Lawsonia intracellularis proliferative enteropathy in a 3.5‐year‐old miniature horse

A 3.5‐year‐old miniature horse gelding was evaluated for signs of colic and decreased faecal production. Initial clinical pathology showed severe hypoproteinaemia with an albumin concentration <10 g/l. Abdominal ultrasound identified multiple loops of small intestine with significantly increased wall thickness. Diagnosis of equine proliferative enteropathy was based on clinical and laboratory findings, as well as a positive faecal polymerase chain reaction and positive antibody titre (>1:240) to Lawsonia intracellularis. Treatment with intravenous oxytetracylcine and additional supportive care gradually resolved the clinical and laboratory abnormalities.     

Diagnostic imaging,surgical treatment and histopathological findings of a vascular hamartoma in a 2‐year‐old horse

We describe a case of a 2‐year‐old mare that presented with a large firm swelling on the lateral aspect of the right tarsus. Diagnostic ultrasound demonstrated a fluid filled cavernous mass that was not clearly demarcated from the surrounding subcutaneous tissue. Contrast radiography with intralesional injection of contrast medium showed accumulation of the medium in the caverns of the mass and in the saphenous vein. Contrast enhanced computed tomography demonstrated 2 vascular meshes, one deep and one more superficially, closely associated with the mass. Surgical excision of the mass was performed and a vascular hamartoma was diagnosed based on histopathology. The horse showed no signs of recurrence 7 months after surgery.     

Soft tissue sarcomas in the pharyngeal region of a 5‐year‐old Quarter Horse mare

This case report describes the identification of multiple soft tissue sarcomas in the pharyngeal region of a 5‐year‐old Quarter Horse mare. Diagnostic work‐up included physical examination, radiography, ultrasonography, endoscopic examination of upper airways and guttural pouch, and post mortem examination with histopathology. Humane euthanasia was indicated due to the chronicity of the condition, prognosis and financial constraints.     

Caecal duplication in a 13‐year‐old Thoroughbred

A 13‐year‐old Thoroughbred gelding was presented for evaluation of recurrent colic of 4 weeks duration. These colic episodes were mild and responsive to medical therapy. Episodes of colic became more frequent and more painful. Exploratory laparotomy revealed a large intestine duplication with a cystic structure located at the caecocolic junction that was unable to be exteriorized and therefore not amenable to surgical correction. Thirty‐six hours following surgery, the horse became acutely painful, sweaty, and febrile suggesting gastrointestinal rupture. Post mortem examination showed a 0.6 × 1 m duplication and a 0.5 × 0.6 m cystic dilation that was probably associated with the caecum. There was a 10 × 30 cm area of rupture located within the duplication. Histological evaluation confirmed the presence of a true duplication.     

Cerebellar abiotrophy in a 6‐year‐old Arabian mare

Cerebellar abiotrophy (CA) is an uncommon neurological disease that most commonly affects Arabian horses. Affected horses are typically identified within the first 6 months of life. Intention tremor, wide based stance and ataxia are common clinical signs observed in affected individuals. No treatment is available for resolution of clinical signs. Definitive diagnosis is based on histopathological examination of cerebellar tissue, which is characterised by loss of Purkinje cell layer. This report describes a case of cerebellar abiotrophy that had a delayed diagnosis until 6 years of age.     

Surgical repair of a mandibular degloving injury in a 5‐month‐old colt

A 5‐month‐old colt sustained a mandibular degloving injury and penetrating cheek wound after catching his cheek on a metal hook. Avulsion of the lower left lip and cheek exposed parts of the underlying labial surface, interalveolar margin and body of the mandible. The injury prevented the colt from closing his mouth completely and food accumulated between the degloved mandible and avulsed soft tissues. Surgical repair included 7 stented, transmandibular mattress sutures placed over the length of the interalveolar margin, closing the dead space and repositioning the avulsed soft tissues. The horse recovered without complications and functional as well as cosmetic outcome were excellent.     

Fibromatous epulis in a Campolina horse

An 11-year-old Campolina horse was referred to the Veterinary Hospital due to the presence of an exophytic mass located in the rostral region of the mandible. Radiographic evaluation showed no evidence of tumour infiltration in the underlying mandibular bone, and the histopathology and immunohistochemical evaluations confirmed the diagnosis of fibromatous epulis. The treatment included surgical excision of the mass, followed by extensive curettage of the underlying mandibular bone. Complete healing of the wound was evidenced 60 days after the procedure; however, relapse was reported by the owner between 1 and 3 years after surgery.     

