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.
Warren AS, Werner LA, Thombs LA, Rodgerson DH, Spirito MA, Sandow CB, McCracken MJ.To report the impact of ventral midline colopexy on colic, recurrence of large colon volvulus (LCV) and time to next live foal. Methods: Retrospective case control study. Methods: A total of 188 Thoroughbred broodmares surgically treated for LCV (2016-2020). Methods: Horses treated for LCV were grouped based on whether they received a colopexy (CP) or did not (NCP). All broodmares that underwent a second LCV surgery were subsequently categorized into two groups: those that received a colopexy (RCP) and those that did not (NRCP). Differences in the number of horses with large colon compromise, ...
England D, Newsom L, White C, McKenzie E.Site selection for cervical stabilization surgery in horses with spinal ataxia frequently relies on measurements derived from radiographic myelography. A variety of measurement criteria exist and can provide conflicting results. The main objectives of this study were to assess the correlation between two commonly used myelographic measures, dorsal contrast column reduction (DCCR) and dural diameter reduction (DDR), and their association with previously selected operative sites in a population of horses operated at a tertiary clinic. Secondary objectives were to determine if articular process j...
Wright JP, Gray SM, Bishop RC.To describe and demonstrate the collection of abdominal fluid from a standing, sedated equine patient. Unassigned: 1 healthy university-owned animal was used for abdominocentesis demonstration. Images from various clinical cases from the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital are shown. Unassigned: Under standing sedation, a 10 X 10-cm area is clipped and aseptically prepared on the most dependent portion of the abdomen to the right of midline. One to 2 mL of 2% lidocaine is instilled subcutaneously and into the abdominal musculature at the abdominocentesis site. A stab incision i...
Cantatore F, Marcatili M, Giacchi A, Stephenson R, Withers J.Morel-Lavallée lesions (MLLs) are post-traumatic, closed, degloving injuries observed in humans and cats. Morel-Lavallée lesions have never been reported in horses. An 8-year-old Warmblood gelding used for dressage presented with a large swelling on the craniomedial aspect of the stifle that did not respond to conservative treatment. Ultrasonography revealed a large anechogenic fluid-filled cavity with a well-defined capsule. Standing endoscopic examination revealed separation between the deep crural fascia, vastus medialis muscle and skin. Cytology of the fluid collected demonstrated a lymp...
Berner D, Hellige M, Harvey GG, Gerlach K, Iglesias-Garcia M, Manso-Diaz G.Paranasal sinus cysts (PSC) and progressive ethmoid haematomas (PEH) are regularly observed in the paranasal sinus system. Due to their different prognosis and treatment options, differentiation of both lesions prior to surgery on computed tomographic (CT) images is important for guidance. It was hypothesised that PSC and PEH can be reliably differentiated on CT images. The database of four European equine referral centres were retrospectively searched for horses that had undergone a CT examination of the head and had a confirmed PSC or PEH. Additionally, cases with confirmed sinusitis were se...
Mendes RP, Lima AE, da Cunha R, Bittar MJ, Vasconcelos CC, Piñeros DDV, Corrêa RR.Radiographic examination of the skull is a well-established and indispensable procedure for the diagnostic evaluation of dental and paranasal sinus disorders in horses. Complementary projections make significant contributions to radiographic diagnosis in nasal conchae disorders. This article describes a complementary radiographic projection designed for the evaluation of the conchal sinuses and bullae in horses. Six equine cadaveric heads were used. Specimens were dissected, and openings were created in the ventral and dorsal nasal conchae for the introduction of radiopaque material. The new r...
Gaida JL, Steinberg T, Stieger-Vanegas SM, Merle R, Lischer CJ.Recent technological advancements in CT have improved the ability to scan standing sedated horses. However, the impact of radiation exposure on veterinary staff while scanning the extremities of standing horses using this technique, compared with digital radiography (DR), remains unknown. This study compares the radiation exposure of imaging technicians assisting with multidetector CT (MDCT) and DR of the distal thoracic limb and tarsus in standing horses. Personal dose equivalent was measured on four body locations: thyroid gland, gonads, hand, and feet. Images of the distal thoracic limb (n ...
Sobhy A, Nomir AG, Hamed MA, Abumandour MMA, El-Kammar M.The current study was prepared to compare the efficacy of xylazine-lidocaine HCl and detomidine-lidocaine HCl following caudal epidural injection in horses, evaluating sedation, analgesia, physiological parameters, and hemato-biochemical values. This study was applied to six healthy adult horses (300-350 kg, > 4 years of age). The horses were randomly divided into two equal groups. Group 1 (seven horses) received xylazine (0.17 mg/kg bwt) + lidocaine HCl (0.06 mg/kg bwt), while Group 2 received detomidine (0.03 mg/kg bwt) + lidocaine HCl (0.06 mg/kg bwt) via caudal epidural inje...
