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.
Meier HP.The genetic predisposition to navicular disease is proven nowadays, but otherwise, etiology and pathogenesis are still unclear. Causal therapy isn't possible and because of the poor prognosis, neurectomy is still of bearing. This operation was performed already 200 years ago, but in the middle of the last century, critical voices have been raised in regard to the surgical procedure and its indication both for medical reasons and breeding. Clear instructions for exclusion of diseased animals from breeding are also older than one hundred years. These facts call for ethic considerations which con...
Keg PR, Schamhardt HC, van Weeren PR, Barneveld A.The practice of applying diagnostic nerve blocks relies on the assumption that the blocks in themselves do not alter the horse's gait. This assumption has recently been challenged. In the present paper a series of sequential nerve blocks (low palmar digital block, abaxial sesamoid block, high palmar block) was applied to clinically sound horses. Before and after each block the gait was clinically scored and Ground Reaction Forces (GRF) were measured. Clinical scoring did not change after any of the nerve blocks. None of the GRF variables changed significantly except for a slight alteration of ...
Burkhard MJ, Baxter G, Thrall MA.A precipitate was observed on the blood films of horses (15 of 16) and one cow given a peritoneal infusion of 1 % sodium carboxymethylcellulose (SCMC) solution to prevent abdominal adhesions. The intensity of the precipitate seen 2 to 3 days post-infusion strongly correlated with the administered dose of SCMC (range 0.96 to 11.7 ml/kg). The dose given was inversely correlated with bodyweight and the most prominent precipitates were seen in foals. The precipitate was observed as early as 24 hours and persisted for as long as 9 days after SCMC administration. Fibrinogen was the only hematologica...
Estberg L, Stover SM, Gardner IA, Johnson BJ, Case JT, Ardans A, Read DH, Anderson ML, Barr BC, Daft BM, Kinde H, Moore J, Stoltz J, Woods LW.To characterize and contrast data from Thoroughbreds that incurred a fatal musculoskeletal injury (FMI; injury resulting in death or euthanasia) during racing or training and data from all California race entrants during a 9-month period in 1991. Methods: Case-control study. Methods: Thoroughbreds that incurred a FMI during racing or training at a California race-meet and all California race entrants from January through June and October through December 1991. Methods: Age and sex were compared with chi 2 and Fisher's exact tests among horses fatally injured while racing and training. A log-li...
Cervantes C, Madison JB, Miller GJ, Casar RS.The biomechanical characteristics of a 4-ring circular multiplanar fixator applied to equine third metacarpal bones with a 5 mm mid-diaphyseal osteotomy gap were studied. Smooth Steinmann pins, either 1/8 inch, 3/16 inch, or 1/4 inch, were driven through pilot holes in the bone in a crossed configuration and full pin fashion and fastened to the fixator rings using cannulated fixation bolts. The third metacarpal bone fixator constructs were tested in three different modes (cranial-caudal four-point bending, axial compression, and torsion). Loads of 2,000 N were applied in bending and axial comp...
Smith RF, Jackson LS, Moore A.An 125I radioimmunoassay to determine the pattern of urinary excretion of etorphine (a semisynthetic opiate agonist) after its administration to horses is described. Three thoroughbred horses were each given 5, 15, 30 and 100 micrograms of etorphine intramuscularly. Urine was collected for up to 72 after administration. The maximum etorphine concentration after administration of a dose of 5 micrograms was 711 pg ml-1 (concentrations were greater than 100 pg ml-1 after 23 h in all three horses); a 15 micrograms gave 2661 pg ml-1 (levels remained above 100 pg ml-1 for more than 44 h in each hors...
Grier SJ, Turner AS, Alvis MR.The use of dual-energy absorptiometry (DXA) to measure bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD) is widespread in humans and has been adapted to animals because of the need to examine bone and body composition in longitudinal studies. In this review, the indications and techniques for DXA in small-sized animals (rodents, cats, and rabbits) and large-sized animals (dogs, swine, nonhuman primates, sheep, and horses) are discussed. Now that software has been developed for measuring BMD in small laboratory animals, the most frequent use of DXA in animals is in rats. An ultrahigh-re...
