Horses affected by EPM have increased sCD14 compared to healthy horses.

Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) is a debilitating neurologic disease affecting horses across the Americas. Gaps in understanding the inflammatory immune response in EPM-affected horses create difficulties with diagnosis and treatment, subsequently negatively impacting the prognosis of affected horses. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate circulating levels of the inflammatory immune marker soluble CD14 (sCD14), in horses with EPM (n = 7) and determine if they differed from healthy neurologically normal horses (n = 6).

Effect of Meperidine on Equine Blood Histamine, Tryptase, and Immunoglobulin-E Concentrations.

To evaluate changes in immunological parameters following subcutaneous (SC) and intramuscular (IM) administration of meperidine in horses through quantitative analysis of plasma tryptase, histamine, and IgE levels. Six adult horses were enrolled in a prospective randomized crossover design. Horses were administered one treatment per day, with a seven day washout period: (a) meperidine 1 mg/kg IM, saline 6 mL SC; (b) saline 6 mL IM, meperidine 1 mg/kg SC; (c) saline 6 mL SC, saline 6 mL IM.

Multicenter Placebo-Controlled Randomized Study of Ethyl Pyruvate in Horses Following Surgical Treatment for ≥ 360° Large Colon Volvulus.

Identifying therapies that mitigate ischemic colonic injury and improve mucosal healing and intestinal viability are crucial to improving survival in horses with ≥360° large colon volvulus (LCV). Ethyl pyruvate is the ethyl ester of pyruvate with diverse pharmacologic effects that limit ischemic injury and hasten intestinal mucosal repair in preclinical rodents, sheep and swine models. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of ethyl pyruvate on systemic indices of colon viability, expression of inflammatory genes in whole blood, morbidity and survival after surgical correction of LCV compared to controls.

Prognostic value of colonic and peripheral venous lactate measurements in horses with large colon volvulus.

Objective: To determine the prognostic value of (1) colonic venous lactate or peripheral lactate values obtained before and after manual correction of a large colon volvulus and (2) a combination of variables including pelvic flexure biopsy.

Study Design: Prospective clinical study.

Animals: Forty adult horses in which large colon volvulus was diagnosed intraoperatively.

Improved diagnostic criteria for digital flexor tendon sheath pathology using contrast tenography.

Background: Pathology of the digital flexor tendon sheath is a significant cause of lameness in the horse. Imaging is important to identify lesions and inform on prognosis prior to tenoscopic surgery.

Objectives: To use a large population to evaluate 1) the sensitivity and specificity of digital flexor tendon sheath (DFTS) contrast radiographs in diagnosing manica flexoria (MF) tears, deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) tears and constriction of the palmar/plantar annular ligament (PAL) using novel criteria; 2) predisposition to pathology in signalment and limb affected.

Protein biomarker of cell proliferation determines survival to discharge in cases of equine large colon volvulus.

Background: Progenitor cells play critical roles in epithelial repair following ischaemic injury. Protein biomarkers have been used to identify intestinal progenitor cell subpopulations. This study aims to determine if a critical number of intestinal progenitor cells can predict tissue viability and survival to discharge of large colon volvulus (LCV) cases.

Improvement in Bilateral Carpal Valgus Deviation in 9 Foals After Unilateral Distolateral Radial Periosteal Transection and Elevation.

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of periosteal transection and elevation in foals with naturally occurring carpal valgus deviation.

Study Design: Prospective clinical study.

Animals: Foals (n = 9) with bilateral carpal valgus.

Outcome of medial patellar ligament desmoplasty for treatment of intermittent upward fixation of the patella in 24 horses (2005-2012).

This retrospective study provides long-term results of medial patellar ligament (MPL) desmoplasty in horses with intermittent upward fixation of the patella (UFP) that were treated at a single referral hospital over a 7-year period. Follow-up interviews were conducted with owners, trainers, or referring veterinarians using a standardized questionnaire. Overall, 71% of horses returned to their intended use with only 18% at a higher level.

The influence of perfusate volume on antimicrobial concentration in synovial fluid following intravenous regional limb perfusion in the standing horse.

This study investigated the influence of perfusate volume on antimicrobial concentration in synovial fluid following intravenous regional limb perfusion (IVRLP) and assessed the efficacy of low volume IVRLP. The front limbs of 9 horses were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 volume groups: 10 mL (Group 1), 30 mL (Group 2), or 60 mL (Group 3). A tourniquet was applied distal to the carpus and the limbs were perfused with 500 mg genta-micin diluted to the assigned volume via a catheter placed in the lateral palmar digital vein at the level of the proximal sesamoid bones.

Tenosynoviotomy for sepsis of the digital flexor tendon sheath in 9 horses.

