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The aim of this retrospective study was to describe the use of simple interrupted suture pattern for the closure of the abdomen after ventral midline celiotomy in horses and to evaluate the prevalence of resulting incisional complications. Seventy horses undergoing abdominal surgery (2006–2015) and surviving at least 30 days were included in the study. Closure technique of the abdominal wall was performed on three layers. Linea alba was closed with a simple interrupted pattern using number two coated braided absorbable polyglycolic acid suture. Follow-up information was recovered at the 90th day postoperatively. Incisional complications considered included drainage, infection, dehiscence, and herniation. The complications observed in the present study using simple interrupted suture pattern were 4.29% (3 of 70), lower than reported in literature with different suture pattern. Simple interrupted suture pattern could be a valid option for the closure of linea alba after ventral midline celiotomy in horses.

Proteinase-activated receptor 2 (PAR2) is a G-protein-coupled receptor for trypsin and mast cell tryptase; it is highly expressed at the intestinal level with multiple functions, such as epithelial permeability and intestinal motility. The aim of the study was to evaluate the distribution and expression of proteinase-activated receptor 2 in the small intestine during herniation through epiploic foramen. In this prospective clinical study, eight horses admitted for colic and which underwent exploratory laparotomy were considered. During surgery, the jejunum or the ileum was sampled by enterectomy. Morphological examination (histology, PAR2 immunohistochemistry) and molecular biology analysis (western blot and quantitative polymerase chain reaction) were carried out on the resected intestinal samples. The Marginal Injured Tracts (MITs) and Central Injury Tracts (CITs) were defined as the oral and caudal marginal segments of the resected bowel tract and as the geometric centre of the intestinal ischaemic lesion length, respectively. The PAR2 immunoreactivity was particularly evident in the epithelial cells, with higher immunoreactivity in the MIT rather than in the CIT. Moreover, a different immune localisation was observed in the MITs at the cell membrane level and in the CITs in the cytoplasm. No statistical difference was observed in PAR2 mRNA and protein (44 kDa) expression between the MIT and the CIT. The PAR2 protein content in the intestinal tracts which were removed from horses with herniation was lower when compared with the control animals. This study provided data concerning the PAR2 presence and distribution in horses with intestinal herniation through the epiploic foramen.

none 4 no This article describes diagnosis, treatment, surgical management, and outcome in 16 foals (mean age 7 days of life) affected by confirmed tarsocrural septic arthritis. The chosen therapy was lavage of the synovial cavity performed arthroscopically, once or twice due to recurrence of clinical signs. Information recorded included signalment, history, a complete clinical evaluation, grade of lameness, hematology, biochemistry, serum immunoglobulin G concentration, bone infection radiological findings, cytology and culture of the synovial fluid, treatment, and outcome. Eleven of the foals were males (69%), and five were females (31%). Sepsis affected the right tarsocrural joint in three foals (19%) and the left one in seven foals (44%). Six foals had both hocks affected (37%). In 12 foals (75%), the infection was successfully resolved, and a single intervention was sufficient to have remission of symptoms and resolution of infection. Arthroscopic lavage was repeated in four of 16 foals (25%); five /16 foals (31%) had two joints involved, and the arthroscopic lavage was repeated for all joints. Although the actual literature describes poor possibilities to explore joints in the foal, in this case, it was possible to visualize the inner structures, correctly ascertain and grade the intra-articular damage resulting from infection, and the presence of organic materials inside the joint space. Moreover, what is worth noting is that it was possible to detect and remove fibrin clots thought to be responsible for hiding bacteria and carrying on the infective and inflammatory status. none Rinnovati, Riccardo*; Butina, Barbara Bianchin; Lanci, Aliai; Mariella, Jole Rinnovati, Riccardo*; Butina, Barbara Bianchin; Lanci, Aliai; Mariella, Jole

The objective of the study is to evaluate the anesthetic effect produced by the tiletamine/zolazepam association in horses sedated with medetomidine undergoing orchiectomy under field conditions. Ten uncastrated male horses, American Society of Anesthesiologists category I, undergoing orchiectomy, were enrolled in the study. The horses received acepromazine (0.03 mg kg−1 intramuscularly) 30 minutes before sedation with medetomidine (8 μg kg−1 intravenously). Anesthesia was induced with tiletamine/zolazepam (0.7 mg kg−1 intravenously). During anesthesia, heart rate (HR), pulse quality, respiratory rate, temperature, SpO2, movement, and reflexes were measured every 5 minutes. Arterial blood gases were evaluated before the premedication and during the surgical procedure. The quality of induction and recovery was recorded. The sedation was appropriate, and the quality of recovery was evaluated as good. A statistically significant difference was revealed between the basal and intra-anesthesia HR. No differences were observed in blood gas parameters during the procedure. The results suggested that general anesthesia produced with tiletamine/zolazepam for induction in horses sedated with medetomidine is suitable during orchiectomy under field conditions.

