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.
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.
Sack WO.The nerve distribution to the digit of the horse was studied with the compound microscope in serial transverse sections of fetal limbs and plotted on life-size outlines of the horse's foot. It was learned that there is much variation in the topography of the branches of the principal nerves. There is no mirror-image nerve distribution on the 2 sides of the foot. The dorsal branch of the ulnar nerve does not extend below the fetlock. The communication between the palmar metacarpal nerves and branches of the dorsal branch of the digital nerves is only a crossing of nerves without exchange of fib...
Hall LW, Trim CM.Horses breathing spontaneously under halothane anaesthesia were subjected to expiratory resistance by the introduction of a water-trap into the expiratory limb of a circle absorber. Resistances of 10 and 20 cm H2O produced no significant increase in PaO2 (P greater than 0.05) during halothane/air and halothane/oxygen anaesthesia. The imposition of resistance was associated with an increase in PaCO2 and a significant increase in mixed venous PCO2. In three animals subjected to 20 cm H2O resistance under halothane/air anaesthesia, the cardiac output was reduced (P less than 0.01). It was conclud...
Jeffcott LB, Hickman J.This paper describes the surgical treatment of 14 horses exhibiting chronic back pain attributed to impaction and overriding of the dorsal spines in the thoracolumbar region. The technique involved the resection of the summits of one or more dorsal spines following midline division of the supraspinous ligament. All the horses returned to full work after a convalescent period of at least four months, and 12 of them showed considerable improvement in their form and performance. A post-surgical complication encountered in one case was the development of new bone on the edge of a resected spine. T...
Scott EA, Kneller SK, Witherspoon DM.The physiologic closure of the ductus areteriosus was determined in 4 foals less than 16 hours old. The common carotid artery was catheterized, using local anesthesia and tranquilization, and contrast medium was injected into the ascending aorta. Radiographs were made of heart and great vessels during and after the injection to visualize the pathway of injected contrast medium.
Gelatt KN.Traumatic iridocyclitis and hyphema in the horse usually follow blunt blows to the orbit and eye. The condition is characterized by miosis, ocular hypotony, ciliary flush, swelling of the iris, and hemorrhage with excessive fibrin in the anterior chamber which permits from 2 to 6 weeks. Vigorous treatment with mydriatics, topical and systemic corticosteroids is recommended. Possible complications include anterior and posterior synechiae, cataracts, and fibropupillary membranes.
Pearson H, Pinsent PJ, Denny HR, Waterman A.The indications for laparotomy in 140 horses are analysed, with particular emphasis on the operative or autopsy findings in 82 cases of colic. In cases of exploratory laparotomy, the overall recovery rate was only 28 per cent but 48 of the 82 animals were considered to have inoperable lesions. The recovery rate and causes of death for each indication are briefly reviewed.
Nouws JF.As part of the examination of emergency-slaughtered animals for the presence of antibiotic residues, studies were done to see whether false-positive results would be obtained when the Sarcina lutea kidney test and Bacillus subtilis BGA test were performed. When the S. lutea kidney test was positive in cattle, calves and swine, penicillin was invariably found to be present in those animals, the histories of which showed that they had not been given antibiotics. A syringe and an injected fluid containing penicillin residues are regarded as possible causes of these positive results. When the S. l...
Brown MP, MacCallum FJ.Tetracycline-labeled bones of 23 foals from 52 to 104 days old were sectioned and macroscopically examined to assess the extent of ossification or fusion of ossification centers. A grading system was devised with which to record information about the ossification centers and growth plates. The objective was to define anatomic standards which could contribute toward obtaining an accurate radiologic interpretation. Labeled limb bones of 3 neonatal foals were similarly treated, but grading of these was limited to the consideration of whether each site was still cartilaginous or had commenced to o...
