Anesthesia for cystotomy in a dog with pancreatitis and a portosystemic shunt

A 21-month-old Cocker spaniel with a portosystemic shunt, a moderate thrombocytopenia and a history of pancreatitis, was anesthetized for a cystotomy to remove bladder polyps and stones. The portosystemic shunt had been treated conservatively with lactulose, ampicillin and a special diet. After premedication with methadone 0.2 mg/kg, by intramuscular (IM) injection, anesthesia was induced with propofol 4 mg/kg intravenously (IV) and maintained with isoflurane in oxygen. Additionally, 2 mL lidocaine 2% and 0.1 mg/kg morphine were injected in the lumbosacral epidural space and 0:1 mg/kg meloxicam was administered intravenously. Except for a moderate decrease in arterial pressure after the epidural injection and the need for intermittent positive pressure ventilation during surgery, anesthesia and recovery were uneventful. Postoperative analgesia was provided with methadone (0.2 mg/kg every 4 hours initially, then 0.1 mg/kg every 6 hours IM) and oral meloxicam (0.1 mg/kg the first day, 0.05 mg/kg during 4 days)

Hemangiosarcoma of the third eyelid in a horse

A 12-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare was referred to the equine clinic of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (Ghent University) for a mass on the third eyelid of the right eye. The horse had been having a recurrent red-tinged ocular discharge for several months. After complete ophthalmologic examination, a large part of the third eyelid was surgically excised and submitted for histopathologic examination. The histopathologic examination revealed a proliferation of blood-filled vascular spaces lined by a single layer of flattened cells, which were identified as endothelial cells using immunohistochemistry. The tumor was identified as a cavernous low-grade hemangiosarcoma. No complications were reported six months after surgery

A retrospective study on 195 horses with contaminated and infected synovial cavities

This study analyzes the clinical aspects of contaminated and infected synovial cavities in horses and evaluates their prognosis after treatment. The medical records of 195 affected horses referred between June 1999 and July 2004 were reviewed. Twenty-six horses were euthanized or returned home without further treatment. Therapeutic strategies for the remaining 169 horses were not different from those reported in other recent studies, except that lavage was performed predominantly without endoscopic visualization. Follow-up was obtained by questionnaire for 150 of 169 treated horses. The outcome was considered successful (survival without residual lameness) in 109 of 150 horses (72.7%). Iatrogenic synovial infection, the presence of radiographic signs on admission and the use of regional antibiotic perfusion were significantly related with non-successful outcome. Overall, the outcome in the present study appeared to be slightly less favorable compared to other recent reports, although it certainly improved for horses with deep nail puncture wounds

Equine sarcoids, part 1: clinical presentation and epidemiology

Equine sarcoids are the most common skin tumors in horses and other equids. In their pathogenesis, the bovine papillomavirus (BPV) plays a major role. Many clinical manifestations have been described, ranging from small single lesions to multiple aggressively growing masses. Histopathologically, it is considered as a biphasic tumor with epidermal hyperplasia and subepidermal proliferation of transformed fibroblasts. The diagnosis can be made clinically, histopathologically and/or by detection of BPV DNA. Sarcoids can appear on any part of the body, but they are mostly localized on the ventral abdomen, the paragenital region, head and limbs. Sarcoids occur independent of breed, coat color, sex or age, but they develop more commonly in young adults and certain families and breeds are more vulnerable than others. Transmission of BPV is supposed to happen from cattle to horse or from horse to horse, possibly via insects

Equine sarcoids, part 3: association with bovine papillomavirus

The genetic material of the bovine papillomavirus (BPV) can be detected in virtually all equine sarcoids. Eight different types have been described, all inducing benign proliferation of epithelium in cattle. BPV-1 and -2 are less strictly species-specific and can induce equine sarcoids in horses. Historically, association between BPV and equine sarcoids has been demonstrated using inoculation studies and detection of BPV DNA and BPV gene expression. The BPV genome is composed of 6 early and 2 late genes, with E5 and E6 being the most important transforming genes. Specific BPV-1 variants associated with equine sarcoids have been reported, suggesting circulation of the virus between horses. In horses, a non-productive BPV infection occurs, with only transcription of early genes, responsible for genome maintenance, regulation of cell growth and cell transformation. There is no formation of new infectious virus particles as is the case in the natural host

Prevalence of respiratory pathogens in nasal swabs from horses with acute respiratory disease in Belgium

Contagious respiratory infections are an important cause of respiratory disease in horses, resulting in impaired pulmonary function, poor performance and sometimes severe illness. Although bacterial infections are often suspected to be involved, viruses are frequently overlooked and are an underestimated cause of respiratory disease outbreaks in horses. In this study, nasal swabs of 103 horses with acute symptoms of respiratory disease were analyzed for the presence of 13 different respiratory pathogens. Gamma herpesviruses were the most commonly detected, with 60% of the samples being positive, followed by streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus infection (30%). Rhinovirus B, streptococcus equi subsp. equi, adenovirus 1 and EHV-4 were more rarely detected. Further research is necessary to correctly interpret the importance of gamma herpesviruses in horses, for example by screening a healthy control population. National surveillance of respiratory viruses in horses by PCR analysis on nasal swabs might be a useful, early warning system for viral epidemics

Equine sarcoids, part 2: current treatment modalities

Treatment of sarcoids is often challenging, due to the variable clinical presentation of lesions and the frequent local recurrences. In this article, both the surgical and the non-surgical treatment of equine sarcoids are reviewed. It is generally accepted that the prognosis is worse if unsuccessful attempts have been made previously. Therefore, the best available treatment option should always be used at the first attempt of treatment. Different surgical approaches have been reported, including conventional excision, cryosurgery and CO2 laser surgery. Success rates are high if a non-touch approach, wide surgical margins and general anesthesia can be applied. Local chemotherapy is a valuable addition in the treatment of sarcoids and can be combined with surgery. Radiotherapy is a very successful treatment, but safety precautions prevent routine application. Local immunotherapy including Bacillus Calmette-Guerin vaccination and imiquimod cream are commonly applied treatments which induce rather effective tumour regression