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Diez de Castro E, Fernandez-Molina JM. Environmental Management of Equine Asthma. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:446. [PMID: 38338089 PMCID: PMC10854533 DOI: 10.3390/ani14030446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Environmental practices related to the inhalation of airborne dust have been identified as the main cause of equine asthma (EA) and reasonably, they are truly relevant in its treatment and control, especially for horses with its severe form. Vast research regarding environmental recommendations has been conducted in recent years. However, no recent exhaustive reviews exist that gather all this new evidence. The aim of this review is to report and compare the most pertinent information concerning the environmental management of EA. The main findings highlight the importance of the type of forage used for feeding but also its method of production and possible contamination during manufacture and/or storage. Procedures to reduce this, such as soaking and steaming hay, improve its hygienic quality, although they also decrease forage's nutritional value, making dietetic supplementation necessary. Regarding stabling, despite some conflicting results, avoiding straw as bedding and improving barn ventilation continue to be the common recommendations if turning to pasture is not feasible. Finally, owners' compliance has been identified as the most critical point in correct environmental control. Educating owners about the genuine benefits of these measures should be a cornerstone of EA management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Diez de Castro
- Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Cordoba, 14014 Córdoba, Spain
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Cordoba, 14014 Córdoba, Spain
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Olave CJ, Ivester KM, Couetil LL, Burgess J, Park JH, Mukhopadhyay A. Effects of low-dust forages on dust exposure, airway cytology, and plasma omega-3 concentrations in Thoroughbred racehorses: A randomized clinical trial. J Vet Intern Med 2022; 37:338-348. [PMID: 36478588 PMCID: PMC9889630 DOI: 10.1111/jvim.16598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Racehorses commonly develop evidence of mild asthma in response to dust exposure. Diets deficient in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (Ω-3) might exacerbate this response. HYPOTHESIS To compare dust exposure, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) cytology, and plasma Ω-3 and specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPM) concentrations amongst racehorses fed dry hay, steamed hay, and haylage. ANIMALS Forty-three Thoroughbred racehorses. METHODS Prospective clinical trial. Horses were randomly assigned to be fed dry hay, steamed hay, or haylage for 6 weeks. Measures of exposure to dust in the breathing zone were obtained twice. At baseline, week-3, and week-6, BALF cytology was examined. Plasma lipid profiles and plasma SPM concentrations were examined at baseline and week 6. Generalized linear mixed models examined the effect of forage upon dust exposure, BALF cytology, Ω-3, and SPM concentrations. RESULTS Respirable dust was significantly higher for horses fed hay (least-square mean ± s.e.m. 0.081 ± 0.007 mg/m3 ) when compared with steamed hay (0.056 ± 0.005 mg/m3 , P = .01) or haylage (0.053 ± 0.005 mg/m3 , P < .01). At week 6, BALF neutrophil proportions in horses eating haylage (3.0% ± 0.6%) were significantly lower compared with baseline (5.1 ± 0.7, P = .04) and horses eating hay (6.3% ± 0.8%, P < .01). Plasma eicosapentaenoic acid to arachidonic acid ratios were higher in horses eating haylage for 6 weeks (0.51 ± 0.07) when compared with baseline (0.34 ± 0.05, P < .01) and horses eating steamed (0.24 ± 0.02, P < .01) or dry hay (0.25 ± 0.03, P < .01). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE Steamed hay and haylage reduce dust exposure compared with dry hay, but only haylage increased the ratio of anti-inflammatory to pro-inflammatory lipids while reducing BAL neutrophil proportions within 6 weeks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla J. Olave
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary MedicinePurdue UniversityWest LafayetteIndianaUSA
| | - Kathleen M. Ivester
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary MedicinePurdue UniversityWest LafayetteIndianaUSA
| | - Laurent L. Couetil
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary MedicinePurdue UniversityWest LafayetteIndianaUSA
| | - John Burgess
- Department of Nutrition Science, College of Health and Human SciencesPurdue UniversityWest LafayetteIndianaUSA
| | - Jae Hong Park
- School of Health Sciences, College of Health and Human SciencesPurdue UniversityWest LafayetteIndianaUSA
| | - Abhijit Mukhopadhyay
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary MedicinePurdue UniversityWest LafayetteIndianaUSA
