Management of Primary Injuries of the Medial Collateral Ligament of the Carpus in Two Horses

This case report describes the successful management of two horses with medial carpal collateral ligament injury. This is a rare cause of forelimb lameness and existing reports indicate a poor prognosis for return to athletic function with conservative management. Both horses were treated with a combination of box rest with controlled exercise and high-intensity laser therapy (HILT). Both horses returned to previous athletic function, one at Grand Prix level dressage and one at Novice level eventing. With appropriate management, the prognosis for carpal collateral ligament injury may be good. From this report, it is unclear whether a rehabilitation program including HILT offers improved prognosis compared with a rehabilitation program alone.     

An investigation into the depth of penetration of low level laser therapy through the equine tendon in vivo

Low level laser therapy (LLLT) is frequently used in the treatment of wounds, soft tissue injury and in pain management. The exact penetration depth of LLLT in human tissue remains unspecified. Similar uncertainty regarding penetration depth arises in treating animals. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that transmission of LLLT in horses is increased by clipping the hair and/or by cleaning the area to be treated with alcohol, but is unaffected by coat colour. A LLLT probe (810 nm, 500 mW) was applied to the medial aspect of the superficial flexor tendon of seventeen equine forelimbs in vivo. A light sensor was applied to the lateral aspect, directly opposite the laser probe to measure the amount of light transmitted. Light transmission was not affected by individual horse, coat colour or leg. However, it was associated with leg condition (F = 4.42, p = 0.0032). Tendons clipped dry and clipped and cleaned with alcohol, were both associated with greater transmission of light than the unprepared state. Use of alcohol without clipping was not associated with an increase in light transmission. These results suggest that, when applying laser to a subcutaneous structure in the horse, the area should be clipped and cleaned beforehand.     

Select modalities

Physical rehabilitation modalities such as therapeutic ultrasound (TU), transcutaneous electrical neuromuscular stimulation (TENS), neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), cold or low-level laser therapy (LLLT), and pulsed magnetic field therapy (PMF) can all, when used properly, assist in treating orthopedic injuries, neurological conditions, and chronic conditions brought about by normal aging in our small animal companions. TU uses sound waves to produce both thermal and nonthermal effects that aid in tissue healing, repair, and function. TENS uses different frequencies of electrical current to decrease pain and inflammation. NMES also uses an electrical current to stimulate muscle contraction to assist in normal neuromuscular function in postorthopedic and neurological injuries. LLLT uses light energy to reduce pain, decrease inflammation, and stimulate healing at a cellular level. PMF uses magnetic field to stimulate normal cellular ion exchange and oxygen utilization and promote generalized healing of tissues. These modalities are discussed in detail covering mechanism of action, parameters, settings, and indications/contraindications of use in our small animals. Although these modalities are important in the physical rehabilitation of small animals, they need to be incorporated with a proper diagnosis, manual therapy, and home exercise program into a specific and individualized patient treatment protocol.     

低功率氦氖激光加血卟啉衍生物对动物移植肿瘤的疗效观察

用血卟啉衍生物结合氦氖激光,治疗小鼠S180纤维肉瘤。其显效率高达74.51％,肿瘤消失率达64.71％;在治疗后第13、19天,肿瘤的平均重量和体积分别与治疗前比较,差异极显著(P<0.01);当激光剂量不变时,随着血卟啉衍生物用量增加,其疗效增加。     

Assessment of Vein Diameter and Body Surface Temperature after High-Intensity Laser Therapy (HILT) on the Tarsal Joint in Healthy Horses

The aim of the study was to assess the influence of high-intensity laser therapy (HILT) on vein diameter and on body surface temperature changes in the tarsal joint area in a group of clinically healthy racehorses. The hypothesis of the study was that HILT increases vein diameter and body surface temperature in healthy tissue. The study involved 16 Thoroughbreds being subjected to ultrasonographic examination to assess changes of diameter of the cranial branch of the medial saphenous vein and thermographic examination to indicate temperature change of the dorsal surface of the tarsal joint, just before and immediately after HILT treatment. Vein diameter and mean surface temperature of the tarsal joint significantly increased after HILT treatment. In addition, the study was the first to describe the photothermal effect of HILT in healthy horses. More studies are necessary to specify the parameters of the procedure, that is, wavelength, energy density, or time of the procedure, depending on the patient’s individual characteristics and type of tissue.     

