microRNAs are differentially expressed in equine plasma of horses with osteoarthritis and osteochondritis dissecans versus control horses.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a leading cause of lameness in horses with no effective disease-modifying treatment and challenging early diagnosis. OA is considered a disease of the joint involving the articular cartilage, subchondral bone, synovial membrane, and ligaments. Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) is a joint disease consisting of focal defects in the osteochondral unit which may progress to OA later in life. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been recognized as small non-coding RNAs that regulate a variety of biological processes and have been detected in biological fluids. MiRNAs are currently investigated for their utility as biomarkers and druggable targets for a variety of diseases. The current study hypothesizes that miRNA profiles can be used to actively monitor joint health and differences in miRNA profiles will be found in healthy vs diseased joints and that differences will be detectable in blood plasma of tested horses. Five horses with OA, OCD, and 4 controls (C) had blood plasma and synovial fluid collected. Total RNA, including miRNA was isolated before generating miRNA libraries from the plasma of the horses. Libraries were sequenced at the Schroeder Arthritis Institute (Toronto). Differential expression analysis was done using DESeq2 and validated using ddPCR. KEGG pathway analysis was done using mirPath v.3 (Diana Tools). 57 differentially expressed miRNAs were identified in OA vs C plasma, 45 differentially expressed miRNAs in OC vs C plasma, and 21 differentially expressed miRNAs in OA vs OCD plasma. Notably, miR-140-5p expression was observed to be elevated in OA synovial fluid suggesting that miR-140-5p may serve as a protective marker early on to attenuate OA progression. KEGG pathway analysis of differentially expressed plasma miRNAs showed relationships with glycan degradation, glycosaminoglycan degradation, and hippo signaling pathway. Interestingly, ddPCR was unable to validate the NGS data suggesting that isomiRs may play an integral role in miRNA expression when assessed using NGS technologies.

Retrospective study of perioperative antimicrobial use in horses undergoing elective laparoscopy at a single institution.

Antimicrobial stewardship has shown significant development in recent years. Perioperative prophylaxis accounts for a substantial volume of antimicrobial use and is a field in which improvements can likely be made. The objective of this study was to evaluate practices associated with perioperative antimicrobial use in equine elective laparoscopy at a single institution over a 21-year period and to determine whether antimicrobial therapy influenced the occurrence of postoperative complications. Medical records of horses that underwent elective laparoscopy at a teaching hospital from January 2000 to September 2021 were reviewed. Data obtained included signalment, surgeon, type and duration of procedure, perioperative antimicrobial use, and intraoperative and postoperative complications. Exact univariate logistic regression was used to explore the association between possible risk factors and occurrence of postoperative complications, as well as the association between year of presentation and time of antimicrobial administration. Duration of surgery was log-transformed to meet assumption of normality, followed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) to compare mean surgery time per procedure and postoperative complications. Significance was set at P < 0.05. Sixty horses met the inclusion criteria. All horses received antimicrobial prophylaxis, but none received intraoperative redosing. Only 13 horses (26%) received antimicrobials within 60 min of the first incision. Time of administration improved with each year of the study (P = 0.005). Only 17 horses (28%) received antimicrobials for less than 24 h, but median duration of antimicrobial therapy was 1.25 d (range: 0.25 to 10 d). Antimicrobial use practices at this institution differed from general recommendations for optimal perioperative prophylaxis, which suggests that intervention is required.

