Assessment of ultrasonographic morphometric measurements of digital flexor tendons and ligaments of the palmar metacarpal region in Icelandic Horses.

OBJECTIVE: To obtain morphometric values for the superficial digital flexor tendon, deep digital flexor tendon, accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor muscle, and suspensory ligament in the palmar metacarpal region of Icelandic Horses. ANIMALS: 50 nonlame Icelandic Horses in training. PROCEDURES: Horses included 2 stallions, 30 geldings, and 18 mares from 4 to 20 years of age with a body mass index from 149.1 to 250.11 kg/m2. Transverse ultrasonographic images were obtained with an 8- to 10-MHz linear transducer and a standoff pad. In both forelimbs, the cross-sectional area, circumference, dorsopalmar width, and lateromedial width were measured 3 times at 5 regions of interest (ROIs). RESULTS: The coefficient of variation for all measurements of each ROI was <5%. Comparisons were performed among and within structures and for each variable at all ROIs. Comparisons among horses revealed homogeneity because no significant influences of age, sex, height at the withers, or body mass index were found. Additionally, a characteristic skin condition interfering with ultrasonographic examination was observed. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The morphometric values of the structures examined were consistent with those reported for other breeds, although some differences were observed.

Autologous conditioned plasma as therapy of tendon and ligament lesions in seven horses

This case report describes the intralesional application of autologous conditioned plasma (ACP) in seven horses as treatment of severe tendinitis of the superficial digital flexor tendon, deep digital flexor tendon, or desmitis of the inferior check ligament. Follow-up data of the horses revealed a positive outcome in 10 to 13 months post injury. All horses treated with ACP were either performing in their previous work-load or were back in full training. Further studies with long-term follow-up will have to be performed to support these clinical intermediate-term observations.

[Different CO2-stunning procedures and post mortem obtained lung lesions in response to the corneal reflex and parameters in blood of slaughtered pigs]. / Einfluss unterschiedlicher CO2- Betäubungsvarianten sowie postmortaler Lungenbefunde auf die Antwortreaktion des Kornealreflexes und Parameter im Stichblut von Schlachtschweinen.

The effect of different CO2-stunning on the corneal reflex response and blood parameters in (arterio-venous) killing blood was investigated in n = 614 slaughter pigs (carcass weight = 92-94 kg) at two different abattoirs. CO2-anaesthesia lead to remarkable decrease of PO2 (hypoxaemia), increase of PCO2 (hypercapnia), decrease of pH (respiratory acidosis) and increase of [strong ion difference = SID3] (basic reaction caused by electrolytes). Pigs with subclinical post mortem obtained lung lesions showed no significant modified value of the reflex answer or changes in parameters of killing blood compared to the animals with healthy lungs. The CO2-stunning with 90% CO2 and 120 s exposure time resulted in notably less undesired positive reflex responses (6% of slaughter pigs) than the CO2-stunning with 90% CO2 and only 90 s exposure time (15% of slaughter pigs). The occurence of the positive reflex response, which means an inadequate depth of anaesthesia, in slaughter pigs can be safely eliminated by use of qualified cut off values of killing blood parameters. These parameters can be measured rapidly and validly with ion-sensitive electrodes, making a beneficial monitoring of the used CO2-stunning possible.