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Subject Details (subject + detail)
Selected AbstractsClinical findings and outcomes of ulcerative keratomycosis in 30 horses in the mid-Atlantic United States (2006,2007)EQUINE VETERINARY EDUCATION, Issue 1 2010M. E. Utter Summary The purpose of this study was to determine the clinical course and outcome associated with keratomycosis in horses in the mid-Atlantic USA. Records of horses diagnosed with keratomycosis at New Bolton Center from November 2006 to November 2007 with positive fungal culture were retrospectively studied. Neither horses with ulcerative keratitis and a negative fungal culture nor those with stromal abscesses were included. Subject details, history, clinical findings, therapy and outcome were recorded. Thirty horses fitted both inclusion criteria (diagnosis of keratomycosis and positive corneal fungal culture). Fourteen of 30 cases occurred during summer. Aspergillus was the most commonly cultured fungal genus (17/30, or 57%) followed by Alternaria (4/30). Seventeen horses had positive bacterial and fungal cultures. Fifteen of 30 horses were treated surgically by a keratectomy and amnion (8) or conjunctival (7) graft. Itraconazole was the most common topical anti-fungal therapy and was utilised in 25/30 horses. Globe survival was 97% (29/30). All surviving globes had a positive menace response and were visual at the last examination. It was concluded that in the mid-Atlantic USA, fungal keratitis is common, has the highest incidence in summer, and is usually associated with a positive outcome. Aspergillus may be a relatively more common corneal pathogen in this region than elsewhere in the USA. Surgical cases were more likely to have fungal hyphae identified on cytology and tended to be hospitalised longer than medical cases. There was no apparent association between surgical disease and all other patient, organism and treatment variables. [source] An epidemiological study of myopathies in Warmblood horsesEQUINE VETERINARY JOURNAL, Issue 2 2008L. M. HUNT Summary Reasons for performing study: There are few detailed reports describing muscular disorders in Warmblood horses. Objectives: To determine the types of muscular disorders that occur in Warmblood horses, along with presenting clinical signs, associated risk factors and response to diet and exercise recommendations, and to compare these characteristics between horses diagnosed with polysaccharide storage myopathy (PSSM), those diagnosed with a neuromuscular disorder other than PSSM (non-PSSM) and control horses. Methods: Subject details, muscle biopsy diagnosis and clinical history were compiled for Warmblood horses identified from records of biopsy submissions to the University of Minnesota Neuromuscular Diagnostic Laboratory. A standardised questionnaire was answered by owners at least 6 months after receiving the muscle biopsy report for an affected and a control horse. Results: Polysaccharide storage myopathy (72/132 horses) was the most common myopathy identified followed by recurrent exertional rhabdomyolysis (RER) (7/132), neurogenic or myogenic atrophy (7/132), and nonspecific myopathic changes (14/132). Thirty-two biopsies were normal. Gait abnormality, ,tying-up', Shivers, muscle fasciculations and atrophy were common presenting clinical signs. Forty-five owners completed questionnaires. There were no differences in sex, age, breed, history or management between control, PSSM and non-PSSM horses. Owners that provided the recommended low starch fat supplemented diet and regular daily exercise reported improvement in clinical signs in 68% (19/28) of horses with a biopsy submission and 71% of horses diagnosed with PSSM (15/21). Conclusions: Muscle biopsy evaluation was a valuable tool to identify a variety of myopathies in Warmblood breeds including PSSM and RER. These myopathies often presented as gait abnormalities or overt exertional rhabdomyolysis and both a low starch fat supplemented diet and regular exercise appeared to be important in their successful management. Potential relevance: Warmbloods are affected by a variety of muscle disorders, which, following muscle biopsy diagnosis can be improved through changes in diet and exercise regimes. [source] Incomplete sagittal fracture of the talus in 11 racehorses: outcomeEQUINE VETERINARY JOURNAL, Issue 5 2005E. J. DAVIDSON Summary Reasons for performing study: Little information exists regarding talus fractures in the horse and there have been no previously published case series of racehorses diagnosed with incomplete sagittal fracture of the talus. Objective: To describe the diagnosis, treatment and post injury performance of horses with incomplete sagittal fracture of the talus. Methods: Medical records of 11 racehorses (8 Standardbreds and 3 Thoroughbreds) admitted between January 1992 and January 1999 were reviewed. Subject details, anamnesis, results of lameness examination, radiographs and nuclear scintigraphic findings were evaluated. Racing performance was assessed by comparing pre- and post injury race records. Results: Nuclear scintigraphic examination, performed in 8 of the 11 horses, revealed focal increased radiopharmaceutical uptake in the proximal aspect of the affected talus. Fractures could best be seen on dorsal 