Pain management in horses involves various strategies and interventions designed to alleviate discomfort and improve the well-being of equine patients. It encompasses pharmacological approaches, such as the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), opioids, and other analgesics, as well as non-pharmacological methods like physical therapy, acupuncture, and environmental modifications. Effective pain management aims to address both acute and chronic pain conditions, which can result from injuries, surgeries, or diseases such as laminitis and arthritis. This page aggregates peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the mechanisms, efficacy, and safety of different pain management techniques in horses, contributing to the understanding and advancement of equine veterinary care.
Szarka S, Prokai L.We report a high-throughput chip-based nanoelectrospray ionization method coupled with Fourier transform mass spectrometry to screen for local anesthetics in samples collected by swabbing. These drugs have been used to mask pain on the limbs of walking horses after forbidden practices of soring or physical abuse. Optimized for lidocaine, the method afforded sub-ppm mass accuracy for nine local anesthetics included in the study. From doped cotton swabs, two third and all of the analytes were detected after adding 10 ng and 100 ng of each drug, respectively. Benzocaine and/or lidocaine were ...
Swaab ME, Mendez-Angulo JL, Groschen DM, Ernst NS, Brown MP, Trumble TN.A circumferential hoof clamp method to induce controlled and reversible lameness in the forelimbs of eight horses was assessed. Peak vertical forces and vertical impulses were recorded using a force plate to verify induced lameness. Video recordings were used by blinded observers to determine subjective lameness using a 0-5 scale and any residual lameness following clamp loosening. Tightening of clamps resulted in consistent, visible lameness in the selected limbs in all horses. Lameness was confirmed by significant decreases from baseline in the peak vertical force (P <0.01). Lameness wa...
Frisbie DD, McCarthy HE, Archer CW, Barrett MF, McIlwraith CW.We sought to determine the effectiveness of chondroprogenitor cells derived from autologous and allogenic articular cartilage for the repair of cartilage defects in an equine model. Methods: Cartilage defects (15 mm) were created on the medial trochlear ridge of the femur. The following experimental treatments were compared with empty-defect controls: fibrin only, autologous chondroprogenitor cells plus fibrin, and allogenic chondroprogenitor cells plus fibrin (n = 4 or 12 per treatment). Horses underwent strenuous exercise throughout the twelve-month study, and evaluations included lameness (...
Petit A, Redout EM, van de Lest CH, de Grauw JC, Müller B, Meyboom R, van Midwoud P, Vermonden T, Hennink WE, René van Weeren P.In this study, the intra-articular tolerability and suitability for local and sustained release of an in situ forming gel composed of an acetyl-capped poly(ε-caprolactone-co-lactide)-b-poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(ε-caprolactone-co-lactide) (PCLA-PEG-PCLA) copolymer loaded with celecoxib was investigated in horse joints. The systems were loaded with two dosages of celecoxib, 50 mg/g ('low CLB gel') and 260 mg/g ('high CLB gel'). Subsequently, they were injected into the joints of five healthy horses. For 72 h after intra-articular injection, they induced a transient inflammatory response,...
Regan FH, Hockenhull J, Pritchard JC, Waterman-Pearson AE, Whay HR.To identify pain-related behaviour in working donkeys in order to assist their owners and veterinarians to recognise and manage pain. Objective: To identify general and specific behaviours associated with pain or its relief using a trial with the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug meloxicam (Metacam). Methods: Observer-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. Methods: Forty adult male working donkeys with common clinical abnormalities were randomly assigned to receive either a single loading dose of meloxicam (1.2 mg/kg bwt per os; n = 20) or a placebo (30 mg honey/250 ml water per os; n = 20...
Parkes R, Newton R, Dyson S.Previous descriptions of the clinical features of navicular disease occurred before the widespread use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) allowed a more definitive diagnosis of foot pain. The objective of this study was to compare the clinical features of horses with lesions of the podotrochlear apparatus with those with other causes of foot pain. It was hypothesised that primary navicular bone disease would be associated with more advanced radiological findings than other diagnoses. A retrospective study was performed of all horses examined at a referral centre with a definitive diagnosis of...
