Radiation exposure during simulated equine head and limb fan beam standing computed tomography appears safe for personnel using lead shielding.

Objective: To evaluate the radiation dose to personnel locations during simulated head and limb scans with a novel equine standing CT (sCT) system.

Methods: Measurements were made with the use of a helical fan beam sCT system (Equina; Asto CT Inc). Scatter radiation was measured in different positions in the sCT room to mimic the location of the control operator, horse handler, and lead rope handler during simulated equine head and limb imaging.

Ex vivo study shows novel, rapid, suture-free tenotomy technique for the equine deep digital flexor tendon.

Objective: To describe the feasibility of a novel thread-transecting technique for the tenotomy of the equine deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT).

Animals: 39 equine distal limb specimens.

Methods: Under ultrasonographic guidance, a surgical thread was percutaneously placed around the DDFT through 2 needle punctures (lateral and medial) using a Tuohy needle in equine limbs (22 forelimbs, 17 hindlimbs).

Ex vivo evaluation of a percutaneous thread-transecting technique for desmotomy of normal palmar/plantar annular ligaments in horses.

Objective: To develop and describe a minimally invasive, ultrasound-guided, percutaneous technique for the desmotomy of equine palmar/plantar annular ligaments (PALs) using a transecting thread.

Study Design: Ex vivo study.

Sample Population: Twenty-one normal equine distal limb specimens.

Use of a novel helical fan beam imaging system for computed tomography of the head and neck in sedated standing horses: 120 cases (2019-2020).

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic capabilities of a novel helical fan beam CT system used for imaging of horses with clinical problems of the head and neck.

Animals: 120 horses.

Procedures: Medical records were reviewed of horses presented for CT of the head or neck at 2 university hospitals.

Use of a novel helical fan beam imaging system for computed tomography of the distal limb in sedated standing horses: 167 cases (2019-2020).

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic capabilities of a novel helical fan beam CT system used for imaging of horses with a range of clinical distal limb problems.

Animals: 167 horses.

Procedures: Medical records were reviewed of horses presented for CT of the distal limb at 2 university-based veterinary hospitals.

Selection signature analyses and genome-wide association reveal genomic hotspot regions that reflect differences between breeds of horse with contrasting risk of degenerative suspensory ligament desmitis.

Degenerative suspensory ligament desmitis is a progressive idiopathic condition that leads to scarring and rupture of suspensory ligament fibers in multiple limbs in horses. The prevalence of degenerative suspensory ligament desmitis is breed related. Risk is high in the Peruvian Horse, whereas pony and draft breeds have low breed risk.

Long-Term Outcome of Horses Undergoing Unilateral Mandibular Condylectomy and Meniscectomy for Temporomandibular Joint Disease.

Background: There are no reports describing the long-term outcome of sport horses undergoing unilateral mandibular condylectomy with meniscectomy (UMC) for treatment for severe temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disease (TMD). Whether horses undergoing UMC require a specialized diet, can return to riding with a bit, or return to intended function after surgery is unknown.

Objective: To determine the long-term outcome of horses undergoing UMC for treatment of severe TMD.

Standing Intraoral Extraction of the Right Mandibular Third Molar Tooth in a Cow Utilizing Tooth Sectioning.

A 2-year-old Holstein heifer presented to a university teaching hospital with an apical tooth infection of the right mandibular third molar. A standing oral extraction technique was attempted for tooth removal; however, the molar could not be delivered intact. A tooth sectioning technique was performed, and the affected molar was successfully delivered.

Computed tomographic assessment of brain tissue disruption and skull damage in equine cadaveric heads caused by various firearm-ammunition combinations applied as potential gunshot methods for euthanasia of horses.

Objective: To evaluate with CT the characteristics of brain tissue disruption and skull damage in cadaveric heads of adult horses caused by each of 6 firearm-ammunition combinations applied at a novel anatomic aiming point.

Sample: 53 equine cadaveric heads.

Procedures: Heads placed to simulate that of a standing horse were shot with 1 of 6 firearm-ammunition combinations applied at an aiming point along the external sagittal crest of the head where the 2 temporalis muscles form an inverted V.

Washed Equine Platelet Extract as an Anti-Inflammatory Biologic Pharmaceutical.

Mammalian platelets participate in the immediate tissue injury response by initiating coagulation and further promoting tissue injury mitigation and repair. The latter properties are deployed following platelet release of presynthetized morphogens, cytokines, and growth and chemotactic factors, which launch a tissue regenerative, angiogenic, and anti-inflammatory program. Several blood-derived biologic products, like platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and platelet lysate (PL), are currently on the market to allow proper healing and tissue regeneration.

Multicenter retrospective study of complications and risk factors associated with castration in 106 pet pigs.

Castration of pet pigs is becoming a commonly performed procedure. However, little information is available regarding surgical techniques and complications. Medical records of 106 pet pigs admitted to 3 teaching hospitals for castration were reviewed.

Complications and survival in horses with surgically confirmed right dorsal displacement of the large colon.

