Surgical Closure of Equine Abdomen, Prevention, and Management of Incisional Complications.

Although rarely fatal, complications of ventral midline laparotomy incision in equine patients increase hospitalization cost and duration and may jeopardize return to athletic function. Therefore, many techniques have been developed to reduce their occurrence and expedite their resolution when they occur. Our technique of celiotomy incision closure includes the use of tension sutures (vertical U mattress) of polyglactin 910 on the linea alba, which is then apposed by polyglactin 910 interrupted sutures or a simple continuous pattern suture with a stop midway before routine closure of the superficial layers. The celiotomy incision is protected by an elastic bandage during the immediate postoperative period. This technique has been associated with favorable results: 5.3% confirmed incisional infections after a single celiotomy and 26.7% after repeat celiotomy. The overall incisional complication (serous/sanguineous discharge, hematoma, infection, hernia formation, and complete wound breakdown) occurrence was 9.5% and 33.3% after single and repeat laparotomy, respectively. In cases considered more susceptible to infection (early relaparotomy or laparotomy incisions longer than 30 cm), negative pressure therapy was found easy to apply on closed incisions. No detrimental effects were observed. However, the potential prophylactic benefit of this therapy needs to be confirmed in a larger group. In infected laparotomy wounds requiring drainage, the use of negative pressure therapy seemed to have a positive effect on the formation of granulation tissue. However, there was no control group to allow statistical confirmation. Finally, one case of complete breakdown of the laparotomy incision was managed by stainless steel retention sutures, the application of negative pressure therapy, and a hernia belt. At re-evaluation 15 months post-surgery, several small hernias were detected, but the horse had returned to his previous level of sports performance and had not shown any episode of colic.

Evaluation of Blood Lactate, Heart Rate, Blood Pressure, and Shock Index, and Their Association with Prognosis in Calves.

Diseases in young calves received as emergencies are often associated with hypovolemic and/or septic shocks. The objectives of our study were to (1) assess the correlation between clinical hemodynamic parameters and blood L-lactates (LAC), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and the shock index (SI) recorded upon arrival; and (2) to evaluate how these parameters were related to short-term outcomes in calves under 4 months of age presented as emergencies. We conducted a single-observer prospective observational study on calves aged from 1 day to 4 months, presented to the Veterinary Clinic for Ruminants of Liège from December 2020 to May 2022. Forty-five calves were included in the study. The statistical analysis revealed a significant correlation between LAC and heart rate (r = 0.570; p < 0.05) and LAC and SI (r = 0.373; p < 0.05). A high LAC value at admission was significantly associated with a negative outcome (death) (p < 0.05). In calves suffering from obstructive digestive diseases, the SI was related to the outcome and the analysis indicated a cut-off value of 1.13 (Se = 0.77, Spe = 1). In conclusion, in our study, the initial blood L-lactate value was correlated with heart rate, the shock index, and the clinical shock score, and admission hyperlactatemia was associated with a poor prognosis in calves under 4 months of age. In this cohort, the shock index in calves suffering from digestive diseases was linked with mortality.

Clinical findings, surgical techniques, prognostic factors for short-term survival and long-term outcome in horses with acquired inguinal hernias: Ninety-eight cases (2005-2020).

OBJECTIVE: To report findings, outcome and determine variables associated with survival in horses with acquired inguinal hernia (AIH). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: A total of 98 cases in 97 horses. METHODS: The medical records (2005-2020) of horses diagnosed with AIH were reviewed. Retrieved data included signalment, history, clinical variables, surgical aspects, postoperative complications, and short- and long-term outcomes. Logistic regression analyses were used to determine factors associated with short-term survival (p < .05). RESULTS: Manual reduction was attempted in a third of the cases (32/98, 33%) and emergency surgery to reduce the hernia was performed in 64 of 98 (65%) cases. Concurrent small intestinal (SI) volvulus was identified in 26 (26/98, 27%) cases. Castration was the most common technique used to prevent recurrence (64/94, 68%). Overall AIH recurrence rate was 11% (11/98). A total of 59 (59/98, 60%) cases survived to hospital discharge and 49 of 52 (94%) cases were still alive after 12 months. Cases admitted within 10 h of colic signs had increased odds of survival (72%) compared to those admitted after 10 h (26%; p < .001). Draft breeds (p = .021), high heart rate on admission (p = .001) and concurrent SI volvulus (p = .048) were associated with reduced survival to hospital discharge. CONCLUSIONS: Horses with AIH had a higher risk of concurrent SI volvulus and lower survival than reported. Draft breeds, high heart rate on admission and concurrent SI volvulus were associated with reduced short-term survival. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The results of this study should help in prognostication for horses with AIH.

