Inertial Sensor-Based Quantification of Movement Symmetry in Trotting Warmblood Show-Jumping Horses after "Limb-by-Limb" Re-Shoeing of Forelimbs with Rolled Rocker Shoes.

Hoof care providers are pivotal for implementing biomechanical optimizations of the musculoskeletal system in the horse. Regular visits allow for the collection of longitudinal, quantitative information ("normal ranges"). Changes in movement symmetry, e.g., after shoeing, are indicative of alterations in weight-bearing and push-off force production. Ten Warmblood show jumping horses (7-13 years; 7 geldings, 3 mares) underwent forelimb re-shoeing with rolled rocker shoes, one limb at a time ("limb-by-limb"). Movement symmetry was measured with inertial sensors attached to the head, withers, and pelvis during straight-line trot and lunging. Normalized differences pre/post re-shoeing were compared to published test-retest repeatability values. Mixed-model analysis with random factors horse and limb within horse and fixed factors surface and exercise direction evaluated movement symmetry changes (p < 0.05, Bonferroni correction). Withers movement indicated increased forelimb push-off with the re-shod limb on the inside of the circle and reduced weight-bearing with the re-shod limb and the ipsilateral hind limb on hard ground compared to soft ground. Movement symmetry measurements indicate that a rolled rocker shoe allows for increased push-off on soft ground in trot in a circle. Similar studies should study different types of shoes for improved practically relevant knowledge about shoeing mechanics, working towards evidence-based preventative shoeing.

DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF A STANDARDIZED SYSTEM FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF LOCOMOTOR HEALTH IN ELEPHANTS UNDER HUMAN CARE.

Although lameness is a common problem in elephants (Asian elephant [Elephas maximus] and African elephants Loxodonta africana and Loxodonta cyclotis) under human care, there has not been a standardized lameness assessment system to date. This study developed and evaluated a standardized system for the assessment of locomotion in elephants under human care regardless of husbandry system. In total, 72 elephants out of a possible 73 in the United Kingdom and Ireland were filmed from behind, from in front, and from both sides. Using a questionnaire and a select panel of elephant specialists, a zoo veterinarian, and a locomotion expert, a numerical rating scoring (NRS) system was proposed. Locomotion was scored on a 4-point scale with numerical values 0-4 corresponding to specific criteria as follows: 0 = clinically sound, 1 = stiffness, 2 = abnormal tracking, and 4 = reluctance to bear weight. The intra- and interobserver repeatability of five veterinary surgeons using this system was determined and compared with a visual analog scale (VAS) expressed as a 100-mm line. Overall intraobserver reliability was moderate (Cohen's kappa [κ] = 0.676) and interobserver reliability was fair (κ = 0.37) for the presence of lameness. Interobserver agreement improved from the first scoring to second scoring from slight agreement to fair agreement for stiffness and reluctance to bear weight. Abnormal tracking had moderate intraobserver agreement for both scoring sessions. There were wide widths of agreement for the VAS interobserver (67 mm); however, they were narrower for the intraobserver (33 mm). The developed NRS can be used on freely moving elephants to evaluate elephant locomotion, regardless of husbandry methods, and has been shown to be more reliable than a VAS.

Faculty's Perception of a Research Project Embedded in the Undergraduate Veterinary Curriculum.

In this article, we describe faculty's perception of a research project embedded in the final year of the undergraduate veterinary curriculum and look at factors associated with overall perceptions of the project. We hypothesized that faculty would have a dichotomous attitude toward the research project, with faculty viewing it either positively or negatively, and that this opinion of the project would be largely influenced by the background of the faculty member-in particular, her or his role at the Royal Veterinary College. We explored this hypothesis via a questionnaire consisting of 26 questions in categorical format, Likert-scale format, and ranking format. The questions addressed faculty demographics, faculty's perceptions of the project, and generic skills. Faculty had an overall positive view of the project and found it to be a useful part of the undergraduate curriculum (83.3% found it to be useful or very useful). Faculty's perception of the project was influenced by their role at the college (p = .017), the species with which they primarily work (p = .05), and their opinion on the time spent supervising the final-year project (p = .003). We concluded that faculty view research as an important and useful part of the undergraduate veterinary curriculum.

Computed tomographic dimensions of the normal adult equine eye.

