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.
Donaldson MT, Jorgensen AJ, Beech J.To determine prevalence and clinical features of pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) in horses with laminitis. Methods: Case series. Methods: 40 horses with laminitis. Methods: Horses with laminitis that survived an initial episode of pain and were not receiving medications known to alter the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis were tested for PPID by evaluation of endogenous plasma ACTH concentration. Signalment, suspected cause, month of onset and duration of laminitis, Obel grade of lameness, pedal bone rotation, physical examination findings, results of endocrine function tests, t...
Perkins SL, Magdesian KG, Thomas WP, Spier SJ.A 13-year-old Oldenburg mare was evaluated for lethargy and signs of mild colic. Pericardial tamponade caused by fibrinoeffusive pericarditis was diagnosed. Cytologic and biochemical evaluation of pericardial fluid was consistent with a septic effusion. Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis, the cause of pigeon fever, was identified by bacteriologic culture of pericardial fluid. Drainage and lavage of the pericardial sac, local (intrapericardial) and systemic antimicrobial treatment, and subsequent corticosteroid treatment resulted in a successful outcome in this horse. To the authors' knowledge,...
Ganidagli S, Cetin H, Biricik HS, Cimtay I.Two groups of six mares aged from eight to 18 years were anaesthetised by caudal epidural injections of ropivacaine (0.5 per cent, 0.1 mg/kg) or a combination of ripovacaine (0.08 mg/kg) and fentanyl (100 microg) in a randomised study. The onset of anaesthesia was significantly more rapid (P<0.001) and it lasted significantly longer (P<0.001) in the group anaesthetised with the combination of drugs. The surgical comfort scores of the group anaesthetised with the combination were higher than those of the group anaesthetised with ropivacaine alone (P<0.001), and the quality of intraoper...
Catone G, Marino G, Mancuso R, Zanghì A.The present study describes the clinicopathological features of a mature cystic ovarian teratoma occurred in a 4 year old, cyclic, nulliparous Andalusian mare. The mass was discovered in the left ovary during a breeding soundness examination, and was hard in consistency and variously echogenic. Laparoscopy was performed to confirm the neoplastic change, followed by a unilateral laparotomic ovariectomy in the standing animal. On the cut surface the teratomatous ovary showed a large cyst filled with hair and sebaceous material and three small cysts containing mucous fluid, surrounded by solid ar...
Magdesian KG.Measurements of physiologic parameters, such as blood pressure or lactate concentration, are useful to detect occult derangements, such as tissue hypoxia and dysoxia. These tools are also useful in determining the effects of therapy. Monitoring techniques are now widely available for the intensive management of critically ill horses and foals. A number of these have evolved into noninvasive or minimally invasive devices and procedures and provide information that can be used for earlier and more dynamic therapeutic intervention. The goal of increased monitoring is to improve the level of care ...
Corley KT.Successful treatment with inotropes and vasopressors depends on an understanding of the interplay of flow, pressure, and resistance in the cardiovascular system and an appreciation of the pathophysiologic mechanisms leading to inadequate tissue perfusion. Any treatment strategy is necessarily a compromise between the requirements of different vascular beds.Furthermore. the underlying hemodynamic derangements can change rapidly. Therefore. inotropes and vasopressors should be titrated to measures of improved hemodynamic status, and the treatments should be frequently reviewed.
Dinev D, Andonova M.To compare the effect of anesthesia alone with anesthesia and abdominal surgery on plasma thromboxane B(2) concentrations in horses. Methods: Non-randomized experimental study. Methods: Six male mixed-bred horses (5-12 years, 350 +/- 18 kg). Methods: All horses were anesthetized for 2.5 hours using halothane, and a month later abdominal surgery was performed using the same anesthetic technique with a similar duration. The schedule of anesthesia included pre-medication with diazepam (0.1 mg kg(-1) IM), followed by xylazine (2.2 mg kg(-1) IV), and 10 minutes later anesthesia was induced with ket...
Barakzai SZ, Johnson VS, Baird DH, Bladon B, Lane JG.There has been no objectively assessed case-control study of the efficacy of surgery to correct dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP) previously reported. Objective: Composite surgery has a beneficial result on racing performance in horses affected with DDSP as compared to a matched control population. Methods: Race records were obtained for 53 racing Thoroughbreds which underwent composite staphylectomy, sternothyrohyoideus myectomy and ventriculectomy for correction of idiopathic DDSP at the University of Bristol between 1990 and 1996. Each surgical case was matched for age, sex and ...