Kadic LIM, Liu CC, Leise BS, McCauley CT, Riggs LM.The aim of the study was to determine if a novel arthrodesis technique for the equine metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint using a human non-contact bridging (NCB), polyaxial locking compression plate system has biomechanical and potential clinical advantages versus a traditional 5.5 mm stainless steel locking compression plate (LCP) under biomechanical testing. Methods: An ex vivo biomechanical equine cadaver study. Methods: A total of 11 MCP joints collected from adult Thoroughbred horses euthanized unrelated to musculoskeletal disease. Methods: Each pair of MCP joints were randomly implanted w...
Moody LM, Hicks SL, Foote BC, Hendrix DV, Ward DA.Equine corneal disease is common and painful. Current pain mitigation strategies are often suboptimal, especially early in the disease. Objective: To evaluate the effects of local anaesthetic delivery via indwelling retrobulbar catheter on corneal sensitivity, pupil size, pupillary light responses (PLRs), and ocular motility in normal horses. Methods: Randomised, controlled crossover experiment. Methods: One eye was randomly selected from seven horses. A 20-gauge catheter was placed in the retrobulbar space and injected with 10 mL of 0.5% bupivacaine or 0.9% saline. Cochet-Bonnet esthesiomet...
Calle-González N, Rivero JL, Olivares J, Miró F, Argüelles D, Requena F, Munoz A.Capacitive-resistive electrical transfer (CRET) is an endogenous non-invasive technique, used as deep diathermy. We pursue to analyze the temperature changes by applying different CRET protocols in the thoracolumbar spine of horses, between thoracic vertebrae 15 and lumbar 2. Unassigned: Ten clinically sound horses without thoracolumbar pain underwent various CRET protocols applied to a standardized thoracolumbar region (T15-L2). The protocols included sham (device off), low intensity (LIP, 5%), medium intensity (MIP, 30%), and high intensity (HIP, 40%). The HIP protocol was further divided in...
Foucaud M, Haegeman L, Kadic D, Vinardell T, Mariën T, Declercq J.To describe a direct arthroscopic approach of the distal pouch of the palmar/plantar recess of the fetlock to facilitate fragment removal, highlighting its advantages over previously described arthroscopic methods for the fetlock. Additionally, to evaluate and present a retrospective case series. Methods: Ex vivo and retrospective clinical study. Methods: A total of 25 fetlocks in 23 horses. Methods: A direct approach to the distal pouch of the palmar/plantar recess of the fetlock was developed on five cadaveric limbs. Arthroscopic anatomy and landmarks were examined. The approach was clinical...
Schlote MT, Drozdzewska K, Ehrle A, Lischer C, Gehlen H.This case report describes the use of computed tomography for the diagnosis and surgical planning in a horse with bilateral nephrolithiasis. An adult Warmblood stallion (460 kg) was presented with chronic weight loss, hypercalcemia and azotemia. Ultrasonographic examination identified hyperechoic masses in both kidneys and dilation of the right renal pelvis. A solid mass was evident upon transrectal examination on the left side. Computed tomography (CT) of the caudal abdomen was performed and provided good quality images that facilitated exact determination of the size, position and extent of ...
Hellige M, Geburek F.Diagnostic imaging is an important part of the diagnostic approach in equine spinal ataxia especially with the cervical spine being commonly involved. The spinal cord may be affected by a variety of conditions including cervical vertebral malformations, osteoarthritis of the articular process joints or less commonly neoplasia. Advanced imaging techniques such as myelography are more accurate in diagnosing spinal cord compression and may be performed under general anesthesia in neutral, flexed and extended positions of the cervical spine. The use of ultrasound is non-invasive and allows ultraso...
Pelli A, Schütrumpf L, Büttner J, Blomeyer S, Gerlach K, Troillet A.Feeding disorders in horses may have various underlying causes. A thorough clinical examination of the oral cavity is essential for clarification and is often supplemented by imaging techniques such as oral endoscopy, radiography, and computed tomography (CT) of the head. Sonographic examinations of the head and oral cavity are less commonly described diagnostic methods for the investigation of feeding disorders. This case report describes 2 horses presented to the clinic due to impaired feed intake. In both cases the radiographic examination of the head did not reveal any abnormalities relate...
