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.
Oreff GL, Dahan R, Tatz AJ, Raz T, Britzi M, Kelmer G.To determine the influence of 3 perfusate volumes on amikacin concentration in the metacarpophalangeal joint following cephalic regional limb perfusion (RLP) in standing horses. Methods: Seven healthy horses. Methods: Three perfusate volumes (100, 60, and 30 mL), containing 2 grams of amikacin, were tested during intravenous RLP at the cephalic vein, placing the tourniquet at mid antebrachium, in standing sedated horses. Synovial fluid was collected from the metacarpophalangeal joint before perfusion and at 30 and 120 minutes after perfusion. Serum samples were taken from the jugular vein at t...
Nannarone S, Bini G, Vuerich M, Menchetti L, Arcelli R, Angeli G.The aim of this study was to investigate a new approach for equine maxillary nerve blocks, which can facilitate several orofacial surgeries. Current techniques aim at the maxillary foramen and approach via the zygomatic arch, conferring the risk of injury to several delicate structures in the target area. To investigate the feasibility of a retrograde approach from the infraorbital foramen, an anatomic study of the infraorbital canal and its surrounding structures was performed on 13 cadaveric skulls using computed tomography and anatomical dissection. Measurements included canal length and vo...
Oreff GL, Shiraki R, Kelmer G.This study describes the use of an intraoral approach for sialolith removal in horses. All horses resumed their previous activity after surgery. Sialoliths were composed mainly of calcium carbonate, containing a nidus of plant material. The removal of sialoliths via an intraoral approach results in a high success rate with minimal complications. Cette étude décrit l’utilisation d’une approche intra-orale pour l’enlèvement des sialolithes chez les chevaux. Tous les chevaux ont repris leurs activités antérieures après la chirurgie. Les sialolithes étaient principalement composés d...
Bracamonte JL, Duke-Novakovski T.This study evaluated the use of an articulating automated suturing device for laparoscopic closure of the nephrosplenic space in standing horses. Closure of the nephrosplenic space was performed in 4 horses using an automated suturing device. Second-look laparoscopy was performed at 5 weeks. A smooth fibrous adhesion formed between the spleen, the perirenal fascia, and the nephrosplenic ligament in 3 of the 4 horses in which the nephrosplenic space was closed using the automated suturing device. In 1 horse, closure of the nephrosplenic space was not possible due to constant breakage of the end...
Zachar EK, Burgess HJ, Wobeser BK.Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) is commonly used to diagnose skin disease in companion animals, but its use in horses appears to be infrequent. Equine veterinarians in western Canada were surveyed to determine their opinions about FNA and 15 years of diagnostic submissions were used to compare the perceived to actual value of FNA in the diagnosis of skin disease in horses. Practitioners viewed FNA as quick, easy, economical, and minimally invasive. However, most veterinarians rarely chose to use FNA due to a perception that sample quality and diagnostic yield were poor and there was a narrow rang...
Espinosa P, Spriet M, Sole A, Walker NJ, Vaughan B, Galuppo LD.To assess the feasibility of intra-arterial administration of allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) in the median artery of standing horses and evaluate the distribution and retention of radiolabeled cells. Methods: In vivo experimental study. Methods: Six research horses. Methods: Technetium(99m) -HexaMethyl-Propylene-Amine Oxime-labeled MSC were injected under ultrasound guidance in the median artery of 6 front limbs of 3 horses, standing under sedation. Scintigraphic images were obtained at the time of injection, and at 1, 6, and 24 hours postinjection. Six additional limbs from 3 horses ...
Emmerich IU.In 2015, four newly developed active pharmaceutical ingredients for horses and food-producing animals were released on the German market for veterinary drug products. These were the bisphosphonate Clodronic Acid (Osphos®), the 5-hydroxytryptamine (2A) receptor antagonist Ketanserin (Vulketan®), the aminoglycoside antibiotic Paromomycin (Parofor®) and the antibiotic Thiamphenicol (TAF Spray®) from the fenicole group. With Chlorphenamine, a temporary not available active ingredient was reapproved in a new drug. Furthermore, three veterinary drugs with a new formulation as well as one product...