Dunnett M, Lees P.Analysis of human hair for drug residues is being used increasingly as a diagnostic tool in the investigation of drug use and abuse. Hair analysis is complementary to urine/blood testing in that it can provide an extensive historical record of drug use, is noninvasive, impersonal and can facilitate retesting. However, the technique has not been studied in horses. Objective: That the systemic administration of drugs in horses could be identified by the detection of drug residues in hair. Objective: To evaluate hair analysis as a potential retrospective diagnostic test for drug administration in...
Voermans M, Butler CM, van der Velden MA, Sloet van Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbaan MM.Umbilical hernias are common in foals. This article provides a review of the literature and presents a case of an 1.5-year-old Friesian mare with an incarcerated umbilical hernia. After reposition of the incarcerated intestine (with a lot of effort), the practising veterinarian referred the mare to the Department of Equine Sciences. Preperforative peritonitis was diagnosed, presumed to be caused by necrotic bowel. After laparotomy, this tentative diagnosis was confirmed. The necrotic part of the small intestine was resected and intensive medical treatment was started. Initially, the mare recov...
Booth TM, Abbot J, Clements A, Singer ER, Clegg PD.To describe and evaluate a technique for radical resection of the entire intrathecal component of the common digital extensor tendon (CDET) in horses. Methods: Prospective clinical study. Methods: Seven client-owned horses. Methods: Seven horses with wounds that resulted in septic tenosynovitis of the CDET sheath were treated by complete surgical resection of the affected tendon and ablation of the tendon sheath; 5 had previous surgery that was unsuccessful. Time from initial injury to complete resection was 1-22 weeks. In 6 horses, the wound was closed primarily using a closed suction (4 hors...
Mattson S, Bouré L, Pearce S, Hurtig M, Burger J, Black W.To report tissue gentamicin concentrations after intraosseous (IO) perfusion in standing horses. Methods: In vivo study. Methods: Twelve horses. Methods: Sedated horses had a cannulated cortical bone screw inserted into the dorsolateral aspect of the treated metacarpus and a tourniquet applied proximally. Gentamicin (2.2 mg/kg) diluted in sterile saline solution (0.1 mL/kg) was infused through the screw. Two horses were euthanatized at each time interval: 0, 2, 6, 12, 24, and 36 hours. Synovial fluid and bone samples were collected distal to the screw from both forelimbs. Gentamicin concentrat...
Crowson CL, Jann HW, Stein LE, Claypool LP, Moll HD, Blaik MA.To compare effects of the locking-loop suture pattern (LLP) and 3-loop pulley (3LP) suture pattern for tenorrhaphy on the intrinsic vasculature of the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) of horses in vitro after surgery. Methods: 16 forelimbs obtained from 8 mature horses. Methods: Tenotomy and subsequent tenorrhaphy was performed in anesthetized horses. Following systemic administration of heparin, horses were euthanatized and the limbs were removed and placed under tension to load the flexor tendons. The intrinsic vasculature was then perfused with a mixture of barium sulfate and water....
Cary JA, Madill S, Farnsworth K, Hayna JT, Duoos L, Fahning ML.The purpose of this study was to evaluate 2 methods of semen collection that could be used as terminal procedures in stallions with irreparable conditions, such as fractures or colic. Electroejaculation was attempted under general anesthesia. Forty-eight hours later, the ponies were castrated and 2 different epididymal sperm collection techniques were attempted by using a flushing or floating method. Additionally, the effect of supplemental seminal plasma was evaluated. Experimentally, electroejaculation was found to be a safe but ineffective method of terminal semen collection. Viable sperm c...
Trostle S.A working knowledge of normal endoscopic anatomy and the effects of positioning must be mastered to take advantage of endoscopic procedures involving the gastrointestinal system. Endoscopic procedures involving the gastrointestinal system offer advantages over conventional surgery in that they are less invasive and provide direct visualization. Laparoscopy can be used to evaluate horses with abdominal pain before and after surgery. It can be used to evaluate and biopsy abdominal masses and parenchymal organs such as the spleen, liver, and kidney. Endoscopic gastrointestinal surgical procedures...
