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Background Descriptions of acid-base disturbances in atypical myopathy ( AM) are limited. Objectives Describe and compare traditional and quantitative acid-base abnormalities and cardiovascular shock status in horses with AM at admission. Animals 34 horses with AM, 15 healthy controls. Methods Retrospective case-control study. Records were searched for shock variables (packed cell volume [ PCV], blood urea nitrogen [ BUN], heart and respiratory rate) and acid-base variables (venous blood gas analysis, electrolytes, total protein, lactate) on admission. Base excess ( BE) of free water ( BEfw), chloride ( BEcl), total protein ( BEtp), and unidentified anions ( BEua), anion gap ( AG), measured strong ion difference ( SIDm), and concentration of total nonvolatile weak acids ([Atot]) were calculated. Acid-base classifications, using simplified strong ion model and traditional approach, and shock grades were assigned. A 2-sample Wilcoxon rank-sum test and Bonferroni correction compared variables in AM cases versus control horses. Significance was P < .05/16 for acid-base and P < .05/5 for shock variables. Results Tachycardia, tachypnea, and normal to increased PCV and BUN were common in AM cases. Respiratory, metabolic acid-base alterations, or both were mainly caused by respiratory alkalosis, lactic acidosis, and SIDm alkalosis, alone or in combination. Evaluated variables (except pH, potassium concentration, total protein, and related calculations) were significantly different ( P < .001) between AM cases and control horses. The strong ion model provided a more accurate assessment than the traditional approach and identified mixed derangements. Conclusions and clinical importance Acid-base derangements should be evaluated in horses with AM and this preferably with the strong ion model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article describes the incarceration of the small intestine in the epiploic foramen of three calves. Intussusception and partial or complete intestinal volvulus are considered the most frequent causes of small intestinal obstruction in cattle. The diagnosis of small intestinal obstruction in the epiploic foramen was made in three cases of female calves of the Belgian blue breed. Clinical signs of moderate to severe abdominal pain was observed in the calves before admission.

Reasons for Performing Study: Appropriate management of atypical myopathy (AM) requires the establishment of an accurate diagnosis and prognosis. Furthermore, preventive measures to avoid AM need to be refined., Objectives: The aims of the study were as follows: 1) to improve the diagnosis of AM; 2) to identify prognostic predictors; and 3) to refine recommended preventive measures based on indicators of risk factors., Methods: An exploratory analysis of cases in Europe between 2006 and 2009 reported to the Atypical Myopathy Alert Group was conducted. Based on clinical data, reported cases were allocated into 2 groups: confirmed or highly probable AM (AM group; further divided into survivors and nonsurvivors); and cases with a low probability of having AM or with another final diagnosis (non-AM group). Using Welch's test and odds ratios corrected for multiple comparisons, the AM vs. non-AM groups were compared to identify indicators for diagnosis and risk factors, and survivors vs. nonsurvivors in the AM group were compared to identify prognostic factors. Sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive values were calculated for specific clinical signs related to final diagnosis and outcome., Results: From 600 reported cases, 354 AM cases (survival rate of 26%) and 69 non-AM cases were identified, while there were insufficient data to categorise the remainder. Variables valuable for diagnosing AM compared with similar diseases were as follows: presence of dead leaves and wood and/or trees on pastures; sloping pastures; full-time pasture access; no food supplementation; normal body condition; pigmenturia; normothermia; and congested mucous membranes. Nonsurvival was associated with recumbency, sweating, anorexia, dyspnoea, tachypnoea and/or tachycardia. Survival was associated with remaining standing most of the time, normothermia, normal mucous membranes, defaecation and vitamin and antioxidant therapy., Conclusions and Potential Relevance: This study refines the list of risk factors for AM. Clinical signs valuable for diagnosis and prognosis have been identified, enabling clinicians to improve management of AM cases., (© 2012 EVJ Ltd.)

Background: Atypical myopathy is an acute, severe rhabdomyolysis occurring in grazing horses. In the beginning of October 2009, a new outbreak occurred in several European countries. Geographic, demographic and clinical data of the reported cases in the month October 2009 are described., Key Findings: The survival rate in this outbreak was 25%. The most frequently observed clinical signs were congested mucous membranes, dyspnea, tachycardia, depression, weakness, stiffness, recumbency, trembling, sweating, and myoglobinuria. Nonsurvivors were significantly more likely to be recumbent than survivors. Prognostic factors, symptomatic treatment, and preventive measures are discussed., Significance: Differences were encountered during the described outbreak of atypical myopathy in October 2009 compared with previous outbreaks reported. Equine practitioners should be aware that previous epidemiological studies have shown that after a high prevalence in the autumn, new cases are likely to occur in the following spring., (© Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society 2010.)

Objective: To assess risk factors for celiotomy incisional infection in horses, especially the use of staples for skin closure., Study Design: Case series., Animals: Horses (n=356) that had 1 exploratory celiotomy for colic and survived >2 weeks after surgery between March 1, 2004 and December 31, 2007., Methods: Incisions were classified as "normal" (no complication, only edema, serous drainage lasting <24 hours) or as "surgical site infection (SSI)" (persistent serosanguinous drainage or purulent drainage with or without positive bacterial culture). All possible risk factors, including method of skin closure (monofilament sutures or staples), were statistically analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression., Results: Of 356 horses, 303 (85%) had normal wound healing and 53 (15%) developed a SSI (purulent: 48 [14%]; persistent serosanguinous: 5 [1%]). Bacterial cultures were positive in 33 of 40 cases. Factors significantly associated with SSI in the multivariate analysis were: use of staples for skin closure (odds ratio [OR] 3.85, P<.001) and surgical site closure by a 1st or 2nd year resident (OR 2.20, P=.016). Lavage of the linea alba with sterile saline solution after closure was a protective factor (OR 0.38, P=.004)., Conclusion: Use of staples for skin closure and less experienced surgeons closing the abdomen are risk factors for incisional infection. Incisional lavage after linea alba closure was a protective factor., Clinical Relevance: Despite their ease and speed of application, skin staples can lead to an increase in celiotomy wound complications in horses.

Background: Intestinal hypoperfusion can lead to increased lactate concentrations in plasma and peritoneal fluid of horses with colic., Hypothesis: The purposes of this study were to (1) evaluate the reliability of the Accusport analyzer to assess peritoneal fluid lactate (PFL) concentrations in healthy horses and those with colic, (2) identify clinical features associated with abnormal blood plasma lactate (BPL) and PFL concentrations, and (3) evaluate the prognostic value of BPL and PFL., Animals: BPL and PFL were determined in 20 healthy horses and in 106 horses with colic., Results: The Accusport was reliable for determining BPL concentrations < 13 mM and PFL concentrations < 20 mM. Multivariate analysis indicated that PCV and the need for intestinal resection were independently associated with the BPL; pulse, PCV, venous pO2, the presence of necrotic intestine, an increased amount of peritoneal fluid, and fluid total protein content were independently associated with PFL. With a 1 mM increase in BPL or PFL, the respective odds ratios for required abdominal surgery increase to 1.23 (BPL) and 1.58 (PFL), odds ratios for a required intestinal resection increase to 1.20 (BPL) and 1.41 (PFL), and odds ratios for developing ileus increase by 1.33 (BPL) and 1.36 (PFL). PFL concentrations of 1, 6, 12, and 16 mM correspond to a probability of death of 11, 29, 63, and 82%, respectively, in horses without strangulating obstruction and of 25, 52, 82, and 92%, respectively, in horses with strangulating obstruction., Conclusion: PFL is more useful and sensitive than BPL for prognostic purposes in horses with colic.