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.
Comparison of incisional complications between skin closures using a simple continuous or intradermal pattern: a pilot study in horses undergoing ventral median celiotomy. Development of incisional complications following ventral median celiotomy might depend on suture pattern for skin closure. Methods: In this prospective study, 21 healthy male horses underwent celiotomy. Skin closure was either performed via a continuous percutaneous pattern (CO group; 5 warmbloods/5 ponies) or an intradermal pattern (ID group; 5 warmbloods/6 ponies). Follow-up examination of the incisional site included daily monitoring for edema, dehiscence, and drainage. Transcutaneous ultrasound was performed at Days 3, 6, and 10 as well as on Week 8 and 12 to evaluate size of edema and pr...
Complications associated with closed castration using the Henderson equine castration instrument in 300 standing equids. To describe a closed castration technique in standing equids, report associated complications, and identify potential risk factors. Methods: Prospective cohort study of 300 standing equids that were castrated with the Henderson Equine Castrating Instrument. Methods: Thirteen participating veterinarians recorded intraoperative difficulties and postoperative complications. Descriptive statistics, univariate analyses with Fisher's exact tests, and logistic regressions were used to evaluate intraoperative difficulties and postoperative complications and to assess risk factors for postoperative com...
Short-term outcome and risk factors for post-operative complications following umbilical resection in 82 foals (2004-2016). Umbilical remnant infection and patent urachus are an important cause of morbidity for the equine neonate. Left untreated, fatal complications can develop. Identifying risk factors for post-operative complications after surgery are important for estimating prognosis. Objective: To identify risk factors associated with post-operative complications in foals undergoing umbilical remnant resection due to patent and/or infected umbilical remnants. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Foals undergoing umbilical remnant resection due to patent urachus or infected remnants at the Marion duPont...
Surgical management of postcastration spermatic cord stump infection in horses: A retrospective study of 23 cases. To report the surgical management and the short- and long-term follow-up of postcastration spermatic cord infection in horses. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Twenty-three client-owned horses. Methods: Medical records (2001-2017) of horses that had been surgically treated for spermatic cord stump infection after castration were reviewed. Time from castration to presentation, diagnostic procedures, surgical complications, bacterial culture and ancillary testing, and survival to discharge were collected. Long-term follow-up was obtained by owner survey when possible. Descriptive sta...
Minimally invasive, compartmentalized, modified open castration technique with primary closure in equids. OBJECTIVE To describe use of a modified open castration technique with a scrotal approach and primary closure in equids. DESIGN Prospective case series. ANIMALS 38 client-owned, sexually intact male equids. PROCEDURES With owner consent, elective castration was performed with a modified open technique on patients (1 pony, 1 miniature horse, and 36 horses of other breeds) under general anesthesia. The procedure included minimal dissection into the scrotal region for removal of testes, with cremaster muscles left intact and the parietal vaginal tunic closed in place. Primary closure of surgical ...
Outcome of Ventral Fusion of Two or Three Cervical Vertebrae with a Locking Compression Plate for the Treatment of Cervical Stenotic Myelopathy in Eight Horses.  It was recently shown that biomechanical stability achieved with a locking compression plate (LCP) for ventral cervical fusion in horses is similar to the commonly used Kerf cut cylinder. The advantages of the LCP system render it an interesting implant for this indication. The goal of this report was to describe surgical technique, complications and outcome of horses that underwent ventral fusion of two or three cervical vertebrae with an LCP. Methods:  Medical records of eight horses were reviewed for patient data, history, preoperative grade of ataxia, diagnostic imaging, surgical tech...
Comparison of complication rates following elective arthroscopy performed as inpatient versus outpatient surgery in horses. OBJECTIVE To report complication rates following elective arthroscopy in horses and determine whether postoperative complication rates are higher for outpatient procedures, compared with inpatient procedures. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. ANIMALS 357 client-owned horses that had undergone 366 elective arthroscopic procedures between January 2008 and February 2015. PROCEDURES Medical records were retrospectively reviewed. Data collected included signalment, travel time to the hospital, clinical signs, joints treated, lesions diagnosed, medications administered, anesthesia and surgery times...
