BackgroundSinus gas expansion is a rare condition in equine patients, resulting in progressive deformity of the facial bones. The condition is sparsely documented in veterinary literature. Similar lesions are categorised as sinus pneumocele or pneumosinus dilatans in human patients, based on the presence or absence of sinus wall erosion.ObjectivesTo describe imaging findings in horses with gas expansion of the paranasal sinuses.Study designMulticentric retrospective descriptive case series.MethodsHorses with a computed tomographic (CT) description of sinus gas expansion were included. Computed tomography changes were described, and lesions were categorised as sinus pneumocele or pneumosinus dilatans. Signalment, history and clinical signs were recorded, as well as radiological signs, histology and follow-up information, when available.ResultsEight horses met the inclusion criteria, including seven diagnosed with sinus pneumocele and one with pneumosinus dilatans. Clinical signs were variable, depending on the affected bones and sinuses. The conchofrontal sinus was the most frequently affected. Irregular sinus wall erosion, marginal separation of the bone diploe and abnormal septation were consistent imaging findings in horses with sinus pneumocele. Active bone remodelling was confirmed by histology in one patient. Based on CT, the sinus mucosa was thickened adjacent to the sinus wall erosion in 5/7 patients, with hazy dystrophic mineralisation in three horses. One horse had a follow-up CT at 26 months, showing progression of the lesion. The horse with pneumosinus dilatans had minor facial bone deformity and severe gas expansion of all left-sided paranasal sinuses, largely encroaching on the right paranasal sinuses, without bone erosion.ConclusionDiagnostic imaging and more particularly CT is valuable for identifying and characterising abnormal gas expansion of the paranasal sinuses in horses. Based on this small case series, the condition is slowly progressive and inconsistently associated with clinical signs. Its pathophysiology remains unclear, warranting further exploration.

Deze studie had als doel de relatie te bepalen tussen de serumconcentraties van lidocaïne/monoethylglycinexylidide (MEGX) en hun effect op de verschillende lichamelijke stelsels bij het paard. Vijf gezonde paarden bij bewustzijn kregen een twee uur durende placebo-intraveneuze infusie gevolgd door een twee uur durende lidocaïne-infusie (bolus van 1,3 mg/kg in tien minuten gevolgd door een constante infusie van 0,05 mg/kg/min). De lidocaïne- en MEGX-serumconcentraties werden om de tien à vijftien minuten gemeten. Het evenwichtsverlies, de spiertrillingen, het ademhalings-, spijsverterings- en cardiovasculaire stelsel werden beoordeeld met behulp van verschillende niet-invasieve methoden. Tijdens de toediening van de lidocaïne-infusie was de gemiddelde (± standaarddeviatie) lidocaïne- en MEGXconcentratie respectievelijk 768,88 ± 93,32 ng/ml en 163,08 ± 108,98 ng/ml. De toediening van een lidocaïne- infusie beïnvloedde significant de aanwezigheid van trillen. Ook veroorzaakte ze een statistisch maar niet-klinisch significante afname van de systolische en diastolische bloeddruk, die beide correleerden met de lidocaïne- en MEGX-serumconcentratie. Verder verhoogde ze eveneens de duodenale contractiefrequentie, die correleerde met de serumlidocaïne-concentratie. In de voorliggende studie werden milde hypotensieve en prokinetische kortetermijneffecten van een lidocaïne-infusie waargenomen.

This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between the serum concentrations of lidocaine/ monoethylglycinexylidide (MEGX) and their effects on several systems in horses. Five healthy, conscious horses received a two-hour placebo intravenous infusion followed by a two-hour lidocaine infusion (bolus of 1.3 mg/kg over ten minutes followed by a continuous rate infusion of 0.05 mg/kg/min). Lidocaine and MEGX serum concentrations were sampled every ten to fifteen minutes during the experiment, and the presence of muscle fasciculations and loss of balance as well as the respiratory, digestive and cardiovascular systems of the five horses were evaluated by means of different non-invasive methods. During the lidocaine infusion, the mean (± SD) lidocaine and MEGX concentrations were respectively 768.88 ± 93.32ng/ml and 163.08 ± 108.98 ng/ml. The infusion of lidocaine significantly influenced the presence of fasciculations, caused a statistically but non-clinically significant decrease of systolic and diastolic blood pressures, which were both correlated with lidocaine and MEGX serum concentrations, and it increased the duodenal contractions frequency, which was correlated with the serum lidocaine concentration. In this study, mild hypotensive and prokinetic effects of short-term lidocaine infusion were observed.

