Veterinary procedures in horses encompass a range of medical and surgical interventions performed to diagnose, treat, and manage equine health conditions. These procedures are designed to address various health issues, from routine care to emergency interventions. Common veterinary procedures include vaccinations, dental care, lameness evaluations, reproductive services, and surgical interventions such as colic surgery or fracture repair. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the methodologies, outcomes, and advancements in veterinary procedures for horses, providing insights into their application and efficacy in equine medicine.
Perkins JD, Schumacher J, Kelly G, Gomez JH, Schumacher J.To report use of a modified Whitehouse approach in standing horses for management of inspissated guttural pouch empyema. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Adult horses (n=10) with guttural pouch empyema. Methods: Inspissated exudate in 1 or both guttural pouches was removed surgically through a modified Whitehouse approach, with the horses standing and sedated. Medical records of affected horses were reviewed to determine history; physical, endoscopic, and radiological examination findings; surgical technique; complications, and outcome. Results: All horses had purulent nasal discharge; 3...
Nieto JE, Dechant JE, Snyder JR.To evaluate single and double layer end-to-end anastomosis in equine jejunum. Methods: Experimental in vitro study. Methods: Mid-jejunal sections from 12 adult horses without gastrointestinal disease. Methods: Jejunal end-to-end anastomoses were performed by a continuous Lembert pattern or a simple continuous pattern oversewn with a Cushing pattern. Jejunal segments were distended with fluid at 1 L/min, and intraluminal pressure at failure, and mode of failure were recorded. Bursting pressure and bursting wall tension were calculated. Anastomosis construction time and degree of luminal reducti...
Waselau M, Bertone AL, Green EM.To report treatment of a unilateral comminuted fourth carpal bone (C4) fracture associated with carpal instability by partial carpal arthrodesis (PCA) of the middle carpal joint (MCJ) and carpometacarpal joint (CMCJ). Methods: Case Report. Methods: An 8-month-old Arabian filly. Methods: A C4 slab fracture was diagnosed radiographically; however, fracture comminution was conclusively diagnosed after computed tomographic (CT) imaging. PCA of the MCJ and CMCJ was performed with 2 narrow dynamic compression plates. Results: PCA provided appropriate carpal stability and correct limb alignment immed...
Brink P.To describe surgical transposition of the levator labii superioris muscle to treat oromaxillary sinus fistula in horses. Methods: Clinical study. Methods: Three horses with chronic oromaxillary sinus fistula. Methods: After severing its tendinous insertion, the muscle belly of the levator labii superioris muscle was retracted and transposed through the oromaxillary sinus fistula. The tendon exited the oral cavity through a full-thickness buccal incision created adjacent to the oral end of the fistula and was then tunneled subcutaneously in a ventral direction before being anchored by sutures t...
Gandini M, Bertuglia A.To compare functional indices of end-to-end (EEA) jejunojejunal anastomosis using skin staples in horses with a 2-layer inverting hand-sewn technique. Methods: Experimental study. Methods: Jejunal segments from 8 fresh equine cadavers. Methods: For each bowel segment, 2 EEA anastomoses were created: one 2-layer hand-sewn and one 1-layer using skin staples. Time for anastomosis creation was recorded and compared. Lumen diameter of each anastomosis was measured on digital radiographs after intraluminal instillation of contrast medium and inflation of the jejunal segments to 14 mm Hg. Anastomotic...
Symm WA, Nieto JE, Van Hoogmoed L, Snyder JR.To describe a novel stapling technique for creation of a complete cecal bypass, without ileal transection in horses. Methods: Experimental study. Methods: Four adult horses. Methods: Through a ventral median celiotomy, jejunocolostomy was made with an intraluminal anastomosis device (ILA-100) and oversewn with a Cushing pattern to reinforce the staple line. Immediately distal to the anastomosis, 4 rows of staples were applied using a thoracoabdominal stapling device (TA-90) to occlude the lumen of the distal jejunum and proximal ileum. Necropsy exams were performed at least 60 days after surge...
