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Liposomal local anaesthetic solutions may provide extended duration analgesia postoperatively but have not been assessed following intra-peritoneal local infiltration in any species.To evaluate two doses of 1.33% liposomal bupivacaine (LB) versus 0.75% bupivacaine HCL (BHCl) for analgesia following laparoscopic ovariectomy in mares.Prospective cohort study.Fifteen healthy Quarter Horse mares (age 2-20 years) with normal bilateral ovarian palpation and appearance were enrolled. Horses were restrained in standing stocks and administered an α-2 agonist, butorphanol, and flunixin meglumine, followed by a variable rate infusion of sedation with α-2 agonists. Bilateral paralumbar fossa ovariectomies were performed. Treatment with either 30 mL 0.75% BHCl followed by 20 or 40mL LB 13.3% (LB20, LB40) volume expanded with saline to 80mL total (n=6/group) or 80mL BHCl alone (n=3, BCHL) was infused around incision sites and each mesovarium (LB or BHCl) prior to ovariectomy. Horses were monitored 72h by physical examination, algometry, and pain scoring (Composite Pain Scale by Bussieres et al., Horse Grimace Scale). Abdominocentesis with peritoneal fluid analysis was performed at 72h.Analgesia achieved with all treatment protocols allowed completion of ovariectomy procedures. Pressure algometry scores were lower in BHCl-treated horses versus both LB groups overall. Pain scores were improved with LB treated horses in a dose-dependent fashion (Horse Grimace Scale scores LB40LB20BHCL; Composite Pain Scale scores LB40BHCL, LB20BHCL, BHCL and LB20 did not differ). Peritoneal fluid total protein was lower in LB40 vs LB20 and BHCL horses. No complications from LB administration were appreciated.Small patient sample size, lack of follow-up past 72h or histopathology.Analgesia duration was extended, and pain scores improved postoperatively with LB vs. BHCl in a dose-dependent fashion. Further clinical evaluation of extended duration local anaesthetics in horses for improved postoperative pain management is warranted. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Antibiotics have been injected intra-articularly by equine veterinarians for decades, either prophylactically when other drugs are administered for osteoarthritis or therapeutically to treat septic arthritis. This route of administration has also more recently gained attention in human orthopaedic clinical practice, particularly as an alternative to systemic antibiotic administration to treat infections following prosthetic arthroplasty. While the rationale for injecting antibiotics intra-articularly has been largely focused on achieving high local drug concentrations, there has been relatively little focus on pharmacokinetic parameters of antibiotics administered by this route, or on the potential for local toxicity. The increasing incidence of antibiotic resistance in veterinary and human medicine prompts reconsideration of off-label antibiotic usage and evaluation of evidence-based dosing strategies. The purpose of this review was to summarise the current literature describing intra-articular antibiotic usage, including specific studies where pharmacokinetics, potential safety and toxicity have been evaluated. This review will advance practitioners' understanding of the use of intra-articularly administered antibiotics, including the overall pros and cons of the approach.

