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.
Cruz AM, Pharr JW, Bailey JV, Barber SM, Fretz PB.To evaluate podotrochlear bursa (navicular bursa) endoscopy as a diagnostic technique in horses and to correlate observations to radiographic and pathologic findings. Methods: Descriptive study. Methods: Seventeen equine cadaver forelimbs. Methods: Five standard radiographic views of the navicular region and a bursographic study with lateromedial and caudal tangential radiographic views were taken of each forelimb. Radiographic scoring of the navicular bone (0, excellent; 1, good; 2, fair; 3, poor) was performed using a previously reported technique. Endoscopic examination was performed using ...
Garcia-Lopez JM, Boudrieau RJ, Provost PJ.A 4-year-old castrated male Miniature Horse was evaluated because of severe right hind limb lameness of 5 days' duration. The diagnosis of craniodorsal luxation of the right coxofemoral joint was made by physical examination and radiographic imaging. Closed reduction was attempted but was unsuccessful. Surgical reduction was successfully performed, using toggle pin, synthetic capsular reconstruction, and trochanteric transposition techniques. No postoperative complications were observed. Follow-up 26 months after surgery revealed no recurrence of the luxation and no evidence of lameness. These...
Kim JY, Kim SJ, Paeng KJ, Chung BC.A gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric (GC-MS) method for the determination of ketoprofen, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), in horse urine by selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode is described. Urine samples (2 mL) were extracted by liquid-liquid extraction with diethyl ether. The residues were then evaporated, derivatized and injected into the GC-MS system. Validation of the GC-MS method in the SIM mode using flurbiprofen as the internal standard (IS) included linearity studies (10-10 000 ng/mL), recovery (95%) and limit of quantitation (LOQ) (10 ng/mL). The response was linear,...
Reeves HJ, Lees R, McGowan CM.A high basal plasma or serum insulin concentration is commonly accepted as an indicator of Cushing's disease in horses. The results of the combined dexamethasone suppression test and thyrotropin-releasing hormone stimulation test were compared with the basal insulin concentrations and insulin response tests of eight hyperinsulinaemic and insulin-resistant ponies with clinical histories of chronic or recurrent laminitis that were suspected of having Cushing's disease. Seven of the eight ponies had normal responses to the combined test indicating that basal insulin concentrations are not a speci...
Tecles F, Cerón JJ.Whole blood cholinesterase was measured using acetyl-, butyryl- and propionylthiocholine as substrates in 10 healthy adult dogs, cats, horses, pigs, goats, sheep and cows, in order to determine and characterise the cholinesterase activity in whole blood of the main domestic animals. An in vitro exposure test with two anticholinesterase compounds, the organophosphate insecticide coumaphos and the carbamate insecticide imidocarb, was also performed. In whole blood of ruminants and pigs, acetylthiocholine yielded the highest cholinesterase activity and other substrates were poorly hydrolysed; in ...
May KA, Pleasant RS, Howard RD, Moll HD, Duesterdieck KF, MacAllister CG, Bartels KE.Holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Ho:YAG) laser lithotripsy was attempted in a mare and a gelding with calculi in the urinary bladder. The procedure was unsuccessful in producing adequate fragmentation of the calculi. In the gelding, pulsed dye laser lithotripsy was subsequently used to fragment the urolith. Manual removal of the urolith via the urethra was performed in the mare.
Frees KE, Gaughan EM, Lillich JD, Cox J, Gorondy D, Nietfeld JC, Kennedy GA, Cash W.Formalin was injected into an ethmoidal hematoma in an 18-year-old Arabian gelding. Abnormal neurologic signs were observed within minutes of the injection. The horse did not respond favorably to medical treatment of the neurologic signs and was euthanatized. Postmortem examination revealed erosion and necrosis of the ventral cribriform plate, which appeared to have allowed the injected formalin to reach the rostral portion of the frontal lobe of the brain. Endoscopy and radiography had been performed prior to euthanasia, but neither delineated the cribriform lesion. Before treating large prog...
