Ex vivo biomechanical evaluation of an adhered fiberglass and polymethyl methacrylate sole-hoof wall cast on stabilization of type III distal phalanx fractures under simulated physiologic midstance loads.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of the application of a novel fiberglass-glue cast (FGC) on the fracture gap width in experimentally created type III distal phalanx fractures in cadaveric specimens under simulated physiologic loads. STUDY DESIGN: Ex vivo biomechanical laboratory study. ANIMALS: Nine unilateral adult equine cadaver forelimbs. METHODS: Type III distal phalanx fractures were created in forelimb specimens, which maintained distal components of the passive stay apparatus. The fracture gap was measured at 5%, 20%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 95% of fracture length (palmar articular border to solar margin) using D65Pr-PaDiO radiographs. The limb was axially loaded (700, 3600, 4600, and 6700 N) before, during, and after removal of a woven fiberglass cloth and polymethyl methacrylate cast that encompassed the sole and distal portion of the hoof wall (FGC). Fracture gap widths were compared among loads and treatments using a mixed model ANOVA. RESULTS: On average, under simulated physiological midstance loads, the fracture gap width was 0.2 mm smaller after FGC application, with the greatest decrease (0.5 mm) near the articular surface. On average, it was 0.3 mm smaller than after FGC removal. Fracture gap width was 0.1 mm greater when midstance loads transitioned from standing load to walking, trotting, and gallop loads. The fracture gap width increased by 1.3 mm with increasing distance from the articular surface. CONCLUSION: The FGC reduced the fracture gap width and prevented the fracture gap widening that occurred after FGC removal. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The findings support consideration of FGC use in the treatment of horses with type III distal phalangeal fractures.

Closure of a patent ductus arteriosus in a 2-week-old llama cria using an Amplatz canine duct occluder.

A two-week-old female llama cria was brought to the UC Davis Large Animal Hospital for evaluation of a cardiac murmur and suspected syncopal episodes. A grade IV/VI left basilar continuous murmur was present on cardiac auscultation. Echocardiography revealed a left-to-right shunting patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), mild left ventricular enlargement, scant pericardial effusion, and a suspected persistent left cranial vena cava. The PDA was successfully closed with an Amplatz canine duct occluder. Mild mitral regurgitation was present on echocardiography performed 7 d following PDA occlusion. No syncopal episodes were observed in hospital prior to or following PDA occlusion. At approximately 1 mo following PDA closure, a grade I/VI left apical systolic murmur was present and the cria's body condition was improved. Key clinical message: Patent ductus arteriosus closure is achievable in New World camelids using interventional cardiology which provides a minimally invasive treatment option for valuable or companion animals. Since interventional cardiac catheterization is commonly performed in small animal species, veterinary cardiologists are well-equipped to apply these skills to camelids.

Fermeture d'un canal artériel persistant chez un lama cria âgé de 2 semaines à l'aide d'un obturateur de conduit canin Amplatz. Une femelle lama cria âgée de deux semaines a été amenée à l'UC Davis Large Animal Hospital pour l'évaluation d'un souffle cardiaque et d'épisodes syncopaux suspectés. Un souffle continu basilaire gauche de grade IV/VI était présent à l'auscultation cardiaque. L'échocardiographie a révélé une persistance du canal artériel avec perméabilité de gauche à droite (PDA), une légère hypertrophie ventriculaire gauche, un léger épanchement péricardique et une suspicion de veine cave crâniale gauche persistante. Le PDA a été fermé avec succès avec un obturateur de conduit canin Amplatz. Une régurgitation mitrale légère était présente sur l'échocardiographie réalisée 7 jours après l'occlusion du PDA. Aucun épisode de syncope n'a été observé à l'hôpital avant ou après l'occlusion du PDA. Environ 1 mois après la fermeture du PDA, un souffle systolique apical gauche de grade I/VI était présent et l'état corporel du cria s'était amélioré.Message clinique clé :La fermeture brevetée du canal artériel est réalisable chez les camélidés du Nouveau Monde en utilisant la cardiologie interventionnelle qui offre une option de traitement peu invasive pour les animaux de valeur ou de compagnie. Étant donné que le cathétérisme cardiaque interventionnel est couramment pratiqué chez les petites espèces animales, les cardiologues vétérinaires sont bien équipés pour appliquer ces compétences aux camélidés.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).

Serum and cerebrospinal fluid phosphorylated neurofilament heavy protein concentrations in equine neurodegenerative diseases.

BACKGROUND: Currently, there is little information regarding the concentrations of phosphorylated neurofilament heavy protein (pNfH) in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of horses with neurodegenerative diseases. Specifically, pNfH concentrations have not yet been evaluated in horses with equine neuroaxonal dystrophy/equine degenerative myeloencephalopathy (eNAD/EDM). OBJECTIVES: To determine pNfH concentrations using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in serum and CSF from control horses and horses with eNAD/EDM, cervical vertebral compressive myelopathy (CVCM) and Shivers. STUDY DESIGN: Case-control study using biobanked samples from diseased horses and prospective or biobanked samples from control horses. METHODS: The pNfH ELISA was performed on samples from horses diagnosed with eNAD/EDM (n = 64), CVCM (n = 26) and Shivers (n = 9) and 51 neurologically normal control horses. RESULTS: Median and 95% confidence interval (CI) serum pNfH concentrations in control, CVCM, and eNAD/EDM horses were 0.08 ng/mL (0.07-0.15), 0.07 ng/mL (0.07-0.15) and 0.07 ng/mL (0.07-1.13), respectively. Serum pNfH concentrations were below the limit of detection (<0.07 ng/mL) for all Shivers horses. CSF pNfH concentrations in control, CVCM-, eNAD/EDM- and Shivers-affected horses were 1.26 ng/mL (1.06-1.5), 3.07 ng/mL (1.15-29.9), 1.78 ng/mL (1.5-2.28) and 1.39 ng/mL (0.74-3.89), respectively. CSF pNfH concentrations were significantly higher in CVCM (P = .001) and eNAD/EDM (P  = .01) affected horses compared to control horses. Serum pNfH concentrations >1 ng/mL were significantly associated with eNAD/EDM (P = .01) with only 12% sensitivity but 99% specificity. CSF pNfH concentrations >3 ng/mL were significantly associated with CVCM (P = .0002), with 50% sensitivity and 86% specificity. MAIN LIMITATIONS: A limited number of control horses tested were <1 year of age. CONCLUSIONS: Serum pNfH concentrations are specifically increased (>1 ng/mL) in some horses with eNAD/EDM. Increased CSF pNfH concentrations (>3 ng/mL) can be observed with eNAD/EDM or CVCM.