Effect of gallium maltolate on a model of chronic, infected equine distal limb wounds.

Distal limb wounds are common injuries sustained by horses and their healing is fraught with complications due to equine anatomy, prevalence of infection, and challenges associated with wound management. Gallium is a semi-metallic element that has been shown to possess antimicrobial properties and aid in wound healing in various preclinical models. The effects of Gallium have not been studied in equine wound healing. Therefore, the objective of this study was to compare healing rates between gallium-treated and untreated wounds of equine distal limbs and to demonstrate the antimicrobial effects of gallium on wounds inoculated with S. aureus. Using an established model of equine wound healing we demonstrated beneficial effects of 0.5% topical gallium maltolate on equine wound healing. Specifically we documented reduced healing times, reduced bioburden, and reduced formation of exuberant granulation tissue in wounds treated with gallium maltolate as compared with untreated wounds. Gallium appeared to exert its beneficial effects via its well-described antimicrobial actions as well as by altering the expression of specific genes known to be involved in wound healing of horses and other animals. Specifically, gallium maltolate appeared to increase expression of transforming growth factor-ß in both infected and un-infected wounds. Further work is needed to document the effects of gallium on naturally occurring equine wounds and to compare the effects of gallium with other wound treatment options. These data, however, suggest that gallium may be an attractive and novel means of improving equine distal limb wound healing.

A Retrospective Survey of Injuries Occurring in Dogs and Handlers Participating in Canicross.

OBJECTIVES: Canicross is a popular canine and human cross-country sport. The purpose of this study was to identify the most common injuries, their severity, risk factors and the recovery. METHODS: An internet-based retrospective survey design was used to examine the characteristics of injuries, demographic and competition information and associations with injury rate. RESULTS: A total of 160 surveys were received and indicated that at the time of the survey 21.9% of dogs (35/160) had experienced at least one injury. Lacerations, abrasions and punctures were the most common injury type (22/49), most frequently occurring in the footpads of the forelimb (13/16). The majority of dogs (38/49) recovered from their injuries. Sixty-nine out of 147 of the human handlers experienced injuries while competing; ankle injuries (25/69) and bruises, cuts and grazes (20/69) were the most common injuries. Risk factors for injuries were being a purebred Labrador, dogs running with another dog and additionally competing in agility. CONCLUSIONS: Labradors, dogs running with another dog and dogs also participating in agility competitions were at higher risk for injury. Injuries of the footpads of the forelimb were the most common injuries in dogs. Most dogs had a complete recovery from their injuries. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: This is the first study that gives us insight into injuries occurring in dogs and handlers competing in canicross. This will help making recommendations for this sport as well as enable veterinarians to understand the risks and injuries.

Indications for and outcomes of limb amputation in goats and sheep.

OBJECTIVE To characterize indications for and clinical outcomes of limb amputation in goats and sheep. DESIGN Retrospective case series and observational study. ANIMALS Goats (n = 15) and sheep (7) that underwent partial or complete limb amputation at the University of California-Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital from January 1, 1985, through December 31, 2015. PROCEDURES Medical records of qualifying goats and sheep were reviewed and data extracted regarding signalment, use of animal, characteristics of the amputated limb, duration of hospitalization, outcome, and surgery-associated complications. The Fisher exact test was performed to compare postsurgical complication rates between various groups. RESULTS Reasons for limb amputation included trauma (ie, fracture, dog bite, and wire-fence injury) and infectious or degenerative disease (ie, osteomyelitis and osteoarthritis). Median (range) hospitalization period for goats and sheep was 7.5 days (1 to 63 days) and 8 days (3 to 20 days), respectively. Most (7/9) of the postsurgical complications were noticed > 2 months after amputation and included uncoordinated gait, tendon breakdown and laxity of the contralateral limb, chronic lameness, surgical site infection, chronic intermittent pain, and angular limb deformity. No association was identified between postsurgical complication rate in goats and body weight category (< 20 vs ≥ 20 kg [44 lb]), age category (< 2 vs ≥ 2 years), and amputated limb type (forelimb vs hind limb). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Clinical outcomes for goats and sheep following limb amputation varied and were seemingly case dependent. Amputation should be considered when preservation of the whole limb is not possible. Veterinarians should advise owners that limb amputation may result in various complications and recommend aftercare treatment such as physiotherapy.

Prevalence of lameness and leg lesions of lactating dairy cows housed in southern Brazil: Effects of housing systems.

