Treatment approaches to horses with acute diarrhea admitted to referral institutions: A multicenter retrospective study.

Background: This study aimed to describe and compare therapeutic approaches for horses with acute diarrhea in different geographic regions worldwide.

Methods: Clinical information was retrospectively collected from diarrheic horses presented to participating institutions between 2016 and 2020, including fluid therapy on admission, antimicrobial drugs, probiotics, anti-endotoxic medications, anti-inflammatory drugs, gastroprotectants, digital cryotherapy, and toxin-binding agents. Seasonal and geographic differences were investigated.

Fibrinogen heterogeneity in horses.

Background: Fibrinogen heterogeneity has been observed in humans and can influence fibrinogen measurements when using the modified Clauss assay. We hypothesized that fibrinogen heterogeneity also exists in horses.

Objectives: To determine whether fibrinogen heterogeneity exists in horses.

In vitro effects of lactated Ringer's solution, hypertonic saline, hydroxyethyl starch, hypertonic saline/hydroxyethyl starch, and mannitol on thromboelastographic variables of canine whole blood.

Objective: To assess the in vitro effects of crystalloid and colloid IV fluids on the thromboelastographic (TEG) variables of canine whole blood.

Design: In vitro experimental study.

Setting: Veterinary teaching hospital.

Anti-inflammatory effects of a p38 MAP kinase inhibitor, doramapimod, against bacterial cell wall toxins in equine whole blood.

Doramapimod (BIRB-796-BS), is an anti-inflammatory compound, acting through p38 MAPK inhibition, but its anti-inflammatory effects have not previously been studied in the horse. Whole blood aliquots from healthy horses diluted 1:1 with cell culture medium were incubated for 21 h with 1 μg/ml of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), lipoteichoic acid (LTA) or peptidoglycan (PGN) in the presence of increasing concentrations of doramapimod (3 × 10 M to 10 M). Cell bioassays were used to measure TNF-α and IL-1β activity.

Clinical use of plasma lactate concentration. Part 2: Prognostic and diagnostic utility and the clinical management of hyperlactatemia.

Objective: To review the current literature pertaining to the use of lactate as a prognostic indicator and therapeutic guide, the utility of measuring lactate concentrations in body fluids other than blood or plasma, and the clinical management of hyperlactatemia in dogs, cats, and horses.

Data Sources: Articles were retrieved without date restrictions primarily via PubMed, Scopus, and CAB Abstracts as well as by manual selection.

Human And Veterinary Data Synthesis: Increased plasma lactate concentrations are associated with increased morbidity and mortality.

Clinical use of plasma lactate concentration. Part 1: Physiology, pathophysiology, and measurement.

Objective: To review the current literature with respect to the physiology, pathophysiology, and measurement of lactate.

Data Sources: Data were sourced from veterinary and human clinical trials, retrospective studies, experimental studies, and review articles. Articles were retrieved without date restrictions and were sourced primarily via PubMed, Scopus, and CAB Abstracts as well as by manual selection.

Treatment of supraventricular tachycardia in a horse.

Objective: To describe the treatment of persistent supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) in a young horse in endurance training.

Case Summary: A 6-year-old Arab gelding in endurance training presented for a dysrhythmia and decreased performance. SVT was diagnosed and conversion to a normal sinus rhythm was achieved following administration of a constant rate infusion of amiodarone.

The Equine Neonatal Central Nervous System: Development and Diseases.

Neonatal encephalopathy is the most common neurologic condition affecting newborn foals and shares similarities with perinatal asphyxia syndrome of human infants. In many cases of neonatal encephalopathy there is no obvious episode of acute or chronic hypoxia and other mechanisms likely play a role in the pathogenesis. Increased concentrations of neuroactive progestagens are found in affected foals; whether these molecules are protective, as has been suggested, or play a role in the pathogenesis is unknown.

Use of viscoelastic coagulation testing to monitor low molecular weight heparin administration to healthy horses.

Objectives: To evaluate the utility of thromboelastography (TEG) and Sonoclot analyses to monitor the effects of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) administration to healthy horses.

Design: Randomized crossover study.

Setting: Large animal veterinary teaching hospital.

Pharmacodynamics of multi-dose low molecular weight heparin in healthy horses.

Objectives: To compare the pharmacodynamics of once daily and twice daily administration of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) administration in horses.

Study Design: Randomized cross over study.

Animals: Adult mixed breed healthy mares (n = 6).

Liver lobe torsion in six horses.

Case Description: 6 horses were determined to have torsion of a liver lobe at 4 referral institutions over a 21-year period.

Clinical Findings: Clinical findings were nonspecific but often included signs of marked inflammation. Two of the 6 horses were examined because of colic, and 2 were assessed because of peritonitis that failed to respond to treatment; the remaining 2 horses were examined because of nonspecific clinical signs that included inappetence, lethargy, and weight loss.

Comparison of three point-of-care blood glucose meters for use in adult and juvenile alpacas.

Objective: To compare the performance of 3 point-of-care glucose meters in adult and juvenile alpacas with that of a laboratory-based analyzer.

Design: Evaluation study.

Animals: 35 adult alpacas and 21 juvenile alpacas.

Assessment of a point-of-care lactate monitor in emergency admissions of adult horses to a referral hospital.

Background: Blood lactate concentration [LAC] is considered a useful indicator of disease severity in horses. Agreement of point-of-care (POC) lactate monitors with laboratory standards has not been established for clinically abnormal horses.

Hypothesis: It was hypothesized that results from a POC lactate monitor would be in agreement with a laboratory-based measurement of [LAC].

Trauma with neurologic sequelae.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) in horses may arise from rearing and falling backward, collisions, kicks, and slipping. The pathophysiology of SCI comprises a primary mechanical injury followed by a cascade of secondary events. These secondary events include microvascular ischemia, oxidative stress, excitotoxicity, ion dysregulation, and inflammation.

Severe acute rhabdomyolysis associated with Streptococcus equi infection in four horses.

Four Quarter Horses (9 months to 7 years of age) with submandibular lymphadenopathy and firm muscles (palpation of which elicited signs of pain) were evaluated; in general, the horses had a stiff gait, and 3 horses became recumbent. Streptococcus equi was cultured from aspirates of lymph nodes or samples of purulent material collected from the auditory tube diverticula. Once the horses were recumbent, their condition deteriorated rapidly despite aggressive antimicrobial and antiinflammatory treatment, necessitating euthanasia within 24 to 48 hours.