A Comparison of Surgical Training with Live Anesthetized Dogs and Cadavers

Cadavers were compared with live anesthetized dogs for their effectiveness as models for surgical training of veterinary medical students. One group of students was trained using cadavers, and a peer group was trained using live anesthetized dogs. Both groups then performed an intestinal anastomosis using a live subject. The time to completion of the procedure was recorded. The anastomoses and celiotomy closures were evaluated. Each anastomosis was isolated and pressure tested. Reviewers blindly scored each surgical team's performance based on actual inspection of the surgical site and on viewing videotapes of the procedure. The participants' attitudes toward the use of live animals in teaching and research were documented before and after training. No statistically significant differences could be detected between the two groups. The results suggest that some substitution of cadavers for live dogs in surgical training might be feasible.     

The incidence and significance of excess acupuncture channel imbalance in the equine sport horse purchase examination, 1999–2004

Prepurchase examinations are commonly used in the evaluation of sport horses. No data have been published concerning the use of traditional Chinese veterinary medical (TCVM) channel palpation with respect to the musculoskeletal status of sport horses for sale. The objective of the study is to summarize the results of channel evaluation when integrated with a Western examination in a series of prepurchase examinations. The prepurchase examination records of 235 sport horses were reviewed. The examined horses were presented as serviceable for the intended use. The examinations were performed by a single observer. The TCVM palpation examination and Western examinations, which often included radiography, infrared thermometry, diagnostic ultrasound, fiberoptic endoscopy, and diagnostic blood screens, were used to further evaluate the musculoskeletal system. The data were used to define the relationship between soundness, lameness, channel imbalance, and sale outcome. Over 6 years, 235 horses were examined. One hundred fifty-six (66%) were sound at their working gaits, and 79 (34%) had observable lameness. Two thirds of lame horses had palpable channel imbalance. Only a quarter of sound horses presented with palpable channel imbalance. Sound horses with no channel imbalance, that is, level channels, were most frequently sold, and lame horses with channel imbalance most frequently were not sold. Significantly more sound horses with level channels were sold as compared with sale outcome of sound horses with unbalanced channels. In conclusion, the TCVM channel examination is a useful component in the integrated prepurchase examination of sport horses.     

Surgical Repair of Mid‐body Proximal Sesamoid Bone Fractures in 25 Horses

Objective— To describe the characteristics of unilateral mid‐body proximal sesamoid bone (PSB) fractures, to determine factors associated with the outcome of horses after surgical repair, and to describe a technique for arthroscopically assisted screw fixation in lag fashion. Study Design— Retrospective case series. Animals— Horses (n=25) with unilateral mid‐body PSB fracture. Methods— Medical records (1996–2006), radiographs, and arthroscopic videos of horses with surgically repaired unilateral mid‐body PSB fractures were reviewed. Retrieved data included signalment, affected limb and PSB, fracture characteristics, and surgical technique. Outcome was established by radiographic assessment of healing and race records; categorical data were analyzed using Fisher's Exact test. Results— Medial forelimb PSBs were most commonly affected (80%). Surgical technique and degree of reduction were significantly associated with outcome; 44% of horses with screw repair and none of the horses with wire fixation raced (P=.047). Factors that may have influenced this outcome were differences in fracture reduction (improved reduction in 22% wire repairs and 88% screw repairs, P=.002) and use of external coaptation (22% wire repair and 88% lag screw repair, P=.002). None of the horses with unimproved reduction raced after surgery. Conclusions— Only 28% of horses with mid‐body PSB fractures raced after surgery. Compared with wire fixation, screw fixation in lag fashion resulted in good reduction and is seemingly a superior repair technique. Clinical Relevance— For mid‐body PSB fractures, arthroscopically assisted screw fixation in lag fashion and external coaptation for anesthesia recovery and initial support provides the best likelihood of return to athletic use.     

RETROSPECTIVE REVIEW OF THE ULTRASONOGRAPHIC FEATURES OF ADRENAL LESIONS IN 21 FERRETS

Clinical signs and follow-up information were recorded. Histopathologic diagnoses were obtained for 25 adrenal glands in 21 ferrets. Adrenal lesions included ten adenocarcinomas, nine adenomas, one hyperplasia and one cortical cyst. Four adrenal glands (all right-sided) were diagnosed as unspecified adrenal tumors but lacked a definite histopathologic diagnosis (adenoma vs. adenocarcinoma) due to incomplete surgical resection and consequent small sample sizes. Bilateral adrenal lesions were identified in 4 ferrets (19%). Adrenal shape, size, echogenicity, laterality, and the presence of vascular invasion were evaluated with ultrasound. Size and shape were variable and not specific to lesion type. Both benign and malignant adrenal tumors (adenomas, adenocarcinomas) appeared most often as masses with increased thickness and a normal length (11/23), less frequently as larger masses with increased thickness and length (4/23) or as nodules focally deforming the normal adrenal shape (6/23). The only cortical cyst appeared as a nodule. Three adrenal glands had a normal size and shape and were diagnosed as adenomas (2) or hyperplasia (1). Therefore treatment may be warranted based solely on clinical signs if adrenal glands are ultrasonographically normal. Vascular invasion was not identified ultrasonographically. However, focal absence of periglandular fat resulting in contact of 8 adrenal glands with either caudal vena cava (6), aorta (1) or liver (1) identified ultrasonographically, correlated with incomplete surgical resectability (6/8) and histopathologic diagnoses of carcinoma (4/8) or unspecified tumors (4/8). Therefore, a focal absence of periglandular fat between the adrenal gland and the large vessels or liver, deviation or compression of the large vessels by the adrenal lesion may indicate malignancy. Adrenal tumors (benign and malignant) were often associated with a prominent uterus, uterine stump or prostate with or without prostatic cysts.     

