Luis J. Ezquerra

Intra and postoperative assessment of re-sterilised Ligasure Atlas for orchidectomies in horses: clinical study

Horses (n=35) underwent orchidectomy in a single institution with a re-sterilised LSA as sole means of haemostasis. During the surgery, the gross quality of the seal, the stickiness of the forceps to the tissues, bleeding/oozing from the stump and the need for a subsequent application in already severed spermatic cord were assessed for haemostasis quality. After surgery, physical parameters (appearance of the mucous membranes, quality of the peripheral pulse, heart rate, respiratory rate, rectal temperature and blood dripping from the incisions), haematology or packed cell volume and total protein were monitored to assess signs of bleeding or any other condition. For cleanliness and asepsis assessment, signs of surgical infection were recorded. Complications during surgery were mild degree of sticking of the LSA forceps to the tissues and dulling of the blade. There was no need to reapply LSA a second time except in one horse. This means a haemostasis complication rate of 2.85 per cent of the horses. No postoperative bleeding was detected. Only two horses with fever had associated signs of surgical site infection. This means an infection rate of 5.71 per cent of the horses.

Endocrine, haematological and metabolic responses to sevoflurane anaesthesia in lambs

Objective To compare the magnitude and duration of the peri-operative haematological, endocrine and metabolic effects of surgery performed under sevoflurane anaesthesia. Study Design Prospective randomized study. Animals Ten, 55-day-old lambs of both sexes, mean weight 20.8 ± 0.3 kg (range 18.5-23.6 kg). Methods Animals were randomly allocated to two equal groups. All were anaesthetized with sevoflurane for 3 hours. Surgery (end-to-end anastomosis of the right carotid artery and right jugular vein) was performed in animals of Group 1 only. The electrocardiogram, pulse oximetry, cardiac output and noninvasive arterial blood pressure (NIBP) were monitored. Venous blood samples (5 mL) were taken 30 minutes before induction of anaesthesia (T = 0) and 1 (T1), 24 (T2), 48 hours (T3) and 7 days (T4) after anaesthesia in order to measure plasma cortisol, ACTH, insulin, cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), glucose, protein concentrations and haematological variables. Results Sevoflurane decreased NIBP (minimum mean value: 64 ± 3 mm Hg) in both groups. Plasma cortisol and ACTH concentration increased in Group 1 (maximum mean values: cortisol: 136.2 nmol L-1, ACTH: 54.5 pmol L-1) and Group 2 (maximum mean values: cortisol: 128.7 nmol L-1, ACTH: 44.0 pmol L-1). Cyclic AMP increased only in Group 1 (9.3 nmol) 1 hour after anaesthesia. Neutrophilia, lymphopaenia and a decreased PCV were observed in both groups 1 hour after anaesthesia. Plasma protein and glucose concentrations did not change. Conclusions Increased ACTH and cortisol concentrations recorded 1 hour after anaesthesia suggest that sevoflurane induces a stress response in lambs. Clinical relevance The study did not identify the mechanism by which sevoflurane induces a stress response although hypotension is implicated.

Treatment of experimental ureteral strictures by endourological ureterotomy and implantation of stents in the porcine animal model.

The objective of this study is to evaluate the dilation of the ureter using endoureterotomy and an expanding-sheath double pigtail ureteral stent in the treatment of experimentally induced ureteral strictures in the porcine animal model. This is a new treatment in the ureteral strictures resolution in Veterinary Urology, although it is not a common affection, it usually appears as a consequence of ureteritis and in the iatrogenic female genital surgery. The experimental study is design in three phases: induction of experimental stricture, diagnosis and treatment of the stricture and follow-up. We have used 10 healthy Large White female pigs. The internal ureteral diameter was measured prior to laparoscopic ligature stricture induction using retrograde ureteropyelography (RUPG). Experimental stricture was diagnosed 4 weeks after intervention, using RUPG and ultrasound, and treated by endoureterotomy and subsequent placement of a double pigtail ureteral stent, which was removed 6 weeks later. The study finished 4 weeks later with measurement of ureteral diameters using RPUG and ultrasound evaluation. Except in one case, all ureters displayed permanent dilation of the strictured area for 10 weeks after treatment (6 weeks with ureteral stent and 4 more weeks without stent). Finally, this technique proved to be effective in cases of short-length and short-living ureteral strictures, and represents a viable alternative to conventional surgery in animals.

Treatment of subchondral lucencies in the medial proximal radius with a bone screw in 8 horses

