Retrospective studies in horses involve the analysis of pre-existing data to identify patterns, outcomes, and associations related to health and disease within equine populations. These studies utilize historical records, such as veterinary medical histories, treatment outcomes, and diagnostic results, to explore various aspects of equine health and management. Retrospective studies can provide insights into the prevalence of diseases, the effectiveness of treatments, and risk factors associated with certain conditions. This page aggregates peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that focus on the methodologies, findings, and implications of retrospective analyses in equine veterinary science.
Bergren AL, Abuja GA, Bubeck KA, Spoormakers TJP, García-López JM.No large retrospective case series describing the treatment and outcomes following diagnosis of cranial nuchal bursitis have been published. Objective: To describe the clinical presentation, diagnostic techniques, treatment and outcome of horses suffering from cranial nuchal bursitis and to determine their outcome after medical or surgical treatment. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Medical records (1990-2014) of two referral centres were reviewed for signalment, diagnostic features, method of treatment (medical, surgical or both) and outcome. Results: The median age of horses was ...
Barrett MF, McIlwraith CW, Contino EK, Park RD, Kawcak CE, Frisbie DD, zumBrunnen JR.OBJECTIVE To investigate potential associations between repository radiographic findings and subsequent performance of Quarter Horses competing in cutting events. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. SAMPLE Repository radiographs (ie, radiographs obtained at the time of sale) for 343 client-owned horses. PROCEDURES Repository radiographic findings were compared with objective measures of performance, including the likelihood of competing; the likelihood of earning money as a 3-year-old, as a 4-year-old, and as a 3- and 4-year-old combined; and the amount of money earned as a 3-year-old, as a 4-y...
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...
Higgins SN, Howden KJ, James CR, Epp T, Lohmann KL.This retrospective study was undertaken to estimate i) the surveillance coverage for equine infectious anemia (EIA) based on owner-requested testing, and ii) the incidence of case detection from this surveillance activity to inform a review of Canada's national disease control strategy. Based on sample submissions by accredited veterinarians to laboratories CFIA-approved for EIA testing between 2009 and 2012, the estimated national surveillance coverage was 14% for all years, and 72 cases of EIA were detected. The annual national incidence of EIA detection ranged from 0.03 to 0.08 cases/1000 h...
Wolyncewicz GEL, Palmer CS, Jowett HE, Hutson JM, King SK, Teague WJ.Horse-related injuries account for one quarter of all paediatric sports fatalities. It is not known whether the pattern of injury spectrum and severity differ between children injured whilst mounted, compared with those injured unmounted around horses. We aimed to identify any distinctions between the demographic features, spectrum and severity of injuries for mounted versus unmounted patients. Methods: Trauma registry data were reviewed for 505 consecutive paediatric patients (aged<16years) admitted to a large paediatric trauma centre with horse-related injuries over a 16-year period. Patient...
Inoue Y, Sekiguchi M.Therapeutic techniques for oviductal obstruction in the mare are limited. Nonsurgical and retrograde flushing may be an attractive alternative to current treatment methods for oviductal blockage. Objective: To evaluate hysteroscopic selective hydrotubation as a treatment option for presumptive equine oviductal blockage. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: A quantity of 10 mL of saline was flushed through the oviducts in 28 standing sedated mares, which had reproductive histories of unexplained subfertility, by inserting a catheter into the uterotubal junction under endoscopic guidance...
Pihl TH, Nielsen MK, Olsen SN, Leifsson PS, Jacobsen S.Strongylus vulgaris is re-emerging in horses kept under surveillance-based parasite control regimens. Information on nonstrangulating intestinal infarction associated with S. vulgaris is needed to improve recognition of the condition. Objective: To describe the typical clinical presentation, laboratory findings, gross pathology, treatment and outcome of horses with nonstrangulating intestinal infarction. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Nonstrangluating intestinal infarction was diagnosed in 30 horses with a localised intestinal infarction with concurrent signs of S. vulgaris mig...