Prevalence of complications associated with use of the Henderson equine castrating instrument. Castration is one of the most common surgical procedures performed in the horse. Complication rate and types of complications associated with use of the Henderson equine castrating instrument have not been determined. Objective: To determine the complication rate and type of complications encountered when using the Henderson equine castrating instrument in equine ambulatory practice. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Medical records of horses undergoing routine castration using the Henderson drill were identified and evaluated for the occurrence of complications. The relationship be...
Postoperative complications in equine elective, clean orthopaedic surgery with/without antibiotic prophylaxis. Retrospective analysis of postoperative complications in equines after clean, orthopaedic surgical procedures in order to detect differences between animals treated with antibiotics and horses without receiving these drugs. Methods: Details on 652 patients, surgical procedures and surgery-associated complications were compiled from horses being operated between June 2011 and January 2015. Antibiotic-receiving patients (n = 259) were tested for differences in complication rates and characteristics to controls (n = 393). Results: The total complication rate was 39.1 %. Increased swelling was obs...
Salpingopharyngeal fistula as a treatment for guttural pouch mycosis in seven horses. Guttural pouch mycosis (GPM) is a cause of nasal discharge, dysphagia and fatal haemorrhage in the horse. Objective: To report the complications and success of salpingopharyngeal fistulation in horses with GPM. We hypothesised that creating a direct static opening into the guttural pouch from the pharynx would cause a regression of fungal plaques due to a change in the guttural pouch environment and that this treatment would result in resolution of infection prior to secondary complications. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: The medical records of all horses diagnosed with GPM that ...
Factors associated with postoperative complications in healthy horses after general anesthesia for ophthalmic versus non-ophthalmic procedures: 556 cases (2012-2014). OBJECTIVE To compare complications between healthy horses undergoing general anesthesia for ophthalmic versus non-ophthalmic procedures and identify potential risk factors for the development of complications. DESIGN Retrospective case series. ANIMALS 502 horses (556 anesthetic procedures). PROCEDURES Medical records from January 2012 through December 2014 were reviewed to identify horses undergoing general anesthesia. Signalment, body weight, drugs administered, patient positioning, procedure type (ophthalmic, orthopedic, soft tissue, or diagnostic imaging), specific procedure, procedure time...
Clinical outcomes after colopexy through left ventral paramedian incision in 156 thoroughbred broodmares with large colon disorders (1999-2015). To describe a technique for colopexy via a left ventral paramedian incision and report postoperative clinical outcomes. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: One hundred fifty-six thoroughbred broodmares treated with a colopexy through a left ventral paramedian incision between 1999 and 2015. Methods: Medical records were reviewed for postoperative complications and survival to discharge. The survival rate at 1 year after surgery was based on the medical record, progeny record, or client telephone conversation. Progeny records were reviewed to assess reproductive performance. T tests, Ï...
Fifty years of colic surgery. Colic surgery is one of few treatments in which a veterinarian can use a skill to save an animal's life from a deadly disease within a short timeframe. Unfortunately, such success is not achieved without considerable risk for surgical failure, which is responsible for most complications in the immediate post-operative period. The last 50Â years have witnessed considerable improvements in colic surgery, although a ranking of the most important ones might not meet with universal agreement. Teamwork plays a critical role in the final outcome, starting and finishing with the referring veterinarian...
Catheter-associated venous air embolism in hospitalized horses: 32 cases. Venous air embolism is a potentially life-threatening complication of IV catheter use in horses. Despite widespread anecdotal reports of their occurrence, few cases have been reported in the literature and the prognosis is currently unknown. Objective: Our objective was to describe the surrounding circumstances, clinical signs, treatment, progression, and outcome of venous air embolism in hospitalized horses. Methods: Thirty-two horses with acute onset of compatible clinical signs associated with IV catheter disconnection or damage. Methods: Multicenter retrospective study. Data extracted from...
