| Records |
| Author |
Dallmeyer, M.D.; Turner, R.M.; McDonnell, S.M.; Sertich, P.L.; Dolente, B.A.; Parente, E.J.; Diaz, O.M.S. |
| Title |
Theriogenology question of the month. Behavior problems in a stallion caused by a nephrolith |
Type |
Journal Article |
| Year |
2006 |
Publication |
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association |
Abbreviated Journal |
J Am Vet Med Assoc |
| Volume |
229 |
Issue |
4 |
Pages |
511-513 |
| Keywords |
Animals; Behavior, Animal; Horse Diseases/physiopathology/surgery/*ultrasonography; Horses/*physiology; Kidney Calculi/physiopathology/surgery/ultrasonography/*veterinary; Male; Sperm Count/*veterinary; *Sperm Motility; Treatment Outcome |
| Abstract |
|
| Address |
Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, PA 19348, USA |
| Corporate Author |
American College of Theriogenologists |
Thesis |
|
| Publisher |
|
Place of Publication |
|
Editor |
|
| Language |
English |
Summary Language |
|
Original Title |
|
| Series Editor |
|
Series Title |
|
Abbreviated Series Title |
|
| Series Volume |
|
Series Issue |
|
Edition |
|
| ISSN |
0003-1488 |
ISBN |
|
Medium |
|
| Area |
|
Expedition |
|
Conference |
|
| Notes |
PMID:16910847 |
Approved |
no |
| Call Number |
|
Serial |
1865 |
| Permanent link to this record |
| |
|
| |
| Author |
Kaiser, L.; Smith, K.A.; Heleski, C.R.; Spence, L.J. |
| Title |
Effects of a therapeutic riding program on at-risk and special education children |
Type |
Journal Article |
| Year |
2006 |
Publication |
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association |
Abbreviated Journal |
J Am Vet Med Assoc |
| Volume |
228 |
Issue |
1 |
Pages |
46-52 |
| Keywords |
Adolescent; Anger; Animals; *Bonding, Human-Pet; Child; Child Behavior; *Child Psychology; Disabled Persons/*psychology/rehabilitation; Female; Horses; Humans; Mainstreaming (Education); Male; Mothers/*psychology; Occupational Therapy/*methods; Recreation; Self Efficacy; Sports/*psychology |
| Abstract |
OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of a therapeutic riding program on psychosocial measurements among children considered at risk for poor performance or failure in school or life and among children in special education programs. DESIGN: Observational study. POPULATION: 17 at-risk children (6 boys and 11 girls) and 14 special education children (7 boys and 7 girls). PROCEDURE: For the at-risk children, anger, anxiety, perceived self-competence, and physical coordination were assessed. For the special education children, anger and cheerfulness were measured, and the children's and their mothers' perceptions of the children's behavior were assessed. Measurements were made before and after an 8-session therapeutic riding program. RESULTS: For boys enrolled in the special education program, anger was significantly decreased after completion of the riding program. The boys' mothers also perceived significant improvements in their children's behavior after completion of the program. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that an 8-session therapeutic riding program can significantly decrease anger in adolescent boys in a special education program and positively affect their mothers' perception of the boys' behavior. |
| Address |
Human-Animal Bond Initiative, College of Nursing, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA |
| Corporate Author |
|
Thesis |
|
| Publisher |
|
Place of Publication |
|
Editor |
|
| Language |
English |
Summary Language |
|
Original Title |
|
| Series Editor |
|
Series Title |
|
Abbreviated Series Title |
|
| Series Volume |
|
Series Issue |
|
Edition |
|
| ISSN |
0003-1488 |
ISBN |
|
Medium |
|
| Area |
|
Expedition |
|
Conference |
|
| Notes |
PMID:16426165 |
Approved |
no |
| Call Number |
|
Serial |
1880 |
| Permanent link to this record |
| |
|
| |
| Author |
Kaiser, L.; Heleski, C.R.; Siegford, J.; Smith, K.A. |
| Title |
Stress-related behaviors among horses used in a therapeutic riding program |
Type |
Journal Article |
| Year |
2006 |
Publication |
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association |
Abbreviated Journal |
J Am Vet Med Assoc |
| Volume |
228 |
Issue |
1 |
Pages |
39-45 |
| Keywords |
Adult; Animals; Behavior, Animal/*physiology; Child; *Disabled Persons; Female; Horses/*psychology; Humans; Male; *Mentally Disabled Persons; Occupational Therapy/methods; Recreation; Risk Factors; Stress/*veterinary |
| Abstract |