Kucera CR, Stranahan LW, Hughes F, Blikslager AT, Gonzalez LM.Progenitor cells play critical roles in epithelial repair following ischaemic injury. Protein biomarkers have been used to identify intestinal progenitor cell subpopulations. This study aims to determine if a critical number of intestinal progenitor cells can predict tissue viability and survival to discharge of large colon volvulus (LCV) cases. Objective: The objectives were to 1) identify intestinal progenitor cell subpopulations using biomarkers: proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), sex determining region Y box 9 (SOX9), phospho-histone H3 (PHH3) and Ki-67, 2) define cut-off values fo...
Marcatili M, Voss SJ, Pollock PJ.To describe a surgical technique for thyroidectomy in horses with thyroid neoplasia under standing sedation and local anesthesia. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Client-owned horses (n = 10). Methods: Medical records of horses with a history of thyroid enlargement were included in the study if thyroid gland enlargement was treated surgically via hemi- or bilateral thyroidectomy, with the horse standing and sedated. Data derived from follow-up clinical examination, performance level, recurrence, and cosmetic outcome were evaluated. Results: Thyroid enlargement was unilateral in 8 and...
Scherrer NM, Lassaline M, Engiles J.To determine the characteristics of and prognosis for ocular and periocular hemangiosarcoma in horses. Methods: Six horses treated for ocular or periocular hemangiosarcoma. Methods: A retrospective review of medical records from 2007 to 2015 was performed to identify horses with a histologic diagnosis of ocular or periocular hemangiosarcoma. Signalment (age, sex, breed), duration of clinical signs, prior treatment, tumor size and location, medical and surgical treatment including postoperative chemotherapy, follow-up time, and outcome were obtained from medical records. Histopathology was revi...
Paschalis-Trela K, Cywińska A, Trela J, Czopowicz M, Kita J, Witkowski L.Equine ocular diseases pose a medical challenge due to long-lasting and cost-consuming therapies as well as economic issues associated with potential decrease in value of affected horses. The scale of the problem is significant but difficult to precisely define because epidemiological data is limited and lacks consistency in presentation. To date, no retrospective studies specifically investigating Arabian horses have been published. Results: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the prevalence of ocular lesions and define the ocular diseases present in Arabian horses from b...
Lewis SS, Nicholson AM, Williams ZJ, Valberg SJ.OBJECTIVE To characterize clinical findings for polysaccharide storage myopathy (PSSM) in warmblood horses with type 1 PSSM (PSSM1; caused by mutation of the glycogen synthase 1 gene) and type 2 PSSM (PSSM2; unknown etiology). SAMPLE Database with 3,615 clinical muscle biopsy submissions. PROCEDURES Reported clinical signs and serum creatine kinase (CK) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities were retrospectively analyzed for horses with PSSM1 (16 warmblood and 430 nonwarmblood), horses with PSSM2 (188 warmblood and 646 nonwarmblood), and warmblood horses without PSSM (278). Lameness e...
Gitari A, Nguhiu J, Varma V, Mogoa E.The aim of this study was to determine the treatments and their outcomes in horses with colic in Nairobi County, Kenya. Methods: This is a retrospective study to determine the occurrence, treatments, pain management, and outcomes of colic in horses in Nairobi County. Association between pain management protocols and the outcomes of colic with regard to recovery or death was also determined. Data collected from four equine practitioners were organized manually and given numerical codes as appropriate to facilitate entry into the computer. The coded data were entered into Microsoft Excel 2010 an...
Müller-Unterberg M, Wallmann S, Distl O.The Black Forest Draught horse (BFDH) is an endangered German coldblood breed with its origin in the area of the Black Forest in South Germany. In this retrospective study, the influence of the inbreeding coefficient on foaling rates was investigated using records from ten breeding seasons. Due to the small population size of BFDH, the level of inbreeding is increasing and may have an effect on foaling rates.The data of the present study included all coverings reported for 1024 BFDH mares in the years 2001-2009. These mares were covered by 32 BFDH stallions from the State Stud Marbach. Data fr...
