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.
DeCarbo WT, Feldner BM, Hyer CF.Equine pericardium xenograft is now widely used to augment Achilles tendon repair. In this article, we describe the case of a postoperative complication in a healthy 37-year-old male who underwent primary repair, augmented with equine pericardium, of his acutely ruptured Achilles tendon. At 4 months postoperative, an indurated and fluctuant subcutaneous soft tissue reaction was noted at the repair site. Further questioning led the patient to recall having an allergy to horses, although it had been a very long time since he had experienced any symptoms related to the allergy and, as such, he fa...
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...
Robinson E, Carmalt JL.To report inguinal herniation of the ascending colon in a Standardbred colt. Methods: Case report. Methods: A 6-month-old Standardbred colt. Methods: The colt underwent surgical exploration of the hernia with large colon resection and anastomosis. Results: A successful large colon resection and anastomosis was completed, however, the colt was euthanatized at the end of surgery upon owner request. Conclusions: Although uncommon, indirect inguinal herniation of the ascending colon can occur in young horses.
Ludders JW, Palos HM, Erb HN, Lamb SV, Vincent SE, Gleed RD.To determine if horses before undergoing anesthesia for surgical correction of colic would have lower plasma arginine vasopressin (AVP) concentrations than healthy horses undergoing anesthesia for arthroscopic surgery, and would not increase their plasma AVP concentrations in response to anesthesia and surgery. Methods: Prospective clinical study. Methods: University teaching hospital. Methods: Fourteen horses with colic and 8 healthy horses. Methods: Horses with colic underwent anesthesia and surgery for alleviation of colic, and healthy horses underwent anesthesia and surgery for arthroscopy...
Lang HM, Panizzi L, Allen AL, Woodbury MR, Barber SM.To evaluate 3 drilling techniques for arthrodesis of the equine carpometacarpal (CMC) joint. Methods: Experimental study. Methods: Cadaveric equine forelimbs (n=15). Methods: Limbs were divided into 3 groups (5 limbs each) to evaluate 3 drilling techniques: (1) use of a 4.5 mm drill bit inserted into the joint through 4 entry points and moved in a fanning motion; (2) a 5.5 mm drill bit inserted through 2 entry points to create 3 nonfanned drill tracts (3 drill technique); and (3) a 4.5 mm drill bit used in a 3 drill technique. The CMC joint was disarticulated after drilling, and cartilage and ...
Barber SM, Panizzi L, Lang HM.To evaluate arthrodesis as a treatment for carpometacarpal joint osteoarthritis (CMC-OA). Methods: Case series. Methods: Horses (n=12) with CMC-OA. Methods: Arthrodesis was facilitated by insertion and fanning of a drill bit into the CMC joint at several (3-5) locations in 15 limbs. Follow-up radiographs were obtained for 7 horses (9 limbs). Outcome was determined by telephone survey of owners based on postoperative pain, return to use, appearance of the limb, and success of treatment. Results: Postoperative pain was slight or moderate in 10 of 12 (83%) horses during the first 30 days, and 11 ...
Barakzai SZ, Boden LA, Dixon PM.To (1) assess the degree of arytenoid cartilage abduction lost after laryngoplasty (LP) in Thoroughbred National Hunt racehorses and (2) to correlate postoperative racing performance with degree of arytenoid abduction after LP. Methods: Case series. Methods: National Hunt Thoroughbred racehorses (n=68). Methods: Grade of postoperative arytenoid abduction for National Hunt racehorses that had LP with ventriculocordectomy was assessed at 1 day, 6 days, and 6 weeks after LP. Race records were analyzed to ascertain if there was correlation between the degree of arytenoid cartilage abduction and va...
Barakzai SZ, Boden LA, Dixon PM.To evaluate the effect of laryngoplasty (LP) on race performance in longer distance (National Hunt) Thoroughbred racehorses. Methods: Case-control study. Methods: National Hunt Thoroughbred racehorses (n=71) and race-matched controls (n=126). Methods: Race records for National Hunt racehorses that had LP and ventriculocordectomy were analyzed and racing performance was compared with race-matched controls. Results: Sixty-three of 71 cases were matched with controls. Postoperatively, 78% of cases raced, 47% improved their individual performance and cases were as likely to start in 1 or 3 races a...
