Complete Avulsion of the Hoof Capsule and Subsequent Testicular Degeneration in a Criollo Stallion

Background: Complete avulsion of the hoof in horses, also known as exungulation, is not a commonly reported injury and usually leads to euthanasia due to the great amount of tissue loss, intense pain, secondary complications, expensive and lengthy treatment. It can involve deep structures and cause different complications leading to chronic lameness. In stallions affected by such injury, the reproductive tract and performance may also be affected. The aim of this study was to report a case of complete avulsion of the right front hoof in a Criollo stallion and subsequent bilateral testicular degeneration.Case: A 10-year-old Criollo stallion was referred to the Veterinary Clinical Hospital of the Federal University of Pelotas (HCV- UFPel) with a complete avulsion of the left front hoof. At admission, the stallion had clinical parameters compatible with intense pain and blood loss. Evaluation of the wound demonstrated that the distal end of the third phalanx (P3) was exposed but no fracture was detected on radiological evaluation. No other structure was apparently affected. Initially, anti-inflammatory (phenylbutazone) and opioid (morphine) was given for pain control and supportive fluid therapy was started to restore hydration. Antibiotic (Sulfamethoxazole with trimethoprim) were administered for 10 days. Continued therapy with phenylbutazone, pentoxifylline, omeprazole and supplementation with methionine, biotin and zinc was also given. Local treatment was carried out by cleaning the wound, applying an antimicrobial ointment and dressing it with a bandage. Wound management was adapted according to the evolution and healing process. The stallion was kept in stall rest during its hospitalization time. In the second month after the injury, accumulation of liquid in the scrotum was observed. Clinical and ultrasound evaluation lead to a presumptive diagnosis of testicular degeneration. The stallion was discharged after three months when the wound was almost healed and the hoof had started to grow. Six month later, a follow up by the referring vet showed that the hoof was almost completely grown and the x-ray assessment demonstrated a cranial rotation and resorption of the distal end of the third phalanx.Discussion: The stallion of this report had a complete avulsion of the hoof capsule caused by trauma. Conservative treatment was established including wound cleaning and dressing to avoid contamination, control of pain and inflammation, antimicrobial care and supplementation to support hoof growth. Time period for wound healing and hoof growth was in agreement with other cases described previously. Bone sequestrum of the distal end of the third phalanx, and detachment of a fragment were observed in this case, followed by bone resorption. The stallion was closely monitored to prevent laminitis in the contralateral limb and no alterations were detected during the treatment period. Testicular degeneration was observed, probably caused as a consequence of hoof avulsion and due to a long period of stall rest. Degenerative alterations in testicles interfere with thermoregulation and spermatogenesis, affecting semen quality and reproductive performance. Rotation of the third phalanx was also observed six months later caused by the hoof loss. In conclusion, the patient of this report had a complete regrowth of the hoof capsule although a long intensive treatment was necessary to achieve this result. As a consequence, testicles degeneration may happen impairing its function as a stallion.Keywords: exungulation,hoof trauma, degenerative changes

Gestation in a Mare with Facial Deviation (Wry Nose)

