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Prof. Heidrun Gehlen
Prof Dr Heidrun Gehlen

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0 Endocrinology
0 Sports Medicine
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0 Equine Internal medicine

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Journal article
Published: 20 July 2021 in Animals
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Auxiliary reins are commonly used for the training of riders and horses as well as in daily training. They are often criticized when used incorrectly, as they will not help and can harm the horse by causing overwork, accidents, and injuries, which harm the horse in the long term. They also often conceal causal rider problems while trying to achieve quick success. The aim of this paper was to investigate, with an online horse-owner questionnaire, which and how often auxiliary reins were used and whether they were used appropriately. Only participants who were currently using auxiliary reins were selected. Consequently, 823 participants were questioned, of which 362 were currently using auxiliary reins at least every two weeks. Auxiliary reins were mainly used according to their discipline: the running side rein was the most popular when working from the ground and the sliding ring martingale was the most popular for ridden equestrian activities. Most of the test subjects only attached the auxiliary reins after the warm-up phase, but half of the participants did not change them during the entire training session. Most participants (75%) could at least identify what the correct head position of the horse should look like. However, there were still too many (50%) who adjusted their horse too tightly and did not change anything at that time despite the related breathing problems. The study found that most participants used the reins responsibly, but there is still a need for clarification and information relating to the functions of the different auxiliary reins among horse owners.

ACS Style

Heidrun Gehlen; Julia Puhlmann; Roswitha Merle; Christa Thöne-Reineke. Evaluating Horse Owner Expertise and Professional Use of Auxiliary Reins during Horse Riding. Animals 2021, 11, 2146 .

AMA Style

Heidrun Gehlen, Julia Puhlmann, Roswitha Merle, Christa Thöne-Reineke. Evaluating Horse Owner Expertise and Professional Use of Auxiliary Reins during Horse Riding. Animals. 2021; 11 (7):2146.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Heidrun Gehlen; Julia Puhlmann; Roswitha Merle; Christa Thöne-Reineke. 2021. "Evaluating Horse Owner Expertise and Professional Use of Auxiliary Reins during Horse Riding." Animals 11, no. 7: 2146.

Journal article
Published: 19 June 2021 in Journal of Equine Veterinary Science
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The purpose of this study was to assess a change in different blood parameters before and after a 160km endurance race and to evaluate differences in cardiac biomarkers between horses that completed the race and horses that did not. The study population consisted of 52 healthy endurance horses. Horses participating in the study were assigned to three groups: horses that successfully completed the race (“finishers”), horses that failed to qualify at the veterinary check for primarily metabolic reasons (“metabolic”) and horses that failed to qualify at the veterinary check for primarily gait related reasons (“gait related”). The latter two groups were combined to form a final group of “non-finishers” that were excluded for either “gait related” or “metabolic” disorders. Venous blood samples were taken before and after the endurance race. Serum and EDTA-plasma were analyzed for cardiac troponin I (cTNI), heart fatty acid binding protein (HFABP), alpha-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (α-HBDH), atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA). Lactate dehydrogenase (p=0.001), SDMA (p=0.001) and ADMA (p=0.002) increased significantly after the endurance race in the finisher group. A significant increase in cTNI and α-HBDH concentration after the endurance race compared to the values before the endurance race was detected in the finisher (p=0.001, p=0.001) and gait related group (p=0.002, p=0.007). The longer the distance completed, the more these five blood parameters increased. No differences between the groups could be found and none of the measured blood parameters showed significant differences among groups before or after racing.

ACS Style

Antonia Ertelt; Roswitha Merle; Friederike Stumpff; Lena Bollinger; Sarah Liertz; Corinna Weber; Heidrun Gehlen. Evaluation of Different Blood Parameters From Endurance Horses Competing at 160 km. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 2021, 104, 103687 .

AMA Style

Antonia Ertelt, Roswitha Merle, Friederike Stumpff, Lena Bollinger, Sarah Liertz, Corinna Weber, Heidrun Gehlen. Evaluation of Different Blood Parameters From Endurance Horses Competing at 160 km. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science. 2021; 104 ():103687.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Antonia Ertelt; Roswitha Merle; Friederike Stumpff; Lena Bollinger; Sarah Liertz; Corinna Weber; Heidrun Gehlen. 2021. "Evaluation of Different Blood Parameters From Endurance Horses Competing at 160 km." Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 104, no. : 103687.

Journal article
Published: 16 May 2021 in Antibiotics
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Background: For surgical interventions classified as clean or clean-contaminated, including laparotomy, guidelines in human and veterinary medicine recommend a short-term perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis (PAP). In equine colic surgery, however, PAP commonly exceeds 24 h. Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare a single-shot to a 5-day lasting PAP considering surgical site infections (SSI) and other adverse effects probably associated with the particular antimicrobial regimen. Study design: The study was designed as a randomised non-inferiority pilot study including horses subjected to colic surgery while receiving one of two distinct PAP regimens. Methods: All horses (n = 67) included in the study received the standard physical examination before and after surgery. Colic surgery was performed according to the current standard of the clinic. Horses were randomly assigned to two groups, receiving either the “single-shot” or the “5-day lasting” antibiotic prophylaxis. The “single-shot” group (n = 30) received penicillin and gentamicin only once before and, if needed, during surgery, whereas the “5-day lasting” group (n = 37) received antibiotics for five days. In addition to the standard laboratory examinations, serum amyloid A and fibrinogen were determined preoperatively and during five days after surgery. SSI, postoperative colitis and haemolytic anaemia were classified as postoperative complications potentially related to antibiotic use. Results: The outcome of this preliminary non-inferiority clinical trial showed that the occurrence of postoperative adverse events (i.e., SSI, postoperative colitis and haemolytic anaemia) lacked significant differences between the study groups. Main limitations: The main limitations of this study are the limited group sizes and our inability to blind the study. Conclusions: Single-shot PAP seems to be an alternative approach considering the 5-day lasting protocol commonly used in equine abdominal surgery. However, a proper hygiene management together with a close clinical and laboratory monitoring of the equine patient is indispensable.

