bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Abdominal radiography in monitoring the resolution of sand accumulations from the large colon of horses treated medically
Authors: RUOHONIEMI M. , KAIKKONEN R. , RAEKALLIO M. , LUUKKANEN L. 
Published: April 2007

SummaryThis retrospective study consisted of 14 horses (age 6 weeks–12 years) with radiographically evident sand accumulations cranioventrally in the abdomen and clinical signs suggestive of sand enteropathy. The horses were treated medically and resolution of sand was monitored radiographically. Routine treatment consisted of psyllium mucilloid, combined with magnesium sulphate and/or mineral oilif needed. Initially, the number, size and shape of the sand accumulations showed large variation and the response to therapy was not predictable based on the initial appearance of the accumulation. In 2 foals, some of the sand was passed and the rest was mixed with other intestinal contents within 2–4 days. Even large accumulations disappeared in 2–4 days with psyllium alone or combined with mineral oil in 4 horses. In another 4 horses, the size of the accumulations decreased but varying amounts remained approximately at the same site, despite treatment for 1–4 weeks, and all these horses also had either gastric or large colon impaction. Three horses had a limited response to psyllium treatment, but the accumulation resolved with repeated doses of magnesium sulphate, with or without mineral oil. One horse did not respond to prolonged laxative treatment but the accumulation resolved on pasture. Clinical improvement was not necessarily related to the resolution of sand. Radiography of the cranioventral abdomen was found to be a useful means for monitoring the resolution of sand and confirming the effect of medical treatment in removing sand from the large colon in the horse.
Age‐related changes in the testes of horses
Authors: FUKUDA T. , KIKUCHI M. , KUROTAKI T. , OYAMADA T. , YOSHIKAWA H. , YOSHIKAWA T. 
Published: April 2007

SummaryAtrophy of seminiferous tubules and interstitial fibrosis are frequently observed in aged horses. Samples from 8 male Thoroughbreds, age 4–24 years, were subjected to histological, electron microscopical and immunohistochemical examination and statistical analysis. There were statistically significant increases in collagen fibres in the lamina propria of seminiferous tubules and testicular interstitium in 3 horses age 23 and 24 years compared with 5 horses age 4–20 years (P<0.001). 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 reactivity for collagen type IV. Some myoid cells changed morphologically to a swollen and irregular shape and contained abundant cytoplasmic organelles. Laser scanning microscopy revealed that cytoplasmic actin filaments were decreased; the remaining filaments were positive for α‐smooth muscle actin and vimentin, and matrix metalloproteinase‐2 was secreted. These myoid cells transformed into myofibroblasts. The changes are interpreted as evidence of injured structure and function of the lamina propria and basal lamina and may explain the functional decline of the blood‐testis barrier. Myoid cells may play an important role in the progression of testicular fibrosis.
Surgical and postoperative factors influencing short‐term survival of horses following small intestinal resection: 92 cases (1994–2001)
Authors: MORTON A. J. , BLIKSLAGER A. T. 
Published: April 2007

SummaryAlthough short‐term survival rates following small intestinal resection reportedly range from 48–88%, there is little information on predicting which horse may or may not survive small intestinal (SI) resection and anastomosis. The aim of this study was to identify factors that contribute to nonsurvival in horses following small intestinal resection. Medical records of horses which recovered from anaesthesia following SI resection were reviewed. Clinical and surgical variables were evaluated for their association with short‐term survival using logistic regression and were reported as odds ratios (OR), including the 95% confidence interval (CI), indicating the likelihood of horses not surviving to hospital discharge. Ninety‐two records met the criteria for inclusion. Thirty‐six (81.8%) of the horses that underwent jejunojejunostomy (JJ) and 34 (70.8%) of the horses that underwent jejunocaecostomy (JC) survived to discharge. Multiple logistic analysis indicated that postoperative ileus (OR = 29.7; 95% CI 2.5–354.6), repeat celiotomy (OR = 18; CI 1.7–187.6), and an elevated heart rate of ≥ 60 beats/min (OR = 5.6; CI 1.5–20.6) were the principal factors associated with nonsurvival. A low total plasma protein of <55 g/l (OR = 1.8; CI 0.5–7.6) was incorporated in the final model because its inclusion improved the overall validity of the model Clinicians should be aware of the factors associated with the greatest likelihood of nonsurvival following small intestinal resection, so that they can institute aggressive treatment and accurately inform owners on the likelihood of survival.
The effects of cyclo‐oxygenase inhibitors on bile‐injured and normal equine colon
Authors: CAMPBELL N. B. , JONES S. L. , BLIKSLAGER A. T. 
Published: April 2007