Background Prophylactic perioperative antimicrobial protocols in equine synovial endoscopy have been described but not compared with respect to post‐operative outcomes and complications. Increasing antimicrobial resistance in equine practice and interest in promoting judicious use of antimicrobials has prompted reevaluation of drug selection and dosing strategies. Objectives To determine the frequency of and compare post‐operative complications following elective synovial endoscopy between horses receiving different perioperative antimicrobial protocols. Methods Records from the Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital were evaluated (2014–2018) and equine patients undergoing elective synovial endoscopy were identified. Patients undergoing endoscopy for sepsis or internal fixation were excluded. Patient signalment, clinician, joint and limb involved, perioperative antimicrobial regimen, number endoscopic portals and closure technique, and post‐operative complications including incidence of joint infection were recorded. Generalized linear models were used to estimate the odds of post‐operative complications. Results Elective synovial endoscopies of 516 horses in 537 procedures evaluating 761 synovial structures were performed. No horses developed post‐operative septic synovitis. Administration of post‐operative antimicrobials, type used and patient sex were all significantly associated with increased risk of complications, which were predominantly gastrointestinal‐related. Complication rates in horses receiving a single preoperative dose of cefazolin were lower than in horses receiving potassium penicillin, gentamicin or multiple doses. Complication rates were lower in females compared to castrated or intact males. Other factors evaluated (breed, age, surgeon, anaesthesia duration or hospitalization, joint/limb operated, number endoscopic portals) were not associated with increased risk of complications post‐operatively in this case population. Conclusions Prophylactic perioperative antimicrobial protocols in equine practice deserve periodic reconsideration due to increased antimicrobial resistance. Prolonged antimicrobial usage beyond the time of surgery was unnecessary to prevent septic synovitis following synovial endoscopy in this case population and was furthermore associated with an increased risk of gastrointestinal complications., Prophylactic perioperative antimicrobial protocols in equine practice deserve periodic reconsideration due to increased antimicrobial resistance. Prolonged antimicrobial usage beyond the time of surgery was unnecessary to prevent septic synovitis following synovial endoscopy in this case population and was furthermore associated with an increased risk of gastrointestinal complications.

Despite its fundamental importance, the educational mission of most schools of veterinary medicine receives far less recognition and support than the missions of research and discovery. This disparity is evident in promotion and tenure processes. Despite the frequent assertion that education is every college’s core mission, there is a broad consensus that faculty are promoted primarily on the basis of meeting expectations relative to publications and grant funding. This expectation is evident in the promotion packets faculty are expected to produce and the criteria by which those packets are reviewed. Among the outcomes is increasing difficulty in hiring and retaining faculty, including young clinicians and basic scientists who are drawn to academic institutions because of the opportunity to teach. The Regional Teaching Academy (RTA) of the West Region Consortium of Colleges of Veterinary Medicine initiated an inter-institutional collaboration to address the most important obstacles to recognizing and rewarding teaching in its five member colleges. Working from the medical education literature, the RTA developed an Educator’s Promotion Dossier, workshops to train promotion applicants, and an external review process. Initial use has shown that the reviews are efficient and complete. Administrators have expressed strong support for the product, a letter of external review that is returned to a promotion applicant’s home institution. The overall result is an evidence-based, structured process by which teaching-intensive faculty can more fully document their achievements in teaching and educational leadership and a more rigorous external review process by which member colleges can assess quality, impact, and scholarly approach.

Competencies can guide outcomes assessment in veterinary medical education by providing a core set of specific abilities expected of new veterinary graduates. A competency-guided evaluation of Colorado State University’s (CSU) equine veterinary curriculum was undertaken via an alumni survey. Published competencies for equine veterinary graduates were used to develop the survey, which was distributed to large animal alumni from CSU’s Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program. The results of the survey indicated areas for improvement, specifically in equine business, surgery, dentistry, and radiology. The desire for more hands-on experiences in their training was repeatedly mentioned by alumni, with the largest discrepancies between didactic knowledge and hands-on skills in the areas of business and equine surgery. Alumni surveys allow graduates to voice their perceived levels of preparation by the veterinary program and should be used to inform curriculum revisions. It is proposed that the definition and utilization of competencies in each phase of a curricular review process (outcomes assessment, curriculum mapping, and curricular modifications), in addition to faculty experience and internal review, is warranted.