ACS Style

Sabita Stöckle; Dania Kannapin; Anne Kauter; Antina Lübke-Becker; Birgit Walther; Roswitha Merle; Heidrun Gehlen. A Pilot Randomised Clinical Trial Comparing a Short-Term Perioperative Prophylaxis Regimen to a Long-Term Standard Protocol in Equine Colic Surgery. Antibiotics 2021, 10, 587 .

AMA Style

Sabita Stöckle, Dania Kannapin, Anne Kauter, Antina Lübke-Becker, Birgit Walther, Roswitha Merle, Heidrun Gehlen. A Pilot Randomised Clinical Trial Comparing a Short-Term Perioperative Prophylaxis Regimen to a Long-Term Standard Protocol in Equine Colic Surgery. Antibiotics. 2021; 10 (5):587.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Sabita Stöckle; Dania Kannapin; Anne Kauter; Antina Lübke-Becker; Birgit Walther; Roswitha Merle; Heidrun Gehlen. 2021. "A Pilot Randomised Clinical Trial Comparing a Short-Term Perioperative Prophylaxis Regimen to a Long-Term Standard Protocol in Equine Colic Surgery." Antibiotics 10, no. 5: 587.

Review
Published: 04 May 2021 in Animals
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This literature review was aimed at analyzing whether stallion husbandry in groups is possible and desirable or poses risks. This was determined on the basis of different studies in order to be able to give practical recommendations from the viewpoint of animal welfare. Consequently, 50 different sources were analyzed, as well as observations of an experiment of the Swiss National Stud on the subject of change from single-stallion to group husbandry and its influence on animal welfare. The results revealed that stallion husbandry in groups is possible but still rarely practiced. It was found that 6% of stallions in 2003, more than 11% in 2012, and nearly 23% of the stallions in 2015 were kept in groups. Furthermore, studies showed that the still widespread individual husbandry of stallions has a negative impact on psyche and body health. Almost half of all stallions showed undesirable patterns of behavior, mostly stallions in individual housing. In addition, many of the latter stallions had problems with their respiratory, digestive, and musculoskeletal systems, which improved when the husbandry conditions of the horses were changed, with the exception of the problems with the digestive system. Conversion into group husbandry is possible, as revealed by an experiment by the Swiss National Stud with a socialization of active breeding stallions outside the breeding season. Therefore, the widespread fear of serious injuries for stallions housed in groups was refuted and the aggressive behavior of the stallions decreased rapidly. Success rates for group husbandry are influenced by the individual character of the stallion, previous experience of the stallion, changes in the group, qualification and management of the farm, and organization of the group housing and husbandry system. This enables species-appropriate husbandry in groups while also considering animal welfare without stress, disadvantages, and serious injuries for stallions.

ACS Style

Heidrun Gehlen; Katrin Krumbach; Christa Thöne-Reineke. Keeping Stallions in Groups—Species-Appropriate or Relevant to Animal Welfare? Animals 2021, 11, 1317 .

AMA Style

Heidrun Gehlen, Katrin Krumbach, Christa Thöne-Reineke. Keeping Stallions in Groups—Species-Appropriate or Relevant to Animal Welfare? Animals. 2021; 11 (5):1317.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Heidrun Gehlen; Katrin Krumbach; Christa Thöne-Reineke. 2021. "Keeping Stallions in Groups—Species-Appropriate or Relevant to Animal Welfare?" Animals 11, no. 5: 1317.

Journal article
Published: 17 March 2021 in Journal of Equine Veterinary Science
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Potential triggers for equine asthma are allergens from hay and straw dusts, mold spores and storage mites. The contribution of these environmental trigger factors to equine asthma is still largely uncertain. The aim of this study was to compare results of four allergy tests from healthy and asthma-affected horses, and to evaluate the clinical relevance of allergens tested positive via specific inhalation provocation test. Fifteen horses were classified using a clinical scoring system as asthmatic (n = 9) or control (n = 6). Four different allergy tests (functional in vitro test, intradermal test, Fc-epsilon receptor test, and ELISA for allergen-specific IgE) were compared. A histamine inhalation provocation test as positive control was performed in all horses and the interpleural pressure was measured. In addition, two individual allergens were chosen for the allergen inhalation provocation test based on the results of the allergy tests and inhaled in increasing concentrations, until signs of dyspnea occurred. None of the four allergy tests could differentiate reliably between controls and asthma-affected horses. There was no agreement among the results of the four allergy tests. The interpleural pressure results showed a large individual variability. A clear positive reaction on the allergen inhalation provocation test was only detected in two asthma-affected horses 6 hours after allergen inhalation with Aspergillus fumigatus and Cladosporium herbarum. In most cases a purely type I immediate reaction is unlikely to be involved in causing the clinical signs of equine asthma. Because of a delayed reaction after allergen provocation in two horses, the involvement of cell-mediated type III or IV hypersensitivity may be possible. As all allergy tests used in this study can only detect IgE-mediated hypersensitivity, these tests are probably not suitable for an etiological diagnosis of equine asthma.

ACS Style

John Klier; Daniela Lindner; Sven Reese; Ralf S. Mueller; Heidrun Gehlen. Comparison of Four Different Allergy Tests in Equine Asthma Affected Horses and Allergen Inhalation Provocation Test. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 2021, 102, 103433 .

AMA Style

John Klier, Daniela Lindner, Sven Reese, Ralf S. Mueller, Heidrun Gehlen. Comparison of Four Different Allergy Tests in Equine Asthma Affected Horses and Allergen Inhalation Provocation Test. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science. 2021; 102 ():103433.

