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.
Wang J, Zhao T, Kong J, Peng H, Lv P, Li J, Cao X, Zhang S.Vitacoxib is an imidazole derivative and the novel COX-2 selective inhibitor to be marketed for veterinary use as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. No analytical assay to quantify vitacoxib in equine plasma samples has been published to date. In the current study, we aim to develop and validate a brief, quick and sensitive UPLC-MS/MS method for quantification of vitacoxib in equine plasma samples. Plasma samples were precipitated with methyl tert-butyl ether. The Phenomenex column (Kinetex 50×2.1mm i.d. particle size=2.6μm, C18, 100Å) at 25°C was used in chromatographic separation with...
Roth SP, Erbe I, Burk J.Reliable decellularization techniques applicable to tendon tissue play a critical role in the field of current tissue engineering. Particularly, an application as three-dimensional culture model for in vitro research and translational approaches to establish graft-based tendon repair as a routine clinical tool represent two main application fields for decellularized tendon scaffolds. Considering methodological issues of tendon decellularization, one of the major challenges lies in the preservation of the tendon-specific extracellular matrix (ECM) architecture to reflect natural tissue characte...
Lorenzo JM, Guedes CM, Agregán R, Sarriés MV, Franco D, Silva SR.This work represents the first contribution for the application of the video image analysis (VIA) technology in predicting lean meat and fat composition in the equine species. Images of left sides of the carcass (n=42) were captured from the dorsal, lateral and medial views using a high-resolution digital camera. A total of 41 measurements (angles, lengths, widths and areas) were obtained by VIA. The variation of percentage of lean meat obtained from the forequarter (FQ) and hindquarter (HQ) carcass ranged between 5.86% and 7.83%. However, the percentage of fat (FAT) obtained from the FQ and H...
Hardefeldt LY, Browning GF, Thursky K, Gilkerson JR, Billman-Jacobe H, Stevenson MA, Bailey KE.Antimicrobials are widely used in Australian veterinary practices, but no investigation into the classes of antimicrobials used, or the appropriateness of use in horses, has been conducted. Objective: The aim of the study was to describe antimicrobial use for surgical prophylaxis in equine practice in Australia. Methods: Cross-sectional questionnaire survey. Methods: An online questionnaire was used to document antimicrobial usage patterns. Information solicited in the questionnaire included demographic details of the respondents, the frequency with which antimicrobials were used for specific ...
McCarrel TM.Angular limb deformities are common in foals; however, the importance of the deformity and if treatment is required depend on the degree of deformity relative to normal conformation for stage of growth, the breed and discipline expectations, age, and response to conservative therapies. This article addresses the importance of the foal conformation examination to determine which foals need surgical intervention to correct an angular deformity and when. Techniques for surgical growth retardation include the transphyseal staple, screw and wire transphyseal bridge, and transphyseal screw. Appropri...
Levine DG, Aitken MR.Physeal fractures are common musculoskeletal injuries in foals and should be included as a differential diagnosis for the lame or nonweightbearing foal. Careful evaluation of the patient, including precise radiographic assessment, is paramount in determining the options for treatment. Prognosis mostly depends on the patient's age, weight, and fracture location and configuration.
García-López JM.Angular limb deformities are seen in young foals and are defined as lateral or medial deviations of the limb in the frontal plane distal to a particular joint. Several factors can contribute to the development of an angular limb deformity. Early assessment of the level of ossification of the cuboidal bones is critical to avoid complications long term. Although most deviations self-correct with minimal intervention other than modifications in exercise and hoof trimming, some require surgical intervention in the form of growth acceleration or retardation. This article focuses on growth augmentat...
Ortved KF.Osteochondrosis is common in young, athletic horses. Some lesions respond to conservative therapy. Surgical management is the mainstay of treatment. Arthroscopic debridement is useful in the femoropatellar joint, tarsocrural joint, fetlock joint, and shoulder joint. Debridement is associated with good outcomes, except in the shoulder joint. Osteochondrosis lesions in the elbow may be difficult to access arthroscopically, thereby transosseous debridement. Surgical management of subchondral cystic lesions of the medial femoral condyle consists of debridement, debridement with grafting, transcond...