S180荷瘤鼠治疗试验中低能激光联合环磷酰胺对外周血IgG含量的影响

试验以小鼠S180腹水瘤为动物实验模型,初步探讨了治疗恶性肿瘤过程中低能激光照射与化疗药物联合应用对外周血IgG含量的影响。在BALB/c小鼠腹腔接种S180瘤细胞5d后,分别应用11 00,14 67和22 00J/cm2三种剂量LELT照射荷瘤鼠内眼角,同时联合应用化疗药物环磷酰胺,以观察二者联合应用对小鼠S180荷瘤鼠外周血IgG含量的影响。肿瘤接种后第8天时,由于CYT的应用,CYT单纯治疗组及CYT/LELT联合治疗组IgG含量较肿瘤对照组均有显著的下降(P<0 01),但第12天时,CYT/LELT联合治疗组IgG含量显著高于CYT对照组(P<0 01,P<0 05)。结论:适当剂量的低能量激光照射可改善CYT对小鼠外周血IgG含量的抑制效应,从而调节环磷酰胺对荷瘤鼠化疗过程中产生的免疫抑制效应。     

Morphology and volume of Meibomian glands ex vivo pre and post partial tarsal plate excision,cryotherapy and laser therapy in the dog using microCT

Objective

To determine the morphology and volume of Meibomian glands (MG) of dogs with microCT before and after partial tarsal plate excision (PTPE), cryotherapy, and laser therapy.

Procedure

MicroCT scans were made of 12 upper lids (ULs) and lower lids (LLs) of 12 dogs. After undergoing PTPE, 10 ULs and LLs were scanned again, and one UL and one LL was scanned after laser therapy and one UL and one LL after cryotherapy.

Results

The length of the area containing MGs did not change pre- and post-PTPE, and cryo- or laser therapy. The mean number of MGs in the ULs and LLs was 30.50 and 29.42, respectively, and did not change during the procedures. The average length of one individual MG was 2.60 mm. The mean volume of MGs in the 10 ULs and LLs pre-PTPE was 21.45 and 17.2 mm³, respectively, and 12.84 and 11.25 mm³ in the UL and LL after PTPE, respectively. The mean volume of MGs decreased from 29.78 mm³ precryotherapy to 28.91 mm³ post-treatment and in the lower eyelid from 22.87 to 22.4 mm³ after cryotherapy. The mean volume of MGs in the UL and LL before laser therapy was 8.95 and 6.78 mm³, respectively, and after 9.25 and 6.38 mm³, respectively.

Conclusion

MicroCT is a valuable tool to determine the morphology and the volume of MGs and to demonstrate changes that occur after PTPE, laser-, and cryotherapy. There is no need for additional preparation, such as staining, of the specimen prior to scanning.     

Management of eyelid neoplasms in the dog and cat

Eyelid neoplasms are common in the older dog and typically benign. Eyelid neoplasms in the cat are less common and more often malignant. Resection of eyelid masses may be curative; however, restoration of the eyelid structure after mass excision is essential for maintaining long-term ocular surface health. Surgical techniques and instrumentation for eyelid surgery are reviewed. Indications, benefits. and limitations of sharp excision, cryotherapy, and laser excision and ablation are discussed. Neoplasia of the third eyelid is also discussed.     

