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.
Fisher K, Dodam J, Bailey J, Thombs L, Hodgson D, Bukoski A.To compare PaO2 and PaCO2 in horses recovering from general anesthesia maintained with either apneustic anesthesia ventilation (AAV) or conventional mechanical ventilation (CMV). Methods: Randomized, crossover design. Methods: A total of 10 healthy adult horses from a university-owned herd. Methods: Dorsally recumbent horses were anesthetized with isoflurane in oxygen [inspired oxygen fraction = 0.3 initially, with subsequent titration to maintain PaO2 ≥ 85 mmHg (11.3 kPa)] and ventilated with AAV or CMV according to predefined criteria [10 mL kg-1 tidal volume, PaCO2 40-45 mmHg (5.3-6.0 kP...
Watkins AR, Ford M, van Eps AW, Stefanovski D, Parente EJ.This study investigated the elongation following cyclic loading on square knots of 5 USP multifilament long-chain ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene core (UHMWPE), 2 mm woven UHMWPE tape, and 5 USP braided polyester, with and without cyanoacrylate glue. Methods: Experimental study. Methods: n = 4. Methods: Three conditions (suture without knot, suture with knot, suture with knot + cyanoacrylate) were evaluated for each suture material on a mechanical test stand by measuring the increased length of the construct after cycling from 25 to 50N for 1000 repetitions at 20 mm/second. Knot...
Gehlen H, Klein KS, Merle R, Lübke-Becker A, Stoeckle SD.Evaluation of the role of indicator pathogens in equine surgical site infection (SSI) and other infection-promoting factors. Cross-sectional study. Horses presenting with an open injury or surgical colic during 1.5 years. A nasal swab and a faecal sample were collected from every patient upon admission. Furthermore, a wound swab was collected from wounds of injured horses. Details on the wounds and procedures were documented. Laparotomy incisions and injuries were monitored for signs suggesting infection. In total, 156 horses presented because of a surgical colic (n = 48) or open injuries (n...
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...
Vitoria A, Romero A, Barrachina L, Fuente S, Gil L, de Blas I, Vázquez Bringas FJ.Most previously described techniques for laparoscopic inguinal hernioplasty (IH) in horses require advanced laparoscopic skills. Our objective was to describe a new laparoscopic IH technique using a surgical anchoring system. Methods: Standing laparoscopic IH was performed unilaterally in eight experimental stallions, using the contralateral inguinal canal (IC) as a control. A polyether ether ketone harpoon was anchored in the craniolateral aspect of the vaginal ring, and an extracorporeal knot was used to fix the device. Clinical evaluation, including testicular palpation and lameness examina...
Vázquez FJ, Vitoria A, Gómez-Arrue J, Fuente S, Barrachina L, de Blas I, Romero A.First cannulation is a critical manoeuvre in equine laparoscopy. This retrospective study aimed at the comparison of the frequency and type of complications detected when using different human laparoscopy devices for laparoscopic access in standing horses, and the influence of body condition in such complications. Forty-four procedures were included, and retrieved data comprised cannula insertion technique, body condition, and type and frequency of complications. Laparoscopic access techniques were classified into five groups: P: pneumoperitoneum created using Veress needle prior to cannulatio...
Christiansen MS, Rosenmeier JG, Jensen DB, Lindegaard C.Commonly, cheek tooth extraction performed in standing horses using perioperative prophylactic antibiotics, results in low post-operative complication rates. However, no studies have documented the relevance of perioperative antibiotics to the risk of post-operative complications. Objective: To examine the association between perioperative antibiotics and post-operative complications after standing cheek tooth extraction. Methods: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: Information from clinical records and follow-up questionnaires relating to horses subjected to cheek tooth extractions between S...
Swagemakers JH, Van Daele P, Mageed M.Cervical spinal nerve insult can be a sequel of osteoarthropathy in horses due to enlargement of the articular processes (AP). Objective: To describe the percutaneous endoscopic cervical foraminotomy procedure in horses. Methods: Ex vivo experimental study and clinical case report. Methods: The technique was performed in three equine cadavers and in two clinical cases with history of forelimb lameness located in the caudal cervical region. Briefly, the horse was positioned in lateral recumbency, with the affected AP joint uppermost. Under fluoroscopic guidance, the endoscopic instruments (Ø 6...