Mitchell CF, Fugler LA, Eades SC.Laminitis is an extremely painful condition resulting in damage to the soft tissues anchoring the third phalanx to the hoof, which can result in life-threatening debilitation. Specific therapy is not available. The most important principles of therapy include aggressive nutritional and medical management of primary disease processes, cryotherapy, anti-inflammatory therapy, pain management, and biomechanical support. This review focuses on the principles of evidenced-based therapies.
Cook VL, Blikslager AT.To review the physiology of the cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes with reference to the beneficial effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) related to their analgesic and antiendotoxic properties as well as the mechanisms responsible for adverse gastrointestinal, renal, and coagulation effects. Methods: Human and veterinary peer reviewed literature Results: NSAIDs are frequently administered to critically ill horses for their analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. However, NSAIDs have significant side effects principally on the gastrointestinal mucosa and kidneys. These side effec...
Donnell JR, Frisbie DD.This review presents the pathogenesis and medical treatment of equine osteoarthritis (OA), focusing on firocoxib. Inhibition of prostaglandin E remains a fundamental treatment for decreasing clinical symptoms (ie, pain and lameness) associated with OA in horses. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which inhibit the production of prostaglandin E from the arachidonic acid pathway, continue to be a mainstay for the clinical treatment of OA. Firocoxib is a cyclooxygenase (COX)-2-preferential NSAID that has been shown to be safe and to have a 70% oral bioavailability in the horse. Three ...
Claunch KM, Eggleston RB, Baxter GM.To compare the effects of 2 approaches and 2 injection volumes on diffusion of mepivacaine hydrochloride for local analgesia of the deep branch of the lateral plantar nerve (DBLPN) in horses. Methods: Experimental study. Methods: 16 adult horses. Methods: Either 2 mL (low volume) or 8 mL (high volume) of mepivacaine hydrochloride-iohexol (50:50 mixture) was injected by means of 1 of 2 techniques to produce analgesia of the DBLPN. For technique 1, the needle was inserted 15 mm distal to the head of the fourth metatarsal bone and directed perpendicular to the limb. For technique 2, the needle wa...
McMullen RJ, Gilger BC, Michau TM.To describe a surgical modification of deep lamellar endothelial keratoplasty (DLEK) and posterior lamellar keratoplasty (PLK) procedures, to facilitate surgery on standing horses under-sedation. Methods: Four client-owned horses, for which the owners declined surgery under general anesthesia, underwent standing corneal lamellar keratoplasty procedures for the treatment of deep corneal stromal abscesses. Methods: All four horses were placed in stocks and sedated with detomidine. Local eyelid and retrobulbar blocks were performed to provide local analgesia and akinesia, and each horse's head wa...
Krueger CR, Klohnen A.To describe a technique for surgical correction of nephrosplenic entrapment via standing left flank laparotomy. Methods: Case series. Methods: Horses (n = 3). Methods: Nephrosplenic entrapment was diagnosed by abdominal palpation per rectum in all 3 horses and confirmed by transabdominal ultrasonography in 2 horses. Duration of colic was variable and failed to resolve after medical management, phenylephrine administration, and jogging. With sedation and local analgesia, standing left flank laparotomy using a modified grid approach was performed to correct the entrapment. Follow-up information ...
Hobbs SJ, Baxter J, Broom L, Rossell LA, Sinclair J, Clayton HM.Since the ability to train the horse to be ambidextrous is considered highly desirable, rider asymmetry is recognized as a negative trait. Acquired postural and functional asymmetry can originate from numerous anatomical regions, so it is difficult to suggest if any is developed due to riding. The aim of this study was therefore to assess symmetry of posture, strength and flexibility in a large population of riders and to determine whether typical traits exist due to riding. 127 right handed riders from the UK and USA were categorized according to years riding (in 20 year increments) and their...
Cagnardi P, Ferraresi C, Zonca A, Pecile A, Ravasio G, Zani DD, Villa R.Tramadol is a synthetic codeine analogue used as an analgesic in human and veterinary medicine. It is not approved for use in horses, but could represent a valid tool for pain treatment in this species. Objective: The serum pharmacokinetic profile and urinary excretion of tramadol and its metabolites (O-desmethyltramadol [M1], N-desmethyltramadol [M2] and N,O-desmethyltramadol [M5]) was investigated in a multidrug anaesthetic and analgesic approach for orchiectomy in horses. The evaluation of the degree of cardiovascular stability, the intraoperative effect and postoperative analgesia obtained...