Brunsting JY, Pille FJ, Oosterlinck M, Haspeslagh M, Wilderjans HC.To determine the incidence of infection and associated risk factors, after elective arthroscopy. Methods: Retrospective case study. Methods: Horses (n=1079) undergoing elective arthroscopy. Methods: Medical records of all horses that underwent elective arthroscopy between 2006 and 2013 were reviewed. Age, gender, breed, surgeon, number of joints operated, total anesthetic time, perioperative antimicrobial administration, and the presence and size of osteochondral fragments/subchondral lesions were recorded. For each operated joint, the development of postoperative infection (surgical site infe...
Davies MR.Despite tight biosecurity measures, an outbreak of respiratory disease rapidly spread across the Icelandic equine population in 2010. Horse transportation was brought to a halt in order to contain the spread of the infectious agent. In a recent article, Björnsdóttir and colleagues (S. Björnsdóttir et al., mBio 8:e00826-17, 2017, https://doi.org/10.1128/mBio.00826-17) employ the power and resolution of "genomic epidemiology," the combination of whole genomic sequencing and epidemiological approaches, to examine the source and spread of the outbreak. Intriguingly, the outbreak was not viral ...
Garrett D, Montesso F, Fougerolle S, Lopez-Alvarez MR, Birand I, De Bock M, Huang CM, Legrand L, Pronost S, Paillot R.Equine Influenza (EI) is an important respiratory disease of horses caused by H3N8 equine influenza viruses (EIV). Vaccination is a key strategy to prevent or control this disease. However, EIV undergoes continuous antigenic drift and whilst numerous EI vaccines are commercially available worldwide, an accurate evaluation of their efficacy is frequently required through clinical trials conducted in the natural host. Room nebulisation is one of the chosen methods to challenge horses during EI vaccine studies. A potential decreased pathogenicity observed with recent Florida Clade 2 (FC2) EIV iso...
Pezzanite LM, Hackett ES.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...
Rosanowski SM, MacEoin F, Graham RJTY, Riggs CM.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,...
Miyakoshi D, Senba H, Shikichi M, Maeda M, Shibata R, Misumi K.This study aimed to evaluate whether radiographic abnormalities at yearling sales were associated with the failure to start racing at 2-3 years of age. Radiographic abnormalities in the carpal (n=852), tarsal (n=976), metacarpophalangeal (n=1,055), and metatarsophalangeal joints (n=1,031) from 1,082 horses, recorded at yearling sale, were reviewed. Eighty-two horses (7.6%) failed to start racing. Radiographic abnormalities such as wedged or collapsed tarsal bones, irregular lucency of a sagittal ridge at the distal aspect of the distal third metatarsal bone, and proximal dorsal fragmentation o...
van Galen G, Rijckaert J, Mair T, Amory H, Armengou L, Bezdekova B, Durie I, Findshøj Delany R, Fouché N, Haley L, Hewetson M, van den Hoven R....To identify prognostic variables for 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 and 21 foals with tetanus. Methods: None. Results: Variables from history and clinical examination were statistically compared between survivors and nonsurvivors (adults: 49 survivors, 85 nonsurvivors; foals: 7 survivors, 10 nonsurvivors). Cases euthanized for financial reasons were excluded. Mortality rates i...
van Galen G, Saegerman C, Rijckaert J, Amory H, Armengou L, Bezdekova B, Durie I, Findshøj Delany R, Fouché N, Haley L, Hewetson M, van den Hoven R....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...
Barrett MF, Manchon PT, Hersman J, Kawcak CE.Injury to the proximal suspensory ligament is a common cause of lameness in cutting horses. Radiographic and ultrasonographic imaging of lesions responsible for lameness can provide ambiguous results. MRI provides the most comprehensive diagnostic imaging evaluation of lesions specifically affecting cutting horses. Objective: To describe the distribution and severity of bone and soft tissue lesions present in the proximal metacarpus of Quarter Horse cutting horses and to assess the impact of these lesions on return to competition. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Retrospective anal...
