FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J / Peri-anaesthetic complications in 1798 equids undergoing hig...
Equine veterinary journal2024; 57(3); 666-673; doi: 10.1111/evj.14208

Peri-anaesthetic complications in 1798 equids undergoing high-field elective orthopaedic MRI at a tertiary referral hospital.

Abstract: Antimicrobial prophylaxis for elective orthopaedic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in equids is a topic of debate among practitioners and can have negative detrimental effects on patients if used unnecessarily. Objective: To describe the complications with elective orthopaedic MRI of horses, mules, and donkeys under general anaesthesia without the use of peri-anaesthetic antimicrobial prophylaxis at a single large tertiary referral centre. We hypothesised that horses, mules, and donkeys undergoing general anaesthesia for elective orthopaedic MRI, without antimicrobial prophylaxis, will not be at increased risk of complications, including increased risk of infectious respiratory disease. Methods: Retrospective cross-sectional study. Methods: This retrospective study of 1798 systemically healthy equids that underwent elective orthopaedic MRI under general anaesthesia without peri-anaesthetic antimicrobial prophylaxis between January 2009 and May 2020. Results: A total of 1655 MRIs were included in the study, with 25 (1.5%) horses having complications. The most common complication was post-anaesthetic fever in 11 (0.7%) horses, of which 4 (0.2%) horses went on to develop pneumonia and one horse was diagnosed with equine herpesvirus (respiratory). Seven (0.4%) horses developed transient post-anaesthetic femoral neuropathy and 7 (0.4%) horses had mild post-anaesthetic colic that resolved with initial medical management. No horses were euthanised or died in this study. Conclusions: The retrospective nature of the study led to non-randomised case selection, and some records were incomplete. Conclusions: These findings suggest that peri-anaesthetic antimicrobial prophylaxis may not be necessary for performance and sport horses undergoing general anaesthesia for elective orthopaedic MRI.
© 2024 The Author(s). Equine Veterinary Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of EVJ Ltd.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2024-08-14 PubMed ID: 39143703PubMed Central: PMC11982431DOI: 10.1111/evj.14208Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research evaluates the complications arising from orthopaedic MRI procedures under general anesthesia without antimicrobial prophylaxis in horses, mules, and donkeys. The researchers postulate that these animals aren’t at an increased risk of complications, including infectious respiratory diseases, and their findings support this theory.

Objective and Hypothesis of the Research

  • The main objective of this study was to explore the complications associated with elective orthopaedic Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in horses, mules, and donkeys, conducted without the use of peri-anaesthetic antimicrobial prophylaxis.
  • The researchers hypothesized that horses, mules, and donkeys undergoing this MRI procedure under general anesthesia without antimicrobial prophylaxis wouldn’t show an increased risk of complications, including a higher risk of infectious respiratory diseases.

Methodology

  • This study is a retrospective cross-sectional study involving 1798 systemically healthy equids (horses, mules, and donkeys).
  • The animals had undergone elective orthopaedic MRI under general anesthesia without peri-anaesthetic antimicrobial prophylaxis between January 2009 and May 2020.

Findings (Results)

  • Out of 1655 MRIs included in the study, 25 (1.5%) horses experienced complications.
  • The most common complication was post-anaesthetic fever, occurring in 11 (0.7%) horses. Out of these, 4 (0.2%) went on to develop pneumonia, and one was diagnosed with equine herpesvirus (respiratory).
  • Seven (0.4%) horses developed transient post-anaesthetic femoral neuropathy, and 7 (0.4%) horses had mild post-anaesthetic colic that was resolved with initial medical management.
  • No horses were euthanised or died in this study.

Conclusion

  • The study’s findings indicated that possible limitations could include the retrospective nature of the study leading to non-randomised case selection, and the possibility of some records being incomplete.
  • According to the overall results, the research suggests that peri-anaesthetic antimicrobial prophylaxis might not be necessary for performance and sport horses undergoing general anesthesia for elective orthopaedic MRI.

