Proximal perineal urethrostomy technique for treatment of urethral stricture in a Vietnamese pot-bellied pig

Urinary tract obstruction in pigs can be seen with anatomical abnormalities or as a complication following castration. The surgical techniques described in the pig are few and consist of prepubic urethrostomy, extrapelvic urethral or urethropreputial anastomosis. These techniques are complex and not free from complications. Aim of the study was to describe the technique used to perform a proximal perineal urethrostomy in a Vietnamese potbellied pig. A Vietnamese pot-bellied pig with urinary obstruction was referred for complications after prepubic cystostomy. Endoscopy showed a stricture at the junction of the membranous and penile portions of the urethra. A perineal urethrostomy was performed. Seven days later the cystostomy was closed. No complication was reported during the procedure and after surgery, with the exception of urine induced dermatitis. Perineal urethrostomy is an effective technique as an alternative to prepubic urethrostomy and extrapelvic urethral anastomosis for the treatment of urethral obstruction in Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs

RADICAL SURGICAL TECHNIQUE FOR TREATMENT OF WHITE LINE DISEASE IN DAIRY COWS

Introduction: this clinical research investigates whether rigorous and aggressive surgical debridement of white line disease (WLD) lesions in 236 lame cows, in association with a medicated bandage, would promote clinical healing (as evidenced by coverage of the lesion with new horn) with subsequent improvement in milk production. Materials and methods: after claw trimming, wall and sole horn were removed and the horn rim trimmed around and inside the lesion using a hoof knife, until abundant bleeding was present. The wound was then rinsed, covered with a topical antibiotic and bandaged. Results: out of the initial 236 lame cows, on day two 40 cows were not lame anymore and 196 cows showed a score of 2 out of 5. On day 18, two cows had a grade 4 lameness, with the lesions being smaller but not completely healed. On days 30 and 40, none of the remaining 234 cows developed recurrence of pathology or lameness. At day 60, lesions were completely healed. Discussion: this aggressive surgical treatment allows milk production not to decrease comparing to the control group and can be easily implemented in practice. Conclusions: Since bovine claw lesions represent one of the main problems in dairy cattles, this surgical technique could be suggested as a valid option for the treatment of WLD in cows

Effect of Repeated Arthrocentesis on Cytology of Synovial Fluid

Repeated arthrocentesis is necessary to diagnose and monitor the evolution of joint diseases, but the procedure may worsen any inflammation and lead to an alteration in synovial fluid. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of repeated arthrocentesis on synovial fluid cytology in healthy horses with normal joints. The experimental study was approved by Ethics Committee (University of Pisa, Italy). Four horses were enrolled in this study on the basis of inclusion criteria and underwent repeated arthrocentesis of the intercarpal joint of both left and right forelimbs. The synovial fluid samples were processed for total protein concentration, total nucleated cell count, and differential leukocyte count. Data distribution was performed with the Komolgorovâ\u80\u93Smirnov test, and a Friedman test for repeated measures and Dunn's test as post hoc were performed in order to verify differences related to sampling times comparing each time point. Significance was set at P <.05. All horses remained free of lameness throughout the study period. Statistical differences were found for macrophage and lymphocyte related to sampling time. Our results support the finding that repeated arthrocentesis does not induce detectable synovial fluid alterations. Although mild statistically significant changes in macrophage and lymphocyte populations were found, the values were always within normal ranges, suggesting that these changes were not clinically significant. Moreover, the cytologic alterations rapidly solved. In conclusion, repeated arthrocentesis does not cause long term and clinically relevant alterations in synovial fluid cytology in healthy horses with normal joints

Evaluation of Protein Carbonyl Content in Healthy and Sick Hospitalized Horses

Literature on the protein carbonyl content (PCC) evaluation in horses is scarce, thus the aims were to evaluate the PCC in healthy and SIRS (Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome) horses and to investigate the performances of PCC in terms of sensitivity, specificity, and likelihood ratio in identifying SIRS positive and negative horses. A total of 72 adult horses were included. All the horses underwent to a complete physical examination, blood analysis, and were evaluated for the SIRS status. Blood samples were collected once in healthy horses and at admission time, then 24, 48, 72, and 96 h after admission in sick animals. PCC was evaluated using amethod previously described. Data were statistically analyzed to verify differences in PCC between healthy vs. SIRS positive or SIRS negative horses at all sampling time. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was performed to verify sensitivity and specificity of PCC in the diagnosis of SIRS-positive and SIRS negative horses. The healthy horses were standardbred mares with a median age of 8.5 years. The sick horses were 31/54 females, 16/54 geldings, and 7/54 stallions of different breeds and with a median age of 12 years old. Eight out of 54 sick horses were SIRS negative, while 46/54 were SIRS positive. Statistically significant differences were obtained between healthy and SIRS positive horses, while no differences were observed between healthy and SIRS negative horses at any sampling time. The best cutoff value of PCC to discriminate between SIRS positive, SIRS negative, and healthy horses, the sensitivity and specificity of cutoff point, the area under receiver operating characteristic curve, the 95%confidence intervals, and the likelihood ratio were reported. We found higher PCC values in sick SIRS-positive horses vs. healthy ones with a decrement over time, while no differences at admission, nor during the observational period, were obtained in sick but SIRS-negative horses. The value of 0.049 nmol/ml/mg is reported as a potential cutoff for the diagnosis of SIRS positivity vs. healthy horses with a sensibility of 74.5% and a specificity of 72.2%. In conclusion, PCC seems to be a sensitive and specific marker for SIRS in horses

