Electrohydraulic Lithotripsy for Treatment of a Cystic Calculus in a Mare

Electrohydraulic lithotripsy performed through a nephroscope was used to fragment an ammonium urate, triple phosphate calculus in a mare. Calculus fragments were lavaged from the bladder. The mare recovered uneventfully and returned to work on the eighth postoperative day.     

Laparoscopic‐assisted tube cystotomy for urethral rupture in a foal

A 10‐day‐old Tennessee Walking Horse colt was hospitalised due to a pelvic urethral tear. After 2 unsuccessful attempts to repair the tear by primary closure, the colt underwent perineal urethroplasty and laparoscopic‐assisted tube cystotomy which permitted complete urine diversion and allowed the urethral tear to heal completely.     

Laparoscopic‐assisted splenectomy in a horse with splenomegaly

This reports describes the surgical management of a horse evaluated for recurrent colic. These frequent colic episodes were attributed by exclusion to an abnormally enlarged spleen (idiopathic splenomegaly). Splenectomy was elected and performed with a laparoscopic assisted technique. The advantages observed by using this surgical approach were a clear view of the visceral aspect of the spleen and consequently an accurate dissection of the hilus of the spleen and associated vasculature. Ultimately the laparoscopic technique allowed the surgeons to reduce the size of the laparotomy incision required to remove the spleen and the overall invasiveness of the procedure. The horse recovered well from the procedure and ultimately returned to the previous level of competitiveness.     

Laparoscopic‐assisted diagnosis of anomalous unilateral abdominal cryptorchidism

This report describes an unusual case of unilateral abdominal cryptorchidism in a Shetland pony. On the cryptorchid side, no testicular structures were present in the inguinal area but testicular/epididymal remnants at the distal end of a pedunculated structure could be discerned in the abdomen at laparoscopic examination. Furthermore, the deferent duct was disconnected from the epididymal remnants and the deferent duct was visible at the caudal aspect of the bladder, traversing over the lateral ligament of the bladder into the vaginal ring where it ended blindly in the vaginal process. After laparoscopic removal of the testicular/epididymal remnants and castration of the contralateral normally descended testicle, the hCG stimulation test was negative and the pony no longer exhibited masculine behaviour.     

Presumptive Iatrogenic Microcystin‐Associated Liver Failure and Encephalopathy in a Holsteiner Gelding

An 8‐year‐old Holsteiner gelding was presented for evaluation of anorexia, obtundation, icterus, and mild colic signs of 48 hours duration. History, physical examination, and initial diagnostics were suggestive of hepatic disease and encephalopathy. Microcystin toxicosis was suspected based on historical administration of a cyanobacteria supplement, associated serum biochemistry abnormalities, and characteristic histopathological changes. Microcystin contamination was confirmed in both supplement containers fed to the horse. Fulminant hepatic failure and encephalopathy progressed resulting in euthanasia. Necropsy findings were consistent with microcystin induced liver failure.     

Tube Cystostomy for Treatment of Obstructive Urolithiasis in Small Ruminants

Tube cystostomy was used to treat 13 goats and two sheep with obstructive urolithiasis. The cystostomy tube was intermittently occluded 3 to 4 days after placement to determine if urine could be voided through the urethra. If the animal showed no discomfort during urination after the cystostomy tube had been occluded for several days, the tube was removed. This procedure was successful in relieving urethral obstruction in 12 animals. The mean time until the animal could urinate freely and until the cystostomy tube was removed was 11.5 and 14.4 days respectively. Follow-up was available for 10 animals; seven were alive with no recurrence of urinary obstruction. One goat died from causes unrelated to urinary obstruction 1 year postoperatively. One goat died from unknown causes, and one goat died after urinary obstruction recurred.     

A Laparoscopic‐Sutured Gastropexy Technique In Dogs: Mechanical and Functional Evaluation

Objective— To describe a laparoscopic‐sutured gastropexy technique in dogs and evaluate the tensile strength of the adhesion and effects on gastric function. Study Design— Experimental study. Animals— Female beagle dogs (n=7). Methods— A laparoscopic‐sutured gastropexy technique was evaluated by ex vivo tensile distraction tests 10 weeks after surgery. The effect of the adhesion on gastric emptying, mucosal permeability, and systemic inflammation were evaluated by monitoring the C‐reactive protein (CRP) and sucrose permeability, and by radiographic evaluation of gastric emptying 2 weeks before and 10 weeks after surgery. Results— Mean (±SD) tensile force to disrupt adhesions was 51.1±16.4 N. There was no significant postoperative increase in CRP concentration or change in sucrose permeability. The area under the curve representing the postprandial decrease in gastric radiographic area increased by 11% after gastropexy. Conclusions— This laparoscopic gastropexy technique had appropriate mechanical and functional characteristics with limited morbidity. Clinical Relevance— This laparoscopic‐sutured gastropexy provides adhesion strength comparable with other gastropexy techniques tested at 10 weeks postoperatively. Only minor changes in gastric emptying were observed 10 weeks after surgery.     

Conservative Management of a Cervical Vertebral Fracture in a Gelding

The presentation, diagnostic evaluation, treatment, and 5 years follow-up of a 12-year-old Arabian-Saddlebred cross gelding with neck pain and stiffness, attributable to a fracture of the third cervical vertebrae (C3), is described. Initial cervical spinal radiographs revealed a concave defect in the ventral aspect of the cranial end plate of C3. However, both this finding and ultrasonographic imaging of the area were inconclusive for a fracture. Nuclear scintigraphy revealed that the lesion was metabolically active, prompting computed tomographic imaging that revealed a fracture of C3. Sequential radiographs documented progressive fusion of C2-C3 and no neurological deficits developed over the 5 years after the injury. Cervical vertebral injuries in horses can lead to various clinical signs including ataxia, weakness, and neck stiffness or pain. Diagnosis with cervical radiographs alone can be challenging and, in some cases as the horse in this report, multiple imaging modalities may be required to establish a definitive diagnosis. Horses without neurological signs may recover successfully with conservative medical management, which was performed in this case.