Subconjunctival autologous muscle-derived mesenchymal stem cell therapy: A novel, minimally invasive approach for treating equine immune-mediated keratitis.

OBJECTIVE: To establish the safety of subconjunctival injections of autologous muscle-derived mesenchymal stem cells (mdMSCs) in healthy horses and to evaluate their effect in four horses (six eyes) with severe chronic equine immune-mediated keratitis (IMMK) that was unresponsive to medical treatments. METHODS: MdMSCs were cultured from minimally invasive muscle biopsies. In the safety group, four healthy horses received two subconjunctival injections of 2.5 and 5 million cells, respectively, at 1-month interval, to the same eye. Ocular side effects were monitored for 1 month following each injection. In the treatment group, six eyes received four to seven subconjunctival mdMSCs injections (2.5 or 5 million cells per injection) every 4 weeks, approximatively. Medical treatment was discontinued 1 week before and throughout the entire treatment period. A scoring system was used to assess the evolution of the ocular lesions. RESULTS: In the safety group, all horses exhibited mild to moderate chemosis and conjunctival hyperemia at the injection site, lasting 24-48 h. In the treatment group, all eyes initially responded positively to therapy, with a reduction in lesion scores observed after the first injection. Four eyes achieved control of the lesions with repeated injections during the 9.2 months of follow-up. CONCLUSION: The first subconjunctival injection of mdMSCs resulted in improvement of the ocular lesions. Repeated injections were found to be safe, minimally invasive and showed promise in managing refractory cases of equine IMMK. Further studies are warranted to demonstrate the long-term benefits of these injections and to optimize the therapeutic protocol.

Ultrasonographical Assessment of Caudal Vena Cava Size through Different Views in Healthy Calves: A Pilot Study.

Ultrasonographic measurements of the caudal vena cava (CVC) and aorta (Ao) are known as reliable tools to assess intravascular volume status in humans. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of obtaining ultrasonographical measurements of CVC and Ao in two different views, assess intra- and interobserver variability, and study the effect of sex, age, body weight, and breed on measurements in healthy calves. The diameter and area of CVC and Ao were measured by a single investigator in two anatomic sites (subxiphoid and paralumbar window) in 48 calves aged less than 60 days and then repeated 2.5 months after the first assessment. For intra- and interobserver variability assessment, CVC and Ao measurements were repeated by three observers on five randomly selected calves. CVC and Ao measurements were easily obtained in PV and more difficult to obtain in SV. CVC and Ao area in PV showed high repeatability and reproducibility. A positive correlation was highlighted between age and CVC and Ao measurements in both sites. In conclusion, CVC size assessment by point of care ultrasound can be easily performed at a paralumbar site in calves under 4 months of age and could be used to assess intravascular volume status.

Equine Suture Exostosis: A Review of Cases from a Multicenter Retrospective Study.

Suture exostosis is an intriguing and not uncommon pathology that has to be included in the differential diagnosis for horses with swelling of the head. Although several singular case reports have been published, no large case series is available. The aim of this study is to report a multicentric retrospective collection of suture exostosis cases. Data concerning horses with suture exostosis in the facial region were collected retrospectively. Information regarding breed, age, gender, history, imaging findings, initiated treatment, response to treatment and follow up was recorded. One hundred and five cases of various breeds were reported. Analysis revealed the cases could be grouped into four entities: 45 developed following sino-nasal surgery, 23 following trauma, seven with underlying sinus pathology and 25 idiopathic. Treatment consisted of sequestra removal, plate fixation, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory drugs or no treatment. Whereas initial localized pain fades within few days or weeks, resolution or reduction of the swelling was obtained in most cases after 3 months to 1.5 years. The etiopathogenesis of suture exostosis seems to consist of different entities. Identification of an underlying cause, particularly the presence of a bone sequester and infection is important to speed up resolution and before concluding an idiopathic case. When performing sinusotomies, it is important to provide as little trauma as possible to the surgical site in order to prevent suture exostosis as a complication.