SummaryA potential adverse effect of cyclo‐oxygenase (COX) inhibitors (nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs]) in horses is colitis. In addition, we have previously shown an important role for COX‐produced prostanoids in recovery of ischaemic‐injured equine jejunum. It was hypothesised that the nonselective COX inhibitor flunixin would retard repair of bile‐injured colon by preventing production of reparative prostaglandins, whereas the selective COX‐2 inhibitor, etodolac would not inhibit repair as a result of continued COX‐1 activity. Segments of the pelvic flexure were exposed to 1.5 mmol/l deoxycholate for 30 min, after which they were recovered for 4 h in Ussing chambers. Contrary to the proposed hypothesis, recovery of bile‐injured colonic mucosa was not affected by flunixin or etodolac, despite significantly depressed prostanoid production. However, treatment of control tissue with flunixin led to increases in mucosal permeability, whereas treatment with etodolac had no significant effect. Therefore, although recovery from bile‐induced colonic injury maybe independent of COX‐elaborated prostanoids, treatment of control tissues with nonselective COX inhibitors may lead to marked increases in permeability. Alternatively, selective inhibition of COX‐2 may reduce the incidence of adverse effects in horses requiring NSAID therapy.
Case control study to identify risk factors for simple colonic obstruction and distension colic in horses
Authors: HILLYER M. H. , TAYLOR F. G. R. , PROUDMAN C. J. , EDWARDS G. B. , SMITH J. E. , FRENCH N. P. 
Published: April 2007

SummaryA case control study was performed to identify risk factors for colic caused by simple colonic obstruction and distension (SCOD) in the horse. Case horses were recruited from 2 veterinary school clinics. Control horses were population based and matched by time of year. A number of risk factors were considered in the following areas: general carer and premises information; exercise information; husbandry information (housing‐ and pasture‐related); feeding information; breeding information; behavioural information; travel information; preventive medicine information and pevious medical information. All variables with a P value of <0.2 in the univariable analysis were considered for possible inclusion in a multivariable model. A final model, produced by a forward stepwise method, identified crib‐biting or windsucking, an increasing number of hours spent in a stable, a recent change in a regular exercise programme, the absence of administration of an ivermectin or moxidectin anthelmintic in the previous 12 months and a history of travel in the previous 24 h as associated with a significantly increased risk of SCOD. An alternative final model, produced by a backwards elimination method, identified the same variables as the forward model with, in addition, a history of residing on the current establishment for less than 6 months, a history of a previous colic episode and the fewer times per year the teeth were checked/treated as associated with a significantly increased risk of SCOD. Three of the risk factors in this model were associated with a large increase in risk: stabling for 24 h/day, crib‐biting/windsucking and travel in the previous 24 h.
Reliability of ultrasonography compared to radiography in revealing intestinal sand accumulations in horses
Authors: KOROLAINEN R. , RUOHONIEMI M. 
Published: April 2007

