Skeletal Muscle Fiber Type Composition and Citrate Synthase Activity in Fit and Unfit Warmbloods and Quarter Horses.

Selective breeding and discipline specific training has led to equine breeds adept at various athletic disciplines. Breed-specific skeletal muscle adaptations have been studied in many breeds but not Warmbloods (WB). We evaluated gluteal muscle contractile muscle fiber types and citrate synthase activity (CS), a marker for mitochondrial volume density, in WB trained for dressage (second level-Grand Prix) contrasted with Quarter Horses (QH).

The use of prolonged administration of low-dose intravenous lipid emulsion to treat ivermectin toxicosis in goats.

Case Description: 2 Nigerian Dwarf goats (a doe [goat 1] and a wether [goat 2]) with coughing and nasal discharge since they were purchased at an auction 6 days prior were empirically treated for suspected pneumonia and intestinal parasitism. An ivermectin dosing error (intended dose, 0.4 mg/kg, PO; administered dose, 10 mg/kg, PO) was retrospectively discovered, and the owner was urged to return the goats for hospitalization and treatment.

Black oil sunflower seed ingestion associated with renal azotemia, gastroesophageal ulceration, and a high mortality rate in four alpacas and two llamas.

Case Description: 4 alpacas and 2 llamas (11 months to 11 years old) from 2 properties were examined for lethargy (6/6), salivation and regurgitation (4/6), and recumbency (3/6). Signs developed approximately 48 to 72 hours after accidental access to black oil sunflower seeds.

Clinical Findings: 3 alpacas died suddenly prior to treatment and were necropsied.

Lymphoplasmacytic and eosinophilic enteritis with or without globule leukocyte hyperplasia in 4 goats.

Four, mature, client-owned goats were presented to referral hospitals for recurrent diarrhea despite treatment for intestinal parasitism. Common clinical findings included diarrhea, poor condition, neutrophilia, and hypoalbuminemia. Testing for common infectious causes of diarrhea in goats was negative.

Nutritional Influences on Skeletal Muscle and Muscular Disease.

Skeletal muscle comprises 40% to 55% of mature body weight in horses, and its mass is determined largely by rates of muscle protein synthesis. In order to support exercise, appropriate energy sources are essential: glucose can support both anaerobic and aerobic exercise, whereas fat can only be metabolized aerobically. Following exercise, ingestion of nonfiber carbohydrates and protein can aid muscle growth and recovery.

Sarcolipin Exhibits Abundant RNA Transcription and Minimal Protein Expression in Horse Gluteal Muscle.

Ca regulation in equine muscle is important for horse performance, yet little is known about this species-specific regulation. We reported recently that horse encode unique gene and protein sequences for the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca-transporting ATPase (SERCA) and the regulatory subunit sarcolipin (SLN). Here we quantified gene transcription and protein expression of SERCA and its inhibitory peptides in horse gluteus, as compared to commonly-studied rabbit skeletal muscle.

Commercial genetic testing for type 2 polysaccharide storage myopathy and myofibrillar myopathy does not correspond to a histopathological diagnosis.

Background: Commercial genetic tests for type 2 polysaccharide storage myopathy (PSSM2) and myofibrillar myopathy (MFM) have not been validated by peer-review, and formal regulation of veterinary genetic testing is lacking.

Objectives: To compare genotype and allele frequencies of commercial test variants (P variants) in MYOT (P2; rs1138656462), FLNC (P3a; rs1139799323), FLNC (P3b; rs1142918816) and MYOZ3 (P4; rs1142544043) between Warmblood (WB) and Arabian (AR) horses diagnosed with PSSM2/MFM by muscle histopathology, and phenotyped breed-matched controls. To quantify variant frequency in public repositories of ancient and modern horse breeds.

Viral testing of 10 cases of Theiler's disease and 37 in-contact horses in the absence of equine biologic product administration: A prospective study (2014-2018).