Belda E, Blissitt KJ, Duncan JC, Laredo FG, Escobar Gil de Montes M, Clutton RE.To record the bispectral index (BIS) when horses moved during either halothane or sevoflurane anaesthesia and when they made volitional movements during recovery from these anaesthetics. Methods: Randomized prospective clinical study. Methods: Twenty-five client-owned horses undergoing surgery aged 8.8 (+/- 5.3; 1-19) years (mean +/- SD; range). Methods: Baseline BIS values were recorded before pre-anaesthetic medication (BIS(B)) and during anaesthesia (BIS(A)) maintained with halothane (group H; n = 12) or sevoflurane (group S; n =13) at approximately 0.8-0.9 x minimum alveolar concentrations...
Brink P, Dolvik NI, Tverdal A.The presence and degree of tarsocrural joint effusion and lameness, and the result of a hindlimb flexion test were scored subjectively in 79 horses before, and six weeks to 20 months after, arthroscopic surgery to remove osteochondritis dissecans fragments. The scores of all three variables improved significantly after surgery. The score reductions for the right and left hindlimbs, respectively, were 82 per cent and 95 per cent for lameness, 48 per cent and 41 per cent for joint effusion, and 89 per cent and 84 per cent for reaction to flexion (P < or = 0.01). The oldest horses reacted more fa...
Frisbie DD, Lu Y, Kawcak CE, DiCarlo EF, Binette F, McIlwraith CW.Current autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) techniques require 2 surgical procedures: 1 for cell harvest and 1 for reimplantation of cultured cells. A 1-step procedure is more desirable. Objective: A 1-step surgical procedure using autologous cartilage fragments on a polydioxanone scaffold, or CAIS (cartilage autograft implantation system), in a clinically relevant defect (15-mm diameter) within equine femoral trochlea was compared with a 2-step ACI technique as well as with empty defects and defects with polydioxanone foam scaffolds alone. Methods: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: ...
Plummer CE, Ollivier F, Kallberg M, Brooks D, Barrie K, Utter M, Gelatt K.Amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) is an effective clinical therapy for reconstruction of the ocular surface in human and veterinary patients. Amnion is avascular and strong, contains antiangiogenic and antiinflammatory properties and growth factors, and has properties that prevent or decrease fibrosis in healing tissue. Indications for its use are steadily growing and include grafting to replace diseased, missing or excised tissue, patching to support diseased tissue during the healing process and as a substrate for the expansion of epithelial cells for transplantation to the cornea. AMT...
Coleman MC, Slovis NM, Hunt RJ.It has been suggested that the success of gastric bypass surgery in foals for the treatment of gastric outflow obstruction is poor. However, few reports exist evaluating the long-term prognosis of these cases. Objective: To determine the long-term success of foals, including racing records, surgically treated for gastric outflow obstruction secondary to gastroduodenal ulceration. Methods: Medical records of foals undergoing surgical treatment of gastric outflow obstruction secondary to gastroduodenal ulceration were evaluated for clinical information. Owners, trainers and race records were eva...
Voermans M, Skidell J, Winberg F.Prestenotic oesophageal dilatation and stricture were diagnosed in a horse with a history of trauma in the cervical area and recurrent oesophageal obstruction. The diagnosis was established on the basis of the clinical examination, endoscopy, and positive contrast oesophagography. Conservative treatment was unsuccessful and surgical intervention was necessary. Oesophageal myectomy combined with myoplasty was performed, simultaneously relieving the dilatation and the stricture. No abnormalities were detected 8 weeks after surgery. The horse was on a normal diet and oesophageal obstruction did r...
Hackett ES, Bruemmer J, Hendrickson DA, McCue PM.Description-An 11-year-old Quarter Horse stallion was admitted for intermittent hemospermia of 4 years' duration. Results: A linear vertical defect had been detected endoscopically following multiple episodes of hemospermia on the caudodorsal convex surface of the urethra at the level of the ischial arch. Results: When sexual rest alone did not result in complete healing of the urethral defect, a subischial urethrotomy and buccal mucosal urethroplasty were performed. The surgical site healed without complication. Four months of sexual rest was recommended after surgery. Repeat endoscopy at 4 m...