SummaryIntervertebral disc disease in the cervical and cranial thoracic vertebrae is unusual in horses and the majority of documented cases have been associated with infection and resulted in ataxia. The current retrospective study documents the clinical and imaging features, and outcome in eight Equidae with neck stiffness ± forelimb lameness (n = 3) or ataxia (n = 2) assessed during a 10‐year period at two clinics. The Equidae (one donkey and seven horses) ranged in age from 1.5 to 12 years (median 5.5 years). The duration of clinical signs ranged from 1 to 6 months (median 1.5 months). The donkey had a depressed demeanour. All Equidae had reduced range of neck movement. The donkey and one horse showed mild and severe ataxia respectively. Two horses showed a propensity to stumble on each forelimb, one of which exhibited forelimb lameness on the lunge or ridden. Two additional horses showed lameness in hand. One horse experienced ‘neck locking’ during grazing. Radiological abnormalities were identified involving the intervertebral symphysis between the sixth cervical vertebra (C6) and C7 in four Equidae; in two horses the articulation between C7 and the first thoracic vertebra (T1) was involved. One horse had abnormalities of the intervertebral symphyses of both C7 and T1, and T1 and T2. In one horse the articulation between C2 and 3 was affected. The donkey was treated with a prolonged course of doxycycline and improved. An advanced dressage horse returned to full‐function after surgical fusion of the affected intervertebral symphysis. Intervertebral disc disease is a rare cause of neck stiffness ± lameness or ataxia.

This study describes a radiographic survey of the anatomical development of the distal extremity of the manus in the donkey from 0 to 2 years of age. The right distal limb of 10 donkey foals, born in the spring of 2012, underwent radiographs every month for the first 6 months of age and every 3 months during the following 18 months. Latero-medial radiographs with and without barium marker at the coronary band and dorso-palmar radiographs with both front feet in weight bearing were obtained. The distal physis of the third metacarpal bone and the proximal physis of the proximal phalanx (phalanx proximalis) were closed at the mean age of 18.6 months. The distal physis of the proximal phalanx appeared as a clear radiolucent line at 2 weeks of age and was still subtly visible in some donkeys at 24 months. The proximal physis of the middle phalanx (phalanx media) was closed at the mean age of 16.7 months. The distal physis of this phalanx was visible at birth, but closed at 4 days. The distal phalanx (phalanx distalis) was triangular at birth. At the age of 20-21 months, the palmar processes (processus palmares) were both developed. The navicular bone (os sesamoideum distalis) was developed at the mean age of 9 months. The proximal sesamoid bones (ossa sesamoidea proximalia) were seen in continuously development during the 24 months. It seems that the physes in the distal extremity of the manus in the donkey close at an older age than the physes in the horse.

