Efficacy Evaluation of a Commercial Formulation With Duddingtonia Flagrans in Equine Gastrointestinal Nematodes.

The indiscriminate use of antiparasitics for the treatment of helminths in horses has caused the ineffectiveness of commonly used chemical active principles, therefore, new alternatives such as the use of helminthophagous fungi have been studied. In this context, this study aimed to evaluate the in vitro efficacy of the commercial formulation Bioverm, composed of the fungus Duddingtonia flagrans strain AC001, in the reduction of gastrointestinal nematode larvae in equine feces. In coproculture, the genus Cyathostomum sp. was the most prevalent in the analyzed samples. The commercial formulation with D. flagrans demonstrated effectiveness in the predation of Cyathostomum sp. in tests. The recommended dose of 0.4 g, containing 105 chlamydospores per gram of product, reduced larvae by 44.23%, while the extrapolated dose of 1.0 g with the same concentrations of chlamydospores (105/g) resulted in a reduction of 57.20%, indicating the effectiveness of the product in controlling infective larvae.

Evaluation of Three Methods of Platelet-Rich Plasma for Treatment of Equine Distal Limb Skin Wounds.

Wounds localized on the distal limbs in horses are difficulty healing. No studies have been conducted to evaluate homologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in horses. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect upon applying autologous PRP, homologous PRP, and autologous PRP gel on the wound healing process of wounds on the distal limb of horses. To study a possible correlation between the platelet count and wound healing time, four skin wounds of 4 cm2 were surgically created on the dorsolateral aspect of the third metacarpus in eight healthy adult horses. Each skin wound was randomly treated according to the established treatment groups (G): GI, treated with autologous PRP injection on the wound edges; GII treated topically with autologous PRP gel; and GIII homologous PRP injection on the wound edges and control group treated with saline solution injected on the wound edges. The animals were monitored every fifteen days throughout the wound healing process. The wound size was determined using a tape measure. Skin biopsies were obtained on the 15th and 30th day after the first PRP treatment. Autologous PRP gel treatment reduced the healing time in 15 days compared to the wounds of the control group. Histologically, GII presented a higher frequency of mild inflammation and mild to moderate neovascularization of biopsies 1 and 2. Platelet-rich plasma in gel form showed the best result on wound healing of the distal limb of horses in both clinical and histopathological evaluations. The homologous PRP is recommended for the recovery of animals with compromised hemodynamic conditions.

Ischemic myelopathy caused by fibrocartilaginous embolism in a horse / Mielopatia isquêmica associada a embolismo fibrocartilaginoso em um equino

ABSTRACT: This report described clinical, epidemiological, and pathological aspects of ischemic myelopathy caused by fibrocartilaginous embolism (FCE) in a 10-year-old, mixed breed gelding. Clinically, the horse presented acute hind limbs paralysis, with a clinical course of approximately 24 hours. At necropsy, no gross lesions were observed. Cross-sections of the spinal cord revealed focally extensive areas of malacia from the T10 to L4 segments. Focally extensive areas of liquefactive necrosis involving the gray matter and adjacent white matter were observed on histologic sections. The lumen of multiple blood vessels in the periphery of the necrotic areas was occluded by fibrocartilaginous emboli that strongly stained with alcian blue. Clinical signs, gross necropsy, and histological findings observed in this case were identical to those described in the literature for ischemic myelopathy caused by FCE in the horse and other species.

RESUMO: Este relato descreve os aspectos epidemiológicos, clínicos e anatomopatológicos de um caso de mielopatia isquêmica por embolismo fibrocartilaginoso (FCE) em um equino, macho castrado, sem raça definida, com 10 anos de idade. Clinicamente, o equino apresentou paralisia aguda dos membros pélvicos com evolução de aproximadamente 24 horas. Na necropsia não foram observadas alterações. Após serem realizados vários cortes transversais na medula espinhal, observou-se área focalmente extensa de malacia entre o segmento T10 até L4. Histologicamente haviam áreas focalmente extensas de necrose de liquefação envolvendo a substância cinzenta e a substância branca adjacente. Múltiplos vasos sanguíneos da periferia das áreas de necrose estavam ocluídos por êmbolos fibrocartilaginosos, que reagiram fortemente pela técnica de azul alciano. Os sinais clínicos, as lesões macroscópicas e os achados histológicos observados neste caso, são idênticos aos descritos na literatura para FCE em equinos e nas demais espécies.

