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.
Wilson DV, Bohart GV, Evans AT, Robertson S, Rondenay Y.To assess the effectiveness of a detomidine infusion technique to provide standing chemical restraint in the horse. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Fifty-one adult horses aged 9.5 ± 6.9 years (range 1-23 years) and weighing 575 ± 290.3 kg. Methods: Records of horses presented to our clinic over a 3-year period in which a detomidine infusion was used to provide standing chemical restraint were reviewed. Information relating to the types of procedure performed, duration of infusion, drug dosages and adjunct drugs administered was retrieved. Results: Detomidine was administered as an ini...
Taylor PM, Luna S, Dye A.To determine the effects of surgery, hypoxia, hypercapnia and flunixin administration on plasma β-endorphin immunoreactivity (BEI) in anaesthetized horses. Methods: Prospective crossover study. Methods: Six healthy adult Welsh Mountain ponies and seven healthy adult Thoroughbreds. Methods: Ponies were anaesthetized with thiopentone and halothane or with pentobarbitone and the horses with guaiphenesin, thiopentone and halothane. Ponies were anaesthetized for 2 hours and on separate occasions underwent a period of hypoxia, hypercapnia, anaesthesia only, or were given flunixin at induction. The ...
Johnston GM, Eastment JK, Wood J, Taylor PM.To document the equine perioperative mortality rate and to highlight any factor associated with an increased risk of death up to 7 days after anaesthesia. Methods: A prospective observational epidemiological multicentre study. Methods: Data were recorded from all equidae undergoing general anaesthesia in 62 clinics. Power calculations indicated that 45 000 cases were required to detect the significance of important variables. Details of each horse, operation, anaesthetic agents and clinic personnel were recorded. Outcome at 7 days was recorded as: alive, put to sleep (PTS) or dead. Data were a...
Robertson SA, Bailey JE.To compare the arterial pH and blood gas values, heart rate and mean arterial blood pressure, in hypoxaemic anaesthetized horses, before and after treatment, with a salbutamol (albuterol) aerosol. Methods: Eighty-one client-owned horses weighing between 114 and 925 kg. Fifty-seven underwent emergency abdominal surgery and 24 were anaesthetized for elective procedures. Methods: Pre-anaesthetic medication included xylazine, detomidine, butorphanol and morphine, alone or in various combinations. Induction of anaesthesia was achieved with guaifenesin and ketamine, diazepam and ketamine, or guaifen...
Spadavecchia C, Stucki F, Moens Y, Schatzmann U.The aim of this study was to define and evaluate a combined inhalation-intravenous anaesthetic protocol for use in equine anaesthesia. Methods: Prospective, randomized clinical trial. Methods: Twenty-eight horses (body mass 522 ± 82; 330-700 kg [mean ± SD; range]) with a mean age of 6 ± 4 years (range: 2-18 years) presented to the university hospital for various surgical procedures requiring general anaesthesia. Methods: Animals were randomly allocated to one of two treatment groups. Anaesthesia was maintained in 14 horses with halothane alone (H group). The mean end-tidal halothane concent...
Duke T, Cruz AM, Cruz JI, Howden KJ.To compare the cardiopulmonary effects of the head-down position, with or without capnoperitoneum, in halothane-anesthetized horses. Methods: Prospective randomized study. Methods: Five ponies (four mares, one stallion; bodyweight 302 ± 38.4 kg [mean ± SD]) were used. Methods: The ponies were anesthetized with xylazine, guiafenesin, ketamine, and maintained with halothane/oxygen and lungs were ventilated to 40 ± 2 mm Hg (5.3 ± 0.3 kPa) end-tidal CO tension. After baseline cardiopulmonary measurements, ponies were kept in horizontal position for 30 minutes, then tilted head-down 30° to the...