Resolution of hypertrophic osteopathy in a 2‐year‐old filly

This article reports the successful management of a 2‐year‐old Thoroughbred filly that presented with clinical signs of hypertrophic osteopathy, diffuse granulomatous dermatitis, lethargy and inappetence. An infectious primary focus was suspected due to an elevated white blood cell count (WBC), marked neutrophilia and dramatically increased serum amyloid A (SAA) and plasma fibrinogen levels. After failure to respond to a range of antimicrobial treatments, an actinomycetes bacterial infection, such as Mycobacterium avium or Rhodococcus equi, was suspected and the horse was started on rifampicin and clarithromycin treatment, which resulted in a rapid and pronounced improvement in clinical signs. After 10 weeks of treatment the skeletal manifestations had regressed, both clinically and radiographically, in addition to normalisation of the WBC count, SAA and fibrinogen levels.     

Anaerobic peritonitis caused by Clostridium septicum as a complication of routine castration in a 2‐year‐old Warmblood horse

This case report describes an unusual case of anaerobic peritonitis in a 2‐year‐old horse following castration. The horse was evaluated 2 weeks following castration for signs of acute, severe abdominal pain and swelling surrounding a previous castration site. Physical examination revealed marked scrotal and ventral abdominal oedema that was cool and crepitant upon palpation. Ultrasonographic evaluation was unrewarding because gas shadowing distributed throughout the subcutis prevented imaging of the abdominal cavity. Ventral midline celiotomy revealed a copious amount of malodorous, serosangious, cloudy peritoneal fluid that was submitted for culture. Abdominal exploration revealed the gastrointestinal tract to be in its anatomically correct position. There was diffuse petechiation of the small intestine and large intestine, oedema and crepitant swelling surrounding the left inguinal ring and body wall. The abdomen was lavaged with 10 l of sterile saline prior to closure of the celiotomy and the left castration incision was opened digitally, releasing a large volume of serosanguinous fluid and gas that flowed freely from the incision site and deeper inguinal tissues. The horse was placed in the recovery box where it suffered cardiac arrest. Culture of the peritoneal fluid revealed heavy growth of Clostridium septicum. This case of anaerobic peritonitis represents an unusual complication following castration not previously reported in the horse.     

Management of rostral mandibular fractures in the young horse

Rostral mandibular fractures in the young horse can, in the majority of cases, be managed satisfactorily in the field. A technique for the field assessment and repair of such injuries is described here.     

Caecal lipomatosis as a cause of colic in a 9‐year‐old gelding

Lipomatosis is an uncommon cause of colic. This case report details the pre‐ and intraoperative findings of a 9‐year‐old gelding, presented with acute abdominal pain. Exploratory laparotomy revealed a massive fatty infiltrate involving an extensive portion of the base and mid‐body of the caecum. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of an infiltrative lipomatous lesion of the equine caecum.     

Surgical treatment of a mandibular ameloblastic carcinoma with metastases to the mandibular lymph nodes in a pony

A 4-year-old Connemara filly was presented with a rapidly growing oral mass on the right rostrolateral mandible and a right mandibular lymphadenopathy. Radiographs of the rostral mandible revealed a lytic, infiltrative mass consistent with soft tissue and mineralised material, and displacement of tooth 403. A biopsy showed characteristic histopathological features of an ameloblastic carcinoma. Subsequent FNA of the right abnormally firm and enlarged mandibular lymph node confirmed the metastatic spread. Computed tomography of the head was performed for surgical planning, including sentinel lymph node mapping to rule out other lymph node involvement. An aggressive lesion, consistent with soft tissue of the rostral right mandible was identified with intralesional contrast injection showing drainage of contrast within the right mandibular lymph nodes (Sentinel node). Based on the infiltrative and destructive nature reported in ameloblastic carcinoma in humans, a rostral mandibulectomy was performed, along with complete mandibular lymphadenectomy. The horse recovered uneventfully from surgery. In the early post-operative period marked lymphoedema of the ventral mandibular region was observed, which resolved 4–5 days post-operatively. Optimal cosmesis was maintained post-operatively, and no recurrence has been observed to date – 12 months post-surgery.     

True cementomas (cementoblastomas) associated with a nonvital left maxillary second premolar in an 11‐year‐old miniature horse

An 11‐year‐old miniature horse gelding presented for a left maxillary facial swelling and surgical removal of 2 ovoid mineralised masses located near the tooth roots of the left maxillary second and third premolars. Preoperative radiographs were performed to triangulate the location of the calcified masses for removal, and an oral examination revealed that the left maxillary second premolar was nonvital with multiple feed‐packed pulp exposures. Both the radiographs and oral examination indicated that the mineralised masses were associated with the nonvital second premolar. Therefore, the tooth was extracted intraorally, and the masses were removed via a maxillary trephine dorsal to the extracted tooth. Both masses were submitted for histopathology, which diagnosed the masses as true cementomas (cementoblastomas) with adenomatous hyperplasia of the surrounding nasal glandular tissue.     

