bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sport Horses with Inflammatory Airway Disease (IAD) with Predominantly Eosinophils or Mast Cells Are More Predisposed to Poor Performance, Exercise Induced Pulmonary Haemorrhage (EIPH) and Have Shorter Careers When Compared to Horses with Neutrophilic IAD
Authors: Boshuizen B. , de Bruijn C.M. , Dewulf J. , Delesalle C.J. 
Published: September 2014

Reasons for performing studyClinical differences and variable response to therapy had been suspected between sport horses with predominantly eosinophils and/or mast cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and horses with predominantly neutrophilia in the BALF.ObjectivesTo examine possible differences in performance, response to treatment and prognosis between both groups.Study designRetrospective clinical study.MethodsA total of 174 client‐owned sport horses that were presented to the Wolvega Equine Clinic for respiratory problems between 2008 and 2013 were included. A questionnaire was used for follow‐up at least 3 months after diagnosis. Cytological BALF counts were considered increased when: neutrophils >5%; eosinophils >1% and mast cells >2%. Data were analysed using SPSS software and Chi square tests.ResultsCough and highest mucus scores were significantly more associated with neutrophilic IAD (P = 0.009 and P = 0.007). The neutrophilia group was also significantly more responsive to therapy, often including corticosteroid inhalation, and management optimisation (P = 0.001) and had better long‐term prognosis when compared to horses from the eosinophilic or mast cell groups (P<0.001). Lowest tracheal mucus scores were reported for the eosinophilic group, followed by the mast cell group. Haemosiderophage scores were significantly higher in the eosinophilic and mast cell groups (P<0.001). Poor performance was reported significantly more frequently in horses with eosinophils and mast cells as the main inflammatory cell population in their BALF (P = 0.001).ConclusionsInflammatory airway disease with predominantly mast cells or eosinophils is associated with low endoscopic tracheal mucus scores. These horses are more predisposed to EIPH, poor performance and responded unfavourably to therapy when compared to horses with neutrophilic IAD.Ethical animal research: Ethical committee oversight not currently required by this congress: retrospective study of clinical records. Explicit owner informed consent for participation in this study was not stated. Sources of funding: Not stated. Competing interests: None.
Soaked‐Hay: It's Not All Sweetness – Mass Matters!
Authors: McG. Argo C. , Dugdale A.H.A. , McGowan C.M. 
Published: September 2014

Reasons for performing studySoaked grass hays are recommended for the nutritional‐management of equine metabolic syndrome (EMS). Forage provision is commonly restricted to promote weight‐loss and insulin‐sensitivity. When EMS animals were fed hay at ∼1.25% body mass (BM) as daily dry matter (DM) (presoaking) animals lost weight at 1.1% of outset BM weekly. This doubled weight‐losses recorded when horses were fed fresh/‘un‐soaked’ hay to the same level [1].ObjectivesTo compare the composition and digestibility of fresh/soaked grass‐hays to improve nutritional‐guidance for the management of EMS.Study designFollowing 6 weeks of dietary restriction to 1.25%BM as hay‐DM, 6/12 horses which had participated in an earlier study [2], were used to determine the digestibility of the soaked (n = 3) and fresh (n = 3) hays.MethodsSamples of fresh grass‐hay (n = 6) and hay from the same batch which had been water‐soaked overnight (16 h, n = 6) or by day (7 h, n = 6) were dried for the measurement of DM content, pooled and ground. Nutrient and gross energy (GE) compositions were determined by proximate analyses. Animals were fed hay as 2 daily meals. Soaked‐hay was equal‐parts long/short‐soaked. Apparent digestibilities were determined after total faecal collection for 72 h.ResultsSoaking hay; did not alter GE (17.6 MJ/kg DM), increased acid detergent fibre (ADF) (30–35%), neutral detergent fibre (NDF) (68–74%) and crude protein (CP, 8.4–10.6%), decreased water soluble carbohydrate (WSC, 18.2–12.2%), and mineral contents (5.7–4.2%). Digestibilities of GE, DM, ash, NDF and WSC were unaltered by soaking. Conversely, soaking increased CP (55.6–66.8%) and ADF (37.5–50%) digestibility. However, hay‐soaking elicits un‐quantified losses of DM. Previous studies report hay ADF and CP as ‘water‐insoluble’. When DM losses were retrospectively calculated from the ADF and CP content of fresh and soaked‐hays, daily DM provision decreased from 1.25 to 1.14%. Consequently DE decreased by 25% (119.5–89.7 kj/kg BM/day).ConclusionsDry matter losses from hay‐soaking have marked impacts on energy/nutrient provision and increase the severity of dietary restriction.Ethical animal research: The study was approved by the University of Liverpool, Veterinary Research Ethics Committee. Owners gave informed consent for their horses’ inclusion in the study. Sources of funding: Personal research account. Competing interests: None.
Prevalence of Osseous Pathology in the Articular Process Articulations in the Equine Cervical and Cranial Thoracic Vertebrae
Authors: Rombach N. , Stubbs N.C. , Clayton H.M. 
Published: September 2014