Pimenta J, Prada J, Cotovio M.Adult grey horses have a high incidence of melanocytic tumors. This article narratively reviews the role of some genetic features related to melanoma formation in horses, such as STX17 mutation, ASIP or MITF alterations, and the link between the graying process and the development of these tumors. A clear system of clinical and pathological classification of melanocytic tumors in naevus, dermal melanoma, dermal melanomatosis and anaplastic malignant melanoma is provided. Clinical and laboratorial methods of diagnosing are listed, with fine needle aspiration and histopathology being the most re...
De Gasperi D, Guo D, Guo D, Lu Y, Brounts SH.To develop and describe a minimally invasive, ultrasound-guided, percutaneous technique for the desmotomy of equine palmar/plantar annular ligaments (PALs) using a transecting thread. Methods: Ex vivo study. Methods: Twenty-one normal equine distal limb specimens. Methods: Under ultrasonographic guidance, a surgical thread was percutaneously placed around the PAL through 2 skin punctures (proximal and distal) using a 18 gauge spinal needle in equine limbs (11 forelimbs, 10 hindlimbs) with normal PALs. The ligament was transected by a back-and-forth motion of the thread until the loop emerged...
Booth AD, Hidalgo FL, Bellezzo F, Young JM, Bianco AW, Hughes LE, Maher M, Trumble TN, Ernst N.To describe outcomes of horses with temporohyoid osteoarthropathy (THO) treated with partial ceratohyoidectomy. 10 client-owned horses. Medical records from 2 institutions were examined for records of horses with THO treated with partial ceratohyoidectomy between 2010 and 2021. History, signalment, clinical signs, diagnostics, medications, and surgery-related details were recorded. Horses with a minimum of 6 months follow-up were recruited for neurologic and imaging examinations in the hospital or field where radiography of the basihyoid-ceratohyoid articulation were performed along with CT, w...
Pezzanite LM, Griffenhagen GM, Bass L, Okudaira M, Larson B, Hendrickson DA.Liposomal local anaesthetic solutions may provide extended-duration analgesia postoperatively but have not been assessed following intra-peritoneal local infiltration in any species. Objective: To evaluate two doses of 1.33% liposomal bupivacaine (LB) versus 0.75% bupivacaine HCL (BHCl) for analgesia following laparoscopic ovariectomy in mares. Methods: Prospective cohort study. Methods: Fifteen healthy Quarter Horse mares (age 2-20 years) with normal bilateral ovarian palpation and appearance were enrolled. Horses were restrained in standing stocks and administered an α-2 agonist, butorpha...
Medeiros do Nascimento RC, Graboschii ACG, da Fonseca LS, Silva AR, Souto PC, da Fonseca LA, Goulart MOF, Escodro PB.In most animals, pain can compromise physiological functions and delay healing so, rapid detection of pain through behavior and inflammatory reaction with biomarkers are necessary. This study aimed to evaluate pain, physiological variations and Acute Phase Proteins (APP) in donkeys undergoing orchiectomy technique by inguinal access. For this research, 15 male northeastern donkeys kept in extensive management were selected, with a mean age of 4.5±3.1 years. All animals had the same anesthetic protocol, using dissociative anesthesia and local block with lidocaine, followed by orchiectomy by in...
Ruff JH, Tufts S, Robertson J, Horne C, Schnabel LV, Jacobs C.To compare palpation and ultrasound scores of effusion of the medial femorotibial and femoropatellar joints of horses. Methods: 40 horses (80 stifles) were evaluated over a 12-week period. Methods: Horses > 1 year of age without history of stifle disease were enrolled from September to December 2022. Palpation of right and left medial femorotibial and femoropatellar joint compartments was performed. Amount of effusion was scored by a board-certified large animal surgeon, a third-year large animal surgery resident, and an equine sports medicine intern. Effusion of right and left medial femoroti...
Ternisien T, Dunn M, Vachon C, Manguin E, Bonilla AG, Jean D.Three client-owned horses diagnosed with obstructive ureteral stones were referred and treated in a minimally invasive manner by retrograde ureteroscopy in conjunction with electrohydraulic lithotripsy (EHL) or laser Holmium:YAG lithotripsy (HYL). For all 3 horses, additional tests revealed variable degrees of azotemia and ureteral obstruction. Ultrasound examination (2 horses) revealed a loss of cortico-medullary distinction consistent with a chronic nephropathy. Ultrasound-guided biopsy of the right kidney in 1 horse revealed moderate glomerulosclerosis and lymphoplasmacytic nephritis. A sta...
