Equine Disease Quarterly
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-- Online Version -- Equine Disease Quarterly Newsletter Presorted Standard US Postage Paid 5 available in the United States, they represent an remains unknown. The author has followed sev- Department of Veterinary Science Permit 51 effective and non-invasive method for screening eral infected donkeys for the past 5 years, none Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center Lexington KY individual donkeys and herd populations and of which have spontaneously resolved. Although University of Kentucky would undoubtedly further our understanding of besnoitiosis has not yet been reported in horses in Lexington, Kentucky 40546-0099 the epidemiology and transmission of besnoitiosis North America, cases have been described in Af- in the United States. rica, and the potential for similar infections in the Address Service Requested There are no known effective treatments for United States cannot be excluded as a possibility. equine besnoitiosis. Treatment with anti-protozoal CONTACT: medications ponazuril, trimethoprim-sulfametho- Sally DeNotta, DVM, PhD, DACVIM zazole, and nitazoxanide have not been effective. s .denotta@ufl .edu FUNDED BY UNDERWRITERS AT LLOYD'S, LONDON The potential for natural recovery from besnoitiosis (352) 392-2229 College of Veterinary Medicine JANUARY 2020 and the long-term prognosis for infected animals University of Florida Volume 29, Number 1 Gainesville, Florida COMMENTARY he art of horse production is pattern rec- and Secretariat were champion Thoroughbred Tognition. The most obvious pattern is that racehorses; however, while Northern Dancer was KENTUCKY IN THIS ISSUE offspring resemble their parents. These resem- relatively small in stature, Secretariat was renowned Commentary blances can be found in phenotypes such as size, for his large size and stride length. While the old conformation, durability, and performance. Using breeding adage is “breed the best to the best and Peripartum Death in Mares International phenotypes and pedigrees, breeders have applied hope for the best,” the skill of the successful breeder Third Quarter selection, resulting in profound changes in horses is to identify hereditary patterns among the best omplications associated with foaling are a perforation, mesenteric rents and tears, and colonic 2019 . 2 since their domestication 5,500 years ago. Today, and make judicious choices. There is no single Csignificant cause of morbidity and mortality displacement were also identified. Inbreeding and hundreds of breed registries exist, reflecting diverse genetic test that will replace the skill of the breeder. in both foals and mares. Even apparently normal Fatal vascular lesions accounted for 24% of Genomics . 3 goals among horse breeders. These interests span Genomic tools have the potential to improve the births can result in significant internal and external peripartum deaths and included the No. 1 cause divergent phenotypes related to racing, pulling, recognition of useful patterns. Horse genes are dis- injury to the mare. In extreme cases, these injuries of death during the review period, rupture of the National jumping, dressage, performing special gaits, and tributed among 32 pairs of chromosomes (see the can be severe and result in death or require humane uterine artery. Ruptures of the uterine artery were Besnoitiosis in characteristics associated with coat color or size. image in the online version of this issue at http:// Donkeys . 4 euthanasia of the dam. by far the most common vascular lesion (17%), The commonality among these traits is they have gluck.ca.uky.edu/equine-disease-quarterly). These A review of diagnostic case submissions to the frequently resulted in secondary hematoma for- a large genetic component. Foundation Stock were chromosomes contain the genetic material under In summary, equine death associated with the Kentucky University of Kentucky Veterinary Diagnostic mation in the broad ligament, a connective tissue suffering post-foaling pain, and being transported identified exemplifying traits of interest. The path selection. Genetic recombination occurs during foaling period is unfortunately common. The Peripartum Death Laboratory was conducted to assess equine peri- structure that supports the uterus, and hemoperi- to a veterinary clinic. to improvement has been to identify quality breed- production of eggs and sperm in each generation underlying causes likely include a mixture of dis- in Mares . 