Reasons for performing studyOsteoarthritis (OA) of the articular processes (APs) is recognised as a clinical condition in the equine cervical spine, but there is little information on the prevalence and distribution of OA in the APs of the cervical and cranial thoracic vertebrae.ObjectivesTo determine the prevalence and distribution of OA in the APs of the equine cervical and cranial thoracic vertebrae in relation to vertebral level, age and size of the horse and side of the neck.Study designA post mortem longitudinal randomised study of 53 horses.HypothesesOA is more prevalent and more severe in the APs of the cervicothoracic junction, the prevalence and severity of OA increases with horse age and size, and OA is equally distributed on left and right sides.MethodsThe cervical (C1–C7) and cranial thoracic (T1–T7) vertebrae of 53 horses were removed at necropsy and boiled out. Based on the size (percentage) of the joint margin that was affected, OA of the 4 APs of each vertebra was graded on a scale of 0 (no osseous lesions) to 3 (severe osseous lesions). Based on these grades, a 3‐factor ANOVA was used to test the random effects of horse, age (young, old) and size (small, large), and the fixed factors of side (left, right) and vertebral level (C1 to T7).ResultsOA lesions were most severe in the mid‐cervical vertebrae (C3–C4) followed by the cervicothoracic curvature (C5–T1). Severity of OA increased with age and size of the horse but there was no difference between left and right sides.ConclusionsOA is symmetrically present with higher severity in the mid‐cervical and cervicothoracic regions and with higher prevalence in older and larger horses. These factors support bilateral injections in specific APs for clinical treatment of OA in the equine cervical spine.Ethical animal research: Approval for this study was obtained under Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee number 02‐11/020‐00. Explicit owner informed consent for participation in this study was not stated but general permission for post mortem examination was given. Sources of funding: Supported by the CVM Endowed Research Funds and the McPhail Endowment at Michigan State University. Competing interests: None.
Latero‐Oblique Radiography as a Diagnostic Tool for Equine Cervical Osteoarthritis
Authors: Tambaschi M. , Dunkel B. , Mullard J. , Wood R. , Piercy R.J. , Weller R. 
Published: September 2014

Reasons for performing studyEquine cervical osteoarthritis is a common disease known to contribute to both neck pain and cervical vertebral compressive myelopathy. There are no published studies demonstrating the usefulness of latero‐oblique radiography as a diagnostic tool for cervical osteoarthritis.ObjectivesTo determine the sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive values of latero‐oblique radiography as a diagnostic tool for cervical articular process joint osteoarthritis.Study designProspective cadaver study.MethodsLatero‐oblique radiographs and CT images were collected, and post mortem examinations performed, on 27 cadaver necks from Thoroughbred‐type horses of various ages and sexes. Two equine clinicians independently reviewed each set of images for the presence of osteoarthritis. The authors, under the guidance of a veterinary pathologist, reviewed all articular process joints for bony changes indicative of osteoarthritis.ResultsThe prevalence of osteoarthritis identified on CT images was 57.9% (Assessor A) and 23% (Assessor B). The prevalence of lesions identified on post mortem examination was 25.6%. Latero‐oblique radiography showed a low sensitivity for identifying osteoarthritis when compared to both CT imaging (6.3–16.1%) and post mortem examination (2.2–4.4%). However, it showed a high specificity when compared to both CT imaging (92.1–97.8%) and post mortem examination (87.2–95.0%). The positive predictive value for identifying osteoarthritis was moderate (40.9–80.0%) when compared to CT imaging and poor (4.2–18.2%) when compared to post mortem examination. The negative predictive value was moderate when compared to both CT imaging (42.9–76.3%) and post mortem examination (78.0–79.8%).ConclusionsLatero‐oblique radiography has low sensitivity, but high specificity for the detection of cervical osteoarthritis when compared to both CT imaging and post mortem examination. Further investigation comparing the sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive values of latero‐oblique radiography vs. laterolateral radiography would determine whether taking latero‐oblique radiographs, which can be more difficult to obtain and interpret, is necessary for the diagnosis of cervical osteoarthritis in practice.Ethical animal research: Ethical committee oversight not currently required by this congress: The study was performed on material obtained from an abattoir. Sources of funding: None. Competing interests: None.
A Retrospective Study on Equine Herpesvirus‐1 Associated Myeloencephalopathy in France (2008–2011)
Authors: van Galen G. , Leblond A. , Tritz P. , Martinelle L. , Pronost S. , Saegerman C. 
Published: September 2014