Tyma JF, Epstein KL.Sinusitis and pneumonia following exploratory celiotomy in horses were studied, evaluating associations between these 2 respiratory complications and selected pre-, peri-, and post-operative variables. The incidence of sinusitis was 2.5% (8/318) and pneumonia 3.5% (11/318). These respiratory complications were associated with peri-operative reflux, longer antimicrobial treatment, and longer hospitalization. . La sinusite et la pneumonie consécutives á une coeliotomie exploratoire chez le cheval ont été étudiées, afin d’évaluer les associations entre ces deux complications respiratoire...
He H, Palm-Vlasak LS, Chen C, Banks SA, Biedrzycki AH.This study aims to quantitatively characterize the passive kinematics of the healthy, soft tissue-intact equine stifle to establish an objective foundation for providing insights into the etiology of stifle disorders and developing a possible surgical treatment for stifle degenerative disease. Methods: 5 whole-horse specimens. Methods: Reflective markers with intracortical bone pins and a motion capture system were used to investigate the stifle joint kinematics. Kinematics of 5 whole-horse specimens euthanized within 2 hours were calculated for internal/external rotation, adduction/abduction,...
Taylor CJ, Peter VG, Coleridge MOD, Bathe AP.Fracture configuration is often more complex than is radiographically appreciable. The objective of this study is to describe the influence of pre-operative computed tomography (CT) for surgical planning in a variety of fracture types. This has not been described in previous studies. All cases with pre-operative radiographs, admitted for CT and surgical repair of a suspected limb fracture from January 2010-December 2020 were reviewed. CT was acquired under general anaesthesia in a multi-slice helical scanner; any surgery was then performed immediately. Three diplomates (two surgical; one diagn...
Wang Y, Chen Y, Wei Y.Clinical therapeutics for the regeneration of osteochondral defects (OCD) in the early stages of osteoarthritis remain an enormous challenge in orthopaedics. For in-depth studies of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine in terms of OCD treatment, the utility of an optimal OCD animal model is crucial for assessing the effects of implanted biomaterials on the repair of damaged osteochondral tissues. Currently, the most frequently used in vivo animal models for OCD regeneration include mice, rats, rabbits, dogs, pigs, goats, sheep, horses and nonhuman primates. However, there is no single ...
Edwards VL, Loux S, Embertson R.Juvenile Thoroughbreds can be expensive to raise and train to race. Part of the economic return in these juveniles are the weanling, yearling and 2-year-old in training sales at which major surgeries must be declared. Objective: To determine if surgically corrected large colon displacements were associated with a reduction of sales price and racing performance. We hypothesised that the surgery would be associated with a reduced sales price but would not be associated with a reduction in race earnings or starts. Methods: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: The medical, sales and racing records...
Poulsen L, Henriksson FV, Dahl M, Honoré ML, Olsen SN, Leifsson PS, Staerk-Østergaard J, Jacobsen S, Pihl TH.Horses with non-strangulating intestinal infarction (NSII) are often misdiagnosed with idiopathic peritonitis or acute colitis. Early diagnosis is essential to ensure early surgical intervention and improve survival. Clinical and laboratory data from horses admitted to the University of Copenhagen Large Animal Teaching Hospital with NSII, idiopathic peritonitis or acute colitis between 2009 and 2018 were used for univariate comparisons and a multivariable logistic regression model for prediction of NSII. Two hundred and thirty-one horses were included. A multivariable model for the prediction ...
Paraschou G, Cook JM, Priestnall SL, Evans NJ, Staton GJ, Paterson GK, Winkler B, Whitbread TJ.Keratoma is an aberrant keratin mass thought to originate from epidermal horn-producing cells interposed between the stratum medium of the hoof wall and the underlying third phalanx. The cause is unknown, although the presence of keratomas is frequently associated with chronic irritation, focal infection, or trauma. A total of 167 donkeys with keratomas were presented in this study. The diagnosis of a keratoma was based on clinical signs, radiography, and histopathologic examination. Surgical excision was attempted on all donkeys with lameness unless euthanasia was advised. Histopathologic exa...