Taylor PM, White KL, Fowden AL, Giussani DA, Bloomfield M, Sear JW.To characterize propofol anaesthesia in pregnant ponies. Methods: Fourteen pony mares, at 256 ± 49 days gestation, undergoing abdominal surgery to implant fetal and maternal vascular catheters. Methods: Pre-anaesthetic medication with intravenous (IV) acepromazine (20 µg kg), butorphanol (20 µg kg) and detomidine (10 µg kg) was given 30 minutes before induction of anaesthesia with detomidine (10 µg kg) and ketamine (2 mg kg) IV Maternal arterial blood pressure was recorded (facial artery) throughout anaesthesia. Arterial blood gas values and plasma concentrations of glucose, lactate, cort...
Rédua MA, Valadão CA, Duque JC, Balestrero LT.To evaluate the pre-emptive analgesic effect of pre-incisional epidural ketamine. Methods: A blinded, randomized experimental study. Methods: Sixteen mixed breed mares, 7.6 ± 2.8 years old, weighing 352 ± 32 kg. Methods: In a pilot study, an incision was made on one lateral thigh using a lidocaine block and no further analgesics, and it was verified that the nociceptive threshold was lower on the incised side than nonincised side (p ≤ 0.05), and that von Frey filaments evoked a pain response. The 16 animals were divided into group A (ketamine, n = 9) and B (saline, n = 7). An epidural cath...
Wright BD, Hildebrand SV.To compare arterial oxygen and carbon dioxide tensions in apneic and spontaneously ventilating horses recovering from anesthesia. Methods: Randomized clinical trial. Methods: Forty-two healthy horses averaging 466 ± 106 kg and 6 ± 5 years of age. Methods: Anesthetized horses undergoing a variety of surgical procedures and receiving positive pressure ventilation (IPPV) were divided into two equal groups. One group was allowed to return to spontaneous ventilation prior to disconnection from the anesthetic circuit (weaned). The other group remained apneic during transport to a recovery stall. A...
Taylor PM, Luna SP, White KL, Bloomfield M, Fowden AL.Objective To characterize intravenous anaesthesia with detomidine, ketamine and guaiphenesin in pregnant ponies. Animals Twelve pony mares, at 260-320 days gestation undergoing abdominal surgery to implant fetal and maternal vascular catheters. Materials and methods Pre-anaesthetic medication with intravenous (IV) acepromazine (30 µg kg), butorphanol (20 µg kg) and detomidine (10 µg kg) preceded induction of anaesthesia with detomidine (10 µg kg) and ketamine (2 mg kg) IV Maternal arterial blood pressure was measured directly throughout anaesthesia and arterial blood samples were taken at ...
Scharner D, Winter K, Brehm W, Kämpfert M, Gittel C.Despite advances in surgical technique in abdominal surgery, incisional complications are frequently reported following ventral midline laparotomy in horses. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of incisional complications at our clinic and to identify possible risk factors. Furthermore, we investigated whether suturing the peritoneum leads to a reduction of incisional complications. Methods: In this retrospective study, records of patients of the Large Animal Clinic for Surgery of the University of Leipzig from January 2010 to December 2015 were analysed. Horses with ventral m...
McCarrel TM, Pownder SL, Gilbert S, Koff MF, Castiglione E, Saska RA, Bradica G, Fortier LA.Objective To evaluate a biphasic cartilage repair device (CRD) for feasibility of arthroscopic implantation, safety, biocompatibility, and efficacy for long-term repair of large osteochondral defects. Methods The CRD was press-fit into defects (10 mm diameter, 10 mm deep) created in the femoral trochlea of 12 horses. In the contralateral limb, 10 mm diameter full-thickness chondral defects were treated with microfracture (MFX). Radiographs were obtained pre- and postoperatively, and at 4, 12, and 24 months. Repeat arthroscopy was performed at 4 and 12 months. Gross assessment, histology, mecha...
