A Retrospective Study of Mortality Causes in Arabian Horses / Estudio retrospectivo de las causas de mortalidad en caballos árabes

Abstract This study aims to describe the causes of death in Arabian horses at Al Wathba, in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) during 2018-2019. This study was conducted in a cohort of all Arabian horses that died. Data was collected retrospectively and only those horses with a full necropsy report available were included in the study. The carcass and all internal organs of each horse were examined and representative samples of tissues with abnormalities were collected in 10% neutral buffered formalin and processed for histopathological examination. A descriptive statistical analysis was performed. A total of 25 Arabian horses were examined post-mortem. Out of them, 35% were females. In general, colic occurred specifically at a higher frequency (80%), cases of collapse and sudden death during exercise and races occurred in 8%, cases of perinatal death in 8% and one case of laminitis (4%). The annual mortality in relation to the estimated population was 1% approximately. In conclusion, we identified and described the causes of death in Arabian horses in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi, UAE during the period 2018-2019. In summary, a pathology of the digestive system -specifically acute abdominal crisis (colic)- is the main cause of death in Arabian horses, with 80%; other causes of mortality with a low incidence were in order collapse and sudden death during exercise and races, perinatal death and laminitis. These results allow establishing risk prevention measures of mortality in horses for specific activities like handling, feeding, training and races.

Resumen El objetivo del presente estudio es describir las causas de muerte en caballos árabes en Al Wathba, en Abu Dhabi (Emiratos Árabes Unidos) durante el periodo 2018-2019. El presente estudio se hizo con una cohorte de todos los caballos árabes que murieron. Se recolectaron datos retrospectivamente y sólo se incluyeron en el estudio los caballos que tenían disponible un informe de necropsia completo. Los cadáveres y todos los órganos internos de cada caballo fueron examinados y se tomaron muestras representativas de tejidos con anormalidades, con una solución reguladora neutral de formalina al 10%, y fueron procesadas para su examen histopatológico. Se hizo un análisis estadístico descriptivo. Se examinaron en total 25 caballos árabes después de morir. De estos, el 35% eran yeguas. En general, el cólico ocurrió específicamente a una frecuencia más alta (80%), los casos de colapso y muerte repentina durante el ejercicio y las carreras ocurrieron en el 8%, los casos de muerte perinatal en el 8% y hubo un caso de laminitis (4%). La mortalidad anual en relación con la población estimada fue del 1% aproximadamente. En conclusión, identificamos y describimos las causas de muerte en los caballos árabes en Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi, EAU, durante el periodo de 2018-2019. En resumen, una patología del sistema digestivo -específicamente, la crisis abdominal aguda (cólico)- es la causa principal de muerte en caballos árabes, representando el 80%; otras causas de mortalidad con baja incidencia fueron, en su orden, el colapso y la muerte repentina durante el ejercicio y las carreras, la muerte perinatal y la laminitis. Estos resultados permiten establecer medidas de prevención del riesgo y de mortalidad en caballos para actividades específicas como su manejo, alimentación, entrenamiento y las carreras.

La necropsia en campo: un servicio agregado en la medicina veterinaria rural / Field necropsy: An added service in rural veterinary medicine / A necropsia em campo: um serviço adicional na medicina veterinária rural

Resumen Se plantea como objetivo describir las técnicas de necropsia de campo, las condiciones de envío de muestras a los distintos laboratorios y su valor agregado en la medicina veterinaria rural. La necropsia debe ser ordenada, sistemática y completa, para así extraer la mayor cantidad de información posible del cadáver, de tal forma que permita determinar la causa de la muerte o la participación de una patología concreta. Una necropsia realizada de forma correcta, además, va a permitir una toma de muestras adecuada. En relación con el costo por necropsia, en servicios oficiales y privados oscila entre 80-150 dólares, con el envío del animal o cadáver a la sala de necropsia del centro de diagnóstico. En caso de considerarse necropsias con connotaciones médico-legales, incluyendo los animales asegurados, los precios oscilan entre 500-2500 dólares. Estos precios pueden tener un incremento de un 15 a un 20 % en campo, teniendo en cuenta el desplazamiento a la explotación/granja (distancia-kilometraje), aunque también puede tener variaciones de acuerdo con el número de animales fallecidos, lo cual representa un servicio agregado para el veterinario de campo/veterinario rural, que de alguna manera incrementa las ganancias económicas netas anuales de la empresa veterinaria rural. En conclusión, se describen las técnicas de necropsia de campo, las condiciones de envío de muestras a los distintos laboratorios y su valor agregado en la medicina veterinaria rural.