Gronwall R, Engelking LR, Anwer MS, Erichsen DF, Klentz RD.Surgically placed bile duct cannulas allowed collection of secreted bile from nonanesthetized ponies. UNINTERRUPTED ENTEROPHEPATIC CIRCULATION WAS PERMITTED BETWEEN COLLECTIONS. Deleterious effects of cannulation were not observed. Average bile flow was 18.6 plus or minus 1.72 (standard error) mul/minute/kg, bile acid excretion was 0.179 plus or minus 0.0212 mumole/minute/kg, and bilirubin excretion averaged 1.22 plus or minus 0.136 mug/minute/kg.
Cabler P, Geddes LA, Rosborough J.Ultrasonic energy, provided by a commercially available water vaporizer, was used to vaporize methoxyflurane, halothane, and chloroform. The vaporizer was placed directly in the respiratory line, and the anaesthetic liquid was vaporized one drop at a time. Anaesthesia was maintained for periods up to 6 hr in horses, ponies, calves, sheep, dogs, and one pig. This method of vaporizing liquids is applicable to a wide variety of anaesthetics. It is easily controlled, and the same vaporizer can be used with a wide range of sizes of subjects. The vaporizer can be placed directly in the respiratory c...
Inkerman PA, Scott K, Runnegar MT, Hamilton SE, Bennett EA, Zerner B.Chicken, sheep, and horse liver carboxylesterases have been purified by procedures involving ammonium sulfate fractionation, ion-exchange chromatography and gel filtration on Sephadex. The actual yields of the procedures described were as follows: chicken, 1 g from 2 kg of liver powder (chloroform-acetone); sheep, 200 mg from 400 g of powder (chloroform-acetone); horse, 230 mg from 800 g of powder (acetone). The purified enzymes are free of non-carboxyl-esterase protein as shown by gel electrophoresis, although they do contain electrophoretic variants. The equivalent weight of the chicken enzy...
Hughes JP, Kennedy PC.TWo cases of XO-gonadal dysgenesis in the mare are presented. Case No 1 was a pure 63, XO, while Case No 2 was a mosaic with a preponderance of XX cells. The clinical picture was one of phenotypically normal female mares with small uteri and infantile ovaries. The ovaries lacked germ cells, and consisted of stroma only. This study emphasizes the importance of chromosome analysis in providing information concerning the mechanisms involved is some cases of equine infertility.
Morales CJ, Costa LRR.The practice of medicine has always been associated with complications. In fact, in its early stages, these complications contributed to the understanding of certain diseases and advancement of the medical field. In equine practice, virtually every procedure carries an associated risk. In fact, even procedures that would have minimal risk in human medicine may pose significant risk in equine practice owing to the unique nature of the horse. For instance, a simple rectal palpation could result in a rectal tear following an unexpected movement of the patient. Thus, extrapolations of complication...
Dixon PM.This article reviews the different types of equine non-neoplastic and neoplastic oral and sinonasal tumors and describes their known prevalence and general characteristics. The clinical and ancillary diagnostic findings (primarily radiography and endoscopy, and increasingly computed tomography) for each type of growth that can aid diagnosis are described. Most lesions require a histopathological confirmation of the diagnosed growth. The possible treatments and prognosis for these growths are briefly described.
Skarda RT, Muir WW.To determine the analgesic, behavioral, hemodynamic and respiratory effects of midsacral subarachnoid administration of ropivacaine hydrochloride solution in mares. Methods: Randomized, blinded study. Methods: Ten healthy mares, weighing from 470 to 560 kg. Methods: Intravascular and subarachnoid catheters were placed after infiltration of the skin and subcutaneous tissues with 2% lidocaine. Ropivacaine (0.2%, 5 mL) or 0.9% NaCl was then administered subarachnoidally at the midsacral (S2-S3) vertebrae. Analgesia was determined by lack of sensory perception to electrical stimulation (>40 mA)...
