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Rietmann, T. R., Stauffacher, M., Bernasconi, P., Auer, J. A., & Weishaupt, M. A. (2004). The association between heart rate, heart rate variability, endocrine and behavioural pain measures in horses suffering from laminitis. J Vet Med A Physiol Pathol Clin Med, 51(5), 218–225.
Abstract: The objective of this study was to compare the stress response of horses suffering from laminitis after short- and long-term treatment with the intent to evaluate power spectral analysis of heart rate variability (HRV) for pain monitoring. Data were collected from 19 horses with acute or chronic exacerbating laminitis without known primary disease before and after treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID). Recordings were carried out the day after admission to the equine hospital. Measurements were repeated on day 7 of the treatment. The recorded parameters included a clinical orthopaedic index (OLPI: Obel-grade plus hoof tester score), frequency of weight-shifting between contralateral limbs, mean beat-to-beat interval (R-R) duration, standard deviation of continuous R-R intervals, low- (LF) and high-frequency (HF) components of HRV, sympatho-vagal balance (LF/HF), and plasma concentration of cortisol, adrenalin and noradrenalin. The LF represents mainly sympathetic influences on the heart whereas HF is mediated by the parasympathetic tone. Weight-shifting and OLPI decreased significantly with treatment. The LF normalized units (n.u.) decreased after NSAID from 60.41 +/- 21.42 to 51.12 +/- 19.81 and was 49.33 +/- 22.64 on day 7, whereas HF n.u. increased from 35.07 +/- 20.02 to 43.14 +/- 18.30 and was 45.98 +/- 23.00 on day 7. Hormone levels showed no tendency to change with treatment. The OLPI was only correlated with LF/HF, LF and HF (R = 0.57, 0.55 and -0.54 respectively). Significant negative correlations existed between HFn.u. and weight-shifting frequency (R = -0.37), HFn.u. and adrenalin (R = -0.47), and HFn.u. and noradrenalin (R = 0.33). The LFn.u. only correlated positively with adrenalin. Cortisol levels were poorly associated with the other parameters. Determination of the sympatho-vagal influences on cardiac function may offer complementary information for reliable assessment of pain and may represent a valuable alternative method to catecholamine measurements.
Keywords: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/administration & dosage; Autonomic Nervous System; Behavior, Animal; Electrophysiology/*methods; Endocrine System; Female; Heart Rate; Horse Diseases/blood/drug therapy/*physiopathology; Horses; Joint Diseases/physiopathology/*veterinary; Male; Pain/physiopathology/*veterinary; Pain Measurement/*veterinary; Predictive Value of Tests
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Quiroz-Rothe, E., Novales, M., Aguilera-Tejero, E., & Rivero, J. L. L. (2002). Polysaccharide storage myopathy in the M. longissimus lumborum of showjumpers and dressage horses with back pain. Equine Vet J, 34(2), 171–176.
Abstract: This study was designed to investigate whether horses with clinical signs of back pain due to suspected soft tissue injuries were affected by polysaccharide storage myopathy (PSSM). Diagnosis of PSSM in muscle biopsies obtained from the M. longissimus lumborum of 5 showjumpers and 4 dressage horses with a history of back pain is reported. M. longissimus lumborum biopsies of these horses were characterised histopathologically and in 3/9 cases also by electron microscopy. Observations were compared with M. gluteus biopsies of the same horses, and with M. gluteus biopsies obtained from 6 Standardbreds with recurrent exertional rhabdomyolysis and from 6 healthy trotters. M. longissimus biopsies from horses with back pain showed pathognomonic signs of PSSM, i.e. high glycogen and/or abnormal complex amylase-resistant polysaccharide deposits. Similar features were found in M. gluteus biopsies of the same horses. Sections of horses with rhabdomyolysis had increased PAS stain when compared with healthy horses, but did not show amylase-resistant material. Qualitative observations were corroborated by quantitative histochemistry (optical densities) of sections stained with PAS and amylase PAS. This study demonstrated the presence of PSSM in the M. longissimus of showjumpers and dressage horses with back pain and indicates that epaxial muscle biopsy is an option in diagnosing back problems in horses when clinical examination and imaging techniques do not provide a precise diagnosis.
