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La rabdomiolisi da sforzo è una miopatia dei cavalli atleti. I fattori di rischio chiamati in causa sono stati discussi in numerosi studi. La predisposizione delle femmine, riconosciuta da molti ed attribuita al temperamento nevrile delle puledre nel PSI6, costituisce tuttora un argomento controverso. Scopo di questo studio è stato di verificare se le variazioni dei livelli sierici degli enzimi muscolari, in cavalle trottatrici sane e affette da rabdomiolisi, siano correlate al ciclo estrale, valutato con esame transrettale, in base a valutazione dei livelli plasmatici di estrogeni e progesterone ed al giudizio di proprietari e/o dagli allenatori. Sulla base del grado di accordo tra queste tre metodiche si è analizzata la capacità del personale addetto alla gestione del cavallo di individuare il periodo del calore.

Introduction/Purpose: Diagnostic Imaging techniques are used to assess osteoarthritic changes for setting prognosis and treatment in cases of CCL rupture. MRI is considered the “gold standard” to visualize damages of ligaments, menisci and cartilages1. Radiography is a well-defined technique used for planning correctional surgery but it has a lower sensitivity in demonstrating early osteoarthritic changes2. Ultrasonography is reported as a valuable tool to visualize osteophytes, intra-articular effusion, lesions of menisci and ligaments3, but it permits only a limited visualization of these structures. CT is superior to radiography and ultrasonography in assessing the stifle joint OA, since the lack of superimpositions and the higher contrast resolution. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess osteoarthritic changes CT in case of CCL rupture. Material and Methods: 19 dogs of various breeds, 7 male and 12 females, mean age 5,7 years (range: 8 mt – 12 y), with clinical signs of unilateral (12 cases) or bilateral (7 cases) CCL rupture underwent CT studies of the stifle joints. In all dogs, the diagnosis of CCL rupture was confirmed at surgery. The duration of clinical signs varied from 5 days to 6 months with a mean chronicity of 1,2 months. CT studies were performed with a third generation scanner (GE Pace Plus) on dogs in dorsal recumbency with hind limbs caudally extended. 1mm thickness contiguous slices from suprapatellar recess to proximal tibial epiphysis were made. CT studies evaluation was made on transverse slices and on multiplanar reconstructions (MPR) using both bone (WW 1600, WL 400) and soft tissue (WW 500, WL 0) windows. Results: The most frequent CT findings visible on transverse images were: condylar and trochlear osteophytes (100%); capsular thickenings (88,9%); enthesiophytes of the tibial extensor muscle groove (83,3%); caudal dislocation of popliteal sesamoid (72,2%); intra-articular effusion (68,7%); subchondral sclerosis of femoral and tibial condyles (30%); synovial cysts (11,1%). MPR permits visualization of caudal cruciate ligament in all the stifle joints while CCL was visible only when it was intact. Medial meniscus damages, i.e. protrusion and/or tears, were visible in 21% of cases. Discussion/Conclusion: CT demonstrated to be an accurate technique that permits a good visualization of many of the ostheoartrosic changes secondary to CCL rupture. More of these changes, i.e. small enthesiophytes or osteophytes, capsular fluid distension or thickening, synovial cysts and caudal dislocation of popliteal sesamoid, are difficult to visualize on radiographs. On MPR images, cruciate ligaments appear as tape-shaped structures, relatively hyperdense compared to the surrounding hypodense fat and synovial fluid. Caudal cruciate ligament is visualized in the sagittal plane while CCL in an oblique parasagittal plane. The menisci are difficult to visualize also on MPR images. Our results demonstrate that, when MRI is not available, CT could be a valuable choice for the assessment of the osteoarthritic changes secondary to CCL rupture in dogs.

si descrive un grave caso di osteomielite della seconda e terza falange associata ad artrite settica della seconda interfalangea in una puledra. La revisione chirurgica della lesione portava all'asportazione di tre frammenti ossei deperiostati che corrispondevano a parte della III falange ed all'intera terza falange. Controllata la sepsi, la lesione evolveva verso la guarigione con un discreto recupero funzionale. A due anni la cavalla sviluppava a carico dello stesso arto una pododermatite cronica ipertrofica, che esitava in guarigione dopo intervento chirurgico di revisione endoungueale. Al controllo a 3 anni la cavalla aveva raggiunto un ottimo adattamento funzionale.