Busschers E, van Weeren PR.The flexion test of the distal limb is a commonly used clinical tool in both lame and sound horses. In the latter use it is given some predictive value. In recent studies it has been shown that examiner-related factors (force, time) may strongly influence the outcome of the test. In the present study, the possible influences of a number of horse-related factors and short- and long-term repeatability were investigated. Flexion tests were performed by the same researcher in 100 clinically sound horses under standardized conditions. The outcome of the test was scored on a 9-point semiquantitative...
Laan TT, van Nieuwstadt RA, Sloet van Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbaan MM, Breukink HJ.Equine pulmonary disease and especially the terminology of lower airway disease have been subject to discussion. Besides established terms such as 'Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease' (COPD) and Chronic bronchitis, the term 'small airway disease' (SAD) has been introduced, for respiratory disease with inflammation in the lower airways in combination with exercise intolerance. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) enables the practitioner to diagnose SAD in an early stage when there are no other signs such as coughing or exudate in the trachea. The BAL fluid is microscopically examined after centrifu...
Dutra F, Schuch LF, Delucchi E, Curcio BR, Coimbra H, Raffi MB, Dellagostin O, Riet-Correa F.A disease named locally as churrío or churrido equino (i.e., equine scours) has occurred for at least 100 years in Uruguay and southern Brazil in farms along both shores of the Merín lake. This report describes cases of churrido equino and provides serologic, pathologic, and DNA-based evidence indicating that the disease is in fact equine monocytic ehrlichiosis (Potomac horse fever). Results of an epidemiological investigation conducted on an endemic farm are also presented. Clinical signs in 12 horses were fever, depression, diarrhea, dehydration, and sometimes colic and distal hind limb ed...
Wilke M, Nixon AJ, Malark J, Myhre G.To determine clinical and radiographic findings, treatment, and outcome of horses with fractures of the palmar aspect of the radial carpal bone, with or without concurrent fractures of the palmar surfaces of the other carpal bones. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: 10 horses. Methods: Medical records were reviewed to obtain information on history, signalment, clinical and radiographic findings, treatment, and outcome. Follow-up information was gathered from owners and referring veterinarians. Results: 7 horses became lame after recovery from general anesthesia for treatment of an unrelate...
Sheehy JG, Hellyer PW, Sammonds GE, Mama KR, Powers BE, Hendrickson DA, Magnusson KR.To evaluate mu-opioid receptors in synovial membranes of horses and determine whether these receptors are up-regulated in nerve endings during inflammation. Methods: Synovial tissue obtained from 39 client-owned horses during arthroscopy and 14 research horses during necropsy; brain and synovial tissues were obtained during necropsy from 1 horse, and control tissues were obtained from a mouse. Methods: Horses were classified into 7 groups on the basis of histologically determined degree of inflammation. Binding of primary rabbit antibody developed against mu-opioid receptors in equine synovial...
Davenport CL, Tulleners EP, Parente EJ.To investigate the effects of recurrent laryngeal neurectomy (RLN) in combination with laryngoplasty and ventriculocordectomy on the postoperative performance of Thoroughbred racehorses treated for grade III left laryngeal hemiparesis (LLH). Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Fifty-five Thoroughbred racehorses. Methods: Medical records for Thoroughbred racehorses treated surgically by laryngoplasty and laser ventriculocordectomy with or without RLN between June 1993 and December 1996 were reviewed. Outcome was evaluated subjectively by assessment of performance obtained from telephone inte...
Lillich JD, Frees KE, Warrington K, Van Harreveld PD, Gaughan EM, Beard WL.We report use of esophagomyotomy and esophagopexy to create a diverticulum for relief of chronic type I esophageal stricture in 2 horses. After esophagomyotomy, the mucosa was dissected free from the muscularis for approximately 180 degrees around the myotomy. Then, the tunica muscularis of esophagus was sutured to the sternocephalicus muscle ventrally and the periesophageal tissues dorsally to create a diverticulum without disruption of the esophageal mucosa. Clinical signs of esophageal stricture were relieved, and the horses were fed normal diets without further esophageal obstruction.
