Background: There are few publications on occurrence of nonthyroidal illness syndrome in foals and on the prognostic value of cortisol and thyroid hormone (TH) concentrations in newborn foals.Objectives: To determine serum cortisol and TH concentrations (total and free thyroxine: T 4 and F T 4 ; total and free triiodothyronine: T 3 and F T 3 ) in foals born from mares with placentitis, to determine their association with survival, and their use as prognostic markers.Animals: A cohort of 29 newborn foals comprising 5 Control, 14 Low-risk, and 10 Sick foals were evaluated over the first week of life.Methods: In this prospective study foals born to mares with experimentally-induced placentitis were assigned to Low-risk or Sick groups while foals born to control mares were classified as Control based on clinical findings. Foals were also classified as Term (n = 13), Dysmature (n = 7), or Premature (n = 9), and survival rate was recorded. Serum cortisol and TH hormone concentrations were measured at 0, 12, 24, 48, and 168 hours of life.Results: Sick non-surviving foals had lower (P < .05) T 3 : cortisol ratio at 12 (3.68 ± 1.06 versus 18.58 ± 2.78), 24 (5.47 ± 2.34 versus 23.40 ± 3.82), and 48 (10.47 ± 6.29 versus 26.6 ± 2.90) hours of life when compared to Sick surviving foals and lower (P < .05) T 4 : cortisol ratio at 12 (75.12 ± 21.71 versus 414.47 ± 58.47) and 24 hours (127.83 ± 55.21 versus 430.87 ± 80.31) after birth than Sick surviving foals. Conclusion and Clinical Importance: Placental infections can impair fetal thyroid function. Low T 3 : cortisol and T 4 : cortisol ratios seem to be good prognostic markers in newborn foals. K E Y W O R D S critical ill foals, rognostic marker, thyroxine, triiodothyronine

The aim of the present study was to describe the dynamics of glucose and insulin curves in pregnant mares, and to evaluate the curves according to body condition score, identifying the presence of insulin resistance and correlating these values with the weight, height and clinical changes of the neonates. For this, pregnant mares were evaluated and then grouped according to body condition score during the gestation length until lactation. GrM corresponds to mares with moderate body score (BCS 5-6); GrOv were mares with overweight body score (BCS 7) and GrOb were obese mares (BCS 8-9). A two-step oral sugar test (OST) was used to determine the data. Cortisol analysis was performed with 300-320 days of gestation, at foaling and after parturition. For evaluation of the neonate, a general clinical examination and, weight and height measurements were performed. The results showed hyperglycemia in response to OST with normal insulin values at foaling with a subsequent fall in both values at lactation disregarding group division. Baseline glucose was decreased in GrM compared to GrOv and GrOb with 70-100 days of gestation and with 130-160 days of gestation. With 270-300 days of gestation and post-partum GrOb had increased baseline glucose than GrM. After OST, glucose at foaling day in GrOb presented increased values than GrM. Baseline insulin values did not differ between groups. Post OST insulin levels were higher in GrOb than GrM and GrOv at parturition. No difference in cortisol between moments was identified. GrOb and GrOv maintained increased concentrations after foaling while GrM had a decrease. No correlation was found between maternal glucose and insulin values with foal weight and height, however, a lower ratio between neonatal weight and mare’s weight in GrOb and GrOv was identified in relation to the GrM. At foaling, mares presented glucose dysregulation, with obese and overweight mares presenting a greater response to OST.

A leptospirose e as flaviviroses que acometem equinos são zoonoses de ocorrência mundial e de grande importância em saúde pública. Sendo assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi disponibilizar levantamento epidemiológico através de exame sorológico para triagem de Leptospira spp. e flaviviroses na região de Pelotas/RS e arredores, como os municípios mais próximos. Para isso, foram coletadas amostras sanguínea de 275 equinos, sendo 119 animais de propriedade de carroceiros da cidade de Pelotas e 156 animais apreendidos soltos nas rodovias e soltos dentro da cidade de Pelotas e Capão do Leão. Para o diagnóstico sorológico de leptospirose, foi utilizado o Teste de Aglutinação Microscópica (MAT), no qual 100% das amostras testadas apresentaram titulação mínima de 1:100 a diversos sorovares, e 4,72% (13 animais) apresentaram sorologia superior a 1:800 em sorovares de importância clínica como L. interrogans Icterohaemorrhagiae, L. interrogans Canicola e L. interrogans Grippothyphosa. Frente ao teste de imunofluorescência indireta (IFI) foram identificados 1,8% de soropositivos (5 animais) para vírus do gênero Flavivirus. Pode-se observar no estudo a prevalência da Leptospira spp. em todos os animais avaliados e inferindo presença das flaviviroses na região. Com isso afirma-se a importância dos levantamentos epidemiológicos para prevenção e controle das zoonoses de importância em saúde pública.