Reasons for performing studyDiagnosis of equine herpesvirus‐1 associated myeloencephalopathy (EHM) can be troublesome, but early recognition and knowledge of risk factors are primordial for prevention and control.Objectives1) Improvement of early clinical recognition, and 2) identification of factors potentially of importance for spread.Study designRetrospective descriptive study of EHM cases and statistical comparison to acutely neurologically affected horses negative for EHM.MethodsFiles from a French epidemiosurveillance programme for equine infectious neurological diseases (2008–2011) were reviewed. Cases were considered EHM (n = 26) based on presence of acute neurological signs and laboratory confirmation. Cases were considered control cases (n = 29) when reported to be suffering from acute neurological diseases, but negative for EHM. A subgroup of controls was created that excluded cases with peripheral neuromuscular diseases (n = 21). Univariate and multivariate analysis and classification and regression tree analysis between groups were performed to identify diagnostic markers and risk factors.ResultsEHM had a fatality rate of 46% and occurred often in isolated cases. They frequently showed ataxia, paresis and cauda equina affection, but the clinical picture was variable. Univariate analysis identified the following variables as more associated to EHM than to control groups: new horse introduced in herd, vaccination, cauda equina affection, larger herd size, and saddle horses. In the multivariate analysis, new horse introduced in herd and cauda equina affection could be retained. CART analyses identified herd size, month of occurrence, new horse introduced in herd and cauda equina affection as main predictors for EHM.ConclusionsIsolated EHM cases occur frequently, accentuating the diagnostic difficulty. History and clinical examination of acutely neurologically affected horses can potentially improve early recognition of EHM. Risk factors were in accordance with other studies, although in a different geographic location and study setup, and therefore strengthen their importance for spread of EHM.Acknowledgements: Christel Marcillaud‐Pitel and Charlène Daix are gratefully acknowledged for their help with data collection.Ethical animal research: Ethical committee oversight not currently required by this congress: retrospective study of clinical records. Explicit owner informed consent for participation in this study was not stated. Sources of funding: RESPE. Competing interests: None.
The Effect of Dobutamine and Bolus Crystalloid Fluids on the Cardiovascular Function of Isoflurane Anaesthetised Horses
Authors: Loughran C.M. , Raisis A.L. , Secombe C.J. , Lester G.D. 
Published: September 2014

Reasons for performing studyHypotension is the most common cardiovascular complication encountered during equine inhalational anaesthesia, for which a dobutamine intravenous constant rate infusion (DCRI) is often the sole treatment. There is limited literature available on the combined use of crystalloid boluses and inotropic agents during equine hypotensive episodes.ObjectivesTo determine the cardiovascular effects of DCRI, alone and in combination with a crystalloid bolus (CB) during controlled ventilation in hypotensive, isoflurane anaesthetised horses.Study designProspective, randomised, cross‐over experimental design of 6 healthy Standardbred horses aged 5–13 years weighing 464–578 kg.MethodsHorses were premedicated with intravenous acepromazine and xylazine. Anaesthesia was induced with intravenous ketamine and diazepam. Isofluorane was used to maintain anaesthesia and achieve a target mean arterial pressure (MAP) of 60 mmHg ± 5%. Sixty minutes post induction (T0) when a stable end tidal isoflurane percentage and target MAP had been achieved for ≥15 min one of 2 treatments was given. Treatment A (TA) was a DCRI, commencing at 0.5 μg/kg bwt/min and increasing in increments of 0.5 ug/kg bwt every 10 min as required to achieve a MAP of 80 mmHg ± 5% by 30 min following initiation of the DCRI. Treatment B (TB) was as for TA plus a 20 ml/kg bwt CB. Cardiac output, haemoglobin concentration, PaO2 and SaO2 were obtained at baseline (T0) and 30 min following initiation of the DCRI (T1). Data were analysed with a Wilcoxon matched‐pairs signed rank test (P<0.05 considered significant), with data presented as median ± interquartile ranges.ResultsTreatment A was associated with a significant (P = 0.03) increase in oxygen delivery index (DO2I) from baseline (T0 707.78 ± 159.73 ml/ min/m2; T1 1260.26 ± 184.56 ml/min/m2), while TB was not (P = 0.09).ConclusionsIn an experimental model of isoflurane induced hypotension, DCRI results in increased DO2I, while the use of DCRI in combination with CB does not.Ethical animal research: The use of animals in this study was approved by Murdoch University Ethics Committee (AEC Permit No: 2526/12). Sources of funding: Murdoch University Masters Research Fund. Competing interests: None.
Incidence and Risk Factors Associated with Early Pregnancy Loss in Thoroughbreds
Authors: Rose B. , Firth M. , Morris B. , Nicholson C. , Verheyen K. , Wathes D.C. , de Mestre A.M. 
Published: September 2014

