Platelet transfusion in thrombocytopenic horses

Platelet transfusions might be indicated in horses with thrombocytopenia. The need for a transfusion cannot be determined by platelet numbers alone, as primary or co‐existing disease processes, platelet function and age of the recipient also need to be considered. In patients with no co‐morbidities, relevant bleeding is uncommonly observed with platelet counts >10 x 10⁹/l and a therapeutic approach with initiation of treatment when signs of bleeding are observed might be justified.     

Initial experience of ultrapurified bovine haemoglobin use in horses

Ultrapurified bovine haemoglobin solutions such as Oxyglobin are rarely used in equine medicine due to their relatively high cost and concerns over their safety. Four foals and a mature horse were administered Oxyglobin as part of their treatment regime to good clinical effect, and no adverse clinical signs were noted. All 5 animals went on to make a full recovery from the various disease processes that necessitated treatment with blood and blood products. Oxyglobin appears to be a useful adjunctive treatment for acute, life‐threatening anaemia in the horse.     

Undesired behaviour in horses: A review of their development,prevention, management and association with welfare

Undesired behaviours are a common problem amongst leisure and sporting horses in the UK and have a significant impact on the work of equine practitioners. In most cases, behaviours considered aberrant by owners are normal responses for their horses. Behaviours perceived as ‘naughtiness’ may in fact signify direct actions to avoid pain‐ or fear‐inducing stimuli. Examples that practitioners might deal with include trailer loading problems, avoidance of having saddlery equipment applied or reluctance to leave the yard. Even where no evidence of physical problems or pain can be detected, avoidance behaviours may reflect learnt responses that previously led to success in evading unpleasant consequences. Because owners often misunderstand the reason for such behaviours to develop in their horses, attempts at resolution often involve suppression or punishment based approaches. Although repeated subjugation of undesirable responses may ultimately appear to resolve the overt behavioural problem in some cases, in many others it can lead to a worsening of the problem, the development of alternative avoidance strategies or the horse learning that escaping the source of its pain or anxiety is impossible and ceasing to respond. Some horses develop abnormal or repetitive behaviours, which are not in the ‘normal’ behavioural repertoire. These stereotypic behaviours, sometimes termed ‘vices’, can indicate strategies to cope with a suboptimal environment. Indeed, their performance may serve to improve the situation for the animal. Attempts to suppress or prevent horses showing stereotypies, therefore, will generally exacerbate the underlying welfare problem. When dealing with either stereotypies or avoidance behaviours, it is important to recognise the role of learning in their development and maintenance. Resolution involves both understanding the underlying motivation for showing the behaviour and how it has become reinforced and established over time, for each individual case. The use of environmental change and/or behavioural modification techniques that are both successful and welfare compatible, are important in dealing with undesired behaviour in horses and selection of suitable professionals for referral an important responsibility for the equine practitioner.     

Controversies related to red blood cell transfusion in critically ill patients

Objective – To review the evolution of and controversies associated with allogenic blood transfusion in critically ill patients. Data sources – Veterinary and human literature review. Human Data Synthesis – RBC transfusion practices for ICU patients have come under scrutiny in the last 2 decades. Human trials have demonstrated relative tolerance to severe, euvolemic anemia and a significant outcome advantage following implementation of more restricted transfusion therapy. Investigators question the ability of RBCs stored longer than 2 weeks to improve tissue oxygenation, and theorize that both age and proinflammatory or immunomodulating effects of transfused cells may limit efficacy and contribute to increased patient morbidity and mortality. Also controversial is the ability of pre‐ and post‐storage leukoreduction of RBCs to mitigate adverse transfusion‐related events. Veterinary Data Synthesis – While there are several studies evaluating the transfusion trigger, the RBC storage lesion and transfusion‐related immunomodulation in experimental animal models, there is little research pertaining to clinical veterinary patients. Conclusions – RBC transfusion is unequivocally indicated for treatment of anemic hypoxia. However, critical hemoglobin or Hct below which all critically ill patients require transfusion has not been established and there are inherent risks associated with allogenic blood transfusion. Clinical trials designed to evaluate the effects of RBC age and leukoreduction on veterinary patient outcome are warranted. Implementation of evidence‐based transfusion guidelines and consideration of alternatives to allogenic blood transfusion are advisable.     

Effect of passive pneumoperitoneum on oesophageal pressure, cardiovascular parameters and blood gas analysis in horses

Reasons for performing study: Standing surgical procedures are being employed to an ever‐greater extent in horses. Pneumoperitoneum during abdominal surgery might adversely affect the work of breathing. Objectives: To determine whether development of pneumoperitoneum during abdominal surgery adversely influences the work of breathing. Methods: Eight healthy mature horses were equipped with carotid artery and thoracic vena cava catheters and an intraluminal manometry system. The following measurements were obtained before and at +5, +10, +15 and +30 min following establishment of pneumoperitoneum by paralumbar puncture using an 8 gauge needle: vital signs, oesophageal pressure, gastric pressure, arterial and central venous blood pressures, and arterial and mixed venous blood gas analyses. Results: Significant changes in oesophageal pressure, central venous pressure and results of arterial and mixed venous blood gas analysis were not detected. Arterial diastolic and mean pressures and rectal temperature increased slightly (P≤0.05). Conclusions: Passive pneumoperitoneum did not adversely affect breathing mechanics or haemodynamic variables under experimental conditions. Changes in arterial pressure could have occurred as a response to the passive pneumoperitoneum or be related to handling stress. Subtle variations in rectal temperature were not clinically relevant and likely resulted from stress associated with restraint. Potential relevance: It is unlikely that mature horses will develop signs of respiratory difficulty as a result of the development of passive pneumoperitoneum during standing laparoscopy.     

