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.
Lykkjen S, Strand E, Haga HA, Lie KI.To report treatment and wound healing after radical surgical mass excision in the equine buccal region. Methods: Clinical case reports. Methods: An 11-year-old Warmblood gelding and a 9-year-old Norwegian Trotter gelding. Methods: Large tumoral masses were removed from the buccal region by radical electrosurgery, creating large defects into the oral cavity. Wound ultimately healed by second intention. Results: Buccal defects in both horses healed well by second intention without tumor recurrence. Conclusions: Locally invasive tumors involving the cheek region of the horse can be successfully t...
Hubert JD, Burba DJ, Moore RM.To describe a laparoscopic technique for granulosa cell tumor removal using a vessel sealing device (LigaSuretrade mark) in standing mares. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Eight mares (8-24 years old; weighing, 406-525 kg). Methods: Before surgery, ovarian size and adjacent body wall thickness was determined by ultrasonography. Mares were sedated and after local anesthesia (inverted L and local infiltration), laparoscopic cannulation was performed without insufflation. The mesovarium was anesthetized and the LigaSure instrument applied to the mesovarium for hemostasis and resection to r...
Röcken M, Stehle C, Mosel G, Rass J, Litzke LF.To describe a technique for laparoscopic-assisted removal of cystic calculi in geldings and report outcome. Methods: Clinical report. Methods: Four geldings with cystic calculi. Methods: Laparoscopic-assisted cystotomy and urolith retrieval was performed in 4 anesthetized geldings positioned in dorsal recumbency. With a laparoscope portal located at the umbilicus, the abdomen was insufflated and then the surgical table was tilted (30 degrees head-down position) before an instrumental portal was created parallel and 2-3 cm medial to the left external inguinal ring. Laparoscopic grasping forceps...
Natalini CC, Polydoro Ada S, Linardi RL.To evaluate the effects of subarachnoidally administered hyperbaric morphine, buprenorphine, and methadone on avoidance threshold to noxious electrical stimulation of the perineal, sacral, lumbar, and thoracic regions in horses. Methods: 6 healthy adult horses. Methods: Horses were assigned to receive subarachnoid administration of hyperbaric morphine (0.01 mg/kg), buprenorphine (0.001 mg/kg), methadone (0.01 mg/kg), or 10% dextrose solution in equal volumes (5 mL). Electrical stimulation was applied every 10 minutes for 60 minutes and every 30 minutes for 120 minutes after subarachnoid inject...
Sinclair MD, Mealey KL, Matthews NS, Peck KE, Taylor TS, Bennett BS.To determine the disposition of a bolus of meloxicam (administered IV) in horses and donkeys (Equus asinus) and compare the relative pharmacokinetic variables between the species. Methods: 5 clinically normal horses and 5 clinically normal donkeys. Methods: Blood samples were collected before and after IV administration of a bolus of meloxicam (0.6 mg/kg). Serum meloxicam concentrations were determined in triplicate via high-performance liquid chromatography. The serum concentration-time curve for each horse and donkey was analyzed separately to estimate standard noncompartmental pharmacokinet...
MacLean YT.An 11-year-old Trakehner mare was presented with a firm moveable mass over the left maxilla. Radiography revealed a discrete opaque ovoid mass. Sialolithiasis of left parotid duct was diagnosed. The sialolith was excised by using a transoral approach and found to contain an organic nidus. The mare recovered without complications. Sialolithiase chronique chez une jument Trakehner. Une jument Trakehner âgée de 11 ans a été présentée pour une masse mobile ferme au dessus du maxillaire gauche. La radiographie a révélé une masse ovoïde opaque et discrète. Une sialolithiase du canal parot...
Barrett EL, Talbot AM, Driver AJ, Barr FJ, Barr AR.An alternative technique of radiographing the pelvis in the standing horse is required, to avoid the risks associated with general anaesthesia. Objective: That lateral oblique radiography in the standing horse would be a useful technique in the investigation of pelvic injury. Objective: To describe the technique of lateral oblique pelvic radiography in the standing horse and demonstrate the feasibility and usefulness of this technique. Methods: A technique for lateral oblique radiography in the standing horse was devised and retrospective review made of radiographic findings in 18 clinical cas...