Short-Term Survival and Postoperative Complications Ratesin Horses Undergoing Colic Surgery: A Multicentre Study

The occurrence of colic could be influenced by the characteristics of a population, geograph-ical area, and feeding management. The aim of this study was to report the short-term postoperativecomplications and survival rates and to identify factors that might affect the outcome of horses thatunderwent colic surgery in three Italian surgical referral centres. Data of horses subjected to colicsurgery in three referral centres (2018–2021) were analysed. Comparisons of the outcomes wereperformed using a Mann–Whitney or a Chi square test. Areas under the receiver operating character-istic (ROC) curve and multivariable logistic regression analysis were used for parameters that weresignificant in the previous univariate analysis. The goodness-of-fit of the model was assessed usingthe Akike information criterion (AIC). Significance was defined asp< 0.05, and odds ratios and 95%confidence intervals were calculated as percentages. A total of 451 horses were included. The survivalrate was 68.5% of all of the horses that underwent colic surgery and 80% of the horses survivinganaesthesia. Age, BCS, PCV and TPP before and after surgery, amount of reflux, type of disease, typeof lesion, duration of surgery, surgeon’s experience, and amount of intra- and postoperative fluidsadministered influenced the probability of short-term survival. The multivariate analysis revealedthat PCV at arrival, TPP after surgery, and BCS had the highest predictive power. This is the firstmulticentre study in Italy. The results of this study may help surgeons to inform owners regardingthe prognosis of colic surgery

Relationship between intestinal parasites and colic in the horse

Obiettivo: capire la relazione che intercorre tra le coliche del cavallo e le parassitosi intestinali, quindi capire l’effettiva rilevanza clinica delle infezioni parassitarie. Tipo di studio: studio clinico-chirurgico e parassitologico. Metodi: in questo studio sono stati presi in esame 92 cavalli afferiti presso il servizio SARGA del Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche Veterinarie durante gli anni 2009-2011. 27 di questi soggetti sono stati sottoposti a laparotomia esplorativa per colica, 22 avevano una colica che si è risolta con terapia medica, sono stati 43 i cavalli afferiti presso il servizio per patologie diverse dall’addome acuto. I cavalli da cui è stato possibile prelevare un’adeguato quantitativo di feci (# 86) sono stati sottoposti ad esami coprologici, qualitativi e quantitativi. I dati ottenuti sono stati sottoposti ad analisi statistica descrittiva, al test del Chi quadrato e al test di Kuskall-Wallis rispettivamente per le prevalenze e i dati quantitativi, oltre ad una regressione logistica per evidenziare i fattori di rischio. Dai cavalli sottoposti a celiotomia è stato prelevato il contenuto intestinale per la raccolta dei parassiti adulti. Risultati: la prevalenza e l’abbondanza degli strongili è risultata significativamente minore nei cavalli sottoposti a chirurgia addominale rispetto al totale della popolazione presa in esame. Differenze significative di prevalenza sono state evidenziate anche tra i cavalli in colica medica e chirurgica. L’unico fattore di rischio evidenziato dall’analisi di regressione logistica è rappresentato dall’età per le sole coliche trattate chirurgicamente. Né strongili né ascaridi sembrano aumentare il rischio di colica. La probabilità di decesso aumenta significativamente in caso di colica chirurgica ma non è influenzata in alcun modo dalle infezioni parassitarie.Aim: Understanding the relationship between colic and intestinal parasites in horses, and the clinical significance of parasite infections. Study Design: surgical study, parasitologic. Methods: In this study 92 horses referred to the Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences during the years 2009-2011 were examined. Twentyseven of these subjects underwent exploratory laparotomy for colic, 22 had a colic resolved with medical therapy, 43 horses were referred for problems different from acute abdomen. Coprological analysis, both qualitative and quantitative, were performed on 86 subjects. The data obtained were statistically summarized; Chi-square test and Kruskall-Wallis test for prevalence and abundance data, respectively, were then performed; logistic regression was used to highlight possible risk factors. Bowel content was collected for adult parasite collection from horses undergone exploratory celiotomy. Results: strongyles have significantly lower prevalence and intensity in horses undergoing abdominal surgery compared to the total examined population. Difference in prevalence was observed between horses treated with medical and surgical terapy. The only risk factor highlighted with logistic regression is represented by the age for colic surgically treated . Neither strongyles or ascarid seem to increase the risk of colic. The chance of death increases significantly in case of surgical colic but it is not related with parasite infections

