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.
King JM, Flint TJ, Anderson WI.A newly described congenital heart anomaly, the incomplete subaortic stenotic ring was detected at necropsy in four dogs, one cat, one cow, one horse, one sheep and one pig. These structures were grossly and histologically similar to complete subaortic stenotic rings, being composed of variably dense interlacing bands and sheets of fibrous connective tissue. In all nine cases, their presence at necropsy was considered an incidental finding.
Sanders-Shamis M, Gabel AA.An avulsed carpal medial collateral ligament was diagnosed by clinical and radiographic examination in a 1-day-old foal that was unable to bear weight on the affected limb. The foal had a valgus deviation originating at the carpus and medial to lateral instability of the affected carpus. The ligament was reconstructed with screws and suture tape. Surgical reconstruction is a viable alternative to long-term casting or splinting for treatment of a ruptured carpal medial collateral ligament in a foal.
Davis JL, Manohar M.Large increases in systemic and pulmonary arterial pressures of exercising healthy ponies have been observed. Because exercise causes a considerable increase in PCV of ponies, we examined the effect of splenectomy on exercise-induced changes in systemic and pulmonary pressures. These pressures (taken with catheter-tip micromanometers) and indicator dilution cardiac output were determined on 9 healthy ponies that had undergone splenectomy 4 to 9 weeks before the study. Data obtained at rest and during submaximal (10.5 to 11.0 mph) and maximal (14 to 15 mph) exercise from these ponies were compa...
Maclean AA, Jeffcott LB, Lavelle RB, Friend SC.The use of iohexol as a contrast agent for myelography is reported in two groups of horses. Group 1 (n = 6) were used only for myelography and to assess the clinical and pathological effects of intrathecal administration of iohexol. A volume of 20 ml at a concentration of 300 or 350 mg iodine/ml gave satisfactory myelographic detail with no serious clinical or neurological side effects. Only a minimal inflammatory response could be demonstrated in cerebrospinal fluid at four and 14 days after injection. At post mortem examination 14 days after myelography there was no evidence of meningitis no...
Martin GS, Haynes PF, McClure JR.Between 1977 and 1984, 31 Thoroughbred horses (mean age, 2.8 years) were surgically treated for slab fractures of the third carpal bone. All fractures involved the articular surfaces of the intercarpal and the carpometacarpal joints in a frontal plane and had a cuboidal or slab shape. In 20 of the horses, the bone was fractured during racing and in 8 of the horses, the bone was fractured during race training. The right limb was affected more frequently than was the left limb (24 vs 7, P less than 0.05). Twenty-one (67.6%) horses raced at least once after recovery from the surgery. Data were av...
Kamerling SG, Cravens WM, Bagwell CA.The effects of detomidine, a veterinary sedative analgesic, were studied in the horse. Novel objective techniques were employed to assess the analgesic and sedative potency of this compound. Intravenous doses of 0.010, 0.020 and 0.040 mg/kg were administered to eight adult Thoroughbred racehorses according to a double-blind crossover design. Analgesia was measured by determining the latency to onset of the skin twitch and hoof withdrawal reflexes following noxious thermal stimulation of the withers and fetlock, respectively. Sedation was assessed by quantifying spontaneous locomotor activity i...
Folz SD, Pax RA, Klei TR, Thomas EM, Ash KA, Conder GA, Bennett JL.An in vitro assay involving the use of a horse strongyle (Strongylus edentatus) and the micromotility meter has been developed to test for equine anthelmintic activity. Three commercially available equine anthelmintics (dichlorvos, ivermectin, and pyrantel pamoate) and an investigational drug (p-toluoyl chloride phenylhydrazone) were evaluated in this assay at four concentrations. After a 24-h incubation, greater than or equal to 10 micrograms/ml of all four drug treatments significantly (P less than or equal to 0.05) reduced the motility of ensheathed L-3 S. edentatus larvae, thereby indicati...
Freeman DE, Gentile DG, Richardson DW, Fetrow JP, Tulleners EP, Orsini JA, Cimprich R.Strangulation obstruction was induced in anesthetized ponies for periods of 2 and 3 hours by clamping 45-cm segments of jejunum and associated veins (venous strangulation obstruction) and arteries and veins (arterial and venous strangulation obstruction). Four segments were studied in each of 7 ponies allowed to survive 12 hours, 2 segments in a pony that was allowed to survive 1 hour, and 1 segment in each of 10 ponies allowed to survive 42 days after the strangulation periods ended. Fifteen minutes after the periods of strangulation obstruction ended, the viability of test segments was asses...
