Equine Asthma in a Comparative Perspective: Cardiovascular and Neurological Manifestations of Asthma Across Different Species.

Asthma is a multifactorial respiratory disease that naturally occurs in horses, humans, and cats, presenting common clinical signs and species-specific mechanisms. This review addresses the impact of asthma on the cardiovascular and neurological systems, with a primary focus on horses. It highlights the need for new biomarkers beyond the respiratory system due to diagnostic difficulties in animals.

Fecal Secretory Immunoglobulin A and Lactate Level as a Biomarker of Mucosal Immune Dysfunction in Horses With Colic.

Background: Colic-related obstructions can reduced intestinal mucosa function and cause dysbiosis in horses, but it is unclear how defense barrier and secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) secretion is disrupted.

Objectives: The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of severity of colic signs and treatments on fecal SIgA and fecal lactate in horses.

Animals: Sixty-two client owned hospitalised horses with colic and eight healthy horses.

Investigating the potential immunomodulatory effects of commercial oral probiotic supplements on equine gastrointestinal tract barrier function.

Background: Oral probiotic dietary supplements are widely used in veterinary medicine, including in horses. It is hypothesized that the presence of probiotic strains can both modulate the intestinal microbiota and affect mucosal immunity parameters. Such a study has not yet been conducted in horses.

ECEIM consensus statement on equine kidney disease.

The aim of this consensus statement is to summarize and appraise scientific evidence and combine this with the clinical experience of a panel of experts to optimize recommendations on how to recognize and manage kidney disease in horses.

A case of non-mosaic X trisomy (65,XXX) in a Thoroughbred mare confirmed by cytogenetic and molecular analysis.

A 9-year-old Thoroughbred mare with normal external genitalia and regular oestrus symptoms was gynecologically examined prior to insemination. This primary examination revealed the presence of a hypoplastic uterus and the lack of normal ovaries, and the mare was therefore subjected to more detailed diagnostics, including endocrinological, genetic, and clinical tests. Diagnostic imaging with the use of ultrasonography and endoscopy confirmed the underdevelopment of internal genitalia.

Retrospective Evaluation of the Most Frequently Observed Histological Changes in Duodenal and Rectal Mucosal Biopsies in Horses with Recurrent Colic.

Colic, a condition affecting the gastrointestinal tract of horses, manifests as severe pain and may be a life-threatening condition. It is possible to distinguish between an acute, disposable process, as well as recurrent colic symptoms (abdominal pain) caused by an ongoing chronic inflammatory process. This paper presents a retrospective analysis of the histopathological findings of duodenal and rectal samples taken from horses with recurrent colic, with the aim to determine the frequency and extent of inflammation.

Homeostasis of the Intestinal Mucosa in Healthy Horses-Correlation between the Fecal Microbiome, Secretory Immunoglobulin A and Fecal Egg Count.

The defensive function of the intestinal mucosa depends both on the ability to secrete immunoglobulin A and communication with the mucus microbiome. In horses, the functioning of this system is also influenced by the presence of nematode eggs. Feces collected from healthy horses were examined to determine the fecal egg count, immunoglobulin A level (ELISA), microbiome composition (Next-Generation Sequencing, NGS, V3−V4 and V7−V9 hypervariable regions of the 16S rRNA gene analysis and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production ((high-performance liquid chromatography, HPLC).

Biomarkers of Kidney Disease in Horses: A Review of the Current Literature.

Creatinine only allows detection of kidney disease when 60 to 75% of the glomerular function is lost and is therefore not an ideal marker of disease. Additional biomarkers could be beneficial to assess kidney function and disease. The objectives are to describe new equine kidney biomarkers.

The Differences in Histoarchitecture of Hoof Lamellae between Obese and Lean Draft Horses.

Obesity is a common problem in horses. The associations between obesity and equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) and between EMS and laminitis are known. However, there is a lack of data on whether obesity itself can affect hoof lamellae.

Aerobic Commensal Conjunctival Microflora in Healthy Donkeys.

From a clinical point of view, knowledge of the commensal microbial flora of the conjunctival sac in healthy individuals proves to be of great importance. The aim of this study was to assess the presence and the composition of normal ocular microflora of healthy donkeys. Fourteen clinically healthy donkeys () participated in the study.

Influence of Obesity on Histological Tissue Structure of the Cardiovascular System in Horses.

It has been well established that obesity in horses can have a negative impact on their health, including endocrine disturbances. In humans, it is well known that obesity leads to structural and functional changes of the cardiovascular system. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of obesity on the histological structure of the myocardial tissue, as well as great and peripheral arteries in horses.

Reproducibility of the body condition score assessment in Silesian horses, using the 9-point BCS scale.

Control of body condition is an important aspect of horse management. Its correct evaluation, and the possibility of using universal indicators are of key importance for preserving the animals' wellbeing and for providing them with proper care. The objective of this study was to evaluate the agreement between body condition scores assessed by teams and individuals, using the 9-point Body Condition Score scale created by Henneke.

Renal Resistive Index as A Potential Indicator of Acute Kidney Injury in Horses.

Reliable and simple tests are constantly being sought to enable the quick detection of acute kidney injury in humans and animals. Diagnosis of subclinical AKI in horses, mainly in field practice, is difficult. An ultrasound scan is a routine test performed when kidney disease is suspected.

Evaluation of Serum and Urine Neutrophil Gelatinase-associated Lipocalin and Cystatin C as Biomarkers of Acute Kidney Injury in Horses.