Scopo del lavoro è stato la validazione statistica del metodo di valutazione della maturità scheletrica dei cavalli sportivi mediante l'esame radiografico della sommità del calcaneo e della fisi distale del radio. Partendo da 18 mesi di età, sono stati effettuati studi radiografici della fisi calcaneale e di quella distale del radio a distanza di 2 mesi l'uno dall'altro fino alla chiusura. La classificazione radiografica è stat fatta in 5 classi: C, fisi completamente aperta; B-, fisi con segni di iniziale chiusura centrale; B, fisi con segni di chiusura centrale; B+, fisi completamente chiusa centralmente; A: fisi completamente chiusa. Sulla base di questa classificazione i soggetti sono stati classificati come: immaturi (C, B- e B) o maturi (B+ e A). La lettura dei radiogrammi è stata eseguita da 3 lettori con differente grado di esperienza, in maniera random e cieca, in due sessioni eseguite a distanza di 1 mese. Il grado di accordo tra i lettori è stato valutato mediante la statistica k. La valutazione dell'incidenza delle lesioni nei gruppi di cavalli maturi o immaturi è stata valutata mediante il test del X2. L'età media della chiusura della fisi calcaneale è stata 24.1 mesi mentre per la fisi distale del radio è stata di 28.2 mesi senza differenze significative tra maschi e femmine. Il grado di accordo tra i lettori era basso per il lettore meno esperto mentre era buono per i due lettori esperti. Il grado di accordo aumentava se le classi radiografiche venivano ridotte a 3 (C, B e A). Non sono state evidenziate correlazioni statisticamente significative tra maturità scheletrica radiograficamente stabilita e incidenza di lesioni ortopediche.

Scopo del lavoro è stato di definire la correlazione tra la maturità scheletrica, determinata radiologicamente, e l’incidenza di lesioni ortopediche in un gruppo di 33 trottatori. È stato, inoltre, ottoposto a valutazione statistica il metodo di classificazione radiologica della fisi distale del radio e della fisi calcaneale attualmente in uso, definendone l’affidabilità inter ed intra-rater, così come la sensibilità e la specificità per lettori con diverso livello di esperienza. Partendo da soggetti di 18 mesi d’età, sono stati effettuati studi radiografici della fisi calcaneale e della fisi distale del radio a distanza di due mesi l’uno dall’altro fino a rilevare la chiusura del disco epifisario. Le immagini radiografiche delle fisi sono state classificate da 3 lettori, con diverso livello di esperienza,in C: fisi aperta; B-: segni iniziali di chiusura centrale; B: fisi parzialmente chiusa; B+: chiusura completa della porzione centrale della fisi; A: fisi chiusa. Sulla base di questa classificazione i soggetti sono stati classificati come I (soggetti immaturi: C, Be B) o M (soggetti maturi: B+ e A). La lettura dei radiogrammi veniva eseguita da ciascun lettore due volte a distanza di un mese. Il grado di accordo inter ed intra-rater è stato valutato con il metodo di analisi statistica k. Le lesioni ortopediche sono state classificate come lesioni maggiori se causa di interruzioni prolungate o definitive dell’allenamento, o minori, se determinavano brevi o nulle interruzioni dell’allenamento. La valutazione dell’incidenza delle lesioni nei differenti gruppi è stata determinata usando il test del χ2 (p

A questionnaire was used to determine the incidence of exertional rabdomyolysis (RML) among 327 Italian Standarbred in 13 racing yards. The veterinarians and/or the trainers of the yards were interviewed monthly during a year. A case-control study was used to investigate the risk factors of the syndrome. The cases were diagnosed on the base of the clinical signs and the serum biochemistry. For each horse affected by RML were registered sex, age, temperament, feeding methods, training practices, driver, racing performances, days of rest, lameness, and respiratory diseases. Data from the horses affected were compared with the same data from two controls for each case randomly selected from the same yard. The incidence of RML was 8,6%. Females were most frequently affected. Age, temperament and management factors didn’t significantly differ between controls and affected horses. The reason for increased frequency of RML in females remains unclear and the pathogenesis of RML needs further investigations.WW

The dorsal acetabular rim (DAR) view of the hip joint can be used to assess the weightbearing portion of the acetabulum and the acetabular coverage, providing an adjunct to the conventional ventrodorsal (VD) view in the radiographic evaluation of hip dysplasia in the dog. A quantitative index of acetabular coverage in the DAR view, the acetabular slope (AS) angle, was originally proposed in 1990. The aim of the present study was to make a prospective, comparative assessment of a new parameter, the centre-edge (CE) angle, with the AS angle, for the evaluation of the acetabular coverage of the femoral head in the DAR view. The reliability and repeatability of the two parameters was assessed using the r(I) value of intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) in a prospective study of 208 hip joints in large and giant breed dogs. An estimation of the added value of using the DAR view, compared with that of the VD standard view alone, was also assessed. The CE angle showed a higher r(I) value compared with the AS angle; in 26 per cent of hips of FCI classes A, B and C, the DAR view provided additional diagnostic information compared with the VD view, with respect to lateralisation and/or initial changes to the dorsal rim. It is concluded that the CE angle is more reliable than the AS angle in the evaluation of acetabular coverage, and that the DAR view provides valuable data compared with the VD view alone in the early stages of canine hip dysplasia.