Cite This Article

APA
Manning H, Sampson S. (2024). Peri-anaesthetic complications in 1798 equids undergoing high-field elective orthopaedic MRI at a tertiary referral hospital. Equine Vet J, 57(3), 666-673. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.14208

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 57
Issue: 3
Pages: 666-673

Researcher Affiliations

Manning, Heath
  • Veterinary Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA.
Sampson, Sarah
  • Veterinary Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / veterinary
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / adverse effects
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Horses
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Anesthesia, General / veterinary
  • Anesthesia, General / adverse effects
  • Male
  • Female
  • Equidae
  • Postoperative Complications / veterinary
  • Postoperative Complications / epidemiology
  • Horse Diseases / etiology
  • Orthopedic Procedures / veterinary
  • Orthopedic Procedures / adverse effects
  • Tertiary Care Centers

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

References

This article includes 30 references
  1. Franci P, Leece EA, Brearley JC. Post anaesthetic myopathy/neuropathy in horses undergoing magnetic resonance imaging compared to horses undergoing surgery. Equine Vet J 2006;38(6):497–501.
    doi: 10.2746/042516406x156505pubmed: 17124838google scholar: lookup
  2. Morgan JM, Aceto H, Manzi T, Davidson EJ. Incidence and risk factors for complications associated with equine general anaesthesia for elective magnetic resonance imaging. Equine Vet J 2024;56(5):944–951.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.14026pubmed: 37935450google scholar: lookup
  3. Hoblick S, Denagamage TN, Morton AJ, McCarrel TM. Antimicrobial prophylaxis is not indicated for horses undergoing general anaesthesia for elective orthopaedic MRI. Equine Vet J 2024;56(3):475–483.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.13978pubmed: 37531950google scholar: lookup
  4. Borg H, Carmalt JL. Post‐operative septic arthritis after elective equine arthroscopy without antimicrobial prophylaxis. Vet Surg 2013;42(3):262–266.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1532-950X.2013.01106.xpubmed: 23432412google scholar: lookup
  5. Moreno KL, Scallen EM, Friedeck WO, Simon BT. Transient pelvic limb neuropathy following proximal metatarsal and tarsal magnetic resonance imaging in seven horses. Equine Vet J 2020;52(3):359–363.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.13181pubmed: 31498918google scholar: lookup
  6. Myhre M, Azeem A, Barrett M. Anaesthesia‐related morbidity associated with recumbent, low‐field magnetic resonance imaging of horses. N Z Vet J 2024;72(3):141–147.
    doi: 10.1080/00480169.2024.2321176pubmed: 38583873google scholar: lookup
  7. Laurenza C, Ansart L, Portier K. Risk factors of anesthesia‐related mortality and morbidity in one equine hospital: a retrospective study on 1,161 cases undergoing elective or emergency surgeries. Front Vet Sci 2020;6:514.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2019.00514pmc: PMC6990105pubmed: 32039253google scholar: lookup
  8. Barr BS, Waldridge BM, Morresey PR, Reed SM, Clark C, Belgrave R. Antimicrobial‐associated diarrhoea in three equine referral practices. Equine Vet J 2013;45(2):154–158.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2012.00595.xpubmed: 22779907google scholar: lookup
  9. Cohen ND, Woods AM. Characteristics and risk factors for failure of horses with acute diarrhea to survive: 122 cases (1990‐1996). J Am Vet Med Assoc 1999;214(3):382–390.
    pubmed: 10023402
  10. Lesperance R, Lehman R, Lesperance K, Cronk D, Martin M. Early post operative fever and the routine fever work‐up: results of a prospective study. J Surg Res 2010;171(1):245–250.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jss.2010.03.009pubmed: 20655062google scholar: lookup
  11. Curto EM, Griffith EH, Posner LP, Walsh KT, Balko JA, Gilger BC. Factors associated with postoperative complications in healthy horses after general anesthesia for ophthalmic versus non‐ophthalmic procedures: 556 cases (2012‐2014). J Am Vet Med Assoc 2018;252(9):1113–1119.
    doi: 10.2460/javma.252.9.1113pubmed: 29641332google scholar: lookup
  12. Tranquilli WJ, Thurmon JC, Grimm KA, Lumb WV. Lumb & Jones' veterinary anesthesia and analgesia. Vol 15. 4th ed. Ames, IA: Blackwell Publishing; 2007.
