Prognosis in horses refers to the prediction of the likely outcome or course of a disease or injury in equine patients. It involves assessing various factors such as the nature and severity of the condition, the horse's overall health, and response to treatment. Prognostic evaluations help veterinarians and horse owners make informed decisions regarding treatment options, management strategies, and potential recovery. The process often incorporates clinical assessments, diagnostic tools, and historical data to estimate the chances of recovery or progression. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore methodologies, factors influencing prognostic outcomes, and the implications of prognostic evaluations in equine veterinary practice.
Stadler P.The anterior enteritis syndrome in the horse is reviewed with reference to the aetiology, pathogenesis, clinical findings, laboratory findings, diagnosis, treatment, prognosis and post mortem findings.
Parry BW.Clinical pathology is a valuable adjunct to physical examination of cases of colic. The present review considers evaluation of cases of colic for three main purposes: (1) making a prognosis, (2) deciding whether to operate, and (3) making a diagnosis. Blood tests noted to be useful for prognostication were hematocrit, lactate and urea nitrogen concentrations, pH, anion gap, fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products, antithrombin III activity, prothrombin time, and thrombin time. Horses with a poor prognosis often have relative polycythemia, marked lactic acidosis, high anion gap, azotemia, and co...
Johnson PJ, Goetz TE, Baker GJ, Foreman JH.Two mares were examined because of urinary incontinence. Abnormalities of the genitourinary tract were identified and were corrected surgically. Urinary incontinence in mares generally is associated with a poor prognosis. The importance of a thorough physical examination of the genitourinary tract in the mare is emphasized, and the simple and successful surgical correction of structural abnormalities of the tract in 2 mares is described.
Peterson PR, Pascoe JR, Wheat JD.Fractures of Metacarpal and Metatarsal II and IV (the splint bones) were treated in 283 horses over an 11 year period. In 21 cases the proximal portion of the fractured bone was stabilized with metallic implants. One or more cortical bone screws were used in 11 horses, and bone plates were applied in 11 horses. One horse received both treatments. Complications of screw fixation included bone failure, implant failure, radiographic lucency around the screws, and proliferative new bone at the ostectomy site. Only two of the horses treated with screw fixation returned to their intended use. Compli...
Greet TR.This paper describes the outcome of treatment of 30 cases of guttural pouch mycosis by ligation of the internal carotid artery on the cardiac side of the lesion and lavage of the affected pouch with natamycin. Twenty-three horses recovered fully following this treatment while laryngeal hemiplegia persisted in one case and slight dysphagia caused by pharyngeal hemiplegia in another. The remaining five horses died or were destroyed. Five horses with guttural pouch mycosis, which had shown no epistaxis but had pharyngeal hemiplegia, were treated by topical natamycin alone. Only two of these survi...
Hoffmann WE, Baker G, Rieser S, Dorner JL.Effects of induced cholestasis and hepatocellular necrosis and of fasting on serum biochemical constituents including bile acids, IgA, bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), arginase, and the clearance of sodium sulfobromophthalein were studied in 4 groups of equids. The reference value for serum bile acids, as determined by an enzymatic colorimetric procedure for horses and ponies was 5.94 +/- 2.72 mumol/L, there being no statistical difference for horses and ponies. Sample collection at time of feeding had no effect on serum bile acid concentration. Seemingly, seru...
McIlwraith CW, Yovich JV, Martin GS.The technique and results of arthroscopic surgery for the removal of osteochondral fragments from 1,000 carpal joints in 591 horses are reported. Of the 591 horses, 580 were racehorses (including 349 Quarter Horses and 220 Thoroughbreds). The distal aspect of the radial carpal bone was the most commonly affected site, followed by the proximal aspect of the intermediate carpal bone and distolateral aspect of the radius. More than one carpal joint was simultaneously operated on in 58.9% of the Quarter Horses and in 37.4% of the Thoroughbreds. Marked differences in the amount of damage were noted...