Mespoulhès-Rivière C, Brandenberger O, Rossignol F, Robert C, Perkins JD, Marie JP, Ducharme N.OBJECTIVE To develop and assess the feasibility, repeatability, and safety of an ultrasound-guided technique to stimulate the first cervical nerve (FCN) at the level of the alar foramen of the atlas of horses. ANIMALS 4 equine cadavers and 6 clinically normal Standardbreds. PROCEDURES In each cadaver, the FCN pathway was determined by dissection, and any anastomosis between the first and second cervical nerves was identified. Subsequently, each of 6 live horses underwent a bilateral ultrasound-guided stimulation of the FCN at the alar foramen 3 times at 3-week intervals. After each procedure, ...
Leonida A, Todeschini G, Lomartire G, Cinci L, Pieri L.To histologically assess the effectiveness of a socket-preservation technique using enzyme-treated equine bone granules as a bone-graft material in combination with an equine collagen matrix as a scaffold for soft-tissue regeneration. Background: Enzyme-treated equine bone granules and equine collagen matrix recently have been developed to help overcome alveolar bone deficiencies that develop in the wake of edentulism. Methods: The patient had one mandibular molar extracted and the socket grafted with equine bone granules. The graft was covered with the equine collagen matrix, placed in a doub...
Partlow JL, Lustgarten M, Redding WR.To the authors' knowledge, the ultrasonographic appearance of hair shafts within a synovial structure of the horse has not been described previously. The purpose of this descriptive study was to illustrate the clinical, ultrasonographic, and arthroscopic characteristics of confirmed hair shafts within synovial structures of seven horses. A review of medical records of the Farm and Equine Veterinary Medical Center at North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine identified seven horses with clinical signs suspicious for inflammatory or septic synovitis/tenosynovitis that had ha...
Findley JA, Salem S, Burgess R, Archer DC.Relaparotomy may be required to investigate and manage complications that occur following surgical management of colic. Objective: To report factors associated with survival following relaparotomy. Methods: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: Records of horses that had undergone exploratory laparotomy for treatment of colic over a 10-year period (2002-2012) and had undergone relaparotomy <8 weeks following the initial surgery were reviewed. Descriptive data were generated and association with survival time was modelled using Cox proportional hazards models. Results: Relaparotomy was perfor...
Radcliffe RM, Messiaen Y, Irby NL, Divers TJ, Dewey CW, Mitchell KJ, Schnabel LV, Bezuidenhout AJ, Scrivani PV, Ducharme NG.To report a transnasal, endoscopically guided ventral surgical approach for accessing the cranial and caudal segments of the sphenopalatine sinus for mass removal in a horse. Methods: Case report. Methods: Adult horse with acute onset blindness referable to a soft tissue mass within the sphenopalatine sinus. Methods: A 7-year-old Warmblood gelding presented with a history of running into a fence and falling. No neurologic signs were identified at initial examination but acute blindness was noted 3 weeks later. On computed tomography (CT) the sphenopalatine sinus was filled with a large homogen...
Gallacher K, Santos LC, Campoy L, Bezuidenhout AJ, Gilbert RO.The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate a procedure for equine pudendal nerve block using a peripheral nerve locator. In the first experiment, six ponies were used to determine the relationship between elicited muscle contractions (anal, perineal or both) and nerves serving the perineal region (pudendal, caudorectal and perineal nerves) when methylene blue dye was injected using the electrolocation technique. This experiment showed that the pudendal nerve was approached effectively when both anal and perineal twitch were elicited during electrolocation. In a second experiment, seven ...
Tozon N, Kramaric P, Kos Kadunc V, Sersa G, Cemazar M.The aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy of electrochemotherapy (ECT) with cisplatin as a single or adjuvant treatment for sarcoids in equids. Different treatment options with different success rates were proposed. Thirty-one horses and one donkey with different clinical type, size and location of tumours were treated with ECT as a single treatment (18 animals with 52 tumour nodules) or as adjuvant treatment with marginal surgical excision (14 animals with 18 tumour nodules). In animals treated only with ECT with cisplatin, complete response was obtained in 48/52 (92.3 per cent) nodul...