Vienenkötter J, Siudak K, Stallenberger L, Herden C.Being confronted with a case series of renal neoplasia in several horses which was in striking divergence to literature data, we recognized the need of a retrospective study to assess the presence of renal neoplasms in horses. Methods: Anamnestic animal data, necropsy findings and results of histological and immunohistochemical examinations from 2010 through 2015 were collected and evaluated regarding renal neoplasia. Results: Data from postmortem examinations of 1069 horses revealed 20 horses with renal tumors constituting a prevalence of 1.87 %. Primary renal neoplasms built the majority o...
Sprayberry KA, Slovis NM.Pericarditis is a sporadic, but important cause of critical illness in horses of all ages. There is limited information on whether Thoroughbred horses that survive pericarditis are able to reach athletic potential. Objective: To determine how pericarditis affected horses that had the disease as young animals with regard to selling price in public sales and the ability to race successfully. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Medical records were searched to identify pericarditis cases. Signalment and month of diagnosis were noted and Thoroughbreds with ultrasonographically confirmed p...
Wright K, Ireland JL, Rendle DI.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...
Dyson S, Pinilla MJ, Bolas N, Murray R.There have been no previous studies correlating high-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings with gross and histological post-mortem examination in horses with hindlimb proximal suspensory desmopathy (PSD). Objective: To determine if adhesions between the suspensory ligament (SL) and adjacent tissues could be detected using high-field MRI and if collagen, adipose tissue and muscle pathology could be differentiated. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Nineteen horses with hindlimb PSD were humanely destroyed; 12 limbs of 11 horses with PSD underwent high-field MRI. All lame limbs wer...
Kosolofski HR, Gow SP, Robinson KA.A retrospective study determined the prevalence of obesity and over-conditioning in horses in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Body condition score (BSC) was assessed for 290 horses from the Field Service practice at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine. The median BSC of horses was 6; however, 59 (20.3%) horses were classified as over-conditioned, and 24 (8.3%) as obese. Une étude rétrospective a déterminé la prévalence de l’obésité et du surconditionnement des chevaux à Saskatoon, en Saskatchewan. La note d’état corporel (NEC) a été évaluée pour 290 chevaux à la pratique sur...
Lorenzett MP, Pereira PR, Bassuino DM, Konradt G, Panziera W, Bianchi MV, Argenta FF, Hammerschmitt ME, Caprioli RA, de Barros CSL, Pavarini SP....Trema micrantha is a tree widely distributed throughout the Americas. The tree produces highly palatable leaves that have been associated with natural poisoning in goats, sheep and horses, in which hepatic necrosis and hepatic encephalopathy have been observed. Objective: This study describes malacia and haemorrhage in the central nervous system (CNS) due to T. micrantha consumption, with minimal to absent hepatic lesions. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: A total of 14 horses with a history of neurological signs and spontaneous consumption of T. micrantha leaves were submitted to...
Whitehair KJ, Willits NH.To identify factors associated with various arterial partial pressures of oxygen (Pao2) in anesthetized horses. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: 1,450 horses anesthetized a total of 1,610 times with isoflurane or halothane. Methods: Anesthesia records, particularly results of blood gas analyses, were reviewed, and horses were grouped on the basis of lowest Pao2. Results: For horses with lowest Pao2 < 120 mm Hg, those with low pulse pressure, that underwent anesthesia on an emergency basis, or that were males were more likely to have Pao2 < 80 mm Hg. For horses with lowest Pao2 <...
Posner LP, Kasten JI, Kata C.To document the suitability of intravenous propofol and ketamine following sedation with xylazine for routine anaesthetic induction in horses. Retrospective. 100 client-owned horses. Anaesthetic records were evaluated to determine: signalment, anaesthetic drug and dosages, need for additional induction agents, notation of any adverse events, duration of anaesthesia and recovery characteristics (rough or smooth, and rapid or prolonged). Horses were sedated with xylazine 0.99±(0.2) mg/kg intravenous and 23 horses were also administered butorphanol 0.02±(0.001) mg/kg intravenous. Horses were an...
