Surgical contraception of free-ranging female capybaras: Description and comparison of open and minimally invasive techniques.

OBJECTIVE: To develop, describe, and evaluate 2 surgical techniques for contraception of free-ranging female capybaras. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: Cadaveric (n = 3) and free-ranging female capybaras (n = 21). METHODS: Preliminary studies of surgical anatomy were performed on 3 capybara cadavers. Two different techniques for partial salpingectomy were evaluated in free-ranging female capybaras: bilateral minilaparotomy (LTG; n = 11) or bilateral laparoscopy (LCG; n = 10). Data concerning body weight, tubal ligation time, total surgical time, incision size, and intraoperative and postoperative complications were analyzed, as well as the clinical status and incisional healing 1 week postoperatively. RESULTS: Body weight (P = .214), ligation time of the left uterine tube (P = .901), and total surgical time (P = .473) were similar between the experimental groups. The ligation time of the right uterine tube was shorter in the LCG group (P = .0463). In the LTG, no differences were observed between the sides regarding the incision size (P = .478). No major intraoperative or postoperative complications occurred in either group. One LCG procedure had to be converted to LTG due to technical issues. All skin incisions healed without complication. CONCLUSION: Both procedures showed similar and satisfactory outcomes. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The proposed techniques may be a suitable alternative to conventional laparotomy for contraception of female capybaras, especially under field conditions.

Ultrasound and clinical findings in the metacarpophalangeal joint assessment of show jumping horses in training.

BACKGROUND: Physical exercise is known to cause significant joint changes. Thus, monitoring joint behavior of athletic horses is essential in early disorders recognition, allowing the proper management. OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to determine the morphological patterns, physical examination characteristics and ultrasound findings of show jumping horses in training and to establish a score-based examination model for physical and ultrasound follow-ups of metacarpophalangeal joint changes in these animals. METHODS: A total of 52 metacarpophalangeal joints from 26 horses who were initially in the taming stage were evaluated, and the horses' athletic progression was monitored. The horses were evaluated by a physical examination and by B-mode and Doppler-mode ultrasound examinations, starting at time zero (T0), which occurred concomitantly with the beginning of training, and every 3 months thereafter for a follow-up period of 18 months. RESULTS: The standardized examination model revealed an increase in the maximum joint flexion angles and higher scores on the physical and ultrasound examinations after scoring was performed by predefined assessment tools, especially between 3 and 6 months of evaluation, which was immediately after the horses started more intense training. The lameness score and the ultrasound examination score were slightly higher at the end of the study. CONCLUSIONS: The observed results were probably caused by the implementation of a training regimen and joint adaptation to physical conditioning. The joints most likely undergo a pre-osteoarthritic period due to work overload, which can manifest in a consistent or adaptive manner, as observed during this study. Thus, continuous monitoring of young athlete horses by physical and ultrasound examinations that can be scored is essential.

Effects of blood-derived products and sodium hyaluronate on equine synovial fluid cells and on synovial fluid from osteochondrotic joints of horses after arthroscopy and administration of treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To compare effects of platelet-rich plasma (PRP), interleukin-1 receptor antagonist protein (IRAP), autologous processed plasma (APP), and sodium hyaluronate treatments on synovial fluid cells in vitro and on synovial fluid obtained from osteochondrotic joints of horses. SAMPLE: Synovial fluid cells from 8 healthy equine tibiotarsal joints (in vitro experiment) and synovial fluid samples from 40 tibiotarsal joints of 25 horses with osteochondrosis dissecans (in vivo experiment). PROCEDURES: Effects of various treatments on concentrations of prostaglandin (PG) E2, interleukin (IL)-1ß, tumor necrosis factor-α, IL-10, and IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) were analyzed in cell medium supernatant, and production of reactive oxygen species was analyzed by use of flow cytometry. In an in vivo experiment, synovial fluid samples were collected before and 48 hours after arthroscopy and treatment administration (8 joints/treatment) and evaluated to determine concentrations of hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulfate, PGE2, tumor necrosis factor-α, IL-1, IL-10, and IL-1ra. RESULTS: All in vitro treatments reduced reactive oxygen species production, PRP increased PGE2 concentrations, and PRP, IRAP, and APP increased IL-1ra concentrations. Only IRAP and APP increased IL-1 concentrations. For the in vivo experiment, PRP increased and IRAP decreased PGE2 concentrations in synovial fluid after arthroscopy. All treatments increased IL-1ra concentrations, but only sodium hyaluronate resulted in a significant increase in concentration, compared with the concentration for untreated joints. Also, IRAP reduced hyaluronic acid breakdown in synovial fluid. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: PRP should be used with caution in the period immediately after arthroscopy and treatment of osteochondrotic joints of horses. All treatments had antioxidant effects. Sodium hyaluronate, APP, and IRAP might help ameliorate joint inflammation.

Effect of postoperative xylazine administration on cardiopulmonary function and recovery quality after isoflurane anesthesia in horses.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate equine cardiopulmonary function and recovery quality after administration of 0.25 or 0.50 mg/kg xylazine intravenously (IV) during recovery. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized, blinded, prospective, clinical study. ANIMALS: Horses (n = 20). METHODS: During recovery after 3 hours of isoflurane anesthesia for arthroscopic surgery, horses were administered either 0.25 mg/kg (G25, n = 10) or 0.50 mg/kg (G50, n = 10) xylazine intravenously. Vital signs and arterial blood samples were obtained during recovery before sedation (baseline), 5, 10, 20, 30, and 45 minutes after xylazine and 30 minutes after standing. The quality of recovery scores ranged from 10 to 72 (10 = best, 72 = worst). RESULTS: G25 horses recovered faster (mean ± SD, 33 ± 5 min) than G50 horses (50 ± 7 min, P < .0001). Mean maximal decrease in arterial oxygen tension was 55 ± 11 mmHg in G25 (at 10 minutes; P < .05) and 54 ± 7 mmHg in G50 (at 20 minutes; P < .01). G25 group had a total recovery score (23 [range 18-29]) and number of attempts to stand (4 ± 2) greater than the G50 group (18 [10-23] and 1 ± 1, respectively; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Both doses of xylazine promoted a moderate and transient hypoxemia during recovery; however, the 0.5 mg/kg dose produced a longer and improved quality of recovery from anesthesia.