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Daniels S, Hepworth J, Moore-Colyer M. The haybiome: Characterising the viable bacterial community profile of four different hays for horses following different pre-feeding regimens. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0242373. [PMID: 33201929 PMCID: PMC7671497 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0242373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Respirable dust in conserved forages can pose problems with equid respiratory health, thus soaking (W) and high temperature steaming (HTS) are employed to reduce the levels in hay. The aim of this study was to characterize the viable bacterial community profile of four hays from two different locations in UK following pre-feeding wetting regimens. Hypothesis: (1) Viable microbial community profile of hays will not differ between different pre-feeding regimens. (2) Hay type and location will not influence microbial community profile. Replicates of each of the four hays were subjected to dry (D), HTS conducted in a HG600, W by submergence in 45 L tap water, 16°C for 12 hours. From each post-treated hay, 100 g samples were chopped and half (n = 36) treated with Propidium monoazide dye, the remaining half untreated. Bacterial DNA were extracted for profiling the V4-V5 region of 16S rRNA gene from all 72 samples, then sequenced on the Illumina MiSeq platform. Bioinformatics were conducted using QIIME pipeline (v1.9.1). Linear discriminate analysis effect size (LEfSe) was used to identify differences in operational taxonomic units and predicted metabolic pathways between hays and regimens. HTS reduced proportions of microbiota compared to W and D hay (P < 0.001, df 3, F 13.91), viability was reduced within regimens (P = 0.017, df 1, F 5.73). Soaking reduced diversity within and between regimens. Core bacterial communities differed between hays and regimens, however pre-feeding regimen had the greatest effect on the bacterial community profile. W and HTS reduced viable bacteria (P< 0.05) known to cause respiratory disease, for HTS both respiratory and dental disease, with the greatest reductions overall from HTS without reducing bacterial diversity. Soaking increased Gram-negative bacteria and reduced bacterial diversity. Collectively these findings add to a body of evidence that suggest HTS is the most suitable pre-feeding regimen of hay for equid health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Daniels
- School of Equine Management and Science, Royal Agricultural University, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Jacob Hepworth
- School of Equine Management and Science, Royal Agricultural University, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom
| | - Meriel Moore-Colyer
- School of Equine Management and Science, Royal Agricultural University, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom
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Andersen B, Phippen C, Frisvad JC, Emery S, Eustace RA. Fungal and chemical diversity in hay and wrapped haylage for equine feed. Mycotoxin Res 2019; 36:159-172. [DOI: 10.1007/s12550-019-00377-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Revised: 10/17/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Text Mining Analysis to Evaluate Stakeholders' Perception Regarding Welfare of Equines, Small Ruminants, and Turkeys. Animals (Basel) 2019; 9:ani9050225. [PMID: 31071978 PMCID: PMC6562437 DOI: 10.3390/ani9050225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2019] [Revised: 05/03/2019] [Accepted: 05/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Welfare of animals significantly depends on how stakeholders perceive their needs and behave in a way to favor production systems that promote better welfare outcomes. This study aimed at investigating stakeholders' perception of the welfare of equines, small ruminants, and turkeys using text mining analysis. A survey composed by open-ended questions referring to different aspects of animal welfare was carried out. Text mining analysis was performed. A total of 270 surveys were filled out (horses = 122, sheep = 81, goats = 36, turkeys = 18, donkeys = 13). The respondents (41% veterinarians) came from 32 different countries. To describe welfare requirements, the words "feeding" and "water" were the most frequently used in all the species, meaning that respondents considered the welfare principle "good feeding" as the most relevant. The word "environment" was considered particularly important for turkeys, as well as the word "dry", never mentioned for other species. Horses stakeholders also considered "exercise" and "proper training" important. Goat stakeholders' concerns are often expressed by the word "space", probably because goats are often intensively managed in industrialized countries. Although the sample was too small to be representative, text mining analysis seems to be a promising method to investigate stakeholders' perception of animal welfare, as it emphasizes their real perception, without the constraints deriving by close-ended questions.