Hendrickson DA.Equine surgery continues to benefit from advances in endoscopic surgical techniques. Much of what we have learned in equine endoscopy comes from techniques used in humans. Descriptions of the normal anatomy of the standing horse and advances in instrumentation have improved our ability to perform laparoscopic surgery in standing and dorsally recumbent horses. This article describes the history of laparoscopy and available instrumentation.
Shettko DL.As laparoscopic surgery gains popularity, it becomes crucial to understand complications associated with the procedure. The potential complications of laparoscopy include those related to laparoscopy and those related to the surgical procedure. As new applications for laparoscopic surgery emerge, it is important for the surgeon to become familiar with potential complications.
Ragle CA.The ventral abdominal approach for laparoscopy is versatile. Reported techniques using a ventral approach in the mare include bilateral ovariectomy and granulosa cell tumor removal. Laparoscopic ovariectomy is performed by way of four instrument portals in the caudoventral aspect of the insufflated abdomen. The procedure has several advantages over the traditional approaches of colpotomy and celiotomy, including tension-free closure of all incisions and minimal invasiveness.
Dechant JE, Hendrickson DA.Standing female urogenital endoscopic surgery is facilitated by the more dorsal location of the organs of the female reproduction tract. The most common reason for laparoscopic surgery on the female urogenital system is ovariectomy; however, the technique has been used to diagnose periparturient or reproductive diseases and to perform surgical embryo transfer. Standing surgical approaches avoid the risk and expense of general anesthesia, but these techniques are limited by the temperament and size of the patient and the availability of facilities for restraint. Owner acceptance of laparoscopic...
Klohnen A, Peroni JF.With the recent development of video-assisted thoracic surgery, visual inspection of the thoracic cavity has been used to provide a more accurate diagnosis and prognosis of thoracic diseases and to better manage these diseases. Equipment, techniques, and complications for standing thoracoscopy in horses are described.
Blikslager AT, Tate LP.There are clearly a number of applications for which flexible endoscopic laser surgery has become the state of the art in equine surgery, and the Nd:YAG laser seems to be the most versatile instrument for this type of surgery. Nevertheless, it is critical to understand the advantages and disadvantages of each laser technique. For example, the Nd:YAG laser used in a noncontact fashion seems to be superior when ablation of tissue is required such as treatment of upper airway masses. Conversely, contact Nd:YAG laser techniques have proven themselves to be superior when more precise cutting is adv...
Ragle CA.Laparoscopic cystotomy is the method of choice for treatment of a cystic calculus in the horse. The main advantage of this procedure over others is the excellent ability to view and gain operative access to the urinary bladder. This article describes the procedure, including techniques, instrumentation, preoperative and postoperative care, and complications.
Trumble TN, Hendrickson DA.Standing laparoscopy in the horse was used initially as a diagnostic tool to assist in the diagnosis of a cryptorchid testicle. Now, this technique is also used for treatment of cryptorchid testicles. The focus of this article is the standing laparoscopic cryptorchidectomy, the most common laparoscopic procedure performed on the male equine urogenital tract. Advantages, disadvantages, instrumentation, and general procedure are discussed.
Wilson DG.Possibly no other development has revolutionized general surgery more dramatically than laparoscopic surgery in human patients. The development of instrumentation suitable for use in horses has allowed the veterinary surgeon to begin to introduce minimally invasive procedures. Clearly, in people, one of the greatest benefits is reduced patient morbidity and earlier return to function. The author's experience with laparoscopic procedures in the horse would tend to reinforce those observations. The most significant obstacle to widespread acceptance of minimally invasive surgery in the horse is p...
Shoemaker RW, Read EK, Duke T, Wilson DG.The feasibility of leaving the ovaries within the peritoneal cavity after laparoscopic coagulation and transection of the ovarian pedicle was assessed in the juvenile horse. Elective ovariectomy was performed on 10 quarter horses, aged 4 to 5 mo, with the fillies in a Trendelenburg position. The mesovarium was isolated, and multiple coagulation and transection cycles were performed until all ovarian attachments had been severed. The ovaries were dropped within the abdomen, and hemostasis of the transected mesovarium was evaluated before closure. The mean surgical time was 33 min (range, 23 to ...
