Surgery for horses encompasses a range of procedures performed to diagnose, treat, or manage various medical conditions. These procedures may involve soft tissue or orthopedic interventions and require specialized techniques to accommodate the unique anatomical and physiological characteristics of equines. Common surgical procedures in horses include colic surgery, fracture repair, and arthroscopy. The success of equine surgery depends on numerous factors, including the type of procedure, the horse's overall health, and post-operative care. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore surgical techniques, outcomes, and advancements in equine surgical practices.
Kauter A, Brombach J, Lübke-Becker A, Kannapin D, Bang C, Franzenburg S, Stoeckle SD, Mellmann A, Scherff N, Köck R, Guenther S, Wieler LH....Horse clinics are hotspots for the accumulation and spread of clinically relevant and zoonotic multidrug-resistant bacteria, including extended-spectrum β-lactamase producing (ESBL) Enterobacterales. Although median laparotomy in cases of acute equine colic is a frequently performed surgical intervention, knowledge about the effects of peri-operative antibiotic prophylaxis (PAP) based on a combination of penicillin and gentamicin on the gut microbiota is limited. Unassigned: We collected fecal samples of horses from a non-hospitalized control group (CG) and from horses receiving either a pre-...
Andersen C, Jacobsen S, Uvebrant K, Griffin JF, Vonk LA, Walters M, Berg LC, Lundgren-Åkerlund E, Lindegaard C.Integrin α10β1-selected mesenchymal stem cells (integrin α10-MSCs) have previously shown potential in treating cartilage damage and osteoarthritis (OA) and in animal models . The aim of this study was to further investigate disease-modifying effects of integrin α10-MSCs. Methods: OA was surgically induced in 17 horses. Eighteen days after surgery, horses received 2 × 10 integrin α10-MSCs intra-articularly or were left untreated. Lameness and response to carpal flexion was assessed weekly along with synovial fluid (SF) analysis. On day 52 after treatment, horses were euthanized, and carp...
Gutiérrez Bautista ÁJ, Söbbeler FJ, Koch R, Viscasillas J, Kästner S.In neonatal equines, pathologies involving umbilical structures are an important cause of morbidity, and surgical removal of urachal remnants is a common procedure in clinical practice. Surgery involving the ventral abdominal wall can cause substantial pain, leading to complications and prolonged recovery. The objectives of this study were to describe a two-point bilateral ultrasound-guided rectus sheath block at the level of the umbilicus and to evaluate the extent of dye distribution in foal cadavers. Ten foal cadavers were included in the study, in which a bilateral two-point ultrasound-gui...
Jodzio D, DeNotta S, Plummer C, Sanchez C.Pain recognition in hospitalized horses is challenging, and the utility of pain scoring systems in horses with ocular disease has not been well-described. Objective: Evaluate the horse grimace scale (HGS) and behavior pain score (BPS) in hospitalized horses with ocular disease. We hypothesized that HGS and BPS would be associated with different clinical progressions. Methods: Privately owned horses hospitalized for ocular disease between September 2018 and September 2020. Methods: Retrospective observational study. The HGS and BPS were recorded daily throughout hospitalization. Clinical progre...
Vidović A, Kuhn S.Fractures of the splint bones are the most common fractures in horses. Various treatment options for splint bone fractures (MC/MT II and IV), including conservative and surgical management, have been described. This report describes an acute splint bone fracture due to external trauma in a 17-year-old Icelandic mare. The fracture was diagnosed as an open multifragment fracture of the proximal third of the fourth metacarpal bone (MCIV) in the right front limb. Surgery was performed with the horse under general anaesthesia. The distal fragments were removed, and the distal part of the proximal r...
Kerbert MP, Freeland RB, Verhaar N, Baker WT. The lateral trochlear ridge (LTR) of the femur is the most common predilection site for osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) in the equine stifle. The objective was to investigate the relationship between lesion size, racing performance, and sale result of Thoroughbreds with LTR OCD following arthroscopic removal as a yearling. Methods: In this retrospective study, medical records of 145 Thoroughbreds from one equine hospital that underwent surgery for LTR OCD were reviewed; the length and depth of the lesions were measured on preoperative radiographs. Horses were allocated to group S if they...