The Rio Grande Cichlid, Herichthys cyanoguttatus, is native to northeastern Mexico and southern Texas and has been introduced at many places in the US. Recent research has indicated that the true identity of at least some populations of Herichthys cf. cyanoguttatus in Louisiana is H. carpintis and not H. cyanoguttatus. In both their native and introduced ranges, H. carpintis seems to occupy a more lowland/coastal distribution than does Herichthys cyanoguttatus, suggesting that the two species may differ physiologically or ecologically in their ability to invade new environments. Previous research has found that Herichthys cf. cyanoguttatus from Louisiana (which were most likely H. carpintis) have a high tolerance to salinity and pose a threat to both fresh and brackish waters, but the osmoregulatory capacity of H. cyanoguttatus from Texas is unknown. To determine if H. cyanoguttatus from Texas might also have a high tolerance to salinity and pose a threat to both fresh and brackish waters, we performed three experiments to assess response to salinity challenges in H. cyanoguttatus from Texas and in H. carpintis from Louisiana. In response to acute moderate salinity challenge, we found a non-significant salinity*species interaction in change in body mass, a species difference in hematocrit, and no differences in plasma chloride or osmolality. In a 120-day chronic salinity exposure, salinity concentration was inversely related to growth rate, but there was no difference in growth between the two species. In an acute challenge, high salinity concentrations had a strong negative effect on survival, but survival was not different between the two species. Both species were highly tolerant of salinity, indicating that both species might be able to use brackish waters in coastal areas to expand their ranges in the US. Finally, we found that H. cyanoguttatus from Texas spent more time swimming than did H. carpintis from Louisiana, suggesting that the two species could differ in the way they interact behaviorally with native fish communities.

A taxonomic and alphabetic arrangement (TAA) of objects on shelves has prevailed in fluid-preserved natural history collections while they were managed by scientists for their own research. Now most collections are databased and internet-accessible to facilitate very different forms of research accomplished remotely by researchers who require less physical access to specimens. The collections staff who make those data available struggle to manage collection growth with limited space and budgets, while demands on them are increasing, necessitating task and space-efficient collection management solutions. We describe an alternative arrangement of objects based on their size and catalog number (OCA) that capitalizes on modern databases. Our partial implementation of this system facilitated pragmatic between-system comparisons of space use and staff time required for routine tasks. Our OCA allows 17% more jars to be stored in a given space than a TAA (not counting spaces left for growth), but adjusting vertical spacing of shelves could increase that to 115%. Ten of 15 staff tasks were more efficiently accomplished in the OCA section of the collection, and we propose ways to improve efficiency for three of the four tasks for which the TAA outperformed the OCA.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of playing video games on the performance of basic laparoscopic skills. The study was an experimental pre-test–post-test comparison group design. Fifty-two students (31 from the Western University of Health Sciences College of Veterinary Medicine and 21 from the Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine) completing their first or second year of the veterinary curriculum were randomized into two intervention groups. The intervention consisted of playing the video game Marble Mania on a Nintendo Wii. group L (long) played 18 hours over 6 weeks and group S (short) played 3 hours during the last week of the 6-week intervention period. Before and after the intervention, basic laparoscopic skills for both groups were assessed using a modified McGill Inanimate System for Training and Evaluation of Laparoscopic Skills (MISTELS) instrument. Participants performed two laparoscopic tasks. Results showed that the performance of students improved in both group S and L ( p < .05) on both laparoscopic tasks. Both groups showed statistically significant improvement in their post-intervention scores (group L, N = 25, z = –3.711, p < .001, r = 0.742; group S, N = 27, z = –3.016, p < .003, r = 0.580). There was no significant difference in the degree of improvement between group S and group L. The results suggest that playing Marble Mania on a Wii for any time duration could be an effective method for veterinary medicine students to improve basic laparoscopic skills, and indicate the needs for additional studies.

Surgical intervention on cetaceans is rarely performed due to challenges including general anesthesia and post-operative wound healing. This report describes the evaluation and treatment of an adult female bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) with the US Navy Marine Mammal Program, with a chronic ventral cervical abscess caused by Candida glabrata. Despite aspiration and lavage along with multiple antifungal drugs, the patient developed inspiratory stridor with decreased performance level and surgical treatment was pursued. Under general anesthesia with the dolphin in dorsal recumbency position a 12-cm longitudinal ventral midline neck incision was used for exploration. Intraoperative ultrasound aided the identification of surgical landmarks and the abscess cavity. After adequate drainage and curettage, a closed-suction drain was placed in the surgical site. Retention sutures were used to close the incision and the external drain bulb was secured to a pectoral fin strap. One-year post-op, the dolphin was clinically normal and follow-up imaging showed no significant recurrence of the abscess. This case demonstrates a novel surgical approach of managing abscesses in dolphins, including placement and management of a negative suction drain in a submerged patient. The successful collaboration between veterinary anesthesiology, veterinary medicine, radiology, and general surgery allowed the patient to continue her normal activities as a full-duty service member.