Russold E, Ambrisko TD, Schramel JP, Auer U, Van Den Hoven R, Moens YP.To compare tidal volume estimations obtained from Respiratory Ultrasonic Plethysmography (RUP) with simultaneous spirometric measurements in anaesthetized, mechanically ventilated horses. Methods: Prospective randomized experimental study. Methods: Five experimental horses. Methods: Five horses were anaesthetized twice (1 week apart) in random order in lateral and in dorsal recumbency. Nine ventilation modes (treatments) were scheduled in random order (each lasting 4 minutes) applying combinations of different tidal volumes (8, 10, 12 mL kg(-1)) and positive end-expiratory pressures (PEEP) (0,...
Ramzan PHL, Wylie CE.Arthroscopy is considered the treatment of choice for dorsal osteochondral chip fractures of the metacarpo/metatarsophalangeal (MCP/MTP) joints in the racehorse; however, there is no published research on non-surgical management of this injury. Objective: To compare clinical features, intra-articular medication use and return to racing in Thoroughbred racehorses with non-surgically (non-SX) or surgically (SX) managed MCP/MTP dorsal chip fracture. Methods: Retrospective observational study conducted between 2006 and 2014. Methods: Radiographs of Thoroughbred racehorses were reviewed to identify...
Roe HA, Biedrzycki AH, Davenport PW, Freeman DE, Porter EG, McCarrel TM.To develop 3D models of larynges to compare arytenoid abduction measurements between specimens and models, and to investigate the anatomic feasibility of placing an implant across the cricoarytenoid joint (CAJ) with or without arthrotomy. Methods: Cadaveric equine larynges (n = 9). Methods: Equine larynges underwent sequential CT scans in a neutral position and with 2 arytenoid treatments: bilateral arytenoid abduction (ABD) and bilateral arytenoid abduction after left cricoarytenoid joint arthrotomy (ARTH). Soft tissue, cartilage, and luminal volume 3-dimensional models were generated. Rima g...
Miller S, Carstens A.Laryngoplasty is commonly used to treat laryngeal hemiplegia in Thoroughbred racehorses. Evaluation of the success of the laryngoplasty is traditionally determined using endoscopy. Laryngeal ultrasonography and normal ultrasonographic appearance have been reported in the standing horse, but post-laryngoplasty and ventriculectomy ultrasonographic evaluation has limited literature coverage. A prospective case series of 10 Thoroughbred racehorses with left laryngeal hemiplegia was examined ultrasonographically and endoscopically prior to 3-10 days, 30-50 days, and 6-12 months after laryngoplasty ...
Dujardin CL, Gootjes P, Moens Y.To quantify the isoflurane measurement error arising from the use of short wavelength infrared (IR) anaesthetic gas analysis during low flow anaesthesia in horses. Methods: Prospective clinical study. Methods: Sixty-four client-owned horses referred for elective or emergency surgery (age 1-16 years, body mass 400-650 kg). Methods: Horses were divided into four groups based on duration of pre-anaesthetic food deprivation period (FDP) and fresh gas flow during anaesthesia: a high flow group with normal FDP (n = 16) and three groups with low flow and normal (n = 29), long (n = 5) or no (n = 14) F...
Rahm C, Ito K, Auer J.To compare acute fixation stability and insertion effort of cortex bone screws with and without a shaft inserted in lag fashion in equine metacarpal (metatarsal, MC(T)III) bone. Methods: Screw types with independent variables of screw diameter (4.5 or 5.5 mm) and shaft type (without shaft, with 20-mm shaft, or with 25-mm shaft) were studied. Bone specimens cut from distal equine MC(T)III condyles were used. After screw insertion in lag fashion into 2 bone blocks with an instrumented device, shear tests were conducted in a mechanical testing machine. Outcome variables of peak insertion torque, ...
Mariën T, Adriaenssen A, Segers L.A modified colon tray to perform large colon evacuations in horses was designed. A funnel-shaped accessory was constructed to create a mechanical separation between the sterile and nonsterile part of the tray. Sterile hooks were used to make a temporary and stabile colostomy. Thirty horses with surgical correction of nonstrangulating large colon obstruction underwent a large colon evacuation with this modified tray. The surgical procedure was uncomplicated and resulted in a positive outcome in 29 horses. This less labour-intensive way to evacuate the large colon results in minor contamination ...