Luna SP, Lopes C, Rosa AC, Oliveira FA, Crosignani N, Taylor PM, Pantoja JC.To validate a model for investigating the effects of analgesic drugs on mechanical, thermal and electrical stimulation testing. Objective: To investigate repeatability, sensitivity and specificity of nociceptive tests. Methods: Randomised experiment with 2 observers in 2 phases. Methods: Mechanical (M), thermal (TL) and electrical (E) stimuli were applied to the dorsal metacarpus (M-left and TL-right) and coronary band of the left thoracic limb (E) and a thoracic thermal stimulus (TT) was applied caudal to the withers in 8 horses (405 ± 43 kg). Stimuli intensities were increased until a clear...
Rigotti C, De Vries A, Taylor PM.A prospective, randomised, blinded, clinical trial in 47 ponies compared butorphanol and buprenorphine administered intravenously with detomidine prior to castration under anaesthesia. Detomidine 12 μg/kg intravenously was followed by butorphanol 25 μg/kg (BUT) or buprenorphine 5 μg/kg (BUP) before induction of anaesthesia with intravenous ketamine and diazepam. Quality of sedation, induction and recovery from anaesthesia, response to tactile stimulation, and surgical conditions were scored. If anaesthesia was inadequate 'rescue' was given with intravenous ketamine (maximum three dose...
Risberg A, Spadavecchia C, Ranheim B, Krontveit R, Haga HA.Dexmedetomidine and lignocaine IV are used clinically to provide analgesia in horses. The aims of this study were to investigate the antinociceptive effects, plasma concentrations and sedative effects of 2, 4 and 6 µg/kg/h dexmedetomidine IV, with a bolus of 0.96 µg/kg preceding each continuous rate infusion (CRI), and 20, 40 and 60 µg/kg/min lignocaine IV, with a bolus of 550 µg/kg preceding each CRI, in 10 Swiss Warmblood horses. Electrically elicited nociceptive withdrawal reflexes were evaluated by deltoid muscle electromyography. Nociceptive threshold and tolerance were determ...
Hinnigan G, Milner P, Talbot A, Singer E.To investigate the specificity of anaesthesia of the deep branch of the lateral plantar nerve (DB-LPN). Methods: Twenty horses had DB-LPN anaesthesia performed by a single injection technique as part of a lameness investigation. The mechanical nociceptive threshold (NT) was measured using a handheld force meter at six points on the lateral aspect of the limb: before diagnostic anaesthesia (T0), and at 15 (T15) and 30 (T30) minutes post anaesthesia. Paired t-tests were performed and significance was set at p <0.05. In addition, ten cadaveric limbs were injected with 2.5 ml new methylene blue...
Schneider CP, Ishihara A, Adams TP, Zekas LJ, Oglesbee M, Bertone AL.To determine analgesic effects of intraneural injection of ethyl alcohol or formaldehyde in the palmar digital nerves of horses. Methods: 6 horses. Methods: Ethyl alcohol was injected in the medial palmar digital nerve of 1 forelimb, and formaldehyde was injected in the contralateral nerve. The lateral palmar digital nerve in 1 forelimb was surgically exposed, but not injected, and the contralateral lateral palmar digital nerve was not treated. For each heel, severity of lameness in response to experimentally induced heel pain (lameness score and peak vertical force), thermal reaction time, an...
Sobczak N, Kantyka M.The saliva of medicinal leeches, e.g., Hirudo medicinalis and Hirudo verbana commonly used in hirudotherapy, contains more than 100 bioactive substances with various therapeutic effects, including anticoagulant, vasodilator, thrombolytic, anti-inflammatory and anaesthetic properties. Recently, leeches have been used very successfully in veterinary medicine to treat many diseases of animals, especially dogs, cats and horses. The most common indications for the use of leeches are hip and elbow dysplasia, acute and chronic arthritis, diseases associated with inflammation of tendons, ligaments, an...
Gleerup KB, Forkman B, Lindegaard C, Andersen PH.The objective of this study was to investigate the existence of an equine pain face and to describe this in detail. Methods: Semi-randomized, controlled, crossover trial. Methods: Six adult horses. Methods: Pain was induced with two noxious stimuli, a tourniquet on the antebrachium and topical application of capsaicin. All horses participated in two control trials and received both noxious stimuli twice, once with and once without an observer present. During all sessions their pain state was scored. The horses were filmed and the close-up video recordings of the faces were analysed for alterat...