Brugmans F, Deegen E.To determine the efficacy of laparoscopic surgical techniques for repair of rectal lacerations in horses. Methods: Experimental study. Methods: Thirty-two segments of equine bowel placed in an equine pelvitrainer, 8 equine cadavers, and 3 normal horses. Methods: In experiment 1, 3 laparoscopic intestinal-repair techniques were evaluated in an equine pelvitrainer: suturing with needle holders, with an automatic suture device, and stapling with a hernia stapler. In experiment 2, descending colon lacerations were sutured laparoscopically using needle holders in a pelvitrainer and in equine cadave...
MacLellan KN, Crawford WH, MacDonald DG.To report clinical experience with arthrodesis of the proximal interphalangeal joint in horses using two parallel 5.5-mm cortical bone screws placed in lag fashion. Methods: Retrospective, clinical study. Methods: Thirty-four horses, aged 1 to 19 years. Methods: Medical records for all horses admitted (1991-1997) for pastern arthrodesis using two 5.5-mm ASIF cortical bone screws, in parallel orientation, and placed in lag fashion by use of a combined aiming device to facilitate accuracy were reviewed. Signalment, lameness diagnosis, duration of lameness, limb(s) involved, and outcome were reco...
Fitch GL, Galuppo LD, Stover SM, Willits NH.To evaluate a dorsoproximal extra-articular approach for insertion of 8.25-mm, solid-titanium, intramedullary (IM) interlocking nails into ostectomized foal third metacarpal (MC3) and third metatarsal (MT3) bones; to compare the monotonic mechanical properties of IM nail constructs with paired intact bones; and to determine the effects of age, body weight, fore- or hindlimb, and left or right limb on the mechanical testing variables. Methods: Twenty bone pairs (10 MC3, 10 MT3) collected from 10 foals of various weights and ages. Methods: One bone from each pair was randomly selected to be oste...
Dell'Aquila ME, Masterson M, Maritato F, Hinrichs K.There is a great variability in the success of horse oocyte maturation and fertilization among laboratories. This study was conducted to determine if the meiotic and developmental competence of horse oocytes could be dependent on the method of oocyte collection, i.e., aspiration of follicular fluid with a vacuum apparatus, or opening follicles and scraping the granulosa layer. Horse oocytes were recovered from abattoir ovaries by aspiration or scraping and classified as having compact (Cp), expanded (Ex), or partial (P) cumuli. In Experiment 1 (Part A in May and Part B in October), oocytes wer...
Rossdale PD.The place of clinical research in the veterinary profession is discussed against the author's personal experiences and in the context of how research workers, clinicians, teachers and veterinary students might be brought into a more cohesive unit through the development of a Faculty of clinical research and experimental medicine. It is argued that students should receive training in research and teaching and that efforts should be made to break down the attitude of "them" and "us" which tends to separate the clinicians and academics.
Jean D, Picandet V, Céleste C, Macieira S, Cesarini C, Morisset S, Rossier Y, Marcoux M.This retrospective study evaluated the efficacy and side effects of palatal sclerotherapy in standardbred racehorses suspected to have intermittent dorsal displacement of the soft palate (IDDSP). Fifty-one horses were treated with multiple endoscopically guided injections of 3% sodium tetradecyl sulfate in the soft palate. Two groups were identified: those that had respiratory noises during exercise (n = 27) and those that did not (n = 24). Treatment was well-tolerated. Furthermore, horses significantly reduced their racing times for the last 400 m compared with their times before treatment an...
Thurmon JC, Benson GJ.The purpose of this article is to review the use of selected anesthetics and anesthetic adjuncts in horses. Emphasis is placed on the pharmacologic bases of their use.
