Bacterial Culturing of Ventral Median Celiotomies for Prediction of Postoperative Incisional Complications in Horses

Objective - The purpose of this study was to determine whether detection of bacterial contamination of ventral midline incisions was predictive of postoperative incisional complications in horses undergoing exploratory celiotomy for colic. Study Design - Prospective study. Animal or Sample Population - Horses that had ventral median celiotomies for colic at Colorado State University between May 1, 1991 and April 30, 1993 were studied prospectively. Complete information was obtained on 66 horses. Methods - Bacterial cultures were obtained from ventral midline incisions at surgery. Information regarding the type of surgery performed (celiotomy vs celiotomy plus enterotomy or enterectomy), preoperative total nucleated cells and presence of a left shift, postoperative fever (>38.5°C), incisional drainage, incisional herniation, and outcome were obtained from medical records. Additional information concerning incisional drainage, herniation, and survival was obtained at a minimum of 18 months after surgery. Results - Examination of odds ratio (ORs) and confidence intervals (CIs) revealed that a celiotomy plus enterotomy or enterectomy was positively, but not significantly, associated (OR > 1) with positive culture results, presence of incisional drainage and incisional herniation. A significant association between incisional drainage and hernia formation was found; odds of incisional herniation were 62.5 times greater in horses that had incisional drainage. Incisional drainage and herniation were negatively associated with patient survival. The later association was significant (OR = 0.18, P=.04). Conclusions - This study indicated that detection of bacterial contamination at incisional closure by the swab culture technique was not beneficial in the prediction of postoperative incisional problems in horses undergoing colic surgery. Incisional drainage or infection appeared to be associated with hernia formation. Clinical Relevance - Immediate treatment of incisional drainage or methods to prevent incisional infections may decrease hernia formation.     

Complications of Celiotomy Incisions in Horses

Complications of celiotomy incisions were evaluated retrospectively in 274 horses that survived at least 1 month after surgery, or died or were euthanatized within 1 month of surgery, as a direct result of these complications. Horses were divided into four groups; group A, a ventral median celiotomy for intestinal disease; group B, ventral median celiotomy for nonintestinal disease; group C, repair of an umbilical hernia; and group D, celiotomy in a region other than the midline. Specific incisional complications were peri-incisional edema, drainage, incisional abscess, suture sinus, and dehiscence. Incision-related complications occurred in 30% of the horses (group A, 40%; group B 18%; group C, 7%; and group D, 88%). Complications occurred more frequently in group D than group A ( P =.009), which were higher than in groups B and C ( P <.00001). Incisional hernia occurred in 28 of 256 (11%) horses that survived at least 4 months and were available for follow-up. Hernia formation was more common ( P <.00001) in horses that had other incisional complications (23 horses) than those without (5 horses). Serous or purulent incisional drainage, were more likely to be associated with hernia formation than was serosanguineous drainage or other incisional complications.     

Exploratory Celiotomy in 200 Nontraumatized Dogs and Cats

Two hundred dogs and cats undergoing exploratory celiotomy for reasons other than trauma were grouped by disease classification and by body system affected. There were 61 animals in which infection or inflammation predominated, 63 animals with neoplasia, and 76 animals with noninflammatory and non-neoplastic conditions. Body systems affected were digestive, lymphatic, urinary, reproductive, other, and undetermined. Seventy-three percent of the animals survived the hospitalization period; survival rates for animals with infection or inflammation, neoplasia, and other disorders were 69%, 60%, and 86%, respectively. Within the same groups, the exploratory celiotomy provided strictly diagnostic information in 72%, 79%, and 24% of the animals, and surgical treatment was provided to 28%, 21%, and 58% of the animals, respectively. Intraoperative cytologic and histologic diagnoses were consistent in 78% of the animals; the consistency rates for animals with infection or inflammation, neoplasia, and other disorders were 81%, 88%, and 59%, respectively. Complications after surgery were observed in 30% of the animals, with 60% of the complications disease related. Complications were observed in six animals with reproductive disorders (67%), six animals with urinary disease (46%), 35 animals with digestive disease (29%), and three animals with lymphatic disease (13%).     