Chicago/Turabian Style

John Klier; Daniela Lindner; Sven Reese; Ralf S. Mueller; Heidrun Gehlen. 2021. "Comparison of Four Different Allergy Tests in Equine Asthma Affected Horses and Allergen Inhalation Provocation Test." Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 102, no. : 103433.

Journal article
Published: 01 March 2021
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ACS Style

H Gehlen; S Lilge; R Merle; S Steinborn. Einfluss des Pferdealters auf die Wahl der Haltung, des Managements und der Dienstleistungsansprüche von Pferdebesitzern. 2021, 134, 1 -7.

AMA Style

H Gehlen, S Lilge, R Merle, S Steinborn. Einfluss des Pferdealters auf die Wahl der Haltung, des Managements und der Dienstleistungsansprüche von Pferdebesitzern. . 2021; 134 ():1-7.

Chicago/Turabian Style

H Gehlen; S Lilge; R Merle; S Steinborn. 2021. "Einfluss des Pferdealters auf die Wahl der Haltung, des Managements und der Dienstleistungsansprüche von Pferdebesitzern." 134, no. : 1-7.

Research article
Published: 05 January 2021 in Mediators of Inflammation
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The purpose of the study was to compare the results of sepsis scoring (clinical examination and clinical pathology) to the concentrations of matrix-metalloproteinases (MMPs) -2, -8, and -9; tissue-inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) -1 and -2; and inflammatory chemokines interleukin (IL) 1β and tumor-necrosis-factor-alpha (TNF-α) in plasma and peritoneal fluid of equine colic patients. A modified sepsis scoring including general condition, heart and respiratory rate, rectal temperature, mucous membranes, white blood cell count (WBC), and ionized calcium was applied in 47 horses presented with clinical signs of colic. Using this scoring system, horses were classified as negative ( n = 32 , ≤6/19 points), questionable ( n = 9 , 7-9/19 points), or positive ( n = 6 , ≥10/19 points) for sepsis. MMPs, TIMPs, IL-1β, and TNF-α concentrations were evaluated in plasma and peritoneal fluid using species-specific sandwich ELISA kits. In a linear discriminant analysis, all parameters of sepsis scoring apart from calcium separated well between sepsis severity groups ( P < 0.05 ). MMP-9 was the only biomarker of high diagnostic value, while all others remained insignificant. A significant influence of overall sepsis scoring on MMP-9 was found for peritoneal fluid ( P = 0.005 ) with a regression coefficient of 0.092, while no association was found for plasma ( P = 0.085 ). Using a MMP-9 concentration of >113 ng/ml in the peritoneal fluid was found to be the ideal cutoff to identify positive sepsis scoring (≥10/19 points; sensitivity of 83.3% and specificity of 82.9%). In conclusion, MMP-9 was found to be a biomarker of high diagnostic value for sepsis and endotoxemia in equine colic. The evaluation of peritoneal fluid seems preferable in comparison to plasma. As abdominocentesis is commonly performed in the diagnostic work-up of equine colic, a pen-side assay would be useful and easy-to-perform diagnostic support in the decision for therapeutic intervention.

ACS Style

Ann Kristin Barton; Ina-Gabriele Richter; Tanja Ahrens; Roswitha Merle; Abdollah Alalwani; Svenja Lilge; Katrin Purschke; Dirk Barnewitz; Heidrun Gehlen. MMP-9 Concentration in Peritoneal Fluid Is a Valuable Biomarker Associated with Endotoxemia in Equine Colic. Mediators of Inflammation 2021, 2021, 1 -9.

AMA Style

Ann Kristin Barton, Ina-Gabriele Richter, Tanja Ahrens, Roswitha Merle, Abdollah Alalwani, Svenja Lilge, Katrin Purschke, Dirk Barnewitz, Heidrun Gehlen. MMP-9 Concentration in Peritoneal Fluid Is a Valuable Biomarker Associated with Endotoxemia in Equine Colic. Mediators of Inflammation. 2021; 2021 ():1-9.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ann Kristin Barton; Ina-Gabriele Richter; Tanja Ahrens; Roswitha Merle; Abdollah Alalwani; Svenja Lilge; Katrin Purschke; Dirk Barnewitz; Heidrun Gehlen. 2021. "MMP-9 Concentration in Peritoneal Fluid Is a Valuable Biomarker Associated with Endotoxemia in Equine Colic." Mediators of Inflammation 2021, no. : 1-9.

Journal article
Published: 01 January 2021 in Journal of Veterinary Science
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ACS Style

Heidrun Gehlen; Judith Fisch; Roswitha Merle; Dagmar S. Trachsel. Preliminary study on the effect of treatment on left ventricular function by tissue doppler and two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography in horses with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction. Journal of Veterinary Science 2021, 22, 1 .

AMA Style

Heidrun Gehlen, Judith Fisch, Roswitha Merle, Dagmar S. Trachsel. Preliminary study on the effect of treatment on left ventricular function by tissue doppler and two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography in horses with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction. Journal of Veterinary Science. 2021; 22 ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Heidrun Gehlen; Judith Fisch; Roswitha Merle; Dagmar S. Trachsel. 2021. "Preliminary study on the effect of treatment on left ventricular function by tissue doppler and two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography in horses with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction." Journal of Veterinary Science 22, no. : 1.