Morris DD.The medical records of 19 horses with cutaneous vasculitis were reviewed. Most (73.7%) affected horses were between 3 and 10 years old, and there were significantly more mares (14) than stallions or geldings (5) (P less than 0.01). Subcutaneous edema of the limbs, body, and/or head was the predominant clinical sign (18/19 horses; 94.7%). The single most prevalent laboratory abnormality was neutrophilia (greater than 7,000 neutrophils/microliter), which was detected in 10 horses (52.6%). Leukocytoclastic vasculitis was evident in skin biopsy specimens from 12 of 14 horses (85.7%). All horses we...
Beech J.This article discusses the history and signalment, clinical signs, differential diagnosis, pathology, etiology and pathogenesis, and treatment and prevention of equine degenerative myeloencephalopathy.
Clément SF.This article discusses the clinical signs, etiology, management, and prognosis for the neonatal foal afflicted with a convulsive or allied syndrome.
Kohn CW, Fenner WR.The neurologic form of EHV-1 infection appears to be the result of central nervous system infarction caused by vasculitis, which is initiated in endothelial cells of small blood vessels. The etiologic agent is equine herpesvirus-1, subtype 1. There is some evidence to suggest that the neurologic form of the disease actually results from reactivation of a previous infection. Whether the vasculitis that causes the central nervous system injury is the direct result of the infection or an immune response to the infection has not been determined. The clinical signs are rapid in onset, nonprogressiv...
Hayes TE.The examination of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is often part of the diagnostic work-up of a patient exhibiting signs of disease involving the central nervous system. Awareness of the capabilities and limitations of these laboratory tests is important in assessing the benefit-to-risk ratio of performing such procedures. Collection of CSF is a relatively simple procedure, and together with a thorough history, physical examination, and other diagnostic tests, may be a valuable aid in arriving at a diagnosis or prognosis.
Reef VB, Mann PC, Orsini PG.M-mode, 2-dimensional, and contrast echocardiographic studies were used to detect tricuspid atresia in 2 foals. M-mode echocardiographic findings included a small right ventricle, large left ventricle, large mitral valve excursion, large left atrium (foal 2), dropout of the cranial aspect of the aortic root, and a thick band of echoes in the tricuspid valve region. These findings were confirmed by 2-dimensional echocardiography. In addition, a large right atrium, persistent foramen ovale, ventricular septal defect, and large mitral valve apparatus were imaged. One foal also had a thick right a...
Yovich JV, Turner AS, Stashak TS, McIlwraith CW.Lateral or medial luxation of the metacarpophalangeal or metatarsophalangeal (fetlock) joint in 10 horses is presented. Closed and open fetlock luxation each occurred in five horses. Horses were treated by cast immobilisation after debridement of soft tissue and joint lavage in cases of open luxations. Suture apposition of a ruptured collateral ligament was attempted in three cases. Antibiotic therapy was used in all cases of open fetlock luxation but non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication was used inconsistently. Whether closed or open, fetlock luxations had a good prognosis for return to...
Schwink K.A retrospective review of 41 cases of equine ocular squamous cell carcinoma with follow up information for 33 horses is presented. An apparent prevalence in heavy horse breeds was identified. Age and sex distribution were similar to those previously reported. High recurrence (42.4 per cent) and low metastasis (6 per cent) rates were seen. Initial tumour location, primary treatment used, or patient case history had no apparent influence on final outcome. The willingness of owners to pursue with continuous treatment correlated with a high degree of success.
Divers TJ, Whitlock RH, Byars TD, Leitch M, Crowell WA.Six horses had been admitted to the hospital because of illness other than renal failure; diarrhoea, myositis, abdominal pain and/or suspected bacterial sepsis. Hypotension and disseminated intravascular coagulopathy were frequent findings in the horses. Abnormally high serum creatinine concentration and urine specific gravity of less than 1.022 were found in the horses with acute renal failure. Hyponatraemia and hypochloraemia were the most common abnormal electrolyte findings. Pronounced hyperkalaemia was not found. Variable degrees of tubular necrosis were seen in three of the four horses t...