OBJECTIVE To compare efficacy and safety of a continuous rate infusion of detomidine hydrochloride and romifidine hydrochloride for standing elective bilateral laparoscopic ovariectomy in mares. STUDY DESIGN Blinded, randomized prospective clinical study. ANIMALS Eighteen healthy mares presenting for elective bilateral ovariectomy METHODS: Mares were randomly assigned to one of two sedation protocols. Prior to surgery, baseline head height, heart rate, respiratory rate, and postural sway were recorded. An IV loading dose of α2-agonist (46 μg/kg romifidine or 13.9 μg/kg detomidine) was administered. Standing sedation was maintained with a continuous rate infusion of the respective α2-agonist (126 μg/kg/h romifidine or 37.8 μg/kg/h detomidine). Intraoperative measurements included respiratory rate, heart rate, head height, postural sway, and response to surgical stimulus. Postoperatively, fecal output was recorded, and pain scoring was performed using composite pain score and visual analog scales. RESULTS Three of 18 horses required additional α-2 agonists: one detomidine and two romifidine and butorphanol. Head height during surgery was lower (p

The objective of this study was to compare the biomechanical properties in a single cycle axial loading test and the types of failures in two constructs (a 3-hole 4.5-mm dynamic compression plate (DCP) and 7-hole 5.5-mm Y locking compression plate (Y-LCP)) in equine proximal interphalangeal joint (PIJ) arthrodesis. One limb in each pair was randomly assigned to PIJ arthrodesis using a 3-hole 4.5-mm DCP combined with two transarticular 5.5-mm cortical screws, whereas the contralateral limb was submitted to PIJ arthrodesis using a 7-hole Y-shaped 5.0-mm LCP in conjunction with one transarticular 4.5-mm cortical screw inserted through the central plate hole. Cortical screws were inserted in lag fashion. Constructs were submitted to a single axial load cycle to failure. Construct stiffness, load, and deformation were analyzed. Dynamic compression plate and Y-LCP arthrodesis constructs did not differ significantly and were equally resistant to axial loading under the conditions studied (DCP and Y-LCP group stiffness, 5685.22 N/mm and 6591.10 N/mm, respectively). Arthrodesis of the PIJ using a DCP and two transarticular 5.5-mm cortical screws or a Y-LCP yielded biomechanically equivalent outcomes under the test conditions considered. However, Y-LCP provides less impact in the palmar/plantar bone. Application of Y-LCP with unicortical screws has equivalent biomechanical characteristics of DCP and may be a safe option for PIJ arthrodesis, where potential trauma secondary to applying bicortical screws in the palmar/plantar aspect of the pastern can be avoided.

Injection of the equine navicular bursa can be technically challenging, and inadvertent penetration of other synovial structures is common using previously described techniques. When injecting the navicular bursa, inadvertent penetration of other synovial structures and hoof configuration can affect success rate, especially when performed by inexperienced operators. The aim of this study is to describe an alternate radiographic guided technique for injection of the equine navicular bursa that consistently avoids penetration of the distal interphalangeal joint using a 40 mm (1.5-inch) 20-gauge needle. This ex vivo pilot study compared the success rate, needle redirection rate, and rate of inadvertent synovial penetration of a novel injection technique for the equine navicular bursa between operators with three differing levels of experience in equine veterinary medicine (1 year, 8 years, >30 years). There was no significant difference in success rate between operators regardless of level of experience or hoof configuration, and inadvertent penetration of other synovial structures was highly unlikely. Thus, using the described technique, injection of the navicular bursa can be performed by individuals of various experience levels in equine veterinary practice, and can be achieved with a high success rate with little chance of inadvertent penetration of other synovial structures regardless of hoof configuration.