Abstract This paper aims to describe field necropsy techniques, the conditions of sending samples to different laboratories, and their added value in rural veterinary medicine. Necropsy must be ordered, systematic, and complete, in order to extract as much information as possible from the corpse, so as to determine the cause of death or the presence of a particular pathology. In addition, correctly performed necropsy will allow for an adequate sampling. In relation to necropsy costs, official and private services oscillate between 80 and 150 dollars, with the animal or corpse sent to the necropsy room of a diagnostic center. In case of necropsies with medico-legal connotations, including insured animals, prices range between 500 and 2500 dollars. These prices may have a 15 to 20% increase in the field, taking into account travel to the examination site/ranch (distance-mileage), and it may also vary according to the number of dead animals, which represents an added service for the field veterinarian/rural veterinarian, which somewhat increases the annual net economic gains for rural veterinary business.

Resumo Propõe-se como objetivo descrever as técnicas de necropsia de campo, as condições de envio de amostras aos distintos laboratórios e seu valor agregado na medicina veterinária rural. A necropsia deve ser ordenada, sistemática e completa, para deste modo extrair a maior quantidade de informação possível do cadáver, de tal forma que permita determinar a causa da morte ou a participação de uma patologia concreta. Uma necropsia realizada de forma correta, além de tudo, vai permitir uma adequada tomada de amostras. Em relação com o custo por necropsia, em serviços oficiais e privados oscila entre 80 e 150 dólares, com o envio do animal ou cadáver para a sala de necropsia do centro de diagnóstico. Em caso de considerar-se necropsias com conotações médico-legais, incluindo os animais assegurados, os preços oscilam entre 500 e 2500 dólares. Estes preços podem ter um aumento de 15 a 20 % em campo, levando em conta o deslocamento à exploração/granja (distância-quilometragem), embora também possa apresentar variações de acordo com o número de animais falecidos, o que representa um serviço adicional para o veterinário de campo/veterinário rural, que de algum modo aumenta os lucros econômicos líquido anuais da empresa veterinária rural. Em conclusão, se descrevem as técnicas de necropsia de campo, as condições de envio de amostras aos diferentes laboratórios e seu valor agregado na medicina veterinária rural.

Anemia infecciosa equina: Una revisión / Equine infectious anemia: A review

La Anemia Infecciosa Equina (en ingles Equine Infectious Anemia EIA), es una enfermedad viral que afecta a los équidos a nivel mundial. El agente causal, pertenece al género Lentivirus, de la familia Retroviridae, subfamilia Orthoretrovirinae. La enfermedad se caracteriza por episodios febriles recurrentes, trombocitopenia, anemia, pérdida de peso y edema de las partes bajas del cuerpo; si no se produce la muerte en el curso de los ataques clínicos agudos, se produce una fase crónica y la enfermedad tiende a convertirse en latente. La AIE debe notificarse ante la OIE: Organización Mundial de Sanidad Animal. En 2015 la OIE mediante Código Sanitario para los Animales Terrestres se estableció a la Anemia Infecciosa Equina en la lista única de enfermedades e infecciones de los équidos. Los veterinarios que detecten un caso de anemia infecciosa equina deben seguir las pautas nacionales y/o locales para la notificación y las pruebas de diagnóstico correspondientes. Este artículo describe los aspectos más relevantes de la Anemia Infecciosa Equina.

Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) is a viral disease that affects horses worldwide. The causative agent belongs to the genus Lentivirus, the family Retroviridae, subfamily Orthoretrovirinae. The disease is characterized by recurrent episodes of fever, thrombocytopenia, anemia, weight loss and edema of the lower parts of the body; if death does not occur in the course of the acute clinical attacks, a chronic stage occurs and the disease tends to become dormant. The IEA must be reported to the OIE: World Organization for Animal Health. In 2015 by Health Code OIE Terrestrial Animal it was established Equine Infectious Anemia in the single list of diseases and infections of horses. Veterinarians detected a case of equine infectious anemia should follow national and / or local to the notification and guidelines appropriate diagnostic tests. This article describes the most relevant aspects of the Equine Infectious Anemia.

Gastric Ulcers Syndrome in Donkeys / Síndrome de úlcera gástrica en burros / Síndrome de úlcera gástrica em burros

This study aimed to describe gastric ulcer in donkeys. 10 donkeys (Equus asinus) were studied in Bodonal de la Sierra, Badajoz-Extremadura, Spain. They were referred for necropsy and dead due to non-digestive causes. 4 males and 6 females were examined. The ages were classified of 4-16 years old. The stomach and gastric mucosa was evaluated for classified Mer-rit, 2003. Samples of gastric tissue were collected. The samples fixed in formalin were processed by conventional histological techniques and examined by histopathology. None of the donkeys presented clinical signs for gastric ulcers syndrome. Of the 10 donkeys studied, 10% had Grade 0; 30% Grade 1; 40% Grade 2; 10% Grade 3; and 10% Grade 4. In 30% (3/10) parasites such as Gasterophilus sp. were observed. The histological slices revealed severe damage on the gastric mucosa, a loss of continuity of the gastric mucosa with corium exposure, and subchorionic edema with parakeratotic hyperkeratosis, together with a mixed lymphoplasmocytic mononuclear infiltrate. In conclusion, we reported gastric ulcers syndrome in donkeys in Spain.

Este estudio tuvo como objetivo describir la úlcera gástrica en burros. Se estudiaron 10 burros (Equus asinus) en Bodonal de la Sierra, Badajoz-Extremadura, España. Fueron remitidos para necropsia y muertos debido a causas no digestivas. Se examinaron 4 machos y 6 hembras. Las edades estuvieron comprendidas entre los 4 y los 16 años de edad. El estómago y la mucosa gástrica se analizaron con la clasificación de Merri, 2003. Se recogieron muestras de tejido gástrico, se fijaron en formol y se procesaron con técnicas histológicas convencionales. Luego se examinaron por histopatología. Ningún burro presentó los signos clínicos del síndrome de úlcera gástrica. De los 10 burros estudiados, el 10 % tenía grado 0; el 30 %, grado 1; el 40 %, grado 2; el 10 %, grado 3, y 10 %, grado 4. En el 30 % (3/10) se observaron parásitos tipo Gasterophilus sp. Los cortes histológicos revelaron graves daños en la mucosa gástrica, una pérdida de continuidad de la mucosa gástrica (con exposición de la dermis) y edema subcoriónico con hiperqueratosis paraqueratósica, junto con un infiltrado mononu-clear linfoplasmocítico mixto. En conclusión, se reportó el síndrome de úlcera gástrica en burros en España.

Este estudo teve como objetivo descrever a úlcera gástrica em burros. Foram realizados estudos em 10 burros (Equus asinus) em Bodonal de La Sierra, Badajoz-Extremadura, Espanha. Foram remitidos para necropsia e mortos devido a causas não digestivas. Examinaram-se 4 machos e 6 fêmeas. As idades estiveram compreendidas entre os 4 e os 16 anos de idade. O estômago e a mucosa gástrica foram analisados com a classificação de Merri, 2003. Recolheram-se amostras de tecido gástrico, se fixaram em formol e se processaram com técnicas histológicas convencionais. Depois se examinaram por histologia patológica. Nenhum burro apresentou os sinais clínicos da síndrome de úlcera gástrica. Dos 10 burros estudados, o 10 % tinha grau 0; o 30 %, grau 1; o 40 %, grau 2; o 10 %, grau 3, e 10 %, grau 4. Em 30 % (3/10) se observaram parasitas tipo Gasterophilus sp. Os cortes histológicos revelaram graves danos na mucosa gástrica, uma perda de continuidade da mucosa gástrica (com exposição da derme) e hematoma subcoriônico com hiperqueratose paraqueratósica, junto com um infiltrado mononuclear linfoplasmocítico misto. Em conclusão, foi reportada a síndrome de úlcera gástrica em burros na Espanha.