Little C, Hilbert B.The clinical features of 19 horses with pelvic fractures were reviewed. The most common problem was a grade III or IV unilateral hind limb lameness. The prevalence of fractures was greater in females and horses less than 4 years old. All horses were treated with a combination of analgesic administration and stall rest for 2 to 6 months. Seven of 11 horses (64%) available for long-term follow-up evaluation recovered and 4 of 11 (36%) had no lameness when being ridden. Five of seven (71%) horses with fractures that involved the acetabulum recovered, and 4 (57%) had complete resolution of lamenes...
Greet TR.The case histories of three young thoroughbred racehorses with displaced lateral condylar fractures combined with an axial fracture of the lateral sesamoid bone are described. In two cases the condylar fracture was repaired surgically but both horses developed severe degenerative joint disease and remained lame. The third horse was destroyed humanely. It is important that axial fractures of the sesamoid bone are recognised so that a poorer prognosis can be given for treatment of condylar fractures in racing thoroughbreds.
Auer JA, Watkins JP.Fifteen cases of radial fractures in adult horses weighing more than 300 kg are discussed. Four of the horses were destroyed on humane grounds immediately because of a poor prognosis and expense of internal fixation; and two horses at five days and five weeks, respectively after treatment by cast application was initiated. Internal fixation was used in nine horses but of these only two horses recovered completely and resumed their former activities. In eight cases, two plates were applied, one lateral or medial and the other cranial. The internal fixation techniques of all nine horses were scr...
Firth EC.The site of occurrence of 490 bone sequestra in horses and cattle was investigated. Most sequestra occurred in the proximal half of the third metatarsal bone and the third metacarpal bone. The most common clinical features included swelling, presence of a draining tract, impaired function and delayed wound healing. These diagnostic features, and the preferred time to confirm the diagnosis by radiological examination are discussed. The surgical treatment is relatively simple and the prognosis favourable in most cases. It is suggested that soft tissue injury and the presence of infection are of ...
Gossett KA, Cleghorn B, Martin GS, Church GE.Blood L lactate concentration and anion gap were measured in 32 horses suspected of having metabolic acidosis. There was good linear correlation between these variables (r = 0.90791, P less than 0.0001) and both were good prognostic indicators. Anion gap was a good indicator of the presence but not the severity of L lactic acidosis and was a slightly better prognostic indicator. The ability to predict survival was not improved by the measurement of L lactate in addition to anion gap.
Fellmer E.The existing statutory provisions in connection with the seller's liability for defects of a horse are nowadays unsatisfactory. This has led to an increasing number of cases in which veterinarians have been held liable for the purchaser's damages resulting from an incorrect or incomplete veterinary examination at point of sale. Courts have recently imposed extensive duties of care on the veterinary. He has not only to detect and disclose every minute defect of the horse, but has to give a prognosis of the development of the horse's healthiness and its future capability to meet the purchaser's ...
Grabner A.Mycosis of the guttural pouches is a sporadic disease characterized by diphtheroid-necrotizing inflammation, and is caused by different fungal species, mainly by Aspergillus spp., Penicillium spp. and Candida spp. Highest incidence is during summer in stable horses. Proper diagnosis often requires--besides detection by mycological techniques--histological examination of tissue obtained by bioptic endoscopy. Prognosis is hopeless in late stages of the infection because of the erosion of the carotid artery or accompanied by the fatal complications of a not reparable cranial nerve damage also in ...
Ellis DR, Simpson DJ, Greenwood RE, Crowhurst JS.A retrospective study of 119 cases of fracture of the proximal phalanx is described. The short incomplete sagittal fracture (split pastern) was most common and carried a good prognosis for a return to racing following conservative treatment. Longer incomplete fractures also had a good prognosis but complete fractures, either through the lateral cortex of the proximal phalanx or through the bone into the proximal interphalangeal joint, required internal fixation. Careful assessment of these and comminuted fractures was essential before surgery was undertaken. Most comminuted fractures were trea...
