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.
Courtot D, Roux L, Mouthon G, Jeanin E.Doping with tranquilizers has appeared recently in horse-back riding sports. In this paper we study the effects of acepromazine, one of the main tranquilizers used, on various physiological and biochemical aspects of muscular activity (cardiac and respiratory rhythms, seric rates of glucose, urea, protein, creatine phosphokinase, glutamate oxalacetate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase). A low dose (0.02 mg/kg) of acepromazine is injected; the evolution of the variables is studied before and after a standardized effort. After the effort and during recuperation, acepromazine administration caus...
Strömberg B.Thermography in veterinary medicine has hitherto been proven to be a method of great value in the detection of orthopaedic lesions in racehorses. Lesions of the musculo-skeletal system affecting tendons, joints, bones and skeletal muscle can be demonstrated and documented at an early stage thereby preventing the development of more serious lesions.
Nanda BS, Getty R.The arteria intercarotica caudalis was observed to be present in the dog, horse and cat but was reticulated in the case of cattle, sheep, goat, and pig. The latter structure was a homologue of the former and represented an important intercarotid communication present in most of vertebrate.
Owen JM.A condition frequently misnamed "contracted tendons" is described in unweaned foals. Various theories regarding its aetiology are examined. Overfeeding and lack of exercise are suggested as being the most likely causes, leading to excessive growth of the long bones. An effective method of treatment is described. "Contracted tendons" in yearlings are also discussed.
Buss DD, Rwalings CA, Bisgard GE.Twelve-lead electrocardiograms (ECGs) were recorded from 52 resting mature female domestic grade ponies. Evaluation of the 50 ECG's ultimately selected for analysis revealed numerous differences from accepted normal values of horses. Among these differences are shorter durations of the P and QRS complexes as well as P-R and Q-T intervals and a lower amplitude of the P wave. Pony ECG's displayed a lower incidence of wandering pacemaker and complete absence of second degree atrioventricular block, in contrast to the relatively routine occurrence of these phenomena in the horse. The existence of ...
Hillidge CJ, Lees P.Cardiac output in the horse was measured before and at predetermined times during 2-hour periods of thiopentone-halothane and thiopentone-diethyl ether anaesthesia. Left ventricular stroke volume was decreased to a similar extent during anaesthesia with each volatile agent, but a greater reduction in cardiac output occurred during halothane anaesthesia. This finding reflected the differing effects of halothane and ether on heart rate, a slight bradycardia occurring with the former agent while ether produced a small degree of tachycardia. The latter effect was attributed to enhanced sympathoadr...
Harada K, Akioka K, Izu I, Sasaki N.Hemorrhage syndrome in adipose tissues in the crest of the neck (HSCN), specifically in hemorrhagic adipose tissues on the longitudinally sectioned surface of the neck fat at the dorsal nuchal ligament, is prevalent in heavy horse breeds. Herein, we aimed to establish an ultrasonographic method to successfully diagnose HSCN in heavy horse breeds and assess its efficacy. Horses with homogeneous echogenicity images were included in the control group, whereas those with linear high-echogenicity images were classified as having HSCN. Horses with confirmed linear high-echogenicity images exhibited ...
Hauser ML.The diagnostician should be familiar with the normal ultrasound appearance (size, shape, position, and textural quality) of each structure examined. With these factors as reference points, one can describe lesions in the structure involved, the precise location and extent of the lesions, and the degree of structural compromise that is manifested. Documentation of lesions of tendons and ligaments enables one to make an accurate diagnosis and a more precise prognosis. Serial examination during the healing phases allows for a more accurate prediction as to when the structure in question can withs...
Sod GA, Riggs LM, Mitchell CF, Martin GS, Gill MS.To compare number of cycles to failure for palmarodorsal 4-point bending of a modified 5.5 mm broad locking compression plate (M5.5-LCP) fixation with a 5.5 mm broad LCP (5.5-LCP) fixation used to repair osteotomized equine third metacarpal (MC3) bones. Methods: In vitro biomechanical testing. Methods: Adult equine cadaveric MC3 bones (n=6 pairs). Methods: An 8-hole, M5.5-LCP, obtained by having a 1.0 mm thickness removed from the bone contact portion of the 5.5-LCP, was applied to the dorsal surface of 1 randomly selected MC3 from each pair, and an 8-hole, 5.5-LCP was applied dorsally to the ...
Dyson S.The difficulties associated with the interpretation of the results of regional and intra-articular anaesthesia are discussed with reference to eight lame horses. The clinical and radiographic features of each horse are described, together with the results of anaesthesia. One horse had clinical and radiographic signs consistent with navicular disease but it was not possible to relieve the lameness. Two horses had fractures of bones within the foot but lameness was not improved by palmar (abaxial sesamoid) nerve blocks. One horse had more than one cause of lameness. Four horses had joint patholo...
