Tumors of the Urogenital Tract.

Neoplasia has been reported to involve the majority of the urinary system of the horse, with tumors affecting the kidneys and bladder most comprehensively described. Primary tumors of the external genitalia are relatively common in the horse and are easily identified on clinical examination while primary tumors of the upper urogenital tract are uncommon. This article will highlight the common tumors, their clinical presentations, and discuss potential medical and surgical treatment options available.

Outcome of tenoscopically guided palmar/plantar annular ligament desmotomy for the treatment of palmar/plantar annular ligament constriction without concurrent intrathecal soft-tissue injury in a UK horse population.

Objective: To determine the outcome of tenoscopically guided palmar/plantar annular ligament (PAL) desmotomy to treat PAL constriction without concurrent intrathecal soft-tissue injury, notably of the digital flexor tendons and manica flexoria.

Study Design: Retrospective multicenter cohort study.

Animals: Sixty-five horses.

Horse owner perceptions of equine veterinary nursing roles in the United Kingdom.

Background: Registered (equine) veterinary nurses (R(E)VNs) typically provide few client-facing services. Better utilising R(E)VN skills could help address workforce shortages, improve morale and benefit patient health. The aim of this study was to explore horse owner perceptions of R(E)VN roles.

Validation of a novel clinical tool for monitoring distal limb stiffness.

Objective: To validate a novel technique to measure limb stiffness in a clinical setting.

Animals: Three horses and three ponies owned by the Royal Veterinary College.

Procedures: Limb stiffness indices for both forelimbs were first derived using the gold standard of kinematic analysis.

Investigation of Serum Markers of Hepatic Fibrosis in Equids.

Liver disease is common in equine practice, and treatment and prognosis are dependent on histopathologic examination of biopsies. Liver biopsy is invasive and expensive which restricts its use. Serum markers are used to predict hepatic fibrosis in humans.

Diagnosis of equine pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction.

Equine pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) is common in aged horses. The majority of horses respond well to treatment, but treatment is lifelong, meaning accurate diagnosis of PPID is important. Similar to any condition, there is no perfect laboratory test to diagnose PPID and accuracy is affected by the characteristics of the population in which the test is being evaluated.

Desmitis of the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon in the forelimb: A retrospective case study of 91 horses.

Background: Desmitis of the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon (ALDDFT) is a commonly reported injury. Despite the commonality of this injury, the literature is limited to small case series, with the reported success following treatment varying from 18% to 75%.

Objectives: To identify the prognosis and factors associated with a return to work following ALDDFT injury.

Development of a Web App to Convert Blood Insulin Concentrations among Various Immunoassays Used in Horses.

The measurement of the blood insulin concentration, and comparison to cut-offs, is essential in diagnosing insulin dysregulation, a common equine endocrinopathy. However, different insulin assays provide disparate results. We aimed to ease comparison between assays by compiling original and published data into a web app to convert insulin measurements from one assay to another.

Evaluation of stress markers in horses during hippotherapy sessions in comparison to being ridden by beginners.

Hippotherapy has been used for decades and its benefits to human patients have largely been proven, whether being applied to those with physical or mental disabilities. There have been a plethora of animal welfare studies recently, pertaining especially to ridden horses. This study aimed to investigate stress markers in horses during hippotherapy sessions to address the ethical considerations raised by using horses for therapy.

Carbohydrate pellets to assess insulin dysregulation in horses.

Background: A glycemic challenge test is used for the diagnosis of insulin dysregulation (ID) in horses and ponies. Different forms of the test exist where the administrative route and dose of glucose vary, which makes interpretation of results challenging.

Hypothesis/objectives: To evaluate the palatability of, and blood glucose and insulin responses to, carbohydrate pellets fed as an oral glucose test (OGT), and to establish the diagnostic threshold for ID when using the pellets.

Expression of Cell-Cycle Regulatory Proteins pRb, Cyclin D1, and p53 Is Not Associated with Recurrence Rates of Equine Sarcoids.

Sarcoids are among the most common tumors diagnosed in equids; their association with bovine papillomaviruses (BPV) infection has been widely reported, but the mechanism of carcinogenesis has not been fully elucidated. To verify whether BPV infection causes dysregulation of the pRb-Cyclin D1-p16-p53 pathway as reported for human papillomavirus (HPV), the study employed immunohistochemistry to test 55 equine sarcoid biopsies for the expression of pRb, Cyclin D1, and p53 cell cycle regulatory proteins and to evaluate the proliferative rate through Ki67. High Cyclin D1 and pRb expression were observed in 51% and 80% of cases, respectively, while low expression was observed in 49% and 20% of cases, respectively.