Voorhout G, Klein WR, Meutstege FJ.An avulsion fracture of the tendon of origin of the extensor digitorum longus muscle is reported in a horse and a cat. This avulsion fracture was due to injury in both animals. There was a striking similarity of radiographic findings in these animals, with involvement of the lateral trochlear ridge and lateral condyle of the femur. The horse was slaughtered because of a poor prognosis as a riding-horse. Fixation of the avulsed fragment with two Kirschner wires resulted in complete recovery in the cat.
Sanders-Shamis M, Bramlage LR, Gable AA.The case records, radiographs and treatment results of 47 consecutive equine radius fractures presented to The Ohio State University Veterinary Hospital from 1975 to 1985 were examined retrospectively. Chip fractures and incomplete fractures were not considered. Both diaphyseal fractures and fractures involving the physes were included. Diaphyseal fractures were placed into three major categories: comminuted, oblique and transverse; and subclassified as proximal, mid-diaphyseal, or distal. Fractures involving a physis were classified using the Salter-Harris classification system. The horses ra...
Allen D, White NA, Tyler DE.Twenty horses with small intestinal obstructions requiring surgery were evaluated prospectively. Ten horses lived (group 1) and 10 died (group 2). Eight of the horses in group 1 had simple obstruction and 7 of the horses in group 2 had strangulation obstruction. There was a significant difference (P less than 0.001) between the mean intraluminal hydrostatic pressure in horses of groups 1 and 2 (6.3 cm H2O and 15 cm H2O, respectively). The mean peritoneal fluid protein concentration in horses of groups 1 and 2 (2.8 mg/dl and 5.4 mg/dl, respectively) also differed significantly between groups (P...
Hago BE, Vaughan LC.Contrast radiography, using a 25 per cent solution of sodium diatrizoate, has been used for the investigation of tenosynovitis and bursitis in horses. The procedure was undertaken on a series of 32 clinical cases and on specimens obtained at autopsy. Lesions affecting the extensor tendon sheaths at the carpus, the digital sheath, the tarsal sheath and the bursae at the elbow, hock and fetlock were examined by this means. The results showed the procedure offered the clinician useful information about the nature of the interior of these structures, particularly as regards the presence of adhesio...
Yovich JV, Stashak TS, DeBowes RM, Ducharme NG.Fractures of the distal phalanx of the forelimb were diagnosed in 5 colts and 3 fillies ranging in age from 2 weeks to 5 1/2 months at the time of fracture. Three fractures entered the distal interphalangeal joint and 6 fractures (one foal had bilateral fractures) were nonarticular. All foals with articular fractures became sound with conservative treatment. Four of 5 foals with nonarticular fractures became sound with conservative treatment and 1 foal developed separation of the hoof at the coronary band after application of acrylic around the hoof. On the basis of our observations in these f...
Baxter GM.Clinical data from 12 cases of equine laminitis characterized by distal displacement of the distal phalanx (P3) were reviewed. Clinical features of horses that survived the syndrome were compared with the nonsurvivors to obtain prognostic indicators. Animals affected included 8 Quarter Horses, 2 Welsh ponies, 1 Thoroughbred, and 1 Arabian. Eight of the animals were females (67%), 2 were stallions, and 2 were geldings. The mean age of affected animals was 8.6 years (2 to 14 years), and the mean body weight was 442 kg. The survivors weighed less than the nonsurvivors (384 kg vs 473 kg, respectiv...
Bertoni L, Seignour M, de Mira MC, Coudry V, Audigie F, Denoix JM.To determine history; clinical, radiographic, ultrasonographic, and scintigraphic features; management; and outcome associated with third trochanter fractures in horses. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: 8 horses. Methods: Records from 2000 to 2012 were reviewed, and signalment, case history, severity and duration of lameness, results of physical and lameness examinations, imaging findings, management, and outcome were evaluated. Results: All horses had a history of acute onset of severe lameness. Four of the 8 horses had localizing physical signs of fracture. No specific gait chara...
