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A regression model including fetal orbit measurements to predict parturition in Standardbred mares with normal pregnancy
Full text linkIn the mare, foaling is a critical unpredictable event due to a wide range of gestational length and the absence of clear signs of impending parturition. To predict foaling, pH, inversion sodium potassium and increase of calcium concentration in mammary secretions are used. The aim of this study was to find how many days are left until parturition knowing mare's age (A) and parity (P) combined with ultrasonographic measurements of the fetal orbit in Standardbred mares with normal pregnancy. Eighty healthy Standardbred mares with normal pregnancy were hospitalized for attended delivery. Information about mare's age, parity and breeding date were recorded at admission. Transrectal ultrasonography were routinely performed at admission and every 10 days until parturition using a B-mode real time portable unit equipped with a 5–7.5 MHz linear transducer. The images of the fetal orbit were acquired when cornea, anterior and posterior chamber, vitreous body, lens and optic nerve were visible. Longitudinal diameter (LD) was considered as the distance between the two ocular poles, within the vitreous body; transverse diameter (TD), perpendicular to LD and bisecting the lens, was measured as the distance between cornea and retina. At delivery, length of pregnancy and gestational age at each exam were registered. For each ultrasound examination, days before parturition (DBP) were calculated. Seventy-eight Standardbred mares with normal pregnancies were included in the study. Mares' mean age was 9 ± 5 years old (range 4–20 years) and mean gestation length was 341 ± 7 days (range 327–366 days). Thirty-three mares were primiparous and 45 mares were multiparous. Data were analyzed using a regression tree: P, A, LD and TD were used as covariates. DBP was used as the variable of interest. Nine terminal nodes were identified based on the selected covariates. The first split is produced by the TD: fetuses with TD greater or equal than 2.97 cm are further split according to LD, with a threshold of 3.28 cm. The next split is dictated by A; after a further split on LD, the first terminal node is built, containing 34 fetuses with average DBP equal to 10 days. If the A is ≥ 9.5 years a further split is on P: when mares are multiparous, the TD built two different nodes. Since prediction of mare's foaling date is an important factor in stud farm management, the regression model developed may help the veterinarian to estimate the DBP in Standardbred mares with normal pregnancy
Diagnosis, Treatment, Surgical Management, and Outcome of Septic Arthritis of Tarsocrural Joint in 16 Foals
No full textThis article describes diagnosis, treatment, surgical management, and outcome in 16 foals (mean age 7 days of life) affected by confirmed tarsocrural septic arthritis. The chosen therapy was lavage of the synovial cavity performed arthroscopically, once or twice due to recurrence of clinical signs. Information recorded included signalment, history, a complete clinical evaluation, grade of lameness, hematology, biochemistry, serum immunoglobulin G concentration, bone infection radiological findings, cytology and culture of the synovial fluid, treatment, and outcome. Eleven of the foals were males (69%), and five were females (31%). Sepsis affected the right tarsocrural joint in three foals (19%) and the left one in seven foals (44%). Six foals had both hocks affected (37%). In 12 foals (75%), the infection was successfully resolved, and a single intervention was sufficient to have remission of symptoms and resolution of infection. Arthroscopic lavage was repeated in four of 16 foals (25%); five /16 foals (31%) had two joints involved, and the arthroscopic lavage was repeated for all joints. Although the actual literature describes poor possibilities to explore joints in the foal, in this case, it was possible to visualize the inner structures, correctly ascertain and grade the intra-articular damage resulting from infection, and the presence of organic materials inside the joint space. Moreover, what is worth noting is that it was possible to detect and remove fibrin clots thought to be responsible for hiding bacteria and carrying on the infective and inflammatory status
Dystocia in the Standardbred Mare: A Retrospective Study from 2004 to 2020
Full text linkSIMPLE SUMMARY: In the equine species, dystocia, any impediment to normal parturition, is not frequent, but when it occurs it can quickly evolve into a critical situation. The aim of this study was to retrospectively describe the incidence, causes, categories of dystocia severity, resolution procedures and postpartum complications in Standardbred mares hospitalized in a Veterinary Teaching Hospital and evaluate the effects of dystocia on the clinical and blood parameters of their foals. In normal pregnancy, the incidence of dystocia was 4.9%. Stage II appeared significantly longer in dystocic delivery, and the occurrences of postpartum complications in mares and onset of neonatal disease in foals were more frequent after dystocia. This study also investigated, for the first time, foaling difficulty, dividing all dystocic deliveries into mild, moderate and severe dystocia. Therefore, even a short but physiologically abnormal delivery can pose a risk to the life of the newborn and determine complications in the mare. ABSTRACT: Dystocia as a prolonged stage II parturition (>30 min) was associated with a higher risk of complications. The hypothesis of the study was that any type of dystocia could affect the foal’s