Impacto da hospitalização no stress em equinos
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2025
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O stress tem vindo a assumir um papel central nos estudos em Medicina Humana e Veterinária, dada a sua influência direta na saúde física e comportamental dos indivíduos. No caso do cavalo, uma espécie que é uma presa por natureza, a suscetibilidade ao stress é particularmente relevante. Alterações rotineiras como transporte, isolamento, mudanças de ambiente ou alimentação constituem fatores potencialmente indutores de respostas de stress agudo ou crónico. Paralelamente, a Medicina Veterinária moderna tem evoluído no sentido da adoção de métodos de diagnóstico e monitorização minimamente invasivos, sendo a análise salivar um exemplo promissor nesse contexto. Este estudo teve como principal objetivo avaliar o impacto da hospitalização nas respostas fisiológicas e comportamentais de stress em equinos, bem como a sua capacidade de adaptação ao ambiente hospitalar ao longo do tempo. Adicionalmente, procurou-se validar o uso da saliva como método não invasivo para a monitorização de biomarcadores associados ao stress e à inflamação. Foram avaliados 16 equinos hospitalizados durante um período mínimo de cinco dias, por motivo de doença, lesão ou para realização de procedimentos eletivos. No momento da admissão e da alta hospitalar, foram realizados hemogramas e colhidas amostras biológicas, incluindo saliva, para análise de biomarcadores de stress e inflamação. Paralelamente, ao longo do internamento, procedeu-se à monitorização diária da frequência cardíaca e da variabilidade da frequência cardíaca, parâmetros reconhecidos na avaliação do sistema nervoso autónomo e da resposta ao stress. Os resultados demonstraram que os cavalos apresentam sinais de stress agudo aquando da admissão, evidenciado pelos parâmetros fisiológicos e hematológicos. Contudo, observou se uma tendência para estabilização progressiva ao longo dos primeiros dias de hospitalização. Entre os dias 3 e 4 foi registado um aumento de alguns dos parâmetros relacionados com a variabilidade da frequência cardíaca(VFC) coincidente, na maioria dos casos, com o período pós-cirúrgico - momento que, previsivelmente, representa um pico de desafio fisiológico e psicológico para o animal. Em suma, este estudo reforça a noção de que a hospitalização é, per se, um fator desencadeante de stress nos equinos, ainda que os animais apresentem uma certa capacidade de adaptação ao longo do tempo. Os dados obtidos sustentam também que, no caso do cortisol, a saliva é uma matriz útil para a monitorização do mesmo. Já a serotonina não apresentou resultados, não sendo possível generalizar esta matriz para biomarcadores de stress. No caso da inflamação, nenhum dos parâmetros avaliados mostrou correlação entre o sangue e a saliva, o que demonstra que, para já a saliva não é um meio fiável para a investigação da inflamação. Num futuro, poderá ser válida em ambiente clínico, contribuindo para uma abordagem mais ética e menos invasiva na Medicina Veterinária Equina. Ainda assim requer mais investigação sobre o tema.