Greatorex JC.The clinical manifestations of a diarrhoeic syndrome of horses with ulceration of the mucosae of the colon and caecum are described. Patients could be divided into three groups according to their presenting symptoms and the disease is probably caused by the thrombo-embolism associated with migrating larvae of Strongylus vulgaris. The differential diagnosis, prognosis and treatment are outlined with particular reference to the use of antithrombotic agents.
Ebert R.In a retrospective study on 271 horses with colic the prediction about the outcome of the disease was made by a discriminating analysis. The best combination of quantitative prognostic parameters was capillary refill time, hematocrit, lactate and anion gap, with 90% correct predictions. In comparison with individually prognostic parameters, the combined prognosis constantly reached a higher percentage of correct predictions, the exact value resulting in 89%. Moreover, survival was better predictable than death.
van den Belt AJ, Becker CK, Dik KJ.The clinical and ultrasonographic features of desmitis of the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon (carpal check ligament) are reported in a series of 24 horses. Lameness associated with the carpal check ligament especially was found in Warmblood riding horses ranging in age from 6 to 18 years with a mean age of 11.3 years. The most striking clinical feature was a firm, painful swelling medially and laterally in the proximal and/or mid metacarpal region, corresponding with the dorsoproximal-palmarodistal oblique direction of the carpal check ligament. Sonographically swelling o...
Carmalt JL, Johansson BC, Zetterström SM, McOnie RC.OBJECTIVE To determine factors affecting race speed in Swedish Standardbred horses undergoing surgery of the carpal flexor sheath (CFS), to investigate whether preoperative racing speed was associated with specific intraoperative findings and whether horses returned to racing, and to compare the performance of horses undergoing surgery of the CFS with that of age- and sex-matched control horses. ANIMALS 149 Swedish Standardbred trotters undergoing surgery of the CFS and 274 age- and sex-matched control horses. PROCEDURES Medical records of CFS horses were examined. Racing data for CFS and cont...
Dabareiner RM, White NA, Sullins KE.Medical records, radiographs, and sonograms of 63 horses with metacarpophalangeal joint synovial pad proliferation were examined retrospectively. All horses had lameness, joint effusion, or both signs associated with one or both metacarpophalangeal joints. Bony remodeling and concavity of the distodorsal aspect of the third metacarpal bone (Mc3) just proximal to the metacarpal condyles was identified by radiography in 71 joints (93%); 24 joints (32%) had radiographic evidence of a chip fracture located at the proximal dorsal aspect of the proximal phalanx. Fifty-four joints (71%) were examined...
Argüelles D, Casteljins G, Carmona JU, Armengou L, Climent F, Prades M.In man, peritoneal transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) is associated with peritoneal diseases and subsequent adhesion formation. No studies on plasma and peritoneal TGF-beta concentrations in horses with colic are available. Objective: 1) To determine both plasma and peritoneal TGF-beta(1) and TGF-beta(3) concentrations in horses with different types of colic (not previously subjected to abdominal surgery); 2) to compare these concentrations according to the type of peritoneal fluid (transudate, modified transudate and exudate); and 3) to compare and correlate plasma and peritoneal conc...
Piccot-Crézollet C, Cauvin ER.To report an unusual 2nd carpal bone (C2) slab fracture and its treatment, using an ultrasonographically assisted, minimally invasive arthrotomy technique, for fragment removal. Methods: Case report. Methods: An 11-year-old crossbred Warmblood gelding. Methods: A bone fragment, spanning the height of C2, identified on the palmaromedial aspect of C2 was demarcated intraoperatively using ultrasonographically guided needles and removed by arthrotomy. Results: Fracture fragment removal was achieved using a small, ultrasonographically guided arthrotomy. The horse has become sound after treatment an...
Hawkins A, Chapman L, Meter M, Smith RK.To report the diagnostic features and clinical outcome of horses with digital flexor tendon sheath (DFTS) synoviocoeles treated tenoscopically under ultrasonographic guidance. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Client-owned horses (n = 10). Methods: Medical records were searched for horses with lameness localized to the region of the DFTS and clinical evidence of a fluid-filled mass (synoviocoele) associated with the DFTS. Diagnostic imaging and surgical findings, together with long-term outcome, were reported. Results: Lameness and synoviocoeles were unilateral (5 forelimbs, 5 hin...