10,20° lateral-plantaromedial oblique radiographs; all had raced pre-injury. All horses were treated conservatively and follow-up information was available for 8 horses, of which 7 raced after injury. Performance in 3 horses was improved, in 1 it was unchanged and in 3 horses performance declined. Conclusions: Horses with incomplete fracture of the talus have a good prognosis for return to racing after conservative management. Potential relevance: Incomplete sagittal fracture of the talus should be considered as a cause of hindlimb lameness in racehorses. Further research is necessary to determine the pathophysiology of these fractures. [source] Surgical repair of rib fractures in 14 neonatal foals: case selection, surgical technique and resultsEQUINE VETERINARY JOURNAL, Issue 7 2004F. BELLEZZO Summary Reasons for performing study: Fractured ribs are encountered quite frequently in newborn Thoroughbred foals, often with fatal outcome. Surgical repair of fractures therefore requires consideration as a means of reducing mortality. Objectives: To evaluate the repair of rib fractures using internal fixation techniques in foals at 2 different equine hospitals following similar diagnostics and case selection. Methods: The records of 14 foals that underwent internal fixation of fracture ribs were reviewed. Subject details, clinical presentation, diagnosis, surgical technique, post operative care and complications were recorded. Follow-up information was obtained in 7 foals. Results: The fractured ribs were reduced and stabilised using reconstruction plate(s), self-tapping cortical screws and cerclage wire in 12 cases, Steinmann pins and cerclage wires in 1 case and both techniques in 1 case. Not every rib was reduced on each case. Surgical reduction was performed on an average of 2 ribs, range 1,3 ribs in each foal. At the time of writing, 4 foals had been sold, one age 2 years was in training and 2 others died from unrelated causes. Conclusions: Our data support the use of surgical stabilisation utilising reconstruction plates, self-tapping cortical screws and cerclage wire for selected cases of thoracic trauma in neonatal foals. The use of Steinmann pins may be suboptimal due to cyclic failure, implant migration and the potential for iatrogenic internal thoracic trauma. Potential relevance: Foals with existing extensive internal thoracic trauma resulting from rib fracture(s), or the potential for such trauma, previously considered to have a guarded to poor prognosis for survival, may be successfully managed with internal fixation of selected fracture sites. [source] Thoracic trauma in foals: post mortem findingsEQUINE VETERINARY JOURNAL, Issue 1 2003M. A. SCHAMBOURG Summary Reasons for performing study: Thoracic trauma occurs in newborn foals and may cause associated clinical signs; this condition remains poorly documented. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to describe the pathological features of thoracic trauma in newborn foals presented for necropsy examination between 1990 and 2000. Methods: Necropsy reports of foals with thoracic trauma from 1990,2000 were reviewed. Subject details, clinical signs, thoracic and abdominal lesions were noted and analysed statistically. Results: Sixty-seven (9%) of 760 necropsied foals had thoracic trauma. In 19 foals, fractured ribs were considered to be the cause of death (Group A). The remaining foals had fractured ribs (Group B, n = 20) or rib contusions (Group C, n = 28) that were incidental findings. Ribs 3 to 8 accounted for 86% of the traumatised bones. The most common site of injury was the costochondral junction and an area immediately above it (94%). In Group A, all but 2 foals died within the first 8 days post partum. Haemothorax and subsequent pulmonary collapse was cited most commonly as the cause of death (53%). Diaphragmatic rupture and hernia (n = 2) also occurred. Conclusions: The focal site, consistent location and presence of lesions during the first week post partum, all suggest that thoracic trauma in newborn foals probably occurs during parturition. Potential relevance: The description of lesions and site of occurrence of thoracic trauma in foals will increase awareness and improve the diagnosis and treatment of this life threatening condition. [source] Lag screw fixation of dorsal cortical stress fractures of the third metacarpal bone in 116 racehorsesEQUINE VETERINARY JOURNAL, Issue 7 2010S. L. JALIM Summary Reasons for performing study: The effectiveness and best method to manage dorsal cortical stress fractures is not clear. This study was performed to evaluate the success of lag screw fixation of such fractures in a population of Thoroughbred racehorses. Hypothesis: Lag screw fixation of dorsal cortical stress fractures is an effective surgical procedure allowing racehorses to return to their preoperative level of performance. Methods: The records of 116 racehorses (103 Thoroughbreds) admitted to Equine Medical Centre, California between 1986 and 2008 were assessed. Information obtained from medical records included subject details, limb(s) affected, fracture configuration, length of screw used in repair and presence of concurrent surgical procedures performed. Racing performance was evaluated relative to these factors using Fisher's exact