Stress has become a crucial component in both human and veterinary medicine studies, given its direct impact on the physical and behavioural health of individuals. In the case of horses, a species that is prey by nature, the issue of susceptibility to stress is of particular relevance. It is evident that routine changes, encompassing factors such as transport, social isolation, modifications in the environment and dietary shifts have the potential to induce for the onset of acute or chronic stress responses. Concurrently, contemporary veterinary medicine has undergone a transition towards the implementation of minimally invasive diagnostic and monitoring methodologies. In this regard, salivary analysis represents a novel alternative for the assessment of physiological biomarkers. The primary objective of this study was to assess the impact of hospitalisation on physiological and behavioural stress responses in horses, as well as their ability to adapt to the hospital environment over time. Furthermore, the objective was to validate the use of saliva as a non-invasive method for monitoring biomarkers associated with stress and inflammation. A total of 16 horses hospitalised due to illness, injury or elective procedures were evaluated over a period of five days. At the time of admission and discharge, blood counts were performed and biological samples, including saliva, were collected for the purpose of analysis of stress and inflammation biomarkers. Concurrently, throughout the period of hospitalisation, daily monitoring of heart rate and heart rate variability was conducted. These parameters are recognised in the assessment of autonomic status and stress response. The results demonstrated that equines exhibited indications of acute stress upon admission, as substantiated by physiological and haematological parameters. However, a tendency towards progressive stabilisation was observed during the initial period of hospitalisation. An increase in certain HRV-related parameters was observed between days 3 and 4, coinciding with the post-surgical period in most cases. This period is known to represent a peak in physiological and psychological challenges for the animal. In summary, the present study lends further support to the notion that hospitalisation is, per se, a stress trigger in equines, despite the animals' demonstrated capacity to adapt over time. The data obtained further corroborates the hypothesis that saliva is a viable matrix for the monitoring of cortisol. Conversely, serotonin exhibited no significant outcomes, precluding the generalisation of this matrix to stress biomarkers. In the context of inflammation, the evaluation of various parameters revealed no discernible correlation between blood and saliva. This finding indicates that, at present, saliva does not serve as a reliable medium for investigating inflammation. In the future, its validity in a clinical setting is a possibility, with the potential to contribute to an ethical and less invasive approach in equine veterinary medicine. However, further research is required on this subject.
Stress has become a crucial component in both human and veterinary medicine studies, given its direct impact on the physical and behavioural health of individuals. In the case of horses, a species that is prey by nature, the issue of susceptibility to stress is of particular relevance. It is evident that routine changes, encompassing factors such as transport, social isolation, modifications in the environment and dietary shifts have the potential to induce for the onset of acute or chronic stress responses. Concurrently, contemporary veterinary medicine has undergone a transition towards the implementation of minimally invasive diagnostic and monitoring methodologies. In this regard, salivary analysis represents a novel alternative for the assessment of physiological biomarkers. The primary objective of this study was to assess the impact of hospitalisation on physiological and behavioural stress responses in horses, as well as their ability to adapt to the hospital environment over time. Furthermore, the objective was to validate the use of saliva as a non-invasive method for monitoring biomarkers associated with stress and inflammation. A total of 16 horses hospitalised due to illness, injury or elective procedures were evaluated over a period of five days. At the time of admission and discharge, blood counts were performed and biological samples, including saliva, were collected for the purpose of analysis of stress and inflammation biomarkers. Concurrently, throughout the period of hospitalisation, daily monitoring of heart rate and heart rate variability was conducted. These parameters are recognised in the assessment of autonomic status and stress response. The results demonstrated that equines exhibited indications of acute stress upon admission, as substantiated by physiological and haematological parameters. However, a tendency towards progressive stabilisation was observed during the initial period of hospitalisation. An increase in certain HRV-related parameters was observed between days 3 and 4, coinciding with the post-surgical period in most cases. This period is known to represent a peak in physiological and psychological challenges for the animal. In summary, the present study lends further support to the notion that hospitalisation is, per se, a stress trigger in equines, despite the animals' demonstrated capacity to adapt over time. The data obtained further corroborates the hypothesis that saliva is a viable matrix for the monitoring of cortisol. Conversely, serotonin exhibited no significant outcomes, precluding the generalisation of this matrix to stress biomarkers. In the context of inflammation, the evaluation of various parameters revealed no discernible correlation between blood and saliva. This finding indicates that, at present, saliva does not serve as a reliable medium for investigating inflammation. In the future, its validity in a clinical setting is a possibility, with the potential to contribute to an ethical and less invasive approach in equine veterinary medicine. However, further research is required on this subject.
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VETERINARY MEDICINE, HORSES, EQUIDS, SALIVA, STRESS, PHYSICAL RECOVERY, ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR, ANIMAL WELFARE, HYDROCORTISONE, BIOMARKERS, MESTRADO INTEGRADO EM MEDICINA VETERINÁRIA, VETERINÁRIA, MEDICINA VETERINÁRIA, CAVALOS, EQUÍDEOS, SALIVA, STRESS, RECUPERAÇÃO FÍSICA, COMPORTAMENTO ANIMAL, BEM-ESTAR ANIMAL, HIDROCORTISONA, BIOMARCADORES