm. In the Crioulo breed, congenital defect reports are scarce. In a retrospective study of equine diseases in southern Brazil over a period of 35 years, malformations were not observed in 708 horses of this breed, whichis the predominant breed in the region. In the present case, the fact that the mare had another three healthy foals with the same stallion reduces the possibility that this was a case of hereditary origin. It is likely that this case is of a sporadic nature with no chance of determining the cause. The differential diagnoses in animals with lethargy, cyanosis, and exerciseintolerance or syncope include complicated or multiple cardiac defects. There are no previous reports of TOF and POF in the Crioulo breed in Brazil.Keywords: Pentalogia de Fallot, cardiac ultrasound, cardiac malformation, horse

Growth Curve of Crioulo Foals from Birth until 24 Months of Age

Background: Breeding of Crioulo horses in the southern region of Brazil is very significant. Notwithstanding, not all animals meet the standards defined for the breed, raising concern among breeders, owners and veterinarians, driving them to an effort to know and understand the development of Crioulo foals. In order to get a registry at Brazilian Association of Crioulo Horse Breeders (ABCCC), the foals must be presented to a certified technician as of 24 months of age and show the breed standards and measurements required. To date, there are no data concerning development of this breed available. Therefore, this study aims to describe the growth curve of Crioulo foals in the south region of Rio Grande do Sul.Materials, Methods & Results: The study was conducted in three Crioulo horse breeding farms in the cities of Santa Vitória do Palmar, Bagé and Aceguá, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, for a period of two years (2013-2015). We followed up on 267 Crioulo foals from birth up to 24 months of age. Biometric evaluation was divided in 26 periods, with 40 animals in each and random repetition of individuals. Period one: birth to seven days; period two: seven to 21 days; monthly from 1st to 24th month. The three breeding farms presented similar environmental conditions and the horses were submitted to similar management. Measurements were taken on a monthly basis, using a mechanical scale for weight and a hippometer for height. The analysis were conducted on SAS/ETS® version 9.2. Logistic non-linear regression model was used to obtain growth curves for height and minimum, medium and maximum weight of the foals on their respective ages, by this way six growth curves were produced. Results show an increase in weight and height at 24 months of age compared to the moment of birth. This increase was accentuated during the first months of life, both in weight and height. Thus, it is possible to observe that the first six months of life is characterized by a larger growth rate and is therefore, essential for the foals development, requiring special attention from the breeder and owner.Discussion: The growth curve obtained show that not all individuals reach the measurements required by the breed’s association, corroborating the empirical observation of breeders and technicians in their routine. This is also a concern related to other Brazilian breeds such as Mangalarga Marchador, Pantaneira, Campeira.  For the mentioned breeds, the adequate growth curve has already been described aiming to controlling foal development. The ABCCC require that foals as of 24 months of age have the minimum values of 1.40 m 1.38 m and 1.38 m; and maximum values of 1.50 m, 1.48 m and 1.50 m, for males, females and geldings, respectively, in order to receive the Association brand and the permanent registry. According to the growth curve, the first two months of the foal’s life show the largest growth rate, reaching 78.4% of an adult’s height with average growth of 20 cm, reaching 1.05 m. Genetic features, nutritional and sanitary conditions, directly influence this period. Overweight associated to exercising increases the risk of musculoskeletal injury and represent a factor for stress on the joints. This should be a concern among Crioulo breeders and the knowledge of their growth curve is important for an objective assessment seeking for a gradual and weighted development. In this work, it was possible to determine the growth curve of Crioulo breed foals in the south region of Rio Grande do Sul, from birth up to 24 months of age, providing minimum, medium and maximum parameters referring to withers height and body weight

Equine multinodular pulmonary fibrosis in southern Brazil: pathology and differential diagnosis

ABSTRACT: Equine multinodular pulmonary fibrosis (EMPF) diagnosed at the Laboratório Regional de Diagnóstico of Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Pelotas (LRD/UFPel), is described. Differential aspects of other pulmonary diseases in horses with pneumonia and interstitial fibrosis were discussed. The disease occurred in a 15-year-old equine that presented with clinical signs of respiratory distress, intermittent fever, anorexia, and dyspnea. Macroscopically, there was enlargement of the lungs with whitish, pale, firm and well-delimited nodules, approximately 7-10 cm in diameter, distributed throughout the parenchyma. Histologically, the lung nodules had alveolar spaces with walls covered by cuboidal epithelium containing macrophages, neutrophils, lymphocytes, hyperplasia of type II pneumocytes and, eventually, multinucleated giant cells. The interstitium was markedly thickened by mature fibrous connective tissue and collagen. There were intranuclear inclusion bodies in the macrophages. The PCR technique for detecting the EHV-5 DNA was positive. In a retrospective study of pneumonia cases in horses with interstitial fibrosis diagnosed in the LRD/UFPel, two animals had macroscopic and histological lesions similar to those with EMPF, but they were negative for EHV-5 in PCR. Four cases diagnosed with pneumonia and interstitial tissue fibrosis had a histological pattern that was different from that observed in the EMPF animal, thus eliminating the possibility of EMPF. It is concluded that EMPF is a sporadic disease that should be considered in cases of respiratory disease in horses. Reports of such cases are important to alert technicians about the occurrence of rare diseases in Brazil. It is also necessary to establish the true role of EHV-5 in the pathogenesis of EMPF. Cases of pulmonary fibrosis such as EMPF, in which the virus is not present, should be studied to establish whether it could be an idiopathic form of the disease