Sheta E, Ragab S, Farghali H, El-Sherif A.Electroacupuncture analgesia was used for surgery in horses and donkeys. A KWD-808 electrical stimulator was used to incrementally induce a dense, dispersed wave output at frequencies from 20 to 55 Hz, which was maintained at a frequency of 55 Hz, and to change the amplitude of the wave to the best grading number for the suggested operation in each animal. Induction of analgesia lasted for 20-30 minutes, and the effect of analgesia was maintained for 20-45 minutes depending on the type of surgery performed. The exhibited clinical signs, physical examination data, and the responses of all ani...
Risberg ÅI, Spadavecchia C, Ranheim B, Hendrickson EH, Lervik A, Haga HA.To elicit and evaluate the NWR (nociceptive withdrawal reflex) in 2 and 11 day old foals, to investigate if buprenorphine causes antinociception and determine if the NWR response changes with increasing age. The effect of buprenorphine on behaviour was also evaluated. Methods: Prospective, experimental cross-over trial. Methods: Nine Norwegian Fjord research foals. Methods: Buprenorphine, 10 μg kg(-1) was administered intramuscularly (IM) to the same foal at 2 days and at 11 days of age. The NWR and the effect of buprenorphine were evaluated by electromyograms recorded from the left deltoid m...
Costa GL, Cristarella S, Quartuccio M, Interlandi C.To evaluate the anti-nociceptive and sedative effects of slow intravenous (IV) injection of tramadol, romifidine, or a combination of both drugs in ponies. Methods: Within-subject blinded. Methods: Twenty ponies (seven male, 13 female, weighing mean ± SD 268.0 ± 128 kg). Methods: On separate occasions, each pony received one of the following three treatments IV; romifidine 50 μg kg(-) (R) tramadol 3 mg kg(-1) given over 15 minutes (T) or tramadol 3 mg kg(-1) followed by romifidine 50 μg kg(-1) (RT). Physiologic parameters and caecal borborygmi (CB) were measured and sedation ...
Elfenbein JR, Robertson SA, MacKay RJ, KuKanich B, Sanchez L.Prolonged drug infusions are used to treat horses with severe signs of pain, but can be associated with altered gastrointestinal transit. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of prolonged constant rate infusions (CRI) of lidocaine (L), butorphanol (B), and ketamine (K) alone and in combination on gastrointestinal transit, behavior, and thermal nociceptive threshold in healthy horses. Methods: Eight healthy adult horses were used in a randomized, cross-over, blinded, prospective experimental trial. Interventions were saline, L, K, B, LK, LB, BK, and LBK as an intravenous CRI f...
Gozalo-Marcilla M, Gasthuys F, Schauvliege S.To review the literature with regard to the use of different intravenous agents as supplements to inhalational anaesthesia in horses. The Part 2 of this review will focus in the use of opioids and α2 -agonists. Methods: Pubmed and Web of Science. Search terms: horse, inhalant anaesthesia, balanced anaesthesia, partial intravenous anaesthesia, opioids, morphine, pethidine, butorphanol, methadone, fentanyl, alfentanil, remifentanil, sufentanil, xylazine, romifidine, detomidine, medetomidine and dexmedetomidine. Conclusions: Different drugs and their combinations can be administered systemically...
Grint NJ, Whay HR, Beths T, Yvorchuk K, Murrell JC.To evaluate a thermal nociceptive threshold (TNT) testing device in the donkey, and the influence of potential confounding factors on TNTs. Methods: Two groups (Group 1 and Group 2) of eight castrated male donkeys aged 4-9 years, weighing 105-170 kg. Methods: TNTs were measured by heating a thermal probe on skin until an end-point behaviour (threshold temperature) or a cut-out temperature (51 °C) was reached. The withers and the dorsal aspect of the distal limb were used as sites for TNT testing. The effects on TNT of different confounding factors: the limb tested; rate of heating; and amb...