De Silva M, Tagliavia C, Galiazzo G, Gifuni G, Caiazza M, Chiocchetti R, Grandis A.The morphometric studies of the atrioventricular valves are still limited in the horse. Objective: To investigate the anatomy of the atrioventricular valves in the horse, focusing on the morphometric features of the valvular leaflets and the tendinous cords. We hypothesised that accessory leaflets occur commonly and exist as independent structures in the atrioventricular valves of the horse. Methods: Descriptive anatomical study. Methods: Twenty normal hearts from slaughtered half-bred horses were used. The cardiac weight and circumference were recorded. The atrioventricular valves were expose...
Pezzanite LM, Griffenhagen GM, Bass L, Okudaira M, Larson B, Hendrickson DA.Liposomal local anaesthetic solutions may provide extended-duration analgesia postoperatively but have not been assessed following intra-peritoneal local infiltration in any species. Objective: To evaluate two doses of 1.33% liposomal bupivacaine (LB) versus 0.75% bupivacaine HCL (BHCl) for analgesia following laparoscopic ovariectomy in mares. Methods: Prospective cohort study. Methods: Fifteen healthy Quarter Horse mares (age 2-20 years) with normal bilateral ovarian palpation and appearance were enrolled. Horses were restrained in standing stocks and administered an α-2 agonist, butorpha...
Vatistas NJ, Wright IM, Dyson SJ.Forty-eight horses with osteochondritic lesions of the femoropatellar joint were treated, 23 of them by an arthrotomy and 25 by arthroscopy. Follow-up information was obtained from either the owner or the referring veterinarian by telephone inquiry. There were no statistical differences between the groups of horses undergoing the two procedures with regard to age, sex, breed, the involvement of one or both limbs, the size of the lesion, and the duration of either the surgery or anaesthesia. However, the horses treated by an arthrotomy spent 14.5 days in hospital after the operation whereas tho...
Saliou G, d'Ablon X, Théaudin M, Saliou T, Bourassi S.Performing a brain computerized tomography scan (CT scan) on a foal requires specific equipment and anesthesia for large animals. However, the information obtained may demonstrate lesions responsible for the neurological deficits. Especially, CT scan findings may help to understand a mechanism of cerebral ischemia. Indeed, categories of cerebral ischemia are divided in three types: territorial infarctions (downstream of the territory of an artery), watershed infarctions (slow-flow at the junction of two arterial territories), and lacunar infarctions (small-vessel occlusions). Hypersensitivity ...
Gaughan EM, Hackett RP.Over a 10-year period, cecocolic intussusception was diagnosed in 11 of 842 horses undergoing surgical treatment for colic at the New York State College of Veterinary Medicine. Eight horses died or were euthanatized because of poor prognosis determined at surgery or because of postoperative complications. Three horses recovered without complication after manual reduction of the intussusception and partial typhlectomy, using an intestinal stapling device.
Spadari A, Spinella G, Romagnoli N, Valentini S.Rupture of the lateral lobe of the proximal tendon of the biceps brachii muscle was diagnosed in an Arabian horse. To the authors' knowledge, this is the only report of this condition in horses. Although clinical signs were helpful in the identification of the location of disease, ultrasonographic examination was a more definitive and non- invasive means of diagnosing the pathological condition. Bursoscopic examination of the intertubercular bursa was also useful in obtaining confirmation of the diagnosis, and for debridement and lavage of the bursa.
Wallace J.With concerns growing globally about anthelmintic resistance in equine endoparasites, James Wallace's practice undertook some research among its horse-owning clients and introduced a fixed-fee parasite management programme to help ensure the most effective use of these valuable medicines.
Smith RL, Murphy DJ, Day RE, Lester GD.To test single cycle to failure tensile strength characteristics of 6 suture material-pattern combinations in equine superficial digital flexor (SDF) tenorrhaphy, specifically to compare a 10-strand modification of the Savage core suture technique with the 3-loop pulley technique. Methods: Ex vivo mechanical experiment comparing 3 different suture patterns with 2 different materials. Methods: Forelimb and hindlimb SDF tendons (n=48) harvested from adult Thoroughbred and Standardbred horses of mixed age and gender. Methods: Six suture material-pattern combinations were evaluated: (1) 10-strand ...
