Platelet-rich Plasma Combined With a Sterile 3D Polylactic Acid Scaffold for Postoperative Management of Complete Hoof Wall Resection for Keratoma in Four Horses

Keratoma is a nonmalignant horse tumor that grows in the space between the horn of the hoof and the distal phalanx. Keratoma causes lameness in the horse, and surgical excision is the treatment of choice. Four horses underwent removal of a keratoma by complete hoof wall resection. The remaining wound was treated with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) combined with a sterile three-dimensional polylactic acid scaffold. The PRP was applied at 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, and 18 days postoperatively. The surgical site was cleaned with gauzes and swabs soaked in Ringer’s lactate solution before applying PRP and the foot bandage. Healthy granulation tissue developed at 6–21 days postoperatively. The hoof wall defect was completely filled with new hoof wall within 6–8 months after surgery. All horses returned to their previous exercise level, and no recurrence of lameness was reported by the owner.     

Long-Term Follow-up of Superficial Digital Flexor Tendonitis Treated by a Single Intralesional Injection of a ReGeneraTing Agent in 51 Horses

ReGeneraTing Agents (RGTA) are nanopolysaccharides engineered to mimic heparan sulfates and have been shown to stimulate tissue repair and healing (skin, cornea, gingival, and muscle) in several animal models of injury and in human medicine. A preliminary study, monocentric and uncontrolled, was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of a dedicated RGTA (named Equitend) in improving the healing quality of the injured tendon after a single and ultrasound-guided intralesional injection. Improvement of ultrasonographic appearance of tendinous or ligamentous lesion was documented at least over 4 months in Equitend-treated horses and was further supported by another study on superficial digital flexor tendonitis, in 51 horses (16 French Standardbred trotters (ST), 13 Thoroughbreds (TB), and 22 eventers). Long-term follow-up of these horses showed high rates of return to racing, with 95% of eventers, 87.5% of French ST, and 77% of TB. The mean duration before the first race or competition was 6.6 and 7.4 months for ST and eventers, respectively. The group of 16 treated ST was then compared with a matched control group, showing that the Equitend-treated group was able to return to a higher level of earning after lesion (74% vs. 15% in the control group). Furthermore, the Equitend-treated group was back in racing 2.4 months earlier than the control group.     

Relationship Between Postural Stability and Paraspinal Muscle Adaptation in Lame Horses Undergoing Rehabilitation

Postural stability maintains balance, protects the spinal column, and allows accurate responses to destabilizing forces. The musculus multifidus (m. multifidus) is the major postural muscle located adjacent to the vertebrae along the length of the spinal column. Increased cross-sectional area (CSA) of the m. multifidus has been demonstrated in horses after a rehabilitation strengthening exercise program; however, correlation with functional postural stability has not been shown. The objective of the present study is to evaluate the relationship of the thoracolumbar m. multifidus CSA and measures of postural sway performance in lame horses undergoing rehabilitation exercises in clinical cases. Seven client-owned horses admitted to the equine rehabilitation service were included in the study. M. multifidus CSA was measured via ultrasonography at the start of a rehabilitation program (initial evaluation) and after 12 weeks of rehabilitation exercises (final evaluation). Postural sway data were also measured at initial and final evaluation. A significant increase in m. multifidus CSA was seen from initial to final evaluation. A moderate to strong correlation was present between m. multifidus CSA and postural sway variables. These results suggest that there is an association between postural stability and m. multifidus hypertrophy in lame horses undergoing individualized rehabilitation programs. However, more research is needed to provide a definitive answer on the nature of this relationship. Ideally, specific performance tests would better define and examine the relationship in which to guide clinicians in rehabilitation protocol development.     

Preliminary Examination of Farriery and Hoof Care Practices and Owner-Reported Injuries in Sport Horses in New Zealand

Retrospective management and owner-reported injury data, and measurement of forelimb hoof conformation, were collected via a cross-sectional survey from a convenience sample of 96 registered show jumping (n = 67) and dressage (n = 29) horses. Most of the horses were medium- to upper-level performers, aged 9 (interquartile range [IQR] 7–12) years, and in the current rider's ownership for 28 (IQR 12–60) months. The horses were trained 45 (IQR 35–60) minutes, 6 days per week, on a sand or sand mix arena. Failure to train for ≥7 days was reported in 26 of 96 horses, generally associated with lameness diagnosed by a veterinarian (16/29), with a median time-off of 26 (IQR 14–93) days. During the preceding 12 months, 33% of the riders had been working with the farrier on hoof-related issues, 30% of which had involved ≤2 issues. This remedial work often involved a veterinarian (14/30) or allied health practitioner (6/30). Most horses were hot shod (67/89) with conventional fullered shoes. Uneven feet were identified in 16 of 89 horses but were not positively associated with inability to train, possibly reflecting the minor variation between feet. Uneven feet were associated with variation in heel length and angle measurements and a greater sole length and reduced sole width, rather than smaller and boxy. Multiple correspondence plots identified an association of uneven feet with the dressage horses rather than show jumping horses.     