5 partum deaths during the 2017 and 2018 foaling toneum. Infrequent ruptures were also associated The miscellaneous group included four sporadic ing stock, cross them to Foundation horses and that divides these genetic blocks into subsets of eases associated with birthing trauma, pain, fetal seasons. Mares that died secondary to foaling with the internal iliac artery (3%), circumiliac and individual cases that occurred in the peripar- select the best for future breeding stock. As a result, chromosomes. It is possible to identify the specific movement and positioning, and vascular changes complications or were humanely euthanized due artery (1%), ovarian artery (1%), and aorta (1%). tum time period. These cases included death or Foundation Stock are represented many times in block inherited from each parent and relate those associated with gestation. Evaluation of mares dur- to significant parturition associated injury were Two cases of broad ligament hematoma were re- euthanasia due to uncontrollable post-dystocia horse pedigrees and contribute to the distinctive blocks to blocks found in the grandparents. Like- ing and following parturition is essential to rapidly included. corded, in which the exact location of the vascular pain, a presumed cardiovascular event following phenotypic characteristics within those breeds. wise, one might even discern the blocks back to the identify and treat this unique group of diseases. During the two-year period, 121 cases of peri- rupture could not be determined.Direct injury to dystocia, an anaphylactic drug reaction, and liver Recently, a reference whole genome sequence Foundation Stock. Unfortunately, such a tool does partum death were identified out of approximately the mare’s reproductive tract occurred in 22% of disease of unknown cause. CONTACT: of the horse was determined. Scientists identi- not yet exist for horses, but a similar commercial 3,000 equine necropsy submissions. Cases were the cases and frequently resulted in humane eu- Dystocia was specifically mentioned in the Dr . Alan Loynachan fied genes for discrete traits such as coat colors application is used by people to identify the origin clinical history of 19% of the 121 cases. Although alan .loynachan@uky .edu categorized into five groups (gastrointestinal, thanasia. Uterine tear/rupture was most frequent (859)257-8283 and some hereditary diseases. However, despite of their ancestors. We anticipate horse breeders may musculoskeletal, reproductive, vascular, and mis- in this category and occurred in 12% of the cases. the accuracy of this self-reported number is not University of Kentucky Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory a great deal of research, no single gene has been seek to use such a tool one day. cellaneous) based on the primary organ system Less common reproductive injuries included uter- definitive, it does emphasize that many injuries Lexington, Kentucky found responsible for complex traits such as rac- Today we can apply genomics to assess one of associated with the cause of death. Submissions ine prolapse and vaginal lacerations, each of which during the foaling period are not associated with ing, jumping, and gait. This is not surprising since the concerns of horse breeders, namely inbreeding. began in December and extended into June of occurred in 3% of mares. Single cases of hydrops difficult births. athletic performance involves a combination of As noted above, the establishment of breeds relies both years. Deaths occurred in multiple breeds, pregnancy, uterine adhesions, uterine torsion, and muscle strength, cardiovascular capability, com- on the identification and use of Foundation Stock. College of Agriculture, but Thoroughbreds predominated. significant vaginal hemorrhage were also noted. Food and Environment petitiveness, and coordination. Yes, a few genes An unintended consequence of this is inbreeding Fatal lesions associated with the gastrointesti- Surprisingly, injuries to the musculoskeletal Department of have been identified that influence performance and the attendant risk of inbreeding depression and nal tract were most common and occurred in 52 system resulted in euthanasia of 10 (8%) mares. Veterinary Science (e.g., DMRT3 for gait and MSTN for sprint- the appearance of deleterious hereditary diseases. (43%) cases. Diseases with the highest incidence Fractures (5%) were most common followed by in- ing); however the development of champions The article in this issue, “Genomics and Inbreed- included cecal rupture (12%), colonic torsion dividual cases of hip joint luxation, diaphragmatic involves many other genes as well as the art of the ing,” describes the concern and identifies ways in (7%), colonic rupture (4%), rectal prolapse (3%), hernia, significant muscle trauma, and peripheral trainer and skill of the rider. This relationship is which genomics can be used to monitor inbreeding cecal impaction (3%), gastric rupture (3%), rectal nerve damage. Fractures were specifically associ- remarkably complex since variation exists despite and assist breed registries to anticipate problems. tear (3%), and non-infectious inflammatory pro-