Horse

Physical activity can activate extracellular matrix (ECM) protein synthesis and influence the size and mechanical properties of tendon. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether different training histories of horses would influence the synthesis of collagen and other matrix proteins and alter the mechanical properties of tendon. Samples from superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) from horses that were either (a) currently race trained (n = 5), (b) previously race trained (n = 5) or (c) untrained (n = 4) were analysed for matrix protein abundance (mass spectrometry), collagen and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content, ECM gene expression and mechanical properties...

Veterinary practitioners and other personnel involved in the examination are exposed to ionizing radiation while performing portable radiographs on horses. An online survey was distributed to all Veterinary Council of Ireland-registered practices where the self-reported practice profile is at least 20% equine work. The survey contained questions relating to radiation safety training, protocols, personal dosimetry and lead protection usage, repeat exposures, sedation, and personnel roles during the examination...

This study investigates how differences in the market structure between the Japanese horse racing and Keirin1 racing markets affects the influence exercised by high-turnover operators (major operators) in both markets on low-turnover operators (minor operators) in those markets.2 In the horse racing market structure, there are few competitors, and the difference in turnover3 between major and minor operators is large. In contrast, in the Keirin racing market structure, there are many competitors, and the difference in turnover between major and minor operators is small...

Thyroglossal duct cyst represents a congenital anomaly of the cervical region, rarely documented in animals. Although previously reported in dogs, cats, horses, goats, pigs, and calves, never in birds. This report describes a rare case of thyroglossal duct cyst in a hen. A necropsy of a Transylvanian Naked Neck hen carried following diphtheroid mucocutaneous lesions. The necropsy revealed a large, cyst-like structure measuring 0.5 cm at the level of the caudal edge of the left thyroid gland. Histologically, the cystic mass, bordered by 1-2 lines of well-differentiated ciliated cuboidal cells, presented nuclear immunoreactivity for Thyroid transcription factor 1...

Diarrhea is a common gastrointestinal disorder in horses, with diet-induced diarrhea being an emerging challenge. This study aimed to investigate the gut microbiota differences in healthy and diet-induced diarrheic horses and evaluate the effectiveness of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) and carbonate buffer mixture (CBM) as potential therapeutic approaches. Twenty healthy horses were included in the study, with four groups: Control, Diarrhea, CBM, and FMT. Diarrhea was induced using oligofructose, and fecal samples were collected for microbiota analysis...

Topologically protected spin whirls in ferromagnets are foreseen as the cart-horse of solitonic information technologies. Nevertheless, the future of skyrmionics may rely on antiferromagnets due to their immunity to dipolar fields, straight motion along the driving force and ultrafast dynamics. While complex topological objects were recently discovered in intrinsic antiferromagnets, mastering their nucleation, stabilization and manipulation with energy-efficient means remains an outstanding challenge. Designing topological polar states in magnetoelectric antiferromagnetic multiferroics would allow one to electrically write, detect and erase topological antiferromagnetic entities...

The Triggering Receptor Expressed on Myeloid Cells (TREM) family of receptors plays a crucial role in the immune response across various species. Particularly, TREM-1 and TREM-2 have been extensively studied, both in terms of their applications and their expression sites and signaling pathways. However, the same is not observed for the other family members collectively known as TREM-like-transcripts (TREML). The TREML family consists of eight receptors, with TREML1-5 identified in humans and mice, TREML-6 exclusive found in mice, TREML-7 in dogs and horses, and TREML-8 in rabbits and opossums...

This article discusses a rare case of isolated xylazine overdose in a human, treated successfully with naloxone. Xylazine, typically used as a veterinary tranquilizer, acts as a potent α2 adrenergic agonist, leading to sedation, muscle relaxation, and potential respiratory depression. In this case, a female mistakenly injected herself with xylazine mistaking it for a different medication. The report discusses naloxone's role beyond opioid overdose, especially regarding substances causing central nervous system (CNS) depression via mechanisms similar to those of opioids...

DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) are important epigenetic modification during spermatogenesis. To further evaluate the pattern of DNMTs in horse testes during development, we investigated the expression and localization of DNMT1, DNMT3a and DNMT3b at different time points. The qRT-PCR results showed that DNMT1 expression was maintained in testes tissue from 6-month-old (0.5y) to 2-year-old (2y) of age and decreased after 3-year-old (3y) (P < 0.01). The expression levels of DNMT3a and DNMT3b peaked in testes tissue at 3y (P < 0...

Slow feeding devices (SFDs) are useful tools in order to improve the horse well-being and to reduce wastage, but their use may result in unnatural posture during feeding and frustration behaviours. Moreover, it may be important to evaluate the laterality during feeding. The aim of the study was to investigate ponies' feeding behaviour (i.e., lateralisation, frustration, postural eating style) with different hay feeding methods: on the ground (G), a fully filled hay net (HF), a partially filled hay net (HL), and a slow feeder hay box (HB)...