Journal article
Published: 08 December 2020 in Animals
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Appropriate medical care for donkeys is challenging despite being important working animals in non-industrialized countries and pets in first world countries. Although the same principles of diagnosis and therapy as in horses are commonly applied, there are differences in reference values and physiologic reaction to dynamic tests. However, donkeys seem to suffer from typical equine diseases, such as metabolic syndrome and pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID). Asinine metabolic syndrome (AMS) comprises obesity, insulin dysregulation, and laminitis. The principles of diagnosis are similar to horses. Donkey-specific reference ranges for insulin and glucose have been evaluated previously. Examinations regarding dynamic testing revealed differences in the intravenous glucose tolerance test and the combined insulin tolerance test compared to horses. The therapy of AMS is based mainly on weight loss and exercise. There are conflicting data regarding the incidence of PPID in donkeys. Laminitis and hypertrichosis were described as the main clinical signs. Species-specific and seasonal reference ranges were defined to diagnose PPID in donkeys. Furthermore, the dexamethasone suppression test, the thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) test and the combined dexamethasone suppression/TRH test were evaluated. Pergolide is commonly recommended for treatment.

ACS Style

Heidrun Gehlen; Bianca Schwarz; Claus Bartmann; Jennifer Gernhardt; Sabita D. Stöckle. Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction and Metabolic Syndrome in Donkeys. Animals 2020, 10, 2335 .

AMA Style

Heidrun Gehlen, Bianca Schwarz, Claus Bartmann, Jennifer Gernhardt, Sabita D. Stöckle. Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction and Metabolic Syndrome in Donkeys. Animals. 2020; 10 (12):2335.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Heidrun Gehlen; Bianca Schwarz; Claus Bartmann; Jennifer Gernhardt; Sabita D. Stöckle. 2020. "Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction and Metabolic Syndrome in Donkeys." Animals 10, no. 12: 2335.

Journal article
Published: 19 October 2020 in Animals
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All around the world, intestinal helminths constitute one of the most prevalent life-long occurring infections and re-infections affecting all horse age groups. A range of parasite species among strongyles, ascarids, and tapeworms is known to have the potential to cause colic in horses. However, there is a lack of current scientific evidence on the actual relevance of helminth infection levels in the context of colic in horses kept during prevailing epidemiological conditions. Thus, a prospective case-control study on the occurrence of intestinal helminths in a total of 620 mainly adult equine clinic patients was conducted to investigate the association between colic and helminth infection. For each horse, a range of copromicroscopic, serological, and clinical data was obtained, in addition to a questionnaire on relevant anamnestic data, including previous anthelmintic treatment and husbandry. Using a FLOTAC-based copromicroscopic diagnosis, the highest infection rates were seen for strongyles (41.8%), followed by Anoplocephala perfoliata and Parascaris spp. (both 0.8%), with no significant difference between the two study groups. Employing a real-time PCR a 1.1% S. vulgaris DNA prevalence was found. Considerably higher seroprevalences were observed using S. vulgaris and A. perfoliata ELISAs, with 32.3% and 10.7%, respectively. It was noteworthy that no association concerning either serologic status was encountered with colic status. The shedding of strongyle eggs was associated with a 1.8-times increased risk of S. vulgaris seropositivity. Recent anthelmintic treatment was associated with the onset of colic, as animals who had received an anthelmintic during the previous week had a 2.4-times higher risk of signs of colic compared to those who had been treated at least eight weeks prior. Another noteworthy observation was that ponies were significantly less often affected by colic than warmbloods. The high S. vulgaris and considerable A. perfoliata seroprevalences encountered in this investigation should prompt veterinarians, farm managers, and horse owners to maintain consequent and effective worm control measures.

ACS Style

Heidrun Gehlen; Nadine Wulke; Antonia Ertelt; Martin K. Nielsen; Simone Morelli; Donato Traversa; Roswitha Merle; Douglas Wilson; Georg Von Samson-Himmelstjerna. Comparative Analysis of Intestinal Helminth Infections in Colic and Non-Colic Control Equine Patients. Animals 2020, 10, 1916 .

AMA Style

Heidrun Gehlen, Nadine Wulke, Antonia Ertelt, Martin K. Nielsen, Simone Morelli, Donato Traversa, Roswitha Merle, Douglas Wilson, Georg Von Samson-Himmelstjerna. Comparative Analysis of Intestinal Helminth Infections in Colic and Non-Colic Control Equine Patients. Animals. 2020; 10 (10):1916.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Heidrun Gehlen; Nadine Wulke; Antonia Ertelt; Martin K. Nielsen; Simone Morelli; Donato Traversa; Roswitha Merle; Douglas Wilson; Georg Von Samson-Himmelstjerna. 2020. "Comparative Analysis of Intestinal Helminth Infections in Colic and Non-Colic Control Equine Patients." Animals 10, no. 10: 1916.

Journal article
Published: 02 September 2020 in Animals
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Heart rate variability (HRV) is a noninvasive technique to detect changes in the autonomous nervous system. It has rarely been investigated in horses with colic. Therefore, the objective was to assess the evolution of HRV parameters and cortisol concentrations in horses with colic. The 43 horses included in this study were categorized into three groups according to the treatment (1, surgical; 2, conservative; 3, euthanized). The HRV and laboratory variables were measured at admission (T1), the day after admission (T2), and at discharge (T3) and compared between groups and over time with an ANOVA with Bonferroni correction. Relationships between the HRV parameters themselves and the laboratory variables was assessed by Pearson correlation coefficients. Evolution of the heart rate (HR) over time, mean normal to normal R intervals (meanNN) and cortisol concentrations indicate a decreased sympathetic stimulation over time in group 1 and 2, in contrast to group 3. For group 3, the meanNN and HR differed significantly to group 2 at T1 and to group 1 and 2 at T2. Treatment induced a change in the HRV and cortisol response in horses managed conservatively or surgically but not in horses that required euthanasia. However, further studies are required to assess the validity of HRV analyses in horses with colic.

ACS Style

Heidrun Gehlen; Maria-Dorothee Faust; Remigiusz M. Grzeskowiak; Dagmar S. Trachsel. Association Between Disease Severity, Heart Rate Variability (HRV) and Serum Cortisol Concentrations in Horses with Acute Abdominal Pain. Animals 2020, 10, 1563 .

