Endometritis is one of the main causes of infertility in mares. In the present study, 363 mares with a history of repetitive infertility, and positive endometrial cytology and/or vaginal discharge were included. An endometrial swab for microbiological purposes plus sensitivity test was obtained from each mare. A positive culture was obtained in 89% of mares. The main isolated genera were Staphylococcus (25.1%), Streptococcus (18.2%), Escherichia (17.3%) and Pseudomonas (12.1%). With regard to species, the most isolated microorganism was Escherichia coli (17.3%), Staphylococcus spp. (15.6%) and Streptococcus spp. (13.5%9). Sensitivity tests showed that the most efficient antimicrobial was amikacin (57.3% of cultures), followed by cefoxitin (48.6%) and gentamicin (48.3%). When sensitivity test was analyzed in terms of Gram+ and Gram– bacteria, Gram+ were highly resistant to cephaloridine (77.3% of cultures), apramycin (70.8%) and penicillin (62.3%), whereas Gram– were highly resistant to penicillin (85.8%), followed by cephaloridine (78.9%). In conclusion, the present study shows the most prevalent microorganisms isolated from equine endometritis, which were found to be resistant to β-lactam antimicrobials. Likewise, these results highlight the significance of performing microbiological analyses as well as sensitivity tests prior to applying an antimicrobial therapy.

BackgroundStatic posturography and pedobarography are based on the detection of postural imbalance and, consequently, the pressure redistribution between limbs in lame subjects. These techniques have proven to be useful for the detection of lameness in humans and dogs. The main objective of this study was to test the suitability of static posturography and pedobarography in diagnosing lameness in ponies.A pressure platform was used to obtain postural data (statokinesiograms, mean X and Y, length, LFS ratio, and mean velocity) from 10 sound ponies and 7 ponies with unilateral forelimb lameness. Static pedobarographic data (pressure distribution, mean pressure, and peak pressure) were also collected and compared with force plate data (peak vertical force and vertical impulse) obtained from the same animals at the walk.ResultsSignificant differences were seen between lame and sound ponies for almost all evaluated parameters. With this sample size, differences between lame and sound limbs/groups were detected with a statistical power of 90%, except for mean X and Y.ConclusionsStatic posturography and pedobarography provide a complementary approach for lameness detection in equids.

The purpose of this study was to correlate the anatomic features of the normal thorax of neonatal foals identified by CTA, with anatomical sections and gross dissections. Contrast-enhanced transverse CTA images were obtained in three neonatal foals using a helical CT scanner. All sections were imaged with a bone, mediastinal, and lung windows setting. Moreover, cardiac volume-rendered reconstructed images were obtained. After CT imaging, the cadaver foals were sectioned and dissected to facilitate the interpretation of the intrathoracic cardiovascular structures to the corresponding CTA images. Anatomic details of the thorax of neonatal foals were identified according to the characteristics of CT density of the different organic tissues and compared with the corresponding anatomical sections and gross dissections. The information obtained provided a valid anatomic pattern of the thorax of foals, and useful information for CTA studies of this region.

The aim of this study was to provide reference measurements from the three tibiotarsal synovial recesses (plantarolateral, plantaromedial, and dorsomedial) from both right and left sound equine hock joints. For this study, proximodistal and plantarodorsal (PLD) diameters were ultrasonographically obtained from the synovial recesses of 24 sound Standardbred Trotter horses. A comparison between right and left limb measurements was also made. The dorsomedial recess has shown a variable PLD diameter (0.11-0.90 cm), although the plantarolateral recess has shown the most variable dimensions (0.3-1.5 cm). In many cases, great differences have been found between two tarsi within the same horse; in contrast, the plantaromedial recess of the tarsocrural joint has a more homogeneous PLD diameter (0.6-0.9 cm). Ultimately, the assessed echographic limits for the studied tarsal structures could serve to accurately evaluate the pathological variations for this breed.