Effects of hyaluronate-carboxymethylcellulose membranes on the clinical outcome of horses undergoing emergency exploratory celiotomy. To determine the influence of hyaluronate-carboxymethylcellulose (HA-CMC) membranes applied to intestinal anastomoses or enterotomies on postoperative complications after emergency exploratory celiotomy. Methods: Multicenter retrospective case-controlled series. Methods: Adult horses (59 in the HA-CMC group and 91 controls). Methods: Medical records from 4 referral hospitals were searched for horses ≥1 year of age, treated between 2008 and 2014 with emergency exploratory celiotomy, and surviving at least 24 hours postoperatively. Horses receiving repeat celiotomy during the same hospitalizat...
A Novel Surgical Methodology for Dual Cannula Placement of the Ileum and Cecum in Equids: Assessment of Postoperative Management and Clinical Outcome. Cecal and ileal cannulations have previously been used to determine equine digestibility and define gastrointestinal physiology. However, research has been limited to specific portions of the equine digestive tract lacking utilization of dual cannulations. The purpose of this study was to develop and implement surgical and preoperative and postoperative procedures for cannulation of dual sections, ileum and cecum, of the equine digestive tract including development of recommendations for addressing postsurgery complications. A total of 8 ponies went through surgical procedures for the placemen...
A retrospective report (2003-2013) of the complications associated with the use of a one-man (head and tail) rope recovery system in horses following general anaesthesia. The mortality rate of horses undergoing general anaesthesia is high when compared to humans or small animal patients. One of the most critical periods during equine anaesthesia is recovery, as the horse attempts to regain a standing position. This study was performed in a private equine practice in Belgium that uses a purpose-designed one-man (head and tail) rope recovery system to assist the horse during the standing process.The main purpose of the retrospective study was to report and analyse complications and the mortality rate in horses during recovery from anaesthesia using the described ...
Prosthetic mesh repair of abdominal wall hernias in horses. Repair of hernias of the abdominal wall of horses is often augmented by inserting a prosthetic mesh. In this review, we describe the various characteristics of prosthetic meshes used for hernia repair and present 2 systems that are used by surgeons in the human medical field to classify techniques of prosthetic mesh herniorrhaphy. Both of these classification systems distinguish between onlay, inlay, sublay, and underlay placements of mesh, based on the location within the abdominal wall in which the prosthetic mesh is inserted. We separate the published techniques of prosthetic mesh herniorrh...
Survey of equine castration techniques, preferences and outcomes among Australian veterinarians. (1) To collect the perceptions of veterinarians performing equine castrations in Australia on techniques, preferences and outcomes, (2) to investigate veterinarian use and experience with the Henderson castrating instrument and (3) to investigate potential associations between demographics, castration methods and techniques, and complications. Methods: Online survey of members of the Australian Veterinary Association's Special Interest Group, Equine Veterinarians Australia (EVA). Methods: A link to the survey was included in the EVA e-newsletter and practices on the EVA website were contacted ...
Vessel sealer and divider instrument temperature during laparoscopic ovariectomy in horses. To determine the temperature of a vessel sealer and divider device during unilateral paralumbar laparoscopic ovariectomy in standing, sedated mares. Methods: Prospective study. Methods: Fifteen healthy research mares. Methods: Healthy mares with normal ovarian palpation and ultrasonographic appearance were enrolled. Horses were restrained in standing stocks and sedated. A right or left paralumbar ovariectomy was performed with a laparoscopic portal and 2 instrument portals. Ovaries were excised with traumatic forceps and a blunt tip vessel sealer and divider. Temperatures of the vessel sealer ...
Morcellation for testes extraction in horses undergoing standing laparoscopic cryptorchidectomy. The major objective of this study was to describe the use of morcellation for standing laparoscopic cryptorchidectomy in 30 client-owned horses. A second objective was to describe a laparoscopic-assisted standing scrotal technique for removal of a descended testis in unilateral cryptorchids. Morcellation for extraction of abdominal testes is effective, efficient, and well-tolerated. Morcellation enabled safe and straightforward extraction of testes from the abdomen through an approximately 13- to 20-mm incision using a 2-portal technique. No incisional or morcellator-related complications occu...
A Rare Case of Deep Digital Flexor Tendinopathy following Centesis of the Navicular Bursa. Navicular bursa (NB) centesis is a common diagnostic and therapeutic procedure in equine practice. This case report documents the clinical, diagnostic imaging and histological findings in a horse with a suspected iatrogenic deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) injury following centesis of the NB a modified distal plantar approach (placement of two needles in a weight bearing position). Although it cannot be proven with absolute certainty, the authors believe that this is the first reported case where NB centesis is the likely cause of a DDFT lesion, and with magnetic resonance imaging performed ...
