Factors affecting incisional complication rates associated with colic surgery in horses: 78 cases (1983-1985).

From May 1, 1983 to April 1, 1985, 142 operations were performed on horses with signs of acute abdominal pain (colic), using a ventral midline incision. Seventy-eight horses lived for at least 15 days after surgery or had acute dehiscence and were included in the study. Seventy horses had surgery once, and 8 horses had surgery 2 or more times.

Attempts to restore abduction of the paralyzed equine arytenoid cartilage. III. Nerve anastomosis.

The purpose of this project was to attempt restoration of abduction of a recently denervated left dorsal cricoarytenoid muscle in the horse by anastomosing the first cervical nerve to the abductor branch of the left recurrent laryngeal nerve. Ten horses were used in the study. In six horses the left recurrent laryngeal nerve was transected and ligated while the ventral branch of the left first cervical nerve was anastomosed to the abductor branch of the left recurrent laryngeal nerve.

Attempts to restore abduction of the paralyzed equine arytenoid cartilage. II. Nerve implantation (pilot study).

The purpose of this project was to attempt restoration of abduction of a recently experimentally denervated left dorsal cricoarytenoid muscle by implanting a transected nerve-end into the paralyzed muscle. In six ponies the cut end of the second cervical nerve was implanted into a slit made in the left dorsal cricoarytenoid muscle. The nerve end was secured in place with one 5-0 polypropylene suture connecting the epineurium to the epimysium.

Attempts to restore abduction of the paralyzed equine arytenoid cartilage. I. Nerve-muscle pedicle transplants.

The purpose of this project was to adapt a surgical technique from humans and dogs to horses in which a portion of an accessory muscle of respiration and its nerve supply is transplanted to a denervated dorsal cricoarytenoid muscle. Anatomical dissections in seven horses revealed two possible donor nerve-pedicle grafts: the omohyoid and the sternothyrohyoid, both innervated by a branch of the first and second cervical nerves. Histochemical evaluations in two ponies of the dorsal cricoarytenoid, omohyoid and sternothyrohyoid muscles revealed similar proportions of fiber types 1 and 2 in all three muscles.

Use of high-speed cinematography and computer generated gait diagrams for the study of equine hindlimb kinematics.

High-speed cinematography with computer aided analysis was used to study equine hindlimb kinematics. Eight horses were filmed at the trot or the pace. Filming was done from the side (lateral) and the back (caudal).

Colonic atresia in cattle: A prospective study of 43 cases.

This prospective study was initiated to document the success rate obtained in the treatment of colonic atresia in calves, identify factors that influence survival rate, and to report the histopathological appearance of the proximal blind end of the ascending colon. Forty-three calves with intestinal obstruction due to colonic atresia were admitted to the Ontario Veterinary College between September 1982 and May 1986. Parameters recorded prospectively in this study included age, breed, sex, history, vital signs, acid-base and electrolyte status, location of intestinal atresia, medical and surgical management, and outcome.

Equine Colic: Seventy-six Cases Resulting from Incarceration of the Large Colon by the Suspensory Ligament of the Spleen.

Incarceration of the large colon by the suspensory ligament of the spleen was diagnosed and surgically corrected on exploratory celiotomy in 76 horses exhibiting abdominal pain. The condition was diagnosed most frequently during the winter months in mature males of mean age 4.7 years.

Invasive Teat Surgery in Dairy Cattle: II - Long-term Follow-up and complications.

A prospective study was performed on 52 teats that were operated upon at the Ontario Veterinary College over a three year period for various problems. Long-term postsurgical follow-ups were obtained to assess milking ability. Sixty-three percent of all the cows that had surgery were classified by the Canadian Holstein Association as "good" or better.

Invasive teat surgery in dairy cattle: part I - surgical procedures and classification of lesions.

A prospective study was performed to identify the nature and management of teat abnormalities in cows presented to a referral teaching hospital during a three year period. All cattle (n = 60) admitted to the Ontario Veterinary College for teat problems were evaluated by physical examination; in 53 teats, contrast radiography or xeroradiography were obtained. Surgery was performed on 52 teats from 51 cows and a prosthesis was implanted in 27 teats.

