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Hamartoma is defined as a benign tumor-like nodule composed of an overgrowth of mature cells and tissues that normally occur in the affected part but with disorganization. Vascular hamartomas are defined as disorganized and excessive proliferations of vascular tissue. Most vascular hamartomas are present at birth or during early infancy and are considered developmental lesions rather than true neoplasms. Vascular hamartomas are rarely described in horses, and reports have been limited to the dorsal carpal region, the ovary, and the face. In this report, we describe a vascular hamartoma arising from the tongue of a 2-year-old Quarter Horse.

The clinical and clinicopathologic effects of raw linseed oil and mineral oil were compared. In a crossover experimental design trial, 6 horses were given either raw linseed oil (2.5 mL/kg body weight) or mineral oil (10 mL/kg body weight), twice, 12 hours apart. Two weeks later, the horses received the opposite treatment. All horses given mineral oil or linseed oil developed nonformed feces by 24 hours of the first administration of oil. Horses treated with mineral oil had formed feces at 48 hours; horses treated with linseed oil developed normally formed feces at 96 to 108 hours. All horses treated with linseed oil had signs of depression and anorexia, and 3 had signs of mild colic. These signs were not observed in horses treated with mineral oil. Concentrations of serum glucose and bilirubin were significantly higher in horses treated with linseed oil when compared with horses treated with mineral oil.

Enterocutaneous fistula (ECF) occurs when there is open communication between the lumen of intestine and the skin. This report describes a two-year-old, American Quarter Horse filly presented with an acute ECF involving the ileum entrapped within an umbilical hernia. After four days of conservative therapy and worsening of hydration status and electrolyte and acid-base imbalances, surgical correction of the ECF was performed. The filly was stable 24 hours after surgery and eventually made a full recovery.

Summary A 3-year-old Welsh-cross pony mare was diagnosed and treated for localized subcutaneous/retroperitoneal fat necrosis. There was no apparent response to treatment with vitamin E/selenium and phenylbutazone. When isoprothiolane was added to the treatment regimen, clinical signs of disease diminished. Localized fat necrosis of horses is a poorly described and poorly understood disease. Scientific trials are needed to determine the pathophysiology of fat necrosis and to assess the efficacy of isoprothiolane and/or vitamin E/selenium therapy.

Equine type 1 polysaccharide storage myopathy (PSSM1), a common glycogenosis associated with an R309H founder mutation in the glycogen synthase 1 gene (GYS1), shares pathological features with several human myopathies. In common with related human disorders, the pathogenesis remains unclear in particular, the marked phenotypic variability between affected animals. Given that affected animals accumulate glycogen and alpha-crystalline polysaccharide within their muscles, it is possible that physical disruption associated with the presence of this material could exacerbate the phenotype. The aim of this study was to compare the histopathological changes in horses with PSSM1, and specifically, to investigate the hypothesis that the severity of underlying pathology, (e.g. vacuolation and inclusion formation) would (1) be higher in homozygotes than heterozygotes and (2) correlate with clinical severity. Resting and post-exercise plasma creatine kinase (CK) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) enzyme activity measurements and muscle pathology were assessed in matched cohorts of PSSM1 homozygotes, heterozygotes or control horses. Median (interquartile range (IR)) resting CK activities were 364 (332-764) U/L for homozygotes, 301 (222-377) U/L for heterozygotes and 260 (216-320) U/L for controls, and mean (+/- SD) AST activity for homozygotes were 502 (+/116) U/L, for heterozygotes, 357 (+/-92) U/L and for controls, 311 (+/-64) U/L and were significantly different between groups (P = 0.04 and P = 0.01 respectively). Resting plasma AST activity was significantly associated with the severity of subsarcolemmal vacuolation (rho = 0.816; P = 0.01) and cytoplasmic inclusions (rho = 0.766; P = 0.01). There were fewer type 2× and more type 2a muscle fibres in PSSM1-affected horses. Our results indicate that PSSM1 has incomplete dominance. Furthermore, the association between plasma muscle enzyme activity and severity of underlying pathology suggests that physical disruption of myofibres may contribute to the myopathic phenotype. This work provides insight into PSSM1 pathogenesis and has implications for related human glycogenoses.