OBJECTIVE To determine the temperature of a vessel sealer and divider device during unilateral paralumbar laparoscopic ovariectomy in standing, sedated mares. STUDY DESIGN Prospective study. ANIMALS Fifteen healthy research mares. METHODS Healthy mares with normal ovarian palpation and ultrasonographic appearance were enrolled. Horses were restrained in standing stocks and sedated. A right or left paralumbar ovariectomy was performed with a laparoscopic portal and 2 instrument portals. Ovaries were excised with traumatic forceps and a blunt tip vessel sealer and divider. Temperatures of the vessel sealer and divider were recorded with a thermocouple device adhered to the tip of the instrument. Variables were reported as median and interquartile range (IQR). RESULTS Surgical time was 30 minutes (IQR, 25-32) including use of the vessel sealer and the divider for 4.1 minutes (IQR, 3.2-5.8). The tip of the instrument reached temperatures of 77°C (IQR, 72-85) during activation and 64°C (IQR, 61-67) at end cycle. The median increase in end-cycle instrument tip temperature per activation cycle was 2°C (IQR, -1-6). All mares returned to their intended use. CONCLUSION Despite the instrument temperatures observed during unilateral laparoscopic ovariectomy, surgical complications were minimal. The clinical relevance of the increase in instrument tip temperature of the vessel sealer and divider is presently unclear, but surgeons should use the instrument with caution, especially in close proximity to viscera. The increase in temperature observed at the tip of the vessel sealer and divider during unilateral ovariectomy could be associated with morbidity. The clinical relevance of instrument tip heating during other procedures, such as adhesiolysis and intestinal resection, is unknown and should be evaluated.

Objective To develop a novel technique for left paralumbar laparoscopic bilateral ovariectomy in standing, sedated mares. Study design Prospective descriptive clinical study. Animals Twelve client-owned mares. Methods Healthy mares with normal ovarian palpation and ultrasonographic appearance were enrolled. Horses were restrained in standing stocks and administered a variable rate infusion of sedation. A left paralumbar bilateral ovariectomy was performed with 1 laparoscopic and 3 instrument portals. Access to the right ovary was facilitated by retracting the descending colon and associated mesentery with a fan retractor. Ovaries were removed with traumatic forceps, and a blunt tip vessel sealing device. A laparoscopic portal within the 17th intercostal space provided good visualization of the right ovary and reduced interference between instrumentation. Complications were recorded during hospitalization. In addition, an owner follow-up questionnaire was used to determine complications after discharge from the hospital. Results Left paralumbar bilateral ovariectomy was successful in all 12 mares, with a mean surgical time of 76 ± 8 minutes. Postoperative complications occurred in 4/12 (33%) mares and included fever, mild colic, incisional swelling, and azotemia. Complications resolved and mares returned to full activity, with complete owner satisfaction. Conclusions Bilateral ovariectomy can be successfully achieved with minimal morbidity in standing mares with normal ovarian ultrasonographic appearance via left paralumbar laparoscopy.

