No abstract

Right dorsal colitis (RDC) is an ulcerative inflammatory bowel disorder of the horse that has been associated with the administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), particularly in horses treated when dehydrated or toxaemic. The acute form of RDC may result in profuse diarrhoea, severe colic, dehydration, endotoxic shock and even death; the chronic form may be manifest by mild to moderate intermittent colic, ventral oedema and weight loss with or without diarrhoea. The most consistent laboratory findings are anaemia, hypoproteinaemia, hypoalbuminaemia and hypocalcaemia. Medical management of RDC requires avoidance of NSAIDs, of stressful experiences and of large-volume diets. Specific medications such as sucralfate and metronidazole have been used to treat RDC in the horse. The use of dietary additions such as psyllium and corn oil has been mentioned in the literature.RDC has not been reported previously in Ireland or Britain; here we report that the condition was diagnosed in three horses in Ireland on the bases of a history of phenylbutazone therapy, clinical signs, clinical pathology and ultrasonography. In two of the three horses the diagnosis was confirmed by direct inspection of the affected colon at celiotomy.

Summary Reasons for performing study: Circumferential mural band (CMB) in the small intestine is an emerging condition in Ireland. The clinical presentation is a simple obstruction of the small intestine of unknown aetiology. Hypothesis: Horses affected with CMB in the small intestine have a good prognosis following surgical decompression into the caecum. Methods: A retrospective study was carried out and 28 cases identified from 559 colic surgeries performed over a 5.5 year period. An exploratory celiotomy was performed in every case. A simple obstruction at the mid or distal jejunum was identified caused by a CMB, which was multiple in some cases. All of the horses except 2 had undergone a regular anthelmintic programme. Results: Manual decompression of the small intestine into the caecum resulted in resolution of the simple jejunal obstruction. A constricted segment of small intestine was resected in one case, as the degree of constriction was severe. A full thickness biopsy was taken from another case. Histopathology was performed on both samples. All horses recovered from surgery and were discharged from the hospital 7–32 days post operatively. Short‐term complications were observed. Survival rate was 100% at long‐term follow‐up. Histopathology showed inflammatory infiltration in the submucosa, muscularis and serosa with eosinophils predominating. Parasites were not detected. Conclusion and potential relevance: Small intestine circumferential mural bands have a good prognosis after surgical decompression of the small intestine into the caecum.

Summary Background Palatal dysfunction is a common cause of poor performance in racehorses. Although conservative management resolves just over 60% of cases, there is a requirement for further intervention in the residual 40% of cases that do not respond. It is proposed that a palatal stiffening technique that is simple to perform, safe, minimally invasive and enables a rapid return to exercise would be an acceptable first intervention. Genipin is a self‐polymerising molecule that bonds to collagen matrices increasing tissue strength, stiffness and resilience. A previous study demonstrated that implanted genipin increased palatal strength and its resistance to deformation and potentially was effective in decreasing likelihood of palatal dysfunction in horses. Objectives The objective of the study was to appraise the safety and feasibility of implanting genipin oligomers into the equine soft palate and to report on racehorse trainers' subjective assessment of its usefulness in management of palatal dysfunction. Study design Prospective, non‐randomised, pilot study. Methods Fifty Thoroughbred racehorses diagnosed with palatal dysfunction were implanted transendoscopically with genipin. The horses were monitored for adverse reactions during hospitalisation. A standard questionnaire provided to the horses' trainers was used to record additional adverse reactions and satisfaction with the animals' subsequent performance. Post‐treatment dynamic endoscopy was performed in a subgroup of animals. Results One horse developed adverse clinical signs of pyrexia and reduced appetite, which responded to treatment. Post‐procedural endoscopic examination revealed mild palatal abnormalities in 6 of 50 horses that showed no clinical signs. One horse had mild generalised oedema, four with mild focal swelling and one with a superficial mucosal ulceration at a single site of implantation of the soft palate. Following treatment, 76% of horses were reported to show clinical improvement by their trainers with 24% reported not to show improvement. Main limitations The study was not controlled, and outcome measures were mainly subjective. Conclusions The procedure was well tolerated, safe, minimally invasive and enabled a rapid return to exercise. Trainer reported improvement was comparable to previously reported palatoplasty procedures.