Lechler P, Walt L, Grifka J, Waltl V, Renkawitz T.The objective of this study was to investigate the frequency, extent, and effective preventive measures of sport injuries in professional and amateur-show jumping competitors. In a retrospective study design, 264 show-jumping riders (105 professionals, 159 amateurs) were interviewed by means of a standardised questionnaire. In total, 636 injuries were reported in detail. Injuries were categorised into severity grade I (36.0 %) (not requiring medical attention), grade II (34.6 %) (single medical treatment), grade III (20.9 %) (several outpatient medical treatments) and grade IV (8.5 %) (req...
Montgomery TC, McNaughton SD.A histological study of plantar digital nerve sections cut with a carbon dioxide laser in horses was conducted. A series of nerve cuts were made with variable power densities to determine the appropriate theoretical level which would yield the most desired tissue effects. Power densities in the lower ranges used appeared to provide tissue effects judged most likely to prevent neuroma formation through increased thermal sealing of the proximal stump at the axon level. Clinical observation and follow-up of horses subjected to laser neurectomy tend to support the reported concept that the laser i...
Turner TA, Adams SB, White NA.Fifteen horses were referred to Purdue University or to the University of Georgia because of colic. Each of these horses had small intestine incarcerated through the epiploic foramen. However, signs of pain, gastric reflux, and small intestine distention were not consistent signs, as would have been expected with small intestine strangulation/obstruction. In 10 of the 15 cases, abdominal fluid analysis provided the decisive information needed for surgical intervention. Surgery was performed in 14 cases. The small intestine was incarcerated through the epiploic foramen in a right-to-left direct...
Veres-Nyéki KO, Leandri M, Spadavecchia C.Electrically induced reflexes can be used to investigate the physiology and pathophysiology of the trigeminal system in humans. Similarly, the assessment of the trigemino-cervical (TCR) and blink reflexes (BR) may provide a new diagnostic tool in horses. The aim of this study was to evoke nociceptive trigeminal reflexes and describe the electrophysiological characteristics in non-sedated horses. The infraorbital (ION) and supraorbital nerves (SON) were stimulated transcutaneously in 10 adult Warmblood horses in separate sessions using train-of-five electrical pulses. The current was increased ...
Loomes K, Louro LF.The recovery phase after equine general anaesthesia (GA) is a time of considerable risk and therefore has been the subject of extensive research over the last 20 years. Various pharmacological interventions have been developed and studied with the objective of improving recovery quality and reducing anaesthetic-related mortality and morbidity. Nevertheless, some controversy remains regarding the influence of anaesthetic protocol choice on recovery quality from GA and its implications for recovery-related mortality and morbidity. A systematic review of the literature investigating the influenc...
Orr R, Canetti EFD, Pope R, Lockie RG, Dawes JJ, Schram B.Mounted police officers are subject to unique occupational tasks which may lead to unique injuries. This study's aim was to describe policing injuries suffered by mounted police officers contextualized through comparison to non-mounted officers. Injury data from 01 July 2014 to 30 June 2020 were provided from a state policing agency's incident reporting database. The data reported the numbers and rates of injuries and classified the injuries by gender, cause, mechanism, nature, and hours worked. Of the 35,406 reported injuries, 35,255 (99.6%) injuries were reported by non-mounted police office...
Watts AE, Dabareiner R, Marsh C, Carter GK, Cummings KJ.OBJECTIVE To determine the effect of resveratrol administration in performance horses with lameness localized to the distal tarsal joints. DESIGN Randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial. ANIMALS 45 client-owned horses with lameness localized to the distal tarsal joints. PROCEDURES All horses received injections of triamcinolone acetonide in the centrodistal and tarsometatarsal joints of both hind limbs. A placebo or a supplement containing resveratrol was fed twice daily by owners for 4 months. Primary outcomes were horse performance as determined by rider opinion (better, worse...
Burford JH, Corley KT.Pruritus following a single administration of 100 microg kg(-1) of preservative-free morphine sulphate given via an extradural catheter was seen in a 580 kg horse. The catheter was placed in the first intercoccygeal space. Focal irritation, represented by both local alopecia over the left gluteal muscles and serum exudation, occurred 4-8 hours after injection. This was attributed to the extradural morphine administration.
LeBlanc PH, Caron JP.Xylazine was administered into the epidural space of nine horses to facilitate various perineal manipulations (ie rectovaginal laceration repair, replacement of prolapsed rectum and urethral extension). The resulting caudal analgesia was sufficient for all procedures. The duration of analgesia from a single injection of epidural xylazine (0.17 to 0.22 mg/kg bodyweight) was at least 3.5 h. No horses were ataxic during or after the treatment. This trial demonstrates that xylazine given into the epidural space of horses provides prolonged regional analgesia which is sufficient for clinical use.
