Omneity® Pellets
All-In-One Vitamin & Mineral Pellet
Topic:Complications
Complications in horses refer to unexpected medical or surgical issues that arise during the course of treatment or recovery. These complications can affect various systems within the horse's body and may result from underlying conditions, medical interventions, or environmental factors. Common complications in equines include laminitis, colic, infections, and respiratory issues. Each complication presents distinct clinical challenges and requires careful management to mitigate adverse outcomes. This section compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the incidence, etiology, management strategies, and outcomes associated with complications in equine health.
Novel technique for correcting urovagina via urethral transposition in the horse. Vesicovaginal reflux is a common cause of infertility in mares. Surgical correction is commonly recommended and involves caudal relocation of the urethral orifice which forces the urine to be expelled caudally. There have been several previously described techniques. Complications associated with caudal urethral extension occur in 11-33.3% of cases. Objective: To identify a novel technique for performing caudal urethral translocation that effectively corrects vesicovaginal reflux with minimal associated complications. Methods: In vivo experiment and clinical case series. Methods: The experimen...
Cervical spinal cord compression may affect anesthetic recovery quality and seizure incidence in horses after myelography. To compare anesthetic recovery quality and seizure incidence after cervical myelography in horses with or without cervical spinal cord compression. Unassigned: Anesthesia and medical records from January 2017 to December 2022 of horses anesthetized for myelography were retrieved. Patients with incomplete records, equine protozoal myeloencephalitis diagnosis, or an anesthetic protocol outside an established standard were excluded. Demographic analysis, ataxia score, and anesthetic management variables were recorded in an observational retrospective fashion. Each variable was compared between gr...
Ovum pick-up in mares: Evidence review and best practice recommendations using a modified GRADE approach. Ovum pick-up (OPU) is a procedure that is now performed in mares worldwide to harvest oocytes for in vitro embryo production. There is a lack of consensus surrounding best practices for various procedural elements of the technique and recently there has been an increasing focus on the welfare aspects of the procedure. Our objective was to summarize current practice and to develop guidelines for OPU in the mare, using a modified GRADE approach to optimize efficiency and mare welfare. Published evidence on various aspects of the procedure was compiled, and to supplement the relative lack of publ...
Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy and jejunojejunostomy for pyloric obstruction bypass in a horse and a foal. Gastric outflow obstruction in horses is a rare but challenging condition, often resulting from either congenital anomalies or acquired lesions such as chronic ulceration or pyloric polyps. Conventional surgical bypass procedures, including gastrojejunostomy (GJ) or gastroduodenostomy and less commonly duodenojejunostomy, can restore patency but may lead to postoperative complications. Objective: To describe the presentation, surgical management, and postoperative outcome of two horses-an adult and a foal treated with Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy combined with a side-to-side jejunojejunostomy (...
Cheek tooth extraction in geriatric versus non-geriatric horses. Age-related dental changes are major contributors to dental disorders in older horses, and cheek tooth extractions are often required to maintain masticatory function and oral comfort. However, limited information is available on clinical and treatment characteristics in this older patient population. Objective: To describe clinical features, treatments, complication rates and short-term outcomes of horses undergoing oral cheek tooth extraction and treatment of odontogenic sinusitis, and to compare findings between geriatric and non-geriatric horses. Methods: Retrospective analysis of clinical...
Management of Equine Post-Extraction Cheek Tooth Alveoli: Application of Alveolar Plugs. Preservation of dentition remains the primary goal of equine dentistry; however, cheek tooth extraction is required in cases of severe dental pathology. Following tooth extraction, management of the post-extraction alveolus remains a significant clinical challenge due to its large size and susceptibility to contamination with feed material and bacteria. To mitigate these risks, alveolar plugs are commonly used to protect the alveolus, stabilize the blood clot, and support granulation tissue formation. This review summarizes the current case reports and research articles regarding the use of al...
A Surgical Technique for Removal of Setaria digitata From the Anterior Chamber Under Standing Sedation: Outcomes in 12 Horses. To describe a rapid surgical technique for removal of the intraocular nematode Setaria digitata from the anterior chamber of horses under standing sedation and to report clinical outcomes. Methods: Twelve client-owned horses (2021-2026) presented with a motile intracameral worm. Methods: All surgeries were performed under field conditions using standing sedation (xylazine 1.1 mg kg and butorphanol 0.1 mg kg IV), regional nerve blocks (lidocaine 2%), and topical anesthesia (proparacaine). A 2.8 mm uniplanar oblique (~45°) corneal incision was created ventrolaterally approximately 2â€...