Complications associated with closure of the linea alba using a combination of interrupted vertical mattress and simple interrupted sutures in equine laparotomies.

OBJECTIVES: (1) Evaluate the occurrence and variables associated with incisional morbidities (IMs) after ventral median laparotomy when using interrupted vertical mattress sutures (IVMS) and (2) determine the occurrence of abdominal bandage-associated complications in horses. METHODS: Occurrence of IM and bandage-associated complications were determined after single laparotomies (SL group; n=546 horses) and repeat laparotomies (RL group: multiple laparotomies within four weeks; n=30 horses) in horses that survived ≥7 days postoperatively. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression were performed to evaluate variables associated with IM. RESULTS: The IM rate was 9.52 per cent in the SL group and 33.33 per cent in the RL group. The actual infection rate was 5.31 per cent in the SL group and 26.67 per cent in the RL group. Overall, long-term clinically relevant wound complications was 1.68 per cent. After multivariate analysis, increased anaesthesia duration was associated with IM and performing an enterotomy and postoperative intravenous lidocaine administration were associated with incisional infection in the SL group; no parameter remained significant in the RL group. Bandage-related complications were recorded in 2.95 per cent of the cases. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the use of IVMS for closure of the linea alba is another viable option for closure and that an abdominal bandage does not appear to cause significant complications.

Mesh closure of epiploic foramen by ventral laparotomy in 17 horses with entrapment.

BACKGROUND: Epiploic foramen entrapment (EFE) of small intestine is a severe cause of strangulating small intestinal obstruction (SSI) with long-term survival seeming lower than for other causes of SSI in horses. Different techniques via laparoscopy or laparotomy for epiploic foramen (EF) closure have been developed. METHODS: This study describes a technique of peroperative mesh closure of the EF in clinical cases and their long-term follow up. RESULTS: In the study period of 5.5 years, 36 horses were admitted to the clinic with EFE. Of these, 17 horses had peroperative mesh closure, with resection anastomosis in 4 cases and enterotomy in 4 other cases. Fifteen of these survived to discharge. Long-term follow-up (one to three years, median three years) was favourable in all 15 horses not showing recurrence of EFE nor other related signs of colic. Laparoscopic evaluation of the EF was performed in two cases and showed integration of the mesh. One horse was euthanased 3.5 years after mesh placement for an unrelated cause and the mesh was well adherent obliterating the EF. CONCLUSION: Mesh closure of EF during emergency coeliotomy did not cause short-term complications even in horses with resection or enterotomy and may reduce the risk of recurrence of EFE in horses.

Nephrosplenic space closure significantly decreases recurrent colic in horses: a retrospective analysis.

BACKGROUND: Nephrosplenic space closure is commonly used to reduce relapse of nephrosplenic space entrapment in cases of left dorsal displacement of the left colon (LDDLC). Nevertheless, studies documenting the effectiveness of this surgery are sparse in the literature. The aim of this study was to analyse clinical data of horses presented for LDDLC and evaluate the effect of nephrosplenic space closure on the incidence of colic recurrence. METHODS: Medical records of 156 horses diagnosed with LDDLC at the Equine Clinic of the University of Liège between 2004 and 2016 were retrieved for analysis. Extracted data included horse breed, sex, age and weight, initial treatment, and if a subsequent preventive surgical closure of the nephrosplenic space was carried out or not. Follow-up information was obtained by telephone interview. Statistical analyses were performed using a chi-squared test with significance set at P<0.05. RESULTS: Follow-up data were available for 65 per cent of horses. The mean follow-up was 35 months. There was a significant decrease in the total incidence of colic after closure surgery compared with non-operated horses. No horse was diagnosed with LDDLC after closure of the nephrosplenic space. CONCLUSION: Closure of the nephrosplenic space significantly decreases recurrent colic in horses compared with non-operated horses.

Gastrointestinal effects of general anaesthesia in horses undergoing non abdominal surgery: focus on the clinical parameters and ultrasonographic images.

