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.
Christie JL, Hewson CJ, Riley CB, McNiven MA, Dohoo IR, Bate LA.An equine abuse policy was developed as an adjunct to an equine management survey. If at least 3 of 5 categories caused concern, a report to the authorities was indicated. The policy was not used but, in the absence of other guidelines, it might assist veterinarians considering potential abuse cases. Dans une enquête sur la gestion équine, un volet portant sur une politique concernant les mauvais traitements infligés aux chevaux a été développée. Lorsqu’au moins 3 des 5 éléments étudiés semblaient problématiques, un rapport aux autorités compétentes était recommandé. La poli...
Garcia-Seco E, Wilson DA, Kramer J, Keegan KG, Branson KR, Johnson PJ, Tyler JW.To determine the prevalence of pedunculated lipomas and identify risk factors affecting postoperative complications and survival in horses at a veterinary teaching hospital undergoing surgery for colic caused by pedunculated lipomas. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: 102 horses with a diagnosis of pedunculated lipoma. Methods: Age, breed, weight, and sex of horses with pedunculated lipomas were compared with the total equine hospital population and the population of horses admitted for abdominal surgery during the same period. Follow-up information was obtained by reevaluation or contact ...
Piccot-Crézollet C, Cauvin ER, Lepage OM.To compare accuracy of 2 methods for injection of the podotrochlear bursa in horses. Methods: Observational study. Methods: 17 French Standardbreds. Methods: In each horse, contrast medium was injected into the podotrochlear bursa of 1 foot by use of a distal palmar approach with the needle inserted parallel to the sole (DPPS) and into the podotrochlear bursa of the other foot by use of a distal palmar approach to the navicular position (DPNP). Podotrochlear bursa injection was evaluated by means of radiographic examination in all horses and postmortem examination in 6. Results: Contrast mediu...
Jansson N.To evaluate the use of carbon dioxide (CO(2)) gas for joint distention during arthroscopy for removal of osteochondral (OC) fragments of the palmar/plantar aspect of the metacarpo (MCP)/metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joints in horses. Methods: Clinical study. Methods: Horses (26) with OC fragment(s) of palmar/plantar aspect of 1 or 2 MCP/MTP joint(s). Methods: OC fragments were removed using arthroscopic technique. Joint distention was maintained by isotonic Ringer's acetate at the beginning and at the end of the procedure but during fragment removal, CO(2) was used for joint distention. After surg...
Barr ED, Clegg PD, Mark Senior J, Singer ER.To describe focal destructive lesions of the proximal sesamoid bones (PSBs) as a complication of dorsal metatarsal artery catheterization performed for direct blood pressure monitoring during equine general anesthesia. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Three client-owned horses. Methods: A dorsal metatarsal artery was catheterized in each of 3 horses for direct blood pressure monitoring during anesthesia. Radiography, ultrasonography, synoviocentesis, and arthroscopy were used to diagnose postoperative lameness that occurred in the limb used for blood pressure monitoring. Results: Horses ...
Read EK, Chandler D, Wilson DG.To compare the biomechanical characteristics and mode of failure of 2 techniques using parallel 5.5 mm screws for pastern joint arthrodesis in horses. Methods: Randomized block design, for horse (1-5), method of fixation (two 5.5 mm screws versus three 5.5 mm screws), side (right, left), and end (front, hind). Constructs were tested to failure in 3-point bending. Methods: Twenty limbs (5 cadavers). Methods: A combined aiming device was used to facilitate screw placement. Two parallel 5.5 mm screws were inserted in lag fashion in 1 limb of a pair, and three 5.5 mm screws were inserted in the co...
Doyle AJ, Freeman DE.To describe a surgical technique for, and report outcome after, extensive nasal septum resection in horses with congenital or acquired septal diseases. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Horses (5) with nasal septal deformity. Methods: Under general anesthesia, obstetrical wires were preplaced around the ventral, caudal, and dorsal aspects of the nasal septum by combinations of manual guidance (ventral and caudal wires) and use of a trephine hole on the dorsal mid-line (dorsal and caudal wires). The rostral part of the septum was incised with a scalpel and the ventral, dorsal, and caudal s...
