Radiographic characterization of the maxillary septum and septal bullae in horses: An ex vivo study.

The anatomical variations of the maxillary septum and the septal bullae can generate challenges during the interpretation of radiographs of the horses' heads and make it difficult to accurately identify the sites affected in sinus disorders. The description of the radiographic appearance of these structures is currently scarce in the scientific literature. This work aims to describe the anatomical and radiographic characteristics of the maxillary septum and maxillary septal bullae in horses. Six chemically preserved equine cadaver heads were used which, after being submitted to the maxillary osseous flap, the maxillary septum and its respective bullae were identified. Radiographic examinations before and after contrast impregnation on these structures were performed. The positioning of the maxillary septum varied between the anatomical specimens and between the sides of the same specimen. The 30° oblique dorsoventral lateral and lateral projections allowed the identification of the maxillary septum and septal bullae. However, the bullae remained superimposed on the dental arches in the dorsoventral projections with the mandible in a neutral position or with the mandible displaced. The oblique offset radiographic positioning was suggested and proved effective for the examination of the maxillary septal bullae, where the mandible was displaced to the side of the bullae to be examined, and the radiographic beam inclined in the same direction. The maxillary septum and its bullae could be properly identified in a macroscopic way after the osseous flap and the contrasted radiographic examination allowed its adequate interpretation. Variations in size and position are considered normal for the equine species.

Treatment of a Mandibular Diastemal Fracture Using Locking Compression Plate and Cerclage Wire in a Mare.

This report describes the combination of two surgical fracture repair techniques and the postoperative management of a mandibular diastemal fracture in a two-year-old mare. The mare was referred to a veterinary hospital with a laceration over the body of the right mandible. Radiographic assessment revealed two mesial fracture lines involving the second premolar tooth and a ventrally displaced bone fragment. The mare was treated under general anesthesia and the fracture was corrected using open reduction and plate fixation. A 3.5 mm narrow 15-hole locking compression plate with seven locking screws were used in a bridge form. Cerclage wire was also used to anchor the incisor teeth to the second and third premolar teeth. The cerclage wire and incisor teeth were covered with polymethylmethacrylate to prevent implant failure and avoid injury to the oral mucosa. Implants were removed 55 days after surgery and the mare was discharged from hospital five days later. The mare returned for cerclage wire removal after 90 days and was allowed to resume exercise thereafter. The combination of two surgical techniques, proper implant choice and appropriate postoperative management, including use of pelleted feed, contributed to successful bone healing and return to function.

Pain assessment in horses using automatic facial expression recognition through deep learning-based modeling.

The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate a machine vision algorithm to assess the pain level in horses, using an automatic computational classifier based on the Horse Grimace Scale (HGS) and trained by machine learning method. The use of the Horse Grimace Scale is dependent on a human observer, who most of the time does not have availability to evaluate the animal for long periods and must also be well trained in order to apply the evaluation system correctly. In addition, even with adequate training, the presence of an unknown person near an animal in pain can result in behavioral changes, making the evaluation more complex. As a possible solution, the automatic video-imaging system will be able to monitor pain responses in horses more accurately and in real-time, and thus allow an earlier diagnosis and more efficient treatment for the affected animals. This study is based on assessment of facial expressions of 7 horses that underwent castration, collected through a video system positioned on the top of the feeder station, capturing images at 4 distinct timepoints daily for two days before and four days after surgical castration. A labeling process was applied to build a pain facial image database and machine learning methods were used to train the computational pain classifier. The machine vision algorithm was developed through the training of a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) that resulted in an overall accuracy of 75.8% while classifying pain on three levels: not present, moderately present, and obviously present. While classifying between two categories (pain not present and pain present) the overall accuracy reached 88.3%. Although there are some improvements to be made in order to use the system in a daily routine, the model appears promising and capable of measuring pain on images of horses automatically through facial expressions, collected from video images.

Equine simplified acute physiology score: Personalised medicine for the equine emergency patient.

BACKGROUND: Scoring models are useful tools that guide the attending clinician in gauging the severity of disease evolution and in evaluating the efficacy of treatment. There are few tools available with this purpose for the non-human patient, including horses. We aimed (i) to adapt the simplified acute physiology score 3 (SAPS-3) model for the equine species, reaching a margin of accuracy greater than 75% in the calculation of the probability of survival/death and (ii) to build a decision tree that helps the attending veterinarian in assessment of the clinical evolution of the equine patient. METHODS: From an initial pool of 5568 medical records from University-based Veterinary Hospitals, a final cohort of 1000 was further mined manually for data extraction. A set of 19 variables were evaluated and tested by five machine learning data mining algorithms. RESULTS: The final scoring model, named EqSAPS for equine simplified acute physiology score, reached 91.83% of correct estimates (post hoc) for probability of death within 24 hours upon hospitalization. The area under receiver operating characteristic curve for outcome 'death' was 0.742, while for 'survival' was 0.652. The final decision tree was able to refine prognosis of patients whose EqSAPS score suggested 'death'. CONCLUSION: EqSAPS is a useful tool to gauge the severity of the clinical presentation of the equine patient.

