• asino
• puledro
• residuo ombelicale

RIASSUNTO
Valutazione ecografica qualitativa delle strutture ombelicali con misurazioni di arterie ombelicali, uraco e vena ombelicale. Valutazione dell’esistenza di eventuali relazioni fra peso corporeo alla nascita, razza e sesso dei puledri asinini con le dimensioni delle strutture ombelicali. Confronto dei risultati ottenuti con i risultati precedentemente pubblicati per i puledri equini.
Sono stati valutati quindici puledri asinini, con valutazioni ecografiche a 24 ore dalla nascita (T1), a 3 giorni (T2) e a sette giorni (T3). L’ecografia è estata eseguita utilizzando un ecografo portatile con una scansione in B-mode real-time e sonda lineare transcutanea multifrequenza, con frequenze comprese fra 5-7,5 MHz.
Non è stata rilevata una significativa differenza in dimensioni nei tre giorni in cui sono state eseguite le scansioni. Probabilmente le strutture ombelicale negli asini richiedono un tempo maggiore per andare in contro ad atrofia rispetto ai puledri di specie equina.
Ulteriori studi sono necessari per valutare i tempi di inizio, progressione e durata dell’involuzione delle strutture ombelicali.

SUMMARY
Introduction and objective. The umbilicus has been recognized as a potential access for pathogens in equine foal, causing umbilical infections and potentially life threating. Early diagnosis based on ultrasonographic appearance and measurement of internal anatomic structures is crucial to avoid severe complications and promptly implement appropriate therapy. The aim of the present study was to evaluate ultrasonographically the umbilical remnant in donkey foals, in the first week of life.
Materials and methods. Fifteen healthy donkey foals were included in the study. The ultrasound evaluation of the umbilical remnant was performed at 24 hours (T1), and then at 3 (T2) and 7 (T3) days of life. Ultrasound was performed using a real-time B mode scan using a portable ultrasound machine (MyLab30Gold, Esaote, Italy) and a multifrequency 5-7.5 MHz frequency linear probe transducer. The Kruskal-Wallis test and the Dunn’s multiple comparisons test were applied to verify differences in relation to time for all the umbilical remnant structures measured. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05.
Results. No statistical differences were observed in relation to time, regarding umbilical remnant measurements. Correlation was found between donkey foals’ body weight and left artery at T0.
Conclusion. The ranges of umbilical measurements, including urachus, vein and arteries, reported for horses and calves can be considered valid also for donkeys. The regression of the structures is probably slower compared with equine foals, but it is comparable to what has been reported for calves. Thus, the different regression timing might be taken into account when evaluating foals with possible umbilical disease, within the first week of life.
Parole chiave: foal; donkey; umbilical remnant.