Pollock PJ, Prendergast M, Schumacher J, Bellenger CR.The serum concentrations of serum amyloid A, haptoglobin and fibrinogen were measured in a group of horses before and at intervals after elective and non-elective surgery, and in a control group of normal horses. There was a significant, rapid and repeatable increase in the concentration of serum amyloid A in response to both elective and non-elective surgery. In the control horses its serum concentration was within the normal range, from 0 to 0.2 microg/ml. Twenty-four hours after elective surgery its mean peak concentration was 16.4 microg/ml, and after non-elective surgery it was 27.3 micro...
Mills PC, Hills Y, Hills BA.To investigate the presence of surface-active phospholipid (SAPL, or surfactant) in equine tendon and tendon sheath fluid. Methods: The left front flexor tendon and sheath were removed from five Thoroughbred horses. Phospholipid was extracted from tendon sheath fluid using Folch reagent and quantified using spectroscopy. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to observe the tendon surfaces. Results: The presence of phospholipid (90.6 (SD 4.3) microg/ml) in tendon sheath fluid, plus the appearance of oligolamellar layers and lamellar bodies on the tendon surface were indicative of SAPL...
Horteloup MP, Threlfall WR, Funk JA.The horse early conception factor (ECF) test is designed for qualitative determination of the ECF glycoprotein in the mare that has conceived. The objectives of this study were to determine the performance of the horse ECF test for the detection of the non-pregnant mare, and to determine the agreement among subjects or "readers" regarding the interpretation of the test. Blood samples from 60 mares were collected on Days 0, 5, 8, 11 and 18 following ovulation. Pregnancy status diagnosed with the ECF test was compared (2 x 2 table) to pregnancy status diagnosed by palpation per rectum and ultras...
The heart surgery forumApril 1, 2005
Volume 7, Issue 5 E498-E502 doi: 10.1532/HSF98.20041087
Eckstein FS, Tevaearai H, Keller D, Schmidli J, Immer FF, Seiler C, Saner H, Carrel TP.This study details a single-center experience with the 3F Therapeutics stentless aortic bioprosthesis(investigational device) and is part of a prospective,nonrandomized worldwide multicenter study. We assessed the implantation procedure and the valve's efficacy in terms of early mortality and morbidity and early echocardiographic valve performance. Methods: Between June 2001 and March 2004, 24 patients (14 men/10 women) underwent aortic valve replacement(AVR) with a 3F valve. Mean age was 72 +/- 13 years(range, 31-88 years). Combined revascularization was performed in 12 patients; 1 patient re...
Braun S, Lafrenz R.In recent years extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) is used in veterinary medicine especially in equine orthopedics. Different ESWT generators are commonly used in equine medicine with varying energy density and depth of penetration. The presented case report described the treatment of a ligamentum nuchae calcification with focused extracorporeal shock wave therapy with SONOCUR Plus generator combined with SONOLINE Prima ultrasound. Negligible adverse effects, the non-invasive character of the treatment, the time-saving therapy, and the positive results make the focused extracorporeal sho...
Dixon PM, Dacre I, Dacre K, Tremaine WH, McCann J, Barakzai S.Extraction of cheek teeth (CT) by the conventional repulsion technique requires general anaesthesia and carries a high rate of post operative complications. Consequently, an alternative method of extraction, i.e. orally in standing horses, was evaluated. Objective: The need for and risks of general anaesthesia could be avoided and post extraction sequelae reduced by performing extractions orally in standing horses. Methods: One hundred mainly younger horses (median age 8, range 2-18 years) with firmly attached CT that required extraction because of apical infections, displacements, diastemata,...
Quinn GC, Kidd JA, Lane JG.Previous studies of sinus surgery on standing horses have been based on techniques which utilise powered hand bone saws and preserve the bone flap, which was thought to be essential for a good cosmetic result. This report describes a simplified technique applied to the standing horse where the sinus flap construction used a large skull trephine and where the bone flap is necessarily discarded. Objective: To assess whether the modified standing frontonasal flap (SFF) surgery offers an effective method to investigate and/or treat sinunasal disorders in the horse. Methods: The case records of 60 ...
Beinlich CP, Nixon AJ.To clarify the diagnosis of avulsion of the lateral palmar intercarpal ligament (LPICL), correlate avulsion of this ligament with lameness, determine the prevalence of avulsion of the LPICL in a hospital population, and evaluate the response to surgical removal of the avulsion fragment in horses. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: 37 horses with avulsion of the LPICL. Methods: Medical records and radiographs of horses with avulsion of the LPICL were reviewed; follow-up information was obtained from race records and from owners via a telephone survey. Results: Of 6,418 horses evaluated for ...