Blikslager AT, Tate LP.There are clearly a number of applications for which flexible endoscopic laser surgery has become the state of the art in equine surgery, and the Nd:YAG laser seems to be the most versatile instrument for this type of surgery. Nevertheless, it is critical to understand the advantages and disadvantages of each laser technique. For example, the Nd:YAG laser used in a noncontact fashion seems to be superior when ablation of tissue is required such as treatment of upper airway masses. Conversely, contact Nd:YAG laser techniques have proven themselves to be superior when more precise cutting is adv...
Moorman VJ, Marshall JF, Jann HW.A 7-year-old sexually intact male Thoroughbred racehorse was evaluated because of exercise intolerance, respiratory tract noise, and coughing when eating. Results: A persistent dorsal displacement of the soft palate was identified during endoscopic examination of the upper portions of the respiratory tract. Radiography of the pharyngeal and laryngeal regions revealed a hypoplastic epiglottis that was ventral to, and not in contact with, the soft palate. The horse was anesthetized, and an oral endoscopic examination revealed a subepiglottic frenulum that had resulted in the dorsal displacement ...
Bauck AG, Nelson E, McLain A, Cock G, Sanchez LC, Freeman DE.To describe a modified celiotomy to improve access to cranial abdominal structures in horses. Methods: Four horses. Methods: Short case series. Methods: Three horses with gastric impactions were treated with gastrotomies. One horse was treated for a diaphragmatic hernia with herniorrhaphy and mesh augmentation. In all horses, the ventral midline celiotomy was modified cranially with a J-incision through the body wall, along the paracostal arch. Results: The only surgical complications were midline incisional infections in all horses. Three of the four horses had good long-term outcomes; the re...
Fenger CK.Technology promises to improve the lifestyle and life quality of humankind. As a rule, wherever human medicine goes, veterinary medicine is sure to follow. Nevertheless, the promise of technologic advances does not shine as bright for veterinarians as for human physicians. This trend is echoed in the business of animal health as pharmaceutic company after pharmaceutic company spins off or otherwise eliminates their animal health division. Instead, a small group of strictly animal health-oriented companies compete for the animal health dollar, promising that fewer and fewer expensive technologi...
Luna SP, Massone F, Castro GB, Fantoni DT, Hussni CA, Aguiar AJ.A combination of 0.5 mg/kg of methotrimeprazine, 0.1 mg/kg of midazolam and 100 mg/kg of a 10 per cent guaiphenesin solution was investigated for the induction of recumbency in 15 horses; the addition of 1.6 mg/kg of ketamine was also evaluated in 15 horses and anaesthesia was maintained with halothane in oxygen. The horses became recumbent quickly and smoothly and they recovered quietly, with little ataxia. Tachycardia occurred after induction, but no other changes from pre-operative values were observed until halothane in oxygen had been given, when hypothermia, hypotension, bradypnoea, hype...
Savage CJ, Tidd LC, Ostblom LC, Melsen F, Jeffcott LB.Histomorphometrical analysis of bone biopsies from the wing of ilium in 35 clinically normal horses are reported according to age. The biopsies were collected from 20 mixed-bred foals (mean age 6 +/- 1 months) and 15 older horses (mean age 73 +/- 62 months). No gender differences were found in the group of foals examined, but a significant difference (p less than 0.001) in a number of the primary measurements occurred between them and the older horses. The parameters which altered with age were the extent of osteoid surface (OS/BS), the extent of resorption (erosion) surface (ES/BS), the osteo...
Tucker ML, Wilson DG, Barber SM.To document marked hemorrhage as a complication of inguinal cryptorchidectomy and its successful treatment with a novel chitosan-based hemostatic agent. Methods: Case report. Methods: One healthy 5-year old quarter horse cryptorchid. Methods: The horse was presented for routine unilateral cryptorchidectomy after prior hemicastration. An inguinal approach was made to the abdomen, and the right external pudendal artery was lacerated at the level of the internal inguinal ring, requiring multiple anesthetic events over a 2-week period in attempts to control hemorrhage. A chitosan-based hemostatic ...
Webb AI, Daniel RT, Miller HS, Kosch PC.The capability of a transconjunctival oxygen monitoring system to provide an accurate and reliable means of observing arterial oxygenation trends was evaluated in 12 horse and pony foals between 5 and 20 days of age. Ten of the foals were anesthetized with isoflurane in oxygen and nitrous oxide, and 2 foals were conscious. Inspired oxygen concentration was manipulated by differing proportions of oxygen and nitrous oxide in the fresh gas supplied to the breathing circuit. With arterial oxygen tension values ranging from less than 20 to greater than 400 mm of Hg, all foals had significant positi...