Klein CE, Stefanovski D, Gardner AK, Woodie JB, Embertson RM, Mudge MC, Hurcombe SD.To report the prevalence and risk factors for incisional morbidities in late pregnant and nonpregnant/early pregnant control mares following colic surgery. Methods: Multicenter, retrospective, cohort study from January 2014 to December 2019. Methods: Two university teaching hospitals and 1 private referral center. Methods: Five hundred and seventy-nine fillies and mares ≥2 years old that underwent celiotomy. Pregnant mares (n = 54) were >240 days in gestation from the last known breeding date and were compared to control females (n = 525) undergoing colic surgery. Methods: None. Resu...
DePhillipo NN, Hendesi H, Aman ZS, Lind DRG, Smith J, Dodge GR.To evaluate the efficacy of fibroblast growth factor-18 (FGF-18) augmentation for improving articular cartilage healing following surgical repair in preclinical () animal models. A systematic review was performed evaluating the efficacy of FGF-18 augmentation with cartilage surgery compared with cartilage surgery without FGF-18 augmentation in living animal models. Eligible intervention groups were FGF-18 treatment in conjunction with orthopedic procedures, including microfracture, osteochondral auto/allograft transplantation, and cellular-based repair. Outcome variables were: International Ca...
Sauer FJ, Verhaar N, Geburek F.To describe the treatment and outcome of a foal with a fresh allogenic cancellous bone graft after surgical debridement of a traumatic septic osteitis. Methods: A neonatal Quarter Horse foal. Methods: Case report. Methods: The foal sustained a traumatic laceration exposing the proximal third metatarsal bone. One week after surgical debridement and closure, radiographic signs of septic osteitis were noted along the physeal scar. The lesion was debrided, and antimicrobial therapy was implemented. The infection resolved but left a large defect in the metaphysis and epiphysis. Grafting was indic...
Wanstrath MA, Bauck AG, Smith AD, Freeman DE.To assess the safety and efficacy of a method for digitally enlarging the caudal aspect of the epiploic foramen (EF). Methods: Healthy horses and clinical cases of EF entrapment (EFE). Methods: Fourteen healthy horses and three clinical cases. Methods: Through a ventral midline celiotomy under general anesthesia, the EF was enlarged by digital separation of the caudal attachments of the caudate lobe of the liver from right dorsal colon, right kidney, gastropancreatic fold, and pancreas. Healthy horses were euthanized under anesthesia, and the enlarged EF was measured at necropsy. Results: The ...
Rosa MVD, Rosa M, Botteon PTL.This study aimed to evaluate the use of equine amniotic membrane (EAM), frozen indirectly using liquid nitrogen and stored between -10° and -24°C, in the treatment of equine skin lesions. Six healthy female horses, aged 3-10 years, were included in this study. EAM was collected from previously evaluated healthy parturient mares. Wounds were surgically created at the distal ends of the forelimbs. One limb was chosen for treatment, and the contralateral limb was chosen as the control. Pain sensitivity, presence of granulation tissue, secretions, and bleeding after debridement during cleaning w...
O'Donovan KA, Aarnes TK, Hubbell JA, Parker EM, Mollenkopf D, Lerche P, Ricco Pereira CH, Bini G, Bednarski RM.To report anesthetic-related complications and determine risks associated with anesthesia in draft horses. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: A total of 401 anesthetic records for draft horse breeds that underwent general anesthesia from January 2010 through December 2020 were reviewed; horses euthanized during general anesthesia were excluded. Methods: Demographics, perioperative drugs used, procedure type and duration, time to extubation, number of attempts to stand, use of sling in recovery and perioperative morbidity and mortality were investigated. Morbidity and mortality statistical ...
Tatz AJ, Segev G, Steinman A, Berlin D, Milgram J, Kelmer G.There is a consensus in the veterinary literature that Parascaris equorum (ascarid) impaction carries a poor prognosis. Hence surgery is often delayed and foals are often subjected to euthanasia after diagnosis of ascarid impaction is established. Our clinical impression was that ascarid impaction carries a better prognosis than previously reported. Objective: Our expectation was that manually evacuating the impaction into the caecum, thus refraining from opening the small intestine, would improve the prognosis for survival of horses with ascarid impaction. The aim of this study was to examine...