Sudden death, aortic rupture in horses, literature review, case studies reported and risk factors / Morte súbita por ruptura da aorta em cavalos, literatura, estudos de casos relatados e fatores de risco

Sudden deaths of horses in multiple equestrian disciplines have been attributed to acute and chronic respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to perform a review of aortic rupture in horses analyzing, case studies and assessing risk factors. The literature has reported a total of 137 cases of aortic rupture in horses for 28 years (1986-2014), with approximately five horses dying of aortic rupture per year. Histopathologically, there are observed discrete macroscopic degenerative changes in the intima layer only in the aorta. The histological evaluation in the beginning portion of the aorta of the heart evidenced degenerative changes with loss of continuity and distribution of elastic fibers. Risk factors for the rupture of the aorta are: spontaneous rupture associated with hypertension, preexisting vascular injury (aneurysm), dilated or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, copper levels in the endothelium, genetic factors such as inbreeding, toxicology or pharmacological factors. Aortic rupture shows similarity with pulmonary hemorrhage induced by exercise especially under the locomotors induced trauma theory of exercise that can induce pulmonary hemorrhage. In conclusion, degenerative changes to discrete elastic fiber of the intima of the aorta in the emergence of the heart seem to predispose the aorta wall rupture at the time of maximum blood pressure during exercise and the consequent collapse and athletic horses death...

As mortes súbitas de cavalos em várias provas equestres têm sido atribuídas a doenças respiratórias e cardiovasculares agudas e crônicas. O objetivo deste estudo foi efetuar uma revisão de literatura da ruptura da aorta em cavalos analisando estudos de caso e estabelecendo os possíveis fatores de risco. Na revisão da literatura no período de 28 anos (1986-2014) foram localizados 137 casos de ruptura da aorta em cavalos com aproximadamente cinco cavalos morrendo por essa causa por ano. Histologicamente, são observadas alterações macroscópicas discretas degenerativas na camada íntima da aorta. A avaliação histológica na porção inicial da aorta do coração evidencia alterações degenerativas com perda de continuidade e distribuição das fibras elásticas. Fatores de risco para a ruptura da aorta dos cavalos são: ruptura espontânea associada com hipertensão, lesão vascular pré-existente (aneurisma), cardiomiopatia dilatada ou hipertrófica, níveis de cobre no endotélio, fatores genéticos, tais como a consanguinidade na criação, toxicologia e aspectos farmacológicos. A ruptura aórtica mostra semelhança com hemorragia pulmonar induzida pelo exercício. Em conclusão, alterações degenerativas discretas das fibras elásticas da íntima da aorta parecem predispor a ruptura da parede da aorta, no momento da pressão máxima de sangue durante o exercício determinando o consequente colapso e morte do cavalo atleta...

La región del cuello del caballo: connotaciones anátomo-aplicativas: una revisión / The region of the neck of the horse: anatomic applicative connotations: a review

La anatomía topográfica veterinaria es el estudio de las relaciones entre las diferentes partes del organismo y es uno de los métodos de estudio anatómico de los animales, es subsiguiente, al otro tipo de estudio, que es de carácter descriptivo, referido a la forma y estructura orgánica mediante una clasificación de órganos por aparatos y sistemas. La región anatómica del cuello es una importante área anatómica y fisiológica por sus múltiples connotaciones anatomo-clínicas. Se plantea como objetivo una revisión anatómica de la región del cuello del caballo y sus connotaciones anatomo-aplicadas. Se realizó una extensa revisión de la literatura de la anatomía del cuello del caballo así como sus connotaciones anatomo-aplicativas, las cuales se describen detalladamente. En la actualidad la región dorsal del cuello ha sido ampliamente estudiada en los caballos debido a su correlación con el síndrome metabólico equino y obesidad en el caballo. En conclusión la región topográfica del cuello representa anatómicamente una gran significación clínica en el caballo por las estructuras y accidentes anatómicos.