SummaryIn order to investigate the reliability of ultrasonography in revealing intestinal sand accumulations, the cranioventral parts of the abdomen of 32 horses (age 3–20 years) with signs suggestive of gastrointestinal sand were examined radiographically and ultrasonographically. The amount of sand and its localisation, relative to the ventral abdominal wall, were evaluated radiographically and graded (scale 0–4). Motility of the intestine and whether it was lying against the ventral abdominal wall were evaluated ultrasonographically and the findings summed and graded (scale 0–3) to express the likelihood of the presence of sand. The ultrasonographic and radiographic grades were significantly associated. Out of 14 horses with a moderate or large ventral sand accumulation radiographically, 13 (92.9%) had a positive sand finding ultrasonographically. Out of 8 horses with no signs of sand radiographically, 7 were considered negative for sand ultrasonographically. The specificity of ultrasonography in detecting sand accumulations was 87.5% (7/8) and the sensitivity 87.5% (21/24). Small and more dorsally located accumulations were more difficult to detect ultrasonographically. Of the horses with a small or moderate amount of sand relatively ventrally or only a small part of sand close to the ventral abdominal wall, 70% (7/10) were considered suggestive or positive for sand ultrasonographically. The ventral aspect of sand accumulations was hyperechoic, causing varying acoustic shadowing and the intestine had decreased or absent motility. Ultrasonography revealed the length of the accumulations but gave very limited information of their height. Ultrasonography is a practical and reliable method for detecting sand accumulations but it cannot replace radiography.
Factors associated with development of ileal impaction in horses with surgical colic: 78 cases (1986–2000)
Authors: LITTLE D. , BLIKSLAGER A. T. 
Published: April 2007

SummaryIleal impaction is prevalent in the south‐eastern USA, where feeding of Coastal Bermuda hay has been implicated as a risk factor. Alternatively, infection with the tapewormAnoplocephala perfoliatahas been identified as a risk factor for ileal impaction in the UK. We hypothesised that feeding Coastal Bermuda hay and failure to administer routinely an anthelmintic with efficacy against tapeworms would place horses at risk of developing ileal impaction in the USA. Seventy‐eight horses, with surgically confirmed ileal impaction and 100 horses admitted for colic that did not have an ileal impaction, were selected retrospectively for logistic regression analysis. Using odds ratios (OR) as an index of risk, feeding Coastal Bermuda hay (OR = 2.9) and failure to administer a pyrantel salt within 3 months of admission (OR = 3.1) placed horses at risk of development of ileal impaction. This study confirms the belief that feeding Coastal Bermuda hay places horses at risk of ileal impaction, although the quality of the hay may also play a role. Periodic administration of anthelmintics with efficacy against tapeworms should be considered to reduce risk of ileal impaction.
Equine surgical colic: risk factors for postoperative complications
Authors: FRENCH N. P. , SMITH J. , EDWARDS G. B. , PROUDMAN C. J. 
Published: April 2007

SummaryThe reason for undertaking this study was that postoperative complications of colic surgery lead to patient discomfort, prolonged hospitalisation and increased cost. Potential risk factors for the 6 most common postoperative complications (jugular thrombosis, ileus, re‐laparotomy, wound suppuration, incisional herniation and colic) were evaluated using multivariable models. Jugular thrombosis was associated significantly with heart rate greater than 60 beats/min and with increased packed cell volume (PCV) at admission. The risk of postoperative ileus also increased with increasing PCV at admission and was higher in horses recovering from pedunculated lipoma obstruction. Incisional herniation was strongly associated with wound suppuration and with increasing heart rate at admission. The emergence of cardiovascular parameters as risk factors for several postoperative complications is consistent with the hypothesis that endotoxaemia is important in the development of these complications. Early referral of colic cases, prior to the development of severe endotoxaemic shock, may minimise the risk of some postoperative complications. Horses that have suffered epiploic foramen entrapment, are more than 4 times as likely to undergo re‐laparotomy than other horses. Horses that have suffered postoperative ileus have a similarly increased risk of undergoing re‐laparotomy. The risk of postoperative colic is significantly associated with horses recovering from large colon torsion (>360°) and with having undergone re‐laparotomy. Hazard ratios (with 95% confidence intervals) for these last two effects are 3.1 (1.7, 5.7) and 3.4 (1.9, 6.2), respectively. Knowledge of the risk factors for postoperative complications allows more accurate prognostication postoperatively and suggests ways in which the risk of postoperative complications can be minimised.
Comparison of endoscopic, necropsy and histology scoring of equine gastric ulcers
Authors: ANDREWS F. M. , REINEMEYER C. R. , McCRACKEN M. D. , BLACKFORD J. T. , NADEAU J. A. , SAABYE L. , SÖTELL M. , SAXTON A. 
Published: April 2007