Laminite crônica em equídeos da raça Crioula: características clínicas e radiográficas / Chronic laminitis in Criollo horses: clinical and radiographic characteristics

Este estudo visou analisar o perfil clínico e radiológico de cavalos crioulos com laminite crônica internados na Clínica de Equinos no período de 2010 a 2011. A partir das fichas de registro, avaliações clínicas diárias e estudos radiográficos, foram computados nove equinos, cinco fêmeas e quatro machos, com idade média de 8,6±5,9 anos e período médio de internação de 104,2±91,7 dias. As fêmeas representaram 55,6% (5/9) da casuística, enquanto os machos inteiros representaram 44,4% (4/9); 22,2% (2/9) dos animais apresentaram laminite nos quatro membros, enquanto 77,8% (7/9) apresentaram laminite apenas nos membros anteriores. Quanto às causas da laminite, 11,1% foram decorrentes de endotoxemia (1/9), 44,4% (4/9) de síndrome metabólica equina e, em 44,4% (4/9), não foi possível determinar a origem. Afundamento ≥20mm da terceira falange ocorreu em 66,7% (6/9) dos animais. Apenas 11,1% (1/9) dos animais apresentaram afundamento distal unilateral. Não houve correlação entre o afundamento da coluna óssea e o grau de claudicação. Dos nove animais deste estudo, 66,7% (6/9) apresentaram rotação ≥5.5° em pelo menos um dos membros. Quanto maior o grau de rotação, maior o grau de claudicação (0.1≤r<0.5; P<0.05). Dois pacientes (22,2%) foram submetidos à tenotomia do flexor digital profundo. A resistência à insulina foi a causa predisponente a laminite mais comum neste estudo. As terapias de suporte, cuidados intensivos de enfermagem, casqueamento e ferrageamento corretivos resultaram em alta taxa de sobrevivência, permitindo que, após a alta, os animais pudessem ser mantidos com conforto sem uso de medicação.

This study aimed to analyze the clinical and radiographic profile of Criollo horses affected by chronic laminitis brought to the Equine Clinic between 2010 and 2011. Medical records, daily clinical evaluations and radiographic studies were analyzed. Data of nine horses, 55.6% (5/9) females and 44.4% (4/9) intact males with a mean age 8.6±5.9 years and 104.2±91.7 days of hospitalization were included. Laminitis occurred on all four limbs on 22.2% (2/9), while 77.8% (7/9) occurred only on the forelimbs. One out of nine cases laminites was due to endotoxemia (11.1%), 44.4% (4/9) was related to equine metabolic syndrome and on 44.4% (4/9) the cause could not be determined. Sinking of third phalanx ≥20mm identified on radiographic studies occurred on 66.7% (6/9) horses. Only 11.1% (1/9) of the animals presented unilateral sinking of the third phalanx. Sinking of the third phalanx was not correlated with the degree of lameness. Rotation of the distal phalanx (≥5.5°) on at least one member was observed in 66.7% (6/9). There was a positive correlation of the third phalanx rotation degree and the lameness degree (0.1≤r<0.5; P<0.05). Two patients (22.2%) required tenotomy of the deep digital flexor tendon. Insulin resistance was the predisposing cause laminitis most common in this study. Supportive therapy, intensive nursing care, corrective trimming and shoeing provided a high survival rate after discharge so that the animals could be kept comfortable without pain medication.

Avaliação de sete protocolos para obtenção de plasma rico em plaquetas na espécie equina / Evaluation of seven platelet-rich plasma processing protocols in the equine species

O presente estudo teve por objetivo avaliar a capacidade de concentração plaquetária e sua correlação com os níveis do fator de crescimento TGF-B1, a presença de leucócitos e de hemácias nos diferentes protocolos utilizados na obtenção do plasma rico em plaquetas (PRP) de equinos, através do método manual. Dez equinos, sadios, com idade média de 7 anos (±2,39), pesando em média 500kg (±67,1) foram utilizados neste estudo. Os protocolos testados variaram na velocidade e no tempo nas duas centrifugações. As variáveis analisadas nas amostras de PRP foram: concentração de plaquetas, presença de leucócitos e hemácias, e níveis de TGF-β1 quantificados pelo teste ELISA. Os protocolos testados não diferiram na capacidade de concentração de plaquetas e nos níveis de TGF-β1. Entretanto, houve diferença significava entre o protocolo I e os demais por este apresentar maior número de hemácias e leucócitos nas amostras de PRP, sendo por esse motivo considerado um protocolo inadequado para processamento do volume de sangue utilizado. Os demais protocolos podem ser utilizados para obtenção de PRP terapêutico em equinos.