Ineson AC, Rogers CW, Firth EC, Gee EK.To compare subjective and quantitative methods of assessing physeal swelling of the distal third metacarpal (Mc3) and metatarsal (Mt3) bones of Thoroughbred foals. Methods: The fetlocks of 16 Thoroughbred foals were filmed on five occasions over a period of 5 months and the video images were transferred to computer and digitised. The rate of change of each of the medial and lateral contours of the distal Mc3 and Mt3 bones was determined by calculating values for the second derivative of the contour. The degree of physeal swelling at the same site was subjectively assessed and allocated a grade...
Dujardin CL, Gootjes P, Moens Y.To quantify the isoflurane measurement error arising from the use of short wavelength infrared (IR) anaesthetic gas analysis during low flow anaesthesia in horses. Methods: Prospective clinical study. Methods: Sixty-four client-owned horses referred for elective or emergency surgery (age 1-16 years, body mass 400-650 kg). Methods: Horses were divided into four groups based on duration of pre-anaesthetic food deprivation period (FDP) and fresh gas flow during anaesthesia: a high flow group with normal FDP (n = 16) and three groups with low flow and normal (n = 29), long (n = 5) or no (n = 14) F...
Marntell S, Nyman G, Funkquist P, Hedenstierna G.To study pulmonary gas exchange and cardiovascular responses to sedation achieved with romifidine and butorphanol (RB) alone, or combined with acepromazine, and during subsequent tiletamine-zolazepam anaesthesia in horses. Methods: Six (four males and two females) healthy Standardbred trotters aged 3-12 years; mass 423-520 kg. Methods: Randomized, cross-over, experimental study. Methods: Horses were anaesthetized on two occasions (with a minimum interval of 1 week) with intravenous (IV) tiletamine-zolazepam (Z; 1.4 mg kg(-1)) after pre-anaesthetic medication with IV romifidine (R; 0.1 mg kg(-1...
Dahlgren LA, Nixon AJ.To define a portion of the nucleotide sequences of each of the 6 insulin-like growth factor (IGF) binding proteins (IGFBPs) in horses and describe patterns of messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression for IGFBPs in normal equine tendons. Methods: 7 horses. Methods: Total RNA was extracted from the tensile region of normal superficial digital flexor tendons and reverse transcribed into complimentary DNA (cDNA). The cDNA was amplified via PCR, and products representing portions of each IGFBP were cloned and sequenced. Nucleotide sequences were used to deduce the amino acid sequences, and both ...
Jongbloets AM, Sloet van Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbaan MM, Meeus PJ, Back W.Equine canker is a chronic, hyperplastic, exudative pododermatitis affecting one or more feet. Although many causes and treatments have been suggested, the cause of the disease is still unknown and most probably multifactorial. Local treatments include radical surgical debridement of the diseased hoof tissue and application of caustic substances, antibiotics, and pressure bandaging. Nevertheless, the number of recurrences is high (45%). This article presents a 3-year-old New Forest pony-cross mare in which all horny structures (frogs, coronets, spurs, chestnuts) of all feet were affected. Bact...
Perkins NR, Reid SW, Morris RS.To describe and enumerate conditions that interrupted training and racing in a population of Thoroughbred racehorses in New Zealand. Methods: A longitudinal study design was used to collect data on horses training under the care of 20 licensed racehorse trainers from venues in the mid to lower regions of the North Island between October 1997 and July 2000. Incidence rates were reported for first and second occurrences for different categories of musculoskeletal injury (MSI), and first occurrences of upper and lower respiratory tract disease, using training days as time-at-risk. The proportion ...
Payne RC, Veenman P, Wilson AM.Muscles have two major roles in locomotion: to generate force and to absorb/generate power (do work). Economical force generation is achieved by short-fibred pennate muscle while the maximum power output of a muscle is architecture independent. In this study we tested the hypothesis that there is an anatomical and structural separation between the force-generating anti-gravity muscles and the propulsive (limb/trunk moving) muscles of the equine forelimb. Muscle mass and fascicle length measurements were made on the thoracic limb extrinsic muscles of six fresh horse cadavers. Physiological cros...