Wijnberg ID, Franssen H, Jansen GH, van den Ingh TS, van der Harst MR, van der Kolk JH.Clinical evidence of motor neuron involvement in equine grass sickness (EGS) has not been reported. Objective: Quantitative electromyography (EMG) analysis can elucidate subtle changes of the lower motor neuron system present in horses with EGS, performed ante mortem. Methods: Fourteen horses diagnosed clinically with acute, subacute or chronic EGS were examined and quantitative EMG performed. Previously published data on healthy horses and horses with proven lower motor neuron disease (LMND) were used as controls. In 8 horses post mortem examination was performed, and in 7 muscle biopsies of ...
James FM, Richardson DW.Complications of osteosynthesis including superficial and deep infections continue to affect adversely outcome in equine surgery of the lower limb. Objective: To describe a technique for minimally invasive plate fixation in horses and evaluate clinical results of the technique. Objective: Lower complication rates would occur in horses treated with a minimally invasive approach compared with conventional techniques. Methods: Cases of minimally invasive plate fixation from January 1999 to December 2003 were evaluated. Case records, radiographs and race records for horses that sustained distal th...
Schambourg MA, Farley JA, Marcoux M, Laverty S.Transrectal ultrasonography is a reliable technique to identify intra-abdominal testes, but can be hazardous or impractical in fractious, juvenile or small equids. The transabdominal approach therefore requires validation. Objective: To evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of transabdominal ultrasonography to localise cryptorchid testes. Methods: Thirty-eight horses admitted for cryptorchidism underwent transabdominal ultrasonography to locate errant testes. Location of the testes was confirmed during surgery (n = 37) or necropsy (n = 1). Results: Horses weighed 175-760 kg. Twenty-two test...
Rothenbuhler R, Hawkins JF, Adams SB, Lescun TB, Weil AB, Glickman LT, Fessler JF, Glickman NG.To determine whether heavy (> or = 680 kg [> or = 1,500 lb]) draft horses undergoing surgical treatment for acute signs of abdominal pain were at a greater risk for anesthetic and postoperative complications and lower postoperative survival rates than light ( 1 year) follow-up information was available was 50%. Conclusions: Draft horses weighing > 680 kg that underwent surgery because of acute signs of abdominal pain had longer durations of anesthesia, more postoperative complications, and higher mortality rates than draft horses weighing < 680 kg.
Getman LM, Southwood LL, Richardson DW.To evaluate records of racehorses with palmar carpal osteochondral fragments and determine whether the fragments were indicators of the severity of pathologic joint changes or prognosis. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: 31 racehorses. Methods: Medical records, radiographs, and videos of arthroscopic procedures were reviewed. Information gathered included signalment; location, number, and size of the primary lesion; number and size of palmar carpal fragments; and details pertaining to surgical procedures. Outcome variables were obtained from race records. Results: 31 horses met the ...
Devine DV, Jann HW, Payton ME.To assess gait abnormalities associated with selective anesthesia of the suprascapular nerve (SSN) achieved by use of perineural catheterization and thereby determine the function of that nerve as it relates to gait in horses. Methods: 3 adult horses with no preexisting clinically apparent lameness at a walk. Methods: Each horse was anesthetized; the right SSN was exposed surgically for placement of a perineural catheter to permit delivery of 1 mL of 2% mepivacaine hydrochloride. Six hours after recovery from anesthesia, each horse was videotaped while walking (50-step data acquisition period)...
Latorre R, Arencibia A, Gil F, Rivero M, Henry RW, Ramírez G, Váquez JM.To correlate anatomic features of the equine tarsus identified in plastinated sections with images obtained via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods: 4 horses. Methods: MRI (1.5-Tesla magnet) of the tarsus was performed on the pelvic limbs of 4 clinically normal horses following euthanasia. After imaging, tarsocrural joint spaces and vasculature were injected with colored latex. Sagittal and transverse sections of the tarsi were plastinated to facilitate interpretation of MR images. Results: Relevant anatomic structures were identified and labeled on the plastinated tissue slices and corr...