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether therapeutic riding resulted in higher levels of stress or frustration for horses than did recreational riding and whether therapeutic riding with at-risk individuals was more stressful for the horses than was therapeutic riding with individuals with physical or emotional handicaps. DESIGN: Observational study. ANIMALS: 14 horses in a therapeutic riding program. PROCEDURE: An ethogram of equine behaviors was created, and horses were observed while ridden by 5 groups of riders (recreational riders, physically handicapped riders, psychologically handicapped riders, at risk children, and special education children). Number of stress-related behaviors (ears pinned back, head raised, head turned, head tossed, head shaken, head down, and defecation) was compared among groups. RESULTS: No significant differences in mean number of stress-related behaviors were found when horses were ridden by recreational riders, physically handicapped riders, psychologically handicapped riders, or special education children. However, mean number of stress-related behaviors was significantly higher when horses were ridden by the at-risk children. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that for horses in a therapeutic riding program, being ridden by physically or psychologically handicapped individuals is no more stressful for the horses than is being ridden in the same setting by recreational riders. However, at-risk children caused more stress to the horses, suggesting that the time horses are ridden by at-risk children should be limited both daily and weekly. |
| Address |
Human-Animal Bond Initiative, College of Nursing, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA |
| Corporate Author |
|
Thesis |
|
| Publisher |
|
Place of Publication |
|
Editor |
|
| Language |
English |
Summary Language |
|
Original Title |
|
| Series Editor |
|
Series Title |
|
Abbreviated Series Title |
|
| Series Volume |
|
Series Issue |
|
Edition |
|
| ISSN |
0003-1488 |
ISBN |
|
Medium |
|
| Area |
|
Expedition |
|
Conference |
|
| Notes |
PMID:16426164 |
Approved |
no |
| Call Number |
|
Serial |
1879 |
| Permanent link to this record |
| |
|
| |
| Author |
Kurvers, C.M.H.C.; van Weeren, P.R.; Rogers, C.W.; van Dierendonck, M.C. |
| Title |
Quantification of spontaneous locomotion activity in foals kept in pastures under various management conditions |
Type |
Journal Article |
| Year |
2006 |
Publication |
American journal of veterinary research |
Abbreviated Journal |
Am J Vet Res |
| Volume |
67 |
Issue |
7 |
Pages |
1212-1217 |
| Keywords |
Aging; Animal Husbandry; Animals; Female; Horses/*physiology; Male; Motor Activity/*physiology; Sex Characteristics |
| Abstract |
OBJECTIVE: To describe spontaneous locomotion activity of foals kept under various management conditions and assess the suitability of global positioning system (GPS) technology for recording foal activity. Animals-59 foals. PROCEDURES: During the foals' first 4 months of life, 921 observation periods (15 minutes each) were collected and analyzed for locomotion activities. The GPS system was evaluated by simultaneously carrying out field observations with a handheld computer. RESULTS: Foals spent 0.5% of total observed time cantering, 0.2% trotting, 10.7% walking, 32.0% grazing, 34.8% standing, and 21.6% lying down. Total observed daytime workload (velocity x distance) in the first month was approximately twice that in the following months. Locomotion activity decreased with increasing age. Colts had more activity than fillies in certain periods, and foals that were stabled for some portion of the day had compensatory locomotion activity, which was probably insufficient to reach the level of foals kept continually outside. The GPS recordings and handheld-computer observations were strongly correlated for canter, trot, and walk and moderately correlated for standing and lying. Correlation for grazing was low. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results indicated that domestically managed foals, when kept 24 h/d at pasture, will exercise at a level comparable with feral foals. High workload during the first month of life might be important for conditioning the musculoskeletal system. The GPS technique accurately quantified canter, trot, and walk activities; less accurately indexed resting; and was unsuitable for grazing because of the wide array of velocities used while foraging. |
| Address |
Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, The Netherlands |
| Corporate Author |
|
Thesis |
|
| Publisher |
|
Place of Publication |
|
Editor |
|
| Language |
English |
Summary Language |
|
Original Title |
|
| Series Editor |
|
Series Title |
|
Abbreviated Series Title |
|
| Series Volume |
|
Series Issue |
|
Edition |
|
| ISSN |
0002-9645 |
ISBN |
|