CASE DESCRIPTION A 6-year-old Quarter Horse gelding used for barrel racing was evaluated for acute onset of non–weight-bearing lameness of the left hind limb following strenuous exercise. CLINICAL FINDINGS Nuclear scintigraphic imaging revealed focal increased radiopharmaceutical uptake centrally within the left talus. Subsequent standard radiographic and ultrasonographic examinations of the tarsus failed to identify the cause of the increased radiopharmaceutical uptake; however, the lameness was definitively localized to the tarsocrural joint by intra-articular anesthesia. Subsequent MRI sequences of the left tarsus revealed an incomplete fracture of the talus that extended distally from the trochlear groove and evidence of maladaptive stress remodeling of the trochlear groove of the talus and distal intermediate ridge of the tibia. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME The horse was treated conservatively, with management consisting of stall confinement, physical rehabilitation, therapeutic laser therapy, and intra-articular autologous conditioned serum administration. The lameness resolved, and the horse was competing at its previous level within 15 months after lameness onset. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Although rare, incomplete fracture of the talus should be considered as a differential diagnosis for horses that develop acute hind limb lameness following strenuous exercise, especially when that exercise involves abrupt changes in direction while the horse is traveling at maximal speed. Acquisition of additional oblique projections during radiographic evaluation of the tarsus might be useful for identification of such fractures, but definitive diagnosis may require advanced diagnostic imaging modalities such as CT and MRI. Horses with incomplete fractures of the talus can be successfully treated with conservative management.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy of stents to distribute pressure when incorporated into tension-relieving sutures. STUDY DESIGN An in vitro study and case report. ANIMAL One common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncates). METHODS Three novel silicone stents, a traditional stent, and a control were tested in vitro by using a suture simulator. Stent surface area was measured by using a pressure mapping sensor. Pressure was derived from the measured surface area and the downward force of the suture simulator. Novel silicone stents were also used in the closure of an incision in a bottlenose dolphin. RESULTS No difference was found in surface area or pressure among the three silicone stents (adjusted P > .05). Silicone stents yielded an average, 2.69 cm2 more surface area and 842.37 kPa less pressure compared with the control as well as 1.67 cm2 more surface area and 110.67 kPa less pressure compared with the traditional stent. The traditional stent yielded 1.02 cm2 more surface area and 731.7 kPa less pressure compared with the control. Incision site and silicone stent assessment performed postoperatively revealed no obvious pressure necrosis. CONCLUSION Stents improved distribution of suture pressure, and novel silicone stents were more effective compared with traditional stents. Novel silicone stents appear to have preliminary clinical success in vivo. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE Our study provides evidence that stents effectively help distribute suture pressure, and their incorporation might minimize the risk of suture pressure necrosis. Novel silicone stents should be integrated into tension-relieving suture patterns when closing wounds and incisions, particularly in aquatic animals.

Objective To compare pain-related responses in mares receiving topical or injected anesthesia of the ovarian pedicle prior to standing unilateral laparoscopic ovariectomy. Study design Prospective randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled study. Animals Fifteen healthy research mares. Methods Mares were restrained in stocks and administered sedation. A right or left paralumbar ovariectomy was performed by using a laparoscopic portal and two instrument portals. Mares were divided into two treatment groups, and equal volumes of mepivacaine anesthesia were administered either topically (n = 8) or by injection into the ovarian pedicle (n = 7). Saline controls were simultaneously administered topically (n = 7) or by injection (n = 8), and surgeons were blinded to the treatment group. Ovarian removal was performed with traumatic forceps and a blunt tip vessel sealer and divider. Pain responses were measured by operative visual analog scale (VAS) scoring and perioperative serum cortisol response. Visual analog scale and serum cortisol were compared between groups by using Mann-Whitney testing. Serum cortisol concentrations were evaluated using repeated-measures one-way analysis of variance. Results Ovaries were removed in all mares by using the described technique without operative complications. Quantity of sedation required to complete the procedure, operative VAS scores, and perioperative cortisol concentrations did not differ between treatment groups. Conclusion Application of topical mepivacaine to the ovary provided intraoperative analgesia similar to injection of the ovarian pedicle when performing unilateral standing laparoscopic ovariectomy in mares. Clinical significance Topical anesthesia application to the ovary could provide an alternative to laparoscopic needle use, reducing the risk of inadvertent trauma to the pedicle or other visceral organs during laparoscopic ovariectomy.