Colgate VA, Robinson N, Barnett TP, Bathe AP, Coleridge MOD, Smith LCR, Payne RJ.Repair of sagittal proximal phalanx (P1) and parasagittal metacarpal/metatarsal III (MC/MTIII) fractures has evolved over recent decades from a procedure carried out solely under general anaesthesia, to one commonly performed under standing sedation. To date, standing fracture repair has not been evaluated for large cohorts. Objective: To determine short-term (survival to discharge) and long-term (return to racing) outcomes of horses undergoing standing repair of MC/MTIII and P1 fractures, and to compare pre-surgical and post-surgical racing performance. Methods: Single-centre retrospective co...
Matthews LB, Sanz M, Sellon DC.To determine long-term survival rate, defined as survival to 1 year after discharge from the hospital, and rate of return to prior athletic, breeding, or other function in horses undergoing colic surgery at the first presentation at one referral hospital in the Pacific northwest region of the United States. Unassigned: Records were reviewed for all horses that underwent colic surgery between October 2014 and October 2021. Owners of horses that survived to discharge were contacted to obtain follow-up information via internet-based questionnaire or telephone interview. The percentage of horses...
Kamm JL.To describe the repair utilizing integral-anchor barbed suture in equine rectal tears. Methods: 3 horses aged 3 to 10 years old with grade 3 to 4 rectal tears. Methods: Grade 3 and 4 rectal tears were referred for surgical repair immediately after iatrogenic tearing or tearing during parturition. Integral-anchor barbed suture (Stratafix Symmetric PDS Plus, size 1, 18" CT-1) was placed using long-handled instruments or hand closure depending on the accessibility and visibility of the tear. Closure of grade 3 tears was performed using a continuous appositional pattern. A horizontal mattress patt...
Cullen MD, Pettitt RA, Tomlinson AW, Louro LF, Bennell AJ, Michael R, Stack JD.To describe the surgical treatment, postoperative management, and outcome of a miniature horse undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA). Methods: Case report. Methods: A 4-year-old miniature horse stallion weighing 85 kg. Methods: The horse presented with left coxofemoral luxation of ~6 weeks duration. Computed tomography confirmed craniodorsal luxation with marked degenerative changes to the femoral head. The horse underwent THA using cementless press fit implants, including an interlocking lateral bolt for the femoral stem. Results: The horse recovered well from anesthesia but suffered a ...
Caspers MK, Gier CJ, Reesink HL.Non-septic tenosynovitis is a clinically relevant and often performance limiting musculoskeletal injury in the horse. Objective: To review the published literature to determine which tendon sheaths are commonly affected by non-septic tenosynovitis and to describe the most frequently reported pathological lesions, outcomes, and surgical complications in equine non-septic tenosynovitis. Methods: Systematic review. Methods: Literature searches were conducted in July 2021 from the online search engines PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science Core, VetMed Resource and ProQuest Theses & Dissertations. Th...
Ruíz-López P, Cuypers C, Schauvliege S.This retrospective study investigated the effect of a xylazine infusion on heart rate; mean arterial pressure; blood gases; anesthetic and dobutamine requirements; recovery quality and duration; percentage of death/survival; and days to die/discharge in horses after colic surgery under partial intravenous anesthesia with isoflurane and lidocaine infusion. Anesthetic records of equine colic surgery were reviewed from similar periods in 2020-2021 and 2021-2022. In both groups, after sedation with xylazine 0.7 mg/kg intravenously (IV) and induction with ketamine 2.2 mg/kg and midazolam 0.06 mg/kg...
Bolz NM, Ehrle A, Mählmann K, Lischer CJ.To describe cases with caudal cruciate ligament (CdCL) avulsion fragments diagnosed based on computed tomography (CT) examination and report on arthroscopic fragment removal. Methods: Four Warmblood horses with hindlimb lameness and osseous fragments located in the caudal medial femorotibial joint (mFTJ). Methods: Short case series. Methods: CT and arthroscopic evaluation of the caudal mFTJ were performed. The caudal mFTJ and the insertion of the CdCL on the tibia were assessed and removal of the avulsion fragments was attempted in three horses using a cranial intercondylar approach. Results: ...
Pérez-Nogués M, López-Sanromán J, Spirito M, Manso-Díaz G.Subchondral cystic lesions (SCLs) in equines and their treatments have been mainly studied in the medial femoral condyle of the femur. SCLs in the distal extremities affecting the fetlock or interphalangeal joints are frequent, but treatment or prognosis studies in horses are currently sparse. Our objective was to compare four treatments for SCLs in the distal extremities (intralesional injection of corticosteroids, transcortical drilling, cortical screw placement, and absorbable hydroxyapatite implant placement) and report the racing prognoses for affected thoroughbred yearlings. Data from 11...