Radcliffe CH, Woodie JB, Hackett RP, Ainsworth DM, Erb HN, Mitchell LM, Soderholm LV, Ducharme NG.To compare upper airway mechanics, arterial blood gases, and tracheal contamination in horses with induced left laryngeal hemiplegia (recurrent laryngeal neuropathy [RLN]) treated by laryngoplasty/vocal cordectomy (LPVC) or modified partial arytenoidectomy (MPA). Methods: Repeated measures under the following conditions: Control, RLN, LPVC, and MPA. Methods: Six horses. Methods: Two trials were conducted under all conditions at 80% and 100% of maximal heart rate (HR(max)). In Trial 1, arterial blood gases, tracheal and pharyngeal pressures, and laryngeal videoendoscopy were recorded. In Trial ...
Taylor SE, Barakzai SZ, Dixon P.To evaluate the effect ventriculocordectomy (VC) for treatment of recurrent laryngeal neuropathy (RLN) on exercise performance and owner satisfaction in a mixed-breed population of horses. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Adult horses (n=92) with a history of abnormal respiratory noise and RLN. Methods: Retrospective analysis of horse that had unilateral VC (and contralateral ventriculectomy in 63 horses) for treatment of idiopathic RLN. Owners/trainers completed a questionnaire about complications and outcome at least 1 year after surgery. Performance index was determined using race rec...
Gygax D, Lischer C, Auer JA.To compare the precision of computer-assisted surgery with a conventional technique (CV) using a special guiding device for screw insertion into the distal sesamoid bone in horses. Methods: In vitro experimental study. Methods: Cadaveric forelimb specimens. Methods: Insertion of a 3.5 mm cortex screw in lag fashion along the longitudinal axis of intact (non-fractured) distal sesamoid bones was evaluated in 2 groups (8 limbs each): CV and computer-assisted surgery (CAS). For CV, the screw was inserted using a special guiding device and fluoroscopy, whereas for CAS, the screw was inserted using ...
Morgan JW, Santschi EM, Zekas LJ, Scollay-Ward MC, Markel MD, Radtke CL, Sample SJ, Keuler NS, Muir P.To compare the orthogonal radiographic (OR) and computed tomographic (CT) appearance of paired Thoroughbred racehorse limbs with severe condylar fracture. Methods: In vitro study. Methods: Cadaveric paired limbs with severe condylar fracture (n=11 horses). Methods: Four standard radiographic and multiple transverse CT images were obtained of the fractured and contralateral limbs centering on the metacarpo/metatarsophalangeal (fetlock) joints. Radiographs and CT images were graded by 4 raters, and interobserver agreement was calculated. Imaging evaluations were supplemented by fetlock joint dis...
Schambourg MM, Marcoux M.To assess a laparoscopic technique for equine intestinal biopsy. Methods: Experimental study. Methods: Seven adult horses. Methods: Food but not water was withheld for 36 hours before laparoscopy. In 3 horses (group A) standing, right laparoscopic access to different small intestinal segments was compared with ventral median celiotomy access. Inaccessible segments were identified at necropsy. In 4 horses (group B), the feasibility of obtaining full-thickness duodenal and cecal biopsies and any associated morbidity were evaluated. Biopsy specimens were collected during standing right laparoscop...
Vlaminck LE, Huys L, Maes D, Steenhaut ML, Gasthuys F.To evaluate the effect of alveolar bone substitute on post-extraction drift of maxillary cheek teeth in ponies. Methods: In vivo longitudinal experimental study. Methods: Five ponies (5-7 years) with a healthy dentition. Methods: Both maxillary 4th premolar teeth (Triadan 08) were surgically removed. One alveolus was filled with a biocompatible non-resorbable bone substitute (Bioplant 24), whereas the other healed by second intention. A polyvinylsiloxane plug and spring wire isolated the bone substitute from the oral environment. Pathologic changes to dentition and adjacent soft tissue were re...
Sod GA, Hubert JD, Martin GS, Gill MS.To compare biomechanical properties of a prototype 5.5 mm tapered shaft cortical screw (TSS) and 5.5 mm AO cortical screw for an equine third metacarpal dynamic compression plate (EM-DCP) fixation to repair osteotomized equine third metacarpal (MC3) bones. Methods: Paired in vitro biomechanical testing of cadaveric equine MC3 with a mid-diaphyseal osteotomy, stabilized by 1 of 2 methods for fracture fixation. Methods: Adult equine cadaveric MC3 bones (n=12 pairs). Methods: Twelve pairs of equine MC3 were divided into 3 groups (4 pairs each) for (1) 4-point bending single cycle to failure testi...
