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Belli CB, Fernandes WR, Torres LN, Sucupira MCA, de Sá LRM, Maiorka PC, Neuenschwander HM, de Barros ADMC, Baccarin RYA. Copper Toxicity in Horses: Does it Exist? J Equine Vet Sci 2021; 106:103752. [PMID: 34670692 DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2021.103752] [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: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Copper toxicity is thought to be a rare condition in horses. However, the number of cases diagnosed in Brazil is growing. This article aims to describe cases of copper toxicity involving horses from different geographic locations and discuss findings of physical examinations, differential diagnoses and potential causes. Five cases referred from 4 different properties where at least 15 other horses were affected were described. Hemolytic anemia and hemoglobinuria, presence of Heinz bodies and elevated aspartate aminotransferase and gamaglutamil transferase levels were detected in all cases. The diagnosis was based on clinical history and signs, laboratory tests results, copper level determination in feed and/or soil and histopathological findings. Two horses progressed to acute death; remaining horses responded to clinical management with or without blood transfusion, depending on disease severity. However, one of these horses, after several returns to the veterinary hospital, was euthanized due to complications. One horse was treated with ammonium tetrathiomolybdate. Two horses had several recurring episodes over the course of several months, an uncommon presentation in ruminants suffering from copper toxicity. Excess copper was associated with soil fertilization with poultry litter or treatment of previous or neighbor crops with copper-containing products. It can be concluded that copper toxicity does occur in horses and may arise from several sources and/or be associated with predisposing dietary factors. Given the growing number of cases, the condition should be included in the differential diagnosis list and proper preventive dietary and pasture fertilization measures adopted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Bargi Belli
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo - SP, Brazil
| | - Wilson Roberto Fernandes
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo - SP, Brazil
| | - Luciana Neves Torres
- Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo - SP, Brazil
| | - Maria Claudia Araripe Sucupira
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo - SP, Brazil
| | - Lilian Rose Marques de Sá
- Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo - SP, Brazil
| | - Paulo Cesar Maiorka
- Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo - SP, Brazil
| | - Henrique Macedo Neuenschwander
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo - SP, Brazil
| | - Aline de Matos Curvelo de Barros
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo - SP, Brazil.
| | - Raquel Yvonne Arantes Baccarin
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo - SP, Brazil
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Shawaf T, Bulushi SA, Al-Ali MA, Meligy AMA, Salouci M, Hussen J. Investigation of some trace elements and hematological and biochemical parameters in the blood of emaciated Omani goats. Vet World 2021; 14:1960-1965. [PMID: 34475723 PMCID: PMC8404133 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2021.1960-1965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Aim The analysis of hematological and biochemical parameters is widely used in assessing animal health status. Limited information is available on trace element levels and their association with hematological and biochemical parameters in Omani goats suffering from emaciation. Therefore, the current study aimed to determine the levels of some trace elements in emaciated Omani goats and their relationship with hematological and biochemical parameters. Materials and Methods Goats suffering from emaciation and muscular dystrophy (n=18) were compared with healthy goats (n=12). Venous blood samples for the hematological, biochemical, and trace element analysis were collected from the jugular vein. Results Emaciated goats showed significantly lower white blood cell, lymphocyte, and red blood cell counts than the healthy goats. In contrast, the percentages of monocytes and eosinophils were higher in emaciated goats than in healthy ones. In addition, emaciated goats showed higher levels of biochemical parameters alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, aspartate aminotransferase, creatine kinase, and total bilirubin but lower levels of albumin than the healthy goats. The results of trace element analysis revealed lower concentrations of zinc, iron, and selenium in serum from emaciated goats than in serum from healthy goats. Conclusion This study identified significant differences in the serum levels of some trace elements and hematological and biochemical parameters between healthy and emaciated Omani goats. The identified differences represent valuable diagnostic biomarkers for the evaluation of the health status of Omani goats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Turke Shawaf
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia
| | - S Al Bulushi
- Department of Animal, Animal Wealth General Directorate, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Sultanate of Oman
| | - M A Al-Ali
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia
| | - A M A Meligy
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia
| | - M Salouci
- Department of Anatomy, College of Veterinary Medicine, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia
| | - Jamal Hussen
- Department of Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia
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Quaresma M, Marín C, Bacellar D, Nóvoa M, Navas FJ, McLean A. Selenium and Vitamin E Concentrations in Miranda Jennies and Foals ( Equus asinus) in Northeast Portugal. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:1772. [PMID: 34198534 PMCID: PMC8231900 DOI: 10.3390/ani11061772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Revised: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The increase in donkeys treated by practitioners in recent years has led to an increased interest in finding more information on basic biochemical preliminary reference values. The aims of this study were to measure Se and Vit E levels in plasma from Miranda jennies peripartum and postpartum and in their foals to compare blood profiles of the jenny and foal related to the overall foal's health. Twenty-two healthy peripartum and postpartum Miranda donkeys were sampled (12 jennies and 10 foals) in the northeast of Portugal (Atenor and Paradela) from May to November, 2018. Amounts of selenium in soil were significantly correlated (0.97) to concentrations of selenium in jennies (42.412 μg/L in Atenor and 9.612 μg/L in Paradela) and foals (19.378 μg/L in Atenor and 6.430 μg/L in Paradela). Selenium levels were lower in foals than adults and in males than females. Vitamin E was associated with overall foal health. Foals with a mean vitamin E of 3.585-5.307 mg/L showed signs of weakness, but carpal flexural deformities were observed when the average vitamin E was 11.520 mg/L. Low vitamin E levels (5.307 mg/L) in jennies were related to foal mortality. Diets, location, parity, and age affect blood profiles of jennies and, ultimately, foal health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Quaresma
- Animal and Veterinary Research Center (CECAV), Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal;
- AEPGA-Association for the Study and Protection of Donkeys, Atenor, 5225-011 Miranda do Douro, Portugal; (D.B.); (M.N.)
