Ocular and facial porcupine quills in a miniature horse.
Abstract: A 22-year-old miniature horse gelding was brought to a veterinary clinic with multiple porcupine quills embedded in the face. One quill had perforated through the left caudoventral cornea but did not extend beyond the anterior chamber. The horse was referred to a specialist clinic for removal of the intraocular quill and subsequent primary surgical repair of the corneal wound. Following aggressive medical treatment, the horse retained vision. Piquants de porc-épic oculaires et faciaux chez un cheval miniature. Un cheval hongre miniature de 22 ans a été amené à une clinique vétérinaire avec plusieurs piquants de porc-épic incrustés dans le visage. Un piquant avait perforé la cornée en partie caudo-ventrale gauche mais ne s’étendait pas au-delà de la chambre antérieure de l’oeil. Le cheval a été référé à une clinique spécialisée pour le retrait du piquant intraoculaire et la réparation chirurgicale primaire de la plaie cornéenne. Après un traitement médical agressif, le cheval était toujours capable de voir.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).
Copyright and/or publishing rights held by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association.
Publication Date: 2022-07-06 PubMed ID: 35784768PubMed Central: PMC9207976
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research discusses the treatment of a miniature horse that had porcupine quills embedded in its face, including one that had pierced its left cornea. After specialized removal of the intraocular quill and surgical repair of the corneal wound, the horse maintained its vision following an aggressive treatment regimen.
Background
- The research comparatively unusual, as it focuses on a case of a 22-year-old miniature horse gelding that had encountered a porcupine, leading to multiple quills being embedded in its facial area.
Intervention
- One particularly severe injury was a quill that had perforated the horse’s left caudoventral cornea, though it did not extend beyond the anterior chamber of the eye.
- Due to the complexity of the case, the horse was referred to a clinic specializing in such conditions for further treatment.
Treatment and Outcome
- At the specialist clinic, the staff managed to remove the intraocular quill which was a delicate procedure given the sensitive nature of the area it was lodged in.
- This was followed by primary surgical repair of the corneal wound, to restore the physical integrity of the horse’s cornea.
- Post-procedure, the gelding was subjected to aggressive medical treatment, possibly in the form of medication and/or additional therapies to encourage healing and recovery.
- Following this intensive course of treatment, it was noted that the horse successfully maintained its vision, indicating a positive outcome.
Conclusion
- The article is a case study that provides insight into the effective treatment of an unusual veterinary predicament involving a miniature horse gelding and porcupine quills.
- It also acts as a guide to treatment protocols in such scenarios, highlighting the need for a specialist intervention and aggressive postoperative care.
Cite This Article
APA
Ing S.
(2022).
Ocular and facial porcupine quills in a miniature horse.
Can Vet J, 63(7), 747-750.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Horses
- Hospitals, Animal
- Male
- Porcupines
References
This article includes 17 references
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Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Pandey AK, Kumar P, Dhupar V, Rodriques E, Akkara F. A Rare, Atypical Case of Porcupine Quill Shot in the Glenoid Fossa: Case Report and Review of Literature. Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2025 Jan;77(1):500-504.
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