Sanz MG, Sellon DC, Cary JA, Hines MT, Farnsworth KD.To compare the analgesic efficacy of administration of butorphanol tartrate, phenylbutazone, or both drugs in combination in colts undergoing routine castration. Methods: Randomized controlled clinical trial. Methods: 36 client-owned colts. Methods: Horses received treatment with butorphanol alone (0.05 mg/kg [0.023 mg/lb], IM, prior to surgery and then q 4 h for 24 hours), phenylbutazone alone (4.4 mg/kg [2.0 mg/lb], IV, prior to surgery and then 2.2 mg/kg [1.0 mg/lb], PO, q 12 h for 3 days), or butorphanol and phenylbutazone at the aforementioned dosages (12 horses/group). For single-drug-tr...
Krista KM, Kuebelbeck KL.To determine how survival rates in geriatric horses (>or= 20 years old) undergoing abdominal exploratory surgery for colic compare with survival rates for younger (nongeriatric) horses. Methods: Retrospective case-control study. Methods: 56 geriatric horses and 487 nongeriatric horses undergoing exploratory celiotomy for colic. Methods: Medical records of all horses undergoing emergency abdominal exploratory surgery for primary gastrointestinal tract lesions over a 10-year period were reviewed. Data retrieved included signalment, primary gastrointestinal tract lesion, whether the horse was ...
Stephen J, Harty M, Hollis A, Yeomans J, Corley K.An 11-year-old mare presented 36 hours after foaling with a ruptured bladder. Uroperitoneum was diagnosed on ultrasound and from the creatinine concentration of the peritoneal fluid. Bladder endoscopy demonstrated tissue necrosis and a rent in the dorsocranial aspect of the bladder. Following stabilisation, including abdominal drainage and lavage, the mare was taken to standing surgery. Under continuous sedation and epidural anaesthesia, and after surgical preparation, a Balfour retractor was placed in the vagina. Using sterile lubricant and moderate force, it was possible to insert a hand int...
Brown P.Synthetic mesh products have been used to repair abdominal wall defects (eg, hernias) for many years. Biological mesh products are now available as an option when synthetic mesh products are not appropriate. To correctly prepare biological tissue grafts for use in the OR, perioperative nurses must understand the types of grafts available. Biological tissue grafts may be harvested from human, porcine, bovine, or equine hosts and from skin, pericardium, or small intestine submucosa.
Bubeck KA, GarcÃa-López J, Maranda LS.To compare heat generation and time to finish between a new step drill and sequential drilling in order to create a 6.2 mm pilot hole for insertion of a positive profile transfixation pin into the equine third metacarpal bone. Methods: Nine pairs of equine third metacarpal bones from cadavers of adult horses were used. Maximum temperature rise of the bone was measured continuously at the cis- and trans-cortices 1, 2 and 3 mm from the final pilot hole during creation of a 6.2 mm hole using a step drill and sequential drilling with 4.5, 5.5 and 6.2 mm drill bits. Five holes were drilled into the...
Jalim SL, McKinnon AO, Russell TM.A Monteggia fracture is a humero-radial luxation combined with a fracture of the ulna. It is a rare injury, infrequently reported in the horse. This case report describes the surgical repair of such a fracture in a 4-month-old filly.
Love EJ, Taylor PM, Clark C, Whay HR, Murrell J.In the UK butorphanol has a marketing authorisation for administration to horses for sedation in combination with detomidine, and at a higher dose (0.1 mg/kg bwt), for the alleviation of pain. There is only a limited number of clinical studies designed to examine the analgesic effects of butorphanol administration following surgery. Objective: To investigate the effect of premedication with butorphanol on post operative pain following castration under general anaesthesia in ponies. Objective: Ponies receiving butorphanol would experience less pain after castration than ponies that did not rece...
Vanderperren K, Martens A, Haers H, Duchateau L, Saunders JH.Arthroscopy of the fetlock joints is a routine surgical procedure in the horse. It is unclear how much of the articular surface of the condyles of the metacarpal (MCIII)/metatarsal (MTIII) bone can be visualised using either the dorsal or palmar/plantar arthroscopic approach. Objective: To investigate which part of the articular surface of the MCIII/MTIII condyles of the fetlock joints can be evaluated arthroscopically using: 1) dorsal approach in combination with flexion; 2) standard palmar/plantar approach; or 3) additional portal at the base of the sesamoid bone with joint extension. Method...