Background: Wry nose is a congenital deformity that causes respiratory obstruction and decreased oxygenation rate. Gestation in a wry nose mare may be considered a risk to the neonate since it depends on the maternal environment for development. Compromised oxygenation during pregnancy can lead to fetal distress and cause consequences on fetal development. However, depending on the degree of the impairment, the fetus may still be able to adapt. The aim of the present study was to report the gestation in a mare with facial deviation until term and to assess blood gases in the mare and neonate, and to evaluate the histomorphometry of the placenta.Case: A Criollo breed mare presenting facial deviation (Wry Nose) was donated to Equine Medicine Research Group (ClinEq) of the Federal University of Pelotas (UFPel) due to the presence of the physical deformity. When the mare was five years old, it was inseminated and had a pregnancy confirmed. At the fifth month of gestation, evaluation of fetal aorta diameter, fetal orbital diameter and combined thickness of the uterus and placenta (CTUP) started to be performed monthly to assess gestation health. The assessment of the fetal orbit and aorta diameter revealed a linear increase of both variables with the progress of gestation indicating a normal fetal development.  CTUP remained in the normal reference range, presenting no alterations during the gestational length. The mare foaled at 324 days of gestation a coat showing no congenital deformities. The foaling was monitored until the complete passage of fetal membranes. A complete clinical and hematological evaluation of the foal was carried out after birth. The foal showed normal adaptive behavior, clinical and hematological parameters during the first hours of life, although presenting physical signs of immaturity. Venous blood samples were collected from the mare at 315 days of gestation, immediately after foaling and 24 h post-partum for lactate and blood gas analysis.  Mild changes were observed in the mare’s blood gas analysis at foaling that were compensated within 24 h post-partum. Venous blood samples were collected from the umbilical cord and from the foal after birth, at 12 and 24 h post-partum to measure blood gases and lactate. The newborn foal presented respiratory acidosis immediately after birth, which was metabolically compensated at 24 h post-partum. Both mare’s and foal’s lactate evaluation were within the normal reference ranges. After expulsion of the placenta, samples from the gravid horn, uterine body and non-gravid horn were collected for histological and histomorphometric evaluation. In the histological evaluation, avillous areas were detected in the gravid horn and uterine body and mild hypoplasia was found in the uterine body. Placental histomorphometry revealed larger total microcotiledonary and capillary areas on the non-gravid horn when compared to the remaining areas of the placenta (gravid horn and uterine body). No abnormalities on the placental vasculature were detected.  Discussion: To date, there are no reports of a pregnancy in a mare with facial deviation in the literature. This report showed that the wry nose mare gave birth to a viable foal showing no congenital abnormalities, which suggests that wry nose animals can be bred normally. The mare presented a healthy pregnancy, with mild changes in the blood gas analysis at foaling that were compensated at 24 h postpartum. Similarly, despite the foal showed physical signs of immaturity and respiratory acidosis at birth, these changes were compensated in the later assessments. Furthermore, no abnormalities on the placental vasculature were detected

Metabolic profile and body condition score of Crioulo horses finalists in the Freio de Ouro competition

The aim of this study was to assess the body condition score (BCS) and metabolic profile of finalists in the Freio de Ouro competition, stratified by sex. This study examined 84 Crioulo horses, comprising 43 non-pregnant mares and 41 stallions. Morphometric measurements, including BCS, cresty neck score (CNS), neck and heart girth, and assessments of fat depth at the neck and at the tail base, were conducted. Additional derived measurements such as the percentage of body fat (%BF), body mass index (BMI), fat mass (FM), fat-free mass (FFM), heart girth:height ratio (HG:HW), and neck circumference:height ratio (NC:HW) were calculated. A subgroup of 53 animals was selected for the evaluation of metabolic parameters, including triglycerides, cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK), and adiponectin.In terms of BCS, 21% of participants were classified as overweight, with 49% having CNS≥3. Females exhibited greater fat deposition at the tail base and neck, along with higher %BF, FM, and HG:HW ratio, and lower NC:HWcompared to males. Among metabolic variables, females showed higher concentrations of LDH, LDL, CK, and lower concentrations of adiponectin than males. No differences were observed in morphometric measurements between participants that qualified for the final day of the competition and those which were disqualified. The study revealed that despite the rigorous physical demands and preparation required for the Freio de Ouro competition, a percentage of participants were overweight, displaying increased regional fat deposition in the neck. Although no metabolic changes related to increased adiposity were identified, the findings indicate a predisposition to the development of metabolic alterations. Additionally, females exhibited a greater accumulation of fat than males

Glycoinsulinic curve in mares during gestation and its relation with neonatal weight and height