Proximal interphalangeal arthrodesis in seven horses: A retrospective study in Brazil (2011-2019) / Artrodese interfalangeana proximal em sete equinos: um estudo retrospectivo no Brasil (2011-2019)

ABSTRACT: This study discussed several cases of proximal interphalangeal arthrodesis in horses at a veterinary hospital in Brazil. The medical records of seven horses that underwent proximal interphalangeal arthrodesis between 2011 and 2019 were analyzed for indication, technique, and complications. Short- and long-term outcomes were obtained from both the medical records and telephone interviews with the owners. A dynamic compression plate (DCP) was used in one of the seven horses that underwent surgical arthrodesis, and locking compression plates (LCP) were used in the others. Hospital discharge was recorded in 71.4% (5/7) of the horses, with an average hospital stay of 79 ± 45 days. Casting was maintained for 59 ± 26 days. Contact with owners was possible in four cases, two of which regained their prior level of function. The proximal interphalangeal arthrodesis may improve a horse's well-being, especially when it is considered an early intervention, minimizing the chances of immediate postoperative complications. Additional cases of surgical arthrodesis should be evaluated in long term to better characterize the outcomes of this procedure in Brazil.

RESUMO: Este estudo teve como objetivo apresentar e discutir casos de artrodese interfalangeana proximal em equinos atendidos em um Hospital Veterinário no Brasil. Os prontuários de sete equinos submetidos à artrodese interfalangeana proximal foram analisados quanto à indicação, técnica e complicações, entre 2011 e 2019. As informações sobre os desfechos de curto e longo prazo foram obtidas pela avaliação dos prontuário e entrevista telefônica com os proprietários. Em um dos sete cavalos submetidos à artrodese cirúrgica foi utilizado implantes DCP, e nos demais, LCP. A alta hospitalar foi registrada em 71,4% (5/7), com média de permanência hospitalar de 79±45 dias. A imobilização externa durou 59±26 dias. O contato com os proprietários foi possível em quatro casos, dos quais, em dois, os animais voltaram às suas funções. A artrodese interfalangeana proximal pode melhorar a qualidade de vida dos equinos, principalmente quando se considera a intervenção precoce, minimizando as chances de complicações pós-operatórias imediatas. Casos adicionais devem ser avaliados ao longo prazo para melhor caracterizar os resultados desse procedimento no Brasil.

Efficacy of oral Cynara scolymus and Silybum marianum on toxicity of imidocarb dipropionate in horses.

BACKGROUND: Despite hepatotoxic effects, imidocarb dipropionate is the drug of choice for treatment of equine piroplasmosis. It is important, therefore, to identify adjuvant therapies that may improve the safety of imidocarb dipropionate by reducing the risk of liver damage during its use. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the hepatoprotective and hepatoregulatory effects of treatment with Cynara scolymus and Silybum marianum during administration of imidocarb dipropionate. METHODS: Ten healthy horses, seroconverted to Theileria equi by C-ELISA, were treated with 5 mg/kg/day of imidocarb dipropionate for three consecutive days. The study population was divided into two groups. The control group did not receive any complementary treatments. The treated group received a daily oral supplement containing C scolymus and S marianum for 30 days. Physical, haematological and histological examinations of hepatic fragments were performed. RESULTS: All haematological values remained within normal range for the study population. Histological analysis revealed that treated group animals had 62 per cent less lobular inflammation, 55 per cent less pigment accumulation, 65 per cent less steatosis and 57 per cent less portal inflammation than control group animals, with an equivalent percentage of hydropic degeneration. CONCLUSION: C scolymus and S marianum supplements resulted in beneficial hepatoprotective effects in horses treated with imidocarb dipropionate.