Broux B, De Clercq D, Decloedt A, Van Der Vekens N, Verheyen T, Ven S, Pardon B, van Loon G.The electrocardiographic differentiation between atrial (APDs) and ventricular (VPDs) premature depolarizations is important. P wave prematurity and normal QRS and T wave morphology generally are used as discriminating criteria for APDs. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether P, Q, R, S, and T wave amplitude, PQ interval, QRS and P wave duration and P and T wave morphology differ between APDs and sinus beats. To determine the relationship between the RR coupling interval and the change in S wave amplitude between sinus beats and APDs. Methods: Case-control study. From a modi...
Paz CF, Magalhães JF, Mendes HM, Rocha Junior S, Belknap JK, Alves GE, Faleiros RR.We examined the hypothesis that the palmar digital nerves (PDNs), but not the dorsal branches (DBs) of the digital nerves, innervate the sensitive dorsal laminae of the equine foot by evaluating the effects of perineural anaesthesia of the PDNs and DBs separately on pain sensation evoked via mechanical stimulation of the dorsal laminae and other regions of the equine foot. Six clinically normal mares were used in a crossover design. A portable dynamometer was used to evaluate mechanical nociceptive thresholds at different points on the dorsal laminae, bulbs of the heel, coronary band and sole ...
Otzen H, Sieme H, Oldenhof H, Ertmer F, Kehr A, Rode K, Klose K, Rohn K, Schoon HA, Meinecke B.In this study, endometrosis and angiosclerosis in mares were studied. Endometrosis is a severe, progressive, and irreversible fibrotic condition that affects the endometrium, whereas angiosclerosis refers to thickening of vessel walls due to degenerative changes leading to reduced elasticity of the walls and lower perfusion. Histologic evaluations were performed on biopsies and compared with vascular features of the endometrial surface obtained via narrow-band imaging (NBI) hysteroscopy. First, it was determined if hysteroscopic evaluation of the endometrium using NBI resulted in a better visu...
Hoon-Hanks LL, Rout ED, Vap LM, Aboellail TA, Hassel DM, Nout-Lomas YS.A 20-year-old gelding was diagnosed with peritonitis and severe reactive mesothelial hyperplasia. Exploratory laparotomy findings were suggestive of a neoplastic etiology; however, additional diagnostics ruled this out and the horse made a full recovery. This report demonstrates the difficulty and value of differentiating between reactive and neoplastic mesothelial processes. Une péritonite et l’hyperplasie mésothéliale réactive grave ont été diagnostiquées chez un hongre âgé de 20 ans. Les résultats d’une laparatomie exploratoire ont suggéré une étiologie néoplasique. Cepen...
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...
Jordana M, Cornillie P, Oosterlinck M, Simoens P, Pille F, Martens A.During endoscopy (tenoscopy) of the distal aspect of the equine digital flexor tendon sheath (DFTS), the digital manica flexoria can be visualized connecting the distal branches of the superficial digital flexor tendon. However, this structure has been inconsistently described and variably named in the veterinary literature. The objectives of this study were to describe the presence, configuration and variability of the digital manica flexoria in the equine distal limb. Dissection of 144 equine cadaveric limbs revealed the presence of this structure in all the feet, although different types an...
Salciccia A, Grulke S, de la Rebière de Pouyade G, Franck T, Detilleux J, Serteyn D, Sandersen C.To determine changes in blood granulocyte counts and in plasma myeloperoxidase (MPO) and elastase (ELT) concentrations in surgical colic cases, and to determine the relationship between these changes and the surgical procedure performed, occurrence of postoperative ileus, and final outcome. Methods: Prospective clinical study conducted over a 12-month period. Methods: University teaching hospital. Methods: Fifty-three horses undergoing emergency laparotomy and surviving at least 12 hours postoperatively. Methods: Blood samples were taken before surgery, during surgery, at the recovery from ane...
