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Introduction: Due to the tremendous importance of the hoof for the welfare of equids, plenty of studies have investigated the foot conformation of horses, which can be objectively described by morphometric measurements. Although the foot conformations of horses and donkeys differ, only poor data exists describing the physiological foot conformation of donkeys. The objective of this study was to provide reference values for different radiographic parameters for healthy donkeys. Additionally, this study aimed to evaluate differences between the left and right limb or between the medial and lateral parts of the hoof and the dependence of various parameters on size, age, and weight. Materials and methods: Lateromedial and dorsopalmar radiographs were taken of 46 generally sound donkeys, that were lame-free in walk, following a hoof correction due to their hoof pastern axis. With the help of radiopaque markers, several measurements were performed on the radiographs. The statistical analysis was carried out by determining mean values and standard deviations. All parameters were tested for significant differences between the left and right limbs as well as the medial and lateral hoof parts. The methodology included using a paired T-test after proof of a normal distribution of the data using a Shapiro–Wilk Test. For parameters without a normal distribution, the Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used instead. The dependence of the parameters on height, weight, and age was examined using a Spearman rank correlation. Results: Reference values for the various parameters were provided for an average population of healthy donkeys. For two parameters, heel length and sole thickness, a significant difference between the left and right limb was shown. There was evidence the medial wall angle was significantly bigger than the lateral wall angle (p = 0.0075), whereas the sole thickness was significantly larger on the lateral aspect (p < 0.001). No correlation with age was found for most variables, with a few exceptions. Almost all absolute lengths measured showed a moderate to strong positive correlation with the weight and height of the subject, while most angle measurements were not dependent on these parameters. The data obtained specifically for the donkeys in this study differ substantially from the data already published for horses. Thus, this data serves as a helpful guideline for the assessment of radiographs of the donkey's foot. All donkeys included in this study were generally sound and lame-free in walk, but there was undeniable evidence of chronic laminitis and not all the values collected can be considered to be physiological. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The masticatory muscles of the horse are arranged in an asymmetrical pattern. Four individual muscles on the medial side of the mandible are opposed by one muscle (M. masseter) on the lateral side. However, recent studies on various herbivorous mammals indicate that the masseter muscle features a complex stratigraphic structure that might account for a functional diversity resembling an arrangement of several individual muscles. The functional consideration of the multidirectional equine masticatory movements leads to a similar hypothesis. In order to elucidate the detailed anatomy of the equine masseter muscle, eight cadaveric equine heads were dissected. Additional 29 skull specimens were assessed with regard to the masseteric attachment within the Fossa masseterica. A constant arrangement of nine individual muscular layers within the masseteric muscle was determined. The individual layers were clearly separated by tendon plates and their attachment areas at the masseteric fossa of the mandible were arranged in a constant pattern of bony ridges. With similar consistency, the main trunk of the masseteric nerve was found to run from dorsocaudal to ventrorostral: On that course, the nerve penetrated between the muscular layers from medial to lateral at constant positions. The findings of this study serve as a basis for further studies with the aim of developing biomechanical concepts of equine masticatory movement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Stallion castration is a standard procedure with a risk of post-surgical complications. Castration induces an acute phase response (APR). Serum Amyloid-A (SAA) is a well-studied major acute phase protein (APP), that has been shown to be a good marker for the development of post-surgical complications. The current gold standard for reducing the APR after castration is Flunixin-Meglumin, which is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) inhibiting COX1/2. In contrast, Traumeel LT ad us. vet. can modulate the APR by induction of the inflammation resolution. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of Flunixin-Meglumin and Traumeel LT ad us. vet. on the acute phase response. Material and methods: A total of 60 stallions were recruited and 54 stallions entered the study with 27 stallions in each treatment group. The stallions were treated pre- and postoperatively with either Flunixin-Meglumin (FL) or with Traumeel LT ad us. vet. (TR). Blood was taken before and 24 h, 48 h and 72 h after castration. The following main parameters were assessed: SAA, fibrinogen, iron, white blood cells, neutrophils, Interleukin1ß, and cortisol. Wound healing and pain were assessed at 8 time points. Results: The main variable SAA was increased after surgery reaching a mean value of 122 µg/ml in the FL group and a mean SAA of 226 µg/ml in the TR group 48 h after surgery, reaching a significant difference only at the 24 h timepoint (p = 0.03). All stallions had the highest pain summary score 8 hours after surgery, with decreasing values thereafter. The pain scores were not statistically different at any time point. In the FL group five stallions developed a suture dehiscence compared to only one stallion in the TR group (p = 0.001). Discussion: Within the limitations of this study, Traumeel LT ad us. vet. seems to have proresolving effects on the inflammation induced by surgery making it a valuable treatment to reduce the APR induced by castration. Due to its different mode of action, Traumeel LT ad us. vet. might be an alternative treatment option if gastrointestinal side effects or renal side effects of NSAIDs should be avoided. Further studies are needed combining Traumeel LT ad us. vet. and Flunixin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to delineate the detailed anatomy of the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) and metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joints in healthy horses using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). The fetlock region of 15 cadaveric forelimbs and 14 cadaveric hindlimbs from nine adult horses without orthopaedic disease underwent CBCT scanning. Additionally, arthrography CBCT scans were conducted following intra‐articular injection of a radiopaque contrast medium containing blue epoxy resin dye. Subsequently, limbs were frozen and sectioned to visualize anatomical structures in sectional planes corresponding to selected CBCT images. CBCT proved suitable for detailed visualization of the bony components of the fetlock region. Furthermore, the common digital extensor tendon, superficial and deep digital flexor tendons, suspensory ligament, and straight and oblique sesamoidean ligaments were identifiable on CBCT images. However, certain ligaments, such as the collateral sesamoidean ligaments and intersesamoidean ligaments, were not clearly identified. The hyaline cartilage of the MCP and MTP joint facets was assessable on the post‐contrast sequence. In cases where a radiographic or ultrasound examination cannot provide a definitive diagnosis and determine the extent of disease, CBCT can provide additional valuable data on the equine MCP and MTP joint. The images obtained in this study can serve as a reference for CBCT examination of the equine MCP and MTP joint. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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In equine veterinary medicine, serum amyloid A (SAA) is frequently measured to assess the health status of horses and to monitor therapy success for treatment of inflammatory diseases. To date, 3 different stall-side point-of-care assays (POCAs) are commercially available for equine SAA measurement. SAA-POCAs are mainly used in equine ambulatory practices or in the clinical setting. Clinical pathology laboratories mainly work with a different type of SAA assay, the so-called turbidimetric immunoassay (TIA) of which a human TIA (TIA-Hum) and a veterinary TIA (TIA-Vet) are available. Precision is extremely variable both within the same test method and between different test methods and a bias can occur when measuring equine SAA. Validation studies of a POCA show an analytical coefficient of variation (CVa) of up to 45.5%. The reported biases vary between -28.8% (TIA-Hum versus TIA-Vet) and 80.9% (POCA versus TIA-Vet). Linearity of SAA-POCAs is fair (determination coefficient [R²]=0.87; SAA 0–562μg/ml) to excellent (R²=0.99; SAA 0–1000μg/ml). Linearity of the TIAs TIA-Hum and TIA-Vet is very good (R²=0.95) to excellent (R²=0.99) when measuring SAA concentrations from 0–1593μg/ml (TIA-Hum) and from 0–6160μg/ml (TIA-Vet) and using a sample pre-dilution of 1:6. In one POCA, the Hook effect can lead to falsely low SAA concentrations when measuring high SAA concentrations>3000µg/ml. While lipemia might result in falsely high SAA measurements, bilirubinemia and hemolysis potentially cause falsely low SAA results. The comparison of SAA results between different test methods (POCA versus TIA), of varying sample material (serum versus plasma versus whole blood) and measurement with test cartridges of different lots is not recommended. Overall, imprecision, bias between methods, Hook effect, and interferences can lead to misinterpretation of the measured SAA values, thus potentially cause unjustified adjustments of an initiated treatment plan. The clinical appearance of a horse must always be correlated with the determined SAA value. If there are obvious deviations, dilutions and repeat measurements may have to be carried out. The quick and uncomplicated assessment of a horse´s state of health, which is attributed to POCAs must be critically questioned as the approximation of an SAA result to an “as true as possible” SAA value is only possible with well-founded background knowledge for the interpretation of SAA results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Pferdeheilkunde is the property of Hippiatrika Verlag GmbH and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)