The ultrasonographic images of the gastrointestinal tract in horses can be influenced by fasting and sedation but the proper effect of general anaesthesia (GA) on them has not been determined yet. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of GA on ultrasonographic images of the gastrointestinal tract in horses and to compare these effects with a clinical evaluation. Twenty horses undergoing non-abdominal surgeries were evaluated by ultrasonography before and 4 times within 24 h after GA. Each ultrasonographic exam focused on the stomach, the duodenum and on 5 locations on the jejunum. The four-quadrant auscultation and the postoperative faecal output were also recorded. Pre and post anaesthetic values were compared using linear mixed effects models. None of the horses presented colic signs or reduced faecal output. During the first 2 post anaesthetic evaluations, the gut sounds were significantly decreased and, when taking all jejunal locations together, the jejunal diameter and visualisation frequency significantly increased. No intestinal loop appeared thickened and most of their diameters remained within the normal range. Our results suggest that the effects of GA on the ultrasonographic images of the small intestine are mild and of short duration and can therefore be differentiated from a pathological process.

B-mode and power Doppler ultrasonography of the equine suspensory ligament branches: A descriptive study on 13 horses.

Ultrasonography is routinely used to achieve the diagnosis of equine suspensory ligament desmopathy. In human medicine, power Doppler ultrasonography has also been found to be useful for the diagnosis of tendon/ligament injuries. The aim of this prospective, pilot study was to assess the presence or absence of power Doppler signal in suspensory ligament branches and compare B-mode findings with power Doppler findings in suspensory ligament branches of lame and non-lame limbs. Thirteen horses were used (eight lame horses, with lameness related to pain in the suspensory ligament branches, and five non-lame horses). Ten lame limbs and 24 sound limbs were assessed by B-mode and power Doppler ultrasonography. The severity of power Doppler signal was scored by two independent readers. The B-mode ultrasonographic examination revealed abnormalities in branches of lame limbs and in branches of sound limbs. Suspensory ligament branches that were considered normal in B-mode showed no power Doppler signal. However, power Doppler signal was detected in suspensory ligament branches that were abnormal in B-mode, both in lame and sound limbs. Power Doppler scores were subjectively higher in suspensory ligament branches of lame limbs and in branches with more severe B-mode changes. Findings supported the use of power Doppler as an adjunctive diagnostic test for lame horses with suspected suspensory desmopathy.

Modified Thomas splint-cast combination for the management of limb fractures in small equids.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the management and outcome of limb fractures in small domestic equids treated with a modified Thomas splint-cast combination (MTSCC). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: Client owned horses and donkeys. METHODS: Medical records, including radiographs, were reviewed for details of animals diagnosed with a limb fracture and treated by external coaptation using a MTSCC (2001-2012). Follow-up >6 months after discharge was obtained via telephone consultation with owners or veterinarians. RESULTS: Nine horses and 4 donkeys were identified with fractures of the tibial diaphysis (n = 4), ulna (n = 3), distal metatarsus (n = 2), proximal metacarpus (n = 1), radial diaphysis (n = 1), calcaneus (n = 1), and distal femoral physis (n = 1). Follow-up was available for 12 equids, of which 8 (67%) recovered from the fracture and became pasture sound. Six equids developed obvious external deformation of the affected limb. CONCLUSION: Selected small equids with long bone fractures, and without athletic expectations, can be managed with external coaptation using an MTSCC. The owner should be informed that the treatment is considered a salvage procedure.

Assessment of systemic inflammation by time-trends of blood granulocyte count and plasma myeloperoxidase and elastase concentrations following colic surgery in horses.

OBJECTIVE: To determine changes in blood granulocyte counts and in plasma myeloperoxidase (MPO) and elastase (ELT) concentrations in surgical colic cases, and to determine the relationship between these changes and the surgical procedure performed, occurrence of postoperative ileus, and final outcome. DESIGN: Prospective clinical study conducted over a 12-month period. SETTING: University teaching hospital. ANIMALS: Fifty-three horses undergoing emergency laparotomy and surviving at least 12 hours postoperatively. INTERVENTIONS: Blood samples were taken before surgery, during surgery, at the recovery from anesthesia, and then serially until the 150th hour after the first blood sampling. Granulocyte counts were performed by an automated cell hematology analyzer. Specific ELISAs were performed for the MPO and ELT measurements. Mixed models were used to compare the time-trends of the 3 parameters. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Taking all horses together, the time-trends of MPO and ELT were not significantly different from each other, but they were significantly different from the granulocyte time-trend. The type of surgical procedure did not influence the time-trends of the 3 parameters. Significant changes in the granulocyte time-trends were associated with postoperative ileus and outcome. Significant changes in the MPO time-trends were associated with outcome. The ELT time-trends were not influenced by ileus or outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Granulocyte counts and MPO change over time and are related to the severity of the inflammatory reaction in surgical colic cases. These time-trends may allow evaluation of treatment efficacy in an effort to modulate excessive granulocyte activation and degranulation.