Tay A, McMaster M.Equine tendon lacerations are not uncommon secondary to traumatic wounds and degloving lacerations. These wounds are often contaminated and, therefore, basic principles of wound assessment and management are critical to identify the extent of an injury. Ancillary tools to aid physical examination include radiography, ultrasonography, and synoviocentesis (eg, if involving a joint and/or tendon sheath). Prolonged convalescence period, continued external coaptation, and controlled exercise are mainstays of treatment following tenorrhaphy. A poor prognosis for return to full athletic function is e...
Baldwin CM, Gillen A.To evaluate three different jejunal transection angles for end-to-end jejunojejunostomies, comparing construction time, lumen size, and suture number. Methods: Ex vivo cadaver study. Methods: Eight euthanized horses each had three mid-jejunal specimens harvested. Methods: Jejunal segments were assigned to one of three groups (A30, A45, and A60) and transected at 30, 45, or 60°, respectively. Following transection, a standardized handsewn single-layer interrupted modified Lembert anastomosis was performed, and construction time and number of sutures placed were recorded. Anastomotic index (AI)...
Pál Z, Tuska P, Vásárhelyi G, Hangody L, Hurtig M, Kaposi AD, Bodó G.To evaluate the clinical application of equine mosaic arthroplasty for joint surface repair, including outcomes and complications. Methods: Retrospective clinical study. Methods: A total of 31 horses diagnosed with subchondral bone cysts (SBCs) in the femoral condyle (22/31), distal metacarpus (7/31), or metatarsus (2/31). Methods: Medical records of horses that underwent autologous or allogeneic osteochondral graft transplantation were reviewed. Follow-up lasted at least 12 months. Success was determined in terms of improvements in lameness and post-surgical athletic performance, classified...
Santos L, Werfel K, Ferlini-Agne G.Accurate measurement of haemoglobin concentration is crucial for monitoring the oxygen-carrying capacity in anaesthetised horses. This prospective study aimed to determine the agreement in haemoglobin concentration in anaesthetised horses using the SpHb pulse co-oximeter, an Epoc® blood gas analyser, and values derived from packed cell volume (PCV), which served as the reference method in this study. The study included 34 horses undergoing elective surgeries. Blood samples were collected from each horse and divided for analysis using the microhaematocrit method to estimate haemoglobin concent...
Elane GL, Blikslager AT, Mair TS.The COVID-19 pandemic represented a significant source of anxiety and stress for equine veterinarians and clients, with the potential for measurable effects on caseload and owner economics. Unassigned: To compare the number of horses presenting for emergency colic evaluation and treatment, as well as costs at two equine referral hospitals. Unassigned: Retrospective cohort. Unassigned: Medical records of horses admitted to North Carolina State University (NCSU) and Bell Equine Veterinary Clinic (BEVC) were compared. Total equine accessions, number of horses referred for colic, and patient age w...
Kamm JL, Odegaard J, Gaida J, King N.This tutorial aims to illustrate and instruct on the technique of punch skin grafting in the horse. Unassigned: A 10-year-old paint gelding with a 9 X 6-cm chronic granulating wound to the left forelimb was utilized for this tutorial. Unassigned: The chronic wound was debrided with sharp dissection, and the limb was pressure bandaged overnight. Twenty-four hours later, the horse was sedated for punch skin grafting. The ventral pectoral region was aseptically prepared for skin harvest and locally anesthetized. An 8-mm biopsy punch was used to harvest the grafts. The subcutaneous tissue was then...
Yeomans A, Hampson R, Razemba T.Special considerations for donkeys undergoing castration compared with horses include the presence of large scrotal vessels, larger testicular artery and vein and the consequential increased risk of post-operative haemorrhage which necessitates spermatic cord ligation. Objective: This retrospective study compares haemorrhagic complication rates between two methods of spermatic cord ligation in donkeys castrated in rural Malawi. Methods: All donkeys presenting to Veterinary Education Malawi / Lilongwe Society for the Protection and Care of Animals rural large animal outreach clinics for castrat...
Stucki G, Valet S, Fuerst AE, Weisse B, Jackson MA.The aim of this study was to compare the strength (load at failure) and the number of cycles to failure of 3.5- and 4.0-mm cortical screw-bone constructs for repair of navicular bone fractures in horses.This was an in vitro biomechanical study that used a four-point bending apparatus to determine the load at failure of 3.5- and 4.0-mm cortical screw-bone constructs subjected to static and cyclic loading.In static testing, pairwise comparison of 4.0-mm cortical screw-bone constructs demonstrated significantly greater strength (mean increase: +16%, = 0.0135) compared with those in the 3.5-m...
