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.
Suske A, Pöschke A, Müller P, Wöber S, Staszyk C.Incomplete cemental filling of the infundibula of equine maxillary cheek teeth (CT) is a common feature. Depending on the extent of the defect, three stages of infundibular decay have been suggested. However, histomorphological criteria to identify non-pathological abnormalities and destructive changes have not been defined. Six hundred and eighty eight CT with no evidence of dental diseases and 55 diseased permanent, fully erupted maxillary CT were evaluated on a macroscopic level by assessing the occlusal surface and horizontal sections, including porphyrin assays to detect residual blood wi...
Mill G.Official Veterinarians (OVs) from across the U.K. came together recently at conference organised to provide targeted CPD for their particular roles. With the theme of 'Reducing the impact of notifiable diseases in the UK', the meeting considered a wide range of topics, spanning large animal, small animal and equine issues. Georgina Mills reports on some of the sessions.
Rossignol F, Brandenberger O, Mespoulhes-Rivière C.To describe the surgical treatment outcome of cervical fractures in 3 horses. Methods: Case report. Methods: Three client-owned horses with cervical vertebral fractures. Methods: Three horses were refered for neck stiffness, pain, and ataxia after a cervical trauma because of a fall. Radiographic examination showed an oblique displaced fracture of the caudal aspect of the body of the second cervical vertebra (C2) in horse 1, an oblique displaced fracture of the caudal aspect of C4 involving the disc between C4 and C5 in horse 2, and a displaced transverse fracture of the body of the axis (C2) ...
Senos R, Ribeiro MS, Martins Kde S, Pereira LV, Mattos MF, Kfoury Júnior JR, Rodrigues MR.Although bodypainting has been reported as a great resource for teaching surface anatomy of humans, its use in veterinary anatomy has not been scientifically reported. In the present study, bodypainting was performed on 4 horses for anatomy teaching purposes of the equine locomotor apparatus. We aimed to use the bodypainting method as an additional tool to classic teaching and to test the relevance of our purpose. Twenty one Brazilian veterinary students were given a 90-min session, which included a presentation of painted horses, with opportunities for the students to ask questions and to pal...
Perrin R, Diguet AC, Cantet P, Bailly C, Brogniez L, Dugdale A, Nisolle JF, Vandeweerd JM.Synovitis of the navicular bursa is common in performance horses. The objective of this study was to describe an ultrasound-guided technique to inject a distended navicular bursa and to evaluate its feasibility for use by a clinician not trained in the technique. Twenty distal limbs of horses of various breeds and sizes were used. To produce synovial distension, the navicular bursa of each limb was injected with contrast medium using a lateral approach and radiography was performed to confirm that the contrast medium was distending the bursa. The digit was positioned with the distal interphala...
Marr CM.The neonatal foal is in a transitional state from prenatal to postnatal circulation. Healthy newborn foals often have cardiac murmurs and dysrhythmias, which are usually transient and of little clinical significance. The neonatal foal is prone to infection and cardiac trauma. Echocardiography is the main tool used for valuation of the cardiovascular system. With prompt identification and appropriate action, dysrhythmias and other sequel to cardiac trauma can be corrected. With infection, the management and prognosis are driven by concurrent sepsis. Congenital disease represents an interesting ...
Fischer B, Clark-Price S.Anesthetizing the neonatal foal presents significant challenges as a result of physiologic differences from the adult equine. This article gives the reader an overview of these differences and the impact they have on anesthetic drug selection, monitoring, and support of the equine neonate. Special emphasis is directed to the sick neonate and appropriate preparation and maintenance of anesthesia in the face of commonly presented disease conditions.
Aristizabal FA, Nieto JE, Guedes AG, Dechant JE, Yamout S, Morales B, Snyder J.Regional limb perfusion (RLP) in horses has proven to be a simple and effective technique for the treatment of synovial and musculoskeletal infections in the distal portion of the limbs. The ideal tourniquet time needed to achieve therapeutic synovial concentrations remains unknown. The pharmacokinetic effects of general anesthesia (GA) versus standing sedation (SS) RLP on synovial amikacin concentrations are not completely understood. This study investigated the pharmacokinetic effects of RLP under general anesthesia (GA) versus standing sedation (SS) on synovial amikacin concentration follow...
