Retrospective evaluation of factors associated with emergency frequency and survival in equids presenting for emergency care (2019-2020): 3071 cases.

OBJECTIVE: To determine factors associated with frequency and outcome of equid emergencies in private practice. DESIGN: Retrospective study from February 2019 to January 2020. SETTING: Private practice large animal hospital. ANIMALS: A total of 3071 equids of various breeds and ages presenting for emergency care. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Variables included for analysis of daily emergency frequency included day of the week, month, and daily climate data. A Poisson regression model found the maximum temperature (P = 0.05), average barometric pressure (P = 0.005), and decreases in barometric pressure (P = 0.05) were associated with an increasing daily number of emergencies. Overall survival for all emergencies was 89% (2748/3071). Variables included for analysis of nonsurvival for emergencies included signalment, body system, clinical examination findings, laboratory data, and experience of the veterinarian. A logistic regression model for primary emergencies (nonreferral) found that increasing age, increasing heart rate, and decreased gastrointestinal sounds were associated with an increase in nonsurvival. Body system and experience of the veterinarian affected nonsurvival. A logistic regression model for all emergencies (primary and referral) found that absent gastrointestinal sounds and an increasing PCV were associated with increased nonsurvival. CONCLUSIONS: The number of daily emergencies in this practice was affected by the month of the year and day of the week. Additionally, hotter days, increased barometric pressure, or drops in barometric pressure are likely to be associated with a higher emergency caseload. Nonsurvival of primary equid emergencies in private practice increases with age, higher heart rates, and decreased gastrointestinal sounds.

Effects of calcium supplementation to resuscitation fluids in endurance horses: A randomized, blinded, clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: The addition of calcium to resuscitation fluids is a common practice in horses, but studies evaluating the effects of calcium supplementation are limited. In healthy horses, decreases in heart rate and changes in serum electrolyte concentrations have been reported. HYPOTHESIS: Calcium gluconate administration at a rate of 0.4 mg/kg/min to eliminated endurance horses with metabolic problems will affect heart rate, gastrointestinal sounds, and serum electrolyte concentrations. ANIMALS: Endurance horses eliminated from the Tevis Cup 100-mile (160 km) endurance ride for metabolic problems and requiring IV fluid therapy were eligible. METHODS: Sixteen horses were randomly assigned to receive 0.4 mg/kg/min of calcium (23% calcium gluconate solution) over 1 hour diluted in 10 L of a non-calcium containing isotonic crystalloid (CAL group) or 10 L of a non-calcium containing isotonic crystalloid (CON group). Staff members administering the fluids were blinded to treatment group. Blood samples were collected and physical examinations performed before and after treatment. Heart rates were recorded every 15 min during fluid administration. Data were compared using 2-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with repeated measures for continuous variables and Fisher's exact test for categorical variables. RESULTS: Calcium was associated with lower heart rates 45 min after starting the infusion (P = .002). Gastrointestinal sounds were less likely to improve in the calcium group compared with the control group (P = .005). An increase in plasma phosphorus concentration (P = .03) was associated with calcium administration. CONCLUSIONS: Intravenous calcium supplementation to endurance horses eliminated from competition after development of metabolic problems may decrease heart rate but impairs improvement in gastrointestinal sounds.

Ex vivo comparison of single-layer and double-layer laparoscopic closure of equine bladders with 2 types of barbed sutures.

OBJECTIVE: To compare laparoscopic single-layer versus double-layer closure of experimental, full-thickness incisions in adult equine urinary bladders using unidirectional and bidirectional barbed suture. STUDY DESIGN: Experimental, ex vivo, surgical study. SAMPLE POPULATION: Thirty adult equine cadaver urinary bladders. METHODS: Bladders were randomly divided into 5 groups (n = 6): intact controls, bladders sutured with unidirectional or bidirectional barbed suture in a single-layer closure, and bladders sutured with unidirectional or bidirectional barbed suture in a double-layer closure. A 5-cm apical incision was created in each bladder assigned to a suture group, prior to closure in a laparoscopic trainer. After suturing, bursting pressures (BPs) were determined by filling the bladders with saline to failure. Continuous variables were compared among groups using generalized linear modeling with post hoc testing between groups, and categorical variables were compared using Fisher's exact test. Significance was set at P < .05. RESULTS: No difference in BP was detected between treatment groups, all failing at pressures lower than those of intact bladders. The 95% confidence interval for BPs exceeded a physiologically relevant threshold of 30 mm Hg after single-layer or double-layer closure. Irrespective of treatment group, surgical time decreased with experience, and the rate of reduction was greater for the single-layer than the double-layer closures. CONCLUSION: In this ex vivo study, both closure techniques and both suture types appeared to be acceptable for laparoscopic closure of the urinary bladder in adult horses.