Meurice A, Pujol R, De Fourmestraux C, Coquillon M, Tessier C.Surgical approaches to the equine rectum and perirectal area are described in the literature. However, surgeries in this region can be challenging. Objective: To describe the surgical anatomy of the presacral space and to evaluate its access using a retroperitoneoscopic approach. Methods: Ex vivo experiment. Methods: Preliminary dissections were performed in two cadavers to define the boundaries of the presacral space and to determine portal locations for the surgical approach. After that, nine cadavers were used for experimental presacral retroperitoneoscopic procedure in a standing position....
Bellitto NA, Oliver FB, Pollock PJ.To evaluate the use of bidirectional knotless barbed suture material for closure of the equine linea alba. Methods: Laboratory study. Methods: Adult light horse cadavers (n = 24). Methods: A 25 cm incision was made through the linea alba, and a 200 L polyurethane bladder was positioned within the abdomen. The linea alba was closed either using USP2/EP5 bidirectional polydioxanone barbed suture or USP2/EP5 standard polydioxanone suture in a simple continuous pattern. Closure time was recorded for each suture type. The bladder was air-insufflated at 40 L/min, and the pressure at body w...
Ratliff BL, Bauck AG, Roe HA, Freeman DE.To describe a 3-wire method with endoscopic guidance for extensive nasal septum resection. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Thirteen horses with nasal septum diseases. Methods: In anesthetized horses in left lateral recumbency, endoscopic guidance was used to place obstetrical wires for the ventral and caudal incisions in the nasal septum and a trephine opening was used to place the dorsal wire. The rostral aspect of the septum was incised with a scalpel, followed by incisions with the preplaced wires, and the nasal passages were packed with gauze. Horses were recovered with a temporary ...
François I, Lepage OM, Schramme MC, Salciccia A, Detilleux J, Grulke S.To report findings, outcome and determine variables associated with survival in horses with acquired inguinal hernia (AIH). Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: A total of 98 cases in 97 horses. Methods: The medical records (2005-2020) of horses diagnosed with AIH were reviewed. Retrieved data included signalment, history, clinical variables, surgical aspects, postoperative complications, and short- and long-term outcomes. Logistic regression analyses were used to determine factors associated with short-term survival (p < .05). Results: Manual reduction was attempted in a third of the...
Bardell D, Rocchigiani G, Ressel L, Milner P.Strangulating small intestinal disease (SSID) in horses carries a poor prognosis for survival, especially following resection of ischaemic tissue. The margins of a resection are principally based on visual appraisal of the intestine during surgery. We hypothesized that histological evaluation of resected tissue may identify occult changes indicative of prognosis. Small intestinal samples from 18 horses undergoing resection for SSID and 9 horses euthanised for reasons unrelated to gastrointestinal pathology were utilised. Histological appearance was used to generate a 'total damage score' (TDS)...
Hopfgartner T, Brown JA, Adams MN, Werre SR.The recent availability of standing computed tomography (CT) for equine paranasal sinus disease has enhanced diagnosis and enabled more targeted surgery compared to radiography and sinoscopy. To date, there have been no studies which have critically evaluated the benefit of preoperative CT versus radiography and sinoscopy on complications and outcome in horses undergoing sinus trephination. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: A total of 229 equids. Methods: The medical records of equids (229) presented for sinusitis treated via trephination that had CT, radiography and/or sinoscopy at time ...
Stutsel M, Gimeno M, Young A, Bell JW, Horadagoda N.A 2-year-old Standardbred gelding was referred for a mass on the palmaromedial right front pastern which was accompanied by progressively worsening lameness. The mass was firm to palpation and covered by normal skin. Ultrasonographically, a smooth encapsulated mass was present, medial to the flexor tendons and palmar to the neurovascular bundle. Because of a poor prognosis for future athletic performance without surgical or chemotherapeutic intervention and economic constraints preventing further diagnostics and treatment, the horse was euthanised. Post-mortem magnetic resonance imaging, histo...