Shoemaker RW, Allen AL, Richardson CE, Wilson DG.To evaluate the efficacy and safety of intra-articular administration of ethyl alcohol for arthrodesis of tarsometatarsal joints in horses. Methods: 8 healthy female horses without lameness or radiographic evidence of tarsal joint osteoarthritis. Methods: In each horse, 1 tarsometatarsal joint was treated with 4 mL of 70% ethyl alcohol and the opposite joint was treated with 4 mL of 95% ethyl alcohol. Lameness examinations were performed daily for 2 weeks, followed by monthly evaluations for the duration of the 12-month study. Radiographic evaluations of both tarsi were performed 1 month after...
Brommer H, Laasanen MS, Brama PA, van Weeren PR, Helminen HJ, Jurvelin JS.To evaluate an arthroscopic indentation instrument (Artscan 200) for assessment of the health status of equine articular cartilage. Methods: In vitro experiment using equine isolated proximal phalanx (P1) specimens. Methods: P1 specimens from 39 horses (aged 1.5-22 years). Methods: Reproducibility was tested by determination of the coefficient of variation (CV). Dynamic modulus and cartilage degeneration index (CDI) values were measured at 2 predefined sites (site 1, joint margin; site 2, joint center) to assess the accuracy and to evaluate the relation with surface integrity. Results: CV was ...
Watts AE, Nixon AJ.To (1) describe a caudal approach to equine medial and lateral femorotibial (FT) joints and (2) illustrate the complex anatomic detail of the caudal compartments of the lateral FT joint. Methods: Prospective experimental study. Methods: Cadaveric equine hindlimbs (n = 36; 26 horses) and 6 horses (11 hind limbs). Methods: Stifles (n = 8) were dissected and 10 FT joints were injected with silicone. Arthroscopic exploration (n = 29) was performed, followed by dissection to determine sites and structures penetrated during entry. Results: A more caudal approach to the caudal pouch of the medial FT ...
Cheetham J, Nixon AJ.To identify sites for arthroscopic access to the palmar aspects of the antebrachiocarpal (AC) and middle carpal (MC) joints, and describe visible carpal bone surfaces for each approach. Methods: Prospective experimental study. Methods: Equine carpi: 16 cadavers, 8 live horses. Methods: A latex model was used to identify possible sites for arthroscopic access to the palmar aspects of the AC and MC joints. Carpi (n = 24) were examined arthroscopically and arthroscopic access sites and visible carpal bone surfaces were described. Results: Arthroscopic approaches and instrument portals were develo...
Umar MA, Yamashita K, Kushiro T, Muir WW.Objective-To compare the anesthetic and cardiorespiratory effects of total IV anesthesia with propofol (P-TIVA) or a ketamine-medetomidine-propofol combination (KMP-TIVA) in horses. Design-Randomized experimental trial. Animals-12 horses. Procedure-Horses received medetomidine (0.005 mg/kg [0.002 mg/lb], IV). Anesthesia was induced with midazolam (0.04 mg/kg [0.018 mg/lb], IV) and ketamine (2.5 mg/kg [1.14 mg/lb], IV). All horses received a loading dose of propofol (0.5 mg/kg [0.23 mg/lb], IV), and 6 horses underwent P-TIVA (propofol infusion). Six horses underwent KMP-TIVA (ketamine [1 mg/kg/...
Little TV, Holyoak GR.Examination of the stallion's reproductive tract involves assessments of external and internal anatomy. External examinations are performed by visual inspection, palpation, or ultrasonography and include the scrotum, testes, epididymides, penis, and prepuce. Internal examinations may be performed by rectal palpation, transrectal ultrasonography, or endoscopy and include the accessory sex glands, pelvic urethra, and inguinal rings. A fertile stallion must produce, transport, store, and deliver viable spermatozoa to the mare. The physiologic processes involved include neuroendocrine control, spe...
Williams MA, Dowling PM, Angarano DW, Yu AA, DiFranco BJ, Lenz SD, Anhalt GJ.An adult horse with a 2-month history of anorexia, ataxia, and oral blisters had developed these clinical signs just prior to the appearance and growth of a cervical mass. Bullous stomatitis was characterized histologically as subepidermal clefting. Clinical signs were unresponsive to treatment with antibiotics or corticosteroids; however, surgical removal of the mass coincided with remission of all signs. Histologic findings of the mass were consistent with hemangiosarcoma. Results of indirect immunofluorescence and immunoprecipitation on frozen serum from the horse were characteristic of par...