Gomez JH, Schumacher J, Lauten SD, Sartin EA, Hathcock TL, Swaim SF.Three biologic dressings [split-thickness allogeneic skin (STS)], allogeneic peritoneum (P), and xenogenic porcine small intestinal submucosa (PSIS)] were studied to determine their effects on bacterial proliferation, inflammatory reaction, vascularization, and overall healing and to compare the effects of these dressings with the effects of a nonbiologic dressing, a nonadherent synthetic pad (NASP). A medial wound (3 cm in diameter) and 2 lateral wounds (2 cm in diameter) were created at the junction of the proximal and middle thirds of each metacarpus and metatarsus in 5 horses. Each medial ...
Pauwels FE, McClure SR, Amin V, Van Sickle D, Evans RB.To measure changes in the modulus of elasticity (E) and describe histologic findings after extracorporeal shock wave therapy and radial pressure wave therapy on equine cortical bone specimens. Methods: 16 bone specimens from the proximodorsal cortex of an equine third metacarpal or metatarsal bone. Methods: Baseline E was determined by the density (p) and unidirectional ultrasound transmission velocity (C) of each specimen according to the equation E = pC2. Eight specimens were treated with 500 pulses of 0.15 mJ/mm2 of extracorporeal shock wave therapy, and 8 specimens were treated with 500 pu...
Swanstrom MD, Stover SM, Hubbard M, Hawkins DA.To determine the relative contributions of the muscles, tendons, and accessory ligaments to the passive force-length properties of the superficial (SDF) and deep digital flexor (DDF) myotendinous complexes. Methods: 8 cadaveric forelimbs from 6 adult Thoroughbreds. Methods: In vitro, limb configurations during slack position and myotendinous lengths during subsequent axial loading of forelimbs were recorded before and after transection of accessory ligaments. Expressions were derived to describe the force-length behavior of each muscle, tendon, and accessory ligament-tendon unit; linear stiffn...
Balducci JJ, Barrett MF, Moorman VJ.Subchondral or osseous cyst-like lesions within the distal aspect of the middle phalanx are not commonly reported in equids. These osseous lesions, which can communicate with the distal interphalangeal joint, can result in significant lameness and may not respond well to medical management. This report describes the clinical, diagnostic imaging, and surgical management of a 4-year-old mixed breed gelding where medical management of a chronic subchondral osseous cyst-like lesion of the middle phalanx, which communicated with the distal interphalangeal joint, was unsuccessful. A successful outco...
Brooks DE.Many equine keratopathies primarily affect individual layers of the cornea. Targeted lamellar keratoplasty rather than full thickness penetrating keratoplasty (PK) seems most appropriate to the microsurgical management of many of these equine keratopathies. Despite the positive results with PK in the horse the author now suggests that this procedure should be rarely utilised in the treatment of equine keratitis. Selective lamellar surgical replacement of only the diseased corneal layers while retaining unaffected normal corneal layers represents a new paradigm shift in the field of corneal tra...
De Bosschere H, Simoens P, Ducatelle R.A three-day-old foal died from intestinal strangulation due to a remnant of vitelline vein which extended between the umbilicus and the portal vein. The strangulating vein was identified on the basis of its morphological and histological structure. This finding, which is the first reported case of a persistent vitelline vein in a horse, is discussed in relation to the normal development and involution of the vitelline circulation.
Symonds NE, Dart AJ, Keledjian J, Lau ML, Ennis LC, McIver VC, Tsang AS, Biasutti SA, Jeffcott LB.To quantify the time to clear dexamethasone from plasma and urine of horses following a single nebulisation. Methods: Experimental using six Standardbred mares. Methods: Dexamethasone sodium phosphate (0.04 mg/kg) diluted in 0.9% sodium chloride was administered as an aerosol using a Flexineb E2® nebuliser. Blood samples (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 24, 32, 48, 72 and 96 h) and urine samples (0, 1, 4, 8, 24, 32, 48, 72 and 96 h) were collected for analysis using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. Results: Maximum plasma concentrations (t ) were reached by the earliest detection point (...
Dahlgren LA, DeBowes RM, Gift LJ, Veatch JK.Heterotopic salivary tissue was diagnosed in a 7-month-old Quarter Horse colt with a history of a draining wound in the left temporal region from time of birth. Surgical excision of the tract was performed for diagnosis and treatment. Histologically, tissues were compatible with a mixed-type salivary gland, most likely of parotid salivary gland origin. Complete resolution of the drainage was achieved after surgical removal of the ectopic tissue.