James O, Payne R, Bathe A, Greet T, Wylie C.To describe the clinical details and pathology within the dorsal and plantar pouches of the tarsocrural joint of a population of horses that underwent arthroscopic surgery for tarsocrural osteochondritis dissecans (OCD). Methods: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: Horses referred for arthroscopic treatment of tarsocrural OCD between 2005 and 2013 (102 horses; 144 joints). Methods: Case records of all horses that had tarsocrural arthroscopy for OCD at Rossdales Equine Hospital, Newmarket, United Kingdom were included. Cases from 3 ECVS Diplomates were included, 1 of whom routinely examined 70...
Elce YA, Laverty S, Almeida da Silveira E, Piat P, Trencart P, Ruzickova P, Reardon RJ.To estimate the frequency of undetected perforations in surgical gloves during equine surgery and to identify risk factors associated with occurrence. Methods: Observational cohort study. Methods: Surgical gloves-292 pairs. Methods: Water leak tests were performed on gloves after equine surgery to detect perforations. Fifty pairs of unused gloves were also tested. Potential risk factors were recorded. Logistic regression was used to explore associations between putative risk factors and perforation. Results: No perforations were detected in the unused gloves. Of 292 pairs of used gloves tested...
Caston SS, Schleining JA, Danielson JA, Kersh KD, Reinertson EL.To determine if instruction using simulated small intestine (SSI) is as effective as using cadaveric small intestine to teach the Gambee suture pattern to second year veterinary students. Methods: Prospective, randomized, blinded study. Methods: Second year veterinary students (n=59). Methods: Students were randomly assigned to groups using SSI or equine cadaver small intestine (CSI) to learn the Gambee suture pattern. The same educator, an experienced surgical instructor, instructed all students. Instruction consisted of verbal description of the technique with a schematic diagram followed by...
Biedrzycki AH, Grant BG, Nemke B, Morello SL, Markel MD.OBJECTIVE To evaluate the biomechanical properties of 4 methods for fusion of the centrodistal and tarsometatarsal joints in horses and compare them among each other and with control tarsi. SAMPLE 24 sets of paired tarsi without substantial signs of osteoarthritis harvested from equine cadavers. PROCEDURES Test constructs (n = 6/type) were prepared from 1 tarsus from each pair to represent surgical drilling; 2 medially to laterally placed kerf-cut cylinders (MLKCs); a single large, dorsally applied kerf-cut cylinder (DKC); and a dorsomedially applied locking compression plate (DMLCP). Construc...
Embertson RM, Colahan PT, Brown MP, Peyton LC, Schneider RK, Granstedt ME.Twelve cases of ileal impaction in the horse were reviewed. Clinical features of the disease included evidence of mild abdominal pain, reduced or absent intestinal sounds, rectally palpable distended small intestine, gastric reflux, and in the early stages, normal peritoneal fluid. Surgical correction of the impaction was accomplished in 10 horses. Of 8 horses discharged from the hospital, 7 returned to full function. It was concluded that the shorter the duration of colic before surgical intervention, the better the prognosis.
Tokushige H, Okano A, Arima D, Ito H, Kambayashi Y, Minamijima Y, Ohta M.The aim of the present study was to evaluate clinical efficacy of constant rate infusions (CRIs) of medetomidine-propofol combined with sevoflurane anesthesia in Thoroughbred racehorses undergoing arthroscopic surgery. Thirty horses were sedated intravenously (IV) with medetomidine (6.0 μg/kg) and midazolam (0.02 mg/kg) and induced IV with ketamine (1.0 mg/kg) and propofol (1.0 mg/kg). These horses were randomly allocated to three groups and maintained with sevoflurane and CRI of either medetomidine (3.0 μg/kg/h) (Group M; n = 10); or medetomidine (3.0 μg/kg/h) and propofol (3.0 ...
Auer JA, Martens RJ, Williams EH.Seventeen foals with angular limb deformities of the distal end of the radius (valgus: 26 limbs), distal end of the tibia (valgus: 6 limbs), and distal end of the 3rd metacarpal bone/metatarsal bone (varus: 4 limbs) were treated surgically by means of hemicircumferential division of the periosteum proximal to the involved growth plate, at the concave side of the bone. There was some correction in all cases. The best results were seen in the radius, where 22 of 25 limbs were corrected to a deviation of 4 degrees or less. Satisfactory correction was obtained in the 6 tibias, the 2 third metacarp...