Características clínicas, histopatológicas e imuno-histoquímicas do mastocitoma cutâneo equino: relato de caso / Clinical, histopathological and immunohistochemical chacteristics ofequine cutaneous mastocytoma: case report

Uma égua puro sangue árabe, com 3 anos de idade, pertencente ao rebanho experimental da FMVZ-USP apresentou lesões tumorais cutâneas nos membros pélvicos direito e esquerdo com aproximadamente um ano de evolução. Notou-se nova formação cutânea com crescimento rápido na região do pescoço, e desde então, as lesões dos membros ganharam características inflamatórias. Foi realizada punção aspirativa da lesão do pescoço para análise citológica, em que se identificou infiltrado eosinofílico. Optou-se pelo início de tratamento conservativo com três infiltrações intralesionais consecutivas com corticoesteroide. A partir da falta de sucesso das infiltrações foram realizadas as excisões cirúrgicas totais dos nódulos do pescoço, membro pélvico direito e esquerdo. Todos os materiais obtidos dos procedimentos cirúrgicos foram enviados para avaliação histopatológica e imuno-histoquímica, nas quais se confirmou o diagnóstico de mastocitoma cutâneo. O animal recebeu alta após a cicatrização das feridas cirúrgicas e remissão dos sinais, e não demonstrou recidivas ou outras complicações advindas das lesões tumorais. Algumas neoplasias cutâneas são bem descritas e de comum ocorrência na espécie equina, como o sarcoide, melanoma, papiloma e tumor de células escamosas. Já o mastocitoma cutâneo consiste em neoplasia cutânea rara nessa espécie. Segundo a literatura, não parece existir uma predileção racial para o aparecimento deste tumor, entretanto, alguns autores citam o acometimento maior nos animais Puro Sangue Árabe. Para o estabelecimento do diagnóstico definitivo é importante a associação dos exames físico, histopatológico e imuno-histoquímico e, apesar desta neoplasia ser de raro aparecimento nos equinos, deve ser sempre considerada como diagnóstico diferencial.

A 3 year-old mare, Arab, that belongs to the experimental herd of FMVZ-USP presented cutaneous tumor lesions on right and left posterior limb with approximately one year of evolution. A new formation with rapid growth was observed on the neck region, and since then, the limbs lesion gained inflammatory characteristics. Aspirative punction was performed on the neck formation in order to submit the sample to cytological analyses, in which eosinophilic infiltrate was identified. At this point, a conservative approach was chosen with three consecutive corticoid infiltrations. With lack of success of infiltrative therapy, neck, right and left posterior limbs lesions were surgically removed. The materials obtained from surgical procedures were sent to histophatological and immunohistrochemical evaluation that confirmed cutaneous mastocytoma diagnosis. The mare was discharged after all surgical wound were healed and after full remission of clinical signs, and did not show relapses or any other complication from tumor lesions. Some cutaneous tumors are well described and commonly occur in horses, such as sarcoids, melanoma, papilloma and squamous cell carcinoma. Cutaneous mastocytoma is considered a rare cutaneous tumor in this species. According to literature, equine mastocytoma do not have breed predilection, however, some authors mention a greater involvement in Purebreed Arabian horses. In order to establish a definitive diagnosis, it is important to associate physical exams to histophatological an immunohistochemical evaluation and, even though rare in horses, this neoplasm must be considered as a differential diagnosis.

Clinical, histopathological and immunohistochemical chacteristics of equine cutaneous mastocytoma: case report / Características clínicas, histopatológicas e imuno-histoquímicas do mastocitoma cutâneo equino: relato de caso

A 3 year-old mare, Arab, that belongs to the experimental herd of FMVZ-USP presented cutaneous tumor lesions on right and left posterior limb with approximately one year of evolution. A new formation with rapid growth was observed on the neck region, and since then, the limbs lesion gained inflammatory characteristics. Aspirative punction was performed on the neck formation in order to submit the sample to cytological analyses, in which eosinophilic infiltrate was identified. At this point, a conservative approach was chosen with three consecutive corticoid infiltrations. With lack of success of infiltrative therapy, neck, right and left posterior limbs lesions were surgically removed. The material obtained from surgical procedures were sent to histophatological and immunohistrochemical evaluation, that confirmed cutaneous mastocytoma diagnosis. The mare was discharged after all surgical wound were healed and after full remission of clinical signs, and did not show relapses or any other complication from tumor lesions. Some cutaneous tumors are well described and commonly occur in horses, such as sarcoids, melanoma, papilloma and squamous cell carcinoma. Cutaneous mastocytoma is considered a rare cutaneous tumor in this species. According to literature, equine mastocytoma do not have breed predilection, however, some authors mention a greater involvement in Purebreed Arabian horses. In order to establish a definitive diagnosis, it is important to associate physical exams to histophatological an immunohistochemical evaluation and, even though rare in horses, this neoplasm must be considered as a differential diagnosis.