The standard technique for placing a needle into the canine lumbar subarachnoid space is primarily based on palpation of anatomic landmarks and use of probing movements of the needle, however, this technique can be challenging for novice operators. The aim of the current observational, prospective, ex vivo, feasibility study was to compare ultrasound-guided vs. standard anatomic landmark approaches for novices performing needle placement into the lumbar subarachnoid space using dog cadavers. Eight experienced operators validated the canine cadaver model as usable for training landmark and ultrasound-guided needle placement into the lumbar subarachnoid space based on realistic anatomy and tissue consistency. With informed consent, 67 final year veterinary students were prospectively enrolled in the study. Students had no prior experience in needle placement into the lumbar subarachnoid space or use of ultrasound. Each student received a short theoretical training about each technique before the trial and then attempted blind landmark-guided and ultrasound-guided techniques on randomized canine cadavers. After having performed both procedures, the operators completed a self-evaluation questionnaire about their performance and self-confidence. Total success rates for students were 48% and 77% for the landmark- and ultrasound-guided techniques, respectively. Ultrasound guidance significantly increased total success rate when compared to the landmark-guided technique and significantly reduced the number of attempts. With ultrasound guidance self-confidence was improved, without bringing any significant change in duration of the needle placement procedure. Findings indicated that use of ultrasound guidance and cadavers are feasible methods for training novice operators in needle placement into the canine lumbar subarachnoid space.

Reasons for performing studyNormal radiographic anatomy of the juvenile donkey foot has not been reported previously.ObjectivesTo provide a radiographic survey of the anatomical development of the donkey foot from 0 to 2 years of age.Study designRadiographic survey.MethodsThe right front foot of 9 donkey foals born in the spring of 2012, housed and fed in the same conditions, were radiographed every month for the first 6 months of age and every 3 months for the following 18 months. Latero‐medial radiographs with and without barium markers at the coronary band and anterior‐posterior radiographs of both front feet were obtained during weightbearing. Radiographs were obtained at 55 kV and 3 mAs with mobile x‐ray equipment (Gierth RHF 200 ML, Examion DR810).ResultsThe distal physis of the metacarpus (McIII) was closed at the mean age of 17.8 months (SD: 11.5, 21). The proximal physis of the proximal phalanx was closed at the mean age of 15.5 months (SD: 11.5, 21). The distal physis appeared as a clear radiolucent line at 2 weeks of age and was still visible subtly at 24 months. The proximal physis of the middle phalanx was closed at the mean age of 10.7 months (SD: 11.5, 19). The distal physis was visible at birth but closed at 4 days.ConclusionsBased on our results, it seems that physes close at an older age in the donkey foal than in the horse.Ethical animal research: The study was approved by the Ethics committee of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium. (VUB/14‐272‐2). Owners gave informed consent for their horses' inclusion in the study. Source of funding: The authors acknowledge Vtrade Belgium for the logistic assistance. Competing interests: None declared.

Cisternal puncture in dogs and cats is commonly carried out. This article describes the percutaneous ultrasound anatomy of the cisternal region in the dog and the cat and an indirect technique for ultrasound-guided cisternal puncture. Ultrasound images obtained ex vivo and in vivo were compared with anatomic sections and used to identify the landmarks for ultrasound-guided cisternal puncture. The ultrasound-guided procedure was established in cadavers and then applied in vivo in seven dogs and two cats. The anatomic landmarks for the ultrasound-guided puncture are the cisterna magna, the spinal cord, the two occipital condyles on transverse images, the external occipital crest and the dorsal arch of the first cervical vertebra on longitudinal images. Using these ultrasound anatomic landmarks, an indirect ultrasound-guided technique for cisternal puncture is applicable in the dog and the cat.

SummaryThe third interosseous muscle (suspensory ligament,TIOM) is composed of connective tissue (CT) with a variable proportion of muscle (MT) and adipose tissue (AT). The aim of our study is to quantify theCT,MTandATwithin the body and the branches of right thoracic and pelvic limbsTIOMin sound horses to determine whether there are differences inCT,MTandATbetween age, sex, limbs and levels. Right limbs from 11 sound horses were collected. Samples from 6 levels of theTIOMwere embedded in paraffin or in Tissue‐Tek®. Most of the paraffin sections were shredded. Using the cryosection, some artefacts appeared. Cryoprotection was carried out, which produced the best results. Hematoxylin–phloxine–saffron and Hematoxylin–eosin gave a good contrast of colours between the tissues observed allowing the use of an image analysis programme to calculate percentage of each tissue within theTIOM. The percentage ofMTandATdecreased significantly (P < 0.0001), whereas the percentage ofCTincreased significantly (P < 0.0001) with age and when descending from the proximal to the distal level of theTIOM. The percentage ofMTwas significantly higher (P < 0.0001) in females than males, while the percentage ofCTwas significantly higher (P < 0.0001) in males than females. The percentage ofATwas significantly higher (P = 0.0278) in pelvic limbs than in thoracic limbs. These results confirm the variation in tissue composition within theTIOMof sound horses.