Obesity can be considered a risk factor during the gestation period due to the endocrine changes that occur in both conditions, and obesity may exacerbate some of them and cause negative effects on the health of the dam and the newborn. Thus, the present dissertation approaches in article 1, a review on this current subject, emphasizing the dynamics of insulin and glucose during the gestation period, the changes caused by obesity in the equine species, and the possible problems of this alteration caused in the dam and in their offspring. In article 2, an experiment was carried out to describe the dynamics of the glucose and insulin curves in pregnant mares during gestation and to evaluate the curves according to the body condition score, identifying the presence of insulin resistance and correlating these values with the weight, height and clinical changes in neonates. Pregnant mares were evaluated altogether and grouped according to the body condition score during gestation until the first postpartum days. GrM, mares with moderate body score (ECC 5-6); GrOv, mares with overweight body score (ECC 7) and GrOb, obese mares (ECC 8-9). Twostage oral glucose test (OST) was used to determine the data. Cortisol analysis was also performed at 300-320 days of gestation, at foaling and after delivery (7-10 days postpartum). For evaluation of the neonate, general clinical examination, weight and height measurements were performed. Disregarding groups division, it was observed hyperglycemia with normal insulin values at the time of delivery, with a subsequent fall in both variables in lactation. Basal glucose was lower in GrM compared to GrOv and GrOb with 70-100 days of gestation and with 130-160 days of gestation. With 270-300 days of gestation and in the postpartum period, GrOb presented increase in basal glucose in relation to GrM. After OST, on the day of delivery, GrOb presented increased glucose values in relation to GrM. After OST, insulin levels were higher in GrOb than GrM and GrOv at delivery. There was no correlation between maternal blood glucose and maternal insulin values with foal weight and height, however, a lower relationship was identified between neonatal weight and mare weight in GrOv and GrOv in relation to GrM. Regarding cortisol analysis, an increase was observed in GrOv and GrOb values compared to GrM in postpartum. At foaling, the mares showed glucose dysregulation, and obese and overweight mares showed a greater response to the OST.Sem bolsaA obesidade pode ser considerada um fator de risco durante o período de gestação devido as alterações endócrinas que ocorrem em ambas as condições, podendo exacerbar algumas delas e causar efeitos negativos na saúde da mãe e do neonato. Dessa forma, a presente dissertação aborda no artigo 1, uma revisão sobre esse assunto, enfatizando as dinâmicas da insulina e da glicose durante o período de gestação, as alterações causadas pela obesidade na espécie equina, e os possíveis problemas dessa alteração causadas na mãe e em sua prole. No artigo 2, foi realizado um experimento com objetivo de descrever a dinâmica das curvas de glicose e insulina em éguas durante a gestação até o pós-parto e avaliar as curvas de acordo com o escore de condição corporal, identificando a presença de resistência insulínica e correlacionando esses valores com o peso, altura e alterações clínicas dos neonatos. As éguas prenhes foram avaliadas em conjunto e agrupadas de acordo com o escore de condição corporal durante a gestação até os primeiros dias pós-parto. Grupo de éguas com escore corporal moderado (ECC 5-6; n=5); Grupo de éguas com escore corporal acima do peso (ECC 7; n=9) e Grupo de éguas obesas (ECC 8-9; n=12). Para determinação dos dados foi utilizado o teste de glicose oral (OST) em duas etapas. Análise de cortisol foi realizada entre os 300-320 dias de gestação, no dia do parto e 7-10 dias após o parto. Para avaliação do neonato, foram realizadas exame clínico geral e as medidas de peso e altura. Desconsiderando a divisão por grupos, foi evidenciado hiperglicemia com valores normais de insulina no momento parto, com uma queda subsequente em ambas as variáveis na lactação. A glicose basal foi menor no GrM em comparação com GrOv e GrOb com 70-100 dias de gestação e com 130-160 dias de gestação. Com 270-300 dias de gestação e no pós-parto, o GrOb apresentou aumento na glicose basal em relação ao GrM. Após OST, no dia do parto, o GrOb apresentou valores de glicose aumentados em relação ao GrM. Após OST, os níveis de insulina foram maiores no GrOb do que GrM e GrOv no momento do parto. Não foi encontrada correlação entre as concentrações de glicemia e insulina materna com o peso e a altura do potro, entretanto, foi identificada uma relação menor entre o peso neonatal e o peso da égua no GrOb e GrOv em relação ao GrM. Em relação ao cortisol, foi identificado um aumento nos valores no GrOv e GrOb em comparação ao GrM no pós-parto. No parto, as éguas apresentaram alterações nos níveis de glicose, sendo que as éguas obesas e com sobrepeso apresentaram uma resposta maior ao OST