Luethy D, Habecker P, Murphy B, Nolen-Walston R.Pheochromocytoma is the most common adrenal medullary neoplasm of domestic animals, but it is rare in horses. Antemortem diagnosis in horses is difficult, with clinical signs often being vague or non-specific. Objective: The objective of this study was to describe the clinical, laboratory, and pathologic findings of pheochromocytoma in horses. Methods: Thirty-seven horses diagnosed with pheochromocytoma based on postmortem examination from 2007 to 2014. Methods: Retrospective case series. Results: Pheochromocytoma was identified in 37/4094 horses during postmortem examination. Clinical signs c...
Mitchell A, Rivas KA, Smith R, Watts AE.Equine superficial digital flexor tendon injury is a well-accepted model of human tendon injury and is routinely treated with local injections of autologous mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Identification of a clinically safe medium for short-term cryopreservation of MSCs prior to cell implantation would streamline laboratory and clinical procedures for autologous regenerative therapies. Veterinary experience with short-term (MSCs prepared after the injury has occurred) cryopreserved MSCs in naturally occurring injury in the horse will be of value to human practitioners. Methods: Equine bone mar...
Riera FL, Roldán JE, Gomez J, Hinrichs K.Transfer of donor oocytes to the oviducts of inseminated recipient mares (oocyte transfer, OT) presents a valuable method for production of foals from otherwise infertile mares. Little information is available, however, on factors affecting success of OT in a clinical setting. We report the findings over three breeding seasons in a commercial OT program developed at an equine embryo transfer center in Argentina. Overall, 25 mares were enrolled, and 197 follicle aspiration procedures were performed. The average mare age was 23 years. Follicle aspiration was performed with a needle placed throug...
Conde Ruiz C, Cruz Benedetti IC, Guillebert I, Portier KG.This prospective blinded randomized study aimed to determine whether the timing of morphine and phenylbutazone administration affects the breathing response to skin incision, recovery quality, behavior, and cardiorespiratory variables in horses undergoing fetlock arthroscopy. Ten Standardbred horses were premedicated with acepromazine (0.04 mg kg(-1) IM) and romifidine (0.04 mg kg(-1) IV). Anesthesia was induced with diazepam (0.05 mg kg(-1)) and ketamine (2.2 mg kg(-1)) IV at T0. Horses in group PRE (n = 5) received morphine (0.1 mg kg(-1)) and phenylbutazone (2.2 mg kg(-1)) I...
Brink P, Schumacher J.To describe canaliculosinostomy performed to resolve epiphora caused by nasolacrimal duct obstruction and to report the outcome of horses undergoing this procedure. Methods: Case series. Methods: Seven horses with uni- or bilateral nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Methods: The ventral lacrimal punctum and canaliculus were expanded with catheters of increasing diameter until a 14 gauge, Jamshedi needle could be passed into and through the lacrimal sac into the caudal maxillary sinus. One end of a plastic tube was inserted through the needle into the sinus, and the needle was withdrawn over the tu...
Riley CB, McCallum S, MacDonald JA, Hill KE.To determine the period prevalence of needlestick injury (NSI) at the Massey University Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH) and to identify handling and disposal practices that may contribute to the risk of NSI. Methods: Observations of personnel were conducted in the equine (EVH) and companion animal (CAH) clinics of the VTH during scheduled clinical activities over 9- and 10-day periods, respectively. The number and type of NSI incidents, needle uncapping, capping and disposal events were recorded for veterinarians, nurses and other personnel (visitors and students). The number of needle-rela...
Liuti T, Reardon R, Smith S, Dixon PM.Infection of the dorsal nasal conchal bulla and ventral nasal conchal bulla has recently been shown to cause clinical disease in horses, but the anatomy of these 2 structures is poorly documented. Objective: To describe the anatomical features, dimensions and relationships to adjacent structures of the dorsal conchal bulla and ventra conchal bulla in normal horses using computed tomography (CT). Methods: Descriptive imaging study using cadavers. Methods: Computed tomographic images acquired from 60 equine cadaver heads that were shown to be free of sinonasal disease were categorised into 3 age...
