Aurel Damian

Vascular abnormalities of the distal deep digital flexor tendon in 8 draught horses identified on histological examination

The purpose of this study was to provide a detailed description of the vascular changes in the distal part of deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT). Eight isolated forelimbs were collected from 8 horses with DDF tendinopathy diagnosed post-mortem by ultrasound and gross anatomopathological examination. The samples were fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin, softened in 4% phenol and dehydrated with ethylic alcohol. Goldners Trichrome staining method was used. The histopathological examination revealed vascular proliferation associated with structural disorders of blood vessels. Angiogenesis, fibroplasia and consecutive hypertrophy of the vascular wall with or without vascular occlusion were the most common findings. Other histopathological findings were: endothelial cell edema, progressive metaplasia from squamous to cubic cells, vascular wall hyalinization, endothelial cells apoptosis/necrosis and endothelial desquamation. These results demonstrated damage of the distal deep digital flexor tendon vasculature which may progressively alter the structural integrity of the tendon and contribute to degenerative lesions.

Angiostrongylus vasorum in Romania: an extensive survey in red foxes, Vulpes vulpes

BackgroundAngiostrongylus vasorum is the causative agent of canine angiostrongylosis, a severe snail-borne disease of dogs. Red foxes are important natural reservoirs of infection, and surveys of foxes provide a more objective picture of the parasite distribution. Our aim was to investigate the possibility of the presence of A. vasorum in red foxes from the western part of Romania and to analyse the risk factors related to the sex, age and geographic origin of the foxes. Between July 2016 and April 2017, 567 hunted red foxes from 10 counties of western Romania were examined by necropsy for the presence of lungworms.ResultsOverall, the infection with A. vasorum has been found in 24 red foxes (4.2%) originating in four counties (Mureș, Hunedoara, Sălaj and Cluj). There was no significant difference between the prevalence in males and females, between juveniles and adults and between counties.ConclusionsThis is the first report of autochthonous infections of A. vasorum in Romania, showing a relatively low prevalence and extending eastwards the known distributional range of this parasite in Europe. The presence of autochthonous cases in domestic dogs in Romania remains to be confirmed by further studies.

Data for: Global epidemiological analysis of prevalence and risk factors associated with the deep digital flexor tendinopathy in the equine distal limb: 100 cases

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to establish the prevalence and the risk factors for deep digital flexor (DDF) distal tendinopathy in the equine limb (from the proximal extremity of the middle phalanx to the insertion of this tendon to the distal phalanx) and to identify the circumstances that promote this pathological condition. This epidemiological analysis was performed on 100 horses diagnosed with DDF distal tendinopathies at CIRALE‐Hippolia between January 2009 and June 2010. All horses included in this study were diagnosed by ultrasonographic examination with front limb lameness associated with distal DDF tendinopathies at CIRALE‐Hippolia in the aforementioned period. The sources of information were the individual medical records of horses. The considered risk factors were as follows: breed, age, sex, and athletic discipline. The risk was quantified by analyzing statistical association of the studied condition and different factors that can interfere with its evolution. Lameness associated with distal DDF tendinopathy has been mostly identified in jumping horses. The most well represented age category was the 8–10 years one, but the horses aged between 11 and 14 years had the highest risk for developing DDF tendinopathy. Females were more prone to this type of injury. The current epidemiological analysis provides a model for risk and protective factors for the development of DDF tendinopathy in the equine distal limb. The most susceptible group of equids are female Warmbloods more than the age of seven, whereas young male Thoroughbreds and French Trotters (0–3 year‐old) carry the lowest risk in developing this pathology. HighlightsThis is an epidemiological analysis of risk factors for equine deep digital flexor tendinopathy.The protective factors are age range 0–3 years, males, racing breeds, and racing activity.The risk factors are age more than 7 years, mares, Warmbloods, and show jumping activity.