The frequent monitoring of a horse’s body temperature post strenuous exercise is critical to prevent or alleviate exertional heat illness (EHI) from occurring. Percutaneous thermal sensing microchip (PTSM) technology has the potential to be used as a means of monitoring a horse’s body temperature during and post-exercise. However, the accuracy of the temperature readings obtained, and their relationship to core body temperature are dependent on where they are implanted. This study aimed to document the relationship between core body temperature, and temperature readings obtained using PTSM implanted in different muscles, during exercise and post application of different cool-down methods. PTSMs were implanted into the right pectoral, right gluteal, right splenius muscles, and nuchal ligament. The temperatures were monitored during treadmill exercise, and post application of three different cool-down methods: no water application (W_no), water application only (W_only), and water application following scraping (W_scraping). Central venous temperature (T_CV) and PTSM temperatures from each region were obtained to investigate the optimal body site for microchip implantation. In this study, PTSM technology provided a practical, safe, and quick means of measuring body temperature in horses. However, its temperature readings varied depending on the implantation site. All muscle temperature readings exhibited strong relationships with T_CV (r = 0.85~0.92, p < 0.05) after treadmill exercise without human intervention (water application), while the nuchal ligament temperature showed poor relationship with T_CV. The relationships between T_CV and PTSM temperatures became weaker with water application. Overall, however the pectoral muscle temperature measured by PTSM technology had the most constant relationships with T_CV and showed the best potential to act as an alternate means of monitoring body temperature in horses for 50 min post-exercise, when there was no human intervention with cold water application.

Dogs undergo various surgical procedures such as castration, ovariohysterectomy, and other orthopedic procedures, which are known to cause inflammation and pain. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are very effective analgesics for alleviating postoperative pain in veterinary medicine. Ketoprofen is currently approved in Australia and the United States for treating different painful conditions in dogs. This study evaluated the pharmacokinetic parameters of ketoprofen after intravenous (IV) and transdermal (TD) administration in healthy dogs. A novel transdermal ketoprofen (TDK) formulation containing 20% ketoprofen, dissolved in a combination of 45:45% isopropanol and Transcutol, along with 10% eucalyptus oil, was developed and evaluated for in vitro dermal permeation using Franz diffusion cells. A crossover study was then conducted to determine the pharmacokinetic parameters of the formulation in six dogs following IV ketoprofen (1 mg/kg) and TDK (10 mg/kg) administration. A liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-M/MS) method was used to measure plasma concentrations of ketoprofen over time, and a non-compartmental analysis determined the pharmacokinetic parameters. The mean terminal elimination half-life (T_½ h), AUC_0-t (µg·h/mL), and mean residence time (MRT, h) between IV and TDK groups were 4.69 ± 1.33 and 25.77 ± 22.15 h, 15.75 ± 7.72 and 8.13 ± 4.28 µg·h/mL, and 4.86 ± 1.81 and 41.63 ± 32.33 h, respectively. The calculated bioavailability (F%) was ~7%, with a lag time of 30 min to achieve effective plasma concentrations after the application of TDK.

Background: Phenylbutazone is prescribed to manage pain caused by hyperinsulinemia-associated laminitis. Phenylbutazone reduces glucose and insulin concentrations in horses with insulin dysregulation (ID) but the underlying mechanism of action is unknown. Hypothesis/Objectives: Investigate the effect of phenylbutazone on tissue insulin sensitivity in horses. It is hypothesized that the reduced glucose and insulin concentrations in horses with ID receiving phenylbutazone are mediated by a higher tissue insulin sensitivity. Animals: Fifteen light breed horses, including seven with ID. Methods: Randomized cross-over study. Horses underwent a modified frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test (mFSIGTT) after 8 days of treatment with phenylbutazone (4.4 mg/kg IV daily) or placebo (5 mL 0.9% saline IV daily). After a 10-day washout period, horses received the alternative treatment for 8 days and a second mFSIGTT. Minimal model analysis was performed, and the effects of ID status and phenylbutazone were investigated with p < 0.05 considered significant. Results: In horses with ID, phenylbutazone increased tissue insulin sensitivity index (median [interquartile range]: 0.39 [0.14–0.74] vs. 0.56 [0.55–1.18] ×10−4 L/mIU/min, p = 0.03), and decreased glucose (21 726 [19 040–24 948] vs. 22 909 [22 496–26 166] mg/dL × min, p = 0.02) and insulin (19 595 [16 147—29 698] vs. 22 752 [20 578—31 826] μIU/mL × min, p = 0.03) areas under the curves. No effect was detected in horses administered placebo. Conclusion and Clinical Importance: Phenylbutazone reduces insulin concentration in horses with ID by modulating tissue insulin sensitivity, suggesting that its relevance in the management of ID can extend beyond laminitis-associated pain.

Vitamin K (VK) has long been known for its essential role in blood coagulation. However, over the past decade, evidence has mounted for its intrinsic and essential roles in other functions within the body, including bone metabolism, calcification, brain development and glucose metabolism. Thus, VK should no longer be considered a single-function ‘haemostasis vitamin’, but rather as a ‘multi-function vitamin’. While current research has focused on its emerging role in human nutrition, the role that VK plays in other species such as the horse has not been well described, with most of our current understanding having been extrapolated from other species, especially rodents. This review assesses the current state of knowledge of VK as it pertains to human and animal nutrition, and, where data exist, its metabolism and nutrition in the horse is explored. Future research on the roles of VK as they pertain to horses, particularly extra-hepatic functions, is necessary. Such insight will allow a greater understanding of how VK is metabolised, facilitating the development of recommendations to assist in the health, growth, and longevity of horses.