Nagy A, Bodó G, Dyson SJ.There is limited information on potential diffusion of local anaesthetic solution after various diagnostic analgesic techniques of the proximal metacarpal region. Objective: To document potential distribution of local anaesthetic solution following 4 techniques used for diagnostic analgesia of the proximal metacarpal region. Methods: Radiodense contrast medium was injected around the lateral palmar or medial and lateral palmar metacarpal nerves in 8 mature horses, using 4 different techniques. Radiographs were obtained 0, 10 and 20 min after injection and were analysed subjectively. A mixture ...
Labens R, Mellor DJ, Voûte LC.Osteoarthritis of the distal tarsal joints, affecting the centrodistal and tarsometatarsal joints, is a common cause of hindlimb lameness in horses. This paper describes the outcome of the intra-articular treatment of 51 horses with the condition with either methylprednisolone acetate (mpa) or triamcinolone acetonide (tr), either with or without hyaluronic acid (ha). The outcome was assessed in terms of the changes in the horses' grade of lameness. Follow-up information was obtained from the owners by means of a telephone questionnaire. Horses treated once with mpa or tr, either with or withou...
Turner TA.The examination of the foot must be based on observations of the hoof, followed by a careful determination of areas of pain. This must be followed by an assessment of the biomechanical forces on the hoof and limb. Finally, imaging gives insight into the nature of the injury and allows the examiner to prognosticate the outcome.
Gunter KB, Shields CJ, Ott SD, Coronado RA.Equestrian riding is a sport with a high risk of concussion. Currently, the literature guiding rehabilitation for concussions in equestrian athletes is limited, especially for directing return to sport. In this case report, a 14-year-old female equestrian athlete presented to physical therapy following her third concussion in 3 years. Her primary complaints were headaches, dizziness, difficulty concentrating, light sensitivity, and neck pain. On examination, the patient demonstrated reproduction of symptoms during testing of the vestibular-ocular reflex, showed a 3-line symptomatic loss on the...
Caruso M, Schumacher J, Henry R.To describe the anatomical location of the ethmoidal nerve in the equine periorbital region and to determine the accuracy of a technique used to deposit local anesthetic solution adjacent to the nerve. Methods: Prospective experimental study. Methods: Adult equine cadaver heads (n=6 for preliminary dissection; n=15 [30 nerve sites] for evaluation of injection technique). Methods: Preliminary dissections were performed to identify landmarks for injection of local anesthetic adjacent to the ethmoidal nerve. For evaluation of the injection technique a 20 gauge 6 cm spinal needle was inserted into...
Olsén L, Bremer H, Olofsson K, Bröjer J, Bondesson U, Bergh A, Nostell K, Broström H, Bengtsson B, Ingvast-Larsson C.The aim was to supply information about the possibility of replacing the procaine salt with the sodium salt for benzylpenicillin IM treatment in horse in order to diminish the risk for procaine adverse effects. In a crossover study eight horses were given 15 mg/kg sodium benzylpenicillin (Na-pc) twice daily or procaine benzylpenicillin (control) once daily IM for four days. The half-life of Na-pc was 1.9h, peak concentration was 14,600 ng/mL reached after about 23 min. Trough plasma concentration was 281 ng/mL and protein binding 62.8%. The fT>MIC for Staphylococcus aureus was 63% and 100% for...
Honnas CM, Spensley MS, Laverty S, Blanchard PC.An 18-year-old mare, 285 days pregnant, was evaluated for apparent abdominal pain of 8 hours' duration. A large volume of sanguinous fluid was obtained on abdominocentesis, and digital vaginal examination revealed a dilated cervix and blood in the uterus. Abdominal palpation per rectum revealed the uterus to be large and distended with fluid. Ultrasonography revealed a dead fetus on the floor of the cranial portion of the abdomen. The mare was euthanatized, and necropsy confirmed that the uterus had ruptured, and that the fetus, within its chorioallantois, was in the abdomen. The amniotic sac ...