Background: A novel equine parvovirus (EqPV-H) was recently discovered in the equine liver with Theiler's disease.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of EqPV-H infection in naturally occurring Theiler's disease cases and in-contact horses in the absence of historical equine biologic product administration.

Animals: Ten cases of Theiler's disease from 6 separate properties were included in the study, based on the criteria of acute onset of clinical signs of liver failure with laboratory or histopathologic findings characteristic of Theiler's disease and no history of receiving an equine biologic product within the preceding 4 months.

Proteome and transcriptome profiling of equine myofibrillar myopathy identifies diminished peroxiredoxin 6 and altered cysteine metabolic pathways.

Equine myofibrillar myopathy (MFM) causes exertional muscle pain and is characterized by myofibrillar disarray and ectopic desmin aggregates of unknown origin. To investigate the pathophysiology of MFM, we compared resting and 3 h postexercise transcriptomes of gluteal muscle and the resting skeletal muscle proteome of MFM and control Arabian horses with RNA sequencing and isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation analyses. Three hours after exercise, 191 genes were identified as differentially expressed (DE) in MFM vs.

Effect of infusion of equine plasma or 6% hydroxyethyl starch (600/0.75) solution on plasma colloid osmotic pressure in healthy horses.

OBJECTIVE To compare the effects of equivalent volumes of equine plasma and 6% hydroxyethyl starch (600/0.75) solution (hetastarch) administered IV on plasma colloid osmotic pressure (pCOP) and commonly monitored clinicopathologic variables in horses. ANIMALS 6 healthy mares.

Effect of dantrolene premedication on various cardiovascular and biochemical variables and the recovery in healthy isoflurane-anesthetized horses.

Objective: To determine the effect of dantrolene premedication on various cardiovascular and biochemical variables and recovery in isoflurane-anesthetized horses.

Animals: 6 healthy horses.

Procedures: Each horse was anesthetized twice with a 21- to 28-day washout period between anesthetic sessions.

The effect of agility exercise on eicosanoid excretion, oxidant status, and plasma lactate in dogs.

Background: The objective was to determine the effects of agility exercise on dogs of different skill levels with respect to urinary eicosanoids, urinary 15F2t-isoprostane (lipid peroxidation marker) and hematological/biochemical changes in plasma. Fifteen adult dogs had blood and urine samples obtained prior to, immediately and 4-hours following an agility exercise.

Results: Hematocrit, red blood cells (RBC), albumin, and hemoglobin increased following exercise, with greatest increases correlating to increased skill group (novice, intermediate, masters); at 4-hours post-exercise, hematocrit, RBC, and hemoglobin were decreased.

Evaluation of the effect of hetastarch and lactated Ringer's solution on plasma colloid osmotic pressure in healthy llamas.

Objective: To compare the effects of hetastarch and lactated Ringer's solution (LRS) on plasma colloid osmotic pressure (pCOP) and other hematologic variables in healthy llamas.

Design: Prospective crossover study.

Animals: 6 healthy female llamas.

Esophageal dysfunction in four alpaca crias and a llama cria with vascular ring anomalies.

Case Description: 3 alpaca crias and cadavers of an alpaca cria and a llama cria were evaluated for evidence of esophageal dysfunction.

Clinical Findings: All 5 crias were between 3 and 5 months of age when clinical signs developed, and all had a thin body condition when examined. Clinical signs included coughing, regurgitation, and grossly visible esophageal peristaltic waves.

Optimal diet of horses with chronic exertional myopathies.

Chronic exertional rhabdomyolysis represents a syndrome of recurrent exercise-associated muscle damage in horses that arises from a variety of etiologies. Major advances have been made in the understanding of the pathophysiology of this disease, and causative genetic defects have been recently identified for two conditions-polysaccharide storage myopathy of quarter horses, paints, warm bloods, and draft breeds. Dietary management in combination with a regular exercise regimen comprises the most effective means for control of clinical signs.

