Equine Veterinary Education最新文献

A 20-year-old Warmblood broodmare was admitted to evaluate bilateral nasal discharge (primarily left) and difficulty masticating grain, without weight loss. During oral endoscopy, thick purulent discharge (pus) was seen along the palatal gingival attachment of the left maxillary third and fourth premolars (207, 208 Triadan). Nasal endoscopy encountered difficulties owing to an expansile lesion at the level of the left ventral conchal bullae, preventing examination of caudal structures. This enlargement also displaced the nasal septum to the right, obstructing the right common nasal meatus at the level of the right ventral conchal bulla. Radiography localised the anomaly to the left maxillary region, extending over the apices of the left maxillary third and fourth premolars (Triadan 207, 208) and first molar (Triadan 209). The abnormality was large, solitary, round and delineated by a thin bony rim. Further characterisation through computed tomography showed suspected origination from the hard palate, specifically the palatine process of the left maxilla. The abnormality had a mixed attenuation later confirmed to represent gas, pus and feed material. The abnormality communicated with the oral and left nasal cavities and was associated with complete absence of alveolar and compact bone on the medial (palatal) aspect of 207, 208 and 209. Based on the purulent discharge and imaging findings, the abnormality was interpreted as a presumed intraosseous abscess of the hard palate with impacted foreign material and concurrent ipsilateral sinorhinitis and periodontitis. The abscess was debrided, and the horse was treated medically for osteomyelitis, sinorhinitis and periodontitis. All clinical signs resolved within 16 months post-surgery, and the precise source of infection leading to abscess formation remained inconclusive. This case report underscores the role of advanced imaging in diagnosing horses with chronic nasal discharge and explores potential pathogenic mechanisms underlying the development of intraosseous abscesses of the hard palate.

Osseous cyst-like lesions (OCLLs) of the distal phalanx commonly occur around midline. The dorsopalmar location can be challenging to identify radiographically; however, advanced imaging has shown they are typically located in the central and palmar thirds of the bone. This study reports unusually located OCLLs in the dorsal, axial aspect of the palmar processes of the distal phalanx in three horses, with communication with the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint confirmed by contrast arthrography in two horses. All horses were lame and had lameness localised to the distal limb with diagnostic anaesthesia. A rounded radiolucency with a surrounding rim of increased opacity was identified in the dorsal aspect of a palmar process on radiographs, with the palmaroproximal–palmarodistal oblique (PaPrPaDiO) view being most useful. On magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the lesions were seen as hyperintense structure on T2*, T2 FSE and STIR sequences; a thin rim of intermediate signal surrounding a low signal centre was seen on T1 images. A rim of low T1/T2 FSE signal was seen in the surrounding bone in all cases, consistent with sclerosis, and mildly increased STIR signal was present in the surrounding trabecular bone in two cases. Two horses underwent standing cone-beam computed tomography (CT) examination of the affected foot, revealing a well-defined hypoattenuating region within the dorsal, axial aspect of the palmar process of the distal phalanx, with surrounding rim of increased attenuation. Contrast arthrography was performed in two cases, one using radiographs and the other CT, and confirmed communication of the cystic lesion with the DIP joint in both cases. Although advanced imaging provided further information and allowed other possible causes of lameness to be identified, careful assessment of radiographs allowed these unusually located OCLLs to be identified in all cases.

Uterine torsion (UT) is a common obstetrical problem in Straight Egyptian Arabian mares, causing a medical emergency for both the mare and the fetus. This case report describes, for the first time, the management of a case of UT in both directions during a single gestation period in a 5-year-old Straight Egyptian Arabian mare. The mare was 8 months pregnant and experienced intermittent unresponsive colic signs. Rectal examination revealed clockwise 180° UT and ultrasonography showed a viable fetus. The haematological findings were within the normal range. The mare was surgically treated immediately by standing flank laparotomy (SFL) on the right side. 4 days later, the mare was returned to the clinic with the same complaint. Rectal and ultrasonography examinations revealed counterclockwise 180° UT and a viable fetus. The animal was subjected again to SFL on the left side. After surgeries, the mare recovered well, foaled at term and gave birth to a viable filly. She was bred again and conceived. This case is documented to demonstrate the occurrence of a UT in both directions during the same gestation period in mares, as well as the efficacy of SFL in rectifying the condition and allowing both the mother and foal to survive.

Equine sarcoidosis (ES) is a rare disease characterised by granulomatous inflammation of one or multiple organs. The skin is most frequently affected in horses and the clinical presentation can range from scaling and crusting lesions to nodular or tumour-like masses. ES has been divided into three subtypes depending on the distribution of lesions in the body: the localised, partially generalised and generalised form. Overall, no breed or sex predilections have been consistently observed so far. Most affected horses are older than 3 years although the disease may occur at any age. While aetiology and pathogenesis of ES have not yet been fully determined, a chronic exaggerated immune response to one specific or multiple antigens is frequently hypothesised. Diagnosis is based upon history, clinical presentation, histopathology and exclusion of likely differential diagnoses. The treatment of choice in ES is initial anti-inflammatory to immunosuppressive doses of corticosteroids with subsequent tapering doses. Reported treatment success seems to be highly variable and prospective studies on the efficacy of corticosteroids or other agents are currently lacking in ES. Prognosis for survival is good for the localised form and poor for the other forms of ES. Complete remission of lesions in the localised form following treatment is less frequent and response to treatment is typically characterised by a slowdown or cessation of disease progression. There are scarce reports of spontaneous remission of this disease.

In this clinical commentary, the various pathologies occurring in the tail region of horses and foals are briefly summarised, followed by a discussion of angular deviations of the tail and the possibilities of their correction.