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The Veterinary record2026; doi: 10.1002/vetr.70981

An observational study evaluating the environmental impact of equine arthroscopy.

Abstract: Human pressures on Earth's life‒support systems have exceeded multiple planetary boundaries, highlighting the need for sectors, including veterinary healthcare, to reduce environmental impacts. Methods: A prospective convenience sample of 10 horses undergoing arthroscopy at a UK equine hospital between January and March 2025 was studied. Data were collected on anaesthesia, volatile capture, pharmaceuticals, single-use consumables, waste, building energy and travel by horses and staff. Carbon emissions (kgCOe) were calculated using published conversion factors. A hybrid methodology combined bottom‒up process-based calculations with environmentally extended input-output (EEIO) modelling where primary data were unavailable. Results: Total emissions from the 10 procedures were 2044 kgCOe. Transport was the largest contributor (42%), followed by single-use consumables (21%), pharmaceuticals (11%), waste (3%) and building energy (<1%). Owner transport (median distance 251 km) accounted for 86% of travel emissions. The Vet-Can captured 490 g of isoflurane over 1199 minutes, with a median in vivo transfer efficiency of 39%. Conclusions: Findings were constrained by emission factor availability, system-boundary inconsistencies, reliance on EEIO modelling and a small single-site sample, limiting generalisability. Volatile anaesthetic impact should be interpreted cautiously, as COe-based quantification remains contentious. Conclusions: Transport and single-use consumables represent priority targets for sustainability interventions.
© 2026 British Veterinary Association.
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Publication Date: 2026-07-23 PubMed ID: 42490688DOI: 10.1002/vetr.70981Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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Overview

  • This study evaluated the environmental impact of equine arthroscopy procedures by measuring related carbon emissions and identifying key contributors to the total environmental footprint.

Introduction and Background

  • Human activities have pushed Earth’s ecological boundaries, necessitating sectors like veterinary healthcare to reduce their environmental impacts.
  • There is increasing emphasis on assessing and minimizing carbon footprints in medical procedures, including those involving animals such as horses.

Study Design and Methods

  • A prospective observational study was conducted on 10 horses undergoing arthroscopy at a UK equine hospital from January to March 2025.
  • Various data points were collected:
    • Anaesthesia details and use of volatile anaesthetic agents.
    • Volatile agent capture using a device called Vet-Can.
    • Pharmaceutical usage including drugs administered.
    • Single-use consumables used during the procedures.
    • Waste generated from the procedures.
    • Energy consumption of the building during the procedure.
    • Travel data for horses and staff, including distances traveled.
  • Carbon emissions were calculated in kilograms of CO₂ equivalent (kgCOe) using published carbon conversion factors.
  • A hybrid methodology combined:
    • Bottom-up process-based calculations where direct measurements existed.
    • Environmentally extended input-output (EEIO) modelling to estimate emissions where primary data were unavailable.

Key Findings

  • Total carbon emissions related to the 10 arthroscopy procedures amounted to 2044 kgCOe.
  • Breakdown of emission sources:
    • Transport accounted for the largest share at 42%.
    • Single-use consumables contributed 21% of the emissions.
    • Pharmaceuticals made up 11%.
    • Waste was responsible for 3%.
    • Energy consumption for the building was under 1%.
  • Owner transport was a major contributor within transport emissions — horses and owners traveled a median distance of 251 km, accounting for 86% of transport-related emissions.
  • The Vet-Can device captured 490 grams of isoflurane over a total of 1199 minutes of usage, with a median transfer efficiency of 39% during procedures, indicating partial capture of volatile anaesthetic gases.

Limitations and Considerations

  • Findings were limited by:
    • Availability and accuracy of emission factors for all components.
    • Differences and inconsistencies in defining the system boundaries for emissions accounting.
    • Reliance on EEIO modelling for some data, which might reduce precision.
    • Small sample size from a single veterinary hospital, limiting how broadly the results can be applied.
  • The environmental impact of volatile anaesthetic gases remains complex to quantify accurately with CO₂-equivalent metrics, so these results should be interpreted with caution.

Conclusions and Implications

  • The study highlights transport (especially owner-related travel) and single-use consumables as the main contributors to the environmental impact of equine arthroscopy.
  • These areas represent priority targets to design interventions aimed at improving sustainability in veterinary procedures.
  • Reducing travel emissions might involve regionalizing services or improving transport logistics.
  • Minimizing single-use consumables or switching to more sustainable alternatives could significantly reduce carbon footprints.
  • Further work with larger sample sizes and better data quality is needed to improve generalizability and refine carbon accounting methods, especially around anesthetic gases.

Cite This Article

APA
White K, Hillen F, Hird J, Byrne C, Shipman R, Taylor P. (2026). An observational study evaluating the environmental impact of equine arthroscopy. Vet Rec. https://doi.org/10.1002/vetr.70981

Publication

The Veterinary record
ISSN: 2042-7670
NlmUniqueID: 0031164
Country: England
Language: English

Researcher Affiliations

White, Kate
  • School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, UK.
Hillen, Florence
  • School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, UK.
Hird, John
  • Hird and Partners, Shelf Equine Hospital, Halifax, UK.
Byrne, Christian
  • Hird and Partners, Shelf Equine Hospital, Halifax, UK.
Shipman, Rob
  • Department of Architecture and Built Environment, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
Taylor, Polly
  • Taylor Monroe, Ely, UK.

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