trimethoprim--sulfamethoxazole-drug-combination and flunixin-meglumine

This study aimed to evaluate steroid hormones in foals born from mares treated for ascending placentitis with different combinations of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMS), flunixin meglumine (FM), long-acting altrenogest (ALT) and estradiol cypionate (ECP) for ten consecutive days, starting two days after experimental induction of placentitis with Streptococcus zooepidemicus. Fourty-six pregnant mares and respective foals were assigned as healthy group (Control, n = 8) or treated groups as follows: TMS+FM (n = 8), TMS+FM+ALT (n = 8), TMS+FM+ALT+ECP (n = 6), TMS+FM+ECP (n = 6) and no treatment (NO TREAT n = 10). At delivery, foals were classified as high-risk or low-risk based on clinical and hematologic findings, and survival rates were recorded during the first week of life for comparisons across groups. Cortisol, progesterone, 17αOHprogesterone, and pregnenolone concentrations were determined via immunoassays in 31 of the 46 foals immediately after foaling (0 h), at 12, 24, 48 h, and seven days post-partum (168h). At birth, serum cortisol concentrations were higher in Control and TMS+FM+ECP foals than in remaining groups (p < 0.05). Foals in TMS+FM+ALT and TMS+FM groups had higher 17αOHprogesterone concentrations at 24 h and 48 h, respectively (p < 0.05). Pregnenolone concentrations were higher in TMS+FM than TMS+FM+ALT+ECP foals at 7 days (p < 0.05). High-risk and non-surviving foals had decreased concentrations of cortisol at parturition, but increased concentrations of progesterone from 0 h to 48 h. Pregnenolone and 17αOHprogesterone concentrations were increased and pregnenolone after 12 h in high-risk and non-surviving foals (p < 0.05). In conclusion, adding ECP to the treatment of experimentally-induced placentitis appears to improve foal viability and endocrine response. Cortisol and progestogen profiles were abnormal in high-risk and non-surviving foals, and those treated with ALT or TMS+FM only.

Topics: 17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone; Animals; Animals, Newborn; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Clonixin; Contraceptive Agents, Female; Estradiol; Female; Horse Diseases; Horses; Hydrocortisone; Placenta Diseases; Pregnancy; Pregnenolone; Progesterone; Progestins; Random Allocation; Streptococcal Infections; Streptococcus equi; Trenbolone Acetate; Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination

The overall goal of this study was to assess the efficacy of various therapeutic combinations of estradiol cypionate (ECP, a long-acting estrogen) and altrenogest (ALT, a long-acting progestin) in addition to basic treatment for placentitis with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMS) and flunixin meglumine (FM). Specific outcomes measured in this experiment were (i) time from induction of bacterial placentitis to delivery, and foal parameters (high-risk, survival, and birth weight); and (ii) serum steroid concentrations (progesterone, 17α-hydroxyprogesterone, 17β-estradiol, and cortisol) in response to treatment. Pregnant mares (∼300 days gestation, n = 46) were randomly assigned into healthy mares (control group, CONT, n = 8) and mares with experimentally induced ascending placentitis (n = 38). Placentitis was induced via intracervical inoculation of Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus. Thereafter, placentitis induced mares were randomly assigned into: (1) basic treatment, TMS+FM (n = 8); (2) basic treatment with ALT supplementation, TMS+FM+ALT (n = 8); (3) basic treatment with ECP supplementation, TMS+FM+ECP (n = 6); (4) basic treatment with ALT and ECP supplementation TMS+FM+ALT+ECP (n = 6); and (5) no treatment (INOC, n = 10). Treatments were started 48 h after bacterial inoculation and carried out for ten consecutive days. Blood samples were collected daily, and mares were assessed for signs of placentitis until the mare delivered, or for ten consecutive days after onset of treatment. Steroids were analyzed via RIA. Continuous data were analyzed by ANOVA, and categorical data analyzed by Fisher's exact test. Significance was set at p < 0.05. Foal survival at parturition and seven days post-delivery were similar across treated groups (66.7-100%), and to the CONT group. Similar to CONT group, mares in the TMS+FM+ECP group had no high-risk foals while mares in the other groups had higher incidences (50-75%) (p < 0.05). The inclusion of ECP in the treatments resulted in foals with body weight similar to CONT group (p > 0.05). There were no group effects or time by group interactions on concentrations of steroids assessed herein (p > 0.05). In conclusion, in addition to basic treatment TMS+FM, mares with experimentally induced ascending placentitis benefited from ECP supplementation. Conversely, ALT did not appear to make a difference in outcomes. The immunoassays used for measurements of steroid concentrations did not appear useful to assess treatme