Colic Surgery in Horses: A Retrospective Study Into Short- and Long-Term Survival Rate,Complications and Rehabilitation toward Sporting Activity

Colic surgery in horses impacts both short-term well-being of horses due to possible surgical and anesthetic complications and also long-term return to a sporting career. In this retrospective study, survival and complication rates, as well as functional outcome and behavioral problems in horses that underwent colic surgery were studied. Data from 283 horses that underwent colic surgery at a veterinary teaching hospital were analyzed. Furthermore, owners were contacted and requested to fill out a questionnaire concerning the first year of rehabilitation. Of 283 horses that underwent colic surgery, 167 (59%) were discharged home. After discharge from hospital, 34 horses (12%) were lost to follow-up. Of the remaining 133 horses, 128 were still alive after 1 year (96.2%), while 5 horses were euthanized due to recurrent colic. Of the horses that did not survive the hospitalization period 73 horses (25.8%) were euthanized intraoperatively and 36 horses (12.7%) during intensive care unit (ICU) stay. Survival of horses entering the ICU up to discharge from hospital was 79.5%. During rehabilitation, 49 horses (59.8%) that returned home experienced one or more recurrences of colic. Fifty-two horses (63.4%) that returned home reached at least preoperative level of performance. Altered behavior and gait-related problems during specific elements of riding (for instance during collecting, lateral bending, etc.) were reported in up to 46.2% of horses. Improving veterinary aftercare in collaboration with other disciplines (e.g., physiotherapy and saddle fitting) during rehabilitation could be a means to further improve athletic performance and welfare after recovery from colic surgery.     

Autologous Platelet Concentrates as a Treatment for Shoulder Injury in a Horse

Shoulder injury is an uncommon cause of lameness in horses. Trauma to the shoulder region may produce bone and soft-tissue damage. The present study describes the case of a severe left shoulder injury caused by blunt trauma in a 6-year-old gelding. Clinical and ultrasonographic examination revealed fracture of the supraglenoid tuberosity of the scapula and of the lesser tubercle of the humerus with fiber disruption and hematoma of the biceps brachii, bicipital bursitis, and suprascapular nerve damage. The gelding was successfully treated with three intralesional injections of autologous platelet concentrates administered at 2-week intervals. Although all these combined injuries took a minimum of 18 to 24 months for full recovery, the gelding reached full recuperation of the affected limb in 10 months. These results suggest that injections of autologous platelet concentrate could provide a therapeutic benefit in the treatment of shoulder bone fractures and soft-tissue injuries in horses.     

甘南玛曲草地退化现状及恢复重建初探

通过对甘南玛曲草地退化现状的分析，探讨草地退化与植被恢复重建的技术措施，结果表明：退化严重的草地通过封育、补播、施肥、灭鼠等综合治理以及各单项技术的科学组装配套，可有效地治理退化严重的草地。     

甘南玛曲草地退化现状及恢复重建初探

通过对甘南玛曲草地退化现状的分析,探讨草地退化与植被恢复重建的技术措施,结果表明:退化严重的草地通过封育、补播、施肥、灭鼠等综合治理以及各单项技术的科学组装配套,可有效地治理退化严重的草地。     

中药微生态发酵技术研究进展与展望

中药微生态发酵是将现代生物技术与传统中药炮制相结合形成的中药制药新技术。本文介绍了该技术的基本原理与主要工艺,总结了该技术增加中药有效成分含量、提高利用率、产生新活性成分、减轻毒副作用、节约资源等方面的优势,分析了研究中面临的问题,并对其发展前景进行了展望。     

中草药复方防治肉鸡骨病的研究

为探明中草药复方对肉鸡骨病的防治效果,本研究选用160只1日龄健康科宝肉鸡,随机均分为8组,分别饲养至30和60日龄,由当归、枸杞、山药等8味中草药组成复方制剂,将中草药复方以高（0.6%）、中（0.4%）、低（0.2%）3个剂量组进行治疗试验,同时设置对照组饲喂基础饲粮,分别于30、60日龄时称重,采用生化分析仪检测骨代谢相关血液生化指标维生素D受体（VDR）、骨钙素（OT）、骨保护素（OPG）、碱性磷酸酶（ALP）,通过万能试验机进行三点弯曲试验,以弹性模量、屈服强度和最大应力为指标检测胫骨的骨强度,运用实时荧光定量PCR方法检测胸椎、腿软骨组织中骨保护素（OPG）、骨形态发生蛋白-2（BMP-2）、成骨细胞转录因子2（Runx-2）、细胞核因子κB受体活化因子（RANK）、细胞核因子κB受体活化因子配体（RANKL）、肿瘤坏死因子α（TNF-α）基因mRNA表达量的差异。结果显示,与对照组相比添加复方中草药组试验鸡后体重略增加;60日龄时血清中VDR、OT、OPG、ALP含量显著或极显著提高（P<0.05;P<0.01）;肉鸡的胫骨骨强度指标（弹性模量、屈服强度和最大应力）显著增加（P<0.05）,且弹性模量、屈服强度、最大应力3个指标均表现为30日龄高于60日龄,与血液生化指标相符;复方中草药可显著促进OPG、BMP-2、Runx-2基因表达（P<0.05）,显著抑制TNF-α、RANK、RANKL基因表达（P<0.05）。综合试验结果,兼顾活重和骨强度相关指标,复方中草药高剂量组是改善科宝肉鸡骨骼特性最优配方,且中草药复方通过提高血清中VDR、OT、OPG、ALP含量,调控OPG/RANK/RANKL系统维持骨吸收和骨形成两者动态平衡,促进骨形成的重要通路BMP-2/Smads/Runx-2中BMP-2和Runx-2基因的表达,同时抑制TNF-α基因表达,以达到改善科宝肉鸡骨骼特性,最终有效防治肉鸡的骨病。