Although horses with asthma share similar clinical signs, the heterogeneity of the disease in terms of severity, triggering factors, inflammatory profile, and pathological features has hindered our ability to define biologically distinct subgroups. The recognition of phenotypes and endotypes could enable the development of precision medicine, including personalized, targeted therapy, to benefit affected horses. While in its infancy in horses, this review outlines the phenotypes of equine asthma and discusses how knowledge gained from targeted therapy in human medicine can be applied to evaluate the potential opportunities for personalized medicine in equine asthma and to suggest avenues for research to advance this emerging field...

A chemically defined cryopreservation extender that maintains seminal parameters is relevant. Fifteen ejaculates from 5 stallions (n= 5; r=3) were diluted in 5 extenders: 1) EDTA-glucose based extender with egg-yolk and dimethylformamide (EY); 2) commercial equine extender (CE); 3) CE with dimethylformamide (CE-3); 4) bovine commercial extender with liposomes (OP); 5) bovine commercial extender with soybean lecithin (BIO), and frozen using a slow and a rapid temperature descent curve. Post-thaw evaluations were: sperm kinematic parameters, viability and acrosome status, membrane lipoperoxidation and DNA fragmentation...

Many terrestrial microbes have evolved cell behaviors that help them rise above their substrate, often to facilitate dispersal. One example of these behaviors is found in the amoebae of Sappinia pedata, which actively lift most of their cell mass above the substrate, known as standing. This standing behavior was first described in S. pedata in the 1890s from horse dung isolates but never molecularly characterized from dung. Our study expands this understanding, revealing the first molecularly confirmed S. pedata from herbivore dung in Mississippi, USA, and describing a new species, Sappinia dangeardi n...

BACKGROUND: Lameness examinations are commonly performed in equine medicine. Advancements in digital technology have increased the use of video recordings for lameness assessment, however, standardization of ideal video angle is not available yielding videos of poor diagnostic quality. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of video angle on the subjective assessment of front limb lameness. A randomized, blinded, crossover study was performed. Six horses with and without mechanically induced forelimb solar pain were recorded using 9 video angles including horses trotting directly away and towards the video camera, horses trotting away and towards a video camera placed to the left and right side of midline, and horses trotting in a circle with the video camera placed on the inside and outside of the circle...

Strangles is a highly contagious disease of the equine upper respiratory tract caused by Streptococcus equi subspecies. Streptococcus equi subsp. equi (S. equi) and Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus (S. zooepidemicus) was isolated, as local, hot, and field strains, from horses clinically suffering from respiratory distress. The isolated Streptococci were identified using bacteriological and molecular techniques. Four formulations of inactivated S. equi vaccines were developed and evaluated. The first formulation was prepared using the S...

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of low-volume (5-mL) locoregional retrobulbar anesthesia ("retrobulbar block") by use of 3 commercial local anesthetic formulations. ANIMALS: 8 healthy adult mares. METHODS: A block-randomized, masked, controlled design was used. A single ultrasound-guided retrobulbar block was performed with 2% lidocaine, 2% mepivacaine, or 0.5% bupivacaine (n = 5 eyes/group). Contralateral eyes served as untreated controls...

In 2023, 2 novel pharmaceutical agents for small animals were released on the German market: the structural but non-functional analog of the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid pregabalin with an anxiolytic active component and the dopamine agonist ropinirole in form of eye drops to induce vomiting. Two established active veterinary pharmaceutical ingredients became available for additional species: The phosphorus compound butafosfan was additionally approved for horses, dogs and cats and the mineral sodium chloride as an isotonic sodium chloride solution was also approved for rabbits and guinea pigs...

A 17-year-old Appaloosa mare was referred for evaluation of presumed refractory keratitis of the left eye. Gross examination revealed ocular discomfort and corneal neovascularization with a nasal focal opacification affecting approximately 40% of the corneal surface. On ophthalmic examination, extensive subepithelial to mid-stromal vascular branching accompanied by a homogeneous white, dense opacification, which affected up to 80% of the total corneal thickness, were apparent. Signs of concurrent uveitis were absent...

In 2023, no new active pharmaceutical ingredients were released on the German market for horses and food-producing animals. Two established veterinary active pharmaceutical ingredients became available for additional species: The phosphorus compound butafosfan was also approved for horses, dogs, and cats and the mineral sodium chloride as an isotonic sodium chloride solution was also approved for rabbits and guinea pigs. In addition, for small animals, there were new releases of an agent (pergolidmesilate) in a novel pharmaceutical formulation and a lower content of the active ingredient, one drug (fluralaner) in a smaller package size as well as one drug (oxalic acid dehydrate) with a new route of administration...

OBJECT AND AIM: This study presents the individual course of estradiol-17ß and progesterone concentrations in blood during the reproductive cycle in mares in order to point out physiological differences between individual animals and to aid in the interpretation of hormone values. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Concentrations of estradiol-17ß and progesterone were determined in seven mares over the course of their cycle. One mare was excluded from the study due to a physiologically deviating cycle...