McCormick JD, Watkins JP.Double plate fixation has been reported in a small number of horses with comminuted fractures of the middle phalanx. There are no published reports using this technique in the management of other injuries that destabilise the proximal interphalangeal joint (PIJ), including biaxial palmar/plantar eminence fractures and disruption of the palmar/plantar soft tissue support structures of the PIJ. Furthermore, there is a paucity of information on the long-term prognosis for horses undergoing double plate fixation to manage destabilising injuries of the PIJ. Objective: To document further the clinic...
Compagnie E, Ter Braake F, de Heer N, Back W.Report long-term clinical and radiological follow-up in horses after removal of large extensor process fragments occupying >25% of the joint surface of the distal interphalangeal joint (DIJ). Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Friesian horses (n=18) that underwent arthroscopic removal of a large extensor process fragment. Methods: Arthroscopic examination of the DIJ was performed in dorsal recumbency with the affected foot in extension using routine portals. Visualization of the fragment was improved using motorized synovial resectors. A dissection plane between the common digital ex...
Whitlock J, Dixon J, Sherlock C, Tucker R, Bolt DM, Weller R.Since the 1950s, veterinary practitioners have included two separate dorsoproximal-palmarodistal oblique (DPr-PaDiO) radiographs as part of a standard series of the equine foot. One image is obtained to visualise the distal phalanx and the other to visualise the navicular bone. However, rapid development of computed radiography and digital radiography and their post-processing capabilities could mean that this practice is no longer required. The aim of this study was to determine differences in perceived image quality between DPr-PaDiO radiographs that were acquired with a computerised radiogr...
Kumar J, Chaudhury A, Yadav SC.Trypanosomosis (Surra) is an economically important disease caused by Trypanosoma evansi which is an extracellular parasite present in the plasma, tissues and other body fluids of a wide range of hosts including domesticated animals. Currently, serological reports are based on detection of antibodies by ELISA using whole cell lysate (WCL) antigen, which has a limitation of persistence of anti-trypanosomal antibodies after successful treatment of the disease. Moreover, it has some ethical issues also like requirement of mice for in vivo maintenance of parasite for preparing the antigen. Therefo...
Williamson JA, Dascanio JJ, Christmann U, Johnson JW, Rohleder B, Titus L.Simulation in veterinary education offers a solution for bridging the gap between observation and performance of clinical skills. An equine neck model was created that allows repetitive practice of jugular phlebotomy, intramuscular (IM) injection, and intravenous catheterization. The aim of this study was to validate the model for jugular phlebotomy and IM injection. We surveyed experienced veterinarians on the model's realism and the comprehensiveness of its features. In a randomized experimental study, we compared the learning outcomes of first-year veterinary students trained on the model (...
Kilcoyne I, Dechant JE, Nieto JE.The objective of the article is to determine the synovial fluid concentrations of amikacin sulfate (AS) after performing an intravenous regional limb perfusion (IVRLP) with the tourniquet in place for 10 minutes and compare this with 30 minutes. This is a randomised crossover experimental design. Animals were seven healthy adult horses. Horses underwent two IVRLP procedures in a randomised, crossover design. The horses received IVRLP with 2 g AS diluted to 60 ml using 0.9% saline in the cephalic vein of alternate limbs with the tourniquet in place for either 10 or 30 minutes, with a ...
Ohmura H, Okano A, Mukai K, Fukuda K, Takahashi T.This study evaluated induction of anesthesia and cardiorespiratory and anesthetic effects during maintained anesthesia with the combination of alfaxalone, medetomidine, and butorphanol. Alfaxalone (1.0 mg/kg) was administered to induce anesthesia after premedication with medetomidine (7.0 µg/kg), butorphanol (25 µg/kg), and midazolam (50 µg/kg) in six Thoroughbred horses. Intravenous general anesthesia was maintained with alfaxalone (2.0 mg/(kg∙hr)), medetomidine (5.0 µg/(kg∙hr)), and butorphanol (30 µg/(kg∙hr)) for 60 min. Electrical stimulation of the upper oral mucosa was used to...