health, even when the stage II was <30 min. Clinical reports on 222 Standardbred mares and their foals hospitalized at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the University of Bologna from 2004 to 2020 were reviewed. Mares were divided into the Eutocia Group (165, eutocic delivery) and the Dystocia Group (57, dystocic delivery). The incidence of dystocia was 4.9%. Stage II was longer in the Dystocia Group (median 20 min) than in the Eutocia Group (median 12 min). All occurrences of dystocia were retrospectively classified into three categories of severity: mild, moderate and severe dystocia. The occurrence of postpartum complications in mares and neonatal diseases and failure of passive transfer of immunity in foals was higher in the Dystocia Group. Foal venous lactatemia and serum creatine kinase were significantly higher in the Dystocia Group (median 3.9 mmol/L; 262 UI/L respectively) than in the Eutocia Group (median 3.1 mmol/L; 187 UI/L respectively). The APGAR score was lower in the Dystocia Group (median 8) than in the Eutocia Group (median 10) and significantly lower in severe dystocia (median 3). The duration of stage II should not be considered the only parameter of dystocia in mares: even a rapid resolution of dystocia could pose health risks to the foal and the mare
Haematological parameters, acid-base balance, electrolytes and blood metabolites in Alpine kids from birth to 72 hours of life
No full textTime-dependent changes and prognostic value of lactatemia during the first 24 h of life in brachycephalic newborn dogs
No full textBlood lactate concentration is known to be a good prognostic indicator associated with the severity of illness and the patient's outcome both in human and veterinary medicine. It also plays a significant role in the assessment of the newborn, being a good indicator of fetal hypoxia and the ideal predictor of morbidity at term in babies. In veterinary neonatal medicine, hyperlactatemia is considered a valid prognostic marker in critically ill foals; moreover, blood lactate measurement has been proposed for the evaluation of newborn viability and the assessment of fetal distress during delivery in dogs. Unfortunately, only a few studies have been published concerning the canine species. The present work examines 67 brachycephalic newborn dogs and their mothers, with the aim to evaluate the time-dependent changes of blood lactate and glucose concentration during the first 24 h after vaginal or caesarean delivery both in puppies and bitches. To our knowledge, this is the first published study examining the time-dependent changes of these parameters in the bitch after parturition. Within the studied population of puppies, non-surviving was significantly associated with a higher lactatemia and a lower APGAR score. Blood lactate was high at birth then progressively decreased during the first 24 h of life and a lack of normalization of blood lactate levels within this time interval was suggestive for a poor prognosis for the newborn dogs; moreover, the decrease appeared to be slower after vaginal delivery. Lactatemia also showed a positive correlation with glycemia at birth. Concerning the bitches examined, blood lactate was found to be significantly higher after vaginal delivery than after caesarean section; the normalization occurred within 24 h after parturition. Blood glucose level was significantly higher at 2 h from delivery both in the group of bitches submitted to caesarean section and in those undergoing natural whelping but no statistical correlation was found between maternal glycemia and lactatemia. The results of the present study highlighted that the monitoring of lactatemia during the first 24 h of life, in association with the assessment of the APGAR score at birth, can be an useful prognostic tool helping to identify the most severely distressed puppies and to provide them an adequate support
High-Risk Pregnancy Is Associated With Increased Alpha-Fetoprotein Concentrations in the Amniotic Fluid and Foal Plasma
Full text linkThis study aimed to determine alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) concentrations in amniotic fluid, plasma of mares and respective foals: carrying normal pregnancies and delivering healthy foals (n = 20; Group 1); carrying apparently normal pregnancies and delivering sick foals (n = 15; Group 2); carrying high-risk pregnancies and delivering sick foals (n = 14; Group 3). High-risk pregnancy was defined by a history of premature udder development/lactation or increased of the combined thickness of the uterus and placenta, or vulvar discharge and/or mares' systemic illness. Sick foals were affected by neonatal encephalopathy, sepsis, prematurity/dysmaturity, or hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. Based on histological examination of the chorioallantois, AFP trend was analyzed in pregnancies with pathologic (PFM) and normal fetal membranes (NFM). Concentrations of AFP were measured using a commercially available immunoassay previously validated for horses. Mares' plasma AFP did not change during the last 15-20 days of pregnancy in the three groups, and there was no difference among them. Amniotic fluid AFP was higher in Group 3 (P = .014). Foals' plasma AFP concentration was higher from birth to 72hours in foals of Group 2 and 3 than in healthy ones, and foals of Group 3 had the highest value. The strong association (r = 0.84; P < .0001) between AFP in amniotic fluid and foals' plasma at birth is likely due to the presence of AFP in fetal urine. AFP was higher in pregnancy with PFM than with NFM in mare's plasma at admission (P = .031), amniotic fluid (P = .004), foal's plasma at birth (P = .002), at 24 (P = .005) and at 72 hours of life (P = .004). AFP is higher in pregnancy with histopathological lesions of the chorioallantois providing the evidence of the differences between pregnancy with a normal placental barrier and the more compromised ones. The increased AFP concentration in the amniotic fluid and plasma of high-risk foals suggests upregulation