SummaryEquine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS) represents a major health problem in performance horses. Much debate exists regarding endoscopic gastric ulcer scoring systems and their ability accurately to predict severity or depth of gastric ulcers. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of an endoscopist to count gastric ulcers and predict gastric ulcer severity or depth using 2 endoscopic scoring systems and compare them to the same gastric ulcers see on necropsy and histopathology. Endoscopic examination of the stomach was performed under general anaesthesia on 23 mixed breed yearling horses, after feed was withheld for 24 h. Gastric ulcers were scored using 2 systems, number/severity‐scoring (N/S) and practitioner simplified (PS) systems. Afterendoscopy, the horses were subjected to euthanasia and the stomach mucosa examined blindly and scored again at necropsy using above scoring systems. Representative gastric ulcers were then placed in 10% formalin and processed routinely for histopathology. The gastric ulcers were scored using a histopathology system (HSS) based on ulcer depth. Number scores in the N/S scoring system and PS on endoscopic and necropsy examinations were compared using Friedman 2 way analysis of variance. Where significant differences between variables were found apost hocanalysis was conducted using a Tukey's Studentised range (HSD) test. Severity scores using the N/S (ENGS) and PS scores recorded for the stomach via endoscopy and scores from HSS were evaluated for significant association using a Mantel‐Haenszel Chi‐square and Pearson moment correlation coefficient analysis. Significance was P<0.05.All horses had gastric ulcers in the nonglandular mucosa via endoscopic examination and at necropsy examination. Mean nonglandular ulcer number (ENGN) score was significantly (P = 0.0024) lower on endoscopic examination compared to the score at necropsy (NNGN); whereas PS scores were not significantly different on endoscopy when compared to necropsy examination. A significant but weak association was found between ENGS and HSS (3.89, P = 0.048; r = 0.453, P = 0.045) and no correlation was found between PS and HSS (1.2, P = 0.272; r = 0.117; P = 0.622). Only 1/23 horses had glandular ulcers observed via endoscopic examination whereas, 6/23 horses had glandular ulcers at necropsy and on histopathology. The prevalence of EGUS is high in stalled yearling horses. The endoscopist may underestimate the number of gastric ulcers and may not be able accurately to predict the severity or depth of those ulcers present in the nonglandular equine stomach. Furthermore, the endoscopist may miss glandular gastric ulcers.
Regulation of equine lymphocyte β‐adrenoceptors under the influence of clenbuterol and dexamethasone
Authors: ABRAHAM G. , BRODDE O. ‐E. , UNGEMACH F. R. 
Published: April 2007