The Widemouth Blindcat, Satan eurystomus Hubbs and Bailey 1947, was the second of four stygobitic species of Ictaluridae discovered in the subterranean waters of southern Texas and northeastern Mexico. The skeletal anatomy of Satan has been scarcely known from a few, dated radiographs. Using additional radiographs and high resolution CT-datasets for two well-ossified specimens, we applied high-resolution X-ray computed tomography (HRXCT) to visualize, illustrate and describe the bony skeleton of Satan. We also provide an online archive of still and animated tomographic images of the skeletal anatomy of this little-known species.The skeleton and soft anatomy of Satan are distinctive. Twelve skeletal autapomorphies are described that singularly distinguish Satan within Ictaluridae and, probably in combination, from all other catfishes. Some of these are reductive losses or simplifications of skull bones (e.g. loss of one infraorbital bone; reduced ornamentation of the pterotic bone) and joint complexity (e.g. simple overlapping frontal-lateral ethmoid articulation; loosely ligamentous interopercle-posterior ceratohyal joint). Some of the autapomorphies are anatomically and perhaps developmentally complex (e.g. a novel series of three midline joints closing a middle span of the posterior cranial fontanel; a deeply excavated temporal fossa and an unusually enlarged interhyal bone). The tiny dorsal-fin spinelet (first lepidotrich) of Satan has a novel peaked and twisted shape.Ten apparent and exclusive synapomorphies within Ictaluridae gathered from this and previous studies suggest that Satan and Pylodictis are closest relatives. Most of these are functionally related to prey detection and suction feeding: fusion of the symphyseal mandibular sensory pores and increase in the number of preoperculo-mandibular canal pores; depressed, flattened heads and wide transverse mouths; prominent posterior process of the lateral ethmoid alongside and below the frontal bone margin; vertical and blade-like supraoccipital posterior process; unique arrangement of the parasagittal and occipital muscleattachment crests on the skull roof; large triangular panel of integument within the operculum framed by the opercle, preopercle and interopercle bones; elongated posterior ceratohyal; and, form of the fourth supraneural and loss of its anterior nuchal plate.In contrast, 15 synapomorphies recovered by Arce-H. et al. 2016, are confirmed suggesting that Satan is one of the four stygobitic ictalurids comprising a “Troglobites” subclade within the family: (Trogloglanis, Satan, Prietella phreatophila, P. lundbergi). These features include three stygomorphic and reductive apomorphies that are exclusive within Ictaluridae: loss of fully developed eyes and pigmentation, and simplification of the fifth vertebra and its joint with the Weberian apparatus. Twelve other synapomorphies shown by the Troglobites are also apparent homoplasies of character states shared with various other ictalurids. These include reductive characters such as shortened lateral line canal, reduced infraorbitals and underdeveloped or incomplete ossifications of the pterotic, supraoccipital, hyoid arch bones and transcapular ligament. Also, the Troglobites and various other ictalurids have: an adnate adiposecaudal fin, foreshortened anterior cranial fontanelle, reduced ventral wings of the frontal bone, replacement of bone by cartilage in hypohyal joints; incompletely ossified transcapular ligament, and consolidation of some hypural bones.Completing a full morphological character dataset across the Troglobites has been impeded by incomplete specimen preparations and study of P. lundbergi and to a lesser extent, P. phreatophila and Trogloglanis.

Objectives 1) To identify factors associated with short-term survival and time to death after hospital discharge in horses with nephrosplenic entrapment (NSE). 2) To compare the frequency of recurrent colic episodes in horses with and without laparoscopic closure of the nephrosplenic space. Study Design Historical cohort with a nested case control. Animals Client-owned horses. Methods Medical records of horses treated for NSE from January 1, 2002 to June 1, 2014 were reviewed. Data collected included signalment, physical examination parameters, laboratory results, diagnostic findings, and treatments. Factors associated with short-term survival to discharge were analyzed with a multivariable logistic regression model and time to death after hospital discharge was analyzed with a Cox proportional hazards model. Results During the study period, 211 horses had 231 NSE events and 192/211 (91%) horses survived to discharge. A positive difference in packed cell volume (PCV at admission – PCV after treatment) was associated with reduced odds of nonsurvival with each increment (OR: 0.899, 95% CI 0.816–0.991, P=.03) while the presence of concurrent alimentary lesions (OR: 8.47, 95% CI 1.42–50.4, P=.02) were significantly associated with increased odds of nonsurvival in the short term. Of 156 horses that survived to discharge for which follow-up was available, 152 (97%) were alive for ≥1 year. Increasing age (incremental years) at hospital admission was significantly associated with death after discharge (hazard ratio 1.078, 95% CI 1.002–1.16, P=.049). Recurrence of NSE was documented in 49/211 (23%) horses. The overall change in colic score indicated a reduction in colic in horses following laparoscopic closure of the nephrosplenic space compared with horses that did not have closure of the nephrosplenic space (P