Acupuncture Needle Stimulation on Some Physiological Parameters After Road Transport and Physical Exercise in Horse

Interleukin-1Ra (Il-1Ra) and serum cortisol level relationship in horse as dynamic adaptive response during physical exercise

The monitoring of endocrine and immunologic markers during exercise is of paramount importance to assess and/or maintain the physical well-being of athletes as well as to optimize the athletic performance. This study aimed to investigate the linkage between acute stress response and immune status in Thoroughbred horses competing in an official 1300-m race. From 10 horses blood was collected 1 week before the day of the race (1W-BEFORE), before (REST) and immediately after the race to assess the cortisol, Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra), total proteins, white blood cells (WBC), red blood cells (RBC), haemoglobin (Hb) and haematocrit (Hct) concentration. Higher levels of cortisol, Il-1Ra, WBC and erythrocytes indices after exercise was found than 1W-BEFORE and REST (P < 0.0001). Cortisol concentration was positively correlated with Il-1Ra, WBC, RBC, Hb and Hct. Overall, the findings suggest that submaximal exercise induces an acute stress response and an immune system reaction in athletic horse. Also, the correlation found between cortisol levels and Il-1Ra, WBC and erythrocytes indices open new scenario on the positive role of this hormone on the complex and dynamic physiological adaptation to exercise implemented by the organism to re-establish the homeostatic equilibrium, and, interestingly, to maintain an adequate anti-inflammatory environment after exercise.

Pharmacopuncture Analgesia Using Flunixin Meglumine Injection into the Acupoint GV1 (Ho Hai) After Elective Castration in Horses

The study evaluated the effect of a 1/10 dose of flunixin meglumine administered into the governing vessel 1 (GV1) acupoint in horses that underwent castration. Twenty animals received 0.02 mg/kg detomidine intravenously, followed by 2.2 mg/kg ketamine and 0.1 mg/kg diazepam by the same route, and also a local anesthesia with 30 mL lidocaine. As postoperative analgesia, the animals received 1.1 mg/kg flunixin meglumine IV (FIV) or 0.11 mg/kg flunixin meglumine into the GV1 acupoint (FGV). Behavioral parameters were assessed 12 hours before the procedure (baseline) and at 4, 6, 12, and 24 hours after surgery; physiological parameters were measured at baseline and at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, and 24 hours after surgery. The groups did not differ regarding pain scores. Heart rate was higher in the FIV group than in the FGV group 2 hours after surgery (46 ± 5.2 bpm vs. 37 ± 8.2 bpm); gut sounds decreased at 2, 4, and 6 hours in both groups. The temperature showed a decrease after 2 hours compared with baseline in the FGV group, and the systolic blood pressure was higher in the FGV group than in the FIV group at 8 hours (158 ± 18.1 mmHg vs. 134 ± 14.5 mmHg), 10 hours (157 ± 15.5 mm Hg vs. 130 ± 11.5 mmHg), and 12 hours (151 ± 18.7 mmHg vs. 134 ± 15.8 mmHg). Pharmacopuncture was as effective as conventional dose and route of flunixin meglumine in horses that underwent elective castration under those conditions.

Horses Referred to a Teaching Hospital Exclusively for Acupuncture and Herbs: A Three-Year Retrospective Analysis

Equine acupuncture and herbal medicine are increasingly popular and have been anecdotally used in the treatment of a number of conditions. There is, however, a lack of data on the most commonly treated conditions in horses. The medical records of 164 horses presented exclusively for acupuncture and herbal therapy over a three-year period from October 2012 to October 2015 were evaluated from a mixed animal integrative medicine service at a veterinary academic teaching hospital. Horses were presented primarily for musculoskeletal conditions (62.0%), gastrointestinal disorders (9.5%), and anhydrosis (6.1%). Nearly half of all treated horses were geldings, and the mean age of treatment was 10.7 ± 6.5 years. The most common breeds were Warmbloods (28.2%), Quarter horses (20.2%), Thoroughbreds (17.8%), and Arabians (8.0%). Treatments included acupuncture (90.2%), herbal supplements (79.8%), electroacupuncture (69.9%), B12 injections (pharmacoacupuncture, 29.4%), or administration of autologous blood at acupuncture points (hemoacupuncture, 8.0%). Thirty-eight (38) different herbal formulas were recommended during the study period. Horses that were not provided herbal recommendations were more likely to present with gastrointestinal complaints (odds ratio = 11.2). Sex, breed, and presenting complaint had no or minimal impact on the types of treatments performed during the visit. However, data regarding patient characteristics and presenting complaints provide novel information which can be used to design prospective clinical trials.