Causes of Encephalitis and Encephalopathy in Brazilian Equids

The etiology of diseases that affect the central nervous system (CNS) of equids was investigated. Samples (n = 218) collected from equids showing clinical signs of nervous or behavioral changes were analyzed, of which 37 (17.0%) were positive for rabies, 13 (6.0%) for the presence of protozoans (one Sarcocystis neurona, 12 Toxoplasma gondii), three (1.4%) for equine herpesvirus type 1 myeloencephalopathy, and 24 (11%) for bacterial encephalitis. Histopathology of the CNS revealed one (0.4%) case of cryptococcal myelomeningoencephalitis and 20 (9.2%) cases of equine leukoencephalomalacia. Central nervous system samples were positive for Sarcocystis neurona and Toxoplasma gondii by nested PCR-ITS1 followed by nucleotide sequencing. Diagnosis of equine herpesvirus 1 was confirmed by cell isolation and polymerase chain reaction followed by sequencing of the GD and polymerase (ORF 30) genes in three samples. No case of equine encephalomyelitis was diagnosed in samples analyzed by isolation in mice, VERO cell cultures, and RT-PCR for the nsP1 gene. Bacterial agents (Staphylococcus spp., Streptococcus spp., Bacillus spp., Enterobacteriaceae spp., Corynebacterium spp., and nonfermenting gram-negative bacillus) were detected in pure or preponderant cultures. Diagnosis was conclusive in 45% of samples, indicating that other infectious and noninfectious etiologies of encephalitis and encephalopathy should be considered for investigation.     

Intraperitoneal Use of Sodium Carboxymethylcellulose in Horses Undergoing Exploratory Celiotomy

The effect of intraperitoneal sodium carboxymethylcellulose (SCMC) administration on clinical outcome and survival was evaluated in horses undergoing exploratory celiotomy for acute gastrointestinal disease. Comparison of variables was made retrospectively between 44 horses that had SCMC and 92 horses (controls) not treated with SCMC. Mean age, body weight, heart rate, packed cell volume and plasma total protein of horses at admission, and convalescent period were not significantly different between control and SCMC groups. No significant differences were noted between control horses and SCMC horses with respect to incisional infection, hernia formation, recurrent episodes of colic, clinical outcome, and long-term survival (>6 months). Seventy-six (83%) control horses and 34 (77%) SCMC horses survived long-term. Seventy (76%) control horses and 30 (68%) SCMC horses survived without complications and returned to their previous use. These results suggest that intraperitoneal use of SCMC does not adversely affect abdominal incisional wound healing, clinical outcome or long-term survival, however, the efficacy of SCMC in prevention of postoperative intestinal adhesions in horses requires further investigation.     

Tetanus in Equids: A Review of 76 Cases

Data on the clinical examination and treatment of 76 tetanus cases in equids was reviewed, aiming to verify factors that may assist veterinarians in establishing a prognosis for this disease. Overall mortality was 76.3%. Treatment was provided to 61 animals. Of those, 18 (29.5%) survived. Data analysis led to identification of the following indicators for fair to good prognosis: greater than 5 days' timespan between onset of signs of the disease and initial assistance (7 of 13 animals survived, 53.9%) and greater than 7 days of hospitalization (all of 17 animals survived, 100%). Conversely, indicators of poor prognosis included presence of dysphagia or aphagia at first examination (52 of 60 animals died, 86.7%), decubitus (all of 20 animals died, 100%), and hoof sole perforating lesions by nails (all of 8 animals died, 100%). Based on the high mortality rate of this disease, the importance of prophylaxis is reinforced.     