Brudvig JM, Swenson CL.Rapid and precise measurement of total and differential nucleated cell counts is a crucial diagnostic component of cavitary and synovial fluid analyses. Objective: The objectives of this study included (1) evaluation of reliability and precision of canine and equine fluid total nucleated cell count (TNCC) determined by the benchtop Abaxis VetScan HM5, in comparison with the automated reference instruments ADVIA 120 and the scil Vet abc, respectively, and (2) comparison of automated with manual canine differential nucleated cell counts. Methods: The TNCC and differential counts in canine pleura...
Medina-Torres CE, Underwood C, Pollitt CC, Castro-Olivera EM, Hodson MP, Richardson DW, van Eps AW.A suitable method for evaluating lamellar perfusion changes and their metabolic consequences is currently lacking. Objective: To examine perfusion changes in lamellar tissue using serial microdialysis measurements of urea clearance and energy metabolites. Methods: Randomised, controlled (within subject) experimental trial. Methods: Nine Standardbred horses were instrumented with microdialysis probes in the foot lamellar tissue and skin (over the tail base). Urea (20 mmol/l) was added to the perfusate and its clearance was used to estimate local perfusion. Samples were collected every 15 min fo...
Gomez DE, Radtke CL, Russell LA, Lopez A, Wichtel MW.Acute pancreatitis is a rare disease in horses and is often associated with gastrointestinal disorders. Accurate diagnosis is challenging due to the presence of nonspecific clinical signs. This case represents the first documentation of acute pancreatitis in a horse following surgery of the reproductive tract. La pancréatite aiguë est une maladie rare chez les chevaux et est souvent associée aux troubles gastro-intestinaux. Un diagnostic exact est difficile en raison de la présence de signes cliniques non spécifiques. Ce cas représente la première fois qu’une pancréatite aiguë est ...
Olsen E, Pedersen TL, Robinson R, Haubro Andersen P.Arterial blood pressure (BP) is a relevant clinical parameter that can be measured in standing conscious horses to assess tissue perfusion or pain. However, there are no validated oscillometric noninvasive blood pressure (NIBP) devices for use in horses. Methods: Seven healthy horses from a teaching and research herd. Objective: To evaluate the accuracy and precision of systolic arterial pressure (SAP), diastolic arterial pressure (DAP), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) in conscious horses obtained with an oscillometric NIBP device when compared to invasively measured arterial BP. Methods: An ...
Scruggs JL, Flatland B, McCormick KA, Reed A.To assess the utility of population-based reference intervals (PRIs) for interpreting thromboelastography (TEG) variables in horses using biological variation data. Methods: Prospective cohort biologic variation study conducted over a 5-week period. Methods: Veterinary teaching hospital and research facility. Methods: Ten clinically healthy horses randomly selected from a veterinary school research and teaching herd. Methods: Horse health was determined using physical examination, CBC, and biochemical and coagulation profiles prior to the start of the study. Subsequently, once weekly blood sam...
Potter JJ, MacFarlane PD, Love EJ, Tremaine H, Taylor PM, Murrell JC.To compare sedative and analgesic properties of buprenorphine or morphine for standing procedures combined with a detomidine continuous rate infusion (CRI). Methods: Blinded, prospective, randomized clinical pilot study. Methods: Ten horses presented for dental or sinus procedures. Methods: Horses received 0.02 mg kg(-1) acepromazine intravenously (IV), followed 30 minutes later by detomidine 10 μg kg(-1) IV. Five minutes later, buprenorphine 0.01 mg kg(-1) (n = 6) or morphine 0.1 mg kg(-1) (n = 4) was administered IV. Detomidine was administered by CRI (0.2 μg kg(-1) minute(-1)) and adjuste...
