Erythrocytosis and fatigue fractures associated with hepatoblastoma in a 3-year-old gelding

Hepatoblastoma was diagnosed in a 3-year-old Thoroughbred gelding presented with forelimb lameness with bilateral fatigue fractures of the proximal third metacarpal bones. An abdominal mass was detected on ultrasound examination of the abdomen. Absolute erythrocytosis was diagnosed after clinical and haematological evaluation. The fractured metacarpal bones were surgically removed but complications after surgery were fatal. The liver mass was diagnosed as a hepatoblastoma based on histology and immunochemical staining. The combination of hepatoblastoma and fatigue fractures has not been described previously in horses. A potential link between the hepatic and orthopaedic pathologies is hypothesised

Extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing enterobacteriaceae shedding in farm horses versus hospitalized horses: Prevalence and risk factors

We aimed to investigate the prevalence, molecular characteristics and risk factors of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-E) shedding in horses. A prospective study included three cohorts: (i) farm horses (13 farms, n = 192); (ii) on hospital admission (n = 168) and; (iii) horses hospitalized for ≥72 h re-sampled from cohort (ii) (n = 86). Enriched rectal swabs were plated, ESBL-production was confirmed (Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI)) and genes were identified (polymerase chain reaction (PCR)). Identification and antibiotic susceptibility were determined (Vitek-2). Medical records and owners’ questionnaires were analyzed. Shedding rates increased from 19.6% (n = 33/168) on admission to 77.9% (n = 67/86) during hospitalization (p < 0.0001, odds ratio (OR) = 12.12). Shedding rate in farms was 20.8% (n = 40/192), significantly lower compared to hospitalized horses (p < 0.0001). The main ESBL-E species (n = 192 isolates) were E. coli (59.9%, 115/192), Enterobacter sp. (17.7%, 34/192) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (13.0%, 25/192). The main gene group was CTX-M-1 (56.8%). A significant increase in resistance rates to chloramphenicol, enrofloxacin, gentamicin, nitrofurantoin, and trimethoprim-sulpha was identified during hospitalization. Risk factors for shedding in farms included breed (Arabian, OR = 3.9), sex (stallion, OR = 3.4), and antibiotic treatment (OR = 9.8). Older age was identified as a protective factor (OR = 0.88). We demonstrated an ESBL-E reservoir in equine cohorts, with a significant ESBL-E acquisition, which increases the necessity to implement active surveillance and antibiotic stewardship programs

Diaphragmatic Hernia in Horses in Israel: A Case Series. In: Israel Journal of Veterinary Medicine - Vol. 70 - N°1 - Mar. 2015

Diaphragmatic hernia (DH) is possibly more frequent in the horse than typically reported in the literature. Since DH is not as rare as perceived, reporting on its occurrence is critical in order to increase awareness of this problem. DH typically presents as an emergency situation, whose prompt treatment influences the prognosis. Thus, it should be included in the differential diagnosis of horses presenting with signs of colic or of respiratory distress, or with a combination of the two. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of DH cases at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the Koret School of Veterinary Medicine and to describe the clinical signs, case management and outcome of these cases. The equine medical records of our hospital for January 2008 -August 2012 were reviewed. The information retrieved included chief complaints, mode of diagnosis, physical characteristics of the hernia, organs found in the thorax, treatment, results and, where relevant and pathology report. The number of DHs was compared to the hospital&apos;s caseload and colic surgeries during the reference period. Four horses were presented with DH in the reference period constituting 0.46% of all surgeries and 1.29 % of all colic surgeries in the reference period, and 0.14% of the annual referral figure. Three of the four cases showed signs of colic with respiratory symptoms, whereas the fourth presented only acute respiratory distress. The survival rate was 25%, one patient being successfully treated. The prevalence of DH was found to be more frequent at the KVSM-VTH than previously reported. Early diagnosis and a suitable surgical approach proved essential to the successful surgical repair of DH, but the overall survival rate remained low

Prospective Feasibility and Revalidation of the Equine Acute Abdominal Pain Scale (EAAPS) in Clinical Cases of Colic in Horses

Assessment of the severity of pain in colic cases is subjective. The Equine Acute Abdominal Pain Scale (EAAPS), previously validated using film clips of horses with colic, was tested for feasibility and revalidated in both medical and surgical colic cases in Israel and the UK. Feasibility qualities evaluated were quickness and ease-of-use. Pain in 231 horses, presented for colic, was assessed by 35 participants; 26 in the UK and 9 in Israel. Without prior training, participants assessed the severity of pain using two scales; the EAAPS and a visual analogue scale (VAS). Convergent validity comparing the EAAPS to the VAS was substantial, discriminant validity was good, and predictive validity for surgical treatment was similar to the VAS, but for mortality, the VAS was significantly better. No participants reported the EAAPS to be “very slow” or “very difficult” to use. The mode reported was “quick”/“very quick” and “easy”/“very easy” to use, though in less than 10% of cases, it was reported to be a little less quick or easy. More experienced first-time users found it significantly quicker to use than less experienced participants. In conclusion, the EAAPS is the only equine pain assessment scale that has been tested and found to demonstrate good feasibility for use in the referral hospital setting

Correction: Maskato et al. Prospective Feasibility and Revalidation of the Equine Acute Abdominal Pain Scale (EAAPS) in Clinical Cases of Colic in Horses. Animals 2020, 10, 2242

The authors wish to make the following corrections to this paper [...

Correction: Maskato et al. Prospective Feasibility and Revalidation of the Equine Acute Abdominal Pain Scale (EAAPS) in Clinical Cases of Colic in Horses. <i>Animals</i> 2020, <i>10</i>, 2242

The authors wish to make the following corrections to this paper [...

Synovial Concentration of Trimethoprim-Sulphadiazine Following Regional Limb Perfusion in Standing Horses

The aim of this study was to investigate the safety and pharmacokinetics of trimethoprim-sulphadiazine administered via intravenous regional limb perfusion (IVRLP) into the cephalic vein. According to the hypothesis, the drug could be administered without adverse effects and the synovial concentrations would remain above the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for trimethoprim-sulphadiazine (0.5 and 9.5 µg/mL) for 24 h. Ten (n = 10) horses underwent cephalic vein IVRLP with an Esmarch tourniquet applied for 30 min. Four grams (4 g) of trimethoprim-sulphadiazine (TMP-SDZ) were diluted at 0.9% NaCl for a total volume of 100 mL. Synovial fluid and blood samples were obtained immediately before IVRLP and at 0.25, 0.5, 2, 6, 12 and 24 h after the initiation of IVRLP. Trimethoprim and sulphadiazine concentrations were determined using a method based on liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry. The Cmax (peak drug concentration) values were 36 ± 31.1 and 275.3 ± 214.4 µg/mL (TMP and SDZ). The respective tmax (time to reach Cmax) values were 20 ± 7.8 and 26.4 ± 7.2 min. The initial synovial fluid concentrations were high but decreased quickly. No horse had synovial concentrations of trimethoprim-sulphadiazine above the MIC at 12 h. Severe vasculitis and pain shortly after IVRLP, lasting up to one week post-injection, occurred in five out of 10 horses. In conclusion, IVRLP with trimethoprim-sulphadiazine cannot be recommended due to the low concentrations of synovial fluid over time and the frequent severe adverse effects causing pain and discomfort in treated horses. Thus, in cases of septic synovitis with bacteria sensitive to trimethoprim-sulphadiazine, other routes of administration should be considered