Spoormakers TJ, Heim C, Vermunt L, Fürst A, Rovel T.To describe clinical and imaging features and surgical treatment of equine mandibular aneurysmal bone cysts (ABCs) with β-tricalcium phosphate (TCP). Methods: 3 horses (cases 1, 2, and 3) and 1 pony (case 4) with histologically confirmed ABC. Methods: All cases had mandibular swelling with intact adjacent skin. Cases 1 to 3 had a body condition score of 3/5 and case 4 had 2/5 and showed quidding during mastication and, at oral examination, large interdental spaces and loose elements adjacent to the swelling. Radiography or CT was performed in all cases. In cases 1, 3, and 4, an expansile sept...
Comino F, Pollock PJ, Fulton I, Hewitt-Dedman C, Handel I, Gorvy DA.To achieve an excellent functional and cosmetic result, primary closure is preferred over leaving wounds to heal by secondary intention. However, traumatic wounds are often under excessive tension during wound closure and incorrect suture technique can compromise microcirculation, leading to skin necrosis and impaired wound healing. Objective: To describe an inexpensive and effective tension relief technique that helps the successful primary closure of a variety of equine wounds at high risk of dehiscence. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: All wounds that were managed with the Tensi...
Cantatore F, Pagliara E, Marcatili M, Bertuglia A.Obtaining a healthy wound environment that is conductive to healing in horses can be challenging. Negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) has been employed in humans to enhance wound healing for decades. The existing evidence for the effectiveness of NPWT remains uncertain in equine medicine. The aim of this review is to investigate NPWT applications and benefits in horses. A scoping review was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines for scoping reviews on three databases (PubMed, Web of Science-Thompson Reuters, and Wiley...
Long AE, Southwood LL, Morris TB, Brandly JE, Stefanovski D.Early identification of strangulating obstruction (SO) in horses with colic improves outcomes, yet early diagnosis of horses requiring surgery for SO often remains challenging. Objectives: To compare blood and peritoneal fluid l-lactate concentrations, peritoneal:blood l-lactate ratio, peritoneal minus blood (peritoneal-blood) l-lactate concentration and other clinical variables for predicting SO and SO in horses with small intestinal lesions (SO-SI) and then to develop a multivariable model to predict SO and SO-SI.
Hoblick S, Denagamage TN, Morton AJ, McCarrel TM.Post-anaesthetic fever is a known complication of general anaesthesia, however, its incidence in horses undergoing elective magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is unknown. Objective: To determine the incidence of post-anaesthetic fever in horses undergoing elective orthopaedic MRI and determine whether prophylactic antimicrobial therapy would be associated with a reduction in the incidence of post-anaesthetic fever. We hypothesised that prophylactic antimicrobials would be associated with a reduction in the incidence of post-anaesthetic fever. Methods: Retrospective cross-sectional study. Methods...
Jondeau C, Guyonnet A, Losada A, Laloy E, Reyes-Gomez E, Le Dudal M, Chahory S.To describe a case of lipogranulomatous conjunctivitis in a horse. Methods: A client-owned 12-year-old Standardbred gelding presenting with chronic conjunctivitis and palpebral masses. Methods: Complete ophthalmic examination, surgical excision, histopathology, and bacterial culture of biopsy samples were performed. Results: Upper and lower eyelids of both eyes were affected, with multiple yellow-to-white nodules on the palpebral conjunctiva, adjacent to the eyelid margin. Nodule removal was achieved via partial tarsal plate excision. Histopathological examination revealed granulomatous inflam...
Claeys I, Van der Vekens E, Kümmerle J, de Preux M, Koch C.To develop a minimally invasive technique for placing a toggle construct across the coxofemoral joint of small equids using computer-assisted surgery. Methods: Experimental cadaveric study. Methods: Three pilot specimens: One donkey, one Shetland pony and one Warmblood foal. Six main study specimens: Three Shetland ponies, one American Miniature Horse, one Warmblood foal and one donkey. Methods: Experimental surgeries were performed on both coxofemoral joints of each cadaver. Using a minimally invasive surgical approach, 5.5 mm bone canals were drilled through the femur and acetabulum, trave...
Marshall-Gibson ME, Durham MG, Seabaugh KA, Moorman VJ, Ferris DJ.Back pain is a common complaint, clinical finding and performance limiting factor in sport horses. This study sought to gather current veterinary trends in the diagnosis, treatment and management of primary equine back pain in the United States. A 22 question survey was distributed electronically to equine practitioners through AAEP and ACVSMR listservs and through closed social media groups. The survey was open from April 20, 2022 to July 5, 2022. Responses were analyzed using Microsoft excel pivot tables. Ninety-seven survey responses were obtained and analyzed. Respondents reported the clin...