Within the last few decades, the North American and European dairy industries have been collecting information about lameness and leg injury prevalence on dairy farms and have tried to develop solutions to mitigate these ailments. Few published articles report the prevalence of lameness and leg lesions in areas outside of those 2 regions, or how alternative housing systems, such as compost-bedded packs, affect the prevalence of these maladies. The objectives of this study were to compare the prevalence of lameness and leg lesions on confined dairies that used freestall, compost-bedded packs, or a combination of these 2 systems in Brazil. Data were collected in the autumn and winter of 2016 from 50 dairy farms located in Paraná state, including 12 compost-bedded pack dairies (CB), 23 freestall dairies (FS), and 15 freestall dairies that used compost-bedded packs for vulnerable cows (FS+C). A visit to the farm consisted of a management questionnaire, an inspection of the housing areas as well as the milking parlor, and an evaluation of all lactating cows as they exited the parlor for lameness (score 1-5), hygiene (score 0-2), body condition score (score 1-5), and hock and knee lesions (score 0-1). Median 1-way chi-squared test was used to compare production systems. We found no difference between farm types in management practices related to hoof health management or average daily milk production per cow [31 (29-33.9) kg/d; median (quartile 1-3)], percentage of Holstein cattle in the herd [100% (90-100%)], conception rate [35.8% (30.2-38%)], or pregnancy rate [15% (13.7-18%)]. The CB farms were smaller [85 (49.5-146.5) milking cows] than both the FS [270 (178-327.5) milking cows] and FS+C farms [360 (150-541.5) milking cows). The overall prevalence of severe lameness (score 4 and 5) across all farms was 21.2% (15.2-28.5%) but was lower on the CB farms [14.2% (8.45-15.5%)] in comparison to the FS [22.2% (16.8-26.7%)] and the FS+C farms [22.2% (17.4-32.8%)]. Less than 1% of all cows scored on CB farms were observed with swollen or wounded knees (or both), which was lower than either the FS or FS+C farms [7.4% (3.6-11.9%) and 6.4% (2.6-11.8%) of all cows scored, respectively]. The same pattern was found for hock lesions, where the farm-level prevalence within the 3 different housing types was 0.5% (0-0.9%), 9.9% (0.8-15.3%), and 5.7% (2.6-10.9%) for CB, FS, and FS+C farms, respectively. No differences between farm systems were observed for hygiene or body condition score. On average, 2.7% (0.8-10.9%) of lactating cows had a soiled side, 15.4% (2.1-37.4%) had dirty legs and 1.7% (0-9.3%) had dirty udders. The average herd-level body condition score across farms was 2.9 (2.9-3), with 0.86% of the all cows scored having a body condition score <2.5. These results indicate that lameness prevalence on confined dairies in Brazil is high and highlight the need for remedial changes in environmental design and management practices. We found that CB farms in this region had reduced lameness and lesions in relation to FS or FS+C dairies.

Application of computed tomography and stereolithography to correct a complex angular and torsional limb deformity in a donkey.

OBJECTIVE: To report the evaluation, surgical planning, and outcome for correction of a complex limb deformity in the tibia of a donkey using computed tomographic (CT) imaging and a 3D bone model. STUDY DESIGN: Case report. ANIMALS: A 1.5-year-old, 110 kg donkey colt with an angular and torsional deformity of the right pelvic limb. METHODS: Findings on physical examimation included a severe, complex deformity of the right pelvic limb that substantially impeded ambulation. Both hind limbs were imaged via CT, and imaging software was used to characterize the bone deformity. A custom stereolithographic bone model was printed for preoperative planning and rehersal of the surgery. A closing wedge ostectomy with de-rotation of the tibia was stabilized with 2 precontoured 3.5-mm locking compression plates. Clinical follow-up was available for 3.5 years postoperatively. RESULTS: CT allowed characterization of the angular and torsional bone deformity of the right tibia. A custom bone model facilitated surgical planning and rehearsal of the procedure. Tibial corrective ostectomy was performed without complication. Postoperative management included physical rehabilitation to help restore muscular function and pelvic limb mechanics. Short-term and long-term follow-up confirmed bone healing and excellent clinical function. CONCLUSION: CT imaging and stereolithography facilitated the evaluation and surgical planning of a complex limb deformity. This combination of techniques may improve the accuracy of the surgeons' evaluation of complex bone deformities in large animals, shorten operating times, and improve outcomes.

Effects of changing freestall area on lameness, lying time, and leg injuries on dairy farms in Alberta, Canada.