Barton CK, Sandow CB, Rodgerson DH.This manuscript describes exostosis lesions originating from the caudal aspect of the proximal tibia identified in three Thoroughbred yearlings as part of the routine review of presale radiographic images. These lesions are hypothesized to be osteochondromas. The identification of bony exostoses on the proximal tibia has not been reported before in current literature. As they have not been described, the future effect on performance or soundness is unknown. Although these cases were not lame at the time of detection, the future growth of the lesion and its impact on surrounding soft tissues is...
Schamhardt HC, Hartman W, Lammertink JL.Strain gauge rosettes were bonded to the dorsal, lateral, medial, and plantar aspects of the third metatarsal bone in the hind limbs of 6 ponies. The maximal compressive principal strain was approximately -600 X 10(-6) m/m, and exceeded the amplitudes of the tensile strains at all aspects of the bone. After transformation, the shear strain and the principal strains parallel and perpendicular to the bone were obtained. The first peak in the bending strain was higher in the dorsal and lateral aspects, and the second peak was higher in the medial and plantar aspects. Young modulus of elasticity w...
Easley KJ, Osborne J, Thorpe PE.Many factors should be considered before one makes a decision to perform surgery, and it is the practitioner's responsibility to make certain the client makes an informed decision. This article considers the various factors of importance in the decision-making process.
Kannegieter NJ, Colgan SA.The arthroscopic findings in 104 intercarpal joints in 76 horses were reviewed to determine the incidence and severity of changes in the medial intercarpal ligament. Damage to the intercarpal ligament was observed in 43 joints in 35 horses, ranging from mild fraying of the edges of the ligament to complete disruption of all fibres. This represented an incidence of 41% of joints being affected. In 9 joints examined arthroscopically primarily as a further diagnostic procedure, ligament damage was evident in all cases. In horses undergoing arthroscopic surgery primarily for the treatment of osteo...
Rijkenhuizen AB, Németh F.The clinical signs, the radiographic appearance, and the treatment of two cases of fracture of the accessory carpal bone are described. The fractures were in the vertical plane. Surgical intervention consisted out of fixation of the fracture with two lag screws. Follow-up information revealed that one horse became sound and returned to complete athletic activity whereas the other horse remained lame. A brief literature review is given and the surgical treatment and the complications are discussed.
Eustace RA, Caldwell MN.This paper describes a method of fabricating and fitting heart bar shoes and a technique of dorsal hoof wall resection. The rationale behind the treatments and criteria for their use are described. Radiographic technique is also discussed. This article reports the treatment of a series of clinical cases described in an accompanying article (p370).
Genton M, Robert C, Jerbi H, Huet H, Cordonnier N, Vitte-Rossignol A, Perkins JD, Rossignol F.To describe the innervation of the thyrohyoideus (TH) muscle and to confirm our findings with stimulation of first cervical (C1) nerve branches. Methods: Ex vivo phase 1 and clinical phase 2. Methods: Fourteen head and neck specimens and 17 client-owned horses. Methods: In phase 1, the cranial nerve (CN) XII and the C1 nerve were dissected with their branches in 20 dissections were performed on 14 specimens (6 left and right side and 8 only left or right) Anatomy was noted. Samples of nerve bifurcations were collected for histological confirmation of anatomical findings. First cervical nerve b...
Kay AT, Spirito MA, Rodgerson DH, Brown SE.To describe a surgical technique for repair of grade IV rectal tears after parturition in mares and to report outcome. Methods: Clinical report. Methods: Horses (n=6) with grade IV rectal tears. Methods: Mares were sedated and restrained in standing stocks. After caudal anesthesia and evacuation of feces from the rectum, the perineal region was aseptically prepared. Four stay sutures were placed through the external anal sphincter before vertical transection (12 o'clock). Caudal retraction of the tear was performed using Allis tissue forceps (5 mares) or stay sutures before accurate apposition...
McKibbin LS, Paraschak D.The final and last-quarter race times and racing classes for a group of Standardbreds were analyzed before and after infrared laser light treatment. These horses had either check ligament injuries, plantar desmitis or pharyngeal lymphoid hyperplasia. A 904-nm infrared laser was used to treat check ligaments at 146 Hz for 26 sec/cm2 of affected area, acute plantar desmitis at 73 Hz and chronic plantar desmitis at 292 Hz for 26 sec/cm2 of affected area, and pharyngeal lymphoid hyperplasia at 146 Hz for 5 minutes. Of 35 horses treated for check ligament injuries, 80% had similar or faster final r...