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Objective-To compare pain responses in stallions undergoing standing laparoscopic cryptorchidectomy following intratesticular or mesorchial infiltration of lidocaine. Design—Clinical trial. Animals—20 stallions with 1 or 2 undescended testes. Procedures—Standing horses were administered a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug and a caudal epidural injection of detomidine hydrochloride and underwent laparoscopic cryptorchidectomy. The undescended testis (1/horse) was grasped to determine the preoperative pain response (present vs absent) and assess severity of pain (by use of a visual analog scale [VAS]). The undescended testis or its mesorchium was injected with 2% lidocaine (10 mL; saline (0.9% NaCI) solution (10 mL) was injected in the untreated structure. Presence and severity of pain was determined by 2 individuals as the testis was grasped following infiltration and at the times of ligature placement and transection of the spermatic cord. Serum cortisol concentration was analyzed preoperatively, after ligation, and after transection. Presence or absence of signs of pain, severity of pain, and serum cortisol concentrations were compared within and between treatment groups. Results—Detection of signs of pain and VAS pain scores did not differ between observers at any time point. Perceived pain responses associated with ligature placement differed significantly from preoperative responses. Pain responses and serum cortisol concentrations after intratesticular and mesorchial infiltration of lidocaine did not differ. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results suggested that intratesticular or mesorchial infiltration of lidocaine combined with administration of a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug and caudal epidural injection of detomidine provides adequate analgesia in standing stallions undergoing laparoscopic cryptorchidectomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the treatment of suppurative facial cellulitis and panniculitis caused by corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis in horses. Observation of large facial wound and multiple small abscesses; Evidence of granulation tissue under the necrotic skin; Performance of skin biopsy.

Simple Summary: Abdominal surgery is commonly performed in horses to treat gastrointestinal lesions or inflammatory conditions. Potential postoperative complications such as incisional infection have been shown to be reduced with appropriate perioperative antimicrobial administration. However, a recent survey of board-certified specialists on antimicrobial practices in horses undergoing celiotomy demonstrated that usage patterns were highly variable amongst practitioners and, at times, not concordant with the current literature. Furthermore, in light of recent evidence supporting an increase in antimicrobial resistance in equine veterinary practice, periodic reconsideration of antimicrobial regimens for commonly performed procedures is indicated. The goal of this retrospective study was to provide an updated review of the effect of antimicrobial protocols and other perioperative factors on postoperative complications in horses undergoing celiotomy at a referral hospital with the goal of advancing practitioners' understanding of best practices and opportunities to reduce complications. Recognition of antimicrobial resistance in equine practice has increased over the past decade. The objective of this study was to provide an updated retrospective review of antimicrobial regimens in one tertiary referral hospital and to evaluate the association with postoperative complications. A secondary objective was to evaluate other perioperative factors including surgical procedure, anesthetic and recovery parameters, and the effect of perioperative medications on complications and outcomes. A computerized search of medical records was performed to identify horses undergoing exploratory celiotomy from 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2021. A total of 742 celiotomies were performed (608 completed, 134 terminated intraoperatively). Factors recorded were evaluated using logistic regression for the presence of either incisional infection, postoperative ileus, or other complications postoperatively. Antimicrobial type or timing (pre-, intra-, or postoperative) were not associated with decreased risk of incisional infection or postoperative ileus; however, the duration of NSAID use was positively associated with incisional infection (OR 1.14 per day). Lidocaine and alpha-2-agonist administration postoperatively were also associated with increased incidence of postoperative ileus (OR 21.5 and 1.56, respectively). Poor recovery quality (OR 4.69), the addition of other antimicrobials besides penicillin/gentamicin postoperatively (OR 3.63), and an increased number of different NSAID classes used (OR 1.46 per additional) were associated with other complications. Implementation of enterotomy was associated with decreased risk of other complications (OR 0.64). These findings provide an updated summary of factors associated with postoperative complications in horses undergoing celiotomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Recommendations for antimicrobial prophylaxis are well described for abdominal surgery in human medicine, but the information is limited for equine veterinary practice. In addition, recent studies support a reduced duration of antimicrobials postoperatively in horses undergoing celiotomy compared to what has been previously reported; however, protocols vary widely between practices. The overall objective of this study was to provide an updated characterization of the 'current state of play' of antimicrobial use in horses undergoing emergency