Dixon PM, Dacre I.Equine dentistry is a very important but until recently rather neglected area of equine practice, with many horses suffering from undiagnosed, painful dental disorders. A thorough clinical examination using a full mouth speculum is a pre-requisite to performing any equine dental procedure. Common incisor disorders include: prolonged retention of deciduous incisors, supernumerary incisors and overjet--the latter usually accompanied by cheek teeth (CT) overgrowths. Overjet can be surgically corrected, but perhaps should not be in breeding animals. In younger horses, traumatically fractured incis...
Curtis RA, Kusano K, Evans DL, Lovell NH, Hodgson DR.This study investigated the reliability of measurements with a new equine ergospirometer (Quadflow). Heart rate and blood lactate responses during exercise in horses wearing the Quadflow and an open flow mask were also compared. The mean percentage error of the oxygen uptake measurements was 8.2% (range 2.1-12.5%). Percent error for peak expiratory flow rates ranged from 6.1% to 9.4 %, and for minute ventilation from 2.5% to 7.4%. The coefficients of variation of the means of four measurements in two horses exercising continuously at 9.0 m/s were <5% for variables related to pulmonary venti...
Carmalt JL, Wilson DG.To report arthroscopic debridement and lavage of a septic temporomandibular joint (TMJ) in a horse. Methods: Clinical case report. Methods: A 12-year-old Thoroughbred mare. Methods: Arthroscopic investigation of the dorsal joint pouch of the right TMJ was made through a stab incision into the dorsocaudal compartment. Mechanized resection of synovium and fibrinous debris combined with copious lavage, and intra-articular and systemic antibiotic administration was used to treat the septic TMJ. Results: Arthroscopic debridement and lavage of the TMJ, in combination with intra-articular and systemi...
Smith JJ, Embertson RM.To compare racing performance before and after sternothyroideus myotomy, staphylectomy, and oral caudal soft palate photothermoplasty in Thoroughbred racehorses with intermittent dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP). Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Thoroughbred racehorses (n=102) with DDSP. Methods: Retrieved data included signalment, primary complaint, and upper respiratory tract endoscopic finding. Lifetime race records were compared for earnings per start before and after surgery, days to 1st start, and races won postoperatively. Results: Comparing mean earnings per start fo...
Gaughan EM, Fubini SL, Dietze A.Over an 8-year period, 14 horses were admitted to the New York State College of Veterinary Medicine for evaluation of fistulous withers. Of the 14 horses, 11 were treated surgically and 3 were not treated. Surgical techniques involved radical excision of the affected soft tissue and spinous processes of affected vertebrae. Recurrence rate was 30%, and these horses required additional surgery to resolve the problem.
Davidson GS.Anesthetization of large animals, such as the horse, is a challenge for veterinarians and compounding pharmacists. This article discusses the technique of intravenous anesthesia by using a combination of xylazine and ketamine in the horse for short-term unconsciousness; a combination of xylazine, diazepam, and ketamine, for improved sedation and muscle relaxation; and a combination of xylazine, ketamine, and guaifenesin, referred to as Triple Drip, for the maximum 1-hour duration of unconsciousness. Compounding pharmacists that have the facilities and training required to prepare sterile compo...
Santschi EM, Juzwiak JS, Slone DE.Three monorchid colts were admitted for castration as cryptorchids. Two colts each had one normal descended testis, and the third colt had a small testis in the abdomen. Monorchidism was diagnosed at surgery by locating an incomplete epididymis without a testis. After the incomplete epididymis and other testis were removed, the absence of testicular tissue was confirmed by results of a human chorionic gonadotropin response test.
Kaneps AJ, O'Brien TR, Redden RF, Stover SM, Pool RR.The distal phalanx and metacarpal physis of both forelimbs of 32 Thoroughbred foals 3-32 weeks of age were radiographed to identify those limbs with osseous bodies at a palmar process (PP) of the distal phalanx. Osseous bodies (ossicles) were identified radiographically in 19% of the foals. Sixteen of the 32 foals were selected for microradiographic and histological evaluation: 6 foals with radiographic evidence of ossicles and 10 foals without. Fourteen ossicles of the PP were observed radiographically. Ossicles were either a triangular bone fragment at the palmar aspect of the distal angle o...