Straticò P, Hattab J, Guerri G, Carluccio A, Bandera L, Celani G, Marruchella G, Varasano V, Petrizzi L.Owner complaints of estrus-related behavior in mares are a common cause of referral for laparoscopic ovariectomy. Granulosa cell tumors are a common neoplastic condition affecting the equine ovary, causing behavioral changes at rest and reduced performance. The reported success rate of ovariectomy in treating behavioral disorders is 64-86%. The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the long-term follow-up of laparoscopic ovariectomy in mares in our case series, focusing on the owner's perspective of the behavior of the mares after surgery. In addition, the histopathological feature...
Santschi EM, Slone DE, Embertson RM, Clayton MK, Markel MD.The purpose of our study was to determine the types of lesions that cause colic in juvenile Thoroughbreds, factors associated with these lesions and the subsequent survival and athletic performance of the juveniles. The age of juvenile Thoroughbreds requiring surgical exploration for abdominal pain has an influence on the type of lesion causing colic. The short-term survival rate (discharge from the hospital) after colic surgery for foals was 85% and was strongly influenced by the lesion causing colic. Thirteen percent of juveniles recovered from the first surgery experienced another severe co...
Garcia-Lopez JM, Provost PJ, Rush JE, Zicker SC, Burmaster H, Freeman LM.To determine the prevalence of hypomagnesemia and hypocalcemia in horses with surgical colic. Methods: 35 horses with surgically managed colic. Methods: Serum concentrations of total magnesium (tMg2+) and calcium (tCa2+), as well as ionized magnesium (iMg2+) and calcium (iCa2+) were analyzed before surgery and 1, 3, 5, and 7 days following surgery. A lead-II ECG and pertinent clinical data were also obtained at each time. Results: Preoperative serum tMg2+ and iMg2+ concentrations were below the reference range in 6 (17%) and 19 (54%) horses, respectively. Serum concentrations of tCa2+ and iCa2...
Hitchens PL, Hill AE, Stover SM. The rate of catastrophic musculoskeletal injuries (CMI) in racehorses is high in the United States compared to other countries. Few modifiable risk factors related to lameness, medication, and surgery history have been identified. To detect management factors that increase risk of CMI by comparing medical histories between horses that sustained, and horses that did not sustain, a CMI. Case-control. Racehorse necropsy data (May 2012-June 2013) were obtained through the California Horse Racing Board Postmortem Program. Attending veterinarians of Thoroughbreds (TB) and Quarter Horses (QH) tha...
Byron CR, DeWitt MR, Latouche EL, Davalos RV, Robertson JL.Irreversible electroporation is a proven ablation modality for local ablation of soft tissue tumors in animals and humans. However, the strong muscle contractions associated with the electrical impulses (duration, 50-100 μs) requires the use of general anesthesia and, in most situations, application of neuromuscular blockade. As such, this technology is not used in an outpatient setting for ablating common cutaneous tumors (e.g., squamous cell carcinoma or melanoma) in humans or animals. Recently, high-frequency irreversible electroporation (H-FIRE) technology has been developed to enable ele...
Cohen ND, Peloso JG.To identify risk factors for recurrent colic and chronic, intermittent colic in horses. Methods: Case control study. Methods: The population included 768 horses examined by veterinarians for emergencies other than colic (control group). Methods: Horses with colic that had history of colic (n = 232) were compared with those without such history (n = 536), using logistic regression analysis to identify risk factors for history of previous colic and to determine odds ratios (OR) for these associations. Among the 232 horses in the history of colic group, 58 horses that had chronic, intermittent co...
Edwards RB, Lu Y, Cole BJ, Muir P, Markel MD.To compare a radiofrequency energy (RFE) prototype probe to mechanical debridement (MD) and a commercially available RFE system used for chondroplasty in the treatment of an experimentally created partial thickness cartilage lesion in horses. The study design was experimental, randomized complete block, n=8, using fifteen mature ponies. Methods: Grade 2 to 3 cartilage lesions were prepared in both patellae. After 10 months duration, the injuries were used to study the effects of MD, a commercially available bipolar RFE device (CoVac 50; ArthroCare Corporation) and a prototype monopolar RFE dev...