Kaneps AJ, Hultgren BD, Riebold TW, Shires GM.Surgical incisions were made in the skin and superficial digital flexor tendons in horses. A low intensity laser therapy device was used to treat the limbs. After laser therapy was completed, skin and superficial digital flexor tendons from incised laser-irradiated, incised-control, and nonincised-control limbs were compared microscopically. Qualitative differences between laser irradiated and nonirradiated tissues were not found. The laser therapy device used in this study may be of insufficient power to affect wound healing.
Seo JP, Yamaga T, Tsuzuki N, Yamada K, Haneda S, Furuoka H, Tabata Y, Sasaki N.This pilot study assessed the efficacy of 2 minimally invasive techniques for proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint arthrodesis in horses. The PIP joints of both forelimbs (n = 6) were stabilized with locking compression plates (LCP) using a minimally invasive technique (LCP technique). Subsequently, for 1 randomly selected PIP joint of each horse, surgical drilling (SurD) was performed and tissue engineering (TE) was applied (LCP/SurD/TE technique). Minimally invasive PIP joint arthrodesis with LCP demonstrated low postoperative infection rates. Gross and histological evaluations revealed cons...
Ruggles AJ, Ross MW, Freeman DE.Sixteen horses with suspected paranasal sinus disease had endoscopic examination of the paranasal sinuses with a 4.0 mm arthroscope either while standing and sedated (14 horses) or under general anesthesia (two horses). Endoscopic diagnosis included sinusitis (four horses), sinus cyst (three horses), hemorrhage (three horses), neoplasia (three horses), and tooth root abnormalities (two horses). No abnormalities were detected in one horse. Endoscopic findings concurred with the radiographic findings in 13 horses (81%). Samples of sinus contents for bacteriologic (eight horses) and histologic ex...
Madison JB, Dreyfuss DJ, Charlton C.A 4-year-old Thoroughbred gelding with a history of chronic colic was referred for evaluation of signs of abdominal pain. Exploratory laparotomy revealed a diverticulum of the distal portion of the ileum located between the layers of the mesentery. The diverticulum was similar in location and appearance to acquired ileal diverticula described in human beings. Complete bypass of the diverticulum by ileocecostomy resulted in apparent resolution of the chronic colic in this horse.
Hughes FE, Slone DE.To describe an alternative technique for large colon resection and anastomosis in horses. Methods: Retrospective study of clinical patients. Methods: 37 horses that had ventral midline celiotomies between July 1, 1990, and July 1, 1994. Methods: Large colon resection and anastomosis was performed using a modification of previously described techniques. Modifications include mesocolon ligation with a stapling device and an end-to-end apposition of the right ventral and right dorsal colon. Results: Twenty-one of the 37 horses were discharged from the hospital without complications. Two horses we...
Martin GS, McIlwraith CW.Arthroscopic anatomy of the equine intercarpal and radiocarpal joints was documented in six cadaver limbs and on observations made during surgical treatment of horses with carpal osteochondral fractures. Instrument positions and arthroscopic visualisation were recorded. The cadaver limbs were dissected and iatrogenic lesions recorded. A single arthroscopic portal examination was adequate in both joints; however, a second arthroscopic portal improved visualisation. The intercarpal joint was more easily examined than the radiocarpal joint because of anatomical differences. Iatrogenic lesions wer...
Reppas GP, McClintock SA, Canfield PJ, Watson GF.Mammary gland neoplasms in horses are uncommon and may initially be confused with mastitis. Masses from the mammary glands of two horses with chronic discharges were examined by cytology and histopathology. Both masses were diagnosed as papillary ductal adenocarcinomas with extensive intraductal and intralobular involvement and only focal infiltration of the adjacent stroma. Complementary immunohistochemical studies were made of both fresh and formalin-fixed tumour tissue, and attempts were made to assess the steroid receptor status of fresh tissue biochemically to assess the possibility of ho...
