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Impaction is one of the most common disease of the cecum in horses. It is important to distinguish between acute and chronic recurrent cases. Acute impaction occurs suddenly and resolves within a few days with medical and/or surgical treatment whereas in chronic cases the impaction within the base or the whole cecum occurs repeatedly at irregular intervals. The chronic recurrent cecal impaction (CRCI) is characterized by hypertrophy of muscle in the cecal base or entire cecum. The pathogenesis is not fully understood: hypothesis is that the cecal impaction induces a distension during the contraction of the circular muscle layer which is a stimulus of a hypertrophy of the circular and longitudinal muscle layer in the cecum. Furthermore, neuronal density in the plexus myentericus was found to be decreased significantly in the cecal wall of CRCI. Initially, in cases of CRCI the cecocolic orifice is not entirely blocked allowing partial transit of ingesta. Hypertrophy of the muscle layer (longitudinal and circular muscle) begins at the cecal base and as the disease progresses, the cecocolic opening becomes completely obstructed due to the automatic closure mechanism. The rectal and ultrasound exam are the most useful diagnostic steps while different degrees of cecal impaction and/or tympany, a marked thickening and cecal wall contractility due to palpation are found. The hypertrophy can be regarded as a pathognomonic sign. Treatment in our study was done by surgical enlargement of the cecocolic orifice (created by Huskamp 1990). Tissue samples of defined cecal regions were taken during surgery or necropsy: the circular and longitudinal muscle layer were significantly thicker, linear neuron densities were significantly lower each compared to clinically healthy horses. Based on smooth muscle thickening and neuron deficit, rectally palpable and ultrasound visible cecal wall thickening, horses suffering from CRI have a poor prognosis. Surgery by enlargement of the cecocolic orifice in horses with CRCI have a better prognosis if only the cecal base has a thickening and a normal cecal body wall. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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A retrospective study was performed on 342 horses with acute diarrhea (equine colitis). Clinical and laboratory data were obtained upon arrival at the equine hospital. The main focus of this study was to find the difference between the clinical and laboratory variables of surviving and deceased acute colitis horses before the beginning of medical treatment, with the aim to provide a better guideline for determining the prognosis of survival. According to this retrospective study the lethality rate of acute equine colitis was 41.93 %. The time interval from the onset of acute diarrhea to the horse being taken to the clinic was significantly longer in the case of horses which had not survived. The heart rate, hematocrit, blood pH, blood hydrogen carbonate concentration, base excess and HCT/TPP ratio were shown to be significantly related to the survival of horses with colitis. Thus, the hematocrit, appeared to be the most relevant predictor of the outcome of acute equine colitis. Body temperature, respiration rate, total plasma protein and white blood cell count, did not show any prognostic significance.

The evaluation during the neurologic examination of hearing in horses generates only subjective values because the horse is turning the head and moves the ears towards the noise. Therefore the brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER) technique is very useful for evaluating the hearing in horses objectively. The aim of this study is to measure the BAER in horses with altered behaviour or lack of responsiveness to loud sounds. This has been effected on older horses, also on a horse with ceruminal occluded external ear canals and on a horse with colic surgery and bad prognosis during general anesthesia and euthanasia using T61®. Horses were sedated using detomidine (20 μg/kg bw i.v.) and placed in a stock or silent area. Needles were inserted subcutaneously on the median place of the vertex between the lateral canthus of the eyes, on the ventrocaudal area of the osseus part of the external ear canal on the top of Processus retrotympanicus on the left and right side, on the midline between the Os occipitale and Processus spinosus of the second cervical vertebra (ground). A click stimulus at 80 and 60 dB normal hearing level was applied ipsilateral and noise-masking sound at –35 dB normal hearing level was applied contralateral. An average of 2 000 responses of BAER was recorded over a 10 milliseconds epoch operated by the AEP-diagnostic system Corona. The latencies of peaks I, III and V were measured and the interpeak latencies between the waves I-III, III-V and I-V were calculated and saved by the AEP-diagnostic system. These measurements of five horses with altered behaviour and of one horse during euthanasia were compared with a control group of normal Warmblood horses (12 mares, 2 geldings, 2 stallions; mean age of 15 years, min 3 and max 19 years). The external ear canals were examined endoscopically before and they had normal findings (grade I) and the tympanic membranes were intact and transparent. The tympanohyoid and stylohyoid in the guttural pouches were normal too. The latencies in ms and interpeak latencies of the control group stimulated with 80 and 60 dB nHL ipsilateral are: peak I (left 1.49 ± 0.05, 1.79 ± 0.13; right 1.53 ± 0.09, 1.86 ± 0.11), III (left 2.81 ± 0.16, 3.27 ± 0.18; right 2.86 ± 0.20; 3.25 ± 0.18), V (left 4.60 ± 0.21, 5.05 ± 0.27; right 4.62 ± 023, 4.94 ± 0.26); I-III (left 1.32 ± 0.15, 1.48 ± 0.24; right 1.33 ± 0.15, 1.38 ± 0.20), III-V (left 1.79 ± 0.14, 1.78 ± 0.19; right 1.76 ± 0.24, 1.69 ± 0.28), I-V (left 3.11 ± 0.20, 3.26 ± 0.28; right 3.09 ± 0.19, 3.07 ± 0.27). A 20 years old Haflinger mare turned her head only to the left side when the owner called her. The peak amplitudes (I, III, V) and interpeak latencies (I-III, I-V) were reduced ipsilateral of the right ear. These are signs of a conductive hearing deficit and cochlear dysfunction or neural problem. The 25 years old Warmblood gelding which turned his head only towards very loud noises had reduced peak amplitudes and increased latencies (I, III, V) ipsilateral left and right. These are signs of conductive hearing deficit on both sides. No BAER (80 and 60 dB nHL) were detected ipsilateral on the left side on a 1.5 years old Warmblood mare which reacted only to very loud noises. These diagnostic findings explain deafness on the left ear. A five months old Warmblood stallion which responded only to very loud noises too, had prolonged latencies (I, III, V; 80 dB nHL) and unchanged interpeak latencies ipsilateral on the right ear. No peaks were detected stimulated by 60 dB. These are findings of a severe hearing deficit and cochlear dysfunction on the right ear. A five years old Warmblood mare had an altered behaviour with startling due to environmental noises. A complete obstructed osseous part of the right ear and a partial obstructed osseous part of the left external ear canal were seen endoscopically. Decreased peak amplitudes stimulated by 80 dB nHL and no peaks stimulated by 60 dB ipsilateral on the right side in comparison to the normal horse are findings with severe conductive hearing deficit on the right ear based on the complete obstruction. The applicated drug T61® used for euthanasia (30 ml/250 kg bw i.v.) under general anesthesia of a 19 years old Shetland pony gelding which had colic surgery and a very bad prognosis induced a complete loss of BAER which was a diagnostic finding of brain death within three minutes. In conclusion the testing of BAER in horses is an objective measurement of hearing and evaluates the physiology of the auditory pathway. The endoscopy of the external ear canal has to be done generally before BAER measurements! BEAR testing is indicated in horses with altered behaviour, head tilt, head shaking, temporohyoid osteoarthropathy, guttural pouch empyema, othematoma, melanoma, sarcoid or squamous cell carcinoma in the pinna or external ear canal, after surgery on the pinna or in the external ear canal, after treatment of Otitis purulenta externa or after surviving an encephalitis (West-Nile-Virus-, EHV-1-, Sarcocystis neurona-Infection). The BAER testing ought to be included into the pre-purchase exam plan/requirements! [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Pferdeheilkunde is the property of Hippiatrika Verlag GmbH and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Pferdeheilkunde is the property of Hippiatrika Verlag GmbH and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Liver lobe torsions are rarely reported in horses. This case report outlines a liver lobe torsion as a cause of acute, continuous colic in an adult Warmblood horse. A 4-year old Warmblood mare was presented to the Veterinary Competence Center Karthaus Ltd. with moderate signs of acute colic since the morning hours which were treated with analgetics by the referring veterinarian. On presentation at the clinic the general condition was bright and alert and the clinical examination revealed mild tachycardia (48 beats per minute) and tachypnoe (20 breaths per minute) as well as mild reduced skin turgor and slightly reduced intestinal sounds. Upon transrectal examination mild distention of the left segments of the large colon was detected and passing of the nasogastric tube showed no reflux. Transcutaneous ultrasonographic examination of the abdomen using the FLASH principle ("fast localized abdominal sonography") for adult horses with acute colic revealed no abnormalities. Haematology was normal and blood gas analysis revealed mild metabolic alkalosis. A serum biochemical panel showed significant elevations in GLDH and total bilirubin, as well as a decrease in total protein and albumin. After initial medication with analgetics and IV fluids the mare continued to show continuous colic (pawing, lying down) with an elevated heart rate of 60 beats per minute. An exploratory celiotomy under general anaesthesia was performed with a standard median approach. The anatomical position of the gastrointestinal tract was normal. The left medial lobe of the liver was twisted 180° clockwise and appeared congested, coarse and blunt-edged. The ligaments attaching the hepatic lobe seemed to be "elongated". Other parts of the liver were normal. The small intestine was slightly distended and was emptied into the caecum. Repositioning of the affected hepatic lobe was performed and its appearance became macroscopically normal after a few minutes, so that a resection was not necessary. The horse recovered from anaesthesia without complications. The evaluation of the liver enzymes the day after surgery revealed a further activity increase of the liver enzyme GLDH and of the concentrations of total bilirubin and bile acids. The elevations of GLDH and total bilirubin on the day of surgery and the further increase the day after surgery are suspected to be caused by the hepatic lobe torsion leading to hepatic cell necrosis. The duration of the hepatic lobe torsion could be less than 24 hours, because the indirect bilirubin was mildly increased on the day of presentation at the clinic. Additional laboratory