Immonen IA, Karikoski N, Mykkänen A, Niemelä T, Junnila J, Tulamo RM.Surgical treatment of colic is expensive and complications may occur. Information on the prognosis and the use of the horse after surgery for colic is important for surgeons and owners. Current literature on return to athletic function after celiotomy is limited. The present study reviewed surgical cases of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Helsinki, Finland for 2006-2012. The aim was to follow the population of horses of different breeds for surgical findings, postsurgical complications, long-term recovery and prognosis. The findings and their influence on survival, return to previous or inte...
Dunkel B, Johns IC.To discuss controversies surrounding antimicrobial use in critically ill horses. Methods: PubMed searches from 1970-present for terms including, but not limited to: "horse," "foal," "antimicrobial," "prophylaxis," "infection," "surgery," "sepsis," and "antimicrobial resistance." Results: Increasing bacterial antimicrobial resistance has changed first-line antimicrobial choices and prompted shortening of the duration of prophylactic and therapeutic treatment. The need to decrease bacterial resistance development to critically important antimicrobials has been highlighted. Results: Veterinary me...
Ingle-Fehr JE, Baxter GM, Howard RD, Trotter GW, Stashak TS.The purpose of this study was to determine whether detection of bacterial contamination of ventral midline incisions was predictive of postoperative incisional complications in horses undergoing exploratory celiotomy for colic. Methods: Prospective study. Methods: Horses that had ventral median celiotomies for colic at Colorado State University between May 1, 1991 and April 30, 1993 were studied prospectively. Complete information was obtained on 66 horses. Methods: Bacterial cultures were obtained from ventral midline incisions at surgery. Information regarding the type of surgery performed (...
Delgado OBD, Louro LF, Rocchigiani G, Verin R, Humphreys W, Senior M, Campagna I.To describe dye distribution and spinal nerve involvement after a simulated erector spinae plane (ESP) block performed on fresh equine cadavers. Methods: Experimental cadaver study. Methods: A group of 11 adult equine cadavers. Methods: The spinal region surrounding the sixteenth thoracic vertebra (Th16) of one cadaver was removed and underwent magnetic resonance imaging. In 10 adult equine cadavers [body weight, 549 ± 58 kg (mean ± standard deviation)], 0.2 mL kg of a 50:1 2% lidocaine/dye solution was injected bilaterally (n = 20 injections) into the fascial plane between the transverse p...
Werry H, Gerhards H.Equine recurrent uveitis (ERU) is the most frequently encountered cause of eye problems and blindness in horses. Classic treatment of ERU includes mydriatics, corticosteroids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Despite vigorous topical and systemic treatment, however, in many cases, the prognosis for preserving vision remains poor. Experiences with surgical treatment of chronic endogenous uveitis in human patients have shown that vision-impairing axial opacities in the vitreous body can be removed by pars plana vitrectomy, and that a considerable decrease in the frequency and severity of...
Cruz AM, Rubio-Martinez L, Dowling T.The local delivery of antimicrobials is a valuable therapeutic tool with a low morbidity, is practical to use, and is well tolerated by horses. Clinically, its use has allowed equine practitioners to achieve better results when treating musculoskeletal infections, and it represents an extremely useful tool in the practitioner's armamentarium against these types of infections. The technique is indicated to combat orthopedic infections involving bones, joints, physes, tendon sheaths, and foot tissues. Optimal treatment must include other approaches, such as systemic antimicrobial therapy and sur...
Suarez Sanchez-Andrade J, Richter H, Kuhn K, Bischofberger AS, Kircher PR, Hoey S.While articular cartilage changes are considered to be one of the initial events in the pathological cascade leading to osteoarthritis, these changes remain difficult to detect using conventional diagnostic imaging modalities such as plain radiography. The aim of this prospective, experimental, methods comparison study was to compare the sensitivity of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), magnetic resonance arthrography, computed tomography (CT), and CT arthrography in the detection of artificially induced articular cartilage defects in the equine carpal joints. Defects were created in the antebr...
Levine DG, Richardson DW.Fracture repair and arthrodesis in horses require rigid fixation in order to achieve early post operative comfort. The locking compression plate (LCP) was designed to allow greater stability and less periosteal disruption than conventional plates. Objective: To describe a series of clinical cases in which the LCP was used for fracture stabilisation or arthrodesis. Methods: Medical records, radiographs and follow-up for 31 horses having fracture stabilisation or arthrodesis with the LCP were reviewed. Reasons for treatment included fracture of the olecranon (n = 2), metatarsal III (n = 2), ilia...