Dabareiner RM, Chaffin MK, Quirham H, Carter GK.4 horses with enthesopathy and desmitis of the medial collateral ligament of the cubital joint were examined. Results: All 4 horses had a history of acute, severe, unilateral forelimb lameness and had signs of pain during manipulation of the affected upper forelimb; 2 also had swelling in the axillary region. There was no improvement in lameness after diagnostic local analgesia below the carpal region, and 1 of 4 horses had mild improvement after cubital joint analgesia. Radiography revealed enthesophyte formation on the radial tuberosity and linear mineralization of the medial collateral liga...
Southwood LL, McIlwraith CW.To determine the outcome of horses with basal fractures of the proximal sesamoid bone from which a fracture fragment involving a portion of the base of the bone was removed arthroscopically and to determine whether fragment size was associated with outcome. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: 26 horses. Methods: Dorsopalmar and axial-abaxial lengths of the fracture fragment were measured on the dorsopalmar and mediolateral radiographic views, respectively, and percentage of the base of the sesamoid bone involved was estimated. Fractures were classified as grade 1 ( 25% but < 100% of the ...
Baerveldt MC, Klein WR.It is well documented that the incidence of rupture of the urinary bladder or urachus is highest in newborn male foals and occurs during the (usually uncomplicated) parturition. Important clinical symptoms include frequent passing of small quantities of urine, abdominal distention and positive abdominal undulation. Hyperkalaemia, hyponatraemia, hypochloraemia and an elevated serum creatinine level are often present. The serum blood urea nitrogen concentration may be normal or only slightly elevated. The creatinine concentration in the peritoneal fluid is invariably higher than that in serum, a...
Davidson EJ, Ross MW, Parente EJ.Little information exists regarding talus fractures in the horse and there have been no previously published case series of racehorses diagnosed with incomplete sagittal fracture of the talus. Objective: To describe the diagnosis, treatment and post injury performance of horses with incomplete sagittal fracture of the talus. Methods: Medical records of 11 racehorses (8 Standardbreds and 3 Thoroughbreds) admitted between January 1992 and January 1999 were reviewed. Subject details, anamnesis, results of lameness examination, radiographs and nuclear scintigraphic findings were evaluated. Racing ...
James FM, Smith MRW, Wright IM.Fractures of the proximal phalanx are one of the most common long bone fractures of Thoroughbred racehorses. Although the degree of disruption and damage to the articular surface is generally considered a major prognostic determinant, associated arthroscopic findings have not previously been reported. Objective: To describe the metacarpo/metatarsophalangeal (MCP/MTP) joint lesions associated with parasagittal fractures of the proximal phalanx arthroscopically identified at the time of fracture repair and compare radiographic and arthroscopic appearance of complete fractures. Methods: Retrospec...
Bosch G, van Schie MJ, Back W.A keratoma is a rather uncommon disorder of the equine hoof that can lead to lameness. Few quantitative data exist about the prognosis of different treatment regimens. The outcome of 41 cases that were presented to the Department of Equine Sciences in the period 1995-2001 and that were treated according to different regimens was retrospectively evaluated. All horses showed lameness that could be attributed to the keratoma: 23 (56%) were treated surgically using a standardized procedure, while the other 18 (44%) were treated conservatively. Results were based upon 35 horses; 6 were lost to foll...
Crowe OM, Hepburn RJ, Kold SE, Smith RK.To report long-term outcome after arthroscopic removal of fragmentation of the extensor process of the distal phalanx in horses. Methods: Case series. Methods: Adult horses (n=13). Methods: Medical records (2003-2004) of horses that had arthroscopic debridement of fragmentation of the extensor process of the distal phalanx were reviewed. Inclusion criteria included: lameness localized to the foot, fragmentation of the extensor process of the distal phalanx debrided arthroscopically, and a follow-up period of > or = 4 years. Results: Of the 13 horses, lameness was resolved in 11 (85%) initia...