Surveillance has come to be a multi-billion dollar industry designed to protect both persons and belongings, yet very little attention has been given to the improvement of both its public perception and functionality. The anachronous model of ‘an observer’ watching ‘the observed’ has been the quintessence of such surveillance systems since their conception. Video Surveillance specifically is currently used primarily to convey live images to a moderator, which has the unintended effect of removing privacy, promoting stereotypes and instilling an element of helplessness in those who are being observed. In addition to the aforementioned concerns, these methods are vastly outdated; the act of looking at a set of spatially connected areas, being the core of surveillance, is centuries old. As the complexities of society and in turn security increase, the question of what else surveillance systems can be attains more significance. Answering this question requires an interdisciplinary approach that faculty at the University of Minnesota undertook in four consecutive semesters through the class “ECE 4951: Senior Design Project.” This paper builds on calls to re-think the power dynamics inherent in surveillance systems through a paradigm shift in which surveillance is used to connect people to people and people to the environment. The discussion elaborates on the students' design approaches as well as the challenges that such an interdisciplinary pedagogical undertaking involves.

Case Description—A 7-year-old 509-kg (1,120-lb) Tennessee Walking Horse mare was evaluated because of bilateral mucosanguinous nasal discharge, intermittent right-sided epistaxis, and worsening dyspnea of 9 months' duration. Clinical Findings—Multiple masses in the nasopharynx were detected via endoscopic and radiographic examinations. Cytologic and histologic examinations of biopsy specimens of 1 mass revealed round yeasts with thick nonstaining capsules and occasional narrow-based budding that resembled cryptococcal organisms. Treatment and Outcome—Oral administration of fluconazole and organic ethylenediamine dihydriodide and intermittent intralesional injections with fluconazole, amphotericin B, and formalin resulted in resolution of lesions for a period of 2.5 years. The horse then developed exophthalmos, recurring clinical signs, and extensive nasopharyngeal masses. The masses were surgically debulked via a large frontonasal bone flap, and the horse was treated with IV injections of amphotericin B and long-term oral administration of fluconazole. Clinical signs did not recur in the following 2-year period. A presumptive diagnosis of cryptococcosis was made following cytologic and histologic evaluations of the masses; results of serologic analysis and fungal culture confirmed infection with Cryptococcus neoformans. Clinical Relevance—Cryptococcal infection of the upper respiratory tract in horses has previously been described as a uniformly fatal disease. As this case report illustrates, medical and surgical treatment of sinonasal cryptococcal granulomas in horses may be successful, but the importance of long-term follow-up and the potential for disease recrudescence should be considered. As efficacious antifungal agents become less expensive, their increased use will likely decrease mortality rates in horses with fungal infections.

Summary Reasons for performing study: Specific analgesic techniques are required in diagnosis of lameness to isolate the exact origin of pain to the many structures of the foot that may be involved. Objective: To determine if analgesia of the digital flexor tendon sheath (DFTS) results in anaesthesia of other portions of the foot, such as the sole, distal interphalangeal joint (DIPJ), or navicular bursa (NB). Methods: Lameness caused by pain in the dorsal margin or heel region of the sole of the foot was induced in 18 horses by: using set-screws to create solar pressure (Trial 1: n = 5); or administering endotoxin intrasynovially into the DIPJ (Trial 2: n = 6) and NB (Trial 3: n = 7). The gait of each horse was evaluated by examining videotape recorded before and after creation of lameness and after administration of mepivacaine hydrochloride into the DFTS. Results: Median lameness scores in Trial 1 at 10 min post injection of the DFTS were not significantly different from those before administration of local anaesthetic solution into the DFTS (P>0.05), but median lameness scores were reduced significantly at 20 min (P

Hematuria and pigmenturia of horses are discussed in this article. Equine urine is normally straw colored. Discolored urine can be caused by contamination with red blood cells, hemoglobin, myoglobin, oxidizing agents normally found in urine, and plant-derived pigments.

