Arthrodesis of the Distal Intertarsal and Tarsometatarsal Joints in the Horse

Arthrodesis created by destruction of the articular surfaces of the distal intertarsal and tarsometatarsal joints by repeated insertion of a drill was studied in one limb of each of nine horses. Postoperatively, the horses were housed in box stalls for 8 weeks and then confined to a paddock for 19 weeks. Clinical and radiographic evaluations were performed prior to surgery, immediately following surgery, and at 2,4, 6, 8,10,12,16, 20, and 27 weeks following surgery. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between decreasing degree of lameness and increasing radiographic evidence of bony fusion; fusion of the distal intertarsal and tarsometatarsal joints was present in five horses 27 weeks after surgery. The horses lost weight during the first 8 weeks after surgery. Flexion of the treated tarsal joints was decreased significantly at the end of the experiment.
Complications encountered included fracture of the third tarsal bone (five horses), instability of the tarsus (four horses), septic arthritis (three horses), and diarrhea (four horses).
Arthrodesis, with this method of surgical drilling of the distal intertarsal and tarsometatarsal joints, is not recommended because of severe pain, prolonged convalescence, and high incidence of complications.     

Alopecia areata in Eringer cows

Alopecia areata is a hair loss disorder in humans, dogs and horses with a suspected autoimmune aetiology targeting anagen hair follicles. Alopecia areata is only sporadically reported in cows. Recently, we observed several cases of suspected alopecia areata in Eringer cows. The aim of this study was to confirm the presumptive diagnosis of alopecia areata and to define the clinical phenotype and histopathological patterns, including characterization of the infiltrating inflammatory cells. Twenty Eringer cows with alopecia and 11 Eringer cows without skin problems were included in this study. Affected cows had either generalized or multifocal alopecia or hypotrichosis. The tail, forehead and distal extremities were usually spared. Punch biopsies were obtained from the centre and margin of alopecic lesions and normal haired skin. Histological examination revealed several alterations in anagen hair bulbs. These included peri‐ and intrabulbar lymphocytic infiltration, peribulbar fibrosis, degenerate matrix cells with clumped melanosomes and pigmentary incontinence. Mild lymphocytic infiltrative mural folliculitis was seen in the inferior segment and isthmus of the hair follicles. Hair shafts were often unpigmented and dysplastic. The large majority of infiltrating lymphocytes were CD3⁺ T cells, whereas only occasional CD20⁺ lymphocytes were present in the peribulbar infiltrate. Our findings confirm the diagnosis of T‐cell‐mediated alopecia areata in these cows. Alopecia areata appears to occur with increased frequency in the Eringer breed, but distinct predisposing factors could not be identified.     

Arthroscopy of the Coxofemoral Joint of Foals

An arthroscopic procedure for examination of the coxofemoral joint was developed in nine foals (four cadavers, five anesthetized) to determine if access was sufficient for evaluation and surgical treatment of intra-articular lesions. The joint was distended and the arthroscope inserted through the notch (incisura trochanterica) between the cranial and caudal parts of the greater trochanter. This portal allowed examination of the cranial, lateral, and caudal aspects of the joint. Mechanical distraction of the joint through an instrument portal located 2 to 4 cm cranial and 1 to 2 cm ventral to the arthroscope portal allowed examination of the ligament of the head of the femur, the femoral head, and articular and nonarticular surfaces of the acetabulum. Adduction and rotation of the limb improved visualization of the craniomedial and caudomedial portions of the femoral head. Traction applied to the distal limb allowed visualization of the same structures that were observed when mechanical distraction was used. Traction also created space for placement of surgical instruments into the joint through the instrument portal. Access to most regions of the joint was adequate, but access to the caudal and medial aspects of the joint was limited. Three foals were killed while they were anesthetized, and their coxofemoral joints were dissected. Two foals were allowed to recover from anesthesia and were observed for 30 days after surgery. One foal was mildly lame for 2 days after surgery. The other foal was not lame after surgery. The incisions healed, and the coxofemoral joints were radiographically normal by postoperative day 30.     

Wirksamkeit des Kieselgurpräparates Dryacide® gegen vorratsschädliche Insekten

The diatomaceous earth (DE) Dryacide^® was tested under laboratory conditions on surfaces (2 g DE/m²) and in wheat grain (3 kg DE/t wheat) at a relative humidity of 70±5% and a temperature of 22±1°C. The wheat had a moisture content of 14.5%. The effect of surface treatments was tested onEphestia kuehniella, Oryzaephilus surinamensis, Tenebrio molitor andTribolium castaneum. The efficacy of grain treatments was determined usingEphestia elutella, O. surinamensis, Sitophilus granarius andTribolium confusum. In both treatments adult and larval stages were included.100% mortality were reached with the surface treatments in adults and larvae ofO. surinamensis and the adults ofT. molitor andE. kuehniella after an exposition time of 3–9 days. AgainstT. castaneum and the larvae ofT. molitor andE. kuehniella no complete control could be achieved.In the grain treatments the dosage of 3 kg DE/t wheat reached 100% mortality in all tested pests exceptS. granarius. Most sensitive wereO. surinamensis andE. elutella. InT. confusum the adults died within 13 days of treatment, but for complete control of the larvae 13 weeks were necessary. AgainstS. granarius the silica dust showed no satisfactory efficacy, because 49 days after beginning of the examinations beetles of the progeny hatched. Dryacide^® could not prevent the reproduction of the granary weevil, but there was a lower number of progeny compared to the untreated control.