Morris DD.The medical records of 19 horses with cutaneous vasculitis were reviewed. Most (73.7%) affected horses were between 3 and 10 years old, and there were significantly more mares (14) than stallions or geldings (5) (P less than 0.01). Subcutaneous edema of the limbs, body, and/or head was the predominant clinical sign (18/19 horses; 94.7%). The single most prevalent laboratory abnormality was neutrophilia (greater than 7,000 neutrophils/microliter), which was detected in 10 horses (52.6%). Leukocytoclastic vasculitis was evident in skin biopsy specimens from 12 of 14 horses (85.7%). All horses we...
Sobiraj A, Warko G, Lehmann B, Bostedt H.This review of therapeutic results involved 115 foals with delayed viability syndrome (DVS). The foals were up to four days old. It could be shown that prognosis quoad vitam depended very much on the severity of illness, which could be determined primarily by the foals' ability to stand (SA) and secondly by the presence of the suckling reflex (SR). Those foals that were (still) able to stand--while the suckling reflex was/was not present (anymore) (SA+, SR+; SA+, SR-)--had good prospects of recovery regardless of the causal disease. The chances for survival were significantly poorer if the foa...
Satoh M, Higuchi T, Inoue S, Gotoh T, Murase H, Nambo Y.This is a retrospective study of uterine torsion (UT) in seven mares. In two cases, serum progesterone and estradiol concentrations were also investigated. The mare and foal/fetus survival rate was 57% (4/7). Four cases presented with clockwise torsion, and two cases presented with counterclockwise torsion. The direction was undetermined in one case. The degree of torsion varied. Correction of torsion was performed by ventral midline celiotomy in all cases. In the two cases with measured hormone levels, elevated levels of P were decreased through medication. All mares discharged from the hospi...
de Brot S, Junge H, Hilbe M.Two horses were presented with non-specific clinical signs of several weeks' duration and were humanely destroyed due to a poor prognosis. At necropsy examination, both horses had multiple small, white nodules replacing pancreatic tissue and involving the serosal surface of the abdominal cavity, the liver and the lung. Microscopically, neoplastic cells were organized in acini and contained abundant (case 1) or sparse (horse 2) intracytoplasmic zymogen granules. Immunohistochemically, both tumours expressed amylase and pan-cytokeratin, but not insulin or neuron-specific enolase. In case 2, a lo...
Gandini M, Giusto G.In jejunocaecal anastomosis leaving a necrotic ileal stump has been implicated in complications and poor outcomes. Elective inversion of the necrotic stump using a nasogastric tube has been previously described, although this procedure can be cumbersome and can cause caecocolic orifice occlusion. Objective: To describe the use of a new device for elective inversion of necrotic ileal stumps. Methods: Case report. Methods: Details of the four horses that underwent intestinal resection and anastomosis with elective inversion of the ileal stump were retrieved from their medical records. For each c...
Ferreira JF, Albuquerque ALH, Amorim RM, Ferreira RS, Takahira RK, Borges AS, Oliveira-Filho JP.In this retrospective study, clinical records of nine horses with a diagnosis of Bothrops envenomation were investigated. The accidents were classified as severe (5/9), moderate (2/9), or mild (2/9) according to the adapted bothropic snakebite severity score (BSSS). All snakebites were on the head region. The main clinical signs were local edema, blood coagulation disorders, and respiratory distress. The whole-blood clotting time (WBCT) was prolonged in all horses, and five horses presented with uncoagulable blood. All horses received specific snake antivenom according to the BSSS (six vials f...
Neil KM, Axon JE, Begg AP, Todhunter PG, Adams PL, Fine AE, Caron JP, Adkins AR.To determine the clinical characteristics, short-term outcome and future athletic performance of foals with septic osteomyelitis. Methods: Retrospective clinical study of 108 Thoroughbred foals with radiographic evidence of bone infection that were presented at the Scone Veterinary Hospital between August 1995 and December 2001. Medical records were reviewed and information concerning signalment, the clinical, laboratory and radiographic findings, treatment and outcome was obtained. Racing records were obtained and evaluated for surviving foals that had reached racing age. Results: Mean age of...
