Austral Journal of Veterinary Sciences
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Locomotor injuries morbidity data analysis in Chilean sport horses: a retrospective study (2016-2021)
Get PDFThe equine industry in Chile is small but constantly growing, being the Chilean Rodeo the most important discipline. Problems associated to the musculoskeletal system are the most frequent condition in the equine veterinary practice. Economic losses for the equine industry associated to injuries related to the locomotor system are significant and have been estimated in different parts of the world. Five hundred and eighty-one (581) Chilean purebred horses (Caballo Raza Chilena) performing or training for Chilean Rodeo discipline fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Results showed that in Chilean purebred horses, forelimbs injuries were recorded in 73.1% and hindlimbs 26.9% being a statistically significant difference (P = 0.001). Unilateral lameness was the most frequent situation seen in 74.9% (n=424), bilateral lameness was observed in 21.7% (n=102) and lameness in 3 or more areas was recorded in 9.5% of horses (n=55). When comparing frequency of distribution between right and left sides, no differences were observed between forelimbs (P = 0.645) or hindlimbs (P = 0.853). The forelimb digit (hoof, pastern, and fetlock) had a prevalence of 59.6%. When specific diagnoses were recorded the most prevalent causes of lameness in Chilean purebreds were navicular disease (12.9%), fetlock osteoarthritis (11.9%) and distal tarsal joints osteoarthritis (11.7%). In conclusion, due to the activity and specific physical demands suffered by Chilean Rodeo horses, veterinarians must be familiar with injuries affecting Chilean sport horses, as the morbidity of musculoskeletal injuries varies drastically between different disciplines
From Domination to Dialogue and the Ethics of the Between:Transforming Human-Working Equine Relationships in Mountain Tourism
Get PDFThe welfare of working equines is born of the relationship co-created with humans and the relational practices humans bring to this work. Our understanding of this relationship remains elusive, however, for it involves attending to that which arises both within and between the equine and the human. Attempts to study such relationships have, arguably, been confounded by the liminalities of relational practices, power literacy and the limitations of language, propositional knowing and the dualistic thinking that characterises many scientific disciplines. This paper presents the theoretical framework that underpins an experiential awareness-based Action Research approach to transforming human-equine relations within the international mountain tourism industry. This approach privileges curiosity, compassion and primary or contemplative knowing and the development of self-awareness. Drawing on the work of Martin Buber on genuine dialogue and of Otto Scharmer on generative dialogue, this paper provides insights into what can arise in the between when attitudinal shifts are encouraged and facilitated that allow humans and equines to meet genuinely and be fully present to each other. This ultimately involves surrendering control, letting go, the dissolution of subject-object awareness and access to non-dualistic ways of knowing. An awareness of the importance of such shifts and of the source from which we operate is of fundamental importance to the realisation of the co-creative project that humans and equines can engage in. Failure to appreciate this distinction, arguably, leads and gives rise to relationships, whether human-to-human or human-to-horse, characterised by domination rather than partnering, absencing rather than presencing, by monologue rather than dialogue. The ethical and practical implications of this awareness are profound, with implications felt at the level of the individual, for whom the I deepens the more you pay attention, and at the level of the relationship, but also at the level of communities, whether these be constituted locally, nationally, internationally or indeed globally
Working equids presented at a veterinary reference center in southern Chile (2015-2021)
Get PDFIn Chile many families still rely on working equids as a fundamental source of income. Their use is particularly important for harnessing and transport of people and goods, in agriculture as well as in the leisure industry. Information on common emergency and clinical conditions in working equids is important to identify foci for owner education and to guide action towards disease prevention and animal welfare. The aim of the report was to highlight details about the clinical presentation of working equids at a veterinary reference center in southern Chile. Hospital records from working equids presented pro bono from 2015 to 2021 at the Equine Clinic of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the Universidad Austral de Chile were evaluated and included. A total of 107 working equid cases were recorded. The age range went from 1 day of age to 19 years (8.2±5.19 years). Most cases were not hospitalized and discharged on the same day of presentation (n=52). Horses were presented for evaluation of reproductive status (23%), lameness (15%) and castration (13%). Common reproductive diagnoses were uncomplicated castration (13%), barren (9%) and pregnant (8%) mares. Causes of lameness included laceration and wounds (40%), distal limb fractures (15%) and foot abscesses and/or poor foot care (10%). Only 4 cases of colic (3.7%) were presented over the years. Transrectal ultrasonography was the most used imaging tool, followed by radiography and endoscopy. Laboratory analysis was only performed in 15% of all cases.This is the first report on clinical presentation of working equids at a veterinary care reference center in southern Chile. Most working equids seek veterinary care to aid reproduction and treat conditions related to their use. Findings suggest that animal use, husbandry and welfare can be improved
