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Topic:Veterinary Care
Veterinary care in horses encompasses the medical and preventive measures taken to maintain and improve the health and well-being of equine patients. It includes a wide range of practices such as routine health examinations, vaccinations, dental care, parasite control, and management of injuries and diseases. Veterinary care also involves diagnostic procedures, surgical interventions, and therapeutic treatments tailored to the specific needs of horses. This page gathers peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore various aspects of equine veterinary care, including advancements in diagnostic techniques, treatment protocols, and health management strategies to support the well-being and performance of horses.
Prevalence of virulent Rhodococcus equi in isolates from soil and feces of horses from horse-breeding farms with and without endemic infections. The prevalence of virulent Rhodococcus equi in isolates from soil and feces of foals on a farm with endemic R. equi infections was significantly higher than that of a farm with no history of the disease. Foals bred on a farm with the endemic disease might be constantly exposed to virulent R. equi in their environment.
Standing endoscopic electrosurgery. Common equine upper respiratory conditions are diagnosed via endoscopy. Endoscopic surgery facilitates correction of many conditions without general anesthesia or laryngotomy, reducing the morbidity and cost of the procedures. Modalities of endoscopic surgery include the Nd-YAG laser or electrosurgery, which may be complementary. The least expensive method is electrosurgery, and instruments are available that can be passed through the biopsy channel of the endoscope. Conditions amenable to such procedures include entrapped epiglottis, rostral displacement of the palatopharyngeal arch, pharynge...
An ultrasonographic off-set system for examination of equine tendons and ligaments. In a dorsal plane, an improved ultrasonographic off-set system was used to obtain serial ultrasonographic images with enhanced anatomic and pathologic detail of the tendons, ligaments, and associated structures of the limbs of 100 horses. The off-set provided good acoustic coupling between a linear array ultrasonographic transducer and the horse's skin. A water-soluble gel contained within the off-set had acoustic properties similar to those of mammalian soft tissues.
Standing surgery of the neck and thorax. Many surgical procedures of the head and neck can be safely performed in the standing horse, with easy access to all aspects of the surgical field. Some procedures, such as tracheotomy, are easier to perform with the horse standing with the head in a more natural position than with the horse under general anesthesia. Procedures of the neck and thorax that require evacuation of purulent and necrotic material from confined spaces, such as occur in horses with esophageal ruptures and extensive intrathoracic abscesses, can be done as standing procedures to avoid the risks of general anesthesia on ...
Effects of the fungal endophyte Acremonium coenophialum in fescue on pregnant mares and foal viability. Effects of the endophyte Acremonium coenophialum in tall fescue on pregnant mares and foal viability were evaluated. Twenty-two mature pregnant mares were randomly chosen to graze either Kentucky-31 tall fescue that was free from A coenophialum (endophyte-free, EF) or tall fescue infected with A coenophialum (endophyte-present, EP) after the first 90 days of pregnancy through parturition. Concentrations of pyrrolizidine and ergopeptine alkaloids were significantly greater in EP grass, compared with EF pasture. Ten of 11 mares grazing EP pasture had obvious dystocia. Mean duration of gestation ...
Standing surgery and procedures of the head. 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...
Septic tenosynovitis in horses: 25 cases (1983-1989). The medical records of 25 horses with septic tenosynovitis treated over 7 years (1983 to 1989) were reviewed to determine clinical features of the disease and response to treatment. The median age of horses with septic tenosynovitis was 5 years (range, 1 month to 21 years). Fourteen fore limbs and 11 hind limbs were affected. Sepsis was located in the sheath of the digital flexor tendons of 22 horses. Sepsis was located in the sheath of the extensor carpi radialis tendon (1 horse), sheath of the long digital extensor tendon (1 horse), or sheath of the common digital extensor tendon (1 horse) i...
The decision process. Standing surgery versus general anesthesia and recumbency. The decision to perform a procedure in the standing patient rather than in a completely anesthetized patient depends on many factors, such as patient health, cost, time, facilities, and anesthetic expertise. Although the procedure often is technically easier to perform if the patient is anesthetized, cost and patient risk considerations may result in a decision to do the surgery standing. Surgical experience in performing procedures standing is important for a successful outcome.