Compagnie E, Drumm NJ, de Heer N, ter Braake F.To describe an alternative technique and resulting outcomes for arthroscopic removal of osteochondral (OC) fragments from the proximal intertarsal joint (PIJ) using a direct approach without resection of the membrane between the tarsocrural joint (TCJ) and the PIJ. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Client owned horses (n = 11) with Category 1 OC fragments in the PIJ. Methods: Arthroscopic examination of the dorsal pouch of the TCJ was performed with horses positioned in dorsal recumbency using routine portals. A hook probe placed through one of the standard portals was used to l...
Spiegel IB, White SD, Foley JE, Drazenovich NL, Ihrke PJ, Affolter VK.Nine horses from ages 5 to 21 years were diagnosed with cutaneous equine sarcoidosis (ES) over an 18-year period. In addition to skin, the lungs were frequently involved, with other organ systems affected less commonly. A predisposition for thoroughbreds and geldings was noted. Cutaneous lesions and signs included crusts, scales, alopecia and pruritus. These were found at various sites, particularly the legs/thighs/elbows, thorax, neck, face and ventral abdomen. Three horses were euthanized shortly after hospitalization; others survived as long as 12 years. Histopathologic stains, immunohistoc...
Rose RJ, Taylor BJ, Bellenger CR.The technique of internal fixation of intra-articular fractures of the third phalanx using lag screw interfragmentary compression is described. Three cases are discussed and the successful treatment of infection and osteomyelitis described in one of them. Despite this potential complication internal fixation offers a better prognosis and also a more rapid return to work than non-operative treatments.
Foth PW, Scott VH, Mudge MC, Hurcombe SD.To determine an abdominal pressure cutoff value for intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) in the horse and characterize IAH in horses with acute colic. Methods: Prospective clinical cohort. Methods: University teaching hospital. Methods: Nine healthy adult horses and 56 horses with acute colic. Methods: Ventral intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) was measured in triplicate at end expiration and averaged. Each colic case was classified as medical or surgical and large intestine (LI) or small intestine (SI). Management and final outcome (alive, euthanized, or died) were recorded. IAH was defined as ≥3...
Charman RE, Vasey JR.Carpal flexural deformities (CFD) are frequently encountered in the horse, with both congenital and acquired forms described. The success of surgical correction of CFD, both in terms of the ability to achieve a straight palmar carpal angle and the impact on future athletic performance, requires further investigation. Objective: To report the surgical management and outcome of treatment of flexural deformity of the carpus in 72 horses up to 12 months of age. Methods: Information was obtained from the medical records of horses surgically treated for CFD and through follow-up contact with owners....
Brumbaugh GW, Thomas WP, Hodge TG.A 4-year-old Quarter Horse gelding with atrial fibrillation, mitral regurgitation, and signs of bilateral congestive heart failure was initially treated IV with digoxin and furosemide. After parenteral digitalization, a daily maintenance dose of digoxin was administered orally at a rate of 21.7 micrograms/kg of body weight. At this dosage, a steady-state serum digoxin concentration of 2.3 ng/ml was achieved without clinical signs of toxicosis. The furosemide dosage was decreased and eventually discontinued as clinical improvement occurred. Clinical signs of congestive heart failure were contro...
Kilcoyne I, Dechant JE, Kass PH, Spier SJ.Objective-To determine the outcome of penetrating injuries to the central region of the foot in equids and identify factors that may affect treatment and outcome. Design-Retrospective case series. Animals-63 equids (61 horses, 1 pony, and 1 mule). Procedures-Records of equids incurring puncture wounds through the frog (cuneus ungulae) or collateral sulci of the foot between 1998 and 2008 were reviewed. Evaluated factors that were hypothesized to affect outcome included signalment, degree of lameness, foot affected, duration between injury and admission, and treatment. Injuries were graded from...