Medium |
|
| Area |
|
Expedition |
|
Conference |
|
| Notes |
PMID:16817745 |
Approved |
no |
| Call Number |
|
Serial |
1786 |
| Permanent link to this record |
| |
|
| |
| Author |
Lin, Y.-L.; Moolenaar, H.; van Weeren, P.R.; van de Lest, C.H.A. |
| Title |
Effect of microcurrent electrical tissue stimulation on equine tenocytes in culture |
Type |
Journal Article |
| Year |
2006 |
Publication |
American Journal of Veterinary Research |
Abbreviated Journal |
Am J Vet Res |
| Volume |
67 |
Issue |
2 |
Pages |
271-276 |
| Keywords |
Animals; Apoptosis; Cell Proliferation; Cells, Cultured; Electric Stimulation; *Horses; Tendons/*cytology |
| Abstract |
OBJECTIVE: To determine effects of microcurrent electrical tissue stimulation (METS) on equine tenocytes cultured from the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT). SAMPLE POPULATION: SDFTs were collected from 20 horses at slaughter. PROCEDURE: Tenocytes were isolated following outgrowth from explants and grown in 48-well plates. Four methods of delivering current to the tenocytes with a METS device were tested. Once the optimal method was selected, current consisting of 0 (negative control), 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, or 1.5 mA was applied to cells (8 wells/current intensity) once daily for 8 minutes. Cells were treated for 1, 2, or 3 days. Cell proliferation, DNA content, protein content, and apoptosis rate were determined. RESULTS: Application of microcurrent of moderate intensity increased cell proliferation and DNA content, with greater increases with multiple versus single application. Application of microcurrent of moderate intensity once or twice increased protein content, but application 3 times decreased protein content. Application of current a single time did not significantly alter apoptosis rate; however, application twice or 3 times resulted in significant increases in apoptosis rate, and there were significant linear (second order) correlations between current intensity and apoptosis rate when current was applied twice or 3 times. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results of the present study indicate that microcurrent affects the behavior of equine tenocytes in culture, but that effects may be negative or positive depending on current intensity and number of applications. Therefore, results are far from conclusive with respect to the suitability of using METS to promote tendon healing in horses. |
| Address |
Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, State University of Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands |
| Corporate Author |
|
Thesis |
|
| Publisher |
|
Place of Publication |
|
Editor |
|
| Language |
English |
Summary Language |
|
Original Title |
|
| Series Editor |
|
Series Title |
|
Abbreviated Series Title |
|
| Series Volume |
|
Series Issue |
|
Edition |
|
| ISSN |
0002-9645 |
ISBN |
|
Medium |
|
| Area |
|
Expedition |
|
Conference |
|
| Notes |
PMID:16454632 |
Approved |
no |
| Call Number |
|
Serial |
1878 |
| Permanent link to this record |
| |
|
| |
| Author |
Skedros, J.G.; Dayton, M.R.; Sybrowsky, C.L.; Bloebaum, R.D.; Bachus, K.N. |
| Title |
The influence of collagen fiber orientation and other histocompositional characteristics on the mechanical properties of equine cortical bone |
Type |
Journal Article |
| Year |
2006 |
Publication |
The Journal of Experimental Biology |
Abbreviated Journal |
J Exp Biol |
| Volume |
209 |
Issue |
Pt 15 |
Pages |
3025-3042 |
| Keywords |
Animals; Biomechanics; Bone and Bones/*physiology; Collagen/*physiology; Forelimb; Horses/*physiology |
| Abstract |
This study examined relative influences of predominant collagen fiber orientation (CFO), mineralization (% ash), and other microstructural characteristics on the mechanical properties of equine cortical bone. Using strain-mode-specific (S-M-S) testing (compression testing of bone habitually loaded in compression; tension testing of bone habitually loaded in tension), the relative mechanical importance of CFO and other material characteristics were examined in equine third metacarpals (MC3s). This model was chosen since it had a consistent non-uniform strain distribution estimated by finite element analysis (FEA) near mid-diaphysis of a thoroughbred horse, net tension in the dorsal/lateral cortices and net compression in the palmar/medial cortices. Bone specimens from regions habitually loaded in tension or compression were: (1) tested to failure in both axial compression and tension in order to contrast S-M-S vs non-S-M-S behavior, and (2) analyzed for CFO, % ash, porosity, fractional area of secondary osteonal