Fischer BL, Ludders JW, Asakawa M, Fortier LA, Fubini SL, Nixon AJ, Radcliffe RM, Erb HN.To compare the analgesic efficacy of buprenorphine plus detomidine with that of morphine plus detomidine when administered epidurally in horses undergoing bilateral stifle arthroscopy. Methods: Prospective, randomized, blinded clinical trial. Methods: Twelve healthy adult horses participating in an orthopedic research study. Group M (n = 6) received morphine (0.2 mg kg(-1)) and detomidine (0.15 mg kg(-1)) epidurally; group B (n = 6) received buprenorphine (0.005 mg kg(-1)) and detomidine (0.15 mg kg(-1)) epidurally. Methods: Horses received one of two epidural treatments following induction of...
Menzies RA, Easley J.Dental surgeries refer to procedures that affect the dental tissues or their supporting structures. With the development of specific, efficacious, and conservative treatments, morbidity risks have been lowered and chances of benefiting the health of equids improved. Advances in quality of sedation, analgesia, and locoregional anesthesia allow a majority of dental surgeries to be performed in the standing patient. This update focuses on an orthograde endodontic technique, a minimally invasive buccotomy technique, with the potential to combine it with a transbuccal screw extraction technique, an...
Kamerling S, Wood T, DeQuick D, Weckman TJ, Tai C, Blake JW, Tobin T.Narcotic analgesics produce pharmacological effects by interacting with specific opiate receptors. At least five major types of opiate receptors have been recognised. These include mu (morphine) and kappa (ethylketazocine) receptor types. Narcotic analgesics which interact with mu receptors produce locomotor and autonomic stimulation at doses that produce little or no analgesia. Therefore, use of these drugs as analgesics in equine medicine has not been very satisfactory. Theoretical considerations suggested that the role of kappa agonists in equine analgesia be investigated. Using a pure kapp...
Symonds KD, MacAllister CG, Erkert RS, Payton ME.To evaluate the musculoskeletal analgesic effect of etodolac administered PO every 12 or 24 hours in chronically lame horses by use of force plate analysis. Methods: 22 horses with navicular syndrome. Methods: Horses received etodolac (23 mg/kg, PO, q 12 h; n = 7), etodolac (23 mg/kg, PO, q 24 h; 8), or corn syrup (20 mL, PO, q 24 h; control treatment; 7) for 3 days. Combined forelimb peak vertical ground reaction force (PVF) was measured via force plate analysis before the first treatment (baseline) and at 6, 12, 24, and 36 hours after the last treatment. Differences in mean PVF (mPVF) betwee...
Launois T, Moor PL, Berthier A, Merlin N, Rieu F, Schlotterer C, Siegel A, Fruit G, Dugdale A, Vandeweerd JM.Traumatic limb injuries are common in horses. Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) has been proven to promote wound healing in human medicine. It has also been described for the treatment of wounds in horses. In this retrospective study, clinical records of 42 (n = 42) animals were assessed. Categories of wounds, duration of NPWT application, frequency of resetting the NPWT device, technical complications, and tolerance to the procedure were recorded. 42 wounds were classified as bony (n = 15; 36 %), articular (n = 14; 33 %), tenosynovial (n = 9; 21%), muscular (n = 2; 5%) and cuta...
Martin BB, Klide AM.Fifteen horses that could not train or perform their sport at an acceptable level because of chronic back pain of 2 to 24 months' duration, and that did not obtain lasting improvement from other previous treatments, were treated with acupuncture. The treatments consisted of injection of 1 ml of sterile saline (0.9% NaCl) solution, with no preservatives, at 9 acupuncture points. The horses were treated once a week for a mean of 9 treatments. The mean number of treatments before obvious improvement was 4. After treatment, 13 of the 15 horses had apparent alleviation of their signs of pain and co...
Levionnois OL, Graubner C, Spadavecchia C.To investigate the pharmacological profile and side effects of buprenorphine administered as a sustained-release formulation in horses. Methods: Pilot trial. Methods: A total of four experimental horses, aged 18-27 years and weighing 508-578 kg. Methods: Buprenorphine (0.1 mg kg) was mixed as a freshly prepared sterile solution with a sustained-release drug carrier. It was administered by the subcutaneous (n = 2) or intramuscular (n = 2) route. During the experiment, the horses were closely monitored, equipped with a step counter and blood samples were collected for quantification of bup...
