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Simple Summary: Blood gas analyzers are stationary or hand-held machines used to measure blood gases and electrolytes in a blood sample taken from a patient. No machine has been specifically designed for use in horses, and therefore every machine needs to be validated before being used in equine practice. The aim of this study was to compare the newly marketed GEM5000 machine to the formerly validated epoc machine for blood gas analysis in horses. Blood samples taken from healthy and sick horses were run on both machines in alternate order, and various statistical tests were used to analyze if the two machines give similar results. Although the precision of the GEM5000 is good for most parameters, the agreement with the epoc machine is not always satisfactory. Therefore, data from different blood gas machines should not be used interchangeably. Different blood gas analyzers are used in equine practice. Every machine needs to be validated, as they have not been designed for use in horses. The aim of this study was to compare the newly marketed GEM5000 machine to the formerly validated epoc machine for blood gas analysis in horses. In this prospective, non-blinded, comparative laboratory analyzer study, 43 equine blood samples were analyzed on both analyzers and values were compared between the two machines via Lin's concordance analysis, Passing–Bablok regression analysis and Bland–Altman plots. Duplicate measurements were conducted on the GEM5000 machine to evaluate precision. The GEM5000 failed to achieve the required precision for tHb, Hct and iCa2+, but achieved acceptable precision for all other parameters. Concordance correlation analysis revealed poor correlation for Na+, Cl−, iCa2+, K+, Hct and tHb, while there was an at least moderate agreement for all other parameters. Passing–Bablok regression revealed significant constant bias for pCO2, pO2, Cl−, and iCa2+ and significant proportional bias for pCO2, iCa2+ and SO2. Bland–Altman analysis revealed significant systematic bias for Na+, Cl−, iCa2+, K+, Hct, tHb and SO2. This study shows that while precision of the GEM5000 is good, values should not be used interchangeably with data obtained from other blood gas analyzers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article evaluates the efficacy and side effects of palatal sclerotherapy for the treatment of intermittent dorsal displacement of the soft palate (IDDSP) in standardbred racehorses. The treatment is well-tolerated by the animals. There is a reduction in the racing times of the horses after the treatment. The treatment is considered to be suitable as an alternative therapeutic option for IDDSP in horses.

The article presents a case study regarding costochondral junction osteomyelitis of three foals. It mentions that the disease is caused by infection, and the costochondral junction is favored by thoraic trauma. It states that standard radiographs and ultrasonography are useful in diagnosing for this condition.

This retrospective study evaluated the efficacy and side effects of palatal sclerotherapy in standardbred racehorses suspected to have intermittent dorsal displacement of the soft palate (IDDSP). Fifty-one horses were treated with multiple endoscopically guided injections of 3% sodium tetradecyl sulfate in the soft palate. Two groups were identified: those that had respiratory noises during exercise (n = 27) and those that did not (n = 24). Treatment was well-tolerated. Furthermore, horses significantly reduced their racing times for the last 400 m compared with their times before treatment and even when their times were compared to the mean times for horses in the same race. In conclusion, palatal sclerotherapy appears to be a suitable alternative therapeutic option for horses suspected to have IDDSP.

The costochondral junction constitutes a potential site of infection in septic foals and it could be favored by thoracic trauma. Standard radiographs and ultrasonography are useful tools for diagnosis of this condition and ultrasound-guided needle aspiration could permit the definitive confirmation of infection.