Veterinary

Managing trauma and disease of the incisors and canines

Developmental abnormalities of the incisors are relatively common and appear to be most frequently seen as brachygnathism (‘parrot mouth’) where the mandible is relatively shorter than the maxilla...

Use of thoracic ultrasound to investigate respiratory disease

Ultrasound examination is indicated in the investigation of suspected respiratory disease in foals and horses. Clinical findings that might prompt ultrasound investigation include dull lung sounds...

An introduction to back pathology in the horse

Once back pain is recognised, the next step in the diagnostic pathway is to identify the cause of the back pain and to ascertain whether it is a result of a primary condition of the back or whether it...

Equine liver disease in the field. Part 2: causes and management

Despite an appropriate diagnostic approach, a causative agent is not identified in many cases of liver disease, and treatment must be guided by clinical signs and biopsy findings. Even biopsy changes...

Examination of mares and fillies for breeding purposes

Accurate and detailed identification is essential and should be included in any report. Name, age, breed, colour/markings and microchip number should be checked against a valid passport. As detailed a...

Equine scintigraphy: basic principles and interpretation

Bone scintigraphy is a three-phase study that involves acquisition of images at different times after injection to evaluate different tissue types. Vascular or flow phase images are obtained...

Diagnosis and management of traumatic equine fractures

Fractures of the distal phalanx (pedal bone) usually occur as a result of trauma such as kicking a solid object, standing on a stone or fast exercise on hard ground. Horses may present with similar...

Reproductive management of the transitional mare

Exposure of mares in deep anoestrus to a stimulatory photoperiod remains the most common method of advancing the first ovulation of the season. The duration from onset of adequate light exposure to...

Breeding the ‘difficult mare’

For reproductive purposes, a mare can be classed as aged in her mid to late teens, typically 15 years or older, although fertility begins to decline in a linear fashion from approximately 12 years of...

Failure of passive transfer in foals

Although a large proportion of immune system development occurs during gestation, the foal is considered immunologically naive at birth. Both IgM and IgG proteins are evident in fetal serum prior to...

Regenerative medicine in equine orthopaedics: what and when?

Platelet-rich plasma/concentrate (PRP) has gained popularity in the treatment of tendon and ligament injuries and, more recently, joint disease. Platelet-rich plasma contains high levels of those...

Equine liver disease in the field. Part 1: approach

The equine liver comprises 1.5% of body weight (Dyce et al, 2002) and contains up to 10% of the total blood volume at any one time. It has multiple functions including metabolism of proteins,...