Montinaro A, Gianfreda CD, Proto P.Serous sheets are currently used in Neurosurgery as dural substitute. The aim of this study is to demonstrate that the horse pericardium, which has the essential charasteristics of reabsorbable membranes and moreover is BSE-free, is an excellent dural substitute. Methods: 200 patients, 53 suffering from cranial traumatic conditions and 97 from cranial and craniospinal neoplastic pathologies, underwent a surgical procedure with the application of horse pericardium as a dural prosthesis. Results: The follow-up controls of the patients included a neurosurgical visit and advanced diagnostic imagin...
Nagy AD, Simhofer H.To report use of mandibular condylectomy for treatment of advanced degenerative joint disease of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) caused by sepsis. Methods: Clinical case report. Methods: Two-year-old Noriker filly. Methods: Computed tomography (CT) was used to confirm advanced degenerative joint disease of the left TMJ and for follow-up after mandibular condylectomy and removal of necrotic meniscus. Results: Painful swelling (3 weeks duration) with drainage located just caudal to the left lateral canthus of the eye was associated with atrophy of the left masseter muscle, masticatory problems...
Garvican ER, Vaughan-Thomas A, Redmond C, Clegg PD.Our objective was to characterize the variation in gene expression for key genes associated with chondrogenic phenotype of osteochondrosis (OC)-affected and normal chondrocytes, and to identify whether OC chondrocytes can redifferentiate and regain a phenotype similar to normal chondrocytes if appropriate chondrogenic signals are given. Equine articular cartilage removed at surgery to treat clinically significant OC lesions was collected (n = 10), and the gene expression evaluated and compared to aged-matched normal samples (n = 10). Cartilage was harvested from normal (n = 4) and OC (n = 3) j...
Pusterla N, Watson JL, Wilson WD, Affolter VK, Spier SJ.To describe clinical manifestations of cutaneous and ocular habronemiasis in horses and evaluate outcome of treatment. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: 63 horses. Methods: The diagnosis was made on the basis of history, clinical signs, and identification of calcified concretions (sulfur granules) in lesions. Histologic examination of biopsy specimens was used to confirm the diagnosis. Case horses were compared with a control population of 12,720 horses examined during the same period. Results: Arabians, gray horses, and horses with diluted coat colors were overrepresented; Thoroughbreds ...
Johnson CB, Taylor PM, Young SS, Brearley JC.Horses undergoing surgery were randomly assigned to one of three groups to receive phenylbutazone at 4 mg/kg (n = 72), flunixin at 1 mg/kg (n = 68) or carprofen at 0.7 mg/kg (n = 63) by slow intravenous injection at the end of surgery, just before they were disconnected from halothane. Pain was assessed by either of two resident surgical clinicians (who did not know which non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug had been given) when the horses first stood up, two and four hours later and the next morning. If repeated doses of analgesic drugs were given the time was recorded and taken as an end poi...
MacDonald MH, Pascoe JR, Stover SM, Meagher DM.The authors examined factors influencing survival in 140 horses that recovered from anesthesia after small intestinal resection between 1968 and 1986, using Kaplan-Meier estimated survival curves and the Cox proportional hazards regression model. Seventy-two horses (51%) died during the initial postoperative period, 19 horses (14%) died after discharge from the hospital, 33 horses (24%) were alive, and 16 horses (11%) were classified as censored. Mean age at surgery was 8 years. Horses 15 years of age or older, Arabians and Stallions, were overrepresented in the hospital population. The most c...
Welch RD, Watkins JP, Taylor TS, Cohen ND, Carter GK.Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) secondary to colic was diagnosed in 23 horses. Each horse was categorized retrospectively as to the cause of the colic based on surgical and/or necropsy findings: group 1 consisted of 14 horses with compromised intestine that required resection and anastomosis; group 2 consisted of 3 horses with nonstrangulating intestinal displacement and/or impactions; and group 3 consisted of 6 horses with colic associated with enteritis and/or colitis. Horses were considered to be affected with DIC if at least three of five hemostatic parameters were significant...