L'antibiogouvernance a connu un développement significatif ces dernières années. La prophylaxie peropératoire représente un volume important d'utilisation d'antimicrobiens et constitue un domaine dans lequel des améliorations peuvent probablement être apportées. L'objectif de cette étude était d'évaluer les pratiques associées à l'utilisation peropératoire d'antimicrobiens en laparoscopie élective équine dans un seul établissement sur une période de 21 ans et de déterminer si le traitement antimicrobien influençait la survenue de complications postopératoires. Les dossiers médicaux des chevaux ayant subi une laparoscopie élective dans un centre hospitalier universitaire de janvier 2000 à septembre 2021 ont été examinés. Les données obtenues comprenaient le signalement, le chirurgien, le type et la durée de la procédure, l'utilisation d'antimicrobiens peropératoires et les complications intra-opératoires et postopératoires. Une régression logistique univariée exacte a été utilisée pour explorer l'association entre les facteurs de risque possibles et la survenue de complications postopératoires, ainsi que l'association entre l'année de présentation et le moment de l'administration des antimicrobiens. La durée de la chirurgie a été transformée en log pour répondre à l'hypothèse de normalité, suivie d'une analyse de variance (ANOVA) pour comparer la durée moyenne de la chirurgie par procédure et les complications postopératoires. La signification a été fixée à P < 0,05. Soixante chevaux répondaient aux critères d'inclusion. Tous les chevaux ont reçu une prophylaxie antimicrobienne, mais aucun n'a reçu de dose supplémentaire durant la chirurgie. Seuls 13 chevaux (26 %) ont reçu des antimicrobiens dans les 60 minutes suivant la première incision. Le temps d'administration s'est amélioré avec chaque année d'étude (P = 0,005). Seulement 17 chevaux (28 %) ont reçu des antimicrobiens pendant moins de 24 heures, mais la durée médiane du traitement antimicrobien était de 1,25 jour (plage : 0,25 à 10 jours). Les pratiques d'utilisation des antimicrobiens dans cet établissement différaient des recommandations générales pour une prophylaxie peropératoire optimale, ce qui suggère qu'une intervention est nécessaire.(Traduit par Docteur Serge Messier).

Anoplasty and rectovaginal fistula repair in a gilt with atresia ani: A case report.

A 2-year-old female Vietnamese potbellied pig was referred to the Large Animal Teaching Hospital at the Ontario Veterinary College for anoplasty and rectovaginal fistula repair. The presence of atresia ani and rectovaginal fistula had been previously diagnosed. Contrast radiography was used to confirm the diagnosis and determine the position of the fistula and terminal rectum. Under general anesthesia, the urethra was catheterized. An incision was made at the anatomic location of the anus, the rectovaginal fistula was isolated through deep dissection, and a Penrose drain was placed around it for caudal retraction. Transvaginal catheter placement through the fistula and into the rectum assisted with anatomic location. Once the urogenital and gastrointestinal tracts were clearly identified, the fistula was transected as close to the vaginal cavity as possible. The vaginal defect was sutured, and the fistula tract was mobilized 90° and sutured to the skin, creating the anal canal. Postoperative complications included constipation and cystitis. The gilt passed feces 5 d after surgery and was discharged on Day 11 of hospitalization. Normal urination and defecation were observed at the time, and fecal incontinence was resolved. Six months after surgical intervention, the gilt remained continent and no complications were reported. Key clinical message: Anoplasty and rectovaginal fistula repair were completed successfully in a gilt. Preservation of the fistula and its use during anal reconstruction may provide an internal anal sphincter and may be associated with improved continence.