Lavoie JP, Harnagel SH.A small tear in the urinary bladder of a severely debilitated 4-day-old foal was managed with an indwelling urinary catheter connected to a urine collecting system. Fluid therapy, parenteral nutrition, and antimicrobial agents were used during the initial management of the ruptured bladder. Aseptic technique for catheter care and systemic administration of antimicrobial agents prevented the development of bacterial cystitis. Catheter management required constant monitoring, but the bladder defect was sealed within 5 days. Fungal arthritis caused by Candida tropicalis, immune-mediated anemia, d...
Freeman DE, Cimprich RE, Richardson DW, Gentile DG, Orsini JA, Tulleners EP, Fetrow JP.Strangulation obstruction was induced in anesthetized ponies for periods of 2 and 3 hours by clamping 45-cm segments of jejunum and their veins only (venous strangulation obstruction, VSO) and arteries and veins (arterial and venous strangulation obstruction, AVSO). These types of strangulation obstruction were studied in 4 segments in each of 4 ponies allowed to survive 12 hours (group 1) and in a single segment in each of 10 ponies allowed to survive 42 days (group 2) after the strangulation period ended. On visual inspection, segments subjected to VSO had hemorrhage and edema in the bowel w...
Schneider RK, Meyer DJ, Embertson RM, Gentile DG, Buergelt CD.Peritoneal lavage was performed on ponies to determine the effect on peritoneal surfaces. Lavage solution (20 L) was introduced into each pony's peritoneal cavity through catheters placed in the paralumbar fossa, and the solution was removed by drainage from the ventral portion of the abdomen. Six ponies each were lavaged with sterile saline (0.9% NaCl) solution, sterile saline solution containing 5 X 10(6) U of potassium penicillin and 3 g of neomycin or povidone-iodine diluted to 3% by volume with sterile saline solution, and 3 ponies were lavaged with povidone-iodine diluted to 10% with ste...
Katila T, Koskinen E, Oijala M, Parviainen P.Fifty-three post-partum (p. p.) periods were studied in 38 mares. Uterine samples were taken on
the 2nd and 5th days p.p. and thereafter every other day until ovulation. Uterine swabs were
examined for bacteria and neutrophils and uterine biopsy specimens for neutrophils and lymphocytes.
The occurrence of bacteria and leukocytes was most common on day 5 p. p. The dominant organism
on day 2 was E. coli and on day 5 P-haemolytic streptococci. Thirty-four mares were inseminated
during the first p. p. oestrus. Only the occurrence of neutrophils in day 5 biopsy specimens correlated
with foal ...
van der Velden MA.During a seven year period, 51 cases of acquired inguinal herniation in 50 stallions were treated surgically. In 25 cases the herniated loop was ileal, in the other 26 it was jejunal. In cases of strangulation, the vaginal ring was enlarged by incising the peritoneum and transverse fascia. Closure of the superficial inguinal ring was advisable to prevent the hernia recurring. In all cases unilateral castration was performed. Laparotomy was carried out in 33 cases; 22 required intestinal resection and in four cases a bypass was made. Follow-up at least six months postoperatively indicated that ...
van der Velden MA.Over a six year period, 14 new-born colt foals were treated surgically because of ruptured inguinal hernia. In all cases, the prolapsed intestines, which were jejunal loops, were situated subcutaneously and protruded through a rent in the parietal vaginal tunic at the level of the inguinal canal. After herniorrhaphy and unilateral castration, the prolapsed loops were replaced into the abdomen, and the superficial inguinal ring closed. Seven foals survived.
Lloyd KC, Stover SM, Pascoe JR, Baggot JD, Kurpershoek C, Hietala S.The concentration of gentamicin in plasma and synovial fluid of normal adult horses was measured periodically for 24 hours after IV (2.2 mg/kg of body weight), intra-articular (IA; 150 mg), and simultaneous IV and IA administrations. Gentamicin also was buffered with sodium bicarbonate (3 mEq) and then was administered IA and simultaneously IV and IA. Synovial fluid specimens were obtained via an indwelling catheter placed into the antebrachiocarpal joint. The peak mean plasma gentamicin concentration (8.30 micrograms/ml) after IV administration was significantly (P less than 0.05) greater tha...