Obesity in Crioulo horses

With the increase in value of the Crioulo breed and the different high-demand sports categories in which it participates, there was also an increase in intensive breeding systems, which provide a greater energy supply of nutrition, increasing the rate of animals that are overweight and obese. Thus, this thesis aims to address the issue of obesity in the Crioulo breed in two important periods of breeding. The first article addresses the humoral immune evaluation of pregnant overweight mares in response to a commercial vaccine. Thirty pregnant Crioulo mares were separated according to body condition score (BCS) into overweight mares (ECC≥7/9) and control mares (ECC = 5-6/9), yet in each group, animals were also separated into vaccinated and controls. The mares were vaccinated against EHV-1 in two doses with an interval of 21 days and collected monthly for five months for antibody evaluation. Both vaccinated groups had an increase in serum neutralizing antibodies after the vaccine, however, after the second dose, no increase in antibodies was observed in any of the groups. No difference was observed between the groups of animals vaccinated with BCS≥7 and BCS 5-6 at any time point, and it was found that the BCS does not alter the humoral response during the final third of pregnancy. Thus, this study demonstrated that obesity was not a factor that influenced the humoral immune response of pregnant mares. Article 2 aimed to evaluate the BCS and metabolic profile of the finalists of the Freio de Ouro competition, separated by gender. This study evaluated 84 Crioulo horses, 43 non-pregnant females and 41 stallions, from which morphometric measurements of BCS, crest neck score (CNS), evaluation of fat depth at the neck and fat in the base of the tail were performed, From these measures, the percentage of body fat (%BF), body mass index (BMI), fat mass (FM), free fat mass (FFM), thorax and height ratio (CT:AC) and neck to height ratio (CP:AC) were also performed. From the 84 animals, 53 were sampled for evaluation of triglycerides, cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), highdensity lipoprotein (HDL), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK), and adiponectin. Regarding BCS, 21% of the participants were classified as overweight (BCS 7/9), and 49% with CNS≥3. Greater fat deposition was found at the base of the tail and neck in females. Females also had higher %BF, FM and CT:AC ratio and lower CP:AC when compared to males. Of the metabolic variables, females had higher concentrations of LDH, LDL, CK, and lower concentrations of adiponectin than males. No difference was observed in the morphometric measurements of the participants who passed to the last day of competition from those who were disqualified. Based on this study, it was possible to observe that despite the fact that the Freio de Ouro competition is of high physical demand and preparation of the participants, a percentage of the participants were overweight and with increased deposition of regional fat in the neck, which may predispose to the development of metabolic changes. However, no metabolic changes related to increased adiposity were found. In addition, females accumulated more fat than males.Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPESCom a crescente valorização da raça Crioula e as diferentes modalidades esportivas de alta exigência as quais a mesma participa, houve também um aumento das criações em sistemas intensivos, os quais disponibilizam maior aporte energético de nutrição, aumentando o índice de animais que apresentam sobrepeso e obesidade. Dessa forma, a presente tese tem como objetivo abordar o tema da obesidade na raça Crioula em dois períodos importantes da criação. O primeiro artigo aborda a avaliação imune humoral de éguas com sobrepeso gestantes em resposta a uma vacina comercial. Trinta éguas Crioulas gestantes foram separadas de acordo com escore de condição corporal (ECC) em éguas com sobrepeso (ECC≥7/9) e éguas controles (ECC = 5-6/9), ainda em cada grupo, os animais também foram separados em vacinadas e controles. As éguas foram vacinas contra o EHV-1 em duas doses com intervalo de 21 dias e coletadas mensalmente por cinco meses para avaliação de anticorpos. Ambos os grupos vacinados tiveram aumento de anticorpos séricos neutralizantes após a vacina, porém, após a segunda dose não foi observado aumento de anticorpos em nenhum dos grupos. Não foi observado diferença entre os grupos de animais vacinados com ECC≥7 e ECC 5-6 em nenhum momento, sendo constatado que o escore corporal em si não altera a resposta humoral durante o terço final de gestação. Assim, esse trabalho demonstrou que a obesidade não foi um fator que influenciou na resposta imune humoral de éguas gestantes. O artigo 2 teve como objetivo avaliar a condição corporal e perfil metabólico dos participantes finalistas da prova do Freio de ouro, separados por sexo. Esse estudo avaliou 84 animais, 43 fêmeas não-gestantes e 41 garanhões da raça Crioula, os quais foram realizadas as medidas morfométricas de ECC, escore de crista (CNS), avaliação de tamanho de gordura na crista e tamanho de gordura da base da cola, sendo que a partir dessas medidas foi realizada determinação de porcentagem de gordura corporal (%GC), índice de massa corporal (IMC), massa gorda (MG), massa gorda livre (MGL), relação circunferência torácica e altura (CT:AC) e relação circunferência de pescoço e altura (CP:AC). Desses 84 animais, 53 foram coletadas amostra de sangue para avaliação de triglicerídeos, colesterol, lipoproteína de baixa densidade (LDL), lipoproteína de alta densidade (HDL), lactato desidrogenase (LDH), cretina quinase (CK) e adiponectina. Com relação aos escores, 21% dos participantes foram classificados com sobrepeso (ECC 7/9), e 49% com CNS≥3. Foi encontrada maior deposição de gordura na base da cauda e no pescoço nas fêmeas. As fêmeas também apresentaram maior %GC, MG e relação CT:AC e menor CP:AC quando comparadas aos machos. Das variáveis metabólicas, as fêmeas apresentaram maiores concentrações de LDH, LDL, CK, e menor concentração de adiponectina que os machos. Não foi observado diferença nas medidas morfométricas dos participantes que passaram para o último dia de competição dos que foram desclassificados. A partir desse estudo foi possível observar que apesar da prova do Freio de Ouro ser de alta exigência física e de preparo dos participantes, uma porcentagem dos participantes encontravam-se com sobrepeso e com aumento de deposição de gordura regional no pescoço, o que pode predispor ao desenvolvimento de alterações metabólicas. No entanto, não foi encontrada nenhuma alteração metabólica relacionada ao aumento de adiposidade. Além disso, as fêmeas acumulam mais gordura do que os machos