Doering AK, Reesink HL, Luedke LK, Moore C, Nixon AJ, Fortier LA, Ducharme NG, Ross MW, Levine DG, Richardson DW, Stefanovski D, Ortved KF.To determine the prognosis for racing of horses surgically treated for slab fractures of the third carpal bone (C3). Methods: Retrospective case study. Methods: Horses (n = 125) surgically treated for C3 slab fractures. Methods: Medical records of horses surgically treated for dorsal or sagittal C3 fractures were reviewed for age, sex, breed, limb, fracture type, degree of cartilage damage, and surgical treatment. Radiographs were evaluated to determine fracture depth, width, and displacement. Osteophytes, C3 lysis, and fragmentation were scored. Racing performance was obtained from online...
Hovda T, Love L, Chiavaccini L.Hypoxaemia is a common concern during equine general anaesthesia. The prevalence and predictors of hypoxaemia in horses undergoing elective anaesthesia in particular are poorly documented. Objective: To determine and compare the prevalence of hypoxaemia (defined as PaO2 ≤ 80 mm Hg, on the lowest value recorded) in horses undergoing anaesthesia for exploratory laparotomy and elective procedures, and to identify risk factors in both subpopulations. Methods: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: Data were collected from 774 records of 708 horses undergoing general anaesthesia between April 2...
Holland AJ, Roy GT, Goh V, Ross FI, Keneally JP, Cass DT.To identify the frequency, spectrum and outcome of horse-related injuries in children. Methods: Retrospective case series of horse-related injuries in children admitted to the Children's Hospital at Westmead (CHW) from January 1988 to December 1999, the John Hunter Children's Hospital (JHCH) from January 1991 to December 1997 and deaths reported to the New South Wales Paediatric Trauma Death (NPTD) Registry from January 1988 to December 1999. Methods: Circumstances of injury; helmet use; adult supervision; type and number of injuries identified. Results: 232 children were admitted with horse-r...
Bosch G, Klein WR.To determine the usefulness and clinical outcome of a combined procedure of superficial keratectomy and cryosurgery as a treatment for limbal neoplasms in horses. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Thirteen horses with 14 limbal tumors. Methods: Medical records of all patients with limbal tumors, referred to the Department of Equine Sciences of Utrecht University between 1995 and 2002, were retrieved. Patient data were analyzed with respect to signalment, tumor surface area and histologic diagnosis. Surgery, performed under general anesthesia, included surgical debulking of the tumor follo...
Stewart AA, Goodrich LR, Byron CR, Evans RB, Stewart MC.To present the technique for intra-articular catheter placement and report the clinical outcomes of 38 cases of equine synovial trauma and/or infection treated with broad-spectrum antimicrobials administered via an intrasynovial catheter (ISC). Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Medical records of 38 horses treated for synovial trauma and sepsis with frequent antimicrobial administration through an ISC from 1995 to 2008 were reviewed. Follow-up information was obtained via clinical re-evaluation or telephone contact with the owners. Results: The majority of horses (84%) received amikacin a...
Lescun TB, McClure SR, Ward MP, Downs C, Wilson DA, Adams SB, Hawkins JF, Reinertson EL.To evaluate clinical findings, complications, and outcome of horses and foals with third metacarpal, third metatarsal, or phalangeal fractures that were treated with transfixation casting. Methods: Retrospective case series. Animals-29 adult horses and 8 foals with fractures of the third metacarpal or metatarsal bone or the proximal or middle phalanx. Methods: Medical records were reviewed, and follow-up information was obtained. Data were analyzed by use of logistic regression models for survival, fracture healing, return to intended use, pin loosening, pin hole lysis, and complications assoc...
De Guio C, Ségard-Weisse E, Thomas-Cancian A, Schramme M.The metacarpophalangeal joint is a common site of pain in horses. Little information is available about bone marrow lesions in the distal condyles of the third metacarpal bone in sports and pleasure horses. Aims of this prospective, retrospective, observational study were to evaluate the prevalence of bone marrow lesions in the distal condyles of the third metacarpal bone, to describe their anatomic distribution and to correlate lesions with the presence of lameness and the level and type of activity. All sports and pleasure horses undergoing standing low-field MRI of the front fetlock region ...