Lung surfactant function and composition are varied and adapted to the specific respiratory physiology of all mammalian species.Lung surfactant function and composition are different in neonatal foals as compared to adult horses.Six adult horses, 7 term foals (24 hours old), and 4 premature foals were used. Animals were part of the Auburn University teaching herd except for 3 client-owned premature foals.Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was obtained from all animals. Ultracentrifugation of cell-free BALF separated surfactant into crude surfactant pellets (CSP) and supernatant. Both fractions were analyzed for phospholipid and protein content with the Bartlett and bicinchoninic acid method, respectively. Phospholipid composition of the CSP was determined by using high-performance liquid chromatography with an evaporative light scatter detector. Surface tension of the CSP was measured with a pulsating bubble surfactometer. Results from term foals (24 hours old) were compared statistically to those from adult horses. Values of P.05 were considered significant.BALF phospholipid content was similar between adult horses and term foals, but BALF protein content was significantly decreased in term foals. Phosphatidylglycerol was significantly decreased, phosphatidylinositol was significantly increased, and the minimum surface tension was significantly increased in the CSP from term foals compared to adult horses.Surface tension and phospholipid composition of surfactant in neonatal foals are significantly different compared to adult horses. These changes may influence biophysical and immunologic functions of surfactant.

s Vol 30, No 2 (2010) 115 Recent evidence has suggested that exercise decreases insulin resistance in obese horses; this laminitis treatment is unique because exercise is prescribed before complete recovery if certain criteria are met. The success of this system may be dependent on owner compliance with diet and exercise recommendations. CLINICAL RELEVANCE This treatment method may provide an effective method of restoring soundness and normal hoof anatomy in certain populations of laminitic horses. In this small population, hoof health was restored without surgical techniques. CONCLUSION Further investigation with more cases is warranted. Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin and Matrix Metalloproteinases in Laminar Tissue From Horses Subjected to Intestinal Obstruction and Treated With Hydrocortisone Luciane M. Laskoski, MSc, Carlos A.A. Valadao, DVM, Rosemeire O. Vasconcelos, DVM, Rafael Resende Faleiros, DVM, Danilo Ferrucci, MSc, Juliete A.F. Silva, MSc, and Dagmar R.S. Machado, DVM, Department of Veterinary Surgery and Medicine (Laskoski, Valadao) and Department of Veterinary Pathology FCAVSao Paulo State University, Jaboticabal, SP 14884-900, Brazil (Vasconcelos); Department of Veterinary Clinics and Surgery, School of Veterinary – Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, 30123-970, Brazil (Faleiros); Department of Applied Immunology University of Campinas, Campinas, SP 13484-370, Brazil (Ferrucci, Silva, Machado) TAKE HOME MESSAGE Hydrocortisone treatment may be beneficial to reduce the risk of laminitis in horses subjected to intestinal surgery. INTRODUCTION Laminitis is a major complication of gastrointestinal diseases in horses and its physiopathology is connected with lamellar basement membrane degradation by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and leukocyte infiltration. The objective was to study laminar MMP-2, MMP-9 and NGAL expression in horses subjected to jejunal obstruction treated or not with hydrocortisone. MATERIAL AND METHODS Zymography was performed to quantify MMP-2, MMP-9 and NGAL in laminar tissue samples obtained from horses allotted in the control group (CG, n 1⁄4 7); the sham-operated group (SG, n 1⁄4 5, jejunal enterotomy); the nontreated group (NTG, n 1⁄4 5, jejunal obstruction), and the treated group (TG, n 1⁄4 4, jejunal obstruction and hydrocortisone4mg/kg, IV). Calprotectin expression was used to confirm neutrophil laminar presence in obstructed groups. Data was analyzed by one way ANOVA followed by Tukey post-hoc test (P < 0.05). RESULTS Overexpression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 occurred in obstructed groups (NTG and GT) when compared to CG horses. NGAL/MMP-9 complex expression was increased in the SG and NTG horses, but no increase was observed in horses treated with hydrocortisone (TG). Leukocyte presence in obstructed groups was detected by immunohistochemistry. DISCUSSION Amplifying previous findings that equine intestinal obstruction can cause lung neutrophil accumulation, our study indicates that jejunal obstruction may produce neutrophil accumulation and MMP overexpression in equine laminae and that hydrocortisone can ameliorate laminar inflammation. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Hydrocortisone treatment may ameliorate laminar inflammation in horses subjected to intestinal surgery. CONCLUSION Intestinal obstruction can induce laminar MMP expression and inflammation. Leukocyte Infiltration and the Role of Interleukin-6 During the Development of Oligofructose Induced Laminitis Michelle B. Visser and Christopher C. Pollitt, Australian Equine Laminitis Research Unit, School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia TAKE HOME MESSAGE The leukocytic infiltration of carbohydrate induced laminitis is preceded by IL-6 expression.

