Long-term results of tenoscopic treatment of lesions in the digital flexor tendon sheath : a retrospective study of fifty horses

Injuries to the structures within the digital flexor tendon sheath (DFTS) can be the primary cause of non-infectious tenosynovitis, for which diagnostic and therapeutic tenoscopy can be performed. In this retrospective study, the medical records of fifty horses that underwent tenoscopic treatment of non-infectious tenosynovitis of the DFTS from 2008 to 2016 at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (Ghent University), were evaluated. Telephonic follow-up information was obtained for forty horses. In jumping horses, front limbs were significantly more often involved, whereas in non-jumping horses, the hind limbs were affected more frequently (P=0.01). Lesions of the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) were observed in 45% of the cases and lesions of the manica flexoria (MF) in 39% of the cases. Ultimately, 27.7% of horses with lesions of the DDFT and 53% of horses with lesions of the MF returned to their original level of performance, with a mean follow-up period of 4.6 +/- 2.5 years

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound examination for the assessment of renal perfusion in cats with chronic kidney disease

Background: Contrast-enhanced ultrasound examination (CEUS) is a functional imaging technique allowing noninvasive assessment of tissue perfusion. Studies in humans show that the technique holds great potential to be used in the diagnosis of chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, data in veterinary medicine are currently lacking. Objectives: To evaluate renal perfusion using CEUS in cats with CKD. Animals: Fourteen client-owned cats with CKD and 43 healthy control cats. Methods: Prospective case-controlled clinical trial using CEUS to evaluate renal perfusion in cats with CKD compared to healthy control cats. Time-intensity curves were created, and perfusion parameters were calculated using off-line software. A linear mixed model was used to examine differences between perfusion parameters of cats with CKD and healthy cats. Results: In cats with CKD, longer time to peak and shorter mean transit times were observed for the renal cortex. In contrast, a shorter time to peak and rise time were seen for the renal medulla. The findings for the renal cortex indicate decreased blood velocity and shorter total duration of enhancement, likely caused by increased vascular resistance in CKD. Increased blood velocity in the renal medulla has not been described before and may be because of a different response to regulatory factors in cortex and medulla. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Contrast-enhanced ultrasound examination was capable of detecting perfusion changes in cats with CKD. Further research is warranted to assess the diagnostic capabilities of CEUS in early stage of the disease process

Spontaneous realigning of a displaced equine premolar post extraction of an adjacent supernumerary tooth - two cases = Spontane repositie van een equiene premolaar na extractie van eenaanpalende polydonte tand – twee casussen

Two horses were presented with problems during ridden exercise due to a firm, sensitive swelling at the level of the cheek adjacent to an upper Triadan 06. Oral, radiographic and computed tomographic examinations (n=1) identified the presence of a palatal supernumerary tooth being the causing factor of a buccally displaced 06. In both cases, the supernumerary tooth was extracted on the standing sedated horse. A couple of months following extraction, the buccally displaced tooth had spontaneously moved into a more physiological position due to orthodontic forces of the cheek and masticatory forces. Both horses uneventfully returned to ridden work without further problems

Radiographic features of the dorsal condylar sagittal ridge of the third metacarpal and metatarsal bones in young Warmblood stallions

Objectives: To describe the radiographic appearance of the dorsoproximal aspect of the sagittal ridge of the third metacarpal/metatarsal bone in Warmblood horses. Methods: The lateromedial radiographic projections of the metacarpo-/metatarsophalangeal joints performed on horses as a part of stallion selection were used. The dorsal aspect of the distal third metacarpal/metatarsal bone was divided in two areas. The appearance of the bone surface in area I was classified as normal, irregular, notch, indentation and lucency. For area II, the categories were normal, irregular, depression or lucency and flattening of the sagittal ridge. Other abnormalities at the dorsal aspect were also noted. Results: In area I, 51.5% of the ridges appeared normal, 19.3% were irregular, 8.9% had a notch, 8.1% had a lucency, and 12.2% had an indentation. In 1.2% of the horses a fragment was present, and in 1.7% a fragment was suspected. In area II, 90.6% of the metacarpo-/metatarsophalangeal joints were normal, 6.2% were irregular, 2.9% showed a depression or lucency, and the sagittal ridge in 0.2% was flattened. A fragment was present in 0.3%, and suspected in 0.4%. Clinical significance: Morphological variation is present at the dorsal aspect of the metacarpo-/metatarsophalangeal joint in young Warmblood stallions. These various aspects should be recognised and described in horses presented for prepurchase examination. However, their clinical relevance in the individual horse is unclear and needs further investigation