Freeman DE.Although earlier reports describe a poor prognosis for small intestinal surgery in the horse, there is growing evidence that the short-term survival rate can exceed 80%. In addition to advancements in surgery and aftercare, early referral contributes considerably to the improved prognosis. Surgical procedures that restore anatomic and physiologic continuity to close to normal can minimize postoperative complications. Jejunojejunostomy carries a better prognosis than jejunocecostomy, probably because the latter involves anastomosis between two intestinal segments with dissimilar functions. Care...
Moore EH, Shelton DK, Wisner ER, Richardson ML, Bishop DM, Brock JM.To reexamine the blood patch technique in a laboratory model of lung biopsy free of confounding clinical variables. Methods: An equine model of lung biopsy was developed with an excised lobe connected to an insufflation bulb and pressure monitor. Patched and control unpatched punctures were made in the lung surface, and the pressure within the lung was raised to the maximum achievable. Whether air leakage from the puncture sites could be induced was determined and, if so, at what pressure it occurred. Results: At statistical analysis with the Kaplan-Meier test and the Cox proportional hazards ...
Hanson CA, Galuppo LD.To describe a technique for laparoscopic bilateral ovariectomy in standing mares and report the outcome of 22 clinical cases. Methods: Prospective study. Methods: A total of 22 mares between 4 and 23 years of age, weighing between 360 and 600 kg. Methods: Mares with normal ovaries, as determined by palpation per rectum, were restrained in standing stocks and sedated with detomidine (0.01 to 0.02 mg/kg intravenously [i.v.]) and butorphanol (0.01 to 0.02 mg/kg i.v.). The laparoscope and instrument insertion sites were infiltrated with 2% lidocaine before incision. One laparoscope portal and two ...
Rioja E, Cernicchiaro N, Costa MC, Valverde A.This study investigated associations between perioperative factors and probability of death and length of hospitalization of mares with dystocia that survived following general anesthesia. Demographics and perioperative characteristics from 65 mares were reviewed retrospectively and used in a risk factor analysis. Mortality rate was 21.5% during the first 24 h post-anesthesia. The mean ± standard deviation number of days of hospitalization of surviving mares was 6.3 ± 5.4 d. Several factors were found in the univariable analysis to be significantly associated (P < 0.1) with increased probabi...
Voelter K, Vial Z, Pot SA, Spiess BM.To evaluate leptospiral antibody prevalence in 65 horses with ERU and compare outcome in 36 surgically treated eyes (2010-2015). Methods: Retrospective data analysis of horses with ERU (n = 65). C-value calculation with microagglutination assay titer (MAT) results for Leptospira spp. Evaluation of follow-up data after pars plana vitrectomy (PPV, n = 21 eyes) and suprachoroidal cyclosporine device implantation (SCDI, n = 15 eyes). Differences between groups were statistically analyzed using Fishers exact test, significance set at P < .05. Results: Positive leptospiral titers were found ...
Ducharme NG, Hackett RP, Woodie JB, Dykes N, Erb HN, Mitchell LM, Soderholm LV.Contributes to the understanding of the pathogenesis of dorsal displacement of the soft palate during exercise so that management of this condition could be enhanced. Objective: That the thyrohyoid muscles play an important role in the stability of the laryngo-palatal relationship and that dysfunction of these muscles leads to dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP) during exercise. Methods: Ten horses were exercised on a high-speed treadmill under 4 different treatment conditions: control conditions (n = 10), after resection of thyrohyoid muscles (TH, n = 10), after sham-treatment (n = ...
Ortved KF, Nixon AJ, Mohammed HO, Fortier LA.To evaluate the long-term clinical outcome after allogeneic chondrocyte and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) grafting of subchondral cystic lesions (SCLs) of the femoral condyle in horses. Objective: To test the hypothesis that chondrocyte and IGF-I grafts will improve the long-term clinical outcome in arthroscopically debrided SCLs. Methods: Medical records of 49 horses with SCLs of the femoral condyle treated by debridement and implantation of chondrocytes and IGF-I were reviewed. Preoperative radiographs were obtained, and caudocranial radiographic projections were used to establish a r...
