The high prevalence of exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH) in athletic horses constitutes to be a challenge to the racing industry and a source of major concern to animal welfare. Both experimental and clinical evidence indicate that the use of autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a promising effector of repair in a variety of pulmonary conditions. The present study evaluated the effect of intrabronchial instillation of PRP on EIPH endoscopic scores from 37 Thoroughbred racehorses. Inclusion criteria were for animals to be EIPH-positive in, at least, two consecutive post-exercise endoscopic exams and to receive 250mg of furosemide IV four hours before racing. Animals were randomly assigned into 3 groups: placebo, control, and PRP instillation. All 37 Thoroughbred racehorses included had EIPH endoscopic scores pre- and post- treatment compared by statistical analysis. The bleeding score from the group receiving PRP was significantly lower than in the control and placebo groups. No adverse effects were observed in any animal during or after the experiment. It was possible to conclude that the intrabronchial instillation of autologous PRP was effective in reducing EIPH scores in racehorses receiving furosemide and that this bioproduct can be considered as a promising coadjuvant in controlling EIPH in athletic horses.

This study was designed to evaluate changes on variables in blood, urine and water balance in horses in response to a single dose of electrolyte supplementation. The essay was conducted on a randomised 3×3 Latin Square design repeated over time, with three animals and three treatments: Treatment 1: control group (without supplementation); Treatment 2: supplementation with a medium dose of electrolytes composed of: 0.25 g of NaCl + 0.125 g of KCl + 0.05 g of CaCl + 0.025 g of MgCl per kg of BW; Treatment 3: supplementation with a high dose of electrolytes composed of: 0.625 g of NaCl + 0.3125 g of KCl + 0.125 g of CaCl + 0.0625 g of MgCl per kg of BW, equivalent to 2.5 times the medium dose of supplementation. The electrolytes were supplied through a nasogastric tube 4 h after the morning meal. The diet provided had a forage:concentrate ratio of 70:30, composed of coastcross hay and commercial concentrate, with an estimated consumption of 2% of body weigth (BW). Horses received 116 mg/kg of BW of commercial mineral salt mixed in the concentrate. Samples of blood, urine and digesta were collected over a 12 h period after supplementation for analysis of sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium and magnesium concentration. Water intake and urine output were also measured. Electrolytic supplementation enhanced (P<0.05) the water intake, water retention and urine output. Blood variables were not altered by electrolyte supplementation (P≯0.05). The supplementation also influenced the sodium and chloride excretion in urine (P<0.05). Urine physicochemical characteristics and the concentration of electrolytes excreted with time were significantly altered as a function of the electrolytes supplementation.

Muitas variáveis fisiológicas foram estudadas ao longo dos anos visando a investigação dos efeitos do exercício sobre o corpo equino. O exercício é conhecido por causar alterações fisiológicas no corpo e muitas vezes, quando excessivo, pode resultar em lesão. O fibrinogênio é uma proteína de fase aguda produzida pelo fígado cujas concentrações podem aumentar rapidamente em decorrência de processo inflamatório. Este estudo avaliou as concentrações de fibrinogênio em equinos Mangalarga Marchador, investigando a possibilidade de que o exercício inicia uma resposta inflamatória como parte do processo de adaptação que leva ao condicionamento físico. Sangue venoso foi coletado de 17 equinos hígidos antes e após o exercício e o fibrinogênio foi aferido por precipitação pelo calor. Foram realizados questionários respondidos pelos proprietários e eram referentes ao manejo sanitário dos equinos participantes do estudo. Foi observada diferença nos valores médios de fibrinogênio plasmático obtido antes e após o exercício. Quando se comparou animais que trabalhavam 3 dias por semana com o grupo que era exercitado 7 dias por semana observou-se diferença nos valores médios de fibrinogênio plasmático apenas após o exercício. Os resultados deste estudo indicam que o exercício causou uma resposta inflamatória leve, resultando em aumento do fibrinogênio após o exercício. Parece ser possível a utilização do fibrinogénio como biomarcador para a inflamação resultante do treinamento esportivo em equinos saudáveis e monitoramento da resposta fisiológica dos animais a fim de prevenir o treinamento excessivo.