Assessment of alterations in triglyceride and glycogen concentrations in muscle tissue of Alaskan sled dogs during repetitive prolonged exercise.

Objective: To assess changes in muscle glycogen (MG) and triglyceride (MT) concentrations in aerobically conditioned sled dogs during prolonged exercise.

Animals: 54 Alaskan sled dogs fed a high-fat diet.

Procedures: 48 dogs ran 140-km distances on 4 consecutive days (cumulative distance, up to 560 km); 6 dogs remained as nonexercising control animals.

Cryptosporidiosis in 20 alpaca crias.

Case Description: 20 alpaca crias (13 females and 7 males) were examined for diarrhea (n=20), weight loss (15), and poor appetite (5). Fourteen crias were between 8 and 18 days of age at time of admission.

Clinical Findings: Cryptosporidiosis was diagnosed in all crias.

Assessment of serum antibody titers against canine distemper virus, canine adenovirus type II, and canine parvovirus in Alaskan sled dogs before and after a long-distance race.

Objective: To determine serum antibody titers against canine distemper virus (CDV), canine adenovirus type II (CAV-2), and canine parvovirus (CPV) in trained sled dogs prior to and after completion of a long-distance race.

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Animals: 195 Alaskan sled dogs (from 18 kennels) that participated in the 2006 Iditarod Trail Race.

Hematologic effects of subcutaneous administration of recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (filgrastim) in healthy alpacas.

Objective: To determine the effects of SC administration of filgrastim on cell counts in venous blood and bone marrow of healthy adult alpacas.

Animals: 10 healthy alpacas.

Procedures: Alpacas were randomly assigned to receive treatment with filgrastim (5 microg/kg, SC; n=5) or an equivalent volume of physiologic saline (0.

Polyuria and polydipsia in horses.

Polyuria and polydipsia provide a diagnostic challenge for the equine clinician. This article describes the various known causes of polyuria and polydipsia in horses and provides a description of a systematic diagnostic approach for assessing horses with polyuria and polydipsia to delineate the underlying cause. Treatment and management strategies for addressing polyuria and polydipsia in horses are also described.

Efficacy of famotidine for the prevention of exercise-induced gastritis in racing Alaskan sled dogs.

Background: Omeprazole reduces the severity of exercise-induced gastritis but not the prevalence of gastric lesions in sled dogs. The frequent feeding of sled dogs during competition likely results in decreased absorption of omeprazole and, thereby, decreased efficacy.

Hypothesis: Famotidine, a histamine-2 blocker with good bioavailability in the presence of food, would reduce the incidence and severity of exercise-induced gastric disease in sled dogs.

Serum chemistry alterations in Alaskan sled dogs during five successive days of prolonged endurance exercise.

Objective: To determine the impact of successive days of endurance exercise on select serum chemistry values in conditioned Alaskan sled dogs.

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Animals: 10 conditioned Alaskan sled dogs.

Influx of neutrophils and persistence of cytokine expression in airways of horses after performing exercise while breathing cold air.

Objective: To determine effects of exercise performed while breathing cold air on expression of cytokines and influx of neutrophils in airways of horses.

Animals: 9 adult horses.

Procedures: In a crossover study, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was obtained 24 and 48 hours after each of 2 submaximal exercise sessions performed by horses while breathing warm (25 degrees C) or cold (-5 degrees C) air.

Effect of strenuous exercise on urine concentrations of homovanillic acid, cortisol, and vanillylmandelic acid in sled dogs.

Objective: To determine whether prolonged exercise by conditioned sled dogs affects urine concentrations of homovanillic acid (a metabolite of dopamine), vanillylmandelic acid (a metabolite of norepinephrine and epinephrine), and cortisol.

Animals: 24 conditioned Alaskan sled dogs (2 to 8.5 years old) that were in training for a multiday endurance race.