Binder H, Jakob C, Bucher P.Successful application of embryo transfer (ET) has become common practice in cattle, horses, sheep, goats and a variety of other species held in captivity. Yet in cattle only has the technique been established commercially. In 1994 more than 100,000 bovine embryos have been transferred in European countries. Important progress in transvaginal ovum pick up (OPU), in vitro production (IVP) and cryopreservation have further improved the applicability of ET. Direct transfer simplifies the procedure considerably allowing individual transfers and eliminating the need of synchronizing recipients. In ...
Bucci TJ, Hansen DK, LaBorde JB.Two of five pregnant rabbits gavaged with purified fumonisin B1 at 1.75 mg/kg/day died, one after 9 and one after 13 doses. Microscopic examination revealed focal small hemorrhages in cerebral white matter in both animals, with malacia and hemorrhage also present in the hippocampus of one. The lesions were bilateral. Both animals also had marked degeneration of renal tubule epithelium and of hepatocytes. Apoptosis was the dominant degenerative change in kidney and liver. Fumonisin is known to cause leukoencephalomalacia and hemorrhage in equines, but CNS changes associated with exposure to fum...
Denoix JM, Jacot S, Bousseau B, Perrot P.This paper describes normal ultrasound images of the soft tissues of the dorsal and abaxial aspects of the equine fetlock. The palmar aspect of the fetlock is not discussed because it is related to the suspensory apparatus and flexor tendon anatomy which has been previously described. Ultrasound scanning was performed with 7.5 MHz linear or 10 MHz sector probes and recorded on 7.5 cm U-matic videocassettes allowing further retrospective data analysis, computer manipulation and good image reproducibility. Sagittal, parasagittal, frontal and transverse ultrasound scans of 13 lameness free mature...
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...
Fischer AT, Vachon AM, Klein SR.Two mature stallions that were used for breeding purposes were admitted for evaluation of inguinal hernias. In 1 horse, the hernia was reduced per rectum by gentle traction applied to the intestine. In the other horse, the hernia was reduced by placing the horse in dorsal recumbency and applying external pressure over the scrotum. Both horses were observed for recurrence of the hernia. Seven days later, an elective laparoscopic technique for inguinal herniorrhaphy was performed on each horse, using polypropylene mesh. Complications did not develop, and both horses have successfully completed 2...
Schneider RK, Andrea R, Barnes HG.An open, contaminated, comminuted fracture of the radius of a 500-kg adult horse was diagnosed. Antibiotic-impregnated polymethyl methacrylate implants were placed into the fracture site to help eliminate infection from the limb. Later in the course of treatment, lag screws were placed across the fracture to generate compression and healing. The fracture healed, and the horse was released to its owners. The implants were not removed, and only a mild lameness existed 90 days later.
Crabill MR, Watkins JP, Schneider RK, Auer JA.To determine the technique used, and the outcome for, double-plate fixation of comminuted fractures of the second phalanx of horses. Methods: Retrospective analysis of medical records. Methods: 10 horses with comminuted fractures of the second phalanx that were treated by use of double-plate fixation. Methods: Two 4- to 6-hole dynamic compression plates were abaxially placed to achieve arthrodesis of the proximal interphalangeal joint and fixation of the fracture of the second phalanx. Results: Arthrodesis and fracture healing were detected in all horses. Conclusions: Horses with comminuted fr...
Yvorchuk-St Jean K, Gaughan E, St Jean G, Frank R.To evaluate the effect of a porous bovine-derived collagen membrane (PBCM) on the rates of wound healing, cellular events, presence of granulation tissue, and appearance at termination of the study in surgically created full-thickness cutaneous wounds of the distal portion of the extremities of horses. Methods: Treated wounds (n = 12) received a PBCM dressing and control wounds were covered with a nonadherent dressing. Forelimbs and hind limbs were cross paired; the right forelimb and left hind limb always received the same dressing application, as did the left forelimb and right hind limb. Li...