Autologous blood transfusion following an allogenic transfusion reaction in a case of acute anaemia due to intra‐abdominal bleeding

This report describes the use of an autologous transfusion to temporarily improve the oxygen carrying capacity in a case of haemoabdomen. The horse required multiple blood transfusions but use of allogenic transfusions was hindered by a severe adverse reaction. The blood previously lost into the abdomen was drained and returned to the circulation without observed adverse effects. Autologous blood transfusion is a technique which can be used alone, or in addition to, allogenic blood transfusions in selected cases of acute blood loss in horses.     

水合氯醛对马血气,酸碱值影响的研究

通过对１１匹实验马的血气、酸碱值分析，结果表明以１２ｇ／１００ｋｇ体重的水合氯醛麻醉后，实验马的Ｐｏ２、Ｓａｔ·Ｏ２、Ｃ－Ｏ２三项指标均显著降低，ＰＡ－ａＤＯ２显著增加；而ｐＨ、Ｐｃｏ２、Ｔ－ＣＯ２、ＡＢ、ＳＢ、ＢＥｂ六项指标无显著变化。说明该剂量的水合氯醛对马的呼吸功能有一定影响，且主要影响与氧有关的指标。     

党参复方添加剂对运动马血清生化指标的影响

试验旨在研究党参复方添加剂对健身骑乘用的运动马血清生化指标的影响.将60匹健康的运动马随机分为4组,分别在基础精料中添加0、0.5％、1.0％、1.5％的中药添加剂,饲养60d.结果显示:与对照组相比,添加1.0％党参复方添加剂,运动马血清碱性磷酸酶(ALP)和血清肌酸激酶(CK)含量显著降低(P＜0.05);血清葡萄...     

The cardiopulmonary effects of severe blood loss in anesthetized horses

Objective To characterize the acute cardiopulmonary effects of severe hemorrhage in anesthetized horses. Study design Prospective experimental study. Animals Three geldings and six mares, aged 14.4 ± 2.7 years, weighing 486 ± 41 kg (range: 425–550 kg). Methods Horses were anesthetized using xylazine, guaifenesin, ketamine and halothane or isoflurane. Cardiovascular variables, hematocrit, total solids, capillary refill time (CRT) and color of mucous membranes were measured as blood was collected from the carotid artery into sterile plastic bags. Arterial blood gas analysis was also performed. Results The average amount of blood collected from these horses was (mean ± SD) 53 ± 4.8 mL kg^?1 bodyweight (range: 23–32 kg) over 39 ± 4 minutes. Hematocrit decreased from 38 ± 3 to 32 ± 2% after induction of anesthesia and did not change significantly over the period of blood loss. Total solids decreased significantly after induction of anesthesia, and over the period of blood loss. Systolic, mean, diastolic and pulse pressures decreased as blood was lost. Heart rate did not change significantly. Capillary refill time increased from 1.6 ± 0.4 seconds to 4.8 ± 1.3 seconds as blood loss increased. Mucous membrane color deteriorated progressively. Arterial PO₂ decreased significantly over the period of blood loss. Conclusions Hematocrit and heart rate do not change significantly during acute severe hemorrhage in the anesthetized horse. Arterial blood pressure, pulse pressure and PaO₂ decrease as blood loss increases. Changes in mucous membrane color and CRT also occur as blood loss increases. Clinical relevance During severe hemorrhage in the inhalant‐anesthetized horse, both heart rate and hematocrit remain unchanged. Blood pressure decreases and changes in arterial PO₂ correlate most strongly with volume of blood lost.     

Relationships between the age and blood test results or body sizes in Noma horses

The objective of this study is to analyze the relationships between the age and blood test results or body sizes in Noma horses by using the results of periodical health examination. Out of 45 hematological or physical items examined, statistically significant, but loose correlations were observed in 14 items. Red blood cell count, activities of aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and creatinine kinase, concentrations of calcium and inorganic phosphorus decreased with aging. Conversely, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, lipase activity, γ-globulin and chloride concentrations, body height, chest circumference and cannon bone circumference increased with aging. The changes in a few items seemed unique to Noma horse. However, most age-related changes found in this study might be considered as a common trend in horse breeds rather than distinctive characteristic in Noma horse.     

Perioperative pain management in horses

The inability to talk does not diminish an animal's ability to experience pain, although it may hinder its recognition and therefore lead to the under-treatment of pain. Pain assessment and treatment in horses has advanced considerably with the recent publication of numerous research papers in this area. This review will summarise these research findings and suggest how advances in knowledge of perioperative pain management can be implemented in equine clinical practice.     

Bite and kick injuries in horses: prevalence, risk factors and prevention

REASON FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Studies on the prevalence and predisposing factors of bite and kick injuries in horses have not been reported in a population-based data sample. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the prevalence of bite and kick injuries in horses and associated risk factors in a representative sample of horses in Switzerland. METHODS: A questionnaire on the incidence of disease and injury, which included the frequency of bite and kick injuries and their association with breed, housing, use and feeding regime, was sent to 2559 horse owners randomly selected throughout Switzerland. RESULTS: The data of 2912 horses with 897 disorders diagnosed by a veterinarian were analysed. There were 231 injuries, 50 (21.6%) caused by a bite or kick from another horse; this number corresponded to 5.6% of all diseases and injuries and concerned only 1.7% of all the horses evaluated. Warmblood, Thoroughbred and Arabian horses had a 4.3 times higher risk of bite or kick injuries than horses of other breeds. Eighteen per cent of injuries were associated with a change in housing management and occurred regardless of whether horses were kept in groups permanently or sporadically. CONCLUSIONS AND POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: A stable group hierarchy and a housing system that provides adequate space and is adapted to horse-specific behaviour are important factors in prevention and kick and bite injuries.