  13. Perlino CA. Postoperative fever. Med Clin North Am 2001;85(5):1141–1149.
    doi: 10.1016/s0025-7125(05)70369-2pubmed: 11565491google scholar: lookup
  14. Bettschart R, Johnston M. Confidential enquiry into perioperative equine fatalities: CEPEF 4—a chance to gain new evidence about the risks of equine general anaesthesia. Equine Vet J 2012;44(1):7.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2011.00483.xpubmed: 22050086google scholar: lookup
  15. Negishi C, Lenhardt R. Fever during anesthesia. Best Pract Res Clin Anaesthesiol 2003;17(4):499–517.
    doi: 10.1016/j.bpa.2003.08.004pubmed: 14661654google scholar: lookup
  16. Lenhardt R, Negishi C, Sessler DI. Perioperative fever. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand Suppl 1997;111:325–328.
    pubmed: 9421064
  17. Lenhardt R. The effect of anesthesia on body temperature control. Front Biosci 2010;2:1145–1154.
    doi: 10.2741/s123pubmed: 20515846google scholar: lookup
  18. Lenhardt R. Body temperature regulation and anesthesia. In: Romanovsky AA, editor. Handbook of clinical neurology. Volume 157. Cambridge, MA: Elsevier; 2018. p. 635–644.
    doi: 10.1016/b978-0-444-64074-1.00037-9pubmed: 30459029google scholar: lookup
  19. Andersen MS, Clark L, Dyson SJ, Newton JR. Risk factors for colic in horses after general anesthesia for MRI or non‐abdominal surgery: absence of evidence of effect from perianesthetic morphine. Equine Vet J 2006;38(4):368–374.
    pubmed: 16866208
  20. Salam MA, Al-Amin MY, Salam MT, Pawar JS, Akhter N, Rabaan AA. Antimicrobial resistance: a growing serious threat for global public health. Healthcare 2023;11:1946.
    doi: 10.3390/healthcare11131946pmc: PMC10340576pubmed: 37444780google scholar: lookup
  21. Senior JM, Pinchbeck GL, Allister R, Dugdale AH, Clark L, Clutton RE. Reported morbidities following 861 anaesthetics given at four equine hospitals. Vet Rec 2007;160:407–408.
    pubmed: 17384293
  22. Oosterlinck M, Schauvliege S, Martens A, Pille F. Postanaesthetic neuropathy/myopathy in the nondependent forelimb in 4 horses. J Equine Vet Sci 2013;33:996–999.
  23. Scherrer NM, Lassaline ME, Richardson DW, Stefanovski D. Interval prevalence of factors associated with colic in horses hospitalized for ocular or orthopedic disease. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2016;249(1):90–95.
    pubmed: 27308887
  24. Hurley MJ, Riggs CM, Cogger N, Rosanowski SM. The incidence and risk factors for shipping fever in horses transported by air to Hong Kong: results from a 2‐year prospective study. Vet J 2016;214:34–39.
    doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2016.01.006pubmed: 27387724google scholar: lookup
  25. Oikawa M, Kamada M, Yoshikawa Y, Yoshikawa T. Pathology of equine pneumonia associated with transport and isolation of Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus. J Comp Path 1994;111(2):205–212.
    doi: 10.1016/S0021-9975(05)80052-0pubmed: 7806706google scholar: lookup
  26. Hinchcliff KW, Couetil LL, Knight PK, Morley PS, Robinson NE, Sweeney CR. Exercise induced pulmonary hemorrhage in horses: American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine consensus statement. J Vet Intern Med 2015;29:743–758.
    doi: 10.1111/jvim.12593pmc: PMC4895427pubmed: 25996660google scholar: lookup
  27. Birks EK, Durando MM, McBride S. Exercise‐induced pulmonary hemorrhage. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 2003;9:87–100.
    doi: 10.1016/S0749-0739(02)00068-8pubmed: 12747663google scholar: lookup
  28. Gold J, Knowles D, Coffey T, Bayly W. Exercise‐induced pulmonary hemorrhage in barrel racing horses in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. J Vet Intern Med 2018;32:839–845.
    pmc: PMC5866954pubmed: 29460489
  29. Sundman E, Chigerwe M, Hunyadi LM. A retrospective study of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid analysis in barrel racing horses with exercise‐induced pulmonary hemorrhage and asthma in Texas from 2016 to 2018. Res Vet Sci 2020;132:338–341.
    pubmed: 32738730
  30. Massie SL, Leguillette R. Upper airway endoscopy in exercising horses: findings in 164 barrel racing horses with respiratory clinical signs and/or poor performance. Vet J 2023;300–302:106038.
    pubmed: 37865154
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,357 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.