Near-Term Extrauterine Pregnancy Secondary To Uterine Rupture In A Mare. Uterine rupture is an uncommon but life-threatening complication of equine reproduction, typically associated with dystocia, uterine torsion, fetal manipulation, or hydrops. Tears may occur in either the uterine horns or body, although involvement of the ventral uterine body is rare. This case report describes an 11-year-old Arabian mare at 350 days of gestation that developed abdominal pregnancy secondary to uterine torsion and full-thickness ventral uterine rupture, resulting in fetal death and the free presence of the fetus within the peritoneal cavity. Surgical removal of the fetus and pri...
A 12-year review of equestrian related injuries at a major trauma centre in South Africa. Few studies on equestrian-related injuries have specifically focused on patients in South Africa. The aim of this study was to review the spectrum of injuries and of patients treated at state-funded trauma centres in South Africa. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted over a 12-year period from July 2012 to February 2025 on all patients treated for equestrian-related injuries. Results: A total of 82 patients were included (83% male, median age: 17 years, median injury severity score (ISS): 9). The most common mechanism of injury was a fall ( = 41), followed by a kick ( = 38). Two were t...
Functional and feasibility aspects of orthopedic exoprostheses in quadruped domestic animals: a systematic review. The use of prostheses in animals with partial limb amputation has emerged as an alternative to euthanasia, aiming to improve their quality of life. However, the fabrication and adaptation remain challenging in Veterinary Medicine. This study aims to evaluate, through a systematic review, the determinants of viability, outcomes, and limitations of exoprostheses in domestic animals of varying sizes. A literature search was conducted in ScienceDirect, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar using structure search terms related to prosthesis, veterinary, amputation. After screening and ...
Deep digital flexor tenotomy provides pain relief and clinical comfort in horses with chronic laminitis. This study evaluated the clinical application, outcomes, and prognostic indicators of deep digital flexor tenotomy (DDFT) in horses with chronic laminitis. Unassigned: A computer-generated search identified all possible cases of laminitis for horses referred to the George D. Widener Hospital for Large Animals at the University of Pennsylvania between 2010 and 2022. Medical records were reviewed for a diagnosis of laminitis by clinical examination and radiographs. The population was characterized by breed, age, clinical features, and radiographic findings. Poisson regression was performed to id...
Evaluation of episcleral silicone matrix cyclosporine implants for presumed equine immune-mediated keratitis: a retrospective study. Immune-mediated keratitis (IMMK) is a chronic inflammatory corneal disease in horses. Long-term topical therapy with cyclosporine is often impractical, highlighting the need for sustained-release alternatives. Objective: To assess clinical response, tolerability, and duration of effect of episcleral silicone matrix cyclosporine implants (ESMC) in horses with presumed IMMK. Methods: Medical records of 12 horses (14 eyes) treated between 2019 and 2023 were retrospectively reviewed. IMMK subtypes were classified as epithelial (n = 3 eyes), anterior stromal (n = 9), or mid-stromal (n =â€...
Case Report: Mesh repair of a urinary bladder dorsal wall defect following repeated cystorrhaphy in a warmblood foal. A three-day-old male Warmblood foal presented with inability to urinate. Primary diagnostic findings included abdominal distension, hyperkalemia, azotemia, and ultrasonographic evidence for free anechoic fluid in the abdominal cavity. Abdominocentesis confirmed the diagnosis of an uroperitoneum [peritoneal fluid to serum creatinine ratio (>2:1)]. Suture repair of a dorsal urinary bladder wall defect was performed, but leakage along the suture tracts resulted in recurrent uroperitoneum confirmed by computed tomographic urography after two days. Repeated cystorrhaphy was performed but uroperi...
Long-term clinical outcome of maxillofacial fractures in horses: A retrospective study of 30 cases (2020-2024). To assess long-term outcome, complications, and return to function in horses with maxillofacial fractures. Methods: Retrospective observational study. Methods: A total of 30 horses with skull fractures (2020-2024). Methods: Clinical records were reviewed for signalment, fracture characteristics, imaging, treatment, and hospitalization. Long-term outcome was obtained via structured owner questionnaires addressing healing, complications, cosmetic appearance, and performance. Descriptive statistics were applied. Results: A total of 29 of 30 horses received treatment (25 surgical, 4 conservative);...