Scharner D, Gittel C, Winter K, Blaue D, Schedlbauer C, Vervuert I, Brehm W.Development of incisional complications following ventral median celiotomy might depend on suture pattern for skin closure. Methods: In this prospective study, 21 healthy male horses underwent celiotomy. Skin closure was either performed via a continuous percutaneous pattern (CO group; 5 warmbloods/5 ponies) or an intradermal pattern (ID group; 5 warmbloods/6 ponies). Follow-up examination of the incisional site included daily monitoring for edema, dehiscence, and drainage. Transcutaneous ultrasound was performed at Days 3, 6, and 10 as well as on Week 8 and 12 to evaluate size of edema and pr...
Munsterman AS, Hanson RR, Cattley RC, Barrett EJ, Albanese V.To describe a laparoscopic technique for, and short-term outcome after, closure of the epiploic foramen (EF) in horses. Methods: Descriptive, experimental study. Methods: Healthy, adult horses (n = 6). Methods: Laparoscopic portals to approach the EF were identified in standing horses. Under laparoscopic observation, the gastropancreatic fold and right lobe of the pancreas were grasped with Babcock forceps and secured to the caudate hepatic lobe using helical titanium coils to obliterate the EF. Surgical procedure time and intra- and postoperative complications were recorded. Serial analys...
Slone DE.Ovariectomy and cesarean section are relatively common procedures in a surgical practice in an area in which there are numerous broodmares. Both techniques can be performed by several approaches, which are described in this article. Also described are techniques for ovariohysterectomy, a procedure that is rarely indicated, but that can be performed relatively easily by a capable surgeon.
Lloyd D, Walmsley JP, Greet TR, Payne RJ, Newton JR, Phillips TJ.There is little published clinical evidence on the use of a laparoscopic approach for the removal of pathologically enlarged ovaries in standing mares. Objective: To show the orders of success and complication rates that can be expected if pathologically enlarged ovaries are removed from standing, sedated mares under laparoscopic guidance using only electrosurgical means of haemostasis. Methods: A retrospective analysis was made of 55 mares in which the removal of an enlarged ovary was attempted by applying a standard laparoscopic procedure for routine ovariectomy in standing mares including a...
Smith BL, Auer JA, Watkins JP.Four horses, 2 to 17 years old, were treated for unilateral avulsion fractures of the tibial tuberosity. Two horses were treated successfully with tension band wiring or plating in combination with lag screw fixation. One horse was euthanatized because of implant failure during recovery and one was euthanatized on day 11 because a longitudinal fracture of the tibial tuberosity occurred through the plane of the screws used for stabilization.
Cao X, Vidyashankar AN, Nielsen MK.Decades of intensive anthelmintic treatment has caused equine large strongyles to become quite rare, while the cyathostomins have developed resistance to several drug classes. The larval culture has been associated with low to moderate negative predictive values for detecting Strongylus vulgaris infection. It is unknown whether detection of other large strongyle species can be statistically associated with presence of S. vulgaris. This remains a statistical challenge because of the rare occurrence of large strongyle species. This study used a modified Poisson regression to analyse a dataset fo...
Moser DK, Schoonover MJ, Sippel KM, Dieterly AM, Ritchey JW, Wall CR.This report describes fibrous cyst lining injection and extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) of a medial femoral condyle (MFC) subchondral cystic lesion (SCL) resulting in catastrophic MFC fracture in an Arabian mare. The mare was presented for evaluation of a severe hind limb lameness of approximately 4 months duration. On presentation, a non-weight bearing lameness of the left hind limb with severe effusion and soft tissue swelling of the stifle region was noted. Radiographic evaluation of the stifle revealed a large SCL of the MFC with associated osteoarthritis. Arthroscopic guided intr...
Hoaglund EL, Seabaugh KA, Selberg KT, Hess A, Bass L.Centrodistal joint injection is an important component of lameness evaluation and treatment. Successful injection is poor for the medial approach. The dorsolateral approach is an alternative but has not been validated with contrast medium. Radiograph-guidance has not been studied to determine its necessity or benefit for either approach. Objective: To determine if the dorsolateral approach to the centrodistal joint is more successful than the medial approach. To determine if radiograph-guidance is beneficial. Methods: Prospective, randomised study. Methods: Three operators injected 98 centrodi...