Veterinary topographic anatomy is the study of relationships between different parts of the body and is one of the methods of anatomical study of animals; it is subsequent to the other study, which is descriptive based on the shape and structure rated by organic organs organ systems. The anatomical neck region is an important anatomical and physiological area because of its many anatomical and clinical implications. The aim of this study was to a review of an anatomical region of the horse's neck and applied anatomical connotations. An extensive literature review of the anatomy of the horse's neck and its applicative anatomical connotations, which are described in detail, was conducted. Currently the dorsal neck region has been extensively studied in horses due to their correlation with equine metabolic syndrome and obesity in the horse. In conclusion topographic anatomical neck region represents a great clinical significance in the horse by accident and anatomical structures.

Pathology of the testicle after long-termanabolic steroid treatment in a thoroughbread horse from Venezuela

The aim of this study was to describe a case of pathology of the testicle after long-term anabolic steroid treatment in a Thoroughbread horse. Were study an equine Thoroughbread with cryptorchidism from Venezuela, male of 5 years old. With history of lameness chronic and subfertility. Necropsy was performed and samples of testicle tissue were collected. The tissue samples were fixed in formalin and processed by conventional H&E techniques. Additionally, the special staining procedure of Tricromico de Gomory and Blue VonKossa were also carried out. Samples of blood and urine were recollected for toxicological by competitive ELISA. The left testicle was diameter testicle 6cm. and cryptorchidism (testicle right). Macroscopic were observed bilateral fibrosis parenchyma testicle and atrophic. The histological study revealed atrophy of seminiferous tubules and interstitial fibrosis increases in collagen fibres in the lamina propria of seminiferous tubules and testicular interstitium. Lamina propria surrounding atrophic tubules was thickened by an increase in collagen type IV and elastic fibres and by proliferation of bizarre myoid cells. Basal lamina was also thickened but had decreased for collagen type IV. Special stain Tricromico of Gomory (+) showed fibrosis interstitium severed and VonKossa (-) no evidence mineral. Toxicological studies allowed the detection of boldenona and dexamethasone generic in blood and urine samples. To conclude, we detected the presence of pathology of the testicle associated a after long-term anabolic steroid treatment in a Thoroughbred horse.

Effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatorydrug on prevalence of helicobacter like organisms in gastric mucosa of thoroughbreds horses

The aim of this study was describe effects of NonsteroidalAnti-inflammatory drug on prevalence of Helicobacter LikeOrganisms in gastric mucosa of Thoroughbreds horses. Werestudied 54 Thoroughbred horses in the national race Track“La Rinconada” Caracas-Venezuela. All equine were treatedby seven days with phenylbutazone at an intravenous doseof 4.4 mg/kg. All horses presented Equine gastric ulcer syndromeacute superficial gastritis (25/54), chronic gastritis witherosion focal (16/54), chronic gastritis with erosion focal andulcers (14/54) in the gastric in both regions mucosa squamousregion and glandular regions (fundus). Helicobacter Like Organismsinfection in the stomach was confirmed by Warthin-Starry (38/54). Gastric mucosa revealed numerous spiralshapedbacteria morphologically resembling Helicobacter LikeOrganisms in squamous regions, margo plicatus (20/38) andnumerous spiral-shaped bacteria in fundic glands (18/54). Inconclusion, we detected high presence of Helicobacter LikeOrganisms in the gastric mucosa of Thoroughbred horse’streatment with phenylbutazone.