Perineural and spinal anesthesia. Local and regional anesthetic techniques are useful tools for the equine practitioner. These techniques allow surgery to be performed without the risk and cost of general anesthesia. There are, however, risks associated with the local and regional techniques. Neurotoxicity, although rare, may occur when 200 mL or more of a local anesthetic are infiltrated in a short period of time to a 450-kg horse. More likely, horses may become ataxic after nerve blockade in the limbs. This ataxia may lead to self trauma because the horse may not know where the limbs are actually being placed. Although local...
Standing laser surgery of the head and neck. The use of carbon dioxide and Nd:YAG lasers has expanded the capabilities of equine surgeons. These lasers are used to incise, vaporize, and coagulate tissue with minimal hemorrhage and reduced morbidity to the patient. In this article, practical fundamentals of laser surgery are briefly reviewed, and selected standing laser procedures of the head and neck are discussed.
Ophthalmic procedures and surgery in the standing horse. Although many ophthalmic procedures can be performed on the standing horse, the decision to perform a procedure under sedation rather than general anesthesia must be made on the basis of the temperament of the horse, severity of the injury, and skill of the veterinarian. For example, veterinarians who are not comfortable with small suture material may find accurate repair of an eyelid laceration easier after general anesthesia rather than attempting to handle this suture in a moving patient. Correct use of nerve blocks and topical anesthesia will greatly facilitate examination, diagnosis, and ...
Standing urogenital surgery. Caslick's, episioplasty, urethroplasty, cervical, and rectovestibular laceration repair are, by preference, performed in the standing patient. Normal castration is performed routinely uneventfully in the standing patient. The duration of the procedures and the ease with which they are accomplished in a standing horse of normal temperament make general anesthesia unnecessary. More invasive procedures, such as removal of urinary bladder calculi in male horses or removal of a neoplastic ovary in a mare, can be accomplished in a standing patient but serious consideration should be given to the use...
Standing abdominal surgery. Safe, effective surgery can be performed in the standing, conscious horse using a combination of mechanical and chemical restraint. Clear indications for performing standing abdominal surgery exist, but many procedures are best performed under general anesthesia. The preferred approach involves a modified grid incision of the left paralumbar fossa. Flank celiotomy allows the surgeon to thoroughly explore the abdominal cavity, but few structures can be exteriorized, and visibility of abdominal contents is poor. Indications for standing abdominal surgery include diagnosis of abdominal masses, dr...
Ultrasonic determination of fetal gender in horses and cattle under farm conditions. Accuracy of transrectal ultrasonic diagnosis of fetal gender by identifying and locating the genital tubercle was assessed in 85 horses and 102 dairy heifers and cows. Examinations were made once (horses and cattle) under farm conditions (cattle) on approximately Days 50 to 100. Definite diagnosis was made by removal of fetuses (horses) or after calving or abortion (cattle). In both species and both parities, accuracy was 100% (109 109 totaled over both species) when the certainty level recorded at the time of examination was 95 or 99%. At the lower levels of certainty (65 to 80%, 85 to 90%), ...
Lymphosarcoma with urinary bladder infiltration in a horse. A 9-year-old Thoroughbred mare was examined because of pollakiuria, hematuria, and weight loss of 3 weeks' duration. Physical examination revealed a regular cardiac rhythm with occasional premature contractions, and a soft tissue mass in the pelvic canal palpable per rectum. Microscopic examination of urine sediment revealed numerous RBC and a large population of lymphocytes and lymphoblasts with characteristics of neoplasia. Similar cells were found in peritoneal fluid obtained by abdominocentesis. The horse was euthanatized without treatment. Necropsy revealed a soft tissue mass infiltrating...
The present status of BCG treatment in the veterinary practice. Horses with sarcoids, cows with ocular squamous cell carcinoma and dogs with mammary tumors were treated with intralesional injection of Bacillus Calmette Guérin. This treatment appeared to be effective in most cases of equine sarcoids, in 50 - 60% of the cows with ocular squamous cell carcinoma and was not effective in dogs with mammary tumors.
Risk factors associated with injuries in thoroughbred horses. A case-control study was conducted on Thoroughbred horses to identify factors associated with the risk of breakdown on racetracks. A total of 310 cases (breakdowns) were identified from the Horse Identification Department records kept by the chief examining veterinarian of New York Racing Association. For each case, two control horses were selected randomly from the Daily Racing Form Inc. records. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify and quantify the risk of factors associated with breakdown, while simultaneously controlling for the effect of other putative factors. Facto...