AMA Style

Heidrun Gehlen, Maria-Dorothee Faust, Remigiusz M. Grzeskowiak, Dagmar S. Trachsel. Association Between Disease Severity, Heart Rate Variability (HRV) and Serum Cortisol Concentrations in Horses with Acute Abdominal Pain. Animals. 2020; 10 (9):1563.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Heidrun Gehlen; Maria-Dorothee Faust; Remigiusz M. Grzeskowiak; Dagmar S. Trachsel. 2020. "Association Between Disease Severity, Heart Rate Variability (HRV) and Serum Cortisol Concentrations in Horses with Acute Abdominal Pain." Animals 10, no. 9: 1563.

Journal article
Published: 14 August 2020 in Animals
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The aim of the present study was to evaluate (i) the effects of different intensities and types of treated pain on the basal concentrations of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol, and (ii) the thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) stimulation test, to determine whether treated pain caused a marked increase of ACTH, which would lead to a false positive result in the diagnosis of pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID). Methods: Fifteen horses with treated low to moderate pain intensities were part of the study. They served as their own controls as soon as they were pain-free again. The horses were divided into three disease groups, depending on their underlying disease (disease group 1 = colic, disease group 2 = laminitis, disease group 3 = orthopedic problems). A composite pain scale was used to evaluate the intensity of the pain. This pain scale contained a general part and specific criteria for every disease. Subsequently, ACTH and cortisol were measured before and after the intravenous application of 1 mg of TRH. Results: There was no significant difference in the basal or stimulated ACTH concentration in horses with pain and controls, between different pain intensities or between disease groups. Descriptive statistics, however, revealed that pain might decrease the effect of TRH on the secretion of ACTH. There was an increase of ACTH 30 min after TRH application (p = 0.007) in the treated pain group, but this difference could not be statistically confirmed. Measuring the basal ACTH concentration and performing the TRH stimulation test for the diagnosis of PPID seem to be possible in horses with low to moderate pain.

ACS Style

Heidrun Gehlen; Nina Jaburg; Roswitha Merle; Judith Winter. Can Endocrine Dysfunction Be Reliably Tested in Aged Horses That Are Experiencing Pain? Animals 2020, 10, 1426 .

AMA Style

Heidrun Gehlen, Nina Jaburg, Roswitha Merle, Judith Winter. Can Endocrine Dysfunction Be Reliably Tested in Aged Horses That Are Experiencing Pain? Animals. 2020; 10 (8):1426.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Heidrun Gehlen; Nina Jaburg; Roswitha Merle; Judith Winter. 2020. "Can Endocrine Dysfunction Be Reliably Tested in Aged Horses That Are Experiencing Pain?" Animals 10, no. 8: 1426.

Journal article
Published: 13 March 2020 in Animals
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The effects of a standard protocol for euthanasia on heart rate variability (HRV) as a consequence of stress response were analyzed in this prospective clinical study. The HRV was determined in 40 horses undergoing euthanasia due to various reasons, at different locations, and with/without owner presence. For euthanasia, horses were sedated with xylazine or a combination of xylazine and butorphanol. General anesthesia was induced using diazepam and ketamine. Afterwards, horses were euthanized with pentobarbital. The ECG data were taken by a Telemetric ECG at three time points (sedation, anesthesia, anesthesia until death). The HRV was analyzed including the low (LF) and high frequency (HF) components of HRV and the sympathovagal balance (LF/HF ratio). Significant differences in the LF, HF and LF/HF ratio were found between the three time points of euthanasia (p < 0.001). The HRV analysis showed dominating sympathetic activity in the preparation phase of euthanasia and during the injection of pentobarbital. The location of euthanasia, presence of owner and type of primary diseases had no influence on stress parameters. Horses showing excitations or groaning during euthanasia did not differ in HRV. Horse with colic were however more likely to show reoccurrence of breathing during euthanasia. In conclusion, HRV is a sensitive, noninvasive parameter to obtain sympathovagal stimulations during euthanasia and adapted protocols for euthanasia in horse with colic should be studied.

ACS Style

Heidrun Gehlen; Johanna Loschelder; Roswitha Merle; Maike Walther. Evaluation of Stress Response under a Standard Euthanasia Protocol in Horses Using Analysis of Heart Rate Variability. Animals 2020, 10, 485 .

AMA Style

Heidrun Gehlen, Johanna Loschelder, Roswitha Merle, Maike Walther. Evaluation of Stress Response under a Standard Euthanasia Protocol in Horses Using Analysis of Heart Rate Variability. Animals. 2020; 10 (3):485.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Heidrun Gehlen; Johanna Loschelder; Roswitha Merle; Maike Walther. 2020. "Evaluation of Stress Response under a Standard Euthanasia Protocol in Horses Using Analysis of Heart Rate Variability." Animals 10, no. 3: 485.

Original article
Published: 30 December 2019 in Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition
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Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction is the most prevalent endocrine disease in horses. Although donkeys and mules may also be affected, only a few data have been published. Reference values for diagnostic parameters, such as adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), are especially scarce or even lacking. Therefore, in the present study, available data from the literature have been verified and completed to facilitate a reliable diagnosis. Clinical inspections and haematological and biochemical examinations were carried out four times in a three-month interval (February to November) in 44 donkeys and 31 mules. Data from clinically healthy animals were used as an orientation. Plasma ACTH concentrations showed seasonal changes in both animal groups. However, it was generally higher in donkeys than mules. Although blood glucose (EDTA plasma) showed no difference between groups, serum insulin concentrations were consistently higher in donkeys. Serum fructosamine levels were slightly higher in mules, whereas, in some cases, serum triglyceride levels were considerably higher in donkeys. Serum gamma-glutamyltransferase showed a striking peak in mules in August, whereas the remaining gamma-glutamyltransferase values were lower compared to donkeys. By comparing donkeys and mules, the present work reveals differences in various blood parameters which should be considered for diagnoses and future studies.

