Rafaela Pinto de Souza

Mares have a variable gestation length, and labor induction is reserved for high-risk pregnancies due to the unpredictability of fetal maturity. This case reports an induced parturition in a Thoroughbred mare with acute laminitis at 327 days of gestation. Labor was achieved with intravenous oxytocin, resulting in eutocic delivery. However, the foal presented with signs of severe immaturity-absent suckling reflex, inability to rise, flexor tendon laxity-and metabolic alterations such as hypoglycemia, neutropenia, and elevated lactate. Despite intensive care including plasma transfusions, nutritional support, and fluid therapy, the foal deteriorated and died at 72 hours. Biochemical analyses of peripheral markers confirmed metabolic and immune immaturity. This case highlights the clinical and prognostic challenges of induced parturition in mares, especially in the absence of objective markers of fetal maturity. Improved diagnostic methods are urgently needed to assess fetal readiness for birth and reduce neonatal morbidity and mortality in equine high-risk pregnancies.

The aim of this study was to assess the body condition score (BCS) and metabolic profile of finalists in the Freio de Ouro competition, stratified by sex. This study examined 84 Crioulo horses, comprising 43 non-pregnant mares and 41 stallions. Morphometric measurements, including BCS, cresty neck score (CNS), neck and heart girth, and assessments of fat depth at the neck and at the tail base, were conducted. Additional derived measurements such as the percentage of body fat (%BF), body mass index (BMI), fat mass (FM), fat-free mass (FFM), heart girth:height ratio (HG:HW), and neck circumference:height ratio (NC:HW) were calculated. A subgroup of 53 animals was selected for the evaluation of metabolic parameters, including triglycerides, cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK), and adiponectin.In terms of BCS, 21% of participants were classified as overweight, with 49% having CNS≥3. Females exhibited greater fat deposition at the tail base and neck, along with higher %BF, FM, and HG:HW ratio, and lower NC:HWcompared to males. Among metabolic variables, females showed higher concentrations of LDH, LDL, CK, and lower concentrations of adiponectin than males. No differences were observed in morphometric measurements between participants that qualified for the final day of the competition and those which were disqualified. The study revealed that despite the rigorous physical demands and preparation required for the Freio de Ouro competition, a percentage of participants were overweight, displaying increased regional fat deposition in the neck. Although no metabolic changes related to increased adiposity were identified, the findings indicate a predisposition to the development of metabolic alterations. Additionally, females exhibited a greater accumulation of fat than males.

Both pregnancy and obesity can influence significant changes in the immune system. On this basis, the present study proposes to evaluate the humoral immune response of overweight pregnant mares in response to a commercial vaccine. Thirty pregnant Crioulo mares were separated according to body condition score (BCS) into overweight (BCS≥7/9) or lean-control (BCS= 5-6/9). In each group, the animals were subdivided into vaccinated and controls. The mares were vaccinated against EHV-1 in two doses spaced 21 days apart and had their blood collected monthly, for five months, for antibody evaluation. Both vaccinated groups had an increase in specific neutralizing antibodies after the vaccine. However, after the second dose, there was no increase in antibodies in any of the groups. Vaccinated overweight and lean-control mares did not differ at any time point. Therefore, this study demonstrated that obesity does not influence the humoral immune response in pregnant Crioulo mares.

Both pregnancy and obesity can influence the development of significant changes in the immune system, therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the humoral immune response of pregnant overweight mares in response to a commercial vaccine. Thirty pregnant Crioulo mares were separated according to body condition score (BCS) into overweight mares (ECC≥7/9) and control mares (ECC = 5-6/9), yet in each group, animals were also separated into vaccinated and controls. The mares were vaccinated against EHV-1 in two doses with an interval of 21 days and collected monthly for five months for antibody evaluation. Both vaccinated groups had an increase in specific neutralizing antibodies after the vaccine, however, after the second dose, no increase in antibodies was observed in any of the groups. No difference was observed between vaccinated overweight and lean-control mares at any time point. Thus, this study demonstrated that obesity was not a factor that influenced the humoral immune response of pregnant mares.

The aims of this study were: 1) determine total specific IgG and subisotypes in serum and colostrum of pregnant mares vaccinated against Theileria equi and Streptococcus equi subspecies equi; 2) determine total specific IgG and subisotypes in foals born from these mares. In mares, the highest total serum IgG value for T. equi was at 335 days of gestation declining 30 days postpartum, while for S. equi was at 328 days of gestation remaining high up to 30 days postpartum. Transfer of passive immunity against both antigens was observed with specific IgG values in colostrum and foals’ serum proportional to mares’ values. The most detected specific IgG subisotypes were IgG3/5 and IgG4/7 for both antigens. Foals born from mares immunized with T. equi kept maternal IgG values until 2 months of age, while those born from mares immunized with S. equi kept maternal IgG values until 3-4 months of age. These results suggest that foals should be vaccinated after this period.

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.

Este estudo teve como objetivo determinar a soroprevalência de leptospirose em cavalos de corrida hospedados no Jockey Club de Pelotas (JCP) e avaliar os fatores de risco relacionados a essa doença. Foram incluídos 84 equinos da Raça Puro Sangue Inglês. Os animais foram submetidos à avaliação clínica geral e a colheita de sangue para obtenção de amostras de soro. Para detecção de anticorpos anti-leptospiras foi realizado o teste de soroaglutinação microscópica (MAT) para os seguintes sorovares de L. interrogans: Australis, Autumnalis, Batavie, Bratislava, Copenhageni, Grippothyphosa, Hardjoprajitno, Icterohaemorrhagiae, Pomona, Pyrogenes e Patoc, sendo considerado reagente quando a aglutinação foi ≥ 1:100. Posteriormente, um único entrevistador aplicou um questionário epidemiológico aos responsáveis pelos equinos para determinar a presença de fatores de risco para leptospirose no local. Dentre os 84 equinos, apenas nove (10,7%) apresentaram titulação para L. interrogans. As titulações variaram entre 1:100 e 1:400, sendo que três equinos apresentaram titulação para mais de um sorovar. Os sorovares identificados neste estudo foram Canicola (33,3%), Grippotyphose (33,3%), Icterohaemorrhagiae (22,2%), Australis (22,2%), Pyrogenes (11,1%), Bratislava (11,1%), Copenhageni (11,1%), Autumnalis (11,1%) e Hardjoprajitno (11,1%). Não houve associação entre os resultados do teste sorológico e os dados obtidos através do questionário epidemiológico (p > 0,05). Através deste estudo verificou-se que a soroprevalência para L. interrogans em equinos do JCP é baixa. Estudos epidemiológicos em outros hipódromos são necessários para determinar fatores de risco que estejam associados à infecção por L. interrogans em cavalos de corrida.

As enterocolites estão entre as afecções que mais acometem potros em sistemas de criações de equinos em todo o mundo. É estimado que até 80% dos potros nos primeiros seis meses de vida são acometidos por pelo menos um episódio de diarreia, em sua grande maioria episódios leves e transitórios, entretanto, os custos com o tratamento e a taxa de mortalidade que esta afecção pode gerar são impactantes para criadores e proprietários. O objetivo desta revisão é descrever os aspectos epidemiológicos, clínicos e métodos de diagnóstico dos principais enteropatógenos bacterianos, virais e parasitários envolvidos em episódios de diarreia em potros do nascimento aos 8 meses de vida. Foram utilizados artigos disponíveis nas plataformas Mendeley, MEDLINE, pubMed, SciELO. Entre os principais enteropatógenos causadores de diarreia em potros, podemos destacar as infecções causadas por Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli, Rhodococcus equi, Clostridium perfringens, Clostridium difficile, Lawsonia intracellularis, Rotavírus, Coronavírus e helmintos. A identificação de potros de risco e a implementação de protocolos terapêuticos com base nos exames complementares e identificação do agente etiológico são de grande importância para o sucesso no tratamento, controle e implementação de métodos de profilaxia nos sistemas de criação.

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 the Veterinary Clinical Hospital of the Federal University of Pelotas (HCV-UFPe1) 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 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, other 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 small 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.