Anoplastie et réparation de la fistule recto-vaginale chez une cochette avec atrésie anale : rapport de cas. Une femelle cochon vietnamien de 2 ans a été référée au Large Animal Teaching Hospital du Ontario Veterinary College pour une anoplastie et réparation d'une fistule recto-vaginale. La présence d'une atrésie anale et d'une fistule recto-vaginale avait déjà été diagnostiquée. Une radiographie de contraste a été utilisée pour confirmer le diagnostic et déterminer la position de la fistule et du rectum terminal. Sous anesthésie générale, l'urètre a été cathétérisé. Une incision a été faite à l'emplacement anatomique de l'anus, la fistule recto-vaginale a été isolée par dissection profonde et un drain de Penrose a été placé autour d'elle pour la rétraction caudale. Le placement d'un cathéter transvaginal à travers la fistule et dans le rectum a aidé avec la localisation anatomique. Une fois les voies urogénitale et gastro-intestinale clairement identifiées, la fistule a été sectionnée aussi près que possible de la cavité vaginale. Le défaut vaginal a été suturé et le trajet de la fistule a été mobilisé à 90° et suturé à la peau, créant le canal anal. Les complications postopératoires incluaient la constipation et la cystite. La cochette a expulsé des matières fécales 5 jours après la chirurgie et a obtenu son congé le 11e jour d'hospitalisation. Une miction et une défécation normales ont été observées à ce moment-là, et l'incontinence fécale a été résolue. Six mois après l'intervention chirurgicale, la cochette présentait encore de la continence urinaire et aucune complication n'a été signalée.Message clinique clé :L'anoplastie et la réparation de la fistule recto-vaginale ont été réalisées avec succès chez une cochette. La préservation de la fistule et son utilisation lors de la reconstruction anale peuvent fournir un sphincter anal interne et peuvent être associées à une meilleure continence.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).

Fungal osteitis of the axial aspect of the mid body of the medial proximal sesamoid bone in a horse.

The satisfactory outcome of fungal osteitis in an 8-year-old American Quarter Horse is described. The horse was admitted with a grade 4 out of 5 lameness and exhibited metacarpophalangeal synovial effusion, indicative of a mild suppurative inflammation. Results of initial radiographic and ultrasonographic examination were unremarkable. Intra-articular anesthesia of the metacarpophalangeal joint allowed localization of the insult. It was not until day 6 of hospitalization when lytic changes on the axial aspect were observed on radiographic examination. Arthroscopic examination permitted identification and debridement of the affected bone. Fungal culture of the bone yielded Pleosporales spp. The horse was sound at the time of discharge after 12 days of hospitalization. No complications occurred in the post-operative period and the horse resumed his initial level of activity and competition in barrel racing. Key clinical message: To our knowledge, this is the first description of successful outcome of a fungal osteitis of the sesamoid bones following arthroscopic debridement. We hypothesize that the satisfactory outcome is associated with early recognition of the condition and aggressive debridement of the lesion arthroscopically.

Ostéite fongique de la face axiale du milieu du corps de l'os sésamoïde proximal médial chez un cheval. L'évolution satisfaisante de l'ostéite fongique chez un Quarter Horse américain de 8 ans est décrite. Le cheval a été admis avec une boiterie de grade 4 sur 5 et présentait un épanchement synovial métacarpo-phalangien, indicatif d'une légère inflammation suppurée. Les résultats de l'examen radiographique et échographique initial étaient sans particularité. L'anesthésie intra-articulaire de l'articulation métacarpo-phalangienne a permis de localiser le site affecté. Ce n'est qu'au jour 6 de l'hospitalisation que des modifications lytiques de la face axiale ont été observées à l'examen radiographique. L'examen arthroscopique a permis l'identification et le débridement de l'os affecté. La culture fongique de l'os a donné des Pleosporales spp. Le cheval était sain au moment de sa sortie après 12 jours d'hospitalisation. Aucune complication n'est survenue dans la période post-opératoire et le cheval a repris son niveau initial d'activité et de compétition en course de barils.Message clinique clé :A notre connaissance, il s'agit de la première description de l'issue positive d'une ostéite fongique des os sésamoïdes après débridement arthroscopique. Nous émettons l'hypothèse que le résultat satisfaisant est associé à une reconnaissance précoce de l'affection et à un débridement agressif de la lésion sous arthroscopie.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).

Redundant mesocolonic mesentery in a Shire colt.

An unusual condition in a 3-month-old Shire colt presented for colic unresponsive to medical therapy is documented in this report. A redundant mesocolonic mesentery resulting in intestinal displacement and volvulus was diagnosed during exploratory celiotomy. The finding was presumed to be congenital, resulting in a loose anatomic configuration that predisposed the intestine to displacement, torsion, volvulus, and entrapment. Key clinical message: This case demonstrates that congenial anatomical anomalies should be included in the differential of younger animals presented for recurrent conditions and highlights the use of exploratory celiotomy to reach a definitive diagnosis.