bone, osteon cross-sectional area, and population densities of secondary osteons and osteocyte lacunae. Multivariate multiple regression analyses revealed that in S-M-S compression testing, CFO most strongly influenced total energy (pre-yield elastic energy plus post-yield plastic energy); in S-M-S tension testing CFO most strongly influenced post-yield energy and total energy. CFO was less important in explaining S-M-S elastic modulus, and yield and ultimate stress. Therefore, in S-M-S loading CFO appears to be important in influencing energy absorption, whereas the other characteristics have a more dominant influence in elastic modulus, pre-yield behavior and strength. These data generally support the hypothesis that differentially affecting S-M-S energy absorption may be an important consequence of regional histocompositional heterogeneity in the equine MC3. Data inconsistent with the hypothesis, including the lack of highly longitudinal collagen in the dorsal-lateral ;tension' region, paradoxical histologic organization in some locations, and lack of significantly improved S-M-S properties in some locations, might reflect the absence of a similar habitual strain distribution in all bones. An alternative strain distribution based on in vivo strain measurements, without FEA, on non-Thoroughbreds showing net compression along the dorsal-palmar axis might be more characteristic of the habitual loading of some of the bones that we examined. In turn, some inconsistencies might also reflect the complex torsion/bending loading regime that the MC3 sustains when the animal undergoes a variety of gaits and activities, which may be representative of only a portion of our animals, again reflecting the possibility that not all of the bones examined had similar habitual loading histories. |
| Address |
Utah Bone and Joint Center, 5323 S. Woodrow Street #202, Salt Lake City, UT 84107, USA. jskedros@utahboneandjoint.com |
| Corporate Author |
|
Thesis |
|
| Publisher |
|
Place of Publication |
|
Editor |
|
| Language |
English |
Summary Language |
|
Original Title |
|
| Series Editor |
|
Series Title |
|
Abbreviated Series Title |
|
| Series Volume |
|
Series Issue |
|
Edition |
|
| ISSN |
0022-0949 |
ISBN |
|
Medium |
|
| Area |
|
Expedition |
|
Conference |
|
| Notes |
PMID:16857886 |
Approved |
no |
| Call Number |
|
Serial |
1868 |
| Permanent link to this record |
| |
|
| |
| Author |
Dixon, G.; Green, L.E.; Nicol, C.J. |
| Title |
Effect of diet change on the behavior of chicks of an egg-laying strain |
Type |
Journal Article |
| Year |
2006 |
Publication |
Journal of applied animal welfare science : JAAWS |
Abbreviated Journal |
J Appl Anim Welf Sci |
| Volume |
9 |
Issue |
1 |
Pages |
41-58 |
| Keywords |
*Animal Feed; *Animal Nutrition Physiology; Animals; Behavior, Animal/*physiology; Chickens/*physiology; Crowding; Feeding Behavior/*physiology; Female; Food Preferences/physiology; Oviposition; Random Allocation; Taste |
| Abstract |
Injurious pecking has serious welfare consequences in flocks of hens kept for egg laying, especially when loose-housed. Frequent diet change is a significant risk for injurious pecking; how the mechanics of diet change influence pecking behavior is unknown. This study investigated the effect of diet change on the behavior of chicks from a laying strain. The study included a 3-week familiarity phase: 18 chick pairs received unflavored feed (Experiment 1); 18 pairs received orange oil-flavored (Experiment 2). All chicks participated in a dietary preference test (P); a diet change (DC); or a control group (C), 6 scenarios. All P chicks preferred unflavored feed. In Experiment 1, DC involved change from unflavored to orange-flavored; Experiment 2, orange- flavored to unflavored. Compared with controls, Experiment 2 DC chicks exhibited few behavioral differences; Experiment 1 DC chicks exhibited increased behavioral event rates on Days 1 and 7. They pecked significantly longer at their environment; by Day 7, they showed significantly more beak activity. There was little evidence of dietary neophobia. Change from more preferred to less preferred feed led to increased activity and redirected pecking behavior. |
| Address |
School of Veterinary Science, University of Bristol, England |
| Corporate Author |
|
Thesis |
|
| Publisher |
|
Place of Publication |
|
Editor |
|
| Language |
English |
Summary Language |
|
Original Title |
|
| Series Editor |
|
Series Title |
|
Abbreviated Series Title |
|
| Series Volume |
|
Series Issue |
|
Edition |
|
| ISSN |
1088-8705 |
ISBN |
|
Medium |
|
| Area |
|
Expedition |
|
Conference |
|
| Notes |
PMID:16649950 |