This study compared post-operative complications and survival in horses with right dorsal displacement of the large colon (RDD) and horses with other non-strangulating large colon (NSLC) lesions. Data were obtained from medical records of horses undergoing exploratory laparotomy from 2000 to 2016 and from owner questionnaire. Of 137 horses that fitted the inclusion criteria, 67 (49%) had RDD and 70 (51%) had NSLC lesions.

Use of tube cystostomy in the surgical management of obstructive urolithiasis in a Bactrian camel.

Case Description: A 6-year-old castrated male Bactrian camel was evaluated because of a 14hour history of oliguria and stranguria that progressed to anuria.

Clinical Findings: Perineal urethral pulsations and intermittent tail flagging with no accompanying urination were observed. Ultrasonography of the urethra revealed multiple hyperechoic foci with shadowing artifact indicative of calculi present in the penile urethra distal to the sigmoid flexure.

In vivo evaluation of effects of sedation on results of acoustoelastography of the superficial digital flexor tendons in clinically normal horses.

OBJECTIVE To assess the effects of sedation on results of acoustoelastography of the superficial digital flexor tendons (SDFTs) in clinically normal horses. ANIMALS 27 clinically normal horses. PROCEDURES For each horse, the pathology index (PI) for the SDFT of each thoracic limb was determined by use of acoustoelastography at 4 locations (5, 10, 15, and 20 cm distal to the accessory carpal bone).

Degenerative Suspensory Ligament Desmitis (DSLD) in Peruvian Paso Horses Is Characterized by Altered Expression of TGFβ Signaling Components in Adipose-Derived Stromal Fibroblasts.

Equine degenerative suspensory ligament desmitis (DSLD) in Peruvian Paso horses typically presents at 7-15 years and is characterized by lameness, focal disorganization of collagen fibrils, and chondroid deposition in the body of the ligament. With the aim of developing a test for disease risk (that can be used to screen horses before breeding) we have quantified the expression of 76 TGFβ-signaling target genes in adipose-derived stromal fibroblasts (ADSCs) from six DSLD-affected and five unaffected Paso horses. Remarkably, 35 of the genes showed lower expression (p<0.

3D FSE Cube and VIPR-aTR 3.0 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging predicts canine cranial cruciate ligament structural properties.

Estimation of cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) structural properties in client-owned dogs with incipient cruciate rupture would be advantageous. The objective of this study was to determine whether magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurement of normal CrCL volume in an ex-vivo canine model predicts structural properties. Stifles from eight dogs underwent 3.

In Vivo Measures of Shear Wave Speed as a Predictor of Tendon Elasticity and Strength.

The purpose of this study was to assess the potential for ultrasound shear wave elastography (SWE) to measure tissue elasticity and ultimate stress in both intact and healing tendons. The lateral gastrocnemius (Achilles) tendons of 41 New Zealand white rabbits were surgically severed and repaired with growth factor coated sutures. SWE imaging was used to measure shear wave speed (SWS) in both the medial and lateral tendons pre-surgery, and at 2 and 4 wk post-surgery.

Biomechanical evaluation of a novel subcuticular skin stapling device for use in equine abdominal surgeries.

Objective: To compare the in vitro biomechanical properties of a novel subcuticular stapling device to current methods of abdominal skin closure for equine abdominal surgery.

Study Design: In vitro randomized, matched design.

Sample Population: Equine ventral median abdominal skin specimens (n = 24 horses).

Reproducibility and feasibility of acoustoelastography in the superficial digital flexor tendons of clinically normal horses.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility and repeatability of in vivo measurement of stiffness gradients by means of acoustoelastography in the superficial digital flexor tendons (SDFTs) of clinically normal horses.

Animals: 15 clinically normal horses.

Procedures: For each horse, stiffness gradient index and dispersion values for SDFTs in both forelimbs were evaluated in longitudinal orientation by use of acoustoelastography at 3 sites (5, 10, and 15 cm distal to the accessory carpal bone) by 2 observers; for each observer, data were acquired twice per site.

High affinity binding of an engineered, modular peptide to bone tissue.

Bone grafting procedures have become common due in part to a global trend of population aging. Native bone graft is a popular choice when compared to various synthetic bone graft substitutes, owing to superior biological activity. Nonetheless, the insufficient ability of bone allograft to induce new bone formation and the insufficient remodeling of native bone grafts call for osteoinductive factors during bone repair, exemplified by recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2 (rhBMP2).

Cesarean section in alpacas and llamas: 34 cases (1997-2010).

Objective: To determine indications for cesarean section in alpacas and llamas, and clinical management and outcome of alpacas and llamas undergoing cesarean section.

Design: Retrospective case series.

Animals: 27 alpacas and 7 llamas.

A less invasive technique for spaying pet pigs.

Objectives: To determine if ovariectomy (OVE) by electrothermal bipolar vessel sealing (EBVS) is a safe alternative to ovariohysterectomy (OVH) by hand-tied ligatures as a method of spaying in pigs.

Study Design: Retrospective case series.

Animals: Intact female pigs (n = 14).