Cow comfort is of increasing importance in the dairy industry, due to an increased focus on animal welfare. However, whether producer changes to the cows' environment affect cow comfort has not been well characterized. Our objectives were to: (1) quantify the effect of freestall area changes on the prevalence of lameness, leg injuries, and average lying time; and (2) compare cow comfort outcomes on farms that had never had an assessment of cow comfort to farms that had had a previous assessment of cow comfort. A sample of 60 Holstein-Friesian cows were selected on each of 15 farms that made changes to the freestall area after an assessment of cow comfort (change, CHG); 15 farms that did not make changes to the freestall area after an assessment of cow comfort (no change, NC); and 14 farms that had yet to be evaluated (new farms, NF). Cows in NC and NF were lame 1.50 and 1.71 times more often, respectively, than cows on CHG farms. Additionally, daily lying time was 0.33 and 0.62 h/d lower in NC and NF, respectively, than on CHG farms. The prevalence of hock and knee injuries was not different among the 3 groups of farms. No differences were detected in the parameters of interest when comparing NF with NC farms; therefore, we concluded that the NC group was not biased by a previous assessment of cow comfort. Farms in the CHG group had a lower prevalence of lame cows and greater lying time than the NC and NF groups.

Lameness and hock injuries improve on farms participating in an assessment program.

Lameness and hock injuries are recognized welfare and production problems in the dairy industry. The objective of this study was to describe changes in the prevalence of these ailments in 15 freestall herds in the Northeastern United States that participated in an on-farm assessment program. Prevalence was assessed in a high-producing pen in each herd. A confidential report was delivered to each of the farms showing prevalence in relation to other herds assessed within the same region. The average (±SD) period between visits was 11.5 ± 4.4 months (range, 8-25 months). The prevalence of lameness decreased in most herds after the first assessment (mean difference ± SE [range] = -17 ± 4 % [-43 to 6]). An even larger improvement was seen in the prevalence of hock injuries with all farms showing a decrease (-38 ± 6% [-1 to -87]). The degree of improvement observed at the second assessment was greatest for those farms that had higher lameness prevalence when first assessed, but this was not the case for hock injuries. The changes in prevalence of clinical lameness and overall hock lesions were, however, correlated (ρ = 0.62). These results suggest that monitoring and reporting the prevalence of lameness and hock injuries to farmers can motivate changes in facilities and management targeted to address these ailments.

The effects of equine peripheral blood stem cells on cutaneous wound healing: a clinical evaluation in four horses.

Stem-cell therapy represents a promising strategy for the treatment of challenging pathologies, such as large, infected wounds that are unresponsive to conventional therapies. The present study describes the clinical application of peripheral blood stem cells (PBSCs) for the treatment of four adult Warmblood horses with naturally occurring wounds, which were unresponsive to conventional therapies for at least 3 months. A visual assessment was performed, and a number of wound-healing parameters (granulation tissue, crust formation and scar formation) were evaluated. In all cases, tissue overgrowth was visible within 4 weeks after PBSC injection, followed by the formation of crusts and small scars in the centre of the wound, with hair regeneration at the edges. In conclusion, this is the first report of PBSC therapy of skin wounds in horses, and it produced a positive visual and clinical outcome.

Benchmarking cow comfort on North American freestall dairies: lameness, leg injuries, lying time, facility design, and management for high-producing Holstein dairy cows.

In this paper, we describe a novel approach to corporate involvement in on-farm assessment, driven by the desire to provide a service for dairy producers and to create a vehicle for engagement on issues of dairy cow welfare. This program provides producers with feedback on animal-based (including gait score, leg injuries, and lying time) and facility-based (including freestall design, bedding practices, feed bunk design and management, and stocking density) measures that can be used to better address their management goals. The aim of this paper is to describe variation in the prevalence of lameness and leg injuries, lying behavior, facility design, and management practices for high-producing cows on freestall dairy farms in 3 regions of North America: British Columbia (BC; n=42); California (CA; n=39); and the northeastern United States (NE-US; n=40). Prevalence of clinical lameness averaged (mean ± SD) 27.9±14.1% in BC, 30.8±15.5% in CA, and 54.8±16.7% in NE-US; prevalence of severe lameness averaged 7.1±5.4% in BC, 3.6±4.2% in CA, and 8.2±5.6% in NE-US. Overall prevalence of hock injuries was 42.3±26.2% in BC, 56.2±21.6% in CA, and 81.2±22.5% in NE-US; prevalence of severe injuries was 3.7±5.2% in BC, 1.8±3.1% in CA, 5.4±5.9% in NE-US. Prevalence of swollen knees was minimal in CA (0.3±0.6%) but high (23.1±16.3%) in NE-US (not scored in BC). Lying times were similar across regions (11.0±0.7h/d in BC, 10.4±0.8h/d in CA, 10.6±0.9h/d in NE-US), but individual lying times among cows assessed varied (4.2 to 19.5h/d, 3.7 to 17.5h/d, and 2.8 to 20.5h/d in BC, CA, and NE-US, respectively). These results showed considerable variation in lameness and leg injury prevalence as well as facility design and management among freestall farms in North America. Each of the 3 regions had farms with a very low prevalence of lameness and injuries, suggesting great opportunities for improvement on other farms within the region.