Moodley A, Stegger M, Bagcigil AF, Baptiste KE, Loeffler A, Lloyd DH, Williams NJ, Leonard N, Abbott Y, Skov R, Guardabassi L.Region X of the protein A gene (spa) was sequenced from methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates originating from animals, humans and the environment at veterinary hospitals in the UK and Ireland. MRSA transmission between animals and veterinary staff was assessed on the basis of spa typing, PFGE and epidemiological data. Methods: MRSA isolates from dogs (n = 27), horses (n = 9), cats (n = 6), staff (n = 22) and environmental surfaces (n = 3) were analysed by PFGE and spa typing. Known contacts between human and animal MRSA carriers were ascertained from the veterinary hospi...
Staszyk C, Wulff W, Jacob HG, Gasse H.The objective of this study was to examine the spatial arrangement of the fiber apparatus of the equine periodontium which is supposed to meet two contrary requirements: (1) to attach the tooth firmly and elastically to the alveolar bone; and, to be appropriately remodeled and reconstructed in order to facilitate the prolonged eruption of the tooth. Specimens of periodontal ligament were obtained from the buccal and lingual/palatal aspects of the first molars from the maxilla and mandible of 12 horses. The animals were assigned to three age groups. Histological sections were prepared from thre...
Chalmers HJ, Cheetham J, Yeager AE, Ducharme NG.Nasopharyngeal and laryngeal evaluation is important when examining horses with upper airway signs for poor performance. Currently endoscopy is the most common method to evaluate the equine upper airway. Ultrasonography of the equine larynx has not previously been described. Using six cadaveric specimens and four standing horses, the ultrasonographic appearance of the equine larynx was established. A scanning technique, including useful acoustic windows and the normal ultrasonographic appearance at each site, is described. Ultrasound allowed visualization of portions of the hyoid apparatus, la...
Griss R, Simhofer H.Intraoral endoscopy is used as a standard diagnostic technique at the reporting clinics in horses presented with stomatological problems. Endoscopy of the oral cavity was performed using a chip camera, camera control unit, xenon cold light source and a rigid endoscope. In a three year period (2002 to 2004), second instars of Gasterophilus spp. were diagnosed in 14 warmblood horses 2 to 17 years of age. All horses were presented with masticatory problems or problems accepting the bit. In one horse oesophageal obstruction occurred in the course of larval migration. Oral endoscopy can not only be...
Snowden NJ, Helyar CV, Platt SR, Penderis J.Moxidectin is a macrocyclic lactone related to ivermectin used in horses and dogs for endoparasite treatment and prophylaxis. The clinical and neurological presentation of moxidectin toxicity in two dogs following inadvertent poisoning with a moxidectin-containing equine de-worming medication is reported here. In both the dogs, the predominant clinical signs were generalised tremors and ataxia. Moxidectin exerts its neurotoxic effects in mammals by potentiating the effect of gamma-aminobutyric acid and, consistent with this, both the dogs demonstrated a poor response to treatment with diazepam...
Allen WR, Wilsher S, Morris L, Crowhurst JS, Hillyer MH, Neal HN.Mares are occasionally encountered that consistently fail to conceive when inseminated, naturally or artificially, with fertile stallion semen in the absence of any identifiable pathology of either the structure or function of their reproductive tract. Objective: Temporary blockage of the oviducts by accumulations of naturally occurring oviducal masses may be preventing oviducal transport of the embryo to the uterus. Methods: Mares, with known reproductive histories, that had exhibited inexplicable failure of conception were treated by laparoscopically guided administration of PGE2-laced triac...
Russell TM, Maclean AA.Repair of spiral and long diaphyseal metacarpal and metatarsal fractures under anaesthesia can be problematic and associated with a high incidence of complications, including fracture propagation necessitating euthanasia. Objective: To report on a practical repair technique for which general anaesthesia is not required. Methods: Thirteen racehorses with a spiral/propagating condylar fracture had the fracture repaired using local anaesthesia and sedation, without the need for general anaesthetic. Results: Ten of the horses returned to training and 8 raced again. Two horses were retired directly...
