Background: Currently, for in vitro embryo production in live mares, immature oocytes are retrieved by transvaginal follicular aspiration or ovum pick up (OPU). Occasionally, ovarian abscesses have been described after OPU, but no current consensus exists on how to treat this condition.Objectives: To describe diagnosis and successful treatment of ovarian abscesses in two mares subjected to OPU.Study design: Case report.Methods: Case records were reviewed and summarised.Results: In the first case, a pony mare showed tachypnoea, tachycardia, high temperature, leukocytosis, left hindlimb lameness and slight increase in concentration of serum amyloid A. Ultrasonography revealed an increase in the size of the left ovary and two well defined structures suggestive of ovarian abscess. A left ovariectomy by standing laparoscopy was the treatment of choice: the diagnosis was confirmed, and bacterial culture produced heavy growth of Streptococcus equi Zooepidemicus. In the second mare, an abnormal structure was observed in the left ovary in a routine transrectal ultrasonographic exam in the absence of any clinical signs or abnormal blood parameters. A medical approach was chosen and a sample of the purulent material was aspirated with a transvaginal ultrasound‐guided approach. The sample yielded a heavy growth of Streptococcus equi Zooepidemicus after culture. Treatment was initiated with rifampicin and trimethoprim—sulfadiazine based on the antibiogram results and the abscess completely resolved after 40 days.Main limitations: Limited to two cases.Conclusions: Ovarian abscesses in mares can be successfully treated both surgically and medically.

Obesity and its associated complications, such as metabolic syndrome, are an increasing problem in both humans and horses in the developed world. The expression patterns of resistin differ considerably between species. In rodents, resistin is expressed by adipocytes and is related to obesity and ID. In humans, resistin is predominantly produced by inflammatory cells, and resistin concentrations do not reflect the degree of obesity, although they may predict cardiovascular outcomes. The aim of this study was to investigate the usefulness of resistin and its relationship with ID and selected indicators of inflammation in horses. Seventy-two horses, included in one of the four following groups, were studied: healthy controls (C, n = 14), horses with inflammatory conditions (I, n = 21), horses with mild ID (ID1, n = 18), and horses with severe ID (ID2, n = 19). Plasma resistin concentrations were significantly different between groups and the higher values were recorded in the I and ID2 groups (C: 2.38 ± 1.69 ng/mL; I: 6.85 ± 8.38 ng/mL; ID1: 2.41 ± 2.70 ng/mL; ID2: 4.49 ± 3.08 ng/mL). Plasma resistin was not correlated with basal insulin concentrations. A significant (r = 0.336, p = 0.002) correlation was found between resistin and serum amyloid A. Our results show that, as is the case in humans, plasma resistin concentrations in horses are predominantly related to inflammatory conditions and not to ID. Horses with severe ID showed an elevation in resistin that may be secondary to the inflammatory status associated with metabolic syndrome.

Stress leukogram includes eosinopenia as one of its main markers (neutrophilia, eosinopenia, lymphopenia, and mild monocytosis). Cortisol is the main stress biomarker, which is also strongly correlated with the severity of gastrointestinal diseases. This study aimed to determine the relationship between salivary cortisol and the eosinophil cell count (EC) in equids with abdominal pain. To do this, 39 horses with abdominal pain referred to an emergency service were included. All samples were taken on admission, and several parameters and clinical data were included. Equids were classified according to the outcome as survivors and non-survivors. Non-surviving equids presented higher salivary cortisol concentrations (Non-Survivors: 1.580 ± 0.816 µg/dL; Survivors 0.988 ± 0.653 µg/dL; p < 0.05) and lower EC (Non-Survivors: 0.0000 × 10³/µL (0.000/0.0075); Survivors: 0.0450 × 10³/µL (0.010/0.1825); p < 0.01). In addition, the relationship between salivary cortisol concentration, EC, and the WBC was determined. Only a strong correlation (negative) was observed between cortisol and EC (r = −0.523, p < 0.01). Since cortisol is not an analyte that can be measured routinely in clinical settings such as emergencies, the EC could be a good alternative. While the results are promising, further studies are needed before EC can be used confidently in routine practice to predict survival in cases of abdominal pain.

Summary: Gastric outflow obstruction (GOO) occasionally requires surgical intervention in foals when medical management fails. Current literature lacks consensus on several surgical decisions, with most comprehensive reports dating back over a decade. Critical aspects—including jejunal loop orientation and necessity of jejunojejunostomy—remain debated among surgeons. Long‐term data regarding complications, growth and athletic performance are scarce. This case series documents the long‐term outcomes of two Lusitano dressage foals that underwent bypass surgery, providing contemporary outcome data for specific surgical decisions where evidence remains limited. Two Lusitano foals underwent bypass procedures for GOO. Case 1: A 15‐day‐old orphan foal with pyloric stenosis underwent gastrojejunostomy without jejunojejunostomy, with jejunal loop oriented left‐to‐right. Six years post‐operatively, the horse performs dressage competitively with normal growth and conformation. Case 2: A 12‐h‐old foal underwent gastroduodenostomy; nearly 3 years later, it continues without complications. This series contributes recent outcome data for specific surgical decisions in bypass procedures including early surgical intervention, gastrojejunostomy without jejunojejunostomy, and left‐to‐right anastomotic orientation. Both foals achieved favourable results. Left‐to‐right orientation gastrojejunostomy without jejunojejunostomy worked well. Importantly, extended follow‐up documents absence of long‐term complications, normal growth and athletic performance—critically needed information for surgical decision‐making and owner communication regarding these uncommon, costly procedures.