test and nonparametric methods with a level of significance of P<0.05. Results: Of 92 Thoroughbred horses, 83% raced preoperatively and 83% raced post operatively, with 63% having ,5 starts. There was no statistically significant association between age, gender, limb affected, fracture configuration or presence of concurrent surgery and likelihood of racing post operatively or of having 5 or more starts. The mean earnings per start and the performance index for the 3 races following surgery were lower compared to the 3 races prior to surgery; however, 29 and 45% of horses either improved or did not change their earnings per start and performance index, respectively. Conclusions and potential relevance: Data show that lag screw fixation is successful at restoring ability to race in horses suffering from dorsal cortical stress fractures. [source] Severe hypertriglyceridaemia in clinically ill horses: diagnosis, treatment and outcomeEQUINE VETERINARY JOURNAL, Issue 6 2003B. DUNKEL Summary Reasons for performing study: Sporadic measurement of serum triglycerides in depressed and inappetant clinically ill horses revealed severe hypertriglyceridaemia without visible evidence of lipaemia on several occasions, leading to the inclusion of serum triglyceride concentrations in the routine serum biochemistry evaluation of our hospital. Since then, more cases have been identified and treated for hypertriglyceridaemia, raising questions about the prevalence, predisposing factors and significance of these findings. Hypotheses: 1) Severe hypertriglyceridaemia without visible opacity of the serum occurs more commonly in clinically ill and inappetant horses than previously described and 2) appropriate treatment using i.v. dextrose and/or partial parenteral nutrition would decrease serum triglycerides to normal limits and might result in improved appetite and attitude of the patient. Methods: The laboratory computer database from 2000 and 2001 was searched for increased serum triglycerides (>5.65 mmol/l) in any horse breed, ponies and miniature breeds excluded. Data analysed included subject details, diagnosis, clinical and laboratory parameters, treatment, response to treatment and outcome. Results: Severe hypertriglyceridaemia was identified in 13 horses, with serum triglyceride concentrations 6.17,18.29 mmol/l, while none showed visible lipaemia. All horses had clinical and laboratory findings consistent with systemic inflammatory response syndrome and all but one had an increased serum creatinine concentration. Treatment with i.v. dextrose and/or partial parenteral nutrition resulted in decrease of the serum triglycerides to normal limits. Conclusions: Severe hypertriglyceridaemia occurs in inappetant and clinically ill horses without evidence of serum opacity more commonly than previously described. The presence of systemic inflammatory response syndrome might predispose horses to hypertriglyceridaemia, while the increased creatinine concentration might be a predisposing factor or result of the condition. Horses identified in our study readily responded to treatment and appetite and attitude improved coincident with decrease of the serum triglycerides to normal limits. Potential relevance: Hypertriglyceridaemia could perpetuate inappetance and depression in clinically ill horses and potentially predispose to fatty infiltration of the liver and other organ systems. [source] Arthroscopic laser extirpation of metacarpophalangeal synovial pad proliferation in eleven horsesEQUINE VETERINARY JOURNAL, Issue 3 2001D. J. MURPHY Summary A new surgical technique for treatment of chronic metacarpophalangeal synovial pad proliferation in the horse and the findings and long-term follow-up from 11 clinical cases are described. The medical records of all equine lameness cases attributed to metacarpophalangeal synovial pad proliferation admitted to the College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University (1991,1996) were reviewed and all those treated surgically by laser extirpation were included in this study. Retrieved data included subject details, preoperative lameness, ultrasonography, radiography and synovial fluid evaluations and lesion histopathology. Lesions were ablated using a CO2 or a Nd:YAG laser intra-articularly with arthroscopic guidance. Long-term follow-up was provided by telephone conversation with owners or trainers. All horses had fetlock joint effusion and were lame at presentation. Mean synovial pad thickness measured ultrasonographically was 9.0 mm (range 6,15 mm). Seven horses (64%) had radiographic evidence of remodelling of the dorsal cortex of distal McIII and 3 horses (27%) had concurrent dorsal proximal P1 fractures. No postoperative complications were noted. All 11 horses returned to training within 90 days of surgery without recurrence of the lesion(s). Laser extirpation of metacarpophalangeal synovial pad proliferation using arthroscopic guidance provided a rapid, safe and efficient method for surgical removal of such lesions without complications or recurrence. This surgical technique provides a suitable alternative to more conventional treatments for chronic metacarpophalangeal synovial pad proliferation in horses, particularly for removal of very large, fibrotic masses. [source] | ||||||||||