Ultrasonographic studies on the fetlock suspensory apparatus in draught horses

Suspensory injuries of the fetlock were studied ultrasonographically in 25 mixed breed draught horses. Sesamoiditis, fractures of the proximal sesamoid bones and proximal phalanx were the common radiography findings in the hard tissues. Ultrasonographic of soft tissues of the suspensory apparatus in the present study here showed multiple complicated structural injuries. The suspensory branches showed desmitis, increased in size, dystrophic calcification, tearing, and fibrous echo dense material between the branch and the skin. Desmitis of the distal sesamoidean ligament had been seen associated with fractures of proximal phalanx and fractures of the sesamoid bones. Osteoarthritis of the fetlock joints was concomitant studied in the horses. Chronic desmitis of both the straight and oblique distal sesamoidean ligaments were encountered with hypoechoic core lesions in addition with irregularity of the bone surface echoes of the PI. Moreover, there were concurrent injuries to digital flexor tendons and the suspensory ligament as well as the distal sesamoidean ligaments in draught horses. The present study showed that ultrasonographic examination was useful for assessing the profile of the suspensory apparatus abnormalities in draught horses. The characteristic abnormalities of suspensory apparatus reported in the present study showed multiple complicated disorders that would affect the prognosis of fetlock injuries

Studies on laminitis in the horse II-pathogenesis

The microscopic evaluations in acute laminitis were classified into two main phases. Vascular phase: The first changes were detected in the vasculature in the form of microthrombosis in the dermal capillaries, severe interstitial edema and hemorrhage in the primary dermal laminae during the first three days. These changes were manifested clinically by wariness of the hoof wall and coronary b and and bounding in digital pulsation. Epithelial phase: The main epithelial changes were disconfiguration, epithelial cell hyperplasia, hyperkeratinization, necrosis of the laminae within 20 and 30 days. Clinically, there were marked rotation of the third phalanx, flattening of the sole, coronitis, appearance of laminitic rings and spesis of the foot. Progressive pathological changes leading to hoof wall deformity as a result of formation of intermediate degenerative layers separating the stratum lamellatum and third phalanx from the hoof wall, rotation, perforation of the solar aspect and sepsis and appearance of the air or gas in the laminar region of the hoof wall on lateral radiographic during chronic laminitis

Some measurement on the degree of distal phalangeal rotation angle in horses suffering from laminitis

The degree of distal phalangeal rotation angle [DPR] and the mean distance of line from the distal point of the third phalanx to the front of the hoof wall were evaluated radiographically in 25 normal horses and 30 horses affected with laminitis. The horses with DPR angle <3.7 degrees rotation showed favorable prognosis and returned to former healthy condition. Horses with more than 8.6 degrees rotation showed poor prognosis. The increase in DPR angle and the mean distance of line from the distal point of PIII decreased the probability of the horse to performance ability. These presented criteria provide an easy, practical method for evaluating the performance ability for the horses affected with laminitis

Experimental ileocecal transposition in the horse

A surgical bypass of the ileum to a new site in the cecum [ileocecal transposition] was described. A right paramedian laparotomy was performed on 8 horses. All cases did well after the operation. At necropsy, the new ileocecal junctions were patent and showed good healing. The blind ileal stump showed also good healing and without any complication