Background There is good diagnostic accuracy of smartphone‐based ECG in the evaluation of heart rate (HR), heart rhythm, and ECG values for humans, horses, dogs, and cats. Objectives Assess feasibility and reliability of a smartphone ECG device to evaluate HR expressed as beats per minute and ECG values in cows. Animals Fifty‐five healthy Holstein Friesian cows. Methods Prospective observational study. A standard base‐apex ECG was acquired for 60 seconds in each cow. A smartphone ECG tracing was recorded simultaneously using a single‐lead bipolar ECG recorder. All ECGs were reviewed by 1 blinded investigator. The following ECG variables were assessed: HR, P wave duration, PR interval, QRS complex and QT interval (milliseconds), P wave, and QRS complex polarity. Agreement between standard and smartphone ECG was evaluated by Cohen's k test and the Bland‐Altman test. Results Smartphone ECG tracings were interpretable in 89% of the recordings. Minimal differences of no clinical relevance were found between standard and smartphone ECG tracings regarding HR and duration of ECG waves and interval. Good agreement found in the evaluation of QRS complex polarity (85%) but not for P wave polarity (k = 0.006). Artifacts were rare but of significantly higher frequency in smartphone ECG compared to standard ECG tracings (22% versus 0%; P = .005). Conclusions and Clinical Importance Good quality single‐lead ECG tracings can be recorded by smartphone device in healthy cows. Smartphone tracings are reliable for evaluation of HR and selective ECG variables. Smartphone ECG can represent an additional tool for ECG screening in cows.

23Background: Paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) is an anti-oxidant compound that is considered a 24 negative acute phase protein in animals and people. No information on the analytical 25 performances of the paraoxon method for measuring PON-1 in horse serum is available. 26Objectives: The aim of this study is to validate a paraoxon-based method to measure PON-1 27 in horses and to establish Reference Intervals (RIs) in healthy horses and foals. 28Methods: One hundred and twenty horses and 55 foals classified as healthy after physical 29 examination and routine biochemistry were used in the studyWe considered 120 horses and 30 55 foals classified as healthy after physical examination and routine biochemistry. Serum 31 PON-1 activity was measured with an automated spectrophotometer and an enzymatic 32 method validated in other species. After the analytical validation (precision, accuracy, 33 interference studies), RIs were determined using the Reference Value Advisor software. The 34 possible gender-, age-and breed-related differences were statistically investigated. 35 Results:The paraoxon-based method was precise (CVs <4.0%) and accurate (P<0.001 in 36 linearity under dilution and spike-recovery testing) but is affected by interference from mild 37 bilirubinemia, severe lipemia or hemoglobinemia. The RIs recorded in the whole population 38 was 38.1-80.8 U/mL. According to the Harris and Boyd test, it would be advisable to use 39 separate RIs only for adult females and for Warmblood and Trotter adults. Acute phase proteins, equine, inflammation, oxidative stress 48 Introduction 49Inflammation is characterized by oxidative phenomena and oxidative stress (OS) is the 50 consequence of an imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants in which oxidant activity 51 exceeds the neutralizing capacity of antioxidants. 52The serum activity of paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) decreases during inflammation in many 53 species.1-3 PON-1 is an enzyme associated with high-density lipoproteins (HDL) that protects 54 low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and HDL from peroxidation.4 Moreover, PON-1 possesses anti-55 inflammatory properties, as it reduces the production of pro-inflammatory mediators.5 PON-1 56 is mainly expressed in the liver and is transported in the plasma bound to HDL. During an 57 acute phase response, HDL molecules lose apolipoprotein A1, esterified cholesterol, and 58 HDL-associated enzymes, including PON-1, which is replaced mainly by serum amyloid A 59 and ceruloplasmin. Altogether, these phenomena result in reduced anti-oxidative properties of 60 HDL. 6 61In both laboratory animals 7,8 and people, 9 these changes in HDL composition and structure 62 during an acute phase response, inactivate the PON-1 and, in addition, the hepatic gene 63 expression of PON-1 is inhibited. 7,9 For these reasons, PON-1 is considered a negative acute 64 phase protein (APP). 65In people, PON-1 is a potential biomarker for many pathological conditions, such as 66 cardiovascular diseases, neurological disorders, and liver diseases. 67Despite ...

No abstract

Background In several species, paraoxonase‐1 (PON‐1) decreases during inflammation, because of the presence of oxidative stress; its measurement recently has been validated in horses, but its role as a clinical biomarker is unknown. Objectives To evaluate sensitivity, specificity and likelihood ratio of PON‐1 activity to identify systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS)‐positive horses or horses with a poor prognosis. Animals One hundred seventy‐two blood samples from 58 sick horses from 3 different veterinary hospitals. Methods In a cross‐sectional study, PON‐1 activity was measured upon admission and at 24‐hour intervals until discharge or death, and results were analyzed based on SIRS status and outcome. Results No statistically significant difference was found in median PON‐1 activity between SIRS and non‐SIRS cases or between survivors and non‐survivors except for mares, in which PON‐1 activity was significantly lower in SIRS‐positive horses (P = .05). The sensitivity of PON‐1 activity in identifying horses with SIRS or negative outcome was low (0.0%‐46.2% depending on the examined group) but its specificity was high (87.0%‐100.0%). However, when PON‐1 is low, the likelihood of death is 2.40‐3.89 times higher than the likelihood of survival. Repeated measurement of PON‐1 after treatment does not predict outcome. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Evaluation of PON‐1 activity in horses with inflammation might be advisable in the future, but only low activity at admission may be relevant in predicting SIRS or negative outcome.