Objective To describe the results of screw placement through subchondral lucencies (SCL) of the proximal radius in 8 horses. Study design Retrospective clinical study. Animals Horses with cubital SCL causing lameness (n=8). Methods Medical record review and clinical follow-up. Results Eight horses with SCL in the proximal radius causing lameness were treated with a screw placed across the lucency. The horses range in age from 1 to 20 years. In 4 of 8 horses, the lameness had been intermittently severe (apparent at the walk). Lameness was isolated to the cubital joint by intra-articular anesthesia in 5 horses and diagnosed radiographically in all 8. All horses had a 4.5 mm cortical bone screw placed from medial to lateral (6 lag, 2 neutral) across the SCL using fluoroscopic or radiographic control. Postoperative care included stall confinement with hand walking for 30-60 days, followed by an additional 30-60 days of pasture turnout. Radiographic SCL healing (reduction in SCL size) was demonstrated at 3-4 months after surgery in all horses, and 7/8 horses (87.5%) were used as intended (4 performance, 3 pasture turn-out) within 6 months. Lameness in the remaining horse improved initially (dressage) but returned. Conclusions A screw placed through the SCL of the proximal-medial radius was effective in reducing or resolving lameness associated with the elbow joint in 7/8 horses (88%). Screw placement in the proximal radius should be considered for horses with lameness caused by an SCL when a quick return to exercise is desired or conservative therapy is ineffective.Objective: To describe the results of screw placement through subchondral lucencies (SCL) of the proximal radius in 8 horses. Study design: Retrospective clinical study. Animals: Horses with cubital SCL causing lameness (n=8). Methods: Medical record review and clinical follow‐up. Results: Eight horses with SCL in the proximal radius causing lameness were treated with a screw placed across the lucency. The horses range in age from 1 to 20 years. In 4 of 8 horses, the lameness had been intermittently severe (apparent at the walk). Lameness was isolated to the cubital joint by intra‐articular anesthesia in 5 horses and diagnosed radiographically in all 8. All horses had a 4.5 mm cortical bone screw placed from medial to lateral (6 lag, 2 neutral) across the SCL using fluoroscopic or radiographic control. Postoperative care included stall confinement with hand walking for 30‐60 days, followed by an additional 30‐60 days of pasture turnout. Radiographic SCL healing (reduction in SCL size) was demonstrated at 3‐4 months after surgery in all horses, and 7/8 horses (87.5%) were used as intended (4 performance, 3 pasture turn‐out) within 6 months. Lameness in the remaining horse improved initially (dressage) but returned. Conclusions: A screw placed through the SCL of the proximal‐medial radius was effective in reducing or resolving lameness associated with the elbow joint in 7/8 horses (88%). Screw placement in the proximal radius should be considered for horses with lameness caused by an SCL when a quick return to exercise is desired or conservative therapy is ineffective.

Histological findings in equine testes one year after standing laparoscopic peritoneal flap hernioplasty

In order to know reproduction-related complications due to standing laparoscopic peritoneal flap hernioplasty, histological characteristics of the testicles from five stallions one year after surgery were compared with seven testicles from four healthy stallions. Moreover, the daily sperm output (DSO) was determined before (T0) and one year after surgery (T12). DSO did not show significant differences between T0 and T12. The diameter of the seminiferous tubules was significantly decreased in the samples from the hernioplasty group. The percentage of tubules with full spermatogenesis was smaller in the hernioplasty group, but the difference was not significant. It can be concluded that standing laparoscopic peritoneal flap hernioplasty produced mild histological changes in the testicular parenchyma, epididymis and pampiniform plexus after one year follow-up.

Maxillary osteomyelitis due to Halicephalobus gingivalis and fatal dissemination in a horse

This study reports a rare case of maxillary osteomyelitis in a horse caused by Halicephalobus gingivalis . The horse presented inflammation and pain in the r...

Acute upper airway obstruction due to retropharyngeal hematoma in a dog with Anaplasma species: a case study

BackgroundRetropharyngeal hematoma is a rare condition that is difficult to diagnose and may progress rapidly to airway obstruction. The authors report the first known case of acute upper airway obstruction resulting from retropharyngeal hematoma in a dog. Documented causes in human medicine have included coagulopathic states, trauma, infection, parathyroid adenoma rupture, and foreign body ingestion. Vague symptoms in humans such as sore throat, shortness of breath, dysphonia, dysphagia, and neck swelling may precede lethal airway obstruction.Case presentationThe authors report a case of an 18-month-old, intact female water spaniel with thrombocytopenia that developed a massive retropharyngeal hematoma and symptoms of airway compromise. The dog required tracheal intubation followed by surgical tracheostomy. Lateral cervical radiography and magnetic resonance imaging of the neck was consistent with a retropharyngeal hematoma compromising the airway. The retropharyngeal hematoma was managed conservatively.ConclusionRetropharyngeal hematoma should be considered in patients presenting with abrupt respiratory distress. Magnetic resonance imaging allowed specific diagnosis of a rare condition that is otherwise difficult to diagnose.

Hernia perineal en el perro, un estudio de prevalencia de 81 casos

SUMMARY The aim of this is study was to analyse perineal hernia’s prevalence in the population, describe its characteristics and to evaluate different surgical techniques used and their results. The study design is a retrospective study of perineal hernia’s cases in the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the University of Extremadura. Perineal hernia cases are 0.96% of the population. Males and females represent 98.2% and 1.2%, respectively. Our population with perineal hernia has an average age of 8,69 years, and a standard deviation of 2.19 years. The average weight body was 16.4 kg ± 11.44 kg. We found 18 bilateral perineal hernias, 40 right unilateral hernias and 20 left unilateral; the total number was 96 perineal hernias. Sixty seven patients underwent surgery, and a total of 80 perineal hernias were repaired. The most frequent clinical signs were perineal bulge and defecation difficulty. Bladder retroflexion appeared in 13.6% of the cases and the prostate was affected in the 21%. It was noted that bilateral perineal hernia patients had increased susceptibility to bladder retroflexion. The techniques used were as follows: anatomical or conventional (7.55%), transposition of the internal obturator muscle (67.92%), anatomical with polypropylene mesh (11.32%), transposition of the internal obturator muscle with polypropylene mesh (13.22%). The transposition of the internal obturator muscle obtained a recurrence’s rate of 2.8%. Complications’s rate and recurrence’s rate on perineal herniorraphy were 9.84% and 14.8%, respectively.