Kummer M, Gygax D, Jackson M, Bettschart-Wolfensberger R, Fürst A.Complications associated with equine castration can have medical and financial consequences. This retrospective study investigated a novel method of castration via an inguinal approach in mature stallions and compared the incidence of complications with other methods. Objective: Castration via an inguinal approach has a low complication rate at the site of surgery compared with other castration techniques. Methods: Mature stallions (n = 238) were castrated under general anaesthesia in dorsal recumbency using an inguinal approach. The vaginal process was incised, the spermatic cord ligated twic...
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...
Bell C, Tatarniuk D, Carmalt J.To describe and evaluate an endoscope-guided balloon sinuplasty technique for dilation of the equine nasomaxillary opening (NMO). Methods: Experimental study. Methods: Equine cadaver heads (n=5); Quarter Horses (n=4). Methods: A custom rigid balloon introducer was passed into position within the NMO at the caudal recess of the middle meatus. Under endoscopic guidance, a balloon catheter was passed via the introducer into the NMO and inflated to 6 atmospheres, for 30 seconds 3 times, to dilate the NMO. Drainage rates after sinuplasty were evaluated for the caudal maxillary sinus in 5 cadaver he...
Moore RM, Muir WW, Bertone AL, Oliver JL.To determine the effect of platelet-activating factor (PAF) antagonist L-691,880 on low-flow ischemia and reperfusion (I-R) of the large colon in horses. Methods: 12 adult horses. Methods: Horses were anesthetized, and the large colon was exteriorized through a ventral median celiotomy and instrumented. Colonic arterial blood flow was reduced to 20% of baseline (BL) and maintained for 3 hours; flow was then restored, and the colon was reperfused for 3 hours. One of two solutions was administered intravenously 30 minutes before reperfusion: group 1, 10 mL/kg 0.9% NaCl; and group 2, 5 mg/kg PAF ...
Tizzoni R, Tizzoni M.The present case illustrates how a tooth, which had a highly questionable prognosis, was preserved by carrying out a periodontal regeneration surgery. Background: Treatment of periodontitis involves a careful consideration of all the factors that may allow the achievement of a favorable outcome; among those, the skillful use of guided tissue regeneration (GTR) membranes is of paramount importance. Methods: A 39-year-old patient presented with a mobile central upper incisor due to severe periodontitis and was treated according to GTR principles using a collagen membrane. A collagen-preserving b...
Durham AE, Phillips TJ, Walmsley JP, Newton JR.Several clinical variables were compared in two groups of 15 horses recovering from resection and anastomosis of a strangulated small intestine; 15 were treated with parenteral nutrition and 15 were starved routinely. There was some evidence that parenteral nutrition had a short-lived adverse effect on both the catheter sites and gastric emptying, but there were no marked adverse clinical effects and no evidence of any improvement in the horses' condition.
Maulave J, Mascaró Triedo C, Portier K.To assess the reliability of a French version of the Horse Grimace Scale (HGSfv). Methods: Prospective, randomized, clinical study. Methods: The operated (OP) group included 13 horses undergoing elective surgery. The positive (PC) and negative control (NC) groups included seven colicking horses and eight exercising sport horses, respectively. Methods: Photographs were extracted from videos of the horses' heads. Videos were taken before and immediately after surgery in OP, on arrival of the horse in PC, and at rest in their stalls in NC. Pictures were evaluated by three anaesthetists [Diplomate...
Koskinen MJ, Virtala AK, McNally T.To assess racing performance of National Hunt thoroughbred (NH) racehorses with a definite diagnosis of palatal dysfunction treated with a laryngeal tie-forward procedure (LTF) and soft palate cautery (SPC) with or without transendoscopic laser excision of the aryepiglottic folds (TLEAF) and to determine correlation between performance measures. Methods: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: National Hunt racehorses treated with LTF, SPC ± TLEAF (n = 44) and nonaffected controls (n = 88). Methods: Performance was evaluated by using Racing Post ratings (RPR), race earnings (RE), and perform...
To evaluate the effects of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) alone and PEEP preceded by lung recruitment manoeuvre (LRM) on lung volumes and respiratory system mechanics in healthy horses undergoing general anaesthesia. Methods: Controlled, prospective clinical study. Methods: A group of 15 horses undergoing arthroscopy. Methods: Following anaesthetic induction, initial ventilatory settings were: tidal volume 15 mL kg, inspiratory:expiratory ratio 1:2, respiratory rate to maintain end-tidal CO between 5.3-6.6 kPa (40-50 mmHg). The following settings were implemented sequentially: zero PE...
