Palmar digital neurectomy in horses. 57 cases (1984-1990).

The medical records of 57 horses that had palmar digital neurectomy performed between 1984 and 1990 were reviewed. Neurectomies were performed either by transection and electrocoagulation (47 horses) or by the guillotine technique (10 horses). Middle-aged geldings, Quarter Horses, and Thoroughbreds were significantly over-represented when compared with the hospital population. Horses used as hunter/jumpers also appeared to be over-represented. Complications occurred in 17 (34%) of the 50 horses for which follow-up information was obtained. Recurrence of heel pain was the most common complication (14 horses). Palpable painful neuromas were detected in three horses. One year after neurectomy, 74% of the horses were sound; this decreased to 63% after 2 years.

Complete excision of a fractured fourth metatarsal bone in eight horses.

Proximal open comminuted fractures of the fourth metatarsal bone (Mt IV) in eight horses were treated by complete removal of the affected bone and antimicrobial therapy. Two horses had concurrent septic arthritis of the tarsocrural or distal tarsal articulations, and five horses had radiographic evidence of osteomyelitis and sequestration of the affected bone. Five horses became athletically sound for their intended use, two horses with septic arthritis had residual lameness but were pasture sound, and one horse was lost to follow-up. Excision of the entire bone appears to be an acceptable treatment of open comminuted fractures of the proximal one-third of Mt IV that do not respond to more conservative modes of therapy.

Comparative effects of cholera toxin, Salmonella typhimurium culture lysate, and viable Salmonella typhimurium in isolated colon segments in ponies.

Isolated segments of left dorsal colon and a side-to-side colocolostomy (between the left ventral colon and left dorsal colon) were surgically created in 6 adult ponies. Four segments, each separated by an empty segment, were inoculated (20 ml) with 1 of the following 4 solutions: phosphate buffered saline solution (PBSS)/1% polyethylene glycol (PEG); purified cholera toxin in PBSS/1% PEG (5 micrograms cholera toxin/ml of PBSS/1% PEG); lyophilized Salmonella typhimurium UCD 1755 culture lysate, reconstituted in PBSS/1% PEG; and viable S typhimurium UCD 1755 (10(8) organisms/ml of PBSS/1% PEG). Twenty hours following inoculation of the treatment solutions into the isolated colon segments, the ponies were reanesthetized. Fluid accumulation in the isolated segments was measured, and tissue samples from isolated segments were taken for examination by light microscopy and electron microscopy, and for measurement of mucosal cyclic adenosine monophosphate levels. There was fluid accumulation in segments inoculated with cholera toxin in 4 ponies (29.5 +/- 12.7 ml), and in segments inoculated with S typhimurium UCD 1755 culture lysate in 3 ponies (14.0 +/- 8.7 ml). There was no fluid accumulation in segments inoculated with either the control solution (PBSS/1% PEG) or viable S typhimurium UCD 1755. There was significantly (P less than 0.05) less cyclic adenosine monophosphate in segments inoculated with cholera toxin, Salmonella lysate, and viable Salmonella, compared with control segments. Histologically, there were minimal changes in control segments, consisting of mild to moderate submucosal edema and capillary congestion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Ileal impaction in the horse: 75 cases.

Records of 75 horses with ileal impactions were examined retrospectively. There was a sex predilection towards mares. Arabians were over-represented compared to the hospital population. The average age was 8.3 years. Abdominal pain was observed in 96% of horses. Nasogastric reflux was present in 56% of horses, small intestinal distention was found on rectal palpation in 96% and an ileal impaction in 25%. Exploratory celiotomy was performed in 69 horses, the mass was reduced by extramural massage in 67 horses, and ingesta was removed via enterotomy in 2. Jejunocecostomies were performed in 47 horses. Twenty-five horses developed postoperative ileus, and 11 developed laminitis. Twenty-seven horses survived. Significant differences (p less than 0.05) between survivors and non-survivors were found for rectal temperature (37.7 and 38.2 degrees C, respectively), plasma protein concentration (7.8 and 8.9 g/dl, respectively) and anion gap (15 and 21.3 mEq/l, respectively). Survival decreased with increasing duration of clinical signs. Enterotomy, enterectomy, and/or jejunocecostomy performed during surgery had a deleterious effect on survival.

Use of a bone plate for treatment of middle phalangeal fractures in horses: seven cases (1979-1984).

Four adult horses and 3 foals with middle phalangeal fractures were treated by arthrodesis of the proximal interphalangeal joint, using a bone plate. Six of the 7 horses survived greater than 2 years; 2 of the 6 horses had intermittent lameness after hard work, and 4 horses didn't have evidence of lameness. The use of a bone plate for arthrodesis of the proximal interphalangeal joint was a successful treatment alternative for middle phalangeal fractures in horses.