Mésentère mésocolique redondant chez un poulain Shire. Un état inhabituel chez un poulain Shire âgé de 3 mois présenté pour colique qui ne répondait pas à un traitement médical est présenté dans ce rapport. Un mésentère mésocolique redondant entraînant un déplacement intestinal et un volvulus a été diagnostiqué au cours d'une céliotomie exploratoire. La découverte était présumée congénitale, entraînant une configuration anatomique lâche qui prédisposait l'intestin au déplacement, à la torsion, au volvulus et au coincement.Message clinique clé:Ce cas démontre que les anomalies anatomiques congéniales doivent être incluses dans le diagnostic différentiel des jeunes animaux présentés pour des conditions récurrentes et met en évidence l'utilisation de la céliotomie exploratoire pour parvenir à un diagnostic définitif.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).

Surgical arthrodesis for treatment of chronic shoulder joint luxation in a Vietnamese potbellied pig.

CASE DESCRIPTION: A 4-year-old 55.0-kg (121-lb) spayed female Vietnamese potbellied pig was examined for right forelimb lameness of 2 months' duration that had not resolved following rest and treatment with meloxicam. CLINICAL FINDINGS: The only abnormality identified during physical examination was non-weight-bearing lameness of the right forelimb. Radiographic and CT examinations revealed that the right humerus was displaced laterally and slightly cranial to the glenoid cavity of the scapula with moderate evidence of osteoarthritis. Chronic craniolateral luxation of the right humeral (shoulder) joint was diagnosed. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: Arthrodesis of the right shoulder joint was performed surgically by a lateral approach. The humeral head was replaced in the glenoid cavity. The joint was immobilized at a 115° angle with two 3.5-mm string-of-pearls orthopedic plates and a 4.5-mm cortical bone screw placed across the joint in lag fashion. The pig recovered from surgery without any complications. At 6 weeks and 5 months after surgery, the pig had the expected mechanical lameness of the right forelimb owing to immobilization of the shoulder joint and radiographic evidence of progressive arthrodesis of that joint. The pig had resumed its usual activities and had only mechanical lameness present 1 year after surgery. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This report described successful treatment of chronic shoulder joint luxation in an adult Vietnamese potbellied pig by surgical arthrodesis of the affected joint. The described procedure might also be useful for treatment of other debilitating conditions of the shoulder joint, such as severe osteoarthritis or intra-articular fractures, in pigs.

Periocular sarcoid with bone invasion in a Thoroughbred mare.

A periocular nodular sarcoid was diagnosed on the right upper eyelid and medial canthus of a 12-year-old Thoroughbred mare. Enucleation was performed and during the procedure the mass was noted to be firmly adhered to the underlying frontal bone. Partial ostectomy of the dorsal orbital rim was performed. Histopathology revealed invasion of the cortical lamellar bone and the bone marrow by neoplastic spindle cells and extension of these cells to multiple surgical margins. Recurrence at the level of the surgical site and its surroundings occurred 3 months after the procedure. The horse was euthanized 12 months later. Key clinical message: Invasion of the underlying bone occurs in some cases of equine periocular sarcoids. The case highlights how this bone invasion might affect the surgical planning and shows potential aggressiveness of this type of tumor.