Groom LM, White NA, Adams MN, Barrett JG.Lesions of the distal deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) are frequently diagnosed using MRI in horses with foot pain. Intralesional injection of biologic therapeutics shows promise in tendon healing; however, accurate injection of distal deep digital flexor tendon lesions within the hoof is difficult. The aim of this experimental study was to evaluate accuracy of a technique for injection of the deep digital flexor tendon within the hoof using MRI-guidance, which could be performed in standing patients. We hypothesized that injection of the distal deep digital flexor tendon within the hoof coul...
Samuelson JP, Echeverria KO, Foreman JH, Fredrickson RL, Sauberli D, Whiteley HE.A 22-y-old Quarter Horse gelding was presented to the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital for evaluation of increased heart rate and mild colic signs. Rectal examination revealed a large left perirenal mass. Abdominal ultrasonography further confirmed this finding. Thoracic ultrasonography indicated multifocal irregularities on the pleural surface suggestive of consolidation and possibly masses in the lungs. The animal was euthanized. Autopsy findings included a large, firm, expansile, gelatinous retroperitoneal mass that surrounded both kidneys, as well as nodules with similar...
Duz M, Marshall JF, Parkin T.The use of electronic medical records (EMRs) offers opportunity for clinical epidemiological research. With large EMR databases, automated analysis processes are necessary but require thorough validation before they can be routinely used. Objective: The aim of this study was to validate a computer-assisted technique using commercially available content analysis software (SimStat-WordStat v.6 (SS/WS), Provalis Research) for mining free-text EMRs. Methods: The dataset used for the validation process included life-long EMRs from 335 patients (17,563 rows of data), selected at random from a larger...
Spugnini EP, Bolaffio C, Scacco L, Baldi A.A twenty-year-old female saddle horse was referred for evaluation of a seven month, non-healing erosive lesion of the right hind hoof with proliferation and bleeding of the underlying soft tissues. This lesion had been twice surgically treated as a canker but rapidly recurred. Histological examination of the second excision revealed a well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. At presentation, the horse was mildly depressed, lame and partially non-weight-bearing on the right hind leg, which exhibited a 10 x 10 cm erosive and proliferative lesion remodeling the hoof. After completing staging ...
Zetterström SM, Johansson BC, Carmalt JL.OBJECTIVE To evaluate clinical and tenoscopic findings in a large group of horses undergoing surgery of the carpal flexor sheath (CFS) and determine whether any of the presurgical clinical signs were associated with tenoscopic findings. ANIMALS 242 horses that had undergone diagnostic and therapeutic tenoscopy of the CFS because of aseptic tenosynovitis. PROCEDURES Medical and tenoscopic video records (when available) of 242 horses undergoing tenoscopy of the CFS at a single equine clinic between January 2005 and June 2014 were reviewed. Tenoscopic findings were categorized as present or absen...
Carmalt JL, Johansson BC, Zetterström SM, McOnie RC.OBJECTIVE To determine factors affecting race speed in Swedish Standardbred horses undergoing surgery of the carpal flexor sheath (CFS), to investigate whether preoperative racing speed was associated with specific intraoperative findings and whether horses returned to racing, and to compare the performance of horses undergoing surgery of the CFS with that of age- and sex-matched control horses. ANIMALS 149 Swedish Standardbred trotters undergoing surgery of the CFS and 274 age- and sex-matched control horses. PROCEDURES Medical records of CFS horses were examined. Racing data for CFS and cont...
Verdegaal EJMM, Delesalle C, Caraguel CGB, Folwell LE, McWhorter TJ, Howarth GS, Franklin SH.OBJECTIVE To evaluate use of a telemetric gastrointestinal (GI) pill to continuously monitor GI temperature in horses at rest and during exercise and to compare time profiles of GI temperature and rectal temperature. ANIMALS 8 Standardbred horses. PROCEDURES Accuracy and precision of the GI pill and a rectal probe were determined in vitro by comparing temperature measurements with values obtained by a certified resistance temperature detector (RTD) in water baths at various temperatures (37°, 39°, and 41°C). Subsequently, both GI and rectal temperature were recorded in vivo in 8 horses over...