Hemipelvectomy in dogs and cats: technique overview, variations, and description.

OBJECTIVE: To review and describe the surgical procedure of hemipelvectomy in dogs and cats. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive report. ANIMALS: Dogs and cats. METHODS: Anatomic surgical technique description and PubMed literature search. RESULTS: Hemipelvectomy is an involved, aggressive surgical procedure that must be tailored to each specific clinical case. Thorough preoperative assessment and planning, as well as considerations for closure options are critical for a successful outcome. Although outcome data are scant, the prognosis after hemipelvectomy correlates to the underlying disease process. Proactive postoperative analgesia and slower return to function are important factors in patient management. CONCLUSIONS: With careful pre- and postoperative planning, hemipelvectomy can be used successfully in dogs and cats. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Hemipelvectomy in the dog and cat is a viable treatment option for selected neoplastic and traumatic conditions.

Necrotising fasciitis associated with Escherichia coli in a dog.

CASE HISTORY: Lameness and limb pain associated with a laceration in the inner thigh of a Border Collie dog progressed over 4 days to extensive necrosis of the full-thickness of skin and subcutaneous (S/C) tissue. A successful outcome was achieved using surgical debridement and intensive supportive care, followed by limited local closure, axial pattern flap development, and free skin grafting. CLINICAL FINDINGS: Clinical findings included severe pain, depression, pyrexia and hypoalbuminaemia, and full-thickness loss of skin from the caudal thigh to the hock. Histopathologically, debrided tissue showed extensive necrosis of the dermis, adipose and muscle tissues, and the presence of numerous Gram-negative rods. Escherichia coli was cultured from deep tissue samples. DIAGNOSIS: Necrotising fasciitis (NF) associated with E. coli infection. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: NF associated with E. coli has not been previously reported in dogs. The importance of early diagnosis and surgical debridement is noted and the relevant medical literature is reviewed.

Computed tomographic features of suspected traumatic injury to the iliopsoas and pelvic limb musculature of a dog.

Computed-tomographic (CT) findings in a dog with acute suspected traumatic injury to the iliopsoas and neighboring pelvic musculature include enlargement of the affected muscles, multifocal intramuscular hypoattenuating areas, and nonuniform contrast enhancement of injured musculature. The CT features are postulated to be the result of intramuscular edema and inflammation, and correspond well to previously described ultrasonographic findings in dogs. Because of the close anatomic association between the femoral nerve and iliopsoas muscle, dogs with suspected iliopsoas injuries should be carefully evaluated for evidence of femoral nerve dysfunction. CT imaging may provide useful information regarding the nature and extent of iliopsoas muscular damage, as well as concurrent injuries in the actuely traumatized patient.

Role of the periosteal flap in chondrocyte transplantation: an experimental study in rabbits.

To determine the role of the periosteal flap in chondrocyte transplantation for the treatment of articular cartilage defects, a cartilage defect was created on the patellar groove of the rabbit knee. The defect was filled with chondrocytes cultured in collagen gel, and was covered with a periosteal flap the cambial layer of which was facing the patella (P group), or facing down against the bone marrow (M group). The same defect was covered with a periosteal flap that was frozen and thawed three times (F group), and an artificial collagen film (C group). At 3 and 6 months, the defects were filled with reparative tissues that showed a smooth surface and resembled hyaline cartilage in the P, M, and F groups. There were no significant differences between the reparative tissues in the three groups histologically, immunohistochemically, biochemically, and biomechanically, although the collagen film fell down into the defect and the reparative tissue had a fibrous tissue-like appearance. These results showed that the periosteal flap does not have a beneficial humoral or cellular effect on the formation of reparative tissue, suggesting that the periosteal flap might act as a mechanical barrier to prevent leakage of grafted chondrocytes.