TOTAL ANOMALOUS PULMONARY VENOUS CONNECTION IN A FOAL

An 8-day-old Arabian-Morgan cross colt underwent cardiac evaluation. The foal was tachycardic, tachypneic, exercise intolerant and had a loud right-sided heart murmur and cyanotic mucous membranes. Total anomalous pulmonary venous connection was diagnosed with echocardiography and confirmed at postmortem examination. Total anomalous pulmonary venous connection is a very rare congenital cardiac abnormality that has not been reported before in the horse.     

ULTRASONOGRAPHIC EVALUATION OF THE FETUS AND INTRAUTERINE ENVIRONMENT IN HEALTHY MARES DURING LATE GESTATION

Mares with uncomplicated pregnancies (n = 33) underwent transabdominal sonography to evaluate fetal well-being, obtain measurements of fetal size and characterize the intrauterine environment. Data from the last examination obtained prior to parturition were used for statistical analysis. All mares had one active fetus with good fetal tone. The maximal vertical depth of amniotic fluid (7.9 ± 3.5 cm) was less than allantoic (13.4 ± 4.4 cm) and fewer echogenic particles were detected in amniotic fluid. The maximal uteroplacental thickness was 1.38 ± 0.23 cm (retrospective) and 1.15 ±± 0.24 cm (propspective). In 3 mares small anechoic spaces were imaged between the uterus and placenta. Fetuses had a regular cardiac rhythm with a mean heart rate of 75 ± 7 beats/minute and breathing movements. The diameter of the fetal aorta (mean = 22.8 ± 2.15 mm) was significantly correlated with neonatal foal weight (P<0.0008, r = 0.72) and maternal prepartum weight (P<0.002, r = 0.86). This information of the normal intrauterine environment and fetal well-being can be used to develop a biophysical profile specific for the equine fetus.     

Use of bethanechol and metoclopramide in horses with duodenitis/proximal jejunitis: 13 cases (1987–1993)

All horses diagnosed with duodenitis/proximal jejunitis (DPJ) at the Texas Veterinary Medican Center between January 1, 1987 and July 1, 1993 were included in a retrospective study to evaluate the therapeutic and prognostic value of bethanechol and metoclopramide as gastrointestinal prokinetic drugs in horses with DPJ treated at our clinic, and to compare the clinical outcome of horses with DPJ treated with these drugs and those with DPJ that were not treated. During the study period, 70 horses diagnosed with DPJ were admitted to the clinic. Of these 70 horses, 18(25.7%) were treated with bethanechol, metoclopramide, or both; 13 of the 18 treated horses received more than one dose of either drug. No adverse effects of treatment with these drugs were noted. A precise therapeutic plan and clinical benefit of bethanechol, metoclopramide, or both coul not be determined from this retrospective study. The use of these gastrointestinal prokinetic drugs in horses with DPJ appeared to have prognostic value. Horses that did not respond to treatment with these gastrointestinal prokinetic drugs within 24 hours were not discharged alive.     

Studies of maternally-acquired antibodies in the foal to equine influenza A1 and A2, and equine rhinopneumonitis

Serum and colostrum were collected from 50 mares at parturition. Pre- and post-nursing serum samples were obtained from their foals. Bi-weekly serum samples were obtained from 25 of the foals for eight weeks. Hemagglutination-inhibiting (HAI) antibody titers to equine influenza viruses A₁ and A₂ (EIVA₁ and EIVA₂) and serum-neutralizing antibody titers to equine herpes virus 1 (EHV₁) were measured in serum and colostrum samples. IgG levels in serum and colostrum were determined.No antibody was detected in any foal's pre-nursing serum sample. Foal post-nursing antibody and IgG levels were equivalent to those measured in their dam's sera (EHVA₁ p=0.86; EHVA₂ p=0.54; EHV₁ p=0.91; IgG p=0.58). The half-life of maternally-acquired serum antibody in the foals was determined to be: EIVA₁=28.88 days (26.4 to 31.7 days); EIVA₂=29.1 days (26.7 to 32.1 days); EHV₁=31.0 days (28.1 to 34.8 days). Colostrum contained antibody and IgG at levels ranging from 2 to 8 times higher (4.3 average) than those detected in the mare's serum.