We present a method for the automatic analysis of whole slide histological images of equine tendinopathy. This computer-aided analysis is a pre-screening tool that helps veterinarians doctors to evaluate the efficacy of new treatments. A set of textural, arrangement, and alignment features are extracted to reproduce visual histological criteria, each of them representing different feature views of the initial data. To efficiently combine these different views of the data for clustering, tensor-based multi-view spectral clustering is considered and provides an unsupervised classification of the tissue zones.

Reasons for performing the study Few reports are available on the relationship between developmental orthopaedic diseases (DOD) and future performances in Warmblood horses.Objectives To investigate the relationship between performance and the presence of DOD lesions.Methods Records of Warmblood stallions for which radiographic and performance data were available were collected. Showjumping performances were expressed as scores derived from the final ranking of horses in each competition.Results Two hundred and fifteen horses met the inclusion criteria. There was no difference in either the number of performances or performance score between horses categorised as affected with DOD lesions (independent of joint location) compared with controls. Significantly lower numbers of performances were recorded for horses with osteochondral fragments (OCD) located at the dorsal aspect of the sagittal ridge of the metacarpo/metatarsophalangeal bone. No significant difference was found between horses affected with DOD lesions of the tarsocrural joint and controls. Horses with osteochondrosis of the lateral trochlear ridge of the femur had both significantly lower performance scores and numbers of performances compared with controls.Conclusion This study demonstrated that specific DOD location and site within the joint have an influence on performance. Osteochondral fragments in the femoropatellar and at the dorsal aspect of the sagittal ridge of the metacarpo/metatarsophalangeal joint resulted in lowered performance. Fragmentation in the tarsocrural joint had no influence on performance.Potential relevance The future athletic performance of Warmblood jumping horses may be limited as a result of OCD in the femoropatellar joint and to a certain extent the metacarpo/metatarsophalangeal joint.

Summary Objectives: To calculate the difference between the desired tibial tuberosity advancement (TTA) along the tibial plateau axis and the advancement truly achieved in that direction when cage size has been determined using the method of Montavon and colleagues. To measure the effect of this difference on the final patellar tendon-tibial plateau angle (PTA) in relation to the ideal 90°. Methods: Trigonometry was used to calculate the theoretical actual advancement of the tibial tuberosity in a direction parallel to the tibial plateau that would be achieved by the placement of a cage at the level of the tibial tuberosity in the osteotomy plane of the tibial crest. The same principle was used to calculate the size of the cage that would have been required to achieve the desired advancement. The effect of the difference between the desired advancement and the actual advancement achieved on the final PTA was calculated. Results: For a given desired advancement, the greater the tibial plateau angle (TPA), the greater the difference between the desired advancement and the actual advancement achieved. The maximum discrepancy calculated was 5.8 mm for a 12 mm advancement in a case of extreme TPA (59°). When the TPA was less than 31°, the PTA was in the range of 90° to 95°. Clinical significance: A discrepancy does exist between the desired tibial tuberosity advancement and the actual advancement in a direction parallel to the TPA, when the tibial tuberosity is not translated proximally. Although this has an influence on the final PTA, further studies are warranted to evaluate whether this is clinically significant.