Blikslager AT, Roberts MC.To assess the ability of clinicians to predict the site and type of lesion as well as outcome in horses with colic. Methods: Prospective case study. Methods: 139 horses admitted for evaluation of signs of colic. Methods: Six interns and residents examined horses with colic and predicted the segment of intestine that was affected, the type of lesion, and whether the horse would survive to discharge. Accuracy of prediction of site and type of lesion and survival prediction was compared between the first and second halves of the year, using chi 2 analysis and 95% confidence intervals on sensitivi...
Galey FD.In most competent veterinary diagnostic laboratories, analytical findings are interpreted by the veterinary toxicologist to determine the significance of the finding in view of historic, clinical, and pathologic findings. A veterinary toxicologist also will provide consultation about possible toxic rule-outs for a case, treatment of affected animals, and prevention of additional cases. Once all of the information is available, a complete summary of the findings can be provided to the client. When the procedures outlined are followed, including a systematic approach to collecting all the eviden...
Panu R, Bo Minelli L, Sanna L, Zedda M, Acone F, Gazza F, Palmieri G.The retractor clitoridis muscle originates from the coccygeal vertebrae in the cow, ewe, goat and mare, and from the anal musculature in the sow. It terminates at the base of the clitoris. In all the species considered, a vegetative innervation was found. This was represented by isolated or grouped ganglion cells. Nervous sensitive supply was also present. This was represented by Pacinian, Pacinian-like and Golgi-Mazzoni's corpuscles, and by Krauses's end bulbs. A notable difference was found in the amount and type of these receptors. They were numerous in the sow, ewe and goat, and rare in th...
Frankeny RL, Wilson DA, Messer NT, Campbell-Beggs C.Jejunojejunal intussusception occurred after jejunal resection and stapled functional end-to-end anastomosis in two pony mares. In both mares, the lead point of the intussusception was the stapled functional end-to-end (FEE) anastomosis. The stapled free ends of jejunum were oversewn with an inverting suture pattern. A possible explanation for development of the intussusception was the acute angle created in the intestine by the FEE anastomosis. This angulation may have impaired flow of ingesta causing motility changes that predisposed the site to intussusception. Because the oversewn blind in...
Ragle CA, Schneider RK.Eleven mares and four mules were ovariectomized by a ventral abdominal laparoscopic technique. This approach required tilting the operative table about 30 degrees elevating the pelvis to allow observation of the ovaries. A triangulation technique with a single laparoscopic portal and four instrument portals was used. The ovarian pedicles were ligated and the ovaries were removed through a single enlarged instrument portal. Females ranged in age from 5 months to 18 years. Mean operative time was 44 minutes (range 20 to 90 minutes); mean operative time of the last seven animals was 26 minutes. S...
Hoffmann KL, Wood AK, McCarthy PH.Sonographic and anatomic observations were made of the kidneys of 23 Thoroughbreds or Standardbreds. In an in vitro study of 16 horses, precise correlations were established between the gross anatomic features of the kidneys and their sonographic appearance in images obtained in dorsal, sagittal, transverse, and transverse oblique anatomic planes. The renal cortex had a uniformly mottled echogenicity, and the renal medulla was relatively hypoechogenic, compared with the cortex. Acoustic anisotropy was observed in the cortex and medulla of the cranial and caudal extremities of each kidney. The ...
Blikslager AT, Bristol DG, Bowman KF, Engelbert TA.To determine the feasibility of performing a single-incision loop colostomy for treatment of grade-3 rectal tears in horses. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Seven adult horses with grade-3 rectal tears. Methods: A single-incision loop colostomy was performed with horses under general anesthesia (n = 6) or while restrained in standing stocks (n = 1). The rectal tear was lavaged via an endoscope. The colostomy was resected after the rectal tear healed. Results: Rectal tears ranged from 4 to 10 cm in diameter and were > 25 cm proximal to the anus. All horses survived colostomy surger...