Approved |
no |
| Call Number |
refbase @ user @ |
Serial |
64 |
| Permanent link to this record |
| |
|
| |
| Author |
McCrory, P.; Turner, M.; LeMasson, B.; Bodere, C.; Allemandou, A. |
| Title |
An analysis of injuries resulting from professional horse racing in France during 1991-2001: a comparison with injuries resulting from professional horse racing in Great Britain during 1992-2001 |
Type |
Journal Article |
| Year |
2006 |
Publication |
British Journal of Sports Medicine |
Abbreviated Journal |
Br J Sports Med |
| Volume |
40 |
Issue |
7 |
Pages |
614-618 |
| Keywords |
Accidental Falls/statistics & numerical data; Accidents, Occupational/statistics & numerical data; Animals; Athletic Injuries/*epidemiology/etiology; Female; France/epidemiology; Great Britain/epidemiology; *Horses; Humans; Incidence; Ireland/epidemiology; Male; Prospective Studies |
| Abstract |
BACKGROUND: It has been previously shown that professional jockeys suffer high rates of fatal and non-fatal injuries in the pursuit of their occupation. Little is known, however, about differences in injury rates between countries. AIM: To determine the rate of fatal and non-fatal injuries in flat and jump jockeys in France and to compare the injury rates with those in Great Britain and Ireland Method: Prospectively collected injury data on professional jockeys were used as the basis of the analysis. RESULTS: Limb fractures occur four times more often in both flat and jump racing in France than in Great Britain. Similarly dislocations are diagnosed 20 times more often in flat and three times more often in jump racing. This difference is surprising given that French jockeys have fewer falls per ride than their British counterparts in flat racing, although they do have more falls than the British in jump racing. Similarly concussion rates seem to be higher in French jockeys, although there may be a difference in the diagnostic methods used in the different countries. By contrast, soft tissue injuries account for a far smaller percentage of injuries than in Great Britain. CONCLUSION: There are striking differences in injury rates between countries which may be explained in part by a difference in track conditions-for example, harder tracks in France-or different styles of racing--for example, larger fields of horses per race in France. |
| Address |
Centre for Health, Exercise and Sports Medicine and Brain Research Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia. paulmccr@bigpond.net.au |
| Corporate Author |
|
Thesis |
|
| Publisher |
|
Place of Publication |
|
Editor |
|
| Language |
English |
Summary Language |
|
Original Title |
|
| Series Editor |
|
Series Title |
|
Abbreviated Series Title |
|
| Series Volume |
|
Series Issue |
|
Edition |
|
| ISSN |
1473-0480 |
ISBN |
|
Medium |
|
| Area |
|
Expedition |
|
Conference |
|
| Notes |
PMID:16687479 |
Approved |
no |
| Call Number |
Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
Serial |
3762 |
| Permanent link to this record |
| |
|
| |
| Author |
Thomas, K.E.; Annest, J.L.; Gilchrist, J.; Bixby-Hammett, D.M. |
| Title |
Non-fatal horse related injuries treated in emergency departments in the United States, 2001-2003 |
Type |
|
| Year |
2006 |
Publication |
British Journal of Sports Medicine |
Abbreviated Journal |
Br J Sports Med |
| Volume |
40 |
Issue |
7 |
Pages |
619-626 |
| Keywords |
Accident Prevention/methods; Accidental Falls/prevention & control; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Animals; Athletic Injuries/*epidemiology/prevention & control; Child; Child, Preschool; Emergency Service, Hospital/*statistics & numerical data; Female; Head Protective Devices/utilization; Health Promotion; *Horses; Humans; Infant; Male; Middle Aged; Patient Education; Sex Distribution; United States/epidemiology |
| Abstract |
OBJECTIVE: To characterise and provide nationally representative estimates of persons with non-fatal horse related injuries treated in American emergency departments. METHODS: The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System All Injury Program (NEISS-AIP) is a stratified probability sample comprising 66 hospitals. Data on injuries treated in these emergency departments are collected and reported. NEISS-AIP data on all types (horseback riding and otherwise) of non-fatal horse related injuries from 2001 to 2003 were analysed. RESULTS: An estimated 102,904 persons with non-fatal horse related injuries (35.7 per 100,000 population) were treated in American emergency departments each year from 2001 to 2003 inclusive. Non-fatal injury rates were higher for females (41.5 per 100,000) than for males (29.8 per 100,000). Most patients were injured while mounted on a horse (66.1%), commonly from falling or being thrown by the horse; while not mounted, injuries most often resulted from being kicked by the horse. The body parts most often injured were the head/neck region (23.2%), lower extremity (22.2%), and upper extremity (21.5%). The most common principal diagnoses were contusions/abrasions (31.4%) and fractures (25.2%). For each year that was studied, an estimated 11 502 people sustained traumatic brain injuries from horse related incidents. Overall, more than 11% of those injured were admitted to hospital. CONCLUSIONS: Horse related injuries are a public health concern not just for riders but for anyone in close contact with horses. Prevention programmes should target horseback riders and horse caregivers to promote helmet use and educate participants about horse behaviour, proper handling of horses, and safe riding practices. |
| Address |
Office of Statistics and Programming, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30341, USA. KEThomas@cdc.gov |
| Corporate Author |
|
Thesis |
|
| Publisher |
|
Place of Publication |
|
Editor |
|
| Language |
English |
Summary Language |
|
Original Title |
|
| Series Editor |
|
Series Title |
|
Abbreviated Series Title |
|
| Series Volume |
|
Series Issue |
|
Edition |
|
| ISSN |
1473-0480 |
ISBN |
|
Medium |
|
| Area |
|
Expedition |
|
Conference |
|
| Notes |
PMID:16611723 |
Approved |
no |
| Call Number |
|
Serial |
1866 |
| Permanent link to this record |
| |
|
| |
| Author |
Muscatello, G.; Anderson, G.A.; Gilkerson, J.R.; Browning, G.F. |
| Title |
Associations between the ecology of virulent Rhodococcus equi and the epidemiology of R. equi pneumonia on Australian thoroughbred farms |
Type |
Journal Article |
| Year |
2006 |
Publication |
Applied and Environmental Microbiology |
Abbreviated Journal |
Appl Environ Microbiol |
| Volume |
72 |
Issue |
9 |
Pages |
6152-6160 |
| Keywords |
Actinomycetales Infections/epidemiology/microbiology/*veterinary; Air Microbiology; Animal Husbandry; Animals; Animals, Newborn; Australia/epidemiology; Colony Count, Microbial; DNA, Bacterial/genetics; Ecosystem; Horse Diseases/epidemiology/*microbiology; Horses; Pneumonia, Bacterial/epidemiology/microbiology/*veterinary; Rhodococcus equi/genetics/isolation & purification/*pathogenicity; Soil Microbiology; Virulence |
| Abstract |
The ecology of virulent strains of Rhodococcus equi on horse farms is likely to influence the prevalence and severity of R. equi pneumonia in foals. This study examined the association between the ecology of virulent R. equi and the epidemiology of R. equi pneumonia by collecting air and soil samples over two breeding seasons (28 farm-year combinations) on Thoroughbred breeding farms with different reported prevalences of R. equi pneumonia. Colony blotting and DNA hybridization were used to detect and measure concentrations of virulent R. equi. The prevalence of R. equi pneumonia was associated with the airborne burden of virulent R. equi (both the concentration and the proportion of R. equi bacteria that were virulent) but was not associated with the burden of virulent R. equi in the soil. Univariable screening and multivariable model building were used to evaluate the effect of environmental and management factors on virulent R. equi burdens. Lower soil moisture concentrations and lower pasture heights were significantly associated with elevated airborne concentrations of virulent R. equi, as were the holding pens and lanes, which typically were sandy, dry, and devoid of pasture cover. Few variables appeared to influence concentrations of virulent R. equi in soil. Acidic soil conditions may have contributed to an elevated proportion of virulent strains within the R. equi population. Environmental management strategies that aim to reduce the level of exposure of susceptible foals to airborne virulent R. equi are most likely to reduce the impact of R. equi pneumonia on endemically affected farms. |
| Address |
School of Veterinary Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia. mug@unimelb.edu.au |
| Corporate Author |
|
Thesis |
|
| Publisher |
|
Place of Publication |
|
Editor |
|
| Language |
English |
Summary Language |
|
Original Title |
|
| Series Editor |
|
Series Title |
|
Abbreviated Series Title |
|
| Series Volume |
|
Series Issue |
|
Edition |
|
| ISSN |
0099-2240 |
ISBN |
|
Medium |
|
| Area |
|
Expedition |
|
Conference |
|
| Notes |
PMID:16957241 |
Approved |
no |
| Call Number |
Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
Serial |
2622 |
| Permanent link to this record |