Instructions on how to debone and stuff a turkey are available, but what is the best way to close it up? A randomised trial involving 15 turkeys was performed in order to evaluate skin disruption scores and cosmetic outcomes following the use of different suture patterns. Turkeys were deboned, stuffed and cooked according to guidelines of the US Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Services. After stuffing, they were randomly assigned to one of five closure groups: simple continuous Lembert; simple continuous Cushing; simple continuous Utrecht; simple continuous; or staples. Turkeys were cooked at 180°C for two hours ensuring core temperature reached 75°C. Suture line integrity was evaluated after removal of the sutures and the cosmetic aspect was graded. Before cooking, the Utrecht pattern and skin staples offered the best cosmetic result. After removal of the sutures, the skin remained intact only in the stapled group. All other suture patterns disrupted the skin after removal of the sutures, rendering the turkey less cosmetically appealing for serving. Closure of a stuffed turkey was best performed using skin staples to achieve the best cosmetic results. Using this technique you will be able to impress family and friends at a Christmas dinner, and finally show them your surgical skills.

Street nail means a "deep puncture wound" of the hoof. Depending on localisation and direction of the penetration of the foreign object, different sensitive structures of the hoof might be injured. This article describes relevant anatomical structures, clinical examination, diagnosis, therapeutic approaches, possible risks, post-operative management as well as associated risks and prognosis.

BACKGROUND:Familial juvenile glomerulonephropathy (JGN) is reported in several breeds of dogs. The mode of inheritance and spectrum of pathological lesions vary among breeds. A progressive JGN was detected in a pedigree of French Mastiff (FM) dogs.OBJECTIVES:To describe clinical, laboratory, and histopathologic findings in related FM dogs suffering from progressive JGN and to determine the mode of inheritance of this condition.ANIMALS:Sixteen affected and 35 healthy related FM dogsMETHODS:FM dogs < 24 months of age and diagnosed with chronic kidney disease with evidence of proteinuria entered the study. Clinical, laboratory, histopathologic findings, and pedigree data were recorded.RESULTS:Clinical signs were typical of progressive glomerulopathy with resultant renal failure. Increased blood urea nitrogen, creatinine and total cholesterol concentrations, and proteinuria were found in all patients. Affected dogs had abnormal kidney structure on abdominal ultrasound examination. Histopathologic examination revealed extensive cystic glomerular atrophy, glomerular hypercellularity, and capillary wall thickening without immune complex deposition when tested with immunohistochemistry or immunofluorescence. Electron microscopy did not disclose specific primary glomerular lesions. Mean age at death was 20 months and mean length of survival after diagnosis was 6 months. Both males and females from healthy parents were affected. An autosomal recessive mode of transmission is suspected, but a more complex mode of inheritance cannot be excluded.CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE:Progressive familial JGN occurs in FM dogs. Characterization of the pathogenesis and mode of inheritance of this disease warrants additional study.

Summary Objectives: To describe the radiographic appearance of the dorsoproximal aspect of the sagittal ridge of the third metacarpal/metatarsal bone in Warmblood horses. Methods: The lateromedial radiographic projections of the metacarpo-/metatarsophalangeal joints performed on horses as a part of stallion selection were used. The dorsal aspect of the distal third metacarpal/metatarsal bone was divided in two areas. The appearance of the bone surface in area I was classified as normal, irregular, notch, indentation and lucency. For area II, the categories were normal, irregular, depression or lucency and flattening of the sagittal ridge. Other abnormalities at the dorsal aspect were also noted. Results: In area I, 51.5% of the ridges appeared normal, 19.3% were irregular, 8.9% had a notch, 8.1% had a lucency, and 12.2% had an indentation. In 1.2% of the horses a fragment was present, and in 1.7% a fragment was suspected.In area II, 90.6% of the metacarpo-/metatarsophalangeal joints were normal, 6.2% were irregular, 2.9% showed a depression or lucency, and the sagittal ridge in 0.2% was flattened. A fragment was present in 0.3%, and suspected in 0.4%. Clinical significance: Morphological variation is present at the dorsal aspect of the metacarpo-/metatarsophalangeal joint in young Warmblood stallions. These various aspects should be recognised and described in horses presented for prepurchase examination. However, their clinical relevance in the individual horse is unclear and needs further investigation.Funding: Stijn Hauspie is a research fellow of the “Special Research Fund”, Ghent University (Belgium).