Ogden NKE, Jukic CC, Zedler ST.To describe a surgical technique for rostral mandibulectomy and reconstruction of the mandibular symphysis. Methods: Case report. Methods: One 5-month-old warmblood cross filly. Methods: A preoperative diagnosis of a juvenile ossifying fibroma was made on the basis of clinical appearance and was later confirmed via histology. The tumor was large, rapidly growing and extending to the caudal aspect of the mandibular symphysis. Computed tomography was performed for surgical planning. The tumor was excised by performing a mandibulectomy caudal to the symphysis. The mandibular symphysis was reconst...
Herdrich MRA, Arrieta SE, Nelson BB, Frisbie DD, Moorman VJ.OBJECTIVE To determine accuracy for a technique of needle redirection at a single craniolateral site for injection of 3 compartments of the equine stifle joint, describe the external needle position, and identify the location of the needle tip within each joint compartment. SAMPLE 24 equine cadaver stifle joints. PROCEDURES Stifle joints were placed in a customized stand. After the needle was placed, external needle position was measured and recorded. Each joint compartment (medial and lateral compartments of the femorotibial joint and the femoropatellar joint) was injected with a solution con...
Dabareiner RM, Sullins KE, White NA.The clinical and radiographic progression, and arthroscopic findings for nine young horses (< 1 year of age) with femoropatellar osteochondrosis (OCD) are presented. Horses had a 2 to 12 week history of bilateral (8 horses) or unilateral (1 horse) hindlimb lameness. The most consistent clinical signs included femoropatellar joint distention and bilateral hindlimb lameness. At the onset of clinical signs, radiographic lesions were not present (4 horses) or subtle (5 horses), but were easily identified on radiographs taken 4 to 24 weeks later. Arthroscopic surgery was delayed until radiograph...
Chesnel MA, Clutton RE.Previous studies indicated that perioperative morphine improves recovery quality after general anaesthesia in horses. This clinical trial investigated whether this effect was dose-dependant. Twenty-six horses anaesthetised for surgery were block-randomised to receive one of two intraoperative morphine treatments: Treatment M1 consisted of a constant rate infusion (CRI) of morphine at 0.1mg/kg/h, begun after a loading dose (LD) of 0.15 mg/kg. Treatment M2 was a CRI of 0.2mg/kg/h preceded by an LD of 0.3mg/kg. During recovery, times at the first attempt and at achieving sternal recumbency and st...
Blazyczek I, Hamann H, Deegen E, Distl O, Ohnesorge B.Between 1994 and 2001, guttural pouch tympany was diagnosed in 51 foals; there were approximately three times as many fillies as colts, of Arabian, different German warmblood breeds and Western horse breeds. There were significantly more Arabian and paint horse foals than expected in comparison with the breed distribution of the foals hospitalised at the Clinic for Horses. The foals' breed and sex did not influence the age of onset, the type and severity of the clinical signs or the recurrence rate. A surgical laser technique was used on 50 of the foals; in 35 cases only one surgical treatment...
Pauwels FE, Wigley SJ, Munday JS, Roe WD.A 13-year-old Thoroughbred mare was presented with a history of mild colic over 3 days. This colic had acutely exacerbated and was unresponsive to analgesic treatment, and was referred to Massey University Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Results: On examination the heart rate was 100 beats per minute, and mucous membranes were pale and tacky. A large mass was detected on transrectal palpation in the caudal abdomen to the left of midline. Explorative laparotomy revealed severe haemoperitoneum and several masses that were associated with the reproductive tract. The mare was then subject to euthana...
Robinson P, Williams KJ, Sullins KE, Arnoczky SP, Stick JA, Robinson NE, de Feijter-Rupp H, Derksen FJ.Trans-endoscopic laser surgery, such as unilateral laser-assisted ventriculocordectomy (LVC), has gained popularity in the treatment of RLN because a laryngotomy incision or general anaesthesia are not required. However, removal of the vocal fold and ventricle takes considerable laser energy and could cause collateral tissue damage, including injury to the adjacent laryngeal cartilages. Objective: To document the histological effects of laser surgery on laryngeal tissues in horses that have undergone LVC for the treatment of laryngeal hemiplegia (LH). Methods: Six horses were used: 4 with expe...