Vegetative Endocarditis in Equids (1994–2006)

Background: Endocarditis is a rare heart condition with variable clinical expressions in equids. Risk factors for this disease are incompletely understood. Objective: Describe risk factors for endocarditis in equids. Animals: One hundred and fifty‐three equids admitted to Liège University, 9 diagnosed with endocarditis and 144 free from endocarditis but admitted to the hospital with a differential diagnosis including this disease. Methods: Retrospective case‐control study. Results: Equids with endocarditis were significantly younger (mean age = 4.84 ± 5.74 years) than control equids (mean age = 10.8 ± 7.73 years) (P= .01). No sex or breed predisposition was observed. Animals with hyperthermia (odds ratio [OR] = 24.4; confidence interval [CI] = 1.40–428), synovial distension (OR = 13.4; CI = 3.00–59.8), lameness (OR = 6.52; CI = 1.63–26.1), hyperglobulinemia (OR = 26.4; CI = 3.03–229), hypoalbuminemia (OR = 11.4; CI = 1.34–96.8), hyperfibrinogenemia (OR = 9.81; CI = 1.16–82.7), or leukocytosis (OR = 7.12; CI = 1.40–36.4) presented a significantly higher risk of having endocarditis than control horses. The presence of two of the clinical signs mentioned above significantly increased the probability of a diagnosis of endocarditis (P≤ .05). Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Age is associated with equine endocarditis. The diagnostic value of certain clinical signs and abnormalities in blood parameters in this disease are described.     

Retrospective Evaluation of Repeat Celiotomy in 53 Horses with Acute Gastrointestinal Disease

Fifty-three of 648 horses (8.2%) treated surgically for acute gastrointestinal obstruction were subjected to repeat celiotomy. Forty horses (75%) recovered from anesthesia after repeat celiotomy, and 26 horses (49%) were discharged from the clinic. Excluding two horses lost to follow-up, 10 of 51 horses (20%) survived long term. Horses subjected to repeat celiotomy had a significantly lower long-term survival rate than horses subjected to a single celiotomy. Twenty-eight horses had mechanical obstructions, and 22 had functional obstructions at the second surgery. Significantly more horses with mechanical obstructions recovered from anesthesia, but there was no difference in short-term or long-term survival. Seventy-seven percent of horses were subjected to two celiotomies without being discharged from the clinic between procedures. The intervals between primary and repeat celiotomies ranged from less than 24 hours to 4 years, with 89% of them being less than 2 months. Horses with functional obstructions at the second surgery had a significantly shorter interval between surgeries than horses with mechanical obstructions. Twenty-three horses had sequelae of the primary celiotomy, 19 had progression of their original disease, 8 had recurrence of the same condition, and 3 had unrelated problems. Intestinal ischemic necrosis was the most common diagnosis at repeat celiotomy, and small intestinal obstruction by adhesions was the second most frequent.     

Unilateral Nephrectomy in a Juvenile Llama

Objective —The purpose of this study was to decribe the clinical presentation, diagnostic evaluation, and surgical management of a llama with an ectopic ureter.
Animals or Sample Population —Nine-month-old female llama.
Results —The diagnostic evaluation included the use of computed tomography and an excretory ureterogram to confirm and identify the location of the ectopic ureter. Surgical management involved a unilateral nephrectomy.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance —Computed tomography is a valuable asset to diagnose the presence and terminal location of an ectopic ureter in llamas, and nephrectomy appears to be a viable procedure to resolve the subsequent urinary incontinence.     

Ventral oedema in exotic Angora goats

Abstract A syndrome characterised by ventral oedema and referred to by many goat farmers as "water belly". has been recognised in New Zealand in Angora goats of South African and Texan origin. It occurs most frequently in young animals in the immediate post-shearing period, when as many as 10-15% of the flock may be affected to varying degrees. Affected animals are usually bright and alert and most will recover spontaneously within 3-4 days. The syndrome may also occur in goats suffering from one of a variety of diseases but in some cases there is no apparent predisposing cause.