Prevalence and antimicrobial sensitivity of Escherichia coli and Salmonella species in field cases of rabbit intestinal coccidiosis treated with prebiotic
Get PDFCoccidian infection may promote the proliferation of gut bacteria of the family Enterobacteriaceae. Bacterial infections by members of this family in rabbits can induce a negative impact on their health and lead to high mortality, especially in young individuals. This study aimed to investigate the effect of prebiotic treatment on Escherichia coli and Salmonella species during natural intestinal coccidiosis in rabbits. Forty-five rabbits were selected from a rabbit farm in Beni-Suef, Egypt. Out of the 45 rabbits, 15 were coccidia-free and used as the negative control group (NC group) and 30 were naturally infected with coccidia. The infected rabbits were randomly divided into two equal groups, the positive control group (PC) and the prebiotic treated group (PT) which was orally treated with prebiotic for 8 successive days. Faecal oocyst count was assessed daily during the course of treatment. At 8 days post-treatment, 5 rabbits from each group were euthanised for the microbiological examination of the intestinal tract. On day 8 post-treatment, the PT group showed a significant (P≤0.05) reduction in the oocyst count (5.33 ×103 ± 0.89) with a significant (P≤0.05) decline in the prevalence of E. coli and Salmonella (66.7 % and 26.4%, respectively). The PC group showed highly a significant oocyst count (21.67×103 ± 0.82 OPG), with a significant increase in the prevalence of E. coli and Salmonella (86.7 % and 46.7 %, respectively). The NC group remained coccidian free and exhibited only E. coli with no Salmonella infection. The in vitro susceptibility test showed that E. coli isolates were highly resistant to most of the tested antimicrobials while Salmonella isolates showed variable resistance profiles. In conclusion, the prebiotic treatment significantly reduced the prevalence of E. coli and Salmonella infections coexisted with intestinal coccidiosis naturally infected rabbits
Report of Oslerus rostratus (Strongylida: Filaroididae) in cats from the Canary Islands, Spain
Get PDFMetastrongylid species infecting wild and domestic cats worldwide are increasingly being reported. Between 2017 and 2019, a total of 202 faecal samples of domestic cats from the island of Tenerife (Canary Islands, Spain) were analysed by microscopy and molecular techniques. Morphological analyses showed that 8.91% (18/202) of the faecal samples presented first stage larvae (L1) of metastrongylid species. Total DNA was isolated and tested by PCR targeting a 508 bp fragment of the ITS-2 gene. The nucleotide sequences obtained showed high homology (100%) with the species Oslerus rostratus. This work contributes to the knowledge of the wide distribution of O. rostratus worldwide, being Tenerife (Canary Islands, Spain), close to the African continent, the new geographic location for this metastrongylid species. Further molecular studies involving new geographic areas from the island of Tenerife, as well as neighbouring islands, are needed to provide relevant insight and better understand the epidemiology of O. rostratus and other metastrongylid species in wild and domestic cats from the Canary Islands
Estimation of genetic parameters for subclinical mastitis using a threshold model in first parity dairy cows under pasture-based systems of Los Ríos Region in Chile
Get PDFSomatic cell count (SCC) is an indirect measurement to estimate mammary gland health status. This trait provides information regarding the severity of the mammary tissue inflammation in each quarter. Milk samples coming from the farm milk storage vat containing 100,000 to 200,000 cell/mL are considered suspicious, while SCC over 200,000 cell/mL is an indication of subclinical mastitis. Chilean dairy processors penalise farmers monetarily when their bulk tank samples reach levels of 300,000 cell/mL SCC. The objective of this study was to quantify the additive genetic component of the liability of cows to reach the 300,000 cell/mL threshold. A data set containing the highest SCC test-day record of 10,528 first lactation cows from 15 commercial dairy farms of Los Ríos Region in southern Chile was analysed. The unknown continuous underlying susceptibility of each cow to reach the 300,000 SCC threshold was modelled as a function of a contemporary group formed by the herd, year, and calving season, the regression coefficient of the unknown underlying susceptibility value of a cow on her daily milk yield (MY) and the additive animal genetic effect. Bayesian inference and Gibbs sampling were used to estimate additive and residual variances. The average daily MY and SCC were 17.84±5.25 kg and 125,327±236,297 cell/mL, respectively. The estimated heritability varied from 0.03 to 0.22 and the average was 0.10±0.03. It is concluded that the genetic variability for the susceptibility to reach the 300,000 SCC threshold could be exploited to improve resistance to subclinical mastitis