Gandini M, Iotti B, Nervo T.While in cattle emergency and elective Caesarean sec-tions are commonly performed in the field, either with the animal recumbent or standing (Newman 2008), in the horse there are very few reports of field Caesarean sections (Gillespie 1962; Graff 1963; Leibrecht and Watt 1964; Cohen 1975), and all required general anaesthesia. It is therefore considered a procedure to be performed in a hospital setting. Furthermore, while the second stage of labour lasts as long as 6 h, it lasts only 20 min in horse, which, together with the fact that mares usually need to be transported to the hospital, makes...
Zamora CS, Vitums A, Foreman JH, Bayly WM, Weidner JP.On the basis of clinical and laboratory examinations, a ventricular septal defect or a variant of the tetralogy of Fallot was suspected in a 3-year-old filly with a history of poor growth rate and exercise intolerance. The filly was euthanatized and found to have a 3-chambered heart (cor triloculare biatriatum). The heart had 2 normally formed atria and a large common ventricle into which the right and left atrioventricular orifices opened and from which the aorta arose. There was a small separate chamber from which the pulmonary trunk originated. This chamber communicated with the common vent...
Pezzanite LM, Hackett ES, McCready E, Easley JT.Bilateral sinus disease is relatively uncommon in horses, accounting for 3%-4.5% of horses with sinonasal disease, but may require bilateral paranasal surgery for complete resolution. Complications and recurrence following bilateral sinusotomy have not been reported or compared to those following unilateral procedures. To describe clinical features and outcomes in horses undergoing standing single, caudally based bilateral frontonasal sinusotomy compared to unilateral frontonasal surgery. Records of horses (n = 37) undergoing surgical treatment for sinus disease (five bilateral, 32 unilatera...
Hanson RR, Todhunter RJ.Abdominal wall hernia was detected in 4 pregnant mares. Antemortem diagnosis of the specific abdominal wall lesion was difficult. Ventral deviation of the abdomen, associated abdominal wall edema, and pain indicated rupture of the prepubic tendon. Three mares examined at necropsy did not have a rupture of the prepubic tendon but did have herniation of the abdominal wall. Abdominal pain was severe and was compounded by incarceration or entrapment of viscus.
Yoshimura S, Barber SM, Tucker ML, Bracamonte JL, Mund SJK, Thomas KL.To describe a new technique to repair a sinocutaneous fistula with a masseter muscle transposition flap. Methods: Case report. Methods: One 13-year-old thoroughbred stallion. Methods: One 13-year-old stallion with a 3.5 × 6-cm sinocutaneous fistula over the right caudal maxillary sinus was treated with a transpositional masseter muscle flap. This repair consisted of a commercial wound matrix dressing placed directly over the hole in the maxilla and secured with suture material; a cancellous bone graft collected from the right tuber coxa placed on the dressing; and a portion of the superfi...
Fussell D, Bizikova P, Breuhaus B, Harris RA, Moore AR, Chen L, Linder KE.Bullous amyloidosis is a rare disease in humans that has not been described in a veterinary species in the peer-reviewed literature. The human disease is characterised by haemorrhagic vesicles and bullae on the skin and mucosae, which form due to amyloid deposition. Objective: To describe the clinical features, laboratory analysis and histopathological features of an unique presentation of bullous disease in a horse. Methods: A 17-year-old thoroughbred mare presented for weight loss and severe oral cavity ulcers. Methods: Investigations involved haematological evaluation, chemistry profiles, g...
Denoix JM, Busoni V.The ultrasonographic anatomy of the accessory ligament of the superficial digital flexor tendon (AL-SDFT) in the horse is presented. Comparison between anatomical sections of isolated limbs and ultrasound scans of the distal antebrachium in sound horses enabled the authors to establish the normal reference ultrasonographic images of this structure. The AL-SDFT inserts 7-14 cm above the antebrachiocarpal joint on the palmaromedial aspect of the radius. Ultrasonographically it appears as an uniformly echogenic structure located deep to the median artery. The knowledge of ultrasonographic anatomy...