95 Health parameter variation in emaciated stock-type horses going through two refeeding protocols

Abstract

Equine health and welfare are a concern in the equine industry and veterinary medicine. Clinical health parameters such as Body Condition Scores (BCS), weight, body temperature (T°C), respiratory (RR), heart rate (HR) and hematological evaluation assist the veterinarian in the diagnosis of emaciation due to abuse or neglect. Yet, clinical parameters through the recovery process of emaciated horses are not well studied. Our goal is to establish recovery profiles in emaciated horses going through 2 modified refeeding protocols. We acquired 11 stock-type horses (Geldings = 3, Mares = 8) aged between late-teens and early 20s, with a BCS ≤3, of unknown health history. Animals were quarantined for 30 d at the Sul Ross Horse Unit upon arrival and offered free-choice grass hay, with health care provided as needed and pregnancy checks performed by trained veterinarians. Vaccinations (Equi-Jec 7, Boehringer Ingelheim) and deworming (Ivermectin 2%) were conducted during the quarantine. Clinical parameters of T°C, RR and HR, as well as BCS were collected a week after arrival (Quarantine), during Adaptation and then weekly into the refeeding protocol (Week 1 and 2) by trained veterinarians and animal scientists (n = 4). Hematological analysis including complete blood count (CBC) and blood chemistry (BC) were performed before the adaptation to the refeeding protocol, with a mid-point (Week 4) and post (end of Week 8) analysis scheduled (Texas A&M VMDL). Preliminary analysis show significant differences in RR [F(6,36) = 4.34, P = 0.0022] and T°C [F(6,36) = 2.71, P = 0.0284] during recovery. While thisstudy is ongoing, preliminary data demonstrates improvement in clinical health parameters of the studied horses (Table 1). Better understanding of the changes throughout recovery in starved horses will support decision-making for the equine industry. Data originating from this study will support standards for the care of neglected and malnourished horses.