Keywords: Amylases/analysis; Animals; Back Pain/etiology/*veterinary; Biopsy; Carbohydrate Metabolism, Inborn Errors/diagnosis/pathology/*veterinary; Diagnosis, Differential; Glycogen/analysis; Horse Diseases/*diagnosis/pathology; Horses; Microscopy, Electron; Muscle, Skeletal/pathology; Muscular Diseases/diagnosis/pathology/*veterinary; Polysaccharides/*metabolism; Rhabdomyolysis/diagnosis/pathology/veterinary
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Proudman, C., Pinchbeck, G., Clegg, P., & French, N. (2004). Equine welfare: risk of horses falling in the Grand National. Nature, 428(6981), 385–386.
Abstract: As in other competitive sports, the famous Grand National steeplechase, which is held at Aintree in the United Kingdom and is watched by 600 million people worldwide, sometimes results in injury. By analysing data from the past 15 Grand National races (consisting of 560 starts by horses), we are able to identify several factors that are significantly associated with failure to complete the race: no previous experience of the course and its unique obstacles, unfavourable ground conditions (too soft or too hard), a large number of runners, and the length of the odds ('starting price'). We also find that there is an increased risk of falling at the first fence and at the jump known as Becher's Brook, which has a ditch on the landing side. Our findings indicate ways in which the Grand National could be made safer for horses and illustrate how epidemiological analysis might contribute to preventing injury in competitive sport.
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Pritchard, J. C., Barr, A. R. S., & Whay, H. R. (2006). Validity of a behavioural measure of heat stress and a skin tent test for dehydration in working horses and donkeys (Vol. 38).
Abstract: REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Dehydration and heat stress are serious welfare issues for equids working in developing countries. There is a lack of any standardised method or validated interpretation of the skin tent test in horses and donkeys. Owners of dehydrated and heat-stressed animals often depend on veterinary examination for identification of these conditions, leading to delays in treatment and unnecessary reliance on external sources to effect welfare improvement. OBJECTIVES: To validate a standardised skin tent test for dehydration and a behavioural measure of heat stress in working equids; and to examine the effect of heat stress and dehydration on tripping and staggering behaviour. METHODS: The study was carried out on 130 working horses and donkeys in Pakistan. Associations between skin tent and blood parameters (packed cell volume [PCV], serum total protein [TP], serum osmolality), clinical parameters, resting and drinking behaviour were examined. Heat stress behaviour (increased respiratory rate and depth, head nodding, flared nostrils, apathy) was observed in conjunction with rectal temperature. Tripping and staggering were assessed using a simple obstacle course. RESULTS: In both species, heat stress behaviour was significantly associated with increased rectal temperature (P<0.001). A positive skin tent test was not significantly associated with PCV or TP, although in donkeys it was significantly associated with lower serum osmolality (P<0.001). More animals age >15 years had a positive skin tent than those in younger age groups (P = 0.037). Very thin horses were more likely to have a positive skin tent than those in thin or moderate condition (P = 0.028). There was no significant correlation between skin tent and tripping or staggering in either species. CONCLUSIONS AND POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: Heat stress behaviour is related to increased body temperature in working horses and donkeys. Owners may use this to make judgements regarding rest and cooling, precluding the need to seek veterinary attention. The skin tent test for dehydration used in this study did not show a significant relationship with PCV or TP. However, the use of blood parameters to validate the skin tent test may be confounded by anaemia, hypoproteinaemia or electrolyte depletion. Alternative methods are needed to confirm or refute the validity of the skin tent test in working equids.
Keywords: Age Factors; Animal Welfare; Animals; Behavior, Animal/physiology; Body Temperature/*physiology; Body Weight/physiology; Case-Control Studies; Dehydration/diagnosis/pathology/*veterinary; Drinking; *Equidae; Female; Heat Stress Disorders/diagnosis/physiopathology/*veterinary; Horse Diseases/*diagnosis/pathology; Horses; Hypovolemia/diagnosis/physiopathology/veterinary; Male; Osmolar Concentration; Pakistan; Respiration; Skin/*pathology; Species Specificity; Work
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Polley, L. (1986). Strongylid parasites of horses: experimental ecology of the free-living stages on the Canadian prairie. Am J Vet Res, 47(8), 1686–1693.
Abstract: Each month for a 1-year period (October through September), equine fecal masses containing eggs of strongylid nematodes were placed outdoors on small grass plots in Saskatchewan, Canada. Thereafter, feces and grass from the plots were sampled after intervals of 1 week or longer, and the strongylid eggs and larvae recovered were counted. These observations were made over a 2-year period. Development of eggs to infective larvae occurred in all experiments, except those established in October, December, and January. Infective larvae from experiments set up in April through September survived that winter. During the summer, there was a gradual build up of infective larvae in the fecal masses, which reached a peak in August and September and then decreased into the winter. These results are discussed in the context of the control of strongylid parasites of horses on the Canadian prairie and in other areas of the world with a similar climate and similar horse management practices.
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Pitchford, R. J., Visser, P. S., du Toit, J. F., de Pienaar, U. V., & Young, E. (1973). Observations on the ecology of Schistosoma mattheei Veglia & Le Roux, 1929, in portion of the Kruger National Park and surrounding area using a new quantitative technique for egg output. J S Afr Vet Assoc, 44(4), 405–420.
Keywords: Animals; Artiodactyla; Buffaloes; Cattle; Cattle Diseases/epidemiology; Dog Diseases/epidemiology; Dogs; Feces; Goats; Haplorhini; Horse Diseases/epidemiology; Horses; Humans; Methods; Monkey Diseases/epidemiology; Papio; Parasite Egg Count; Schistosomiasis/epidemiology/*veterinary; Sheep; Sheep Diseases/epidemiology; South Africa; Swine; Swine Diseases/epidemiology
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Pennisi, E. (1997). Schizophrenia clues from monkeys (Vol. 277).
Keywords: Animals; Antipsychotic Agents/pharmacology; Behavior, Animal/drug effects; *Cercopithecus aethiops; Clozapine/pharmacology; Cognition/drug effects; *Disease Models, Animal; Dopamine/*metabolism; Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists/pharmacology; Memory/drug effects; Phencyclidine/*pharmacology; Prefrontal Cortex/*metabolism; Schizophrenia/chemically induced/drug therapy/*metabolism; Schizophrenic Psychology
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Pell, S. M., & McGreevy, P. D. (1999). Prevalence of stereotypic and other problem behaviours in thoroughbred horses. Aust Vet J, 77(10), 678–679.
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Pearce, G. P., May-Davis, S., & Greaves, D. (2005). Femoral asymmetry in the Thoroughbred racehorse. Aust Vet J, 83(6), 367–370.
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To investigate the occurrence of geometrical asymmetries in the macro-architecture of left and right femurs from Thoroughbred racehorses previously used in competitive training and racing in New South Wales, Australia. METHODS: Detailed postmortem measurements were made of 37 characteristics of left and right femurs from eleven Thoroughbred racehorses euthanased for reasons unrelated to the study. Measurements focused on articulating surfaces and sites of attachment of muscles and ligaments known to be associated with hindlimb locomotion. RESULTS: Five measurements were significantly larger in left compared to right femurs (P < 0.05). The regions showing significant differences between left and right limbs were proximal cranial and overhead medio-lateral widths, greater trochanter depth, depth of the fovea in the femoral head and distal inter-epicondylar width. CONCLUSION: The left-right differences in femoral morphology were associated with sites of muscle and ligament attachment known to be involved with hindlimb function in negotiating turns. These differences may be the result of selection pressure for racing performance on curved race tracks and/or adaptations related to asymmetrical loading of the outside hindlimb associated with repeated negotiation of turns on such tracks.
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Papakostas, Y. G., Daras, M. D., Liappas, I. A., & Markianos, M. (2005). Horse madness (hippomania) and hippophobia. Hist Psychiatry, 16(Pt 4 (no 64)), 467–471.
Abstract: Anthropophagic horses have been described in classical mythology. From a current perspective, two such instances are worth mentioning and describing: Glaucus of Potniae, King of Efyra, and Diomedes, King of Thrace, who were both devoured by their horses. In both cases, the horses' extreme aggression and their subsequent anthropophagic behaviour were attributed to their madness (hippomania) induced by the custom of feeding them with flesh. The current problem of 'mad cow' disease (bovine spongiform encephalopathy) is apparently related to a similar feed pattern. Aggressive behaviour in horses can be triggered by both biological and psychological factors. In the cases cited here, it is rather unlikely that the former were the cause. On the other hand, the multiple abuses imposed on the horses, coupled with people's fantasies and largely unconscious fears (hippophobia), may possibly explain these mythological descriptions of 'horse-monsters'.
Keywords: Ancient Lands; Animals; Cattle; History, Ancient; Horse Diseases/*history; Horses; Humans; *Mythology
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