Lloyd KC, Stover SM, Pascoe JR, Pool RR, Kurpershoek C.The effect of gentamicin sulfate, unbuffered and buffered with sodium bicarbonate, on synovial fluid and membrane of clinically normal equine joints was evaluated. Thirty-six adult horses with clinically normal antebrachiocarpal joints were allotted to 6 treatment groups of 6 horses each. One antebrachiocarpal joint in each horse was chosen for treatment. Group-1 horses were given gentamicin (3 ml; 50 mg/ml); group-2 horses were given sodium bicarbonate (3 ml; 1 mEq/ml); group-3 horses were given gentamicin (3 ml; 50 mg/ml) and sodium bicarbonate (3 ml; 1 mEq/ml); group-4 horses were not treat...
Lloyd KC, Stover SM, Pascoe JR, Pool RR.A 2.5-cm long, 0.8 mm in diameter catheter was placed percutaneously into the palmarolateral pouch of the antebrachiocarpal joint in 6 clinically normal horses. The catheter was affixed in place for 72 hours. Cytologic analysis was performed on synovial fluid specimens obtained through the catheter at postcatheterization hours (PCH) 0, 24, and 72. The horses were euthanatized at PCH 72, and macroscopic and microscopic examinations were performed on the dorsal portion of the joint capsule and the palmarolateral pouch of the catheterized and contralateral (noncatheterized) joint. Clinical, synov...
Crawley GR, Grant BD, White KK, Barbee DD, Gallina AM, Ratzlaff MH.A modified Cloward's technique was performed for arthrodesis of one metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint in eight horses. Dorsal arthrotomies were performed medial and lateral to the common digital extensor tendon and two 16 mm holes were drilled through the joint. A perforated cylindrical stainless steel basket filled with cancellous bone was impacted into each hole. The limbs were supported in casts for 8 weeks. The joints were examined and radiographed at 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 6 months, and 10 months. One horse was euthanatized at week 14 to assess the progress of the arthrodesis. In the other seven...
Spurlock SL, Spurlock GH, Donaldson LL.A 3-year-old Thoroughbred mare with signs of acute abdominal pain and chronic pneumonia was found to have pneumothorax. A single application of suction was successful in resolving the pneumothorax. The underlying pneumonia was treated with long-term antibiotic administration selected on the basis of results of bacteriologic culture and antimicrobial susceptibility testing of a transtracheal aspirate. The pneumonia resolved, and the mare returned to competition as a show hunter.
Bain FT, Brock KA, Koterba AM.High-frequency jet ventilation was performed on a premature foal for respiratory difficulty attributable to in utero-acquired pneumonia. The procedure involves delivery of compressed gas through a small-bore cannula at frequencies up to 400 cycles/min. Ventilation settings of drive pressure, frequency, and FIO2 were varied to optimize PaO2 and PaCO2 values. The foal was ventilated with this equipment for 14 hours. Evidence of a favorable response to this method of ventilation was observed in the form of improvement in arterial blood gas values as well as the foal's attitude and degree of respi...
Fischer AT.After surgical correction of the underlying abdominal disorder, careful postoperative care is the most important factor resulting in increased survival rates. Intensive care of the postoperative patient can be done practically and economically.
Bonfig H.The purpose of this detailed description of the clinical examination of the colic patient is to arrive at a specific diagnosis. However, this is hardly ever possible, but the practitioner should be in the position to establish the suspicion of an intestinal obstruction or to rule out its presence during the course of the development. Single clinical findings should not be interpreted in isolation but in relation to one another, so that a false diagnosis is not made. All clinical findings should be documented, so that when repeated examinations are carried out, findings can be compared with one...
Vasey JR.In 15 horses with acute abdominal disease, a diagnosis of incarceration of small intestine through the epiploic foramen was made, either at the time of exploratory celiotomy or at necropsy.The horses exhibited signs of moderate to severe abdominal pain and were suffering from hypovolaemic and/or endotoxic shock. Nasogastric intubation produced either gas or fluid, the pH of which was in the range of 5 to 7.2, indicating reflux of small intestinal content into the stomach. Consistent physical findings included absence of gut sounds on auscultation, dilated small intestine palpable on rectal exa...
