Summary A researcher‐administered survey study was performed involving 769 horses from 32 Thoroughbred, Standardbred, and pleasure horse stables in southwestern Ontario. Data were gathered on individuals (breed, age, and sex) and at the stable level (housing, management). The effects of these factors on cribbing, stall‐walking, weaving, stall‐kicking, tongue playing, and pawing were assessed by unconditional analysis (Chi‐square, t test) and conditionally using stepwise logistic regression. Individual level factors had significant effects on most compulsive behaviours. Some stable level factors, in most cases, those related to type and amount of exercise, had a significant effect on the prevalence of compulsive behaviours when tested unconditionally, but were not significant if entered into a logistic regression model after stable type. Stall‐kicking was more common in horses which had physical contact with other horses, and this factor remained significant in the logistic regression analysis. Stable level factors should be regarded as modulating factors rather than as causes and in some cases, may reflect an attempt to treat the problem. Increased turn‐out of affected horses likely reflects an ineffective attempt to treat problems, while reduced forced exercise (riding, lungeing) of affected horses is more likely to represent a cause.

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Thirteen healthy mixed breed dogs (6 female and 7 male) underwent rectal transection and resection of 0 to 6 cm using a dorsal approach. Rectoanal sphincter pressure studies were performed preoperatively and 6 weeks after surgery using a double balloon manometer device. Sphincter pressure profiles were altered in the 6 cm resection dogs. Clinical observations of defecation and degree of continence were made over a 10 week period postoperatively. The transection only and 4 cm resection dogs defecated normally. All dogs in the 6 cm resection group involving the peritoneal reflection were incontinent but retained some normal posturing behavior. Surgical complications included minor infection in two dogs, rectocutaneous fecal leakage in four dogs, breakdown of the anastomotic site in four dogs, and incontinence in all of the dogs that underwent 6 cm resections. Barium enemas were performed on the rectums postmortem to ascertain the degree of stricturing induced by the surgery. The index of stenosis measured did not correlate well with the extent of straining in each group. Histopathologic findings on dogs in the transection only and 4 cm resection groups without dehiscence showed mild granulomatous proctitis with normal myenteric plexi seen. Dogs suffering dehiscence had suppurative proctitis, necrosis, and obliteration of the myenteric plexi.

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Methylmethacrylate cement was used as a substitute for the epiphyseal bone of the canine proximal femora, after femoral neck osteotomy. The effects of different volumes of acrylic cement on the integrity of trabecular bone and articular cartilage and the effects of different types of fixation of the osteotomy site were assessed clinically, radiologically and histologically. Degenerative changes occurring in the articular cartilage were greatest when a large area of epiphyseal bone was replaced with methylmethacrylate. These degenerative changes varied proportionately with the rigidity of fixation at the osteotomy site. Rigid fixation resulted in a better clinical and radiographic assessment and a decrease in histopathologic changes in the articular cartilage.