Therapeutic management of ocular squamous cell carcinoma in the horse: 43 cases (1979-1989). The records of 50 horses with ocular squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) presented to the University of Florida Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital over an 11 year period were reviewed to determine the influence of therapy on the outcome of the case. Follow-up information was obtained for 43 of the 50 cases. The disease was more prevalent in the light horse breeds; however, the draft breeds also were at risk. There was no sex predisposition and the average age was 11.8 years. Tumour recurrence was significant when surgery alone was performed. The eyelid and nictitating membrane were the primary si...
Rostral mandibulectomy in five horses. Rostral mandibulectomy with primary gingival closure was performed in 5 horses with rapidly growing or bleeding mandibular tumors. The technique involved preservation of the most caudal portion of the mandibular symphysis to maintain stability. There were no surgical complications or recurrences, and the cosmetic and functional results were good. The histopathologic diagnosis of all the tumors was ossifying fibroma. Rostral mandibulectomy affords a simple and effective technique of treating tumors of the rostral portion of the mandible in horses.
Pharmacologic treatment of priapism in two horses. Benztropine mesylate was used successfully to treat priapism that developed during anesthesia in 2 horses. After IV injection, there was a rapid resolution of signs in both horses, and no side effects were observed. The choice of an effective method to treat priapism is challenging because precise causes in most patients have not been well-defined. Benztropine mesylate is a synthetic compound resulting from the combination of the active portions of atropine and diphenhydramine, and is believed effective because of its central acetyl-choline-antagonizing properties.
Desmitis of the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon: 27 cases (1986-1990). Desmitis of the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon (ALDDFT) was diagnosed in 27 horses between September 1986 and December 1990. The first observed clinical sign in four horses was localised swelling in the proximal metacarpus. Twenty horses became lame suddenly during a work period and most developed swelling within 24 h of exercise. The injury was confirmed by ultrasonographic examination. Ten of 13 horses with uncomplicated desmitis of the ALDDFT resumed full work, within three to nine months of the onset of clinical signs, without recurrence of clinical signs in the perio...
[Adenoma of the pigmented epithelium of the iris with endothelialization and descemetization in the horse]. The authors describe peculiar tumors with brown-white piebald anterior surface, which had grown bilaterally from the corpora nigra (C.N.) of an adult horse and occluded the pupils. The surgical procedure for removing the larger tumor and the postoperative treatment are described. The findings by light and electron microscopy suggest that the tumor represent a so-called adenoma of the iris pigment epithelium. The white patches on its surface consist of newly formed Descemet-like material produced by displaced corneal endothelial cells, which have probably grown on the tumor after contact with t...
[Hematology and cytodiagnosis of leukosis of the horse (review)]. In a review supplementary to prior evaluations further hematological or cytodiagnostic aspects respectively of equine leucosis are discussed. Leukemic nature of the disease is characterized by increased count of normal blood cells or by the presence of morphologically non-differentiated cells in circulating blood or by disorder or loss of function of blood cells respectively. Thrombocytopenia in the most cases is accompanied by anemia, leukemia and tumor cell infiltration in bone marrow. Tumor cells in circulating blood indicate their presence in bone marrow too. In cases of equine leucosis wi...
Measurement of cardiac dimensions with two-dimensional echocardiography in the living horse. Two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE) was performed on 22 unsedated Thoroughbred and part Thoroughbred horses weighing between 411 and 650 kg to establish normal reference values for 2DE measurements. Animals stood during examinations performed with a 3.5 MHz mechanical sector transducer using various transducer positions and tomographic planes. Right ventricular diameter (RVD), ventricular septal thickness (VSTh), aortic diameter (AoD), area of the chordal lumen of the left ventricle (CTA), left ventricular diameter (LVD) and left atrial diameter (LAD) were determined at ventricular end-dias...
Traumatic injuries involving tendons of the distal limbs in horses: a retrospective study of 55 cases. Fifty-five horses were presented to Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital between 1st of January 1980 and 31st of December 1989 for treatment of distal limb lacerations involving flexor tendons (n = 35) or extensor tendons (n = 20). Of the 35 flexor tendon lacerations, 11 horses were killed without treatment and 24 horses were treated. Twenty-two horses were included in determining outcome. Four (18 per cent) returned to their original level of use, nine (41 per cent) returned to limited riding, seven (32 per cent) returned to breeding or pasture soundness and two (9 per cent)...