Application of a framework to mitigate the risk of surgical site infection after exploratory celiotomy in horses: A retrospective study. To describe the methodology used to identify the contributors to a perceived sudden increase in exploratory celiotomy surgical site infections (SSI) and complications at the North Carolina State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital (NCSU VTH) between 2019 and 2020 and evaluate the effect of the designed intervention up to 4 years after its implementation. Methods: Case-control retrospective study over a five-year period. Methods: A total of 448 horses that underwent exploratory celiotomy for the treatment of acute abdominal pain were included. Methods: Medical records of horses that under...
Short- and Long-Term Outcomes in Horses Following Laparoscopic Nephrosplenic Space Ablation. Left dorsal displacement of the large colon (LDDLC) is a common cause of colic in horses and it is frequently associated with recurrent episodes, with significant implications for horse management, athletic performance, and owner satisfaction. Laparoscopic nephrosplenic space (NSS) ablation is a preventive surgical technique aimed at reducing recurrence in horses with a history of medically or surgically treated LDDLC. This retrospective study evaluated 48 horses that underwent laparoscopic NSS ablation in two Italian Veterinary Teaching Hospitals between 2016 and 2024. Short-term outcomes, in...
Hemithyroidectomy due to a large, solid follicular thyroid adenoma in a 19-year-old thoroughbred mare. This case report describes the successful hemithyroidectomy of the largest equine solid follicular adenoma described in the veterinary literature to date. A 19-year-old thoroughbred mare was referred to Oakhill Veterinary Centre for the surgical removal of a large, left-sided thyroid gland measuring 26cm in diameter. Pre-operative considerations, the hemithyroidectomy surgical technique as well as the intra- and post-operative complications encountered, are discussed. Following surgery the horse had no long-term complications and continues to thrive four and a half years post-operatively.
Comparative Evaluation of Follicular Flushing Frequency and Scraping Time During Ovum Pick-Up in Mares: Effects on Oocyte Recovery Rate and Technical Considerations. Transvaginal ultrasound-guided follicular aspiration or ovum pick-up (OPU) has become the standard technique for oocyte collection in mares for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Although repeated follicular flushes and wall scraping are commonly used to improve oocyte recovery rate (ORR), the relative contribution of each remains unclear. This study aimed to compare the effects of multiple flushes versus controlled scraping time on ORR in mares. A controlled trial was conducted in two phases: (1) an ex vivo phase using slaughterhouse ovaries (n = 32), and (2) an in vivo phase in c...
Development of an Explainable Machine Learning Computational Model for the Prediction of Severe Complications After Orchiectomy in Stallions. The objective of the present study was to apply supervised Machine Learning to predict severe complications after equine orchiectomy. A dataset of 612 cases of orchiectomies in stallions was used for the development of a computational model, among which in 8.5% of cases severe complications (colic, continued stallion-like behaviour, evisceration, funiculitis, haemorrhage, and scrotal infection) were diagnosed post-orchiectomy. Three supervised Machine Learning tools were employed: Logistic Regression (12 different models evaluated), Random Forest (64 models), and Gradient Boosting (8 models). ...
Complications Following Orchiectomy in Stallions in Field Conditions: Descriptive Results and Predictors in a Study of 612 Cases. The objectives of this work were (i) to evaluate the incidence of complications in male horses after orchiectomy performed in the field, i.e., away from a veterinary hospital, (ii) to describe the post-operative complications that occurred in these animals and (iii) to study the potential predictors for the development of such complications. This study involved 612 animals, on which orchiectomy was performed. The operative part of the study was carried out by one of three experienced veterinary surgeons. Standard pre-operative procedures were followed. Orchiectomy was performed using one of th...
Evaluation of long-term postoperative morbidity and survival after equine colic surgery using a complication severity classification. Most studies on colic surgery outcome focus on short-term survival and complications. Long-term outcomes, particularly post-discharge morbidity, are poorly characterised despite their relevance. No standardised system has previously integrated both short- and long-term postoperative complications with survival outcomes. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate long-term survival and morbidity in horses after colic surgery using the equine postoperative complication score (EPOCS), and to assess the association between complications and survival. Methods: The medical records of horses undergoing ...
Laparoscopically assisted cecal cannulation in standing horses. Access to the equine cecum is required for various therapeutic and experimental procedures, including decompression, fluid therapy, and transfaunation. Traditional approaches via laparotomy are highly invasive. This study aimed to describe a minimally invasive, laparoscopically assisted technique for cecal cannulation in standing horses. Unassigned: Seven horses underwent the procedure under sedation and paravertebral anesthesia. Two right flank accesses were created: a 10-mm laparoscopic port for visualization and a 2-cm minilaparotomy for cecal exteriorization. A Foley catheter was inserted ...