Kološ F, Bodeček Š, Žert Z.To describe and report preliminary outcomes of a contralateral trans-nasal endoscopic laser fenestration of the conchae for endoscopic examination and treatment of paranasal sinuses in horses. Methods: Cadaveric experimental and prospective clinical study. Methods: Normal cadaveric equine heads (n = 7) and equine patients (horses n = 7, donkey n = 1) diagnosed with sinusitis. Methods: Ex vivo: a video-endoscope containing a diode laser fiber in the working canal was passed through the nostril and retroflexed in the nasopharynx toward the contralateral conchae. Ventral or dorsal con...
Rice MK.Regional nerve blocks are necessary to facilitate equine oral surgery in the standing sedated patient. Step-by-step instruction on how to perform common regional nerve blocks are discussed, including infraorbital, maxillary, middle mental, and inferior alveolar nerve blocks. Regional nerve blocks are critical when performing dental procedures in the standing horse. The infraorbital and maxillary nerve blocks provide anesthesia of the infraorbital nerve, which is a branch of the maxillary nerve. Both nerve blocks provide adequate anesthesia for all maxillary dental procedures. When the infraorb...
Van Hecke LL, Hermans K, Haspeslagh M, Chiers K, Pint E, Boyen F, Martens AM.The aim of this study was to evaluate different techniques for diagnosing wound infection in wounds healing by second intention in horses and to assess the effect of a vortex and sonication protocol on quantitative bacteriology in specimens with a histologically confirmed biofilm. In 50 wounds healing by second intention, a clinical assessment, a quantitative swab, a semi-quantitative swab, and a swab for cytology were compared to a quantitative tissue biopsy (reference standard). Part of the biopsy specimen was examined histologically for evidence of a biofilm. There was a significant, high c...
González-Medina S, Ireland JL, Piercy RJ, Newton JR, Votion DM.Equine atypical myopathy (AM) is a toxic rhabdomyolysis associated with ingestion of hypoglycin A, derived typically in Europe, from Acer pseudoplatanus tree. Despite the wide distribution of this tree species in the UK, the number of cases reported annually varies, and there has been an apparent increase in prevalence in recent years. Although AM was first recognised in the UK, epidemiological studies have never been conducted focused solely on this country. Objective: To describe the spatiotemporal distribution, presentation, treatment and outcome of AM cases reported in the UK. Methods: Ret...
Williams TB, Williams JM, Rodgerson DH.Nylon cable tie has been shown to be an effective and economical method for fixing fractured ribs in the neonatal foal. This article describes a modification of the previously described technique. Under general anesthesia, the fractured ribs were exposed and a hole was drilled in the dorsal and ventral fragments. The fracture was not reduced, leaving the fragments overriding each other. The nylon cable tie was passed through the hole in the dorsal fragment from the external surface of the rib. The free end of the cable tie was then passed through the hole in the ventral fragment from the exter...
Huppes T, Hermans H, Ensink JM.Implants are often used to improve the cosmetic appearance of horses after enucleation of the eye. When surgical site infection (SSI) occurs, the implant will almost always be lost. The aim of this study is to collect data on the risk factors for SSIs and report long-term follow-up (cosmetic results and return to work) after transpalpebral enucleations. In this retrospective study, records of horses undergoing transpalpebral enucleation were reviewed (2007-2014) and telephone interviews were used to obtain long term follow-up. The potential risk factors for SSIs (indication for enucleation, us...
Trbolova A, Ghaffari MS.The Schirmer tear test (STT) is widely used in both human and veterinary ophthalmology. Two types of STTs have been developed: STT I and SST II. The STT I measures the basal and reflex tear production and is the most widely used STT. However, several factors influence the STT results such as the person performing the test and the location of the strip placement within the conjunctival sac. The aim of this study was to measure the basal and reflex tear production (STT I) in clinically normal horses with open versus closed eyes. Results: Forty clinically healthy horses without any ocular disease...