Bodaan CJ, Riley CB, Engeli E.The objectives of this study were to evaluate the likelihood of successful arthrocentesis of the equine elbow joint using the caudolateral approach and to determine if the deep branch of the radial nerve (DBRN) varies in its proximity to the site of centesis. Methylene blue (MB) was injected into 71 elbow joint specimens immediately caudal to the lateral collateral ligament using a 3.8-cm needle advanced to its hub. The elbow joints were dissected, staining of the synovial structures assessed and the proximity of DBRN to the site of centesis evaluated. The articular cartilage of all 71 joints ...
Wilsher S, Rigali F, Kovacsy S, Allen WT.Vitrification of embryos >300 µm in diameter requires puncture of the glycoprotein capsule, although the size of the hole compatible with embryo survival is unknown. Forty-five day-7 or -8 embryos were punctured using a 30-µm glass biopsy pipette mounted on a micromanipulator (n = 20) or manually with either an acupuncture needle (∼100-µm diameter -hole; n = 10) or a microneedle with a <1 µm tip to produce a ∼30-µm diameter hole (n = 15) before transferring to recipient mares; further 12 embryos were punctured with either the acupuncture needle or microneedle before being cultured ...
Sirois J, Betteridge KJ.To recover intact Day-10.5 to Day-16.5 equine conceptuses (Day 0 = ovulation), a rigid catheter was used for 131 collections from donor mares diagnosed pregnant by ultrasonography. A total of 139 conceptuses were recovered, comprising 124 singletons, six pairs of twins and one set of triplets. Of these, 120 (86%) were intact after the collection, 14 (10%) had collapsed, and in five cases (4%), collapsed trophoblastic membranes were surrounded by an intact capsule. The recovery rate of intact conceptuses ranged from 99% on Days 10.5 to 12.5 to 40% on Day 16.5. More uterine flushes per recovery ...
Huber MJ, Grisel GR.An 18-month-old 450-kg [990-lb] sexually intact male Holsteiner was evaluated for lameness of the left forelimb of 3-months' duration. We were unable to localize the site of lameness, using intra-articular and perineural anesthesia, and radiography of the shoulder and cubital joint (elbow) did not reveal radiographic abnormalities. Nuclear scintigraphy was performed. An increase in radio-isotope uptake was evident at the lateral epicondyle of the left humerus. Radiographs of the region 3 weeks later revealed a 1.5-cm focal lucency surrounded by a 1.0-cm rim of necrotic bone. The lesion was con...
Pusterla N, Mapes S, Leutenegger CM.A questionnaire was developed to document the knowledge base of large-animal diplomates of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) regarding polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology and to identify the common use of this technology in equine practice. Ninety-three of the 278 mailed questionnaires were returned, for an overall response rate of 33.4%. Ninety respondents (99%) reported being familiar with the general principles of nucleic acid probe technology; however, only 52 (57%) knew the difference between conventional (traditional) and real-time (second-generation) PC...
Hammock PD, Freeman DE, Magid JH, Foreman JH.A 12-year old 573-kg (1,261-lb) Quarter Horse gelding was referred with colic of 12 hours' duration and with poor response to medical treatment. On the basis of physical and laboratory findings, a pelvic flexure impaction was suspected. The horse was treated medically. Because signs of mild abdominal pain persisted and the heart rate had increased, an exploratory celiotomy was performed 30 hours after signs of colic were first noticed. At surgery, the ileum was found partially entrapped within the epiploic foramen, in a left-to-right direction, to form a parietal hernia. The entrapped intestin...