Gastal EL, Kot K, Ginther OJ.A technique for intrafollicular treatment with a transvaginal ultrasound-guided injection needle was developed using equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) as the test substance. An injection was made into one growing follicle of a wave when the follicles were 20 to 23 mm. The treated follicles were injected with 1000 iu of eCG in 0.2 ml saline solution and control follicles were injected with 0.2 ml of the saline vehicle (10 mares per group, 1 follicle per mare). The injection system used an inner 25-gauge needle and an outer 20-gauge needle inserted together through the needle-guide channel of ...
Wilson DA, Baker GJ, Boero MJ.Complications of celiotomy incisions were evaluated retrospectively in 274 horses that survived at least 1 month after surgery, or died or were euthanatized within 1 month of surgery, as a direct result of these complications. Horses were divided into four groups; group A, a ventral median celiotomy for intestinal disease; group B, ventral median celiotomy for nonintestinal disease; group C, repair of an umbilical hernia; and group D, celiotomy in a region other than the midline. Specific incisional complications were peri-incisional edema, drainage, incisional abscess, suture sinus, and dehis...
Clegg PD.A mature thoroughbred-cross gelding developed chronic severe hindlimb lameness. Despite intensive clinical investigation, the diagnosis of infective arthritis of the coxofemoral joint was difficult, and a definitive diagnosis was reached only after synoviocentesis of the joint. The horse was euthanased and examined thoroughly post mortem but no definitive aetiology for the condition was discovered.
Martin F, Richardson DW, Nunamaker DM, Ross MW, Orsini JA.Twenty-two horses with ulnar fractures were treated, using tension band wires alone or tension band wires in combination with pins or cortical bone screws. Age of the horses ranged from 2 weeks to 12 years (median, 4 months), and body weight ranged from 68 to 477 kg (median, 181 kg). Fractures were classified according to the Donecker and Bramlage ulnar fracture classification and included type 1-a (4 horses), type 1-b (4), type-2 (6), type-3 (1), type-4 (3), and type-5 (4), fractures. Tension band wires alone were used in 7 horses. Tension band wires were used in conjunction with unthreaded p...
Hassel DM, Schott HC, Tucker RL, Hines MT.Endoscopic examination of the auditory tube diverticula was a diagnostic aid in the evaluation of 4 horses with otitis media/interna and associated osseous changes of the stylohyoid and petrous temporal. One of the horses was examined because of persistent head shaking; the other 3 were examined because of an acute onset of facial and vestibulocochlear nerve dysfunction. Proliferative lesions involving the petrous temporal bone and proximal portion of the stylohyoid bone were identified endoscopically in all 4 horses. Endoscopy is a noninvasive procedure that provides an alternative to skull r...
Morsy GH.The surface ultrastructure (SEM) of adult worms and eggs of the equine caecal fluke, Gastodiscus aegyptiacus, together with some pathological observations of the caecum and colon of infected horses were studied. SEM showed that G. aegyptiacus had a disc-like body with anterior cone-like part. The oral sucker was surrounded by numerous dome-shaped papillae. The cone-like part possessed tubercle-like papillae at its anterior third. The large ventral sucker was subterminal with small papillae at its rim. The ventral surface was covered with large cauliflower-like papillae. Microvilli were densely...
Sponseller BA, McElhaney R, Carlson GP, Yarbrough TB, Macon SZ.The article presents a case study of a 17-year-old mare that had persistent bladder infections due to abnormal urinary tract anatomy characterized by a septum in the bladder, dilated ureters, […]
Irby NL.A complete neuro-ophthalmologic assessment is relatively simple, requires minimal instrumentation and should be performed as part of every complete ophthalmic and neurologic examination. This article has summarized the tests that comprise and the species-specific details of the complete neuro-ophthalmologic of the equine patient. Selected causes of sudden blindness in the horse were summarized and some common neuro-ophthalmic conditions with significant ophthalmic consequences, such as facial nerve paralysis, were discussed. Split-lid tarsorrhaphies, which are indicated but rarely used in case...