Imunidade humoral não é alterada em éguas Crioulas gestantes com sobrepeso

Tanto a gestação quanto a obesidade podem influenciar o desenvolvimento de alterações significativas no sistema imune, portanto, o presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a resposta imune humoral de éguas gestantes com sobrepeso em resposta a uma vacina comercial. Trinta éguas Crioulas gestantes foram separadas de acordo com o escore de condição corporal (ECC) em éguas com sobrepeso (ECC≥7/9) e éguas controles (ECC=5-6/9) e, ainda, em cada grupo, os animais também foram separados em vacinados e controles. As éguas foram vacinadas contra o EHV-1 em duas doses com intervalo de 21 dias, sendo realizadas coletas de sangue mensalmente durante cinco meses para avaliação de anticorpos neutralizantes. Ambos os grupos vacinados tiveram aumento de anticorpos neutralizantes específicos após a vacina, porém, após a segunda dose, não foi observado aumento de anticorpos em nenhum dos grupos. Nenhuma diferença foi observada entre éguas vacinadas com sobrepeso e as éguas controles em nenhum momento. Assim, este estudo demonstrou que a obesidade não é um fator que influencia a resposta imune humoral de éguas Crioulas gestantes.Both pregnancy and obesity can influence significant changes in the immune system. On this basis, the present study proposes to evaluate the humoral immune response of overweight pregnant mares in response to a commercial vaccine. Thirty pregnant Crioulo mares were separated according to body condition score (BCS) into overweight (BCS≥7/9) or lean-control (BCS= 5-6/9). In each group, the animals were subdivided into vaccinated and controls. The mares were vaccinated against EHV-1 in two doses spaced 21 days apart and had their blood collected monthly, for five months, for antibody evaluation. Both vaccinated groups had an increase in specific neutralizing antibodies after the vaccine. However, after the second dose, there was no increase in antibodies in any of the groups. Vaccinated overweight and lean-control mares did not differ at any time point. Therefore, this study demonstrated that obesity does not influence the humoral immune response in pregnant Crioulo mares

Foals Developmental Orthopedic Disease Associated with Metabolic and Biometric Characterization of Pregnant Overweight Crioulo Mares