The renal resistive index (RRI) is used as a measurement of downstream resistance in arteries. The aim of this study was to assess the RRI of the arcuate arteries by pulsed-wave Doppler ultrasonography in healthy conscious horses and donkeys, and to verify any differences related to age, breed, bodyweight (BW) or body condition (BCS). Thirty-three healthy conscious horses and nine donkeys had their systolic and diastolic flow velocities at the level of the arcuate arteries estimated by pulsed-wave Doppler ultrasound, and the RRI was calculated. The relationship of RRI with age, breed (Trotters vs. other breeds), bodyweight (BW), and body condition score (BCS) were evaluated. PW Doppler evaluation of RRI was successfully applied in most of the horses, but to date not in the donkeys. In horses, median RRI values for the right kidney (0.58±0.006) were statistically higher than for the left (0.51 ±0.006). For the donkeys the values were comparable. There was no significant difference in RRI between horses younger or older than 15 years, and between breeds in horses. No correlation with age, BW or BCS was found in either horses or donkeys.

The assessment of the behavior and physiological parameters of neonatal foals is essential in the detection of early signs of illness. Modified Apgar scoring systems from human medicine exist and have been validated in foals as a guide for assessing neonatal viability after birth. This study evaluated the viability of 44 Amiata donkey foals at birth, by assessing the Apgar score and comparing the relationship between viability and various physical parameters. A total of 44 Amiata donkey foals and 27 jennies were enrolled in this study. An expert operator examined each foal within 5 minutes of birth. A complete physical examination was performed, along with an existing fourparameter Apgar score. The presence of the suckling reflex was evaluated. The interval time needed to acquire sternal recumbency and quadrupedal position, as well as nurse from the mare, were recorded. In addition, heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), and rectal body temperature (BT) were measured. Results were expressed as median±standard error, minimum and maximum values. The effects of the Apgar score on time to reach sternal position and quadrupedal standing, time to nurse from the mare, RR, HR, and BT were estimated along with the differences related to Apgar scoring and gender. Differences between female and male donkey foals regarding the time to acquire sternal position and quadrupedal standing, time to nurse from the mare, RR, HR, and BT were also assessed. Differences between female and male donkey foals regarding the Apgar score was evaluated using a chi-Square test. Finally, the reference values for Amiata donkeys were also calculated. Highlights 1 The assessment of neonatal foal is mandatory to notice precocious signs of illness. 2  The viability of Amiata donkey foals at birth was evaluated by the Apgar score. 3  Physical parameters were compared, and the effect Apgar score on them was assessed. 4  The Apgar score was compared with some physical parameters. 5  The Apgar score was effective in assessing vitality in neonatal donkey foals. 6  Apgar score relates to body temperature and respiratory rate, not to heart rate. 7 *Highlights (for review)

The period from late gestation to early lactation is characterized by changes in energy metabolism. The aim of the current study was to analyze the plasma total lipid fraction using gas chromatography (GC) analysis, in order to highlight metabolic changes from the pre-foaling to post-foaling periods. Eleven pluriparous dairy jennies (mean age of 11.88 ± 3.79 years) belonging to the Amiata donkey breed were enrolled. Blood sampling was performed at 15 days before foaling (T0), and 15 (T1), 30 (T2), 60 (T3), and 90 (T4) days after foaling, for biochemical and GC analysis. A total of 37 fatty acids were identified in plasma samples: 4 medium chain (MCFA), 24 long chain (LCFA), and 9 very-long chain (VLCFA) fatty acids. Among them, 20 fatty acids changed significantly, and two fatty acid showed a trend toward significance. Furthermore, the LCFA, saturated, unsaturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated ω-3 fatty acids changed significantly during the study period. The main alterations were between T0 and the other time points and appeared to be related to lipid metabolism, cellular structure and function, and inflammatory and immune responses. Our findings reveal greater energy requirements at the end of gestation compared to early lactation in donkeys.

Introduction: Laminitis is a debilitating disorder resulting in irreversible anatomical changes in the feet of equids. Assessing specific anatomical features through radiography and venography provides diagnostic and prognostic information. The reference ranges are well-established in horses, but not in donkeys. It is also uncertain as to whether these ranges can be applied to every donkey breed. The present study characterizes the radiological and venographic hoof anatomy of healthy feet of Amiata donkeys and defines the changes associated with severe and mild laminitis.Materials and Methods: A total of 16 forefeet were evaluated in 8 Amiata jennies. The animals underwent musculoskeletal examination, Obel grading assessment and radiological evaluation. Based on clinical examination and radiographic findings, the forefeet were grouped as healthy, mild or severe laminitic feet, thus the digital venograms were performed according to the group definition.Results: Radiology revealed 7/16 healthy, 4/16 mild laminitic, and 5/16 severe laminitic forefeet. Statistical analysis showed differences between the healthy and laminitic forefeet for the dorsal angle (p &lt; 0.0001) and angle of solar aspect (p &lt; 0.0001) of the distal phalanx, for deviation between dorsal aspect of distal phalanx and the hoof wall (p &lt; 0.0001) and phalangeal rotation angle (p = 0.0032). Venography was abnormal in mild and severe laminitic forefeet. In particular, the vascularization was reduced or absent at the lamellar-circumflex junction dorsally, at the sub-lamellar vascular bed and at the circumflex veins. Coronary plexus vascularization was absent in severe laminitic forefeet.Discussion and Conclusions: This study provides the radiological parameters for the assessment of healthy and laminitic forefeet of Amiata donkeys. The mild laminitic foot venogram showed decreased vascularization mainly on lamellar-circumflex junction and sub-lamellar vascular bed, in latero-medial views. The severe laminitic foot showed very poor or absent vascularization in multiple areas. The technique is easily applicable and provides diagnostic support in laminitis.