Technique-associated outcomes in horses following large colon resection. To compare survival and complications in horses undergoing large colon resection with either sutured end-to-end or stapled functional end-to-end anastomoses. Methods: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: Twenty-six client-owned horses with gastrointestinal disease. Methods: Retrospective data were retrieved from the medical records of 26 horses undergoing colectomy, including 14 horses with sutured end-to-end and 12 horses with stapled functional end-to-end anastomoses, between 2003 and 2016. Records were evaluated for signalment, medical and surgical treatments, and survival to hospital disch...
Open standing castration in Thoroughbred racehorses in Hong Kong: Prevalence and severity of complications 30 days post-castration. Complications following open standing castration (OSC) in Thoroughbred racehorses are well recognised but variation in their prevalence and severity between populations is not well documented. Objective: To describe the prevalence and severity of complications in the 30 days following OSC. Methods: A retrospective cohort study of veterinary clinical records relating to horses that underwent OSC between July 2007 and July 2012. Methods: Complications were graded on a severity score from N, no complications, to C3, severe complications. Additional data were accessed for each horse including age,...
Retrospective evaluation of 155 adult equids and 21 foals with tetanus in Western, Northern, and Central Europe (2000-2014). Part 1: Description of history and clinical evolution. To describe clinical data of hospitalized adult equids and foals with tetanus. Methods: Multicenter retrospective study (2000-2014). Methods: Twenty Western, Northern, and Central European university teaching hospitals and private referral centers. Methods: One hundred fifty-five adult equids (>6 months) and 21 foals (<6 months) with tetanus. Methods: None. Results: Information on geographic, annual and seasonal data, demographic- and management-related data, clinical history, clinical examination and blood analysis on admission, complications, treatments, and outcomes were described and stati...
Complications of intravenous catheterization in horses. Intravenous catheterization is a necessity for continuous administration of intravenous fluids and for intermittent intravenous access to avoid discomfort and potential complications of repeated needle insertions into the vein. Intravenous catheterization is commonly performed and well tolerated in horses, but catheter associated complications have been reported. The most commonly reported complication is thrombophlebitis, but others such as venous air embolism, exsanguination and catheter fragmentation may also occur. This article aims to review clinical signs, pathogenesis, diagnosis, therap...
A multicentre study of long-term follow-up and owner satisfaction following enucleation in horses. Horses are reported to return to a variety of disciplines following unilateral enucleation; however, owners of horses with ocular disease are frequently reluctant to consider the procedure. There is little published information investigating owners' attitudes towards, and satisfaction following, enucleation. Objective: To investigate the hypotheses: 1) horses return to their previous level of work following unilateral enucleation and 2) their owners are satisfied with the post-operative outcome. Methods: Retrospective case series with cross-sectional survey. Methods: Clinical records from eigh...
Aryepiglottic fold augmentation as treatment for late-onset dysphagia following surgical treatment of recurrent laryngeal neuropathy. Coughing and dysphagia have been described following prosthetic laryngoplasty (LP) with or without ventriculectomy/ventriculocordectomy (VE/VCE) for the treatment of recurrent laryngeal neuropathy. All previous case descriptions include patients with acute onset of clinical signs after surgery that persisted. The authors observed a late-onset of dysphagia and coughing months to years after LP ± VE/VCE. The condition was always associated with an abnormality of the aryepiglottic fold (AEF). Treatment options for those patients are limited. We suggest augmentation of the AEF as treatment for ...
Angular Limb Deformities: Growth Retardation. Angular limb deformities are common in foals; however, the importance of the deformity and if treatment is required depend on the degree of deformity relative to normal conformation for stage of growth, the breed and discipline expectations, age, and response to conservative therapies. This article addresses the importance of the foal conformation examination to determine which foals need surgical intervention to correct an angular deformity and when. Techniques for surgical growth retardation include the transphyseal staple, screw and wire transphyseal bridge, and transphyseal screw. Appropri...