Maninchedda U, Lepage OM, Gangl M, Benredouane K.To (1) describe ultrasound-guided percutaneous introduction of a transarterial angiographic catheter into the common carotid artery (CCA); (2) investigate the feasibility of using angiography of the carotid arteries in the guttural pouch region and assess transarterial coil (TAC) placement into the internal carotid artery (ICA). Methods: Experimental study. Methods: Healthy Standardbred horses (n = 6), aged 5-8 years. Methods: Six horses had ultrasound-guided percutaneous CCA catheterization and angiography under general anesthesia. Catheterization sites were ultrasonographically evaluated pos...
Barakzai SZ, Finnegan C, Dixon PM, Hillyer MH, Boden LA.The prevalence of the use of tongue ties, calculated from 60 randomly selected race meetings held in the UK during 2001 to 2003, was 5.0 per cent. After its first use on an individual horse a tongue tie was used in an average of 77 per cent of its races during the first 12 months, but after this time period, in only 55 per cent of its races. Thirty-nine per cent of horses that underwent surgery for dorsal displacement of the soft palate raced with a tongue tie preoperatively, and 41 per cent of these surgical cases raced with a tongue tie postoperatively.
Kilcoyne I, Dechant JE, Nieto JE.OBJECTIVE To compare clinical findings and short-term outcome for horses with intestinal entrapment in the gastrosplenic ligament (GLE) with those of horses with intestinal entrapment in the epiploic foramen (EFE). DESIGN Retrospective case-control study. ANIMALS 43 horses with GLE (cases) and 73 horses with EFE (controls). PROCEDURES Medical records of horses examined because of colic at a veterinary teaching hospital between 1992 and 2012 were reviewed. Signalment was extracted from medical records for all horses with colic (colic population), and additional information regarding colic histo...
Rijkenhuizen AB, Sinclair D, Jahn W.Aortoiliac thrombosis (AIT) is a progressive vascular disease characterised by an exercise-induced hindlimb lameness. After developing a surgical technique, a follow-up study was required. Objective: To assess the surgical results of a surgical thrombectomy in horses with AIT, a chronic arterial occlusive disease of the aorta and its caudal arteries. Methods: Seventeen cases showed the typical signs of AIT and diagnosis was confirmed by Doppler-ultrasonography. Average age of the horses was 12 years. Seven stallions, 6 mares and 4 geldings were included. Results: The thrombus was located in th...
McGhee JD, White NA, Goodrich LR.To determine clinical and ultrasonographic abnormalities in horses with primary desmitis of the palmar or plantar annular ligament (PAL) and the response to treatment. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: 25 horses. Methods: Data collected from medical records included signalment, horse use, affected limb, severity and duration of lameness, results of diagnostic tests performed, ultrasonographic findings, treatment, and outcome. Results: All horses had a prominent swelling in the region of the affected PAL, and signs of pain were evident during palpation of the swelling. In all horses, the a...
Ford TS.Although most surgical procedures of the head are technically easier to perform with the horse under general anesthesia, other factors will influence whether a surgical procedure is performed with the horse standing or recumbent under the influence of general anesthesia. The accessibility of the head lends itself to many standing surgical procedures if the proper combination of analgesia and physical and chemical restraint is used. Traumatic injuries of the head (lacerations, facial bone fractures, and oral fractures) may involve vital structures, and a thorough examination is indicated. Failu...
Troya-Portillo L, López-Sanromán J, Villalba-Orero M, Santiago-Llorente I.Standing surgery under sedation reduces anesthetic-related mortality in horses. Medetomidine, alone and combined with morphine in a constant rate infusion (CRI), has been described for standing surgery but their cardiorespiratory, sedative and antinociceptive effects have never been compared. The addition of ketamine could improve analgesia in these procedures with minimal cardiorespiratory consequences. The objectives were to compare the cardiorespiratory effects, quality of sedation, antinociception and ataxia produced by administration of a medetomidine-based CRI with morphine, ketamine or ...
van Loon JP, Meertens NM, van Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbaan MM, van Dijk R.A 3-year-old Friesian stallion was referred to the Department of Equine Sciences at Utrecht University with signs of colic. Laparotomy was performed and the stallion was castrated bilaterally because of an incarcerated inguinal hernia. Intestinal resection was not performed. Eight days postoperatively, the horse showed signs of severe colic and was admitted for re-laparotomy. After resection of 1.5 m of strangulated jejunum and severe intraoperative hypotension, bradycardia, and electrolyte disorders, the horse showed problems during recovery with signs of hindquarter paralysis. There was no p...