Raidal SL, Wright JD.Records of 220 thoroughbred horses presented to the Randwick Equine Centre or the University of Queensland Veterinary Teaching Hospital for surgical management of carpal injury were reviewed. Details of racing performance were obtained, enabling evaluation of racing success following surgery. Age and sex matched control horses not known to have suffered carpal injury were selected from the Australian Stud Book and the Australian Racehorse Register. Control and treated populations were compared in terms of overall career racing success. Radiographs or xeroradiographs from 198 horses were availa...
Stewart SG, Johnston JK, Parente EJ.An 8-year-old multiparous Thoroughbred broodmare was admitted for evaluation of a rectal tear sustained during parturition. Results: On initial evaluation, the mare had mild signs of abdominal discomfort. A full-thickness rectal tear located 30 cm cranial to the anus and extending approximately 15 cm longitudinally along the surface of the small colon between the 4 and 6 o'clock positions, when viewed from behind, was diagnosed on examination per rectum. Results: Laparoscopic evaluation of the abdomen was performed to assess the tear and extent of peritoneal contamination. A hand-assisted repa...
Johnson BJ.Immediately record the findings. A tape recorder would be excellent for this. If none is available, findings should be written down as soon as possible before memory of the examination fades. It is important to record comments on every organ that you examined. Three years from now in a court deposition, it may be difficult for the practitioner to remember if he looked at the adrenal glands or if there was no gross evidence of hyperplasia. When writing a report, it is a good idea to describe the tissue changes rather than just to give an interpretation. An example of the latter would be, "The h...
Ralston SL, Molnar A.In 1999, the Young Horse Teaching and Research Program (YHTRP) was initiated at Rutgers University. The unique aspect of the program was using horses generally considered "at risk" and in need of rescue, but of relatively low value. The risks of using horses from pregnant mare urine (PMU) ranches and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) mustangs were high, but, ultimately, unrealized. No students or staff members were seriously injured over the course of the next 12 yr, and the horses were sold annually as highly desirable potential athletes or pleasure horses, usually at a profit. The use of "at r...
Seeherman HJ.The use of motorized treadmills has made it possible to evaluate equine poor performance with sophisticated diagnostic techniques during peak exercise. Treadmill exercise tests currently being used for clinical evaluations include treadmill gait analysis, dynamic hoof balancing, endoscopic evaluation of upper airway function, and exercise performance profiling. Large motorized treadmills (1 to 1.5 m in width and 4 to 5 m in length) are best suited for clinical evaluations. Ideally, the treadmill should be installed in-ground using a pit. This type of installation results in the tread surface b...
Tudor RA, Bowman KF, Redding WR, Tomlinson JE.A 9-year-old gelding was evaluated because of a 30-day history of mild intermittent left forelimb lameness. The only detectable abnormality was mild atrophy of the musculature of the proximal portion of the left forelimb. The cause of the lameness could not be determined. The horse was discharged from the hospital, but was reexamined 6 weeks later because of worsening of the lameness. At that time, the horse resisted flexion and extension of the left shoulder joint, and results of evaluation of an ultrasound-guided aspirate of fluid from the intertubercular bursa were suggestive of infection. ...
Averay K, van Galen G, Ward M, Verwilghen D.Equine small intestinal resection and anastomosis is a procedure where optimizing speed, without compromising integrity, is advantageous. There are a range of different needle holders available, but little is published on the impact surgical instrumentation has on surgical technique in veterinary medicine. The objectives of this study were to investigate if the needle holder type influences the anastomosis construction time, the anastomosis bursting pressure and whether the bursting pressure is influenced by the anastomosis construction time. Single layer end-to-end jejunojejunal anastomoses w...
Hanson RR, Nixon AJ, Calderwood-Mays M, Gronwall R.In an attempt to determine the best method for surgical removal of devitalized small colon lesions, 12 horses underwent a double small colon resection and end-to-end anastomosis. In 4 horses (study 1), an appositional single-layer (APP-1) suture pattern was compared with an inverting 2-layer (INV-2) suture pattern. In 8 horses (study 2), an appositional 2-layer (APP-2) suture pattern was compared with the INV-2 suture technique. Polydioxanone suture (size 1-0), was used. Horses were evaluated at necropsy 3, 10, 14, 28, or 56 days after surgery. Postoperative complications (peritonitis, impacti...