Fife TM, Gemensky-Metzler AJ, Wilkie DA, Colitz CM, Bras ID, Klages DC.To identify visual outcome and postoperative complications following phacoemulsification of equine cataracts. Methods: Records of 39 horses (55 eyes) with cataracts were reviewed. Methods: Eyes with cataracts removed by phacoemulsification were included in the study. Data collected included age, breed, sex, stage and etiology of cataract, unilateral vs. bilateral involvement, and ultrasound findings. Horses were grouped by etiology of the cataract. Visual outcome and complications were evaluated for each group and the overall population. Results: Immediately postoperatively 46 out of 47 eyes (...
Cook VL, Jones Shults J, McDowell MR, Campbell NB, Davis JL, Marshall JF, Blikslager AT.To investigate effects of lidocaine hydrochloride administered IV on mucosal inflammation in ischemia-injured jejunum of horses treated with flunixin meglumine. Methods: 24 horses. Methods: Horses received saline (0.9% NaCl) solution (SS; 1 mL/50 kg, IV [1 dose]), flunixin meglumine (1 mg/kg, IV, q 12 h), lidocaine (bolus [1.3 mg/kg] and constant rate infusion [0.05 mg/kg/min], IV, during and after recovery from surgery), or both flunixin and lidocaine (n = 6/group). During surgery, blood flow was occluded for 2 hours in 2 sections of jejunum in each horse. Uninjured and ischemia-injured jejun...
Loomes K, Louro LF.In equine anaesthesia, the recovery period is a time of considerable risk and has been the focus of prolific research. Risk factors, including age, type and duration of procedure or temperament may influence recovery quality. Unfortunately, the anaesthetist is unable to control for these factors, therefore various pharmacological interventions and recovery methods have been developed with the objective of improving recovery quality. However, no consensus among anaesthetists has been reached for many of these interventions and their implications for recovery-related mortality and morbidity. Obj...
Fortier LA, Nixon AJ.Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) and subchondral bone cysts (SBCs) occur commonly and at many different locations in equine limbs and can lead to secondary osteoarthritis when left untreated. Depending on the location and extent of the lesion, arthroscopic surgical debridement may be an effective treatment for returning a horse to athletic soundness. In many cases, however, additional techniques to improve the healing response in bone and cartilage are needed so as to preserve articular function. Methods for improving cartilage repair (ie, restoration of damaged cartilage)or regeneration (ie, r...
Vail TB, Trotter GW, Powers BE.The osteoinductive capability of four particle sizes of equine demineralized bone matrix (DBM) was evaluated. Matrix particles were implanted in brachiocephalicus muscle pouches in six horses and were harvested 8 weeks later. Matrix particle sizes of 2.0 mm3 to 4.0 mm3 and 5.0 mm3 to 10.0 mm3 were associated with osteoinductive activity and minimal signs of local inflammation. The two smaller particle sizes (0.425 mm3 to 0.850 mm3 and 0.850 mm3 to 2.0 mm3) were minimally osteoinductive and were associated with a greater local inflammatory response. Microscopic events associated with new bone p...
McCauley CT, Hawkins JF, Adams SB, Fessler JF.To determine outcome of horses in which cutaneous masses were removed with a carbon dioxide laser. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: 32 horses. Methods: Medical records of horses with 1 or more cutaneous masses treated with a carbon dioxide laser were examined. Follow-up information was obtained through telephone interviews with owners and referring veterinarians. Results: Cutaneous masses were classified as sarcoids (15 horses), neoplastic masses other than sarcoids (squamous cell carcinoma [91; fibroma [1]; and melanoma [1]), and nonneoplastic masses (6). Minimum follow-up time was 6 mo...
Mee AM, Cripps PJ, Jones RS.A retrospective analysis examined mortality associated with all procedures requiring general anaesthetic, performed at the Philip Leverhulme Large Animal Teaching Hospital, during the five-year period from February 1991 to December 1995. The study involved details relating to 2276 equine general anaesthetics and a variety of patient variables were examined. Within a group of 1279 animals undergoing anaesthesia for elective procedures, 46 (3.6 per cent) died or were euthanased owing to a poor prognosis or financial implications. Mortality relating directly to the surgery or anaesthesia occurred...
Audigié F, Tapprest J, Didierlaurent D, Denoix JM.Complications of cervical myelography arising from the puncture of the subarachnoid space to collect the cerebrospinal fluid and to inject the contrast medium have been described in humans and animals. In this study, 2 ultrasound-guided procedures were developed for puncture of the atlanto-occipital subarachnoid space, collection of cerebrospinal fluid, and injection of contrast medium. Myelography was performed on 6 ataxic horses using these procedures. The first attempt to puncture the subarachnoid space was successful in 5 horses and in one horse, a second attempt was necessary. Collection ...
Kearney CM, Buckley CT, Jenner F, Moissonnier P, Brama PA.Selection of suture material in equine surgery is often based on costs or subjective factors, such as the surgeon's personal experience, rather than objective facts. The amount of objective data available on durability of suture materials with regard to specific equine physiological conditions is limited. Objective: To evaluate the effect of various equine physiological and pathological fluids on the rate of degradation of a number of commonly used suture materials. Methods: In vitro material testing. Methods: Suture materials were exposed in vitro to physiological fluid, followed by biomechan...
Masri M, Lombardero G, Velasquillo C, Martínez V, Neri R, Villegas H, Ibarra C.The goal of this study is to evaluate the efficiency of obtaining a large number of viable cells within a construct that will not be detached by high fluid flow during arthroscopic implantation. Methods: Arthroscopic osteochondral biopsy specimens were obtained from the medial femoral trochlea of 8 horses. Chondrocytes were isolated by collagenase digestion and expanded in M199 media until confluency. After 10 to 12 days, cultures were trypsinized and cells resuspended in culture media. Then, 5 x 10(6) cells x mL(-1) were seeded on a culture dish and the same amount in a flask. Once extracellu...
McIlwraith CW, Foerner JJ, Davis DM.The technique and results of arthroscopic surgery for the treatment of osteochondritis dissecans in 318 tarsocrural joints in 225 horses are reported. Of the 225 horses, 154 were racehorses or intended for racing. Arthroscopic surgery was an effective technique for treating osteochondritis dissecans of the tarsocrural joint. The overall functional ability and cosmetic appearance of the limbs were excellent. Post surgical follow-up information was obtained for 183 horses, of which 140 (76.5 per cent) raced successfully or performed their intended use following surgery. Of the remaining 43, 11 w...
Horne MM, Pascoe PJ, Ducharme NG, Barker IK, Grovum WL.This study compared the severity of ischemic injury to the equine jejunal mucosa caused by arteriovenous obstruction (AVO) or venous obstruction (VO) with that caused by reperfusion after ischemia. The degree of mucosal damage and regeneration was scored according to a modified version of an established light microscopic classification for ischemic injury. Biopsy specimens taken after 3 and 4 hours of obstruction, and after 3 hours of obstruction and 1 hour of reperfusion, were compared. There were no changes in the severity of mucosal injury (characterized by epithelial sloughing, loss of vil...
Lendal S, Larsen MM, Bjørn H, Craven J, Chriél M, Olsen SN.A questionnaire survey to obtain information on endoparasite control practices and management on 68 Danish horse farms was undertaken in 1995. The study revealed that foals, young horses and adults were on average, annually treated 4.3, 4.0 and 3.7 times, respectively. The most commonly used drug from 1993-1995 was ivermectin. On average 2.4 different drugs were used annually. The most used method of weight estimation was eye measure: for foals by 78%, for youngsters by 81% and adults by 82% of the herd owners. The most commonly used weight in the dosing of anthelmintics was individual weights...
Palmer SE.Laparoscopic laser instrumentation and endoscopic stapling techniques were used to perform 10 unilateral ovariectomy procedures on 5 standing Thoroughbred mares. In all instances, mares had a clinically normal reproductive tract and estrous cycle, and ovariectomy was performed to eliminate regular estrous behavior. All procedures were accompanied by minimal trauma and uncomplicated postoperative recovery. Mares were able to resume normal activity 2 weeks after surgery. Regular estrous behavior was eliminated in all 5 mares, although 1 mare continued to have signs of estrous behavior occasional...
Ohba T, Ebata S, Ando T, Ichikawa J, Clinton D, Haro H.Hematoma of the ligamentum flavum is a rare cause of neural compression, for which treatment has consisted of excising the hematoma via open surgical approaches, including total laminectomy or bilateral partial laminectomy. This article presents the first report of a microscope-assisted endoscopic decompression to resect a hematoma of the ligamentum flavum.A 52-year-old man presented with back and leg pain, as well as difficulty initiating micturation. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated an epidural mass at L5/S1 that was continuous with the facet joint. Visualization was obtained via an e...