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Dauvillier J, Ter Woort F, van Erck-Westergren E. Fungi in respiratory samples of horses with inflammatory airway disease. J Vet Intern Med 2018; 33:968-975. [PMID: 30576012 PMCID: PMC6430897 DOI: 10.1111/jvim.15397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2018] [Accepted: 11/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Fungi contribute to the inflammatory response of lungs in horses with recurrent airway obstruction and in some forms of asthma in humans. The role of fungi in inflammatory airway disease (IAD) has not been assessed. Objectives Evaluate the prevalence of fungi in the respiratory samples of horses diagnosed with IAD, describe clinical signs associated with the presence of fungi in respiratory samples, and assess the risk factors associated with IAD and with the presence of fungi in the airways. Animals Seven‐hundred thirty‐one active horses referred to a specialized ambulatory practice for signs of respiratory disease or poor performance. Methods A prospective observational study was performed, collecting clinical data, environmental conditions, and results of a tracheal wash (TW; cytology, fungal culture, and bacterial culture), and bronchoalveolar lavage (cytology). Results A positive fungal culture was obtained in 55% (402/731) of horses. Horses with fungal elements observed on the TW cytology had 2 times greater chance of having IAD than horses without fungi (odds ratio [OR] = 2.1; 95% CI 1.08‐3.33; P = .0003). Risks of being diagnosed with IAD and likelihood of fungi in TW were higher when horses were bedded on straw (OR = 2.0; 95% CI 1.2‐3.2 and OR = 1.9; 95% CI 1.3‐2.6, respectively) or fed dry hay (OR = 2.7; 95% CI 1.7‐4.4 and OR = 2.6; 95% CI 1.6‐3.4, respectively). Conclusions and Clinical Importance Horses inhaling aerosolized fungal particles are at a significantly higher risk of developing IAD. The type of bedding and forage represent significant risk factors for IAD and fungal contamination of equine airways.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Fe Ter Woort
- Equine Sports Medicine Practice, Waterloo, Belgium
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Effects of Watering/Steaming of Large Square Hay Bales on Particulate Matter Generation. J Equine Vet Sci 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2018.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Takagi M, Uno S, Kokushi E, Sato F, Wijayagunawardane M, Fink-Gremmels J. Measurement of urinary concentrations of the mycotoxins zearalenone and sterigmatocystin as biomarkers of exposure in mares. Reprod Domest Anim 2017; 53:68-73. [PMID: 28921680 DOI: 10.1111/rda.13054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2016] [Accepted: 07/21/2017] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Mycotoxins may affect animal health, including reproduction. Little is known about the clinical relevance of exposure of horses to contaminated feed. This study aimed at (i) monitoring the levels of the mycotoxins zearalenone (ZEN), with its metabolites α- and β-zearalenol (α- and β-ZOL), and sterigmatocystin (STC) in urine samples from thoroughbred mares in Japan and (ii) relating these findings to the potential effects on reproductive efficacy of breeding mares. Sixty-three urine samples of breeding mares from 59 breeding farms were used. Urine samples and reproductive records were collected from each mare when it was presented to the stallion station. Urinary concentrations of ZEN, α- and β-ZOL, and STC were measured using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). ZEN, α- and β-ZOL were measurable in the urine of all examined mares, indicating the prevalence of ZEN in equine feeds. In seven of the 63 samples, STC was also detected at levels ranging from 1.3 to 18.0 pg/mg creatinine. No significant correlation between the concentrations of mycotoxins and pregnancy status was observed. In conclusion, measurement of mycotoxins in urine samples is a useful non-invasive method for monitoring the systemic exposure of mares to multiple mycotoxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Takagi
- Laboratory of Theriogenology, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Japan
| | - S Uno
- The Education and Research Center for Marine Resources and Environment, Faculty of Fisheries, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - E Kokushi
- The Education and Research Center for Marine Resources and Environment, Faculty of Fisheries, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - F Sato
- Equine Breeding Science, Hidaka Training and Research Center, Japan Racing Association, Hokkaido, Japan
| | | | - J Fink-Gremmels
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Division of Veterinary Pharmacology, Pharmacotherapy and Clinical Toxicology, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Yalelaan, The Netherlands
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Moore-Colyer MJS, Lumbis K, Longland A, Harris P. The effect of five different wetting treatments on the nutrient content and microbial concentration in hay for horses. PLoS One 2014; 9:e114079. [PMID: 25426729 PMCID: PMC4245254 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0114079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2014] [Accepted: 11/03/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Five different hays were used to determine the effect of 5 different soaking and steaming treatments on the water soluble carbohydrate and microbial (bacteria and mould) contents of UK hay. Hays were subjected to the following 5 treatments: 1. Dry; 2. Steamed for 50 minutes in the Haygain- 600 steamer; 3. Soaked in water at 16°C for 9 hours; 4. Steamed then soaked and 5. Soaked then steamed. Post treatment hays were tested for water soluble carbohydrates, bacteria and mould contents. Differences between means were determined using ANOVA and least significant difference with hay (5), bale (3) and treatment (5) as fixed factors, thus n = 75. Protein and ash proportions were unaltered in any of the treatments. Soaked, steamed then soaked and soaked then steamed treatments were all equally effective at reducing water soluble carbohydrates, with significantly (P<0.05) lower mean contents (79-83 g/kg DM) compared with 126 and 122 g/kg dry matter (DM) for dry and steamed respectively. Steamed and soaked then steamed had significantly (P<0.05) less bacteria (1.04×103 and 4.9×102 CFU/g DM) compared with soaked which increased CFU/g DM from 6.0×104 in dry hay up to 3.5×105. Mould contents CFU/g DM were significantly (P<0.05) reduced by steaming (2) and soaking then steaming (1.9) but no difference was seen between dry (1148), soaked (692) or steamed then soaked (501). Soaking for 9 hours followed by steaming for 50 minutes in the Haygain steamer was the most effective method for reducing water soluble carbohydrates and microbial contamination in hay. Soaking or steaming+soaking lowered water soluble carbohydrates but significantly reduced the hygienic quality of the hay which could potentially compromise the health of the horse.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kimberly Lumbis
- Royal Agricultural University, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom
| | - Annette Longland
- Equine and Livestock Nutrition Services, Pantafallen Fach, Tregaron, Ceredigion, Wales
| | - Patricia Harris
- Mars Horsecare UK LTD; Equine Studies Group, Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition, Freeby Lane, Waltham-on-the Wolds, Leicestershire, United Kingdom
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Ivester KM, Couëtil LL, Zimmerman NJ. Investigating the link between particulate exposure and airway inflammation in the horse. J Vet Intern Med 2014; 28:1653-65. [PMID: 25273818 PMCID: PMC4895611 DOI: 10.1111/jvim.12458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2014] [Revised: 07/25/2014] [Accepted: 08/20/2014] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Inhalant exposure to airborne irritants commonly encountered in horse stables is implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammatory airway disease (IAD) and recurrent airway obstruction (RAO), non‐infectious, inflammatory pulmonary disorders that impact the health and performance of horses across all equine disciplines. IAD and RAO have overlapping clinical, cytological, and functional manifestations of the pulmonary response to organic dust and noxious gases encountered in the barn environment. Study of these diseases has provided important but incomplete understanding of the effect of air quality upon the respiratory health of horses. In this review, the principles of particulate exposure assessment, including health‐related aerosol size fractions and size‐selective sampling, the factors influencing air quality in equine environments, and the effect of air quality on the equine respiratory tract are discussed. The objective of this review is to provide the reader with a summary of the most common chronic inflammatory airway diseases in the horse and the principles of air sampling that are essential to the planning, interpretation, and assessment of equine respiratory health‐related exposure studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- K M Ivester
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, West Lafayette, IN
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Pirie RS. Recurrent airway obstruction: a review. Equine Vet J 2014; 46:276-88. [PMID: 24164473 DOI: 10.1111/evj.12204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2013] [Accepted: 10/05/2013] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Recurrent airway obstruction is a widely recognised airway disorder, characterised by hypersensitivity-mediated neutrophilic airway inflammation and lower airway obstruction in a subpopulation of horses when exposed to suboptimal environments high in airborne organic dust. Over the past decade, numerous studies have further advanced our understanding of different aspects of the disease. These include clarification of the important inhaled airborne agents responsible for disease induction, improving our understanding of the underlying genetic basis of disease susceptibility and unveiling the fundamental immunological mechanisms leading to establishment of the classic disease phenotype. This review, as well as giving a clinical overview of recurrent airway obstruction, summarises much of the work in these areas that have culminated in a more thorough understanding of this debilitating disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- R S Pirie
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Roslin, Midlothian, UK
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