Seahorn TL, Cornick JL, Cohen ND.The medical records of 75 horses with duodenitis-proximal jejunitis (DPJ) were reviewed. Ages, physical parameters, laboratory values, and treatment data were compared between horses surviving DPJ and horses not surviving DPJ (Table 1). Fifty of 75 horses (66.6%) survived. Sixty-six horses (88.0%) were managed with medical treatment alone and nine horses (12.0%) were managed with medical treatment plus surgical intervention. Using a logistic regression model, the association of each of the 19 physical and laboratory parameters with death was evaluated retrospectively in the 75 horses. Three pa...
Berryhill EH, Thomasy SM, Kass PH, Reilly CM, Good KL, Hollingsworth SR, Maggs DJ, Magdesian KG, Pusterla N.To compare signalment, presentation, treatment, and outcome in horses diagnosed with corneal degeneration (CD) or calcific band keratopathy (CBK) at a referral hospital. Methods: Sixty-nine horses (87 eyes) diagnosed with either CD or CBK. Methods: Medical records of horses diagnosed with CD or CBK at the University of California-Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (UCD-VMTH) between 2000 and 2013 were reviewed. Signalment, concurrent ophthalmic diagnoses, previous therapies, diagnostic tests, systemic diagnoses, treatment, follow-up, and outcomes were compared between horses diagnosed ...
Pinchbeck GL, Clegg PD, Proudman CJ, Morgan KL, Wood JL, French NP.We identified risk factors associated with falling during steeplechase racing. We used retrospective data from all steeplechase runs on UK racecourses during 1999: 10,866 starts with 647 horse falls. The relationship between continuous variables and falling was assessed using generalised additive models (GAMs). Polynomial fits then were included in a multilevel, multivariable logistic-regression model. The number of runners had a linear, positive association with the risk of falling. The distance of the race had a non-linear relationship with the risk of falling; the risk steadily increased in...
Elmas CR, Cruz AM, Kerr CL.To describe an assisted anesthetic recovery technique using a tilt table for horses after high-risk orthopedic-related procedures and to evaluate outcome. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Anesthetic recoveries (n=54) for 36 horses. Methods: Medical records (April 1994-October 2005) for horses that had high-risk orthopedic surgery and recovery from general anesthesia on a tilt table were reviewed. Information about the surgical procedure, anesthetic and recovery period was analyzed. Results: Of 54 anesthetic recoveries, 1 horse (1.9%) had complete failure of internal fixation during recov...
Plummer AE, Rakestraw PC, Hardy J, Lee RM.To determine short- and long-term outcomes, including recurrence rates, for horses with cecal impaction treated medically or surgically. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: 114 horses. Methods: Medical records were reviewed for information on signalment, history, clinical findings, treatment (medical vs surgical), and short-term outcome. Information on longterm outcome was obtained through a mail survey and telephone interview with owners. Results: 54 horses were treated medically, 49 horses were treated surgically, and 11 horses were euthanized after initial examination without furth...
Magnarelli LA, Anderson JF.In a retrospective study, indirect fluorescent-antibody staining methods were used to detect immunoglobulins to Ehrlichia canis and Ehrlichia risticii in canine and equine sera that had originally been analyzed for antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi. Analyses of 60 dog serum specimens collected in Connecticut and New York State during 1986 revealed antibodies to E. canis in 7 (11.7%) specimens; titration endpoints ranged from 1:40 to 1:320. Three of these dogs had anemia. Of the 187 equine serum specimens obtained in Connecticut during 1985 and analyzed by indirect fluorescent-antibody stainin...