The effect of month and breed on plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone concentrations in equids.

Use of plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) concentrations for the diagnosis of PPID in equids requires awareness of other factors that might influence ACTH concentrations, including breed and time of year. This study was designed to investigate effects of breed on plasma ACTH concentrations and potential interactions between breed and time of year. Ten breeds were selected from a laboratory database containing data on plasma ACTH concentrations.

Association between forage mycotoxins and liver disease in horses.

Background: Outbreaks of liver disease in horses are common but the etiology of most remains unknown. Forage mycotoxins have been suspected to be a cause.

Objectives: To examine the association between outbreaks of liver disease and the presence of mycotoxins in forage stored on the same premises.

Outcome following emergency laparotomy in 33 UK donkeys: A retrospective multicentre study.

Background: Emergency laparotomies in donkeys are infrequently performed and there is limited literature on the subject.

Objectives: To determine findings and associated outcomes of exploratory laparotomies in donkeys.

Study Design: Descriptive retrospective study.

The effect of pergolide mesylate on adrenocorticotrophic hormone responses to exogenous thyrotropin releasing hormone in horses.

Thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) stimulation testing is often used to support a diagnosis of pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) in horses although it is unclear whether or not repeat TRH stimulation testing post-treatment is a valid means of assessing response to medical therapy. Laboratory submissions from 64 suspected equine PPID cases were examined including the initial pre-treatment TRH stimulation test and a follow up test within 100 days of starting medical therapy with pergolide. In a subset of cases, further follow-up tests were examined beyond 100 days of starting treatment.

Rib fractures in adult horses as a cause of poor performance; diagnosis, treatment and outcome in 73 horses.

Background: Rib fractures in adult horses are poorly documented.

Objectives: To describe the presenting signs, diagnosis, treatment and outcome of horses diagnosed with rib fracture.

Study Design: Retrospective case series.

Surgical removal of intra-articular loose bodies from the cervical articular process joints in 5 horses.

Objective: To describe the surgical removal of intra-articular loose bodies (LBs) from the cervical articular process joints (APJs) in five horses and to describe the outcome of the surgery.

Study Design: Short case series.

Animals: Five client-owned horses with naturally occurring LBs within the cervical APJs.

Acute abdominal dehiscence following laparotomy: A multicentre, international retrospective study.

Background: Incisional complications are a common cause of morbidity following laparotomy. Although uncommon, acute abdominal dehiscence (AAD) is a potentially fatal post-operative complication. However, few AAD cases are described in the literature.

Fibroblast-associated protein-α expression and BPV nucleic acid distribution in equine sarcoids.

Sarcoids are the most common cutaneous tumor of equids and are caused by bovine papillomavirus (BPV). Different clinical subtypes of sarcoids are well characterized clinically but not histologically, and it is not known whether viral activity influences the clinical or histological appearance of the tumors. The aim of this study was to verify whether the development of different clinical types of sarcoids or the presence of certain histological features were associated with BPV distribution within the tumor.

Pergolide dosing compliance and factors affecting the laboratory control of equine pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction.

Background: Equine pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) is treated with daily pergolide therapy. Owner compliance and its effect on PPID control have not been previously investigated.

Methods: Clinical records were searched to identify the sample of animals with PPID treated with pergolide from 2016 to 2019.

Ultrasonographic guidance for perineural injections of the cervical spinal nerves in horses.

Objective: To evaluate the accuracy of ultrasonographic guidance for injection near the ventral rami of the cervical spinal nerves (VRCSN).

Study Design: Ex vivo study.

Sample Population: Ten cadavers (n = 40 injections).

A retrospective multicenter study on the use of locking compression plates for scapulohumeral arthrodesis in small equids.

Objective: To report on technical aspects and outcomes after scapulohumeral arthrodesis (SHA) with a locking compression plate (LCP) in small equids.

Study Design: Retrospective multicenter case series.

Animals: Client-owned Shetland Ponies, Miniature Shetlands, and American Miniature Horses (n = 15).