Hendrickson DA.Minimally invasive surgery in the human was first identified in mid 900's. The procedure as is more commonly practiced now was first reported in 1912. There have been many advances and new techniques developed in the past 100 years. Equine laparoscopy, was first reported in the 1970's, and similarly has undergone much transformation in the last 40 years. It is now considered the standard of care in many surgical techniques such as cryptorchidectomy, ovariectomy, nephrosplenic space ablation, standing abdominal exploratory, and many other reproductive surgeries. This manuscript describes the hi...
van Loon CJ, de Waal Malefijt MC, Buma P, Stolk T, Verdonschot N, Tromp AM, Huiskes R, Barneveld A.The properties of impacted morsellised bone graft (MBG) in revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA) were studied in 12 horses. The left hind metatarsophalangeal joint was replaced by a human TKA. The horses were then randomly divided into graft and control groups. In the graft group, a unicondylar, lateral uncontained defect was created in the third metatarsal bone and reconstructed using autologous MBG before cementing the TKA. In the control group, a cemented TKA was implanted without the bone resection and grafting procedure. After four to eight months, the animals were killed and a biomechan...
Waterman AE, Robertson SA, Lane JG.The metabolism and distribution of ketamine and its two major metabolites (norketamine and dehydronorketamine) was investigated in 10 horses undergoing airway surgery. Following premedication with xylazine (1.1 mg kg-1 intravenously) anaesthesia was induced by the rapid injection of ketamine at a dose of 2.2 mg kg-1 intravenously. Anaesthesia was maintained with halothane vaporized in oxygen and nitrous oxide (50:50). Serially collected blood samples were analysed by a sensitive gas liquid chromatographic technique. Plasma ketamine concentrations declined biexponentially with a rapid initial d...
Overbeck W, Jäger K, Schoon HA, Witte TS.Endometritis constitutes a major problem in managing broodmares. The histological occurrence of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) in the stratum compactum of the endometrium is accepted as the reference standard to diagnose endometritis in mares. The objective of this study was to determine the distribution of PMNs within different sampling locations of the uterus by cytological examinations and to compare it with PMN numbers in endometrial biopsies of the corresponding location. Cytological and endometrial samples were obtained from 37 uteri within 2 ± 1 hours after slaughter through smal...
Tomlinson JE, Wilder BO, Young KM, Blikslager AT.To examine the effects of flunixin meglumine and etodolac treatment on recovery of ischemic-injured equine jejunal mucosa after 18 hours of reperfusion. Methods: 24 horses. Methods: Jejunum was exposed to 2 hours of ischemia during anesthesia. Horses received saline (0.9% NaCl) solution (12 mL, i.v., q 12 h), flunixin meglumine (1.1 mg/kg, i.v., q 12 h), or etodolac (23 mg/kg, i.v., q 12 h). Tissue specimens were obtained from ischemic-injured and nonischemic jejunum immediately after ischemia and 18 hours after recovery from ischemia. Transepithelial electric resistance (TER) and transepithel...
Mund SJK, Kawamura E, Awang-Junaidi AH, Campbell J, Wobeser B, MacPhee DJ, Honaramooz A, Barber S.Limb wounds on horses are often slow to heal and are prone to developing exuberant granulation tissue (EGT) and close primarily through epithelialization, which results in a cosmetically inferior and non-durable repair. In contrast, wounds on the body heal rapidly and primarily through contraction and rarely develop EGT. Intravenous (IV) multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are promising. They home and engraft to cutaneous wounds and promote healing in laboratory animals, but this has not been demonstrated in horses. Furthermore, the clinical safety of administering >1.00 × 108 alloge...
Mee AM, Cripps PJ, Jones RS.A retrospective study evaluated 995 emergency equine general anaesthetics. The total mortality for emergency procedures was 31.4 per cent. This figure was examined in more detail to determine if all emergency procedures carried a similar risk. Horses anaesthetised for surgical colic had an increased risk of death or euthanasia, with a total mortality of 35.5 per cent when compared to horses anaesthetised for non-colic related problems which had a total mortality of 15.3 per cent. The findings of this study illustrate the greatly increased risk of mortality in horses undergoing general anaesthe...
Gehlen H, Faust MD, Grzeskowiak RM, Trachsel DS.Heart rate variability (HRV) is a noninvasive technique to detect changes in the autonomous nervous system. It has rarely been investigated in horses with colic. Therefore, the objective was to assess the evolution of HRV parameters and cortisol concentrations in horses with colic. The 43 horses included in this study were categorized into three groups according to the treatment (1, surgical; 2, conservative; 3, euthanized). The HRV and laboratory variables were measured at admission (T1), the day after admission (T2), and at discharge (T3) and compared between groups and over time with an ANO...
