Endometrial cysts in the mare

Endometrial cysts are a contributing factor to subfertility in the mare. This article is a review of incidence, pathogenesis, clinical significance, diagnostics, and current treatments available.     

Use of transesophageal echocardiography for visualization of the patent ductus arteriosus during transcatheter coil embolization

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) enhances our ability to see the patent ductus arteriosus in the dog. The improved visualization may potentially improve our ability to perform transcatheter coil embolization in patients that are more likely to have a successful outcome. This report uses still and video images to detail the specifics of coil embolization as performed with the assistance of TEE and compares the images with those of angiography, surgery and postmortem examination.     

When, how and why to perform a double ballooning technique for dogs with valvular pulmonic stenosis

Pulmonic valvuloplasty is a well-established method for the treatment of valvular pulmonic stenosis in people and dogs. In dogs, pulmonic valvuloplasty has been restricted to a single balloon; however, the simultaneous use of two balloons is common in pediatric cardiology. The use of two balloons provides an alternative to the use of a single large balloon in small dogs with a pulmonic anulus size that requires a large dilation catheter and large diameter introducer. Moreover, double balloon valvuloplasty permits dilation in large dogs with large pulmonic anulus sizes for which standard dilation catheters are not available. This report outlines the materials required, describes the technique, gives the advantages and disadvantages encountered when performing percutaneous double balloon valvuloplasty and provides some ‘tips’ for a successful outcome.     

Comparison of two insulin protocols for diabetic dogs undergoing cataract surgery

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of two insulin doses to maintain an acceptable range of blood glucose concentrations (70–200 mg dL^?1) in the peri‐operative period in diabetic dogs. Animals Twenty‐four diabetic dogs with a median weight of 20.6 kg and a median age of 8 years old. Methods The dogs were randomly assigned to receive either 25 or 100% of their normal insulin dose subcutaneously on the morning of surgery. The anesthetic and feeding protocols were standardized. On the day before surgery, venous blood was collected for measurement of β‐hydroxybutyrate, cholesterol, glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, hematocrit, total plasma protein and urea nitrogen. On the day of surgery, blood glucose concentrations were measured prior to anesthesia, prior to the start of surgery, 1 and 2 hours after beginning of surgery, 1 hour after extubation, at 16 : 00 hours and at 20 : 00 hours. β‐hydroxybutyrate concentrations were measured at 20 : 00 hours that day. At 08 : 00 hours the following day, β‐hydroxybutyrate and glucose concentrations were measured. The significance of differences between groups was tested with Wilcoxon's two‐tailed rank‐sum test, Chi‐square test and Fisher's exact test. Results There were no differences in insulin treatments, clinical signs, concurrent diseases and most clinicopathological parameters between the two groups of dogs at entry to the study. The 25% dose group had blood glucose values of 296 (102–601) mg dL^?1 at 16 : 00 hours and 429 (97–595) mg dL^?1 at 20 : 00 hours on the day of surgery. The 100% insulin dose group had lower corresponding values of 130 (55–375) mg dL^?1 (p = 0.04) and 185 (51–440) mg dL^?1 (p = 0.004). No other differences (p < 0.05) were detected between the two groups. Conclusions The administration of a full dose of insulin is only marginally advantageous for reducing glucose to normal (70–120 mg dL^?1) after anesthesia but neither dose consistently induced glycemic values in an acceptable range (70–200 mg dL^?1) or normoketonemia. Clinical relevance Blood glucose should be measured immediately before anesthesia and periodically throughout the peri‐operative period in all diabetic dogs because presurgical subcutaneous administration of 25 or 100% of the normal insulin dose resulted in unpredictable blood glucose concentrations.     

Ultrasonography of the equine elbow technique and normal appearance

This study was intended to document normal ultrasonographic appearance of the equine elbow and anatomic landmarks useful in clinical imaging. Both forelimbs of five equine cadavers and both forelimbs of six live adult horses were used (4 Arabian-Barbes, 3 Arabs, 2 Anglo-Arabs, 1 Selle Français, 1 Anglo-Hispano-Arab, three to 18 years old). To facilitate the reading of the scans, a zoning system was developed for some anatomic structures. Ultrasonography was performed with a real-time B-mode semi-portable sector scanner using 7.5 & 5 MHz transducers. On one cadaver limb, MRI was performed on a system at 1.5 Tesla, T1 weighted spin echo, TR of 475 msec, RE of 15 msec, image matrix size 179 × 256 pixels. Ultrasonography images were compared with gross anatomy and with MRI scans to provide the normal ultrasonographic representation of the equine elbow. The lateral collateral ligament, the triceps brachii tendon with its subtendinous bursa, the proximal tendon of the ulnaris lateralis and the articular cartilage of the humeral trochlea were easy to examine ultrasonographically. The medial collateral ligament and the distal biceps brachii tendon required more expertise to assess. Ultrasonographic appearance and course of these structures are described. The 7.5 MHz transducer was best to be used. Ultrasonographic findings correlated well with MRI scans and with gross anatomy in the cadavers' limbs.     

The effect of aerobic exercise after a period of inactivity on bone remodeling and calcium and phosphorus balance in mature horses

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of aerobic training after a sedentary period on bone remodeling and Ca and P balance and serum concentrations in varying ages of mature horses. Eighteen stock-type geldings were blocked into three age groups (6 to 10, 11 to 15, and 16 and older years of age), within two groups of nine, with horses randomly assigned to one of two exercise treatments, exercised for 112 days (control) or idle for 56 days followed by 56 days of exercise (treated). Blood samples were taken at the beginning of period I and at 14-day intervals thereafter to determine serum concentrations of osteocalcin (OST), Ca, and P. Dorsal-palmar and lateral-medial radiographs were taken of the left third metacarpal bone on days 0, 56, 84, and 112 to monitor changes in bone density. Total fecal and urine collections were taken for 72 hours on days 0, 56, and 112. Mean serum OST concentrations were affected by treatment (P<.02), time (P<.001); and the interactions of treatment and age (P<.003), time and treatment (P<.001), and time, treatment, and age (P<.001). Overall dorsal (DBRAE), palmar (PRBAE), and medial (MRBAE) RBAE means were affected by time (P<.001), as was overall lateral (LRBAE) RBAE mean (P<.005). Overall DBRAE and PRBAE means were lower (P<.04) at day 56, and higher at day 84 (P<.02) and 112 (P<.001) as compared to day 0. Mean serum Ca concentration was affected by treatment (P<.003) and time (P<.001). Mean serum P concentration was affected by the interaction of time and treatment (P<.001). Mean apparent daily Ca balance was affected bythe interaction of time, treatment, and age (P<.03). Mean apparent daily P balance was affected by treatment (P<.02) and time (P<.001). Biochemical and radiographic data from this experiment suggest that bone remodeling as well as Ca and P balance and serum concentrations are affected by age, inactivity, and exercise in mature horses.