ACS Style

Heidrun Gehlen; Sophie Twickel; Sabita Stöckle; Corinna Weber; Claus P. Bartmann. Diagnostic orientation values for ACTH and other parameters for clinically healthy donkeys and mules (insulin, triglycerides, glucose, fructosamines, and ɣ‐GT). Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition 2019, 104, 679 -689.

AMA Style

Heidrun Gehlen, Sophie Twickel, Sabita Stöckle, Corinna Weber, Claus P. Bartmann. Diagnostic orientation values for ACTH and other parameters for clinically healthy donkeys and mules (insulin, triglycerides, glucose, fructosamines, and ɣ‐GT). Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition. 2019; 104 (2):679-689.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Heidrun Gehlen; Sophie Twickel; Sabita Stöckle; Corinna Weber; Claus P. Bartmann. 2019. "Diagnostic orientation values for ACTH and other parameters for clinically healthy donkeys and mules (insulin, triglycerides, glucose, fructosamines, and ɣ‐GT)." Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition 104, no. 2: 679-689.

Journal article
Published: 02 December 2019 in Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology
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Background The present study aimed at investigating the influence of 90% menthol-containing plant bioactive lipid compounds (PBLC, essential oils) on growth performance, blood haematological and biochemical profile, and nutrient absorption in sheep. Twenty-four growing Suffolk sheep were allotted into three dietary treatments: Control (without PBLC), lower dose of PBLC (PBLC-L; 80 mg/d) and higher dose of PBLC (PBLC-H; 160 mg/d). Sheep in all groups were fed meadow hay ad libitum plus 600 g/d of concentrate pellets for 28 d. Results Average daily gain was not affected by treatment. Feeding of PBLC increased hay and total feed intake per kg body weight (P < 0.05). Counts of total leucocytes, lymphocytes and monocytes were not different among treatments. However, neutrophil count decreased (P < 0.05) in PBLC-H with a similar trend in PBLC-L (P < 0.10). Concentrations of glucose, bilirubin, triglycerides, cholesterol, urea and magnesium in serum were not different among sheep fed different doses of PBLC. However, serum calcium concentration tended to increase in PBLC-H (P < 0.10) and serum concentrations of aspartate & asparagine (P < 0.01) and glutamate & glutamine (P < 0.05) increased linearly with increasing PBLC dose. In ruminal epithelia isolated from the rumen after killing, baseline conductance (Gt; P < 0.05) and short-circuit current (Isc; P < 0.01) increased in both PBLC groups. Ruminal uptakes of glucose and methionine in the presence of Na+ were not affected by the dietary PBLC supplementation. In the absence of Na+, however, glucose and methionine uptakes increased (P < 0.05) in PBLC-H. In the jejunum, Isc tended to increase in PBLC-H (P < 0.10), but baseline Gt was not affected. Intestinal uptakes of glucose and methionine were not influenced by PBLC in the presence or absence of Na+. Conclusion The results suggest that menthol-rich PBLC increase feed intake, and passive ion and nutrient transport, the latter specifically in the rumen. They also increased serum concentrations of urea precursor amino acids and tended to increase serum calcium concentrations. Future studies will have to show whether some of these findings might be commonly linked to a stimulation of transient receptor potential (TRP) channels in the gastrointestinal tract.

ACS Style

Amlan K. Patra; Sebastian Geiger; Katharina T. Schrapers; Hannah-Sophie Braun; Heidrun Gehlen; Alexander Starke; Robert Pieper; Adam Cieslak; Malgorzata Szumacher-Strabel; Jörg R. Aschenbach. Effects of dietary menthol-rich bioactive lipid compounds on zootechnical traits, blood variables and gastrointestinal function in growing sheep. Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology 2019, 10, 1 -14.

AMA Style

Amlan K. Patra, Sebastian Geiger, Katharina T. Schrapers, Hannah-Sophie Braun, Heidrun Gehlen, Alexander Starke, Robert Pieper, Adam Cieslak, Malgorzata Szumacher-Strabel, Jörg R. Aschenbach. Effects of dietary menthol-rich bioactive lipid compounds on zootechnical traits, blood variables and gastrointestinal function in growing sheep. Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology. 2019; 10 (1):1-14.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Amlan K. Patra; Sebastian Geiger; Katharina T. Schrapers; Hannah-Sophie Braun; Heidrun Gehlen; Alexander Starke; Robert Pieper; Adam Cieslak; Malgorzata Szumacher-Strabel; Jörg R. Aschenbach. 2019. "Effects of dietary menthol-rich bioactive lipid compounds on zootechnical traits, blood variables and gastrointestinal function in growing sheep." Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology 10, no. 1: 1-14.

Originalartikel
Published: 18 October 2019 in Tierärztliche Praxis Ausgabe G: Großtiere / Nutztiere
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Euthanasia represents a procedure with high responsibility for veterinarians in equine practice. The procedure should avoid pain and suffering for the horse and be carried out with the least possible stress for the patient and its owner. The presented study investigated the emotional impact of a horse's euthanasia procedure on the owner in order to enable development of future recommendations in improving the management of this procedure in horses. Questionnaires concerning euthanasia of a horse for horse owners and veterinarians, respectively were developed and sent by mail or published online. Questionnaire for veterinarians: A total of 12 equine clinics participated. The main reason for performing euthanasia was stated to be acute disease, especially colic. In 75 % of the cases the owner was present. The location of the euthanasia procedure as well as the premedication used varied strongly between hospitals. In most clinics (n = 8) T61™, a combination of embutramid, tetracain hydrochloride and mebezoniumiodid, was used for euthanasia. Muscle twitching and "final gasps" were frequently observed during the procedure. Analysis of the 273 completed owner questionnaires revealed chronic disease, especially in older patients and colic as main reasons for euthanasia. Most owners assessed the attending veterinarian's empathy as being good and felt well-informed about the procedure. In addition, 64.8 % of the owners stated that their presence during the euthanasia aided them to emotionally cope with the loss of their horse. A subset of owners that had their horse euthanized in an equine clinic criticised the hospital's atmosphere as well as being insufficiently educated about the procedure. According to the obtained data, detailed information of the horses' owners regarding the euthanasia procedure and its costs is advisable. In addition, owners should be educated about possible accompanying symptoms, such as muscle twitching or "final gasps".