Reasons for performing studyEarly pregnancy loss (EPL) between Days 15 and 65 of pregnancy occurs in 7–10% of Thoroughbred pregnancies causing substantial financial losses. Despite this, very little is known about risk factors associated with the condition.ObjectivesTo determine the current incidence of EPL in Thoroughbred mares and to investigate risk factors associated with the condition.Study designA prospective cohort study was carried out on a population of 927 Thoroughbred mares in the Newmarket area during the 2013 breeding season.MethodsQuestionnaires were completed by clinicians from 2 veterinary hospitals and stud secretaries from 23 stud farms. Univariable risk factor analyses were conducted using Chi‐squared and t tests.ResultsThe incidence of pregnancy loss was 6.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] 5.3–8.6%) between Days 15–42 and 2% (95% CI 1.2–3.0%) between Days 43–65. Mares aged 11 years or over were 2.4 times more likely to suffer EPL than younger mares (95% CI 1.5–3.9): the risk of loss increased as mare age increased. Foaling, rested or barren mares had a 4.3 times increased risk of loss compared to maiden mares (95% CI 1.5–12.0). Mares receiving the preovulatory hormones deslorelin or hCG were shown to have a significantly reduced risk of EPL (P = 0.03) compared with mares who had not received any preovulatory treatments. Pregnancies undergoing loss had a significantly smaller vesicle size (mean 1.7 cm, s.d. 0.51) at the initial (Day 14–17) pregnancy scan compared to pregnancies which were maintained throughout the study period (mean 2.0 cm, s.d. 0.49, P = 0.01).ConclusionsThe incidence of EPL in 2013 was similar to that previously reported in the Newmarket area. Further multivariable risk factor analyses and investigations to discover novel causes of EPL are required to reduce the incidence of this condition.Acknowledgements: Newmarket Equine Hospital, Rossdales Equine Practice.Ethical animal research: This study was approved by the Royal Veterinary College's Ethics and Welfare Committee. Sources of funding: Thoroughbred Breeders Association. Competing interests: None.
Ligation in Castration of the Male Horse Using a TA‐30 Stapler
Authors: Riemersma D.J. 
Published: September 2014

Reasons for performing the studyMost complications in equine castrations result from insufficient ligation and contamination.ObjectivesStapling instruments reduce tissue handling, decrease surgical time, minimise contamination and provide secure visceral and vascular closure when used correctly. Using a stapler device might therefore increase ligation security and decrease contamination, and by this, reduce the complication rate seen in routine castration.Study designThe applicability and safety of a TA‐30 premium stapler as a ligation method in castration of the horse was tested in 15 horses under general anaesthesia in dorsal recumbency. Three horses were cryptorchids, one horse suffered a scirrous chord, and one horse suffered an infectious orchitis.MethodsThe vaginal process was approached inguinally. A noncutting emasculator was applied to compress the closed vaginal process. Consecutively a TA‐30 Premium stapler was applied to the compressed site. The distal part of the vaginal process was then removed, the stapler device was released and the incision was closed. The TA‐30 stapler accommodates 3 different staple cartridges of 30 mm width, accommodating 1.0 to 2.5 mm tissue thickness. The thickness of the vaginal process after compression was measured to be 1.0 mm (0.9–1.1 mm) in 10 fresh specimens. The 30‐V3 cartridges (triple row, 1 mm closed diameter) were chosen in 9 horses with smaller vaginal processes and the 30‐3.5 cartridges (double row 1.5 mm closed diameter) in 6 other horses with larger vaginal processes.ResultsAll horses recovered without intra‐ or post operative complications.ConclusionsA TA‐30 stapler is a safe ligation instrument in equine castrations. The use of titanium staples may reduce infection rate in routine castrations, even more in ligation of precontaminated vaginal processes in cases of post operative haemorrhage control after practice castrations or in closing the vaginal process after the removal of an infected testis or scirrous chord.Ethical animal research: Ethical committee oversight not currently required by this congress: procedures were performed as part of clinical investigations. Explicit owner informed consent for participation in this study was not stated. Sources of funding: None. Competing interests: None.
Fifty Ways to Do Your Lameness: The Relationship Between Various Pelvis‐Based Visual Lameness Pointers During Hindlimb Lameness
Authors: Starke S.D. , May S.A. , Pfau T. 
Published: September 2014

