Comparison of Hematologic and Biochemical Results on Blood Obtained by Jugular Venipuncture as Compared with Intravenous Catheter in Adult Horses

Background: During hospitalization, horses typically undergo frequent blood sampling for diagnostic testing and monitoring. The need for numerous samples in hospitalized horses makes acquisition from an intravenous catheter (IVC) both convenient and less stressful to the patient. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that there would be no significant difference in the plasma chemistry and CBC variables from blood samples obtained from a jugular catheter as compared with direct jugular venipuncture. Animals: Fifty adult hospitalized horses; 25 receiving constant rate crystalloid therapy, and 25 receiving low volume IV medication. Methods: This study was conducted using a prospective, blinded, cross‐over design. Samples were obtained sequentially by direct venipuncture of the jugular vein and aspiration from an IVC in the contralateral vein after an appropriate presample of blood was obtained and discarded. Samples were submitted for blinded analysis including CBC, plasma chemistry analysis, stall side plasma glucose concentration, PCV, and total protein concentration. Data obtained were analyzed using a Student's t‐test with compensation for unequal variances between the 2 groups. Analyses were Bonferroni corrected for a 5% 2‐tailed hypothesis test. Results: There were no statistically significant or clinically relevant differences associated with sampling method (venipuncture versus catheter) regardless of fluid administration status in any of the 24 analytes measured. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Blood samples obtained by IVC have clinically equivalent values to those taken by direct venipuncture in commonly performed analyses. Additional investigation is warranted to establish if this technique is associated with increased complications such as phlebitis or bacteremia.     

采用血液遗传标记对马亲仔关系案例的检测与分析

采用16个血液遗传住点对北京华骏育马场的275组及中国马术协会所提供的2组马匹进行了亲仔关系的鉴定，并对其中典型的8组马匹进行了分析。得出结果如下：6匹幼驹与其指定父母双方均不符而被排除亲仔关系，经验证确认为属于幼驹被串换；在所检的遗传住点中，以D血型、运铁蛋白(Tf)、蛋白酶抑制剂(Pi)和6-磷酸葡萄糖脱氢酶(6-PGD)检测亲仔关系错误的效果最好；在根据自身外貌无法断定为非纯血马的情况下，采用从非纯血马亲本来鉴定是行之有效的。     

Differential Expression of Monocarboxylate Transporter 1 and Ancillary Protein CD147 in Red Blood Cells of Show Jumping Horses

We compare the expression levels of the lactate transporter complex consisting of the lactate transporter, monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1), and its ancillary protein, cluster of differentiation 147 (CD147), in the membranes of red blood cells (RBCs) from two breeds of jumping horses and associate the expression levels of these proteins with their jumping ability. The expression levels of MCT1 and CD147 proteins on the membranes of RBCs collected from 30 show jumping horses of two different breeds were quantified: the Brazilian Sport Horses (n = 17) and the European Warmbloods (n = 13). The levels of MCT1 and CD147 in the RBC membranes were measured by western blot using horse-specific antibodies. Statistical analyses included unpaired Student t test and chi-squared test. According to the expression levels of MCT1 and CD147 proteins, 88% of the Brazilian Sport Horses were categorized as high lactate transporters (HTs) and the remaining 12% as low lactate transporters (LTs). The opposite was found for the European Warmbloods, where most animals (77%) were classified as LTs and the remaining animals (23%) were classified as HTs. Brazilian Sport Horses express statistically significantly higher levels of CD147 and MCT1 than European Warmbloods. The classification of horses considering the expression of proteins involved in the ability to transport lactate through the complex MCT1-CD147 seems to be breed dependent, with horses that are able to jump higher obstacles showing lower expression of the MCT1-CD147 complex in their RBCs.     

Description of the Responses of Some Blood Constituents to Rodeo Exercise in Chilean Creole Horses

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of the Chilean rodeo exercise on some blood constituents, classically used to assess welfare, during rest; training with and without steer; and before and after official competitions. During the training season, 13 horses were assessed at their farms of origins, and samples were taken at rest and after training with and without a steer; then during the competition season, 16 horses were assessed at four different times, one before and three after the competition. The blood constituents assessed were packed cell volume (PCV), total proteins, fibrinogen, cortisol, neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio, creatine phosphokinase, aspartate transaminase, glutathione peroxidase, and serum amyloid A. Analysis of variance for repeated measures was applied using the Statistix 8.0 software, and a significance level of P < .05 was applied. For horses assessed during exercise with and without a steer, significant differences were observed for PCV, which were significantly lower at rest than after both exercises, and total proteins, which showed a significant increase only after exercise with steer. In the case of official competitions, PCV was significantly higher immediately after rodeo, and the lowest value for cortisol was observed the evening after competition (P < .05); among the enzymes assessed, creatine phosphokinase plasma concentrations immediately after rodeo and the evening after competition were significantly higher than concentrations the next morning. The use of physiological indicators did not seem to be sufficient to assess the overall effect of rodeo on the welfare of these horses, and other types of indicators should be considered in future studies.     

Tachypnea and Antipyresis in Febrile Horses after Sedation with α2‐Agonists

Background: Signs of tachypnea after sedation of febrile horses with α₂‐agonists have been noted previously but have not been further investigated. Objectives: To examine the effects of xylazine and detomidine on respiratory rate and rectal temperature in febrile horses and to investigate if either drug would be less likely than the other to cause changes in these variables. Animals: Nine febrile horses and 9 healthy horses were included in the study. Methods: Horses were randomly assigned to sedation with xylazine 0.5 mg/kg or detomidine 0.01 mg/kg. Heart rate and respiratory rate were recorded before sedation and at 1, 3, and 5 minutes after injection. Hourly measurements of rectal temperature were performed starting before sedation. Results: All febrile horses experienced an episode of tachypnea and antipyresis after sedation. Rectal temperature in the febrile group was significantly lower at 1, 2, and 3 hours after sedation. In several measurements, the decrease was >1°C. Respiratory rate in the febrile group was significantly increased after sedation. All febrile horses were breathing >40 breaths/min and 3 horses >100 breaths/min 5 minutes after sedation. No differences were noted between the 2 treatments. No significant changes in respiratory rate or temperature were noted in the reference group. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Febrile horses can become tachypneic after sedation with detomidine or xylazine. The antipyretic properties of α₂‐agonists need consideration when evaluating patients that have been sedated several hours before examination.     

高原型牦牛8项血液指标的测定

对80头玉树牦牛的8项血液生理生化指标进行了测定。结果为:血红蛋白,86.41±13.07g/L;红细胞压积,0.46±0.034L/L;血清钾,6.25±1.23mmol/L;血清钠,141.7±8.2 mmol/L;血清总钙,2.30±0.52 mmol/L;血清游离钙,0.64±0.39 mmol/L;血清总蛋白,84.3±11.3 g/L,全血铁,28.95±4.37mmol/L。公牦牛与母牦牛组各项指标之间均无显著性差异;成年牦牛与牦牛犊之间除血清总蛋白以外,其余各项指标均无显著性差异。