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OBJECTIVE To describe clinical applications of computer-assisted orthopedic surgery (CAOS) in horses with a navigation system coupled with a cone beam computed tomography unit. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective clinical case series. ANIMALS Thirteen adult horses surgically treated with CAOS. METHODS Medical records were searched for horses that underwent CAOS between 2016 and 2019. Data retrieved included signalment, diagnosis, lameness grade prior to surgery, surgical technique and complications, anesthesia and surgery time, and information pertaining to the perioperative case management and outcome. RESULTS In 10 cases, surgical implants were placed in the proximal phalanx, third metatarsal bone, ulna, or medial femoral condyle. In one case, navigated transarticular drilling was performed to promote ankylosis of the distal tarsal joints. In another case, an articular fragment of the middle phalanx was removed with the help of CAOS guidance. In the final case, a focal osteolytic lesion of the calcaneal tuber was curetted with the aid of CAOS. In seven cases, a purpose-built frame was used for the surgical procedure. All surgeries were performed successfully and according to the preoperative plan. CONCLUSION Computer-assisted orthopedic surgery can be an integral part of the clinical case management in equine surgery. To optimize workflow and time-efficiency, the authors recommend designating one team for operative planning and another for the execution of the surgical plan. Specialized equipment, such as the purpose-built frame, will further improve CAOS applications in equine surgery. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE After they have become familiar with the operational principles, equine surgeons can readily apply CAOS for a broad spectrum of indications.

Zowel bij de hond als het paard is manken door een knieprobleem een frequent voorkomende klacht, maar de specifieke pathologieën, hun oorzaken en hun prevalentie zijn verschillend. De aanwezigheid en uitgebreidheid van deze aandoeningen kan onderzocht worden met verschillende beeldvormingstechnieken zoals radiografie (RX), echografie (US), computer tomografie (CT), computer tomografische arthrografie (CTA) en magnetische resonantie (MRI). Het is essentieel om het onderscheid te kunnen maken tussen normale anatomie, anatomische variaties, toevalsbevindingen en klinisch relevante afwijkingen en dit is nog belangrijker geworden door het toegenomen gebruik en stijgende beschikbaarheid van meer geavanceerde beeldvormingsmodaliteiten. Het hoofddoel van dit doctoraat was om aan de hand van US en CT, de beschrijving bij te werken van de normale anatomie, anatomische variaties en incidentele bevindingen van het kniegewricht bij honden en paarden.

In the first part of this series of articles on modern equine dentistry, which was published in the fourth issue of this journal in 2015, different dental pathologies in the horse were reviewed. In this second part, the focus is directed towards how these diseases can be diagnosed. This involves the implementation of a proper oral examination combined with the use of correct terminology/nomenclature to record the encountered pathology on a dental record sheet. Several dental diagnostic imaging techniques, such as oral endoscopy, radiography, computed tomography, scintigraphy and MRI provide complementary information on the identification of the exact disease process, a prerequisite to deduct proper prognostic and therapeutic conclusions.

Hyperadrenocorticism is a frequently occurring disease in middle-aged ferrets. It is caused by a neoplasm of the adrenal cortex. Otherwise than in dogs and cats, hyperadrenocorticism in the ferret is always independent of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). The tumor of the adrenal cortex can be removed surgically, mostly with satisfying results. After surgery, a regression of symptoms occurs after two to eight weeks, and the animals are without symptoms after five to eight months. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in using a chemical therapy aimed at decreasing hormone production through the administration of GnRH agonists. These agonists initially cause a temporary increase of the sex steroids, and then a long-term decrease of them through desensitization of the GnRH receptors. A deslorelin implant seems to be a promising alternative for the surgical treatment of hyperadrenocorticism in ferrets. Some authors even recommend it as a standard preventive treatment after neutering in both genders and for every ferret over four years of age. Moreover, it is an excellent alternative for surgical castration.

A 2.5-year-old neutered male British Shorthair was presented with chronic lameness that had developed acutely after a jump on the bed. On clinical examination, moderate lameness was observed left hind and muscle atrophy was present. On palpation, the problem was located in the hip region. A ventrodorsal radiograph of the hips showed an irregular and radiolucent area in the femoral neck and a widened space between the femoral head and -neck at the level of the growth plate. Based on these findings, the conclusion was an old Salter-Harris type 1 fracture of the left femoral neck. After excision of the femoral head and -neck, the cat was again presented with symptoms right hind. On the radiographic examination of the hips, loosening of the right femoral head was visible. The diagnosis was metaphyseal osteopathy of both hips. After a second excision of the femoral head and -neck, the cat recovered completely. This case demonstrates that the diagnosis of metaphyseal osteopathy is often missed, because of the initially vague symptoms and the similarity to a fracture of the femoral neck on radiography. The case also shows that it is important to consider metaphyseal osteopathy in the differential diagnosis in cats suffering from fractures of the proximal femoral neck after mild trauma.

In humans, administration of recombinant human thyroid stimulating hormone (rhTSH) allows radioactive iodine dose reduction and higher efficacy in the treatment of multinodular goiter and thyroid cancer. A similar effect might be expected in dogs with thyroid carcinoma. However, if rhTSH leads to an increase in thyroid volume, it must be used carefully in dogs with large thyroid tumors to avoid compression of key anatomical structures. The aim of this study was to determine the short-term effect of rhTSH on thyroid volume and echogenicity, measured by ultrasonography, in healthy Beagles. Seven beagles were divided randomly in two groups in a prospective placebo-controlled blinded cross-over study. On day 1, one group received 100 microg of rhTSH intravenously and the other group received placebo. After a wash-out period of 3 weeks, the groups were crossed over. Evaluation of thyroid echogenicity, homogeneity, shape, capsule delineation, and measurement of thyroid length, width, and height were performed by the same observer at baseline, and at 6, 24, and 48h after injection of rhTSH and placebo. There was no significant difference between the effect of rhTSH and placebo on thyroid volume (P = 0.397), echogenicity, homogeneity, or capsule delineation. Time had a significant effect on thyroid volume (P = 0.027). No adverse effects after rhTSH administration were noticed. The effect of rhTSH on thyroid volume in dogs with thyroid carcinoma needs to be assessed.