Objective—To evaluate the seasonal influence, signalment, type of hay consumed, clinical examination findings, and outcome after surgery for horses with ileal impaction. Study Design—A retrospective study. Results—Between 1988 and 1993, 28 horses had surgical correction of ileal impaction. There was a significantly higher rate of ileal impaction during the Fall (September-November, P= .0041). Mean duration of clinical signs of abdominal pain before referral was 15 hours. Transrectal palpation was used to localize the impaction in 11 horses. The ileal impaction was reduced by extraluminal massage aided by admixing of intestinal fluid oral to the impaction or injection of fluids intraluminally and then movement of the ingesta into the cecum alone in 24 horses. A total of 26 horses recovered from surgery; 24 horses were discharged from the hospital and eventually returned to previous use. Two horses had fatal postoperative complications: jejunocec-ostomy dehiscence and development of extensive small intestine adhesions after manual reduction of the impaction. One horse initially treated by manual reduction required jejunocecostomy twice for management of recurrent ileal impaction. Follow-up information was obtained for 21 horses, of which 20 were alive 1 year or longer after surgery. A total of 27 of 28 horses were fed Coastal Bermudagrass hay as the primary type of hay consumed. A total of 9 horses continued to be fed Coastal Bermudagrass hay as the only roughage source, whereas 6 horses were fed Coastal Bermudagrass with at least 50% other hay, and in 6 horses, Coastal Bermudagrass hay was entirely eliminated from the diet. Conclusion and Clinical Relevance—Ileal impactions can be successfully reduced by celiotomy and extraluminal massage and injection techniques to soften the ingesta for passage into the cecum without enterotomy or bypass techniques in most horses. Changes in weather and feeding practices in the Fall may account for an increased risk of ileal impaction in horses in the southeastern United States at that time of year.

The Glutaraldehyde test (GT), a rapid and inexpensive test, has been utilized empirically for many years in bovine practice for diagnosing inflammatory diseases. GT is used primarily to demonstrate increased serum concentrations of fibrinogen and globulin. Glutaraldehyde binds with free amino groups in fibrinogen and immunoglobulin to create a clot in a first degree chemical reaction. The clotting time of the GT estimates the content of proteins produced in response to inflammation. The applicability of GT for diagnosing inflammation in the horse has never been investigated. The objective of this study was to determine the ability of GT to distinguish between acute and chronic inflammatory disease in horses. Thirty-seven horses with suspected inflammatory diseases were evaluated using the GT, history, complete clinical examination and routine blood analysis. GT-times, laboratory results and clinical outcome were compared statistically. Horses that were determined to be acutely affected (based on history, clinical examination and routine blood analysis) tended to have a negative GT (75%). Results of the GT did not correlate with blood fibrinogen concentration. Positive GT also predicted a fatal outcome in 69% of the clinical cases. The results of this trial indicate that GT can be a useful screening test to distinguish between acute and chronic inflammatory disease in horses.