Rosser J, Brounts S, Slone D, Lynch T, Livesey M, Hughes F, Clark C.Our objective was to compare survival and complication rates of horses undergoing pelvic flexure enterotomy closure with a TA-90 stapler to those with hand-sewn closure. Medical records of horses undergoing pelvic flexure enterotomy between 2001 and 2008 were reviewed. History, clinical signs, surgical findings, surgical techniques, and post-operative complications were recorded. Long-term outcome was established by telephone questionnaire. Of 84 pelvic flexure enterotomies performed, 70 were stapled and 14 were hand-sewn. Seventy-seven horses survived to discharge (91.7%). There were no signi...
Steffey EP, Willits N, Wong P, Hildebrand SV, Wheat JD, Meagher DM, Hodgson D, Pascoe JR, Heath RB, Dunlop C.Fifty-eight foals were divided into two groups for study of aspects of the clinical anesthetic management of foals and to characterize effects of halothane (n = 30) and isoflurane (n = 28) in foals. There were no significant differences (P greater than 0.05) in the demographics of the two groups. Results of hemograms and biochemical analysis of venous blood samples before and after anesthesia were either not influenced or only mildly (clinically unimportant) affected by either agent. Like adult horses, foals have an increased PaCO2 when anesthetized with inhaled anesthetics. We could detect no...
Watt BC, Foerner JJ, Haines GR.To describe incomplete oblique sagittal dorsal cortical fractures of the equine third metacarpal bone, their surgical repair, and subsequent performance of the horses. Methods: Retrospective examination of medical records and racing performance. Methods: Six Thoroughbred race horses, 2 to 4 years of age. Methods: Radiographic confirmation of all fractures preceded general anesthesia and surgical correction. Three fractures were treated by intracortical compression using screws placed in lag fashion, and five fractures were treated by osteostixis. Race records were reviewed for each horse to de...
Klewitz J, Krekeler N, Ortgies F, Heberling A, Linke C, Sieme H.To assess pregnancy and live foaling rates after reduction of twin pregnancy via transvaginal ultrasound-guided aspiration (TUA) in mares and evaluate effects of gestational period, localization of conceptuses, fluid aspiration volume, and combination of TUA with embryonic or fetal puncture on these outcomes. Methods: Clinical trial. Methods: 44 mares pregnant with twins (25 to 62 days of gestation). Methods: TUA was performed in all mares and combined with embryonic or fetal puncture in 13. Follow-up ultrasonographic examinations were performed by referring veterinarians. Effects of gestation...
AbouEl Ela NH, El Araby IE, Saleh AA, Abd El-Fattah AH, Hagag NM, Brooks SA, Radwan MA, Kalbfleisch T.Lavender foal syndrome (LFS) is a fatal hereditary condition that is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern. This detrimental mutation is more common in Arabian foals of Egyptian origin than foals from other bloodlines. Heterozygous horses are carriers of the LFS trait and appear normal, while recessive homozygous foals died shortly after birth due to serious complications. In Egypt, in 2014, an Egyptian foal died after manifestations of neurological signs and abnormal coat colour as LFS signs. Therefore, it is important to identify LFS carriers in the population of Arabian horses in Egyp...
Boorman S, Richardson DW, Hogan PM, Stefanovski D, Levine DG.To report the performance of thoroughbred racehorses after surgical repair of a medial condylar fracture of the third metacarpal/metatarsal bone. Methods: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: Forty-three horses surgically treated for medial condylar fractures, 30 with previous racing experience, 13 without previous racing experience (nonexperienced). Methods: Medical records (2009-2017) were reviewed for signalment, radiographic fracture characteristics, repair technique, and postoperative morbidity and mortality. Each experienced horse was matched with two horses randomly selected from its mo...