Topics: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Clonixin; Drug Therapy, Combination; Estradiol; Female; Horse Diseases; Horses; Placenta Diseases; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; Streptococcal Infections; Streptococcus equi; Trenbolone Acetate; Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination

Fusion anomalies of the epididymis with the testis may be clinically relevant in horses. However, anatomical variations in epididymal-testicular fusion have not been classified, and their clinical significance is unknown.. To describe anatomical variations and clinical significance of epididymal-testicular fusion in stallions.. Anatomical study of testes from castrations, and description of 2 clinical cases with atypical epididymal-testicular fusion.. A total of 104 testes were obtained from equine castrations. Eight patterns of epididymal-testicular fusion were identified. Two clinical cases with epididymal dislocation were also described.. Close attachment of the entire epididymis to the testis was the most common pattern of fusion (40%). Ninety-five per cent of cryptorchid testes and 34% of scrotal testes in the studied sample had elongated proper ligaments of the testes. Dislocation of the epididymal tail was observed in 2 stallions that had atypically long proper ligaments inserted on the dorsal aspect of the testes.. Patterns of epididymal-testicular fusion can vary in stallions. Elongated proper ligaments of the testes occur mostly in cryptorchid testes but are also found in stallions with scrotal testes. Epididymal dislocation may develop in stallions with long proper ligaments that are inserted dorsally on the testes.

Topics: Aging; Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Clonixin; Epididymis; Horse Diseases; Horses; Male; Orchiectomy; Pentoxifylline; Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; Testis; Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination

Topics: Animals; Anti-Infective Agents; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Clinical Chemistry Tests; Clonixin; Colic; Esophageal Diseases; Esophageal Perforation; Fatal Outcome; Horse Diseases; Horses; Male; Metronidazole; Pleurisy; Thorax; Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination; Ulcer; Ultrasonography

To determine the clinical findings, course of treatment, and long-term outcome of horses on a farm in central Kentucky during an epizootic of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM).. Cohort study.. 21 horses on a farm in central Kentucky, 12 of which developed clinical signs of EPM.. Horses on the farm were serially examined for signs of neurologic disease and serum and CSF antibodies to Sarcocystis neurona. Horses were considered to have EPM if they had neurologic signs and positive test results for antibodies to S neurona in CSF. Blood values were monitored for evidence of abnormalities resulting from long-term pyrimethamine and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole administration Physical, neurologic, and fetal necropsy examinations were performed as needed. Horses were treated for EPM until they had negative test results for CSF antibodies to S neurona.. Of 21 horses on the farm, 12 had EPM over the course of 6 months. The duration of treatment ranged from 45 to 211 days, excluding 1 horse that persistently had CSF antibodies to S neurona. Adverse effects from pyrimethamine and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole administration included transient fever, anorexia, and depression (n = 2); acute worsening of ataxia (2); mild anemia (4); and abortions (3).. EPM may develop as an epizootic. In the horses of this report subtle clinical signs that were originally considered unimportant ultimately progressed to obvious neurologic signs. Adverse effects associated with EPM treatment included worsening of neurologic signs, anemia, abortion, and leukopenic and febrile episodes.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Antibodies, Protozoan; Antimalarials; Clonixin; Cohort Studies; Disease Outbreaks; Encephalomyelitis; Female; Horse Diseases; Horses; Kentucky; Male; Neurologic Examination; Pyrimethamine; Sarcocystis; Sarcocystosis; Treatment Outcome; Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination