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.
Moyer EK, Bauck AG, Denagamage T, Freeman DE.To compare end-to-side (ES) and side-to-side (SS) jejunocecostomy (JC) in healthy horses. Methods: Experimental study in vivo. Methods: A total of 14 healthy adult horses underwent ventral midline celiotomy, a resection, and either an ES (n = 7) or stapled SS (n = 7) JC. Methods: Surgical times and the external lengths of completed anastomoses were measured. Physical examinations and pain scoring were performed every 6 h for 5 days, then once daily until euthanasia and necropsy 28 days postoperatively. Results: The anastomosis was completed more rapidly (p < .002) with the SS...
Nakamae Y, Elce YA, Saab ME, McClure JT, Doyle AJ.Alcohol-based antisepsis has shown experimentally to be as effective as 4% chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) at reducing bacterial counts (colony forming units; CFU) on equine skin. Our objectives were to determine the immediate and post-surgical reduction in CFU/mL on equine skin prepared with CHG-based or 70% isopropyl alcohol (IPA)-based (without CHG) protocols in a clinical setting with arthroscopic surgery. Our hypotheses were that the logCFU/mL reduction would not significantly differ between protocols immediately after preparation or at the end of surgery. Six horses underwent a 40 min bila...
Farkas A, Thieme K, Soimala T, Jensen CK, Eule JC.This retrospective study evaluates the efficacy of povidone-iodine (PI) and polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) as preoperative antiseptics in equine ophthalmic procedures. Methods: Horses that underwent routine ophthalmic surgery and procedures. Methods: Data were collected retrospectively from the medical records of equine patients undergoing ophthalmic procedures. Inclusion criteria were sampling for aerobic microbial culture at three different time points (T0: pre-irrigation, T1: post-irrigation, and T2: postoperatively) and T0 showing bacterial growth. Microbiological outcomes were assesse...
Blatter M, Chapman HS, Heinzel-Gutenbrunner M, von Plato G, Rijkenhuizen A.Desmotomy of the accessory ligament of the superficial digital flexor tendon (AL-SDFT) has been described for the treatment of superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) tendinopathy in Thoroughbred and Standardbred racehorses, and in event horses. To our knowledge, the outcome of this procedure has not been described in a population of warmblood horses. Objective: To report on the outcome of treatment of SDFT tendinopathy in warmblood horses using tenoscopic desmotomy of the main part of the AL-SDFT. Methods: Prospective observational case series. Methods: All 62 horses included in the case ser...
Bernick A, Wehrend A.Uroperitoneum is a typical disease in newborn foals. It occurs rarely but regularly. The aim of the present study is to present clinical signs, laboratory findings and prognosis of foals with uroperitoneum. Methods: Medical records of 33 foals suffering from uroperitoneum that were treated between 2006 and June 2018 were reviewed retrospectively. Results: The incidence was 2.3% based of all presented foals during the first 14 days of life in the investigation period. Colts (78.8%) were significant more often affected (p=0,012) than fillies (21.2%). Common clinical signs were disturbed general ...
Lambertini C, Boanini E, Casalini I, Spaccini F, Rinnovati R, Romagnoli N.The aim of this retrospective clinical study was to compare the combinations of ketamine/diazepam (KD group) and tiletamine/zolazepam (TZ group) for the induction of general anaesthesia in horses undergoing elective surgery. The data from the clinical and the anaesthetic records of 138 horses from 2021 to 2023 were evaluated, and the horses were divided in two groups: KD ( = 60) and TZ ( = 72). The horses were premedicated with romifidine and methadone IV; anaesthesia was induced with ketamine/diazepam for the KD group and tiletamine/zolazepam for the TZ group and was maintained with isofluran...
Morris JM, Lassaline ME, Nunnery CM, Teixeira LBC, Martins BC, Moore BA, Knickelbein KE, Scherrer NM, Plummer CE.Little information describing the biologic behaviour and therapies for corneal lymphoma exist. Objective: To characterise histologically confirmed equine corneal lymphoma considering breed, age or sex predisposition, histologic and immunologic features, therapies and outcomes. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: A multicentre retrospective medical record review was used to identify horses that presented with corneal disease confirmed morphologically as corneal lymphoma from 2012 to 2022. Results: Mean age at diagnosis was 10.5 years. Males represented 18/26 cases. Warmblood (14) and...
Troillet A, Scharner D.Cecocolic intussusceptions are a rare condition of acute colic in horses requiring immediate surgical intervention due to persistent uncontrollable pain and ongoing ischemic cecal necrosis. Particularly in cases where reduction of the intussusception is surgically not feasible surgical interventions such as partial typhlectomy through colotomy (partial cecal amputation) combined with or without cecal bypass techniques are described. Alternatively, surgical interventions can also be performed without partial typhlectomy via incomplete bypass ileocolostomy. Information regarding applicable techn...
de Lima AE, Mendes RP, Piñeros DDV, Alibrando BB, de Zoppa ALV, da Silva LCLC, de Freitas SH, Corrêa RR.Sinusitis is common in horses. Sinoscopy is used for visualization of sinus cavities and can be used for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. In this surgical procedure, a larger chamber is created and communication with other sinus compartments facilitated. To compare the applicability of different surgical approaches and rigid endoscopy systems for sinus inspection and fenestration of the maxillary septal bulla, and to examine the impact of different lens angles on the effectiveness of the procedure. Six chemically preserved cadaveric equine heads were used. Frontal and caudal maxillary port...
Brito PHS, Ferreira MA, Rusch E, Arantes JA, Carregaro AB, Valadão CAA, Ghantous GF, Dória RGS.Submitting late-term pregnant mares to anesthesia for non-obstetric surgery raises concerns about the survival of the mother and fetus. This study aimed to evaluate and describe transient maternal and fetal hemodynamic changes during general inhalation anesthesia in mares during the last month of gestation. Nine adult mares in the last month of gestation were subjected to general inhalation anesthesia and dorsal recumbency for 90 minutes. Trans-anesthetic vital parameters, arterial hemogasometry, cardiac output, pulmonary arterial pressure, central venous pressure, and fetal heart rates were a...
Robert MP, Buyck C, Tricaud C, Cousty M, Pujol R.To report a radical surgical technique for perianal melanomas involving the anal margin in standing horses. Methods: Observational retrospective study. Methods: Twenty client-owned horses presented for surgical excision of extensive (≥4 cm) perianal melanomas. Methods: Demographic data, surgical technique, intraoperative, immediate- and late-postoperative complications were reviewed. Results: All horses (median age 15, Q1-Q3 12 to 17.3 years) were operated under standing sedation and epidural anesthesia. Median hospitalization period was 6.5 days (Q1-Q3 5 to 8.3 days). The anal margi...
Norton AM, Rosanowski SM, O'Brien T.Epiglottic entrapment (EE) is a common cause of poor performance in racing standardbreds (STBs) and thoroughbreds (TBs). There is limited information published on the condition in STB racehorses and limited information on factors associated with return to racing available for either breed. Unassigned: This study investigated and compared the pre surgical findings, post-surgical complications and racing performance in STBs and TBs undergoing surgery for correction of EE. Associations between signalment and pre-surgical findings, and the presence of complications and racing post-surgery were com...
Medina-Bautista F, Morgaz J, Domínguez JM, Navarrete-Calvo R, Sánchez de Medina A, Quirós-Carmona S, Granados MDM.Recovery from general anaesthesia is risky in horses. Alpha-agonist administration after anaesthesia enhances the quality of recovery but may prolong this phase. Recovery time and quality were investigated after medetomidine administration at the end of general anaesthesia in a prospective, randomised, masked and clinical study. Horses underwent medetomidine-isoflurane partial intravenous anaesthesia. Medetomidine (0.5 or 1 µg/kg) IV was administered just after isoflurane was discontinued. The duration of different recovery phases and the number of attempts were recorded. A composite scale (f...
Apolonio EVP, Gobbo LL, Woiblet NG, Dinau FC, Pyles MS, Ferrari LC, de Moura Alonso J, Alves ALG.Vascular hamartoma is an abnormal development of endothelial tissue that rarely affects horses. Histopathological examination remains the gold standard for definitive diagnosis, yet the presence of abnormal vascular structures must be carefully differentiated from other vascular anomalies and neoplasms. This report describes two cases of vascular proliferation affecting the skin on the lateral side over the left tarsus and the dorsolateral region over the fetlock joint of two fillies. The clinical history, presentation, and radiographic and sonographic findings in both patients suggested a neo...
Barton CK, Hassel DM, Anders K, Weir TL.A major cause of morbidity and mortality in horses with large colon obstructive lesions is injury to the colonic mucosal barrier from ischemic injury. Since butyrate has been shown to play a critical role in the maintenance of a healthy mucosal barrier, it may play a role in the recovery process. This study's objective was to determine whether the differences in butyrate concentrations existed between horses with surgical large colon obstructive lesions and healthy horses both during and after surgery. Eleven horses presenting with surgical colic lesions were enrolled; colonic samples were acq...
Karam B, Arndt S, Magdesian KG, Cullen T, Dechant JE.A newborn (5 h old) quarter horse colt was presented because of lethargy and severe abdominal distention. Uroperitoneum was suspected during initial workup, based on sonographic imaging and peritoneal fluid analysis. Definitive diagnosis was confirmed during exploratory celiotomy. Surgery revealed a congenitally abnormal allantoic stalk/urachal remnant and a failure of embryological fusion of the dorsal bladder wall. Recovery was successful and the animal is now a healthy, 4-year-old western performance gelding. These specific congenital abnormalities have not been previously documented in the...
Kiesse O, Torgerson P, Pot SA, Stadler S.A retrospective data analysis was performed on 17 eyes from 13 horses which underwent a sub-Tenon's injection to facilitate phacoemulsification or pars plana vitrectomy under general anesthesia between 2018 and 2022. All procedures were performed by the same veterinary ophthalmologist. Seven eyes received a sub-Tenon's dose of 7 ml lidocaine (XylocainÒ, 2 % lidocaine hydrochloride, Germany, Aspen Germany GmbH), and 10 eyes received 7 ml mepivacaine (MepinaestÒ purum 2 %, mepivacaine hydrochloride, Switzerland, Gebro Pharma GmbH). Statistical analysis compared onset and duration of gl...
Witt P, Stas EKL, Hardeman LC, van Proosdij ER, Weerts EAWS, Lloyd-Edwards RA, Veraa S, Kranenburg LC, van den Boom R.A sixteen-year-old Friesian mare was admitted to the university clinic with the following clinical signs: anorexia, weight loss, fever, bilateral nasal discharge, unilateral facial paralysis and a non-healing corneal lesion. Endoscopic examination of the upper airways showed thickening of the proximal portion of the right stylohyoid bone. Computed tomography imaging showed pneumocephalus due to grade 3 unilateral temporohyoid osteoarthropathy (THO) with fracture of the petrous temporal bone. The horse did not improve following medical treatment. Surgical intervention was declined by the owner ...
Loomes K, de Grauw J, Gozalo-Marcilla M, Redondo JI, Bettschart-Wolfensberger R.Equine post-operative morbidity represents a significant concern for both veterinary surgeons and horse owners. Objective: To estimate the prevalence of post-operative complications in horses after elective/non-abdominal surgery or colic surgery. Methods: Systematic review. Methods: A database search identified eligible studies which reported the prevalence of equine post-operative complications published as a full paper in English in a peer-reviewed journal between 2000 and 2023. Studies were evaluated using the JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist for Prevalence Studies and GRADE (Grading of Rec...
de Preux M, Precht C, Travaglini AT, Propadalo LM, Farra D, Vidondo B, Easley JT, Koch C.To determine the effect of the Vertek aiming device (VAD) on the surgical accuracy of navigated drilling of the distal sesamoid bone (DSB). Methods: Experimental cadaveric study. Methods: A total of 30 paired equine cadaveric limbs from 15 horses. Methods: Each specimen was placed in a purpose-built frame (PBF). Preoperative cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images were acquired with an imaging unit coupled with a surgical navigation system. In the DSB of each specimen, a 4.5 mm glide hole and a 3.2 mm thread hole were drilled under navigation guidance, to simulate drilling for the repa...
Smith HL, Love KR, Antezana A, Barr EM, Gilger BC, Oh A.To determine clinical outcome, treatment costs, and hospitalization duration in horses treated for keratomycosis and identify ophthalmic examination and diagnostic results associated with these outcomes. Methods: This was a retrospective study of 126 equine keratomycosis cases between 2004 and 2020 with fungal infection confirmed on cytology, culture, and/or histopathology and a minimum of 1-month follow-up. Details of the ophthalmic examination, diagnostic test results, and treatment and cost outcomes were recorded. Outcomes of interest were analyzed by treatment type. The relationship of pat...
Verhaar N, Hammer E, Reineking W, Hewicker-Trautwein M, Geburek F.To compare the practicability and tissue sample quality between different intestinal biopsy techniques. Methods: Experimental, randomized ex vivo study. Methods: Small intestine of nine horses. Methods: Four different biopsy techniques were evaluated in the aboral jejunum and the ileum within 1 h after euthanasia. One segment was used as control (C), and the applied techniques included an 8 mm biopsy punch (BP), transverse wedge resection (TW), longitudinal wedge resection with transverse closure (LW) and a longitudinal sample using Eppendorfer biopsy forceps (EF). Defects were closed using ...
D'Agostino AL, Giuliano EA, Kuroki K, Martin LM.To describe the first report of third eyelid cartilage eversion in an adult American Quarter Horse mare. Methods: A 22-year-old American Quarter Horse mare presented to the University of Missouri Veterinary Health Center Equine Hospital for a 2-week history of a third eyelid cartilage abnormality of the left eye with no known recent trauma. Complete ophthalmic examination revealed third eyelid cartilage eversion of the left nictitans. The abnormal scrolled cartilage was surgically excised using a handheld cautery unit and submitted for histopathologic evaluation. Results: Histopathologic findi...
Bulnes F, Argüelles D, Buzón A, García-Álamo K, Rodríguez-Gómez IM, Hernández E, Mozos E.This case report details a long-term follow-up of a hoof melanoma with dermo-epidermal activity (resembling Spreading Superficial Melanoma (SSM)) in a bay horse with a history of a right front hoof keratoma. Melanomas involving the horse's foot are seldom reported and usually diagnosed as anaplastic melanomas based on signalment and post-mortem examination. The clinical-pathological characteristics of the foot melanoma in this bay horse are consistent with SSM-like described in humans, which is considered an intermediate malignant tumour attending their biological behaviour. However, a definit...
Kopec EK, Stevens M, Crowe O, Wright C, Suthers J.The aim of the present study was to investigate the long-term survival and postoperative complications in horses that had undergone small intestinal resection and a modified anastomosis technique using a partially stapled, functional end-to-end anastomosis. Methods: Observational retrospective case series. Methods: A total of 25 horses underwent small intestinal resection and a partially stapled, functional end-to-end anastomosis. Methods: A modified technique to create a partially stapled, functional end-to-end anastomosis is described. The clinical case records of all horses that fulfilled t...
da Silva NV, Bernardino Júnior R, Nomelini QSS, Pereira GF, Delfiol DJZ, Nogueira GM.The passive stay apparatus works by blocking flexion of the knee and tarsus joints in the horse, preventing muscle fatigue. During ambulation, if this mechanism fails to release, the animal will present upward fixation of the patella, which in severe cases, can only be treated by medial patellar desmotomy (MPD). The objective of this study was to investigate the possible electromyographic and behavioral changes, after the impairment of the passive stay apparatus, in horses who have undergone MPD surgery. Five horses presenting dorsal fixation of the patella underwent electromyographic measurem...
Fugazzola MC, De Ruijter M, Veraa S, Plomp S, van Buul W, Hermsen G, van Weeren R.The objective of this study was to evaluate a non-resorbable implant for the focal repair of chondral defects in eight adult horses with 12-month follow-up. The bi-layered construct composed of a polycarbonate-urethane-urea biomaterial which was printed in 3D fashion onto a bone anchor was implanted into surgically created osteochondral defects into the femoropatellar joints of eight horses. The analysis of post-mortem outcomes were compared to defects treated with microfracture in the same animal on the contralateral femoropatellar jointfemoropatellar joint. The overall macroscopic scoring af...
Baltrimaite M, Kearney C, O'Brien A, Duggan M, Cuq B.A 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding developed complications from a general anesthesia resulting in sling support and recurrent urinary catheterization. The horse subsequently presented signs of dysuria and pollakiuria, was diagnosed with sabulous cystitis, and developed a urethral stricture from the repeated catheterizations, which was confirmed on urethroscopy. Clinical signs persisted despite conservative management with topical corticosteroids and urethral bougienage with balloon dilators. An image-guided approach was used to treat the stricture with a custom-made polydioxanone stent pl...
Hollis AR.Melanomas are very common in older gray horses, with 80% of gray horses having at least 1 melanoma by 15 years of age. Historically considered a benign disease, it is now known that up to 66% of lesions will eventually metastasize. Melanomas may also cause local problems due to abscessation, ulceration, and interference with function of the affected areas. Treatment can be limited by size and location, but surgical resection, where possible, is likely to be the treatment of choice.
Boyce MK, Trumble TN, Carlson CS, Groschen DM, Merritt KA, Brown MP.Develop a non-terminal animal model of acute joint injury that demonstrates clinical and morphological evidence of early post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA). Methods: An osteochondral (OC) fragment was created arthroscopically in one metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint of 11 horses and the contralateral joint was sham operated. Eleven additional horses served as unoperated controls. Every 2 weeks, force plate analysis, flexion response, joint circumference, and synovial effusion scores were recorded. At weeks 0 and 16, radiographs (all horses) and arthroscopic videos (OC injured and sham joints) ...
Cohen ND, Matejka PL, Honnas CM, Hooper RN.The association between various management factors and development of colic was studied in 821 horses treated for colic and 821 control horses treated for noncolic emergencies by practicing veterinarians in Texas between Oct 1, 1991 and Dec 31, 1992. History of previous colic and history of previous abdominal surgery were found to be significantly associated with colic. Change in stabling conditions during the 2 weeks prior to the time of examination, recent change in diet, and recent change in level of activity significantly increased the risk for development of colic. Changes in activity lev...
Busoni V, De Busscher V, Lopez D, Verwilghen D, Cassart D.The aim of this prospective study was to establish a protocol for fast localised abdominal sonography of horses (FLASH) admitted for colic. The FLASH protocol was then presented to clinicians without extensive ultrasound (US) experience to determine whether they could learn to use it in less than 15 min. The clinical subjects comprised 36 horses that had been referred for colic over a 2 month period. Each horse was examined at admission and FLASH findings at seven topographical locations were compared to serial clinical examinations, surgical and non-surgical outcomes, or with post-mortem repo...
Bergström K, Aspan A, Landén A, Johnston C, Grönlund-Andersson U.Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in animals is a rare finding in Sweden. In horses, MRSA was first detected in a screening survey in 2007. In 2008, six clinical cases occurred in an equine hospital, indicating an outbreak. Methods: All MRSA isolates detected, 11 spa-type t011 and one t064 (n = 12), in infected horses (n = 10) and screening of horses (n = 2) in Sweden from December 2007 to March 2010 were retrospectively analysed with pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) using Cfr9I and ApaI restriction enzymes, to study relationship between the isolates. Medical records of...
Theoret C.Horses are predisposed to traumatic wounds that can be labor intensive and expensive to manage. Skin has a considerable potential for efficient and functional repair however, while cutaneous repair is a regenerative process in the fetus, this capability declines in late gestation as inflammation and scarring alter the outcome of healing. The historical gold standard for replacement of lost skin is the autologous skin graft. However, the horse's lack of redundant donor skin limits the practicality of full-thickness grafting to smaller wounds; moreover, graft failure is relatively common in equi...
Gilger BC, Wilkie DA, Clode AB, McMullen RJ, Utter ME, Komaromy AM, Brooks DE, Salmon JH.To determine the long-term efficacy, complications, and duration of effect of a cyclosporine (CsA) suprachoroidal implant (CSI) in horses with equine recurrent uveitis (ERU). Methods: Horses with ERU were treated with a 6-mm diameter, 25 mg, reservoir matrix CsA implant in the deep sclera adjacent to the suprachoroidal space. Horses with follow-up >1 year were examined for frequency of uveitis episodes, complications, and vision at last recheck. Results: Data from 151 eyes of 133 horses from the USA and Europe that had CsA devices implanted for ERU were reviewed. Follow-up time ranged from 13 ...
Rubio-Martínez LM, Cruz AM.Regional limb perfusion involves administration of an antimicrobial solution into the vasculature of a selected portion of the limb that has been isolated from the systemic circulation by controlled application of a tourniquet. The technique provides high antimicrobial concentrations in the region of interest and greatly contributes to the elimination of infection.
Dyson S, Murray R.Neurectomy of the deep branch of the lateral plantar nerve and plantar fasciotomy have become accepted as methods of treatment of proximal suspensory desmopathy (PSD), but there are limited long-term studies documenting the outcome. Objective: To describe long-term follow-up in horses with PSD alone or with other injuries contributing to lameness and poor performance, including complications, following neurectomy and fasciotomy. Methods: Follow-up information was acquired for 155 horses that had undergone neurectomy and fasciotomy for treatment of PSD between 2003 and 2008. Success was classif...
Rubio-Martínez LM, Elmas CR, Black B, Monteith G.To describe the clinical use of regional limb perfusion with antimicrobials (A-RLP), complications, and outcome in a large series of patients. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: 174 horses. Methods: Medical records of horses treated with A-RLP between 1999 and 2009 were reviewed. Signalment, primary complaint, horse use, etiology, duration of clinical signs, previous treatment, structures involved, concurrent conditions, A-RLP characteristics, additional treatments, complications, and outcome were recorded. At long-term follow-up, 2 outcomes were investigated: survival rate and retur...
Freeman KD, Southwood LL, Lane J, Lindborg S, Aceto HW.Infections are common complications in post operative colic patients. It is the impression of some surgeons that pyrexia in the early post operative period is a sign of infection and appropriate timing of perioperative antimicrobials will decrease the incidence of post operative infection. Objective: To determine the association between 1) post operative pyrexia and development of infection and 2) perioperative antimicrobial drug use and infection rate in post operative colic patients. Methods: Medical records of patients undergoing surgical treatment for colic were reviewed. Horses recovering...
Walmsley JP, Pettersson H, Winberg F, McEvoy F.The surgical treatment of impingement of dorsal spinous processes (DSPs) at 2 equine veterinary hospitals following a similar diagnostic and surgical protocol is described with special reference to the diagnosis and case selection. The diagnosis was made from clinical examination and results of radiography and diagnostic analgesia of the affected sites. Scintigraphy was also used as an aid to diagnosis at one hospital. Surgical treatment was generally recommended when conservative treatment, which included 3-9 months rest, intralesional corticosteroids and physiotherapy, had failed. The DSPs w...
Hanson RR.Complications of wounds and cosmetic surgery can be accurately managed with a combination of timely surgical and medical intervention to ensure the best possible outcome. The lack of soft tissue protection and a large quantity of susceptible synovial, tendon, ligament, and neurovascular structures make early and meticulous evaluation of limb wounds critical. Skin grafting is usually used following a period of open wound management and after healthy granulation tissue formation. Penetrating wounds of the abdomen or thorax have a guarded prognosis resulting from the ensuing potential for infecti...
Knottenbelt DC, Kelly DF.OBJECTIVE: Diagnosis and management of periorbital sarcoids in horses is a significant clinical challenge for the practicing veterinary surgeon and pathologist. The purpose of this study was to investigate the response of various types of sarcoids to different therapeutic methods. Animals studied Medical records of 445 clinical patients. Procedures This paper retrospectively examines the clinical and histological features of periorbital sarcoids and the treatment of 445 cases. Treatment by surgical excision, cryosurgery, Bacillus-Calmette-Gaérin (BCG) immunomodulation, topical cytotoxic appli...
Raekallio M, Taylor PM, Bennett RC.Twenty-five horses undergoing arthroscopic surgery were studied to develop a scheme for assessing pain in horses while investigating the effects of phenylbutazone (PBZ) analgesia. Fifteen of the 25 horses received PBZ 4 mg/kg intravenously (IV) before surgery and 2 mg/kg (IV) every 12 hours thereafter until 60 hours; the remaining 10 (placebo group) were given a corresponding volume of saline. In both groups, venous blood samples were collected for catecholamine, beta-endorphin, and cortisol assays before premedication and up to 72 hours after surgery. Postoperative pain was evaluated by measu...
Pascoe PJ, McDonell WN, Trim CM, Van Gorder J.A retrospective survey of 300 surgical treatments for colic involving 341 interventions was carried out to determine mortality rates and associated factors. These horses had been referred to the Ontario Veterinary College over the period September 1974 to February 1980. Data from the case records was collected and stored on a computer and statistical analysis was carried out using X(2) tests.Fifty percent (150/300) of the horses survived to be discharged from the hospital. Fifty-two horses were euthanized during the operation and another ten horses should have been; if these cases are excluded...
Cohen ND, Lester GD, Sanchez LC, Merritt AM, Roussel AJ.To determine factors associated with development of postoperative ileus (POI) in horses undergoing surgery for colic. Methods: Prospective case-control study. Methods: 251 horses undergoing colic surgery, of which 47 developed POI. Methods: Signalment, history, clinicopathologic data, pre- and postoperative treatments, lesions, complications, costs, and outcome were recorded for all horses during hospitalization. Results: Variables associated with increased odds of POI included small intestinal lesion, high PCV, and increased duration of anesthesia. There was modest evidence that pelvic flexur...
Freeman DE.Colic surgery is one of few treatments in which a veterinarian can use a skill to save an animal's life from a deadly disease within a short timeframe. Unfortunately, such success is not achieved without considerable risk for surgical failure, which is responsible for most complications in the immediate post-operative period. The last 50 years have witnessed considerable improvements in colic surgery, although a ranking of the most important ones might not meet with universal agreement. Teamwork plays a critical role in the final outcome, starting and finishing with the referring veterinarian...
van Loon JP, Van Dierendonck MC.This study validates a recently described pain scale, the Equine Utrecht University scale for facial assessment of pain (EQUUS-FAP), in horses with acute or postoperative pain originating from the head, including dental pain, ocular pain, or trauma to the skull. This cohort study of 23 horses with head-related pain and 23 normal, healthy controls revealed significant differences in EQUUS-FAP scores between control horses and horses with acute or postoperative pain (P <0.001). Moreover, pain scores after surgery decreased significantly over time (P <0.001). The scale showed good inter...
Delesalle C, Dewulf J, Lefebvre RA, Schuurkes JA, Proot J, Lefere L, Deprez P.Intestinal hypoperfusion can lead to increased lactate concentrations in plasma and peritoneal fluid of horses with colic. Objective: The purposes of this study were to (1) evaluate the reliability of the Accusport analyzer to assess peritoneal fluid lactate (PFL) concentrations in healthy horses and those with colic, (2) identify clinical features associated with abnormal blood plasma lactate (BPL) and PFL concentrations, and (3) evaluate the prognostic value of BPL and PFL. Methods: BPL and PFL were determined in 20 healthy horses and in 106 horses with colic. Results: The Accusport was reli...
Johnston GM, Taylor PM, Holmes MA, Wood JL.The Confidential Enquiry into Perioperative Equine Fatalities (CEPEF-1) is an observational multi-institutional prospective study of recovery outcome at 7 days post operatively, as called for by Steffey (1991). Data from 6,255 general anaesthetics (February 91-March 93) were submitted confidentially by 62 clinics. The outcomes of 333 cases which were subjected to euthanasia and which were not classified 'alive' or 'died' at 7 days, were excluded from the analysis. The remaining 5922 cases were analysed to identify risk ratios (RR) between survivors and nonsurvivors for a variety of factors. Th...
Haga HA, Dolvik NI.To evaluate Fourier-transformed electroencephalographic (EEG) variables, mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) and pulse rate as nociceptive indicators in isoflurane-anaesthetized horses. Methods: Five standardbred and three Norwegian cold-blooded trotter stallions undergoing castration, aged 2-4 years, mass 378-538 kg. Methods: All horses received intravenous (IV) detomidine (10 microg kg(-1) IV) and butorphanol (0.01 mg kg(-1) IV). Additional detomidine (4 microg kg(-1) IV) was administered in the induction area. Anaesthesia was induced with ketamine (2.5 mg kg(-1) IV) and diazepam (40 microg k...
Ernst NS, Hernandez JA, MacKay RJ, Brown MP, Gaskin JM, Nguyen AD, Giguere S, Colahan PT, Troedsson MR, Haines GR, Addison IR, Miller BJ.To estimate prevalence of and identify risk factors for fecal Salmonella shedding among hospitalized horses with signs of gastrointestinal tract disease. Methods: Cross-sectional study. Methods: 465 hospitalized horses with gastrointestinal tract disease. Methods: Horses were classified as positive or negative for fecal Salmonella shedding during hospitalization by means of standard aerobic bacteriologic methods. The relationship between investigated exposure factors and fecal Salmonella shedding was examined by means of logistic regression. Results: The overall prevalence of fecal Salmonella ...
Proudman CJ, Smith JE, Edwards GB, French NP.Colic surgery is a frequently performed operation with high postoperative mortality. This study was undertaken to identify variables associated with decreased postoperative survival. We used data from 321 horse years of postoperative survival time to model the probability of survival following recovery from colic surgery. Continuous variables were modelled using a 6 variable, penalised Cox regression model. This demonstrated approximately linear relationships between survival and the following variables: increase in packed cell volume (PCV), intestinal resection length, time to surgery (interv...
Christophersen MT, Dupont N, Berg-Sørensen KS, Konnerup C, Pihl TH, Andersen PH.Outcomes of colic treatment are of great interest to clinicians, horse owners and insurers. One commonly used criterion of success is the overall short-term survival rate. This is used as to compare treatments and to measure quality of veterinary care, but may be biased by demographic or social factors such as attitudes towards animal suffering and euthanasia. The aims of this study were to 1) describe and analyse characteristics in horses with signs of colic referred to the University Hospital for Large Animals (UHLA), University of Copenhagen, Denmark over a 10-year period and 2) to compare ...
McMullen RJ, Fischer BM.Equine recurrent uveitis (ERU) is characterized by recurrent bouts of inflammation interrupted by periods of quiescence that vary in duration. There is little consensus on the clinical manifestations, the underlying causes, or the management. The 3 commonly recognized syndromes of ERU (classic, insidious, and posterior) do not accurately separate the clinical manifestations of disease into distinct categories. An accurate diagnosis and early intervention are essential to minimizing the effects of disease and preserving vision. There are multiple medical and surgical options for controlling ERU...
Florin M, Arzdorf M, Linke B, Auer JA.To compare the mechanical properties of 4 stabilization methods for equine long-bone fractures: dynamic compression plate (DCP), limited contact-DCPlate (LC-DCP), locking compression plate (LCP), and the clamp-rod internal fixator (CRIF--formerly VetFix). Methods: In vitro mechanical study. Methods: Bone substitute material (24 tubes) was cut at 20 degrees to the long axis of the tube to simulate an oblique mid-shaft fracture. Methods: Tubes were divided into 4 groups (n=6) and double plated in an orthogonal configuration, with 1 screw of 1 implant being inserted in lag fashion through the "fr...
Cadby JA, David F, van de Lest C, Bosch G, van Weeren PR, Snedeker JG, van Schie HT.Injuries in energy-storing tendons are common in both horses and man. The high prevalence of reinjury and the relatively poor prognosis for returning to preinjury performance levels warrant further research, for which well characterised models would be very helpful. Objective: Given the clinical similarities in tendinopathy of energy-storing tendons, we hypothesised that a recently developed experimental model of equine tendon injury would display many of the characteristics of clinical tendinopathy and could therefore be of use for both species, thus providing comparative insight to the human...
Zou X, Zou L, Foldager C, Bendtsen M, Feng W, Bünger CE.To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of spinal fusion with different graft materials during an anterior lumbar interbody fusion, we examined the gene-expression profiles after implantation of equine bone protein extract, rhBMP-2 and autograft using microarray technology and data analysis, including hierarchical clustering, self-organizing maps (SOM), KEGG pathway and Biological process GO analyses in a porcine model. The results suggest that equine bone protein extract exhibited a more similar expression pattern with autograft than that of rhBMP-2. rhBMP-2 recruits progenitor cells, prolifera...
Miller RI.Treatment of equine phycomycosis with a vaccine derived from ultrasonicated hyphae of Hyphomyces destruens was attempted in 30 cases of clinical hyphomycosis, 10 cases of hyphomycosis following unsuccessful surgery and 5 cases of basidiobolomycosis. Approximately 53% of animals with clinical hyphomycosis were cured after vaccination, while a further 33% clinically improved. All horses with hyphomycosis treated within 2 weeks of unsuccessful surgery were cured. There was no response to vaccination with a Hyphomyces preparation in horses with basidiobolomyucosis, while surgery alone resulted in ...
Smith LJ, Mellor DJ, Marr CM, Reid SW, Mair TS.Post operative complications following exploratory laparotomy can be potentially life-threatening, increase post operative morbidity and result in an increase in the length of hospitalisation of the affected individual. No study has evaluated the efficacy of specific strategies to reduce the incidence of post operative incisional complications. Objective: The use of an abdominal bandage following colic surgery through a celiotomy incision would significantly reduce the prevalence of post operative incisional complications. Methods: A controlled, randomised clinical trial to test the hypothesis...