Twenty-four clinically normal horses were castrated by routine methods. Peritoneal fluid was collected prior to castration and at 1, 3, 5, and 7 days postcastration. Peritoneal fluid was collected on days 9 and 11 if nucleated cell (NC) counts were still markedly elevated on day 7. Peritonitis, defined as NC counts greater than 10,000/microliters, was evident in 15 horses following castration. Mean NC counts peaked on day 5 but were less than 10,000/microliters for 74% of the horses by day 7, and 90% of the horses by day 9. One horse had a NC count greater than 60,000/microliters on day 11 when sampling ended. Postcastration peritoneal fluid was obviously blood-tinged in 21 horses. Peak RBC counts occurred on day 3 but markedly decreased by day 5. Elevated peritoneal RBC counts correlated well with elevated NC counts (P less than 0.001). Horses with peritonitis tended to have fever (P less than 0.05). Other clinical signs of peritonitis were not apparent.

Summary We hypothesised that analgesia of the navicular bursa is not selective for the navicular apparatus; and that solar pain in some horses can be temporarily abolished or attenuated by analgesia of the navicular bursa. To test this hypothesis, we caused lameness in horses by inducing pain in the dorsal margin or the angles of the sole and then evaluated the ability of a local analgesic solution administered into the navicular bursa to attenuate lameness. The response of horses with solar pain in the dorsal or palmar aspect of the foot to 3.5 ml local analgesic solution administered into the navicular bursa was examined. Lameness was induced in 6 horses by creating solar pain in the dorsal aspect of one forefoot and, at another time, the palmar aspect of the other forefoot, with set-screws inserted into a custom-made shoe. Horses were videotaped trotting before and after application of set-screws and after administering 3.5 ml local analgesic solution into the navicular bursa. Lameness scores were assigned by examining videotaped gaits. Scores were significantly lower (P

Summary The response of horses, with solar pain in the dorsal or palmar aspect of the foot, to 6 or 10 ml local analgesic solution administered into the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint was examined. Lameness was induced in 7 horses by creating solar pain in the dorsal aspect of one forefoot and, at another time, the palmar aspect of the other forefoot with set-screws inserted into a custom-made shoe. Horses were videotaped trotting before and after application of set-screws and, in separate trials, after 6 or 10 ml local analgesic solution was administered into the DIP joint. Lameness scores were assigned by examining videotaped gaits. Scores were significantly lower (P ± 0.05) for horses with set-screws applied to the angles of the sole and receiving 10 ml, but not 6 ml, local analgesic solution into the DIP joint. Scores were significantly lower (P

Summary Reasons for performing study: Analgesia of the palmar digital (PD) nerves has been demonstrated to cause analgesia of the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint as well as the sole. Because the PD nerves lie in close proximity to the navicular bursa, we suspected that that analgesia of the navicular bursa would anaesthetise the PD nerves, which would result in analgesia of the DIP joint. Objectives: To determine the response of horses with pain in the DIP joint to instillation of local anaesthetic solution into the navicular bursa. Methods: Lameness was induced in 6 horses by creating painful synovitis in the DIP joint of one forefoot by administering endotoxin into the joint. Horses were videorecorded while trotting, before and after induction of lameness, at three 10 min intervals after instilling 3.5 ml local anaesthetic solution into the navicular bursa and, finally, after instilling 6 ml solution into the DIP joint. Lameness scores were assigned by grading the videorecorded gaits subjectively. Results: At the 10 and 20 min observations, median lameness scores were not significantly different from those before administration of local anaesthetic solution into the navicular bursa (P≥0.05), although lameness scores of 3 of 6 horses improved during this period, and the 20 min observation scores tended toward significance (P = 0.07). At the 30 min observation, and after analgesia of the DIP joint, median lameness scores were significantly improved (P≤0.05). Conclusions: These results indicate that pain arising from the DIP joint can probably be excluded as a cause of lameness, when lameness is attenuated within 10 mins by analgesia of the navicular bursa. Potential relevance: Pain arising from the DIP joint cannot be excluded as a cause of lameness when lameness is attenuated after 20 mins after analgesia of the navicular bursa.