Horse injuries and racing practices in National Hunt racehorses in the UK: the results of a prospective cohort study.

A prospective cohort study was conducted on horses starting in hurdle and steeplechase races on six UK racecourses in 2000 and 2001. Trainers or carers were questioned on the horses' pre-race routine and observational data were collected in the stables and parade ring. Some practices were common to many starters, such as withholding food and water before racing whereas other practices, such as schooling frequency, were more variable. There was a total of 2879 starts and a total of 83 injuries or medical events (28.8/1000 starts). The commonest types of injury were tendon/suspensory injuries and lacerations/wounds. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify the relationship between predictor variables and the risk of injury. Risk of injury or medical event was associated with distance of the race and weight carried. The risk of injury, excluding medical events, was associated with the speed of the race and foot conformation.

Risk factors and prevalence of injuries in horses during various types of steeplechase races.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the types of injuries sustained by horses that competed in steeplechase races and determine the prevalence of and risk factors for those injuries. DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: 2,680 horses that competed in various types of steeplechase races from 1996 through 2000. PROCEDURE: Data regarding races; environment; equipment problems; the number of horses that entered, started, and finished races; the number of riders that fell; and the number of horses that were slowed or stopped by the rider, ran off the course, fell, and sustained injuries or physical abnormalities during races were collected on a standard form by the official veterinarian who attended each meet. Data from all meets were not recorded; however, in recorded meets, data from every race were reported. RESULTS: Data for 197 hurdle, 65 timber, 76 flat, and 8 mixed races were recorded. Nine (3.4/1,000 horses that started in races) horses died or were euthanatized, and 7 of those were associated with catastrophic musculoskeletal injury. Seven fractures were recorded. Four fractures involved forelimbs, 1 involved a hind limb, and 2 involved the cervical portion of the vertebral column. All horses with fractures were euthanatized. Deep or hard course conditions were associated with an increased risk of breakdown injuries. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Successful development and implementation of strategies to prevent injuries and death in horses in steeplechase races depend on a clear understanding of the types and prevalence of injuries involved and risk factors associated with those injuries.

Use of an ankle-foot orthosis in a dog with traumatic sciatic neuropathy.

Traumatic unilateral sciatic neuropathy secondary to a gunshot wound was diagnosed in a seven-month-old, intact male golden retriever. Findings on neurological assessment, performed after cardiovascular stabilisation, were incompatible with a return to normal limb function. An ankle-foot orthosis was used to correct excessive flexion of the digits and tarsus. This device greatly improved the dog's willingness to ambulate and could serve as an alternative to amputation in companion animals with severe sciatic axonotmesis or neurotmesis. Complications associated with chronic tibiotarsal hyperflexion necessitated a pantarsal arthrodesis one year after initial presentation; the dog also developed cranial cruciate disease in the affected limb three years after the gunshot injury.

The effect of a porcine-derived small intestinal submucosa product on wounds with exposed bone in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of a porcine-derived small intestinal submucosa product (PSIS) on healing time, epithelialization, angiogenesis, contraction, and inflammation of wounds with exposed bone on the distal aspect of the limbs of dogs. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, controlled, experimental study. ANIMAL POPULATION: 10 young adult, purpose-bred, male Beagles. METHODS: Small wounds with exposed bone were created on the lateral aspect of metatarsal V and the medial aspect of metatarsal II on both hindlimbs. Three sheets of PSIS were sutured into the wounds of the treated limb, and the other limb served as a control. On day 10, punch biopsies of the medial metatarsal wounds were collected and were evaluated microscopically after routine hematoxylin and eosin and phosphotungstic acid hematoxylin (PTAH) staining. The lateral metatarsal wounds were evaluated by planimetry and laser Doppler perfusion imaging on days 7, 14, and 21. Time until complete wound healing was also recorded. The level of significance was set at P < or =.05 for all statistical analyses. RESULTS: Laser Doppler perfusion measurements were significantly higher in control wounds on day 7, but no differences were noted on days 14 and 21. No significant differences in planimetric values, histopathologic appearance, or time until complete wound healing were noted among treated and control groups. CONCLUSIONS: No objective differences in healing were noted between control wounds and wounds treated with PSIS. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: There appears to be no contraindication to the use of PSIS on clean wounds with exposed bone on the distal limbs of dogs. However, our objective data provides no evidence that this product affects epithelialization, contraction, or time to complete healing in wounds with exposed bone.