Non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli with potential harmful profiles to humans are isolated from the faeces of calves in Uruguay
Get PDFShiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) infections are responsible for acute illnesses and deaths in humans. Cattle and humans are exposed to STEC through faeces and contaminated food and water. The big six and O157 STEC serogroups are important food and water-borne human pathogens. Additionally, Stx1a, Stx2a and Stx2c subtypes are highly associated with the haemolytic uremic syndrome. This study aimed to determine Shiga toxin-subtypes, the presence of antigen 43 families, the genotypic and phenotypic antimicrobial susceptibility profiles, O-serogrouping, phylotypes and phylogenetic relatedness of STEC of calf origin. Sixteen STEC isolates from calf origin were analysed. PCR was performed to determine Stx subtypes, serogroups, the presence of ag43 I and II and phylotypes. The antimicrobial profile was evaluated and the presence of PMQR and fosfomycin genes was determined by PCR. The clonal relatedness of STEC was studied by PFGE. The genotypes stx1a+c, stx1a+, stx1a+/stx2e+, stx1a+c/stx2e and stx2a were detected. Ag43 II was the most prevalent among subfamilies. STEC isolates were serotyped as O103 (n=5) and O111 (n=6). Fifty per cent of the isolates were classified as B1 phylogroup, 4/16 as E, 1/16 as C, and 1/16 as F. Non-O157 STEC isolates showed a high level of diversity, independent of the geographical and farm-origin. Isolates were resistant to ampicillin, ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, and fosfomycin-trometamol. The gene fosA7 was detected in 1 isolate. The virulence profiles, including Shiga toxin-subtypes and serogroups, denote the potential harm of non-O157 STEC isolates to humans. We also confirmed that circulating non-O157 STEC from cattle present genetic heterogeneity and are susceptible to antibiotics
Fascioliasis prevalence in livestock from abattoirs in southern Chile
Get PDFFascioliasis is a widely distributed parasitic zoonosis caused by the trematode Fasciola hepatica that affects livestock production and generates high economic losses. In Chilean authorised abattoirs, the infected livestock livers are condemned during the veterinary inspection. This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of fascioliasis in Chile from 2014 to 2016 and also monthly from 2002 to 2015 in livestock (cattle, pig, sheep, horse and goat) slaughtered in abattoirs of La Araucanía region, southern Chile. To do this, the available records on abattoirs provided by the sanitary authority were analysed. A descriptive statistics and trend analysis of the data by jointpoint regression was carried out. The Biobío and La Araucanía regions registered the highest levels of parasitosis in the country recording levels of 59.18 and 44.74%, respectively, and presented 50.03% of the liver condemnation rate in cattle. During the study period, a total of 2,239,164 animals were slaughtered and 40.59% infected livers with F. hepatica were condemned in the 9 existing abattoirs of La Araucanía region. The abattoirs located in the cities of Temuco (51.43%) and Angol (65.09%) recorded the highest percentages of fascioliasis. The cattle species recorded the highest number of slaughtered animals and liver condemnation (54.52%). The presence of the parasite was recorded annually and monthly and it was possible to observe a slight increase in fascioliasis over the years. This study provides updated information on the fascioliasis prevalence in the country and the dynamics of condemnation in endemic areas such as La Araucanía region, which could contribute to the control and prevention of this zoonosis
Current attitudes towards the use of perioperative analgesics in cats and dogs by Uruguayan veterinarians
Get PDFIn recent decades, several articles have reported significant progress regarding pain treatment in veterinary medicine. This study aims to analyse the attitudes of veterinarians working in small animal practices in Uruguay towards the use of analgesics during the perioperative period. Veterinarians in charge of clinics performing surgeries were interviewed, including clinics located in the capital city, Montevideo (n=59) and the rest of the country (n=81), based on data obtained from the National Veterinary Census in 2010. Most interviews were conducted in person, and if not possible, they were carried out through video calls. According to gender, 54% of interviewees were women and 46% were men, with 95% of them practising in urban areas. The most used drugs were nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), with dipyrone (89%) being the most popular. Amongst opioids, pure agonists presented minimal inclusion in analgesic treatment (13%), with tramadol (93%) being the most used opioid. Drugs belonging to other groups were less mentioned. Thirty-eight per cent of the respondents considered that their training in pain management was inadequate. Veterinarians categorised the intensity of pain caused by several surgical procedures as “severe”, however, they used weak opioids such as tramadol or NSAIDs as a single therapy to treat most cases. The scarce use of analgesic drugs and techniques that provide profound analgesia (such as mu-opioid receptor agonists) by Uruguayan veterinarians reveals the need for open discussion, adjustment of attitudes and continuing education on pain management