Extension large colon resection in 12 horses.

Extensive resection (50-75%) of the large colon was performed in 12 horses. Indications for resection were: loss of viability due to large colon volvulus (seven), thromboembolic episode (three), impairment of flow of ingesta due to adhesions (one), or congenital abnormalities (one). The time required to correct the primary cause of abdominal pain and complete the resection ranged from 2.

Extensive large colon resection in the pony. II. Digestibility studies and postmortem findings.

The nutritional implications and adaptive processes resulting from resection of 75% of the length of the large colon in ponies were investigated. Ten ponies in good physical condition were divided into two groups: six in the experimental group and four in the control group. During the sixth postoperative month, two digestibility studies were conducted, and phosphate fractional renal excretion and serum biochemical profiles were determined in both groups.

Extensive large colon resection in the pony. I. Surgical procedures and clinical results.

The effect of resection of 75% (length measurement) of the large colon in ponies was studied. Ten ponies in good physical condition were divided into two groups: group I consisted of the six experimental ponies and group II of four control ponies. Preoperatively and postoperatively for five months, ten clinicopathological parameters were determined: body weight, venous blood pH, plasma bicarbonate, total plasma protein concentration, serum electrolyte values (sodium, potassium, chloride), and fecal osmolarity.

Histology of the normal and retained equine testis.

Abdominal, inguinal and scrotal testes of horses were examined grossly and by light microscopy. An average of 1.5, 2.

Retrospective evaluation of xylazine/halothane anesthesia in 125 cattle.

A retrospective morbidity and mortality study was carried out on 125 case records of cattle involving xylazine/halothane anesthesia at the Ontario Veterinary College, Guelph between May 1979 and February 1983.One hundred and six animals were given xylazine intramuscularly with a mean dose of 0.22 mg/kg and the remaining 19 were given a mean dose of 0.

Pheochromocytoma in the horse and measurement of norepinephrine levels in horses.

Ten cases of pheochromocytoma in horses were obtained from the literature and a computer search of medical records. The clinical, laboratory and pathological features of pheochromocytoma in horses were reviewed. Pheochromocytoma is a catecholamine secreting tumor which tends to occur in older horses without breed or sex predisposition.

Surgical treatment of paraphimosis in a pony.

Circumcision (or reefing operation) was performed on an aged pony stallion to remove excessive granulation tissue involving the preputial integument following an injury and subsequent paraphimosis. Postoperative swelling of the penis and prepuce was reduced daily with gentle massage. Initially, an improvised suspensory was used to support the penis postoperatively.

The treatment of transection of the extensor carpi radialis muscle as a result of a lacerating wound in a horse.

A 16 month old filly was presented with the complaint of a severe laceration to the right foreleg with resultant transection of the extensor carpi radialis. Normal principles of wound treatment were followed and a bandage and splint were used for support and immobilization. The return to partial function of the damaged extensor carpi radialis was evidenced by resolution of the wound and an improvement in the patient's gait four months after the time of injury.

Congenital esophagotracheal fistula as the cause of bloat in a calf.

A four day old Holstein calf was presented with a history of recurrent free gas bloat. An exploratory laparotomy was performed and no abnormalities were discovered in the gastrointestinal tract. An esophagotracheal fistula was suspected and confirmed by endoscopy.

Ethmoid hematoma of the equine.

Two cases of ethmoid hematoma of the equine are reported. Clinically both horses had intermittent unilateral epistaxis unassociated with exercise. In one horse, diagnosis was based on the use of an endoscope for visualization and for biopsy of a mass associated with the ethmoid turbinates.

Equine carpal surgery: A review of 89 cases and evaluation of return to function.

During a 6-year period, carpal arthrotomies were performed on 89 horses with carpal fractures. Fifty-two percent of the fractures involved the left forelimb; the 3rd carpal bone was most often involved (42%), followed by the radial carpal bone (30%). The effect of surgery on the performance of a subgroup of 48 thoroughbreds was evaluated by comparing the number of starts, level of racing (claiming value), and earnings for the 12 months of racing preceding and following arthrotomy.