Biedrzycki AH, Grant BD, Nemke B, Markel MD, Morello SL.To describe a technique for surgical placement of a modified kerf-cut cylinder for the purpose of arthrodesis across the equine centrodistal and tarsometatarsal joints. Methods: Each horse (n = 4) underwent unilateral placement of a single kerf-cut cylinder spanning the centrodistal and tarsometatarsal joints with the placement of an autologous cancellous bone graft. Horses were evaluated via lameness examination and radiography postoperatively and euthanatization of each horse was performed at four different time points up to 12 weeks post-surgery to evaluate for lameness, implant stability a...
Frei S, Fürst AE, Sacks M, Bischofberger AS.Three horses that were presented with supraglenoid tubercle fractures were treated with open reduction and internal fixation using distal femoral locking plates (DFLP). Placing the DFLP caudal to the scapular spine in order to preserve the suprascapular nerve led to a stable fixation, however, it resulted in infraspinatus muscle atrophy and mild scapulohumeral joint instability (case 1). Placing the DFLP cranial to the scapular spine and under the suprascapular nerve resulted in a stable fixation, however, it resulted in severe atrophy of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles and scapulo...
van der Zaag EJ, Weerts EA, van den Belt AJ, Back W.Navicular bone partition is a rare condition reported in horses, which is during the evaluation of a lameness or prepurchase examination often misinterpreted for a parasagittal fracture. In this report, the clinicopathological findings of three cases of navicular bone partition are evaluated. The possible pathomechanisms underlying the condition are hypothesised, focusing on a potential origin of foetal vascular disturbance. This study is furthermore aiming at a clearer and earlier recognition of navicular bone partition, since this condition would finally predispose for a clinical lameness wi...
Grabski M, McNamara J, Roper D, Warren-Smith C, Busschers E.To describe the volume and dimensions of the bicipital bursa and its position in relation to bony and soft tissue structures, in order to develop a novel medial synoviocentesis approach to the bicipital bursa. Methods: Cadaveric study. Methods: Adult equine cadaver limbs (n=19). Methods: Bicipital bursa dimensions, volume, and relationship to bony structures were obtained from positive contrast computed tomography images after distension of the bursa (n=7). Following an intra-bursal injection of polyurethane resin, the bicipital bursa (n=4) was dissected and its relationship to soft tissue str...
Caruso M, Schumacher J, Henry R.To describe the anatomical location of the ethmoidal nerve in the equine periorbital region and to determine the accuracy of a technique used to deposit local anesthetic solution adjacent to the nerve. Methods: Prospective experimental study. Methods: Adult equine cadaver heads (n=6 for preliminary dissection; n=15 [30 nerve sites] for evaluation of injection technique). Methods: Preliminary dissections were performed to identify landmarks for injection of local anesthetic adjacent to the ethmoidal nerve. For evaluation of the injection technique a 20 gauge 6 cm spinal needle was inserted into...
Zimmerman KL, Crisman MV.This article is presented with two main goals: (1) to provide equine clinicians with a resource for identifying types of serum tests available and (2) to outline briefly the necessary sample type, assay principle, and relative strengths and weakness of the various methods. Specific etiologies are presented and grouped by clinical diagnosis categories, along with brief comments concerning each disorder and its relevant diagnostic assays. This organization provides an abstracted list of infectious disorders commonly considered for the various clinical presentations and a summary of available ser...
Diehl K, Bowden AC.To assess rebound tonometry intraocular pressure (IOP) in unsedated horses without and with auriculopalpebral (AP) nerve blocks. Methods: Twenty-two client- and twenty university-owned horses (84 total eyes) with unremarkable ophthalmic examinations were evaluated. Methods: One eye of each horse was chosen randomly, an AP block performed for that eye, and IOP measured in both eyes with a TonoVet . The process was repeated for the contralateral eye 72 hours later under the same conditions as the initial measurements. Horses were unsedated for nerve blocks and tonometry. Linear mixed-effects mo...