Tomlinson JE, Taberner E, Boston RC, Owens SD, Nolen-Walston RD.There is a markedly reduced half-life of transfused RBCs when donor and recipient cats or humans are cross-match incompatible. Only 10-20% of horses have naturally occurring alloantibodies. Therefore, cross-match testing before blood transfusion is not always performed. Objective: Cross-match incompatibility predicts shortened RBC survival time as compared to that of compatible or autologous blood. Methods: Twenty healthy adult horses. Methods: Prospective trial. Blood type, anti-RBC antibody screen (before and 1 month after transfusion) and major and minor cross-match determined 10 donor-reci...
Balasuriya UB, Crossley BM, Timoney PJ.Equid herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) is one of the most economically important equine viral pathogens. Its clinical manifestations in horses vary from acute upper respiratory tract disease, abortion, or neonatal death, to neurological disease termed equine herpesviral myeloencephalopathy, which may lead to paralysis and a fatal outcome. Successful identification of EHV-1 infection in horses depends on a variety of factors such as suitable case selection with emphasis on timing of sample collection, selection of appropriate sample(s) based on the clinical manifestations, application of relevant diagnost...
Stewart S, Richardson D, Boston R, Schaer TP.To determine (1) survival to discharge of horses with radial fractures (excluding osteochondral fragmentation of the distal aspect of the radius and stress fractures); and (2) risk factors affecting survival to hospital discharge in conservative and surgically managed fractures. Methods: Case series. Methods: Horses (n = 54). Methods: Medical records (1990-June 2012) and radiographs of horses admitted with radial fracture were reviewed. Horses with osteochondral fragmentation of the distal aspect of the radius or stress fractures were excluded. Evaluated risk factors were age, fracture configu...
Janvier V, Evrard L, Cerri S, Gougnard A, Busoni V.Ultrasonography and radiography are commonly used for staging of lymphoma in horses, however there is little published information on imaging characteristics for horses with confirmed disease. The purpose of this retrospective, case series study was to describe ultrasonographic and radiographic findings for a group of horses with a confirmed diagnosis of lymphoma. A total of 13 horses were sampled. Lymphadenopathy (8/13), peritoneal effusion (6/13), splenic (6/13), and hepatic (5/13) lesions were the most frequently identified. The predominant splenic and hepatic ultrasonographic lesions were ...
Taylor PM, Browning AP, Harris CP.Combinations of detomidine (mean dose rate 13 micrograms/kg) and butorphanol (mean dose rate 26 micrograms/kg) were used to sedate 61 horses for a variety of surgical or diagnostic procedures in general equine practice. Three horses were sedated on more than one occasion. The degree of sedation was graded from 3 to 0 (deep sedation to no effect) and any side effects were recorded. Forty-three per cent of the horses were graded 3, 46 per cent were graded 2, 8 per cent were graded 1 and 3 per cent were graded 0. Bradycardia and ataxia were the major side effects. The combination was judged to be...
Romagnoli SE, Momont HW, Hilbert BJ, Metz A.Two yearling, paternal half-sibling Appaloosa fillies were ovariohysterectomized for treatment of multiple uterocervical leiomyomas. The tumors recurred in both fillies, originating from cervical tissue that could not be removed at surgery. Previously reported cases of uterine leiomyoma in the mare have been of solitary tumors in older mares that were treated successfully by surgical removal.
Dahlgren LA.Wound management in horses can strike fear in some and passion in others. Wounds are common injuries in horses of all descriptions and requires exceptional knowledge and care to achieve a successful outcome. New treatments to overcome the critical challenges with equine wounds are always desired: managing dehisced and/or nonhealing wounds, managing exuberant granulation tissue, and ultimately achieving a functional tissue coverage. Regenerative medicine represents a broad set of tools with great promise to manipulate the deficiencies recognized in equine wound healing and improve the outcome.
Ohta M, Oku K, Mukai K, Akiyama K, Mizuno Y.To assess the clinical usability of propofol-ketamine anesthesia for internal fixation of fractures in racehorses, hemodynamics, blood pH and gases, and vital responses to the continuous intravenous anesthesia in 7 surgical cases were analyzed. The quality of induction with propofol was variable for individual horses. The vital signs reflecting circulation, breath, and anesthetic depth were kept good without any troubles throughout the surgery. Mean time from the end of anesthesia to standing up was prolonged, however recovery from anesthesia was calm and smooth in all cases. Propofol-ketamine...