Schumacher J, Schumacher J, Gillette R, DeGraves F, Schramme M, Smith R, Perkins J, Coker M.Analgesia of the palmar digital (PD) nerves has been demonstrated to cause analgesia of the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint as well as the sole. Because the PD nerves lie in close proximity to the navicular bursa, we suspected that that analgesia of the navicular bursa would anaesthetise the PD nerves, which would result in analgesia of the DIP joint. Objective: To determine the response of horses with pain in the DIP joint to instillation of local anaesthetic solution into the navicular bursa. Methods: Lameness was induced in 6 horses by creating painful synovitis in the DIP joint of one f...
Kearney CM, van Weeren PR, Cornelissen BP, den Boon P, Brama PA.The flexion test is used routinely as part of lameness and prepurchase examinations. However, little is known about the mechanisms that cause a positive response to a flexion test. Objective: To determine which anatomical regions play a role in a positive outcome of a flexion test of the distal aspect of a forelimb in a nonlame horse. Methods: Eight clinically sound Dutch Warmblood horses were subjected to a standardised flexion test (force 250 N, time 60 s) inducing a consistent lameness. To discriminate between different areas of the distal aspect of a forelimb, effects of various nerve bloc...
Harper J, Schumacher J, Degraves F, Schramme M, Schumacher J.Specific analgesic techniques are required in diagnosis of lameness to isolate the exact origin of pain to the many structures of the foot that may be involved. Objective: To determine if analgesia of the digital flexor tendon sheath (DFTS) results in anaesthesia of other portions of the foot, such as the sole, distal interphalangeal joint (DIPJ), or navicular bursa (NB). Methods: Lameness caused by pain in the dorsal margin or heel region of the sole of the foot was induced in 18 horses by: using set-screws to create solar pressure (Trial 1: n = 5); or administering endotoxin intrasynovially ...
Natalini CC, Paes SD, Polydoro ADS.The study aim is to compare the effects of epidural administration of two different doses of romifidine combined with morphine in horses. A prospective crossover blinded experimental design was used. Five adult healthy horses two males and three females with a mean body weight of 380 ± 45 Kg (335-425 kg), were studied. Treatments consisted of romifidine 30 μg/kg (R30) or 60 μg/kg (R60) combined with morphine 0.1 mg/kg with a washout interval of 72 hours, administered through an epidural catheter placed at the first intercoccygeal space. Heart rate (HR) and respiratory rate (f), pH, blood ga...
Fugazzola MC, Wever KE, van de Lest C, de Grauw J, Salvatori D.Animal models continue to be used to investigate cartilage repair strategies. Adequate anaesthesia and pain management are essential in order to guarantee acceptable animal welfare as well as reproducible experimental results. This systematic review evaluates reporting of anaesthesia and pain management in surgical large animal models (horse, pig, dog, goat and sheep) of (osteo)chondral repair. Manuscripts published between 2015 and 2020 were included after a comprehensive search strategy. Data were evaluated using descriptive statistics and qualitative review. Out of 223 eligible studies, 220...
Dyson SJ, Romero JM.A positive radiographic contrast agent was injected into the tarsometatarsal (TMT) joints of both hindlimbs of 10 horses. Lateromedial radiographic views were obtained at 5, 15 and 30 mins after injection. Injection was successful in 19 of 20 limbs. Communication between the centrodistal (CD) and TMT joints was identified in 7 limbs (35%). Contrast agent extended around the tendons of tibialis cranialis (TC) and fibularis tertius (FT) in 18 limbs, and in 7 limbs some contrast entered the tarsal sheath. Slight to moderate plantar and/or distal extension of contrast agent was identified in 13 li...
Sysel AM, Pleasant RS, Jacobson JD, Moll HD, Warnick LD, Sponenberg DP, Eyre P.The purpose of this study was to determine the systemic and local effects associated with long-term epidural catheterization and epidural morphine-detomidine administration in horses. Methods: Development of systemic or local effects was assessed by placing caudal epidural catheters in study horses and administering injections through the catheters every 12 hours for 14 days. Methods: Ten horses with epidural catheters that received daily injections; six uncatheterized horses presented for euthanasia. Methods: Horses received either 0.2 mg/kg morphine sulfate and 30 micrograms/kg detomidine hy...
