Orthotics are often used to support the metacarpophalangeal joint (MCPj) in horses recovering from soft tissue injury; however, their effect on the MCPj biomechanics remain largely underexplored. The MCPj moves primarily in the sagittal plane, flexing during the swing phase and extending during the stance phase. The suspensory ligament and flexor tendons act as biological springs resisting MCPj extension. Injuries to these structures are common and, although early mobilization promotes their healing, controlled loading may be beneficial during rehabilitation. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of a semirigid orthotic in limiting the MCPj extension and the MCPj range of motion, and its influence on the MCPj kinematics. Twelve healthy horses were equipped with portable inertial sensors on the distal limb. The MCPj extension and the MCPj range of motion were assessed during walking and trotting without the orthotic (S0) and with the orthotic using two different support settings (S1 and S4). Data were evaluated for normality and homoscedasticity. A Student t-test was used to compare the MCPj angle pattern of the two forelimbs of each horse at the baseline. Data were analysed using one-way ANOVA to compare the mean values across conditions, followed by paired t-tests for post-hoc comparison (significance set at p < 0.05). The results showed significant reductions in both the MCPj extension and the MCPj range of motion, with the greatest restriction occurring at the highest support setting. These results suggest that the semirigid orthotic limits the MCPj movement in the sagittal plane and consequently the load on the suspensory ligament and flexor tendons. Therefore, this orthotic device is an effective tool during rehabilitation for forelimb tendon and ligament injuries.

Foals commonly experience diarrhoea in the first weeks of life. Although this condition is rarely life-threatening, it can have significant health consequences. This study investigated whether new-born foals can benefit from a dietary supplement of nucleotides, as already demonstrated in other species. Dietary nucleotides have positive effects on rapidly proliferating tissues and are considered “semi-essential nutrients” since cells have only a limited capacity to synthesize these compounds. The aim of this study was to investigate whether providing foals with a dietary nucleotide supplementation, in the form of an oral paste, was able to affect diarrhoea incidence, systemic immunity, intestinal microbiota and volatile fatty acid production. Thirty new-born standardbred foals, from 3 different premises within the same area, were equally distributed between two groups: one group received an oral paste containing dietary nucleotides (NUCL group), while the other received a placebo paste (CTRL group). Faecal and blood samples were collected on days 1 and 35 after birth. No statistical differences in cytokines (TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-6, IL-12) or faecal calprotectin levels were found between the two groups, suggesting that the level of nucleotide supplementation used in this study did not have significant effects on the systemic immune system and on the levels of faecal calprotectin. However, the NUCL group showed a lower relative frequency of number of days with diarrhoea (6.12% vs 13.33%; p < 0.001) and greater weight gain compared with the CTRL group (50.3 ± 5.65 kg vs 44.0 ± 8.65 kg; p < 0.05). Total volatile fatty acids, branched volatile fatty acids, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, succinic acid and iso-butyric acids in faecal samples were all higher in the NUCL group compared with the CTRL group. This outcome may explain an earlier establishment of a gut microbiota in the foals of the NUCL group that was closer to that typical of an adult horse, characterised by predominant fibrolytic populations. Volatile fatty acid production (especially butyric acid) has also been shown to correlate with the intestinal well-being of the horse, supporting the use of dietary nucleotide supplements for improved health and well-being in new-born foals. Although we noted no clear differences in the faecal microbial communities between the two groups, dietary nucleotide supplementation did appear to have a positive clinical outcome, reducing the number of days of diarrhoea and increasing the levels of volatile fatty acids.

Using the substitution method and extruded diets, the metabolisable energy (ME) and digestible nutrient contents of soybean meal (SBM), poultry by-product meal with high ash content (PBMha), micronised soybean meal (MSM), and corn gluten meal (CGM) were determined for dogs. A complete and balanced control diet (CD) was formulated. Test diets were prepared by mixing 70% of the CD with 30% of the protein source in evaluation, according to the substitution method requirements. Due to its high fat content, the MSM diet was formulated with 85% of the CD and 15% of MSM to obtain adequate extrusion. Thirty-five Beagle dogs (7 per diet) were used to evaluate the total tract apparent digestibility (TTAD) of each diet, by the total collection of faeces method. Results were applied to calculate the ingredient TTAD and digestible nutrients content. Data were analysed in a completely randomised design and submitted to ANOVA and Tukey test (p < 0.05). The TTAD of DM, OM, CP, and gross energy were higher for CGM (p < 0.05). The TTAD of CP was similar for SBM and MSM, whose values were higher than for PBMha (p < 0.05). Faeces production was higher for dogs fed the SBM diet and PBMha, and faecal DM was lower for dogs fed the SBM diet. The results indicate variable TTAD among protein sources, with vegetable protein sources generally being more digestible than PBMha.

Background: Inadequate nutrition of the dams, even if recognized as a possible cause of infertility, it is usually underestimated during the common diagnostical procedures (i.e., clinical examination, vaginal cytology, ultrasound, blood and urine analysis). Although the diet may meet adult maintenance requirements, several nutrients can be suboptimal during the pre-gestation period and may influence reproductive performance. This case report describes the use of an oral supplement to increase fertility in a German Sheperd breeding center experiencing prolonged secondary anoestrus. Case presentation: Fifteen German Shepherd bitches with secondary anoestrus (>12 months) underwent standard reproductive workup (vaginal cytology, hormone assays, ultrasound, and semen testing of sires). Abdominal ultrasound of the bitches did not present any signs of cystic endometrial hyperplasia (CEH). Similarly, metabolic disorders (hypothyroidism and Cushing’s disease) were ruled out. It was hypothesized that the kennel diet might have provided suboptimal bioavailability of nutrients; as such the nutritional plan was reviewed, and a multi-component “fertility mix” (liquid and powder phases dosed daily at 0.8 g/kg ^0.75 and 0.4 g/kg ^0.75 , respectively) was added to the usual complete maintenance ration. Results: Within 6 months of supplementation, 12/15 bitches resumed cyclicity and were confirmed pregnant or gave birth; whereas three underweight bitches with chronic enteropathies did not resume cyclicity. Conclusion and limitations: The diagnostic approach to infertility is complex and involves both male and female factors, while dietary adequacy is often overlooked. Nutrients such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), arachidonic acid, folic acid, vitamin E, selenium, and zinc may influence ovarian steroidogenesis and antioxidant systems, and maintenance diets may not always be optimal for bitches intended for reproduction. These observations are hypothesis-generating; baseline and follow-up nutrient biomarkers were not obtained and no untreated control group was available, precluding causal inference.