Cunha AP, Bello AC, Leite RC, Ribeiro AC, Freitas CM, Bastianetto E, Oliveira PR.The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the Amblyomma cajennense strategic control program on the Anocentor nitens population. The acaricide treatments were carried out every seven days and divided in two series, the first one beginning in April 2004 (eight treatments) and the second beginning in July of the same year (five treatments), using pyrethroid chemical base - cypermethrin in the concentration of 0,015%. Monthly it was evaluated the infestation of A. nitens in the ear and nasal diverticulum of the equines before (October 2003 to March 2004) and after (October of 2004...
Adams MN, Turner TA.Forelimbs from 3 anesthetized horses and 16 fresh cadaver horses were used to describe the endoscopic anatomy of the intertubercular bursa and outline the surgical portals that provide the greatest access to structures within the bursa. A lateral arthroscopic portal was made proximal to the deltoid tuberosity of the humerus into the distal bursal recess. A second portal was created proximal to the humeral tubercles that entered the proximal bursal space. These approaches provided consistent viewing and instrument access to the lateral intertuberal groove, the greater and intermediate humeral t...
Hunt J, Rice M, Henry T.A retrospective cohort study to describe a novel use of a mechanically retained, rigid obturator (RO) to manage maxillary and mandibular persistent pathologic oral communications (PPOCs). This study included 22 horses with PPOC with at least 6 months of follow-up after treatment with a RO. The RO was made with a flowable, bis-acryl-based composite resin. Medical records were analyzed, including case details, obtained imaging, surgical reports, and follow-up information. There were 10 horses that had follow-up examinations by the authors and 8 horses by the referring veterinarian; in 4 horses, ...
Rakestraw PC, Snyder JR, Sanders KM, Shuttleworth WC.To evaluate electrical activity of jejunal circular muscle in horses and characterize electrical responses to stimulation by intrinsic inhibitory neurons. Methods: Portions of jejunum obtained from horses euthanatized for reasons other than gastrointestinal tract disease. Methods: Isolated circular muscle preparations were perfused with oxygenated modified Krebs solution. Glass microelectrodes were used for intracellular recording of membrane potentials from single smooth muscle cells. Electrical activity and responses to electrical field stimulation (EFS) of intrinsic neurons in the presence ...
Verberne LR, Mirck MH.A scheme of combined anthelmintic treatment and vaccination is described. The seasonal veterinary activities are as follows: March (all horses); parasitological examination of faeces, anthelmintic treatment, immunization against influenza and tetanus (booster dose). June: parasitological faeces examination of foals, anthelmintic treatment of all horses, immunization of foals against tetanus (1st dose). August: anthelmintic treatment of all horses and immunization of foals against influenza (1st dose) and tetanus (2nd dose). October: parasitological faeces examination and anthelmintic treatment...
Maggi R, Mudimba D, Marruchella G.A 11-year-old, Haflinger breed mare developed a slowly growing mass, protruding on the ventral aspect of the mandible. On palpation, the lesion was pedunculated, very firm, cold and not painful. Radiographic examinations showed a radiopaque, multi-lobular, "mushroom-like" lesion, which arose from the mandibular cortex without involving the bone marrow cavity. Thereafter, the mass was excised for cosmetic purposes. Microscopically, the lesion mainly consisted of bone trabeculae, covered by a thick layer of connective tissue resembling the periosteum. History and clinical findings allowed the te...
Foz Filho RP, Martin BW, Lima AR, Miglino MA.The parenchymal distribution of the splenic artery was studied in order to obtain anatomical basis for partial splenectomy. Thirty two spleens were studied, 26 spleens of healthy horses weighing 320 to 450 kg, aged 3 to 12 years and 6 spleens of fetus removed from slaughterhouse. The spleens were submitted to arteriography and scintigraphy in order to have their vascular pattern examined and compared to the external aspect of the organ aiming establish anatomo-surgical segments. All radiographs were photographed with a digital camera and the digital images were submitted to a measuring system ...
Barrett EJ, Munsterman AS, Hanson RR.To determine the effect of gastric distension on intraabdominal pressures (IAP) measured directly from the intraperitoneal space. Methods: Prospective, experimental study. Methods: A university-based equine research facility. Methods: Ten healthy adult horses, 5 males and 5 females. Methods: Intraabdominal pressures were measured through an intraperitoneal cannula zeroed at a height midway between the height of the tuber ishii and point of the shoulder at 6 time points: at rest, after placement of a nasogastric tube, and after instillation of each 5 L increment up to a total of 20 L of water. ...
Burn JF, Franklin SH.The presence of abnormal respiratory sounds is commonly associated with obstructions of the upper respiratory tract. In order to establish their clinical significance measurements are required of both normal and abnormal respiratory sounds produced by horses exercising over-ground. Objective: To determine whether high quality recordings of respiratory sound can be made during over-ground exercise, and to develop a convenient measurement system that can be used to obtain respiratory sounds from horses exercising in field conditions. Methods: A range of prototypes was evaluated against the requi...