SummaryIn 12 healthy horses, the effects of the β2‐agonist clenbuterol and the glucocorticoid dexamethasone on the lymphocyte β2‐adrenoceptor density and affinity (determined by (‐)‐[125I]‐iodocyanopindolol binding) as well as its responsiveness (assessed by lymphocyte cyclic AMP [cAMP] responses to 10 μmol/l (‐)‐isoprenaline) were studied. Clenbuterol treatment, 2 × 0.8 μg/kg/day i.v. for 12 days, decreased significantly ICYP binding sites by ˜30–40%; concomitantly, lymphocyte cAMP response to (‐)‐isoprenaline was reduced. After withdrawal of clenbuterol, β2‐adrenoceptor density and responsiveness gradually increased, reaching predrug levels after 4 days. The effects of dexamethasone on clenbuterol‐induced desensitisation were further investigated. Administration of dexamethasone (1 × 0.1 mg/kg/day, i.v. for 5 days) immediately after clenbuterol withdrawal accelerated β2‐adrenoceptor recovery: only 24 h after administration dexamethasone restored the number of binding sites and cAMP response to (‐)‐isoprenaline to levels statistically indistinguishable from values before clenbuterol treatment. Three days after dexamethasone administration, lymphocyte β2‐adrenoceptors were further increased about 2‐fold the pretreatment values, and this increase declined gradually after dexamethasone withdrawal, reaching baseline values after 4 days. Furthermore, in groups exposed simultaneously to both drugs, dexamethasone completely prevented clenbuterol‐induced decrease in lymphocyte β2‐adrenergic receptor density and responsiveness. No significant change was observed in the dissociation constant for ICYPin any of the situations.We conclude that dexamethasone (glucocorticoids) can reverse and prevent Clenbuterol‐induced desensitisation (down‐regulation) of the lymphocyte β2‐adrenoceptors and therefore, a combined therapy with clenbuterol and dexamethasone may be potentially beneficial in horses suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Pharmacokinetics of imidocarb dipropionate in horses after intramuscular administration
Authors: BELLOLI C. , CRESCENZO G. , LAI O. , CAROFIGLIO V. , MARANG O. , ORMAS P. 
Published: April 2007

SummaryThe objective of this study was to determine the pharmacokinetic behaviourof imidocarb in horses following a single i.m. injection at the dose commonly administered to treat Babesia caballi infections or to prevent babesiosis. Eight horses were injected i.m. with a single dose of 2.4 mg imidocarb dipropionate/kg bwt and blood, faecal, urine and milk samples were collected.For imidocarb determination, a high‐performance liquid chromatographic method (HPLC) was used afterweak cation‐exchange solid phase, or liquid‐liquid, extraction procedures. Twelve hours after treatment, no detectable plasma concentrations were recorded in any of the treated animals. The distribution and elimination patterns of the drug suggested that it is quickly sequestrated in some storage tissues and remains in the body for a long time. Its prolonged presence in the body may confer a reservoir effect to imidocarb in some tissues, therefore making it undetectable in the plasma of animals but sufficient to produce its described therapeutic and prophylactic activities.
Longitudinal development of kinematics in Shetland ponies and the influence of feeding and training regimes
Authors: BACK W. , SCHAMHARDT H. C. , BARNEVELD A. , WEEREN P. R. van 
Published: April 2007

SummaryNowadays, ponies are used more and more for competitive equine sports, driving and racing. The locomotorperformance of ponies, however, has been evaluated in only a few kinematic and kinetic studies. To compare the longitudinal development of locomotor characteristics in the pony to the same process in the horse, the kinematics of 23 Shetland ponies were recorded at the trot on a treadmill (3 m/s) at ages 4 and 30 months using a modified CODA‐3 apparatus. Furthermore, the influence of specific feeding and training regimes on this development was evaluated. It appeared that stride and stance duration increased with age, but the swing duration and pro/retraction range were similar at foal and mature age. Fore‐ and hindlimb maximal joint flexion at swing was larger in the mature ponies compared to foals. The elbow and shoulder joint were kept in a more extended position and the stifle joint more flexed, while scapula and pelvis were kept in a more vertical position. These effects are similar to those found in horses. The majority of both temporal and angular kinematic variables correlated significantly between foals and mature ponies.Ponies that were restricted in their feeding, resulting in a low body condition score, demonstrated a flatter gait than ponies fed ad lib (4 cm more height, 60 kg more weight), which trotted at the same velocity with significantly more joint flexion. Extra sprint training on top of free paddock exercise did not significantly influence the longitudinal development of kinematics.From these data, it can be concluded that the longitudinal development of locomotor characteristics in ponies is similar to that in horses. Fatter animals show a more animated gait, while extra sprint training added to free paddock exercise has no detectable effect on the development of kinematics. Aside from training or feeding regimes, in the Shetland pony breed, it appears possible to recognise ‘good movers’ at a young age.