Green Light-Activated Rose Bengal Cross-Linking in 81 Horses With Complex Corneal Ulcers and Stromal Abscesses. To assess the efficacy and safety of Rose Bengal and green light corneal cross-linking (RGX) as an adjunctive treatment for complicated corneal ulcers and stromal abscesses in horses. Methods: A retrospective analysis included 81 horses (82 eyes) treated with RGX between 2018 and 2024. Cases involved complicated corneal diseases such as melting keratitis, fungal keratitis, deep stromal defects, and stromal abscesses. Treatment consisted of topical or iontophoretic administration of 1% Rose Bengal followed by green light irradiation (550 nm; 150 J/cm) for 10 min. Most procedures (76.8%) w...
Effect of surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis duration for colic surgery on complications and resistome. Based on human studies, surgical antimicrobial (AMD) prophylaxis (SAP) beyond 24 h is unnecessary and potentially detrimental. Objective: To compare clinical and microbiological outcomes in patients receiving 24- or 72-h of SAP for colic surgery. Methods: Prospective randomised clinical trial. Methods: Horses that recovered from colic surgery were considered. Exclusion criteria were (1) age <2 years; (2) Miniature Horses, pony, and draught breeds; (3) azotaemia; (4) recent hospitalisation, colic surgery, or AMDs; (5) local AMD administration. Eligible horses were randomly assigned to recei...
Streptococcus equi Subspecies zooepidemicus Infective Endocarditis: A Case Report of a Rare Bacterium and Review of the Literature. Infective endocarditis (IE) is a dreaded disease with a high mortality rate. In Denmark, IE is most often caused by or species. We present a rare case of a 50-year-old woman with a history of a dual-chamber pacemaker due to third-degree atrioventricular block and a mechanical mitral valve inserted due to mitral stenosis. The patient was admitted to the hospital after she was found lying on the floor in her home. The patient was diagnosed with subspecies () prosthetic heart valve IE, which was complicated with meningitis, myocardial infarction, and an increasing vegetation load despite antib...
Endoscopically assisted transcutaneous placement of a balloon catheter in the medial guttural pouch compartment of the horse: A surgical approach to local treatment. To describe and report clinical outcomes after transcutaneous guttural pouch (GP) catheterization (TGPC) in standing horses. Methods: Ex vivo study and case series. Methods: One cadaver head, records of 10 normal horses and 14 horses treated with TGPC. Methods: Relevant anatomical landmarks were determined through dissection of one cadaveric specimen and 10 normal radiographic studies. Records of horses diagnosed with empyema or mycosis and treated with standing TGPC were reviewed for complications that occurred during or after the operation. Results: Ex vivo and radiological studies identifie...
Complications Associated with Equine Diagnostic and Elective procedures. The practice of medicine has always been associated with complications. In fact, in its early stages, these complications contributed to the understanding of certain diseases and advancement of the medical field. In equine practice, virtually every procedure carries an associated risk. In fact, even procedures that would have minimal risk in human medicine may pose significant risk in equine practice owing to the unique nature of the horse. For instance, a simple rectal palpation could result in a rectal tear following an unexpected movement of the patient. Thus, extrapolations of complication...
Standing excision of the nasal septum of 12 horses. To describe the technique of and complications associated with excising the nasal septum of horses with the horse standing and to report the outcome of horses undergoing this procedure. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: A total of Twelve horses affected with disease of the nasal septum. Methods: The septum of each horse was excised with the horse sedated. All horses underwent rhinotomy, and six also underwent laryngotomy, to position three loops of obstetrical wire used to make three of four septal incisions. The sites of laryngotomy and rhinotomy were desensitized by infiltrating local a...
Cryptorchidism in Equid: A Retrospective Study on Diagnostic Approach, Anaesthesia Management, Surgical Treatment and Outcomes. Over the years, various diagnostic and surgical techniques have been developed to recognise and treat cryptorchidism in equid. This study retrospectively analysed cases of cryptorchidism referred to two centres between 2012 and 2025. Clinical data collected included species, breed, age, gender, location of retained testis, diagnostic approach, anaesthesia plan and surgical treatment, perioperative medical treatment, intra-operative complications and outcomes. A total of 37 clinical cases were included, 1/37 was a donkey and 1/37 was an intersex female. Most of the horses were three years old a...