colic surgery and the perceived risk of postoperative complications. Specifically, the aim was to poll veterinary internists and surgeons to determine current usage among respondents in the United States. Improved knowledge of recommendations for antimicrobial prophylaxis for commonly performed procedures in equine practice, such as abdominal surgery, may help to reduce postoperative complications and enhance antimicrobial stewardship at a time when resistance is increasing in equine practice. In the past decade, there has been a considerable increase in the recognition of antimicrobial resistance in equine practice. The objective of this study was to survey the current clinical use of antimicrobials for a commonly performed surgical procedure (exploratory celiotomy) with the goal of understanding how recent literature and changes in microbial resistance patterns may have impacted antimicrobial selection practices. An electronic survey was distributed to veterinary professionals within the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) and the American College of Veterinary Surgery (ACVS). A total of 113 completed surveys were returned. Practitioners reported antimicrobials were most frequently given 30–60 min preoperatively (63.1%). Two antimicrobial classes were typically administered (95.5%), with gentamicin (98.2%) and potassium penicillin (74.3%) being the most common. Antimicrobials were typically not re-dosed intraoperatively (78.6%). Factors that affected overall treatment length postoperatively included resection (81.4%), bloodwork (75.2%), enterotomy (74.3%), fever (85.0%), incisional complications (76.1%), and thrombophlebitis (67.3%). The most common duration of antimicrobial use was 1–3 d for non-strangulating lesions (54.4% of cases) and inflammatory conditions such as enteritis or peritonitis (50.4%), and 3–5 d for strangulating lesions (63.7%). Peri-incisional and intra-abdominal antimicrobials were used by 24.8% and 11.5% of respondents, respectively. In summary, antimicrobial usage patterns were highly variable among practitioners and, at times, not concordant with current literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective-To compare efficacy and safety of paste formulations of firocoxib and phenylbutazone in horses with naturally occurring osteoarthritis. Design-Randomized controlled clinical trial. Animals-253 client-owned horses with naturally occurring osteoarthritis. Procedures-Horses were treated with firocoxib (0.1 mg/kg [0.045 mg/lb], PO, q 24 h) or phenylbutazone (4.4 mg/kg [2 mg/lb], PO, q 24 h) for 14 days. Physical examinations and lameness evaluations were performed prior to treatment and after 7 and 14 days. Clinical improvement was defined as a reduction of at least 1 lameness grade or a combined reduction of at least 3 points in scores for pain during manipulation or palpation, joint swelling, joint circumference, and range of motion. Results-Proportion of horses clinically improved on day 14 for the firocoxib group (104/1 23 [84.6%]) was not significantly different from the proportion for the phenylbutazone group (103/119 [86.6%]). Proportion of horses that were improved on day 14 was significantly greater for horses treated with firocoxib than for horses treated with phenylbutazone with regard to score for pain on manipulation or palpation (P = 0.028), joint circumference score (P = 0.026), and range of motion score (P = 0.012), but not for overall lameness score or joint swelling score. No direct treatment-related adverse effects were detected during the study. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Results suggested that overall clinical efficacy of a paste formulation of firocoxib in horses with naturally occurring osteoarthritis was comparable to efficacy of a paste formulation of phenylbutazone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CASE DESCRIPTION A 6-year-old Quarter Horse gelding used for barrel racing was evaluated for acute onset of non-weight-bearing lameness of the left hind limb following strenuous exercise. CLINICAL FINDINGS Nuclear scintigraphic imaging revealed focal increased radiopharmaceutical uptake centrally within the left talus. Subsequent standard radiographic and ultrasonographic examinations of the tarsus failed to identify the cause of the increased radiopharmaceutical uptake; however, the lameness was definitively localized to the tarsocrural joint by intra-articular anesthesia. Subsequent MRI sequences of the left tarsus revealed an incomplete fracture of the talus that extended distally from the trochlear groove and evidence of maladaptive stress remodeling of the trochlear groove of the talus and distal intermediate ridge of the tibia. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME The horse was treated conservatively, with management consisting of stall confinement, physical rehabilitation, therapeutic laser therapy, and intraarticular autologous conditioned serum administration. The lameness resolved, and the horse was competing at its previous level within 15 months after lameness onset. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Although rare, incomplete fracture of the talus should be considered as a differential diagnosis for horses that develop acute hind limb lameness following strenuous exercise, especially when that exercise involves abrupt changes in direction while the horse is traveling at maximal speed. Acquisition of additional oblique projections during radiographic evaluation of the tarsus might be useful for identification of such fractures, but definitive diagnosis may require advanced diagnostic imaging modalities such as CT and MRI. Horses with incomplete fractures of the talus can be successfully treated with conservative management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]