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...
Harrison IW, Raker CW.Review of medical records of 78 horses admitted to the George D. Widener Hospital for Large Animals with dorsal displacement of the soft palate revealed 94% of these horses to have evidence of an intermittent abnormal "gurgling" respiratory noise at the time of exercise. Sternothyrohyoideus myectomy was used as a primary treatment for 17 of these horses, with a success rate of 58%. Anatomic dissection of 30 horses indicated that the midcervical region is the optimal site for sternothyrohyoideus myectomy to alleviate dorsal displacement of the soft palate.
Schumacher J, Honnas C, Smith B.Primary paranasal sinusitis complicated by inspissated exudate within the ventral conchal sinus was diagnosed in five horses. Clinical signs included a unilateral, foul-smelling, mucopurulent nasal exudate of 2 to 7 months' duration. Two of the horses had partial nasal obstruction from distortion of the ventral concha. Radiographs of the skull showed a mass of soft tissue density dorsal to the roots of the superior third and fourth or fourth and fifth cheek teeth. Treatment included bone flap maxillary sinusotomy with exposure of the ventral nasal concha and removal of inspissated exudate. Res...
Kawcak CE, Trotter GW, Powers BE, Park RD, Turner AS.The purpose of this study was to compare bone healing induced by equine demineralized bone matrix (DBM) to autogenous cancellous bone graft (ACB) or no graft (control) in a rib-defect model in horses. Methods: The osteogenic properties of ACB and DBM were evaluated in bilateral 19-mm circular defects created in the outer cortex of the 6th and 8th ribs of each horse. Methods: Eight mature horses. Methods: Three rib defects in each horse were randomly treated with each of the 3 treatment groups, and the fourth rib defect received a random treatment. Rib sections, including the defects, were harv...
Wang J, Xue J, Kong J, Li J, Zhang S, Cao X.The pharmacokinetic properties of vitacoxib have not been established completely; current dosage recommendations are based on clinical experiences. The primary objective of this study was to describe plasma concentrations and characterize the pharmacokinetics of vitacoxib formulation following oral administrations in horses. Also, the effect of the state of stomach contents on the absorption of vitacoxib was investigated in fed/fasted horses. Blood samples were collected prior to and at various times up to 72 hr post-administration. Drug concentrations were measured using ultra high-performan...
Grimes JA, Wallace ML, Schmiedt CW, Parks AH.To compare surgical models for teaching enterotomies to students. Methods: Prospective, randomized study. Methods: Second-year veterinary students (n = 59) and faculty surgeons/surgery residents (n = 19). Methods: Participants performed an enterotomy on each of 3 models (equine cadaver intestine, SurgiReal small intestine simulator, and SynDaver canine bowel) and completed a survey comparing them to either an enterotomy on an anesthetized pig (students) or intestinal surgery experience (faculty/residents). Surveys results were compiled and analyzed. Results: Both student and faculty/resident g...
Hibbs CD, Barrett PM, Dees DD.To determine intraocular pressure (IOP) reference intervals in eyes of healthy miniature donkeys (Equus africanus asinus) via rebound and applanation tonometry. Methods: Complete ophthalmic and physical examinations were performed by board-certified veterinary ophthalmologists. Inclusion criteria for animals participating in this study were dictated by the American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology (ASVCP) reference interval guidelines. Intraocular pressure estimates (TonoVet® and TonoPen XL® ) were obtained in both eyes. Forty animals (San Angelo group) received intramuscular xylazi...
Simpson DJ, Greenwood RE, Ricketts SW, Rossdale PD, Sanderson M, Allen WR.In 1981 a trial was conducted on 6 Newmarket Thoroughbred stud farms into the use of real-time ultrasound echography (scanning) as an aid to the early diagnosis of pregnancy in the mare. The procedure was found to be practicable and interpretation of the findings was relatively straightforward. Pregnancy was positively diagnosed from as early as 14 days after ovulation and a number of twin pregnancies were recognized, some in which the conceptuses were situated in separate horns of the uterus but an almost equal number in which the conceptuses were together in the same horn. It was concluded t...