Ortiz-Rodriguez JM, Anel-Lopez L, Martín-Muñoz P, Álvarez M, Gaitskell-Phillips G, Anel L, Rodríguez-Medina P, Peña FJ, Ortega Ferrusola C.Testicular function is particularly susceptible to vascular insult, resulting in a negative impact on sperm production and quality of the ejaculate. A prompt diagnosis of testicular dysfunction enables implementation of appropriate treatment, hence improving fertility forecasts for stallions. The present research aims to: (1) assess if Doppler ultrasonography is a good tool to diagnose stallions with testicular dysfunction; (2) to study the relationship between Doppler parameters of the testicular artery and those of sperm quality assessed by flow cytometry and (3) to establish cut off values ...
Akbari G, Asadiahranjani B, Goodarzi N, Shokrollahi S.Donkeys are a member of the horse family (Equidae) and share a common ancestor. However, in morphological terms, donkeys and horses are regarded as two separate subgenus. Given variations in the branching pattern of the brachiocephalic trunk (BCT) in different species of animals and the use of donkeys in anatomy courses at colleges of veterinary medicine, we conducted this study in order to investigate the branching patterns of BCT and to describe detailed morphological information regarding donkeys. Seventeen mature donkeys were examined following euthanasia by exsanguination from the common ...
Mahne AT, Janse van Rensburg D, Hewetson M.A 4-year-old Thoroughbred gelding underwent an explorative celiotomy for a suspected small intestinal obstruction. During surgery, an impacted diverticulum of the ileum was suspected, necessitating a jejunocaecostomy. The owner opted for euthanasia. On post-mortem examination and histopathology, a true diverticulum on the mesenteric side of the ileum, with ileal hypertrophy, was diagnosed.
Sherman AB, Gilger BC, Berglund AK, Schnabel LV.We aimed to determine and compare the in vitro effects of autologous bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) and mesenchymal stem cell supernatant (MSC-Sp) on the wound healing capacity of equine corneal fibroblasts using a scratch assay. Bone marrow aspirates and eyes were collected from normal, euthanized horses with subsequent isolation and culture of BM-MSCs and corneal stromal cells. Corneal stromal cells were culture-expanded in the culture well of transwell plates and then treated with an autologous BM-MSC suspension (dose: 2.5 × 105/100 μL media with the BM-MSCs con...
Semevolos SA.This article reviews current knowledge of osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) development in horses, including normal cartilage development, early osteochondrosis pathogenesis, and factors that result in healing or advancement to OCD fragments. Discussion includes current theories, detection, and therapeutic options.
Shah YY, Maldonado-Camargo L, Patel NS, Biedrzycki AH, Yarmola EG, Dobson J, Rinaldi C, Allen KD.The mechanics of synovial fluid vary with disease progression, but are difficult to quantify quickly in a clinical setting due to small sample volumes. In this study, a novel technique to measure synovial fluid mechanics using magnetic nanoparticles is introduced. Briefly, microspheres embedded with superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles, termed magnetic particles, are distributed through a 100μL synovial fluid sample. Then, a permanent magnet inside a protective sheath is inserted into the synovial fluid sample. Magnetic particles translate toward the permanent magnet and the percentage ...
Lane JG, Longstaffe JA, Gibbs C.The clinical and radiographic features of 15 cases of paranasal sinus cysts are described. Breed, sex and side frequency were unremarkable but two distinct categories of age incidence emerged. Onset of signs had occurred before one year of age in three cases, while all but two of the remaining 12 animals were older than nine years. The most common clinical signs were nasal airway obstruction, facial swelling and nasal discharge, often occurring in combination. Radiographic changes were recorded in all horses. Sinus opacification was a consistent finding and in several cases the bone surroundin...
Klein CE, Bramlage LR, Stefanovski D, Ruggles AJ, Embertson RM, Hopper SA.To compare 3 different methods for treatment of medial femoral condyle (MFC) subchondral cystic lesions in Thoroughbred horses <24 months old based on the criterion of ability to race post-treatment. Methods: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: Thoroughbreds (n = 107, age < 24 months) diagnosed with MFC subchondral cystic lesions. Methods: Medical records between January 2004 and December 2017 were reviewed. Three treatment methods were used in these horses during that time frame: arthroscopic debridement, intralesional autologous mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) injection, and int...
van Bergen T, Haspeslagh M, Wiemer P, Swagemakers M, van Loon G, Martens A.To report the clinical features, outcomes, and prognostic factors associated with the surgical treatment of epiploic foramen entrapment (EFE). Methods: Retrospective study at a single referral hospital. Methods: Horses (n = 142) undergoing surgery (n = 145) for EFE. Methods: Preoperative, perioperative, and postoperative data of surgeries on horses that underwent exploratory laparotomy for EFE were obtained. The postoperative outcome was assessed by follow-up telephone calls with the owners/caregivers. Factors associated with postoperative reflux (POR), relaparotomy, hospital discharge...