Horses are extremely dependent on the correct functioning of the digestive system for energy production and the performance of their physiological functions. The intestinal microbiota plays a key role in maintaining health, being related to the modulation of the immune system, protection against pathogenic microorganisms and also for obtaining nutrients. Due to the importance of the microbiota in maintaining health from the beginning of life, this review aims to address the early composition, development and factors that influence the intestinal microbiota in foals. A qualitative review was carried out in the main research databases. Data referring to the early microbial colonization suggest that it occurs since intrauterine life, despite the fact that at birth, the foals acquire a large part of the microorganisms that will form its microbiota. The main phyla involved in this process are Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Actinobacteria and Bacteroidetes, which are aquired from a combination of bacteria present in the feces, vagina and other maternal environments. From birth until the first weeks of life, the microbiota gradually changes due to several factors, which include the composition of food, coprophagy, exposure to different environments and medications. The foal's microbiota becomes more stable in the first and second months of life. It is suggested that changes in the composition (dysbiosis) and diversity of the different phyla are a risk factor for the development of diseases, since the microbiota directly influences the immune system. From advances in sequencing technologies it was possible to investigate the components and factors associated with early colonization of microbiota in horses as well as factors related to the development of dysbiosis and disease. Nevertheless, many facts are still unclear and should be adressed in the future.

Background: Wry nose is a congenital deformity that causes respiratory obstruction and decreased oxygenation rate. Gestation in a wry nose mare may be considered a risk to the neonate since it depends on the maternal environment for development. Compromised oxygenation during pregnancy can lead to fetal distress and cause consequences on fetal development. However, depending on the degree of the impairment, the fetus may still be able to adapt. The aim of the present study was to report the gestation in a mare with facial deviation until term and to assess blood gases in the mare and neonate, and to evaluate the histomorphometry of the placenta. Case: A Criollo breed mare presenting facial deviation (Wry Nose) was donated to Equine Medicine Research Group (ClinEq) of the Federal University of Pelotas (UFPel) due to the presence of the physical deformity. When the mare was five years old, it was inseminated and had a pregnancy confirmed. At the fifth month of gestation, evaluation of fetal aorta diameter, fetal orbital diameter and combined thickness of the uterus and placenta (CTUP) started to be performed monthly to assess gestation health. The assessment of the fetal orbit and aorta diameter revealed a linear increase of both variables with the progress of gestation indicating a normal fetal development. CTUP remained in the normal reference range, presenting no alterations during the gestational length. The mare foaled at 324 days of gestation a coat showing no congenital deformities. The foaling was monitored until the complete passage of fetal membranes. A complete clinical and hematological evaluation of the foal was carried out after birth. The foal showed normal adaptive behavior, clinical and hematological parameters during the first hours of life, although presenting physical signs of immaturity. Venous blood samples were collected from the mare at 315 days of gestation, immediately after foaling and 24 h post-partum for lactate and blood gas analysis. Mild changes were observed in the mare's blood gas analysis at foaling that were compensated within 24 h post-partum. Venous blood samples were collected from the umbilical cord and from the foal after birth, at 12 and 24 h post-partum to measure blood gases and lactate. The newborn foal presented respiratory acidosis immediately after birth, which was metabolically compensated at 24 h post-partum. Both mare's and foal's lactate evaluation were within the normal reference ranges. After expulsion of the placenta, samples from the gravid horn, uterine body and non-gravid horn were collected for histological and histomorphometric evaluation. In the histological evaluation, avillous areas were detected in the gravid horn and uterine body and mild hypoplasia was found in the uterine body. Placental histomorphometry revealed larger total microcotiledonary and capillary areas on the non-gravid horn when compared to the remaining areas of the placenta (gravid horn and uterine body). No abnormalities on the placental vasculature were detected. Discussion: To date,...