Komáromy AM, Andrew SE, Brooks DE, Detrisac CJ, Gelatt KN.A periocular nodular sarcoid of the right upper and lower eyelids was diagnosed in an 11-year-old Thoroughbred mare. Computed tomography scan revealed the extent of the tumor. The mass was surgically debulked under general anesthesia, and the affected periocular region was injected intralesionally with Bacillus of Calmette and Guerin (BCG). An emulsion of cell wall fractions was used, which has been modified to reduce the toxic and allergic effect, but retain the antitumor activity. In total, five injections were performed at 2-week intervals. At follow-up 7 months after the last BCG injection...
Goulden BE, Anderson LG.During the years 1971-1979, 127 horses with left laryngeal hemiplegia were studied. The physical characteristics and clinical signs observed in this study were recorded in Part I and Part II of ths series of papers. Of these 127 horses, 81 were treated by the laryngoplasty procedure. Complications of surgery are described and the effects of the operation on respiratory noise and performance are evaluated. In 54.8% of horses the chronic respiratory noise observed during exercise was apparently diminished or eliminated post-operatively. The performance of 44% of horses was apparently improved af...
Gay CC, Speirs VC, Christie BA, Smyth B, Parry B.Six horses, which had a foreign body obstruction of the small colon showed abdominal pain of progressing severity and intestinal tympany. On rectal examination the caecum and large colon were distended with ingesta and gas but the obstructing mass could be palpated in only 3 cases. All horses had elevated indirect blood pressure and in 3 there was also fluid distension of the stomach. Only one horse had known access to foreign material in the diet, but a further 3 were related to an exceptionally dry climate period. Five of the 6 horses recovered following surgery.
Campbell EJ, Bailey JV.Tensile testing of reproducible loops of size 5 braided polyester, size 2 polyglycolic acid, size 2 monofilament nylon, and size 2 polydioxanone sutures was performed in vitro and after subcutaneous implantation in horses for 7, 14, and 28 days. Maximum breaking strength, energy absorption, and percentage elongation to breakage point were measured. Size 5 braided polyester had the highest maximum breaking strength and energy absorption over 28 days. Polydioxanone had better mechanical performance over 28 days than did polyglycolic acid. On day 28, none of these parameters was measurable in pol...
Wolfsdorf KE.Methods to manage twins after fixation include natural reduction,dietary reduction, transvaginal ultrasound-guided aspiration,surgical removal, craniocervical dislocation, and transabdominal ultrasound-guided injection. Of these, results have been inconsistent with regard to producing a single healthy foal, except for craniocervical dislocation. This new technique enables the twin to be reduced before complete placenta formation has occurred, allowing the remaining fetus to use the entire endometrial surface and grow to its full potential.
Hance SR, Embertson RM.Colopexies were performed in 44 broodmares requiring abdominal surgery for large colon volvulus or right dorsal displacement of the large colon. Colopexies were performed by suturing the lateral bands of the left and right ventral colon to the ventral abdominal wall. Forty-seven percent of the mares in which a colopexy was performed had previous surgery for a large colon volvulus or right dorsal displacement of the large colon. Postoperative complications considered directly associated with the colopexy procedure were intermittent abdominal pain in 7, reoperation in 5, subcutaneous fistulous t...
Haynes PF, Snider TG, McClure JR, McClure JJ.Chronic chondritis of the arytenoid cartilage was diagnosed in 7 male Thoroughbred horses examined for obstructive upper airway disorders. The history of the cases was characterized by a 3- to 6-month progression of exercise intolerance and inspiratory dyspnea during exercise. Endoscopy revealed marked asymmetry of the rima glottidis, partial or complete inability to abduct the involved cartilage, and axial displacement of the involved arytenoid cartilage. In less severe cases, the disorder was confused with laryngeal hemiplegia. Focal elevated lesions of the involved cartilage, which were fre...