Schnabel LV, Bramlage LR, Mohammed HO, Embertson RM, Ruggles AJ, Hopper SA.Studies have shown that surgical removal of apical fracture fragments in Standardbred racehorses carries the best prognosis for return to racing performance, but there are no reports involving mature Thoroughbred (TB) racehorses. Objective: To describe the incidence of apical proximal sesamoid fractures in TB racehorses and determine probability and quality of racing performance after arthroscopic removal of such fractures in TB racehorses age > or = 2 years. Methods: Medical records and pre- and post operative race records of TB racehorses age > or = 2 years that underwent arthroscopic surger...
Pritchard JC, Barr AR, Whay HR.Dehydration and heat stress are serious welfare issues for equids working in developing countries. There is a lack of any standardised method or validated interpretation of the skin tent test in horses and donkeys. Owners of dehydrated and heat-stressed animals often depend on veterinary examination for identification of these conditions, leading to delays in treatment and unnecessary reliance on external sources to effect welfare improvement. Objective: To validate a standardised skin tent test for dehydration and a behavioural measure of heat stress in working equids; and to examine the effe...
Dierks C, Mömke S, Drögemüller C, Leeb T, Chowdhary BP, Distl O.In this study, we present a comprehensive 5000-rad radiation hybrid map of a 40-cM region on equine chromosome 4 (ECA4) that contains quantitative trait loci for equine osteochondrosis. We mapped 29 gene-associated sequence tagged site markers using primers designed from equine expressed sequence tags or BAC clones in the ECA4q12-q22 region. Three blocks of conserved synteny, showing two chromosomal breakpoints, were identified in the segment of ECA4q12-q22. Markers from other segments of HSA7q mapped to ECA13p and ECA4p, and a region of HSA7p was homologous to ECA13p. Therefore, we have impro...
Arkell M, Archer RM, Guitian FJ, May SA.Eighteen observers were influenced to different extents in the grades of lameness they allocated to eight horses by whether they knew that a nerve block had been administered; on a scale from 0 to 10 the mean difference in grade allocated once the observer knew a horse had been nerve-blocked was increased by 0.4. The consistency of the assessments made by the individual observers was good, with a an average of 0.6 of a grade difference when grading the same horse on two occasions. The agreement between the assessments of four orthopaedic experts was reasonable (+/-1 grade), but significantly p...
Mendez-Angulo JL, Granados MM, Modesto R, Serrano-Rodriguez JM, Funes FJ, Quiros S, Gomez-Villamandos RJ, Zaldívar S, Trumble TN.Local anaesthetics are being combined clinically with amikacin in intravenous regional limb perfusion (IVRLP), with limited knowledge on the analgesia provided and its onset and duration of action after tourniquet application and release. Objective: To evaluate the systemic clinical effect, limb withdrawal to nociceptive stimulation, and plasma and synovial fluid concentrations after IVRLP with lidocaine or mepivacaine in standing sedated horses. Methods: Prospective, controlled, randomised, cross-over study. Methods: Six healthy adult horses were sedated and received IVRLP with lidocaine, mep...
Stick JA, Derksen FJ.Videoendoscopy of the larynx during treadmill exercise was used to determine the surgical treatment of upper airway obstruction in a Standardbred colt. Surgical correction of right-sided laryngeal hemiplegia, first by laryngoplasty, then subtotal arytenoidectomy, was ineffective. Videoendoscopy indicated, and upper airway flow mechanics confirmed, that the laryngeal opening was adequate at rest, but obstruction occurred during exercise. On the basis of the appearance of the larynx during high airflow rates on slow-motion playback of the videorecording, total arytenoidectomy was performed, whic...
Riley CB, Yovich JV.Fractures of the patella in the horse are infrequently reported
in the literature. Most of these have been associated with trauma
or sudden forceful contraction of the quadriceps resulting in an
avulsion fracture of the patella (Parks and Wyn-Jones 1988).
There have been few reports of fractures associated with des-
motomy of the medial patellar ligament to correct upward
fixation of the patella (Wright and Rose 1989; Gibson ef ul1989).
This paper describes one such case including the radiographic
findings before the desmotomy, after fracture of the patella and
after arthroscopic trea...
Grubb TL, Muir WW, Bertone AL, Beluche LA, Garcia-Calderon M.A 1-year-old Standardbred gelding had received xylazine hydrochloride (0.75 to 1.00 mg/kg [0.34 to 0.45 mg/lb] of body weight, IV) during 2 surgeries for debridement of a wound. The horse was given chloramphenicol (55 mg/kg [25 mg/lb], PO, q 6 h) for 5 days, and was anesthetized a third time with xylazine (0.75 mg/kg, IM). Five hours after administration of xylazine, the horse remained markedly sedated and had clinical signs of gaseous distention of the large bowel (bloat) requiring trocharization. Administration of yohimbine (0.03 mg/kg [0.01 mg/lb], i.v.) eliminated signs of sedation within ...
