[Subperitoneal cyst in a Friesian mare]. / Subperitoneale cyste bij een Friese merrie.

The case of a 5-year-old Friesian mare with a mass in her abdomen and a gait irregularity of the left hind limb is discussed. At rectal ultrasonogrphic examination the mass appeared to be a thin-walled, anechogenic cavity in the left abdomen. By means of laparoscopy the mass could be visualized as a smooth structure, covered by peritoneum and fat. Under laparoscopic guidance the mass was punctured and fluid was aspirated. Cytological and bacteriological findings of the fluid were indicative of a cyst. After drainage of the cyst the locomotion disorder of the left hind limb disappeared. It is concluded that this horse suffered from a subperitoneal cyst, a rare disorder in humans and never previously described in horses. The case emphasizes the value of laparoscopy in the diagnosis and treatment of (intra)abdominal masses and further clearly shows that in the differential diagnosis of locomotion disorders not only structures related to the locomotion system should be taken into account.

[Ataxia and pruritus in a pony due to a cervical vertebral fracture]. / Ataxie en pruritus bij een pony als gevolg van een halswervelfractuur.

A mini-Shetland stallion was referred with bilateral pruritus localized to the anterior neck. More detailed clinical examination also revealed ataxia, and diagnostic imaging, including pre- and post-contrast computed tomography, revealed an old fracture of C2. Spinal cord compression was diagnosed. The probable causal relation between the fracture, the ataxia, and the localized pruritus seems comparable to the 'contusio cervicalis posterior' in humans, in which spinal cord trauma may cause pruritus in the associated dermatome.

Effects of 'navicular' shoeing on equine distal forelimb kinematics on different track surface.

Orthopaedic shoeing applied for disorders such as navicular disease is mostly evaluated on hard track surfaces, but very often horses are ridden only on soft tracks. To compare the effects of normal shoes, eggbar shoes, and shoes with heel wedges (5 degrees) on the kinematics of the distal forelimb on hard and soft track surfaces, eleven sound Dutch Warmblood horses were led across three different tracks (an asphalt, a fibre/sand mix (= Agterberg), and a pure sand track) with three different shoe types (a normal shoe, an eggbar shoe, and a shoe with heel wedges). The hoof rotation and the maximal extension of the fetlock joint at midstance period were recorded by an infrared-light based gait analysis system (ProReflex) at walk and at trot. Statistical analysis revealed significant effects of track and shoe type, and a shoe-track interaction (p<0.05). On soft track surfaces, the equilibrium of the distal forelimb dictated a 1.5-4 degrees forward rotation of the normal or eggbar shod foot, the most on a sand track. The wedge effect on hoof rotation, however, was always significantly greater, but similar to that on the hard track surface (5 degrees forward rotation). The maximal fetlock extension was less on a soft surface, in particular on the sand track (p<0.05). This decrease was most pronounced when the horses were shod with heel wedges and was least pronounced with normal shoes. In conclusion, in particular the sand track allows a forward rotation of the hoof and thus relief of pressure in the navicular area, and a decrease in maximal fetlock extension and thus unloading of the fetlock joint. The extra forward rotation of the hoof induced by heel wedges on hard tracks was almost the same on soft track surfaces. Eggbars and fibre/sand mix tracks have intermediate effects on unloading of the distal forelimb.

Computerized ECG recording in horses during a standardized exercise test.

In the horse, it is important to make a reliable ECG recording during exercise as cardiac arrhythmia is one of the possible causes of poor performance. The purpose of the present study was to obtain a satisfactory, standardized method for ECG recording by computer during a standardized treadmill exercise test and to evaluate the procedure both in healthy and in diseased horses. Ten experienced healthy research horses were used to develop and adapt the original method (for humans) of computerized ECG recording with the Cardio Perfect software program and to obtain reference values for heart rate and blood variables. Further, three diseased horses (patients) were examined to evaluate whether the test procedures were also usable for horses without extensive experience in treadmill and other experimental procedures. During a standardized exercise test on a treadmill at walk (1.7 m/s), trot (4.0 m/s), and canter (7.0 m/s at 0% and 4% treadmill inclination), the ECG was recorded using two bipolar leads (from xiphoid to manubrium respectively to the left withers) and one unipolar lead (on the left ventral thorax). The quality of the exercise ECGs was satisfactory. The heart rate was detectable and arrhythmias were identifiable. Most research horses did not show arrhythmias during exercise, except a single atrial premature complex (APC). The reference values for the mean heart rate for the different stages of the exercise test differed from 84 + or - 7 to 176 + or - 21 beats per minute (bpm). The exercise test provoked in healthy horses a plasma lactate concentration around the anaerobic threshold. Most patients were also able to finish the test. In conclusion, the developed method to obtain an exercise ECG during a standardized exercise test proved to be reliable and applicable both in research horses and in patients, thus extending the possibilities to diagnose arrhythmias.