Effects of intra-articular anesthesia of the tarsometatarsal joint on skin sensation of the distal limb in horses.

Objective: To determine with mechanical nociceptive threshold (MNT) testing whether distal limb skin sensation is affected by intra-articular anesthesia of the tarsometatarsal joint (TMTJ).

Animals And Procedure: This was a prospective cohort study. Ten client-owned horses that had intra-articular TMTJ anesthesia were included in the study.

The Mentor-Mentee Relationship, Addressing Challenges in Veterinary Medicine Together.

This article provides a summary of the current veterinary and medical literature concerning mentor-mentee relationships. In particular, the authors discuss how mentorship may be expanded and improved to address current challenges faced by the veterinary profession. They consider both the positive effects of mentorship on retention and recruitment, mental well-being, and competency, as well as the potential negatives or downsides of mentorship.

BEVA primary care clinical guidelines: Wound management in the horse.

Background: There are currently no evidence summaries on wounds in the horse.

Objectives: To develop evidence-based guidelines on wound management in the horse.

Study Design: Evidence review using the GRADE framework.

Ex Vivo Comparison of the Accuracy of a Clamped with a Hand-Held Drill Guide for Drilling Distal Third Metacarpals and Metatarsals in Equids.

Objectives:  The aim of this study was to determine whether a clamped drill guide can be used effectively to drill across equine distal third metacarpals and metatarsals and to compare accuracy and speed of a drilling with a hand-held drill guide.

Study Design:  Eighty equine cadaver limbs were divided between four surgeons with varying experience. The limbs were randomly allocated to clamped or hand-held drill guides and placed in a stand in an upright/standing position on a metal table.

Horses with solar foot penetration, deep digital flexor tendon injury, and absence of concurrent synovial sepsis can have a positive outcome.

Solar foot penetration is one of the causes of deep digital flexor tendon injuries in horses, however, limited information is available on the prognosis for return to soundness in the absence of synovial sepsis. Objectives of this retrospective observational study were to describe low-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings and long-term outcome for a group of horses with this combination of clinical problems. Horses were included if low-field standing MRI of the foot was performed following puncture wounds, injury of the deep digital flexor tendon was diagnosed, and sepsis was confirmed to be absent in all adjacent synovial structures (distal interphalangeal joint, navicular bursa, and digital flexor tendon sheath).

Fluticasone/salmeterol reduces remodelling and neutrophilic inflammation in severe equine asthma.

Asthmatic airways are inflamed and undergo remodelling. Inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting β2-agonist combinations are more effective than inhaled corticosteroid monotherapy in controlling disease exacerbations, but their effect on airway remodelling and inflammation remains ill-defined. This study evaluates the contribution of inhaled fluticasone and salmeterol, alone or combined, to the reversal of bronchial remodelling and inflammation.

Frequency of Undetected Glove Perforation and Associated Risk Factors in Equine Surgery.

Objective: To estimate the frequency of undetected perforations in surgical gloves during equine surgery and to identify risk factors associated with occurrence.

Study Design: Observational cohort study.

Sample Population: Surgical gloves-292 pairs.

Ex Vivo Biomechanical Comparison of 4 Suture Materials for Laparoscopic Bladder Closure in the Horse.

Objective: To compare a knotless, barbed suture to standard suture using laparoscopic suturing methods in an ex vivo model of equine bladder repair.

Study Design: Cadaveric study.

Sample Population: Equine cadaver bladders (n=42).

Comparison of an alcohol-based hand rub and water-based chlorhexidine gluconate scrub technique for hand antisepsis prior to elective surgery in horses.

This prospective clinical study evaluates the effectiveness of an alcohol-based hand rub (Avagard™) for pre-surgical hand antisepsis in an equine hospital and compares it with traditional scrubbing technique using 4% chlorhexidine gluconate sponges and water. Prior to elective surgery, 3 board-certified surgeons were randomly assigned to hand antisepsis with either technique. Culture samples of each hand were taken at 4 times: before and after neutral soap hand wash, after scrub or rubbing technique, and after surgery.

Comparison of 2 equine transfixation pin casts and the effects of pin removal.

Objective: To (1) compare strain on the dorsal aspect of the proximal phalanx (P1) between 2 types of transfixation pin casts (TPC) and (2) evaluate the change in strain as the pins are removed.

Study Design: Experimental.