Humblet MF, Saegerman C.The present paper proposes a tool to follow up the compliance of staff and students with biosecurity rules, as enforced in a veterinary faculty, i.e., animal clinics, teaching laboratories, dissection rooms, and educational pig herd and farm. Unassigned: Starting from a generic list of items gathered into several categories (personal dress and equipment, animal-related items, infrastructures, waste management, management of material/equipment and behavior), a checklist was created for each sector/activity mentioned above, based on the rules and procedures compiled in the Faculty biosecurity st...
Albanese V, Hanson RR, McMaster MA, Koehler JW, Caldwell FJ.To evaluate use of a knotless suture for laparoscopic closure of the equine nephrosplenic space. Methods: Experimental in vivo study. Methods: Normal horses without previous history of abdominal surgery (n=8). Methods: The nephrosplenic space was closed under laparoscopic visualization using a unidirectional, barbed 0 metric absorbable suture (copolymer of glycolic acid and trimethylene carbonate). Intracorporeal suturing of the nephrosplenic space was performed in a cranial-to-caudal direction in a simple continuous fashion. Repeat evaluation was performed laparoscopically in 2 horses and by ...
Raes E, Bergman HJ, Van Ryssen B, Vanderperren K, Stock E, Saunders JH.Tarsal pain is a common cause of hindlimb lameness in horses. Diagnosis can usually be made with radiography and ultrasonography; however, in some cases, these techniques are inconclusive and additional imaging is necessary. No studies describing computed tomography (CT) features of different tarsal lesions in horses with tarsal lameness are reported. Objective: Our aims were as follows: 1) to characterise CT abnormalities in horses with tarsal lameness; 2) to compare CT findings with those from other imaging techniques; and 3) to assess whether CT can help to diagnose tarsal pathology. ...
Domanska-Kruppa N, Venner M, Bienert-Zeit A.Class II malocclusion is the most frequently occurring congenital malocclusion in horses. Radiographic cephalometric procedures adopted from human dentistry were used to study the development of overjet in a population of 650 Warmblood foals. Thirteen foals were diagnosed with measurable overjet at the beginning of the study. The malocclusion in nine foals resolved spontaneously and four foals without overjet at 2 weeks of age developed the condition during the first year of life. A cephalostat used in human orthodontics to immobilize the patient's head while being radiographed was replaced by...
Major DS, Duff AH, Cohen ND, Hardy J.To compare laparoscopic single-layer versus double-layer closure of experimental, full-thickness incisions in adult equine urinary bladders using unidirectional and bidirectional barbed suture. Methods: Experimental, ex vivo, surgical study. Methods: Thirty adult equine cadaver urinary bladders. Methods: Bladders were randomly divided into 5 groups (n = 6): intact controls, bladders sutured with unidirectional or bidirectional barbed suture in a single-layer closure, and bladders sutured with unidirectional or bidirectional barbed suture in a double-layer closure. A 5-cm apical incision wa...
Gornik KR, Pirie CG, Beamer GL.A 2-year-old Morgan mare was evaluated because of a corneal ulceration. Results: An irregular, deep stromal corneal ulcer in an area of malacia was noted in the left eye. Hypopyon was present in the ventral portion of the anterior chamber with moderate aqueous flare. The nictitating membrane of the left eye had hairs originating from its leading edge that contacted the corneal surface. Results: General anesthesia was induced, and a bulbar pedicle conjunctival graft was performed. The conjunctiva at the leading edge of the nictitating membrane, including the aberrant hair follicles, was excised...