Prognostic value of echocardiographic and Doppler parameters in horses admitted for colic complicated by systemic inflammatory response syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prognostic value of echocardiographic parameters of left ventricular (LV) function in horses with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING: Veterinary teaching hospital. ANIMALS: Forty-one horses admitted for colic with clinical evidence of SIRS. INTERVENTIONS: All horses underwent Doppler echocardiographic examination on admission. LV echocardiographic parameters, including pulsed-wave tissue Doppler imaging parameters, were compared between nonsurvivors (n = 29) and horses that survived to discharge (n = 12). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: With comparable heart rate and LV preload estimate, LV stroke volume index, the velocity time integral, deceleration time, ejection time of Doppler aortic flow, and peak early diastolic myocardial velocity were lower in the nonsurviving than in the surviving horses, while pre-ejection period to ejection time ratio (PEP/ET) of Doppler aortic flow and the peak early diastolic filling velocity to peak early diastolic myocardial velocity ratio (E/Em) were higher (P < 0.05). A cut-off value of 0.26 for PEP/ET predicted mortality with 100% sensitivity and 42% specificity (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve: 0.71), whereas a cut-off value of 2.67 for E/Em predicted mortality with 100% sensitivity and 83% specificity (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve: 0.89). CONCLUSIONS: Echocardiography may provide prognostic information in colic horses with clinical evidence of SIRS. Especially, PEP/ET and E/Em could be useful markers of systolic and diastolic dysfunction, respectively, to detect horses with a high risk of death requiring more intensive cardiovascular monitoring as it has been reported in human patients with septic shock.

Presurgical hand antisepsis: concepts and current habits of veterinary surgeons.

OBJECTIVE: To assess current habits for surgical hand preparation among veterinary surgical specialists and to compare data with current guidelines for hand asepsis techniques. STUDY DESIGN: Survey of veterinary surgical specialists. SAMPLE POPULATION: Diplomates of the American (ACVS) and European Colleges of Veterinary Surgeons (ECVS). METHODS: An internet-based survey of hand preparation methods before surgical procedures was conducted of 1300 listed ACVS and ECVS Diplomates. RESULTS: A 42.6% response rate was obtained. Approximately, 80% of respondents use disinfecting soaps as a primary method for hand antisepsis. Of those, 81% use chlorhexidine-based scrubs and 7% use a neutral soap followed by a hydroalcoholic solution. CONCLUSIONS: Contrary to current recommendations of the World Health Organization and scientific evidence supporting use of hydro-alcoholic rubs for presurgical hand preparation, veterinary surgical specialists still use surgical scrub solutions containing disinfecting soaps.

Surgical hand antisepsis in veterinary practice: evaluation of soap scrubs and alcohol based rub techniques.

Recent studies have shown that hydro-alcoholic solutions are more efficient than traditional medicated soaps in the pre-surgical hand antisepsis of human surgeons but there is little veterinary literature on the subject. The aim of this study was to compare the efficiency of medicated soaps and a hydro-alcoholic solution prior to surgery using an in-use testing method in a veterinary setting. A preliminary trial was performed that compared the mean log(10) number of bacterial colony forming units (CFU) and the reduction factors (RF) between two 5-min hand-scrubbing sessions using different soaps, namely, povidone iodine (PVP) and chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX), and the 1.5-min application of a hydro-alcoholic rub. A clinical in-use trial was then used to compare the hydro-alcoholic rub and CHX in a surgical setting. Sampling was performed using finger printing on agar plates. The hydro-alcoholic rub and CHX had a similar immediate effect, although the sustained effect was significantly better for the hydro-alcoholic rub, while PVP had a significantly lower immediate and sustained effect. The hydro-alcoholic rub showed good efficiency in the clinical trial and could be considered as a useful alternative method for veterinary surgical hand antisepsis.