Effects of Low-Level Laser Therapy and Chiropractic Care on Back Pain in Quarter Horses

Low-level laser therapy has been used clinically to treat musculoskeletal pain; however, there is limited evidence available to support its use in treating back pain in horses. The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of low-level laser therapy and chiropractic care in treating thoracolumbar pain in competitive western performance horses. The subjects included 61 Quarter Horses actively involved in national western performance competitions judged to have back pain. A randomized, clinical trial was conducted by assigning affected horses to either laser therapy, chiropractic, or combined laser and chiropractic treatment groups. Outcome parameters included a visual analog scale (VAS) of perceived back pain and dysfunction and detailed spinal examinations evaluating pain, muscle tone, and stiffness. Mechanical nociceptive thresholds were measured along the dorsal trunk and values were compared before and after treatment. Repeated measures with post-hoc analysis were used to assess treatment group differences. Low-level laser therapy, as applied in this study, produced significant reductions in back pain, epaxial muscle hypertonicity, and trunk stiffness. Combined laser therapy and chiropractic care produced similar reductions, with additional significant decreases in the severity of epaxial muscle hypertonicity and trunk stiffness. Chiropractic treatment by itself did not produce any significant changes in back pain, muscle hypertonicity, or trunk stiffness; however, there were improvements in trunk and pelvic flexion reflexes. The combination of laser therapy and chiropractic care seemed to provide additive effects in treating back pain and trunk stiffness that were not present with chiropractic treatment alone. The results of this study support the concept that a multimodal approach of laser therapy and chiropractic care is beneficial in treating back pain in horses involved in active competition.     

Photobiomodulation Therapy in Veterinary Medicine: A Review

Laser therapy, or photobiomodulation, has rapidly grown in popularity in human and veterinary medicine. With a number of proposed indications and broad, sometimes anecdotal, use in practice, research interest has expanded aimed at providing scientific support. Recent studies have shown that laser therapy alters the inflammatory and immune response as well as promotes healing for a variety of tissue types. This review will cover the history of the modality, basic principles, proposed mechanisms of action, evidence-based clinical indications, and will guide the practitioner through its application in practice.     

Management of cases suffering from atypical myopathy: Interpretations of descriptive,epidemiological and pathophysiological findings. Part 1: First aid,cardiovascular, nutritional and digestive care

Atypical myopathy is highly fatal, but about a quarter of affected horses survive. This highlights the need for provision of supportive treatment for these cases. This review is a practical guideline for equine practitioners and includes suggestions for close monitoring of involved organ systems and discusses options of supportive treatment based on current knowledge of the condition.     

ASSESSMENT OF THE ACCURACY AND PRECISION OF A PATIENT IMMOBILIZATION DEVICE FOR RADIATION THERAPY IN CANINE HEAD AND NECK TUMORS

The positioning accuracy and precision of a head and neck immobilization device for radiation therapy of tumors in the canine skull was evaluated. Nineteen dogs with a spontaneous tumor of the head were enrolled including 12 with an intracranial mass and seven with an intranasal or maxillary tumor. Three hundred thirty-three pairs of orthogonal digital portal radiographs were analyzed to assess patient displacement in the cranial–caudal, lateral, and dorso-ventral directions. The mean systematic displacement was 0.8, 1, and 0.9 mm. The mean random displacement was 1.9, 1.6, and 1.5 mm. These values resulted in an overall displacement of 2.1 mm in the cranial–caudal direction, 1.8 mm in the lateral direction, and 1.7 mm in the dorsal–ventral direction. The mean displacement value of the three dimensional (3D) vector was 2.4 mm with a standard deviation of 2.1. Ninety-five percent of all vectors were <6.4 mm. This study quantifies the precision and accuracy of this particular positioning device. Knowing the limitations and setup variability of the system being used to set patients up for daily radiotherapy is paramount to planning and delivering appropriate radiation doses, especially as more complex treatment methods are used.     

Laser in dermatology

The laser is a tool that will augment the surgical techniques available to the veterinarian. When using the laser compared with traditional surgery there are multiple procedures that can be performed with much greater ease, and some procedures that previously could not be performed. Specialty and academic practices have used lasers for photodynamic therapy, lithotripsy of urinary calculi, and percutaneous disk ablation. This article will focus on the lasers use in dermatology. It is essential that the surgeon learn the basics of laser physics, how the laser interacts with tissue and the safety issues one needs to consider during its use. On deciding to use the laser the surgical techniques chosen should always be based on considering the advantages and disadvantages the laser has to offer. The use of biomedical lasers is a "cutting edge" technique now available to our veterinary field.