Clinical features and management of equine post operative ileus (POI): Survey of Diplomates of the American Colleges of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM), Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS) and Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care (ACVECC).

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: A recent survey of European Colleges (European College of Equine Internal Medicine [ECEIM] and European College of Veterinary Surgeons [ECVS]) revealed the different strategies implemented by, and some of the challenges facing, European clinicians presented with cases of post operative ileus (POI). It was concluded that further comparative analysis of opinions, canvassed from additional colleges of equine veterinary specialism worldwide, would provide valuable additional insight into current POI knowledge on a more global scale. OBJECTIVES: To report and compare the current strategies favoured by American veterinary specialists when managing POI in horses that underwent emergency colic surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. METHODS: Electronic invitations were sent to 814 Large Animal specialists, including 3 colleges: the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM), American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS) and the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care (ACVECC). RESULTS: The response rate was 14% (115/814). The majority of respondents (68%) reported an estimated prevalence range of POI of 0-20%. The presence of reflux on nasogastric intubation was the main criterion used to define POI. A lesion involving the small intestine was considered the main risk factor for POI. Anti-inflammatory drugs, intravenous (i.v.) fluids and antimicrobial drugs were the primary strategies used when managing POI. Flunixin meglumine and i.v. lidocaine were the drugs most commonly used in the treatment of horses with POI. Supplementary management strategies targeted mainly the prevention of post operative adhesions, infection and inflammation. CONCLUSIONS: There is a lack of consensus on the clinical definition of POI. Prospective and objective clinical assessment of the effectiveness of the different strategies contained within this and the European survey is necessary in order to identify a standardised approach to the management of equine POI.

Sterilization by gamma radiation of antibiotic impregnated polymethylmethacrylate and plaster of Paris beads. A pilot study.

INTRODUCTION: Ethylene oxide is currently recommended for sterilization of antibiotic impregnated beads; however this method carries health risks to personnel and is becoming less available. OBJECTIVE: To perform a pilot study of the effect of radiation for sterilization of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and plaster of Paris (POP) beads impregnated with amikacin, enrofloxacin, and ceftiofur. HYPOTHESIS: Radiation would effectively sterilize the beads without affecting the efficacy of the antibiotic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Beads of PMMA and POP were prepared in a clean but non-sterile manner with one of the three antibiotics (amikacin, enrofloxacin, ceftiofur) or no antibiotic. Beads were then exposed to radiation for a total dose of 0 kiloGray (kGy), 10 kGy and 25 kGy. Beads were incubated on Mueller-Hinton agar plates seeded with Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus or Pseudomonas aeruginosa for 24 hours or cultured in brain-heart infusion broth for 48 hours. Zones of inhibition were measured on the agar plates and statistics were performed on the diameters of the zones of inhibition using an analysis of variance. RESULTS: There were no differences in the diameters of inhibition for all levels of radiation for all PMMA beads. The same was true with POP beads with the exception of enrofloxacin which had a significantly decreased zone of inhibition with increased levels of radiation, though the clinical significance of this finding was not assessed. Only beads without antibiotics and not exposed to radiation had bacterial growth. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Radiation may be an effective method of sterilization for antibiotic impregnated beads.

Outcome after arthroscopic treatment of lateral femoral trochlear ridge osteochondrosis in sport horses. A retrospective study of 37 horses.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the short- and long-term outcome for sport horses after arthroscopic treatment of osteochondrosis of the lateral trochlear ridge of the femur. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed using the medical records of horses intended for use as English sport horses. Outcome was obtained through telephone questionnaire. RESULTS: Thirty-seven horses, mainly Warmbloods, underwent arthroscopic surgery for treatment of lateral femoral trochlear ridge osteochondrosis. Short-term outcome revealed that 27 of 37 horses had no complications. Seven horses had postoperative lameness and effusion which eventually resolved in four horses. Long-term outcome was available for 29 horses, of which 19 were performing to full expectations. Five horses were athletic but at a lower level than expected, and five horses were unable to be used. The depth of the lesion was significantly associated with short-term complications of effusion and lameness. The depth and length of the lesion were not associated with the long-term outcome, but involvement of structures other than the lateral trochlear ridge (patella, medial trochlear ridge) was associated with a worse prognosis. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The prognosis for sport horses following stifle arthroscopy for lateral trochlear ridge is similar to that reported in other studies and lesions at other sites within the stifle joint.

Cyclooxygenase-2 expression in equine tumors.

The enzyme cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is expressed in some tumor and stromal tissues, and catalyzes production of prostaglandins with growth stimulatory, antiapoptotic, proangiogenic, and immunosuppressive properties. Pharmacologic inhibition of COX-2 is associated with antitumor activity in various human and canine malignancies. The purpose of this study was to assess COX-2 expression in a series of equine sarcoids, melanomas, and squamous-cell carcinomas (SCC). COX-2 expression was assessed in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues from 14 sarcoids, 11 melanomas, and 37 SCC that represent various anatomic sites by using standard immunohistochemical methods. COX-2 was expressed in 2 of 14 sarcoids, 7 of 11 melanomas, and 32 of 37 SCC, 56% of which demonstrated moderate-to-strong immunoreactivity. There were no differences in expression between anatomic sites. In conclusion, most equine SCC and many melanomas appear to express COX-2 and thus could respond to COX-2 inhibitor therapy.

Ex vivo comparison of a novel tapered-sleeve and traditional full-limb transfixation pin cast for distal radial fracture stabilization in the horse.

Distal radial fractures in adult horses are examples of long-bone fractures that are not always amenable to internal fixation. These fractures are often open, contaminated, severely comminuted, and located adjacent to the antebrachiocarpal joint. There have been few studies to improve upon the methods of stabilization of this type of fracture. External coaptation incorporating transfixation pins is one method that has been used to stabilize distal radial fractures in horses (1-3). The purpose of this preliminary study was to compare the load to failure in simulated weight-bearing of a novel tapered-sleeve transfixation pin cast (TSTPC) (4) with the traditional transfixation pin cast (TPC) in an ex vivo distal radial fracture model. Ten adult equine cadaveric forelimbs were randomly placed into a TPC group (n = 5) or a TSTPC group (n = 5). An oblique distal radial osteotomy was created prior to application of fibreglass cast material. The limbs were loaded in a single cycle to failure in simulated weight-bearing using an axial load. The mean load to failure for the TSTPC group (35,814 N) was significantly greater than in the TPC group (22,344 N) (p = 0.003). Tapered sleeves in conjunction with TPC warrant further investigation because they may prolong the life of the fixation, prevent or diminish fractures through the pin sites, and increase the load capacity of external coaptation used to stabilize equine fractures.