Dose-Finding Study for Intraarticular Treatment With Stanozolol in Horses

Recent reports accounted for the intraarticular (IA) use of the stanozolol in the horse as a disease-modifying drug without any previous specific indication concerning the minimal dosage effective in the horse, avoiding or limiting anabolic consequences. The objective was (1) to evaluate possible adverse reactions after IA administration of three different dosages (1, 2.5, and 5 mg) of stanozolol in metacarpophalangeal joints of lame horses; (2) to evaluate its clinical and pharmacologic effects; and (3) to find out the minimal drug dose that can produce a one grade reduction of lameness in the American Association of Equine Practitioner (AAEP) lameness scale in at least 80% of the treated animals. Twenty-four horses with acute lameness of 2/5 (AAEP scale) due to osteoarthritis of the fetlock joint were included in the study. The animals were randomly divided in four groups that received every 7 days placebo or 1, 2.5, and 5 mg of stanozolol, respectively, until a one grade decrease of lameness was reached. No noticeable adverse reactions were observed. In two horses of six (33.3%), grouped in stanozolol 1 mg (STN 1), 2.5 mg (STN 2.5), and 5 mg (STN 5), the lameness score decreased after the first injection. During the evaluation after the second injection, five horses of six (83.33%) in the group STN 5 showed reduced or no lameness, whereas the reduction in lameness observed in the STN 1 and STN 2.5 groups was in four of six (66.6%). In conclusion, two IA treatments with 5 mg of stanozolol produce a reduction of one grade lameness in early osteoarthritis in horses

Clinical Evaluation of Intra-articular Administration of Stanozolol to Manage Lameness Associated With Acute and Chronic Osteoarthritis in Horses

Poor data could be found in the literature on the effects of intra-articular (IA) administration of stanozolol in horses affected by osteoarthritis (OA). To verify the clinical effects of IA stanozolol in acute and chronic cases of OA in horses, a clinical double-blinded trial involving 60 client-owned horses was performed. Veterinary practitioners selected horses, all showing clinical signs of acute or chronic OA, diagnosed in a single joint. After lameness evaluation and synovial fluid collection, the clinicians administered one to four (acute cases) or one to six (chronic cases) weekly IA doses of 5 mg of stanozolol or placebo. Positive result was considered a grade 1 improvement in lameness scored according to the American Association of Equine Practitioner scale. The characteristics of the synovial fluid were also evaluated. Of the 60 horses included in the study, 31 were affected by acute OA and 29 by chronic OA. Horses were treated blindly with placebo. The overall outcomes were positive in 82.50% of cases. Lameness disappeared completely in 15 of 21 (acute) and 11 of 19 (chronic) animals, and there was a significant reduction after two and four treatments, in the acute and chronic cases, respectively. Improvement in the physical characteristics of the synovial fluid sampled was evident after the third treatment. Stanozolol injected IA at a dose of 5 mg significantly resolved lameness in affected joints. Stanozolol could be considered a safe option for the treatment of horses suffering from OA

Short-term General Anesthesia With Tiletamine/Zolazepam in Horses Sedated With Medetomidine for Castration Under Field Conditions

The objective of the study is to evaluate the anesthetic effect produced by the tiletamine/zolazepamassociation in horses sedated with medetomidine undergoing orchiectomy underfield conditions. Tenuncastrated male horses, American Society of Anesthesiologists category I, undergoing orchiectomy,were enrolled in the study. The horses received acepromazine (0.03 mg kg1intramuscularly) 30 mi-nutes before sedation with medetomidine (8mgkg1intravenously). Anesthesia was induced withtiletamine/zolazepam (0.7 mg kg1intravenously). During anesthesia, heart rate (HR), pulse quality,respiratory rate, temperature, SpO2, movement, and reflexes were measured every 5 minutes. Arterialblood gases were evaluated before the premedication and during the surgical procedure. The quality ofinduction and recovery was recorded. The sedation was appropriate, and the quality of recovery wasevaluated as good. A statistically significant difference was revealed between the basal and intra-anesthesia HR. No differences were observed in blood gas parameters during the procedure. The re-sults suggested that general anesthesia produced with tiletamine/zolazepam for induction in horsessedated with medetomidine is suitable during orchiectomy underfield conditions