Veraa S, Scheffer CJW, Smeets DHM, de Bruin RB, Hoogendoorn AC, Vernooij JCM, Nielen M, Back W.Intervertebral disc disease, as well as the associated alteration of the radiographic intervertebral disc space width, has been reported in horses. Disc height index (DHI) has proven to be an accurate and objective parameter in other species but data related to this parameter are lacking in horses. Therefore, the aims of this retrospective longitudinal diagnostic accuracy study were (a) to evaluate the reliability of measurements within and between observers of the equine Disc Width Index (EDWI) as a parameter for radiographic equine cervical intervertebral disc space width, and (b) to evaluat...
Peroni JF, Stick JA.To describe a single-portal cranial arthroscopic approach to the stifle joint in horses and to determine the clinical outcome in horses with femorotibial joint disease in which this approach was used. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: 23 adult horses. Methods: Medical records were reviewed to obtain information on clinical outcome in horses in which the single-portal cranial arthroscopic approach was used. Results: Twenty-nine stifle joints of 23 horses were examined arthroscopically, using the described approach. Subchondral bone cysts were treated in 19 medial femoral condyles of 12 hor...
Melgaard DT, Korsgaard TS, Thoefner MS, Petersen MR, Pedersen HG.Unwanted behaviour in mares is a commonly presenting problem to the veterinarian. This behaviour may range from the mare being uncooperative or aggressive when handled on the ground, kicking, bucking or rearing when ridden or being aggressive towards other horses. This purpose of the study was to evaluate whether bilateral ovariectomy in mares with unwanted behaviour improved the mare's behaviour and/or rideability from the owner's perspective. The mares were grouped and compared statistically based on their histological classification as having either "normal" or neoplastic ovaries. This stud...
Busoni V, Snaps F, Trenteseaux J, Dondelinger RF.The purpose of this study was to describe the normal magnetic resonance (MR) imaging characteristics of the palmar structures of the equine podotrochlear apparatus by means of retrospective evaluation of MR imaging studies of 16 cadaver limbs. The articular aspect of the distal sesamoid bone was not evaluated in this study. Equine digits were imaged with a human knee radiofrequency coil in a 1.5 T magnetic field, using spin echo (SE) T1-weighted, turbo spin echo proton density (TSE PD)-weighted with and without fat saturation (FS), and FS TSE T2-weighted sequences. The limbs were dissected aft...
Caron JP, Fretz PB, Bailey JV, Barber SM.Arthrodesis of the proximal interphalangeal joint was used to treat lameness resulting from osteoarthrosis and for closed subluxation in 35 horses. Six horses had bilateral arthrodeses. Several conventional internal fixation techniques and a three converging screw method were used. Criteria for success included the horse performing its previous or intended athletic activity and the owner being satisfied with the outcome. Using these criteria, a successful outcome was obtained in 65% of the 26 animals in which adequate follow-up was available. A successful outcome was observed in four of six ho...
Cullen S, Donohoe A, McGoldrick A, McCaffrey N, Davenport C, Byrne B, Donaghy C, Tormey W, Smith D, Warrington G.The long-term implications of making-weight daily on musculoskeletal health and functioning of the kidney and liver remain unknown. This study aimed to investigate musculoskeletal health and kidney and liver function in a group of retired jockeys. 28 retired male jockeys (age 50-70 years) provided fasting blood samples for markers of bone metabolism and kidney and liver function. A dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan was performed for the assessment of bone mineral density (BMD). Established reference ranges were used for interpretation of results. Comparisons were made between retired...
Kersjes AW, Bras GE, Németh F, van der Velden MA, Firth EC.This retrospective study presents the results of surgical treatment of obstructive colic in horses operated in the last decade (1976-1985). The overall short-term recovery rate (i.e. discharged from hospital) was 51% of cases presented for surgery, and 68% of cases which were considered to be amenable to surgical therapy. For long-term results (6 months-8 years follow up) these percentages must be reduced by about 15% due to mortality after discharge. Special attention has been given to surgery of the ileum, which is often involved in strangulation or obturation, and accounts for about 26% of ...