tests seven days after surgery resulted in normal reference limits for GLDH, total bilirubin, bile acids and albumin as well as a mild decrease of total protein and globulins. This case report illustrates the unspecific clinical symptoms and normal findings of rectal and abdominal ultrasonographic examinations in a horse with a hepatic lobe torsion. A definitive antemortem diagnosis is difficult to make and a thorough palpatory examination of parenchymatous organs during celiotomy is mandatory. Possible causes for the torsion of the left medial hepatic lobe include size, mobility and separation of this lobe from other hepatic lobes as well as its loosely fixation by the teres hepatis ligament. Trauma was not reported in the mare's history. Hepatic lobe torsions should be considered in horses with symptoms of acute continuous colic and elevations of liver enzymes and require surgical intervention for treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Esophageal obstruction is a commonly occurring disease in adult horses, however, the reported incidence in nursing foals is quite low. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the medical records of 20 foals aged up to six months suffering from primary esophageal obstruction. We assessed clinical presentation, diagnostic procedures, therapeutic interventions, complications, as well as further investigations like passing of a nasogastric tube, endoscopy or radiology. The clinical course was tracked through owner phone calls up to six months after the foals were discharged. 5 of 20 foals were younger than one week old, 6 foals were between one and four weeks old, 3 foals between four and eight weeks and 6 foals were at the age of two and six months. The most common clinical signs were milky nasal discharge, coughing or snorting and rattling respiratory noises. On initial clinical pathology 5 of 20 foals had hemoconcentration, 12 demonstrated leukocytosis and 3 leukopenia. A roughage bolus was identified as the cause of the obstruction in all the examined foals. The roughage bolus was approximately 8 to 12cm aboral to the larynx. 9 (45%) of the foals received treatment under general anaesthesia, the esophageal obstruction was resolved either by passing a nasogastric tube or a flexible endoscope or by adequate water lavage. One of these foals required esophagotomy to remove the agglomerated, cigar-like bolus of roughage. In 8 of 20 (40%) of the affected foals, the obstruction was resolved under sedation either by passing a nasogastric tube or a flexible endoscope. No intervention was required in 3 of 20 (15%) affected foals. After resolution of the obstruction, endoscopy of the esophagus demonstrated that 33,3% of the examined foals had hyperemia, edema or superficial lesions of the esophageal mucous membrane at the site of the obstruction, while 40% of the foals had deep mucous membrane lesions or necrosis. In the further course of treatment, 4 of 20 (20%) foals developed aspiration bronchitis/ pneumonia. 30% of the foals developed one or more esophageal obstructions during the hospital stay or soon after discharge from the clinic. Two of these were euthanized at the owner's request, 16 and 17 days following initial admission due to significant stenosis formation. The foal that required esophagotomy developed left laryngeal paralysis, this was identified in routine endoscopy three years after surgery. But as the owner reported, this animal had experienced no clinical problem after discharge of the clinic. The findings of the 20 cases of esophageal obstruction in nursing foals indicate that the clinical signs are often mild and can resemble bronchitis. However, it represents an emergency situation and requires immediate treatment as complications such as dehydration, aspiration bronchitis and pressure necrosis occur in nursing foals more frequently compared to adult horses. The medical treatment in the standing patient is considerably more difficult in foals compared to adult horses, therefore general anaesthesia was more often necessary [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Pferdeheilkunde is the property of Hippiatrika Verlag GmbH and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

A total of 272 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) from equine infections originating from 17 equine hospitals and 39 veterinary practices in Germany as well as 67 isolates from personnel working at equine clinics were subjected to molecular typing. The majority of isolates from horses was attributed to clonal complex (CC) 398 (82.7%). Within CC398, 66% of isolates belonged to a subpopulation (clade) of CC398, which is associated with equine clinics. MRSA attributed to CC8 (ST254, t009, t036, SCC mec IV; ST8, t064, SCC mec IV) were less frequent (16.5%). Single isolates were attributed to ST1, CC22, ST130, and ST1660. The emergence of MRSA CC22 and ST130 in horses was not reported so far. Nasal MRSA colonization was found in 19.5% of veterinary personnel with occupational exposure to horses. The typing characteristics of these isolates corresponded to isolates from equine infections. Comparing typing characteristics of equine isolates with those of a substantial number of isolates from human infections typed at the German Reference Center for Staphylococci and Enterococci (2006-2014; n = 10864) yielded that the proportion of isolates exhibiting characteristics of MRSA from equine medicine is very low (< 0.5%). As this low proportion was also found among MRSA originating from nasal screenings of human carriers not suffering from a staphylococcal infection (n = 5546) transmission of MRSA from equine clinics to the community seems to be rare so far.