There are limited data on whether the dimensions of the equine eye and its internal structures change with bodyweight in horses. The aim of this study was to identify whether the size of the equine eye and its individual structures varied in a predictable manner with bodyweight, and to examine the reliability of computed tomography (CT) scans in the measurement of the equine eye. Ninety horses which had undergone CT examination of the head for non-ocular disease were included. All measurements of the eye were performed twice on all eyes by the same operator to quantify intra-operator agreement, and in 10 cases were also performed by a second operator to quantify inter-operator agreement. Agreement was excellent for all but the rostrocaudal measurement of the anterior chamber, which was fair. The following variables correlated significantly with bodyweight: anterior-posterior size of the globe (correlation coefficient: 0.586) and posterior segment (correlation coefficient: 0.554); the latero-medial size of the globe (correlation coefficient: 0.452), anterior chamber (correlation coefficient: 0.504) and posterior segment (correlation coefficient: 0.455); and the orbital fossa diameter (correlation coefficient: 0.219). The lens size and anterior-posterior distance of the anterior chamber did not correlate significantly with bodyweight. These results suggest that overall eye size and the size of the orbital fossa change with the bodyweight of the horse, but lens size remains consistent, and that CT measurements of the internal structures of the eye are repeatable and reproducible. This information aids in interventional procedures for ocular pathology and assessment of normal anatomy.

NEUROLOGIC AND COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY FINDINGS IN SEA TURTLES WITH HISTORY OF TRAUMATIC INJURY.

Boat strikes have been widely documented as a major cause of anthropogenic trauma and mortality in sea turtles. Axial trauma in these species involves the head and/or carapace and may cause severe damage to the nervous and pulmonary systems. The aims of this study were to develop an updated protocol for neurologic examinations in sea turtles, to describe computed tomography (CT) findings in sea turtles with sustained trauma, and to associate CT findings with neurologic status in sea turtles with and without traumatic injury. Ten sea turtles were examined, six green (Chelonia mydas) and four loggerhead (Caretta caretta) turtles: seven underwent neurologic and CT examinations, two had CT examinations only, and one had a neurologic examination only. The updated neurologic examination protocol was considered useful in differentiating normal from abnormal neurologic status, however some of these tests remain unreliable in sea turtles. Sea turtles with no history of trauma were found to have normal carapace shape, vertebral column, and neurologic status. Sea turtles with history of traumatic injury (more than 10 years prior to examination) had findings dependent on trauma site. Those with head trauma had variable presentations dependent on location of injury; while those with carapace trauma had varying degrees of kyphosis, lordosis, and scoliosis of the carapace, vertebral fractures, and paraparesis. Kyphosis of the carapace was associated with vertebral fractures detected on CT; however, the severity of vertebral abnormalities was not associated with the severity of neurologic deficits. These findings suggest that a combination of neurologic and CT examination may be beneficial in determining clinical significance of carapace deformation and associated neurologic deficits in sea turtles with traumatic injury.

IMAGING DIAGNOSIS-THE COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHIC APPEARANCE OF A GIANT CELL TUMOR AFFECTING THE MANDIBLE IN A PYGMY GOAT.

A 3-year-old male neutered pygmy goat presented for evaluation of a progressive mandibular swelling and inappetence. A computed tomographic (CT) scan of the head and thorax was performed under general anesthesia. Computed tomography revealed an extensive multiloculated, markedly expansile lesion within the right hemimandible, which involved the articular surface of the temporomandibular joint. The goat was euthanased due to a poor prognosis and postmortem examination confirmed the diagnostic imaging findings. Histopathology was strongly suggestive of a multinucleated giant cell tumor, therefore this condition should be considered as a differential diagnosis in goats presenting with expansile mandibular mass lesions.

COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHIC APPEARANCE OF MELANOMAS IN THE EQUINE HEAD: 13 CASES.