Doxey DL, Gilmour JS, Milne EM.A retrospective survey was made of premises in eastern Scotland on which at least two cases of grass sickness had occurred between 1970 and 1987. For comparison, a further survey of 49 equine establishments, on which no grass sickness had been recorded, was conducted from 1986 to 1988. The results indicated that younger animals are more susceptible, especially those in good physical condition grazing full-time in the spring or early summer. Movement to new grazing increases the risk of grass sickness and identifiable stress may contribute. The nature of the establishment governed the animals' ...
Zoff A, Dugdale AHA, Scarabelli S, Rioja E.This study compared the values of variables measured by pulse co-oximetry (Masimo Radical 7; Masimo Europe Limited, UK) with those measured by a co-oximeter-enabled blood gas analyser (Siemens Rapid-point 500; Siemens Healthcare Limited, UK) in anaesthetized horses. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: A total of 30 anaesthetized horses. Methods: In total, 47 heparinized arterial blood samples were collected for blood gas analysis to determine haemoglobin concentration (tHb, g L) and percentage of haemoglobin saturation with oxygen (SaO). Arterial haemoglobin saturation with oxygen was deter...
Baldwin CM, Smith MRW, Allen S, Wright IM.Slab fractures of the third carpal bone (C3) are a common injury of Thoroughbred racehorses. Results of arthroscopically guided repair have not been reported since the initial description of the technique in 1986. Additionally, fracture details and racing outcomes in a population of Thoroughbreds racing under UK jurisdiction have not previously been described. Objective: To report the frequency distribution of C3 slab fractures and to determine the impact on racing performance following arthroscopically guided repair in a population of Thoroughbred racehorses. Methods: Retrospective case serie...
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...
Martin CA, Kerr CL, Pearce SG, Lansdowne JL, Bouré LP.To determine reasons for epidural catheter placement among horses examined at a veterinary teaching hospital, efficacy of epidural administration of analgesics, duration of catheter placement, reasons for catheter removal, and complications encountered. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: 43 horses. Methods: Medical records were reviewed. Results: A total of 50 epidural catheters were placed in the 43 horses. Underlying conditions included fractures, lacerations, septic arthritis, myositis, perineal injuries, and cellulitis. Horses ranged from 2 to 21 years old and weighed between 365 and 7...
Klein CE, Bramlage LR, Stefanovski D, Ruggles AJ, Embertson RM, Hopper SA.To compare 3 different methods for treatment of medial femoral condyle (MFC) subchondral cystic lesions in Thoroughbred horses <24 months old based on the criterion of ability to race post-treatment. Methods: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: Thoroughbreds (n = 107, age < 24 months) diagnosed with MFC subchondral cystic lesions. Methods: Medical records between January 2004 and December 2017 were reviewed. Three treatment methods were used in these horses during that time frame: arthroscopic debridement, intralesional autologous mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) injection, and int...
van Bergen T, Haspeslagh M, Wiemer P, Swagemakers M, van Loon G, Martens A.To report the clinical features, outcomes, and prognostic factors associated with the surgical treatment of epiploic foramen entrapment (EFE). Methods: Retrospective study at a single referral hospital. Methods: Horses (n = 142) undergoing surgery (n = 145) for EFE. Methods: Preoperative, perioperative, and postoperative data of surgeries on horses that underwent exploratory laparotomy for EFE were obtained. The postoperative outcome was assessed by follow-up telephone calls with the owners/caregivers. Factors associated with postoperative reflux (POR), relaparotomy, hospital discharge...
Samol MA, Uzal FA, Hill AE, Arthur RM, Stover SM.Tibial fractures cause ~3% of racehorse deaths. Pre-existing stress fractures have been associated with multiple racing and training fractures, but not complete tibial fractures. Objective: To describe racehorse tibial fractures and compare signalment and exercise histories of affected and control racehorses. Methods: Retrospective analysis of necropsy reports. Methods: Racehorses that had a complete tibial fracture (1990-2018) were retrospectively reviewed. Signalment and exercise histories of affected horses were compared to 1) racehorses that died because of non-tibial musculoskeletal injur...