Miyakoshi D, Watanabe A, Ikeda H, Mizuguchi Y.An 8-month-old thoroughbred colt presented with sudden onset right forelimb lameness. A radiographic series of the right carpus was performed, and it revealed a slab fracture of the fourth carpal bone and fracture of the proximal part of the third metacarpal bone. Arthroscopically guided repair of the slab fracture of the fourth carpal bone with a 3.5 mm cortex screw and lag screw fixation of the fracture of the proximal part of the third metacarpal bone were performed. The horse started to race at 32 months old and started in 65 races over three years without any trouble associated with the r...
Turner AS, Gabel AA.Avulsion fractures of the posteromedial eminence of the 2nd phalanx were repaired, using an ASIF cortex screw in 3 reining Quarter Horses. Within 9 and 11 months, respectively, 2 horses were sound and back in competition as reining horses. The other horse was sound for pleasure class showing at 7 months after surgery.
Axelsson M, Eksell P, Ronéus B, Broström H, Häggström J, Carlsten J.A field study was designed to estimate the prevalence of hind limb lameness in a population of Icelandic horses in Sweden. All available Icelandic horses at 11 different farms within 150 km from Uppsala were examined once during a study period of 13 months. The relationship between hind limb lameness and radiographic signs of bone spavin (RSBS) was investigated. The rate of agreement between the outcome after palpation, motion evaluation and flexion test and radiographic examination was established. A total of 379 horses including 238 geldings, 125 mares and 16 stallions, with mean age 8.1 yea...
Littlewood HF.A technique for implanting carbon fibre into sprained flexor tendons in horses is described. Insertion of the fibres through paravertebral needles which passed through the affected region of the tendon was considered to be preferable to direct implantation into the surgically opened tendon. The results of the eight cases treated to date are dealt with briefly, together with a discussion as to how this form of treatment could be further evaluated.
Van Wulfen KK, Bowker RM.To describe microanatomic characteristics of the insertion of the aistal sesamoidean impar ligament (DSIL) and deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) on the distal phalanx in horses. Methods: Healthy feet obtained from 62 horses of various breeds. Methods: Feet from 23 horses were used to histologically examine the insertion of the DSIL and DDFT (n = 7), its vasculature (10), and neural elements (6). In 39 other horses, the insertion zone was examined for proteoglycan. Results: The insertion of the DSIL and dorsal half of the DDFT contained bundles of collagen fibers with intervening loose connecti...
Anderson BH, Firth EC, Whittem T.Plasma (P), synovial fluid (SF) and lymph (L) concentrations of gentamicin were studied in two trials. A lymph vessel in the hindlimb was cannulated. The day after surgery (trial A), P and L samples were collected for 12 h after intravenous injection of gentamicin sulphate at 2.2 mg/kg dose rate. Approximately 48 h after surgery (trial B), the fetlock joint of the cannulated hindlimb was catheterized and P, SF and L samples collected for 12 h after a similar intravenous injection. The kinetic parameters were similar to those in other reports and did not differ between trials (P < 0.05). The P,...
McCarthy PH.A detailed description is given of the methods to locate and palpate a subcutaneous part of the zygomatic branch of the auriculopalpebral nerve in 9 out of 10 adult horses examined. This permits the exact placing of local anaesthetic along the nerve branch at the described site, resulting in the akinesis of the m orbicularis oculi and the elimination of the blink reflex. This facilitates ophthalmologic examination and possible treatment of some eye conditions.
Campbell-Thompson M.The goals of surgical therapy in foal gastroduodenal ulcer disease are the elimination of abdominal pain, healing of mucosal ulcerations, and prevention of complications. Gastrojejunostomy has been used with success in both pyloric and duodenal ulcerations that have progressed to gastric outflow obstruction. Gastrojejunostomy has resulted in rapid healing of gastritis and esophagitis and resolution of aspiration pneumonia and biliary stasis without recurrence of duodenal ulceration.