Total Plasma Magnesium In Healthy And Critically Ill Foals
No full textAbnormalities in total Mg (tMg) concentration in plasma and/or serum are common in critically ill humans, and the association with increased mortality has been documented in several clinical studies in adults and newborns with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. Abnormalities in tMg were studied in hospitalized dogs, cats, and adult horses. Newborn foals were scarcely studied with regard to Mg concentration. The aims of the present study were: (1) to compare two analytical methods for the determination of tMg in plasma: the automated colorimetric method and the atomic absorption spectrometry; (2) to measure plasma tMg in healthy foals during the first 72 hours after birth and in sick foals during the first 72 hours of hospitalization; (3) to compare total plasma Mg concentration among healthy foals, foals affected by perinatal asphyxia syndrome (PAS), prematurity and/or dismaturity, and sepsis; (4) to evaluate tMg plasma concentration in surviving and non-surviving foals. One hundred seventeen foals were included in the study: 20 healthy and 97 sick foals. The automated method used in clinical practice probably overestimates plasma tMg. Due to its higher sensitivity and specificity, the atomic absorption spectrometry should be considered the method of choice from an analytical point of view, but requires an instrumentation not easily available in any laboratory and specific technical skills and competencies. Plasma tMg in healthy foals were included in the range 0.52 to 1.01 mmol/L and did not show any time-dependent change during the first 72 hours of life. In sick foals, tMg evaluated at T0 was statistically higher than tMg measured at subsequent times. Foals affected by PAS had a tMg at T0 significantly higher (P < 0.01) than healthy, septic, and premature and/or dysmature foals. The. t test found significantly higher (P < 0.01) plasma tMg measured at T0 in non-surviving than in surviving foals. Plasma tMg could be a useful parameter for the diagnosis of PAS and the formulation of the prognosis in critically ill foals
Smartphone-based ECG assessment of heart rhythm at birth in healthy foals born after spontaneous or induced parturition: is there a potential difference?
No full textBackground– Subclinical electrophysiological derangements occur at birth in foals. Smartphone-based ECG (spECG) is
practical tools to assess heart rhythm and was recently validated in foals. Objectives–To assess the heart rate (HR) and
rhythm at birth in clinically healthy foals born after spontaneous and induced parturition using a spECG. Animals– Newborn healthy foals born after at term spontaneous (SF) or induced foaling (IF). Methods– Cohort study. In SF and IF
groups, a spECG was performed immediately at birth (T0) and after 5 min (T5). SpECG tracings were selected for quality.
HR was manually calculated and was compared between groups and time-points. Tracings were manually interpreted for
rhythm diagnosis. Results– Eighty-one spECG tracings owing to 42 healthy foals (36 SF, 6 IF) were of adequate quality.
There were no significant differences in HR between SF and IF and between T0 and T5 (p>0.05). Six foals were diagnosed with atrial fibrillation and 4 with sinus arrhythmia. Conclusions and clinical importance– The spECG was feasible
and detected subclinical arrhythmias at birth. A potential relationship with induced foaling warrants confirmation. Provided
good quality tracing is obtained, the device might assist in the clinical assessment at birth, especially in screening highrisk foals
Observational Study on Cryptosporidiosis in an Equine Perinatology Unit
Full text linkThe present study aimed to describe clinical signs of cryptosporidiosis in neonatal foals hospitalized in an Equine Perinatology Unit and to compare the clinical signs between Cryptosporidium parvum and Cryptosporidium horse genotype infection. The study was divided into two parts. In the retrospective study, nine foals infected by C. parvum were considered. In the prospective study, 70 foals, less than 15 days old, were prospectively included. Historical and clinical data were recorded, and in the prospective study, multiple fecal samples were collected. C. parvum (n = 13) and Cryptosporidium horse genotype (n = 7) were isolated. In four foals, there was a mixed infection with both the Cryptosporidium. Diarrhea, when present, showed similar duration and characteristics. Sixteen foals showed decreased abdominal sounds and colic pain before evidence of diarrhea. Nineteen foals had hyperthermia at least once. Although survival rates were similar between C. parvum (77%), C. horse genotype (100%), and cryptosporidial mixed infection (100%), foals affected by C. parvum presented anorexia (P <.0031) and received specific therapy (P <.014) more frequently than the others. Recorded data strengthen the thought that C. parvum infection is more severe in foals, suggesting that they would have developed host adaptations in response to the C. horse genotype or that C. parvum is a more pathogenic strain. Because healthy and asymptomatic foals can shed oocysts of Cryptosporidium spp., students and staff should always wear the personal protective equipment to avoid zoonotic infection
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