Foote BC, Smith JD, Allbaugh RA, Sebbag L.Determine the immediate post-operative effects of MicroPulse transscleral cyclophotocoagulation (MP-TSCPC) in healthy equine eyes. Methods: Ten adult horses. Methods: MP-TSCPC was performed on sedated horses in 12 eyes (4 groups) using the following parameters (power, duration, duty cycle): (1) 2000 mW, 180 seconds, 31.3%; (2) 3000 mW, 180 seconds, 31.3%; (3) 3000 mW, 270 seconds, 31.3%; and (4) 3000 mW, 270 seconds, 50%. Three additional eyes were left untreated (control). Eyes were monitored clinically until euthanasia (mean = 3 hours post-procedure). Histologic sections were asse...
Findley JA, Ricci EE, Singer EE.The main aim was to describe the gross and histological appearance of the equine manica flexoria and to identify any differences between the forelimbs and hindlimbs. An additional aim was to relate the findings to diagnostic and surgical anatomy of the manica flexoria. Methods: Measurements of the manica flexoria were made on cadaveric limbs from horses free from pathology within the digital flexor tendon sheath. Histological sections, stained with haematoxylin and eosin and alcian- periodic acid schiff, were evaluated based on three micro-anatomical zones from dorsal to palmar or plantar. The...
Devick IF, Leise BS, McCue PM, Rao S, Hendrickson DA.Determining if ovariectomy will abolish unwanted behaviors can be challenging in mares without ultrasonographic ovarian abnormalities and/or endocrine values not consistent with a granulosa cell tumor. The objective of the study was to identify mares that have a positive improvement in unwanted behaviors after elective standing laparoscopic ovariectomy and to determine if the change is associated with any pre- and post-operative endocrine profiles and/or with ovarian histological findings. During the study period 27 mares underwent a bilateral standing laparoscopic ovariectomy. Pre- and post-o...
Carrozzo U, Toniato M, Harrison A.Therapeutic ultrasound is a noninvasive technique, which is well tolerated by horses, does not need sedation, and can easily be performed in a routine clinical setting. Twenty-three client-owned sport horses were recruited at Clinica Equina San Biagio and included in this case study. Treatment of the injured suspensory ligament apparatus was administered using an EQ Pro, low-frequency therapeutic unit (38 kHz). The noninvasive treatment consisted of massaging the injured area in combination with a traditional ultrasound gel while maintaining the head of the device in direct contact with the i...
Kelmer G, Tatz AJ, Kdoshim E, Britzi M, Segev G.This prospective experimental study goal was to determine the pharmacokinetics of imipenem after intravenous regional limb perfusion (IV-RLP) in standing horses. Nine horses participated in the study; that was approved by the University Animal Care and Use Committee. One thoracic limb or one pelvic limb of each horse was randomly selected. After the veins were catheterized, an Esmarch bandage tourniquet was applied and the catheter was injected with a solution containing 500mg of imipenem. Synovial fluid samples were collected from the fetlock joint and blood samples were collected from the ju...
Fouquet G, Abbas G, Johnson JP, Pompermayer E, Harel C, Aldous E, Puchalski S, David F.Radiculopathy in horses is often a diagnosis of exclusion because of the non-specific clinical signs related to neck pain and possible forelimb lameness. There are no reported treatment options in the equine veterinary literature. The purpose of the study was to describe an ultrasound-guided injection of the cervical nerve root C3 to C8, to evaluate accuracy, time and safety and to anticipate possible complications on clinical cases. Under general anesthesia and with ultrasound guidance, five horses were injected from C3 to C8 with 1.5mL mix of contrast and latex. Immediately after euthanasia,...
Kummer M, Theiss F, Jackson M, Fürst A.To describe a motorized morcellator technique for laparoscopic removal of granulosa-theca cell tumors (GCT) in standing mares and to evaluate long-term outcome. Methods: Case series. Methods: Mares (n=7) aged 4-15 years, with unilateral GCT. Methods: Tumor size was determined by transrectal palpation and ultrasonography. Standing sedated mares had 3 laparoscopic portal sites in the paralumbar fossa. After laparoscopic observation of the GCT, the mesovarium was desensitized, the ovarian pedicle transected with a LigaSure device, and the ovary grasped with forceps and cut in cylindrical tissue b...