Bacon EK, Finno CJ, Donnelly CG, Haase B, Knych HK, Velie BD.Clinical assessments of equine sedation typically rely on subjective observations, the accuracy of which is paramount to the safety of equine veterinary procedures. Methods: To assess the degree in which subjective clinical sedative evaluations reflect pharmacokinetic measurements of equine drug metabolism, xylazine hydrochloride, an alpha-2 adrenoreceptor agonist, was administered to 36 horses of varying breed and age at a dosage of 0.5 mg/kg body weight. Subjective clinical parameters were scored at 5-, 15-, 30-, 45- and 60-minutes post xylazine administration and included responsiveness to ...
Sanchez-Arjona R, Lopez Cruz C, Hague BA, Jayawickrama J, Kamm JL.To evaluate the outcomes of diode laser-facilitated (DLF) ankylosis using different surgical techniques to treat distal tarsal osteoarthritis (OA) in horses. Methods: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: A total of 64 client-owned horses with distal tarsal OA treated with DLF ankylosis between 2011 and 2021 in a referral hospital were included. Methods: DLF ankylosis techniques included: intra-articular diode laser (L), diode laser with periarticular drilling (L + D) and diode laser with cuboidal bone fenestration (L + F). Horses requiring a second surgery formed a fourth group (T). Ou...
Agrícola R, Ribeiro G, Borges J, Carvalho L, Roquet I, Carvalho LM, Prazeres J.Duodenal pathologies are underreported in equine medicine, probably not due to little occurrence, but due to the limitations of current diagnostic techniques. The aim of this report is to describe a novel duodenoscopic approach, that allows a complete visualization of a region inaccessible via standard techniques. Gastroduodenoscopy was performed in a clinical setting in 60 adult horses referred to us due to complaints suspected to be related to gastroduodenal diseases. The initial steps of the procedure were performed using previously published techniques. Once the video-endoscope reached the...
Campos Schweitzer A, Vercherin A, Rossignol F.To report successful stabilization of three cervical fracture types with articular involvement using different ventral cervical intervertebral fusion constructs. Methods: A 9-year-old French sport pony gelding, a 5-year-old Anglo-Arabian gelding and a 2-year-old French Warmblood mare. Methods: Short case series. Methods: Ventral cervical intervertebral fusion was performed in three cervical fracture cases: A vertebral body, a vertebral arch and a unilateral facet joint fracture. Selected implants for this purpose were an 11-hole 4.5/5.0 LCP, a three-dimensional (3D)-printed titanium cervical i...
Ysebaert MP, Johnson J, Marie U, Campos A, Verchrerin A, Ducharme NG, Rossignol F, Luedke LK.To compare the biomechanical stability of a novel arytenoid implant (tie-bolt, TB) with a suture anchor (SA) and standard laryngoplasty using suture alone (control) in equine larynges. Methods: Randomized ex vivo controlled experimental study. Methods: Thirty equine cadaver larynges. Methods: Larynges were randomly assigned to TB, SA, or control groups (n = 10 each). The force of abduction was measured for each construct, then constructs underwent cyclic loading (5-50 N for 3000 cycles) to assess elongation, followed by load-to-failure testing to assess ultimate load, displacement, stiffn...
Wenzel CJ, Mochal-King CA, Eddy AL, Bowser JE, Wills RW, Jumper WI, Claude A, Swiderski CE.The aim of this retrospective clinical study was to assess surgical duration and surgical and post-operative complications associated with Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS) and lung biopsy in horses with severe Equine Pasture Asthma (EPA) and paired control horses. Twelve horses (6 EPA-affected, 6 control) were sex, age and breed matched. Twenty-four thoracic surgeries were performed. Surgery of each matched pair (EPA-affected and healthy) was performed during asthma exacerbation (summer) and remission (winter). Surgical times were shorter with uncomplicated thoracoscopy (85 min) and...
Mendoza Flores JE, Terrazas A, Lara Sagahon AV, Aleman M.Parasympathetic tone activity (PTA) and its association with behavior in conscious versus anesthesia in horses are unknown. Objective: To study PTA, heart rate (HR), minimum alveolar concentration (MAC), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) during castration under anesthesia. To study PTA, HR, Horse Grimace Scale (HGS), locomotor activity (LA), and behavior in conscious horses before and after castration. Methods: Pilot study including seven healthy adult horses. After habituation (days 1, 2, and 3), PTAm, HR, HGS, LA, and behavior were investigated during pre-surgery (days 4-, 5-, and one-hour pr...