Viene descritto un caso di shwannoma solitario in un cane, la sintomatologia,la diagnosi clinica ed istopatologica, la terapia ed il followup

L’amelia è una malformazione caratterizzata dall’assenza di un arto. È un’ectromelia, termine che indica l’assenza congenita, totale o parziale, di uno o più arti. Sebbene la reale prevalenza di questa patologia sia sottostimata, pochi sono i casi descritti nel cavallo, poiché ai puledri affetti viene solitamente praticata l’eutanasia. Nel presente lavoro si riporta un caso di amelia dell’arto anteriore destro in un puledro Trottatore Italiano. All’esame clinico si rilevava l’assenza dell’arto anteriore destro e non era possibile riscontrare alcun altro difetto. Al puledro, secondo richiesta del proprietario, veniva praticata l’eutanasia. L’esame radiografico e quello autoptico confermavano i rilievi clinici. In diverse specie è stata dimostrata l’ereditarietà delle deformità congenite degli arti ed i geni coinvolti sono stati identificati. Fattori ambientali, quali sostanze tossiche con proprietà mutagene (es. diossine, talidomide) durante i primi stadi dell’ontogenesi, possono produrre instabilità cromosomica e rendersi responsabili di differenti malformazioni. Basandosi sulle notizie relative alla discendenza dei genitori del puledro in esame e sui casi di ectromelie descritti in soggetti di specie ovina provenienti dalla stessa area geografica ed indotti dagli effetti tossici delle diossine, nel presente studio viene ipotizzata un’eziologia teratogenica. A conoscenza degli Autori, questo è il primo caso di amelia descritto nel Trottatore Italiano

Anatomical studies on the palmar and plantar digital nerves (NDP) distribution, clinical trials about the effectiveness of nerve blocks and the availability of modern imaging techniques in equine practice questioned the specificity and the reliability of this diagnostic ancillary test. Aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the human error and of the operator’s skill on the results of the test; meanwhile, the utility for didactic purpose and the learning curve were evaluated, using parts of limb from slaughtered animals. One experienced (operator 3) and two untrained operators (operators 1 and 2) performed the perineural injections on 50 limbs. A score was assigned to the difficulty, the time of execution and the precision of the inoculation respectively; type and incidence of the errors occurred were also recorded. Statistical analysis of the data concerning 200 injections revealed that frequency and severity of the mistakes of operator 1 were greater both compared to the other untrained operator (operator 2) and to the experienced operator (operator 3); both inexperienced operators made more errors than the skilled operator. The most frequent error was the accidental inoculation into the digital tendon sheath; other errors occurred were the injection into the digital vein, distance of the inoculation from the nerve greater than 5 mm and a poor amount of anaesthetic. Regard to the site of injection, unskilled operators failed more often in performing perineural blocks in the hind limb. Besides, it has been observed for both the untrained operators a gradual and significant reduction in frequency and severity of the errors. Statistic analysis of data demonstrated that the human error influences the test only when performed by unskilled operators. The use of isolated limbs is a valid aid to acquire a correct skill and the learning curve is influenced by individual variable

This short communication describes the case of a colt affected by an osteochondroma of the nasal bone, which was removed surgically, and describes the follow-up two years after treatment. An 18-month-old warmblood colt was examined because of the presence of a single median mass gradually increasing in size, deforming the nasal profile. There was no history of trauma, and no other bony growths were evident on physical examination. The lesion was approximately 6 x 4 x 3 cm in size, smooth, bony, hard, cold, indolent and fixed to underlying bone. Radiography revealed an osseous proliferation arising from the nasal bones, showing areas of irregular radiolucency. Cytological examination of a fine-needle biopsy from the tumor showed a few scattered, large to medium-sized mesenchymal cells, with moderate anisocytosis and anisokaryosis. Individual cells appeared round to spindle-shaped or stellate and often had wispy trails of cytoplasm. The cytological interpretation of these findings was a benign mesenchymal tumour. The horse underwent surgery under general anaesthesia in lateral recumbency. Histologically, a diagnosis of osteochondroma was made.One month later, the horse’s nasal profile presented an irregular, fibroelastic mass, protruding by 1•5 cm, in the area of the previous surgery. Radiography showed an area of irregular radiodensity with a peripheral opaque outer rim of soft tissue, resembling a periosteal reaction. Two years later, the change in the nasal profile persisted, with the same clinical and radiological features, and a cytological evaluation did not reveal any atypical cells. In this case it was decided to remove the mass without excising a bone flap around its base, to avoid causing interference with the breathing process and leaving the possibility to remove a large bone flap in a second surgical procedure, depending on the histological findings. The follow-up two years after surgery confirmed that, in horses, the behaviour of solitary osetochondromas involving flat bone is benign, unlike in other species such as the cat. The prognosis after surgical excision appears to be good except for the aesthetic results, which may be relevant in show horses. The cause of osteochondroma has still not been defined. The clinical presentation, radiological and histological features of osteochondroma of the nasal bone in this horse appeared to be characteristic, but the differential diagnosis should include granuloma, ossifying fibroma, osteoma, chondroma, osteosarcoma and chondrosarcoma. A histological evaluationis needed for a definitive diagnosis.

An unusual case of a Yorkshire terrier with a dermoid sinus associated with multiple spinal/costal malformations is described. The dog presented with ataxia and pain in the dorsal thoracic region. Diagnostic characterisation of the lesions was obtained with radiography, myelography and computed tomography. After surgical removal of the sinus, the dog showed marked clinical improvement over a two-year period.