Farrell RK, Hilbert BJ.Methods of equine identification including signalment, blood typing tattooing and freeze marking are discussed. A new system of individually identifying horses with an unalterable freeze mark is proposed. Unalterable numerical and alphabetical symbols have been developed to apply a registration number to the animal.
Marlin DJ, Roberts CA, Schroter RC, Lekeux P.The respiratory stimulant lobeline has been used in equine clinical practice to increase inspiratory and expiratory airflow rates at rest in order to facilitate investigation of both lower and upper airway function. Some of the responses to lobeline in the pony have been reported, but the detailed time course, effect of dose, possible side effects and reproducibility associated with lobeline administration have not been described in the horse. Respiratory airflow rates and oesophageal pressure were measured with a Fleisch No. 5 pneumotachometer and lightweight facemask and a microtip pressure ...
Guglick MA, MacAllister CG, Chandra AM, Edwards WC, Qualls CW, Stephens DH.Mercury toxicosis by ingestion was diagnosed in a 3-year-old Quarter Horse mare with a history of anorexia and signs of abdominal discomfort. Ten and 9 days prior to admission, an inorganic mercuric blistering agent has been applied for topical treatment of dorsal metacarpal disease. At referral, signs of depression, dependent edema, pollakiuria, nonproductive cough, and oral ulceration were noticed. Laboratory data were consistent with renal dysfunction. Mercury content of blood and urine was high, confirming the diagnosis. The horse responded to intensive care, consisting primarily of IV flu...
Bell BT, Bridge IS, Sullivan ST.Seventeen horses diagnosed as having navicular syndrome on the basis of history, clinical findings, regional local anaesthesia and radiography were subjected to bilateral navicular suspensory desmotomy. Before surgery, the duration of navicular lameness ranged from 6 weeks to 4 years. Previous unsuccessful treatments prior to surgery included nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, corrective shoeing, rest and isoxsuprine. For the seventeen horses subject to surgery, twelve horses were sound, one horse was improved and four horses were lame at a minimum of 6 months after surgery.
Rigg DL, Gatlin SJ, Reinertson EL.An intra-abdominal abscess was diagnosed in a 7-year-old mare by palpation per rectum and from abnormal clinicopathologic findings. Initial treatment with procaine penicillin for 21 days was unsuccessful in halting the deterioration of the physical condition of the mare. Surgical exploration of the abdomen revealed a mass in the wall of the left ventral colon. Drainage was achieved by marsupialization. Serratia marcescens was isolated from the abscess. Recovery appeared complete, and the mare has resumed broodmare capability.
Daunt DA.In conclusion, vigilant supportive care is necessary to prevent morbidity and death in the anesthetized horse. Because some of the equipment and drugs are specialized and the consequences of some postanesthetic complications are severe, availability of those items must be confirmed prior to anesthesia. Proper positioning and padding will help to reduce the incidence of postanesthetic myopathy-neuropathy syndrome in these large patients. Adequate tissue perfusion is important and can be achieved by controlling anesthetic depth, increasing intravascular volume with fluid administration, and by a...
Hallamaa RE, Saario E, Tallberg T.Healing sarcoids were followed in 18 horses which had taken part in previous clinical studies on a total of 29 horses suffering from either primary or recurrent sarcoids, treated with bio-immunotherapy. In the present study, attention was paid to changes observed in these fibroblastic skin tumours during their regression. The tumours were surgically debulked leaving the base in the skin. The horses were immunized according to bio-immunotherapy at 2- to 4-week intervals with an autogenous vaccine made from the excised part of the tumour until the base had visibly regressed. Healing was followed...
Steward ML.This article describes the use of the wooden shoe in the treatment of chronic laminitis. The shoe, designed to provide a solid base and full roller motion, offers mechanical advantages and enables reduction and redistribution of forces within the hoof capsule.