Scheffer CJ, Drijfhout PN, Boerma S.The case of a 5-year-old Friesian mare with a mass in her abdomen and a gait irregularity of the left hind limb is discussed. At rectal ultrasonogrphic examination the mass appeared to be a thin-walled, anechogenic cavity in the left abdomen. By means of laparoscopy the mass could be visualized as a smooth structure, covered by peritoneum and fat. Under laparoscopic guidance the mass was punctured and fluid was aspirated. Cytological and bacteriological findings of the fluid were indicative of a cyst. After drainage of the cyst the locomotion disorder of the left hind limb disappeared. It is c...
Park RD, Morgan JP, O'Brien T.The incidence of chip fractures in carpal bones and the distal end of the radius in the horse was determined. The radial carpal bone was involved 50% of the time, with the distal end of the radius and intermediate and 3rd carpal bones being involved less frequently. Nine locations were designated where chip fractures in the carpus occurred most often.
A higher incidence of fractures was noticed from the right carpus, with slab fractures of the 3rd carpal bone being noticed more frequently on the right front limb.
Buchner HH, Savelberg HH, Becker CK.An analysis of joint moments was used to study the biomechanical implications, load redistribution and kinematic pattern following desmotomy of the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon (AL) in adult horses. Recordings of 6 sound horses were made before and 10 days after desmotomy of the AL of the right forelimb at the walk and the trot. Kinematic recordings of the right forelimb and the left distal forelimb were made using the CODA-3 system. Kinetic recordings of the ground reaction forces in both forelimbs were made using a Kistler force plate simultaneously with the kinematic...
Santos MP, Gutierrez-Nibeyro SD, Horn GP, Hicke JD, Stewart MC, Schaeffer DJ.To compare the mechanical properties of laryngeal tie-forward (LTF) constructs prepared with different suture materials and suture placement patterns during single load to failure testing. Methods: Larynges harvested from 50 horse cadavers and 5 intact horse cadavers. Methods: In vitro LTF constructs were created by a standard technique with polyester sutures, a standard technique with polyethylene sutures, a modified technique with metallic implants and polyester sutures, a modified technique with metallic implants and polyethylene sutures, or a modified tie-off technique with polyester sutur...
Drábková Z, Schramel JP, Kabeš R.To compare two methods of Bohr-Enghoff physiological dead space to tidal volume ratio (Vd/Vt) determination using a mixing chamber and an E-CAiOVX metabolic monitor. Methods: Prospective, clinical, method-comparison study. Methods: Twenty horses anaesthetized for elective orthopaedic procedures. Methods: Horses were anaesthetized with isoflurane in oxygen and the lungs were mechanically ventilated (Vt 15±2 mL kg). Arterial blood was sampled to provide arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO) for dead space calculation using a metabolic monitor. Mixed expired partial pressure of ca...
Perkins NR, Robertson JT, Colon LA.A 15-year-old Standard-bred mare was examined because of signs of abdominal discomfort in late gestation. Palpation per rectum revealed tight broad ligaments above and below the uterus, with the right broad ligament running across the top of the uterine body down toward the left, ventral side of the abdomen. A diagnosis of counterclockwise uterine torsion was made and surgical correction was approached via a left, flank laparotomy with the horse standing. The uterus was repositioned and a uterine tear encompassing 180 degrees of the uterine surface was found in the lateral, uterine body just c...
McIlwraith CW.Tearing of the medial palmar intercarpal ligament is described in 45 intercarpal (midcarpal) joints in 42 horses (37 racehorses, 5 non-racehorses). Of the 37 racehorses, there were 20 Quarter Horses, 14 Thoroughbreds and 3 Standardbreds. The patients had been referred for arthroscopic surgery for removal of osteochondral chip fragments that had been diagnosed radiographically or diagnostic arthroscopy of a persistent carpal problem. The problem was unilateral in 39 horses and bilateral in 3. The presenting clinical signs were lameness and/or persistent synovial effusion. In one instance, the p...