Resection of the incisive bone and rostral maxillae for removal of an ossifying fibroma in an 18‐year‐old Warmblood gelding

A 510 kg, 18‐year‐old Warmblood gelding used for high level dressage was presented with a 6 week history of a growing mass at the rostral aspect of the incisive bone. Radiographic examination of the maxillae showed an osteolytic lesion between the left maxillary central and intermediate teeth spreading caudally into the hard palate. Biopsy of the mass was consistent with an aggressive oral fibrosarcoma. Diagnostic work‐up ruled out metastatic lesions. An amputation of the incisive bone and part of the rostral maxillae was performed with the intent of removing the mass in healthy margins. However, the neoplastic tissue extended to the rostral aspect of the ventral nasal conchae and a resection in healthy margins was not performed to avoid surgical complications due to communication with the nasal conchae. After surgery, the horse's appetite and food uptake were not impaired and cosmetic appearance was excellent. Active drains were used in order to prevent any submucosal collection of fluids. Histopathological examination of the surgical margins of the removed maxillae confirmed the presence of tumoural tissue. Even though excision of the tumour was not complete, no macroscopic local recurrence was reported post operatively at 36 months' follow‐up. Based on histological re‐evaluation of the removed tissue and the absence of recurrence a definitive diagnosis of ossifying fibroma was made.     

Mandibular squamous cell carcinoma in a 5‐year‐old Tennessee Walking Horse

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common neoplasm reported in the horse, but occurs rarely in the oral cavity. Clinical signs may be insidious in onset and mimic other non‐neoplastic processes, thus delaying appropriate treatment. Timely evaluation and advanced diagnostic imaging may offer the opportunity to initiate definitive treatment. This report describes a young gelding with mandibular SCC that was evaluated for mandibular swelling failing to respond to symptomatic therapy.     

Cutaneous habronemiasis in a 9‐year‐old Arab gelding in the United Kingdom

Cutaneous habronemiasis causes ulcerative granulating lesions in the skin of equids. Dramatic exuberant tissue may be seen, which becomes traumatised by the horse. To the authors' knowledge, cutaneous habronemiasis has not previously been documented on the distal limb of horses in the UK. Cutaneous habronemiasis should be considered as a potential differential diagnosis for ulcerative granulating skin lesions on the distal limb of the horse.     

Successful treatment of Sarcoptes scabiei in a 33‐year‐old pony with underlying pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction

A pony presented with a severe, chronic dermatitis around the ears, neck and trunk of the body, hind quarters and ventral abdomen. The pony was intensely pruritic as was an in‐contact pony and both owners. A superficial skin scraping demonstrated multiple living mites, identified as Sarcoptes scabiei. Equine pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) was diagnosed as an underlying, potentially immunosuppressive disorder. The pony was treated for Sacroptes scabiei as well as PPID and is doing well 2 months after initial presentation.     

Resection of a premaxilla and rostral portion of the maxilla in a horse

A 5‐year‐old, 520 kg Standardbred mare was admitted for an osteosarcoma of the right premaxilla. Two horizontal incisions of the labial mucosa and lingual surface were made 1 cm around the ulceration from the canine tooth to the premaxillary symphysis. The premaxilla and rostral portion of the maxilla were transected 1 cm caudal to the canine tooth with an oscillating saw. The maxillary symphysis was transected using an oscillating saw and a hammer. The wound was closed by primary intention and healed without complication. The cosmetic appearance of the mare was good. The mare was able to prehend hay and grain and grazed without difficulty and the tongue did not protrude. The neoplasm had not recurred 18 months after the surgery. A premaxilla and rostral portion of the adjacent maxilla can be resected to treat horses for a unilateral lesion of the premaxilla but care must be taken to avoid the palatine and incisive arteries which lie within the interincisive canal.     

Herniation of the small intestine through the femoral canal after castration in a 3‐year‐old Thoroughbred

Complications following castration are a potential problem in equine practice. Intestinal evisceration is a life‐threatening condition requiring immediate correction. The following case report describes a rare condition associated with post castration evisceration in a 3‐year‐old Thoroughbred. Shortly after the eviscerated small intestine was repositioned in the abdomen, the horse showed signs of colic and at the second surgery a 4.5 m jejunal loop was found incarcerated in the femoral canal. After resection and anastomosis, the femoral canal was obliterated using large moistened gauze sponges. The horse made a complete recovery and returned to race training. The occurrence of femoral hernia, a condition fairly common in man, has been described but no clinical cases have been reported in horses. This is a severe, although rare, complication after castration.