Resumen

CHACON, Tony C.; ZERPA, Héctor; COVA, Francisco J.  y  CAMPOS, Gerardo J. Efecto del estrés asociado al destete sobre variables  Clínico-Patológicas  y la integridad de la mucosa gástrica en Potros Pura Sangre de Carrera. Rev. Fac. Cienc. Vet. [online]. 2006, vol.47, n.2, pp.79-91. ISSN 0258-6576.

Thoroughbred horses are commonly submitted to a weaning procedure when they are six months old. This procedure may lead to a post-weaning stress with potential deleterious effects for the animal's health. The purpose of this study was to investigate the gastroscopic findings, as indicators of stress in thoroughbred foals. Twelve foals (six months old) of either sex were randomly selected and allocated into two groups: Group A: six foals were abruptly separated from their mares and stayed in stables alone. Group B: six foals were abruptly separated from their mares, but stayed in the field with other mares and foals. Previous to weaning and at 21 days after weaning, a completed medical check was performed on all animals to rule out the presence of stress and gastric ulcers. Feces were collected for parasites and blood samples were withdrawn for white cells, cortisol, and glycemia determinations. The variables were evaluated by nonparametrics procedures. The gastroscopic evaluation was carried out using the Macallister range. One foal from group A resulted with diarrhea and bruxism. Blood levels of cortisol and glycemia between pre and post weaning animals revelated no significant differences from both groups. White blood cells count was significantly (P<0.05) higher for the post weaning animals in group A, but with no differences in group B. The gastroscopic evaluation evidenced of gastric ulcers in two foals from group A and two foals from group B. This essay showed that even though there are no significant differences for each of the clinical variables studied, the increase in white cells count during post weaning period in group A, could reflex a potential increase in the susceptibility of foals to acquire diseases characterized by leukocytosis when this modality of weaning is used.

Palabras clave : Foals,; weaning; stress; cortisol; leukocytosis; gastric ulcer.