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Reasons for Performing Study: Accurate measurement of plasma fibrinogen concentrations is an important tool for assessment of horses with inflammatory diseases., Objectives: To determine the precision and accuracy of a benchtop instrument using both fresh and frozen equine plasma by comparing the plasma fibrinogen concentration measured by a benchtop instrument to 2 separate laboratory standard methods (ACL 100 and STA Compact) for fibrinogen measurement., Methods: Accuracy and precision of the VSPro was evaluated using both human fibrinogen standards and samples from horses. Fifty frozen samples from horses with gastrointestinal disease had the fibrinogen concentration measured using the ACL 1000 and the VSPro. Fifty fresh samples were collected from hospitalised horses and fibrinogen concentration was measured using the STA Compact coagulation machine and the VSPro. Correlations for measurements were performed, as well as Bland-Altman analysis., Results: Coefficients of variability for the VSPro ranged from 7% to 15%. The VSPro fibrinogen values were well correlated to both the ACL 1000 (r = 0.94, P<0.001) and the STA Compact measurements (r = 0.926, P<0.001). Bland-Altman analysis showed a mean bias of -0.83 g/l (95% confidence interval -2.03-0.324 g/l) for the ACL 1000 and a mean bias of -0.024 g/l (95% confidence interval -1.434-1.386 g/l) for the STA Compact., Conclusions: The VSPro appears to have adequate accuracy and precision for clinical measurement of plasma fibrinogen concentrations., Potential Relevance: The VSPro provides a measurement of equine plasma fibrinogen concentration using a benchtop instrument with a rapid test time that has comparable accuracy to the fibrinogen concentration obtained from reference laboratories., (© 2011 EVJ Ltd.)

Reasons for Performing Study: Previous olecranon fracture reports contain a small proportion of type 5 fractures, mostly treated with conservative therapy., Objectives: To evaluate the clinical details and outcome of type 5 olecranon fractures in a large group of horses treated by tension band plate fixation and to compare results with other treatment methods., Methods: Medical records of 97 cases, including 32 (33%) classified as type 5, were reviewed. Subject details, history, radiographic findings, treatment and follow-up results (2-146 months post operatively) were recorded., Results: Treatment included open reduction and internal fixation using a narrow or broad dynamic compression plate (n = 20), conservative therapy (n = 7) and euthanasia (n = 5). Long-term follow-up was available in 15 cases treated surgically, of which 2 were sound and in training, 11 sound and performing athletically and 2 unsound. Distal semilunar notch involvement, comminution or open status did not appear to affect prognosis., Conclusions: Internal plate fixation provides an excellent prognosis for an animal to be capable of athletic performance., Potential Relevance: Describing tension band plate fixation and results offers a method of fracture repair that should improve treatment and prognosis for type 5 olecranon fractures.