Superficial skin temperature recovery of distal limbs of thoroughbred racehorses after training in a racetrack in different seasons.

In the present study we aimed to investigate superficial skin temperature of racehorses' distal limbs after training in a racetrack. Male and female Thoroughbred racehorses were investigated in summer, after light training, and in the winter, after light and intense training. Horses were exercised (Exercise group, EG) under trainers' protocol while others were maintained inside their stalls (Control group, CG). Thermographic images were obtained from the front (fetlock, cannon, and carpus) and hindlimbs (fetlock, cannon, and tarsus), before exercise and 45, 60, 120 and 180 min after exercising. Images were analyzed using the Flir Tools® program. Temperatures of different moments of each group were compared using Anova for repeated measures and each moment of EG versus CG using Student t test. Horses of the CG maintained steady temperature in the winter, but in summer temperature increased at M45 until M180 (P < 0,01). EG increased temperatures after exercises that remained higher than M0 even at 180 min post-exercise (P < 0,0001), for most of the regions in winter and summer. EG temperatures were higher than CG at most of the time points after exercise. There was positive correlation between all regions' temperature and the atmospheric temperature for the CG during the summer (P = 0,003, r2 = 0,9622), observed for the front fetlock and carpal regions for the EG (P = 0.035, r2 = 0,8166). This pilot study demonstrates that, after race exercising under natural conditions skin temperature might take more than 180 min to return to basal values.

Adverse reactions after orange essential oil administration to lambs.

The major compound in orange essential oil (OEO) is limonene, which has in vitro anthelmintic properties; however, a safe in vivo dose has not been defined for animals. Therefore, a pilot study was conducted to evaluate the effect of an OEO formulation for the control of gastrointestinal nematodes in sheep and to investigate adverse reactions in lambs after OEO administration. A total of 17 lambs received an oral OEO formulation at a concentration of 600 mg/mL, in doses of 200, 300, and 600 mg/kg. The most common clinical signs observed were head shaking (88.8%), backward head movement (51.1%), and ataxia (74.4%). Lambs treated with 600 mg/kg of OEO showed more severe combined clinical signs and longer duration of symptoms, presenting adverse reactions for up to 2 h after OEO administration. Testing of different doses and formulations with slower release of the active ingredient is recommended to minimize or eliminate these effects.

Performance, metabolic and hormonal responses of grazing Nellore cows to an energy-protein supplementation during the pre-partum phase.

BACKGROUND: Supplementation programs for prepartum beef cows are usually adopted because the nutritional status of the cows upon calving is a main factor impacting reproductive performance of the next production cycle. This study evaluated the effects of 60-d pre-partum energy-protein supplementation on performance, metabolic and hormonal responses during the peripartum phase of grazing beef cows. Thirty-eight pregnant multiparous Nellore cows were assigned to a completely randomized design with two treatments: control (no supplement) and supplementation (1.5 kg of energy-protein per d with 30% crude protein, dry matter basis). RESULTS: The supplemented cows had higher ADG pre-partum (P < 0.10), but postpartum ADG did not differ between treatments. Supplementation did not affect BCS and calf BW upon calving, on days 45 and 90, milk yield and composition (P > 0.10). No differences were found for forage intake and neutral detergent fiber digestibility (P > 0.10). The intake and digestibility of CP and OM increased in response to supplementation (P < 0.10). An interaction occurred between supplementation and peripartum days for BUN, ßHB, T3 and T4, which had higher concentrations for supplemented cows at pre-partum period (P < 0.10). Concentration of others blood parameters significantly changed along peripartum days (P < 0.10). There was no difference in pregnancy rates and days from calving to conception between treatments (P > 0.10). CONCLUSIONS: Providing an energy and protein supplement to grazing Nellore cows over the last 60 d of gestation improved their pre-partum energy balance. However, no post-partum carryover effects were detected.