Sarcoïde péri-oculaire avec invasion osseuse chez une jument Thoroughbred. Un sarcoïde nodulaire péri-oculaire fut diagnostiqué sur la paupière supérieure droite et le canthus médial d'une jument Thoroughbred âgée de 12 ans. L'énucléation fut effectuée et durant la procédure il fut noté que la masse était fermement adhérée à l'os frontal sous-jacent. Une ostectomie partielle de la bordure orbitale dorsale fut effectuée. L'examen histopathologique révéla l'invasion de l'os lamellaire cortical et de la moelle osseuse par des cellules fusiformes néoplasiques et l'extension de ces cellules à de multiples bordures chirurgicales. Une récurrence au site chirurgical et son entourage s'est produit 3 mois après la procédure. Le cheval fut euthanasié 12 mois plus tard.Message clinique clé:Ce cas démontre que l'invasion de l'os sous-jacent se produit dans certains cas de sarcoïdes péri-oculaires équins. Ce cas souligne comment cette invasion osseuse peut affecter la planification chirurgicale et montre le potentiel agressif de ce type de tumeur.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).

Multicenter retrospective study of complications and risk factors associated with castration in 106 pet pigs.

Castration of pet pigs is becoming a commonly performed procedure. However, little information is available regarding surgical techniques and complications. Medical records of 106 pet pigs admitted to 3 teaching hospitals for castration were reviewed. All descended testicles were approached via pre-scrotal skin incisions, which were either closed (59.4%) or left open (22.6%). The inguinal rings were closed in 42% of cases. Of the 106 pet pigs, 4.7% developed a complication after surgery, which consisted of peri-incisional swelling. Pigs which underwent inguinal ring closure were 6.6 times more likely to develop a post-operative complication (confidence interval: 1.16 to infinity, P = 0.035). Age and weight at time of castration were not significantly associated with complications (P = 0.698 and P = 0.685, respectively). The results from this retrospective study suggest that castration in pet pigs is a safe procedure with a minimal rate of complications.

Étude rétrospective multicentre des complications et facteurs de risque associés avec la castration de 106 porcs miniatures. La castration de porcs miniatures est en voie de devenir une procédure effectuée couramment. Toutefois, peu d'informations sont disponibles concernant les techniques chirurgicales et les complications. Les dossiers médicaux de 106 porcs miniatures admis à trois hôpitaux vétérinaires d'enseignement pour castration ont été revus. Tous les testicules descendus furent approchés via des incisions cutanées préscrotales, qui furent soient fermées (59,4 %) ou laissées ouvertes (22,6 %). Les anneaux inguinaux étaient fermés dans 42 % des cas. Parmi les 106 porcs miniatures, 4,7 % ont développé des complications après la chirurgie, consistant en oedème péri-incisionnel. Les porcs qui ont dû subir une fermeture de l'anneau inguinal étaient 6,6, fois plus à risque de développer des complications post-opératoires (intervalle de confiance : 1,16 à l'infini, P = 0,035). L'âge et le poids au moment de la castration n'étaient pas associés de manière significative avec des complications (P = 0,698 et P = 0,685, respectivement). Les résultats de la présente étude rétrospective suggèrent que la castration de porcs miniatures est une procédure sécuritaire avec un taux minime de complications.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).

Retrospective assessment of perioperative antimicrobial use for elective arthroscopy in horses.

OBJECTIVE: To describe perioperative antimicrobial use in horses undergoing elective arthroscopy. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. SAMPLE POPULATION: Horses that underwent elective arthroscopy at one institution between July 2016 and May 2018, excluding those with a suspected infectious orthopedic disease or with a comorbidity that may have impacted prophylactic antimicrobial use decisions. METHODS: Medical records were reviewed to evaluate preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative antimicrobial drug selection, dose, and timing. Associations between body weight and underdosing were evaluated by using analysis of variance, χ2 test was used for categorical comparisons, and least squares fit was used to evaluate factors associated with duration of postoperative antimicrobials. RESULTS: Among 150 horses, 149 (99.3%) received systemic preoperative antimicrobials. Only 53 (40.2%) horses were administered doses within 60 minutes of surgical incision. First incision was performed more than two half-lives after administration of sodium penicillin in 46 of 131 (35.1%) horses but in only 1 of 106 (0.8%) horses that received trimethoprim-sulfadoxine. Body weight was associated with underdosing for penicillin (P = .0075) and trimethoprim-sulfadoxine (P = .002) but not gentamicin (P = .92). Twenty-six (17%) horses received one postoperative antimicrobial dose, while antimicrobials were continued in hospital for a mean of 22.3 ± 4.4 hours after surgery in the other 123 horses. Among the 149 discharged horses, 115 (77.2%) were prescribed antimicrobials after discharge (range, 3-10 days; median, 3 days, interquartile range, 0 days). CONCLUSION: Deviations from common recommendations were apparent and provide evidence for the requirement to develop interventions to optimize perioperative prophylaxis. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Perioperative antimicrobial use practices should be regularly assessed to provide a benchmark and identify areas for intervention.