Background: Musculoskeletal changes in growing foals can be linked to metabolic disorders which affect the cartilage metabolism associated of obesity during the late gestation of the mares, negatively affecting the athletic performance of the otherwise prospective foals. High basal insulin levels can be associated with increased weight and obesity of the mares, altering the supply of the glucose to the fetus and the production of IGF-1, which plays an important role in the endochondral cartilage metabolism. The present study aims to describe the association of the articular and the physeal possible lesions and the IGF-1 levels of the foals to metabolic and biometric measurements alterations of the overweight Crioulo mares in the late gestation.Materials, Methods & Results: A prospective and observational cohort study was conducted using the foals and the overweight mares at field conditions. Twenty-eight foals and their overweight mothers were utilized. The foals’ biometric and metabolic features as weight and height; glucose, total cholesterol, cholesterol HDL, triglycerides, basal insulin, leptin, glucose, total T4 and IGF-1 were analyzed, from the birth until the weaning period around sixth month of life of it. All the foals, at the weaning period, were submitted to the radiograph examination of the tarsal joints and the metacarpal-phalangeal joints to evaluate signs of lesions and the possible distal metacarpal physeal changes, respectively. The mares’ biometric and metabolic features as weight, height and fat tail-head deposition; basal insulin, leptin, glucose, total cholesterol, cholesterol HDL and triglycerides were analyzed at the final period of gestation. The basal insulin levels of the foals at the second, fourth and sixth month of life were 9.87 + 1.82 µUI/mL, 9.13 + 1.94 µUI/mL, 9.39 + 2.54 µUI/mL. The IGF-1 levels of the foals at the second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth month of life were 290.27 + 79.72 ng/mL; 180.77 + 66.22 ng/mL; 151.79 + 46.64 ng/mL; 110.81 + 33.13 ng/mL and 89.59 + 14.00 ng/mL. Foals presented osteoarthritis (92.85%) of the distal tarsal joints and 50% of it presented physitis of the distal metacarpal epiphyseal plate. The weight and the basal insulin levels of the mares at the last three months of gestation were 501.80 + 6.4 kg, 511.76 + 8.0 kg, 533.23 + 8.2 kg and 11.7 + 2.1 µUI/mL, 9.8 + 1.1 µUI/mL, 13.7 + 1.6 µUI/mL, respectively.Discussion: In the present study, from the second to the sixth month of the period life, the foals showed IGF-1 levels of 290 to 89 ng/mL, and demonstrated, at 6-month-old, a prevalence of 92.85% of distal tarsus lesions and 50% of physitis of the distal metacarpal epiphyseal plate. In association, the overweight mares showed an increase of the insulin basal levels when nearing parturition. The occurrence of physitis in 50% of the 6-month-old foals in the present study demonstrate that the metabolic changes are involved in this process and the IGF-1 levels were observed to be lower than in healthy foals of other breeds. The lower IGF-1 levels during the developmental period of the foals are associated with a decrease of bone density and mass, musculoskeletal atrophy and osteoarthritis. In the present study, the decreasing curve of IGF-1 levels (P < 0.05) of the foals, from the second to sixth month of life, is similar to others researches with foals from other breeds from 0 to 7 months of life. In previous researches with Crioulo horses, it was observed that foals aged less than 18 months had up to 100% of prevalence of articular tarsus lesions. This suggest that the tarsus lesions observed in 92.85% of the 6-month-old foals in the present study, could not heal and that lesions should remain in the foals to adulthood

Small Intestine Strangulating Obstruction by Mesenteric Pedunculated Lipoma in a Criollo Mare

Background: The abdominal lipomas are benign tumors of hyperplastic growth that originate from mesenteric adipose tissue, most commonly in the small intestine. Pedunculated lipoma strangulation occurs when the pedicle wraps around an intestinal loop and its mesentery, obstructing the intestinal lumen and blood supply of the affected segment. The aim of the present study is to report a case of a Criollo mare presenting a strangulating obstruction of the jejunum and ileum by a pedunculated lipoma, focusing the discussion in the causes and epidemiology of this alteration.Case: A 24-year-old Criollo mare with a body condition score 8 out of 9 was referred to a Veterinary Clinical Hospital of the Federal University of Pelotas (HCV-UFPel) presenting acute abdominal pain. At the hospital, the mare was presenting mild signs of abdominal discomfort. At the initial clinical exam, the mare had an increased heart and respiratory rates, normal body temperature, hyperemic mucous membranes, capillary refil time of 3 s and absent gut sounds in all four quadrants during auscultation. Mild dehydration was present, increased fibrinogen and serum lactate. Rectal palpation revealed distention of the small intestine by gas, during abdominal ultrassonography the small intestinal wall thickness was found increased. Peritoneal lactate was 11 mmol/L and protein was 6 mg/dL. Due to the clinical findings during the exam, an exploratory celiotomy was performed. Necrosis of the final third of jejunum and the entire extension of ileum was found. Examining the compromised intestinal portion, it was observed a linear structure strangulating two segments of the small intestine. Taking into account the extensive area of irreversible necrosis and the advanced age of the patient, euthanasia was performed. The mare was then referred for necropsy and findings confirmed the strangulation of the final portion of the jejunum and all the extension of the ileum caused by a mesenteric pedunculated lipoma.Discussion: Increased mesenteric fat can predispose horses to the development of mesenteric lipomas. Although there is no scientific evidence of the association of mesenteric lipoma and obesity, it has been observed that pedunculated lipomas are more common in horses with metabolic alterations, for example, Criollo breed, that is potentially predisposed to develop metabolic disturbances. Elderly horses are at the highest risk of colic by mesenteric lipoma, as well as geldings, however, others authors describe that females are more commonly affected. Horses considered of short stature are more predisposed when compared to jumping or race horses. Pedunculated lipoma occurs in 18% of all cases of treated colic and is found more frequently in the small intestine when compared to the smaller colon. In most cases, surgery is indicated and resection of the pedicle and the affected segment may be necessary, however, in this case, the extensive area of intestinal necrosis and the impossibility of externalization of the affected segment lead the decision to proceed with euthanasia. In conclusion, the mare of the present study had an advanced age and a high body condition score, which the authors’ believe were two predisposing factors that increased the risk of it developing a mesenteric lipoma. Considering that, further epidemiologic studies should be conducted to better understand this relation