Objective: To describe a tenosynoviotomy technique for treatment of sepsis of the digital flexor tendon sheath (DFTS) in horses and report long-term outcome.

Study Design: Case series.

Animals: Horses (n = 9).

Use of a suprapatellar pouch portal and laparoscopic cannula for removal of debris or loose fragments following arthroscopy of the femoropatellar joint of 168 horses (245 joints).

Objective: To validate the safety of a suprapatellar pouch (SPP), approach to the femoropatellar joint (FPJ), and describe use of a laparoscopic cannula to remove debris or loose bodies.

Study Design: Retrospective case series

Animals: Horses (n = 168) with osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the FPJ.

Methods: Arthroscopy was performed on 245 FPJ with OCD.

Racing and sales performance after unilateral or bilateral single transphyseal screw insertion for varus angular limb deformities of the carpus in 53 thoroughbreds.

Objective: To evaluate the racing and sales performance of Thoroughbred horses with varus angular limb deformities of the carpus treated by unilateral or bilateral single transphyseal screw (STS) placement.

Study Design: Case series.

Animals: Thoroughbred horses (n=53).

Survival and complications after large colon resection and end-to-end anastomosis for strangulating large colon volvulus in seventy-three horses.

Objective: To report complications and survival after large colon resection and end-to-end anastomosis in horses with strangulating large colon volvulus.

Study Design: Retrospective case series.

Animals: Horses (n=73) with strangulating large colon volvulus.

Fertility and complications after fetotomy in 20 brood mares (2001-2006).

Objective: To report fertility (foals conceived, live foal births) of mares after partial fetotomy to resolve dystocia and complications associated with fetotomy.

Study Design: Retrospective study.

Animals: Horses (n=20).

Use of colonic luminal pressure to predict outcome after surgical treatment of strangulating large colon volvulus in horses.

Objective: To evaluate the relationship of colonic luminal pressure (CLP) measurements to outcome in horses with large colon volvulus (LCV) after either manual correction or large colon resection and anastomosis (LCRA).

Study Design: Retrospective study.

Animals: Horses (n=57) that had LCV.

Performance after partial arytenoidectomy without mucosal closure in 27 Thoroughbred racehorses.

Objective: To examine the effect of partial arytenoidectomy without mucosal closure on postoperative racing performance and long-term complications in Thoroughbred racehorses treated for laryngeal hemiplegia, arytenoid chondropathy, or failed laryngoplasty.

Study Design: Retrospective study.

Animals: Twenty-seven Thoroughbred racehorses.

Cochet-Bonnet aesthesiometer-determined corneal sensitivity in neonatal foals and adult horses.

Corneal touch threshold (CTT) was measured in sick neonatal foals, healthy foals, and healthy adult horses with a Cochet-Bonnet aesthesiometer. The mean overall CTT for the adult horses, sick foals, and healthy foals was 4.82 +/- 0.

Caecal impactions managed surgically by typhlotomy in 10 cases (1988-1998).

Surgical management of caecal impactions has included several different procedures suggested over the years. Complete bypass of the caecum through an ileocolic or jejunocolic anastomosis has become common practice for first time caecal impaction management, especially when dysfunction is suspected. In our practice, however, caecal impactions have been managed surgically by typhlotomy alone and of the 10 cases (July 1988-June 1998), 9 underwent surgery for first time caecal impactions, received a typhlotomy, and had survived an average of 43 months at time of case review.

Colic surgery in 206 juvenile thoroughbreds: survival and racing results.

The purpose of our study was to determine the types of lesions that cause colic in juvenile Thoroughbreds, factors associated with these lesions and the subsequent survival and athletic performance of the juveniles. The age of juvenile Thoroughbreds requiring surgical exploration for abdominal pain has an influence on the type of lesion causing colic. The short-term survival rate (discharge from the hospital) after colic surgery for foals was 85% and was strongly influenced by the lesion causing colic.

Large colon resection.

Strangulating large colon volvulus presents the surgeon with the dilemma of determining the extent of compromise to the affected tissue and the most appropriate surgical treatment of this tissue. This decision is complicated because there is a significant volvulus recurrence rate. Large colon resection and anastomosis is the most aggressive treatment option but prevents recurrence and may provide an alternative to euthanasia for some horses.

Diaphragmatic hernia repair in three young horses.

Objective: This clinical report describes surgical correction of diaphragmatic hernia in three young horses.

Study Design: Retrospective investigation of medical records and subsequent racing performance.

Animals: Three young horses with diaphragmatic hernia.

Successful pregnancy after partial hysterectomy in two mares.

Infertility was associated with a uterine mass in 2 Thoroughbred mares. Both mares had produced live foals, but had been barren for 2 years, despite repeated breedings. Each mass was removed through a right ventral paramedian incision.