Christensen BW, Danielson JA.Recent publications have revealed inadequacies in the veterinary training of future equine practitioners. To help address this problem, a 2-week Equine Clinical Skills course was designed and implemented to provide fourth-year veterinary students with opportunities to have hands-on experience with common equine clinical skills using live animals and cadavers. Alumni and employers of alumni were surveyed to determine whether or not students participating in the course were more competent performing clinical skills during their first year post-graduation than those who had not participated in th...
Greet TR, Bathe AP.This paper describes the use of a linear stapling device as an aid to unilateral ovariectomy in nine mares with granulosa thecal cell tumours. The intraoperative and postoperative complications are described and follow up details on each case are presented.
Sasaki N, Takakuwa J, Yamada H, Mori R.To evaluate effectiveness of allogeneic bone screws and pins for internal fixation of midbody transverse fractures of equine proximal sesamoid bones (PSBs) in vitro. Methods: 14 forelimbs from cadavers of 3-year-old Thoroughbreds. Methods: Allogeneic cortical bone fragments were collected from the limbs of a male Thoroughbred, and cortical bone screws were prepared from the tissue by use of a precision desktop microlathe programmed with the dimensions of a metal cortical bone screw. A midbody transverse osteotomy of each PSB was performed by use of a bone-shaping oscillating saw and repaired v...
Sanclemente JL, Ragle CA, Lund CM.A 12-year-old Friesian stallion was examined because of a 1-year history of preputial injury and urination through a urethrocutaneous fistula located at the midbody of the ventral aspect of the penis. Results: Physical examination revealed an opening with a clearly apparent mucocutaneous junction 12 cm from the distal opening of the urethra on the ventral left side of the penis. Endoscopic examination of the distal portion of the urethra confirmed a blind pouch with no communication with the fistula or proximal portion of the urethra. Results: A temporary perineal urethrostomy was performed wi...
The aim of the present study is to assess an arthrographic technique based on the access to the equine tarsus via distal intertarsal and on the existence and frequency of communication between distal and tarsocrural joints in the tarsus of Crioulo horses. Methods: Fifty Crioulo horses of both sexes from 3 to 8 years old were included in the experiment. Animals with radiographic signs of tarsal osteoarthritis and joint space loss were excluded from the experiment. Contrast was injected in the distal intertarsal joint and radiographs were taken at two different times - Time 0 (after contra...
Terschuur JA, Coomer RPC, Handel I, Pressanto MC, McKane SA.Skin closure of laparotomy incisions using topical 2-octyl cyanoacrylate (2-OCA) mesh provides a secure bactericidal barrier in humans, which may reduce the risk of postoperative incisional complications. However, the benefits of using this mesh have not been objectively assessed in horses. Methods: From 2009 to 2020, three methods of skin closure were used following laparotomy for acute colic, including metallic staples (MS), suture (ST) and cyanoacrylate mesh (DP). The closure method was not randomised. Owners were contacted 3 months or more after the surgery to record any postop...
Roethlisberger-Holm K, Roepstorff L, Obel N.After giving an account of the principles of pressure measurement in flowing air and a review of the literature on tracheal catheters, the authors describe the construction, the introduction and the function of their own transtracheal catheter. This is a teflon catheter with several side-ports which is introduced into the cervical trachea by a guide technique. After introduction, the catheter is stiffened by the insertion of 2 steel wires. The catheter was studied in model experiments concerning: a) the ability to measure the static pressure in flowing air, and b) the dynamic accuracy of a rec...
Ohshima K, Satake S, Ono M, Ajito T, Okada K, Numakunai S.A pathological study was performed on osteoarthrosis detected at autopsy in 20 horses whose ages ranged from 21 days to 17 years old. They were asymptomatic on the joints except in 3 animals, and autopsied after death or sacrificed due to accidental fracture or other diseases. Lesions of osteoarthrosis were recognized in all horses, which tended to increase in incidence and severity according to age. Lesions were concentrated at hinged joints such as the elbow, fetlock, and hock. Synovial fossae and ulcerative lesions were observed on each opposite articular cartilage, forming the so-called mi...
Dik KJ, Merkens HW.Eleven horses with unilateral distension of the sheath are reported with emphasis on the use of plain and contrast radiography in diagnosis. Six had associated bony abnormalities of the sustentaculum tali, and two of these showed destructive or mixed destructive and proliferative lesions resulting from osteomyelitis. One horse had a fracture of the sustentaculum. In three horses proliferative changes were found. Bony changes were best demonstrated on a dorsomedial-plantarolateral oblique view. Contrast radiography of the tarsal sheath was performed in five cases without, and two horses with, a...