Surgical treatment of persistent colic in a horse caused by an anomalous vascularized fibrous band.

This case report documents an unusual case of persistent colic in a horse caused by an anomalous vascularized band of tissue running between the visceral surface of the liver and the mesentery of the large colon at the level of the sternal/diaphragmatic flexures. The horse was presented with a history of exhibiting signs of mild persistent colic that were suspected to be caused by displacement of the large colon. Volvulus of the large colon was identified during exploratory celiotomy. The band of tissue was transected, and the displacement corrected. The horse made an uneventful recovery.

Traitement chirurgical de coliques persistantes chez un cheval causées par une bande fibreuse vasculaire anormale. Ce rapport de cas documente un cas inhabituel de coliques persistantes chez un cheval causées par une bande de tissue fibreux et vasculaire anormale qui se trouvait entre la face viscérale du foie et le mésentère du gros colon au niveau des courbures sternale et diaphragmatique. L'anamnèse incluait des signes faibles de colique qui étaient soupçonnés d'être reliés à un déplacement de colon. Un volvulus du gros colon a été identifié pendant une laparotomie. La bande de tissue fut coupée et le déplacement de colon corrigé. La récupération postopératoire du cheval fut sans complications.(Traduit par Dre Marie-Soleil Dubois).

Computed tomographic imaging of subchondral fatigue cracks in the distal end of the third metacarpal bone in the thoroughbred racehorse can predict crack micromotion in an ex-vivo model.

Articular stress fracture arising from the distal end of the third metacarpal bone (MC3) is a common serious injury in Thoroughbred racehorses. Currently, there is no method for predicting fracture risk clinically. We describe an ex-vivo biomechanical model in which we measured subchondral crack micromotion under compressive loading that modeled high speed running. Using this model, we determined the relationship between subchondral crack dimensions measured using computed tomography (CT) and crack micromotion. Thoracic limbs from 40 Thoroughbred racehorses that had sustained a catastrophic injury were studied. Limbs were radiographed and examined using CT. Parasagittal subchondral fatigue crack dimensions were measured on CT images using image analysis software. MC3 bones with fatigue cracks were tested using five cycles of compressive loading at -7,500N (38 condyles, 18 horses). Crack motion was recorded using an extensometer. Mechanical testing was validated using bones with 3 mm and 5 mm deep parasagittal subchondral slots that modeled naturally occurring fatigue cracks. After testing, subchondral crack density was determined histologically. Creation of parasagittal subchondral slots induced significant micromotion during loading (p<0.001). In our biomechanical model, we found a significant positive correlation between extensometer micromotion and parasagittal crack area derived from reconstructed CT images (SR = 0.32, p<0.05). Correlations with transverse and frontal plane crack lengths were not significant. Histologic fatigue damage was not significantly correlated with crack dimensions determined by CT or extensometer micromotion. Bones with parasagittal crack area measurements above 30 mm2 may have a high risk of crack propagation and condylar fracture in vivo because of crack micromotion. In conclusion, our results suggest that CT could be used to quantify subchondral fatigue crack dimensions in racing Thoroughbred horses in-vivo to assess risk of condylar fracture. Horses with parasagittal crack arrays that exceed 30 mm2 may have a high risk for development of condylar fracture.