Suspensory ligament (SL) disease is a common source of lameness in the horse. Once injury of the proximal SL is suspected, based on the clinical examination and response to analgesia, diagnostic imaging of the region is often performed. The aim was to describe the presence of ultrasonographic artifacts in the palmar metacarpal area after 20 minutes and at 24 hours after infiltration of local anesthetic solution using the lateral approach. In the present study, SL and other proximal palmar metacarpal structures were ultrasonographically evaluated before and after perineural injection of mepivacaine 2% in eight forelimbs of four horses. The limbs were divided into two groups: group 1: needle not filled with anesthetic (right forelimbs); group 2: needle filled with anesthetic (left forelimbs). The ultrasonographic examination of the palmar metacarpal structures was performed after 20 minutes and at 24 hours after injection to evaluate qualitative postinjection changes and to perform measures. In the present study, there were no significant differences in the SL and other palmar metacarpal structures between baseline measurement and pattern and postinjection measurements. No changes in echogenicity or fiber pattern of the tendons and ligaments were found. Alterations consistent with gas echoes were detected in one limb in group 1 at 20 minutes after injection, whereas no gas patterns were visualized at 24 hours. Gas or fluid artifacts, due to local anesthetic infiltration, may be present. This suggests that diagnostic ultrasonography of the origin of the SL should be interpreted with caution if performed within 24 hours after diagnostic analgesia.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) commonly refers to blood products which contain a higher platelet (PLT) concentration as compared to normal plasma. Autologous PRP has been shown to be safe and effective in promoting the natural processes of soft tissue healing or reconstruction in humans and horses. Variability in PLT concentration has been observed in practice between PRP preparations from different patients or from the same individual under different conditions. A change in PLT concentration could modify PRP efficacy in routine applications. The aim of this study was to test the influence of environmental, individual and agonistic variables on the PLT concentration of PRP in horses. Six healthy Standardbred mares were exposed to six different variables with a one-week washout period between variables, and PRP was subsequently obtained from each horse. The variables were time of withdrawal during the day (morning/evening), hydration status (overhydration/dehydration) treatment with anti-inflammatory drugs and training periods on a treadmill. The platelet concentration was significantly higher in horses treated with a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (P = 0.03). The leukocyte concentration increased 2-9 fold with respect to whole blood in the PRP which was obtained after exposure to all the variable considered. Environmental variation in platelet concentration should be taken into consideration during PRP preparation.

Equine colic may be associated with an acute phase response (APR). Measurement of acute phase proteins (APPs) allows the detection of an APR and may help clinicians in monitoring the disease; however, the role of APPs in colic is unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical usefulness of serum amyloid A (SAA), haptoglobin and ferritin in combination with an extended clinicopathological profile in equine colic. The medical records of 54 horses were retrospectively selected. Horses were grouped based on outcome (survivors vs. non-survivors), diagnosis (ischaemic/strangulating vs. non-ischaemic/non-strangulating), and treatment (medical treatment vs. surgery). Laboratory data were compared, and a logistic regression analysis was performed for outcome prediction upon admission. A high percentage of horses had abnormal SAA (29/54), haptoglobin (20/54), and ferritin (31/54) concentrations. In particular, haptoglobin was below the reference interval in 13/54 horses. Non-survivors had significantly decreased haptoglobin and increased ferritin concentrations compared with survivors. The ischaemic/strangulating group had significantly increased creatinine and ferritin and decreased haptoglobin concentrations compared with the non-ischaemic/non-strangulating group. Creatinine was the only significant predictor of mortality in the regression analysis. In conclusion, APPs including SAA, haptoglobin, and ferritin combined with clinicopathological variables may help clinicians to understand the pathogenesis of APR and underline potential complications of equine colic. The reduction in haptoglobin concentration may suggest haemolysis or muscle fibre damage; ferritin may indicate alteration in iron metabolism and tissue damage. Further prospective studies are needed to assess diagnostic and prognostic values of APPs in colic horses.