Wilkie DA.A silicone subdermal implant was used in the surgical repair of a superior palpebral defect in a horse. The right superior palpebra was missing from the lateral canthus superiorly to the 1 o'clock position, and a corneal ulcer, anterior uveitis, and right micropalpebral fissure also were observed. Lateral canthotomy and canthoplasty were performed to enlarge the palpebral fissure, and a silicone implant was inserted in the superior palpebra to replace the missing tarsal plate. These procedures resulted in a successful reconstruction, with improvement of palpebral function.
Carmalt JL, Delaney L, Wilson DG.To compare the biomechanical cyclic fatigue properties of 2 and 3 parallel transarticular 5.5 mm cortical screws used in arthrodesis of the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint. Methods: Randomized block design, for horse, fixation method (2 versus three 5.5 mm cortical screws), side (right, left) and end (front, hind) in cadaveric equine limbs. Methods: Cadaveric adult equine fore- and hindlimbs (n=5 pairs each). Methods: Two parallel 5.5 mm cortical screws were inserted in lag fashion, transarticularly through the PIP joint in 1 limb of a pair, and in the contralateral limb, three 5.5 mm cor...
Rothaug PG, Tulleners EP.To describe a technique of contact neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser-assisted excision of progressive ethmoid hematoma (PEH) in horses, to determine the recurrence rate of clinical signs of PEH in horses with follow-up time of a minimum of 12 months, and to compare this result with reported results achieved by using conventional techniques. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: 21 horses with 26 PEH. Methods: Medical records of all horses with PEH treated by Nd:YAG laser excision from December 1986 through August 1996 were analyzed. Twenty-one horses underwent unilateral (18 su...
Vilar JM, Rivero MA, Arencibia A, Morales I, Pinedo M.The authors propose a standard protocol of ultrasonographic exploration of the tarsal region in transversal and longitudinal planes, with the aim to spread with an accurate location of the anatomical structures. For this study, 10 adult horses of different races and ages (ranged 5-10 years) were used, with the characteristic of not having suffered any kind of tarsic pathology. The equipment was a real time ultrasound machine with a 7.5 mHz lineal transducer. Some different anatomical structures in this region of the hind-limb such as the tendons, ligaments, muscles and articular components wer...
Barrell EA, Kamm JL, Hendrickson DA.A 7-year-old mixed-breed stallion was admitted because of colic. Results: Entrapment of the left colon in the renosplenic space was diagnosed via rectal palpation and ultrasonographic examination, despite a renosplenic space ablation 6.5 years earlier. Results: The renosplenic entrapment was corrected with a combination of phenylephrine administration, rolling, and ballottement of the horse's abdomen during general anesthesia. The following week, left flank laparoscopic renosplenic space ablation was performed with the horse standing. On examination of the previous surgical site, only 4 bands ...
Mäkelä O, Gustavsson I, Hollmén T.Chromosomal analysis is not a routine examination in equine
practice. It is indicated, however, in infertile or subfertile
mares with small, inactive ovaries (Chandley et a/. 1975;
Power 1986).
The most commonly reported abnormalities in mares
concern sex chromosomes such as 63,XO and mosaic
63,XO/64,XX giving sterile mares and 64,XY resulting in
gonadal dysgenesis, sex reversal and testicular feminisation
(Power 1990). The phenotypic manifestations of a horse with
these karyotypic abnormalities are usually quite mild
compared with the corresponding abnormalities in man. These
mild ...
To evaluate the etiology of skeletal changes noted in equid vertebrae from a 19- century context near Belgrade, Serbia. A vertebral column consisting of 15 fused thoracic vertebrae (T2-T16), with right ribs fused to T4 and T5 and small remnants of ribs articulating with T4, T5 and T6 on the left side were accidentally recovered during industrial exploitation of sand. The specimen was subjected to morphological analysis and collagen fingerprinting by mass spectrometry for species identification. In order to determine the absolute temporal context, radiocarbon dating was employed. Pathological c...