Hostetter JM, Uzal FA.Evaluation of gastrointestinal (GI) biopsies is a multistep process that includes reviewing an appropriate history, determining sample quality, and evaluating histologic sections. Selected diagnostic parameters that, in combination with intestinal histopathology, can be useful to localize disease to the intestinal tract in the horse include hypoproteinemia and hypoalbuminemia, ultrasound evidence of increased thickness of the small intestinal wall, and alterations in glucose or D-xylose absorption tests. Biopsies may be acquired either endoscopically, or via laparoscopy or standing flank incis...
Wakuno A, Aoki M, Kushiro A, Mae N, Kodaira K, Maeda T, Yamazaki Y, Ohta M.There is limited information on clinical use of the new injectable anaesthetic agent alfaxalone in Thoroughbred horses. Objective: To compare anaesthetic induction and recovery characteristics and cardiopulmonary responses between alfaxalone, ketamine and thiopental in Thoroughbred horses premedicated with medetomidine and midazolam. Methods: Randomised blinded experimental cross-over study. Methods: Six Thoroughbred horses were anaesthetised 3 times with alfaxalone 1 mg/kg bwt, ketamine 2.5 mg/kg bwt or thiopental 4 mg/kg bwt after premedication with medetomidine 6 μg/kg bwt and midazola...
Jaglan PS, Roof RD, Yein FS, Arnold TS, Brown SA, Gilbertson TJ.Ceftiofur sodium, a broad spectrum cephalosporin antibiotic approved for veterinary use, is metabolized to desfuroylceftiofur which is conjugated to micro as well as macromolecules. Twelve horses, weighting 442-618 kg, were injected intramuscularly with a single dose of 2.2 mg ceftiofur/kg (1.0 mg/lb) body weight. Blood was collected at various intervals over 24 h after treatment. Three groups of four horses each were euthanized and lungs were collected at 1, 12, and 24 h after treatment. The concentration of desfuroylceftiofur and desfuroylceftiofur conjugates in the plasma and lungs was dete...
Korolainen R, Ruohoniemi M.In order to investigate the reliability of ultrasonography in revealing intestinal sand accumulations, the cranioventral parts of the abdomen of 32 horses (age 3-20 years) with signs suggestive of gastrointestinal sand were examined radiographically and ultrasonographically. The amount of sand and its localisation, relative to the ventral abdominal wall, were evaluated radiographically and graded (scale 0-4). Motility of the intestine and whether it was lying against the ventral abdominal wall were evaluated ultrasonographically and the findings summed and graded (scale 0-3) to express the lik...
Du Toit N, Burden FA, Baedt LG, Shaw DJ, Dixon PM.Equine cheek teeth (CT) diastemata often cause deep periodontal food pocketing and are therefore regarded as a painful dental disorder of equidae. However there appears to be no information available on the size or shape of these diastemata. This post mortem study examined 16 donkey skulls (mean age = 32-years) containing 45 CT diastemata to define the anatomical shape and dimensions of these diastemata, and of the associated periodontal food pockets that occur with this disorder. Diastemata were found to more commonly involve mandibular (56.0%) compared with maxillary CT (44.0%), and 71.0% of...
Németh F, Back W.The walking cast was used to repair 46 fractures of long bones (distal radius and tibia, metacarpus and metatarsus) and 10 fractures of first phalanx of 35 horses and 21 ponies. The walking cast proved to be highly effective. Even heavily comminuted and 'hopeless' fractures, which could not be treated with osteosynthesis, were treated successfully, because the weight of the animal, a common failure factor in large animal orthopaedics, was relieved from the injured leg. Immediate full weight bearing was possible post operatively. In five cases the walking cast was used in combination with osteo...
O'Leary JM, Barnett TP, Parkin TD, Dixon PM, Barakzai SZ.Although equine motorised dental instruments are widely used, there is limited information on their thermal effect on teeth. The recently described variation in subocclusal secondary dentine depth overlying individual pulp horns may affect heat transmission to the underlying pulps. Objective: This study compared the effect of 3 different equine motorised dental instruments on the pulpar temperature of equine cheek teeth with and without the use of water cooling. It also evaluated the effect of subocclusal secondary dentine thickness on pulpar temperature changes. Methods: A thermocouple probe ...
