Ascending aortic aneurysm associated with tetralogy of Fallot in an adult mare.

Congenital heart disease is relatively uncommon in horses. Only three reports exist that describe a tetralogy of Fallot in adult horses. Whereas in humans the presence of congenital heart disease constitutes a risk factor for developing aortic aneurysms, their association has never been reported in horses. Here, we present a case with a large ascending aortic aneurysm as a complication of a tetralogy of Fallot in an adult mare. The mare was referred with sustained tachycardia and a 5 days history of mild intermittent colic, depression, inappetence and weight loss. Echocardiography was used to characterize the cardiac abnormalities and aortic root dilation. Due to the poor prognosis, the mare was euthanized and post-mortem examination further characterized the abnormalities. At least four factors contributed in this case to the development of aortic haematoma: congenital disease, mucoid extracellular matrix accumulation vasa vasorum dysfunction and inflammatory/degenerative lesions in the aorta's intima. Although colic is primarily caused by gastrointestinal issues, cardiac disease should be suspected in cases with sustained tachycardia, even in absence of murmurs or arrhythmias. Despite the fact that congenital abnormalities are usually detected in foals, they may sometimes remain unnoticed for several years.

Optimal tension, position, and number of prostheses required for maximum rima glottidis area after laryngoplasty.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of 3 laryngeal prostheses alone or in combination on rima glottidis area in horses. STUDY DESIGN: Experimental randomized design. SAMPLE POPULATION: Cadaveric equine larynges (n = 22). METHODS: Three prostheses were preplaced in each of 14 larynges. Rima glottidis area was measured after loading each suture in 5 Newton (N) increments from 0 N to 35 N. In 8 larynges, the 3 prostheses were tied alone or in combination at a fixed load of 15 N and rima glottidis area measured. RESULTS: Rima glottidis cross-sectional area increased as the load on each prosthesis increased with maximum area reached at 20 N for each prosthesis. At a fixed load of 15 N, tying 2 and 3 prostheses in combination resulted in a larger rima glottidis cross-sectional area than achieved with each prosthesis alone. CONCLUSIONS: A combination of 2 or 3 prostheses tied at a fixed load of 15 N optimized rima glottidis cross-sectional area irrespective of the anatomic location of the prosthesis.

Effect of age and prostheses location on rima glottidis area in equine cadaveric larynges.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of horse age and laryngeal prosthesis location on rima glottidis area in cadaveric larynges. STUDY DESIGN: Experimental study. ANIMALS: Cadaveric equine larynges (n = 40). METHODS: Specimens were grouped by age: group 1, ≤5 years (n = 18); group 2, >5 to ≤10 years (n = 12); group 3, >10 years (n = 10). A cranial prosthesis was placed through the dorsal cricoid spine at 70% of the distance of the total cricoid length measured from the caudal rim. A dorsal prosthesis was placed through the caudal rim of the cricoid on the dorsal midline. A lateral prosthesis was placed 1.5 cm lateral to the dorsal prosthesis. All prostheses passed through the muscular process. Rima glottidis area was determined after progressively tightening each suture in 5 N increments from 0 N to 35 N using a tensiometer. RESULTS: There was no significant effect of age on the area of the rima glottidis at any load for any of the three prosthesis locations. CONCLUSIONS: Age did not affect the area of the rima glottidis when prostheses were loaded between 5 N and 35 N.

Factors associated with outcome following treatment of horses with septic tenosynovitis: 51 cases (1986-2003).

OBJECTIVE: To identify factors associated with outcome (ie, survival and return to function) following treatment of horses with septic tenosynovitis. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: 51 horses with septic tenosynovitis. PROCEDURES: Information was obtained from medical records and through follow-up conversations with owners. Factors analyzed for an association with outcome included affected limb, etiology, duration of clinical signs prior to examination, presence of complications, primary treatment, secondary treatments, number of surgical procedures, and hospitalization time. RESULTS: Concurrent complications were identified in 41 (80%) horses. The primary treatment consisted of through-and-through lavage in 26 (51%) horses, tenoscopy in 20 (39%), and tenosynoviotomy combined with lavage in 5 (10%). Forty (78%) horses were discharged, and 37 (73%) survived at least 1 year after surgery; 21 of the 37 (57%) returned to their previous or a higher level of performance. Percentages of horses that survived 1 year after discharge and percentages that returned to their intended use did not vary significantly among treatments. Horses with tendon rupture or sepsis of an adjacent joint were significantly less likely to survive. Horses with tendon injury or pannus were significantly less likely to return to their intended use. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggested that various factors were associated with outcome in horses with septic tenosynovitis. However, surgical technique was not found to be associated with survival rate or rate of return to intended use.