Summary Background Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) is a commonly described endocrine disorder in higher latitudes of the Northern hemisphere but the description of the disease at lower latitudes and in the Southern hemisphere is limited. Objectives Document the clinical features of PPID at different Australian latitudes and climates, and investigate factors associated with survival, laminitis and insulin dysregulation (ID). Study design Retrospective study of 274 equids from eight institutions across Australia. Methods A diagnosis of PPID was based on endogenous ACTH, overnight dexamethasone suppression test, thyrotropin‐releasing hormone stimulation test or necropsy. Clinical and clinicopathologic characteristics of PPID and therapeutic responses were investigated. Laminitis was diagnosed by radiographic or histologic changes and ID was diagnosed based on endogenous insulin, an oral glucose test or a 2‐step insulin‐response test. Results Being a pony, having a higher body condition score and pergolide administration were associated with survival. The clinical presentation of PPID changed with latitude and climate, with anhidrosis and polyuria/polydipsia more commonly recognised at lower latitudes. Laminitis was diagnosed in 89.9% of cases and ID was present in 76.5% of cases in which they were investigated. Main limitations Despite the sample size, the lack of uniform testing at all locations (primary or referral cases) and the incompleteness of data sets limited the power of the statistical analyses. Conclusions PPID can present with variable signs at different latitudes and climates, and ID should be investigated in equids diagnosed with PPID. Adequate body condition and administration of pergolide are fundamental in PPID management.

Background: Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are used in horses with cardiovascular disorders despite the paucity of available data regarding their efficacy.Hypothesis: The degree of serum ACE inhibition varies considerably between drugs. Animals: Eight healthy adult horses. Methods: Randomized prospective study. Horses were fasted overnight prior to receiving one of 4 ACE inhibitors intragastrically, administered at one of 2 dosages, using a randomized Latin square design (benazepril: 0.5 and 0.25 mg/ kg; ramipril: 0.3 and 0.1 mg/kg; quinapril: 0.25 and 0.125 mg/kg; perindopril: 0.1 and 0.05 mg/kg). Serum ACE activity was measured using a kinetic spectrophotometric method.Results: There was a significant effect of drug and dosage on maximum ACE inhibition (I max ), ACE inhibition 24 hours after administration (I 24h ), and area under the curve (AUC 0-48h ). Benazepril at 0.5 mg/kg resulted in significantly higher I max (86.9 AE 7.0%) and I 24h (60.3 AE 7.9%) compared to the other drugs. There was a significant decrease in indirect blood pressure (BP) over time after administration of each drug, but differences in BP were not significantly different between drugs. Pharmacodynamic variables measured after administration of benazepril to horses with free access to hay were not significantly different from those obtained after fasting. Administration of benazepril orally once daily for 7 days did not result in a cumulative effect on ACE inhibition.Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Of the ACE inhibitors tested, oral benazepril (0.5 mg/kg) is the most effective at inhibiting serum ACE activity in healthy horses.

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Attenuation of the rise in SBP in response to ANG-I after administration of benazepril is modest in horses despite adequate serum ACE inhibition. A dose of 1 mg/kg bwt would be recommended for future investigations of benazepril for the management of cardiovascular diseases in horses.

Background: Standing flank laparotomy can be an alternative to ventral midline laparotomy in horses with colic. Standing flank laparotomy avoids general anaesthesia, provides excellent access to some regions of the abdominopelvic cavity and costs less than ventral midline laparotomy.Objective: To report a series of cases of peritoneal and intestinal diseases other than SC diseases managed with standing flank laparotomy. Study design: Retrospective case series.Methods: Records from equids with colic subjected to standing flank laparotomy at five hospitals (2003)(2004)(2005)(2006)(2007)(2008)(2009)(2010)(2011)(2012)(2013)(2014)(2015)(2016)(2017)(2018)(2019)(2020) were reviewed. Descriptive data analysis was performed.Results: Thirty horses (sixteen survived to discharge), six ponies (four survived) and one donkey (euthanised) were subjected to standing flank laparotomy via the left flank (n = 31), right flank (n = 2) or both flanks (n = 4). The primary disease affected the peritoneum (0/5 survived), SI (5/9 survived) and caecum and/or LC (15/23 survived).Enterotomy was performed in four animals (all survived). Partial typhlectomy was performed in one horse (euthanised). Resection-anastomosis of the SI or LC was performed in three animals (one survived). Three animals had intraoperative complications that negatively affected the outcome: Two ponies had intolerance to abdominopelvic exploration; one mare had spontaneous exteriorisation of a long segment of the SI leading to a large tear in the mesentery. In seven cases, severe/extensive lesions found during standing flank laparotomy warranted immediate euthanasia. The survival rate was 54%. All owners were satisfied with the decision to perform standing flank laparotomy. Main limitations:The retrospective design, lack of a control group, small number of cases and lack of standardised protocols between hospitals. Conclusions:Although ventral midline laparotomy is the standard of care for horses with colic, standing flank laparotomy is a viable approach for some types of colic. Systemic administration of analgesics may not produce sufficient peritoneal analgesia, which can lead to intolerance to abdominopelvic exploration during standing flank laparotomy in horses with colic and may negatively affect the outcome.

Treatment with oral benazepril resulted in statistically significant echocardiographic changes that might indicate reduced cardiac afterload in horses with left-sided valvular regurgitation. Additional studies with a larger sample size will be necessary to determine if administration of benazepril is beneficial in horses with valvular regurgitation. The Summary is available in Spanish - see Supporting Information.

Pimobendan administered i.v. has positive chronotropic and inotropic effects in healthy mature horses and warrants further investigation for the treatment of heart failure in horses.

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