Reasons for performing studyThe relationship between pelvic hindlimb lameness pointers remains unclear.ObjectivesTo examine sacrum and tubera coxae (TC) based movement asymmetry across different lameness degrees, patterns and changes in pelvic rotation.Study designParameter regression and rigid body model.MethodsVertical displacement of left and right tubera coxae (LTC, RTC) and sacrum was quantified experimentally in 107 horses with varying lameness degrees using inertial sensors. To investigate the theoretical relationship between pointers, a geometrical model of pelvis movement was created in Matlab. The model predicts TC movement based on experimentally derived pelvic rotation and computer‐generated asymmetrical sacrum movement. Further, the effect of changes in pelvic rotation on TC‐based lameness pointers was quantified. For both, experimental and model data, asymmetry measures corresponding to visual assessment strategies of veterinarians were calculated and contrasted.ResultsExperimental data showed that upward movement amplitudes for sacrum and TC were strongly correlated (r ≥ 0.96). Regression showed that differences were greater between amplitudes of LTC/RTC than sacrum (slope 1.18; r2 = 0.94; P<0.001); however, for ratios the reverse held true (slope 0.86; r2 = 0.92; P<0.001). The model predicted experimentally determined tubera coxae asymmetry well. While the model data matched the experimental scaling relationship between amplitude ratios, it predicted a slightly shallower slope for amplitude differences. Perturbing the model with a different rotational range of movement, an offset in pelvic rotation and asymmetrical pelvic rotation affected observable TC‐based asymmetry depending on the chosen assessment strategy.ConclusionsDetecting lameness based on sacrum or comparative TC movement can give similar results. Using comparative TC movement for lameness detection would be susceptible to changes in pelvic rotation which a lame horse may adopt. Hence, assessment of multiple pelvis‐based lameness pointers can help establishing nonobvious hindlimb lameness.Ethical animal research: The experimental component of this study was approved by the RVC Ethics Committee. Some horses were included with owner informed consent and data from clinical cases were recorded as part of lameness investigations. Sources of funding: S.D. Starke's PhD was funded by the Mellon Trust via the Royal Veterinary College. Competing interests: None.
Fishing down or fishing up in Chinese freshwater lakes
Authors: Wang Y. , Xu J. , Yu X. , Lei G. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractChanges in mean trophic level (MTL) of catches have been widely used to reflect the impact of industrial fisheries on aquatic ecosystems because this measure represents the relative abundance of fished species across the trophic level spectrum. In this study, fisheries data from six important freshwater lakes at the middle‐lower Yangtze River and Huaihe River reach of Southern China from 1949 to 2009 were used to evaluate changes in catch MTL. After fishery markets opened at 1985, fish catches increased significantly in all the lakes. Lakes Poyang and Dongting, which were dominated by omnivores and connected to the Yangtze River, showed no significant change in catch MTL before and after 1985. Catch MTL in lakes Taihu and Hongze increased significantly due to an increase in the proportion of pelagic zooplanktivorous. Catches in Lake Chaohu were dominated by zooplankton‐feeding lake anchovy, Coilia ectenes Temminck & Schlegel and icefish, Neosalanx taihuensis Chen, while Lake Donghu was dominated by phytoplanktivorous carps. Due to low biodiversity, catch MTL of these two lakes showed no significant change before and after 1985. Both fisheries‐based and human activities‐based drivers influenced the structure and catch MTL of fisheries in Chinese freshwater lakes.