Cerullo A, Gandini M, Giusto G.Laparoscopy is a common approach in equine surgery and has the advantage of improved visibility and diagnostic accuracy, decreased morbidity and hospitalization time. However, despite the numerous benefits, there can be intraoperative and postoperative complications which could have important welfare and economic consequences. The aim of this study was to perform a scoping review to identify current evidence on the occurrence, definition and classification of intra and postoperative complications in equine laparoscopy. A scoping review was conducted in scientific databases. Peer-reviewed scien...
Hopster-Iversen C, Hopster K, Staszyk C, Rohn K, Freeman D, Rötting AK.Large intestinal diseases in horses are characterised by inflammation, which could arise from the disease process with some contribution from intestinal manipulation. The effects of the latter are unknown but important to surgeons and could contribute to post operative complications. Objective: To characterise type and degree of intestinal inflammation induced by various mechanical stimuli in the equine ascending colon. Methods: Laparotomy was performed in 12 horses, the left dorsal colon exteriorised and 3 segments randomly exposed to different mechanical manipulations: 1) enterotomy, 2) ente...
Valentine BA, Del Piero F, Edwards RB.Intramuscular desmoid tumors (musculoaponeurotic fibromatosis) were discovered in two young adult horses. The tumor in one horse was in the lateral cervical musculature, and that in the second horse occurred in the pectoral musculature. Histopathologic features were similar in both horses and included proliferation of fibroblasts and cells expressing muscle actin (myofibroblasts), with extensive dissecting fibrosis within muscle. These features are similar to those of desmoid tumors in humans, particularly those also known as musculoaponeurotic fibromatosis. Dissection of these lesions reveale...
Moens Y.The mechanical ventilation of horses during anesthesia remains a crucial option for optimal anesthetic management, if the possible negative cardiovascular side effects are managed, because this species is prone to hypercapnia and hypoxemia. The combined use of capnography and pitot-based spirometry provide complementary information on ventilation and respiratory mechanics, respectively. This facilitates management of mechanical ventilation in conditions of changing respiratory system compliance (ie, laparoscopy) and when investigating new ventilatory strategies including alveolar recruitment m...
Rodriguez Galarza RM, McMullen RJ.To describe the clinical presentation, diagnostic imaging results, and treatment outcomes of a series of presumed spontaneous Descemet's membrane detachments (DMD), ruptures, or separations (DMRS) in the adult horse. Methods: Ten adult horses of various breeds with DMD or DMRS. Methods: Descemet's membrane detachments/DMRS were diagnosed via slit lamp biomicroscopy, ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM), and/or optical coherence tomography (OCT). Penetrating keratoplasty (PK) with heterologous corneal donor tissue (n = 1), superficial lamellar keratectomy, and Gundersen inlay flaps alone (GF, n =Â...
Smith MA, Ross MW.To determine features of postoperative wound infection caused by Actinobacillus spp in horses undergoing clean, elective surgery and to evaluate bacterial susceptibility profiles of bacteria isolated. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: 10 horses. Methods: Data were retrieved from medical records and the microbiology laboratory database. Results: 1,604 horses underwent clean, elective surgical procedures during the study period. Of these, 23 (1.43%) had postoperative wound infections, and Actinobacillus spp was isolated from 10 of these 23 (43%). Surgical procedures in these 10 horses inclu...
Bleetman D.The Great Western Ambulance Service Air Support Unit (ASU) was established in July 2007. The helicopter carries a doctor, providing a Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) model of care. Equestrian sport-related injuries account for 6.8% of the unit's total attended case load. Horse riding has a higher rate of severe injury than motorcycle racing and 45% of patients admitted with equestrian injuries require surgical intervention. Orthopaedic injuries to the extremities are commonest, superseding head injuries since the introduction of protective headwear. The majority of equestrian sport...
Rockow M, Griffenhagen G, Landolt G, Hendrickson D, Pezzanite L.In the past decade, there has been a considerable increase in the recognition of antimicrobial resistance in equine practice. The objective of this study was to survey the current clinical use of antimicrobials for a commonly performed surgical procedure (exploratory celiotomy) with the goal of understanding how recent literature and changes in microbial resistance patterns may have impacted antimicrobial selection practices. An electronic survey was distributed to veterinary professionals within the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) and the American College of Veterinar...