ACS Style

Heidrun Gehlen; Johanna Loschelder; Maike Walther. Euthanasie von Pferden – Ergebnisse einer Tierärzte- und Besitzerbefragung. Tierärztliche Praxis Ausgabe G: Großtiere / Nutztiere 2019, 47, 286 -293.

AMA Style

Heidrun Gehlen, Johanna Loschelder, Maike Walther. Euthanasie von Pferden – Ergebnisse einer Tierärzte- und Besitzerbefragung. Tierärztliche Praxis Ausgabe G: Großtiere / Nutztiere. 2019; 47 (5):286-293.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Heidrun Gehlen; Johanna Loschelder; Maike Walther. 2019. "Euthanasie von Pferden – Ergebnisse einer Tierärzte- und Besitzerbefragung." Tierärztliche Praxis Ausgabe G: Großtiere / Nutztiere 47, no. 5: 286-293.

Journal article
Published: 13 September 2019 in Toxins
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The detection of borderline oxacillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (BORSA) represents a challenge to both, veterinary and human laboratories. Between 2015 and 2017, 19 equine S. aureus with elevated minimal inhibitory concentrations for oxacillin were detected in routine diagnostics. The aim of this study was to characterize these isolates to identify factors possibly associated with the BORSA phenotype. All S. aureus were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing and whole genome sequencing (WGS). A quantifiable β-lactamase activity assay was performed for a representative subset of 13 isolates. The WGS data analysis of the 19 BORSA isolates identified two different genomic lineages, sequence type (ST) 1 and ST1660. The core genome multilocus sequence typing (cgMLST) revealed a close relatedness of all isolates belonging to either ST1 or ST1660. The WGS analysis identified the resistance genes aadD, dfrG, tet(L), and/or blaZ and aacA-aphD. Phenotypic resistance to penicillins, aminoglycosides, tetracyclines, fluoroquinolones and sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim was observed in the respective isolates. For the penicillin-binding proteins 1–4, amino acid substitutions were predicted using WGS data. Since neither transglycosylase nor transpeptidase domains were affected, these alterations might not explain the BORSA phenotype. Moreover, β-lactamase activity was found to be associated with an inducible blaZ gene. The lineage-specific differences regarding the expression profiles were noted.

ACS Style

Anissa D. Scholtzek; Dennis Hanke; Birgit Walther; Inga Eichhorn; Sabita D. Stöckle; Katja-Sophia Klein; Heidrun Gehlen; Antina Lübke-Becker; Stefan Schwarz; Andrea T. Feßler; Lübke- Becker. Molecular Characterization of Equine Staphylococcus aureus Isolates Exhibiting Reduced Oxacillin Susceptibility. Toxins 2019, 11, 535 .

AMA Style

Anissa D. Scholtzek, Dennis Hanke, Birgit Walther, Inga Eichhorn, Sabita D. Stöckle, Katja-Sophia Klein, Heidrun Gehlen, Antina Lübke-Becker, Stefan Schwarz, Andrea T. Feßler, Lübke- Becker. Molecular Characterization of Equine Staphylococcus aureus Isolates Exhibiting Reduced Oxacillin Susceptibility. Toxins. 2019; 11 (9):535.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Anissa D. Scholtzek; Dennis Hanke; Birgit Walther; Inga Eichhorn; Sabita D. Stöckle; Katja-Sophia Klein; Heidrun Gehlen; Antina Lübke-Becker; Stefan Schwarz; Andrea T. Feßler; Lübke- Becker. 2019. "Molecular Characterization of Equine Staphylococcus aureus Isolates Exhibiting Reduced Oxacillin Susceptibility." Toxins 11, no. 9: 535.

Journal article
Published: 08 July 2019 in Journal of Equine Veterinary Science
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Several studies have shown the effect of training on myocardial deformation parameters in human athletes. The aim of this prospective, longitudinal study was echocardiographic evaluation of myocardial velocities and deformation in horses during the first year of training. Twelve Standardbred yearlings were examined using tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) and two-dimensional speckle tracking (2D-ST) during the first year of race training (short axis of left and right ventricle). The first examination was performed before the beginning of training (n = 12). At the last time point, horses were fully trained and had participated in their first races (n = 10). Radial myocardial velocities were evaluated using color (c-) and pulsed-wave (PW-)TDI in the left ventricular free wall, the interventricular septum (IVS) and the right ventricular free wall from a right parasternal short-axis image. Strain and strain rate were evaluated using 2D-ST in the LW and IVS using offline analysis of the 2D grayscale images. The radial, systolic myocardial velocities in the left ventricle (LVFW) increased significantly over the year in both c- and PW-TDI. In addition, the early diastolic velocity in the LW (in cTDI) and IVS (in c- and PW-TDI) and the systolic velocity in the IVS (in cTDI) increased significantly. The 2D-ST revealed significant increases of the radial systolic and early diastolic strain rate in the IVS and of the late diastolic strain rate in the LW. Training and aging/growing had both an impact on echocardiography.

ACS Style

Heidrun Gehlen; Amelie Schlaga. Echocardiographic Evaluation of Myocardial Function in Standardbreds During the First Year of Race Training. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 2019, 80, 40 -48.