McMullen RJ, Utter ME.The purpose of this review is to discuss the evolution of equine cataract surgery over the past 50 years to its current stage. Equine cataract surgery is performed similarly compared with the techniques used in human ophthalmology and in other veterinary species. However, enough differences exist to make surgical lens removal and intraocular lens implantation in the horse an intrinsically unique endeavour. Due to the size of the adult equine globe, the introduction of species-specific instrumentation has provided the cornerstone to many of the changes made regarding surgical technique over the...
Reardon R, Kummer M, Lischer C.To report a novel technique for cervical vertebral fusion in a foal with cervical vertebral malformation (CVM). Methods: Case report. Methods: A 3-month-old Warmblood filly with ataxia, weakness, and stenotic myelopathy at the level of the articulation of the 6th (C6) and 7th (C7) cervical vertebrae had a 7-hole broad locking compression plate (LCP) applied to the ventral aspect of C6 and C7 using seven 5.0-mm locking screws. Revision surgery was required to replace the self-drilling screws, which had migrated, with longer non self-drilling screws. Fusion and growth of the vertebrae were monit...
Berger JM, Bell SA, Holmberg BJ, Madigan JE.A 15-year-old Saddlebred gelding used for competitive pleasure driving had a 1-year history of head shaking while pulling a cart. Results: The horse had cystic corpora nigra in both eyes and concomitant classic and operant conditioned responses to wearing a bridle with bilateral eye covers (blinkers). Results: Deflation and coagulation of the cysts with an infrared diode laser and behavior modification consisting of desensitization and counter-conditioning were used to successfully restore performance. Conclusions: Behavioral changes in horses can result from a combination of physical and psyc...
Logan AA, Nielsen BD, Hallock DB, Robison CI, Popovich JM.A current trend in equine research is technology development to minimize the subjective nature of gait analysis. One such technology is the Tekscan Hoof System, which records force and area loaded by the hooves during motion. The objective of this study was to determine the test-retest reliability of the Tekscan Hoof System between two sessions, and the recordings within those sessions. Four mature Standardbred geldings wore Tekscan Hoof System sensors on both front hooves, secured by glue-on shoes (SoundHorse Technologies). Horses were exercised in AM and PM sessions. In each session, horses ...
Fikes LW, Lin HC, Thurmon JC.Xylazine (0.35 mg/kg) or lidocaine (0.35 mg/kg) was injected into the epidural space of six ponies to compare their effectiveness as epidural analgesics. Each pony received both treatments at 1 week intervals with the order of treatments randomized. Xylazine produced analgesia of significantly longer duration (247 +/- 58 minutes) than that produced by an equal dose of lidocaine (135 +/- 22 minutes). Mild transient ataxia of no clinical significance developed in all ponies with both treatments. Spinal cords were removed from two ponies and examined histologically. No discernible pathologic chan...
Zeyner A, Harmeyer J.L-carnitine, a betaine derivative of beta-hydroxybutyrate, is found in virtually all cells of higher animals and also in some microorganisms and plants. In animals it is synthesized almost exclusively in the liver. Two essential amino acids, i.e., lysine and methionine serve as primary substrates for its biosynthesis. Also required for its synthesis are sufficient amounts of vitamin B6, nicotinic acids, vitamin C and folate. The first discovered ergogenic function of L-carnitine is the transfer of activated long-chain fatty acids across the inner mitochondrial membrane into the mitochondrial m...
Duncan ID, Amundson J, Cuddon PA, Sufit R, Jackson KF, Lindsay WA.The laryngeal muscles of 18 horses were examined histologically. The neurogenic changes found in each muscle were scored by four reviewers and the results evaluated statistically. Fifteen of these horses had endoscopic evidence of abnormal laryngeal function, three of which were defined as having adductor paralysis. Measurement of muscle fibre area in two horses with idiopathic laryngeal hemiplegia (ILH) was performed. In the quantitative study of neurogenic change, the adductor muscles were more significantly affected than the abductor muscle. This was also true in the clinical cases of ILH w...