Introduction: Diagnosis of acute kidney injury (AKI) in horses is difficult at the subclinical stage, due to nonspecific clinical signs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the concentrations of selected serum and urinary biomarkers in healthy horses, horses at risk of AKI, and those with clinical AKI.

Material And Methods: Thirty healthy horses, 30 horses at risk of AKI and 11 horses with clinical AKI and azotaemia were included in the study.

Measurement of Selected Renal Biochemical Parameters in Healthy Adult Donkeys Considering the Influence of Gender, Age and Blood Freezing.

The reference values of the serum and urine biochemical parameters have not been well-studied in donkeys. This study aimed to assess the normal values of the selected renal biomarkers, such as: serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), albumin, total protein (TP), electrolytes and symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA), urine protein concentration (UPC), urine protein/creatinine ratio (UPCR), the urine gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGTP)-to-creatinine ratio, serum creatinine-to-urine creatinine ratio (sCr/uCr), serum BUN-to-serum creatinine ratio (sBUN/sCr) and UPC-to-TP ratio, as well as the fractional electrolyte excretion of sodium (FENa) and potassium (FEK) in donkeys. The effects of age, gender and deep freezing of the serum material were investigated.

The examination of biophysical parameters of the skin in Polish Konik horses.

This study aimed to assess the biophysical parameters of the skin in Polish Konik horses (Polish primitive horses). According to the authors, this is the first assessment performed on such a wide scale in this group of animals. The evaluation carried out is innovative both with regards to the breed of the animals and the wide scope of the physicochemical skin assessment.

Evaluation of the diagnostic value of the renal resistive index as a marker of the subclinical development of cardiorenal syndrome in MMVD dogs.

Introduction: Myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) in dogs inevitably causes renal dysfunction. These interactions are known as the cardiorenal syndrome (CRS). The main aims of the study were to evaluate whether renal resistive index (RRI) may be useful as a non-invasive marker in subclinical stage of kidney injury in dogs with MMVD and to compare RRI with SDMA and Cyst C.

Detecting acute kidney injury in horses by measuring the concentration of symmetric dimethylarginine in serum.

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) in horses may develop as a complication of a primary disease or following the administration of nephrotoxic drugs, and may pose a diagnostic challenge. Hence, the main objective of this study was to evaluate the concentrations and diagnostic significance of serum symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) and conventional renal dysfunction biomarkers in healthy horses, horses at risk of developing AKI, and horses with clinically evident AKI. A second aim was to assess how gastrointestinal disease and exposure to potentially nephrotoxic drugs affected SDMA levels.

Serum symmetric dimethylarginine concentration in healthy horses and horses with acute kidney injury.

Background: There are limited options to diagnose acute kidney injury (AKI) in horses. Symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) is routinely used in human and small animal medicine. The aim of this study was to assess serum SDMA concentrations in healthy horses and horses with AKI.

Evaluation of podocin in urine in horses using qualitative and quantitative methods.

No sensitive method for diagnosing early kidney dysfunction in horses has been identified so far. Many studies carried out in humans and small animals show that podocin can be useful to diagnose various kidney diseases, mainly affecting the glomeruli. The aim of this study was to perform a qualitative and quantitative analysis of podocin in urine samples obtained from healthy horses, horses with clinical kidney dysfunction and horses at risk of acute kidney injury.

Effects of Advanced Age, Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction and Insulin Dysregulation on Serum Antioxidant Markers in Horses.

The study aims to assess the impact of age, pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) and insulin dysregulation (ID) in horses on selected oxidative stress markers. The study includes 32 horses, divided into three groups: "young" adult group (aged 8-16 years old) "geriatric" group (aged 18-24 years old) and the "PPID" group (aged 15-31 years old). The PPID group was further divided into two subgroups: PPID ID+ and PPID ID- based on presence or absence of ID.

An assessment of the utility and repeatability of the renal resistive index in horses.

The aim of this study was to establish the value of the renal resistive index (RI) of intrarenal arteries in healthy warmblood non-racing horses of different ages to assess the influence of physiologic factors and repeatability of measurement. The kidney ultrasonography examination was performed in three age groups: 15 foals, 15 adults and 15 elderly horses. The procedure was performed in unsedated standing animals.

Evaluation of Tryptic Podocin Peptide in Urine Sediment Using LC-MS-MRM Method as a Potential Biomarker of Glomerular Injury in Dogs with Clinical Signs of Renal and Cardiac Disorders.

The early asymptomatic stage of glomerular injury is a diagnostic challenge in the course of renal and extra-renal disease, e.g., heart insufficiency.

Changes in the SID and SID Values in the Course of Respiratory Acidosis in Horses With Symptomatic Severe Equine Asthma-An Experimental Study.

Equine asthma syndrome is an allergic, inflammatory airway disease that usually affects older horses. Respiratory acidosis is an acid-base imbalance caused by alveolar hypoventilation. The acid-base balance may be assessed using the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation as well as the Stewart model.

Fatal pulmonary hemorrhage in a horse during bronchoalveolar lavage - single case report.

Background: Pulmonary hemorrhage is a rare cause of death in horses. Hemorrhage within the respiratory tract has many causes, including mycosis of the guttural pouch, invasive procedures causing serious trauma to nasal conchae, or lung biopsy. We report on a rare case of a fatal pulmonary hemorrhage in a horse after a severe cough during bronchoalveolar lavage.