| | - Carmen Marín
- Genetics Department, Veterinary Sciences, Rabanales University Campus, University of Córdoba, Madrid-Cádiz Km. 396, 14014 Cordoba, Spain;
- The Worldwide Donkey Breeds Project, Rabanales University Campus, University of Córdoba, Madrid-Cádiz Km. 396, 14014 Cordoba, Spain;
| | - Daniel Bacellar
- AEPGA-Association for the Study and Protection of Donkeys, Atenor, 5225-011 Miranda do Douro, Portugal; (D.B.); (M.N.)
| | - Miguel Nóvoa
- AEPGA-Association for the Study and Protection of Donkeys, Atenor, 5225-011 Miranda do Douro, Portugal; (D.B.); (M.N.)
| | - Francisco Javier Navas
- Genetics Department, Veterinary Sciences, Rabanales University Campus, University of Córdoba, Madrid-Cádiz Km. 396, 14014 Cordoba, Spain;
- The Worldwide Donkey Breeds Project, Rabanales University Campus, University of Córdoba, Madrid-Cádiz Km. 396, 14014 Cordoba, Spain;
- Instituto de Investigación y Formación Agraria y Pesquera (IFAPA), Alameda del Obispo, 14004 Cordoba, Spain
| | - Amy McLean
- The Worldwide Donkey Breeds Project, Rabanales University Campus, University of Córdoba, Madrid-Cádiz Km. 396, 14014 Cordoba, Spain;
- Department of Animal Science, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95617, USA
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Bazzano M, McLean A, Tesei B, Gallina E, Laus F. Selenium and Vitamin E Concentrations in a Healthy Donkey Population in Central Italy. J Equine Vet Sci 2019; 78:112-116. [PMID: 31203973 DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2019.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Revised: 04/03/2019] [Accepted: 04/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Selenium and vitamin E protect the body against oxidative stress. Clinical manifestations of their deficiency in equids include neurologic and muscular symptoms. Despite the importance of donkeys as working and production animals, there is a dearth of scientific data on selenium and vitamin E normal values. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the plasma concentrations of selenium and vitamin E in healthy donkeys belonging to different ages, sexes, and productive phases. Animals were divided into five groups including foals (group A: n = 7, n = 4 males and n = 3 females), weanlings and yearlings (group B: n = 7, n = 2 males and n = 5 females), nonpregnant nonlactating jennies (group C: n = 5), pregnant nonlactating jennies (group D: n = 9), and adult males (group E: n = 9). Plasma samples obtained from each animal were tested for vitamin E and selenium concentration. One-way analysis of variance showed significant differences in selenium concentrations (P = .001) between group A and group E. In this study, we found the selenium range for donkeys to be 0.02-0.14 μg/mL, which is lower than the recommended range for horses. The results suggest that donkeys may have a lower selenium requirement than horses. Plasma vitamin E levels were 3.29-12.99 μmol/L, with foals having lower concentrations than adults. Knowing specific reference ranges for vitamin E and selenium in healthy donkeys can help improve our understanding of how to prevent deficiencies that could compromise their overall health and well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marilena Bazzano
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Matelica, MC, Italy.
| | - Amy McLean
- Department of Animal Science, University of California Davis, Davis, CA
| | - Beniamino Tesei
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Matelica, MC, Italy
| | - Elisa Gallina
- Equine Practitioner, School of Animal Health and Breeding, University of Camerino, Matelica, MC, Italy
| | - Fulvio Laus
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Matelica, MC, Italy
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