Vatistas NJ, Snyder JR, Wilson WD, Drake C, Hildebrand S.Sixty-seven foals age < 150 days underwent a ventral celiotomy for colic. Of the 67 foals, 51 foals (82%) recovered from anaesthesia and 42 (63%) were subsequently released from the hospital. Three (6%) of the 51 foals were subjected to a repeat celiotomy. Long term follow-up was available on 36 foals. Twenty-nine (57%) of the 51 foals recovered from anaesthesia, were alive at least 2 years following surgery. Adhesions were identified in 8 (17%) of the foals which recovered from general anaesthesia but were subsequently subjected to euthanasia due to recurrent colic. Strangulating lesions were...
Verhaar N, Pfarrer C, Neudeck S, König K, Rohn K, Twele L, Kästner S.Pharmacological preconditioning of dexmedetomidine on small intestinal ischaemia/reperfusion injury has been reported in different animal models including horses. Objective: The objective was to assess if xylazine and lidocaine have a preconditioning effect in an experimental model of equine jejunal ischaemia. Methods: Terminal in vivo experiment. Methods: Ten horses under general anaesthesia were either preconditioned with xylazine (group X; n = 5) or lidocaine (group L; n = 5). A historical untreated control group (group C; n = 5) was used for comparison. An established experimental mo...
Straticò P, Varasano V, Palozzo A, Guerri G, Celani G, Revelant O, Petrizzi L.(1) Background: colic syndrome is a multifactorial life-threatening condition in equids. Awareness of predisposing and prognostic indicators is useful to adequately inform the owner of the outcome and plan the best treatment. The aim of the study was to identify the variables associated with short-term survival in a cohort of horses referred for colic to a veterinary teaching hospital; (2) Methods: medical records of horses referred for colic from 2016 to 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. Univariate and multivariate regression models were built to assess the odds ratios of discharge from the...
Elarbi MM, Ragle CA, Fransson BA, Farnsworth KD.OBJECTIVE To develop and validate a simulation model for laparoscopic ovariectomy in standing horses. DESIGN Prospective cohort study. SAMPLE 15 third-year veterinary students and 4 equine surgeons with experience in laparoscopy. PROCEDURES A simulation model that mimicked laparoscopic ovariectomy in standing horses was developed. Face validity of the model was determined with a questionnaire completed by the equine surgeons. Construct validity was determined by comparing performance scores (based on time to completion and accuracy completing various operative tasks) for simulated laparoscopic...
Kamm JL, Frisbie DD, McIlwraith CW, Orr KE.To use microarray analysis to identify genes that are differentially expressed in horses with experimentally induced osteoarthritis. Methods: 24 horses. Methods: During arthroscopic surgery, a fragment was created in the distal aspect of the radiocarpal bone in 1 forelimb of each horse to induce osteoarthritis. At day 14 after osteoarthritis induction, horses began exercise on a treadmill. Blood and synovial fluid samples were collected before and after surgery. At day 70, horses were euthanized and tissues were harvested for RNA analysis. An equine-specific microarray was used to measure RNA ...
Howard RD, McIlwraith CW, Trotter GW, Powers BE, McFadden PR, Harwood FL, Amiel D.Bilateral osteochondral defects (10 mm2 x 3 mm deep) were created on the distal articular surface of the radial carpal bone of ten, 2- to 3-year-old horses. One defect of each horse was repaired, using a sternal cartilage autograft (treated), and the other was left untreated (control). The horses were exercised on a high-speed treadmill at incrementally increased speed and duration over the course of 12 months. Horses were evaluated arthroscopically at 6 to 7 weeks, and clinical examinations were conducted weekly at exercise. Twelve months after surgery, carpuses of each horse were radiographe...
To document morphologic changes that occur in equine intestinal serosa after experimentally induced ischemia and subsequent reperfusion (jejunum, ascending colon) or after intraluminal distention and decompression (jejunum). Methods: Morphologic effects of ischemia-reperfusion or intraluminal distention-decompression determined on the serosal layer of the equine jejunum. The large colon serosa was evaluated after ischemia-reperfusion injury. Methods: Seven adult horses. Methods: After induction of general anesthesia and ventral median celiotomy, ischemia was created by arteriovenous (AVO) and ...