Outcome of a Ceratohyiodectomy in a Criollo Mare with Temporohyoid Osteoarthropathy

 Background: Temporohyoid osteoarthropathy (THO) is a progressive disease that causes acute onset of peripheral vestibular signs with or without facial paralysis. Ankylosis of temporhyoid joint occurs which predispose to fractures of the involved bones and consequently causes the commonly neurological signs observed. Clinical signs vary depending on the stage of the disease and the nerves affected. Surgical treatment is advised to improve survival rates in which the ceratohyoidectomy is currently known as the most advantageous. The aim of the present study is to report a case and outcome of a ceratohyoidectomy procedure in a Criollo mare presenting THO of the right temporohyoid joint.Case: A 17-year-old Criollo mare was referred to the Equine clinical hospital of the Federal University of Pelotas with a 5-day history of facial paralysis on the right side, head tilt and difficulty to chew and swallow. Auricular, palpebral and labial ptosis along with deviation of the lip and nostril to the left were observed. A corneal ulcer was also identified in the right eye. Complementary imaging exams (endoscopy of the guttural pouches and radiography of the head) were performed and showed thickening of the right stylohyoid bone confirming a diagnosis of THO. Anti-inflammatory and antibiotic therapy were administered and the corneal ulcer was treated with topical antibiotics and autologous serum. Due to rapid deterioration of clinical signs, the mare was referred to surgery. A ceratohyoidectomty procedure was performed under general anesthesia. In this procedure, the ceratohyoid bone was disarticulated from the ceratohyoid-basihyoid joint and removed. During the procedure, a branch of the linguofacial vein was accidentally incised causing hemorrhage, the branch was identified and successfully ligated. Recovery was uneventful. Supportive treatment with anti-inflammatory and antibiotics was continued after surgery and two sessions of electro-acupuncture was also performed to improve the nerve paralysis. The electro-acupuncture was discontinued due to mare’s negative behavior on needle insertion in the face. The treatment of the ulcer was changed since no improvement was observed in the first days. Twenty-eight days after hospitalization, the mare was discharged with the ulcer healed and significant improvement of neurological signs. A complete recovery occurred within three months.Discussion: The Criollo mare was referred to the hospital presenting mild neurological signs consistent with vestibular alteration and facial nerve paralysis. The THO diagnosis was confirmed using complementary imaging exams in which the endoscopy of the guttural pouch is considered the most common when computed tomography, a more sensitive one, is not available. Unilateral ceratohyoidectomy was performed as a surgical choice of treatment since it has a higher survival rate and lower recurrence rate in comparison to medical treatment and to stylohyoidectomy. As the main intraoperative complication, a vessel was accidentally incised, however this is described to occur in some cases. Despite that, the procedure was successfully performed and the mare had a complete recovery of the neurological signs and corneal ulcer. In conclusion, this report showed that it is important to have a complete diagnosis of these diseases and a consistent treatment plan to improve patient’s survival and quality of life.Keywords: neurologic disease, peripheral vestibular signs, facial paralysis, ceratohyoid bone, ceratohyoidectomy