Animals: Equine cadaver forelimbs (n = 10 pair).

Evaluation of survival rate and athletic ability after nonsurgical or surgical treatment of cleft palate in horses: 55 cases (1986-2008).

Objective: To determine survival rate and athletic ability after nonsurgical or surgical treatment of cleft palate in horses.

Design: Retrospective case series.

Animals: 55 horses with cleft palate.

In vitro comparison of a novel external fixator and traditional full-limb transfixation pin cast in horses.

Objective: To compare the mechanical properties and failure modes of a standardized short oblique distal radial metaphyseal osteotomy stabilized using either a transfixation pin cast (TPC), a modular-sidebar external skeletal fixator (ESF), or a solid-sidebar ESF (modular- or solid-ESF, respectively) using static or cyclic axial loading to failure.

Study Design: In vitro study.

Animals: Equine cadaver forelimbs.

Analysis of sodium carboxymethylcellulose administration and related factors associated with postoperative colic and survival in horses with small intestinal disease.

Objective: To analyze the effect of the intraoperative use of sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CBMC) and related perioperative factors on postoperative colic and survival in horses that had abdominal surgery for colic.

Study Design: Retrospective study.

Animals: Horses (n=203) that had surgery for small intestinal disease; 33 horses had intraoperative administration of CBMC.

Exophthalmus secondary to a sinonasal cyst in a horse.

Case Description: A 13-year-old female Miniature Horse was evaluated for progressive unilateral exophthalmia of the left globe of 3 weeks' duration.

Clinical Findings: Results of a physical examination were unremarkable. Ophthalmic examination identified exophthalmus of the left globe with complete resistance to retropulsion and mild blepharoconjunctivitis.

Gabapentin for the treatment of neuropathic pain in a pregnant horse.

Case Description: A 24-year-old 732-kg (1,610-lb) pregnant Belgian draft horse mare developed neuropathy and signs of intractable pain following colic surgery.

Clinical Findings: Following recovery from colic surgery to treat compression of the small and large intestines because of a large fetus, the mare was noticed to have signs of femoral neuropathy involving the left hind limb. Within 36 hours after recovery, the mare developed signs of severe pain that were unresponsive to conventional treatment.

Expression of cyclooxygenase-1 and -2 in naturally occurring squamous cell carcinomas in horses.

Objective: To assess expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and -2 in naturally occurring squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) and the analogous normal tissues in horses.

Sample Population: Tissue samples collected from 3 conjunctival, 2 vulvar, 4 preputial, and 5 penile SCCs during surgical excision in 14 horses and from corresponding body regions (conjunctiva [n = 5 horses], vulva [2], prepuce [3], and penis [3]) in 5 horses euthanized for reasons unrelated to neoplasia.

Procedures: Tissue samples were snap frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored at -80 degrees C until analysis.

Infections in the equine abdomen and pelvis: perirectal abscesses, umbilical infections, and peritonitis.

This article addresses the pathophysiology, diagnosis, management, and prognosis of several different infections within the equine abdomen and pelvic region. The latest advances in the diagnosis and treatment of perirectal abscesses, umbilical infections, and local and diffuse peritonitis are discussed. Emphasis is placed on recent advances in diagnostics and therapeutics with reference to human literature that may be useful in equine practice.

Bilateral ureterocystostomy to correct left ureteral atresia and right ureteral ectopia in an 8-month-old standardbred filly.

Objectives: To report the diagnosis and outcome after surgical correction of bilateral distal ureteral anomalies in a Standardbred filly.

Study Design: Clinical case report.

Animal: An 8-month-old, 310 kg Standardbred filly with left ureteral atresia and right ureteral ectopia.

Unilateral thyroidectomy in 6 horses.

Objective: To describe the surgical technique, complications, and outcome of thyroidectomy in 6 horses.

Study Design: Retrospective study.

Animals: Six horses, 10 to 22 years of age, with unilateral, rapidly enlarging thyroid masses.

Arthroscopic removal of dorsoproximal chip fractures of the proximal phalanx in standing horses.

Objective: To report a technique for, and outcome after, arthroscopic removal of dorsoproximal chip fractures of a proximal phalanx in standing horses.

Study Design: Retrospective study.

Animals Or Sample Population: A total of 104 horses, 1 to 13 years of age, with a dorsoproximal chip fracture of a proximal phalanx.