Carmalt JL, Linn KA.To describe a large segmental (sub-total) mandibulectomy for removal of an undifferentiated sarcoma in a horse. Methods: Clinical report. Methods: A 10-year-old mare. Methods: A combination of methods including computed tomography (CT) were used to diagnose a large undifferentiated sarcoma of the right mandible. A large segmental mandibulectomy extending from 3 cm below the right temporomandibular joint to immediately caudal to tooth 407 was used to perform an en-bloc resection of the mass under general anesthesia. Results: Surgery time was 11 hours and 35 minutes and total anesthesia time, 12...
Betbeze CM, Dray SM, Fontenot RL.To develop a protocol for subconjunctival enucleation and orbital implant placement in standing horses and to document short- and long-term complications, cosmesis, and client satisfaction. Methods: 20 horses with nonneoplastic ocular disease requiring enucleation. Methods: A standardized protocol of surgical suite cleaning, patient preparation, sedation, local nerve blocks, surgical procedure, and postoperative care was performed. Owners were required to provide follow-up information at 1 year after surgery during a phone questionnaire. Additionally, some owners provided follow-up information...
Frankeny RL, Wilson DA, Messer NT, Campbell-Beggs C.Jejunojejunal intussusception occurred after jejunal resection and stapled functional end-to-end anastomosis in two pony mares. In both mares, the lead point of the intussusception was the stapled functional end-to-end (FEE) anastomosis. The stapled free ends of jejunum were oversewn with an inverting suture pattern. A possible explanation for development of the intussusception was the acute angle created in the intestine by the FEE anastomosis. This angulation may have impaired flow of ingesta causing motility changes that predisposed the site to intussusception. Because the oversewn blind in...
Whitehair KJ, Adams SB, Toombs JP, Parker JE, Prostredny JM, Whitehair JG, Aiken SW.A llama, a miniature horse, and a miniature donkey with severe bilateral congenital flexural deformities of the metacarpophalangeal and metatarsophalangeal joints were treated successfully by arthrodesis with dynamic compression plating or external skeletal fixation. The flexor tendons were more taut than the suspensory ligaments and were transected. In the llama, the suspensory ligament was transected, and overcorrection caused ischemic necrosis of one distal limb and subluxation of the other fetlock joint. In the horse and donkey, the suspensory ligament was preserved and wedge osteotomy was...
McClure JT, Kobluk C, Voller K, Geor RJ, Ames TR, Sivula N.Four miniature foals admitted with signs of progressive nonresponsive abdominal pain and no fecal production had fecalith impaction of the small colon. Duration of clinical signs ranged from 10 hours to 5 days. Removal of the fecalith via small colon enterotomy was a successful treatment in all 4 cases. Miniature foals may be predisposed to fecalith impaction of the small colon. If a miniature foal has signs of progressive nonresponsive abdominal pain, fecalith impaction needs to be considered. Surgical correction may be required.
Honnas CM, Dabareiner RM, McCauley BH.Because of the hoof capsule, surgery of the equine foot is often perceived to be quite difficult. Knowledge of the specific disease entities that require surgical intervention as well as an in-depth understanding of the anatomy of the tissues beneath the hoof capsule is a definite prerequisite to successful surgical treatment. This article details the surgical approaches used to treat septic navicular bursitis, septic pedal osteitis, infection of the collateral cartilages, and keratomas. The principles used to treat these conditions can be applied to a variety of other conditions for which acc...
Browning AP, Collins JA.Combinations of romifidine and butorphanol were used to sedate 55 horses for a variety of surgical, therapeutic and diagnostic procedures. Eighteen of the horses were given the drugs separately, romifidine first followed by butorphanol four minutes later, and 37 were given the drugs together. The levels of sedation and ataxia were assessed and graded, and there were no statistically significant differences between the two methods of administration. The side effects were typical of the alpha-2 agonists, including bradycardia, heart block and some sweating. Box-walking was observed in one horse....