Background: The abdominal lipomas are benign tumors of hyperplastic growth that originate from mesenteric adipose tissue, most commonly in the small intestine. Pedunculated lipoma strangulation occurs when the pedicle wraps around an intestinal loop and its mesentery, obstructing the intestinal lumen and blood supply of the affected segment. The aim of the present study is to report a case of a Criollo mare presenting a strangulating obstruction of the jejunum and ileum by a pedunculated lipoma, focusing the discussion in the causes and epidemiology of this alteration.Case: A 24-year-old Criollo mare with a body condition score 8 out of 9 was referred to a Veterinary Clinical Hospital of the Federal University of Pelotas (HCV-UFPel) presenting acute abdominal pain. At the hospital, the mare was presenting mild signs of abdominal discomfort. At the initial clinical exam, the mare had an increased heart and respiratory rates, normal body temperature, hyperemic mucous membranes, capillary refil time of 3 s and absent gut sounds in all four quadrants during auscultation. Mild dehydration was present, increased fibrinogen and serum lactate. Rectal palpation revealed distention of the small intestine by gas, during abdominal ultrassonography the small intestinal wall thickness was found increased. Peritoneal lactate was 11 mmol/L and protein was 6 mg/dL. Due to the clinical findings during the exam, an exploratory celiotomy was performed. Necrosis of the final third of jejunum and the entire extension of ileum was found. Examining the compromised intestinal portion, it was observed a linear structure strangulating two segments of the small intestine. Taking into account the extensive area of irreversible necrosis and the advanced age of the patient, euthanasia was performed. The mare was then referred for necropsy and findings confirmed the strangulation of the final portion of the jejunum and all the extension of the ileum caused by a mesenteric pedunculated lipoma.Discussion: Increased mesenteric fat can predispose horses to the development of mesenteric lipomas. Although there is no scientific evidence of the association of mesenteric lipoma and obesity, it has been observed that pedunculated lipomas are more common in horses with metabolic alterations, for example, Criollo breed, that is potentially predisposed to develop metabolic disturbances. Elderly horses are at the highest risk of colic by mesenteric lipoma, as well as geldings, however, others authors describe that females are more commonly affected. Horses considered of short stature are more predisposed when compared to jumping or race horses. Pedunculated lipoma occurs in 18% of all cases of treated colic and is found more frequently in the small intestine when compared to the smaller colon. In most cases, surgery is indicated and resection of the pedicle and the affected segment may be necessary, however, in this case, the extensive area of intestinal necrosis and the impossibility of externalization of the affected segment lead the decision to proceed with euthanasia. In conclusion, the mare of the present study had an advanced age and a high body condition score, which the authors’ believe were two predisposing factors that increased the risk of it developing a mesenteric lipoma. Considering that, further epidemiologic studies should be conducted to better understand this relation.

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A busca intensiva por um manejo nutricional eficaz fez com que animais de diferentes categorias apresentassem sinais de sobrepeso. A obesidade é citada em diferentes raças como a causa de inúmeros problemas ortopédicos como laminite, osteocondrite dissecante e osteoartrite juvenil. O objetivo deste trabalho é avaliar por meio da avaliação radiográfica, a presença de alterações nas articulações do tarso de animais nascidos e criados em manejo extensivo em um criatório da raça Crioula, e que se mantinham em sobrepeso durante o ano todo. Foi realizado um estudo retrospectivo de coorte em condições de campo de fêmeas com sobrepeso e/ou obesidade desde o nascimento, até a idade adulta. Foram avaliadas 37 fêmeas equinas da raça Crioula, nascidas e criadas nesta mesma propriedade. Foi realizada a pesagem com fita e mensuração da gordura da base da cauda com a utilização de aparelho de ultrassonografia. As projeções radiográficas foram confeccionadas na região do tarso em ambos membros pélvicos. As éguas apresentaram média de escore de condição corporal 8, média de peso 557,29 +13,66 kg, gordura da base da cauda de 30,54 +3,17 mm. Cerca de 62,16% dos equinos apresentaram achados radiológicos, com alterações de diminuição de espaço articular, proliferações ósseas e osteófitos classificadas em grau 2, 3 e 4. Nos animais de um ano de idade (12 meses), foi observado 70% de alterações articulares nos ossos do tarso. Tanto a obesidade nas éguas em reprodução, quanto o sobrepeso nos animais em desenvolvimento, podem ser fatores etiológicos importantes para o desenvolvimento desta doença na raça Crioula.