Tokushige H, Okano A, Arima D, Ito H, Kambayashi Y, Minamijima Y, Ohta M.The aim of the present study was to evaluate clinical efficacy of constant rate infusions (CRIs) of medetomidine-propofol combined with sevoflurane anesthesia in Thoroughbred racehorses undergoing arthroscopic surgery. Thirty horses were sedated intravenously (IV) with medetomidine (6.0 μg/kg) and midazolam (0.02 mg/kg) and induced IV with ketamine (1.0 mg/kg) and propofol (1.0 mg/kg). These horses were randomly allocated to three groups and maintained with sevoflurane and CRI of either medetomidine (3.0 μg/kg/h) (Group M; n = 10); or medetomidine (3.0 μg/kg/h) and propofol (3.0 ...
Gibb Z, Morris LH, Maxwell WM, Grupen CG.The low efficiency of flow cytometric sex-sorting of stallion sperm has been attributed to the use of an opaque skim milk-based diluent during Hoechst 33342 (H33342) staining. Three experiments were conducted to formulate an optically clear stallion semen diluent for use during H33342 staining, and to determine whether a clear diluent improved resolution during sorting. For Experiment 1, sperm were incubated at 34 °C in each of five diluents containing either no protein, skim milk, 0.25% Cohn's Fraction V BSA, 0.5% BSA, or 1% BSA, following an 18 h storage (15 °C) period, or shortly after co...
Seo JP, Yamaga T, Tsuzuki N, Yamada K, Haneda S, Furuoka H, Tabata Y, Sasaki N.This pilot study assessed the efficacy of 2 minimally invasive techniques for proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint arthrodesis in horses. The PIP joints of both forelimbs (n = 6) were stabilized with locking compression plates (LCP) using a minimally invasive technique (LCP technique). Subsequently, for 1 randomly selected PIP joint of each horse, surgical drilling (SurD) was performed and tissue engineering (TE) was applied (LCP/SurD/TE technique). Minimally invasive PIP joint arthrodesis with LCP demonstrated low postoperative infection rates. Gross and histological evaluations revealed cons...
Love CC.Ultrasonographic examination of the testis, epididymis, and spermatic cord of the stallion can be used to enhance the routine breeding soundness evaluation of the stallion. Normal ultrasonographic anatomy of the testes and associated structures are presented to aid the clinician in differentiating abnormalities of these structures.
Collins JN, Galuppo LD, Thomas HL, Wisner ER, Hornof WJ.To provide a detailed description of the vascular anatomy of the distal portion of the forelimbs of horses by use of computed tomography angiography (CTA). Methods: 6 forelimbs of 5 horses and 1 forelimb from an equine cadaver; none of the horses had orthopedic or vascular disease. Methods: Horses were anesthetized and CTA was conducted on the dependent forelimb. A catheter was inserted in the median artery, and contrast medium was infused at a rate of 3 mL/s. A computed tomography (CT) scanner was used to obtain contiguous slices from the region of the proximal sesamoid bones to the toe. All ...
Campbell EJ, Bailey JV.Tensile testing of reproducible loops of size 5 braided polyester, size 2 polyglycolic acid, size 2 monofilament nylon, and size 2 polydioxanone sutures was performed in vitro and after subcutaneous implantation in horses for 7, 14, and 28 days. Maximum breaking strength, energy absorption, and percentage elongation to breakage point were measured. Size 5 braided polyester had the highest maximum breaking strength and energy absorption over 28 days. Polydioxanone had better mechanical performance over 28 days than did polyglycolic acid. On day 28, none of these parameters was measurable in pol...
Hance SR, Embertson RM.Colopexies were performed in 44 broodmares requiring abdominal surgery for large colon volvulus or right dorsal displacement of the large colon. Colopexies were performed by suturing the lateral bands of the left and right ventral colon to the ventral abdominal wall. Forty-seven percent of the mares in which a colopexy was performed had previous surgery for a large colon volvulus or right dorsal displacement of the large colon. Postoperative complications considered directly associated with the colopexy procedure were intermittent abdominal pain in 7, reoperation in 5, subcutaneous fistulous t...