Bohn A, Papageorges M, Grant BD.Ultrasonography and radiography were used to diagnose bicipital tenosynovitis and humeral osteitis in a horse with a history of lameness of 7 weeks' duration. Surgical exploration confirmed the diagnosis.
Held JP, Blackford JT.Three cases of vaginal perforation after coitus are discussed. The most consistent clinical sign is a small amount of blood escaping from the vulvar lips immediately after breeding. Secondary infection and posttraumatic swelling may cause abdominal pain due to rectal impaction. Treatment with high levels of an appropriate antibiotic is important to reduce the risk of a severe infectious peritonitis. The use of artificial insemination or a breeding roll to prevent full intromission is recommended.
Swor TM, Watkins JR, Bahr A, Epstein KL, Honnas CM.Previous olecranon fracture reports contain a small proportion of type 5 fractures, mostly treated with conservative therapy. Objective: To evaluate the clinical details and outcome of type 5 olecranon fractures in a large group of horses treated by tension band plate fixation and to compare results with other treatment methods. Methods: Medical records of 97 cases, including 32 (33%) classified as type 5, were reviewed. Subject details, history, radiographic findings, treatment and follow-up results (2-146 months post operatively) were recorded. Results: Treatment included open reduction and ...
Mendoza P, d'Anjou MA, Carmel EN, Fournier E, Mai W, Alexander K, Winter MD, Zwingenberger AL, Thrall DE, Theoret C.Understanding radiographic anatomy and the effects of varying patient and radiographic tube positioning on image quality can be a challenge for students. The purposes of this study were to develop and validate a novel technique for creating simulated radiographs using computed tomography (CT) datasets. A DICOM viewer (ORS Visual) plug-in was developed with the ability to move and deform cuboidal volumetric CT datasets, and to produce images simulating the effects of tube-patient-detector distance and angulation. Computed tomographic datasets were acquired from two dogs, one cat, and one horse....
Lang A, Brucker P, Ludwig M, Wrede T, Theunert J, Gasse H.The topographical correlations between certain extracranial and intracranial osseous points of interest (POIs), and their age-related changes, are indispensable to know for a diagnostical or surgical access to intracranial structures; however, they are difficult to assess with conventional devices. In this pilot study, the 3-dimensional coordinates of extra-/intracranial POIs were determined, thus avoiding perspective distortions that used to be intrinsic problems in 2-dimensional morphometry. The data sets were then analysed by creating virtual triangles. The sizes, shapes, and positions of t...
Capik I, Ledecky V, Mihály M.Abnormalities of dental development such as hypoplasia of cementum, oligodontia, polydontia, enamel hypoplasia, brachygnathia, and prognathia are quite common in the horse. Abnormalities of eruption are less common and often associated with trauma. This case report describes the diagnosis and therapy for pre-eruption displacement of the maxillary left third and fourth premolar teeth resulting from previous facial trauma in a 1.5-year-old filly.
Möller I, Thomas A, Wingender A, Machnik M, Schänzer W, Thevis M.Erythropoietin (EPO) and its recombinant analogues are suspected to be illicitly administered to horses for performance enhancing purposes and, consequently, prohibited in equine sports. Recently, a new erythropoiesis-stimulating agent, peginesatide (Omontys, formerly referred to as Hematide), belonging to the upcoming class of EPO-mimetic peptides, received approval for the treatment of anaemia in humans with chronic kidney disease on dialysis. As the pegylated dimeric peptide of approximately 45 kDa without sequence homology to EPO is not detectable by conventional EPO detection assays, spec...
Olsen SN, Schumann T, Pedersen A, Eriksen L.It was demonstrated in the present study that a simple Baermann technique using disposable materials, was successful in detecting living, motile cyathostome larvae in the faeces of horses.
Breit S, König HE.20 extremities of horses were used to investigate the synovial membrane of the distal interphalangeal joint and the navicular bursa. From each extremity five specimens were taken from the distal interphalangeal joint capsule, two further from the navicular bursa. Synovial villi were found near the articular cartilage as well as everywhere where the joint capsule did not form a tight periostal cover or was not connected with ligaments or tendons. Some lay between the articular surfaces of the phalanx media and phalanx distalis. Besides synovial villi and synovial folds "trabecular-like" cords o...