AMA Style

Heidrun Gehlen, Amelie Schlaga. Echocardiographic Evaluation of Myocardial Function in Standardbreds During the First Year of Race Training. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science. 2019; 80 ():40-48.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Heidrun Gehlen; Amelie Schlaga. 2019. "Echocardiographic Evaluation of Myocardial Function in Standardbreds During the First Year of Race Training." Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 80, no. : 40-48.

Original research
Published: 29 May 2019 in Immunity, Inflammation and Disease
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Introduction Equine asthma represents a naturally occurring animal model for human allergic neutrophilic asthma. Inhalative nanoparticle‐bound cytosine‐phosphate‐guanosine (CpG‐GNP) immunotherapy, independent of specific allergens, has already shown promising clinical and immunological results in previous studies and offers the possibility to treat the underlying cause of the disease. This study analyses the relationship between dose and response, and evaluates a possible long‐term effect. Methods In the prospective, randomised, double‐blind clinical field study, 29 horses suffering from equine asthma received 10 inhalation treatments with either 187.5 µg CpG‐GNP (CpG single dose [CpGsd]; n = 11), 375 µg CpG‐GNP double dose (CpG double dose [CpGdd]; n = 9) (q48h for 20 days) or 1600 µg beclomethasone (n = 9) (q24h for 10 days). Each horse was examined three times: before the treatment (I), immediately after the 10 inhalations (II), and 8 weeks after the final inhalation (III). The three groups were compared according to clinical and laboratory parameters. The study examined the sustainability of the long‐term effect of the treatment after 8 weeks, as well as the tolerability of the formula as a double dose. Results The CpGsd resulted in a significant improvement in 82% of the parameters, the CpGdd in 72%. In the long‐term evaluation, the CpGsd showed a significant improvement in 100% of the parameters in comparison to the initial values, the CpGdd in 67%. On the immunological level, the bronchoalveolar lavage revealed a significant reduction of IL‐4, IL‐8, and interferon‐γ. Conclusion Both CpG groups displayed significant improvements in clinical and laboratory parameters, especially regarding the long‐term effect of CpGsd. Doubling the CpG dose did not result in any improvement in comparison to the original single dose. On the immunological level, an anti‐inflammatory, as well as an immunomodulatory effect, apart from a Th2‐dominated immune response, could be observed. This immunomodulatory inhalation treatment could indicate a new possibility for human allergic asthma therapy.

ACS Style

John Klier; Carolin Bartl; Sabine Geuder; Katharina J. Geh; Sven Reese; Lutz S. Goehring; Gerhard Winter; Heidrun Gehlen. Immunomodulatory asthma therapy in the equine animal model: A dose‐response study and evaluation of a long‐term effect. Immunity, Inflammation and Disease 2019, 7, 130 -149.

AMA Style

John Klier, Carolin Bartl, Sabine Geuder, Katharina J. Geh, Sven Reese, Lutz S. Goehring, Gerhard Winter, Heidrun Gehlen. Immunomodulatory asthma therapy in the equine animal model: A dose‐response study and evaluation of a long‐term effect. Immunity, Inflammation and Disease. 2019; 7 (3):130-149.

Chicago/Turabian Style

John Klier; Carolin Bartl; Sabine Geuder; Katharina J. Geh; Sven Reese; Lutz S. Goehring; Gerhard Winter; Heidrun Gehlen. 2019. "Immunomodulatory asthma therapy in the equine animal model: A dose‐response study and evaluation of a long‐term effect." Immunity, Inflammation and Disease 7, no. 3: 130-149.

Case report
Published: 04 April 2019 in Journal of Equine Veterinary Science
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Recently, a syndrome called ‘Equine idiopathic hemorrhagic cystitis’ (EIHC) was described and clinical features compared to bladder neoplasia. In this case-report, we describe a case of hemorrhagic cystitis with a favorable outcome in a high-performance dressage horse, in which exercise-intensity might be the etiologic factor for the development of bladder wall hyperplasia and hematuria. A 14-year-old Warmblood gelding was presented with a history of hematuria of two days duration. The high-level dressage horse had performed on the prior three weekends and was trained at least three times a week at performance intensity level. Sonographically, the dorsal bladder wall was about 1.5cm thick and the different layers of the bladder wall could not be differentiated. Endoscopy revealed that the bladder was highly edematous and showed diffuse submucosal bleeding. Histopathological differential diagnoses were severe reactive hyperplasia or a low-grade transitional cell carcinoma. Four months later, bladder wall thickness had decreased to 1.0cm and the different layers of the bladder wall were easily visible sonographically. Endoscopy showed a normal bladder mucosa. On histopathology, hyperplasia of the epithelium was significantly decreased. A diet low in calcium was recommended after the check-up and the owners started working the horse very lightly on two days a week. Over the following two months, hematuria had not recurred. In conclusion, it seems likely that hemorrhagic cystitis in this horse was exercise-associated, but as repeated provocation by high exercise-intensity was not performed in this case, this remains an assumption.

ACS Style

Ann Kristin Barton; Olivia Kershaw; Achim D. Gruber; Heidrun Gehlen. Equine Idiopathic Hemorrhagic Cystitis: Is It Idiopathic or More Likely to Be Exercise-Associated? Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 2019, 78, 6 -9.

AMA Style

Ann Kristin Barton, Olivia Kershaw, Achim D. Gruber, Heidrun Gehlen. Equine Idiopathic Hemorrhagic Cystitis: Is It Idiopathic or More Likely to Be Exercise-Associated? Journal of Equine Veterinary Science. 2019; 78 ():6-9.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ann Kristin Barton; Olivia Kershaw; Achim D. Gruber; Heidrun Gehlen. 2019. "Equine Idiopathic Hemorrhagic Cystitis: Is It Idiopathic or More Likely to Be Exercise-Associated?" Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 78, no. : 6-9.