Uma égua puro sangue árabe, com 3 anos de idade, pertencente ao rebanho experimental da FMVZ-USP apresentou lesões tumorais cutâneas nos membros pélvicos direito e esquerdo com aproximadamente um ano de evolução. Notou-se nova formação cutânea com crescimento rápido na região do pescoço, e desde então, as lesões dos membros ganharam características inflamatórias. Foi realizada punção aspirativa da lesão do pescoço para análise citológica, em que se identificou infiltrado eosinofílico. Optou-se pelo início de tratamento conservativo com três infiltrações intralesionais consecutivas com corticoesteroide. A partir da falta de sucesso das infiltrações foram realizadas as excisões cirúrgicas totais dos nódulos do pescoço, membro pélvico direito e esquerdo. Todos os materiais obtidos dos procedimentos cirúrgicos foram enviados para avaliação histopatológica e imuno-histoquímica, nas quais se confirmou o diagnóstico de mastocitoma cutâneo. O animal recebeu alta após a cicatrização das feridas cirúrgicas e remissão dos sinais, e não demonstrou recidivas ou outras complicações advindas das lesões tumorais. Algumas neoplasias cutâneas são bem descritas e de comum ocorrência na espécie equina, como o sarcoide, melanoma, papiloma e tumor de células escamosas. Já o mastocitoma cutâneo consiste em neoplasia cutânea rara nessa espécie. Segundo a literatura, não parece existir uma predileção racial para o aparecimento deste tumor, entretanto, alguns autores citam o acometimento maior nos animais Puro Sangue Árabe. Para o estabelecimento do diagnóstico definitivo é importante a associação dos exames físico, histopatológico e imuno-histoquímico e, apesar desta neoplasia ser de raro aparecimento nos equinos, deve ser sempre considerada como diagnóstico diferencial.

Power Doppler sonography in the assessment of neovascularization following surgical fracture repair in sheep: case report / Utilização da ultrassonografia Power Doppler no acompanhamento de neovascularização no pós-operatório de ovino submetido a osteossíntese: relato de caso

Sonography is a safe and non-invasive imaging modality, with the added benefit of providing dynamic images. Power Doppler sonography allows blood vessel identification regardless of flow intensity or direction. A one-year-old Ile de France ewe was admitted to the FMVZ-USP Veterinary Hospital with a complete tibial fracture. The animal was submitted to general inhalation anesthesia and fracture repair using a 3.5 mm locking compression plate. Power Doppler sonography was used to assess neovascularization over the course of the bone healing process. Formation of new vessels was noted between postoperative days 14 and 21; new vessels regressed progressively on subsequent assessments (postoperative days 28 and 35). Power Doppler sonography enabled early detection of newly formed blood vessels at the fracture site. The non-invasive nature of this imaging modality prevented patient stress and provided useful information on the progression of bone healing. Early neovascularization was thought to reflect successful postoperative healing of the tibial fracture described.(AU)

A ultrassonografia é técnica de imagem segura e não invasiva que fornece imagens dinâmicas. O Power Doppler é modalidade ultrassonográfica que permite a visualização de vasos sanguíneos sem depender de intensidade e direção de fluxo. Admitiu-se no Hospital Veterinário da FMVZ-USP um ovino fêmea, de raça Ile de France, com um ano de idade e apresentando fratura completa de tíbia em bisel. O animal foi submetido à anestesia inalatória para a realização de osteossíntese com placa bloqueada de 3,5 mm. Durante o período pós-operatório foram realizadas imagens de ultrassonografia Power Doppler para a avaliação da neovascularização ao longo do processo de regeneração óssea. Entre o 14º e o 21º dia do período pós-operatório, identificou-se a presença de vasos sanguíneos neoformados, que apresentaram sinais de regressão nas avaliações subsequentes (realizadas no 28º e no 35º dia pós-operatório). A ultrassonografia Power Doppler mostrou-se eficiente na detecção precoce de vasos sanguíneos neoformados na região da fratura no período pós-operatório, sendo um exame não invasivo, que não gerou estresse para o animal e que pode estar relacionado ao sucesso no reparo ósseo da tíbia do animal submetido à osteossíntese.(AU)

Estudo anátomo-cirúrgico do cólon transverso do eqüino por acesso paralombar esquerdo / Anatomic and surgical study of the equine transverse colon from left paralombar aprouch

O cólon transverso é um estreitamento do canal alimentar, sujeito a sofrer processos obstrutivos. A ampliação do conhecimento sobre essa estrutura e adjacentes é de grande importância cirúrgica. Neste estudo foram utilizados 10 cadáveres de eqüinos de diferentes raças, idades e sexos, divididos em dois grupos de cinco. No primeiro grupo foi realizada uma incisão no 16º espaço intercostal esquerdo e posterior ressecção da 16ª costela. No segundo grupo a incisão foi feita sobre a 17ª costela com a remoção da mesma. Todas as estruturas identificadas foram registradas em fichas individuais, assim como a extensão exteriorizada do cólon transverso. Em todas os animais o cólon transverso foi totalmente visualizado e parcialmente exteriorizado, sendo que houve melhor manipulação e exteriorização no segundo grupo, além da maior facilidade no emprego da técnica, com a incisão sobre a costela a ser ressecada. Dessa forma, concluímos que o cólon transverso pode ser acessado pela fossa paralombar esquerda, sendo que a remoção da 17ª costela proporciona o melhor acesso para essa estrutura.