Melanomas are one of the most common neoplasms in the horse and are frequently found in the head region. There is a genetic predisposition in horses with a gray hair coat. Computed tomography (CT) is frequently used in referral practice to evaluate the equine head but there are few reports describing the CT appearance of melanomas in this location. The aim of this retrospective, case series study was to describe characteristics in a group of horses with confirmed disease. Case records from two referral hospitals were reviewed, and 13 horses were identified that had undergone CT of the head, with a diagnosis of melanoma based on cytology, histopathology, or visual assessment of black (melanotic) tissue. A median of 11 melanomas was identified per horse (range 3-60), with a total of 216 masses. Melanomas were found most frequently in the parotid salivary gland, guttural pouches, surrounding the larynx and pharynx and adjacent to the hyoid apparatus. In noncontrast CT images, all melanomas were hyperattenuating (median; 113.5 Hounsfield units (HU), IQR; 26 HU) compared to masseter musculature (median; 69 HU, IQR; 5.5 HU). Fifty-six (25.9%) masses were partially mineralized and 41 (19.4%) included hypoattenuating areas. Histopathological assessment of these melanomas suggested that the hyperattenuation identified was most likely a result of abundant intracytoplasmic melanin pigment. Melanomas of the equine head appeared to have consistent CT features that aided detection of mass lesions and their distribution, although histopathological analysis or visual confirmation should still be obtained for definitive diagnosis.

Radiographic protocol and normal anatomy of the hind feet in the white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum).

Foot pathology is a common and important health concern in captive rhinoceroses worldwide, but osteopathologies are rarely diagnosed, partly because of a lack of radiographic protocols. Here, we aimed to develop the first radiographic protocol for rhinoceros feet and describe the radiographic anatomy of the white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) hind foot (pes). Computed tomographic images were obtained of nine cadaver pedes from seven different white rhinoceroses and assessed for pathology. A single foot deemed free of pathology was radiographed using a range of different projections and exposures to determine the best protocol. 3D models were produced from the CT images and were displayed with the real radiographs to describe the normal radiographic anatomy of the white rhinoceros pes. An optimal radiographic projection was determined for each bone in the rhinoceros pes focusing on highlighting areas where pathology has been previously described. The projections deemed to be most useful were D60Pr-PlDiO (digit III), D45Pr45M-PlDiLO (digit II), and D40Pr35L-PlDiLO (digit IV). The primary beam was centered 5-7 cm proximal to the cuticle on the digit of interest. Articular surfaces, ridges, grooves, tubercles, processes and fossae were identified. The radiographic protocol we have developed along with the normal radiographic anatomy we have described will allow for more accessible and effective diagnosis of white rhinoceros foot osteopathologies.

Leap and strike kinetics of an acoustically 'hunting' barn owl (Tyto alba).

Barn owls are effective hunters of small rodents. One hunting technique is a leap from the ground followed by a brief flight and a plummeting 'strike' onto an acoustically targeted - and potentially entirely hidden - prey. We used forceplate measurements to derive kinetics of the leap and strike. Leaping performance was similar to reported values for guinea fowl. This is likely achieved despite the owl's considerably smaller size because of its relatively long legs and use of wing upstroke. Strikes appear deliberately forceful: impulses could have been spread over larger periods during greater deflections of the centre of mass, as observed in leaping and an alighting landing measurement. The strike, despite forces around 150 times that of a mouse body weight, is not thought to be crucial to the kill; rather, forceful strikes may function primarily to enable rapid penetration of leaf litter or snow cover, allowing grasping of hidden prey.

Design and validation of a computer-aided learning program to enhance students' ability to recognize lameness in the horse.

The ability to recognize lameness in the horse is an important skill for veterinary graduates; however, opportunities to develop this skill at the undergraduate level are limited. Computer-aided learning programs (CALs) have been successful in supplementing practical skills teaching. The aim of this study was to design and validate a CAL for the teaching of equine lameness recognition (CAL1). A control CAL was designed to simulate learning by experience (CAL2). Student volunteers were randomly assigned to either CAL and tested to establish their current ability to recognize lameness. Retesting occurred both immediately following exposure and 1 week later. At each test point, the number of correct responses for forelimb and hind limb cases was determined. Student confidence was assessed before and after CAL exposure, with previous opportunities to recognize lameness taken into account. Immediately following exposure, the number of correct responses was significantly higher for CAL1 than for CAL2, both overall and for forelimb cases but not for hind limb cases. After 1 week, the CAL1 group performed significantly better overall compared to the CAL2 group, with no significant difference between forelimb and hind limb cases. Student confidence and ability to recognize lameness were significantly improved following exposure to CAL1. When considered as one category, students in years 4 and 5 performed significantly better than year 3 students. Gender did not significantly affect performance. CAL1 could be used to supplement current lameness recognition opportunities. CAL1 is, however, limited in its ability to improve lameness recognition, especially in relation to hind limb lameness where it was unable to attain a significant difference from CAL2.