Meckel's diverticulum as a cause of colic: 2 cases with different morphological features.

Persistent Meckel's diverticulum is an uncommon embryonic developmental anomaly of the distal small intestine created by a portion of the vitelline duct adjacent to intestine that remains patent. This portion can form a diverticulum (Meckel's diverticulum) or a fibrous band, called vitelloumbilical band, and can be associated with colic after local impaction or strangulation of the small intestine around the remnant. This report describes two cases of Meckel's diverticulum with different morphological features in older horses. This congenital disorder should be considered as a reason for abdominal pain, even in the older horse, and should be included in the differential diagnosis of acute abdominal pain and recurrent moderate colic.

Development of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for equine neutrophil elastase measurement in blood: preliminary application to colic cases.

Equine neutrophil elastase (NE) is a protease released in inflammatory diseases and participating in tissue destruction. To measure NE in horse plasma to assess its role in pathological conditions, we purified elastase from equine neutrophils by a double step chromatography and obtained a pure protein of 27 kDa, 4 kDa smaller than the NE 2A previously purified (Scudamore et al., 1993; Dagleish et al., 1999), which was likely to be NE 2B. We developed an ELISA by using two specific polyclonal antibodies obtained from rabbit and guinea pig. The sandwich complex was detected using a secondary antibody conjugated to alkaline phosphatase. The ELISA showed good precision and accuracy, with intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation below 10% for equine NE concentrations ranging from 1.875 to 60 ng/ml. A stable plasma NE value, unaffected by the delay of centrifugation (over 4h), was obtained with plasma from EDTA anticoagulated blood. The mean value (+/-SEM) measured in 37 healthy horses was 32.53+/-4.6 ng/ml. NE level in plasma of horses with colic at the time of admission was significantly higher than in healthy horses. Our results indicate that the ELISA technique we developed to measure plasmatic NE is a powerful tool for studying the role of elastase in equine inflammatory disease. In future, the application will be extended to other equine biological fluids.

Evaluation of low-molecular-weight heparin for the prevention of equine laminitis after colic surgery.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to describe the prevalence of postoperative laminitis in colic cases and to determine if low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) is effective in preventing this complication. DESIGN: Retrospective clinical study. ANIMALS: Client-owned horses. Interventions- SC administration of enoxaparin during the postoperative period. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Medical records of 360 horses undergoing surgery for colic and surviving at least 3 days were evaluated. Fifty-six horses admitted before 1995 did not receive LMWH (control group) and 304 admitted after 1995 received LMWH as a prophylaxis for laminitis (treatment group). Three grades of severity were defined for laminitis. Prevalence and severity of laminitis were compared between the 2 groups. Several parameters recorded on admission (sex, age, breed, site and nature of the disease, heart rate, PCV, gravity score, and shock score) and the administration of LMWH were tested as risk factors in the development of laminitis in a logistic regression procedure. Prevalence and grade of laminitis were significantly lower in the treatment group. Only the absence of LMWH was recognized as a significant risk factor in the logistic regression model. CONCLUSIONS: The administration of LMWH appears to be effective in the prophylaxis of laminitis following colic surgery and may be useful in the postoperative management of these horses.

Relationship between biochemical markers and radiographic scores in the evaluation of the osteoarticular status of Warmblood stallions.

Establishing the osteoarticular status of the horse is often performed by means of radiological screening of the animals. Widespread blood sampling could reveal to be an interesting alternative to this procedure which is time consuming and sometimes technically difficult. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the radiological status of the horses and the levels of biochemical markers of cartilage degradation and synovial inflammation. A specific radiological scoring and classification system was therefore developed and applied on 63 stallions presented for studbook admission. Additionally, groups of horses were established according to the occurrence of osteochondrosis, degenerative joint disease and distal interphalangeal joint effusion. Insulin growth factor-I, myeloperoxidases, Coll2-1 and Coll2-1NO(2) were used as blood markers. The combination of the blood parameters did not seem to correlate with the used scoring system. Coll2-1NO(2) levels however tended to increase with poorer radiological class and this could therefore potentially be a useful predictor of the osteoarticular status in the horse. Coll2-1 levels were significantly higher in the degenerative joint disease group. A high percentage of horses with distal interphalangeal joint effusion was present in this study and was associated with decreased IGF-I and increased Coll2-1 levels.