The transverse colon is a constriction of the bowel lumen, which canbe submitted to obstructive process. The knowledge enlargement about this structure and the adjacent ones has a great surgical importance. For such study, ten anatomic pieces, from equines corpses of different breed, age and sex, were used and divided in two groups. In the first group an incision was made in the left 16 intercostal space and farther resection of the 16 rib. In the second group an incision was made over the 17 rib, before its ressection. All the identified structures were registered into individual files, such as the extension of the exteriorized portion. In all of the studied pieces, the transverse colon was entirely visualized and partially exteriorized. However, we had better handling and exteriorization in the second group, as well as we noticed its technique was of easier execution. In accordance with the results, through this work is possible to conclude that the transverse colon can be approached by the left flank, and that the removal of the 17 rib provides a better access to the transverse colon.

Estudo retrospectivo dos casos de enterolitíase e corpo estranho em intestino grosso de eqüinos, no período de janeiro de 1993 a janeiro de 2003 / Retrospective study of enterolithiasis and foreign bodies found in the large intestine of horses (january 1993 to january 2003)

No período de janeiro de 1993 a janeiro de 2003, foram realizados 195 procedimentos cirúrgicos de abdômen agudo em eqüinos, no Serviço de Cirurgia de Grandes Animais do Hospital Veterinário da Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia da Universidade de São Paulo. Dentre eles, foram diagnosticados 30 casos de enterolitíase e sete casos de corpo estranho, localizados em intestino grosso. Das 37 laparotomias, 35 foram realizadas em decúbito dorsal com acesso pela linha média e duas em estação com acesso pelo flanco. Os animais apresentaram idade variando de um a dezoito anos com média de oito anos, sendo 25 machos e 13 fêmeas. As formações e corpos estranhos apresentaram a seguinte localização: 13 (35,14%) em cólon maior, 19 (51,35%) em cólon menor, 03 (8,10%) em cólon transverso e 02 (5,41 %) em cólon transverso e menor. Em relação à evolução, 23 (62,16%) receberam alta e 14 (37,84%) evoluíram para óbito (6) ou foram submetidos à eutanásia (8). Seis procedimentos de eutanásia, foram realizados no período trans-operatório e dois no período pós-operatório. Dentre os animais que apresentaram evolução satisfatória, destacam-se um caso em que foram retirados sete enterólitos e outro em que a ponta de um prego que era o núcleo do enterólito se mantinha proeminente e em contato com a mucosa intestinal. Comparativamente às demais afecções do intestino grosso dos eqüinos e pela análise dos resultados obtidos neste estudo, conclui-se que os processos obstrutivos causados por enterólitos ou corpos estranhos apresentam prognóstico favorável.

In the period from January 1993 to January 2003, 195 surgical procedures of equine acute abdomen were performed at the Service of Large Animal Surgery of the Veterinary Hospital of the School of Veterinary Medicine and Zootechnics of the University of São Paulo. From these 195 cases there were 30 enterolithiasis and seven foreign bodies located in the colono Thirty-five out of 37 laparotomies were performed in dorsal recumbency, with access through the ventral midline and two were performed through the flank, with the animal in standing position. Of the 37 animals, 25 were male and 12 were females. Age varied from one to 18 years old with any average of eight years of age. Location of enteroliths and foreign bodies was as follows: 13 (35.14%) in large colon, 19 (51.35%) in small colon, 03 (8.10%) in transverse colon and 02 (5.41 %) in both transverse and small colon. In regards to the clinical evolution, six were humenely eutmanized killed during surgery. From the 31 remaining, 23 (74,19%) were discharged,6 (19,36%) died and 2 (6,45%) were killed eutmanized during the post-operative period. Among those animals with satisfactory evolution two animals stand out. One of them had seven enteroliths and in the other, the nucleus of the mass was the tip of a nail, which protruded from the mass and was in constant contact with the intestinal mucosa. In spite of the large incidence of obstruction caused by enteroliths or foreign bodies in comparison of other studies, the prognosis of post-operative recovery is favourable.