Bettschart-Wolfensberger R, Jäggin-Schmucker N, Lendl C, Bettschart RW, Clarke KW.The minimum alveolar concentration of desflurane when combined with a continuous infusion of medetomidine at 3.5 microg/kg/hour was measured in seven ponies. Anaesthesia was induced with medetomidine (7 microg/kg intravenously) followed by ketamine (2 mg/kg intravenously) and maintained with desflurane in oxygen. The infusion of medetomidine was started 20 minutes after the induction of anaesthesia. The electrical test stimulus was applied at the coronary band (50 V, 10 ms bursts at 5 Hz for one minute), and heart rates and rhythms, arterial blood pressures, and arterial blood gas tensions wer...
Varner DD.Subfertility can be a confusing term because some semen of good quality can have reduced fertility following cooled transport if the semen is processed in an improper manner. General procedures aimed at processing stallion semen for cooled transport are well described. An array of factors could exist in reduced fertility of cool-transported semen. This article focuses on centrifugation techniques that can be used to maximize sperm quality of stallions whose semen is intended for cooled transport. Clinical cases are also provided for practical application of techniques.
Freestone JF, Thomas WP, Carlson GP, Brumbaugh GW.Pericarditis and pericardial effusion are considered to occur rarely in the horse. The clinical and laboratory features of idiopathic pericarditis with effusion diagnosed in 10 horses over a seven-year period were reviewed. Consistent physical findings included tachycardia, ventral oedema, jugular venous distention and diminished heart sounds. Electrocardiographic features included diminished voltages and electrical alternans, and the effusion was identified by echocardiography in the six horses in which it was performed. Pericardiocentesis relieved clinical signs in nine horses. Laboratory an...
Nagy A, Bodó G, Dyson SJ.There is limited information on potential diffusion of local anaesthetic solution after various diagnostic analgesic techniques of the proximal metacarpal region. Objective: To document potential distribution of local anaesthetic solution following 4 techniques used for diagnostic analgesia of the proximal metacarpal region. Methods: Radiodense contrast medium was injected around the lateral palmar or medial and lateral palmar metacarpal nerves in 8 mature horses, using 4 different techniques. Radiographs were obtained 0, 10 and 20 min after injection and were analysed subjectively. A mixture ...
Ollivier FJ.The precorneal tear film (PTF) is of critical importance in the physiologic and pathologic findings of the cornea. Clinicians should recall that quantitative and qualitative disorders of the PTF can be a cause of corneal diseases as well as a clinical sign of ocular surface diseases. It is also important to consider that some systemic and topical treatments may affect the PTF volume and composition. Not all interactions are known at this time. There is a continued need for basic research into PTF components in healthy and diseased equine eyes, because much remains unknown. Until additional bas...
Müller Z.From 341 stallions examined for sperm quality, 61% of warm-blooded stallions and 47% of cold-blooded stallions fulfilled the pre-existing criteria for their occasional use in insemination. From these stallions 51-71% of acceptable ejaculates were obtained. Altogether 959 mares were inseminated in an average of 1.36 oestrous cycles. For the insemination of one mare in one oestrous cycle on the average 2.2 insemination doses were used. These inseminations were carried out by 41 cattle insemination technicians trained in mare insemination. A pregnancy rate of 56% and a foaling rate of 48% were ac...
Fischer AT.Laparoscopic procedures can replace many more invasive procedures. Guided visceral biopsy, cryptorchid castration, ovariectomy, and limited abdominal exploration may be done laparoscopically in the standing horse.
Owens WR, Miller RI, Haynes PF, Snider TG.Basidiobolus haptosporus was isolated from a horse with a rapidly progressive ulcerative lesion of the ventral midline. The pathologic findings of an irregular line of yellow material composed of hyphae, eosinophils, and granulomatous inflammation between the superficial edematous tissue and the underlying muscle, and hyphae in tissue sections intimately surrounded by granular eosinophilic cuffs were considered diagnostic for this and one other case diagnosed retrospectively. Both horses were successfully treated by surgery and potassium iodide.