Garcia-Lopez JM, Boudrieau RJ, Provost PJ.A 4-year-old castrated male Miniature Horse was evaluated because of severe right hind limb lameness of 5 days' duration. The diagnosis of craniodorsal luxation of the right coxofemoral joint was made by physical examination and radiographic imaging. Closed reduction was attempted but was unsuccessful. Surgical reduction was successfully performed, using toggle pin, synthetic capsular reconstruction, and trochanteric transposition techniques. No postoperative complications were observed. Follow-up 26 months after surgery revealed no recurrence of the luxation and no evidence of lameness. These...
Albers L, Albers J, Dullin C, Staszyk C, Bienert-Zeit A.In clinical practice, early diagnosis of Equine Odontoclastic Tooth Resorption and Hypercementosis (EOTRH) and other resorptive incisor diseases is difficult to achieve. The radiographic appearance of subtle pathological changes has not been described in detail and might be confused with age-related changes. Objective: The study was performed to define typical radiographic signs of early incisor lesions and to evaluate the reliability of the radiographic findings. Methods: Descriptive and comparative study using post mortem clinical, radiographic, macroscopic and µCT examination. Methods: The...
Betbeze CM, Dray SM, Fontenot RL.To develop a protocol for subconjunctival enucleation and orbital implant placement in standing horses and to document short- and long-term complications, cosmesis, and client satisfaction. Methods: 20 horses with nonneoplastic ocular disease requiring enucleation. Methods: A standardized protocol of surgical suite cleaning, patient preparation, sedation, local nerve blocks, surgical procedure, and postoperative care was performed. Owners were required to provide follow-up information at 1 year after surgery during a phone questionnaire. Additionally, some owners provided follow-up information...
Frankeny RL, Wilson DA, Messer NT, Campbell-Beggs C.Jejunojejunal intussusception occurred after jejunal resection and stapled functional end-to-end anastomosis in two pony mares. In both mares, the lead point of the intussusception was the stapled functional end-to-end (FEE) anastomosis. The stapled free ends of jejunum were oversewn with an inverting suture pattern. A possible explanation for development of the intussusception was the acute angle created in the intestine by the FEE anastomosis. This angulation may have impaired flow of ingesta causing motility changes that predisposed the site to intussusception. Because the oversewn blind in...
Honnas CM, Dabareiner RM, McCauley BH.Because of the hoof capsule, surgery of the equine foot is often perceived to be quite difficult. Knowledge of the specific disease entities that require surgical intervention as well as an in-depth understanding of the anatomy of the tissues beneath the hoof capsule is a definite prerequisite to successful surgical treatment. This article details the surgical approaches used to treat septic navicular bursitis, septic pedal osteitis, infection of the collateral cartilages, and keratomas. The principles used to treat these conditions can be applied to a variety of other conditions for which acc...
Murch KM.Clinical findings, surgical repair and postsurgical care of a unilateral fracture of the mandible of a bull and of a bilateral mandibular fracture in a horse are described. Compression plating limited the pain suffered by the animals and resulted in a quick return to function of the mandibles.
Bregger MDK, Koch C, Zimmermann R, Sangiorgio D, Schweizer-Gorgas D.Computed tomography in standing horses has revolutionized diagnostic imaging. The O-arm®, a cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scanner with a gantry opening of 96.5 cm is routinely used for image-guided spine and neurosurgery in humans. The aim of this study is to describe the set-up and first experiences using the O-arm® to achieve CBCT imaging of the head in standing horses. CT imaging of the predefined region of interest (ROI) was tested on 2 cadaveric heads, concentrating on centering issues within the gantry, as well as determining the number of scans needed per ROI. All horses pres...
Jann HW, Stein LE, Good JK.Size 3-0 polydioxanone was used as a single strand, single braid (3 strands), or double braid (6 strands) to create six suture material-pattern combinations for equine tenorrhaphy: single-strand locking loop, single-braid locking loop, double-braid locking loop, single-strand three-loop pulley, single-braid three-loop pulley, and double-braid three-loop pulley. Maximum load to failure for the single-strand locking loop (46.1 +/- 2.9 newtons [N]) was less than for all other sutures (range, 103-155 N). The load required to form a 2 mm gap between tendon ends was greater for the single-braid thre...