PRP is plasma that contains a high numbers of platelets and growth factors in a small volume. The aim of this study was to evaluate seven different protocols to obtain PRP by the manual method according to their capacity to concentrate platelets, leukocyte and erythrocyte contamination and correlation between platelet count and TGF-β1 growth factor levels in PRP samples. Ten healthy horses with a mean age of 7 years (±2.39), weighing on average 500 kg (±67.1) were used in this study. The protocols tested varied according to the speed and time used at the two centrifugations. PRP samples were analyzed regarding platelet concentration, leukocyte and erythrocyte contamination and TGF-β1 levels quantified by ELISA. No significant differences among protocols were observed regarding the ability to concentrate platelets and TGF-β1. However, protocol I showed significantly higher erythrocyte and leukocyte counts in PRP samples than the other protocols, reason why it was considered inadequate for the volume of blood processed in this experiment. The remaining protocols are suitable for extracting PRP.

Cortisol, resposta glicêmica e secreção de insulina em equinos clinicamente sadios submetidos a sessões de hipóxia normobárica / Serum cortisol, glycemic response and insulin secretion in healthy horses exposed to normobaric hypoxia sessions

Os níveis séricos de cortisol, resposta glicêmica e secreção de insulina foram avaliados em equinos não exercitados submetidos a sessões de hipóxia normobárica. Cavalos adultos sadios (n=8) foram selecionados após exame físico e submetidos ao teste de tolerância à glicose intravenosa (0,5g kg-1) (TTGIV). Amostras de sangue (n=11) foram coletadas entre 0 e 180 minutos após a administração de glicose para avaliar a resposta glicêmica e a secreção de insulina. Os animais foram então expostos a sessões de uma hora de hipóxia duas vezes ao dia, totalizando 43 sessões, com concentração decrescente de O2 de 17 a 12 por cento. A frequência cardíaca e as amostras sanguíneas para a determinação do cortisol sérico foram coletadas antes e a cada 15 minutos durante as sessões 1, 4, 6, 8, 10, 14, 22 e 43. A TTGIV foi repetida ao final do estudo. Os níveis de cortisol sérico foram maiores na sessão 1 (S1) (17 por cento O2) quando comparados aos níveis da S10 (13 por cento O2) e da S43 (12 por cento O2)(P<0,05). A curva glicêmica de equinos clinicamente sadios não submetidos a exercício não é alterada pela exposição a 43 sessões de hipóxia normobárica. O aumento na secreção de insulina, acompanhada de diminuição da frequência cardíaca e cortisol sérico sugerem uma adaptação dos cavalos ao modelo de hipóxia utilizado.

The cortisol levels, glycemic response and insulin secretion were evaluated in non-exercised horses submitted to sessions of normobaric hypoxia. Healthy adult horses (n=8) were selected after physical examination and underwent an intravenous glucose tolerance test (0.5g kg-1) (IVGTT). Blood samples (n=11) were collected between 0 and 180 minutes after glucose administration to evaluate glycemic response and insulin secretion. Then, they were exposed to 1-hour hypoxia sessions twice a day, reaching a total of 43 hypoxia sessions, with [O2] decreasing from 17 to 12 percent. Heart rate and serum samples to measure cortisol were collected before and every 15 minutes during the sessions 1, 4, 6, 8, 10, 14, 22 and 43. The IVGTT was repeated at the end of the study. The serum cortisol levels were higher in session 1 (S1) (17 percent O2) when compared to the levels of S10 (13 percent O2) and S43 (12 percent O2) (P<0.05). The glycemic curve in resting healthy horses is not altered by exposure to 43 normobaric hypoxia sessions. The increase in insulin secretion, followed by decreased heart rate and serum cortisol suggest an adaptation of the horses to the hypoxia model used.